3.5 stars
I thought this was cute! I thought it was interesting to see someone with a scientific mindset analyze something like astrology, I thought it brought a different perspective.

I do think a lot of the zodiac and astrology references did go over my head since I really only (slightly) understand my own sign. I did enjoy the romance parts and loved Archer and Miranda together.

This was very quick so definitely good if you’re looking for something short/lighthearted!

This was a light-hearted romance that was cute but ultimately quite forgettable. I am a fan of the author and would love her to add that extra bit that made her older old books eg the Park Avenue series or the Lawyer series so memorable to these new offerings.

Huge thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Although this was not my type of genre that I read I did enjoy the story
Thank you for the ear;y release copy

I am a fan of this author and enjoyed this romance book. Well written and enjoyed the main character’s profession being unique for romance books.

3.5, rounded to 4. This book was really cute and sweet, albeit quite predictable. As an astrology lover, I loved the concept of this book and really enjoyed Miranda’s character. While Archer felt a bit too stereotypical to me, I still did enjoy his character. I loved Daphne and hope we get to see her have her own story as well! Overall, a fun read

I have been on a book slump then remembered I had a couple TBR’s for review! (End of summer was bananas schedule-wise) This book brought me right out of that slump but is going to leave me with the worst book hangover! I adored it!
Lauren Layne has started writing some closed-door romances and they are flawless. This is an instant favorite of mine. Miranda and Archer…ugh, Archer had me hooked from the very first “Randy”…their story was so great. The banter, the wit, the tension, the romance…goodness, I just loved it all! If you love a good rom-com, do yourself a favor and read this one stat!
And Hollywood—make this into a movie 😄
And Lauren Layne—please write another one of your closed door masterpieces next! 😆❤️

When I saw Lauren was coming out with a new book, I squealed with happiness!!! I'm not kidding when I say I think I've read every single one of her books. She packs the perfect punch of romance x wit x creativity in her books and I had high hopes for Miranda in Retrograde. I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but I'm not a huge fan of astrology so it was just harder for me to get into this one. That's a me problem though, and I'd absolutely still recommend it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for the arc of Miranda in Retrograde!

I adored Miranda! I loved seeing her character from beginning to end. A lot of what she said or did was super relatable, so I felt connected to her character. I found it incredible how much Lauren studied and researched about astrology and everything in relation to get this book out, it definitely showed. I just had trouble connecting to the mmc and their relationship, I found it super cute how the book closed off. This was a nice, cozy read especially if you're into astrology and science-y things.

Lauren Layne's books always bring a smile to my face, and this one was no exception! I absolutely loved the premise: an astronomer decides to leave her life up to her horoscope for a year—such a fun twist! ✨ The banter between her and her grumpy neighbor was adorable, and their chemistry had me rooting for them the whole way through. I adored the ending!

Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. This one is a cutesy, kind of 90s rom-com…(think “You’ve Got Mail” type vibe.) A grumpy artist, a physicist who decides to follow her horoscope and a lot of fun banter make this a sweet love story. I liked it but I didn’t love it. Admittedly, this is not my favorite Lauren Layne. This one lacked the depth of her other books and felt kind of predictable and rushed. Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you Lauren Layne and Netgalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own and are being left voluntarily.

You’d enjoy this book if you like:
-forced proximity
-horoscopes
-women in stem
-grumpy/sunshine
-love triangles

Miranda Reed takes a sabbatical after she doesn’t get the job she’s been working towards her adult life. She tries to follow her horoscope/astral chart instead of science/what she’s always believed in.

I enjoyed this book! While this one wasn’t a fave of mine written by her, Lauren Layne will forever be an auto buy author for me.

I think the only reason why this book wasn’t for me was because I am just not a huge lover of science-y & astral things 🙈

Thank you netgalley for the ARC of this book!
We all know I love Lauren Layne so I was so excited to dive into this one.
This is a low steam love triangle romance that is a slow burn. I really liked the heroine and found myself surprisingly interested in her journey with astrology in this book! I mean, I say that having zero clue what my birth sign is in life 😂
I think the stand out was the MMC in this- he was very likable and I could understand his struggles with the FMC. I was rooting for them and excited for every scene they shared together.

3.75-4stars
1 steam

Love triangle

Lauren Layne is one of the most underrated authors of contemporary romance, and that’s a shame. I’m always eager to read a LL book, but I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this one. And that doubt continued until the first 15% ish of the book. But in Lauren I should trust and by that point, I was charmed and completely hooked to Miranda’s journey and rooting for her HEA, in life and in love.

This is as much a journey of Miranda getting to know herself and her true desires as much as the romance, and as she learning and growing, she’s also learning that what she thinks she wants is not always what she truly wants or needs. She maybe a genius but girl does not have her shit together, giving her relatability.

This one is for the no spice girlies, and I wasn’t mad about it, because LL is one of the few I trust to do that well, a low slow build with simmering glances and heavy pining, tempered with a dose of her signature snappy banter. They have so much chemistry in their loaded exchanges that you won’t even find in some open door romances (I say this as a lover of all spice levels). It has a very 90s romcom vibe, with a pseudo triangle and a kiss at the end closing out the story. The quick resolution followed immediately by the book ending did leave me wanting a little more romance, and I did feel like we didn’t get to know our MMC all that well (keeping the name undisclosed even though it’s fairly obvious once you start reading), except through Miranda’s eyes.

But the longing and butterflies and the reluctant friends to lovers opposites attract dynamic is pitch perfect. This is a love letter to both science and the more pseudoscientific branches of study, and the belief that not all the answers can be found in either of these.

⭐️: 4
🌶️: 1

🌃 opposites attract
🌃 friends to lovers
🌃 forced proximity
🌃 astrology

If you’re looking for a quick paced, sweet and relatable romance read, this is the one. I consistently recommend Lauren Layne’s books to my friends and coworkers, and this one is no different.

Miranda is a hard working woman in STEM and academia that finds her career in limbo. When her best friend introduces her to following her horoscope, she grabbed on with both hands and made it her entire personality.
This was extremely relatable to me as there was a moment in my life when I was a bit lost and I turned to astrology and learning my natal chart to get me through, just as Miranda did.

The love story was fun and kept me on my toes. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be Christian or Archer. I guessed the ending but that’s totally OK, I was more shocked that I was right!

🌶️ = closed door

♥︎ Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books and Lauren Layne for the ARC of Miranda in Retrograde!

Unabashedly, I am a massive fan of The Big Bang Theory, so when I heard about a story involving a physicist who doesn't receive tenure despite being a superstar in her field (reminiscent of Sheldon) and hosts Jeopardy (similar to Amy, IRL), I was immediately intrigued. However, the main character, Miranda, is much more than a caricature. She is curious, insightful, and willing to challenge her firmly held beliefs by delving into astrology, a departure from her astronomy roots. Her decision to explore astrology and let her daily horoscope guide her through a year is a courageous leap into the unknown, inspiring her to consider new possibilities and take chances she wouldn't usually take. Her journey is initially challenged by her new next-door neighbor, an artist who starts as her nemesis but eventually becomes a friend. As Miranda reevaluates her beliefs about her identity, she receives support from her best friend, aunt, and a new love interest. The story is touching, heartwarming, and relatable, especially for romantics. I couldn't put the book down and wholeheartedly give it five stars. I highly recommend it!

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest and fair review.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was cutesy and funny and I adore both Miranda and Archer.
I just didn't get the love vibe from either of them. I did not believe in the he fell first, not even for a second. I did however love their their friendship and their banter.
Also I could've done with a little less of the horoscope gibberish.

Overall this was a fun, light and face paced story that I truly enjoyed. If you love hallmark movies, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC

Lauren Layne is an auto-buy author for me and this book didn't disappoint! In the beginning of the book, we're introduced to two male characters - Christian and Archer - and I was worried this would involve a love triangle. I really hate love triangles, so I was pleasantly surprised that this love triangle didn't seem to last long and it was blatantly obvious where Miranda's heart lied. The whole astrology-centric storyline was very unique and different than any contemporary romance books I've read and was an interesting dichotomy for such a scientific professor. I am looking forward to more books by LL soon!

If you’re in need of a heartwarming pick-me-up, this book is just what the doctor ordered! Miranda’s tenure dreams have crumbled, and after a forced sabbatical, she’s ended up on her aunt’s roof, dodging a cranky neighbor who insists she “get off his lawn.” With her life in limbo, Miranda starts letting her horoscope call the shots.

This read is pure joy. It’s like watching Miranda’s personal growth unfold as she navigates what she truly wants versus what she’s always been told to want. Archer’s dry wit and begrudging help are the perfect comedic touch to Miranda’s journey. As an astrology girlie with an Aquarius heart, I absolutely loved this!

Thanks for the earc, NetGalley!

Miranda in Retrograde is a delightful blend of science, self-discovery, and a touch of astrology that will leave you smiling by the end. The book starts off a bit slow, as the protagonist, Miranda Reed, a meticulous physics professor, finds her life upended after being denied tenure. The initial chapters focus heavily on her methodical approach to life, which, while important for setting up her character, made the early pacing feel a little sluggish.

However, about a third of the way in, the story truly picks up. As Miranda begins to let her horoscope guide her decisions, her once predictable world becomes a whirlwind of unexpected events and charming characters. The shift in pace not only brings excitement but also adds layers to Miranda's journey of self-discovery. Her interactions with the quirky artist next door and the seemingly perfect father of her student add just the right amount of tension and intrigue.

By the end, the novel beautifully balances the realms of science and astrology, leaving readers with a heartwarming reminder that not everything in life can be calculated—and sometimes, you just have to trust the stars. If you’re willing to stick through the slower start, this is a rewarding read that captures the unpredictability of life and love.

I think LL books feel like a nice warm hug and I am always up for a grumpy/sunshine book. Miranda doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. After being denied tenure at her university, she takes some time off to focus on her and does whatever her horoscope tells her to do that day. When she moves in to her aunt's townhouse and meets her grumpy neighbor she is not sure what to expect from her astrology project.
As time goes on, she wonders if she really wants to go back to the life planned for her or if there is more in store for her than she ever could have dreamed.
This book was a SLOW burn romance and I am not going to lie, I would have loved at least a little bit of this book to be from Archer's POV if only to calm my nerves. You could tell that he was smitten with her, but I would have liked to known just how long it was going on for him before the ending explained everything. It was like I was able to let the breath out I was holding when he finally opened up.
Thank you to Gallery, Netgalley and Lauren Layne for an early copy.