RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Made in Manhattan is a wonderful romance between Manhattanite, Violet Townsend and native Louisianian, Cain Stone.

When Violet's adopted grandmother asks Violet to teach her long lost grandson how to fit into the the upper echelons of New York society, she's determined to do everything she can to accomplish that goal. But Cain has no interest in being a willing participant of this makeover and they end up butting heads at every step of the way. But with each conflict, they look past their own judgements and start to truly see one another for who they are.

Their mutual respect soon to turn into something a whole lot more, and they begin to realize that there's more to life than just the lives they've been living.

Lauren Layne has always been great at writing stories about the socialites of NY and this one was no different! From page one, Violet had me hooked into her story. It was a perfect mix of growth, love and learning to accept the unexpected!

This was single POV and while I would have loved to get both POV's, it worked for this book cause a major part of it was Violet's own personal growth. He journey from being the perfect example of a socialite to walking down her own road even of it was off the beaten path, was truly wonderful to see.

I adored the way Cain pushed her to find herself and supported her through everything and vice versa. There were a lot of really sweet moments between the two and that epilogue was the cutest part of the whole book!

I'd recommend this if you're looking for an opposites attract, enemies to lovers story that's a little Gossip Girl mixed in with some French Quarter magic, and a whole lot of love!

Lauren Layne does it again!

I want to live in the New York City she writes about. It always feel like falling into a lovely dream.

Made in Manhattan tells the story of socialite Violet Townsend who is tasked with helping Cain Stone, the secret son of a recently deceased wealthy playboy, who is set to inherit a billion dollar company. Though they are initially constantly at odds, they quickly learn that there is more to both of them than meets the eye.

I didn't expect to love this as much as I did but I was smiling the whole time! Even though I could tell what was going to happen next every time, I had such a fun time reading this. Violet and Cain both start off as carbon copies of their stereotypes, spoiled but nice rich girl and couldn't care less bad boy, they have so much depth to them.

Violet struggles with defining in her world after having lost all of her family and Cain is angry at after thinking that his newfound grandmother may have only found him now so he can take over the company as CEO and continue the family legacy.

But the part that shines the most in this book is the insane chemistry between Violet and Cain. Every scene between the two of them is so charged that I was screaming at them to just kiss already!

But aside from the hot tension, these two opposite attract lovers learn to like each other before they love each other and I appreciate that more than anything.

Jump into Layne's perfect world and experience the magic she is able to weave in every word she writes.

3.5 out of 5. Its a really cute romance. I love My fair Lady, so I was going to dig an adaptation of it, but once I rad it I was very surprised that I liked how much it differed from My Fair Lady, and that is a good thing! The characters were cute, even if a bit stereotypical, but they had some solid growth and the tension was very well written. A really cute quick read romance book

Ohh this one hurts. I love Lauren Layne. I really do. Her last book blew me away and I fell in love. This one however...

Told in the format of a reverse My Fair Lady (which who doesn't love Audrey?!?), Violet Townsend is tasked by her grandmas best friend to turn her newly found grandson Caine Stone into a reserved upperclass man in order to take over her company. Violet is quiet, reserved, and the perfect person to tame rough Louisiana native Caine into the perfect Park Avenue CEO.

I was SO EXCITED to get into this one. That unbridled excitement may have led to the massive let down I felt while reading this one. I couldn't connect with really anyone. Violet had zero personality of her own. Everything down to her dishes and I'm sure toilet paper was an exact replica of her grandmas. And Caine. The idea of who he could be was quite hot. A sexy southern man who loves to get his hands dirty and the most classy thing he wears is his clean t-shirt as opposed to his dirty ones. Let's not pretend a man who works with his hand isn't hot. Only problem was. Caine isn't hot. He's rude. Just nasty. He seems almost like a character of what a rough Louisiana man could be only made into someone who no one would be attracted to. And him and Violet together was truly not at all believable. Their zero chemistry didn't add anything to the book either. All in all this one was a dud. I hated posting this because again. I ADORE Lauren Layne. And I'll pick up her next book because she's a wonderful author. This one just didn't do it for me.

⭐⭐/5

Thank you to Gallery Books, NetGalley, and Lauren Layne for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Another great book by this author. I loved the characters and the setting.

I loved LL’s novel last year, so I was very excited to get into this one!
I thought it was cute, but it didn’t blow me away.
I found Cain irritating and never really got his charm. He’s just flat out rude. I don’t get why Violet liked him.
However, I liked Violet’s transformation through the novel. She deserved someone better though.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Made in Manhattan follows the story of Violet Townsend and Cain Stone. A reverse « My fair Lady ». Violet, a polished, sometimes judgmental Socialist, is asked by her grandma’s dear friend to teach Caine Stone; the newly discovered grandson and sole heir to the family company; how to fit in with New York city’s elite to impress the board and get the job as the CEO of the family company.

Where to start? Lauren Layne is my favorite author for a reason and she reminds me with every new release of hers why. Her stories have the perfect amount of story development, intrigue, chemistry, witty banter and heart warming moments to make you forget for a moment your troubles while you turn the page eager for the next line.

I have to confess that I’ve never watched My Fairy Lady but I did some research (google) before starting Made in Manhattan.

What a way to start 2022 ! I picked this book as my first read for this year and I'm glad I did ! I loved Made in Manhattan. I admit I didn’t like how snobbish Violet was at first but I respected how self aware she was and how even in her most judgmental moments she wasn’t cruel. I loved how while Violet was training and molding Cain to be the perfect Heir, she started to see herself clearly and ask herself what she really wanted.

Cain Stone is only playing along for the paycheck, he agrees to his Gradma's request but he makes it hard for Violet at times. Cain Challenges Violet, which brings another side to Violet, a side she didn’t know she had or she simply forgot about it. I loved how Cain remained true to himself while trying to explore the new world of Socialists and blue blood. The witty banter entretained me but what I adored most is the tender moments between them and Cain's small actions that showed his sweetness under his rugged exterior. Oh and the sexual tension was there. HOT.

Made in Manhattan is the perfect romance for Valentine or any time you want to read a good romance.

A reverse "My Fair Lady," where a rich Upper East Side young woman is asked to groom a young man to take over a massive corporation. While I did appreciate the fact that Layne jumped right into the plot, it also felt very abrupt. I enjoyed this book as I read it, but I didn't find anything particularly memorable about it.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Violet knows all the ins and outs of New York and is well-known among her high-end community. But what happens when Edith, her grandmother’s best friend, tasks her with turning Cain, Edith’s long-lost grandson, into a prospective president of a super fancy company?

Loved the premise of the story! We’ve got a heroine from the posh, upper-class New York crowd who mingles with the grumpy man from Louisiana. Being two worlds apart, naturally, they clash immediately.

I want to be Violet’s friend. She’s kind, caring, and sweet. And I loved watching her transform into the fierce, decisive woman I came to love and adore. And then there was Cain. Oh, Cain. ❤️

Will definitely be purchasing this book when it comes out on January 18, 2022!

Being the softy that I am and loving romance novels above all, this book warmed me heart. Not only was it a quick read, it flowed easily and Violet and Cain's bickering was soo funny, there was so much chemistry between them it was just so GOOD to read, especially as the first read of the year.

Violet finds out through Edith, who is like a grandmother to her, that she found out she has a grandson, and he's getting the keys to the business and becoming CEO, but he needs to look the part and act the part to get there. Violet is the perfect person for the job. But Cain is going to make sure that he makes her life very challenging, he is so different, very laid back and NOTHING like what Edith thinks is acceptable in NYC prestige terms. But Cain see's right through Violet, and also sees that she is not her true genuine self, she also is a product of what others think she should be all packaged into something cute and proper.

This book was a joy to read and the transformation between them is amazing. Be who you want to be who cares about anyone else. Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

4 Magical Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
This starts out as a very easy deal. A simple make-over. Society woman needs to coach, instruct, and redress a man who is the long-lost grandson of the woman's mentor. He is the "fish out of water in NYC", and the grandmother wants him to take over the family business. The man has a life in New Orleans and wants nothing to do with the "grooming".

When these two people have to be together, we start to see it is not just the man who is learning about himself and NYC. Our gal becomes more aware of how restricted she has made her life, how more it could be and learns to let go and live.

This one was cute and fun.

Honestly it made me wistful for New York. I enjoyed the relationship between Violet and Cain grow. The banter was excellent.

It’s a quick easy read. And overall just an enjoyable experience.

My Fair Lady was a new premise for me. I’ve never seen the movie or any movie that is based on it (to my knowledge), but I did enjoy this version. Part of me has always loved the glamour that goes along with life of New York’s elite. So reading a story, that had great character growth, about trying to fit in or our f that world was interesting.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for letting read an advance copy of this and allowing me to give an honest review.

Familiar enemies to lovers trope but it was a fun read.. The dialogue was good and the tension was believable.

Lauren Layne is the author introduced me to world or contemporary romance so I was eager to read her latest novel Made in Manhattan.

Violet is the picture-perfect Manhattan socialite. From her tiny purse dog named coco to the pearls she wears every day. She has an outfit for every occasion and always has the best manners no matter what is thrown at her. Everyone knows they can count on her to lend a helping hand, especially her grandmother like friend Edith. When Violet meets Edith's long lost grandson, she might regret being so helpful when. Cain Stone is a seemingly rough-around-the-edges Southern man who's thrust into the New York life when his unknown family's billion dollar empire is dangled before him. Who's tasked with helping assimilate to New York life? His polar opposite, Violet.

This book has it all. Sunshine and grump, enemy to lovers, opposites attract romance.. Cain and Violet's banter was gleeful the character development on both parts while painfully slow, bordering on the frustrating it was well done and realistic. this book is that the opposites stay opposite, The only complaint I have is I felt the ending wrapped up a little too quickly after the long slow burn buildup.

Overall, Made in Manhattan is a great breezy read, and if you enjoy Lauren Layne, you will not be disappointed. thank you NetGalley and the published for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an easy to read rom-com.

I enjoyed the characters but felt like the plot got a little lost or, perhaps, was a little too rushed at parts. I would recommend it if you enjoy romance novels.

3.5/5 stars

Violet and Cain are polar opposites. She was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth with the finer things in life, however she loves to help and give back. Edith has been a surrogate grandmother to Violet for years and when she is summoned to Edith's house, she is shocked to see a strange man at her house, a long lost grandson, Cain.

Cain was raised in Louisiana and has worked for everything he has,. When Cain mysteriously arrives in NYC to take over his grandmother's company, Violet is on a mission to turn blue collar Cain into the Wall Street Man everyone expects, Cain is very rough around the edges and wants to earn his spot at the head of the table. I fell for Cain immediately. Cain makes a great book boyfriend!

I loved everything about this book. We had 2 head strong characters from the start who both knew what they wanted. I am a huge fan of Lauren Layne's book and this did not disappoint. I always get excited when I find out she has a new release. Please keep them coming! .

This book reads like the perfect Rom-Com. I can see this being made into a movie script. It’s a quick, light, make you feel good story about the good girl falling for the bad boy. Violet is your perfect Charlotte York character, a wealthy do-gooder with tender heart that plays by the social status quo in her beloved NYC. Cain is the long-lost illegitimate grandson that was raised with very little in Louisiana. Cain is brought to NYC by his grandmother, Edith. As a favor, she asks Violet to take the diamond in the rough grandson and make him sparkle, so he can take over the successful company that she has built.
I have never read Lauren Layne before but can see what she is popular with the rom-com genre and she does it very well. If you are looking for a book that keeps it light and entertaining, Made in Manhattan would be a great choice.

Well this was absolutely adorable!! I know I’m always in for a treat when I read an LL book, she always nails the NYC setting and brings it to life and has the cutest romantic encounters that are sure to make you smile. Opposites attract is always a fun trope for me and there was an enemies to lovers vibe too AND some sunshine and grump energy so lots to love here. It was a slow burn low on the heat but I didn’t care because Violet and Cain still had great chemistry and the authors trademark witty banter, such a must for me and this delivered. If you’re a fan of the authors Central Park Pact series this has a similar feel to it so definitely check it out! And if you haven’t read that series yet I definitely recommend it as well as this one for a delightful and charming romance.

A new slow burn, opposites-attract romance from Lauren Layne!

I’m a big fan of the author; her writing style has always been something I enjoyed. Her works are always something I pick up when I’m in the mood for romance but overwhelmed with choices. This book is no exception. One of my favorites of hers to date! Violet Townsend, a kind, polished, and beautiful socialite, is tasked by her considered-family member to teach a newly-discovered grandson, Cain Stone, how to fit and charm into New York’s elite society to successfully take over an affluent family company. A difficult task, considering Cain’s character and their dreadful first encounter. As they spend more time together, the two of them realize each other is not what they seem and have a lot in common than they thought.

I love this so much. I like the slow burn of their relationship - of how they really got to know each other well, and I delight in the moments when they surprise each other when they do something unexpected, especially Violet. As their animosity changes into fondness, I love how it simultaneously shapes their confidence and reflective awareness. While this isn’t an unusual trope, its delivery is excellent. I love the moments between Violet and Cain (and Coco); their banter and chemistry are top-notch.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the eARC, in exchange for honest feedback.