I knew Lauren Layne could do no wrong, but I didn't realize this book was going to heal me and my reading slump in a way I didn't think was possible.

To start with, let me just say how ROMANTIC this book was. Sure, romance novels are meant to be romantic but this took things to another level. This book had the slowest burn ever possible which made it more romantic. This had a grumpy, sassy hero who was romantic as hell even when he didn't mean to.

Miranda was an amazing character. I loved her outlook on life as things progressed. Lauren Layne & her genius love triangles made the story even more swoony. And the grand gesture? I wish I could literally experience that or even see that in real life.

Books like these always remind me why I love reading romance so much. Might be my new favorite by Lauren!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book, I knew that I wasn't going to like the astrology part of it and I was right. I found myself skipping over the daily horoscopes with an eyeroll. But everything else about this book was super cute and I loved the fact that it was clean for the most part. I don't want to be reading the f- word every other word and I appreciate that. I thought the romance was cute and I loved the way they got together. If you are looking for a sweet romance with a side of astrology, then you will love this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC for an honest review.
A young and talented astrophysicist is forced on a new path and explores the stars in a way she's not used to. A rom-com that has us wondering if our fate is written in the stars or whether we can create our destiny. This was my first Lauren Layne book and while I found it enjoyable overall, it is not a book I expect to re-read. It was a slow burn with no spice. I enjoyed the banter and the concept of finding yourself outside your job. The way the main FMC was written had me wondering if she was neurodivergent. There were several errors in the book BUT I believe that's because it was an ARC and I'm sure they'll be fixed. Overall, it was cute but a little slow. A fine weekend read.

Sweet, romantic, and clean are the first things that come to mind when describing this book. This book had me googling my birth chart and creating an interest in reading about astrology. The story is set between New Jersey and New York, although parts of the book also take place in Florida. We get Miranda, a professor whose main love and focus in her life is her career, or so she has convinced herself until the career plan she had elaborated on unfolds unexpectedly. We also meet Archer, a grumpy artist whose main charm comes from his ability to say little and leave you wanting more. This book is comforting, easy to read, and perfect for when you want a story that would allow you to escape reality while also living curiously through someone else's love story. If you love witty banter and love a story that makes you happy for others, this is it! I would have wished that the ending didn't move that fast, but I am not mad about it either.

Every book I’ve read of Layne’s has been a treasure, the characters are easy and intriguing as is the storytelling. Miranda is out of this world smart but she’s hit a snag in her career. House sitting for her
aunt opened her to new friendships and new beginnings. Archer is a bit of a grump with a heart of gold. After reading their story it’s easy to see the future and why the book came to its magical conclusion. However, along the way it was fun to learn about horoscopes and charting, each chapter starts with a new reading. This goes as one of my new favorites. I’m always thrilled to get an advanced copy and I wrote this review voluntarily.

4.5 stars

Lauren Layne is such a favorite author of mine. I’m so glad she is writing again! Her romances are always such comfort reads for me.

I loved this sweet, slow burn romance between Archer and Miranda AKA “Randy”. (It should be spelled with and “I”, though. LOL) I really liked Miranda’s character from the start, but I absolutely loved Archer. The quiet, moody artist was just what Miranda needed, no matter what her astrology charts said. Their banter was fun and on point. The ending was sweet and I loved it.

Thank you to Gallery Books for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one. It leaned heavily into the astrology - maybe a bit too much for me at times - but I don't know much about astrology and learned a lot. The romance was slow burn and swoon-worthy. I loved the way the relationship developed, and I also really enjoyed Miranda's character development throughout.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. Dr. Miranda Reed thinks she’s on track to tenure at her University. She is a popular lecturer, has appeared on numerous television shows to discuss her area of expertise, Astronomy and even hosted Jeopardy. But when her university denies her tenure because she is distracting away from “real” science, and suggests that she takes a year sabbatical. She goes to her favorite Aunt’s house and with her Aunt’s and BFF’s suggestion, she decides to use this year, and do something completely different than her usual logical self. She is going to live her life based on her astrological charts. Her aunt offers Miranda her house in NJ, while she takes the year off and her Aunt visits Florida. While living her new life, she meets her Aunts broody Artist neighbor, Archer and her knight in shining armor, Christian. Of course, the question is, will she follow the logical path or her heart when it comes to love and the rest of her life? This was a fun journey, with a lot of wonderful characters. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Miranda in Retrograde Lauren Layne is a sweet, funny and lighthearted story.
I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end.
The characters are likable, the connection strong, the chemistry combustible, and the unique plot makes for an intriguing read.
The writing was so easy and I was sucked in from the moment I started.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.75 rounded up

Miranda’s professional life is upset and she decides to make some changes in her life. Miranda’s changes aren’t *really* changes and we watch her go through the motions of a new normal until everything gets up ended again.

Overall, entertaining, interesting fast paced read that definitely makes you realize Miranda needs to dig deep and ask questions of herself, as we all do.

Advance reader copy provided by Gallery Books and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

🌕🌌 Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne REVIEW 🌕🌌

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved everything about this book. Calling it as my favorite romance of the year, it was quick paced and highly relatable as someone who is somewhat of a cynic and more inclined to the academic, yet also wants to look for answers elsewhere.

Dr. Miranda Reed comes from a long line of professors, and is on the tenure track at her university's physics department. When she is denied tenure because of her status as a "pop culture scientist", and forced into a sabbatical she did not want, she retreats to her elderly Aunt's townhouse while her aunt spends the cold months in Florida. At the urging of her best friend, Daphne, she decides to let another set of stars rule her life for the next year and make her decisions based on a popular astrology app. When a handsome stranger saves her from being run over by a taxi, she thinks he is the knight in shining armor the app foretold, and when they start dating and she finds out his birth information, is thrilled to find out he's a perfect match for her, cosmically speaking. A much better match than the grumpy artist who lives next door to her Aunt's townhouse, Archer, who is as incompatible a match for Miranda as anyone's chart she's read. But as time passes, she realizes that perfect on paper doesn't always translates to sparks, and someone who is supposed to be bad for you can maybe end up being just what you need. The moody artist with a penchant for charcoal drawing by moonlight was a perfect complement to the buttoned up and rigid Miranda, and their slow burn chemistry was worth the payoff in the end. Aunt Lillian was eccentric old lady goals and witchy and ethereal best friend Daphne is the best friend anyone who needs help pushing out of their comfort zone could have. I binged this one in less than 24 hours and was on the hook for the entire time.

Can Miranda figure out her career and romance with astrology?

Physics professor Dr. Miranda Reed had put her entire life into her career at Nova University so being passed over for tenure because of her public appearances explaining physics on the television was devastating. Miranda was forced on a sabbatical while she tried to figure out her next plan for her future. So now she staying at her aunt’s house considering the other kind of stars in her astrology chart and annoying the artist Simon Archer in the house next door.

Miranda wants to use her astrology chart to figure what to do with the career but visiting with the new neighbor while she checked the plants on the roof for her aunt was getting to be the new highlight of her day.

I loved books where sarcasm is the love language between Archer and Miranda because they finally admit to having feelings by the end of the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I went into this book with no expectations and came out with a big smile on my face. This is a slow burn, unconventional romance with highly likable characters.

The female main character has followed a highly scripted framework to achieve professional success as an academic in the study of astrophysics. When she is denied tenure, she abandons her structured life for one where she allows astrology to determine her decision making.

Along the way, Miranda’s world expands. She meets her neighbor - a recalcitrant artist whose grumpiness doesn’t stop them from forming an unlikely friendship. She lets the stars convince her to start a romantic relationship. Miranda begins to question how she wants the rest of her life to unfold.

Miranda felt entirely human. She followed the path she thought she was supposed to and begins to question if it’s truly what she wants. The uncertainty and insecurities that plague her are all too relatable. I appreciated that the author doesn’t make the resolution seem easy. The characters need to put in the work and so does the reader. It makes the payoff that much sweeter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I finished reading Miranda in Retrograde and I felt so satisfied with the story.
The main character was well written, but I thought that the love interests lacked depth. They were more like side-characters that just happened to interact with Miranda. There were also many typos and grammar mistakes, but I realize that since it's an ARC that'll be taken care of before publication.
The pacing of the story was good, not too fast that things got confusing, and not too slow that it became boring. It was a nice mix of cozy and romantic.

Enjoyed this as a light read. It wasn’t entirely devoid of problematic things but it was close. A fun ride with sweet characters. Would love to read more about Daphne and Aunt Lillian. Would be ok with never reading about Miranda’s awful family again (minus her dad who seemed nice). The romance was subtle but very sweet.

4-4.5 ⭐️ Have I mentioned how big of a Lauren Layne fan I am? To put it in perspective, of the forty-two books she’s written, I have read all but three (I need to get on this). Not only is she an auto-buy author for me, her books are also comfort reads. So of course the second a new book is announced, I must devour it as quickly as possible.

When I think of romance, I think of Lauren Layne. Her books, including Miranda in Retrograde, always feature the swooniest of romance and the witty banter that the best romances are made of. Her characters are fun and vivacious, while also being relatable and easy to connect to. In fact, I ALWAYS get choked up at the third act breakup, that’s how emotionally invested in her characters I become. And while some of her books get a bit steamy, most are predominantly closed door.

Miranda in Retrograde is no exception. I loved Miranda right out of the gate for both her quirkiness and brains. A PhD in physics, and the coolest, most beloved professor at her university - and yet her inability to earn tenure made her the family disappointment. Her determination to make something out of the rubble of her career, is what ultimately makes her such an endearing character.

I clearly had a favorite among her love interests (ahem Archer) and yet I enjoyed the push and pull each offered her. Although love triangles are not my favorite of the tropes, I think Lauren pulled it off here, and without creating too much stress and anxiety for the reader.

Read if you like:
• women in stem
• horoscopes
• forced proximity
• grumpy x sunshine
• love triangles
• next door neighbors

Thank you Gallery Books for the advanced copy.

I wasn't sure I would finish Miranda in Retrograde before release. I should have known better. I started reading the story and found myself devouring the words. I couldn't put it down. I was rewarded for my devotion with a fantastic ending. I closed the book and just sat in the afterglow.

The story called to the geek in me. Miranda is a brilliant professor, making a name for her university with TV appearances. My word, she was even Jeopardy star numerous times. Towards the end of the school year she finds herself unexpectedly in limbo, not know what she would be doing in the future.

Miranda takes a year sabbatical in an attempt to find herself. Her search is full of drama. Her reliability on a non-science had me giggling. Her lack of confidence in life could be her downfall but it made for really great reading. I was completely hooked.

The slow build romance was a wonderful bonus. At times Miranda seemed so lost, something I can identify with. A high IQ doesn't mean you can master life. Thankfully she has friends and a new neighbor that can pick her. That Ah-Ha moment for her had me happy dancing. The happily ever after was perfection.

After Type A physics professor Miranda Reed is denied tenure, she decides to embrace astrology despite dimissing it as nonsense. Taking a year-long sabbatical, Miranda moves to her aunt's New York flat and, instead of being ruled by her pragmatic side decides to make decisions, including ones about her love life, via a horoscope app. Spending nights on the rooftop she meets brooding artist Archer, a man who she's not astrologically compatible with, but what if the stars have other ideas?

I adored this book and Lauren Layne's move towards women's fiction/rom coms. I loved the focus on Miranda's growth. She's the youngest professor, super smart, but has spent too much time on working towards tenureship at the expense of having a personal life. I adored the chemistry and banter between her and Archer, who was just a sweetheart, slowly revealing his soft side. Lauren Layne also brings Manhattan to life as a character in it's own right.

This was such a fun read I devoured it quickly. I finished it smiling and greedy for more Miranda and Archer.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

When a data-driven physicist is denied tenure, she is forced to take a sabbatical. During this time, she decides to lean into astrology and follow her horoscope daily. Little did she know that this is exactly what she’d need to discover who she is and what she wants.

This journey of self discovery was fun to read, especially with the incorporation of horoscopes. I particularly appreciated the sentiment of grappling with what is ideal “on paper” versus what you need in reality. The romance pieces were the cherry on top!

I love all things Lauren Layne! And this book is one of them. It's so cute and make me swoon. This book contains some science, stars, and sarcasm intertwined.