The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Author: Melanie Dickerson
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 320
Release Date: March 17, 2026
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

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.

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Reviewer: Raechel Helwig

Miss Charlotte Robbins accepts a position of the role of governess for Duke Brookehaven’s wards, excited for a new adventure to transpire. She easily falls in love with teaching the children and finds herself very happy there. Unexpectedly, she develops a comfortable and edifying relationship with the Duke himself, but of course her lower position presents a problem for anything to happen.

Duke Brookehaven wants the best for Charlotte and was a very upstanding character.

All the characters in the novel were likeable, and it was enjoyable to see how Charlotte went from governess to a lady of fortune but didn’t let that change her morals or convictions.

Some of the book was very predictable, and honestly, I found Charlotte to be quite a bit on the naïve side. But she had a sweet heart and disposition, and I was glad to see her happy ending come to pass.

The faith message was very light. And while I was glad for it being right and acceptable for her to want a husband, I was a little discouraged that, at the very end, it was just thrown in that she could feel God’s love now that she had a husband’s love. Yes, it is a good truth that a husband’s love for his wife reflects God’s love for us, but I would have liked to have seen Charlotte seeking God’s love more throughout the entire book instead of it just being there almost as a side note at the end.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and clean read, and I think fans of Dickerson’s previous works will very much enjoy this new book as well.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

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Reviewer: Juanita Varela

I do not think I have ever read a book by Melanie Dickerson, but if I have, I have just forgotten. This book, though, is making me want to go and read some from her backlist. 

Charlotte is a governess who turns into an heiress. She has to then tackle what being a rich heiress entails. 

This felt like a slow burn to me, which I do not typically like, but in this story, it was okay for me. Charlotte and Lord Brookhaven’s connection felt genuine. They had a lot of common ground that they were able to share with each other. It is not always opposites attract, which I liked. I just wished certain things did not happen or rather happened, but overall, it was a beautiful story. I recommend it.

This is a clean historical romance with no language. 

Disclaimer: I received a PDF of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Diana Varela

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins was the first book I have read by Melanie Dickerson. I enjoyed reading the book and found it interesting with a good story till the end.

Although there was not a lot of romance between the main leads, Charlotte and William, I liked that there was a lot of dialogue between them that makes their connection genuine.

Even though there is an instant attraction between William and Charlotte, we see how they struggle and keep their feelings from each other.

Upon inheriting a fortune, Charlotte hopes that maybe now they can be together. She also plans to use her wealth to do good and help the poor children. But obtaining wealth has its heartaches as Charlotte will soon find out. Sometimes, what we think will make us happy, will eventually make us miserable. 

It had some Scripture references, which Melanie Dickerson fit in nicely.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson is a rags-to-riches story that may appeal to fans of historical fiction.

The story follows Charlotte Robbins when she accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven’s siblings. She has dreams of falling in love with a fellow servant, but is surprised when she begins to have feelings for the Earl. 

The Earl’s friends see that he is also showing signs that he is interested in her, but his friends warn Charlotte that a relationship between them would ruin him. But as luck would have it, Charlotte suddenly becomes an heiress, and the tables are turned.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story, but while fortune hunters come out of the woodwork in pursuit of Charlotte, the Earl never pursues her, even though she knows he is interested in her. This carried on for a long time, with Charlotte receiving multiple proposals, and, honestly, it bothered me to no end. But the ending made up for it. So while I found that I was getting frustrated with the Earl’s ridiculousness, I did enjoy the outcome of his rather crazy decisions. 

If you enjoy historical romance, you will probably like The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"If Miss Charlotte Robbins remains unattached, we would like to offer the position of governess to her . . . . "

Aspiring to better her future, Charlotte Robbins leaves the only home she has ever known, Mrs Southey's School for Young Ladies, to accept a governess position at Lowndesbury House, where an earl resides while raising his much younger siblings. Never expecting to form a friendship with a man far above her station, Charlotte has a difficult time understanding her strong attraction to Lord Brookhaven and his seeming fondness for her.

Believing herself to have been orphaned, Charlotte is astonished when it comes to her attention that she has inherited a large sum of money from an uncle whom she never knew existed. Suddenly thrust into London society with many choices and little knowledge of how to proceed, Charlotte wonders if her simple life as a governess had been a gift far more valuable than wealth.

In a "tale as old as time" sort of way this story meanders through the corridors of an upstairs-downstairs imagining with a well positioned twist that turns the entire story on its head. Things are not as they seem, leaving Charlotte to wonder if anyone will ever truly love her for who she is rather than who she is not.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews.

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