Fall in Love with Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne: A Fun and Heartwarming Rom-Com – Book Review #LaurenLayne @SimonAudio

Miranda in Retrograde is a fun and heartwarming romantic comedy about personal growth, love, and the unpredictability of following your heart over the stars.

Summary:

In Miranda in Retrograde, Miranda Reed, a young physics professor, faces a major upheaval when she’s denied tenure and her meticulously planned life falls apart. Taking a much-needed sabbatical, she abandons her usual reliance on science and decides to follow astrology for a year. Miranda lets her horoscope dictate her decisions, from major purchases to romantic prospects, including a charming Sagittarian father and an enigmatic artist neighbor. As she navigates life through the lens of astrology, Miranda gradually realizes that neither science nor the stars hold all the answers, and love may require trusting her heart over the cosmos.

My Thoughts:

I recently finished Miranda In Retrograde by Lauren Layne, and it was such a delightful and fun read! The story follows Miranda Reed, an academic at the top of her game who has her world turned upside down when she’s denied tenure. For a physics professor who plans her life down to the last minute, this is a major shake-up. Desperate for answers, she does something totally out of character—she decides to let her horoscope guide her life for an entire year.

I loved how Layne portrays Miranda’s journey of personal growth. Watching someone so rooted in science suddenly question everything and turn to something as unpredictable as astrology was both humorous and heartwarming. It was inspiring to see Miranda slowly rebuild her life, discovering that while she can’t control everything, she can still create a life that brings her joy.

The romantic elements in the story gave me all the nostalgic feels, taking me right back to the rom-coms I used to love in the ’90s. Miranda’s interactions with Archer, the aloof artist next door, and Christian, the perfect-on-paper single dad, kept me guessing (even though I had a good idea where things were headed). Sure, the plot is somewhat predictable, but that’s part of its charm. It’s like watching a favorite comfort movie—you know the beats, but you love every minute anyway.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the grand romantic gesture, which was straight out of a classic rom-com. I’m a sucker for those moments, and this one did not disappoint! Even though Miranda’s reliance on her horoscope creates a few bumps along the way, it’s clear that love doesn’t always follow the stars—it follows the heart.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, and I have to say, her performance brought Miranda’s enthusiasm and energy to life perfectly. Her voice added so much to the story, especially with the comedic timing and emotional beats. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend giving this version a listen.

Final Thoughts:

Miranda In Retrograde is an effervescent romantic comedy that will charm anyone who loves stories about love, personal growth, and a little bit of fate. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, entertaining read with just the right amount of heart, this one’s for you!

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Lauren Layne:

Emergency Contact

Marriage on Madison Avenue