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The Hasty Marriage
Laura had always been used to taking second place to her pretty younger sister, Joyce. If Joyce wanted something, she got it! It was, therefore, no surprise to Laura that when she fell in love with the attractive Dutch doctor Reilof van Meerum, he chose Joyce instead. But when Joyce walked out on him to marry another, richer man, Reilof asked her to marry him. He needed a wife, and Laura, it seemed, would do as well as anyone. So she accepted--but could she really expect to be happy with a man who did not love her?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
About the author
Betty Neels
588 books423 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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April 16, 2026
1977
Laura was the older daughter of her widowed father. They were from a country town.
She was a nurse at a London Hospital and was staying at a nurse's home and only going home on the weekends.
She was 29 years old and pretty in an unassuming way, she was clever and a splendid, caring nurse,
well liked by everyone. A good housewife and cook.
Her younger sister, 20 year old Joyce, was exceptionally beautiful and also spoilt, lazy, unreliable and self centred.
One Sunday, Laura's Dutch, Doctor Godfather came from Holland to visit. He was brought by another Dutch Doctor, 38 year old Reilof.
Laura was dazzled because at last, here was the man she had been waiting for, standing in front of her, tall, heavily built, dark and handsome. He had nice manners and an undoubted charm and humour.
But while he was polite to Laura, he was really interested in Joyce. It was obvious that she had captivated him, to Joyce's delight.
Laura thought that if the two were mutually attracted, there was nothing for her to do about it, even though he was the man she had dreamed about for so long.
SPOILERS
The next day Reilof gave Laura a lift to London as he was heading for the Hospital himself.
Mid-week Joyce telephoned Laura to tell her that Reilof was spending the weekend with her,
and for Laura not to go as she was to be the third wheel.
Laura felt very lonely after the phone call.
For the next few weeks she would refrain from going home on the weekends when she knew Reilof was there.
That particular weekend, she thought Reilof was in Holland, but to her surprise she found him there with Joyce.
Joyce told Laura "I am sure he is going to ask me to marry him and l am going to say yes. He is very good looking and he adores me and l am sure he is got plenty of money ".
"Do you love him?"
"Darling, l am prepared to love anyone who can give me all the pretty things l want."
Joyce and Reilof did get engaged and Laura thought that she should start to forget Reilof as the man she had fallen in love with, and think of him as a future brother in law.
One day Laura went home and found Joyce packing. She was going to America with someone she met.
He was fabulously rich and they were going to get married.
Reilof, she said, was almost middle aged and she would have settled for him, but now Larry turned up.
She gave Laura a letter to give Reilof.
When Reilof read the letter was bitter and cynical. Laura said "Reilof, there are a great many other pretty girls. Once you've got over this..."
"She wouldn't need to be pretty, anyone will do after Joyce, there couldn't be another girl like her.
If it comes to that, l might just as well marry someone plain, like you."
"Then why don't you?"
"Indeed, you Laura are reaching thirty. We are both old enough not to expect romance. At least l am cured of that illusion. A marriage of friends, companionship, someone to run my home and entertain my guests."
Laura said she would marry him and Reilof said:
"You wouldn't expect me to change my selfish bachelor ways to suit you?"
"Would you have changed them for Joyce?"
"Of course, its different when one loves someone. One wants to please them, to make them happy. "
One day after the end of her shift, Reilof asked her out for dinner, but he was distracted and uninterested and Laura told him "It wont do. You are bored stiff with me and hating every minute. We'd better stop now before it's too late."
"Laura, forgive me. If you have patience just for a little while, it's like waking up from a beautiful dream and getting used to reality again. Very likely l shall find reality far better than the dream, but l have to forget the dream first."
He went on to tell her about his first wife who had lost to illness.
They got married a month later and went on a honeymoon to Corfe Castle, a beautiful village in Dorset.
At the Hotel they had adjoining rooms and even though they had a good, friendly time, the marriage remained uncosummated.
Laura loved the village and told Reilof that if ever she wanted to run away from anything or anyone and hide, she should come here.
After the honeymoon he took her to Holland to his beautiful stately home with servants and all.
He really was a rich man.
Reilof was working long hours and Laura was lonely most of the time.
She was spending time with the two dogs, was having Dutch tutorial, and every night she would sleep alone.
He introduced her to his large family and his friends and Laura had slipped into her new role well.
Reilof bought her a car and she would go for drives alone as Reilof was almost never home, being busy with his medical practice.
One day he asked her if it was too late for them to try and regain the friendship they first had.
Pivotal moment.
He said it was his fault, he treated her badly, while she, run his home to perfection, charmed his family and friends as well as his servants and she struggled to learn his language.
Laura was very pleased with his words.
Reilof made time for the two of them to spend together, go places and Laura was happy even though the marriage was still uncosummated.
One afternoon Laura had a visitor. It was Joyce. She said she came for a few days with her husband and were staying at a Hotel. She accused Laura of catching Reilof on the rebound.
She said that she regretted not marrying Reilof.
Reilof came home unexpectedly and stared at Joyce who promptly ran up to him and hugged and kissed him. He appeared not to have noticed Laura at all. She left to get more tea and when she came back to the room she found them laughing and Reilof told Laura that Larry and Joyce had invited them to dinner at the Hotel.
Joyce complaint that Larry was too engrossed with business and wanted Reilof to take her out, she was looking forward to spending time with him, there was so much she wanted to explain.
Reilof told her that he was a working man, he had no time to spare.
The four of them had dinner together that night at the Hotel.
Reilof behaved with his usual charm and courtesy.
The next morning he told Laura that he was going to be home for lunch, and for dinner they had guests at their house.
Reilof phoned mid-morning to say that he would not be able to come home for lunch after all.
Laura got suspicious and called the Hotel asking for her sister only to learn that she went out with Dr Meerum. That's Reilof.
Laura learnt from Reilof's partner that he had cancelled his appointments for the day.
The guests arrived for dinner but Reilof was no show.
When he did come back late, he looked preoccupied. Laura told him that she knew he was with Joyce and rushed upstairs bursting in tears.
The next morning Reilof left a note that he would be away for a few days and he hoped to talk to her on his return back.
Laura knew that Joyce had got her own once more. She wondered what Joyce could have said to Reilof to cause him to turn his back on his well ordered, busy life.
He must love her very much.
Laura packed and in tears wrote Reilof a letter.
Arriving at the Heathrow Airport she saw Joyce. Joyce told her that Larry had a heart attack the day before and Reilof came to the Hotel to fetch her.
She told Laura she can keep Reilof, as he was ordering her around and been furious with her because she had to fly over this morning to fetch a dress she'd ordered.
Besides she hated illness, she did not want to sit at Larry's bedside all day.
Laura thought that she was a fool thinking that Reilof had spent a romantic day with Joyce, but still he did not love her.
She went back to Corfe Castle, the place they spent their honeymoon, the place she loved.
A few days later, Laura was sitting on a bench when Reilof appeared before her.
He sat next to her, called her his dear girl and kissed her.
He said he was looking everywhere for her until he remembered the day they sat at that same spot together and she said that if she ever wanted to hide from anything or anyone, she would want to come to this place.
Laura asked him the reason he came. She thought he loved Joyce.
He said that Joyce must have known when they met again that he hadn't even a flicker of interest in her any more, as he had been in love with Laura for quite some time.
He told her she was the most beautiful girl in the world.
Laura was the older daughter of her widowed father. They were from a country town.
She was a nurse at a London Hospital and was staying at a nurse's home and only going home on the weekends.
She was 29 years old and pretty in an unassuming way, she was clever and a splendid, caring nurse,
well liked by everyone. A good housewife and cook.
Her younger sister, 20 year old Joyce, was exceptionally beautiful and also spoilt, lazy, unreliable and self centred.
One Sunday, Laura's Dutch, Doctor Godfather came from Holland to visit. He was brought by another Dutch Doctor, 38 year old Reilof.
Laura was dazzled because at last, here was the man she had been waiting for, standing in front of her, tall, heavily built, dark and handsome. He had nice manners and an undoubted charm and humour.
But while he was polite to Laura, he was really interested in Joyce. It was obvious that she had captivated him, to Joyce's delight.
Laura thought that if the two were mutually attracted, there was nothing for her to do about it, even though he was the man she had dreamed about for so long.
SPOILERS
The next day Reilof gave Laura a lift to London as he was heading for the Hospital himself.
Mid-week Joyce telephoned Laura to tell her that Reilof was spending the weekend with her,
and for Laura not to go as she was to be the third wheel.
Laura felt very lonely after the phone call.
For the next few weeks she would refrain from going home on the weekends when she knew Reilof was there.
That particular weekend, she thought Reilof was in Holland, but to her surprise she found him there with Joyce.
Joyce told Laura "I am sure he is going to ask me to marry him and l am going to say yes. He is very good looking and he adores me and l am sure he is got plenty of money ".
"Do you love him?"
"Darling, l am prepared to love anyone who can give me all the pretty things l want."
Joyce and Reilof did get engaged and Laura thought that she should start to forget Reilof as the man she had fallen in love with, and think of him as a future brother in law.
One day Laura went home and found Joyce packing. She was going to America with someone she met.
He was fabulously rich and they were going to get married.
Reilof, she said, was almost middle aged and she would have settled for him, but now Larry turned up.
She gave Laura a letter to give Reilof.
When Reilof read the letter was bitter and cynical. Laura said "Reilof, there are a great many other pretty girls. Once you've got over this..."
"She wouldn't need to be pretty, anyone will do after Joyce, there couldn't be another girl like her.
If it comes to that, l might just as well marry someone plain, like you."
"Then why don't you?"
"Indeed, you Laura are reaching thirty. We are both old enough not to expect romance. At least l am cured of that illusion. A marriage of friends, companionship, someone to run my home and entertain my guests."
Laura said she would marry him and Reilof said:
"You wouldn't expect me to change my selfish bachelor ways to suit you?"
"Would you have changed them for Joyce?"
"Of course, its different when one loves someone. One wants to please them, to make them happy. "
One day after the end of her shift, Reilof asked her out for dinner, but he was distracted and uninterested and Laura told him "It wont do. You are bored stiff with me and hating every minute. We'd better stop now before it's too late."
"Laura, forgive me. If you have patience just for a little while, it's like waking up from a beautiful dream and getting used to reality again. Very likely l shall find reality far better than the dream, but l have to forget the dream first."
He went on to tell her about his first wife who had lost to illness.
They got married a month later and went on a honeymoon to Corfe Castle, a beautiful village in Dorset.
At the Hotel they had adjoining rooms and even though they had a good, friendly time, the marriage remained uncosummated.
Laura loved the village and told Reilof that if ever she wanted to run away from anything or anyone and hide, she should come here.
After the honeymoon he took her to Holland to his beautiful stately home with servants and all.
He really was a rich man.
Reilof was working long hours and Laura was lonely most of the time.
She was spending time with the two dogs, was having Dutch tutorial, and every night she would sleep alone.
He introduced her to his large family and his friends and Laura had slipped into her new role well.
Reilof bought her a car and she would go for drives alone as Reilof was almost never home, being busy with his medical practice.
One day he asked her if it was too late for them to try and regain the friendship they first had.
Pivotal moment.
He said it was his fault, he treated her badly, while she, run his home to perfection, charmed his family and friends as well as his servants and she struggled to learn his language.
Laura was very pleased with his words.
Reilof made time for the two of them to spend together, go places and Laura was happy even though the marriage was still uncosummated.
One afternoon Laura had a visitor. It was Joyce. She said she came for a few days with her husband and were staying at a Hotel. She accused Laura of catching Reilof on the rebound.
She said that she regretted not marrying Reilof.
Reilof came home unexpectedly and stared at Joyce who promptly ran up to him and hugged and kissed him. He appeared not to have noticed Laura at all. She left to get more tea and when she came back to the room she found them laughing and Reilof told Laura that Larry and Joyce had invited them to dinner at the Hotel.
Joyce complaint that Larry was too engrossed with business and wanted Reilof to take her out, she was looking forward to spending time with him, there was so much she wanted to explain.
Reilof told her that he was a working man, he had no time to spare.
The four of them had dinner together that night at the Hotel.
Reilof behaved with his usual charm and courtesy.
The next morning he told Laura that he was going to be home for lunch, and for dinner they had guests at their house.
Reilof phoned mid-morning to say that he would not be able to come home for lunch after all.
Laura got suspicious and called the Hotel asking for her sister only to learn that she went out with Dr Meerum. That's Reilof.
Laura learnt from Reilof's partner that he had cancelled his appointments for the day.
The guests arrived for dinner but Reilof was no show.
When he did come back late, he looked preoccupied. Laura told him that she knew he was with Joyce and rushed upstairs bursting in tears.
The next morning Reilof left a note that he would be away for a few days and he hoped to talk to her on his return back.
Laura knew that Joyce had got her own once more. She wondered what Joyce could have said to Reilof to cause him to turn his back on his well ordered, busy life.
He must love her very much.
Laura packed and in tears wrote Reilof a letter.
Arriving at the Heathrow Airport she saw Joyce. Joyce told her that Larry had a heart attack the day before and Reilof came to the Hotel to fetch her.
She told Laura she can keep Reilof, as he was ordering her around and been furious with her because she had to fly over this morning to fetch a dress she'd ordered.
Besides she hated illness, she did not want to sit at Larry's bedside all day.
Laura thought that she was a fool thinking that Reilof had spent a romantic day with Joyce, but still he did not love her.
She went back to Corfe Castle, the place they spent their honeymoon, the place she loved.
A few days later, Laura was sitting on a bench when Reilof appeared before her.
He sat next to her, called her his dear girl and kissed her.
He said he was looking everywhere for her until he remembered the day they sat at that same spot together and she said that if she ever wanted to hide from anything or anyone, she would want to come to this place.
Laura asked him the reason he came. She thought he loved Joyce.
He said that Joyce must have known when they met again that he hadn't even a flicker of interest in her any more, as he had been in love with Laura for quite some time.
He told her she was the most beautiful girl in the world.
September 23, 2025
Betty wrote one novel with the Harlequin Presents formula and this is it. I love HPs and I love Betty, so this is catnip to me. Many readers never warmed up the hero and can't forgive him for being so mean to the heroine. Others thought Laura, the heroine, was too much a martyr. To me, they're acting very much in character in an extreme situation.
Laura, a nurse, falls for the new Dutch doctor at first sight. He seems interested in her until he meets her younger, prettier sister Joyce. Joyce and hero get engaged. Laura is heartbroken, but sucks it up. Joyce ditches Dutch doctor to elope with a rich American. Laura has to tell the hero and he takes it badly. Laura proposes a marriage of convenience and he takes her up on it out of spite.
Laura, a nurse, falls for the new Dutch doctor at first sight. He seems interested in her until he meets her younger, prettier sister Joyce. Joyce and hero get engaged. Laura is heartbroken, but sucks it up. Joyce ditches Dutch doctor to elope with a rich American. Laura has to tell the hero and he takes it badly. Laura proposes a marriage of convenience and he takes her up on it out of spite.
April 14, 2021
**Edited to add some hero-POV fan-fic at the end. (Hell, I'm on vacation, why not? This might explain why I can stand some of Betty's more dismissive heroes--I just make up their internal monologue and motivations to suit myself. :-D)
Fangirl gush: THM is easily one of my favorite Neels' novels, with its brisk pacing, sustained angst, and a likable heroine who may be lovesick but holds her own against the remote large-and-in-charge Rich Dutch Doctor. No meek mouse here! Laura takes a desperate gamble for an unlikely HEA with hero Reilof when he is jilted by her shallow and spoilt (and quite cruel) little sister, who thinks she has found a better (i.e., richer) bet in a flashy American. The angry doctor declares he may as well marry anyone now that he can't have Joyce, and Laura says, well, why not me? And so they do.
Despite elements familiar from many other BN MoC tales, this one's a standout and always makes me tear up. I guess I identify way too much with her quiet, useful heroines (not that I'm particularly quiet or useful, just a sucker for the underdog). I really liked Laura, and how sad it was to have her recognize the soulmate she'd been waiting for and know he had fallen in love with and become engaged to her awful sister. Ooooh, so angsty, and it doesn't let up until the very end, as the good doctor fights against falling for his convenient and secretly loving wife. The OW sister shows up to cause more misunderstanding and drama, and Reilof suffers his own pangs of jealousy when he thinks there's an OM. I was so happy to reach this couple's HEA.
Laura is one of my favorite BN heroines (up there with Caro of Caroline's Waterloo, who has a similar rough go in an MoC). Laura may be conditioned to thinking of herself as second-best to her much prettier and much younger sister, given parents who made that more than clear, but her training as a ward sister has given her a confidence that we don't always see in BN's heroines. Her independence and sometimes sharp tongue stand her in good stead in dealing with Reilof, who likes his own way (as do all BN RDDs) and who isn't the most kind or attentive husband once they are married, as he tries to avoid feeling anything for her. As with all BN heroes, Reilof is generous and courtly but also remote and standoffish, leaving the lonely heroine to her own devices most of the time and maintaining his distance. He suffers nicely for it in the end.
One of my fave BNs for sure, and on my keeper shelf. It's funny how you can read a BN from pretty much every decade she was writing and they all seem set in the same era and have pretty much the same plots and sets of characters and it doesn't matter, each one is a little gem. Super clean (usually just one or two hard kisses from hero to heroine) and with so much more romance than what passes for romance novels today (and this from a reader who likes heat). I'm so glad Betty published so many novels, because there are still so many I haven't yet read (and yet, given her tendency to stick with her rich Dutch doctor/quiet nurse-heroine trope, actually have in a sense). Comfort food!
These original covers are great!
The HR cover shows our disillusioned hero and lovesick heroine at the altar, with the specter of the jilting sister looming large over them:
M&B goes with poor Laura gazing (hurt? angry? wistful?) at an aloof Reilof, surrounded by the fab food and wine so central to all BN books:
BN Car porn:
The doctor's 1977 rides are pretty sweet:
An Aston Martin:
And a Rolls:
The heroine gets a defiance-inducing bright-blue Mini:
Why Reilof falls for Joyce:
He was a controlled man, thoughtful in his actions, his work central to his life. Not impulsive, not given to self doubt. But lately, he felt unsettled, old. His father had said nothing, but he knew his family was puzzled and disappointed that he had not wed again after Esme’s death, not had children. The old house almost demanded it, to be passed down with a love and knowledge of the treasures and history that had been cherished across centuries. He had found his thoughts turning to Esme recently—their marriage had been a mistake, he had known that within a year; she had been too young, too in need of distraction and entertainment, dismissive and jealous of his medical training and long hours. But he found himself thinking more and more of the lighthearted young man he’d been then, not yet weighed down by his responsibilities and knowledge of human frailty, including his own. Was he having a midlife crisis? he wondered, half amused, somewhat disgusted. It would explain why he had bought the Aston Martin….
On meeting Laura (after meeting Joyce):
He turned as another girl—no, a woman, no girl—entered the room. Her wide hazel eyes fixed on his face with a look almost of shocked recognition. He wondered why. He was sure he’d never seen her before. Although she would be easy to forget, he thought wryly—mousey brown hair, a quiet, unremarkable face, save for those hazel eyes, wide and thickly fringed. So unlike her vivid sister, he thought, looking at Joyce, her eyes blue as a summer sky, her hair golden and shining. He was amused by the contrast as he shook the young woman’s—Laura’s—hand; the mouse and the kitten. And yet, not so different after all—Laura had the same oval face, the same straight nose, a mouth that was wider and somehow gentler than her sister’s. But in Joyce’s presence, she faded, not even moonlight to the younger girl’s sunlight—more like dappled shade, barely noticed, forgotten in an instant.
On meeting Laura again:
He had been glad when Laura had refused his offer, made from courtesy, to join him and Joyce for dinner last night and on their excursion to Cambridge that day. He had wanted time alone with Joyce—she was amusing and lighthearted and made him feel like the carefree and rather thoughtless young man he’d been so long ago. She was witty, if sometimes a little malicious, particularly in talking about her dull older sister, of whom she seemed ludicrously envious. Or maybe it was understandable—as they’d walked through town earlier, most of the people—young women in particular--they’d encountered seemed to treat Joyce coolly, but no one failed to ask after Laura. He’d wondered at that but dismissed their seeming dislike when Joyce told him how she'd been a target of their envy while growing up.
For Joyce was undeniably beautiful—she had fairly glowed the previous evening as they walked into the lamplit room to find the elderly gentlemen deeply immersed in a medical discussion and Laura sitting quietly with the newspaper in her lap, not intruding. Her hair had been down, long and shining, a subdued honey shade quite unlike her sister’s bright eye-catching gilt. For a moment, she’d looked almost beautiful as the lamplight turned her eyes a deep, soft green-gold, but as she rose, looking away from him, the shadows parted and she was the pale, small mouse again. She had been friendly but reserved, and he’d noticed again how she was the one to offer coffee, to clean up the cups and saucers, to tidy up before quietly excusing herself for the night. Martha to her sister’s Mary.
Perhaps that was understandable though—she was 9 years older than Joyce, and a Ward Sister to boot. She was used to being helpful and practical. He recalled her fierce demand to stop and help the dog that had been struck by a car; her calm assistance in tending to it at the hospital. He’d liked her for her insistence on helping the creature; her kindness. Joyce had seemed to think they were fools for bothering, but she was young, with the selfishness of youth.
He admitted to himself briefly that Joyce’s youth made him vaguely uncomfortable—not for the first time—but he shrugged. He wasn’t the first wealthy, successful man to crave youth and beauty, and Joyce would make a suitable enough wife; she was a doctor’s daughter, after all, well used to erratic long hours. She would bring a much-needed lightness to his life, he told himself. And if she’d been bored by Cambridge today, well, that was to be expected; her tastes ran more to lively evenings out with beautiful, amusing people than to ancient buildings and learned professors. He had enough of the former in his life to keep her happy and amused, and he would be content to keep his work and more sedate interests to himself, as he had with Esme. He dismissed the voice that wondered how Laura would have liked spending the day in Cambridge—he suspected she would have enjoyed it, having overheard her conversations regarding local history with her godfather. But what did that matter? He had no interest in Laura, after all.
On hearing that Joyce had jilted him:
She stood looking at him with a sympathy that enraged him and some trepidation. Why should she care? It had been clear to him that she’d disapproved of his becoming engaged to Joyce—he’d heard the false cheeriness in her voice when he’d asked if she was going to congratulate him—he had felt ridiculously guilty for a moment, in fact. He was certain she had avoided coming home for weeks now because of his visits. Did she dislike him so much? And now she had the nerve to stand there gaping at him, a look of surprised woe mixing with a clear reluctance and even resentment when he asked if she had known about Joyce’s double-dealing.
His hand tightened around the letter he held—the words had cut at him, even if true: he was too old for Joyce. He heard Laura ask if he was going after Joyce; heard himself sneer at the question, mock her when she protested at Joyce’s message; cruelly jibe at her again when she tried to reassure him that 38 wasn’t old at all. She was pale and he could see the hurt in her expressive eyes for a moment before she masked it, and he felt a cruel satisfaction, but he had to admire her backbone when she told him he was being rude. It was true, unforgiveably so, but he couldn’t care; he felt encased in ice, a cold, deadly rage burning at his core and nothing to direct it at but this small unremarkable girl standing pale and resolute before him. “I might just as well marry you,” he heard himself say bitterly, his thoughts going round and round at Joyce’s betrayal. He’d known he was acting like some middle-aged fool, besotted with a girl young enough to be his daughter, but her rejection struck at him. He was arrogant, used to having his own way, to getting what he wanted. Maybe he’d needed the lesson.
“Then why don’t you?” he heard Laura ask, her voice cool and steady.
Why not? He thought savagely. He might as well marry her—he needed someone to deal with the social demands made upon him; the minutiae of caring for a centuries old house. Good servants were one thing but the place needed a mistress, and he wanted heirs eventually. He thought of how she’d looked with her long hair in a shining stream down her back; her neat figure in her nurse’s uniform had been surprisingly voluptuous too, and though he’d barely admitted it to himself, he’d felt a vague stirring of sexual interest that he’d dismissed, almost amused at his body’s unfathomable response, given how she compared to Joyce. But in truth, she had a better body than Joyce, a mouth that was more lush and sweetly curved, and having her in his bed—eventually; he was a controlled man and could wait—would not be a hardship.
“Indeed, and why not?” he echoed smoothly....
Fangirl gush: THM is easily one of my favorite Neels' novels, with its brisk pacing, sustained angst, and a likable heroine who may be lovesick but holds her own against the remote large-and-in-charge Rich Dutch Doctor. No meek mouse here! Laura takes a desperate gamble for an unlikely HEA with hero Reilof when he is jilted by her shallow and spoilt (and quite cruel) little sister, who thinks she has found a better (i.e., richer) bet in a flashy American. The angry doctor declares he may as well marry anyone now that he can't have Joyce, and Laura says, well, why not me? And so they do.
Despite elements familiar from many other BN MoC tales, this one's a standout and always makes me tear up. I guess I identify way too much with her quiet, useful heroines (not that I'm particularly quiet or useful, just a sucker for the underdog). I really liked Laura, and how sad it was to have her recognize the soulmate she'd been waiting for and know he had fallen in love with and become engaged to her awful sister. Ooooh, so angsty, and it doesn't let up until the very end, as the good doctor fights against falling for his convenient and secretly loving wife. The OW sister shows up to cause more misunderstanding and drama, and Reilof suffers his own pangs of jealousy when he thinks there's an OM. I was so happy to reach this couple's HEA.
Laura is one of my favorite BN heroines (up there with Caro of Caroline's Waterloo, who has a similar rough go in an MoC). Laura may be conditioned to thinking of herself as second-best to her much prettier and much younger sister, given parents who made that more than clear, but her training as a ward sister has given her a confidence that we don't always see in BN's heroines. Her independence and sometimes sharp tongue stand her in good stead in dealing with Reilof, who likes his own way (as do all BN RDDs) and who isn't the most kind or attentive husband once they are married, as he tries to avoid feeling anything for her. As with all BN heroes, Reilof is generous and courtly but also remote and standoffish, leaving the lonely heroine to her own devices most of the time and maintaining his distance. He suffers nicely for it in the end.
One of my fave BNs for sure, and on my keeper shelf. It's funny how you can read a BN from pretty much every decade she was writing and they all seem set in the same era and have pretty much the same plots and sets of characters and it doesn't matter, each one is a little gem. Super clean (usually just one or two hard kisses from hero to heroine) and with so much more romance than what passes for romance novels today (and this from a reader who likes heat). I'm so glad Betty published so many novels, because there are still so many I haven't yet read (and yet, given her tendency to stick with her rich Dutch doctor/quiet nurse-heroine trope, actually have in a sense). Comfort food!
These original covers are great!
The HR cover shows our disillusioned hero and lovesick heroine at the altar, with the specter of the jilting sister looming large over them:
M&B goes with poor Laura gazing (hurt? angry? wistful?) at an aloof Reilof, surrounded by the fab food and wine so central to all BN books:
BN Car porn:
The doctor's 1977 rides are pretty sweet:
An Aston Martin:
And a Rolls:
The heroine gets a defiance-inducing bright-blue Mini:
Why Reilof falls for Joyce:
He was a controlled man, thoughtful in his actions, his work central to his life. Not impulsive, not given to self doubt. But lately, he felt unsettled, old. His father had said nothing, but he knew his family was puzzled and disappointed that he had not wed again after Esme’s death, not had children. The old house almost demanded it, to be passed down with a love and knowledge of the treasures and history that had been cherished across centuries. He had found his thoughts turning to Esme recently—their marriage had been a mistake, he had known that within a year; she had been too young, too in need of distraction and entertainment, dismissive and jealous of his medical training and long hours. But he found himself thinking more and more of the lighthearted young man he’d been then, not yet weighed down by his responsibilities and knowledge of human frailty, including his own. Was he having a midlife crisis? he wondered, half amused, somewhat disgusted. It would explain why he had bought the Aston Martin….
On meeting Laura (after meeting Joyce):
He turned as another girl—no, a woman, no girl—entered the room. Her wide hazel eyes fixed on his face with a look almost of shocked recognition. He wondered why. He was sure he’d never seen her before. Although she would be easy to forget, he thought wryly—mousey brown hair, a quiet, unremarkable face, save for those hazel eyes, wide and thickly fringed. So unlike her vivid sister, he thought, looking at Joyce, her eyes blue as a summer sky, her hair golden and shining. He was amused by the contrast as he shook the young woman’s—Laura’s—hand; the mouse and the kitten. And yet, not so different after all—Laura had the same oval face, the same straight nose, a mouth that was wider and somehow gentler than her sister’s. But in Joyce’s presence, she faded, not even moonlight to the younger girl’s sunlight—more like dappled shade, barely noticed, forgotten in an instant.
On meeting Laura again:
He had been glad when Laura had refused his offer, made from courtesy, to join him and Joyce for dinner last night and on their excursion to Cambridge that day. He had wanted time alone with Joyce—she was amusing and lighthearted and made him feel like the carefree and rather thoughtless young man he’d been so long ago. She was witty, if sometimes a little malicious, particularly in talking about her dull older sister, of whom she seemed ludicrously envious. Or maybe it was understandable—as they’d walked through town earlier, most of the people—young women in particular--they’d encountered seemed to treat Joyce coolly, but no one failed to ask after Laura. He’d wondered at that but dismissed their seeming dislike when Joyce told him how she'd been a target of their envy while growing up.
For Joyce was undeniably beautiful—she had fairly glowed the previous evening as they walked into the lamplit room to find the elderly gentlemen deeply immersed in a medical discussion and Laura sitting quietly with the newspaper in her lap, not intruding. Her hair had been down, long and shining, a subdued honey shade quite unlike her sister’s bright eye-catching gilt. For a moment, she’d looked almost beautiful as the lamplight turned her eyes a deep, soft green-gold, but as she rose, looking away from him, the shadows parted and she was the pale, small mouse again. She had been friendly but reserved, and he’d noticed again how she was the one to offer coffee, to clean up the cups and saucers, to tidy up before quietly excusing herself for the night. Martha to her sister’s Mary.
Perhaps that was understandable though—she was 9 years older than Joyce, and a Ward Sister to boot. She was used to being helpful and practical. He recalled her fierce demand to stop and help the dog that had been struck by a car; her calm assistance in tending to it at the hospital. He’d liked her for her insistence on helping the creature; her kindness. Joyce had seemed to think they were fools for bothering, but she was young, with the selfishness of youth.
He admitted to himself briefly that Joyce’s youth made him vaguely uncomfortable—not for the first time—but he shrugged. He wasn’t the first wealthy, successful man to crave youth and beauty, and Joyce would make a suitable enough wife; she was a doctor’s daughter, after all, well used to erratic long hours. She would bring a much-needed lightness to his life, he told himself. And if she’d been bored by Cambridge today, well, that was to be expected; her tastes ran more to lively evenings out with beautiful, amusing people than to ancient buildings and learned professors. He had enough of the former in his life to keep her happy and amused, and he would be content to keep his work and more sedate interests to himself, as he had with Esme. He dismissed the voice that wondered how Laura would have liked spending the day in Cambridge—he suspected she would have enjoyed it, having overheard her conversations regarding local history with her godfather. But what did that matter? He had no interest in Laura, after all.
On hearing that Joyce had jilted him:
She stood looking at him with a sympathy that enraged him and some trepidation. Why should she care? It had been clear to him that she’d disapproved of his becoming engaged to Joyce—he’d heard the false cheeriness in her voice when he’d asked if she was going to congratulate him—he had felt ridiculously guilty for a moment, in fact. He was certain she had avoided coming home for weeks now because of his visits. Did she dislike him so much? And now she had the nerve to stand there gaping at him, a look of surprised woe mixing with a clear reluctance and even resentment when he asked if she had known about Joyce’s double-dealing.
His hand tightened around the letter he held—the words had cut at him, even if true: he was too old for Joyce. He heard Laura ask if he was going after Joyce; heard himself sneer at the question, mock her when she protested at Joyce’s message; cruelly jibe at her again when she tried to reassure him that 38 wasn’t old at all. She was pale and he could see the hurt in her expressive eyes for a moment before she masked it, and he felt a cruel satisfaction, but he had to admire her backbone when she told him he was being rude. It was true, unforgiveably so, but he couldn’t care; he felt encased in ice, a cold, deadly rage burning at his core and nothing to direct it at but this small unremarkable girl standing pale and resolute before him. “I might just as well marry you,” he heard himself say bitterly, his thoughts going round and round at Joyce’s betrayal. He’d known he was acting like some middle-aged fool, besotted with a girl young enough to be his daughter, but her rejection struck at him. He was arrogant, used to having his own way, to getting what he wanted. Maybe he’d needed the lesson.
“Then why don’t you?” he heard Laura ask, her voice cool and steady.
Why not? He thought savagely. He might as well marry her—he needed someone to deal with the social demands made upon him; the minutiae of caring for a centuries old house. Good servants were one thing but the place needed a mistress, and he wanted heirs eventually. He thought of how she’d looked with her long hair in a shining stream down her back; her neat figure in her nurse’s uniform had been surprisingly voluptuous too, and though he’d barely admitted it to himself, he’d felt a vague stirring of sexual interest that he’d dismissed, almost amused at his body’s unfathomable response, given how she compared to Joyce. But in truth, she had a better body than Joyce, a mouth that was more lush and sweetly curved, and having her in his bed—eventually; he was a controlled man and could wait—would not be a hardship.
“Indeed, and why not?” he echoed smoothly....
March 20, 2024
Re-read. My original review stands. Rolaid - no Reilolf, had me gritting my teeth the whole way through the book.
__________________________________
I think this book is either a hit or miss for readers. There is definitely no in-between. The key being whether you can forgive the hero enough to believe in their HEA. Sadly, I couldn't.
First, Laura is not your typical BN heroine. She is a doormat to her sister and everyone else. She falls instantly in love with a man who is not worthy to wipe her feet. She is very one dimensional with only one train of thought ...... I love Reilof, I love Reilof, I love Reilolf. Frankly, I got bored with her pretty quickly.
Secondly, the hero, is very self-serving expecting the world to revolve around his every whim. He also was atypical of BN heroes, who are absolutely "to die for", "swoon" worthy! The author tries to allude that he was just infatuated with Joyce (OW and sister of Laura), rather than in love. Therefore, when Laura accepts his mad proposal, we are lulled into believing this great romance is about to begin. Yet, that never happens. The truth of the matter is, Joyce and Reilof were much better suited to each other. Laura should have served him up to Joyce and run like hell back to London screaming for freedom.
Finally, I felt the writing was not up to Betty's normal standards. I actually found myself bored with the descriptions of key family events, and drives through Holland. Normally I am mesmerized by these types of scenes, but the chemistry between the two just didn't exist so these filler moments were dull.
For me this was not one of Betty's best.
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I think this book is either a hit or miss for readers. There is definitely no in-between. The key being whether you can forgive the hero enough to believe in their HEA. Sadly, I couldn't.
First, Laura is not your typical BN heroine. She is a doormat to her sister and everyone else. She falls instantly in love with a man who is not worthy to wipe her feet. She is very one dimensional with only one train of thought ...... I love Reilof, I love Reilof, I love Reilolf. Frankly, I got bored with her pretty quickly.
Secondly, the hero, is very self-serving expecting the world to revolve around his every whim. He also was atypical of BN heroes, who are absolutely "to die for", "swoon" worthy! The author tries to allude that he was just infatuated with Joyce (OW and sister of Laura), rather than in love. Therefore, when Laura accepts his mad proposal, we are lulled into believing this great romance is about to begin. Yet, that never happens. The truth of the matter is, Joyce and Reilof were much better suited to each other. Laura should have served him up to Joyce and run like hell back to London screaming for freedom.
Finally, I felt the writing was not up to Betty's normal standards. I actually found myself bored with the descriptions of key family events, and drives through Holland. Normally I am mesmerized by these types of scenes, but the chemistry between the two just didn't exist so these filler moments were dull.
For me this was not one of Betty's best.
August 15, 2018
Definitely, the trope was not my liking but I was just trying to get out of my comfort zone!
I didn't like it.
The heroine was always the second one when it comes to family. The heroine's parents were unashamedly biased toward their second child. And the result was a spoiled kid who just likes to play mind games with others just to make herself happy! Not new, right!
The hero was courting the spoiled sister and they were about to marry but she eloped with a rich American! So, the heroine, the older and responsible one agreed to marry the hero just for convenience sake. she was also secretly in love with the hero So, she hoped someday the hero will forget her sister and fall in love with her. She literally accepted a replacement option and my question is where is your dignity women?
Well, what happened after the hasty marriage? Just some here and there friendly zoned talking, little bit jealousy show and misunderstanding drama. Then out of nowhere hero said ILY and HEA.
I just didn't feel any connection. Some of this kind of books have sexual tensions but this book failed in that departments too! I was just bored!
The book was safe through!
My first try of this author and I am not sure if I should read any more of her books.
I didn't like it.
The heroine was always the second one when it comes to family. The heroine's parents were unashamedly biased toward their second child. And the result was a spoiled kid who just likes to play mind games with others just to make herself happy! Not new, right!
The hero was courting the spoiled sister and they were about to marry but she eloped with a rich American! So, the heroine, the older and responsible one agreed to marry the hero just for convenience sake. she was also secretly in love with the hero So, she hoped someday the hero will forget her sister and fall in love with her. She literally accepted a replacement option and my question is where is your dignity women?
Well, what happened after the hasty marriage? Just some here and there friendly zoned talking, little bit jealousy show and misunderstanding drama. Then out of nowhere hero said ILY and HEA.
I just didn't feel any connection. Some of this kind of books have sexual tensions but this book failed in that departments too! I was just bored!
The book was safe through!
My first try of this author and I am not sure if I should read any more of her books.
February 12, 2023
2.5 Stars
I’m currently not on my A game, and there’re several in-depth reviews already out there, so this will be brief. Well written story of Laura a (29) nurse and Dr. Reilof van Meerum (38). Laura is desperately in love with the Dr. when he meets her younger, prettier sis, and the two get engaged. The blurb sets this all up.
If I wasn’t so tired, I’d try to come up with a better way to say all this, but I’m worn out and grumpy, so blunt it is. The writing is solid, but I primarily read soap for cheap thrills. I like it simple, easy, and bursting with drama. On paper, this looks like a fit, but it’s not really soapy or HP-esque at all.
The H is an arrogant, but not the bossy alpha-hole I prefer. Everything is SO passive aggressive, and I like more in your face. For example, upon arriving at his home, he addresses her similar to this…
You won’t mind if I leave, I have work to do. The butler will show you around, and get you settled. I like dinner at 7:30, if you want to alter, do as you see fit.
This is her internal thoughts on that interaction…
Surprised to be spoken to as he was addressing the new home help, but she forgave him.
The witchy sis follows the same pattern with zingers like…
My, my got him on the rebound.
You may have him for a month or two ducky, just while I divorce Larry.
Bottom Line- This just wasn’t for me. I’m glad I read with Open Library rather than purchasing it. It’s not bad, just not what I had in mind. It’s difficult to effectively deliver bitch-slaps among shant, shall, splendid, and daresay speak. Too “formal” for my tastes but I’m rounding up because the writing was good- this is a Jac thing.
I’m currently not on my A game, and there’re several in-depth reviews already out there, so this will be brief. Well written story of Laura a (29) nurse and Dr. Reilof van Meerum (38). Laura is desperately in love with the Dr. when he meets her younger, prettier sis, and the two get engaged. The blurb sets this all up.
If I wasn’t so tired, I’d try to come up with a better way to say all this, but I’m worn out and grumpy, so blunt it is. The writing is solid, but I primarily read soap for cheap thrills. I like it simple, easy, and bursting with drama. On paper, this looks like a fit, but it’s not really soapy or HP-esque at all.
The H is an arrogant, but not the bossy alpha-hole I prefer. Everything is SO passive aggressive, and I like more in your face. For example, upon arriving at his home, he addresses her similar to this…
You won’t mind if I leave, I have work to do. The butler will show you around, and get you settled. I like dinner at 7:30, if you want to alter, do as you see fit.
This is her internal thoughts on that interaction…
Surprised to be spoken to as he was addressing the new home help, but she forgave him.
The witchy sis follows the same pattern with zingers like…
My, my got him on the rebound.
You may have him for a month or two ducky, just while I divorce Larry.
Bottom Line- This just wasn’t for me. I’m glad I read with Open Library rather than purchasing it. It’s not bad, just not what I had in mind. It’s difficult to effectively deliver bitch-slaps among shant, shall, splendid, and daresay speak. Too “formal” for my tastes but I’m rounding up because the writing was good- this is a Jac thing.
July 1, 2016
This has an unusual plot in The Canon. The hero, Reilof, falls in love with someone other than our heroine. The OW is the heroine's younger, more beautiful sister, Joyce. Joyce is a spoiled brat, to put it simply. Reilof is apparently a sucker for the type, since he was previously and unhappily married to the same type. Typical man - didn't learn anything.
Laura falls in love at first sight. She is there to pick up the pieces of his broken heart when Joyce jilts him. He treats her quite nastily, but she excuses him because of said broken heart. A marriage of convenience ensues.
Reilof's Redeeming qualities.
1. Rescues dog hit by car and repairs his legs in Casualty.
2. Even before he knows he loves Laura, he is jealous of her friendship with his partner, Jan.
3. He acknowledges that he has treated her badly.
But he doesn't know how to give gifts.
1. (Family jewels - rubies, not THOSE family jewels) "The eldest son's wife inherits them. I can hardly take the credit for giving them to you."
2. (Blue Fiat) "Hardly a present, more a necessity, I should have said."
Laura's optimism.
1. She is encouraged by the blandest of compliments: "You put your hair up." "You're a nice girl, Laura." He tells her she is "long-suffering, patient, understanding, but never beastly."
2. She tells herself she is "beginning to fit nicely into his life."
Very satisfying ending - Laura's runaway; Reilof's search - it takes nearly a week to find her and etches lines of worry in his face; his declaration of love; implied future conjugal activities (hopefully in the "enormous bed" in the hotel bedroom) resulting in children and a HEA!
************
I reread this in late June 2016. I had much more sympathy for Reilof. After all, I am of the opinion that one cannot help falling in love; one cannot help feeling emotions but can only control one's actions relating to those emotions.
So, he falls in love with beautiful Joyce, a chimera, yes, but as he says himself, "Very likely I shall find reality far better than the dream, but I have to forget the dream first."
I think that in spite of his emotional state, he did notice little things about Joyce that were "off." Then after he and Laura are married and she is so genuine and unselfish, he sees the difference between them, which leads to him beginning to love - genuinely love - Laura. And in the face of this real love, his emotional love - infatuation, as Uncle Wim calls it - quickly fades painlessly away.
And so, I think that Reilof may be the most human of all our RDDs. Yes, many of those have had similar pasts with their mostly-dead-FFWs, but all the anguish is off-stage.
Laura falls in love at first sight. She is there to pick up the pieces of his broken heart when Joyce jilts him. He treats her quite nastily, but she excuses him because of said broken heart. A marriage of convenience ensues.
Reilof's Redeeming qualities.
1. Rescues dog hit by car and repairs his legs in Casualty.
2. Even before he knows he loves Laura, he is jealous of her friendship with his partner, Jan.
3. He acknowledges that he has treated her badly.
But he doesn't know how to give gifts.
1. (Family jewels - rubies, not THOSE family jewels) "The eldest son's wife inherits them. I can hardly take the credit for giving them to you."
2. (Blue Fiat) "Hardly a present, more a necessity, I should have said."
Laura's optimism.
1. She is encouraged by the blandest of compliments: "You put your hair up." "You're a nice girl, Laura." He tells her she is "long-suffering, patient, understanding, but never beastly."
2. She tells herself she is "beginning to fit nicely into his life."
Very satisfying ending - Laura's runaway; Reilof's search - it takes nearly a week to find her and etches lines of worry in his face; his declaration of love; implied future conjugal activities (hopefully in the "enormous bed" in the hotel bedroom) resulting in children and a HEA!
************
I reread this in late June 2016. I had much more sympathy for Reilof. After all, I am of the opinion that one cannot help falling in love; one cannot help feeling emotions but can only control one's actions relating to those emotions.
So, he falls in love with beautiful Joyce, a chimera, yes, but as he says himself, "Very likely I shall find reality far better than the dream, but I have to forget the dream first."
I think that in spite of his emotional state, he did notice little things about Joyce that were "off." Then after he and Laura are married and she is so genuine and unselfish, he sees the difference between them, which leads to him beginning to love - genuinely love - Laura. And in the face of this real love, his emotional love - infatuation, as Uncle Wim calls it - quickly fades painlessly away.
And so, I think that Reilof may be the most human of all our RDDs. Yes, many of those have had similar pasts with their mostly-dead-FFWs, but all the anguish is off-stage.
October 8, 2012
4 Stars ~ Joyce was the apple of her father's eye; she was young, beautiful and full of life. She'd tried various jobs but nothing seemed to agree with her, so she decided that she'd marry well. Laura loved her younger sister, and she knew that Joyce would always outshine her. Several times a year, Laura's Godfather traveled from Holland to visit them, and this visit he accepts a ride from his friend Rielof. When they arrive, Laura's delighted to see Godfather, and when she looks into Rielof's face her heart recognizes him as the man she's been waiting for all her life. To her dismay, Rielof only has eyes for beautiful Joyce. Laura returns to London where she is a ward nurse at a busy hospital and much to her surprise Rielof is a consultant on her ward. Her sister calls her to tell her she has her sights on Rielof and prefers it if she were to stay in London during her off shifts. This is more than fine with Laura and soon she gets the call that Rielof has proposed. The weather warms up and Laura has to go home to change out her wardrobe. She arrives early on Friday hoping to be long gone again well before Rielof arrives. Her father and Godfather are out, but Joyce is home and she's busy packing. At first Laura thinks she's eloping with Rielof but Joyce confesses she's found someone richer and they're off to America. Packed and running out the door, she hands an envelope to Laura for Rielof. All Laura can do is pray her father arrives soon but that's not to be, and so she's the one who has to break it to him that his fiancee has just jilted him. When Rielof proposes a marriage of convenience, Laura accepts, hoping that some day he'll feel more than friendship for her. Just as they settle into a routine, Joyce turns up and she wants Rielof back.
Betty Neels wrote several marriage of convenience stories; this is the first I've read, and the first where the heroine falls in love at first sight and has to be patient with the hero. I felt horrible for Laura, though older, she'd always took second place to Joyce. I wanted to smack Rielof a few times and cheered when Laura finally let him have it. I would have liked a stronger ending, however this one was very satisfying.
Betty Neels wrote several marriage of convenience stories; this is the first I've read, and the first where the heroine falls in love at first sight and has to be patient with the hero. I felt horrible for Laura, though older, she'd always took second place to Joyce. I wanted to smack Rielof a few times and cheered when Laura finally let him have it. I would have liked a stronger ending, however this one was very satisfying.
August 14, 2012
Oh boy, I was not a fan of this one. I don’t even know where to begin. I will say, it was clean and the premise was interesting. The execution just left a lot to be desired. Laura was okay, your likable plain-Jane with a huge heart. She’s lived in the shadow of her gorgeous younger sister her whole life and has little self-esteem as far as her looks go. I was disappointed Laura NEVER stood up to her sister; personally I would have cut Joyce off. She’d be much better without her in her life. Reilof was awful. I’m sorry, but I just didn’t like him, at all. While Laura falls in love with him at first site, he does very little to actually earn that love. Laura somehow finds things to admire in him, but his treatment of Laura was awful. Laura was a fool to marry him, at least under the circumstances. He wasn’t abusive or anything just said unkind remarks and neglected her quite a bit. They have no chemistry together, horrible communication skills and I have serious doubts about their relationship. While the ending was predictable, it was unbelievable. I think if we had seen them spend more time together had actual conversations I might have bought it. As it was, their conversations were not only few and far between, but lacked any depth and were too short to really build any kind of relationship. (Don't even get me started on the word "super" used throughout the book!)
Overall, a disappointment.
Content: Clean. I was actually surprised to find this was published by Harlequin, considering how little romance was actually in it.
Overall, a disappointment.
Content: Clean. I was actually surprised to find this was published by Harlequin, considering how little romance was actually in it.
December 8, 2018
If you like BN's work you will like this one but not love it.
The usual doctor H, an h that isn't as pretty as the OW, and the ILY's are left til the last minute.
The big difference in this one is that Reilof really didn't see Laura as a romantic interest until after they were married.
Laura of course was totally smitten from the first time she saw him, but he only had eyes for her younger sister Joyce. The sisters are polar opposites and the saying 'pretty is as pretty does' is the underpinning of their characters.
It takes Reilof a while to see this but he does, especially when it would seem there is some competition for Laura's affections.
I would have like to see Reilof give Joyce a blatant heave-ho. But BN's books are too well mannered for that. But I did feel that Laura wasn't a doormat towards the end. She tells him whats what and leaves his sorry ass!
Anyways, I did believe he loved her by the end... but this isn't one of my fave books by BN because Reilof was so totally besotted with Joyce for the first half of the book.
The one thing that was also like most BN books, that I didn't appreciate, was that the OW was a complete tw*t waffle and got absolutely no comeuppance. In fact, Laura still loves her. Seriously?
But there were little details that helped keep Laura from being pitiful. Mostly that all the side characters (except for Joyce and her father) were supportive of her.
The usual doctor H, an h that isn't as pretty as the OW, and the ILY's are left til the last minute.
The big difference in this one is that Reilof really didn't see Laura as a romantic interest until after they were married.
Laura of course was totally smitten from the first time she saw him, but he only had eyes for her younger sister Joyce. The sisters are polar opposites and the saying 'pretty is as pretty does' is the underpinning of their characters.
It takes Reilof a while to see this but he does, especially when it would seem there is some competition for Laura's affections.
I would have like to see Reilof give Joyce a blatant heave-ho. But BN's books are too well mannered for that. But I did feel that Laura wasn't a doormat towards the end. She tells him whats what and leaves his sorry ass!
Anyways, I did believe he loved her by the end... but this isn't one of my fave books by BN because Reilof was so totally besotted with Joyce for the first half of the book.
The one thing that was also like most BN books, that I didn't appreciate, was that the OW was a complete tw*t waffle and got absolutely no comeuppance. In fact, Laura still loves her. Seriously?
But there were little details that helped keep Laura from being pitiful. Mostly that all the side characters (except for Joyce and her father) were supportive of her.
October 26, 2024
4 stars
September 6, 2021
I read this book because I loved the trope—h is second best to her sister. I love a manipulative, conniving b of an OW. On that front, the book certainly delivered. We spend the whole book hearing about how mousy and unattractive the h is. The H tells her she’s plain, her father does, she tells herself she’s plain. There are hints that she isn’t plain, though because she’s got a bangin’ body she hides under dowdy clothes and strangers notice her when she walks into establishments. The H is utterly boring. He is either incredibly secretive or has no personality. I suspected the latter because he was superficial enough to want to marry the h’s younger sister who was obviously a spoiled, manipulative child. There was angst, but no relationship development before the sudden “I love you” conclusion after the BMU. How did the H fall in love with the h when they never spent time together? They never consummated their marriage, either. The H even suspected the h of cheating on him with his business partner. We read about boring, mundane day-to-day activities, but very little interaction between the MC’s. The setting of this book is stifling! Skimmed to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
Oh dear! I didn’t like this one at all…except for the ending. 😂 Reilof is an awful hero. He so often lacks basic kindness for Laura without sufficient reason. (His jealousy isn’t reason enough for me.) I like Laura okay but she just doesn’t have the spunk of some other Neels’ heroines. And I spent most of this one thinking: “Have you all heard of this thing called a conversation?? It works wonders!” The funny thing is that the Uncrushable Jersey Dress blog loves this one. It’s usually the other way around: I love a BN and the blog is tepid about it. Ah well. There’s always a chance this will improve on a second read…but I doubt that will be any time soon.
April 13, 2024
Suppose the man of your dreams gets engaged to your beautiful, spoiled, much younger sister. Now suppose she dumps him, leaves you to break the news, and he proposes to you. (Come on, it's a romance, it doesn't have to be realistic.) What will your life be like now?
I quite enjoyed how the author milked this situation, giving us the heroine's concerns, reactions from co-workers, etc. I wasn't as in love with the last part, where the jilting younger sister comes back into their life. But it's a Neels and of course our heroine will get her HEA. In the meantime we get a clean story full of clothes, food, servants, travel, lovely furniture, interesting family - and a short break from the pressures of real life. What more do you want?
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Fanatics. See you there!
I quite enjoyed how the author milked this situation, giving us the heroine's concerns, reactions from co-workers, etc. I wasn't as in love with the last part, where the jilting younger sister comes back into their life. But it's a Neels and of course our heroine will get her HEA. In the meantime we get a clean story full of clothes, food, servants, travel, lovely furniture, interesting family - and a short break from the pressures of real life. What more do you want?
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Fanatics. See you there!
February 20, 2018
It's a nasty sister story line with a RDD and I cried at the end
I did not discover Betty Neels until after she had died. She was so prolific that I have not read all her romance novels yet but now that I have found them for kindle, I intend to do so. I have vision problems that are beyond reading glasses so I need the enlarged type feature.
This story is about Laura who is the sweet older sister in her family. Laura wanted to be a doctor but her family spent so much money on her younger sister (Joyce, the OW and a nasty selfish sister) that they could only afford nursing school for Laura. So Laura is a nurse and an excellent one. Laura is plain compared to her stunning younger sister Joyce.
The RDD (rich Dutch doctor) is Reilof. When he drops by the home of Laura's father with Laura's Dutch godfather, Reilof falls in love at first sight with the beautiful Joyce, who is attracted to his wallet. Meanwhile, Laura falls in love at first sight with Reilof. However, she notices that he is only interested in Joyce so she hides her feelings and avoids going home.
Beautiful Joyce becomes engaged to Reilof, breaking Laura's heart. Laura goes home to pack summer clothes and finds Joyce leaving home with luggage to elope with Larry (a rich young American man) leaving Laura to break the news to Reilof. Reilof ends up marrying Laura instead even though he does not ever expect to love her (she does not tell him she loves him). You need to read the book to find out how that comes about and the rest of the story, because naturally Joyce comes back and causes more trouble.
It appears that Reilof is a very good kisser when he eventually gets around to kissing Laura. Unlike some people, the clean nature of Neels romances are not part of their appeal to me. The lack of a sex life for married couples seems dashed odd to me. I put up with it because I like the rest of the romance between her heroes and heroines. And I like her evil other women plots. I don't mind if the evil woman finds a Larry, evil women need to live too. They are a nice foil to the good qualities of the heroine.
I did not discover Betty Neels until after she had died. She was so prolific that I have not read all her romance novels yet but now that I have found them for kindle, I intend to do so. I have vision problems that are beyond reading glasses so I need the enlarged type feature.
This story is about Laura who is the sweet older sister in her family. Laura wanted to be a doctor but her family spent so much money on her younger sister (Joyce, the OW and a nasty selfish sister) that they could only afford nursing school for Laura. So Laura is a nurse and an excellent one. Laura is plain compared to her stunning younger sister Joyce.
The RDD (rich Dutch doctor) is Reilof. When he drops by the home of Laura's father with Laura's Dutch godfather, Reilof falls in love at first sight with the beautiful Joyce, who is attracted to his wallet. Meanwhile, Laura falls in love at first sight with Reilof. However, she notices that he is only interested in Joyce so she hides her feelings and avoids going home.
Beautiful Joyce becomes engaged to Reilof, breaking Laura's heart. Laura goes home to pack summer clothes and finds Joyce leaving home with luggage to elope with Larry (a rich young American man) leaving Laura to break the news to Reilof. Reilof ends up marrying Laura instead even though he does not ever expect to love her (she does not tell him she loves him). You need to read the book to find out how that comes about and the rest of the story, because naturally Joyce comes back and causes more trouble.
It appears that Reilof is a very good kisser when he eventually gets around to kissing Laura. Unlike some people, the clean nature of Neels romances are not part of their appeal to me. The lack of a sex life for married couples seems dashed odd to me. I put up with it because I like the rest of the romance between her heroes and heroines. And I like her evil other women plots. I don't mind if the evil woman finds a Larry, evil women need to live too. They are a nice foil to the good qualities of the heroine.
June 30, 2011
Betty Neels does marriage-of-convenience stories -- lots of them. But I believe this is the only MOC where the hero Reilof admits upfront that he’s in love with another.
What I like:
1. Martha/Mary complex. Background info: In the bible, Mary was the one who worshipped at Jesus’ feet while do-gooder Martha was the one with household tasks to finish. (Unlike Jesus, I always sympathized with Martha more.…)
From the start, we immediately see the contrast between the heroine and the sister when two visitors dropped in for a visit. The heroine, like the biblical Martha, was slaving in the kitchen while the younger sister went to entertain the guests, one of whom was the hero. There’s a poignant instant there when the girl simultaneously recognized the hero as the one she had been dreaming of and realized that she was hopeless beside her beautiful sister.
2. The gauntlet. I think this is the only BN where it was the heroine who actually proposed. Reilof’s distaste was evident when he said, “Good God, girl, if it comes to that, I might just as well marry you.” But then the heroine threw down the gauntlet and she challenged him, “Then why don’t you?” He merely accepted the challenge.
3. The Other Man (OM). There’s nothing like the scent of an imagined suitor to rile up the green-eyed monster. But what did the hero expect? True, he relegated her to the sidelines but did he think she would continue on with a half-life?
4. Lost and found. But if I were really to torment him, I would tweet from various localities so he wouldn’t know where to look.
I know Shakespeare warns that a “hasty marriage seldom proveth well” but an HEA is believable in this case.
What I like:
1. Martha/Mary complex. Background info: In the bible, Mary was the one who worshipped at Jesus’ feet while do-gooder Martha was the one with household tasks to finish. (Unlike Jesus, I always sympathized with Martha more.…)
From the start, we immediately see the contrast between the heroine and the sister when two visitors dropped in for a visit. The heroine, like the biblical Martha, was slaving in the kitchen while the younger sister went to entertain the guests, one of whom was the hero. There’s a poignant instant there when the girl simultaneously recognized the hero as the one she had been dreaming of and realized that she was hopeless beside her beautiful sister.
2. The gauntlet. I think this is the only BN where it was the heroine who actually proposed. Reilof’s distaste was evident when he said, “Good God, girl, if it comes to that, I might just as well marry you.” But then the heroine threw down the gauntlet and she challenged him, “Then why don’t you?” He merely accepted the challenge.
3. The Other Man (OM). There’s nothing like the scent of an imagined suitor to rile up the green-eyed monster. But what did the hero expect? True, he relegated her to the sidelines but did he think she would continue on with a half-life?
4. Lost and found. But if I were really to torment him, I would tweet from various localities so he wouldn’t know where to look.
I know Shakespeare warns that a “hasty marriage seldom proveth well” but an HEA is believable in this case.
April 3, 2016
First book that I read by this author. I don't know how to describe how I feel about this book. I liked the premise, but somewhere along the lines it felt rushed. Laura fell in love at first sight and since the book is from her POV I never felt how or when Rielof fell in love with her. I could tell he would be jealous of the time she would talk to Jan, but other than that nothing of romantic inclinations towards her.
His family was very nice, her sister is a very different story. Joyce was very hateful.
His family was very nice, her sister is a very different story. Joyce was very hateful.
September 21, 2015
Hands down my favourite Betty Neels book - angsty goodness all the way.
December 23, 2020
There was a time when I would have gobbled up books like this but I struggled to finish this one. I don’t think this one stands the test of time like some of the classic Harlequins that feature the downtrodden Jane Eyre wannabes because there wasn’t enough angst.
September 19, 2017
This book kind of took me out of my comfort zone, I've read Betty's stories where the H is engaged to another woman which is fine because to the h that woman is a stranger and the H always ends up falling in love with the h and then he finds a way to break up that engagement and alls well that ends well but in this book I found it a bit uncomforting that he proposes to the h Laura's spoilt little sister and when her sister elopes with another man, Laura who in my eyes has no dignity or pride decides to marry him in her sister's place and he basically tells her that she is second best.
I would have been happier reading the book if Laura despite being in love with the H had just packed up everything she had and then tells the H that her sister belongs to him now and then she moves on to a better life and then marry someone who loves her and puts her first but as from what I've written above she doesn't lol.
I did like that Laura had some backbone and that the H Reilof did get jealous when she made friends with his younger partner, I didn't like how she kept comparing to herself to her sister and it made me chuckle when Reilof tells Laura he basically married a similar woman to her sister years ago and yet he couldn't see that history would have been repeating itself, he wasn't very tactful towards her and most of the time he kept her down without knowing it and obviously her sister comes back and causes trouble which makes Laura eventually leave which I was happy about as I was hoping throughout the book that she would but Reilof eventually finds her and basically tells her she's no longer second best and it's a happy ending all round but I think in the future that if her sister came back free and single he would probably take her as his mistress because to me that what her sister is stereotyped as in these books lol.
I would have been happier reading the book if Laura despite being in love with the H had just packed up everything she had and then tells the H that her sister belongs to him now and then she moves on to a better life and then marry someone who loves her and puts her first but as from what I've written above she doesn't lol.
I did like that Laura had some backbone and that the H Reilof did get jealous when she made friends with his younger partner, I didn't like how she kept comparing to herself to her sister and it made me chuckle when Reilof tells Laura he basically married a similar woman to her sister years ago and yet he couldn't see that history would have been repeating itself, he wasn't very tactful towards her and most of the time he kept her down without knowing it and obviously her sister comes back and causes trouble which makes Laura eventually leave which I was happy about as I was hoping throughout the book that she would but Reilof eventually finds her and basically tells her she's no longer second best and it's a happy ending all round but I think in the future that if her sister came back free and single he would probably take her as his mistress because to me that what her sister is stereotyped as in these books lol.
June 9, 2021
I like angst as much as the next reader but god this book was a how not to write angst guide.
As far as assholes are concerned ,this hero was just ok. He didn't come across as cruel just fucking stupid and neglectful.
It also didn't help that the entire book was from the girl's perspective and she just seemed more in love with him than he did with her.
My biggest issue however remains the lack of chemistry. For heaven's sake it felt like a book written in the 19th century where the 'pleasure of the flesh' was non-existent. And the kisses are so fleeting, you could miss them with a blink. And the guy not once sweet talked until the very end and by then it felt forced as hell. The hero does show signs of jealousy though so there is that.
And her sister...where do I even start? How about everyone and I do mean EVERYONE including the heroine lets her get away with everything without so much as a warning. I mean...her bitch of a sister kissed HER husband IN-FRONT of HER (Though it isn't clear what kind of kiss. The author just says it wasn't in a sisterly way and leaves it at that so I assume it was on the lips)
Anyways the heroine doesn't beat the shit out of her sister (like any other sane woman would) and we aren't told what the husband does ...because of course we aren't. This author just loves to be vague.
Like this girl isn't even a doormat she's a footpath (Which is known for being a landfill substitute in my country. You walk all over it, throw your garbage on it and mostly pretend it doesn't exist until you have no other option but to use it.)
As far as assholes are concerned ,this hero was just ok. He didn't come across as cruel just fucking stupid and neglectful.
It also didn't help that the entire book was from the girl's perspective and she just seemed more in love with him than he did with her.
My biggest issue however remains the lack of chemistry. For heaven's sake it felt like a book written in the 19th century where the 'pleasure of the flesh' was non-existent. And the kisses are so fleeting, you could miss them with a blink. And the guy not once sweet talked until the very end and by then it felt forced as hell. The hero does show signs of jealousy though so there is that.
And her sister...where do I even start? How about everyone and I do mean EVERYONE including the heroine lets her get away with everything without so much as a warning. I mean...her bitch of a sister kissed HER husband IN-FRONT of HER (Though it isn't clear what kind of kiss. The author just says it wasn't in a sisterly way and leaves it at that so I assume it was on the lips)
Anyways the heroine doesn't beat the shit out of her sister (like any other sane woman would) and we aren't told what the husband does ...because of course we aren't. This author just loves to be vague.
Like this girl isn't even a doormat she's a footpath (Which is known for being a landfill substitute in my country. You walk all over it, throw your garbage on it and mostly pretend it doesn't exist until you have no other option but to use it.)
September 15, 2016
This book is one of the high-points of the Neels canon, and one with the most widely divided opinions about the Rich Dutch Doctor. You either think Reilof becomes worthy or that he's a total ratbag! You see, dear old Reilof meets our plain heroine, Laura and her younger, very much prettier sister, Joyce at the same time and is so bowled over by Joyce that he proposes after knowing her for only a few weeks.
Joyce, the opportunist that she is, dumps Reilof for Larry, American Millionaire--writes him a dear John letter and elopes with Larry.
In a fit of pique he snarls that if he can't marry Joyce, then it doesn't matter who he marries, and our martyr heroine says why not me? (Classic Neels-she fell in love with him at first sight).
So the last two thirds of the book is a Marriage of Convenience type story. A very rocky marriage--with Laura getting the short end of the stick. I think Reilof makes one too many Joyce remarks and is very, very slow on the uptake. Laura is not a total doormat, however, and holds her own.
Lots of angsty fun, but since this is Neels, there is a happy ending, and I do believe in it.
Joyce, the opportunist that she is, dumps Reilof for Larry, American Millionaire--writes him a dear John letter and elopes with Larry.
In a fit of pique he snarls that if he can't marry Joyce, then it doesn't matter who he marries, and our martyr heroine says why not me? (Classic Neels-she fell in love with him at first sight).
So the last two thirds of the book is a Marriage of Convenience type story. A very rocky marriage--with Laura getting the short end of the stick. I think Reilof makes one too many Joyce remarks and is very, very slow on the uptake. Laura is not a total doormat, however, and holds her own.
Lots of angsty fun, but since this is Neels, there is a happy ending, and I do believe in it.
May 10, 2021
I don't know why I loved this one: the hero is hurtful to the heroine, but I loved her, with her mousy hair and bad temper and Laura certainly gives our hero no reason to ignore her and every reason to love her. Read my completer thoughts at my blog review:
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
June 21, 2016
I actually mostly enjoyed this one. It's still a Betty Neels book, but the main character more or less acted like an adult human through it and did things and didn't put up with all of the hero's dickishness.
February 12, 2013
Good book. I enjoy the book and the author really pulled you into the characters.
June 26, 2015
Review to come.
July 9, 2023
Unwanted sisterly drama breaks this Llama.
Read
May 12, 2022The Hasty Marriage was about Laura Standish, Ward Nurse, and the Dutch doctor Reilof van Meerum.
Laura fell in love with Reilof the instant she first saw him, only to immediately realize he was more interested in her younger sister, Joyce. Knowing she had no chance with the doctor, she kept to herself as much as possible, while her sister took great pains to make the man dislike her at every turn. (Laura, nine years older than her sister, was also nine years younger than the doctor.) Though Reilof had spent the night at their home in the country, Joyce had arranged for him to drive Laura back to London the next day since he was going there as well. Laura, knowing better than to start a stink with her sister, just kept quiet yet again. She had been hoping to leave the doctor behind so she could start forgetting him. However, that was not to be, especially as he was working at the same hospital where she was a nurse. As they approached the hospital, she begged him to stop when she noticed an injured dog on the road. They took him to the hospital where they secreted him into surgery and fixed his broken legs. Reliof decided he would keep the dog for himself, taking him back to Holland when he returned home.
Although she had planned to spend the following weekend with her family, when she realized that the doctor had been invited back by Joyce, Laura changed her mind and determined to stay away, for she couldn't bear to see the two of them together.
Laura couldn't seem to get away from Reilof though. He had sent her a message saying the dog was doing well, then the following weekend, Joyce talked all weekend about him while Laura visited home, saying, "‘I’ve got him hooked...He’s a bit old, but...I expect he’s rich.’"
The following weekend, Laura went home, only to find no one to pick her up from the train station. When she finally managed to reach the house, no one was there either. After being there for hours alone, the door opened to show her father, Joyce...and Reilof. Joyce pretended to not have remembered that Laura was supposed to be home for the weekend. All Reilof did was observe the interchange between the sisters without responding. But then he said something that caught Laura's attention, "‘If I had known that you were coming home this weekend I would have given you a lift.’"...which told her that her sister had lied to him about Laura's intention to visit for the weekend. After Laura left early to return to London, she received a phone from Joyce saying she and Reilof were now engaged, then telling her he wanted to speak to her. After saying hello, his odd question to her was, "‘Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’", to which she said, the appropriate felicitations. Reilof responded, "‘That’s nice to hear. I’m sure you’re going to be a delightful sister-in-law.”
After that call, Laura kept inventing excuses to not visit home on the weekends, especially when Joyce made it clear that if Laura were to go home it would spoil things between her and Reilof.
When Laura arrived earlier than planned on Friday night, she was surprised to find the house nearly empty. No sign of her father, godfather, or the housekeeper. When she stood outside the open door of Joyce’s room, Laura was surprised to see her clothes out and a half-packed suitcase near her. Joyce was angry to see Laura. After Joyce told her where everyone was, Laura asked her if she was going away with Reilof, Joyce said yes, except not with Reilof, rather that she was eloping with another man...a rich American, a man she’d only met two weeks earlier.
Appalled, Laura tried to talk her out of it, reminding them that Reilof was arriving later that evening. But Joyce would not be dissuaded. She told Laura she could give her letter to Reilof for her, as well as inform their father. When Laura refused, all Joyce said was “...let them find out for themselves.’ But Laura still tried to stop her, to no avail. She then picked up her bag, and left, leaving Laura to explain to everyone.
Laura had hoped to let her father do the explaining, except Reilof arrived first. He smiled at Laura as he entered the house, commenting on his surprise at seeing her so unexpectedly. But when all Laura did was stand there staring at him, he knew something was wrong. After giving him Joyce's letter he asked her if she had known. She denied it, saying that Joyce hadn't been expecting her to arrive when she did, and Reilof asked if her father knew, but Laura told him that Joyce had arranged for her father and uncle to be out of the house so that they wouldn't know what she was doing, absolving them of prior knowledge as well. Reilof's reaction was hateful towards Laura though, venting all of his pain out at her. When Laura tried to soothe him, saying there were other pretty girls to choose from, Reilof stated, "‘My dear good girl...she wouldn’t need to be pretty; anyone will do after Joyce, there couldn’t be another girl like her...Good God, girl, if it comes to that, I might just as well marry you.’" So she asked him...why not her. "‘Indeed, and why not?’ he echoed smoothly, ‘since I’m obviously too...mature for Joyce, then I must learn my lesson from her, mustn’t I, and take someone nearer my own age...And you, Laura, are reaching thirty, are you not?’"..."...‘We’re both old enough not to expect romance, I imagine. At least I am cured of that illusion, although...the prospect of remaining single for the rest of my life doesn’t appeal to me anymore...A marriage of friends, Laura, nothing more—I want no more of romance; companionship, someone to run my home and entertain my guests and friends, that will suffice for me.." When Reilof commented on her certainty, she agreed. He asked why and she responded, "'...there are so many things I want to do and so far I’ve never had enough time to do much of any of them.’" He queried that remark, she made up something to tell him. He asked her if she'd seriously be content with the things she had told him, that Laura "wouldn’t expect me to change my selfish bachelor ways to suit you?’" She asked in return, "‘Would you have changed them for Joyce?’", and was hurt by his response, "‘Of course...it’s different when one loves someone. One wants to please them, to make them happy.’", but she said calmly, ‘No, I’d not bother you—I’d be there if you wanted me, though...It’s not what you’d hoped for, but it might be better than being lonely for the rest of your life...But there, I daresay you don’t mean a word of it—one says things when one is angry or upset.’" But he said, "'I mean every word...I’m not at all sure of my reasons, but I do mean what I’ve said. But you—you must have time to think it over; I stand to gain a hostess for my friends, someone to run my home, bear me company, but you gain very little—a disgruntled man, disappointed in love and used until recently to leading a solitary life. There may be days when you’ll hate me and wish that you’d never married me.’" All she said in response was, "‘Very likely,’". He suggested she give a month's notice at work, during which time she could mull over her decision. She agreed.
Reilof seemed to automatically assume she would go through with the wedding, and he made the statement that as well as being friends, "we must also undertake not to interfere in each other’s lives...That’s to say, while we will, I hope, live together comfortably enough, there must be no question of encroaching upon each other’s privacy.’" As he escorted her home, she attempted to call it off, stating, "‘It won’t do, you know—you’re bored stiff with me, aren’t you, and hating every minute. We’d better stop now before it’s too late…’". He acknowledged his rude behavior and asked for her forgiveness for appearing bored, and said she was "helping me already, just by being you; quiet and undemanding, allowing me my ill humour and lack of interest. If you will have patience just for a little while…’". Then he twisted the knife into the wound, "‘I’m a poor bargain, aren’t I? But you see, it’s rather like waking up from a beautiful dream and getting used to reality again. Very likely I shall find reality far better than the dream, but I have to forget the dream first...Do you know, I don’t believe that I could have said that to anyone else?’".
Reilof picked her up on her last day at work and on the drive to her home, they talked about his work in Holland. Laura asked if he needed help with the surgery, and he quickly dissuaded her of the idea, which made her realize he didn't want her to have anything to do with his work. When they arrived, her father, godfather, and Reilof seemed to cut her out of the conversation and she had to make do with the companionship of a cat, telling the creature she'd made her bed now had to lie in it...and Reilof heard her, asking what she meant by it, but she brushed it aside. After having a glass of champagne with the three men, she excused herself and went to bed.
Then the next morning came, and then she was married to Reilof and back in her room packing for their trip. She had been surprised how many of the villagers had been present for her nuptials. She hadn't expected anyone other than the five of them to be there. What had angered here though, was the fact that Reilof hadn't looked up when she walked into the church. But he had looked at her with an unsmiling face as the vows were exchanged. They left for their trip but had no wedding night. They traveled to Holland after their week-long "honeymoon", taking her godfather with them.
Once they were established in his home in Holland, Reilof did nothing to endear himself to Laura, constantly treating her in as cold a manner as he could possibly do. The only relief she had was his father, the butler, and housekeeper, and Reilof's business pattern, Jan. As the weeks went by, he did nothing to improve his attitude, especially when it seemed that Jan and Laura were forming a very close bond. The more Reilof saw them together, the nastier his attitude got. But after she and Jan had returned from a trip into a local town to talk with the girl he hoped to marry, Reilof's attitude changed for some reason. He even asked if they could somehow salvage the friendship they had started with. But two weeks later, life went to hell in a handbasket when her sister, Joyce, showed up on the doorstep. After seeing Reilof again, Joyce informed her she planned to take him from her once she divorced her own husband. She even kissed him in front of Laura and Reilof did nothing about it. Things went from bad to worse, and Laura left Reilof, unable to take anymore.
This book had so much angst and drama that it overwhelmed all other emotions. There was no chemistry or passion between the two main characters. There was barely any friendship. The greatest emotion was hate, and that came from Joyce for Laura. These two main characters just didn't jibe well together because neither one of them could...or even tried to...communicate with the other. The emotions that filled the pages of this book were all dark and nothing light...ever.
The characters were not at all mature, both tended to be childish in their need to hide what they truly felt. Instead of talking they clammed up or said hateful things...well at least Reilof did. Laura chose to bury her emotions and remain stoic throughout the book, not bothering to show what she was truly feeling...for anyone or anything. Though they were married, they never shared a bed, so the passion was nil. It was a long, hard, emotion-jerking story that I wanted to tear apart and throw away before finishing it.
These books where the main characters hide all their emotions, in my opinion, do not make the best romance novels. Sure you get a HEA at the end, but they are so stilted and flat that the Hero and Heroine feel dead rather than happy and excited to be in love. Plus, this ending was incomplete, dead, lacking in every way, and it felt like a cliffhanger. This book definitely will NOT get a five-star rating. It did not even earn one star. The Heroine was SUCH a doormat and the Hero? No, he was no Hero. He was more like a Zero, sadly enough.
Laura fell in love with Reilof the instant she first saw him, only to immediately realize he was more interested in her younger sister, Joyce. Knowing she had no chance with the doctor, she kept to herself as much as possible, while her sister took great pains to make the man dislike her at every turn. (Laura, nine years older than her sister, was also nine years younger than the doctor.) Though Reilof had spent the night at their home in the country, Joyce had arranged for him to drive Laura back to London the next day since he was going there as well. Laura, knowing better than to start a stink with her sister, just kept quiet yet again. She had been hoping to leave the doctor behind so she could start forgetting him. However, that was not to be, especially as he was working at the same hospital where she was a nurse. As they approached the hospital, she begged him to stop when she noticed an injured dog on the road. They took him to the hospital where they secreted him into surgery and fixed his broken legs. Reliof decided he would keep the dog for himself, taking him back to Holland when he returned home.
Although she had planned to spend the following weekend with her family, when she realized that the doctor had been invited back by Joyce, Laura changed her mind and determined to stay away, for she couldn't bear to see the two of them together.
Laura couldn't seem to get away from Reilof though. He had sent her a message saying the dog was doing well, then the following weekend, Joyce talked all weekend about him while Laura visited home, saying, "‘I’ve got him hooked...He’s a bit old, but...I expect he’s rich.’"
The following weekend, Laura went home, only to find no one to pick her up from the train station. When she finally managed to reach the house, no one was there either. After being there for hours alone, the door opened to show her father, Joyce...and Reilof. Joyce pretended to not have remembered that Laura was supposed to be home for the weekend. All Reilof did was observe the interchange between the sisters without responding. But then he said something that caught Laura's attention, "‘If I had known that you were coming home this weekend I would have given you a lift.’"...which told her that her sister had lied to him about Laura's intention to visit for the weekend. After Laura left early to return to London, she received a phone from Joyce saying she and Reilof were now engaged, then telling her he wanted to speak to her. After saying hello, his odd question to her was, "‘Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’", to which she said, the appropriate felicitations. Reilof responded, "‘That’s nice to hear. I’m sure you’re going to be a delightful sister-in-law.”
After that call, Laura kept inventing excuses to not visit home on the weekends, especially when Joyce made it clear that if Laura were to go home it would spoil things between her and Reilof.
When Laura arrived earlier than planned on Friday night, she was surprised to find the house nearly empty. No sign of her father, godfather, or the housekeeper. When she stood outside the open door of Joyce’s room, Laura was surprised to see her clothes out and a half-packed suitcase near her. Joyce was angry to see Laura. After Joyce told her where everyone was, Laura asked her if she was going away with Reilof, Joyce said yes, except not with Reilof, rather that she was eloping with another man...a rich American, a man she’d only met two weeks earlier.
Appalled, Laura tried to talk her out of it, reminding them that Reilof was arriving later that evening. But Joyce would not be dissuaded. She told Laura she could give her letter to Reilof for her, as well as inform their father. When Laura refused, all Joyce said was “...let them find out for themselves.’ But Laura still tried to stop her, to no avail. She then picked up her bag, and left, leaving Laura to explain to everyone.
Laura had hoped to let her father do the explaining, except Reilof arrived first. He smiled at Laura as he entered the house, commenting on his surprise at seeing her so unexpectedly. But when all Laura did was stand there staring at him, he knew something was wrong. After giving him Joyce's letter he asked her if she had known. She denied it, saying that Joyce hadn't been expecting her to arrive when she did, and Reilof asked if her father knew, but Laura told him that Joyce had arranged for her father and uncle to be out of the house so that they wouldn't know what she was doing, absolving them of prior knowledge as well. Reilof's reaction was hateful towards Laura though, venting all of his pain out at her. When Laura tried to soothe him, saying there were other pretty girls to choose from, Reilof stated, "‘My dear good girl...she wouldn’t need to be pretty; anyone will do after Joyce, there couldn’t be another girl like her...Good God, girl, if it comes to that, I might just as well marry you.’" So she asked him...why not her. "‘Indeed, and why not?’ he echoed smoothly, ‘since I’m obviously too...mature for Joyce, then I must learn my lesson from her, mustn’t I, and take someone nearer my own age...And you, Laura, are reaching thirty, are you not?’"..."...‘We’re both old enough not to expect romance, I imagine. At least I am cured of that illusion, although...the prospect of remaining single for the rest of my life doesn’t appeal to me anymore...A marriage of friends, Laura, nothing more—I want no more of romance; companionship, someone to run my home and entertain my guests and friends, that will suffice for me.." When Reilof commented on her certainty, she agreed. He asked why and she responded, "'...there are so many things I want to do and so far I’ve never had enough time to do much of any of them.’" He queried that remark, she made up something to tell him. He asked her if she'd seriously be content with the things she had told him, that Laura "wouldn’t expect me to change my selfish bachelor ways to suit you?’" She asked in return, "‘Would you have changed them for Joyce?’", and was hurt by his response, "‘Of course...it’s different when one loves someone. One wants to please them, to make them happy.’", but she said calmly, ‘No, I’d not bother you—I’d be there if you wanted me, though...It’s not what you’d hoped for, but it might be better than being lonely for the rest of your life...But there, I daresay you don’t mean a word of it—one says things when one is angry or upset.’" But he said, "'I mean every word...I’m not at all sure of my reasons, but I do mean what I’ve said. But you—you must have time to think it over; I stand to gain a hostess for my friends, someone to run my home, bear me company, but you gain very little—a disgruntled man, disappointed in love and used until recently to leading a solitary life. There may be days when you’ll hate me and wish that you’d never married me.’" All she said in response was, "‘Very likely,’". He suggested she give a month's notice at work, during which time she could mull over her decision. She agreed.
Reilof seemed to automatically assume she would go through with the wedding, and he made the statement that as well as being friends, "we must also undertake not to interfere in each other’s lives...That’s to say, while we will, I hope, live together comfortably enough, there must be no question of encroaching upon each other’s privacy.’" As he escorted her home, she attempted to call it off, stating, "‘It won’t do, you know—you’re bored stiff with me, aren’t you, and hating every minute. We’d better stop now before it’s too late…’". He acknowledged his rude behavior and asked for her forgiveness for appearing bored, and said she was "helping me already, just by being you; quiet and undemanding, allowing me my ill humour and lack of interest. If you will have patience just for a little while…’". Then he twisted the knife into the wound, "‘I’m a poor bargain, aren’t I? But you see, it’s rather like waking up from a beautiful dream and getting used to reality again. Very likely I shall find reality far better than the dream, but I have to forget the dream first...Do you know, I don’t believe that I could have said that to anyone else?’".
Reilof picked her up on her last day at work and on the drive to her home, they talked about his work in Holland. Laura asked if he needed help with the surgery, and he quickly dissuaded her of the idea, which made her realize he didn't want her to have anything to do with his work. When they arrived, her father, godfather, and Reilof seemed to cut her out of the conversation and she had to make do with the companionship of a cat, telling the creature she'd made her bed now had to lie in it...and Reilof heard her, asking what she meant by it, but she brushed it aside. After having a glass of champagne with the three men, she excused herself and went to bed.
Then the next morning came, and then she was married to Reilof and back in her room packing for their trip. She had been surprised how many of the villagers had been present for her nuptials. She hadn't expected anyone other than the five of them to be there. What had angered here though, was the fact that Reilof hadn't looked up when she walked into the church. But he had looked at her with an unsmiling face as the vows were exchanged. They left for their trip but had no wedding night. They traveled to Holland after their week-long "honeymoon", taking her godfather with them.
Once they were established in his home in Holland, Reilof did nothing to endear himself to Laura, constantly treating her in as cold a manner as he could possibly do. The only relief she had was his father, the butler, and housekeeper, and Reilof's business pattern, Jan. As the weeks went by, he did nothing to improve his attitude, especially when it seemed that Jan and Laura were forming a very close bond. The more Reilof saw them together, the nastier his attitude got. But after she and Jan had returned from a trip into a local town to talk with the girl he hoped to marry, Reilof's attitude changed for some reason. He even asked if they could somehow salvage the friendship they had started with. But two weeks later, life went to hell in a handbasket when her sister, Joyce, showed up on the doorstep. After seeing Reilof again, Joyce informed her she planned to take him from her once she divorced her own husband. She even kissed him in front of Laura and Reilof did nothing about it. Things went from bad to worse, and Laura left Reilof, unable to take anymore.
This book had so much angst and drama that it overwhelmed all other emotions. There was no chemistry or passion between the two main characters. There was barely any friendship. The greatest emotion was hate, and that came from Joyce for Laura. These two main characters just didn't jibe well together because neither one of them could...or even tried to...communicate with the other. The emotions that filled the pages of this book were all dark and nothing light...ever.
The characters were not at all mature, both tended to be childish in their need to hide what they truly felt. Instead of talking they clammed up or said hateful things...well at least Reilof did. Laura chose to bury her emotions and remain stoic throughout the book, not bothering to show what she was truly feeling...for anyone or anything. Though they were married, they never shared a bed, so the passion was nil. It was a long, hard, emotion-jerking story that I wanted to tear apart and throw away before finishing it.
These books where the main characters hide all their emotions, in my opinion, do not make the best romance novels. Sure you get a HEA at the end, but they are so stilted and flat that the Hero and Heroine feel dead rather than happy and excited to be in love. Plus, this ending was incomplete, dead, lacking in every way, and it felt like a cliffhanger. This book definitely will NOT get a five-star rating. It did not even earn one star. The Heroine was SUCH a doormat and the Hero? No, he was no Hero. He was more like a Zero, sadly enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2021
This was my second Betty Neels book and I have to say, I can already see the elements she works with in her novels.
Laura the hardworking and not as pretty as her younger sister nurse falls for the rich Dutch doctor at first sight upon his visit to her father's house but he falls for the sister first. The sister is flimsy and very young so of course she throws the doc over and marries a bloke who is more obvious in his riches - wrong move gurl, the rich Dutch doctor is the real deal, old money and all.
What is the sister's loss is Laura's gain, she grabs the opportunity when he exclaims he could marry anyone now that he cannot have the sister. So we embark on married life as such with the compulsory since the engagement ring fits it must be a good omen and Laura crying herself to sleep a few times before the happily ever after.
I much appreciate that in this one the heroine actually has a temper - even if she only moderately shows it - and that the big reveal is not vile. The ending is cute and warm, I also appreciate that the hero needed a transition period before full embracement of the marriage.
It is three stars because I did finish it but conveniently forgot most of it shortly.
Laura the hardworking and not as pretty as her younger sister nurse falls for the rich Dutch doctor at first sight upon his visit to her father's house but he falls for the sister first. The sister is flimsy and very young so of course she throws the doc over and marries a bloke who is more obvious in his riches - wrong move gurl, the rich Dutch doctor is the real deal, old money and all.
What is the sister's loss is Laura's gain, she grabs the opportunity when he exclaims he could marry anyone now that he cannot have the sister. So we embark on married life as such with the compulsory since the engagement ring fits it must be a good omen and Laura crying herself to sleep a few times before the happily ever after.
I much appreciate that in this one the heroine actually has a temper - even if she only moderately shows it - and that the big reveal is not vile. The ending is cute and warm, I also appreciate that the hero needed a transition period before full embracement of the marriage.
It is three stars because I did finish it but conveniently forgot most of it shortly.
May 12, 2013
This is one of my favourite of Betty Neels Marriage of Convenience stories. It is a bit more emotional because we all know the hero was madly in love with the heroine's sister Joyce until she dumped him.
Not caring at all Reilof marries Laura but doesn't treat her well, more or less ignoring her and keeping her cut off from his working life and rarely spending time with her.
The return of Joyce, just when Laura is starting to think Reilof might one day become fond of his wife is a severe blow.
I've read this one a couple of times and enjoyed it each time.
Not caring at all Reilof marries Laura but doesn't treat her well, more or less ignoring her and keeping her cut off from his working life and rarely spending time with her.
The return of Joyce, just when Laura is starting to think Reilof might one day become fond of his wife is a severe blow.
I've read this one a couple of times and enjoyed it each time.
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