Atmosphere

Taylor Jenkins Reid spent years researching astronauts, NASA, and spacecrafts, and it shows in this legit-seeming tale of '80s astronauts, competition, and tragic love. Imagine a long-distance relationship where your love is in space and it's your job to get them home safely—that's next-level problems. The atmosphere and research create immersive tension. I loved the emotional depth despite not knowing space travel; I'd recommend for historical sci-fi romance with real stakes.