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Caroline's Waterloo
Caroline had never imagined that anyone would want to marry her. But Professor Radinck Thoe van Erckelens did propose to her and she accepted. What Radinck wanted in a wife was a convenient hostess! Caroline had to decide whether to settle for that, or set about changing Radinck's feelings for her.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1980
59 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
564 books418 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 4, 2013
I am definitely in the minority on this one. One of the reasons I read Betty Neels is I absolutely love her heroes. They are smart, caring, handsome, dashing and always suited up in armor ready to play the knight.
However, not this one. He fell way below the mark. He was so not worthy of the heroine. I kept scratching my head trying to figure out why she ever fell in love with him.
I think the lowest point for me came when she rescued the pregnant donkey. One day, Caroline was out walking close to home when she came across a group of travelers who had hitched a donkey behind them. They were beating the poor starved, pregnant donkey. Caroline grabs the donkey's reins demanding that the leader follow her home so that she can purchase the donkey. It really was an endearing moment. The hero is there and comes to her rescue applying the necessary pressure to make sure the man won't ever abuse another animal again. All good, right?
Well, not quite. When she asks him what they should name the donkey he responds:
"He was staring at her with hard eyes as though he could't bear the sight of her. 'What more could be more appropriate than Caro?" He wanted to know mockingly."
He is immediately contrite tries to apologize. But for me the damage was done and it was irrevocable.
However, if I had been Caroline, my one-liner back to him would have been.
"No need to apologize. You are right only a jackass would marry you."
However, not this one. He fell way below the mark. He was so not worthy of the heroine. I kept scratching my head trying to figure out why she ever fell in love with him.
I think the lowest point for me came when she rescued the pregnant donkey. One day, Caroline was out walking close to home when she came across a group of travelers who had hitched a donkey behind them. They were beating the poor starved, pregnant donkey. Caroline grabs the donkey's reins demanding that the leader follow her home so that she can purchase the donkey. It really was an endearing moment. The hero is there and comes to her rescue applying the necessary pressure to make sure the man won't ever abuse another animal again. All good, right?
Well, not quite. When she asks him what they should name the donkey he responds:
"He was staring at her with hard eyes as though he could't bear the sight of her. 'What more could be more appropriate than Caro?" He wanted to know mockingly."
He is immediately contrite tries to apologize. But for me the damage was done and it was irrevocable.
However, if I had been Caroline, my one-liner back to him would have been.
"No need to apologize. You are right only a jackass would marry you."
June 4, 2021
***Updated to feature/tag cover by Len Goldberg (windmills to signify The Netherlands, but daisies rather than tulips, hee--I guess that would have been cliche overload!). Added cross-over character info too, since it's one of my fave "visits" from past BN MCs, happily enjoying their Ever After.
Caroline's Waterloo features one of BN's crankier (if gentlemanly) Rich Dutch Doctors, Radinck Thoe van Erckelens, who weaponizes good manners and plays some typical BN hero headgames in resisting the gentle wiles of the mousey-type BN heroine, Poor British Nurse Caroline Tripp. A fairly typical BN MoC tale with one of Betty's most likable heroines (IMO), a hero who bestows fabulous jewels and clothing but very little affection or attention, faithful family retainers (FFRs), well-loved pets (including a rescue donkey in this one), and, ultimately, a hero vanquished by the heroine's patient and (she thinks) unrequited love. As usual, I loved it. Radinck is smitten from the start (as is Caro)--so much that he chases her down in England to offer an MoC very soon after they meet, but is determined not to give into his feelings once he has her safely wedded (though not bedded). Patient, loving, easy-going Caroline decides to let Fate take a hand and see what time and proximity can achieve.
Lots of great reviews for this one, so no extensive recap from me. It's wonderfully angsty, but with some very funny moments, along with quite a few moments that had me wanting to smack our smitten-but-resisting hero, and an amusing departure from the typical BN heroine on-the-run ending. This is a fave BN book for me and a frequent re-read when I need a comfort read.
We get cameos from a Tiele and Becky from another BN fave read of mine, The Promise of Happiness. A very forthright Becky, the heroine of that book, is quite indignant on behalf of Caroline, having dealt with her own irritable and aloof RDD (no wonder Tiele and Radinck are such good friends--they're very much alike and put their heroines through the emotional wringer before the HEAs!). One of my fave cross-over scenes featuring two of my most favorite BN heroines!
Heroic car porn (heroine doesn't get a car in this one, but if she did it would be some boxy little Mini or Fiat no doubt):
Hero has a badass Aston Martin Lagonda:
AND a flashy Panther De Ville:
Caroline's Waterloo features one of BN's crankier (if gentlemanly) Rich Dutch Doctors, Radinck Thoe van Erckelens, who weaponizes good manners and plays some typical BN hero headgames in resisting the gentle wiles of the mousey-type BN heroine, Poor British Nurse Caroline Tripp. A fairly typical BN MoC tale with one of Betty's most likable heroines (IMO), a hero who bestows fabulous jewels and clothing but very little affection or attention, faithful family retainers (FFRs), well-loved pets (including a rescue donkey in this one), and, ultimately, a hero vanquished by the heroine's patient and (she thinks) unrequited love. As usual, I loved it. Radinck is smitten from the start (as is Caro)--so much that he chases her down in England to offer an MoC very soon after they meet, but is determined not to give into his feelings once he has her safely wedded (though not bedded). Patient, loving, easy-going Caroline decides to let Fate take a hand and see what time and proximity can achieve.
Lots of great reviews for this one, so no extensive recap from me. It's wonderfully angsty, but with some very funny moments, along with quite a few moments that had me wanting to smack our smitten-but-resisting hero, and an amusing departure from the typical BN heroine on-the-run ending. This is a fave BN book for me and a frequent re-read when I need a comfort read.
We get cameos from a Tiele and Becky from another BN fave read of mine, The Promise of Happiness. A very forthright Becky, the heroine of that book, is quite indignant on behalf of Caroline, having dealt with her own irritable and aloof RDD (no wonder Tiele and Radinck are such good friends--they're very much alike and put their heroines through the emotional wringer before the HEAs!). One of my fave cross-over scenes featuring two of my most favorite BN heroines!
Heroic car porn (heroine doesn't get a car in this one, but if she did it would be some boxy little Mini or Fiat no doubt):
Hero has a badass Aston Martin Lagonda:
AND a flashy Panther De Ville:
December 30, 2019
Our heroine is a nice quiet girl, an orphan with no looks to speak of, but with plenty of friends. Her only relative is an aunt whom she no longer sees since she remarried a man who didn't like Caroline.
Caro, as her friends call her, is on holiday in the Netherlands on a biking/camping trip with three girlfriends, other nurses from the hospital. They have a bicycle accident in which Caro cuts her leg and hits her head, rendering her unable to travel home. The accident just happened to occur near the home of a RDD, Radinck (possibly my favorite RDD name!) Thoe van Erckelens. She stays at his home until she recovers, being spoiled by his servants, whom she likes and who like her very much.
After her return to England, one day Radinck shows up at the hospital and proposes a MOC. He makes it quite clear that he is not in love with her; he tells her he likes her, but was married before to a FFW and no longer has any romantic feelings or ideas. Caro has already discovered that she is in love with him, and accepts. They have a lovely, if small, wedding and Caro returns to Holland to begin her life as Baroness Thoe van Erckelens.
She quickly and quietly fits herself into his household, not asking him for anything. He does take her shopping to purchase new clothes for her new lifestyle, but in an impersonal way.
She rescues an abused donkey which draws Radinck's attention to her. Shortly thereafter, he discovers that she has been learning to ride and invites her to ride with him every morning before breakfast.
Radinck has his DR one evening (on page 114) when she is in the drawing room dressed up waiting for him to come to dinner. We have to read between the lines to see it as TGB never gives us the hero's viewpoint.
This book has no Big Misunderstanding, no OW/OM or Evil Aunt/Cousin. Caro becomes increasingly suspicious/hopeful that Radinck is coming to love her but is still quite unsure. Radinck fights his feelings and is unsure of Caro's.
I love Caro's fake runaway! The Declaration is very sweet.
Loose Ends. The handkerchief in the pocket is so charming, but I do wish TGB had told us when/where/how he got it. Also, we never get to see Caro and the staff perform the Christmas carols they practiced.
Caro, as her friends call her, is on holiday in the Netherlands on a biking/camping trip with three girlfriends, other nurses from the hospital. They have a bicycle accident in which Caro cuts her leg and hits her head, rendering her unable to travel home. The accident just happened to occur near the home of a RDD, Radinck (possibly my favorite RDD name!) Thoe van Erckelens. She stays at his home until she recovers, being spoiled by his servants, whom she likes and who like her very much.
After her return to England, one day Radinck shows up at the hospital and proposes a MOC. He makes it quite clear that he is not in love with her; he tells her he likes her, but was married before to a FFW and no longer has any romantic feelings or ideas. Caro has already discovered that she is in love with him, and accepts. They have a lovely, if small, wedding and Caro returns to Holland to begin her life as Baroness Thoe van Erckelens.
She quickly and quietly fits herself into his household, not asking him for anything. He does take her shopping to purchase new clothes for her new lifestyle, but in an impersonal way.
She rescues an abused donkey which draws Radinck's attention to her. Shortly thereafter, he discovers that she has been learning to ride and invites her to ride with him every morning before breakfast.
Radinck has his DR one evening (on page 114) when she is in the drawing room dressed up waiting for him to come to dinner. We have to read between the lines to see it as TGB never gives us the hero's viewpoint.
This book has no Big Misunderstanding, no OW/OM or Evil Aunt/Cousin. Caro becomes increasingly suspicious/hopeful that Radinck is coming to love her but is still quite unsure. Radinck fights his feelings and is unsure of Caro's.
I love Caro's fake runaway! The Declaration is very sweet.
Loose Ends. The handkerchief in the pocket is so charming, but I do wish TGB had told us when/where/how he got it. Also, we never get to see Caro and the staff perform the Christmas carols they practiced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
Cute in a very old school kind of romance.
This author is renowned for her heroes who are usually doctors, grumpy and Dutch. Maybe in her young years she knew some hottie who was a doctor and was also Dutch, who knows.
Her heroines are usually English in the deepest way a girl can be, nurses and quite plain.
It’s usually their englishness that is most appreciated by the Dutch grumpy heroes, and I this case it’s really ott.
They have a moc, he lost his wife many years before, she was the love of his life and now that he’s in his who knows, 40s or late 30s he feels to old for love, so he gets married to the orphan, no nonsense, kind and sensible girl.
She basically accepts to be some kind of hostess who doesn’t even has the right to ask him where he goes and when he will be back, because well, he’s kind of hot and she’s alone.
He’s grumpy and a bit rude and she kills him with kindness on a level that really made me fall from my chair because I was laughing too hard.
When he’s rude she tries to placate him with motherly tones, yes, you’ve heard it right, motherly tone, and she treats with such a high level of benign condescension that I was lmfao all the time.
It’s really funny because she doesn’t even give him the satisfaction to get a bit mussed up and she’s always sensible, kind and understanding as if she were talking to some dumb kid. There are some parts where he is appallingly rude and she never even answer, so it’s kind of plain that he feels an eel all the time because it’s like kicking a puppy. Or a mummy. It depends. You feel bad anyway because who does that.
In the end of course he falls in love with her quiet and kind personality and we all enjoy it because he was most of the time quite nasty and unpleasant.
The book was acceptable, not the best, not the worst.
This author is renowned for her heroes who are usually doctors, grumpy and Dutch. Maybe in her young years she knew some hottie who was a doctor and was also Dutch, who knows.
Her heroines are usually English in the deepest way a girl can be, nurses and quite plain.
It’s usually their englishness that is most appreciated by the Dutch grumpy heroes, and I this case it’s really ott.
They have a moc, he lost his wife many years before, she was the love of his life and now that he’s in his who knows, 40s or late 30s he feels to old for love, so he gets married to the orphan, no nonsense, kind and sensible girl.
She basically accepts to be some kind of hostess who doesn’t even has the right to ask him where he goes and when he will be back, because well, he’s kind of hot and she’s alone.
He’s grumpy and a bit rude and she kills him with kindness on a level that really made me fall from my chair because I was laughing too hard.
When he’s rude she tries to placate him with motherly tones, yes, you’ve heard it right, motherly tone, and she treats with such a high level of benign condescension that I was lmfao all the time.
It’s really funny because she doesn’t even give him the satisfaction to get a bit mussed up and she’s always sensible, kind and understanding as if she were talking to some dumb kid. There are some parts where he is appallingly rude and she never even answer, so it’s kind of plain that he feels an eel all the time because it’s like kicking a puppy. Or a mummy. It depends. You feel bad anyway because who does that.
In the end of course he falls in love with her quiet and kind personality and we all enjoy it because he was most of the time quite nasty and unpleasant.
The book was acceptable, not the best, not the worst.
June 2, 2025
2.2 stars
I wanted to read another BN because the last one had me in nostalgia of that specific kind of romance, where everyone took their time and generally were over-polite. While this book followed the usual pattern of brooding Dutch doctor and quiet English nurse, I was very disappointed that Radinck essentially remained a porcupine for the entirety of the book, save for the very last pages. Caroline barely did better with her endlessly refraining to say what she really thinks (and also she had the usual unhealthy obsession that BN's heroines have about 'beauty'). The way these two interacted throughout the book was as if whatever each one said was lost in translation with the other - and that when they were both speaking English!
Honestly, Radinck's marriage proposal was one of the dryest I ever read (even considering these mafioso men forcing marriages on their brides!),
‘You are an extraordinary girl,’ he declared irritably, ‘you have no looks, no witty conversation, quite deplorable clothes—and yet I find that I am able to talk to you—indeed, I find myself wishing to discuss the various happenings of my day with you. I am not in love with you and I have no wish to be; I need a calm quiet companion, someone sensible who isn’t for ever wanting to be taken out to dinner or the theatre, nor demand to know where I am going each time I leave the house. I need… I need…’
‘A sheet anchor,’ supplied Caro in a sensible voice. ‘No demands, no curiosity, just a—someone to talk to when you feel inclined.’
He looked surprised. ‘You understand then; I have no need to explain myself further. And above all, no romantic nonsense!’
and I had to suspend disbelief hard that Caroline was already in love with him (after barely even speaking to him prior to that and even when they did, it was always on an antagonistic vibe!) and hence accepted because she wanted to brighten his life. But what really killed it for me was that the hint of (barely there) romance happens only on the very last page. And I think BN has established a record for MOC trope with this book, with the marriage of her characters remaining unconsummated by the end of the book!
P.S. I loved getting glimpses of Tiele and Becky from The Promise of Happiness - at least they look in love and happy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2021
Not one of my favorites. He was just too cruel too often for me. Arrogance I expect from Betty's men but not this.
I read this again in 2021 and tried to understand his viewpoint. Much more enjoyable watching him fight his attraction. Changed from 2 stars to 4 stars.
I read this again in 2021 and tried to understand his viewpoint. Much more enjoyable watching him fight his attraction. Changed from 2 stars to 4 stars.
February 8, 2020
Oh my, Betty is in top form in this one--mousy British Nurse--check, aloof, Rich Dutch Doctor--check. And her best plot device--Marriage of Convenience--double check!
Caroline and several fellow nurses are on a bicycle holiday in Holland, when they have a nasty smash-up and Caroline is seriously injured (concussion and a nasty gash on her leg). Fortunately, the crash occurred at the gates of the manor belonging to our RDD. Caroline is borne into the house for medical treatment. Rather than shipping her off to a hospital, our RDD establishes her in a guest room til she recovers.
Baron Radinck Thoe van Erckelens doesn't appear to take too much notice of Caroline, but he tracks her down once she returns to London and (gasp)
proposes to her. No, he doesn't love her, but he's a bit lonely and wants someone to talk to (!!!). Our Caroline accepts (after all, she is in love with him). That takes care of the first half of the book. The second half is Caroline's very clever, low-key campaign to get Radinck to fall in love with her. Poor Radinck doesn't stand a chance.
And, of course, because this is a Betty Neels, there is the mandatory HEA.
This review dates from 26 June 2010. I first read this way back in 1983.
Caroline and several fellow nurses are on a bicycle holiday in Holland, when they have a nasty smash-up and Caroline is seriously injured (concussion and a nasty gash on her leg). Fortunately, the crash occurred at the gates of the manor belonging to our RDD. Caroline is borne into the house for medical treatment. Rather than shipping her off to a hospital, our RDD establishes her in a guest room til she recovers.
Baron Radinck Thoe van Erckelens doesn't appear to take too much notice of Caroline, but he tracks her down once she returns to London and (gasp)
proposes to her. No, he doesn't love her, but he's a bit lonely and wants someone to talk to (!!!). Our Caroline accepts (after all, she is in love with him). That takes care of the first half of the book. The second half is Caroline's very clever, low-key campaign to get Radinck to fall in love with her. Poor Radinck doesn't stand a chance.
And, of course, because this is a Betty Neels, there is the mandatory HEA.
This review dates from 26 June 2010. I first read this way back in 1983.
August 29, 2021
I totally developed a taste for Betty Neels and can see myself coming back for more but Caroline's Waterloo irritated the hell out of me. Caroline was feistier than the other heroine's I encountered by Ms Neels and I do appreciate how she chose to wield the war to win the rich baron / doctor / professor's affection with pointedly following his initial wish to not be disturbed in any way.
Besides that, for some reason the second half just made me irritated all the time with both the hot n' cold hero and Caroline. It was just as much a warm blanket as could be expected from Ms Neels but this one is for people who like animal lover heroines who teach the servants christmas songs and do not answer the question of being lonely with honesty.
2,5 stars, I enjoyed The Final Touch much more than this.
Besides that, for some reason the second half just made me irritated all the time with both the hot n' cold hero and Caroline. It was just as much a warm blanket as could be expected from Ms Neels but this one is for people who like animal lover heroines who teach the servants christmas songs and do not answer the question of being lonely with honesty.
2,5 stars, I enjoyed The Final Touch much more than this.
January 24, 2023
Caroline is a great heroine! She has the spunk to make a good life wherever she is, and I love how she adjusts to her new home. Radinck has the right stuff in him, but to really like him, I think I would need 100 more pages after the conclusion of this story. His motivations and background are simply not fleshed out enough. That being said, it’s a charming story, and I enjoyed reading it so much. Thank you to Lisa who is passing on all the Betty Neels recs to me! 😊
August 8, 2021
This book was utter boring and waste of my time. I neither liked the hero nor the heroine as both were stupids. I really couldn’t understand how Caroline falls in love with Radinck when he hardly talks to her and considers a nuisance l
Having read so many novels of Betty Neels this one was an utter bore
Having read so many novels of Betty Neels this one was an utter bore
April 29, 2020
“Trampas de amor” de Betty Neels.si pudiera le pondría 6 estrellas 🌟 pero como no puedo me conformo con decir que Betty con este libro supero todas mis expectativas. Este novela es grande.Se superó a ella misma y amé cada línea.las sinopsis de cada novela de Betty a menudo no nos dicen mucho,apenas si anticipan lo que podríamos o no encontrar.esta novela tiene como protagonista a Caroline Tripp o Caro una joven huérfana de profesión enfermera” menuda,callada y tímida”.Su contraparte masculina es el profesor en medicina Randick Thoe VanErckelens...Spoiler:apenas comenzado el relato en la página 2 nuestra protagonista sufre una caída andando en bicicleta que la deja inconsciente y herida al caer contra una piedras😱y ella ante la situación y brusquedad del doctor en cuestión dice una frase poco sensata pero que la define”Deme aguja e hilo y lo haré yo misma”. En definitiva Caro es una mujer extraordinaria, una heroina,porque ella sabe que ama a ese hombre desde el primer momento y pondrá toda su fe y esperanza en que él podrá cambiar y mostrarse tal cual es. Uno espera que él se muestre pronto rendido a sus pies pero se hace desear.Algunas veces la hiere con sus comentarios rondando la crueldad (la escena en que el profesor sugiere llamar Caro a una burra por ejemplo)y es ahí donde más valor le das al amor de ella y su intensidad,a su genuina e inocente necesidad de amar y ser amada.
April 19, 2013
A lovely marriage of convenience between a Dutch doctor with a tragic past and a lonely young English woman.
Caro disturbed Radinck more than he liked, even though he informed her that she was not to be a disturbing influence on his life after their marriage.
It is lovely to see the cool, withdrawn Doctor drawn out of his shell by Caro who is beloved by all his servants and even adopts a pregnant donkey from some travelling folk.
Caro disturbed Radinck more than he liked, even though he informed her that she was not to be a disturbing influence on his life after their marriage.
It is lovely to see the cool, withdrawn Doctor drawn out of his shell by Caro who is beloved by all his servants and even adopts a pregnant donkey from some travelling folk.
August 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book like all of Betty Neel's books but the male character Radinck I didn't particularly like as he was cruel almost throughout the book to the female character Caroline and Caroline I did like despite her not speaking up but I did like her calming nature though and I would have liked her to have left him for real and have him grovelling and apologising and the ending was too short and wasn't satisfactory.
January 6, 2009
In the top ten of my "betty's"
September 28, 2024
BN takes pains to cultivate this dignified aura of a commanding and stately presence around her, most often than not, titled nobility or genteel country squire MD heroes. You somehow imagine them gliding effortlessly around in the bubble of their most luxurious surroundings, unperturbed and untouched by the harsh realities of daily life. In perfect control and capable of managing the most dire situations.
She’s superb in her best work. Quiet solid strength of both hero and heroine shines through, you fall in love with them through their slow burn romance and enjoy spending time in the extraordinary pocket of space-time where they have computers in an Edwardian era society.
And sometimes she unravels all her efforts by revealing how hysterically insecure and high strung the heroes are. Case in point the hero in this one, who after ignoring the heroine in the most appalling rude way during her forced stay at his house, chases her back to England to propose a dry as dust marriage, reiterating that she is given the great honour of being asked to marry him on the strict understanding that she’s not to disturb his life, or ask about his comings and goings, which we are given to understand means his private love life whatever that may be! The heroine contemplates the offer in the silence of her shabby, grubby bedsit and having already lived in and enjoyed the magnificent beauty of his house and the comfort provided by his wonderful family retainers, and also as Lizzie Bennet did, falling in love with him a little after all the above, accepts what is to her a bargain and steadfastly holds on to the terms thereof until the hero unnerved by his inner turmoil which he doesn’t understand and represses throughout the book, finally breaks down and confesses his love. I’m just very irritated that we never find out what he was going to say before being interrupted about why he had taken that beautiful girl back to her home town through a storm. Becky later says that he had stayed at a hotel but we never hear why he lied about that. Wonderful heroine. Mediocre hero. I’m happy that she’s happy but hardly the romance of the century.
She’s superb in her best work. Quiet solid strength of both hero and heroine shines through, you fall in love with them through their slow burn romance and enjoy spending time in the extraordinary pocket of space-time where they have computers in an Edwardian era society.
And sometimes she unravels all her efforts by revealing how hysterically insecure and high strung the heroes are. Case in point the hero in this one, who after ignoring the heroine in the most appalling rude way during her forced stay at his house, chases her back to England to propose a dry as dust marriage, reiterating that she is given the great honour of being asked to marry him on the strict understanding that she’s not to disturb his life, or ask about his comings and goings, which we are given to understand means his private love life whatever that may be! The heroine contemplates the offer in the silence of her shabby, grubby bedsit and having already lived in and enjoyed the magnificent beauty of his house and the comfort provided by his wonderful family retainers, and also as Lizzie Bennet did, falling in love with him a little after all the above, accepts what is to her a bargain and steadfastly holds on to the terms thereof until the hero unnerved by his inner turmoil which he doesn’t understand and represses throughout the book, finally breaks down and confesses his love. I’m just very irritated that we never find out what he was going to say before being interrupted about why he had taken that beautiful girl back to her home town through a storm. Becky later says that he had stayed at a hotel but we never hear why he lied about that. Wonderful heroine. Mediocre hero. I’m happy that she’s happy but hardly the romance of the century.
December 12, 2020
It fit my mood perfectly. Also, there is a fact that I really low a good unrequited love story.
It would be nice to see the hero was grovelling more.
And another thing about Betty Neels book, however, I like to feel tension almost at the end of the book, I wish that she had written longer episodes in her books for us. :)
It would be nice to see the hero was grovelling more.
And another thing about Betty Neels book, however, I like to feel tension almost at the end of the book, I wish that she had written longer episodes in her books for us. :)
May 14, 2018
Descubrí a Betty Heels y me he vuelto una adicta a esta escritora... no sé qué haré cuando se me acaben sus novelas.
Las historias son bien ñoñas, pero creo que por eso me gustan. Se parecen todas entre sí, pero disfruto del romance algo ñoño y pasado de moda.
Me gusta el estilo rosa (pero para nada dulzón), sobrio y recatado de sus romances.
Me leí estas novelas en un lapso de una semana y todas se leen fácil y rápido... la reseña completa aquí:
http://perezosa69.blogspot.cl/2018/04...
Las historias son bien ñoñas, pero creo que por eso me gustan. Se parecen todas entre sí, pero disfruto del romance algo ñoño y pasado de moda.
Me gusta el estilo rosa (pero para nada dulzón), sobrio y recatado de sus romances.
Me leí estas novelas en un lapso de una semana y todas se leen fácil y rápido... la reseña completa aquí:
http://perezosa69.blogspot.cl/2018/04...
June 25, 2016
Completely baffled by the title of this book. Normally, when something is described as "a waterloo," it's a bad thing -- a defeat. But since Betty Neels wrote this there's really no chance that things will end badly for the main character. The main character's cat is named Waterloo, but the story is not about the cat. What does that leave? Perhaps the publisher was having an off day.
December 8, 2020
I think this is one of Betty Neel's better ones, her typical "mousey girl marries stern Dutch doctor in a MOC and falls in love with him". Somehow the characters are deeper than in some of her other stories, and I liked this one better than most of her other ones.
April 8, 2009
My favorite Betty Neels.
September 28, 2019
IT'S JUST WONDERFUL. I never get enough of Betty Neels. She's a magician and she creates wonder. I love heroes and heroines in her stories and every time I read a new book I say this one is my favorite and this one is no exception. This book is just one of the best of its genre. I LOVE IT SO VERY MUCH AND RECOMMEND IT TO ALL.
April 30, 2020
Heroine is kind of a damp noodle but book remained readable.
August 18, 2019
A mean tempered doctor basically offers a business deal to a mild-mannered young nurse to marry him, because, basically he wants the appearance of being happily married. Through some miracle of polite manners he realizes he loves her. Nope. Not buying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
When I rate a Betty Neels book, there are a couple of things I am looking at. First, I only compare Betty to Betty. Her work is so distinctive that I do not feel it is fair or appropriate to compare to the work of other authors, even among those in the Mills and Boon/Harlequin stable. I have been reading Betty since the pandemic, so not nearly as long as many other folks, and while I am certainly old enough to remember some of the years her work was published, her writing is always set in a nebulous, anachronistic time warp that could have been anytime between the 1930s to the early 1960s, despite the occasional intrusion of computers introduced in her work from the 1990s.
Well, anyway: Caroline’s Waterloo (1980) doesn’t feature that sort of anachronism, at least (computers were not yet in widespread use) but the feel of it is the usual mid-century atmosphere. Caroline is a nice, sensible and plain nurse on a cycling vacation in Holland with a group of fellow nurses. She has an accident on her bike providentially at the gates of our RDD (rich Dutch doctor) Radinck, gashing her leg and getting a serious bonk on the head. The other nurses have to get back to England and when Radinck and his faithful family retainers (FFRs) offer to care for her until she is fit to travel, the nurses leave her there. Radinck most reluctantly installs her in one of his spare rooms- he has a lot of spare rooms, it is a large and wealthy estate. It’s obvious to Caroline even in her concussed state that he does not want her there and offers to sew up her own leg. Later, while still very muzzy after he has seen to her leg and examined her head, she tells him he sounds as if he hates her and that he must be a misogynist. I found these scenes hilarious, just about the best scenes in the book- you go, Caroline.
I feel like this book is a riff on The Sound of Music, which to go by its occasional mention in some of Betty’s books, was one of her favorite movies. Caroline is definitely a Maria and Radinck is definitely a version of the Captain. I never liked the Captain. As played by Christopher Plummer, he is supposedly redeemed by his love for the innocent, optimistic and practical Maria. But to me he always came across as cold, cynical, sneering and unpleasant, and by the end of the movie there is only a thinly applied veneer of reform over his character.
While recovering from her leg wound and concussion, Caroline makes friends with the FFRs, who find her a delight. When they find out she can play piano, they are even more delighted because they enjoy a sing-song of an evening (see? Sound of Music). I read not too long ago that in the days before television, people would often amuse themselves by holding musical evenings complete with performances by those who could play an instrument and sing-a-longs were common. Another anachronism, perhaps, but it helped me make sense of scenes where Caroline teaches the FFRs Christmas carols when Radinck isn’t home and to be performed later as a surprise for him. But before the grand performance can take place, Caroline recovers enough to return to England and to her cat Waterloo and take up nursing once more.
But within a few weeks, Radinck follows her to England, and evincing as much ill-humor as ever, proposes a marriage of convenience. He had a Faithless First Wife (FFW) who ran off and got herself killed in an accident, and who destroyed his faith in women and humanity. Radinck tells her that he likes her, the FFRs and his animals like her, but he doesn’t love her. She will be his friend and hostess and that’s all. Caroline, who has had her dawning realization very early on, decides then and there she will help him recover from his curmudgeonly ways but is also strategic about it: she makes him wait for her answer. But marry him she does. The rest of the book shows us Caroline’s strategic and often amusing attempts to capture Radinck’s affection and regard.
This is one of the most beloved books in Neelsland, and I think much of this is due to Caroline’s own agency in obtaining her goal (Radinck’s love). After reading it a couple of times, I find myself somewhat in the minority. I re-read it recently to see if I viewed it differently, something which has been the case with several Bettys (BN’s heroines often “pay for dressing” and similarly, Betty often pays for re-reading). Well, unlike some BN titles where things happen to the heroine and she goes along with the tide, Caroline has a plan for her marriage and she conducts those plans with strategy and aplomb. There are some very delightful scenes, but also some that can’t be overlooked, like the donkey scene. Caroline rescues an abused donkey and Radinck drops a clanger by saying they should name the donkey Caro since that would be appropriate (i.e., donkey is an ass, Caroline is an ass). If saying such a thing- most especially saying it to YOUR WIFE- is your kneejerk reaction, what does that say about your personality at its heart? It’s one thing to be cold, quite another to deliver very painful and personal insults. It’s a bit like Sir Paul Wyatt in The Right Kind of Girl who tells the h Emma that the evil OW is worth a dozen of her: the ability to deliver such an off-the-cuff remark says a lot about who you really are. Some people would never even think such things even when deeply angry, but the ones who can dredge up such comments without thinking are the ones to be wary of. Betty tries to tell us Radinck is a changed man by the end of the story, but I keep thinking about that Maya Angelou quote: when he tells you who he is, believe him. Ultimately, I think this is yet another mis-matched pairing between a young, naïve woman, albeit one with a lot of spunk and determination, with one of Betty’s older (they are always older), cynical and not especially nice or kind RDDs. I think about the pairing in Saturday’s Child as a comparison: there is a similar age gap and Dominic does not treat Abigail all that well, but that he is profoundly in love is clear. His motivation to push her away, then reel her back in is a lot more explicable, first of all, and secondly, Abigail is not portrayed as being anywhere near as naïve and child-like as Caroline. The SC relationship is a lot more equal than in CW.
I think the conclusion of Caroline’s Waterloo may constitute a HEA for now and that after the first blush of love, Radinck may possibly revert to his cold, cynical self. Nevertheless, there is a lot to love about this book.
3.5 stars.
Well, anyway: Caroline’s Waterloo (1980) doesn’t feature that sort of anachronism, at least (computers were not yet in widespread use) but the feel of it is the usual mid-century atmosphere. Caroline is a nice, sensible and plain nurse on a cycling vacation in Holland with a group of fellow nurses. She has an accident on her bike providentially at the gates of our RDD (rich Dutch doctor) Radinck, gashing her leg and getting a serious bonk on the head. The other nurses have to get back to England and when Radinck and his faithful family retainers (FFRs) offer to care for her until she is fit to travel, the nurses leave her there. Radinck most reluctantly installs her in one of his spare rooms- he has a lot of spare rooms, it is a large and wealthy estate. It’s obvious to Caroline even in her concussed state that he does not want her there and offers to sew up her own leg. Later, while still very muzzy after he has seen to her leg and examined her head, she tells him he sounds as if he hates her and that he must be a misogynist. I found these scenes hilarious, just about the best scenes in the book- you go, Caroline.
I feel like this book is a riff on The Sound of Music, which to go by its occasional mention in some of Betty’s books, was one of her favorite movies. Caroline is definitely a Maria and Radinck is definitely a version of the Captain. I never liked the Captain. As played by Christopher Plummer, he is supposedly redeemed by his love for the innocent, optimistic and practical Maria. But to me he always came across as cold, cynical, sneering and unpleasant, and by the end of the movie there is only a thinly applied veneer of reform over his character.
While recovering from her leg wound and concussion, Caroline makes friends with the FFRs, who find her a delight. When they find out she can play piano, they are even more delighted because they enjoy a sing-song of an evening (see? Sound of Music). I read not too long ago that in the days before television, people would often amuse themselves by holding musical evenings complete with performances by those who could play an instrument and sing-a-longs were common. Another anachronism, perhaps, but it helped me make sense of scenes where Caroline teaches the FFRs Christmas carols when Radinck isn’t home and to be performed later as a surprise for him. But before the grand performance can take place, Caroline recovers enough to return to England and to her cat Waterloo and take up nursing once more.
But within a few weeks, Radinck follows her to England, and evincing as much ill-humor as ever, proposes a marriage of convenience. He had a Faithless First Wife (FFW) who ran off and got herself killed in an accident, and who destroyed his faith in women and humanity. Radinck tells her that he likes her, the FFRs and his animals like her, but he doesn’t love her. She will be his friend and hostess and that’s all. Caroline, who has had her dawning realization very early on, decides then and there she will help him recover from his curmudgeonly ways but is also strategic about it: she makes him wait for her answer. But marry him she does. The rest of the book shows us Caroline’s strategic and often amusing attempts to capture Radinck’s affection and regard.
This is one of the most beloved books in Neelsland, and I think much of this is due to Caroline’s own agency in obtaining her goal (Radinck’s love). After reading it a couple of times, I find myself somewhat in the minority. I re-read it recently to see if I viewed it differently, something which has been the case with several Bettys (BN’s heroines often “pay for dressing” and similarly, Betty often pays for re-reading). Well, unlike some BN titles where things happen to the heroine and she goes along with the tide, Caroline has a plan for her marriage and she conducts those plans with strategy and aplomb. There are some very delightful scenes, but also some that can’t be overlooked, like the donkey scene. Caroline rescues an abused donkey and Radinck drops a clanger by saying they should name the donkey Caro since that would be appropriate (i.e., donkey is an ass, Caroline is an ass). If saying such a thing- most especially saying it to YOUR WIFE- is your kneejerk reaction, what does that say about your personality at its heart? It’s one thing to be cold, quite another to deliver very painful and personal insults. It’s a bit like Sir Paul Wyatt in The Right Kind of Girl who tells the h Emma that the evil OW is worth a dozen of her: the ability to deliver such an off-the-cuff remark says a lot about who you really are. Some people would never even think such things even when deeply angry, but the ones who can dredge up such comments without thinking are the ones to be wary of. Betty tries to tell us Radinck is a changed man by the end of the story, but I keep thinking about that Maya Angelou quote: when he tells you who he is, believe him. Ultimately, I think this is yet another mis-matched pairing between a young, naïve woman, albeit one with a lot of spunk and determination, with one of Betty’s older (they are always older), cynical and not especially nice or kind RDDs. I think about the pairing in Saturday’s Child as a comparison: there is a similar age gap and Dominic does not treat Abigail all that well, but that he is profoundly in love is clear. His motivation to push her away, then reel her back in is a lot more explicable, first of all, and secondly, Abigail is not portrayed as being anywhere near as naïve and child-like as Caroline. The SC relationship is a lot more equal than in CW.
I think the conclusion of Caroline’s Waterloo may constitute a HEA for now and that after the first blush of love, Radinck may possibly revert to his cold, cynical self. Nevertheless, there is a lot to love about this book.
3.5 stars.
September 19, 2016
Sweet story about how a plain, gentle girl brings love back into a cold, controlled man's life. Injured while on holiday in Holland Caroline is brought by her friends to a doctor's house where he unhappily assumes care of her. Feeling unwanted Caroline leaves as soon as she can resuming her hospital life in England in her small bedsitter along with her faithful cat Waterloo. Much to her surprise Professor van Erekelens comes to the hospital to see her. Much to his surprise the quiet calmness of his house and the regard of his faithful staff had been disturbed by Caroline. They all missed her dreadfully and he, much to his surprise, proposes a marriage of convenience. She will, he assures her be a sheet anchor; "a person or thing that is very dependable and relied upon in the last resort." Someone who will fit into his life at his convenience without changing his habits or lifestyle. After careful thought Caroline agrees and the alchemy of her gentleness and giving nature begins to work on his narrow and constrained life. Well done.
January 13, 2016
I actually enjoyed this book. I was not sure how I would like it in the beginning. I mean the hero was really a lot to take in. He epitomized the Katy Perry song Hot and Cold. But I loved the fact that Caroline did what she set out to do and she did it with such aplomb and gentleness.
In my opinion, I think that Mrs. Neels wanted us to see a hero that needed someone who wasn't willing to give up on him. And Caroline did that-I mean he was really really mean to her and she loved him through it all. Even when [SPOILER] she was going to throw in the towel she gave the cad one last chance and that's love ...maybe even a little stupidity but eh...
All in all not my favorite hero (you could probably tell that...)but definitely one of my favorite heroines. So I give it 3 out of 5.
In my opinion, I think that Mrs. Neels wanted us to see a hero that needed someone who wasn't willing to give up on him. And Caroline did that-I mean he was really really mean to her and she loved him through it all. Even when [SPOILER] she was going to throw in the towel she gave the cad one last chance and that's love ...maybe even a little stupidity but eh...
All in all not my favorite hero (you could probably tell that...)but definitely one of my favorite heroines. So I give it 3 out of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2011
**General Betty Neels review** i just love Betty Neels! I am a romantic at heart, I can't help it! if you like a good old-fashioned romance, set in England or Holland, with a Cinderella feel, you can't go wrong with this author. all of her books are very similar, yet i can't seem to dislike any of them. i first started reading Betty Neels because they were on my grandmother's shelf, then she sent a box of them for my birthday last year. such fun! Try one and see if you like it.
January 6, 2022
One--for no particular reason--I don't reread that often but one I enjoy every time I do. It's a book that's entirely "the very thin edge of the wedge."
Radinck is a Betty hero who is harsher than most, but he's also a Betty hero with deeper wounds than most. It's interesting to watch Betty navigate that, both within the constraints of her usual Araminta plot structure and giving his wounds and Caro's insights about--and eventual healing of--them room. There's a bit more angst, some more uncertainty, but the Betty MoC mouse-and-aloof-dutch-doctor greatest hits are also all there.
He's silky and unkind and displeased (because he's fighting falling in love). She's in love almost immediately but guards her heart without becoming duplicitous or bitter. He's generous because he's so mannerly and it's also an indicator of his being a good person, at heart. She's generous of heart but has the sense to accept his generosity. There's jewels and fancy clothes and of course, the most interesting bits, pretty silky undies (lol, oh Betty).
Caroline is an excellent Betty heroine. She has such quiet dignity it likes to break your heart in places. She's constrained by so much (existing only in the house, keeping to Radinck's rules, staying so internalized in her quest to win him over somehow), but her character shines through in so many ways. Winning over the household simply by being her caring self, rescuing Queenie, charming Radinck's friends and colleagues. All the while winning over Radinck, increment by increment, although neither are fully aware.
That he begins to tangibly chafe at his rules far earlier than her... telling, delicious. As is Caro holding fast and making him earn every step thereafter.
Like other heroines, Caro makes the most of where she is, keeps busy, and tries to be kind. She also has moments of pique and loses her temper and wants valiantly to stay on an even keel and can't quite, at all times -- and rightly so on all counts.
And to me, here's the thing: no one thinks her plain or unsuitable or lacking thanks to her dignity, charm, and sincerity. It's a lovely thing to realize and then contemplate.
Radinck is very, very slow and reluctant to come out of his shell, and to admit he wanted and needed Caroline in his life from the moment he first had her. It takes time, and Caroline's decision to more or less hold him in continual siege until the realization drops proves the best method.
He's cruel when he suggests a different name for rescued donkey Queenie, but he also instantly regrets it. Caro stands up to it in her way, and makes him eat it in his way too; it's soothed and even cured in them sharing the birth of Queenie's foal and Radinck's gift after that Caro gladly accepts--and he's softened by her acceptance, her wonder in Queenie and the foal, the cozy time they spend together then. (After the book ends, one imagines she wears that pink confection of a dressing gown he gifted her to his room that night after they confess and confirm their love, and he can't swallow or breathe or believe how lucky he is for a good few minutes as she approaches.)
When they finally go to a party and dance, and she fits and floats perfectly in his arms, she thinks by his expression he hates it. Ah, but know Betty (and romance) and know better--he's fighting pulling her close and savoring how perfectly they fit, when he's still at least half-convinced he's too old for love, and that it certainly couldn't come from warm and caring Caro, that she probably doesn't care a jot for him. And after that he fears dancing with her again.
So afraid he won't even dare take her to the next social engagement, the hospital ball.
What a great, perceptive device Betty employed, there. That he doesn't want to trust in love, but also can't trust he's lovable to Caro.
Radinck's bid to make Caro jealous--to make Caro *do something* rather than be the mouse he thought he wanted--is awful and wonderful and mean and understandable. It draws her out, too, but not in the ways he really wants, so he at last it's up to him to make clear his love and convince her of it. As it should be.
This one is a slow-moving dawning realization, and Radinck puts both himself and Caro through it as they get there. He softens by the smallest measure, and then draws back again, but each bit forward feels like a victory. Even as Caro becomes more and more unsure she'll ever succeed in winning his love. Then, at last, he says he's loved her since a foggy quip about attending to her own woulds got past his hardened armor, and in her warmth poured thereafter -- in a steady rising tide versus a deluge, but there it was and happening, all the same.
Of course, now that he realizes he loves her--and allows himself to and her to love him back--they're going to be deliriously happy and quietly contented with one another from here on.
Betty & The Hot (Hot) Baron getting cameos in this of course make my heart sing. They're so content--and had a baby! implied conjugal relations, gasp! lol--and Becky so secure and confident and Tiele so pleased with everything it's a charm to read. I'm so :D to get glimpses of their married life and HEA.
I look forward to the four of them becoming great friends, their children growing up together, and likely Becky & Tiele's first son marrying Caro and Radinck's daughter. I mean, right?
Lastly: the handkerchief! <3
Radinck is a Betty hero who is harsher than most, but he's also a Betty hero with deeper wounds than most. It's interesting to watch Betty navigate that, both within the constraints of her usual Araminta plot structure and giving his wounds and Caro's insights about--and eventual healing of--them room. There's a bit more angst, some more uncertainty, but the Betty MoC mouse-and-aloof-dutch-doctor greatest hits are also all there.
He's silky and unkind and displeased (because he's fighting falling in love). She's in love almost immediately but guards her heart without becoming duplicitous or bitter. He's generous because he's so mannerly and it's also an indicator of his being a good person, at heart. She's generous of heart but has the sense to accept his generosity. There's jewels and fancy clothes and of course, the most interesting bits, pretty silky undies (lol, oh Betty).
Caroline is an excellent Betty heroine. She has such quiet dignity it likes to break your heart in places. She's constrained by so much (existing only in the house, keeping to Radinck's rules, staying so internalized in her quest to win him over somehow), but her character shines through in so many ways. Winning over the household simply by being her caring self, rescuing Queenie, charming Radinck's friends and colleagues. All the while winning over Radinck, increment by increment, although neither are fully aware.
That he begins to tangibly chafe at his rules far earlier than her... telling, delicious. As is Caro holding fast and making him earn every step thereafter.
Like other heroines, Caro makes the most of where she is, keeps busy, and tries to be kind. She also has moments of pique and loses her temper and wants valiantly to stay on an even keel and can't quite, at all times -- and rightly so on all counts.
And to me, here's the thing: no one thinks her plain or unsuitable or lacking thanks to her dignity, charm, and sincerity. It's a lovely thing to realize and then contemplate.
Radinck is very, very slow and reluctant to come out of his shell, and to admit he wanted and needed Caroline in his life from the moment he first had her. It takes time, and Caroline's decision to more or less hold him in continual siege until the realization drops proves the best method.
He's cruel when he suggests a different name for rescued donkey Queenie, but he also instantly regrets it. Caro stands up to it in her way, and makes him eat it in his way too; it's soothed and even cured in them sharing the birth of Queenie's foal and Radinck's gift after that Caro gladly accepts--and he's softened by her acceptance, her wonder in Queenie and the foal, the cozy time they spend together then. (After the book ends, one imagines she wears that pink confection of a dressing gown he gifted her to his room that night after they confess and confirm their love, and he can't swallow or breathe or believe how lucky he is for a good few minutes as she approaches.)
When they finally go to a party and dance, and she fits and floats perfectly in his arms, she thinks by his expression he hates it. Ah, but know Betty (and romance) and know better--he's fighting pulling her close and savoring how perfectly they fit, when he's still at least half-convinced he's too old for love, and that it certainly couldn't come from warm and caring Caro, that she probably doesn't care a jot for him. And after that he fears dancing with her again.
So afraid he won't even dare take her to the next social engagement, the hospital ball.
What a great, perceptive device Betty employed, there. That he doesn't want to trust in love, but also can't trust he's lovable to Caro.
Radinck's bid to make Caro jealous--to make Caro *do something* rather than be the mouse he thought he wanted--is awful and wonderful and mean and understandable. It draws her out, too, but not in the ways he really wants, so he at last it's up to him to make clear his love and convince her of it. As it should be.
This one is a slow-moving dawning realization, and Radinck puts both himself and Caro through it as they get there. He softens by the smallest measure, and then draws back again, but each bit forward feels like a victory. Even as Caro becomes more and more unsure she'll ever succeed in winning his love. Then, at last, he says he's loved her since a foggy quip about attending to her own woulds got past his hardened armor, and in her warmth poured thereafter -- in a steady rising tide versus a deluge, but there it was and happening, all the same.
Of course, now that he realizes he loves her--and allows himself to and her to love him back--they're going to be deliriously happy and quietly contented with one another from here on.
Betty & The Hot (Hot) Baron getting cameos in this of course make my heart sing. They're so content--and had a baby! implied conjugal relations, gasp! lol--and Becky so secure and confident and Tiele so pleased with everything it's a charm to read. I'm so :D to get glimpses of their married life and HEA.
I look forward to the four of them becoming great friends, their children growing up together, and likely Becky & Tiele's first son marrying Caro and Radinck's daughter. I mean, right?
Lastly: the handkerchief! <3
June 13, 2017
I was probably 13 or 14, dying with a cold and desperate for ANYTHING to read. I rummaged through a box of books my mum had, and came across this bad boy. I *sobbed*. I became a Betty Neels fan for life. This was over 20 years ago, and her books are still my go-to when I have nothing else on the go, or I just need some comfort reading.
July 25, 2024
3.5, its the baseline for Betty Neels. I liked the book but it lacked the angst element I've come to appreciate in her books. Still a good read though if you like a mousy compliant h and a somehow harsh and confused H.
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