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I’ve been eyeing this book for months. Ever since I devoured The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and spent a solid week mourning the fact that I could never read it for the first time again, I knew TJR had a permanent seat at my “pre-order without hesitation” table. Joan, Vanessa, and Frances? Forever in my heart. Rent free.

So when Atmosphere dropped, I did what any reasonable person would do: I bought the hardcover for annotating AND the audiobook for the added dramatics. Yes, both. No, I don’t regret it. You know a book has done something to you when you need to experience it in two formats just to fully process your feelings.

And my feelings? All over the place. In the best way.

TJR does this thing where she pulls you in immediately and you don’t even realize you’re emotionally invested until you’re tearing up on a Tuesday and wondering what happened to you. The second part of this book wrecked me. The ending? Chef’s kiss. I said what I said.

 

 

Also, and I say this as someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward sapphic stories, TJR makes you fall in love with these characters so completely that genre becomes irrelevant. That’s the mark of a genuinely great writer. She’s not writing for a niche, she’s writing humans, and humans are universally compelling when done right.

PSA: Barbara (Joan’s sister) is an absolute nightmare of a human being, and the sections involving her hit hard. Especially if you, like me, had a childhood with some abandonment baggage attached to it. I felt Frances’ pain in my bones. If that kind of storyline is heavy for you, it’s okay to skim. No shame. Read for joy, protect your peace.

10/10, would cry again. TJR, please never stop writing.