Violet Townsend knows that she is a stereotype of a certain kind of Manhattan woman. She is well dressed, knowledgeable about fine dining and art, skilled in conversation, and polite to a fault. She is educated, insightful, and okay with living a safe life. Losing her parents when she was young, Violet went to live with her grandmother. And when she lost her grandmother during the year in college when she also got dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Violet decided to play it safe with her heart.

When Violet’s grandmother died, her best friend Edith Rhodes stepped in to be the family that Violet was missing. Violet even worked as her assistant, helping her out when she needs it. So it was Violet that Edith turned to when she needed a big fever.

Edith took over as CEO of Rhodes International when her husband had died, and now she’s ready to retire. She wants to keep the company in the family, but her only son Adam died from his partying lifestyle. But Edith recently found out that Adam fathered a child back when he was in college. And this is where Violet comes in. Edith is bringing her long-lost grandson to Manhattan, to see if he could be a suitable CEO to follow her. And she wants Violet to teach him the ways of the Upper East Side—get him the right clothes, teach him about the restaurants and museums, and smooth out any rough edges that would make him stand out as an outsider.

Violet is always quick to help Edith and she’s proud of how she fits in with New York society, so she’s willing to do her best to mold this man into someone who could fit in to their world. But when she meets the man herself, Cain Stone, she has some second thoughts. His look is a little rough, which Violet knows she can fix, but his attitude is incredibly resistant. It makes sense that Cain would resent the grandmother he never knew swooping into his life, flying him to New York, and than insisting on a makeover before making him CEO of an international corporation. He had to give up his entire life in Louisiana to be there. And while Violet understands that it must have been difficult for him to have his life upended like that, she reminds him that it comes with a great deal of wealth and prestige.

As Violet does her best to transform Cain into a Manhattan businessman, he can’t stop himself from pointing out that she seems quick to go along with whatever anyone wants from her. It’s something Violet has started noticing herself, that she spent so much time being polite that she hasn’t made the time for things that make her genuinely happy. She’s not even sure what that is anymore. But the time she spends with Cain and his unflappable self-assurance, and the barbs he sends her way, help her start to find her voice.

As the days go by, with shopping trips and real estate brokers and a day in Central Park, Violet finds her walls coming down. Cain, as it turns out, is smart, kind, astute, and extremely good looking. Their conversations turn from antagonistic to flirtatious, the chemistry between them building until Violet’s friends start to ask her about it. But they both need to figure out what they want for their futures before they can figure out if they could ever be together.

Made in Manhattan is Lauren Layne’s tribute to My Fair Lady, a twist on the classic story of two people from different classes finding a way to meet in the middle. This version of the story is smart, steamy, and lots of fun. I am a big fan of Layne’s novels set in New York’s upper crust—she has a way of bringing these characters to life while keeping them likeable, but her stories still have substance and her characters have sass.

I raced through Made in Manhattan, like a hot knife going through that magical garlic butter that Violet liked so much. I love the characters (Alvin especially), I thought the story was perfect, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance.

Egalleys for Made in Manhattan were provided by Gallery Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Cover to cover. That's how I read LL's newest contemporary romance, Made in Manhattan. IMHO, noone writes big-city contemporary romance the way Lauren Layne does. The story is a love letter to NY, to romance, and to the readers that love happily ever afters. I loved the play on My Fair Lady, with the grumpy hero being the one that gets the makeover from the sunshine socialite. As always, New York is a central character in the story, but this time we also get to experience a little of New Orleans, which was such a nice addition! Everything about this book was magic-the banter, the romance, the journeys of self discovery, the secondary characters that provided both insight and humor (everyone needs a bff like Ashley), and sweet Coco/Toto.
If I could rate this book higher than five stars, I absolutely would. This story and these characters are ones that I will enjoy revisiting often.

Last year I read Lauren Layne's To Sir, with Love and found it to be an incredibly sweet, fluff romance. Made in Manhattan delivered those same light-hearted, giddy feelings, but also served some hard core angst and sexual tension and I absolutely loved it! I honestly would describe it as a less spicy version of It Happened One Summer. It's perfect for anyone who loves a grumpy/sunshine or hate-to-love romance!

I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Valentine PR. All opinions are my own!

What more do you need to know other than: Reverse My Fair Lady?? Run, don't walk, to get your hands on this book!

I think my favorite thing about the book was how it was cute but also deep at the same time. It was refreshing to watch both Violet and Cain growing and learning about themselves and who they wanted to be. Their relationship didn't do anything other than simply complement their journies and who they wanted to become at the end of the day. I particularly loved the way that Violet grew and the lessons she learned about life.

And don't get me started on how sexy Cain is! Their relationship had me giggling and grinning like a fool. Their banter was top-notch, and I loved every second of them together! Cain's original grumpiness just added to the sexy factor, and it made it all the sweeter when he began to soften toward Violet.

I also adored the way the book revolved around both New York and New Orleans. It was like the cities paralleled Violet and Cain, and I loved how you could see their similarities through the cities.

If you're a fan of romance, you will not want to miss out on this funny, sweet, deep, and sexy book!

This was so cute and reminded me a lot of her Central Perk Pact series. I love a retelling with a twist and This My Fair Lady role reversal was so creative. I could just picture Blair Waldorf with her headband giving an average Joe a lesson or two in running a prestigious company. This was a quick read and so charming - if you are a fan of Lauren Layne definitely pick this one up!


🥰 really liked || 💋some steam
🤟grumpy + sunshine, banter, NYC setting

I’ve read a couple of #LaurenLayne ‘s books by now and they haven’t disappointed me a single time so far! #MadeInManhatten was another book I really enjoyed, with cute characters, with attraction and great dialogues, characters that are trying to find and accept themselves, that show lots of character growth and of course the wonderful city of #NewYork <3

Violet was pretty much a blank slate in the beginning, somehow who is kind and nice to look at, but also someone who never stands out in any way. Neither good nor bad. It almost felt like she had no personality at all and that is exactly how she was supposed to be seen as. Throughout the story though and through all her interactions with Cain, there was so much amazing character growth and it wasn’t overwhelming either. It was a big change, but this change came in subtle changes and I really liked discovering her real personality more and more.
In an equally subtle way Cain - the unfriendly brute - slowly seemed to warm to Violet and (very surprisingly) her dog! I must admit that this little detail stood out to me quite a lot. There is all the bias about small handbag dogs, but Coco was cute and to see this man handle Coco with such care and friendliness was really endearing. I believe there are way too many “men” who would probably say Coco isn’t a “real dog” and it's lovely seeing the exact opposite in this book!🥰

I also loved how the story and everything else between the main characters played out in the end. I had some worries, about something possibly feeling forced, because of the situation they were in but Lauren Layne did a wonderful job in making everything feel right and natural.

A lovely #contemporaryromance that was entertaining and sweet! <3

I did like this enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, opposite attracts book a lot. I thought Violet was a sweet girl, a little bit lost and lonely even if she did have Edith, her mentor and friend. Having been the one person Edith's depended on for so long, it's only natural that Edith turned to Violet to makeover her long lost grandson so that he can inherit the family legacy and company. Cain has grown up away from the elite, a little rough-hewn, broody, and resistant to a lot of changes and a little resentful of the family he didn't know about. I love the little touches of New York that Violet showed Cain, and I like that he opened Violet up a little bit when he took her back to his hometown.

This was a sweet story with a happy ending. Would've loved to have seen Cain's POV.

At first, I wasn't too sure about this book. The enemies to lovers just didn't seem to be justified and a lot of assumptions were made on appearances, but then the more I got to know the characters the more I enjoyed this book. It isn't my favorite one by Layne, but it's a solid read!

My first taste of Lauren Layne's work. How have I missed her?! I loved Made in Manhattan, and now I'm going to have to read everything she's already written, as well as everything she writes in the future.

This book was so wonderful! Lauren Layne gives me all the swoon worthy feels and her books are the perfect escape. I loved Violet and Cain’s story and found this modern day retelling of Pygmalion to be so well-done and delightful. I pre-ordered the book because I want to reread and share with friends.

Thanks @valentine_pr for the chance to review this arc.

4/5
Made in Manhattan is the book equivalent of enjoying your favorite tea on a chilly morning.
Lovers of the grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, and slow burn tropes will sure want to pick this one up!
I really enjoyed this read, I binged read the entire thing. I left like the writing style really gave life to who the characters were and that helped keep me in the world the story had created.
Violet was a very likable characters and she could have been a snob, but she never really came off as one and that way nice to see.
Cain frustrated me a lot. Don’t get me wrong I liked him, but I think the story would have benefited from his POV that way we as an audience could understand his behavior towards Violet in a few moments where I wanted to shake some sense into him.
I enjoyed their dynamic and how their relationship grew. This is as I mentioned very much a slow burn romance but I felt organic.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and the writing style.

Cain and Violet couldn’t be more different! But are they their typical stereotypes or is there more to them?

Cain is a country bumpkin from Louisiana and Violet is a city gal from Manhattan. Violet takes on the task to teach Cain, the newly discovered grandson of her adoptive family, how to fit in into the Manhattan socialite scene and all while preparing him to take on the CEO position of the families multibillion-dollar company. Just one problem Cain has no interest in changing who he is and what he wears.

When I saw Lauren Layne was releasing her newest book "Made in Manhattan" This had Lauren Layne’s signature style all over it! A fun opposite’s attract with witty Banter, romantic and lots of cute and sweet moments. Also the epilogue was the best part! Layne also gives us growth, love, found family and learning to accept one another ❤️

Thank you to Gallery Books, NetGalley, and Lauren Layne for gifting me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for my copy of Made in Manhattan!
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors and I know I’m in for a treat with every book she puts out.
This was funny, heartwarming, relatable and all around excellent.
I’ll definitely be buying a copy on release day.

Who doesn’t love a growly hunk? Well, there is a spectacular one in this story along with one East Side princess. Dare we say opposites? This drew me right from the start and move quickly as Violet has the ‘job” of her life trying to transform the broody bad boy, Cain, into a NYC businessman. But there’s more to Cain than meets the eye. It’s not long before the chemistry turns hot as these opposites get to know each other. Both of their lives are changed as they fight their way to happiness. I loved this story with the slow burn romance and the Manhattan backdrop. The writing has an easy flow style that had me zipping through the story and the characters were just fabulous. A must read! 4.5 stars

Lauren Layne is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and I have been reading her books for years now. This retelling of Pygamalian/My Fair Lady with the roles reversed is such a great read!

She did a great job setting the scene and creating create interesting characters who I wanted to know more about. Violet and Kane are definitely opposites, but it doesn't take much to see they have lots of chemistry. It isn't long before their antagonistic relationship turns into something very different. It was fun watching them grow and change individually and together as they were forced to work together.

Once I started reading it was impossible to put down, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. This story is Lauren Layne at her best with engaging writing and wonderful storytelling.

Lauren Layne is one of my favorite romance authors. I just know every time I pick up one of her books I will be drawn in immediately and not be able to put it down. And can I tell you, I never want to visit New York as much as I do while reading her books! Made in Manhattan is a reverse Pygmalion/Pretty Woman/My Fair story. Be ready for a slow burn and to fall in love with the characters. The epilogue though 🥺😍💗 Funny, heartwarming, relatable…what more could you ask for?!

Opposites collide Lauren Layne style for a great read and love where you would least expect it!

When NY socialite Victoria Townsend was charged with taking the surprise heir to billions and transforming him from unrefined to sophisticated in a matter of months the task seems insurmountable. Emotions running high and heads butting set the tone for this couple. With glaringly apparent differences they were initially blinded by what they had in common. Little by little as defenses dropped they got to know each other and not only opened up their minds but their hearts.

This pair was funny and intense, bringing into question each other even while being drawn to each other. The pygmalion component of this relationship was done well offering a sweet and occasionally steamy story that brought laughs, sighs and a liberal amount of poignancy. The push and pull of Victoria and Cain's attraction was as dizzying as it was exciting. An endearingly entertaining supporting cast enhanced this story.

It is hard not to be enchanted by Lauren Layne. Her heartaches are relatable, her dilemmas absorbing and her HEA's are dreamy. Lauren Layne is one of those authors you feel like embodies everybody's best friends in her writing. She writes incredibly witty and charming dialog and it is hard not fall right into whatever dynamic her characters are caught up in as a result. Made in Manhattan adds another wonderful Lauren Layne story to fall in love with!

I have read alot of Lauren Layne's books and was excited for this new addition. Like her previous books, she writes rich New Yorker but it works for her. The book had a good live story and I really did enjoy it.

This was a really fun romantic comedy that almost read like a favourite Nora Ephron film.

I really enjoyed each of the main characters individually along with their coinciding personalities, charm, and the chemistry they both shared.

Also, I loved the settings and atmosphere of this novel because I truly could visualize Central Park in New York City as well as the vivacity of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The author utilized being descriptive perfectly because it was enough to give the perfect amount of detail but not more than that where the detail could be exhaustive.

This was such a fun read that I barely put down from start to finish. It’s one that was fun to read and one that I can only hope will someday be adapted because it would be the perfect story to see onscreen.

***Thank you to Valentine PR for sending me an e-ARC of this novel to read and review.***

Holy hell this book stole my heart! Hello friends! I’m excited to announce that today is the official publication date for Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne! I loved this book- first of all the setting of New York Elite meets New Orleans hooked me right away. Violet Townsend sets out to change Cain Stone into the perfect CEO for his long lost family’s company. Along the way, both of them make dramatic self discoveries. It’s a true enemies to lovers makeover edition, and I can’t recommend it enough! The epilogue alone stole my heart- it’s what we all want out of life and love! Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC, and congratulations @laurenlaynebooks on another fantastic book!