The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

by Melanie Dickerson

My only remaining marriage prospects were the head gardener, the vicar, and the steward. But how could I marry any of them when I was in love . . . with Lord Brookhaven?

Charlotte Robbins accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings despite rumors of the earl's severe and mysterious demeanor. As a lowly governess, Charlotte entertains thoughts of possible romance with an eligible servant until she does fall unexpectedly in love--with the pensive earl himself.

But love does not mean a match is possible, and the earl's friends warn Charlotte that if he were to fall for her, it would ruin him. Just as Charlotte resigns herself to the impossibility of her feelings, she receives news that she has inherited a fortune from a long-lost relative. Now thrust into London high society, Charlotte grapples with suitors vying for her attention, but her heart still belongs to the Earl of Brookhaven. As secrets unfold, she's no longer certain if her newfound fortune is a blessing--or if it is the very thing that threatens the love she's always longed for.

"A unique story with a richly tapestried setting that makes this Regency novel sparkle to the very end."--Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Indigo Heiress

In this captivating rags-to-riches, upstairs/downstairs historical Regency romance for fans of Jane Eyre, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson weaves a stunning tale of a mysterious fortune, forbidden love, and a brooding love interest.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency, Christian Fiction, Historical, Christian

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2026

About the author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author of happily-ever-after romance. She believes in love, laughter, afternoon tea, and the power of story.

With a million books sold and numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Golden Quills, a National Readers Choice Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, and Book Buyers’ Best Awards, her books have hit #1 in her category on the New York Times bestseller list.

When she’s not writing, Melanie can be found watching Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time, cozying up to her handsome hero husband, or shaking her head at her slightly unhinged Jack Russell terrier. She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians near Huntsville, Alabama.

Reviews

[BookLoverAmanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins - Melanie Dickerson
3 Stars
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

Very sweet, regency romance - I think many younger readers would enjoy this as well, just being aware that there are themes of the main character being "overeager" to fall in love, as my friend Lindsey put it in here review here - I agree and liked her review, she explains it better than I ever could :)
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...

I feel very similar to her. It was sweet, quick, but I would have also liked more of her thinking about what is God's plan in all of this. There are some good faith bits though with scriptures and prayers, just not necessarily the overarching plan integral to the plot.

So in this book, we follow Charlotte Robbins, who accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings. As a lowly governess, she entertains thoughts of romance until she falls in love with William, the Earl himself.

She is pushed into London high society as she inherits a fortune from a relative. She has suitors vying for her attention but her heart belongs to William....story goes from here.

I liked it but it was just missing that extra something special for me personally. Maybe I was missing extra banter between the characters. I think it would be a good option for younger readers who would like a clean alternative to books like Bridgerton perhaps.

Romance was clean with kisses only. No language and good moments of faith.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

[Kay’s Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨Spoiler-free Review✨
The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was such a sweet read ❤️

The story follows Charlotte Robbins, a humble governess who accepts a position at the estate of the broody and misunderstood Earl of Brookhaven, where she is tasked with teaching his younger siblings. As expected in a Regency romance, feelings begin to grow - but their difference in social standing creates a barrier that feels impossible to overcome. Everything shifts when Charlotte unexpectedly becomes the heir to a large fortune from an uncle she’s never met!💰

One of my favorite parts of this book was the Christian element woven throughout the story. Charlotte openly speaks about her faith, references Scripture, and seeks to honor God in her actions - and she does so with such grace. ✝️ It felt natural and encouraging rather than forced, which I really appreciated. Her character was easy to admire in that regard. 🥹

The romance itself was also very sweet. I loved the dynamic between Charlotte and the earl - he has that classic broody exterior, but as you get to know him, you see the depth of his character and heart. 🥰

I also really enjoy the side characters, especially the children - they added a lot of charm to the story! ❤️❤️❤️

That said, there were a few areas where the story didn’t fully land for me. 😅 The humor wasn’t quite as strong as I personally enjoy in Regency novels, and I found myself wishing there was more banter between the main characters. The story also started off really strong but became increasingly repetitive as it went on, both in plot and character development…🥲

My biggest struggle was with the pacing toward the end. After so much buildup of pining, tension, and emotional conflict - the resolution felt very rushed. Everything seemed to wrap up a bit too quickly, and I just wanted more time in those final moments!!!! 😩

Overall, I have mixed feelings. I truly enjoyed my time reading this book and LOVED the authors prose - it was cozy, faith-filled, and heartfelt - but it didn’t quite reach the level of a new favorite for me.🙁

⚠️Content Warnings
- Homelessness
- Injured Children

•••
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher & NetGalley - all thoughts are my own.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I plan to read all books by this author. Light, lovely, uplifting faith content. The characters are quite memorable and charming. Outstanding narration. One of my favorites I read in 2026. Highly recommend.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Dickerson is an auto buy author for me and I’ve been so excited to read this one ever since I heard that it was coming out! I have really missed her writing and stories! The cover is just stunning! First, it wasn’t as good as her other regency books. I highly recommend that trilogy. Charlotte was a good character. She did annoying with how much she cried like over everything. I liked William better than I liked her at times. Although I wish he would’ve just told her that he loved her like what is taking so long? I thought Charlotte and William were good together and I liked them better in the first half than in the second in some ways. The storyline was kind of like a lot of other regency romances I have read before, but that didn’t really bother me too much. A couple things I didn’t like…there was a comment about following your heart and as Christian, we are to follow God and not our hearts. The faith content in here was light until towards the end. I didn’t care for some of the descriptions of William’s chest when Charlotte would stare at him…it was unnecessary. Overall, it could have been better, but I enjoyed it. I look forward to her next regency romance in August!

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.)

This was the first book I’ve ever read by Melanie Dickerson, but it definitely won’t be my last! Melanie has another book coming out later this year, and I am already SO excited for it after reading this title.

“The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins” is a clean/kisses only Regency romance with light faith themes. I truly enjoyed this title so much!

Read “The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins” for:

-1814 England
-Regency Romance
-No-spice
-Governess + Earl
-Christian faith themes
-Rags to Riches

I highly recommend this title!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson was a delight to read! Charlotte Robbins may be an orphan who’s spent her entire life in at the same school, first as a student and then as a teacher, in one little English town, but she’s an avid reader and still dreams of her own happily-ever-after like the ones she’s read about. I loved this balance between Charlotte’s practical upbringing (and independent spirit) and her romanticism, an endearing dichotomy that made her even more relatable in my opinion. We see this as she leaves without much fuss from the only place she’s lived, the only friends she’s known, since the death of her parents and travels solo to Berkshire to start her new job as the governess to an earl… but also makes a mental list of who on the estate might be an eligible husband before she’s even arrived. To be honest, that made me giggle (because it reminded me of my romance-dreaming heart in college) and I knew right then that Charlotte and I were going to be great friends.

William – the earl I just mentioned – is the typical brooding earl in some respects when we first meet him. Yet he’s not arrogant or detached, which put him in my good graces quite early on. The fact that he seems to genuinely respect Charlotte and values both her opinion and her company only added to his appeal, even if some of his decisions surprised me. He cares about his young half-siblings under Charlotte’s tutelage, and it’s a pleasure to watch him quietly fall in love with her, even if he drove me half-crazy by keeping those feelings to himself for so long. Ah but his friends are quick to remind us all that it is simply not done for an earl to marry a governess and just when it seems all hope is lost… a twist sends us hurtling into part two of the story and suddenly he and Charlotte are on much more level ground. I have to say that, even though I wasn’t expecting the particular circumstances regarding Charlotte’s change of fortune, I loved seeing the growth and challenges it brings to both sides of her character – the practical and the romantic. I also enjoyed exploring the question (with myself, since I’m a solo reader lol) of whether she and William would have found a happily-ever-after much sooner (and perhaps with less angst) if things had stayed as they were.

Bottom Line: It was such a joy to be back in the pages of a Regency romance written by Melanie Dickerson, and The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins is a charming one filled with heart, gentle swoon, and just the right amount of surprises. Charlotte Robbins is such a refreshing heroine who feels wonderfully real, whose dreams of love paired with her determination to stand on her own make her a joy to follow through this story. And as a fellow reader who occasionally (ahem) let fictional romances set my expectations a little high, I found her dreams of a storybook HEA completely relatable. Especially as the Earl of Brookhaven’s quiet respect and growing affection add a gentle sweetness to their easy friendship and kindle those flames of hope in her heart. I loved the character growth that Dickerson developed in both Charlotte and William, and I smiled more than once as I read their story. If you love the Jane Eyre aesthetic (minus the crazy wife in the attic) and books by Julie Klassen, you’re definitely going to want to read The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Moriah Chavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Melanie Dickerson's work, so I was very excited to learn about her new book! I am familiar with her work because of her fairytale retellings, so this one was a little different. It was once again historical fiction, but it had more of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE feel than fairytale. However, as a fan of P&P, I didn't mind. Lord Brookhaven was another version of Mr. Darcy, and I enjoyed the small glimpses of his POV. The story is mainly told through Charlotte Robbins's eyes, however.

The book was predictable, which isn't a bad thing! It was an easy, light read. I can't wait to read the next thing Melanie writes!

[Jenelle Hovde · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cozy read with a discrete nod to Jane Eyre! Plenty of manners, miscommunications, and longing for good marriageable options gently unfold in this sweet regency (no spice). I enjoyed the faith element, and the delightful Miss Robbins, who finds herself in the most unusual of circumstances! I'm eager for the next book in the series. My teens are also eager to dive into Miss Robbin's adventures.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read! I really liked Charlotte’s character and Lord Brookhaven’s character. Their first meeting was very sweet and I loved their interactions. This book has a part one and a part two. I really loved the first part. It was great with her being the governess and the children being involved in the story. Part two I didn’t like as much, it kind of felt like a different story. The main characters didn’t interact like they did in the first part. I would have liked to see more romance between them in the second part. I loved Charlotte’s love of children even taking in two orphans. And I loved that Lord Brookhaven shared that love with her. I loved all the children in this book, they were so cute. I also liked Mrs Merryweather and Hattie. Good Christian content. Overall this was an enjoyable story and I recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Rachel Trout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rags-to-Riches💰 Regency Romance

I love Melanie Dickerson, and have enjoyed reading her entire backlist in the last few years. I was really looking forward to TGFOMR, especially since it has been a long while since she released a new book. With that said, The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins didn't do it for me. (Which is sad because I actually really enjoyed Melanie's other regency romances! They were very well done!)

What worked:
-The MMC, Lord Brookhaven was very likeable and developed enough. I enjoyed his POV the most, and found his character very likable from the start. There were a few brief moments of his inner thoughts towards certain other characters sprinkled throughout the story that I found humorous. I wish we could have had more of those.
-There were 4 child characters in the book that I really enjoyed. I wish they had had a larger role in the plot. There was a big chunk of the story in the middle where they weren't mentioned, and I found myself wondering about them and wishing for more content about them.
-The beginning and ending 20ish percents were much more enjoyable to read than the 60 percent of the middle. The 2 main characters were interacting, and the story was moving.

What didn't work:
-FIRST PERSON POV. It *kills* me that some authors that I've really enjoyed before are feeling pressure (likely from their publishers) to write in first person POV when that's just not their thing. This story was written in dual POV with the FMC told in first person and making up probably 75% of the story. It was several chapters in when we got Lord Brookhaven's POV which was told from third person, and it just worked better. The FMC came off naive and overly self centered (but in a pious, somewhat annoying way) because her POV was a LOT of her inner thoughts and feelings as well as bits of dialogue that were too lengthy and uninteresting. It would have been better to have her experiences communicated more through her POV. (For example, I hardly had a mental picture of any setting, and the characters' appearances were not described in any memorable detail. What does Miss Robbins even look like? I'm not sure we really know.)
-For being a romance, the romance between the two main characters just wasn't happening. There was no tension, yearning, or much spark simply because of the plot itself. When they are together in the story, it works well, but there was just too much else going on.

Overall, the storyline and the first person POV just did not work for me. With that said, Melanie Dickerson will continue to be an auto-read author for me and one that I will recommend to others. I hope Bethany House will give her some better editors and more creative control in the future because she is a good storyteller.

*Thank you to Bethany House and Melanie Dickerson for this ARC of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins. I am very grateful for the opportunity to review this title. The opinions expressed above are completely my own.

[Holly (IG Hollys_Book_Musings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

"...Falling in love with him was as inevitable as my next breath."

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson

Oh this was such a sweet story. I loved so many aspects--yearning, conversations on walks, overcoming prejudices, Lord William Brookhaven's jealousy and care, an FMC who cares deeply about helping orphans and children in need, and the Christian messages throughout.

Charlotte Robbins is an orphan with no prospects or money, so she goes to work as a governess for an Earl and his siblings, who he cares for and is guardian over. I loved how she relied on the Lord throughout the story and how she handles different situations. She is competent and generous and wants to do good in the world that has dealt her unkindness.
I loved her gentle way with the children in the book and how she wanted what was best for them no matter what.

Charlotte and William's romance was sweet, tender, and a very slow burn, but worth the wait. I loved the yearning for each other from both of them.

I do recommend this to any regency romance lover. It was very enjoyable!

Favorite Parts:
Conversations and walks outside
Puppies
Their dance
Yearning
Trip to London
Menagerie
Jealous MMC
Fortune
A Cringy proposal to rival Mr. Collins'
Lord Brookhaven
Helping orphans
Bit of danger

Content Guide:
Language: Mild-one use of "damnable"
Sexual Content: Kissing only
Violence/gore: Mild-carriage accident with mild bloody injuries
Substance Use: Mild-male characters drink and smoke socially, several different side characters are drunk in various scenes
Prejudices: Against orphans; social classes
Religious Content: Christian-prayer, characters attend church, messages of helping those in need, particularly orphans
Other: orphans; loss of parents; poverty

Book Info:
Series: Standalone
Genre: Christian Historical Romance; Regency
Romance Level: Kisses only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Bethany House
POV: Dual; First person; occasionally third person

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.50

Immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover, I was so ready to dive into Melanie Dickerson’s new Regency story. I’ve been a fan of her works for years now, and she is an automatic read for me. I was so pleased to receive the paperback to read!

Miss Charlotte Robbins was in every way a respectable, charming, and admirable young woman. Her love interest, the Earl of Brookhaven, is the perfect companion—spoiling all other men Miss Robbins meets. I loved how their friendship blossomed through like-minded conversation and perspectives on the world around them. Her gaining a mysterious fortune adds a new dimension to the already enthralling story and makes you wonder how their budding romance will weather the storms of brutal high society.

I loved the way Lady Derringer, the Earl’s aunt, reminded me of Lady Catherine and DeBourg in Pride and Prejudice with their all-knowing interference, BUT, this Down-wager Duchess worked for the advantage of the couple, which was a delight to witness. Even better, the Earl was a Darcy-coded MMC, with his broody behavior, insecurity of his feelings for Charlotte, and the fact that he is quite the eligible bachelor able to do much good with the property and other assets he owns is just the cherry on top.

I would have liked for William, the Earl, to have had a slightly faster “awakening”, if you will, of recognizing that Charlotte is 100% the complete opposite of his ex-fiancée. Maybe I’m just impatient, but I do feel like towards the end the pacing became a little slow, losing the build up for the climax of the story. And after the big plot twist is revealed to Charlotte, I wish we had seen more of the direct impact it had on high society and those around her.

However, this was a delightful and engaging Regency story, full of restrictive societal expectations and pressures, plot twists to keep you in proper suspense, a sweet, no-spice romance with notes of Pride and Prejudice, and it will leave you with a smile on your face when you come to the end. Sound like your cup of tea? Pick up this book now!!

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Dickerson never disappoints! This book was on my most anticipated releases and I loved it! The sweet romance mixed with a few surprises on the way keep me binge reading until the last page.

I really enjoyed the storyline it had a little of Jane Eyre inspiration mixed in and I really loved the sweet romance. Especially when a character doesn't plan on falling in love with an Earl...but everyone else instead.

*Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book, all thoughts are always my own.

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this sweet Regency book and the ending was just like I like it...happy!

[Audrey Colman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did someone say a book with Jane Eyre vibes, and written by Melanie Dickerson!? Well, sign me up!

I was absolutely thrilled when Melanie asked me if I’d like an advanced copy, especially since we’d had some delightful discussions about Jane Eyre.

A governess story is always up my alley, and reading about Charlottes love for the Earl’s siblings, and then the orphans, hit me in the feels! The romance was perfection, but Charlotte’s love and care for the children was what stood out even more.

The instant connection between Charlotte and the Earl was perfectly Jane Eyre-like, and I really enjoyed every scene they had together. I would’ve loved it if he’d shared about his feelings sooner, and maybe divulged the secret earlier as well. But in the end, they got their HEA and that’s what matters most!

Thank you again, Melanie, for my copy!

[★*☆♪Ev★*☆♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christian fiction read inspired by Jane Eyre. It’s set in Regency London and follows governess Charlotte Robbins and the brooding Earl of Brookhaven as they navigate class differences, mutual attraction, secrets, and guarded hearts.

When Charlotte unexpectedly inherits a fortune, she’s thrust into high society, where she struggles to find genuine relationships. I enjoyed watching her grow and mature while staying true to herself.

It’s a light, predictable but charming story—perfect if you’re in the mood for an easy, wholesome escape with a lovable heroine.

[✰ Stella ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️
I love Melanie Dickerson, especially because I’ve enjoyed every single book I have read of hers. It was interesting to read one in the first person and see how she decided to do that. I loved the two main characters and I’m just so excited to read the next book MD releases! 🩷

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many tropes out there to love and I feel like there’s always a new one popping up that I may have read but didn’t consider a “trope”… well I would definitely consider this the “governess trope/forbidden romance” and I completely enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed the character of Charlotte, she was sweet and although at times I felt like she had her head in the clouds of romance I felt that added to her charm. She’s an orphan and all she wants is to explore the world and get married. She gets a position as governess and works for William who happens to be the broody Earl of Brookhaven. Gosh, he was broody but oh so swoony! He immediately falls for Charlotte but sadly she is not in his class status so it is impossible for them to ever get together. That’s when a plan is hatched by the Earl that snowballs into crazy situations which I won’t reveal because it will give you the story and I don’t want to ruin it.

I really enjoyed the story. It was sweet, romantic and fun. I’d love to see some of these characters again in future books as some of these side characters would be great to explore and learn more about them. If you enjoy Regency Historical Romance you might just enjoy this one!

Thank you Bethany House for the copy of the book for review. All views expressed are my own.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when love crosses the rigid lines of class and society?✨

Reading The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson from my perspective, I felt so deeply for Charlotte. She starts off as a governess practical, grounded, and fully aware of her place in society. So when she begins to fall for the Earl of Brookhaven which, honestly same, I could feel that quiet ache of knowing some dreams just aren’t meant for you. The tension between duty and desire was so well done.

And then the plot twist her sudden inheritance flips everything upside down. Watching Charlotte navigate London society while staying true to herself made me root for her even more. I loved how the story explored whether wealth truly changes your worth or just how others perceive you.

The romance? Soft, restrained, and full of yearning. If you love pining, meaningful glances, and emotional stakes over steamy scenes, this delivers! The Earl is broody in that classic, swoon-worthy way, and their connection felt genuine despite all the obstacles stacked against them.

Overall, this was such a comforting yet emotionally engaging read that blends Regency charm with a deeper message about identity, love, and what truly makes a match worthy.

✨️Thank you Uplit Reads, Bethany House Publishers and Melanie Dickerson for sharing The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins with me!

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique story I definitely wasn’t expecting all the twists and turns it took me on!

Charlotte is past the typical marrying age and doesn’t yet have any prospects. She accepts a position as a governess to a brooding Earl, William, and his siblings, hoping it might open new opportunities for her. While she expects to have her choice among those who work around the Earl, she never imagines she will fall for him instead. He, in turn, begins to fall for her as well, but due to their difference in social standing, both are cautioned at various points to choose someone more suitable. When Charlotte unexpectedly inherits a fortune, many men begin vying for her hand, meaning if William (the Earl) doesn’t declare his feelings SOON, she may end up marrying someone else!

Overall, this was a great story! If I’m honest, Part One was my favorite, the development of friendship and growing feelings was especially engaging. Part Two, however, felt slower, and the momentum between the main couple diminished somewhat, making the conclusion feel a bit drawn out. Still, by the end of the story, I was satisfied with how everything resolved.

I’d definitely like to try more books by Melanie in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Laura Puckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson

Charlotte accepts a position as governess for the siblings of the Earl of Brookhaven and entertains thoughts of finding love in this new position. She didn't expect to fall in love with the earl himself.
The earl's friends warn that a match with Charlotte, a lowly governess, will ruin him. Unexpectedly, Charlotte inherits a large fortune, catapulting her into London high society and leaving her with the attention of many suitors. As secrets come to light, Charlotte wonders whether the inheritance was a blessing or a curse.

My thoughts.

Regency genre at its best. A forbidden love, fortune, high society, and a heroine that is so likable you find yourself cheering for her. I enjoyed the many historical references to that era. It felt well researched and held my interest. I loved the friends and mentor who rallied around Miss Robbins, and I always enjoy it when the side characters are interesting. Good fortune was mine after reading this story, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a Regency love tale.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say this newest regency romance novel was truly a wonderful story. There are some elements that do remind me of Jane Eyre so that was a very nice surprise to see weaved into there. The story itself was perfect and I found myself in love and intrigued by the characters.

We are introduced to Charlotte who has recently accepted a governess position for the younger siblings of a Lord Brookehaven. The Earl himself is a very mysterious man himself. Charlotte finds herself drawn to him but recoils because of her position in society.

However she soon finds that she is an Heiress to a large fortune. In a way the tables have turned for her. But with this fortune comes great responsibility and there are those with bad intentions lurking around the corner.

[Marilyn Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 It was a slow start and too much dialogue in Charlotte’s head about how she feels and what do people think about this or that. It got better in the second half with the orphans. Lots of proposals, and it took Lord Brookhaven a long time to finally propose. I’m surprised he didn’t try to court her earlier. I guess he needed to make mistakes and learn first. Anyway, cute story and very clean.

[LESLIE J (mrsj_readsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Uplit Reads and Melanie Dickerson for my complimentary copy of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Charlotte is a wonderful governess with a giant heart. She just needs to find that certain someone who will appreciate all she has to give, and is within her social standing.
The Earl of Brookhaven also has a giant heart, and he does his best to make life better for Charlotte. Was I totally on board with his actions? Not exactly. But I can understand what he was trying to do.

I am truly enjoying my Regency Era. The Ton, the women who don’t back down, the swoon worthy men and ten fashions This one has it all. I did enjoy (most of) the book. Towards the end the miscommunication was a bit much.


This was the first book I have read of Melanie's and I am not opposed to reading more.

3.5

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
I’m so glad Melanie is writing regencies again. My shelf is not glad, however, because I own 24 of her books and I am very much out of space.
This fact will not stop me. And I can’t wait for her next regency romance :)

[Katie (kt_readz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, personally ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Regency

About this book:

“My only remaining marriage prospects were the head gardener, the vicar, and the steward. But how could I marry any of them when I was in love . . . with Lord Brookhaven?
Charlotte Robbins accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings despite rumors of the earl's severe and mysterious demeanor. As a lowly governess, Charlotte entertains thoughts of possible romance with an eligible servant until she does fall unexpectedly in love--with the pensive earl himself.
But love does not mean a match is possible, and the earl's friends warn Charlotte that if he were to fall for her, it would ruin him. Just as Charlotte resigns herself to the impossibility of her feelings, she receives news that she has inherited a fortune from a long-lost relative. Now thrust into London high society, Charlotte grapples with suitors vying for her attention, but her heart still belongs to the Earl of Brookhaven. As secrets unfold, she's no longer certain if her newfound fortune is a blessing--or if it is the very thing that threatens the love she's always longed for.”


Series: Unclear if it is part of a connecting series or not.


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, referenced, remembered, & quoted; Prayers & Thanking God; Talks about God & His will; 'H’s are not capital when referring to God; Church going; Lord Brookhaven asks if Charlotte was taught to fear God and her sins being found out, but Charlotte responds that she was taught to fear God but because of reading the Bible for herself views it as more of a reverence (Lord Brookhaven asks if she uses her own sense to understand the Bible and Charlotte says she believes Scripture is true and helpful and likes to draw her “own conclusions about what it means”; This is a reference to men in this time believing that clergymen should explain the Bible to women, but Lord Brookhaven says he respects it); Charlotte imagines marrying a certain clergyman who think that his work is more important to him than her and is upset by the thought; Charlotte comments at the end that she can “literally feel God’s love” more after knowing what it’s like to be “loved deeply and well" (by a man); Mentions of God, Jesus, His mercy and grace, His creations, & His will; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, clergymen, sermons, & men having the church be their occupation; A few mentions of Providence; A few mentions of Christian charity; A couple mentions of events in the Bible; A couple mentions of being blessed; A couple mentions of a cross necklace; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of comparing one’s self to others not being a Christian thing to do; A mention of christenings; A mention of spiritual epiphanies; A mention of someone trying to “eke [their] way into heaven”; A mention of someone’s concerning spiritual state based off a suggestion he gave; A mention of “hypocritical clergy” a man met who were “not particularly pious, too lazy for good deeds, and seeking an easy life”;
*Note: Charlotte thinks “Dear Lord” once and it does not seem to be a prayer or talking to God; A woman mumbles “Lord bless me” when startled; A couple mentions of luck & being lucky.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘damnable’ (used as an adjective to describe a strongly disliked man), a ‘blast’, and three ‘stupid’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; A lie (by Charlotte, to get out of an awkward situation); Charlotte drinks watered-down wine at a dinner party; *Spoilers* About half-way, William blackmails a shady solicitor to say Charlotte was left a large sum of money an estranged uncle in order for her to be able to do anything she wants and to accepted into society; Towards the end, the solicitor tries to con the money out of Charlotte for himself, but William stops it from happening and the truth about the money is revealed to Charlotte *End of Spoilers*; William wishes to choke a man for his actions (but does not); William recalls feeling the “desire to erase his own existence” after his broken engagement; Mentions of deaths, those near death, illnesses, & grief (including of parents, an uncle); Mentions of a carriage accident, a child being ran over by a carriage, injuries, an injured child, pain, someone fainting when seeing blood, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of criminals, thieves, stealing, ploys to steal from another (acting hurt or distracting their victims), & children being used for begging and pickpocketing by adults; Mentions of orphaned children living on the street & being used and mistreated by evil people; Mentions of arrests & prisons/jails; Mentions of bullies, bulling, fighting, & physical fights between children; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deceit/deception; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, someone drinking often, drunks, & others getting tipsy/drunk; Mentions of smoking, tobacco, & pipes (seen and done on-page by Lord Brookhaven; Charlotte hopes that her future husband smokes a pipe deeming it perhaps the “most masculine thing in the world”); A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of threats; A few mentions of gambling; A few mentions of hatred; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of an injured baby rabbit (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple mentions of children being beaten and punished at schools; A couple mentions of duels with pistols or swords; A mention of a woman dying in childbirth (to twins); A mention of a man abusing and trying to drag his daughter away (due to her withholding her wages from him); A mention of frostbite;
*Note: Charlotte is an orphan and feels alone in the world with no one to care for her (so she often has dreamed about falling in love, getting married, and having a family of her own); Charlotte is told about an injured young boy being screamed at and punished by his mother for embarrassing her in front of her friends (William); Side characters show prejudice to orphaned street children (including a woman speaks harshly about street children and says they will steal and attack others (calling them “vermin”, but Charlotte defends the children)); Mentions of orphaned children scarfing food as if it might disappear any moment and fearing that necessities can be withheld from them if they misbehaved or didn’t show gratitude; Mentions of classic authors, books, & fictional characters (Shakespeare, Burns, Wordsworth, Milton, Jonathan Swift, Thomas Gray, Jane Austen, Walter Scott); A couple mentions of it being expected for a titled man to not love his wife or children; A mention of a couple unable to have children of their own; A mention of a woman having no children that survived infancy; A mention of gypsies;


Sexual Content- Three hand kisses (one is barely-above-not-detailed), a fingers-to-lips touch, and three semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss & Staring at lips (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Tingles/Shivers, Warmth, Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes, Winks, & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including the hair on his chest a few times, barely-above-not-detailed); Flirting & Jealousy; Charlotte has a moment of concern about someone thinking that William is setting her up to be his paramour (which she would never agree to be and does not think that is his intent); William’s friends suggest setting Charlotte up in her own house (as his mistress) because no one will judge him for it as long as he is discreet, but William is appalled by their suggestion of ruining her and leading her to “a life of degradation and sin” (one friend says for him to “enjoy life a little” with her before he has to get married and produce an heir; William is upset at the friends for suggesting it and says Charlotte would not allow it; *Spoilers* His friends tell Charlotte that she must reject him if he confesses or it will ruin his standing in society *End of Spoilers*; As a note, one of these friends plans to have a career in the church); Charlotte enjoys a man flirting with her (thinking it makes her feel “alive and…pretty”) but knows he is after her fortune; A married woman invites William to her home and says she’s been lonely (he is shocked by her suggestion and leaves without a response to her comment); Mentions of married and unmarried people having paramours (including William’s parents having “numerous paramours”); Mentions of reputations & chaperones; Mentions of an engaged woman running off with another man; Mentions of love & there being little affection between some married couples; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of “evil men” who prey on women; A few mentions of a man showing unwanted attention and smiling in a “predatory” way towards Charlotte; A few mentions of men’s chest hair; A couple mentions of married couples separating and having lovers; A couple mentions of an affair; A couple mentions of kisses; A mention of a man marrying a much younger woman; A mention of a lovesick man; A mention of someone of “questionable birth”; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Charlotte wishes to marry for love and will not settle for less; A friend of Charlotte tells her that her mother says that love comes after marriage which makes Charlotte wonder if that is right as she’s known that to be the case for some couples and others whose love died after originally being a love match; There are a few conversations and suggestions about doing what Charlotte’s heart tells her to do when faced with a proposal; Charlotte notes that she’s not willing to overlook a large age difference like other women who marry “someone old enough to be their grandfather”.

-Charlotte Robbins, age 25
-William/Lord Brookhaven
P.O.V. switches between them (Charlotte in 1st person, William in 3rd person)
Set in 1814 (Epilogue in 1815)
320 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars

Charlotte is a unique character. She’s not the typical regency female main character. She’s a bit…overeager to fall in love, down to her list of potential husbands at her new position. She’s a dreamer, but also sensible. She has a love for life and a sunshine personality which added to the book’s springtime setting like a swirl of fresh air. She wears her heart on her sleeve and cries quite a bit, but it’s because of caring for others and her own dreams. I liked her and how she desired to be married and have a family of her own, but I wanted to tell her to seek God’s will for her life rather than focusing on her goal for her life. She reminded me a bit of myself as a teenager, so I think that’s why this element was more noticeable to me when I was reading. Charlotte has a desire to be married and fall in love which is wonderful, but I would be a bit concerned for a young preteen reading this book and developing (or highlighting) the longing for the future or looking for a husband around every corner. That said, as someone who was that way as a teenager, I probably would have loved this book and felt a kinship to Charlotte because of it.

While Charlotte falls quick for William, it didn’t feel like insta-love or attraction based only on physical appearances because they had some personal conversations where they shared their feelings on different topics, so that felt more believable to me. I didn’t personally love how she noticed and thought about his chest hair a few times—I feel like I’m as red as a tomato just typing those words—but other than that, they do not feel like they were overly admiring the other’s appearance. I wish there had been a little more descriptions used for Charlotte and William: It’s noted that they are both kind and good multiple times. It became a little repetitive and made me think that everyone else around them must have been either stuck-up snobs or awfully mean (neither which seems to be the fully case).

Because of her chapters being in first person and we get a lot about her feelings and emotions, it almost felt like a diary at times. This will probably be a pro or a con for some readers.

I didn’t love the conversations about doing what Charlotte’s heart tells her to do when regarding a potential marriage. I wish there had been more discussion about praying for the right path and trusting God rather than trusting her heart and what would please her. The only potential suitor who brings up about praying about her answer to his proposal wasn’t William, which was a bit disappointing. There’s a comment from Charlotte that marrying the man is all she needs to make her happy. These few technical parts aside, I did enjoy this book and Charlotte’s caring nature, especially towards the children she meets.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...



*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.

[Jennifer Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is similar to a Jane Austen novel with Daddy Long Legs vibes.

I enjoyed the novel. I am a fan of the author, as her books that are fairytale retellings are great.

[Bryanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love Melanie’s books but this one was not it for me. The lack of communication between the main characters makes up like the whole plot and is just annoying. I didn’t really care for either of the main characters and their choices annoyed me.