Atmosphere: A Love Story By Taylor Jenkins Reid Book Review
Ever wonder what it’s like to fall in love while literally reaching for the stars? Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid takes you deep into NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program, blending science, romance, and raw human emotion in a way that’s totally unforgettable.
At its core, this book is a love story, but it’s so much more than that. It follows Joan Goodwin, a reserved physics and astronomy professor whose lifelong passion for the stars pushes her to become one of the first women selected for NASA’s shuttle program. Alongside a tight-knit crew of astronauts and scientists, Joan trains and grows, but her life changes dramatically when she falls for Vanessa, a brilliant and mysterious aeronautical engineer. The story takes you through friendship, ambition, and a slow-burning romance set against the thrilling backdrop of space exploration.
What really makes Atmosphere stand out is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s skill at balancing the technical world of space with deeply human experiences. The characters feel so real and complex, you get their fears, hopes, and desires in a way that pulls you in. Plus, Reid’s writing doesn’t get bogged down in heavy science jargon, which is great if you’re not into all the technical stuff. Instead, it feels accessible and even poetic, weaving in just enough detail to make the setting vivid without losing the emotional core.
Readers have been totally captivated by the heartfelt portrayal of Joan and Vanessa’s relationship, praising how natural and deeply felt the romance is, handling it with sensitivity and depth, rather than just focusing on the physical side. Many say the story moved them to tears, highlighting not just the love story, but also powerful themes like identity, courage, and breaking barriers in a tough, often homophobic workplace. The friendships among the astronauts, and Joan’s relationship with her niece Frances, add warmth and a sense of found family that really enrich the story.
From my perspective, if you love stories about strong, unapologetic women breaking through in male-dominated spaces, combined with emotional depth and thoughtful looks at love and identity, Atmosphere will hit all the right notes for you. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a slow build-up that pays off with a thrilling and emotional climax. But if you’re after a fast-paced sci-fi adventure with less focus on character and more on action, this might not be your cup of tea.
So, if you’re into beautifully crafted love stories that fly beyond the usual settings, and want a book that makes you feel both the vastness of space and the closeness of human connection, Atmosphere is definitely worth checking out. Let me know what you thought if you’ve read it too!