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.

Lauren Layne has mothered again!!!

Seriously there's not a book written by her that I haven't read and love. Or reread and loved more. Now Miranda in Retrograde is going to join the list.

I loved this book so much I don't know how to explain it. It's funny and fun and heartwarming and full of love and hope.

Miranda thinks at the beginning she lost everything that she wanted and everything she was, but as another very famous Dr. would say: I don't know if you know who you are until you lose who you are.

So she starts a journey of changes, of connection with herself and maybe even her inner child. Discovering new layers of herself while sharing space and time with an unexpected friend and very much opposite neighbor. Or maybe not so opposite???

Archer is that grumpy neighbor we all love that the more that you know him the more you love him, and Miranda had to get to know him as slowly as she discovered herself so you could say this book was slow burn perfection everywhere.

A group of wonderful and funny side characters that make the book the gem that it is. I wouldn't be opposed to a couple of them getting stories of their own so I can read Miranda and Archer again.

Lauren Layne does it again! She is the queen of slow burn, witty banter, and incredible chemistry. It started off a little slow but quickly picked up and then I couldn’t put the book down. I loveddddd the tension between the two main characters, it was absolute perfection. It’s a short read and I flew through it.

I really enjoyed this book! It was definitely a feel good read for the summer! I found some typos but overall it was fleshed out and well written! I do wish we got to see a little more of the MCs together.

I am a fan of Lauren Layne's books because the female MCs have depth to them, and I always know there will be a happy ending. Sometimes those are exactly the books we need, right?
Miranda was a loveable character. I identified with her because of always needing rules to guide your life -- I have found myself questioning my own life now that I am happy personally and professions and wondering what is next for me when I have followed all the rules and guidelines. I adored Archer as the male MC -- he was easy to enjoy!
And the ending??? What a chef's kiss of perfection! I squealed.
If you are looking for some light romances, I definitely suggest this one or Layne's other reads!

Miranda is a very popular, somewhat famous, physics professor at a university. She even has a social media following! Unfortunately, her university thinks she needs to focus less on interviews and more on serious physics so she does not get tenure. She takes a one year sabbatical where she will make decisions based on her astrology sign and horoscope. A great light-hearted read!!!

Miranda comes from an academic minded family and has had her life planned out almost to the minute, that is until she is denied the tenure she thought was hers guaranteed. Now she is unsure where her future is headed and decided to take a one year sabbatical and decides to focus on something she has long loathed and a scientist has never believed in, astrology.

During her year off Miranda puts all her effort into her horoscope and doing whatever she feels it is telling her to do, even down to her love life. Miranda is now in uncharted territory and though it may be uncomfortable she is starting to see that maybe science doesn’t in fact have all the answers she once thought it did.

This is such a fun, sweet and unique book! I absolutely loved the two main characters, Miranda and Archer. The banter, quirks and thoughtfulness made for such a lovable story! I read this one in 24 hours and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a heartwarming and sweet romance without all the fluff! I also really enjoyed all the information on astrology and horoscopes and the way it was woven perfectly into this story!

It was fun to nerd out on astronomy and astrology and science in general in this STEM romance. Miranda works through her career crisis & personal introspection during her sabbatical. Lauren Layne writes such clever scenes and banter, and I gladly blew through this in 1 day; an enjoyable read with a purely satisfying ending.
Thank you #NetGalley and #GalleyBooks for the e-book ARC.

Lauren Layne is one of my instant buy authors. This one was another great read and her first step into STEM romance and she definitely knocked it out of the park. I had such a fun time reading this and thought she did a great job tying everything up. Sometimes the grouchy MMC can be hard to like but she always makes me like them by there end of the book.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Have I mentioned before that I love books with women in STEM? Dr. Miranda Reed is a star, not for her looks or who she knows, but for what she knows and that is far more impressive in my book! Even with a firm head on her shoulders, she can’t help but be intrigued by horoscopes and so when obtaining a tenured position does not go her way, she might as well learn more about astrology! Miranda in Retrograde is a fun rom com about stepping out of your comfort zone and understanding that maybe the universe does have a bigger plan for you…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Review is posted on Goodreads and final review will be posted on instagram closer to the publication date!