Made in Manhattan

Made in Manhattan

  • Downloads:2745
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-03-16 14:17:35
  • Update Date:2025-09-23
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Lauren Layne
  • ISBN:1472275349
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Central Park Pact comes a reverse My Fair Lady for the modern era about a pampered and privileged Manhattan socialite who must teach an unpolished and denim-loving nobody from the Louisiana Bayou how to fit in with the upper crust of New York City。 Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne。

Violet Townsend has always been a people pleaser。 Raised in the privileged world of Upper East Side Manhattan, she always says the right things, wears the right clothes, and never rocks the boat。 Violet would do anything for the people closest to her, especially her beloved grandmother。 So when she asks Violet to teach the newly-discovered grandson of her friend how to fit in with New York City’s elite, Violet immediately agrees。 Her goal? To get Cain Stone ready to take his place as heir to his family company…but to say he’s not exactly an eager student is an understatement。

Born and raised in rural Louisiana and now making his own way in New Orleans, Cain Stone is only playing along for the paycheck at the end。 He has no use for the grandmother he didn’t know existed and no patience for the uppity Violet’s attempts to turn him into a suit-wearing, museum-attending gentleman。

But somewhere amidst antagonistic dinner parties and tortured tux fittings, Cain and Violet come to a begrudging understanding—and the uptight Violet realizes she’s not the only one doing the teaching。 As she and Cain begin to find mutual respect for one another (and maybe even something more), Violet learns that blindly following society’s rules doesn’t lead to happiness…and that sometimes the best things in life come from the most unexpected places。

Download

Reviews

Hiba ✰

dnf

bri

1。5

C。J。 Miller

I found myself skimming。 Not a lot of tension。

Joanne

This book annoyed me! The love interest was so mean to her, by the end I wanted her to dump him and stay single。 She was also in a relationship with someone else for half the book, which I really hate in a romcom。 And the gendered language was way too much (his maleness, etc。)。 Be more creative and less sexist/heteronormative please!

Jessi

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review。 I loved the grumpy/sunshine trope here between Cain and Violet! This gender-reversed retelling of My Fair Lady was a fun and fast read。 While I wish it had been steamier because there was fantastic chemistry between the MCs, what I loved most was seeing Violet's character development and how she finally let herself open up and discover who she is and what she wants。 This book gave me all the butterflies! Another I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review。 I loved the grumpy/sunshine trope here between Cain and Violet! This gender-reversed retelling of My Fair Lady was a fun and fast read。 While I wish it had been steamier because there was fantastic chemistry between the MCs, what I loved most was seeing Violet's character development and how she finally let herself open up and discover who she is and what she wants。 This book gave me all the butterflies! Another great read by Lauren Layne。 。。。more

Aina Shukri

#9-2022It's a classic rom-com。 A bit ridiculous and straight up cliché but still enjoyable nonetheless。 #9-2022It's a classic rom-com。 A bit ridiculous and straight up cliché but still enjoyable nonetheless。 。。。more

Katie Katieneedsabiggerbookshelf

Violet has always worked hard to please everyone around her, but mostly her grandmother。 After her grandmothers passing, her best friend Edith takes Violet under her wing。 She has a big ask now however。 Edith’s son passed away recently leaving no legacy to take over the family business。 Lucky for Edith, while going through her sons things she found out she has a grandson。 Now she just needs Violet to teach the man how to become CEO, starting with dressing him correctly and traching him proper ma Violet has always worked hard to please everyone around her, but mostly her grandmother。 After her grandmothers passing, her best friend Edith takes Violet under her wing。 She has a big ask now however。 Edith’s son passed away recently leaving no legacy to take over the family business。 Lucky for Edith, while going through her sons things she found out she has a grandson。 Now she just needs Violet to teach the man how to become CEO, starting with dressing him correctly and traching him proper manners。 Needless to say, New Orleans Cain is not a fan of any of it。My first Lauren Layne novel was To Sir, With Love and I absolutely adored it! After reading this one I can gladly say that Lauren Layne is a new auto buy author for me。 I fly through her books and the stories are just perfection。 I love the mix of Manhattan with New Orleans, especially since I was just in New Orleans recently! This book was just the perfect rom com and exactly what I needed this weekend! 。。。more

Samantha

I love Lauren LayneI was hesitant to read this book。 I was not too crazy about the reverse My Fair Lady theme with the socialite taming the rough around the edges guy。 However, this was so well written and not quite what it sounded like in the synopsis。 The characters change each other and the HEA is delightful。

Arlene Carcabuso

I’ve read the Central Park series and I liked them (though there is no smut, and I like that sometimes) but this time I noticed that there was “steam in this one” and I found it rather disappointing。 The story was so droll and boring with little chemistry。 I should DNF it but I was too lazy to find something else to listen to。 Going to look for a different author。

JoDee

Having just returned home from my first trip to New Orleans, I was drawn back into this book just as I was growing a little bored with seemed to be predictable plot。 The romance is fun and the lessons learned by this poor orphaned girl (all grown up) as an adult are unpredictable and endearing。

Nikita Navalkar

He’s all thatThere’s few greater comforts to me in reading than a Lauren Layne book。 This was confirmed yet again as I devoured this story that is a fresh take on the age old Pygmalion/My fair lady/She’s all that makeover trope。 This might be an unpopular opinion and a little dated, but I do enjoy this trope immensely, since it brings the main characters, who are opposites more often than not, together in interesting, fraught situations, that make for delicious tension。I was actually not a fan o He’s all thatThere’s few greater comforts to me in reading than a Lauren Layne book。 This was confirmed yet again as I devoured this story that is a fresh take on the age old Pygmalion/My fair lady/She’s all that makeover trope。 This might be an unpopular opinion and a little dated, but I do enjoy this trope immensely, since it brings the main characters, who are opposites more often than not, together in interesting, fraught situations, that make for delicious tension。I was actually not a fan of either Violet or Cain after we are first introduced to them, but soon I was falling under the spell of Layne’s writing and being charmed by their dynamic。 And of course, hot and bothered by the sparks flying between them due to all that friction。 Their chemistry was raw and electric, definitely abetted by the fact that they kept sassing and lashing out at each other, sometimes deliberately but most often as a defense mechanism。 They bicker and frustrate each other but it turns out they’re also stripped down to their most flawed, vulnerable selves with each other, and their love is purer for it。 As much as I adore experiencing New York from the author’s eyes and her suave NYC heroes, I also enjoyed her portrayal of the rugged Cain, with his layered depth, and the alluring contrast with Violet’s poised and perfect Manhattan socialite。 The underlying CEO plot was engaging and I wasn’t sure exactly how it would all go down until the very end。 。。。more

Kristin Marie

3。5

Lisa

Really cute for romance one。 Only one sex scene thank goodness! Fun listen on Libby!

vv_books

Aw, I wish we got more of them being an actual couple

Amy

This is a book that I think we see a lot of character growth, but somehow I was still disappointed。 Violet seems to have her realization relatively fast, and does make some changes, but really I just wanted more。 I wanted more of an ending, and an epilogue that wasn't quite so far out。 ⭐️⭐️⭐️。 Read if you love the Manhattan socialite scene。 This is a book that I think we see a lot of character growth, but somehow I was still disappointed。 Violet seems to have her realization relatively fast, and does make some changes, but really I just wanted more。 I wanted more of an ending, and an epilogue that wasn't quite so far out。 ⭐️⭐️⭐️。 Read if you love the Manhattan socialite scene。 。。。more

Lindsay Heller

I'm always in the mood for a good, stupid love story。 Unfortunately this one landed firmly in the second category and not much in the first。 All the elements were there; two mismatched potential lovers, a complicated set of circumstances, plenty of arguments。 It was sort of a Pygmalion story, the heroine trying to polish up a rough and tumble, grumpy dude but changes herself in the process。 There wasn't really anything original or exciting about any of this。 I enjoyed the read but I know it won' I'm always in the mood for a good, stupid love story。 Unfortunately this one landed firmly in the second category and not much in the first。 All the elements were there; two mismatched potential lovers, a complicated set of circumstances, plenty of arguments。 It was sort of a Pygmalion story, the heroine trying to polish up a rough and tumble, grumpy dude but changes herself in the process。 There wasn't really anything original or exciting about any of this。 I enjoyed the read but I know it won't stick with me。 Lauren Layne is popular but I'd never read her before。 I probably won't be reaching for another。 All around I'd just say meh。 。。。more

Mick

DNF 33%。 I couldn’t stand either of the MCs

Alison

Not going to lie, I bloody loved this, even though several people who's opinions I value have rated it meh。Violet Townsend is a wealthy twenty-seven year old orphan living in Upper East Side Manhattan, acting as an unpaid gopher/companion to Edith, CEO of Rhodes International, who is also the closest thing to family Violet has left in this world。 Violet is the epitome of the wealthy woman who doesn't need to work (think Gossip Girl or Charlotte from Sex and The City)。Edith has just discovered th Not going to lie, I bloody loved this, even though several people who's opinions I value have rated it meh。Violet Townsend is a wealthy twenty-seven year old orphan living in Upper East Side Manhattan, acting as an unpaid gopher/companion to Edith, CEO of Rhodes International, who is also the closest thing to family Violet has left in this world。 Violet is the epitome of the wealthy woman who doesn't need to work (think Gossip Girl or Charlotte from Sex and The City)。Edith has just discovered that her son, who recently died from an overdose, had an illegitimate son called Cain, who is living in Louisiana。 As her only living relative, Edith wants to pass on the CEO role of Rhodes International to her grandson Cain, but his manners and appearance are more suited to a bar-room brawl than the rarefied atmosphere of a Manhattan board room。Very much against his will, Violet agrees to perform a make-over on Cain, changing his wardrobe and his personality to fit the role of CEO。 Of course the process changes Violet just as much as it changes Cain, she realises that she has been sub-consciously (or even consciously) people-pleasing ever since her parents died when she was a child。 Her 'romance' with another Upper East Side inhabitant, Keith, who happens to also be on the board of Rhodes International, is pleasant and dependable, they know the same people and visit the same galleries, but Violet comes to realise that Keith has no idea about her favourite food or music。 Whereas, Cain may have hill-billy clothes and a potty-mouth, but he instantly warms to her toy dog, loves the same kind of music and creates a spark of electricity strong enough to light up the Empire State Building。Everyone bills this as a remake of My Fair Lady (or Pygmalionif you are being traditional), I can't say I liked that film/book very much。 I'd say it's more like a mash-up with She's All That。Anyway, it has all the components of a classic Lauren Layne romance and I loved it。 。。。more

Carmen

The gruff banter between Duchess and Cain was such a treat。

Monique Bartley

Cute, but G rated。 Def wanted to see them doing the dirty horizontal puzzle。

Cayenne

I had immediately bought this book when I read the blurb。 I mean who wouldn't want a reverse My Fair Lady。 I wouldve given it a five star were it not for the fact that Cain was an asshole to Violet throughout the book, only being a decent person right at the last chapter。 I loved the journey that we got to see Violet experience, but i wish her dreams would have not involved love。 like couldn't she dream of being a sociologist? other than that i enjoyed this book and read it in one day I had immediately bought this book when I read the blurb。 I mean who wouldn't want a reverse My Fair Lady。 I wouldve given it a five star were it not for the fact that Cain was an asshole to Violet throughout the book, only being a decent person right at the last chapter。 I loved the journey that we got to see Violet experience, but i wish her dreams would have not involved love。 like couldn't she dream of being a sociologist? other than that i enjoyed this book and read it in one day 。。。more

lou

short, cute & cheesy! definitely reminded me of some of my fave rom-com movies which is what made it enjoyable。 also i liked how it didn’t try so hard to make the underlying message seem deeper or philosophical or try to add unnecessary plot tropes and twists

Jessica

This definitely had a lot of potential, but in the end, it was just too short to properly develop the characters and their various relationships。

Neena

Cute

Sarah Sandoval

Cheesy mc-cheesy。I could see what was happening each chapter。 I wouldn’t recommend to a friend。 Felt bored。

Meg

I enjoyed the beginning of this book far more than I enjoyed the ending。Ultimately the characters aren't fleshed out beyond their surface characteristics and hometowns, though there is ample opportunity for both, as the story establishes。 Audiobook narrator has definitely never spent any amount of time in the South or around people from the Southern US-- accent is way off course。 I enjoyed the beginning of this book far more than I enjoyed the ending。Ultimately the characters aren't fleshed out beyond their surface characteristics and hometowns, though there is ample opportunity for both, as the story establishes。 Audiobook narrator has definitely never spent any amount of time in the South or around people from the Southern US-- accent is way off course。 。。。more

Sarah Stegeman

I rate books on a five star scale with three stars being an average, enjoyable book。 Made in Manhattan falls under that description。When Cain's grandmother discovers that he exists, she seeks him out in the hopes that he will take the helm at her family company。 But Cain will never win over the board unless he learns to assimilate to Manhattan high society。 Violet is enlisted to transform the surly Southerner, albeit reluctantly。 Made in Manhattan is a fun opposites-attract romance, but there is I rate books on a five star scale with three stars being an average, enjoyable book。 Made in Manhattan falls under that description。When Cain's grandmother discovers that he exists, she seeks him out in the hopes that he will take the helm at her family company。 But Cain will never win over the board unless he learns to assimilate to Manhattan high society。 Violet is enlisted to transform the surly Southerner, albeit reluctantly。 Made in Manhattan is a fun opposites-attract romance, but there is more to it than that。 The story tackles issues surrounding appearances and capabilities。 Cain does not fit in with the wealthy social elite。 He refuses to cut his hair and shave, he hates wearing suits, his language is not appropriate。。。in general, and he doesn't care what people think of him。 But that doesn't mean that he is incapable or uncaring。 As Violet begins to see as the story progresses, Cain would be a huge asset to the company and already is a steady man that many people trust and depend on。 As she learns to appreciate him for who he is, she starts to question who she is and what she wants in life。 The narration is fully from Violet's point of view, which is a fun change for me。 Most romances I read switch perspectives from chapter to chapter between the male and female leads。 I liked that as the reader I got to know Cain along with Violet。 I didn't have any insight into what he was thinking and feeling beyond what she was able to discern。 It was clear to me that Lauren Layne had thought about Cain's side of the story and while not everything is made known to the reader, he has a very strong personality and I could sense the depth of his character。 There were a couple of things that I was less enthusiastic about in this book。 First, the sex scene。 Unlike most romances, this wasn't a formulaic compilation of increasingly physical scenes until the couple finally has sex。 I appreciate that。 But the sex scene seemed unnecessary。 The romance really lies in Violet's respect for Cain as a person, and since the book doesn't focus on the couple's hyper awareness of each other or irresistible sexual attraction, the sex scene felt out of place。 I don't think that the reader needs to be privy to every detail of the encounter, and the key plot points related to it happen afterwards。 I would have liked the book better if the writing of this particular scene had been more in line with the rest of the narrative。 It felt like a gratuitous sex scene added because that's what's expected in romance novels。 Secondly, part of the message of the book was out of alignment with my worldview。 I agree that appearance is not everything and everyone has value regardless of how they fit in with a particular social set。 When it came to Violet's life, I think that book was trying to say that service is not bad if one chooses it, but falling into living for others as a default is a soul-sucking experience。 But the message ultimately seemed to be that it is bad to dedicate your life to serving others and that living for oneself is what is really important。 I am a believer that serving others is the greatest thing one can do, and the selfless Violet who was always ready to help others at the beginning of the book was much more likeable to me than who she was at the end。 The third thing is more due to personal preference。 The final chapter jumps ahead several years in the future。 I'm not a fan of this type of ending。 It often seems unnecessary to me, and it's usually a jarring contrast to the tone of the rest of the book。 I would have given this book four stars, as I think the writing is slightly above average, but content issues lost it a star for me。 My final thought is that is a fun read with more depth to the characters than most, but if I think about it, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth。 。。。more

liza

the way my enjoyment of a book immediately dies when the epilogue is married with babies and the guy ever wanted that life until he met a girl who did

Susan

An incredibly trite, simpleton kind of book。 And I loved every minute of the ridiculous story!

Joanna

2。5 ⭐️ Not bad but not good。 Really breezy read with no thinking required whatsoever。 Very cliche and typical plot with predictable outcomes。I liked main girly better than the guy- she was relatable in a way (personality wise。 Not that I know what’s it’s like to live in NYC, not pay rent and not needing a job because I’m rich)。 He was just bland and indecisive and mean。 I had anticipated for it to be better than it actually is。 Tragic。 Will not read again lol