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The Silver Thaw
Mills & Boon presents the complete Betty Neels collection. Timeless tales of heart-warming romance by one of the world’s best-loved romance authors.
Amelia and Tom had been engaged a long time - too long! She was beginning to worry about why he was so reluctant to set a date. So when her father first suggested that the three of them should have a holiday in Norway, Amelia thought that in such relaxed surroundings she and Tom would finally be able to settle their future. Instead, Amelia found Gideon van der Tolck often at her side, and his company became increasingly appealing...
Amelia and Tom had been engaged a long time - too long! She was beginning to worry about why he was so reluctant to set a date. So when her father first suggested that the three of them should have a holiday in Norway, Amelia thought that in such relaxed surroundings she and Tom would finally be able to settle their future. Instead, Amelia found Gideon van der Tolck often at her side, and his company became increasingly appealing...
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1980
83 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
567 books418 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 26, 2025
Amelia Crosbie works in a London hospital as a nurse. She has been engaged to Tom Crouch (a registrar at the hospital) for some time. He is happy waiting to get married, wanting to establish his career. Amelia, on the other hand, wants to settle down and raise a family. When her father brings up going to Norway on a fishing trip with her and Tom, Amelia jumps at the chance, thinking during this time away from work she can persuade Tom into agreeing to get married soon. During the trip she meets Gideon van der Tolck, a handsome Dutchman doctor who is also doing some fishing. Amelia’s father gets on well with him so they all end up traveling together. Tom eventually goes back to London. Amelia spends some time with Gideon, who is showing some romantic interest in her…
I really enjoyed this romance. Gideon was a great hero, very kind and thoughtful, showing Amelia the sights during their trip. I liked the settings and the villages they visited. I found myself laughing at many amusing parts. I didn’t care for Amelia’s fiancé Tom, he didn’t seem very interested in her or marriage. I did like many characters in the book, like Gideon’s family, Amelia’s father…
A sweet and charming read by Betty Neels.
I really enjoyed this romance. Gideon was a great hero, very kind and thoughtful, showing Amelia the sights during their trip. I liked the settings and the villages they visited. I found myself laughing at many amusing parts. I didn’t care for Amelia’s fiancé Tom, he didn’t seem very interested in her or marriage. I did like many characters in the book, like Gideon’s family, Amelia’s father…
A sweet and charming read by Betty Neels.
January 23, 2015
Betty is always a gentle read and a fun way to spend a few hours.
However, this one was a bit middle of the road for me even though the hero is definitely one of my all time favorites by BN. (Oh, if I were 20 years younger, I would want my very own Gideon)
It's very obvious to everyone, except the heroine, that he is madly in love with her. Yet, she continues to pine away for a worthless fiancé, who ditches her for a job in Australia. Gideon proposes, and she would rather chase after the worthless fiancé.
"Marry me and I shall be able to look after you and cherish you until my last breath"
"I'm going to marry Tom"
Needless to say, she wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box.
However, this one was a bit middle of the road for me even though the hero is definitely one of my all time favorites by BN. (Oh, if I were 20 years younger, I would want my very own Gideon)
It's very obvious to everyone, except the heroine, that he is madly in love with her. Yet, she continues to pine away for a worthless fiancé, who ditches her for a job in Australia. Gideon proposes, and she would rather chase after the worthless fiancé.
"Marry me and I shall be able to look after you and cherish you until my last breath"
"I'm going to marry Tom"
Needless to say, she wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box.
May 25, 2021
Rich British Nurse heroine Amelia Crosbie has to be one of Betty's more irritating heroines--she's pettish, sometimes petty, a bit spoiled, a little full of herself, and a clothes horse. In fact, she's quite like some of Betty's OW! She also has the typical Neels obsession with marriage to the point where she's almost desperate to get her booooring, upright, and not-that-interested fiance, Tom, to the altar--something he's put off for a quite a while and is suspiciously half (if that) hearted about.
Despite my irritation with Amelia, I had to rate this one a star higher than I might have otherwise, just because it was pretty unusual for Betty! And had some funny moments that lightened the mood. And therefore ended up being quite a lot of fun.
The HR cover is by Len Goldberg, for those keeping track. It's far better than the M&B cover (artist unknown)--Amelia's supposed to be pretty!
She looks like Rachel Dratch, doesn't she? And while I love RD, she would definitely be one of Betty's "plain face only redeemed by beautiful eyes" heroines (although RD would probably eat RDDs for supper):
while not a keeper for me, TST was sufficiently different from the typical BN book that it made for a nice change!
Despite my irritation with Amelia, I had to rate this one a star higher than I might have otherwise, just because it was pretty unusual for Betty! And had some funny moments that lightened the mood. And therefore ended up being quite a lot of fun.
The HR cover is by Len Goldberg, for those keeping track. It's far better than the M&B cover (artist unknown)--Amelia's supposed to be pretty!
She looks like Rachel Dratch, doesn't she? And while I love RD, she would definitely be one of Betty's "plain face only redeemed by beautiful eyes" heroines (although RD would probably eat RDDs for supper):
while not a keeper for me, TST was sufficiently different from the typical BN book that it made for a nice change!
August 30, 2018
4 Stars ~ The heroine in this story is a operating theatre nurse from a well-to-do family, and she's quite beautiful. She's not the usual plain-Jane, under-privileged heroine found in previous books. The hero is the usual good looking rich Dutch doctor, not just any doctor, but a specialist in his field, which in this story is anesthesiology. Amelia is 27 and she works in a busy London hospital, She's engaged to Tom, a registrar, soon to be looking to start a practice of his own. Tom's a bit of a washy fellow and is happy with a long engagement. He wants to be established in his career before they marry, and in the meantime, Amelia will continue working. Of course, Amelia isn't too thrilled with this idea, especially as she has inherited money from her mother and they need not struggle. When her father suggests that she and Tom accompany him to Norway on a fishing trip, Amelia thinks this might be just the opportunity to tie Tom down with a firm wedding date. Tom only has a week's leave, and Amelia is owed three weeks, so she'll stay on with her father longer.
They meet a Dutchman, also on a fishing holiday, but travelling on his own. Gideon is in his later 30's and is very well off. From the moment he sets eyes on Amelia he's quite taken with her and she is thoroughly disturbed by him.
Amelia's father invites Gideon to join their holiday threesome and to Amelia's displeasure he agrees. Amelia doesn't know why Gideon rubs her the wrong way, but she mistakes the gleam in his eyes as mocking. Tom knows Amelia wants to push their wedding date nearer, and he manages to avoid the topic, so when he returns to London, Amelia is left feeling disappointed. Gideon takes advantage of Tom's departure and invites Amelia and her father to end their Norway holiday early and join him at his home in Holland. Amelia is quite taken with Gideon's family home and discovers that they have parallel ancestral backgrounds. She finds herself thoroughly confused when she's with him.
Gideon questions her on her wedding plans, and when Amelia tells him that Tom wants to wait for them to get married, he quietly asks her, "Why not marry me?" Amelia doesn't know how to take this, so she choses to think he's joking and makes light of it, replying that she's marrying Tom. Gideon simply shrugs and says, "Ah, well, there was no harm in trying."
Back in London, Tom excitedly tells Amelia that he's accepted a five year contract in Australia. When she protests that she'll be away from her father for so long, Tom tells her that the position is only for a bachelor and he expects her to wait for him. Smart girl Amelia won't have any of that and she returns his ring. Weeks later with Tom off to Australia, Amelia and her father attend her cousin's wedding and much to her surprise...
When Gideon asks after Tom, Amelia says he's fine and avoids telling him that they have broken their engagement.
Devastated by her discovery, Amelia tosses off glasses of champagne and tries to evade him, with an "I really ought to circulate" but Gideon halts her.
For the remainder of the story, it's obvious to everyone except Amelia that Gideon is head over heals in love with her. And when he eludes to having made up his mind on who he wants to marry, Amelia is positive he means red-headed Fiona. Gideon, of course, thinks she's still pining for Tom. They give each other a merry dance, until Amelia is ready to admit she loves him. This is another charming love story from Ms. Neels, that I'm sure to enjoy again.
They meet a Dutchman, also on a fishing holiday, but travelling on his own. Gideon is in his later 30's and is very well off. From the moment he sets eyes on Amelia he's quite taken with her and she is thoroughly disturbed by him.
Amelia, meeting the Dutchman’s sleepy gaze, had a sudden strange feeling, as though everything had changed; that nothing would ever be the same again; that there was no one else there, only herself and this giant of a man, still staring at her.
Amelia's father invites Gideon to join their holiday threesome and to Amelia's displeasure he agrees. Amelia doesn't know why Gideon rubs her the wrong way, but she mistakes the gleam in his eyes as mocking. Tom knows Amelia wants to push their wedding date nearer, and he manages to avoid the topic, so when he returns to London, Amelia is left feeling disappointed. Gideon takes advantage of Tom's departure and invites Amelia and her father to end their Norway holiday early and join him at his home in Holland. Amelia is quite taken with Gideon's family home and discovers that they have parallel ancestral backgrounds. She finds herself thoroughly confused when she's with him.
Gideon with his two dogs came into her view, and this time, carried away by some impulse she didn’t try to understand, she opened the casement and called good morning.
He stopped and looked up. ‘Good morning, Amelia. Put on some clothes and come down. A walk’ll do you good. You can have five minutes.’
She managed it somehow, bundled into slacks and a sweater and her quilted jacket on top. She cleaned her teeth, but there was no time for her hair or face; the latter was rosy with sleep and her head a dark tangled curtain as she raced downstairs to meet him.
His quiet: ‘Lord, what a lovely girl you are, Amelia,’ brought her up short. She had wanted to be with him, so much that she hadn’t cared what she looked like, and the sudden knowledge of that shocked her into a frozen silence. She stood in front of him, her face a stiff little mask of bewilderment and embarrassment.
He studied her slowly, his head on one side. ‘Oh, dear—why have you gone all frosty?’ he wanted to know, ‘just when I thought…well, never mind what I thought. You remind me of a winter’s frost waiting for a silver thaw, Amelia.’
‘A silver thaw? What’s that?’
‘Something only to be found in Oregon, I believe; after a frost when the thaw sets in, it turns to silver in the warmth of the sun. It is reputed to be beautiful, just as you are beautiful—only you haven’t found the right warmth to thaw you yet, have you, my dear?’
Gideon questions her on her wedding plans, and when Amelia tells him that Tom wants to wait for them to get married, he quietly asks her, "Why not marry me?" Amelia doesn't know how to take this, so she choses to think he's joking and makes light of it, replying that she's marrying Tom. Gideon simply shrugs and says, "Ah, well, there was no harm in trying."
Back in London, Tom excitedly tells Amelia that he's accepted a five year contract in Australia. When she protests that she'll be away from her father for so long, Tom tells her that the position is only for a bachelor and he expects her to wait for him. Smart girl Amelia won't have any of that and she returns his ring. Weeks later with Tom off to Australia, Amelia and her father attend her cousin's wedding and much to her surprise...
What she saw was Gideon at the other end of the room, standing head and shoulders above everyone else, talking to a pretty red-haired girl. At least, he had been talking to her, presumably, now he was staring at Amelia over everyone else’s head. She tried to smile, a meaningless social smile, but her mouth shook so that she turned her head away quickly.
When Gideon asks after Tom, Amelia says he's fine and avoids telling him that they have broken their engagement.
She wondered instead what he would say if she told him that she had made a discovery; that it wasn’t Tom at all whom she loved but he, standing there smiling at her. ‘Across a crowded room,’ she thought a trifle wildly. She felt peculiar again; she had felt like that when she had met Gideon for the first time and she knew now, with all the clarity of hindsight, that she had fallen in love with him then and had never allowed herself to acknowledge it.
Devastated by her discovery, Amelia tosses off glasses of champagne and tries to evade him, with an "I really ought to circulate" but Gideon halts her.
‘Presently. There’s a song—I’m strongly reminded of it—‘‘Some enchanted evening,’’ although the only line appropriate to us is the one ‘‘Across a crowded room’’.’
‘Oh, did you think of that? So did I.’
‘Now that’s interesting, Amelia. And why do you look so sad? You looked sad in church too, but perhaps you don’t know that.’
She wanted desperately to put out her hand and clutch his arm and explain why she was sad, and not because of Tom, who had suddenly become quite unimportant, but because she loved him so much and he didn’t care two straws for her.
‘I’m very happy,’ she said a shade too loudly. As the waiter went past she took another glass of champagne.
‘Happy? Oh yes, and I’m sure you will be—because you will make your own happiness. You’ll tend it with all the care of someone holding a last candle in the dark. You’ll learn to make do with second best; a great many men and women do, you know. Just a few know what real happiness is—to love someone so much that nothing else matters any more, only the two of you and the life you share.’ Gideon smiled faintly. ‘We could have been like that, you and I. You know that deep in your heart, don’t you, my darling? And do you know something else? If it would make you happy, I would give up all I have and live in a desert with you, or on top of a mountain. I’d pluck the moon from the sky and hang the stars round your beautiful neck. The world could be paradise.’ He sighed. ‘But most of us, as I said, make do with second best.’
Amelia drank in every word, her insides glowing with excitement. He loved her—he must, to talk to her like that. She had only to explain…
The next minute she knew that she never would. He laughed suddenly and the mockery in his laugh was so blatant that she winced. ‘What nonsense one talks at weddings! Come and meet Fiona; we came together—we’ve known each other for a long time.’
For the remainder of the story, it's obvious to everyone except Amelia that Gideon is head over heals in love with her. And when he eludes to having made up his mind on who he wants to marry, Amelia is positive he means red-headed Fiona. Gideon, of course, thinks she's still pining for Tom. They give each other a merry dance, until Amelia is ready to admit she loves him. This is another charming love story from Ms. Neels, that I'm sure to enjoy again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2014
This was one of the Betty's that I had never read. A fellow BN fanatic gifted me with the original 1981 paperback (excellent condition too) a few months ago so I am grateful I finally received the opportunity because it is just lovely.
Fact: I laughed out loud a few times reading this which isn't a normal reaction from me while reading a Betty (usually it's just heart-clutching sighs and tears), but Amelia could be downright snarky at times. I liked it. I liked her snappishness too. It was real.
Another Fact: I learned more about fishing in Norway than I never thought I needed to. I mean, after spending 20+ years learning the ins and outs of Holland through Betty, I had to pull up a map of where Amelia, Gideon, and her father travel because it as all so different and fun.
Last Fact: This is my favorite type of Betty where the romance is a slow burn to our heroine, but totally obvious to the reader and everyone else in creation. Gideon is rather romantic and impetuous which is what a single, fishing, Dutch anesthetist should be, and he owns a CASTLE!
Fact: I laughed out loud a few times reading this which isn't a normal reaction from me while reading a Betty (usually it's just heart-clutching sighs and tears), but Amelia could be downright snarky at times. I liked it. I liked her snappishness too. It was real.
Another Fact: I learned more about fishing in Norway than I never thought I needed to. I mean, after spending 20+ years learning the ins and outs of Holland through Betty, I had to pull up a map of where Amelia, Gideon, and her father travel because it as all so different and fun.
Last Fact: This is my favorite type of Betty where the romance is a slow burn to our heroine, but totally obvious to the reader and everyone else in creation. Gideon is rather romantic and impetuous which is what a single, fishing, Dutch anesthetist should be, and he owns a CASTLE!
February 10, 2024
skimmed; not a favorite
January 18, 2014
This was another good read from Betty Neels. A little different in that the initial meeting with the hero takes place when Amelia is on a fishing holiday in Norway with her father and her fiance Tom. Gideon is also on holiday and seems to be a little smitten with our heroine.
Tom meanwhile is resisting all pressure to set the date for the wedding and toddles off home leaving Amelia frustrated and forced into Gideon's company. Amelia realises just a little too late where her heart lies and so we have quite a bit of angst in the later half of the book. There isn't too much of the other woman thing happening though there is a pretty girl who Amelia thinks Gideon is serious about.
We get to see Amelia's hospital life, some areas of Norway and the doctor's home near Hilversum in Holland. A little less enigmaticness (is that even a word?) from our hero would have turned this into a novella but otherwise an enjoyable read.
Tom meanwhile is resisting all pressure to set the date for the wedding and toddles off home leaving Amelia frustrated and forced into Gideon's company. Amelia realises just a little too late where her heart lies and so we have quite a bit of angst in the later half of the book. There isn't too much of the other woman thing happening though there is a pretty girl who Amelia thinks Gideon is serious about.
We get to see Amelia's hospital life, some areas of Norway and the doctor's home near Hilversum in Holland. A little less enigmaticness (is that even a word?) from our hero would have turned this into a novella but otherwise an enjoyable read.
May 22, 2023
Found it very aggravating.
Wrote a very painstaking review but a blip happened snd I got chucked out of goodreads and when I came back the review had disappeared.
Long story short.
All they did was eat and sleep and walk and dance and fish
The heroine behaved to the hero till the last page as if she loathed his guts.
She would turn and walk away. She pretended to not understand his professions of love or marriage proposals or whatever those tepid declarations were.
There is zero evidence of any lust or desire in Betty Neels romances.
No desire. Desire is filthy.
The heroine is delightful. She is large. She is efficient. She is sensible.
The hero is large. Solid. Rich. Talks in riddles throughout. Keeps indicating to heroine that there are other women he wines and dines with.
All they ever do is wine and dine. Then the hero invariably deposits her at her doorstep and disappears.
I found this one boring. It appeared very promising. But it turned out to be a false alarm. Nothing much happened.
Some animals were rescued. A rabbit. A dog which had puppies.
A requisite disaster took place and lots of saving of lives occurred
The hero and heroine had no chemistry. He appeared to like her. But she hated him. Like she disliked him.
Author let her prejudices colour the narrative.
Maybe it’s a me problem. By all means go on and read it.
I feel her books lack depth and soul. They’re very prosaic and matter of fact.
Jane Austen or The Brontes wrote hotter and more lustful books.
So before this review disappears. I will sign off.
Have a nice day whoever reads this.
Wrote a very painstaking review but a blip happened snd I got chucked out of goodreads and when I came back the review had disappeared.
Long story short.
All they did was eat and sleep and walk and dance and fish
The heroine behaved to the hero till the last page as if she loathed his guts.
She would turn and walk away. She pretended to not understand his professions of love or marriage proposals or whatever those tepid declarations were.
There is zero evidence of any lust or desire in Betty Neels romances.
No desire. Desire is filthy.
The heroine is delightful. She is large. She is efficient. She is sensible.
The hero is large. Solid. Rich. Talks in riddles throughout. Keeps indicating to heroine that there are other women he wines and dines with.
All they ever do is wine and dine. Then the hero invariably deposits her at her doorstep and disappears.
I found this one boring. It appeared very promising. But it turned out to be a false alarm. Nothing much happened.
Some animals were rescued. A rabbit. A dog which had puppies.
A requisite disaster took place and lots of saving of lives occurred
The hero and heroine had no chemistry. He appeared to like her. But she hated him. Like she disliked him.
Author let her prejudices colour the narrative.
Maybe it’s a me problem. By all means go on and read it.
I feel her books lack depth and soul. They’re very prosaic and matter of fact.
Jane Austen or The Brontes wrote hotter and more lustful books.
So before this review disappears. I will sign off.
Have a nice day whoever reads this.
April 11, 2015
Not the typical Betty Neels book. She is a staff nurse in charge of two theater/operation room but she is also the only daughter of a well to do squire and she has plenty of money on her own... so unlike most other Betty's books, this girl buys a new expensive outfit every time you turn around, mostly after her engagement falls apart... she is tall, smart and very pretty. She comes from a big extended family and her father adores her. She is engaged to an English doctor three years out of school. Their relationship is lukewarm and he wants her to wait another two years before they get married and continue working even afterward because he doesn't want to touch her money. He criticize her for buying new clothes and the readers can feel his animosity for her family lavish lifestyle. Her dad's favorite hobby is fishing and he takes his daughter and her fiance to Norway at the end of September so he can try his hand on fishing salmon. She is going to be with her dad for an extra two weeks because Tom, the fiance can only take one week off. On second day of their vacation they meet the good old Dutch doctor who basically falls in love with the girl on first site.... She can feel her life changing as soon as they meet but she also resents him.
Unlike most other Betty's books, the main characters do not work together... Even though he proposes twice, she thinks he is joking. She actually realizes she is in love with Gideon, the Dutch doctor, shortly after her engagement falls apart, but she believes he is with another girl.
I really liked Gideon and the storyline was refreshing.
Unlike most other Betty's books, the main characters do not work together... Even though he proposes twice, she thinks he is joking. She actually realizes she is in love with Gideon, the Dutch doctor, shortly after her engagement falls apart, but she believes he is with another girl.
I really liked Gideon and the storyline was refreshing.
May 5, 2010
Ah, another fine outing from LaNeels. You either buy into her standard plot (which varies only in the small details from book to book) or you don't. This is not one of her angsty books. Our Rich Dutch Doctor is not overly snide or obnoxious. It is obvious to the reader that he has fallen for our British Nurse(beautiful and tall variation), though she is being just a bit dim about the whole thing. After all, she has been engaged to steady Tom for years (good old Tom, who shows No Signs of actually wanting to get married).
So the only drama for the reader comes from wondering when/how our BN will break up with Tom, how soon our BN will realize that she's in love with the RDD. In the meantime we get good hospital action and a nice tour of Norway (fishing holiday), the RDD's home in the Netherlands, and the English countryside before we get to our final declaration of love and the big kiss.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.
So the only drama for the reader comes from wondering when/how our BN will break up with Tom, how soon our BN will realize that she's in love with the RDD. In the meantime we get good hospital action and a nice tour of Norway (fishing holiday), the RDD's home in the Netherlands, and the English countryside before we get to our final declaration of love and the big kiss.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.
June 29, 2020
I accidentally put this book aside to read, forgetting that I had not enjoyed it before. But, with reading it again, I changed my opinion. I think that I just didn't enjoy the first third of the book. The heroine, Amelia, goes to Norway for three weeks with her father and her fiance (for a week) on a fishing trip. I wasn't enthralled with the descriptions of the fishing trip. But, afterwards, the action switches to the Netherlands and England and the plot improves. I liked Gideon, the Dutch doctor that Amelia and her father meet in Norway. He is quirky and a little sarcastic, but I think that he is just frustrated with Amelia's fiance, Tom. Thinking that Amelia is really in love with Tom, he backs off. Later, when the engagement falls through, Gideon waits for Amelia to transfer her emotions over to him. It is a situation of cross-purposes for Amelia and Gideon. I liked the way they gradually came to know their own feelings and share them with each other.
August 14, 2021
I simply never warmed up to the heroine, no pun intended.
April 11, 2021
Lucky Amelia, on vacation from the hospital, in Norway with her father and fiance. Somehow the vacation doesn't go as she expected though and she finds her fiance pulling away while a RDD slowly moves in. He plays his cards pretty close to his vest, so I'm not surprised it takes Amelia a little while to readjust her plans. She's a smart girl however, and eventually we get our HEA.
I liked Amelia and he father and enjoyed the tour of Norway. Good story.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
I liked Amelia and he father and enjoyed the tour of Norway. Good story.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
March 24, 2012
One of the best Betty Neels books I've read.
January 7, 2013
More of a story than her usual. Her male character seems more living and jovial than normal.
September 28, 2016
3 1/2 stars. The alternate version of Midnight Sun's Magic. Fishing trip instead of nurse-cum-secretary-cum-cook; same boring fiancée; etc. Amelia turns downs the half-hearted MOC proposal in this one, insisting she is going to marry Tom (we all know it's never going to happen) and the rest of the book consists of Amelia and Gideon (I do love the names!) dancing around the truth.
I like the scenery. I like the H/h. I like Amelia's posh background that matches Gideon's. So why do I not like the overall book more? Amelia gets a little annoying with her refusal to see that Gideon is attracted to her. I wanted to smack Gideon over the head when he took back his lovely speech at the wedding reception (remember The Nanny TV show when Mr. Sheffield told Fran he loved her and then took it back?).
The ending is lovely, though. I love Gideon's response to the woman in the "deplorable hat."
I like the scenery. I like the H/h. I like Amelia's posh background that matches Gideon's. So why do I not like the overall book more? Amelia gets a little annoying with her refusal to see that Gideon is attracted to her. I wanted to smack Gideon over the head when he took back his lovely speech at the wedding reception (remember The Nanny TV show when Mr. Sheffield told Fran he loved her and then took it back?).
The ending is lovely, though. I love Gideon's response to the woman in the "deplorable hat."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 29, 2014Miniseries: The Best of Betty Neels
June 29, 2015
Eh, felt Gideon was a bit pushy. I mean, all of Neels' heroes are, but it felt especially so in this one.
September 4, 2015
can't get into it
March 16, 2018
3.5* 1980 copyright
The romance is rather weak in this story; the Norwegian holiday trip stole the show! Oh and the beautiful clothes, rich and delicious food and houses!Not to mention they drank more champagne than tea!
I must say so far, Amelia was the wealthiest BN heroine I've read. Gideon was a RDD Rich Dutch Doctor, but not a baron. However his family castle dated back to the 14th century and he could most likely trace every ancestor to back then! Amelia mentioned that fishing in Alta was even considered too expensive for her father who had seemed rich and generous, so that must be saying something about Gideon's wealth. No wonder he was so evasive talking about himself as with all BN heroes; probably to keep gold diggers away!
Now it's clear as glass to us readers that Tom was all wrong for Amelia. Her father did not share a warm relationship with him, and his reluctance to set a wedding date was obviously a huge sign. When Amelia first met Gideon, she could not help but feel the instant connection, but seeing how she's engaged to Tom, she told herself she disliked Gideon, most likely to stop herself from betraying Tom.
SPOILERS
Gideon then invited Amelia and her father to return to England via Holland; he'd be happy to host them. And we knew what it meant, when a hero showed the heroine his house, especially the ancestral home! But he really needed to work on his timing; his proposal came so out of the blue that it shocked even me! Or one could say Gideon sure knew his mind: he saw and he wanted Amelia...like someone he'd been waiting for all his life (36 years of it.)
Of course Amelia rejected him; she'd only met him 3 weeks ago and she's still engaged to Tom! Moreover she was sure she did not love Gideon...then.
From then on, it's a lot of frustration for me. Gideon tried to downplay his rejected proposal, and maybe to ease off pressure on Amelia he acted friendly but impersonal, but boy he sure turned up in places where Amelia was! Everyone in her big family liked Gideon, it seemed.
By then the free and single Amelia realised she could not get Gideon out of her mind, unlike Tom! Then she realised the one she truly loved was Gideon, but too late, he seemed to be attached to this Fiona!
While it was apparent to us that Gideon was smitten by Amelia (look at his family's behaviour in Holland), Amelia was too blind and confused by Gideon's words and actions. She mistook being Gideon's second choice, and he's on the verge of marrying Fiona. He thought she was still hung up on Tom, and joked about marrying him a second time.
If they could just speak frankly the book could have ended 50pages earlier! The way Gideon 'proposed' a secind time...was it even one? Wait, Amelia had said she's too busy and he replied he wouldn't propose then. *Jaw drop* I feel for Amelia...what's a girl supposed to feel?! Never quite knew what to maje of him... Most frustrating to read.
Other than that, I very much enjoyed the descriptions of the places, dresses, and food. I cannot believe Gideon was always making comments about Amelia 's size and so soon upon acquaintance! Beautiful Amelia was junoesque, smart and sweet in general.
I must say the book grew on me upon a second read 16/3/18
The romance is rather weak in this story; the Norwegian holiday trip stole the show! Oh and the beautiful clothes, rich and delicious food and houses!Not to mention they drank more champagne than tea!
I must say so far, Amelia was the wealthiest BN heroine I've read. Gideon was a RDD Rich Dutch Doctor, but not a baron. However his family castle dated back to the 14th century and he could most likely trace every ancestor to back then! Amelia mentioned that fishing in Alta was even considered too expensive for her father who had seemed rich and generous, so that must be saying something about Gideon's wealth. No wonder he was so evasive talking about himself as with all BN heroes; probably to keep gold diggers away!
Now it's clear as glass to us readers that Tom was all wrong for Amelia. Her father did not share a warm relationship with him, and his reluctance to set a wedding date was obviously a huge sign. When Amelia first met Gideon, she could not help but feel the instant connection, but seeing how she's engaged to Tom, she told herself she disliked Gideon, most likely to stop herself from betraying Tom.
SPOILERS
Gideon then invited Amelia and her father to return to England via Holland; he'd be happy to host them. And we knew what it meant, when a hero showed the heroine his house, especially the ancestral home! But he really needed to work on his timing; his proposal came so out of the blue that it shocked even me! Or one could say Gideon sure knew his mind: he saw and he wanted Amelia...like someone he'd been waiting for all his life (36 years of it.)
Of course Amelia rejected him; she'd only met him 3 weeks ago and she's still engaged to Tom! Moreover she was sure she did not love Gideon...then.
From then on, it's a lot of frustration for me. Gideon tried to downplay his rejected proposal, and maybe to ease off pressure on Amelia he acted friendly but impersonal, but boy he sure turned up in places where Amelia was! Everyone in her big family liked Gideon, it seemed.
By then the free and single Amelia realised she could not get Gideon out of her mind, unlike Tom! Then she realised the one she truly loved was Gideon, but too late, he seemed to be attached to this Fiona!
While it was apparent to us that Gideon was smitten by Amelia (look at his family's behaviour in Holland), Amelia was too blind and confused by Gideon's words and actions. She mistook being Gideon's second choice, and he's on the verge of marrying Fiona. He thought she was still hung up on Tom, and joked about marrying him a second time.
If they could just speak frankly the book could have ended 50pages earlier! The way Gideon 'proposed' a secind time...was it even one? Wait, Amelia had said she's too busy and he replied he wouldn't propose then. *Jaw drop* I feel for Amelia...what's a girl supposed to feel?! Never quite knew what to maje of him... Most frustrating to read.
Other than that, I very much enjoyed the descriptions of the places, dresses, and food. I cannot believe Gideon was always making comments about Amelia 's size and so soon upon acquaintance! Beautiful Amelia was junoesque, smart and sweet in general.
I must say the book grew on me upon a second read 16/3/18
July 31, 2025
A Waiting Game
There isn't much. I feel I can contribute to the reviews that are already out here for this book. I will say that Gideon was very patient and son the waiting game. You can tell in the beginning that Amelia has some reservations about her fiance. I really feel like she was silly to miss the signs in the first place. This part might just be me projecting something else onto this story, but I don't have any fondness for Tom. None. I think he saw a pretty girl from a good family and courted her. Then, having gotten her to agree to marry him, he went on about his life the way he wanted. He didn't love her. He thought she'd make a suitable wife for a successful doctor, which he intended to be. So, he has the girl, who has money in case he fails, and he's just going to keep her waiting until he's ready. She's in love with him so he can just keep her on the hook until he's ready. He didn't count on her getting tired if waiting. He didn't count on her finally getting angry. In the meantime, she meets Gideon, who is everything Tom is not. She almost lets him slip away from her because she's so prideful. I feel like he almost lost her too. It's obvious to us, the readers, that she loves him. It's probably pretty obvious to him. His game of waiting until she figured it out was entertaining, but he could have lost.... if this wasn't, you know.... A romance novel.
There isn't much. I feel I can contribute to the reviews that are already out here for this book. I will say that Gideon was very patient and son the waiting game. You can tell in the beginning that Amelia has some reservations about her fiance. I really feel like she was silly to miss the signs in the first place. This part might just be me projecting something else onto this story, but I don't have any fondness for Tom. None. I think he saw a pretty girl from a good family and courted her. Then, having gotten her to agree to marry him, he went on about his life the way he wanted. He didn't love her. He thought she'd make a suitable wife for a successful doctor, which he intended to be. So, he has the girl, who has money in case he fails, and he's just going to keep her waiting until he's ready. She's in love with him so he can just keep her on the hook until he's ready. He didn't count on her getting tired if waiting. He didn't count on her finally getting angry. In the meantime, she meets Gideon, who is everything Tom is not. She almost lets him slip away from her because she's so prideful. I feel like he almost lost her too. It's obvious to us, the readers, that she loves him. It's probably pretty obvious to him. His game of waiting until she figured it out was entertaining, but he could have lost.... if this wasn't, you know.... A romance novel.
June 6, 2017
The girl is a sincere nurse but eager to be a housewife with family and kids. Well to do girl, nothing wrong with her background. Rich, caring dad, all is well. Except fiance is not keen on marriage. I cant think of reasons why the fiance would say no to her actually. She is ideal wife material !!
Anyway, enter the hero, who flips for her on sight during a fishing trip abroad. From then, his wait begins - for the girl to give up on the fiance, and turn towards him. He doesn't try too hard mind you , goes on living his jolly life. Just bumps into her once in a way and makes some grand declarations of marriage and love and companionship.
She is confused, belligerent at first. But true to the book title, her frostiness begins to thaw and she makes a brash declaration of love on the last page. Hero is relieved more than happy. His wait is over. HEA.
No point for guessing that the hero is a Dutch doctor, and the couple travel to and forth from London to Holland, true to Betty Neels formula.
Ok one time read, not much to distinguish from dozens of similar stuff that she has churned out. 2.5 stars.
Anyway, enter the hero, who flips for her on sight during a fishing trip abroad. From then, his wait begins - for the girl to give up on the fiance, and turn towards him. He doesn't try too hard mind you , goes on living his jolly life. Just bumps into her once in a way and makes some grand declarations of marriage and love and companionship.
She is confused, belligerent at first. But true to the book title, her frostiness begins to thaw and she makes a brash declaration of love on the last page. Hero is relieved more than happy. His wait is over. HEA.
No point for guessing that the hero is a Dutch doctor, and the couple travel to and forth from London to Holland, true to Betty Neels formula.
Ok one time read, not much to distinguish from dozens of similar stuff that she has churned out. 2.5 stars.
October 12, 2023
I love the novels Betty Neels wrote....this one in 1980....
Amelia is a surgery theatre nurse....very capable and has complete control over her nurses....is sympathetic with those who really can't cope with the surgeon's bad temper or the gore of the operation.
Her father is an avid fisherman and wants Amelia and her fiance, Tom to come to Norway with him for 3 weeks. Tom goes for one week and enjoys himself but he is so work related that Amelia is second place....in the week he was with her in Norway, I think he kissed her twice.
While Tom is there, they meet Gideon, a handsome, huge specialist from Holland who is also an avid fisherman and the father and Tom both like him. Something about Gideon annoys Amelia and she tries to be nice to him but is actually falling in love with him.
In the meantime, back in the US, Tom accepts a job in Australia but can't take Amelia because the job is only for a single man. He expects her to wait until his contract is up in 5 years and then they will marry.
But the story ends wonderfully with Gideon and Amelia making plans to marry!
Amelia is a surgery theatre nurse....very capable and has complete control over her nurses....is sympathetic with those who really can't cope with the surgeon's bad temper or the gore of the operation.
Her father is an avid fisherman and wants Amelia and her fiance, Tom to come to Norway with him for 3 weeks. Tom goes for one week and enjoys himself but he is so work related that Amelia is second place....in the week he was with her in Norway, I think he kissed her twice.
While Tom is there, they meet Gideon, a handsome, huge specialist from Holland who is also an avid fisherman and the father and Tom both like him. Something about Gideon annoys Amelia and she tries to be nice to him but is actually falling in love with him.
In the meantime, back in the US, Tom accepts a job in Australia but can't take Amelia because the job is only for a single man. He expects her to wait until his contract is up in 5 years and then they will marry.
But the story ends wonderfully with Gideon and Amelia making plans to marry!
October 17, 2022
The only thing I like about Amelia is her name. She is one of Betty's "poor little rich girls." She is beautiful (and well-dressed), smart, rich, gainfully employed (but doesn't have to work), has a loving parent, and yet spends most of her time crying and feeling sorry for herself. One of my favorite lines is when Amelia is explaining to her father that she broke her engagement to Tom because she didn't want to "live like a nun" for 5 yrs. This was so funny because Tom wouldn't even give her a peck in public. Wake up girl, you were living like a nun for years with a fiance. She comes across as selfish and desperate to marry any man. Gideon deserved better!
September 23, 2018
I might know why I don't read Harlequin Romances any more. I grabbed this book from a give away bin since it brought back fond memories. But our heroine especially and both her love interests were just very annoying. The books rather old fashioned but that could be overlooked if the main character was less clueless.
September 21, 2021
This book was an experience for me. Very immersive. I traced her story throughout Norway on google maps, that's how deep it went thanks to Betty's detailed descriptions. Hope to visit someday! Loved the hero so much. Definitely a keeper.
January 7, 2023
Read this decades ago as a teenager. You always know what you are getting with Betty Neels, as her books follow a definite formula (British nurse, rich Dutch doctor), but they are cozy and comforting and the travelogues and scenery descriptions are always fun.
July 28, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
April 25, 2021
Incredibly dense heroine. Also, a lot of the book doesn't sound like it was written by Betty Neels.
October 19, 2023
Different premise than most, as she met the Professor while on holiday with her Dad in Norway.
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