Joan Goodwin has always dreamt of touching the stars. But it has never felt possible. So she is content working as a physics and astronomy professor and being the best aunt to her niece, Frances. But when NASA advertises for women scientists to join their space shuttle program, Joan knows she has to apply. Chosen from thousands of applicants, Joan begins training and her dream suddenly feels achievable. But then there’s Vanessa Ford, the mysterious aeronautical engineer whom Joan just can’t stop gravitating towards. Suddenly Joan is questioning everything she thought she knew about herself.

In her acknowledgements, Taylor Jenkins Reid jokes she should dedicate Atmosphere to ‘Artistic License’, but her extensive research and focus on historical accuracy comes through on the page. She has a talent for writing stories that read more like a memoir than a work of fiction. It truly feels like I could search Joan Goodwin and find a Wikipedia page dedicated to her life and accomplishments.

On the surface, Atmosphere is a story about astrophysics, space engineering and the lives of astronauts. As you read further, you’ll discover it’s actually a broader story of the human experience. Set in Texas in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it’s about the struggles women face in male-dominated fields, and their constant fight to be seen as worthy. It also shines a light on the specific barriers the LGBTQIA+ community faced during this time and the aching desire not to have to hide one’s true self. Ultimately, at its core, Atmosphere is a story about love, in every sense of the word.

This book left me sobbing and completely destroyed in the best possible way. It will stay with me for a very long time. It is a must-read for Jenkins Reid fans, space enthusiasts and romance lovers alike.