I have not read a Lauren Layne book that I did not love!! Made in Manhattan is set around Violet, a New York socialite, being asked to help "re-vamp" her surrogate grandmother's long lost grandson. The way Violet and Cain interact makes the whole book enjoyable.

This is a cute set-up and I liked that both characters learned some things about themselves and what they wanted. The plot moves so quickly, though, and doesn't spend a lot of time letting us see how the personal growth and romance actually develop. A couple things the hero did were a little skeevy to me personally--maybe just because their relationship was moving so fast. I've been a fan of Layne's for years, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as many of her others, including her most recent release, To Sir, With Love.

Lauren Layne’s writing gets even more addicting with time. Each time I pick up one of her books I get sucked in completely and this was no exception. I loved the characters, plot, ending! Another fantastic LL book!

I'm always excited to jump into a new Lauren Layne book. I can count on her to consistently write books that entertain me and make me happy. Made in Manhattan did both of those things. It was a fun read filled with memorable characters.

Maid in Manhattan was a slow burn romance told from Violet's third person perspective. She was an Upper East Side socialite who inherited her status. She didn't need to work and spent her time assisting her grandmother's best friend, Edith. Violet's life is thrown off when she tasked with giving the grandson a makeover to increase his likelihood to take over Edith's company. Cain is rough around the edges and isn't the easiest to talk into said makeover. And he's not Violet's biggest fan. Nor is Cain hers. 

Violet and Cain's romance was a lot of fun. I enjoyed their banter and their animosity toward each other at the start. It made their transition from enemies to somewhat friends to more all the more entertaining. I loved that the makeover process for Cain taught them both a lot about themselves while also learning about each other. I loved the growth of both Violet and Cain's characters. Their romance ended up being very sweet.

One thing that wasn't my favorite about this book: third person. Not my favorite style of narration. Lauren Layne manages to make it work for me every time she uses it, but I prefer when she writes in first person. It's so much easier to relate to her characters that way. I felt that I would have liked Violet more right from the beginning if this book had been written first. I also would have loved to have had Cain's POV since his character was so complex. It didn't ruin things not to have it, but it would have made his character more likable from the very beginning.

So, as an LL fan, how does Made in Manhattan compare to her other books? I would say it's closest to her Central Park Pact series. It wasn't my favorite of her books, but it also wasn't my least favorite. Once I got into it, it flew by and I fell in love with the characters. It was a fun read. I could see it as a movie.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for sharing this ARC with me!

The concept behind the story is one that intrigued me as I enjoy the grumpy/sunshine trope, especially when it is a My Fair Lady twist.

I enjoyed Violet's character arc and journey. She starts the story as a picture-perfect NYC socialite who, despite this privilege is still a likable character. She's tasked with making the grumpy long-lost grandson to a multi-million dollar company, Cain, the right fit for a CEO instead of his lumberjack status. Cue the banter and getting on each other's nerves.

I was entertained as I read the story and again, really enjoyed Violet's pov. However, I felt like the romance was very lacking and a bit rushed. This story would've really benefited so much more with being dual-POV with Violet and Cain so we could actually see Cain's thoughts; he was off-putting and frankly, a little annoying. Violet was doing all the work while Cain was half-assing most of it. He wasn't as emotionally available as he should've been or putting in as much effort as Violet is. You barely knew he cared as much until the end. I wanted more realistic development for their relationship.

Overall, it was a nice quick read!

Lauren Layne's books are always comfort reads, and Made in Manhattan is no exception. It was the perfect novel for curling up on a Sunday afternoon. While these two leads weren't my favorite of hers, it was still a fast and entertaining read.

Lauren Layne does it again. This book is a heartfelt story of a journey of the main characters and the way we go on it with them is the best thing ever.

Honestly, I don't know how lauren Layne manages to make all her characters so unique. Definitely a five star.

I almost always enjoy author Lauren Layne's books, and this one was no exception. Any romance reader can guess how this story is going end after reading the first chapter- and they would be right- but there's some good character development and the HEA is warm and comfortable. This book stays firmly in its lane, but sometimes that's exactly the lane you're looking for.

My thanks to the author, publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC of this book. #MadeInManhattan

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Lauren Layne has been a favorite since her Central Park Pact series and she gets better with every release. Made in Manhattan is my new favorite book by her and that is saying a lot since her last release was a You’ve Got Mail retelling (that movie is sacred).

Layne takes on My Fair Lady this time and the romance is SWOONWORTHY. Violet and Cain are perfect together with the banter being top notch and the chemistry 🔥. Made in Manhattan is the story of how Violet, a New York princess, is tasked with My Fair Lady-ing Cain. Cain is the long lost grandson of Violet’s beloved boss, Edith, and stands to inherit the family fortune and business..that is if Violet can turn him from a “Louisiana Lumberjack” to a New York CEO. And the enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract tropes come alive.

I’m obsessed with this book. It’s been a while since I have been so invested in a romance novel and now the book hangover is going to hit hard. Overall, Made in Manhattan is a fun, hilarious romcom featuring endearing characters and an excellent romance.

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

Full review to be posted closer to release date.

Another super enjoyable story from Lauren Layne. I was really into the grumpy/sunshine dynamic of Cain and Violet. They had good banter and tension which made for a solid read.

When I saw Made in Manhattan was a sort of My Fair Lady/Pygmalion reverse retelling I couldn't click "request book" fast enough. This was my first experience with Lauren Layne's writing and overall I enjoyed it. Grumpy/ sunshine tropes usually do it for me.

The author does a good job at making the main character, Violet, likeable despite having grown up in a world of privilege. She doesn't come off as snobbish (just a bit boring.) Violet is a bit of a doormat. She assimilates into whomever she is taking to at the time; even her best friend mentions this to her. As a reader, you are able to see her internal transformation into a more confident woman. As a side note: Violet needs a new best friend. As a friend you should never tell someone that if a boy is mean to you that means he likes you. This is not elementary school. I could not have rolled my eyes harder when I read her friend giving "advice."

The character of Cain is the grumpy in the grumpy/sunshine pairing. Unfortunately, he comes off as a jerk for far longer than necessary. We barely see any romantic interactions that show he's even interested in her until the last chapter. I enjoyed seeing Cain in his element in New Orleans. I felt that there was a lot more insight into who Cain was in those chapters.

WIth all that being said, I did really enjoy it. It was a quick light read that had some really cute moments. This book is not a reread for me but I could see myself picking up another Layne book in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book intrigued from the get-go as a gender-swapped, modern-day version of "My Fair Lady." Violet's the picture-perfect NYC socialite who's tasked with helping her grandmother's friend's newly discovered grandson fit into their elite society to take over the family business -- and she doesn't feel that she can say no. So, she reluctantly helps the gruff, backwoods-based Cain Stone (which, like, hello, Hot Boy Name alert haha) fit into her Manhattan lifestyle. As she starts to teach him etiquette and places to visit in the city, the pair warm to one another and find mutual respect, and maybe something more. It's a light, fun, and sweet slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance that is quick to pick up and devour.

💭 Overall Thoughts: This book was super cute! I loved the whole premise of “southern bad boy” being turned into clean cut New Yorker by a privileged socialite (albeit against his will). I would love to see this made into a movie at some point. It gives me Sweet Home Alabama vibes and I’m here for it!

What I Liked:
👍🏻 The unexpected turn in Violets relationship with Keith at the end was TOP NOTCH. I gasped.
👍🏻 Violets realizations about trying to change Cain were refreshing
👍🏻 I liked Violets journey of self discovery as well

What I Didn’t Like:
👎🏻 I wish there were a littttttle more spicy parts
👎🏻 I would have liked to see a little more character development of Edith

Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Layne and Gallery Books for the chance to read an eARC of Made in Manhattan!

I really enjoyed this book, so much that I read it all in one sitting. This book follows Violet a snobbish, socialite, who has experienced great loss and is scared of losing anyone close to her. Her boss, Edith, has taken her in as an adoptive granddaughter. Edith discovers her long lost grandson after her son, Adam's death. Edith asks Violet to help her grandson, Cain, fit into their New York lifestyle. Violet meets a rough around the edges, bad boy who she has to transform into a polished, businessman. She struggles along the way because Cain refuses to change who he is to fit in. As they spend time together they realize that they could be great together.

I really love a good enemies-to-lovers story. This romance book was very charming and made me smile throughout the book.

I will definitely be reading more of Lauren Layne!

Made in Manhattan is an unlikely romance between a Manhattan socialite and a bad boy type from Louisiana. Once again, Lauren Layne writes another feel-good romance!

Violet is a Manhattan socialite who is a people pleaser. Well, at least to those closest to her. She has a good job, a steady boyfriend and her life is running smoothly. She lost her parents at a young age so she found a special bond with a mother figure in Edith. She has helped her become the successful woman she is and when Edith asks for a unique favor she can't say no.

Cain is a man that is sexy, gritty, and not a typical New York businessman. He is more into jeans and a T-shirt than a suit every day. And he just so happens to be Edith's surprise grandson. After the passing of her son, Edith now has someone who can keep the family business run by a family member. Cain is shocked to learn that he had such a prestigious family and initially wants no part in it. But the money won't hurt. He could just give it a try right?

When he meets Violet he nicknames her Duchess because of her prim and proper attitude. To say that they don't hit it off would be an understatement. But as they spend more time working together and trying to get Cain CEO ready they both start to realize that they could be great together.

I loved getting to see Cain's softer side with Violet and enjoyed how much he challenged Violet. They are both a bit lost in their lives; whether it be from fear, doubt, or insecurities. It takes time and to break down their walls but readers will love the slow burn between the two. Life isn't always perfect and they sure aren't perfect but they have to decide if they are going to live for other people or live for themselves.

I give Made in Manhattan 4 stars. It is a charming slow burn and unexpected romance. A bad boy and a socialite don't appear to make a perfect couple, but Cain & Violet do like shocking people. Lauren Layne always writes stories that leave you with that feel-good feeling and this one doesn't disappoint!

This story was enjoyable for sure. Very light, bright and fun. The idea of taking the My Fair Lady concept and gender-switching was fun (though I wish the story hadn't directly referenced it quite so much).

Layne does some young author stuff that bugs me a little. The dialogue definitely struggles at times not to be too "writerly" - for example, when characters, especially male characters use phrases like "I replied with ___" you know they're speaking in dialogue instead of regular conversational speech that people actually use in real life. She also tends to struggle not to give too much of the female perspective; by the end of the story I was really missing Cain's point of view, which made it hard that Violet had to do all the heavy lifting in the relationship. I definitely noticed that all of the emotional disclosure had to come from her first before he'd step up, and by the end I was getting impatient with him.

All that being said, it still is genuinely an enjoyable, beachy kind of read.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Made in Manhattan is a fast-paced, light-hearted read. Wealthy socialite Violet is given the task to help the newly discovered grandchild of the head of a multi-billion dollar company become more polished so he can take over the company. Quite predictably, there is chemistry between them that they try to deny throughout. While I did enjoy the book overall, some of the transitions seemed very abrupt, and I honestly did not like how the ending was done.

3.5 stars

I really wanted to like this one. I liked the Central Park pact series so much, and had high hopes, but this just did not deliver. Neither of the characters were especially well drawn or very likable. Cain, the LI, was rude as hell and eventually softened for literally no good reason. Violet was stuck up and goes through this whole journey discovering that she’s made herself a doormat only to basically make herself a doormat for Cain. I also thought that Cain being the son of Adam and Eve was way too much.

I’d like to start by expressing my extreme devotion to all things Lauren Layne. I’ve read all of her books, follow all of her social media (yup, she’s back!), and am a member of her reader group. That being said, I have to rate her books objectively and on the same scale I evaluate all others with.

That being said, this book was only okay. I think the biggest issue was that the main character was boring, hard to identify with, and not particularly likable. It did get a little swoony around chapter 15, which is entirely too late for the swoon to just be starting.

One of my favorite parts of any LL book is the banter between characters. I usually smile or chuckle while reading and I just didn’t do that for this one. The hypochondriac doorman/butler was a nice touch though.

There’s a formula to Layne’s books that all but “To Sir, With Love” follow, and normally it’s not a big issue for me. The couple gets together in some sort of dramatic moment, then has some sort of dramatic fight, then one character performs the dramatic gesture, and then there’s a HEA. Usually with a proposal or marriage. The last few chapters on this one seemed far too rushed, however, and I really wanted something more substantial for their union and subsequent reunion.

The most I can give this book is a 3-star rating out of five.

I have read several books by this author and have really enjoyed them. The characters are engaging and the plot line interesting. Do not miss this author for contemporary romance at it's best! I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.