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Vain and Useless: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 26Poor Miss Bingley! Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already self-destined to another.Miss Caroline Bingley longs to rise above her origins and capture the heart of her brother’s friend, the esteemed Mr Darcy. However, her pretensions are crumbled when she overhears scathing remarks about her social climbing ambitions at a party in London. Humiliated, Caroline seeks refuge in the countryside with her brother, Mr Bingley, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to show her better side.
As she navigates the social circles of Hertfordshire, Caroline finds an unexpected ally in Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a woman known for her wit and independent spirit…and who seems to be catching the eye of Mr Darcy. Where once it might have made her an enemy to the lady, she is determined to be more amiable. Thus, despite their initial differences, the two women forge an unlikely friendship, confiding their hopes and fears for the future.
Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy did not come to Hertfordshire with a mind towards romance. When he begins to feel his danger with Elizabeth, he struggles with his own prejudices and pretensions, even as he watches his friend Bingley do the same for Miss Jane Bennet.
Will true love be able to conquer all?
As she navigates the social circles of Hertfordshire, Caroline finds an unexpected ally in Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a woman known for her wit and independent spirit…and who seems to be catching the eye of Mr Darcy. Where once it might have made her an enemy to the lady, she is determined to be more amiable. Thus, despite their initial differences, the two women forge an unlikely friendship, confiding their hopes and fears for the future.
Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy did not come to Hertfordshire with a mind towards romance. When he begins to feel his danger with Elizabeth, he struggles with his own prejudices and pretensions, even as he watches his friend Bingley do the same for Miss Jane Bennet.
Will true love be able to conquer all?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 5, 2026
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 13, 2025
Charming Writing, Uneven Focus
3.5 stars rounded up
This novella begins as a promising story of redemption for Caroline Bingley. After overhearing cruel comments at a London ball by so-called friends, she takes a good look at her behaviour with surprising honesty. Following a frank conversation with her brother, she resolves to do better at not judging people she had always considered below her, even though she herself is the daughter of a tradesman.
In Meryton, her efforts lead to a genuine friendship with Elizabeth. Darcy, for his part, at first assumes she is adopting a new tactic to pursue him. But once his interest in Elizabeth blooms, the narrative seems to shift more towards them and into a typical P&P variation, leaning on Canon events. Caroline’s redemption arc is still there, but it no longer feels like the heart of the story. I had expected—and was genuinely looking forward to—a fuller focus on her journey, yet after the strong early chapters, her development appears only in smaller moments with the epilogue finally showing where she ends up.
Frances Reynolds’ writing is always very good, but I came away wishing the book had followed through more fully on its early promise. I still enjoyed it, though, and I loved Darcy’s out-of-place proposal; that made me smile.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars rounded up
This novella begins as a promising story of redemption for Caroline Bingley. After overhearing cruel comments at a London ball by so-called friends, she takes a good look at her behaviour with surprising honesty. Following a frank conversation with her brother, she resolves to do better at not judging people she had always considered below her, even though she herself is the daughter of a tradesman.
In Meryton, her efforts lead to a genuine friendship with Elizabeth. Darcy, for his part, at first assumes she is adopting a new tactic to pursue him. But once his interest in Elizabeth blooms, the narrative seems to shift more towards them and into a typical P&P variation, leaning on Canon events. Caroline’s redemption arc is still there, but it no longer feels like the heart of the story. I had expected—and was genuinely looking forward to—a fuller focus on her journey, yet after the strong early chapters, her development appears only in smaller moments with the epilogue finally showing where she ends up.
Frances Reynolds’ writing is always very good, but I came away wishing the book had followed through more fully on its early promise. I still enjoyed it, though, and I loved Darcy’s out-of-place proposal; that made me smile.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review