The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins - Melanie Dickerson

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins - Melanie Dickerson
3 Stars 

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.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-good-fortune-of-miss-robbins-by.html

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.

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bMaI78
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764245220_the-good-fortune-of-miss-robbins
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Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson

 

Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson (Book 6 in The Dericott Tales, but can be read as a Standalone) - 4 Stars

Another great retelling in the Dericott Tales! This is a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling and I really enjoyed this one! Set in 1388 England and Scotland, Louisa dreams of finding the rumored "Giant's Treasure" in Scotland. After her father has died and Louisa and her sister go live with their greedy uncle, Louisa is determined to find the treasure. She wants to run away from her Uncle's home and take her sister with her to keep her safe and away from forced unwanted marriages. She runs and disguises herself as a boy, using the name "Jack", and encounters a young knight, Sir Charles, who accompanies her on her journey. Charles knows she did pretending to be a young boy but does not reveal this knowledge as he wants to help her along the way as much as possible. However, things come to a head along their trip and they find themselves starting to care for one another once everything is revealed. The story goes on from here as her Uncle is on the hunt for her and they continue their journey for the hidden treasure.

This is one of my more favorite ones in the series. I loved Louisa and how she would do anything to protect her sister. I love how determined Louisa was in her journey and is always wanting to help others along the way. Sir Charles was an honorable man and I love a good protector in a story and he sure was a great one!

My favorite part of this story though has to be the scenes with the giant - very good faith and prayer content in this section and very heartwarming. 

The romance was fast but sweet. Overall I recommend this one to anyone who loves a good Christian fairy tale retelling and romance and wants a sweet, light read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5765450015
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bvfPYv
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/542225

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson

 

Cloak of Scarlet - Melanie Dickerson - 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars - Little Red Riding Hood Retelling (Book #5 in The Dericott Tales but can be read as a Standalone.)

I always enjoy my time reading these YA medieval fairytale retellings in this series. This one was a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. They have enough of the basics of the retelling to be a retelling but also enough of a twist to be their own stories - I always like that. They are always lighthearted and just what I need for the time. 

Set in the late 1300s in England, we follow Violet, who was adopted and loves to visit her grandmother in her red cloak. Violet's grandmother is robbed by the villain, Baron Dunham. Violet finds herself in the middle of an action packed story and will do anything to stop the Baron from mistreating her people and stealing from them. We see Sir Merek come in, who is a knight of the Baron, but when he meets Violet, he discovers what the Baron has been doing and just how evil he really is. Sir Merek and Violet work together to stop him, while getting to know one another along the way.

This was a lot of fun and I really liked our characters and the faith content sprinkled throughout was really nice to see. I don't think I truly connected with Violet and Sir Merek like I have some of the other characters throughout this series, but I thought they were good in this story. The family drama in this one was a nice twist.

Excited to see what comes next in this series! Thank you to the publisher for sending a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5770740062
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/517203

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P4myQ8

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6NLPxY6po

Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson

 Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson - 3.5 to 4 Stars - A Snow Queen Retelling (Book 4 in The Dericott Tales Series)

I am just really enjoying the books in these series :) The set up in typically about the same in each one with a different retelling vibe and I am learning that I really enjoy retellings from this series.

This one is a "Snow Queen" reimagining and follows Mazy. Her father dies and brother, Warin, abandons her - leaving Mazy forced to seek help from her older brother, Sir John in the estate of Strachleigh. When she gets there to see John, he isn't as eager to help her but she meets the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Things happen that force Sir. Berenger and Mazy apart for 2 years. During those 2 years, she learns more about how to defend herself and becomes an excellent knife throwing expert and how to sell in the market goods to take care of herself in London. Circumstances brings Sir Berenger and her back together after 2 years but things happen when Berenger's new mission leaves him with a requirement to marry a recently widowed woman - Lady Bristow and take over her estate. Unfortunately...there are some troublesome rumors about Lady Bristow and the circumstances surrounding her previous husband's death...among other things. Mazy learns of these things and goes to stop Berenger from marrying her after learning all of Lady Bristow's secrets.....Will she get there in time?

Overall, even though the setup in these is about the same each time and the romance is generally super fast and instalove-y, I still have a good time reading these each time. They do show how they are YA many times but I still had fun reading it. The covers are AMAZING. The characters in this one were very cute and again, Melanie sure does know how to write a good villain.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5591162086
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qKhZk0
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/459704

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMN2J1UFNbw

Veil of Winter by Melanie Dickerson

 

Veil of Winter - Melanie Dickerson - 4 Stars - A sleeping beauty retelling! (Book 3 in The Dericott Tales Series)

Really enjoyed this one! A sleeping beauty retelling - yesss! The beginning part was my favorite with the sleeping beauty vibes. This story is all about Elyce who doesnt want to marry the guy her father has set out for her to marry because it all ties back to his plan to work with another king to make her people work in the dreadful mines - when they aren't people who would make it working there. So she devises a plan to drink a potion to put her to sleep for a few days and then she would escape and travel to another king to try and convince them to help her people.....but she doesn't wake up and along comes Sir Gerard - who has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce. He goes to help her and things go on from here as they are perused by her enemy's guards over mountainous terrain and deadly winter.

Like I said, I enjoyed this story, these books are always a fun time - this one leaned more on the YA side but still enjoyed it. I personally like that we know our characters are Christian and can see their thoughts to God asking for His help throughout the story, or asking is this His will, etc. My favorite character was Sir Gerard and love that he has a vision from God to go help Elyce.

The romance was cute but a bit too instalove-y for me and Elyce was a bit whiney at times but again, this is YA so I could forgive it a bit haha. Overall, if you like retellings I think you would enjoy it, but its definitely for a younger audience. Excited to read book 4!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4626574821
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pVw1iN
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/418291
YouTube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson

 

Castle of Refuge - Melanie Dickerson - 4.75 to 5 Stars - I LOVED this! I truly related to our main character. An ugly duckling retelling. (Book 2 in The Dericott Tales Series)

What a SURPRISE ya'll! LOVED this so much. This is an "Ugly Duckling" retelling - book #2 in The Dericott Tales series and I thoroughly enjoyed this one! 4.75-5 stars, rounding up to 5.

"Their scars were not things to hide and be ashamed of. Their scars kept them humble, which was pleasing to God, and kept their hearts soft. And it was a bond between them that she was confident would never break."

Set in the late 14th century in England, we follow 2 sisters, Audrey and Maris. They are daughters of a viscount and their father expects Audrey to get married - specifically to Lord Edwin Dericott - but things take a turn for the worse when her older sister, Maris, purposefully causes Audrey to get scars on her face by tripping her into the fire. Maris is sent away for many years but after 4 years, she returns and her father plans to marry off Audrey to a man she doesn't want to marry.... Audrey flees her father's house in fear of Maris and his plans in search of her own destiny. When she flees, she ends up finding herself sick and in need of help. She passes out near Lord Edwin Dericott's Castle and he takes her in to help her. The story takes off here.

I really enjoyed this ya'll. I could really relate to Audrey and her scars - as I have a scar on my face from an accident as a child and felt many of the feelings she felt / went through in this story. The quote I reference at the beginning of the review - AMEN - we are not ashamed of our scars, they keep us humble and heart soft - which the Lord loves. I could relate on a personal level and it just truly impacted me on her journey. Love the faith content here and our characters. Loved seeing Audrey teaching young kids and finding her purpose.

There were some things at the end with Maris I wish could have been expanded on, but I overall loved the story, romance, setting, growth, making life changing decisions, etc. Maris was such a broken character who had personal trauma and needed help with her mental health. She blamed her sister for everything in her own life that didn't turn out as she intended and hated her for it. She needed the love of the Lord in her life and I would love to see a short story or redemption arc for her in some way as all Audrey wanted to do was be kind to her sister no matter what she did to her. I will say Melanie Dickerson sure knows how to write a villain!

Edwin and Audrey were the perfect couple. My heart<3 Loved them.

Can't wait to continue on with this series!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738696351
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OcUr0x
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/265265
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg