|
|
|
|
|
From real-life makeover shows to romantic comedies, transformation tales are pretty common. We all like to see the average Jane (or even the average Joe) transformed into a supermodel. But author Lauren Layne’s Made in Manhattan puts a twist on the typical transformation plotline.
The story finds upper-class personal assistant Violet Townsend taking on an unusual task. There’s nothing she won’t do for the people she cares for—especially her late grandmother’s close friend, Edith—but when Edith asks Violet to take her newly-discovered grandson and turn him from a boy from the bayou into a high-society New Yorker, worthy of running Edith’s billion-dollar company, Violet isn’t exactly eager to get started. Cain Stone is gruff and scruffy—and not even slightly interested in suits and museums. But as Violet sets out to transform him, she learns a lot about herself in the process.
From the first time that tall, dark, and handsome Cain scowls at prim, proper, pearl-wearing Violet, it’s pretty obvious how the story will end for these two characters. What happens along the way, however, isn’t quite as predictable.
Cain begins the story more than a little rough around the edges. He wears faded jeans, worn sweaters, and old boots—not the tailored suits and designer loafers of a high-powered CEO. He doesn’t schmooze. He doesn’t do small talk. He doesn’t care about fine wine. He’s not the kind of character that readers will instantly love—and it’s often hard to understand why he agrees to the whole process if he seems to hate every minute of it (and every person he meets).
Violet definitely has her work cut out for her when she reluctantly agrees to help. Really, she’s not always the most likable character, either. She generally comes off as superior and snobbish. But as she tries to teach Cain how to be a proper New York City gentleman, she begins to understand more about herself—about how she’s spent years molding herself into what everyone else wants and how she stopped really living when her grandmother died. And while neither character may be entirely lovable, that makes their transformation journey more satisfying.
Made in Manhattan takes two very different characters and sends them off on a journey toward self-awareness. It isn’t an entirely surprising—or inspiring—read, but it’s light enough for some easy-going Friday night reading.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
|
|
|
|
