After getting passed over for tenure and having her life upended in the process, a physics professor decides to throw caution to the wind and live by her horoscope predictions for a year in this effervescent rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan.

As the youngest physics professor at her university, practical-minded Miranda Reed plans her life with minute precision. But that’s before she’s denied tenure and the promotion she thought was guaranteed. Suddenly, her tidy life is anything but constant.

Overdue for a sabbatical, Miranda takes some time to look towards the stars—only this time, she’s not looking for black holes. With her faith in science shaken, Miranda turns to a practice she’s long dismissed as preposterous: astrology.

Determined to figure out why her life has suddenly gone sideways, Miranda commits to a year of letting her horoscope guide her. Soon she’s taking on new home improvement projects, adopting a new pet, and studying what the stars have to say about her ideal love match. The intriguingly aloof artist living next door? Never. His Aries energy is all wrong. On the other hand, the charming father of her new tutoring pupil is Sagittarian perfection. Made for her...right?

As Miranda navigates life with new a perspective, she slowly discovers neither science nor the stars have all the answers. And that, when it comes to love, you sometimes just have to trust your heart.

About The Author

Photograph by Anthony LeDonne

Lauren Layne

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than three dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies worldwide. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Product Details

Publisher: Gallery Books (August 13, 2024)
Length: 288 pages
ISBN13: 9781668047972

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Raves and Reviews

Praise for Miranda in Retrograde

“With a charming cast, snappy dialogue, and a romance written in the New York City stars, Lauren Layne’s Miranda in Retrograde will call to all the Nora Ephron fans out there (is it too late to cast Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks?). This Leo sun loved and laughed her way through it!”

– K.L. Walther, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules

Praise for Made in Manhattan

"This lighthearted read includes witty banter, a "phew, that’s hot" romance, and the author's adept ability to bring her characters and their experiences off the page and into your life. New York’s never felt more real than it does in Layne’s Made in Manhattan."

– USA Today

"Layne (To Sir, with Love) brings a light touch to this delightful, gender-swapped My Fair Lady tale in which the city itself is a nuanced character…[It] is sure to tug readers' heartstrings. Layne has a skill for building unique heroines, and Violet...adds depth to this contemporary. Layne’s fans are sure to be pleased.”

– Publishers Weekly

"With amusing minor characters and dialogue that’s both clever and steamy, Layne (To Sir, with Love, 2021) delivers a satisfying HEA with this standalone novel."

– Booklist

Praise for To Sir, With Love

"Layne crafts a gleefully shameless homage to The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail that sparkles like champagne fizz. ... This is a delight."

– Publishers Weekly, *starred* review

“Layne’s newest contemporary romance features a classic enemies-to-lovers plot and plenty of banter. The side characters, including Gracie’s siblings and employees, add an extra spark to this already charming tale. A first-tier purchase, especially for libraries where romantic comedies are popular.”

– Library Journal, *starred* review

"Layne updates the Nora Ephron 1998 rom-com, You've Got Mail, for digital-age Manhattan...Sweet and full of humor… readers will be rooting for Gracie to find her Prince Charming."

– Booklist

“Remember the movie You've Got Mail? Think of this novel as an updated version, Tinder and all....It's the perfect read while sipping a Mai Tai on the sand.”

– Cosmopolitan.com

"Crackling with humor and sizzling with romantic tension, this charming modern fairy tale sparkles like the best champagne. I couldn’t put it down!"

– Alexis Daria, National Bestselling author of You Had Me At Hola

“Lauren Layne proves once again that she’s the queen of contemporary New York City romance. Her breezy dialogue and delightful characters will fully immerse readers in this dreamy and sophisticated love story… a wonderfully satisfying romance.”

– Bookpage *starred review*