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.
We chat with author Lauren Layne about her latest book release, Made In Manhattan, along with writing, her love for the romance genre, and more!
Hi, Lauren! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi there, thanks so much for having me! I’m a contemporary romance/rom-com author who lives in NYC, which is also where I set most of my books, which tend to have a lot of glamorous big-city vibes and banter.
Welcome to 2022! What are you looking forward to over the next 12 months and have you set any goals or resolutions for the year?
I am so excited about this year. Like so many people, 2020-2021 were really just odd for me, and I feel after a couple years of hibernating, I’m feeling really productive and creative. My plan for the year is to introduce a new habit each month. So, for January, I’m journaling every single morning. In February, I plan to take time to draw or be artistic every day. March, meditation. And so on. It feels much more do-able than setting some big annual goal!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
My love of reading definitely developed first—I was an avid reader as a kid, a total bookworm. I think my love of writing evolved slowly out of that. I loved books so much that I couldn’t imagine a better job than writing one myself.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
- First I remember: The Boxcar Children
- Book that made want to become an author: Perfect by Judith McNaught
- Can’t stop thinking about: Meet You In The Middle by Devon Daniels
Your new novel, Made in Manhattan, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Slow-burn, sexual-tension, sweet, quiet, romantic
What can readers expect?
I’ve been describing this one as a very classic love story, in that there’s not any one thing that’s particularly unique or new. It reminds me a bit of the old-school romances I read years ago, where it was just about two people quietly falling in love, nothing too over-the-top. I really just love how this was a simple story in a lot of ways; two people thrown together, completely surprised to find themselves caring about the other person.
Where did the inspiration for Made in Manhattan come from?
I’ve always loved Pygmalion stories (the inspiration for My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, She’s All That, etc), and I thought it would be fun to make the guy be the one to get a makeover, rather than the woman.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing this particular novel and how you were able to overcome them?
The hardest part about stories like this one is that there’s not a ton of action in the traditional sense. i don’t want to get too spoilery, but there are no really BIG scenes here that the characters react to. It’s more a “slice of life” romance, where it’s just two people doing everyday things. It’s hard to get those ones right, but I also find them the most rewarding, because I think readers can really see how these characters would get along and be happy, even after the “events” of the story are behind them.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Cain was especially fun to write. I write a lot of NYC heroes, but rarely do I write one who doesn’t want to be here. His sort of initial dislike of the city, and the fact that he comes to love it, as he does Violet was surprising to me, and really rewarding!
What do you love about the romance genre?
I love the predictability of it. I know that’s the point its critics harp on; that they’re predictable, that you already know what happens. And I can only roll my eyes, because, um, YEAH. That’s sort of the point! I pick up a romance novel, or watch a romantic comedy, because of the guaranteed happy ending.
What’s next for you?
It’s a busy next couple years! My next book is YOU AGAIN, out Summer 2022, and then I’ve got a new series called Matchmen; a trio of books coming out sort of back-to-back.
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
Yes! I just finished From the Jump by Lacie Waldon, out this summer, and it’s absolutely incredible. Some of the best sexual tension I’ve ever read!
