Lauren Layne is one of my favorite NYC authors and I was so happy to get an arc for her newest book "Made in Manhattan". Our main character Violet is stuck in a rut in the upper echelon of New York City’s society when her grandmother's best friend Edith asks her for help in giving her long lost grandson Cain a makeover a la Fair Lady style in order to keep Edith's business within the family.

Cain and Violet of course don't get along at first, but they slowly start to bond over love for Jazz and familial losses (Cain's mother and Violet's parents and grandmother.)

I enjoyed this book so much that I probably finished it in less than a day. Cain and Violet's story was so compelling for me and I wanted to make sure they got their happy ending. (Silly I know because they're always happy endings, but the heartache for characters is still real!)

This book was a 4.5/5 ⭐️ read for me.

I love books by the author Lauren Layne and this one was no exception. This book was a fast read with all the fluff.

This book is a story about Violet Townsend, a New York City socialite who always does and says the right things. So when her surrogate grandmother Edith asks Violet to groom her newly discovered grandson Cain Stone (who is born and raised in rural Louisiana) to fit him in the city’s elite. She agrees to her request.

Violet seemed a little snobbish in the beginning but she is such a likable protagonist. In a process of grooming Cain, she releases what she wants from her life and she needs to leave her good girl and people-pleasing ways.

Cain Stone is an interesting character. He is grumpy and likes to do things the way he likes and doesn't communicate much. I understand where he comes from and his situation, but I did not like the way he treats Violet.

I loved Violet’s pet Coco (Toto) also the supporting characters like Ashley and Alvin added life and warmth to this book.

I recommend it and look forward to the next book by the author.

Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne immediately caught my eye. The pink cover combined with the New York City skyline called out to me. Then I read the book blurb and I was hooked.

Violet Townsend reminds me a bit of Charlotte York from the Sex and the City TV series. She is replete with goodness, wealth and the ability to bring out the best in people. She goes out of her way to help those that she cares about. As a result, when her grandmother asks her to makeover her newly discovered grandson, Violet has no choice but to agree.

Cain Stone is from New Orleans and is a bit rough around the edges. He is a smart and proud man, so being groomed to take over his grandmother's company is somewhat daunting. At first, he is not happy about his newfound lineage and that Violet has been tasked with his reformation. In fact, he fights her every step of the way. Overtime he accepts his new place in society, as Violet learns to stand up for herself.

I truly liked this slow-burn romance, and the developing love connection between Violet and Cain was quite seductive. I immediately connected with both of them as individuals and as a couple. I always find how the upper crust of society lives to be quite intriguing. The secondary characters were unique in their own right, which added a lot of interest to the present happenings. If you enjoy the "My Fair Lady" trope with a twist, then add this book to your TBR list.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Lauren Layne has written a lot of books which I thoroughly enjoy. I was excited to hear she had a new one come out but this one just did not move as smoothly and engaging as her others. I found it was predictable and slow and did not enjoy the characters, as well as in her other storylines.. I was a bit disappointed with this story.

Reading Lauren Layne books always make me happy and Made in Manhattan was no exception.

Violet is an Upper-Eastside socialite, charged with making the long-lost grandson of her close friend fit in with their rich, New Yorker crowd. It’s a twist on My Fair Lady, but I am a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve never seen that, so I can’t say how faithful it is to the source material. I can say that I did love the chemistry and growing relationship between Violet and Cain, though. They had good banter and there were a lot of subtle, cute moments that gave me all sorts of feelings. I definitely shipped them.

While I enjoyed the romance, I did want just a little more from the rest of the story. It was told in close third person POV from Violet’s perspective and I really wish we could have gotten Cain’s perspective, as well. I really wanted to know his character a little bit more and felt there was a lot more to explore with his background – how he grew up, his deceased mother, just finding out about his long-lost father who had just died and left him a fortune, the grandmother he just met, the possibility of taking over a billion dollar company, his insecurity of not feeling “good enough” for Violet – that we just didn’t get. I’m a little confused why Layne didn’t just make this a first person POV if we never get anyone’s perspective besides Violet’s.

Overall, though, I enjoyed Made in Manhattan. I liked the slow-burn romance between Violet and Cain, the banter, Violet’s cute little dog, and the quirky, hypochondriac side-character, Alvin. There were a lot of ideas, though, that just scratched the surface that I wanted so much more from. This wasn’t my favorite Lauren Layne book, but I would still definitely recommend it to fans of her and I will look forward to whatever she writes next.

Overall rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars

Violet is your typical New York snob. Polished, polite, and perfectly poised, she is more than willing to mold herself into whatever respectable form is expected of her.

Enter Cain, the rugged long-lost grandson of Violet's friend/boss Edith. Violet is tasked with making him into a gentleman a la "My Fair Lady." This seems like a nearly impossible task, one which is made much more difficult because of the huge differences in their personalities.

They drive each other crazy, but along the way, they learn important things from each other. Violet learns that she can let go a little bit and live life the way she wants to. Cain learns that he doesn't need to act out and reject others because of his own fear of rejection.

With witty banter and plenty of electricity, Violet and Cain learn to respect each other... and they just might fall in love along the way.

While I wish that this book could've been longer with more insight into the characters' childhoods and how they became the stubborn, strong individuals they are, I can't deny how much I loved this book. The slow-burn romance was paced perfectly, and the epilogue was the icing on the cake.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Made in Manhattan
Author: Lauren Layne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.5 stars

Lauren Layne’s latest contemporary romance, Made in Manhattan, introduces us to Violet Townsend, an Upper East Side princess, who has been given a near impossible task. As the personal assistant and confidant to the CEO of Rhodes International, Violet agrees to transform Edith Rhodes’ long lost grandson, Cain, from lumberjack to New York City tycoon .

“Could she take this angry, uncouth man and turn him into someone who held his own in a boardroom? Who could navigate the sticky intricacies of the New York social set?”

But Cain isn’t exactly the eager student that Violet wishes he would be. They’re complete opposites. Violet is prim and proper and never rocks the boat. Cain is prickly and… a little rough around the edges to say the least. As the two grow closer, it becomes clear that maybe Cain isn’t the only one getting a makeover. Can this sunshine- grumpy pair learn to live in each other’s worlds?

I have a soft spot for Lauren Layne books! I love her writing, love the NYC settings, love the relationships she builds. And while this wasn’t my top favourite of her books, it hit the spot and got me out of my reading slump, so thank you for that! It had a lot of the qualities I like in a romance. Opposites attract, some cute banter, a hero you can’t help but fall for. I look forward to reading whatever she dreams up next!

Also, thank you to Lauren Layne, Netgalley and Valentine PR for providing an advanced readers copy.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

In my opinion, there's something really compelling about the way Lauren Layne writes her books and it always works for me.

Here we have a story about loss and trying to find your place in the world. I think it's really nice that this aspect is explored in the book.

There's no need to say the romance is really good. I found their bickering in the beginning hilarious and it's always wonderful to see two characters fall in love with the other's imperfections just as much as their qualities.

I will say though that Cain annoyed me sometimes with how indecisive he could get but it was nothing that could ruin the reading experience for me.

This is another proof Lauren Layne can write romances like few other people can.

[ARC provided for an honest review]
Ahhh I’ve loved this book so much. This is a classic Lauren Layne story and a perfect gender reversed twist on “My Fair Lady”.
Pretty sure that Violet is one of my favorite heroines at the moment, the fact that she’s wanted to help Cain made her very endearing to me, and I liked her personality in general. And Cain is just the perfect grumpy hero. Their chemistry is phenomenal and if you still haven’t added this book to your tbr then you definitely should. Plus the epilogue was just to die for.

Reverse My Fair Lady trope with a setting in socialite Manhattan? Yes, please.

You're going to love the grumpy southern man falling for the uptight pearl-clutching woman. You'll adore watching the way they both end up changing the other. You'll fly the pages of chemistry and flirtation.

Overall another fun Lauren Layne story.

I wish this book had a bit more depth, but was enjoyable. I wish the male character had more perspective and there were quite a few lines that rubbed me the wrong way.

Violet and Cain are gold! I loved everything about this book!!
This book is the ultimate opposite attracts romance.

Violet was brought up living the high life in New York while Cain lived in a studio in New Orleans. In order for Cain to inherit his family's business, he has to change and prove his worth. Enter Violet! She takes on the task to not only change Cain's clothing style but introduce him to the high life.

Some of Violet and Cain's dialogues broke me! They were filled with emotion and vulnerability and I loved every minute.
I would genuinely read Lauren Layne's grocery list and I would probably love it haha!!

A massive thank you to the author, gallery, netgalley and Valentine_pr for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Made in Manhattan is another super cute, funny, romantic comedy retelling by Lauren Layne, which is exactly what I've come to expect when reading her books!

This time around, Layne flips the script on My Fair Lady with posh, Upper-East Side Manhattanite Violet Townsend taking on the job of transforming Cain Stone, the unsophisticated, rough around the edges and newly discovered grandson of Violet's close friend so he can fit into the Manhattan society.

Of course, the two clash instantly with each of them thinking there's nothing more than the other but what they see on the outside--this is definitely a novel where opposites attract because, in the beginning, these two can't stop sniping at each other and don't get along because all they see are their differences. Yet it doesn't take long before the two discover they have more in common than either expected.

As always, I enjoyed this romantic tale set in NYC! My only complaint, not really a complaint even, is that I wish it had been told in dual POVs so we could have heard Cain's story as well. There was so much about him--just finding out he was heir to millions, finding his grandmother, his relationship with Violet, etc, that could have expounded on. It was still a great book and if you love Layne's books, you'll enjoy this one too!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a fan of Lauren Layne’s books for some time now and Made In Manhattan was exactly what I’ve come to expect from the author - an enjoyable lighthearted romance, with great characters and lots of witty banter. This was a quick read that I read in one sitting. If you enjoy opposites attract/enemies to lovers romances, definitely check this one out.

It's been a hot minute since I've read Lauren Layne. But this reminded me why I like her books. This was good. I loved Violet! She changed and grew so much in here. I was rooting for her to get what she wanted. Sadly, what she wanted was Cain. I really didn't care for him. He was mean. I get that he was protecting himself. But at one point Violet told him if he kept treating her that way she would walk away and not come back. I wish she would have left sooner and wouldn't have come back. I'm a fan of a good grovel and Cain needed to grovel. Waaaaay more than he did.

Then we got to the epilogue and I closed the book with a smile. So all in all, this was good 😊

Violet and Cain could not be anymore opposite if they tried! Violet is a manners and etiquette queen and Cain umm not so much but when she’s asked to give Cain a makeover to make him a bit more New York his dole enjoyment in it is ruffling Violet’s feathers which he’s very good at lol. These two are so cute together that this book just made me smile throughout

Violet Victoria Townsend was the perfect example of a privileged, Upper East Side Manhattan lady. She always looked perfect and did everything that was expected of her. When her adopted grandmother, Edith, ask her for a favor, Violet readily agrees. It seems that after Edith's son, Adam unexpectedly dies, she finds out that she has a grandson, Cain Stone living in New Orleans. Edith was planning on retiring and leaving the family company for Adam to run. Since that can't happen, she wants Cain to take over the job to keep it in the family. The only problem is is that Cain does not have the appearance of a man running a multi-million dollar company. If Violet could change Cain's image into that of a proper East Sider, he could then run the company.

Too bad Cain doesn't want the job. He likes his laid back lifestyle and the company he runs in New Orleans. Of course the more time Violet and Cain spend together with his "lessons" the more those thoughts seem to change. At the same time Violet is starting to realize that she quite enjoys not always being the perfect lady. These two together bring out the best in the other. When it comes time for the Board of Directors to decide who should take Edith's place, a surprise twist happens, but it won't be long until everyone has their happy ending.

I just loved this charming opposites attract story! I adored Cain. It was fun watching him interact with Violet. He loved to push her buttons....then she finally started pushing back. I loved watching the chemistry build up between these two until they just exploded. I also really enjoyed how both Cain and Violet changed overall to make them better people. These two had such fun banter. I also loved all of the other characters.....Coco, Alvin and Edith. Overall this was another wonderful story from Lauren Layne and I highly recommend it.

Made in Manhattan by @laurenlaynebooks is now LIVE!

Summary: An Upper East Side New York socialite attempts to makeover a gruff, denim-loving man from Louisiana into a polished suit-wearing New Yorker, only to fall in love with him in the process.

Review: I adored this book! Violet was the perfect combination of sweet and snarky (once she started using her voice) and Cain 🔥🔥🔥 A southern boy with a mind of his own. Violet and Cain are both written so well and deep that it is easy to get sucked in and care for each of them individually but also want to root for them to be together. And the tension and banter between the two made for some funny moments but also zinging chemistry! I loved watching Violet figure out who she is and grow into that person. It’s a romance but so much more! If you love grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, opposites attract tropes, this is for you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

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Oh, it is so much fun to read a new Lauren Layne book! She is the queen of NYC books, and I love her stories! Violet and Cain were such a great couple, and they took FOREVER to get together which is also just the kind of relationship story I love to read. Violet is the perfect “good” girl, having been raised mostly by her grandmother after her parents died in a helicopter accident. Then her grandmother died, and her grandmother’s best friend, Edith, became a surrogate grandmother and Violet felt very indebted to her. Edith finds out she has a grandson she didn’t know about, and proceeds to bring him to NYC to take over the family company, but he is nothing like the well groomed,sophisticated men of the big city. Cain, from New Orleans, comes with a chip on his shoulder and curmudgeonly ways! To say Violet and Cain butted heads at first is an understatement but Ms. Layne is such a master author, this book was a joy to read!

This is a fun, modern, re-imagining of My Fair Lady but when I first started it, it was a bit hard to have any sympathy for Violet, who nominally plays the Henry Higgins role. When she was initially introduced she seemed to have the particular tone-deafness of the privileged white upper crust who are unaware of just how privileged they are. She drifted through life with no particular cares, didn't need to work (because she had plenty of money as well as an inherited apartment on the Upper East side), and knew all the “right” people and all of the unspoken nuances of those born to wealth and privilege.

When her surrogate grandmother asks Violet to take Cain, her newly discovered grandson, under her wing and smooth out his rough edges, so that he’ll be more palatable as her successor at the family owned business, Violet is initially a bit put out. She quickly dismisses him from consideration due to his outspoken manner, jeans, scruff, cowboy boots, and southern accent (he’s from Louisiana). However, Violet soon starts to see Cain as he really is, and Cain in turn shakes up her own complacency and has her questioning all of the decisions she’s made so far about her path in life. As these two start working together, they both change the previously set trajectory of their lives and become more sympathetic characters. The book and the characters grew on me, their banter entertained me, and they became less like oil/water and instead like a couple that was meant to be. As always, Lauren Layne expresses her love for NYC in her stories, but also takes a fun side foray to New Orleans at Mardi Gras.