I am already a fan of Lauren Layne and this book did not disappoint! I loved the banter between Archer and Miranda! Tension between the characters was *chef's kiss*.

Spoiler alert: the only negative I could possibly list is that I wish she'd decided to cancel the interview on her own without the call from Alyssa (maybe the call could come as she was on the way to Archer's art show already?)

After Miranda Reed gets passed over for tenure at her current university, she takes a much needed sabbatical to reset her life. She moves into her aunt's home, befriends her aloof artist neighbor and starts making decisions based on her horoscope. But, is listening to the cosmos the best way to live her life, or should she trust her heart?

This was such a WIN for me! From the cover art, to the TV famous Dr. Reed, the grumpy neighbor Archer who is always around. This book is full of fun, witty dialogue, minimal "miscommunication" and just a peek into what it looks like to take a chance and just go for it. Perfect summer read, I could not put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the eARC, all opinions are my own,

Rating: 3.5 to 4 star

Thoughts: I just adore Laurne Layne and everything she writes!! I really enjoyed her stepping into a new world (science, physics). It created a new side to her books.

I struggled a little to connect to the main male character, but they might just be me. Overall, I will always read what she writes! They make the best summer reads too!!!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I would read Lauren Layne’s shopping list and rate it 5 stars. I love her writing . She’s an auto buy author and I will always recommend her work, In true Lauren Layne fashion she delivers on banter and witty writing with a dash of tension . as a fan of her earlier work I do miss the spice but not enough for me to dislike anything about this book! Quick, fun and refreshing read and clever writing ! You will love the journey Miranda goes on! A definite recommendation!

What can i say other than i will heavily enjoy a friends to lovers book every single time i read it. It’s a very underrated and disliked trope, but there’s just something so beautiful about two people taking the time to know eachother and their greats/weaknesses and that process ultimately ending in falling in love with eachother. I am extremely obsessed with miranda and archer, i think they’re one of those couples i wish had a million bonus scenes, and it was so hard excepting that the book was over. Lauren layne has become an instant-read author to me and i can’t wait for what else she has in store.

“Miranda in Retrograde” is a romance book by Lauren Layne. This books follows Miranda, a physics professor, who doesn’t make tenure and is offered a sabbatical to figure out what to do (return as a lecture professor or try another school to get tenure). Miranda decides since her original plans didn’t work, to put her trust into astrology for a year - with the encouragement of her friend and aunt. Her aunt offers the loan of her house, which comes with a neighbor, Archer. Archer is an artist - but a private and grumpy one. Over time Miranda gets used to Archer’s ways. Miranda’s astrological suggestions make her more open to things (going to a party, taking chances, getting a pet). The ending is a bit predictable, but it was, overall, a really sweet book. I found (sometimes) the pacing to be a bit slow, but over time the book’s pace did reach a more even flow. I really liked Archer, but I also liked how, in the beginning, Miranda seemed like “well, science and logic hasn’t worked - okay, caution to the wind, f-it, let’s try anything else - I know, astrology.” For some reason, that really reminded me of a friend who is really really logical, but under stress and pressure, will sometimes decide “I’m going to do something totally out of character and maybe that’ll reset the universe to how it should be for me.” Yep, he hears you Miranda. I did like the author’s note at the back - astrology is a lot more complex than one might think. Overall, a really sweet book.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I really enjoyed this book, getting to know the main characters and seeing Miranda’s journey. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy this genre.

Great cute read. I found myself excited to keep reading it and see what happens. Multiple times I thought I had it figured out and it still managed to have a few little twists which I enjoyed. The tension between Archer and Miranda was great and I actually liked Miranda as a character.
The epilogue was a little *too* cheesy for my taste but I do love a good HEA and this book supplied that. Plus I love astrology and thought the idea for the book was so fun and interesting.
After Miranda, a scientist, gets denied tenure at the college she teaches at she’s forced to look at her life differently. Historically to her, astrology was a joke and not accurate especially scientifically speaking. But what would happen if she believes in astrology/horoscopes for a year and lets them rule her life? Between that endeavor, her grouchy next door neighbor, and this man who seems to be as perfect as can be, she has to figure out how she wants to rule her own life.
4/5⭐️
0/5 🌶️ literally no spice besides kissing but the tension was nice and definitely kept the romance storyline flowing

Another banger from Lauren Layne! This was such a delightful and heartwarming romance. The characters are well-developed and the plot is both engaging and satisfying. I loved it.

I’ve been an avid reader of Lauren Layne for quite some time and am always excited when she announces a new book. This one did not disappoint. It was a unique premise with a wonderful ending. My only feedback is that I would have liked more scenes between Miranda and Archer but overall, still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Bravo!! I loved the premise of this book! And it was funny right from the start! I always love Lauren Layne’s books but this one was the best! It’s funny, lighthearted, sweet, makes you want to shake Miranda,- it’s just perfect! Don’t just add it to your TBR list-put it at the very top!

Huge caveat: I have yet to meet a Lauren Layne book I didn't like. And I think I've read everything except maybe two of her books which I am holding for when I need a good book and have been in a slump.

But I have to say that there was something about Miranda in Retrograde that made this one rise to the top. I loved that the main characters got to know each other and that while there was chemistry they really didn't jump into bed or into a relationship right away. Miranda finding herself was a big part of the story, but in the end, it was really about two people figuring out their interest in each other and finding a way to come together at the right time.

It is not lost on me that this is one of the few Layne books that aren't presented in alternating POVs between the two main romantic leads. Maybe that's because we have to keep guessing a bit as to whether she will choose Archer or Christian. It's not hard to figure out because the right fit just makes sense.

If you are a fan of Layne, this will not disappoint. If you have never read her books, this one can stand alone and is a great introduction to her style of romance and her ability to create really likeable characters.

Loved this story of an astrophysicist who is denied tenure and turns to astrology instead. Smart women in STEM and academia are my favorite, and I also love a story about overcoming our prescriptive life goals and ambitions to start following our hearts instead. The grumpy love interest next door was incredibly charming. My only complaint in the whole book is that I would have liked to see even more of him. Super, super sweet story.

I actually had a little trouble getting into this book but once I did, i couldn't put it down. It was a quick and really fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lauren Layne books and this was no exception, It was very cute with a very likeable main character. Loved the reveal of where the title comes from!

I’m definitely not someone who buys into astrology but I am someone who can’t resist the mention of academia when it comes to my romances so here I am. Miranda is a physics professor taking a sabbatical after being denied tenure. She’s struggling to figure out who she is outside of a genius with two PhDs and then enters astrology. She decides to live by what her horoscopes say throughout her whole sabbatical. She spends the year trying to see if there is any merit in astrology and also seeing if there’s more to her than just the professor box she fits herself into. Theres a cast of side characters around her helping her find her way. Her eccentric Aunt Lillian who is my favorite character in the book. Her best friend Daphne who is endlessly supportive while also being a badass witch. Christian and his daughter Kaylee who are the perfect example of a doting father with an oddball daughter. Then brooding artist Archer who gives out information on himself in tiny pieces.

Overall, I love this book. If you love astrology I think you’ll love this and if you don’t I think you will too. I couldn’t put it down.

Star themed banter makes me feel so alivwe, you guys NEED to grab this, exchanging teasing between two people have never been this astronomical

Lauren Layne is back with a quick and fun summer read!

Miranda is a physicist who just got denied tenure. She now has a year sabbatical and decides to let her daily horoscope guide her during her time off.

What makes this book standout is the astrology component. I surprisingly learned a lot and enjoyed the horoscopes at the start of each chapter along with the physics talk. The story had a love triangle component, and I didn’t love Miranda’s moments with Christian. I wish we had more time seeing her with Archer instead, especially once they confessed their feelings. I thought the two of them together made the perfect grumpy/sunshine opposites attract pair.

Read if you like:
-Heroine in STEM
-Astrology and horoscopes
-Grumpy/ sunshine
-Neighbors
-Closed door
-Slow burns

Thank you Gallery for the gifted ARC!

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5★ (round down)
Tropes: forced proximity (neighbors), woman in STEM, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine

"After getting passed over for a crucial promotion, a physics professor commits to a year of living by her horoscope predictions and best astrological love match."

I'm a big fan of Lauren Layne - if you've yet to read it, I wholeheartedly recommend Emergency Contact while you wait for Miranda in Retrograde.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and it did not disappoint.

Although I loved how Miranda and Archer fell into an easy friendship which evolved into a romantic relationship, there's so much more to this book than that.  Miranda is in a journey of self-discovery, trying to figure out who she is beyond her job.

While she does grow immensely thanks to her Horoscope Project, we can see her falling back into old patterns, which - to me- makes it realistic, two steps forward and one step back, right?

The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because <spoiler>I wanted her to accept that what she believed she MUST want was just a belief that was fed to her. Meaning, for ME, ideally, she would've called to cancel the interview and gone to the art gallery without some propelling force.</spoiler>

Also, I would've prefered if their synastry <spoiler>sucked, instead of being perfect. As in: "I don't care what the universe says, I want him regardless, and we'll make it work"</spoiler>

10 * stars.
This love story was simply perfect. I adored Archer. Their banter was perfection. I hope there are more books in this world to look forward to.