About
- Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
Membership
- Historical Novel Society members include authors, readers, librarians, editors and industry professionals – membership is entirely open, and anyone enthusiastic about the genre is welcome.
Events
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet. Many travel thousands of miles to attend our conferences in person; many more enjoy our virtual options from home. Others form member connections in their area through regular Local Chapter meet-ups. Discover what’s on with conferences, Local and Virtual Chapters, and more.
Book Reviews
- Our exclusive, members-only print magazine, the Historical Novels Review, publishes reviews of hundreds of historical fiction books each quarter, in addition to features and columns. Become a member to receive the magazine and enjoy all our other benefits.
  Browse our magazines
  
  Submit your novel for review
Articles
- We publish articles in our members-only print magazine, Historical Novels Review, as well as web features exclusive to this site. All are original pieces, commissioned by our Features Editors based on topics of interest to members – interviews with historical fiction authors, publishers, and agents; explorations of novels and subgenres; guides, and regular columns on historical fiction market news, debut authors, and more. Articles are written by vetted contributors, most of whom are Society members. If you’re a member interested in joining the team, Contact Us.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover authors and launch their careers (e.g., Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Nikki Marmery, Hilary Green, Elizabeth Macneal, and many more) and provided vital support for others. Our ARA Award is one of the most generous of all literary prizes. If you’d like to partner to sponsor an award, Contact Us.
Contact Us

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Written by Melanie Dickerson
Review by Elizabeth Knowles

England, 1814. Orphaned Charlotte Robbins is governess to the young siblings of William, Lord Brookhaven. Principled, intelligent, and pretty, Charlotte longs for love and a family of her own. William, wealthy but emotionally deprived in childhood, has been hurt by an old love. Despite an immediate connection, Charlotte’s socioeconomic status stifles romance. William tries to include her among his friends, but nothing gels until Charlotte inherits a fortune from a relative she didn’t know she had. Entering society, she discovers that money can cause as many problems as it solves. When she finds the truth about her windfall, she must decide whether she and William can be together, and what honorable, charitable future she can create with her fortune.

I liked the admirable Charlotte, and all the children she dealt with are endearing and well-drawn—especially when puppies are involved. Despite some exciting events like the carriage crash or a Fagin-like villain causing mild mayhem, I thought the love story and plot were thinly stretched over a 320-page novel. This is a long, slow, sweet read that won’t keep anybody up at night turning pages.