The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins
by Melanie Dickerson

ISBN-13: 9780764245220
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: March 17, 2026

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Charlotte Robbins accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings despite rumors of the earl's scowling 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.


My Review:
The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins is a romance set in 1814 in England. Charlotte longs for some of the adventure found in the novels she reads, so she accepts a position as a governess in hopes of finding a man of equal status who will fall in love with her. Instead, she finds a friendship with the Earl, who enjoys talking with her due to her unconventional opinions. He's tired of society's expectations, but his friends see his preference for Charlotte and warn him that he can't possibly marry her unless she had a large fortune. Suddenly, she has 50,000 pounds....but the Earl doesn't follow up on his generosity. Poor Charlotte's also been warned away from the Earl, so she's left fending off fortune hunters while debating what to do with her future.

The main characters were likable, and I appreciated that the romance was based on shared interests, values, and friendship. However, nothing actually stood in the way of their marriage. They loved each other and neither cared about high society's opinion. But the Earl was once engaged to a woman who ran off with someone wealthier than him, so he decided (with no reason) that Charlotte would do the same so he refused to declare his love.

The storyline was rather predictable--even the Earl's aunt told him that his scheme was a bad one. And I know it's meant to be humorous, but Charlotte would have been taught dancing etiquette along with the actual movements. Surely she knew that she had the right to say "no" to invitations--she even overhears others doing so. And, strangely, no one in high society actually seemed to follow good manners as many invited themselves to events, for example. Some parts just didn't feel believable.

Charlotte wonders what God's will is for her life and how to use her fortune for good. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.