What do you think?
Rate this book
A Winter Love Story
Claudia Ramsay first met Mr. Thomas Tait-Bullen when he was asked to discuss the health of her great-uncle, Colonel Ramsay. Claudia wasn't at all sure what she thought of the eminent surgeon - and she was astonished when, after the Colonel's death, Thomas unexpectedly proposed!
Claudia longed to accept, but was friendship alone a strong enough basis for marriage? It took a delightful Christmas with Thomas's family for Claudia to realize she loved her new husband. Now she had to find a way to persuade Thomas to love her....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
95 people are currently reading
159 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 12, 2018
Claudia Ramsay is a red-haired Olivia, living with a loving mother and a number of FFRs in a small village with her great-uncle, who has a severe heart condition. This necessitates a second opinion by an eminent cardiologist, Professor Thomas Tait-Bullen. Colonel Ramsey refuses surgical intervention, but likes Professor Tait-Bullen and asks him to visit as a friend. Thomas, meanwhile, having met Claudia and having become interested in her, does so. Colonel Ramsey dies within weeks and the house and estate go to a distant cousin, who of course, throws them all out of the house immediately after the funeral.
Luckily, the local GP is in love with Claudia’s mother and he quickly proposes marriage; he also offers a job and home to Tombs, the butler, and Mrs. Pratt, the housekeeper (being miraculously able to afford the salaries of two full-time live-in staff!) as well as the family dog. Only Claudia is left dangling, so she quickly accepts a job as a general flunky at a poorly-run geriatric hospital and pretends to be ecstatic with her lot. Fortunately, Thomas quickly comes to the rescue and proposes a MOC.
Thomas has his DR fairly soon and we are told several times that he has his feelings (and unsaid, his libido) under tight control. When Claudia leans into the open window to kiss him, he jerks back; of course, she misinterprets this, not realizing that he wants to, ahem, take their relationship to the next level.
Christmas is delightful, as is their finding a country cottage together, which Thomas buys. Indeed, when Claudia finally has her own DR and things come to a head, Claudia runs away to the cottage, where Thomas finds her and he can, at last, let go his iron control. *nudge nudge wink wink* 3 ¾ stars.
Luckily, the local GP is in love with Claudia’s mother and he quickly proposes marriage; he also offers a job and home to Tombs, the butler, and Mrs. Pratt, the housekeeper (being miraculously able to afford the salaries of two full-time live-in staff!) as well as the family dog. Only Claudia is left dangling, so she quickly accepts a job as a general flunky at a poorly-run geriatric hospital and pretends to be ecstatic with her lot. Fortunately, Thomas quickly comes to the rescue and proposes a MOC.
Thomas has his DR fairly soon and we are told several times that he has his feelings (and unsaid, his libido) under tight control. When Claudia leans into the open window to kiss him, he jerks back; of course, she misinterprets this, not realizing that he wants to, ahem, take their relationship to the next level.
Christmas is delightful, as is their finding a country cottage together, which Thomas buys. Indeed, when Claudia finally has her own DR and things come to a head, Claudia runs away to the cottage, where Thomas finds her and he can, at last, let go his iron control. *nudge nudge wink wink* 3 ¾ stars.
May 19, 2021
AWLS (1998) is pleasant enough, but a little slow going even for Betty. It's a typical MoC story.
Such a standard Betty outing, and while it has the usual charms of excellent writing and descriptions of lavish comforts, it doesn't really stand out in the field of similar stories.
Such a standard Betty outing, and while it has the usual charms of excellent writing and descriptions of lavish comforts, it doesn't really stand out in the field of similar stories.
July 11, 2025
Aww this was a good one! I’d say 4.5 stars. It’s a marriage of convenience but I think one of the most realistic of the MOC Bettys I’ve read with the way both Thomas and Claudia’s love grows for each other. Very endearing. Claudia has a lovely mum. Thomas’s family is delightful. I only wish we got more of them and their Lake District home. The little dog Harvey is a sweet thing too. If only the happy ending was just a trifle longer. 😂
October 28, 2013
This story did not work for me at all. The hero was a cold fish and the heroine was only interested in a "sugar daddy". One that provided a beautiful home, beautiful dresses, and jewelry that she could parade around in. They were both so predictable and one dimensional they just aggravated me. I kept turning the pages hoping one of them would turn into someone worth reading about. Sadly, that was not the case.
The hero spent all his time working, touring and the heroine looked for things to do since she was bored to death. It was page after page of internal dialogues desperately trying to convince herself that her marriage was wonderful when her husband didn't give a damned about her. Most of the book is about shopping expeditions, and lonely dinners. Even the OW was so watered down she was basically milk toast.
Their marriage was a train-wreck. I'm not convinced that these two emotionally stunted characters will make a go of it.
The best part of the book was Cork, the butler/housekeeper and Harvey, the rescued puppy.
I recommend a pass.
The hero spent all his time working, touring and the heroine looked for things to do since she was bored to death. It was page after page of internal dialogues desperately trying to convince herself that her marriage was wonderful when her husband didn't give a damned about her. Most of the book is about shopping expeditions, and lonely dinners. Even the OW was so watered down she was basically milk toast.
Their marriage was a train-wreck. I'm not convinced that these two emotionally stunted characters will make a go of it.
The best part of the book was Cork, the butler/housekeeper and Harvey, the rescued puppy.
I recommend a pass.
December 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this sweet story. Typical Neels, Claudia and Thomas have a marriage of convenience that takes place before the half-way point and they spend the rest of the story falling in love with each other. There wasn't much to the plot but I didn't mind that as both the MC's were thoroughly nice people.
Much is made in the blog-sphere about the food, (lashings of cream), clothes and cars in Neels' books, and they do add to the reader's pleasure. I'm particularly fond of unique place names, though, and some of her books have good ones. This book has Child Okeford, which I particularly liked. (I always enjoy looking up some of the places online and seeing pictures, too.)
Much is made in the blog-sphere about the food, (lashings of cream), clothes and cars in Neels' books, and they do add to the reader's pleasure. I'm particularly fond of unique place names, though, and some of her books have good ones. This book has Child Okeford, which I particularly liked. (I always enjoy looking up some of the places online and seeing pictures, too.)
July 24, 2015
I love the watercolor artwork on the cover. Betty Neels is (was) a prolific British author, and many of her paperbacks were reissued in digital e-book format with beautiful watercolor illustrations. All her books are squeaky clean, fairly similar, and evenly paced, for the most part. Neels writes great details about the setting, the food, clothing, etc. Set in contemporary England and the Netherlands, reading her books feels like stepping back to a gentler time.
I read this book years ago, and enjoyed it, but nothing stands out in my mind. However, Claudia is among the relatively few beautiful heroines Neels created. No ordinary mouse here! Having stuck her neck out so far, Neels retreated to her safe zone, for the hero is — you guessed it — a doctor. Betty must have felt safest in writing medical romances, for she had been a nurse until she started writing romances in retirement.
This is a marriage of convenience story with a splendid white Christmas.
Excerpt, the first time he sees her:
I read this book years ago, and enjoyed it, but nothing stands out in my mind. However, Claudia is among the relatively few beautiful heroines Neels created. No ordinary mouse here! Having stuck her neck out so far, Neels retreated to her safe zone, for the hero is — you guessed it — a doctor. Betty must have felt safest in writing medical romances, for she had been a nurse until she started writing romances in retirement.
This is a marriage of convenience story with a splendid white Christmas.
Excerpt, the first time he sees her:
"She picked up her duster, sneezed again, and bent to her task, a tall, slim but shapely girl with a lovely face and shining copper hair, which was piled untidily on top of her head and half covered by another duster, secured by a piece of string. Her shapely person was shrouded in a large print pinny several sizes too big, her face had a dusty smear on one cheek and her nose shone. Nevertheless she looked beautiful, and the man watching her from the half-open door smiled his appreciation before giving a little cough.
Claudia looked over her shoulder at him. There was nothing about him to make her feel uneasy—indeed, he was the epitome of understated elegance, with an air of assurance which was in itself reassuring. He was a big man, very tall and powerfully built, not so very young but with the kind of good looks which could only improve with age. His hair was pepper and salt, cut short. He might be in his late thirties. Claudia wondered who he was.
'Have you come to see Great-Uncle William or my mother? You came in through the wrong door—but of course you weren't to know that.' She smiled at him kindly, not wishing him to feel awkward.
He showed no signs of discomfort. 'Colonel Ramsay.' His commanding nose twisted at the dust. 'Should you not open a window? The dust…'
August 4, 2014
I collect Betty Neels-isms. Previously, my favorites were (regarding a child) -- mix him a feed, bring up his wind, bath him, and pot him. But now I have two new favorites: the doctor got down on his "hunkers" and they let the dog out of the car to "air his tail." These will be hard to top.
February 20, 2019
They were deeply in love but they hid their feeling perfectly . The story is cosy and delightful, I enjoyed the expressions , the rituals of the protagonists and the happy ending.
Such kind of books needs a happy mood , a thick blanket and a big mug of tea to relish the reading moments 😆
Such kind of books needs a happy mood , a thick blanket and a big mug of tea to relish the reading moments 😆
December 9, 2024
Reading category romance is a great way to practice my Spanish, as the language is pretty standard and the dialogue generally fits normal speech patterns. This wasn't my favorite book by Neels, but I had fun working my way through it.
December 16, 2016
One of the first Harlequin authors I remember reading. I was completely enthralled by the exotic locales in her books when I was 14. Now reading these books are more of a way of remembering the aunt who got me started on them. I'll probably always love them due to the nostalgia factor. her books will always be some of my favorites to re-read.
Read
December 29, 2014Miniseries: The Best of Betty Neels
September 30, 2014
still 3.5, Betty Neels's books are so predictable, I wonder if I'll be able to read ten of them.
May 7, 2019
A déjà-vu boring love story...
July 10, 2023
Winter in England is cold enough that you need to wear a sweater, probably a warm coat. Love comes after you get married . It helps if you have lots of money and a Rolls.
June 16, 2021
Protagonists:
Heroine: Claudia Ramsay, a "nearly 27" year old, "shapely girl with a lovely face and shining copper hair." Along with her mother, they are dependents of her great-uncle, Colonel Ramsay. She is untrained for any profession.
Hero: Dr. Thomas Tait-Bullen. He's an English (not Dutch) "surgeon of some fame" who has been called upon to form a second opinion about the health of Colonel Ramsay. He's determined that he will never fall in love again because of a failed romance in his youth. He's 39, and true to form as with other BN heroes, he could learn to become a better communicator of his thoughts and feelings.
Plot:
Claudia and her mother face eviction from their home when Colonel Ramsay passes away, as his estate comes into the possession of an unpleasant distant cousin. Although her mother remarries, Claudia must make her own way, and finds a job as a general assistant at a geriatric hospital. However, it is a difficult life to what Claudia had previously known while the Colonel was alive. Claudia lives on site at the hospital, wishing to give her mother and new step-father privacy for their fledgling marriage.
Dr. Tait-Bullen, who has been attracted to Claudia from page 1 (page 201 in my edition), proposes a marriage of convenience. He's her knight in shining armour, swooping in to rescue her from a life of drudgery, and likely, a dead-end job with little hope of advancement, unless she is able to save enough to train for something else.
And she no longer needs to worry about this, as the good doctor marries her, convincing her that they would do nicely together, as they appear to like each other. However, he is quite clear that he does not love her, but is looking for a life companion. He believes that she would be able to fill this role well.
Claudia is ushered into a lifestyle that is characterized by shopping, mulitple homes, and a busy social life (hospital balls, tea times with other doctors' wives, etc.). She also gets welcomed into the warmth of Thomas' large family. In a few short weeks, Claudia realizes that she wants more than friendship with Thomas; she wants his heart. Will she get what she is hoping for?
Antagonists:
Mr. Ramsay, the unpleasant and uncaring distant cousin who casts Claudia and her mother out of their home. He sounds like he has taken lessons from Mrs. John Dashwood, from Sense and Sensibility, as he doesn't care to make any provision for his poor relations, even though it is within his means to do so. However, he and his wife are quickly forgotten, as they serve plotwise to put Claudia and her mom in the situation of needing to find a better living situation.
Honor Thompson is the woman who had hoped to marry Dr. Tait-Bullen, and sticks a spoke to damage the trust between Claudia and Thomas.
Stuff that this novel also has:
A husband who is happy to wait patiently while his wife goes shopping for a brand new and expensive wardrobe...and he tells her to buy more after previewing what she has already selected.
Adopting a woe-be-gone puppy that becomes the beloved family pet.
A marriage by a special license in relatively modern times. This was interesting to me. I thought that this happened historically (as in the Regency Era) and was no longer used.
So...did I like this novel?
Thomas gets brownie points for not talking silkily to Claudia.
I liked Thomas, and he seemed to be warmer and more pleasant than most BN heroes. The interesting thing about Thomas is that he seemed to be quite perceptive of what Claudia was thinking when it came to her insecurities. He always seemed to recognize when to reassure her when she felt self conscious about her looks and abilities. An additional plus was that he liked Claudia from the start, and recognized that she would make a good wife for him. However, they got married rather quickly. They definitely didn't know each other well enough to communicate effectively. In my opinion, in real life, those would present "proceed with caution" signs. Taking the time to get to know each other would have taken care of this, especially if Thomas' assessment about Claudia's suitability as a wife is true.
I was also mildly horrified by Claudia's rationalization on getting married quickly. On page 276 (in my edition), she says, "Yes, Thomas. It's a bit unusual, isn't it? Getting married like this. But if we're sure, and it's what we want, there's no point in mulling it over for months, is there? And I don't suppose that if we were engaged for a long time we'd see much of each other-I mean, get to know each other better-for you would be working and I'd be bogged down in plans for the wedding."
His answer: "What a sensible girl you are, Claudia."
My response: !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not a marriage counselor, and I know of some people who have gotten married quickly and have had successful marriages. However, from my perspective, I can't believe that he said that, because I don't think that it's sensible at all. I think that getting to know each other is more important than planning the wedding, because we're talking about a relationship that is supposed to last for a very long time. In my opinion, it would be better to invest time and energy in things that would help in the success of the marriage. If it's important to you, you'll make the time for it. C'mon...priorities, Thomas and Claudia! I'm of the opinion that it's wiser to find out important, possibly deal-breaking facts before marriage.
This particular novel also reminded me a lot of the regencies in which the plot involves a marriage of convenience where the couple eventually get their love match. As I mentioned before, there was the special license, and the separate bedrooms, even after the marriage which took place in Chapter 4. Thomas says on page 293, "Let us give ourselves time to get to know and understand each other." In other words, for the first little while of their marriage (and for the rest of the time readers spend with these two), they will live as flatmates. As this is a BN novel, there is no mention of any hanky panky, except for allusions to becoming a father, and having a handful of sons and daughters, which by the way, I repeat, would have been good things to discuss before they got married.
Personality-wise, I liked the hero better than most BN heroes. I didn't care for the protagonists' rationalizations for their quick marriage. Maybe Thomas' decision was driven by lust to some degree, and not sense. However, that is conjecture, and even so, he didn't press for marital relations at the start. I can understand Claudia's desperation rushing her decision making processes, but...wow. This novel required some suspension of belief for me.
This review is also posted in my blog at :
https://whatiscbreading.blogspot.com
Heroine: Claudia Ramsay, a "nearly 27" year old, "shapely girl with a lovely face and shining copper hair." Along with her mother, they are dependents of her great-uncle, Colonel Ramsay. She is untrained for any profession.
Hero: Dr. Thomas Tait-Bullen. He's an English (not Dutch) "surgeon of some fame" who has been called upon to form a second opinion about the health of Colonel Ramsay. He's determined that he will never fall in love again because of a failed romance in his youth. He's 39, and true to form as with other BN heroes, he could learn to become a better communicator of his thoughts and feelings.
Plot:
Claudia and her mother face eviction from their home when Colonel Ramsay passes away, as his estate comes into the possession of an unpleasant distant cousin. Although her mother remarries, Claudia must make her own way, and finds a job as a general assistant at a geriatric hospital. However, it is a difficult life to what Claudia had previously known while the Colonel was alive. Claudia lives on site at the hospital, wishing to give her mother and new step-father privacy for their fledgling marriage.
Dr. Tait-Bullen, who has been attracted to Claudia from page 1 (page 201 in my edition), proposes a marriage of convenience. He's her knight in shining armour, swooping in to rescue her from a life of drudgery, and likely, a dead-end job with little hope of advancement, unless she is able to save enough to train for something else.
And she no longer needs to worry about this, as the good doctor marries her, convincing her that they would do nicely together, as they appear to like each other. However, he is quite clear that he does not love her, but is looking for a life companion. He believes that she would be able to fill this role well.
Claudia is ushered into a lifestyle that is characterized by shopping, mulitple homes, and a busy social life (hospital balls, tea times with other doctors' wives, etc.). She also gets welcomed into the warmth of Thomas' large family. In a few short weeks, Claudia realizes that she wants more than friendship with Thomas; she wants his heart. Will she get what she is hoping for?
Antagonists:
Mr. Ramsay, the unpleasant and uncaring distant cousin who casts Claudia and her mother out of their home. He sounds like he has taken lessons from Mrs. John Dashwood, from Sense and Sensibility, as he doesn't care to make any provision for his poor relations, even though it is within his means to do so. However, he and his wife are quickly forgotten, as they serve plotwise to put Claudia and her mom in the situation of needing to find a better living situation.
Honor Thompson is the woman who had hoped to marry Dr. Tait-Bullen, and sticks a spoke to damage the trust between Claudia and Thomas.
Stuff that this novel also has:
A husband who is happy to wait patiently while his wife goes shopping for a brand new and expensive wardrobe...and he tells her to buy more after previewing what she has already selected.
Adopting a woe-be-gone puppy that becomes the beloved family pet.
A marriage by a special license in relatively modern times. This was interesting to me. I thought that this happened historically (as in the Regency Era) and was no longer used.
So...did I like this novel?
Thomas gets brownie points for not talking silkily to Claudia.
I liked Thomas, and he seemed to be warmer and more pleasant than most BN heroes. The interesting thing about Thomas is that he seemed to be quite perceptive of what Claudia was thinking when it came to her insecurities. He always seemed to recognize when to reassure her when she felt self conscious about her looks and abilities. An additional plus was that he liked Claudia from the start, and recognized that she would make a good wife for him. However, they got married rather quickly. They definitely didn't know each other well enough to communicate effectively. In my opinion, in real life, those would present "proceed with caution" signs. Taking the time to get to know each other would have taken care of this, especially if Thomas' assessment about Claudia's suitability as a wife is true.
I was also mildly horrified by Claudia's rationalization on getting married quickly. On page 276 (in my edition), she says, "Yes, Thomas. It's a bit unusual, isn't it? Getting married like this. But if we're sure, and it's what we want, there's no point in mulling it over for months, is there? And I don't suppose that if we were engaged for a long time we'd see much of each other-I mean, get to know each other better-for you would be working and I'd be bogged down in plans for the wedding."
His answer: "What a sensible girl you are, Claudia."
My response: !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not a marriage counselor, and I know of some people who have gotten married quickly and have had successful marriages. However, from my perspective, I can't believe that he said that, because I don't think that it's sensible at all. I think that getting to know each other is more important than planning the wedding, because we're talking about a relationship that is supposed to last for a very long time. In my opinion, it would be better to invest time and energy in things that would help in the success of the marriage. If it's important to you, you'll make the time for it. C'mon...priorities, Thomas and Claudia! I'm of the opinion that it's wiser to find out important, possibly deal-breaking facts before marriage.
This particular novel also reminded me a lot of the regencies in which the plot involves a marriage of convenience where the couple eventually get their love match. As I mentioned before, there was the special license, and the separate bedrooms, even after the marriage which took place in Chapter 4. Thomas says on page 293, "Let us give ourselves time to get to know and understand each other." In other words, for the first little while of their marriage (and for the rest of the time readers spend with these two), they will live as flatmates. As this is a BN novel, there is no mention of any hanky panky, except for allusions to becoming a father, and having a handful of sons and daughters, which by the way, I repeat, would have been good things to discuss before they got married.
Personality-wise, I liked the hero better than most BN heroes. I didn't care for the protagonists' rationalizations for their quick marriage. Maybe Thomas' decision was driven by lust to some degree, and not sense. However, that is conjecture, and even so, he didn't press for marital relations at the start. I can understand Claudia's desperation rushing her decision making processes, but...wow. This novel required some suspension of belief for me.
This review is also posted in my blog at :
https://whatiscbreading.blogspot.com
November 24, 2014
The comfortable feeling of a Betty Neels book is the salvation of the story. The heroine starts so strong. First page makes her seem a speak-ones-own-mind kinda gal...Amanda then after the wedding....blah. I see this happening in the later works of Ms. Neels. However, I could be wrong. Maybe this strong heroine-turns-wimp is just interspersed among some Neels' works period. But as I said...the comfort of a Neels' piece can override this issue when one wants to truly escape the cray cray world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2020
This is a reread, since I have real all of Betty Neels' books before. I love this one because it doesn't have a lot of drama. Mainly, the plot is that these two people love each other deeply, but are afraid to tell the other. It's a gentle progression toward the end and eventual happiness. I love the little dog that Claudia rescues. Harvey is so sweet and lovable. Betty Neels must have loved animals. There are many in her romances.
March 9, 2012
Traditional Betty, very sweet and lovely story with a nice heroine and hero.
January 7, 2014
Just love Betty Neels books
November 15, 2017
Wonderful
I could read one of these every day. So sweet and clean and actually pretty interesting. Love the descriptions of scenery and houses, as well as the people in the stories
I could read one of these every day. So sweet and clean and actually pretty interesting. Love the descriptions of scenery and houses, as well as the people in the stories
July 28, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
October 4, 2018
I always enjoy escaping contemporary life by reading a vintage romance by Betty Neels.
December 27, 2022
Overall this is a rather bland Betty, and a lesser amalgam of several of her other books. Also, as an Olivia story, it's already a lesser-Betty book for me, as I'll always prefer the Araminta travails and triumphs.
And with this I'm at 50 and have made my year's reading goal! Rereading Bettys (winter-and-Christmas themed to narrow the choice down) for the comfort/cheer, getting them onto GR, and speeding through the need-to-read gap before the year's end was an excellent strategy.
The one with the old great uncle who dies, the family must hie off the estate for a dreaded cousin, she briefly gets a job as a nursing aide, and then it's a MOC to a nonRDD.
Quick notes:
-- Takes way too long for either to have their dawning realization, and the book really lags for that and some other things. But I like Claudia and Thomas and how open and honest they are, how game and friendly, before falling in love makes them temporarily foolish before forever wise in one another. They're just so tepid and slow about it all along the way.
-- Crusty uncle needs heart surgery, refuses, dies soon enough. This brings nonRDD into Claudia's life
-- Odious cousin inherits, tosses everyone, including faithful retainers who recognize it won't be wise to stay on working for odious cousin, out
-- Claudia's mother on to marry a stable and nice older doctor, and Claudia, without any other offers or degrees as yet, to a terrible little job as a geriatric hospital nursing aide, but at least it's live-in...
-- She fears she shall have to become a dreaded Career Girl
-- Thomas drives her from mom & doc's wedding back to the hospital, angles for a day off together
-- Day off together is lovely, so they have a second, and at it Thomas sensibly proposes a sensible MOC in the unwelcoming social room of the hospital, whereupon Claudia sums up MOC is far better than grim work or Career Girl tract and sensibly accepts
-- Sensible outfit is procured, followed by a sensible and small wedding
-- Grandmother's sapphire and diamond ring!
-- On a brisk walk on their wedding morning, Thomas admits to falling for her at first sight, although neither realize that as yet
-- To the London home
-- A shopping trip to Harrod's! Dresses, tweeds, and of course, undies
-- Puppy rescue! Claudia finds the poor thing tied up in the park, brings him home, Thomas says of course we must keep him
-- Terrible other woman comes on the only day Thomas is home early enough for tea, openly hates the dog, is rude to Claudia, tries to be a muck in the works but doesn't pull it off
-- Hospital ball! Claudia is given grandmother's pearl set but she's starting to want companionship and gifts from Thomas himself and is desperate not to show it
-- She enchants at the ball and a deluge of invitations are expected; he seems disturbed and she promises to fob off as many as possible, but really it's just cracks are showing
-- Shop for a country home, find a cottage after looking at all of one cottage
-- They meet late/early in the hall, and here, his dawning realization, but it causes him to go remote and bland, naturally
-- She walks Harvey, is bothered by some young punks, is treated Thomas's beastly rage (from fear) that she's been foolish, but he soon apologizes
-- To his far north childhood home for Christmas with his family; this is a lovely section in the book
-- Christmas presents include one for her from Harvey (rescued puppy), which is a sweet detail
-- Faithful retainer Cork gets flu, so it's up to Claudia to make NYE dinner which they cozily eat in the kitchen rather than having a big splash out
-- Off to tour their now Christmas Cottage, to her delight and his repression
-- While Thomas is away, happenstance meets Horrid Woman again, and Claudia believes just a little bit of her mischief
-- Claudia drives to the cottage after Thomas is icily unkind about their marriage and if she trusts him, he finds her there, revelations and admissions, and a believable HEA ensues
And with this I'm at 50 and have made my year's reading goal! Rereading Bettys (winter-and-Christmas themed to narrow the choice down) for the comfort/cheer, getting them onto GR, and speeding through the need-to-read gap before the year's end was an excellent strategy.
The one with the old great uncle who dies, the family must hie off the estate for a dreaded cousin, she briefly gets a job as a nursing aide, and then it's a MOC to a nonRDD.
Quick notes:
-- Takes way too long for either to have their dawning realization, and the book really lags for that and some other things. But I like Claudia and Thomas and how open and honest they are, how game and friendly, before falling in love makes them temporarily foolish before forever wise in one another. They're just so tepid and slow about it all along the way.
-- Crusty uncle needs heart surgery, refuses, dies soon enough. This brings nonRDD into Claudia's life
-- Odious cousin inherits, tosses everyone, including faithful retainers who recognize it won't be wise to stay on working for odious cousin, out
-- Claudia's mother on to marry a stable and nice older doctor, and Claudia, without any other offers or degrees as yet, to a terrible little job as a geriatric hospital nursing aide, but at least it's live-in...
-- She fears she shall have to become a dreaded Career Girl
-- Thomas drives her from mom & doc's wedding back to the hospital, angles for a day off together
-- Day off together is lovely, so they have a second, and at it Thomas sensibly proposes a sensible MOC in the unwelcoming social room of the hospital, whereupon Claudia sums up MOC is far better than grim work or Career Girl tract and sensibly accepts
-- Sensible outfit is procured, followed by a sensible and small wedding
-- Grandmother's sapphire and diamond ring!
-- On a brisk walk on their wedding morning, Thomas admits to falling for her at first sight, although neither realize that as yet
-- To the London home
-- A shopping trip to Harrod's! Dresses, tweeds, and of course, undies
-- Puppy rescue! Claudia finds the poor thing tied up in the park, brings him home, Thomas says of course we must keep him
-- Terrible other woman comes on the only day Thomas is home early enough for tea, openly hates the dog, is rude to Claudia, tries to be a muck in the works but doesn't pull it off
-- Hospital ball! Claudia is given grandmother's pearl set but she's starting to want companionship and gifts from Thomas himself and is desperate not to show it
-- She enchants at the ball and a deluge of invitations are expected; he seems disturbed and she promises to fob off as many as possible, but really it's just cracks are showing
-- Shop for a country home, find a cottage after looking at all of one cottage
-- They meet late/early in the hall, and here, his dawning realization, but it causes him to go remote and bland, naturally
-- She walks Harvey, is bothered by some young punks, is treated Thomas's beastly rage (from fear) that she's been foolish, but he soon apologizes
-- To his far north childhood home for Christmas with his family; this is a lovely section in the book
-- Christmas presents include one for her from Harvey (rescued puppy), which is a sweet detail
-- Faithful retainer Cork gets flu, so it's up to Claudia to make NYE dinner which they cozily eat in the kitchen rather than having a big splash out
-- Off to tour their now Christmas Cottage, to her delight and his repression
-- While Thomas is away, happenstance meets Horrid Woman again, and Claudia believes just a little bit of her mischief
-- Claudia drives to the cottage after Thomas is icily unkind about their marriage and if she trusts him, he finds her there, revelations and admissions, and a believable HEA ensues
August 28, 2018
Betty Neels se ha convertido en un clásico de mi fin de semana.
Despues de una semana laboral ajetreada, nada mejor que para descansar un poco la mente es leer, y por lo menos un día del fin de semana lo dedico a leer a esta escritora romántica.
Estos dos títulos los leí en un suspiro, las novelas son cortas y facilísimas de leer. Las historias son típicas. La primera “Al final del día”, es la historia de Lauris y Julia. Trabajan juntos desde hace 3 años pero cuando empieza la novela es que recién se dan cuenta de la existencia del uno y del otro. Lauris parece que le ha echado el ojo a Julia quien está comprometida. Pero eso no impide que logre meterse de a poco en su vida, y cuando ella termina con su novio, él está ahí para contenerla, lo demás es totalmente predecible.
“Una historia de amor en invierno” es un Neels muy típico, Claudia y Thomas los protagonistas tienen un matrimonio de conveniencia en el inicio de la novela y desde la mitad más o menos se pasan el resto de la historia enamorándose uno del otro. No hay mucha trama, pero no me importa, y por supuesto que nuestra modesta heroína es bastante simple y tierna, la verdad que Betty nunca intelectualiza demasiado el cerebro de sus heroínas, me refiero a que son chicas bondadosas, tiernas, prácticas y nobles si fueran demasiados intelectuales podrían cansarse ante la perspectiva de un futuro lleno de arreglos florales, bordados, tejidos, niños o en su calidad de esposa y socialité de un prestigioso doctor. También hay que tener en cuenta la epoca de origen de la escritora y que el feminismo apenas se asomaba por aquellos años en los cuales enarmorarse (o no), casarse bien y tener hijos era mas importante que ser una profesional independiente.
Una vez más nos encontramos con protagonistas que son en este caso enfermeras y ellos doctores holandeses. Neels escribe grandes detalles sobre el entorno y como siempre los protagonistas son buenos para comer, hay muchos desayunos y cenas, mucho té y café a mediodía, muchos tortas y emparedados, ropa (las protagonistas se la pasan comprando prendas de buena calidad) hay descripciones de vestidos y accesorios (¿como hacen estas chicas para saber comprar justo los vestidos que necesitan para cada ocasión?) y autos (Rolls Royce en el caso de los protagonistas). En el caso de Claudia su vida transcurre entre compras, mañanas o tardes de té con señoras organizando eventos benéficos, teje o borda, lee, y por supuesto recogen ya sea gatitos o perritos abandonados (esto demuestra el corazón bondadoso de Betty Neels, nunca falta la mascota simpática que es rescatada por los protagonistas), ambos siempre son amantes de los animales ya sea perros, gatos y gustan de cabalgar.
Betty Neels fue una prolífica autora británica, y todos sus libros son absolutamente limpios(no hay erotismo), sobrios, muy similares, y de ritmo uniforme. Las tramas están ubicadas en la Inglaterra contemporánea y en los Países Bajos Holanda principalmente, por lo que nunca faltan los lugares y pueblos bonitos ya sea en Holanda o Inglaterra (siempre googleo los lugares viendo fotos y mapas) por lo que los protagonistas van de paseo o de viaje a idilicos lugares, siempre hay desayunos o meriendas en hoteles encantadores… y en mi caso disfruto bastante con tooodas estas descripciones de ropa, ciudades,autos,comidas, etc.
Leer los libros de Betty N. es como retroceder a una época más tranquila y amable, sin grandes sobresaltos. Quizás sus historias no son muy novedosas y bastante repetitivas que nos hablan mucho de la rutina de las protagonistas y de un amor tranquilo, pero como ya he comentado tienen algo que a mi me gustan y he creado adición con sus novelas.
No son las mejores historias pero como de costumbre con Betty Nells me ha entregado un par de horas de diversión escapista con dos romances tiernos y muy, muy a la antigua.
Despues de una semana laboral ajetreada, nada mejor que para descansar un poco la mente es leer, y por lo menos un día del fin de semana lo dedico a leer a esta escritora romántica.
Estos dos títulos los leí en un suspiro, las novelas son cortas y facilísimas de leer. Las historias son típicas. La primera “Al final del día”, es la historia de Lauris y Julia. Trabajan juntos desde hace 3 años pero cuando empieza la novela es que recién se dan cuenta de la existencia del uno y del otro. Lauris parece que le ha echado el ojo a Julia quien está comprometida. Pero eso no impide que logre meterse de a poco en su vida, y cuando ella termina con su novio, él está ahí para contenerla, lo demás es totalmente predecible.
“Una historia de amor en invierno” es un Neels muy típico, Claudia y Thomas los protagonistas tienen un matrimonio de conveniencia en el inicio de la novela y desde la mitad más o menos se pasan el resto de la historia enamorándose uno del otro. No hay mucha trama, pero no me importa, y por supuesto que nuestra modesta heroína es bastante simple y tierna, la verdad que Betty nunca intelectualiza demasiado el cerebro de sus heroínas, me refiero a que son chicas bondadosas, tiernas, prácticas y nobles si fueran demasiados intelectuales podrían cansarse ante la perspectiva de un futuro lleno de arreglos florales, bordados, tejidos, niños o en su calidad de esposa y socialité de un prestigioso doctor. También hay que tener en cuenta la epoca de origen de la escritora y que el feminismo apenas se asomaba por aquellos años en los cuales enarmorarse (o no), casarse bien y tener hijos era mas importante que ser una profesional independiente.
Una vez más nos encontramos con protagonistas que son en este caso enfermeras y ellos doctores holandeses. Neels escribe grandes detalles sobre el entorno y como siempre los protagonistas son buenos para comer, hay muchos desayunos y cenas, mucho té y café a mediodía, muchos tortas y emparedados, ropa (las protagonistas se la pasan comprando prendas de buena calidad) hay descripciones de vestidos y accesorios (¿como hacen estas chicas para saber comprar justo los vestidos que necesitan para cada ocasión?) y autos (Rolls Royce en el caso de los protagonistas). En el caso de Claudia su vida transcurre entre compras, mañanas o tardes de té con señoras organizando eventos benéficos, teje o borda, lee, y por supuesto recogen ya sea gatitos o perritos abandonados (esto demuestra el corazón bondadoso de Betty Neels, nunca falta la mascota simpática que es rescatada por los protagonistas), ambos siempre son amantes de los animales ya sea perros, gatos y gustan de cabalgar.
Betty Neels fue una prolífica autora británica, y todos sus libros son absolutamente limpios(no hay erotismo), sobrios, muy similares, y de ritmo uniforme. Las tramas están ubicadas en la Inglaterra contemporánea y en los Países Bajos Holanda principalmente, por lo que nunca faltan los lugares y pueblos bonitos ya sea en Holanda o Inglaterra (siempre googleo los lugares viendo fotos y mapas) por lo que los protagonistas van de paseo o de viaje a idilicos lugares, siempre hay desayunos o meriendas en hoteles encantadores… y en mi caso disfruto bastante con tooodas estas descripciones de ropa, ciudades,autos,comidas, etc.
Leer los libros de Betty N. es como retroceder a una época más tranquila y amable, sin grandes sobresaltos. Quizás sus historias no son muy novedosas y bastante repetitivas que nos hablan mucho de la rutina de las protagonistas y de un amor tranquilo, pero como ya he comentado tienen algo que a mi me gustan y he creado adición con sus novelas.
No son las mejores historias pero como de costumbre con Betty Nells me ha entregado un par de horas de diversión escapista con dos romances tiernos y muy, muy a la antigua.
January 27, 2025
Це такий дуже prim and proper romance, де всі ходять торованими стежками, п’ють чай з правильних чашок, говорять дворецьким доречні слова і мовчать про найголовніше, поки аж зовсім не припече. Але потім усе одно повертаються до prim and proper.
Головна героїня не знає, куди себе діти після смерті діда, бо маєток переходить до далеких родичів, але нагодився дідів хірург приємної зовнішності і в розквіті сил, і каже: мені потрібна дружина, з якою можна дружити і дітей, а не оце всякі пристрасті, бо в мене пацієнти, вам підходить? Оскільки героїня дуже вихована, то їй нормально, але з часом любов усе-таки на них напала. Дуже незручно, довелося трохи понервувати і навіть визнати взаємні почуття, та потім утряслося, і на цьому кінець.
На підтанцьовках дворецький з доречними заувагами, знайдений цуцик з доречним прізвиськом Гарві, сімейство героя з доречним святкуванням Різдва і ще з десяток правильних і доречних персонажів. Авторка написала це у дев’яностих (і там є телефон у автівці), але вона завжди пише п’ятдесяті. Усе гладеньке, гарне і обтесане – і це не погана характеристика; якщо хочеться почитати абсолютно передбачуване, щоб особливо не зачіпало, але лишало приємно невиразне відчуття, то далі шукати не треба.
Головна героїня не знає, куди себе діти після смерті діда, бо маєток переходить до далеких родичів, але нагодився дідів хірург приємної зовнішності і в розквіті сил, і каже: мені потрібна дружина, з якою можна дружити і дітей, а не оце всякі пристрасті, бо в мене пацієнти, вам підходить? Оскільки героїня дуже вихована, то їй нормально, але з часом любов усе-таки на них напала. Дуже незручно, довелося трохи понервувати і навіть визнати взаємні почуття, та потім утряслося, і на цьому кінець.
На підтанцьовках дворецький з доречними заувагами, знайдений цуцик з доречним прізвиськом Гарві, сімейство героя з доречним святкуванням Різдва і ще з десяток правильних і доречних персонажів. Авторка написала це у дев’яностих (і там є телефон у автівці), але вона завжди пише п’ятдесяті. Усе гладеньке, гарне і обтесане – і це не погана характеристика; якщо хочеться почитати абсолютно передбачуване, щоб особливо не зачіпало, але лишало приємно невиразне відчуття, то далі шукати не треба.
September 10, 2022
4.5 Betty Stars.
This was a rare first-time Betty Neels read for me and it’s in my favorite style of Betty- the kind where the hero loves the heroine more or less from the beginning and we get his perspective, and he does more pining for the heroine than the usual heroine-centric unrequited love he experiences. In this story, the premise is that while treating her late uncle’s heart condition, Thomas (RBD) meets the beautiful Claudia, who’s uncertain how she feels about him. When her uncle dies and she and her mother are thrown out by their distant cousin heir, Claudia is at loose ends stuck in a dead-end job at a geriatric hospital. Thomas marries her out of hand discovering her there since he likes her as a person and finds her pretty, but soon after discovers he’s deeply in love with his new, clearly oblivious wife. I liked this because of the friendship that develops between them that never feels highly unequal despite the fact that he “rescues” her. One of my new favourites in the canon.
This was a rare first-time Betty Neels read for me and it’s in my favorite style of Betty- the kind where the hero loves the heroine more or less from the beginning and we get his perspective, and he does more pining for the heroine than the usual heroine-centric unrequited love he experiences. In this story, the premise is that while treating her late uncle’s heart condition, Thomas (RBD) meets the beautiful Claudia, who’s uncertain how she feels about him. When her uncle dies and she and her mother are thrown out by their distant cousin heir, Claudia is at loose ends stuck in a dead-end job at a geriatric hospital. Thomas marries her out of hand discovering her there since he likes her as a person and finds her pretty, but soon after discovers he’s deeply in love with his new, clearly oblivious wife. I liked this because of the friendship that develops between them that never feels highly unequal despite the fact that he “rescues” her. One of my new favourites in the canon.
May 16, 2024
I found this a slow read at first but then the story unfolded....another good Neels' novel.
When Claudia's great uncle Colonel Ramsay died, Claudia and her mother no longer had a home. Mrs. Ramsay knew that Dr. Willis cared for her as she did him, so her future was okay but Claudia had to look for a job. She met Dr. Thomas Tait-Bullen when he came with Dr. Willis to check out the health of her great-uncle.
To help her mother feel free to marry Dr. Willis, she got a job in a poorly run-down nursing home...she wasn't a nurse but had to do a lot of cleaning jobs and making beds and washing of clothing and dishes. Her lovely hands became red and rough but she knew she had to keep working.
When Dr. Tait-Bullen heard about her, he asked her to marry him....he would like a companion to share his home and she did need a home. So they married very quietly and became friends in his lovely homes and cottage. But she fell in love with him and he didn't seem to respond to her in a loving way.
Like all of Neels' novels, it ends wonderfully for both of them.
When Claudia's great uncle Colonel Ramsay died, Claudia and her mother no longer had a home. Mrs. Ramsay knew that Dr. Willis cared for her as she did him, so her future was okay but Claudia had to look for a job. She met Dr. Thomas Tait-Bullen when he came with Dr. Willis to check out the health of her great-uncle.
To help her mother feel free to marry Dr. Willis, she got a job in a poorly run-down nursing home...she wasn't a nurse but had to do a lot of cleaning jobs and making beds and washing of clothing and dishes. Her lovely hands became red and rough but she knew she had to keep working.
When Dr. Tait-Bullen heard about her, he asked her to marry him....he would like a companion to share his home and she did need a home. So they married very quietly and became friends in his lovely homes and cottage. But she fell in love with him and he didn't seem to respond to her in a loving way.
Like all of Neels' novels, it ends wonderfully for both of them.
December 20, 2025
Not my favorite, but just a lovely story of a man and wife falling in love. Harvey, the dog, and Cork the butler were my favorites, and I loved to see them chatting together in the kitchen, as they worried about our couple. Claudia was a nurse that had to give up her profession when an aging relative needed her care. Thomas is a famous heart surgeon that doesn’t want love. But he sees a companion in Claudia, and proposes marriage when she’s working a horrible job. They honestly have such a boring life together, but I’m hoping that changes now they love each other. There was no spark, or even hint of lust between this married couple…how they will have children is a mystery to me. It was fun to read about the clothes and boots though. Don’t let this be your first Neels because it was just ok. Oh, and there was a spiteful girlfriend named, ironically, Honor. She was there to just be drama. Didn’t work with this cold couple.
April 21, 2018
Mmmm un poco floja para ser Betty pero no tan mala para no terminar de leerla. Aquí la heroína es Claudia Ramsey una joven de 27 años de modesta posición económica indiferente a los bienes materiales,qué un buen día acepta casarse con un prestigioso doctor Thomas Tait-Bullen. Pero no hay mucha más acción ni impedimento que el que los personajes se ponen a si mismos cuando se descubren enamorados 🙄este recurso es muy Betty: el protagonista masculino la ama pero no quiere demostrárselo y prefiere mostrarse frío, distante y enojado con ella, cuando por dentro lo desborda la pasión y el deseo(?)No esta mal pero prefiero otros títulos de Betty.
May 6, 2021
I consider Betty Neels books as adult fairy tales. There is not much thought process reading her books. I got hooked on her books when I was working in a stressful job. Her books offered an escaped into a world of travel, beautiful homes, savory food and of course love. You never have to think reading them. They always have the happy ending of the handsome rich man declaring his love for the woman who is either beautiful or plain with beautiful eyes. No sex just a kiss usually at the end of the book. I am enjoying reading them again in my retirement. If you want to relax make a cup of tea and read Betty Neels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews