Review of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – A Stellar Read You Won’t Forget

Atmosphere is a compelling, emotionally rich story that blends space exploration, female resilience, and heartfelt relationships into a truly unforgettable listening experience.

Summary:

In Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Joan Goodwin, a reserved physics professor with a lifelong fascination for the stars, is selected in 1980 to train as one of NASA’s first female astronauts. As she trains at Houston’s Johnson Space Center alongside a diverse and talented group—including a magnetic engineer named Vanessa Ford—Joan forms deep friendships and discovers a love that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. Her journey toward space becomes one of personal transformation, but a pivotal mission in December 1984 changes everything in an instant. Set during the thrilling early years of the Space Shuttle program, the novel explores ambition, identity, and the profound impact of human connection.

My Thoughts:

Taylor Jenkins Reid has long been one of my favourite authors, and Atmosphere is a shining example of why. This novel is smart, emotional, and utterly engrossing — a beautifully layered blend of historical fiction, space thriller, slow-burn romance, and powerful female friendships.

Set across two distinct timelines — the summer of 1980 and December 1984 — Atmosphere follows Joan Goodwin, a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University whose world is quietly content. She finds meaning in her work and joy in being an involved aunt to her whip-smart niece, Frances. But when Joan sees an ad calling for women scientists to apply to NASA’s Space Shuttle program, something shifts. A dream she thought she’d buried resurfaces — and she dares to chase it.

Joan’s selection into the program marks the beginning of an unforgettable journey. We’re introduced to a remarkable cast of fellow astronaut candidates — including a Top Gun pilot, a magnetic engineer, and a mission specialist who doesn’t play nice. The training scenes are vivid and detailed, capturing both the physical and emotional toll of preparing for space. And as Joan pushes herself further than ever before, the bonds she forms — especially with her female peers — reveal the strength and resilience of women in a male-dominated space (literally and figuratively).

Reid doesn’t shy away from the misogyny of the era. The women face subtle and overt discrimination, and each responds in her own way. It’s a sharp reminder of how far we’ve come — and how far we still have to go. One moment that stuck with me was the idea that Joan’s peers sometimes see her more clearly than she sees herself — a quiet yet profound observation about self-perception and growth.

Without spoiling anything, I’ll say that the romance in this story is written with the kind of tenderness and tension that Reid does so well. It fits the time period beautifully, and adds a whole new dimension to Joan’s character arc. Equally compelling is Joan’s relationship with her niece Frances. Their connection was one of my favourite parts of the book — honest, loving, and quietly life-shaping. I’d love to see a future book written from Frances’ point of view as she navigates adulthood with Joan’s influence lingering in the background.

The final chapters are gripping — emotionally intense, at times heartbreaking, and full of unexpected turns. I genuinely couldn’t stop listening. The story stayed with me long after I finished, and I suspect it will continue to orbit in my mind for quite some time.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated primarily by Julia Whelan with Kristen DiMercurio voicing a secondary perspective. Whelan is in a league of her own. Her nuanced, emotionally rich narration brings the story to life with realism and grace — she seamlessly shifts between voices and moods, and her performance only elevates what is already a stellar book. DiMercurio’s performance was also very good, adding depth and authenticity to her character’s sections. Together, their work made for an outstanding listening experience.

Final Thoughts:

Atmosphere is everything I hoped it would be — a compelling, character-driven novel with heart, tension, and a whole lot of soul. It’s a 5-star read for me, and one I’ll be recommending often.

Some Of The Other Books I’ve Reviewed and Recommend Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

Carrie Soto is Back

Malibu Rising