This is a book that I think we see a lot of character growth, but somehow I was still disappointed. Violet seems to have her realization relatively fast, and does make some changes, but really I just wanted more. I wanted more of an ending, and an epilogue that wasn't quite so far out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Read if you love the Manhattan socialite scene.

Violet has always worked hard to please everyone around her, but mostly her grandmother. After her grandmothers passing, her best friend Edith takes Violet under her wing. She has a big ask now however. Edith’s son passed away recently leaving no legacy to take over the family business. Lucky for Edith, while going through her sons things she found out she has a grandson. Now she just needs Violet to teach the man how to become CEO, starting with dressing him correctly and traching him proper manners. Needless to say, New Orleans Cain is not a fan of any of it.

My first Lauren Layne novel was To Sir, With Love and I absolutely adored it! After reading this one I can gladly say that Lauren Layne is a new auto buy author for me. I fly through her books and the stories are just perfection. I love the mix of Manhattan with New Orleans, especially since I was just in New Orleans recently! This book was just the perfect rom com and exactly what I needed this weekend!

Lauren Layne is that classic romcom author that I will come back to again and again because everything she writes is like a cup of hot tea. You know that her stories will be reliable on charm, fun, and romance with a dash of angst and sex.
Made in Manhattan is a gender bent Pygmalion. Lauren Layne even discusses it at the end of the book where she mentions she's written the classic story before but wanted to come back to it. This time, it's the guy who needs to fit in with society. Violet Townsend is tasked with making sure Cain Stone is ready to take over the company. The problem is that nobody knew Cain Stone existed until his father died. He's brash, foul-mouthed, and thinks jeans are fine for the board room. He's just in it for the money. Or is he?
Violet spends the book molding Cain to work with the elite but there's a twist. She starts to loosen up and understand the other side of things. That is one of the aspects that made me enjoy this book a lot more. They balance each other out as the story goes on. The sex is a little light but I expected that. Is the book formulaic in that they deny their feelings, go for it anyway, deny them again for angst, and get together at the last minute? Absolutely. That's why I loved it. As I said, Lauren Layne is predictable and I will come back to read every one of her stories because I know what I'll be getting.

Lauren Layne writes the loveliest rom-coms. I absolutely adored this book from the start and couldn’t wait to see how Violet and Cain would mesh during his “transformation.” This enemies to lovers/slow burn story brought a smile to my face and made me get lost in New York.

Made in Manhattan was such a sweet delightful romance! I adored it! It was classic enemies to lovers and just the quick read I was looking for!

Thank you so much for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Made in Manhattan is a feel good romance perfect for fans of romcoms! This book was adorable and I continue to be impressed by Layne. To Sir With Love was one of my favorites last year so I am so happy to say I liked this one too!

It is compared to My Fair Lady and I haven't seen that but I thought it was well done!

You guys… if you are a fan of Lauren Layne’s books.. what are you waiting for?!? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This one is similar to her Central Park Pact series but way way way more amazing! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Cain Stone is a gruff, Louisiana born and bred man who is being thrust upon the Manhattan scene by his long lost grandmother, who wants to groom him to take over the family’s million dollar company. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Violet has been tasked by Cain’s grandmother, who is like a grandmother to her after she lost her family, to make over Cain so the board of directors will vote him in as the new CEO of the company. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Except, Cain is perfectly content with his life and wants nothing to do with the company or the millions of dollars.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Their banter was A ++ ! Their tension, their chemistry… GAH! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I LOVE LOVE LOOOOVED this!!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Violets journey in also finding herself in the process was wonderful!! ⠀

An NYC socialite is tasked with grooming a country boy to take over a corporation. Violet flits from shops to parties to charity events, acting as her mentor’s personal assistant without any sort of real job. When she’s asked to turn a recently discovered relative into the type of man who will be accepted in board rooms, she’s shocked to discover a Southern, rural raised man is her charge.

While this was cute, the relationship between Violet and Cain was a little too rushed and unbelievable. There was a weird instant chemistry but it lacked the intimacy and time needed to form the deep feelings portrayed.

Lauren Layne is an autobuy author. She can write the phone book and I will buy it and give it 5 stars. This book is open door and it has the NYC magic. Loved this one.

Cute take on Henry Higgins/Eliza Doolittle about a woman who is tasked with making a New Orleans rogue into a polished NYC candidate for a CEO position. Love occurs. Great for what it was - extremely light chick lit.

This release had me falling in love again with Lauren Layne and her novels.

As a long time fan, some of her stories started to sound repetitive, and this one is refreshing and well written. Violet is tasked with giving her adopted grandmother's newly discovered grandson a makeover and crash course on all things upper east side. He needs to fit the part, so that the can take over the family company.

The two clash - and continue to do so as she's trying to get him into the socialite scene. He's resistant, and as he's pushing back against her all the way. She's uptight and rigid, and he's pushing her to loosen up and stop pleasing everyone else and putting herself second. Throw in a snarky ex-boyfriend trying to take the position that Cane is destined for, sisters that

The underlying message here is about acceptance, and appreciation of others just as they are!

I’ll admit, the cute cover of this novel was what drew me to it on NetGalley. Coupled with the Gossip Girl-esque setting (which is my forever reference point for books set in bougie New York society, sorry but that’s what being a teen in the early aughts will do to you) I decided to request on a whim and hope for the best. I was pleased to discover that Made in Manhattan is a super cute, fun romance that was honestly just what I needed after struggling with an urban fantasy book that I eventually DNF’d.

Made in Manhattan follows protagonist Violet, who is the perfect Upper East Side young lady with a large trust fund and a tragic backstory. Being orphaned from all of her family, she’s especially close with her late grandmother’s best friend who ropes her into assisting with bringing her long-lost grandson up to scratch for New York society so he can hopefully take over her company one day.

Is it a predictable premise? Absolutely. It’s actually described as a spin on My Fair Lady and is honestly the perfect premise for a predictable romance: gruff, ruggedly, handsome, working class dude from New Orleans has to be trained in eloquence by a UES, repressive, no-nonsense princess. You’re not getting any surprises from this story, but it’s still very fun and enjoyable to read! I loved the enemies to lovers premise, the gradual acknowledgement from both Violet and Cain that there are things about each others’ lives and upbringings that they can appreciate, and just how easy and satisfying of a read this is! I also really appreciated that the author didn’t write Violet to be unlikable even before she changes a bit as a result of Cain’s influence. She’s certainly wealthy and reserved, but she’s caring, polite, and does her best to make others feel comfortable. I appreciated that she’s wasn’t your stereotypically snobby or aloof UES character (although she worries she is, however her self-awareness is precisely what makes her more approachable and likable).

Is it my favorite romance? No, but I still think it’s an easy and fun story that delivers on fun banter and a HEA, with a cute epilogue to wrap everything up in a neat bow!

Overall: This was my first Lauren Layne book, but it certainly won’t be my last! Her books certainly scratch the old Gossip Girl itch but in a cuter, kinder way that’s just fun and relaxing to read!

Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne was a fantastic read! I love her books and this did not disappoint. Violet and Cain are a modern day story of You Got Mail but in the opposite rolls. The characters were great and I loved seeing this relationship evolve. Can we also talk about Violet’s friend Ashely?!? This girl needs her own book too! Overall a great read and I can’t wait for more from Lauren!

Made in Manhattan was a fun, quick read that was perfectly fluffy for a Valentine's Day theme. I could see this as a fun twist to a Hallmark movie - instead of the girl leaving the big city to fall in love with the small town guy, grumpy guy goes to the big city and falls in love with city girl, complete with an outfit makeover montage. Layne has always had a talent for writing romantic scenes that squeeze the heart and this book is no different. The plot is pretty cookie cutter though and Cain was such a jerk for 90% of the book, to the point where I couldn't understand what Violet saw in him - he was actually really mean and Violet was just so kind.

Sweet, short and cute. I'm glad I picked this one up.
Summertime, high fashion romance.
Felt a little underdeveloped in terms of characters, growth and humor.
I would still read another by this author.

I am a fan of Lauren Layne but I did not like this book which I found surprising. I using like the authors writing, characters and stories but this one was really different and while I applaud the author for doing something different, its not my cup of tea shall we say.

1. This book is told in Violet's POV entirely. I like dual POV but if its a single POV then I need other clues and this book was more about Violet's jurney than romance and so it did not work for me.

2. I did not like seeing how Cain has a one night stand and then Violet meets her the next day. I found the whole scene kinda icky.

3. Violet is dating sorta this guy the entire book and I hated him and their relationship. Its a sort of relationship but not really a committed one so its also a slow burn with Cain. I hated this aspect of the story. And the final scene with this guy was just awful. I cannot even imagine.

The good was its definitely an angysty type of story. It was supposed to have humor but I didn't really enjoy the humor. Its sorta high class new york society meets country hick man and I felt it put down the country life and men. Its more about Violet finding herself, her voice and what she wants to do with her life.

I always enjoy Lauren Layne's novels, and this is no exception. Cain and Violet are a great couple, and the secondary characters were enjoyable. I hope there are more books in this series.

3.5 I was expecting more the style/level of The Prenup or To Sir, With Love…but it was still enjoyable and well-written. Gruff guy meets sweet, sunny girl…with a “makeover”. Cute reverse play on My Fair Lady/Pretty Woman…with definite chemistry! (Although I wasn’t overly in love with either Violet or Cain…but I liked them) Any fan of romcoms (with some heat) would enjoy this!

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s timeless classic “Pygmalion” and the musical “ My Fair Lady” is Lauren Layne’s “Made in Manhattan.” The story follows New York socialite Violet Townsend and her quest to teach the long lost grandson of her employer the ins and outs of New York society. This novel kept me entertained and was one I enjoyed immensely while reading. Tropes featured are grumpy/sunshine and enemies to lovers with a dash of fake dating. Out of five stars I gave this a four star rating on goodreads.

The book starts slow, and the heroine, Violet, seems like a cut-paper person, all proper and lady-like. As the story progresses, you start knowing her deeply and you start to see all her insecurities and yearnings for another life, with purpose and aim. I loved that she met Cain, because he was the perfect person to give her just that!

Violet was the epitome of a New York Upper East Side snob. But what she also was is kind and grateful. So when Edith Rhodes, her mentor and adopted grandmother of sorts, asks her to help Cain Stone out, she can’t refuse. What Edith wanted was to change Cain from the lumberjack appearance into a refined Upper East Sider. Violet thought the effort was impossible but promised to do her best. The process was a lot of fun to read!

Cain Stone was Edith Rhodes long lost grandson, and the person she wanted to inherit the Rhodes empire. There were many obstacles in their way, but she was determined, Violet was willing to help, and Cain was protesting all the way.

The fun of this book was how each transformed the other. Cain with his rebellious ways helped Violet bring out all those feelings that were churning inside of her. And Cain learned to be more accepting, to absorb what he needed from the new atmosphere, adapt it to his personality and come out a winner. I loved seeing Violet’s transformation because she starts out as this “placid paper doll who did others’ bidding” into her own person with her own ideas.

There are two characters that I loved: Alvin, Edith’s hypochondriac butler, and Coco, Violet’s tiny Yorkie.

The love story is all that you could want: angsty, insecure, contentious, snarky, and in some very sweet moments, compassive. Cain was not all that he seemed at first, like a wild creature, and Violet was not all he thought she was, a snob. The learning and the loving was a beautiful experience in this expertly nuanced book, and this wonderful couple. It was a slow burn, for a long time it felt unrequited but I knew better. Very entertaining and a very intriguing concept, of a woman refining a man, like My Fair Lady but the opposite way. Loved it!