Stylist Caroline Bingham dresses each day as if she might meet her worst enemy or greatest love.
Wyatt Knox just might be both.
Wyatt has the dubious distinction of being the guy who convinced Caroline’s boyfriend of seven years to dump her four days before her wedding.
So, when his father hires Caroline to spiff up his son’s wardrobe, she jumps at the chance to torture Wyatt and get revenge on her ex.
***
Wyatt doesn’t need or want a makeover. Even if his dad claims it will help his growing business, converting vintage cars to electric vehicles. But then again, agreeing to the crazy scheme would mean more time with Caroline…
Ever since he accidentally kissed his cousin’s girlfriend at a family reunion, Wyatt has had a thing for Caroline Bingham. It doesn’t matter that she’d rather date a lawyer than a mechanic, that she blames him for her cancelled wedding and she usually greets him with a scowl and an insult. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Having made his fortune giving old cars new life, Wyatt is a champion of lost causes. And he’s not quite ready to give up on Caroline. He's determined to win her prickly heart, even if it takes a little bit of plotting, a whole lot of shameless flirting, a few stolen kisses and a closet full of ugly clothes.
Book 3 in the Modern Jane series, Desperate is a contemporary rom-com inspired by Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. This hilarious and heartwarming novel can be enjoyed on its own and read out of order.
Forced Proximity Frenemies He falls first–and harder Dual POV Closed door My Fair Lady (gender swapped) She’s desperate to date anyone—but him.
Ruth Mitchell strongly believes the world needs more happy endings. She aims to write “hospital waiting room” books, stories that cheer and distract readers when their world is crumbling, make them laugh and sigh, and finish with a little more hope. All of her books are love stories with plenty of banter, and sizzling chemistry, but no spice. (Just kissing.) Ruth and her husband live in San Diego, where their four mostly-grown children visit often. She loves long rambling conversations, baking (she makes the best pie), hiking, and running (slowly) along the coasts and canyons of Southern California. .
Caroline Bingley finally finds her HEA in this beautifully written contemporary Austen variation, part of Mitchell's splendid series perfect for all Janeites.
Ruth’s books are the kind you inhale in one sitting—and this one was no exception! The pacing? Spot on. The romance? Sweet and delightful. And Caroline Bingley—yes, that Caroline—finally gets her moment. Who knew Miss Bingley could be likeable? Ruth gives her a modern, witty twist that was well delivered.
I am thankful I received an ARC for an honest review. This is the perfect read if you want something lighthearted and romantic to whisk you away from reality for a few hours.
Have you ever been in the middle of your twentieth reread of Pride & Prejudice and thought, you know...I'd really like to see this from Caroline Bingley's point of view? Yeah...me neither. And guess what? We have both been missing out because Ruth Mitchell's Desperate does just that and it is fantastic. Set in the modern day, the story switches back and forth between Caroline, a fashion consultant who was dumped by her fiancé shortly before their wedding, and Wyatt, a mechanic who just so happens to be her fiancé's cousin. It's also a closed door romance and a gender-flipped twist on My Fair Lady (My Fair Wyatt). What I really admired was how the author stayed true to the spirit of the original character while making her relatable to the present day. Caroline wants a husband and children--"you don't know how hard it is to have a dream that is totally dependent on another person"--and she is a bit of a snob--"I might be desperate. But not desperate enough to date Wyatt Knox." However, she also makes a case for herself : "I might be a try-hard, but at least I'm honest....don't scoff at what I do. Personal style is an untapped asset. It's a way to silently signal...I respect myself and the people around me. When you dress right, you can say all of that without opening your mouth." This retelling takes place in the same world as the author's other Austen books (Influence and Tolerable, which correspond to Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice), and so while you can read this as a standalone it's more fun if you have read those as you will already be familiar with some of the characters that stop by. Plus, any Janeite paying attention will be able to guess the next book we're getting. (Well, and the author has already announced it on Instagram.) And even if you have no previous Austen connection whatsoever, the banter and chemistry between Caroline and Wyatt make this a must read for romcom fans.
I am thrilled to say that I received an electronic ARC copy of this in exchange for an honest review and I will absolutely be buying a paper copy when it's released.
I flew through this fun romcom and it definitely hit my mood just right! It was a unique approach to have Caroline Bingley be the inspiration for the lead in the book but I think it really worked! We saw the beginnings of her story in the previous book Tolerable (this can be read as a standalone but is more fun reading all in order) and she had made some development in that book already. She was definitely still flawed and made poor decisions (don’t we all?) but she was also endearing and redeemable because we could see into her heart and know her perspective. It was nice to have a different type of heroine in this story—one who was driven and unashamed of going for what she wanted. Wyatt was the perfect counter to her and their relationship was so much fun to watch unfold. It was swoony, funny, tender, and heartfelt with lots of great moments and developments throughout.
There were hints to the next book woven into this one and I’m excited to see the author’s take on Sense and Sensibility next!
Trigger/content notes: past cheating. Spice level is kissing.
I could not for the life of me conjure the image of 2005 Caroline Bingley while reading this. My brain automatically supplied me with images of 1995 Caroline Bingley with her ridiculous feathered headdress. I think 2005 Caroline fits more with the characterization in Desperate, a mean girl gets a happy ending rom-com.
See, Caroline isn't actually a villain. Sure, she's rude and blunt and condescending, but she's also a woman in a society that very rigidly lays expectations on her. She must marry, and she must marry well. Of course, she's going to seek out only the best men. Except her idea of who the best men are is seriously flawed, as she learns through painful experience.
I wasn't sure I could root for Caroline in any circumstance, but I should know by now not to doubt Ruth's storytelling abilities.
I loved watching Caroline grow into a fully-developed character and into someone I could (and did) wholeheartedly cheer onto her happy ending.
I enjoyed the little glimpses of other characters, and I'm really looking forward to Elinor and Edward's story. The little teaser for them was just perfect.
Give this book a try, especially if you can't think of a single redeeming thing about Caroline Bingley. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by your ability and willingness to give her the benefit of the doubt again and again.
"...Most men would like me better if zi were fun and cool and sweet. ...But I'm tired of trying to be who people wants me to be. It's exhausting. Yet when I'm completely myself, I just come off blunt and awkward and prickly."
"Wasn't that just like life? When you least expected it, the most wonderful, astonishing surprise smacked you in the head and fell into your lap. And when that happened, the only thing to do was to take hold and make the most of that startingly beautiful, unexpected gift."
Thanks for letting me read this early, Ruth. It was a treat!
Caroline Bingley – snobby, condescending, judgmental Caroline Bingley of Pride & Prejudice fame, could she, would she, ever make a loveable main character in a romance novel? The answer lies in the third book in the ‘Modern Jane’ series by @literally.ruth.mitchell.
Caroline’s journey started in Tolerable, where she true to canon tried her luck on Liam Darcy, who became smitten with Lettie Bennet, leaving Caroline once more looking for love. But there was a difference: a budding friendship with Lettie and a backstory to Caroline which made you wonder if all those barbs and stiffness weren’t a smokescreen for a more sensitive soul.
Desperate shows us Carolines inner turmoil – all she ever wants is someone to love her totally and unconditionally for who she is. Sure, she also wants a comfortable life and is perhaps too focused on status and the finer things in life, but ultimately she is there for the perfect Happy Ever After with the white picket fence and adorable children. (I so much wanted to play ‘It will come in time’ by Billy Preston and Syreeta for her.) Too bad she loved Greg, a charming cheater, and couldn’t see through his façade. His cousin Wyatt is curiously attractive, but ever since he got Greg to call off the wedding (and leave her with the debt), he is on her hate-list. That is, until his father employs her to give him a style make over. Wyatt is just as charming as his cousin, but more sincere. But can Caroline shake off her uncertainty and mistrust? Wyatt enlists the help of Charlie and Jane Bingley and his old friend Emma Woodward for project ‘My Fair Wyatt’, and if you want to know how that will end, well, you will just have to read the book.
I loved the sparks between Caroline and Wyatt, but also how they professionally matched. Tantalizing hints promise some more great books in the future: I really want to meet Elinor, Ed’s romantic focus, and Emma is sure to have a romance of her own. Of course it was lovely to end the book with a wedding where all earlier characters popped up – isn’t it just like Dean Elliot to rank himself above the brides father 😉
Desperate is out 30 September 2025, but you can pre-order now!
I really enjoyed this book! It rescued me from an impending reading slump. Mitchell wrote a sweet romance with witty banter and good characters. And ugh, Greg! He was so terrible. I enjoyed the characters from the last few books being woven back in for cameos (especially Lettie, Jane and April). If you’re looking for a plot line reminiscent of Jane Austen but with modern twists, this is a great choice.
I received an ARC from the author and am writing an honest review ☺️
A modern-day Pride and Prejudice spin off. Super cute story for Caroline Bingley. In P&P we know her as the annoying stuck up girl who tries to keep Darcy (or should I say his money?) for herself. In this telling we get to know a modern Caroline and all her traits and characteristics, be them good and bad. Just add the handsome mechanic who has a way of bringing out the best in her, and her true character (Or rather, what we all want her true character to be) is revealed. Cheesy love story with a happy ending, what could be better?
Ruth Mitchell does it again. I love how she turned snooty Caroline Bingley into the very lovable scowler, Caroline Bingham. I loved her romance with Wyatt Knox. I love a man who pines, and there is so much witty banter between the two of them. I can't WAIT for the next in this series!!
I think that we can all agree that Greg is a no-good, two timing, rotten little rat that did NOT deserve to even utter Caroline’s name! I am so glad that despite all of what Greg put Caroline through that she was still able to find true love with Wyatt. Needless to say the characters were complex and realistic, the plot was engaging, and the romance was intoxicating! Ms. Mitchell has outdone herself and I am a forever fan.
All she's ever wanted was to fall in love and be adored. So much so, that she put up with a relationship with a serial cheater- for 6 years. They finally got engaged and she thought her dreams were all coming true.
She is a stylist, wants to marry money, and dresses to always be the sharpest dressed person in the room. She has a classic style and is beautiful to boot, so WHY can't she seem to find a keep a good guy? Her ex-fiance's cousin, a mechanic and rumored drop out, druggie, and player- is her main nemesis. Just because they shared a dreamy but accidental kiss a couple of years ago- there is no reason he should be on her mind so much. She thought it was her then boyfriend, not his cousin! He's a mechanic, has no sense of style, and okay- so he's handsome, but they are enemies! HE is the reason her fiance called off the wedding 4 days before the event!
He, on the other hand is completely and hopelessly mad for her. He knew his cousin was not good enough for her, lawyer or not. He cannot get her, or that kiss, out of his mind. And yes, he's a mechanic, but has made a fortune fixing up classic old cars and giving them new life. Flashy? No. Sincere? 100%.
Enter an interfering dad, forced proximity, he falls first- and hard, opposites attract, My Fair Lady (gender swap) and a modern P&P adaption to a rom-com, desperation for love, and you have a delightful story. You will smile, laugh, be frustrated with her judgy attitude, cheer for, and swoon with this story. It is part of a series of P&P rom-com remakes but can be read in any order.
Sharing a very unexpected and accidental kiss one winter’s evening with Caroline Bigham is something that Wyatt Knox will never forget. Neither will Caroline. But, things are complicated and they don’t see each other again for many years. I loved that Mo (Wyatt’s dad) set up Caroline and Wyatt through the guise of Wyatt needing a wardrobe makeover, which just so happens to be Caroline’s job. With quite a bit of patience on Wyatt’s part to help Caroline let go of the past, they are able to have a HEA. This is a fun romcom and imaginative modern day telling of the character of Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Austen Prose. All opinions in this review are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
First of all, if you haven't read he first two Modern Jane books by Ruth Mitchell, do so post haste! All of her books can stand alone, but are definitely more enjoyable when read in order: 1) Influence, 2) Tolerable, 3) Caroline.
I have never given Caroline Bingley a second thought. When I learned Ruth was writing a book dedicated to her, I admit I was a little nervous! But then I met Caroline in the two earlier books and knew she was someone I definitely wanted to learn more about.
Turns out that Mitchell's Caroline Bingley can stand on her own two feet! I had the rare privilege of editing this book, and it was an absolute delight. I highly recommend all 3 books for fans of Jane Austen, rom coms, and clean romance.
I l owed Caroline’s story. Ruth Mitchell had way of making these down to earth fairytales. Totally heart swoony, but completely believable. The characters are real, their mistakes and faults make them human and in the end you realize there are still fairytales. Such a great read. Carline stayed the same from other books but you do get to understand her more and her and Wyatt were just perfect. Love love loved it!
Loved this book! There wasn’t enough hours in the day to read it as much as I wanted to. Caroline was such a fascinating character and I loved watching her sway between what she thought she wanted and what she ultimately discovered she wanted in the end. Her love interest also had a great rustic, sexy man’s man vibe (with a not so secret sweet side). Fun banter and adventures. Probably my favorite of Ruth Mitchell’s rom-coms so far- cheery, light and just what I needed!
I love the way that Ruth captures you from start to finish. The stage is set so beautifully and the banter from the characters was so good, I was laughing and crying and could not get enough. You know how a good book leaves you satiated, this does that and more!
I never thought I’d relate to Caroline Bingley, yet here I am!
I think Mitchell did a great job of making Caroline rootable, likable, and relatable, which went a long way to making this book a success. It’s hard to say, but this one might be my favorite of the series so far, simply because I found Caroline so compelling.
Did not like Caroline’s character. All she thought about was being a mom and getting a guy (which isn’t bad but if that’s your whole personality it’s gets annoying). She was even willing to marry a guy that was a walking red flag. Love Wyatt. He’s OBSESSED with Caroline and I love the banter.