I really enjoyed this book. On the surface Violet and Cain are from different worlds and seem to have nothing in common but underneath they were more alike than they thought. Both needed to just be who they are but kept getting placed into an image others think they should be. There is so much more to them than what people see.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Ms. Layne for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I'd say this is a solid 3.5 star book that I liked enough to round up to 4 for Goodreads. It was a quick read: I think I finished it in about 3 hours. The heroine, Violet, did really remind me of Charlotte York: posh, perfect brunette socialite with a little dog, but sweet. The male main character, Cain Stone, was described at first as a hot, resentful hick with a scruffy face and a ponytail and a bad attitude. Your classic sunshine/grump trope meets a gender-flipped Fair Lady/Pygmalion retelling. And Lord knows I love a retelling.

I thought it was a really cute story and I loved the softening of Violet and Cain towards each other's truest selves. I was happy that Violet realized Cain shouldn't have been changed, and happy that Cain realized that Violet deserved his best. I did wish though that they had ended up in New Orleans. I felt like Cain was truly happy there, and Violet could have been, too. New York was portrayed in a way that, while it sounded like a fun vacation, didn't really win me over. I would never move there for a park, sorry. There are plenty of nice parks elsewhere. The jazz clubs, snobby museums, abundance of rats, crammed, expensive living spaces, and "neon orange-greased pizza" (this is a quote) really didn't do it for me either. I'm not a concrete jungle kinda girl, I guess. I'm sure it was a lot easier for Cain to be won over to NYC since he could AFFORD the makeover and the exorbitantly expensive real estate (again, direct quote from Violet). Most people can't.

Spoiler: I was glad to see that someone finally pointed out just how awful, stressful and pressuring those public proposals can be. I also liked that Violet was kind enough to let Keith down in private because she's a nice person. That seemed really realistic to me and I appreciated it.

Overall: a cute, light, fun story with a charming romance. This author is new to me but I would try more from her.

A sweet opposites attract story filled with charm. This one has endearing characters and I especially love the New York setting. 4.5 stars

First of all, I <b>love</b> Lauren Layne’s books, there hasn’t been one I haven’t enjoyed until now. I usually love the whole grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers trope, however this I was disgruntled before the end of the first chapter. Violet is typical spoilt, uppity rich girl, the elite in NYC. Cain is from NOLA, gruff and complete opposite to Violet.
I’ve seen comparisons of this to My Fair Lady, and I’ll admit I’ve never seen it, but I don’t like the whole having to change who you are as a person to benefit other people, and this is exactly what this is. They want to change Cain’s entire person to take over his grandparents (who he never knew about) multi million dollar company and they won’t accept him as he is.
I mean, what?!
Unfortunately I dnf’d this at 10% because this isn’t my vibe at all. I’m all for empowering one’s self, not telling them they’re not good enough as who they are to be successful.

*arc provided by netgalley in exchange for honest review*

Oh god where do I start?

This book was a semi enemies to lovers. I fell in love with Violet and Cain although Cain sometimes got on my nerves. There were some clichés in this book but they exist for a reason right? That ending was perfect.

*spoiler kinda*
Fuck I know I said epilogues with kids and marriages sucked but I friggin loved it. Especially in this book.

A twist on a classic that delivers all the fun and double the heart. Made in Manhattan is as modern as can be with a few sprinkles old world charm, sure to seduce you by heart. Violet and Cain are an unlikely match with alot to teach each other about life and even more to learn about love. Layne takes a deeply embedded lesson and wraps it in humor and heart.

I received a copy of this book for review. I will start by saying that I enjoyed this book. Lauren Layne has a particular niche that she fills, and she fills it well. Upper East Side socialites and CEOs feel like a completely different world to most of us, as well as the hero of the story, Cain. Violet is the requisite heiress with a heart of gold, and as the loving surrogate granddaughter of her grandmother's best friend, she readily agreed to help Edith's long lost grandson polish his rough edges just a wee bit. And of course, while she taught him to be a bit more refined, he taught her to loosen up a little.
This story was fun, and the banter was snarky, but it was more emotional than I'd expected. Violet had a real depth to her, and I enjoyed her growth. However, I do feel like this book could have benefited from a dual POV. Cain was a hard character to get a handle on, and without his perspective, we all had to rely on Violet's best friend to explain to us what he was probably thinking or feeling. He ran hot and cold, and spent too much of the book sulking. I needed more from him to fully understand why Violet was so drawn to him.
However, Violet more than made up for his flaws, and I enjoyed the book because of her. If you need a book about a sweet woman learning to speak up for herself, then this may be a book for you. Read it for Violet, and leave Cain in her capable hands.

Lauren Layne is one of those rare authors where every time you pick up her latest, you know you'll love it just as much (if not more) than the very first Layne novel you ever read. Made in Manhattan is sweet, sexy, funny, and thoughtful. I found myself rooting for both characters and wanting to know more about the side characters. Readers will end the book wondering what lights them up inside and determined to find it.

There are a few typos throughout the book, but I expect those will clear up before the final published version.

This book was such a cute and delightful surprise!!! If you’re a fan of pretty woman or my fair lady, then this book is undoubtedly for you!! I was pleased to see Lauren give a modern twist to those stories, and she handled it with such talent!!! Although she was classified as an upper-class socialite, Violet was a character that had such depth to her, and it was great to see her character explored and developed throughout the story!!
Cain was an absolute delight and so hilarious!! The banter in this book was some of the best I’ve read, and the sexual tension between these main characters was through the roof!!
If you’re looking for a cute romantic story that will give you the feels, the laughs, and the spice, then you’re going to love this story!!

( was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review) Thank you to Lauren, NetGalley, and Valentine PR for this opportunity! 💗

I KNEW this one was going to make me mad before I even opened it. Cain, the main love interest in the story is from Louisiana. Which, should be great. HOWEVER. As soon as I saw the word <i>N'Awlins</i> typed out, I just KNEW. Also, the fact that the author described him as being "straight out of the bayou" when he lived in the Quarter just... No. I honestly actively dislike when people who aren't from Louisiana try to write books either set here or about people here. If she had chosen literally anywhere else, I probably would have liked it. It was a fast, easy, light hearted read.

This is a sweet, cute, enemies to lovers, slow burn contemporary romance. An opposites attract story that made me smile throughout the story. I loved that Cain Stone was stubborn, broody, and quite the southern boy from New Orleans. Violet (aka Duchess) was the sweet, kind, Manhattan socialite that was always wanting to please everyone but herself. Told in Violet’s POV, we got to see her grow and blossom into a woman who figured out what she actually wanted in life.

While Cain was difficult and surly, I enjoyed the animosity it created with both he and Violet. But the ever changing dynamics and banter kept the story flowing well and you couldn’t help but root for these two to hurry up and come together. And the epilogue was a sweet perfect ending!!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much @GalleryBooks & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 18 January 2022)

SYNOPSIS | Cain has recently discovered that he is the only heir to a multi-million dollar company based in New York, but he was born & raised in Louisiana & does not fit in with the expectations of the Upper East Side society. Violet agrees to take him under her wing & help him transform so that he is considered a worthy candidate.

WHAT I LIKED:
- binged this entire book in one sitting (& stayed up till 2AM to do it)
- this was my first book by this author & now I want to explore her backlist more
- I do love a good grumpy love interest & I was surprised to find that I liked the fish out of water trope
- Gossip Girl vibes

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I wanted more scenes between Cain and his grandmother
- their actual love confession was a little bit too quick (after 1 month of knowing each other) & easy for me
- I wanted more sexy scenes

4 1/2 Stars for this cute romance!

This book had me laughing out loud ... Violet, Edith and their group of staunchy old men were still living in the 1960s with their view on life. I loved how Cain came in and just turned their world upside down. Then there's Cain ... he was such a grump and would only change so far to fit into their world (I really liked that part). But yet I could see Cain had a soft heart ... like when he would stop Violet from falling flat on her face or carry her little purse dog around. This is a little different spin on My Fair Lady and I really enjoyed it from beginning to end!

I received an early copy courtesy of Valentine PR and NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Actual rating - 2.75 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the blurb and knew that it was a reverse Pygmalion/Pretty Woman/My Fair Lady story I was excited, to say the least. I loved Pretty Woman and couldn't wait to read the story of Violet and Cain. This was a cute story with a prospect for banter and forced proximity. But I was disappointed with the fact that this was too short a story and didn't explore the characters. Cain was my least favourite character who was a big asshole who thinks pink is for girls. The romance between Violet and Cain was dull and not at all what I was imagining. Throughout the story, all characters were pretty much cardboard cutouts with no depth. The overall story was fun but at the end of the day, it wasn't a memorable rom-com. I would recommend this if you are looking for a meaningless read to stave off your boredom.

“Does this mean you’re my guy after all?” she teased. His eyes closed, then he inhaled a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, they looked shinier than before. “Damn it, Duchess. I am so in love with you. Yeah. Hell yeah, I’m your guy.”

Made in Manhattan follows Violet Townsend, a socialite who works for Edith Rhodes — CEO of a family business. She’s been tasked to transform and teach Edith’s long-lost grandson, Cain Stone, how to fit in with the elite social crowd so he can become the next heir of the Rhodes company.

Cain Stone is a surly, grumpy bad boy who loves jazz music and would rather spend time with a Yorkie named Coco (who he calls Toto) than to go shopping and learning the proper etiquettes on how to be apart of the elites of New York City. Will Cain’s transformation be enough to run the family business, and will him and Violet develop into something more?

The relationship between Violet and Cain didn’t start off good but as they spend more time together, the attraction begins to grow. Lauren Layne has become an instant favorite – with her amazing writing and swoon worthy characters!

🎹READ IF YOU LIKE🎹:
- hate to love
- grumpy x sunshine
- opposites attract
- slow burn
- playful & witty banter
- self discovery
- New York City x Louisiana
- jazz music
- matchmaking x makeovers
- Blair Waldorf, Holly Golightly, Charlotte York
- My Fair Lady (reversed)

cw: loss of loved ones, mention of addiction (alcohol x drugs),

Thank you to @netgalley & @gallerybooks for the advanced copy! Made in Manhattan is available on January 18, 2022!

You can feel the chemistry is going to be off the charts by just the first time of Violet meeting Cain.

I liked how Cain was approaching the whole ordeal of being an heir to a billion dollar company and how Violet changed throughout the book.

There were a few things that moved a little too fast for me or how the intimacy was described. The last few chapters went towards a direction that could have been predicted, but there was no plot twist to change it up.

I think a chapter or two from Cain’s POV would have been nice to see what he was thinking or how he was seeing things, but all in all a good story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4 Stars!
Violet Townsend is a socialite in Manhattan who is always perfectly put together. She's a rule following, people pleaser who would do anything for those she loves most. In her world first impressions are everything, so when she's asked to teach her close friend's long lost grandson how to fit in with the New York City's elite, she agrees to help. Always up for a challenge, she thinks she can get him ready to take the reins of a billion dollar company, and turn this reluctant, unpolished outsider into a Park Avenue approved gentleman.

Cain Stone was born and raised in rural Louisiana. His life is in New Orleans, until he learns he's the heir to a fortune belonging to a family he knew nothing about. Now he's being groomed to carry on and preserve a legacy he's not sure he wants any part of, but it comes with incredible wealth that has definitely caught his attention. It also comes with a pampered, uptight Upper East Side princess that is all in his business trying to make him her newest project. She's constantly telling him what to do, but he thinks it will take a lot more than an expensive suit to make him belong in her world. They clash at every turn, but neither can deny the inconvenient electricity between them when they are close. Will new feelings be the start of something wonderful, or are they too different to ever work?

Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne is a reverse my fair lady story for the modern era about family and unexpected love. This is a fun, lighthearted, slow burn, opposites attract, enemies to lover romance full of humor, amazing chemistry, and fabulous banter. I really enjoyed this story and loved this couple! <333

Made in Manhattan is such a good book and a really fun read! I could not put it down once I started, and I finished it in one day. I am a sucker for a well written grumpy-sunshine book, and this was exactly that! I loved the character arcs for both Violet Townsend and Cain Stone, and I was really rooting for their love story. Rom-coms are my favorite genre to read, and this really reaffirmed why I love them so much. Lauren Layne did such a good job writing this book and I can't wait to make all of my friends read it.

In her new novel MADE IN MANHATTAN (provided as an ARC from NetGalley), Lauren Layne reimagines a modern, gender-flipped My Fair Lady.

Violet Townsend is a late twenty-something New York socialite a la Blair Waldorf. Unlike Blair, who is conniving and extremely ambitious, Violet is so reserved that the main piece of her personality is the pearls around her neck. Enter Cain Stone: the long lost, Southern-born, grandson of Violet’s surrogate grandmother, billionaire Edith Rhodes, who desperately wants to pass her legacy onto someone in the family. Though Cain grew up in the South, he is anything but Clark Gable; he’s crass, overly lax, and has hair more like a hipster caveman than an heir to a corporation. In short, he teeters on the boundary of the alpha-hole trope. With her legacy at stake, Edith enlists Violet to help make Cain fit into polite New York society. As is true in all Pygmailian takes, both characters in MADE IN MANHATTAN realize that what they thought they valued isn’t really their ultimate goal; instead, through a series of nearly missed connections, both transform for the better, not just accepting love from another, but accepting love from within.

Told in third person, the book mainly focuses on our heroine, but at times (and inconsistently) offers glimpses into Cain’s brain. Truth be told, a story from “Eliza’s” point of view may have been more compelling, because sometimes Violet is so insanely dull and uptight that being inside her mind is akin to watching paint dry - if paint could judge you for your outfit and lack of etiquette schooling. Her transformation doesn’t really come until the third act, making pacing a bit slow throughout, and ultimately rushing her character development so that I found myself not really falling for the couple. Because of this, it didn’t feel like a slow burn; I didn’t find myself actively rooting for anyone. Pacing faults aside, there are sweet moments between the two, often initiated by Cain’s actions (like picking up her mini Yorkie or helping Violet relax enough to drink wine on top of a counter instead of in a seat) rather than Violet’s own awakening / realization.

Overall, the story is light hearted and there are moments of depth laced with comedy. If you’re a fan of the original My Fair Lady, MADE IN MANHATTAN delivers what it sets out to do. If you’re looking for a modern rom-com with witty banter and higher stakes, this book will likely disappoint. Lauren Layne’s newest novel releases on January 18, 2022.

I always am a sucker for Lauren Layne's books so to no one's surprise: I loved reading Made in Manhattan! It's a gender-bent retelling of every makeover movie you've seen but you'll still love it because of Lauren Layne's writing. However, I had some issues with the language which was very cis-gendered. I read the ARC so I hope they fix those before the final copies go to print.