Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Title: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Release Date: 3rd June 2025
Publisher: Hutchinson Heinemann
RRP: $34.99
Rating: 6/5 stars
Synopsis:
In the summer of 1980, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin begins training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilots Hank Redmond and John Griffin; mission specialist Lydia Danes; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer. As the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined and begins to question everything she believes about her place in the observable universe.
Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.
Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars.
Review:
RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DON’T YOU TJR 🥹🥹🥹 i have LOVED taylor jenkins reid’s books in the past, but this one just takes the cake. HOW does she do it all the time?? topping her own book with every new release? i am in AWE 😩🤍
the writing in this feels different in a way that it’s much softer, more languid and loving. her book “carrie soto is back” for example has a rougher edge to it. it’s very intense and heated where “atmosphere” is gentle and light. it’s so refreshing. the tone reflects the themes of the story so perfectly — the wonders of space, achieving impossible dreams, being an inspiration to young girls, loving your friends and family so fiercely you will do absolutely anything to protect them. i love joan SO much. she is by far my FAVORITE character i have had the pleasure to ever read about. she is SO likeable and mature and clever and sooo inspiring. she is a breath of fresh air.
atmosphere is a quiet ferosity. so much grief and pain and sacrifice, but above all, there is love. there is SO much love. this is an easy 6 star read for me. oh my heart 💔💔💔