3.5/5 stars

I've never been a fan of long hair and scruffy beards but I think Cain Stone may have just made me one...


This book is a deliciously quick read that's perfect for when your dreams of becoming a Manhattan Socialite have started to take over your life.

Violet Victoria Townsend is the poster child for an "Upper East Side princess". Cain Stone is a man who looks more like a lumberjack than the co-owner of a distribution company. When it's discovered that Cain is related to Edith Rhodes, Violet's long-time friend and grandmother on loan, these two must come together in order for Cain to shape up to be the head of the Rhodes Dynasty. What could go wrong??

I had a tremendously fun time reading this book. It was short, sweet, and quick to the point. I loved how although the love story was a part of the main plot, there was still a lot of character building prevalent throughout the entire story. I knew that regardless of whether or not they would end up together, Violet was going to come out of this as a new woman (we love a good girlboss moment).
There was a bit of an "insta-love" idea which I wasn't entirely a fan of but when paired with all the tension-building scenes between Cain and Violet, it totally worked. Very light on the spicy scenes which I actually really appreciated although that did make it seem a bit rushed when they started confessing feelings.

Overall, this is a cute little book to read when you just want to sit outside on a balcony overlooking the city with a pair of pearls draped around your neck and a macaron baked to perfection.

God I loved Cain and Violet together. This book perfectly delivers on a fun, yet meaningful romance. I also especially adored the side characters, Edith and Ashley. It was a perfect blend of heartwarming and light-hearted. Definitely a must read!

Socialite Violet Townsend is tasked with getting the long-lost grandson of a business titan in shape to take over the family’s billion-dollar business. The problem: Cain Stone ( nee Rhodes) isn’t like anyone Violet has ever known. Rough and coarse, longhaired and bearded, Cain is the opposite of every man Violet has ever known.
And just why is that so appealing?
With her usual quick, witty banter on full display, Layne makes you want Violet for a best friend and Cain as… well, you know. Hee hee
For most of the story, Violet isn’t even sure Cain wants to run the billion-dollar business. He argues with her at every turn, fights with her simply to be ornery. He doesn’t think the old adage clothes make the man is true. She’s lived it as an edict her entire life.
He finds museums stuffy; she has a season’s pass.
But, as they say, opposites attract and this story proves it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Layne, and Gallery books for what is sure to be another million-seller. This book is, simply, perfection.
5 stars-wish I could give it more!

Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne is an excellent contemporary and fun romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Ya know, sometimes you just want to read a relaxing, fun, positive, and happily ever after romance…something with an ending that makes you smile and feel that all is right with the world…well this sure checked all those boxes for me.

I loved the opposites attract, all business turns to friendship and understanding and then romance narrative. If done well, it never gets old.

I loved Violet and Cain. Different pasts, at different places in life when we first meet them, yet looking for the same thing deep down.

I enjoyed the progression, the mutual attraction, the chemistry, and I loved the ending.

Excellent book that I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Gallery Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I'm completely biased because I love everything Lauren Layne writes and Made In Manhattan is not different. This book surprised in the best way possible, the main thing I loved about it was Violet's character development and seeing her relationship with cain evolve throughout the book. I had to take five minutes pauses several times because I simply could not sit still while reading, the chemistry between the two was amazing right from the start. I can't wait for this book to come out, I need it in my hands.

3.5 rounded up. I enjoy Layne’s books, especially the ones set in NYC. Violet was a bit of a caricature at times, a bit one dimensional, but the chemistry was there and I enjoyed this overall. A quick fun read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I desperately need to read more by her. This was such a sweet book. While I initially thought it would be full out enemies to lovers, Cain and Violet are more so ‘I don’t like this situation and because of that I’m gonna be kind of a sarcastic jerk but regardless I’m also going to enjoy my time with you’. They don’t get off on the right foot at their first meeting, even if they are attracted to each other but quickly develop a deep affection for each other. I loved how despite the whole goal of their acquaintance being for Violet to mold him into a perfect CEO, Cain also helps her by opening her eyes to the fact that, despite what she believes, she could actually be so much more happier. I do wish we got to see more of Edith and Alvin, they were delightful…and also that there was less Keith because he was well…not so delightful.

They had so many sweet moments together, both in New York and New Orleans and I just could not stop smiling while reading this book. If you liked The Unhoneymooners, you’ll love Made in Manhattan.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for a honest review.

This book is an absolutely adorable Romantic comedy. I enjoyed both the characters and I really loved the story. I highly recommend it.

Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne. Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4.5 stars
Genre Romance

Lauren Layne is an auto-read author for me. She writes the best New York City romances. They are always swoonworthy, and delightful. I literally look forward to her book releases. Made in Manhattan lived up to my expectations! I really enoyed Cain and Violet. I felt like I was in NYC with them!

If you enjoy romance books, I highly recommend Lauren Layne! Her books never disappoint!

3.5 stars

My Fair Lady/Pygmalion is what 'Made in Manhattan' is: Lauren Layne is pretty upfront about that in the blurb of the story, which seems curiously shorter than a full-length novel and for that reason, feels like a shortened, more undeveloped version of the more richly-layered original.

The trajectory, given that this is well-worn territory, is a predictable one, though no less enjoyable, especially since this is a role-reversal of an upper-crust socialite and a seemingly uncouth, brash man whom she's tasked with giving a makeover. But Violet Townsend's mission to change someone somehow retains enough transformative power that she finds herself changed in the end while finding love on the way.

The spirit of Pygmalion burns bright in this one, and with this role reversal that Layne uses, thankfully helps tip the construction of masculinity and impropriety on its head. Yet that kind of feminist-lean is also muted; Violet still seems disappointingly ambition-less, determinedly running the errands of her mentor and adopted family member, who also happens to be the matriarch of a well-established corporation.

The build-up hence, consists of a few questions asked about the cosmetic and the intrinsic as Violet/Cain 'train' for the ultimate corporate takeover, overlaid with memorable one-line-zingers uttered by characters at very opportune moments--that do in fact, cut to the heart of character insecurities.

That said, stock characters (keeping in line with stereotypical rom-com characters) in fact, help prop the story, as 'Made in Manhattan' keeps its jaunty tune throughout with minimal angst. A rushed ending without much fanfare deflated my enthusiasm somewhat after the slow burn, as the narrative focus on Violet simply position Cain as a more shadowed version of a clichéd protagonist who made a sudden, huge leap from defiant, uncouth lout to jaw-clenching, lovesick man.

Still, it's a read that's so easy to go through--as Layne's books generally are--, offering some precious hours of escapist fantasies especially if I don't think too much more about it past its conclusion. But brevity is what I sometimes frown on, especially because it seems to compromise a plot hurtling towards a quick, duct-taped end. Even as Violet/Cain basked in their HEA, I couldn't help but wish that the last few chapters offered something more substantial than a few lost looks and fleeting emotional exchanges that hindered rather than helped their relationship.

*Some grammar/spelling errors in the book.

I read this in only a few hours, that’s how I knew made in Manhattan was surely going to make it into my favourites of 2021 very comfortably. This was amazing and exactly what I knew I needed. The things is - Lauren layne has always been an absolute go to author for me, I read her works in high school between semesters and she quickly became a go to author for me that I became fond of. There has never been a book Layne has written that has made me feel like it’s never taken me on an experience.

Where do I begin? Violet. She was perfect. I think Lauren layne has a knack for writing extremely funny and well loveable female characters and that’s exactly what happened in this situation. Violet was hilarious. She was down to earth and sweet. She knew exactly what she wanted and needed but she also gave the readers a chance to understand her and where she comes from. I appreciated that! Violet was everything I wanted and was looking for and I’m glad Lauren layne provided that.

Caine. Grumpy, over the edge and pretty funny in a “I’m going to end your life” kind of way. Cain stone was perfect. Thrown into a new life he didn’t know existed, it was pretty interesting for me to see how violet and cain came together. And did they! Cain and violets chemistry was off the charts. They were crazy good together and I loved every second of it.

This is something you should surely put onto your 2022 Tbr’s it was perfect and Lauren layne has clearly done it again. 5 out of 5 stars!