Taylor Jenkins Reid is back with Atmosphere, a high-stakes space drama that had us sobbing, ranting, and fangirling all at once. 🚀

In this spoiler-free review, Cassie & Emily break down who this book is perfect for, how it compares to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and whether it deserves a spot on your TBR.

We cover NASA history, queer romance, representation, and (yes) why Katy Perry came up in the conversation.

Perfect for book clubbers, romantasy readers, or anyone wondering: Should you read this?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: why Atmosphere broke us
01:38 – Summary & first impressions
03:54 – Who this book is (and isn’t) for
07:11 – Women in NASA & Sally Ride
10:21 – Romance, identity, and representation
12:14 – Katy Perry in space?!
13:27 – Where TJR misses on diversity
17:25 – Comparing Atmosphere to Evelyn Hugo
20:06 – The love story & emotional stakes
21:15 – Joan as a main character
25:22 – Final ratings & recommendations
27:19 – The emotional gut punch of the ending
28:15 – Women are literally everything
29:12 – Similar book recs (The Women, The Martian, Lessons in Chemistry, Hidden Figures)
30:12 – Spice rating, book hangover level, and book club potential

Buy Atmosphere on Amazon: https://amzn.to/41lQn4k
Buy Atmosphere on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/114324/9780593158715

In this episode, Emily and Cassie dive into Part Two of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses — aka the iconic “Under the Mountain” section that changed everything for Feyre, Tamlin, and Rhysand.

We’re breaking down the second half of ACOTAR with:
✨ A light recap of Feyre’s trials (yes, including that worm)
✨ Our updated ACOTAR character rankings (spoiler: Tamlin is not thriving)
✨ Hidden Easter eggs we caught on our reread that hint at future books
✨ Hot takes on Amarantha, the riddle, the fairy wine nights, and the moment we all started falling for Rhysand

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes covering Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy deep-dives, and all things bookish!

👉 Buy A Court of Thorns and Roses or risk it all with the whole box set here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/bookbitsclub/list/2VGSVZGIRK2OB?ref_=aipsflist

We’re diving into the first half of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — perfect for Romantasy readers, book clubs, or anyone who needs a spoiler-filled refresher.

What you’ll hear:

• ACOTAR Part 1 recap & plot summary
• Our brutally honest character rankings
• Foreshadowing & Easter eggs for later books
• Hot takes on Tamlin, Lucien, Rhysand, Feyre, and Nesta
• Why this book hooks readers even when you “don’t like” the characters

From Feyre’s wolf hunt and capture by Tamlin, to the Spring Court’s cursed masquerade masks, meeting the Suriel, and Rhysand’s unforgettable entrance, we cover it all. Expect honest character rankings (Nesta supremacy), hidden Easter eggs, and plenty of unhinged moments (yes, Tamlin’s fiddle makes the list).

Perfect for book club discussions, ACOTAR newcomers wanting a refresher, and avid Romantasy readers who love deep dives, banter, and obsessing over fictional characters like they are real.

🎧 Listen & subscribe for more book club reads, deep dives, and a new book boyfriend obsession every Sunday!