I’m a fan of Laura Layne’s rom-com books. With NYC always posing such a huge backdrop it could be its own character and it’s just always a fun time. With a reverse My Fair Lady storyline you have Posh Violet who is the ultimate socialite Manhattan girl being tasked to try to teach Cain how to fit into New York and get this boot wearing man from New Orleans primed to take over his newly found grandmother’s company.

This provides all the witty banter I’ve come to expect from this author and it was a fun read where you weren’t sure who was doing the most changing, Violet or Cain. But it was a fun time nonetheless.

Charming, cute romance if you, like me, enjoy an enemies to lovers vibe or sunshine/grump trope.

Thank you to @netgalley for the eARC!

I love Lauren Layne and I always want to support her work so I was excited to read Made in Manhattan! It follows Violet, a privileged upper east sider whose surrogate grandmother discovers she has a real life grandson to whom she can bequeath her company. In a take on My Fair Lady, it falls to Violet to transform the Louisiana born and raised Cain into someone New York society will pay attention to. By the end of this book I was definitely invested in these characters and wanted to know what happened with them. Cain's character is very abrasive in the beginning which initially turned me off but I'm glad I pressed through to the end.

LOVED this book! It's my favorite of the year, so far. I jump at the chance to read a new Lauren Layne. Her witty banter and steamy tension are just delightful. I loved all of the characters and found many laugh out loud moments. I would highly recommend this for romance readers.

It isn’t an overly complicated story. It’s a light and fast read. For the most part, it is predictable, yet I didn’t mind it probably because I liked Cain and I liked Violet. Violet is nice even if she initially appears snobby. I like that Cain’s sudden appearance injects changes in her routine lifestyle. Even though I knew where the story was headed, it still incited smiles and made me tingle when there were glances between them and there were insightful observations made by Violet.

As much as I enjoyed the novel, there is this slightly generic, cookie cutter feel to it. There are not many business-related matters in the book, as if to say that it doesn’t matter what’s going on within the corporation and it’s the makeover readers should focus on. All we need to know is Cain is supposed to take over. With the story told only from Violet’s perspective and her lack of involvement in the corporation itself, it makes sense for workplace politics to be missing. It still didn’t keep me from wondering what was happening on that end of things though. The addition of Cain’s point of view would have been beneficial here. Then I would have been able to figure out the extent of Violet’s effect on him and the story might have felt more full or complete.

If I rated this book purely on feelings alone, it would deserve a five. I enjoyed that last chapter and endings can often make or break a star for me. While my initial reaction was a five, it was hard to ignore the generic feel of the book once I started this review. If you’re looking for a straightforward, predictable romance with leads who have palpable chemistry and fun banter, Made in Manhattan is a great choice.

Lauren Layne is a must read author for me - every book that she comes out with is an immediate buy and Made In Manhattan is proof of why. Made On Manhattan is light and fun while still having beautiful depth.

Violet and Cain were delightful - so funny, a little angst in the beginning, and so perfect for each other. Lauren Layne writes kind characters in the most intriguing way - I’m simply never bored.

The plot was so fun - I’m a huge My Fair Lady fan - and I honestly love reading about the wealthy New York scene. I love reading about spending money and drinking champagne and dressing for elegant events in a way that reminds us of the reality and depth of the people living in that world.

I loved this book so much and I cannot recommend it enough!! Thank you to Lauren Layne and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute story with a "My Fair Lady" storyline, only this time an upper crust NY socialite has to transform the unknown grandson from the Bayou and turn him into a true NY corporate CEO.

Violet Townsend lost her parents at a young age, she was raised by her Grandmother who died when she was in college. That's when Edith Rhodes, her Grandmother's best friend, takes Violet under her wing and she becomes her surrogate granddaughter. When Edith's hard partying son, Adam, dies before cleaning up his life, Edith decides not to retire yet. Her husband's last wish was to keep the business in the family, so when she finds out that Adam had a child out of wedlock, she seeks him out.

Now Edith wants Violet to transform Cain Stone into the next CEO of Rhodes International. At first Cain and Violet can't stand each other and are waiting to see who gives up first. But slowly, Violet begins to see changes in her that Cain has brought out and vice versa.

What neither of them expect is to fall in love with the other during the process.

A must read!!

This was a really cute read, with several laugh out loud moments. Cain has recently found out he has a family he didn’t know about. He never met his father and now his grandmother wants to make him the CEO of a extremely successful company. There are two little problems, Cain is a little rough around the edges and he isn’t sure if this new life is for him. Violet will do almost anything for her grandmothers best friend and that includes teaching her long lost grandson how to be rich. As Violet shows Cain the ropes how to eat at fancy restaurants, buying expensive cloths and how to properly rub elbows with the in crowd they form a strong connection. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Cain and Violet really got to know each other, who they truly were. With that they both learned what they really wanted out of life. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I enjoyed this genderswapped retelling of My Fair Lady. I love the way Lauren Layne writes about New York City and I love being able to visit vicariously through her books since it's going on four years since I was last there. I really liked both of the lead characters, and it was fun seeing each one appreciate certain things about the other's background and culture. I didn't think this book was quite as strong as Layne's 2021 release, To Sir with Love, but it was still a solid romance novel, and it made me want to dive into the author's backlist ASAP.

Lauren Layne has returned to stay! Made in Manhatten was filled with tropes --from grumpy and sunshine to enemies to lovers -- but did not feel overwritten or cliche. It was duly improved from "Sir, with love", but I would have loved more character development between the mains, especially the intimate connections with just the two of them together. As well, the reverse "My Fair Lady" scenario was a great gender bendy, just the whole scenario was quickly resolved. A lot of the great bones, just not enough meant.

Lauren Layne is the queen of Manhattan love stories, especially in this modern day My Fair Lady-esque tale. I devoured this book in one day- I couldn't get enough! From the first interaction between Violet and Cain (love that name and his parents' names, ha!) to the final scene and everything in between, I was enraptured. I fell in love with Manhattan as Violet introduced Cain to the city and I fell even more in love with Cain during their trip to New Orleans. His accent was swoon worthy (LOVED when he called her Duchess!) and the scenes were sweet and full of simmering sexual tension. A fast, fun read that I absolutely adored!

Made in Manhattan released earlier this week and it reminded me why I love Lauren Layne! For me, her books are consistently lighter contemporary romances, palate cleansers, and just fun, quick reads. I flew through it and it fit my mood perfectly. I think what I loved most was that NYC and New Orleans felt like characters all their own and Layne’s writing made me want to experience both cities alongside Violet and Cain. There were a few times that I was not a fan of Cain’s actions and some of the things he said and I wish that would have been addressed a little more at the end of the story, but oh well. Overall though, it was so cute and makes me want to read more of Lauren Layne’s backlist immediately!

Read if you like:
-My Fair Lady/Pygmalion (but gender swapped)
-Jazz music
-NYC
-New Orleans & Mardi Gras
-Hero with long hair and lots of scruff
-Lots of sexual tension, but closed door that is slightly cracked
-Amazing secondary characters
-Quick reads

Thank you so much to @gallerybooks, @netgalley, and @valentine_pr_ for the gifted copy!

I can say it a million times. I absolutely love anything Lauren Layne writes. Her books are filled with wit, spark, and steam. This book was a fun read.

As expected from Lauren Layne, she never disappoint with her books, including the reverse of My Fair Lady, Made in Manhattan. Violet is a fun and likeable heroine. Cain is a swoon worthy of a man. Violet and Cain are complete opposites, and that's what make this book so fun! Layne's never fail to deliver a good banter with her New York universe romcoms and this book is one of them. Although I didn't like this as much as her previous book, To Sir, with Love (which was an ABSOLUTE delight), Made in Manhattan was perfect for those who are looking for a light romantic comedy to read! This book got 3.8/5 stars from me.

I'm discovering that I really enjoy My Fair Lady retellings. This one is no exception! Lauren Layne's writing style hooked me immediately and I absolutely adore Violet, Cain, Edith, and Ashley. I always have more of a desire to visit New York after I read one of Layne's novels. I also love the message behind this story and that we don't have to change who we are to be worthy of love; love should be freely given.

Content: strong language, open door scene, death of family in character past

Thank you to NetGalley for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

3.5/5 for Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne


Hmmm. I liked this book, but I was a little bored. The setting and boujee vibe in the book was great. I just did not feel the connection between the characters. Sure there was physical attraction, but it was not emotional/mental. That is a huge turn-off in books for me. I don't really have much else to say unfortunately.

Violet Victoria Townsend, a Manhattan debutante raised by her grandmother, Edith who was summoned to her townhouse for a conversation in which she found out that Edith’s son Adam, passed away due to addiction and left behind a grandson, Cain

I’m loving the banter, relationship & sarcastic humor between Cain & Violet…. Cain and Violet are so funny, and just all around adorable together. Keith was a selfish jerk. The epilogue was absolutely the best culmination for Violet & Cain. I’ve now become a fan of Ms. Layne. I love this book

I started this book in the morning and finished it the same day! This was my first novel from Lauren Layne and I will definitely be going through all of her other books. I really enjoyed this reverse My Fair Lady modern story. I'm a huge fan of the Grump-Sunshine troupe and Cain and Violet did not disappoint. I loved the character development over the span of the book, and the sassy snark between them. Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Yes. More of this please. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author. I felt like the character development allowed me to get to know them without feeling like I was being water-boarded with information.

3.5, rounded up because it's 1am and I'm feeling optimistic.

This sweet little book was a great way to round off my reading month. Easy on the emotions, barely 300 pages, and lush with the NYC/New Orleans settings. I found myself missing the South desperately, something I didn't expect in a story that literally has the word Manhattan in the title. But for New Yorkers out there, the Manhattan setting is rich (literally lol) and well-executed. You feel like you're in a romanticized version of the city with Violet.

When I lived in Manhattan in 2019 I was lucky enough to see My Fair Lady's 2018 revival at the Lincoln Center, so obviously I wanted this book immediately. This is definitely a My Fair Lady gender-swap, but with the Duchess/Duke talk, and how everyone in the story is filthy rich, I also had major Princess Diaries vibes. Were the characters relatable? No, unless you also live rent-free in an Upper East Side brownstone. But the chemistry was fantastic.

TW: death of a parent (helicopter crash, brief recounting of), death of grandparents/mother (off-page)

Layne crafted lovable side characters, especially in Coco the dog, and I adored Violet and Ashley's friendship so much. The unconventional family dynamic was fresh; how often is a romance lead raised by an old lady that isn't technically related to her? And the romance was rushed, but still sweet. I loved the banter, the only one bed, and the makeover trope. Too bad I was picturing him blonde the whole book until in the last 50 pages we learn he has black hair. 🤦🏼‍♀️

If you're looking for a romance that's more sweet than spicy this is the one. There's clear character growth as well, and it's done well. Honestly, can't ask for much more than that!

Thank you to Valentine PR and Gallery Books for the early copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Lauren Layne does it again with another great read. Loved the characters and story line. Lauren is great at drawing all of the characters together and leaving you wanting more.

Watch my livestream with Lauren here: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/c55c07e4-d7ad-485c-bc3a-7985febf2f84?ref=social&tag=erinmbransco-20&linkCode=ilv