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School of Charm #1
The Misadventures of Miss Adelaide
Three unlucky women find love in the unlikeliest places in this sweet regency romance series...
Miss Adelaide is down on her luck and on the run when she finally collapses at Evercliff Manor. Perhaps it's exhaustion that has her spilling her secrets to the kind doctor tending to her--or maybe it's his warm, compelling eyes. Then again, maybe it's just another case of sheer bad luck.
It turns out the kindly doctor who now knows her deepest, darkest secrets is not really a doctor at all. He's an earl. Worse, he's her employer. And he's decided that Adelaide will be his next project. With his assistance, and the help of her newfound friends at the Lovelace School of Charm, Miss Adelaide might just land on her feet. If only she doesn't lose her heart...
Miss Adelaide is down on her luck and on the run when she finally collapses at Evercliff Manor. Perhaps it's exhaustion that has her spilling her secrets to the kind doctor tending to her--or maybe it's his warm, compelling eyes. Then again, maybe it's just another case of sheer bad luck.
It turns out the kindly doctor who now knows her deepest, darkest secrets is not really a doctor at all. He's an earl. Worse, he's her employer. And he's decided that Adelaide will be his next project. With his assistance, and the help of her newfound friends at the Lovelace School of Charm, Miss Adelaide might just land on her feet. If only she doesn't lose her heart...
174 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
March 14, 2020
The falling in love is all structured on a few flimsy interactions, the heroine is a paradox in the sense that she is presented as a smart girl but makes the stupidest decisions and the tone in the writing is very light despite depicting serious situations. Not to my tastes.
October 26, 2021
I started off really liking this book--the characters had a lot of heart and the premise was intriguing. Somewhere around the fifth time Addie mentally acknowledges that Alec would be able to wave away all her problems but chooses to run away anyway was when I lost interest. I can understand not wanting to be beholden to someone or wanting to solve your own problems but she kept saying Reggie's safety was of paramount importance while making decisions that absolutely contradicted that sentiment.
Plus there were so many things that just came up and were never mentioned again. Alec was going to use all his connections and resources to find out what Addie's deal really was and then it never came up again because he wanted her to tell him herself? Like okay, that's very romantic and all but if you know she's scared and alone and in need of help--and you want to help her as badly as you say you do--then who cares where the information comes from as long as you get it?
Similarly, what was the deal with
Another thing that ticked me off was
I wish we'd seen more of Reggie and more of Louisa and the girls at the school because honestly they seemed like fun.
Plus there were so many things that just came up and were never mentioned again. Alec was going to use all his connections and resources to find out what Addie's deal really was and then it never came up again because he wanted her to tell him herself? Like okay, that's very romantic and all but if you know she's scared and alone and in need of help--and you want to help her as badly as you say you do--then who cares where the information comes from as long as you get it?
Similarly, what was the deal with
Another thing that ticked me off was
I wish we'd seen more of Reggie and more of Louisa and the girls at the school because honestly they seemed like fun.
February 20, 2022
Miss Adelaide Hopewell is down on her luck and on the run, she secures a job as a housemaid but tired, hungry & desperate she finally collapses at Evercliff Manor. Perhaps it's exhaustion that has her spilling her secrets to the kind doctor tending to her—or maybe it's his warm, compelling eyes. It turns out the kindly doctor who now knows her deepest, darkest secrets is not really a doctor at all. He's an earl. Worse, he's her employer the Earl of Tolston. And he's decided that Adelaide will be his next project. With his assistance, and the help of her newfound friends at the newly formed School of Charm, Miss Adelaide might just land on her feet.
I found myself totally engrossed in this book & I read it in one sitting & finished well past midnight. Well written with a very well paced story & lovely characters. There were secrets, assumptions, misunderstandings, all of which kept me turning the pages. I loved both Alec & Addie & how their relationship developed, he fell hard & fast & although she was very attracted to him it did take her time to learn to trust anyone. This is the start of a new series although we’d entered this world in the Earl of Charm, I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I found myself totally engrossed in this book & I read it in one sitting & finished well past midnight. Well written with a very well paced story & lovely characters. There were secrets, assumptions, misunderstandings, all of which kept me turning the pages. I loved both Alec & Addie & how their relationship developed, he fell hard & fast & although she was very attracted to him it did take her time to learn to trust anyone. This is the start of a new series although we’d entered this world in the Earl of Charm, I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 9, 2024
A YA Cinderella Regency with a hint of gothic
Alec, the Earl of Tolston, comes home to find a maid unconscious on his floor. It doesn't take him long to realize that the maid is actually a lady of quality.
Addie is a fugitive & quite certain that not even the kindly earl, who she initially thought was the doctor, can help her. And yet he does help her over & over again. She wants to trust him, but if she's wrong, someone else will pay the price.
Alec is not the amused observer of his best friend this time - he himself is the victim of Cupid's impertinent arrow - and it's entertaining to see his cynical side wrestling with his newly discovered lovestruck side. He is Addie's chivalrous knight in shining armor, & rather perplexed to find himself embracing the role.
I loved the unexpected nod to taking the time to really know the person you want to marry before tying the knot
The story is more of a fairytale romance than historical fiction, and non-purist readers seeking a few hours of pleasant diversion will find it quite satisfying.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
Alec, the Earl of Tolston, comes home to find a maid unconscious on his floor. It doesn't take him long to realize that the maid is actually a lady of quality.
Addie is a fugitive & quite certain that not even the kindly earl, who she initially thought was the doctor, can help her. And yet he does help her over & over again. She wants to trust him, but if she's wrong, someone else will pay the price.
Alec is not the amused observer of his best friend this time - he himself is the victim of Cupid's impertinent arrow - and it's entertaining to see his cynical side wrestling with his newly discovered lovestruck side. He is Addie's chivalrous knight in shining armor, & rather perplexed to find himself embracing the role.
I loved the unexpected nod to taking the time to really know the person you want to marry before tying the knot
The story is more of a fairytale romance than historical fiction, and non-purist readers seeking a few hours of pleasant diversion will find it quite satisfying.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
February 26, 2020
This was an entertaining read with engaging characters. Adelaide was a strong person who cared deeply for her family. After the death of her parents, she realised her brother was in danger from their guardian, so she ran away. Adelaide took employment and came to the notice of Alec, Earl of Tolston. Alec was aware that Adelaide had a number of secrets that she wouldn’t tell him. However, Adelaide was afraid to trust anyone, given her past experience. There follows an interesting story of friendship, danger and romance. There were a number of interesting secondary characters and I look forward to reading their stories. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 24, 2023
*4.5 stars ✨
I really liked Addie & Alec. I could feel the love they had for each other. This was another sweet, clean romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It even had a villain just to make things more interesting.
I really liked Addie & Alec. I could feel the love they had for each other. This was another sweet, clean romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It even had a villain just to make things more interesting.
August 30, 2025
This was a disappointing read with some difficult issues to overlook.
The real villain was miscommunication and it was infuriating how the protagonist could have solved some of her problems if she just opened her mouth and communicated properly. Instead she acted irritatingly mysterious for the entirety of the book until I wanted to strangle her for constantly trying to run away. She was admittedly pathetic, and whilst it was cute the first time she was saved by the love interest, there’s only so many times you can repeat the Damsel in Distress schtick before it gets really tired.
I did not understand the inclusion of the charm school considering no actual schooling occurred and the girls there were not all that charming. The protagonist didn’t attend any classes, she was just dumped there and then she roamed the halls and slept in their dormitory and then actively tried to escape a few times.
It was really just a wink wink to the reader to check out the other books written by the author centred around the other characters at the charm school; it was extremely on the nose.
The pacing was so odd because the events of the book were supposed to take place over a few months and yet the way it was written made it seem as though it had only been a few days. This made the romance seem all the more bizarre because the protagonist and the love interest fell in love almost immediately. This was even stranger because the love interest knew basically nothing about the protagonist because she was so annoyingly mysterious, and also the love interest had no personality of his own.
The rest of the characters were no better; the brother was merely a plot device. It would’ve been better if he was a bit older so he could speak, instead he was like a marionette that the protagonist dragged around with her and droned on and on about. The love interest’s friend was basically only there for exposition and comedic relief and the lady who owned the charm school was there just to keep the protagonist close to the love interest in a semi-realistic way.
The real villain was miscommunication and it was infuriating how the protagonist could have solved some of her problems if she just opened her mouth and communicated properly. Instead she acted irritatingly mysterious for the entirety of the book until I wanted to strangle her for constantly trying to run away. She was admittedly pathetic, and whilst it was cute the first time she was saved by the love interest, there’s only so many times you can repeat the Damsel in Distress schtick before it gets really tired.
I did not understand the inclusion of the charm school considering no actual schooling occurred and the girls there were not all that charming. The protagonist didn’t attend any classes, she was just dumped there and then she roamed the halls and slept in their dormitory and then actively tried to escape a few times.
It was really just a wink wink to the reader to check out the other books written by the author centred around the other characters at the charm school; it was extremely on the nose.
The pacing was so odd because the events of the book were supposed to take place over a few months and yet the way it was written made it seem as though it had only been a few days. This made the romance seem all the more bizarre because the protagonist and the love interest fell in love almost immediately. This was even stranger because the love interest knew basically nothing about the protagonist because she was so annoyingly mysterious, and also the love interest had no personality of his own.
The rest of the characters were no better; the brother was merely a plot device. It would’ve been better if he was a bit older so he could speak, instead he was like a marionette that the protagonist dragged around with her and droned on and on about. The love interest’s friend was basically only there for exposition and comedic relief and the lady who owned the charm school was there just to keep the protagonist close to the love interest in a semi-realistic way.
April 25, 2024
I mean, it is what you get for a less than 200 page book… the plot was there but man was everything rushed. They are declaring love but they don’t know each other. And the fact that she didn’t tell him her problem when she literally says she trusts him. Make it make sense
October 14, 2020
Erratic writing, unedited, repetitive. Just couldn’t get past 5 pages. Nothing in the tone, dialogue, explanations point to Regency.
July 22, 2024
Short, no-sex, Regency romance, with an instalove MMC
The situation of Addie, the 19-year-old FMC in this novel, is extremely dark. Her father was a prosperous Baron. After 17 years as an only child, Addie's mother bore a baby son, Reggie, and died soon after due to complications of the birth. A few months ago, Addie's father unexpectedly died as well, and Addie and Reggie, who is the heir apparent to the barony, are in danger of being murdered by their guardian, a middle-aged cousin who is the heir presumptive, and will inherit the title if she and Reggie conveniently die.
Addie is afraid to go to any of her older male relatives who might be of any real help to her and Reggie. Apparently the Snidely Whiplash guardian has a split personality and has convinced all of the ton that he's one heck of a great guy, merely because he's the life of every party. Addie ends up applying for assistance from an elderly female cousin. However, the only help she is capable of providing to save Addie and Reggie is a fake letter of reference so Addie can get a job.
Addie manages to get hired as a maid at the London mansion of the MMC, the extremely rich and highly eligible Earl of Tolston. His age is never stated, but the implication is that he is, at most, in his early thirties, and he is, of course, well built and handsome. He is instantly smitten and massively protective of small, slender, beautiful Addie, when she falls at his feet in a dead faint. The delicate whiteness of her hands and the refinement of her speech lets him know immediately that she is not of the lower classes and should not be working as a maid, because she is probably a runaway debutante. (Unbelievably, his housekeeper did not care about any of that.)
This author does not typically write romantic suspense, and that type of story is not well suited to a short novel. If this were a plot in an Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz) Regency, it would lead to a much longer novel, and the villain would not experience the type of anticlimactic comeuppance that Snidely gets in this novel.
The romance itself is somewhat satisfying from the side of the earl, who is given his own POV. Unfortunately, I found Addie far less sympathetic because, frustratingly, she is always mindlessly on the run, which makes her an extremely unqualified and incompetent protector for her baby brother. Though Addie claims to herself throughout the novel that the survival of baby Reggie is her primary goal in life, her pride is actually her true motivation, because she puts her brother needlessly at risk due to refusing to confide in the earl, even after it's become quite apparent he can be trusted. Of course, if she did tell him the whole story of her dilemma, this novel would be finished in a few dozen pages, and he would serve as an unsatisfying deus ex machina, swooping in to solve her problem. But, for me personally, dragging out a story because of a failure to communicate vital information is a romantic conflict that I dislike.
I really enjoy this author's YA novellas, but this is only the second of her short Regency novels that I have read. I obtained this novel and the fifth one in this series for free, and I decided to check them out. I really enjoyed the fifth one. It is straight-up romance, with no dark villains and, as such, it worked out much better for my personal taste than this book did.
I rate this book 2.5 stars, which I have rounded up to 3 stars.
The situation of Addie, the 19-year-old FMC in this novel, is extremely dark. Her father was a prosperous Baron. After 17 years as an only child, Addie's mother bore a baby son, Reggie, and died soon after due to complications of the birth. A few months ago, Addie's father unexpectedly died as well, and Addie and Reggie, who is the heir apparent to the barony, are in danger of being murdered by their guardian, a middle-aged cousin who is the heir presumptive, and will inherit the title if she and Reggie conveniently die.
Addie is afraid to go to any of her older male relatives who might be of any real help to her and Reggie. Apparently the Snidely Whiplash guardian has a split personality and has convinced all of the ton that he's one heck of a great guy, merely because he's the life of every party. Addie ends up applying for assistance from an elderly female cousin. However, the only help she is capable of providing to save Addie and Reggie is a fake letter of reference so Addie can get a job.
Addie manages to get hired as a maid at the London mansion of the MMC, the extremely rich and highly eligible Earl of Tolston. His age is never stated, but the implication is that he is, at most, in his early thirties, and he is, of course, well built and handsome. He is instantly smitten and massively protective of small, slender, beautiful Addie, when she falls at his feet in a dead faint. The delicate whiteness of her hands and the refinement of her speech lets him know immediately that she is not of the lower classes and should not be working as a maid, because she is probably a runaway debutante. (Unbelievably, his housekeeper did not care about any of that.)
This author does not typically write romantic suspense, and that type of story is not well suited to a short novel. If this were a plot in an Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz) Regency, it would lead to a much longer novel, and the villain would not experience the type of anticlimactic comeuppance that Snidely gets in this novel.
The romance itself is somewhat satisfying from the side of the earl, who is given his own POV. Unfortunately, I found Addie far less sympathetic because, frustratingly, she is always mindlessly on the run, which makes her an extremely unqualified and incompetent protector for her baby brother. Though Addie claims to herself throughout the novel that the survival of baby Reggie is her primary goal in life, her pride is actually her true motivation, because she puts her brother needlessly at risk due to refusing to confide in the earl, even after it's become quite apparent he can be trusted. Of course, if she did tell him the whole story of her dilemma, this novel would be finished in a few dozen pages, and he would serve as an unsatisfying deus ex machina, swooping in to solve her problem. But, for me personally, dragging out a story because of a failure to communicate vital information is a romantic conflict that I dislike.
I really enjoy this author's YA novellas, but this is only the second of her short Regency novels that I have read. I obtained this novel and the fifth one in this series for free, and I decided to check them out. I really enjoyed the fifth one. It is straight-up romance, with no dark villains and, as such, it worked out much better for my personal taste than this book did.
I rate this book 2.5 stars, which I have rounded up to 3 stars.
January 7, 2021
As a first-time reader of Maggie Dallen’s works, I am impressed. As I read the write-ups on Amazon for all five books of this series, I elected to download the entire series and read the series in sequence. After completing this first novella, I am hooked and eager to begin the next story. I discovered that I have already been introduced to the heroines of each of the novellas that follow in the School of Charm series.
Having read a number of the published reviews for this novella, I find that other reviewers have done an excellent job of describing the storyline, so I see no point in adding to what has already been revealed by those excellent reviews. However, I very much appreciated how the author skillfully revealed the devious workings of society in the regency period when women had little power over their own destinies. A central theme in this story revolved around knowing to whom and to what extent a young woman can place her trust. Misplaced trust in this period could have far-reaching and, often, dire consequences. Adelaide had a great reason to keep her secrets close to the vest.
The evolution of romantic feelings between Adelaide and the Earl of Tolston was the dimension that tied all the loose ends of this story together. The concluding confrontation between the villain (Duncan) and the hero (Lord Tolston) was the “bow on top” that led to the HEA ending of a well-written story. Five-stars for this story and on to the next.
Having read a number of the published reviews for this novella, I find that other reviewers have done an excellent job of describing the storyline, so I see no point in adding to what has already been revealed by those excellent reviews. However, I very much appreciated how the author skillfully revealed the devious workings of society in the regency period when women had little power over their own destinies. A central theme in this story revolved around knowing to whom and to what extent a young woman can place her trust. Misplaced trust in this period could have far-reaching and, often, dire consequences. Adelaide had a great reason to keep her secrets close to the vest.
The evolution of romantic feelings between Adelaide and the Earl of Tolston was the dimension that tied all the loose ends of this story together. The concluding confrontation between the villain (Duncan) and the hero (Lord Tolston) was the “bow on top” that led to the HEA ending of a well-written story. Five-stars for this story and on to the next.
July 28, 2023
Adelaide is hiding from her demented guardian, accusing her of being crazy and unable to rationally take care of her brother. Protecting her brother at all costs, Addie is ready to run at a moment's notice. Alec Finley, the Earl of Tolston, knows there is more to her story then she's telling. He promises to help her and gain her trust. Adelaide wants to trust him, but her fear is so great she's afraid to let down her guard. A knight in shining armor, Alec must have patience to win Adelaide's love. A nice clean, short romance with a very, very likeable earl! Kisses only!
August 15, 2024
A sweet romance with a little danger and mystery. I grew to like our characters, but some of the phrasing and dialog are cheesy. Some of Adelaide's actions did not make sense, but I understand we needed her to not trust Alec in order to keep the story going. I do feel Adalaide's actions were unrealistic at times. This novel was a page-turnner, though, and I was intrigued enough to start the second book.
April 16, 2020
Cute, clean, and light regency romance
April 11, 2025
Loved it.
July 8, 2024
This was short, predictable, and cliche. It was a cute and clean read, but had no depth. The characters only bond was their "love at first sight", they had nothing in common, and they made the most stupid mistakes. I would give this novella to a preteen who liked regency, since it's sweet and innocent.
September 19, 2020
Stupid
Entirely too dramatic. It doesn’t even make sense. I don’t like instalove stories for the most part and this ones worse. The girl won’t tell the guy why she ran away even though he’s the perfect person to help. She gets a million opportunities, but no, she’s going to muddle through and get attacked. It’s just dumb.
Entirely too dramatic. It doesn’t even make sense. I don’t like instalove stories for the most part and this ones worse. The girl won’t tell the guy why she ran away even though he’s the perfect person to help. She gets a million opportunities, but no, she’s going to muddle through and get attacked. It’s just dumb.
September 26, 2023
More like 2.5 stars. I was drawn in by the first chapter or two, but those were the best in the book. Flat characters, predictable plot. And let's not forget the despised "I refuse to tell you important information" trope.
Okay, in all fairness, it was a sweet, clean romance, but I was rather bored by it and skimmed everything past the first couple chapters.
Okay, in all fairness, it was a sweet, clean romance, but I was rather bored by it and skimmed everything past the first couple chapters.
February 13, 2024
Cute, but this probably could have been trimmed to a novella. Adelaide's reasoning for not divulging her history just seemed very "Plot!" rather than realistic after a certain point.
I did like that even though Alec was indicated to be broody and serious, he laughed, was nice, didn't come across all ragey, and in the end, he fell first. Cute, PG rated love story.
I did like that even though Alec was indicated to be broody and serious, he laughed, was nice, didn't come across all ragey, and in the end, he fell first. Cute, PG rated love story.
January 13, 2025
So far of what I've read of Maggie Dallen, this one has been my favorite. I love the mix of mystery, adventure, romance, and danger. The characters were fun, Addie's loyalty to saving her brother admirable, and the earl a silent brooding type of hero, but definitely a hero.
April 28, 2023
Yeah, free books seem to be early drafts... I guess if it's free, paying to have it copyedited would mean never recouping that cost. It has a negative effect though because then it's difficult to trust that the one you buy will have gone through a rigorous production process... Anyway, the problems to solve also seem irritating, but that's probably a consequence of living in an era where those problems aren't real problems facing contemporary society today.
September 16, 2020
Nice story
He thinks she is just one of his maids until he feels her hands. Then, he realized that a maid does not have such soft hands. But she has a young son and is unmarried. If course he does not know she has fled her home and brought her 2 year old brother with her to protect him. And he falls in love with her. But she and her brother are not safe and she must run.
He thinks she is just one of his maids until he feels her hands. Then, he realized that a maid does not have such soft hands. But she has a young son and is unmarried. If course he does not know she has fled her home and brought her 2 year old brother with her to protect him. And he falls in love with her. But she and her brother are not safe and she must run.
January 8, 2023
Miss Adelaide is bound to chart her own path. . . even if it means taking a job as a servant (under an assumed name) in the Earl of Tolston's household. All that falls apart, however, when she faints, and wakes up in none other than the Earl's lap. A delightful romance with touches of mystery. I loved that Miss Adelaide was no shrinking violet, ready to make choices (and take the consequences!)
January 16, 2023
I enjoyed this sweet romance. It was a little too much insta love but it worked for me with this one. Addie was a wreck and our hero was obsessed:} It was a classic type of love story but I really enjoyed it. I don't know if I could read one right after the other tho.
This is a clean regency with some kisses.
This is a clean regency with some kisses.
December 1, 2020
It was a fun book, not very accurate but I could ignore it just fine. I think I still like her contemporary YA more but I’m intrigued to see how this series goes.
I’m also mad I hasn’t in time to catch the ARC of the next one in the series which seems better than this one...
I’m also mad I hasn’t in time to catch the ARC of the next one in the series which seems better than this one...
September 16, 2023
A clean historical romance, very short but I'm sure it was described more as a novella anyway. I think I just wanted more because the concept was something I was really excited about - not a bad read at all, and well written.
March 16, 2020
Sweet Hero
October 20, 2023
An Instagram ad made me read it. A good idea poorly executed.
August 3, 2024
Quick, sweet, clean
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews