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adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Death of parent, Lesbophobia
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SYNOPSIS
-It’s 1980 and NASA is finally letting women scientists into the Space Shuttle Program.
-Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics and astronomy with a quiet life and a big love for the stars, applies on a whim—and gets in.
-She joins a training group full of big personalities, hidden secrets, and some very complicated relationships.
-As the crew preps goes through the program together, Joan finds herself falling in love, facing major sacrifices, and questioning everything she thought she knew.
-Then, one mission changes everything.
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MY THOUGHTS
-This is the sixth Taylor Jenkins Reid book I’ve read—Atmosphere, Evelyn Hugo, Carrie Soto, One True Loves, Daisy Jones, and Forever, Interrupted—and she still blows me away every single time.
-Joan is a phenomenal main character—smart, loyal, brave, complicated in all the best ways. You root for her the whole time.
-I was obsessed with Frances and Vanessa. Barbara, on the other hand… she was the worst!
-The pacing is fast. It never drags.
-TJR clearly did her homework. The NASA and space program details feel so real and immersive without being info-dumpy.
-The character development is what makes this book shine. The way relationships evolve—especially between Joan and her sister, and Joan and Vanessa—was so layered and emotional.
-The ending? 100% worth the journey. Emotional, earned, unforgettable.
-It’s also deeply about love—romantic love, yes—but also family, legacy, and what we leave behind.
-TJR proves again that she’s one of the best storytellers writing today. Full stop.
⸻
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Loved this. It’s smart, heartfelt, fast-paced, and emotionally layered. One of my favorite reads this year.
⸻
THANKS: Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on June 3, 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Lesbophobia
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Miscarriage, Pregnancy
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol