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Romantic Encounter
Mills & Boon presents the complete Betty Neels collection. Timeless tales of heart-warming romance by one of the world’s best-loved romance authors.
“Your personal life is of no interest to me.”
Renowned consultant Alexander Fitzgibbon had made it clear from the start that their relationship was to remain strictly professional. Yet Florence couldn’t help but wonder what lay behind his cool, efficient exterior. Could she break down the barrier and reach the man behind it?
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Betty Neels
585 books422 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 42 reviews
March 14, 2015
3.5 stars
This was longer than most stories I have read by Betty, but it was enjoyable and I did get quite a chuckle from time to time. This was definitely written during Betty's amazon, beautiful and brash heroine phase. (Which I definitely prefer over the mousy, timid phase).
"Sausage rolls?" He eyed her shapely person thoughtfully. "an insufficient diet for one of your build, Florence. "
Ok, so he wasn't exactly the most subtle of heroes, but he actually grew on me. He certainly brought out her fiery temper. Can't say I blame her...... ; D
This was longer than most stories I have read by Betty, but it was enjoyable and I did get quite a chuckle from time to time. This was definitely written during Betty's amazon, beautiful and brash heroine phase. (Which I definitely prefer over the mousy, timid phase).
"Sausage rolls?" He eyed her shapely person thoughtfully. "an insufficient diet for one of your build, Florence. "
Ok, so he wasn't exactly the most subtle of heroes, but he actually grew on me. He certainly brought out her fiery temper. Can't say I blame her...... ; D
July 28, 2021
Before we get to it…I read a NY Times article about how Amsterdam is trying to come up with ways to deal with problems they experienced pre-COVID with over-tourism (“In 2019…21.7 million people visited Amsterdam, a city with a population of about 870,000”) and what I would call “drunken lout” tourism. There are some creative ideas to steer people away from the tourist frenzy that Dam Square and the Red Light District have become, including a Marry an Amsterdammer for a Day program. Whaaaa? Think any vast, handsome, occasionally tiresome Rich Dutch Doctors volunteer? Sign me up!
Onward to the review! RE is even more of a slow burn than the usual Betty book, with the first kiss coming some three-quarters of the way through the book, and much of it taken up with the descriptions of the day-to-day work that our Poor British Nurse, Florence Napier does as right-hand private-practice nurse to our RBD hero, Alexander Fitzgibbon. A “romantic encounter” it most definitely is NOT, for most of the book. Florence doesn’t even find out the hero’s first name for a good long while (2/3s of the way through the book--wouldn't she have seen some correspondence with at least an "A" in the office? Wouldn't she have asked our Greek Chorus, office manager Mrs. Keane, his first name at some point?)!
But nonethless, I really enjoyed this one. Betty’s such a good, well-balanced, entertaining writer that, as I’ve noted before, she holds my interest even when the MCs aren’t in scenes together. Part of it is how vividly she draws even minor characters. And the idealized vaguely Edwardian British world she depicts (despite being written/set in 1992) is so appealing to this Anglophile American. But mostly it's the characters in this one who just charmed the bejeezus out of me--the big, beautiful, confident heroine who most definitely can hold her own with that most intimidating of creatures, an ultra-reserved, cool-eyed, utterly self-possessed Rich British Doctor who is alternately amused, bemused, and knocked from his perch by our redoubtable heroine.
A sweet and funny ending closes out this sweet and funny book, which may be too slow paced and uneventful for a lot of modern romance readers but really does show Betty at her most charming and amusing. This was a re-read for me and even better thesecond third(!) time around, and one I'd read again with pleasure in the future when I need some mental comfort food. See Pamela Shropshire's wonderful review, too, for a great summary and excerpts.
Onward to the review! RE is even more of a slow burn than the usual Betty book, with the first kiss coming some three-quarters of the way through the book, and much of it taken up with the descriptions of the day-to-day work that our Poor British Nurse, Florence Napier does as right-hand private-practice nurse to our RBD hero, Alexander Fitzgibbon. A “romantic encounter” it most definitely is NOT, for most of the book. Florence doesn’t even find out the hero’s first name for a good long while (2/3s of the way through the book--wouldn't she have seen some correspondence with at least an "A" in the office? Wouldn't she have asked our Greek Chorus, office manager Mrs. Keane, his first name at some point?)!
But nonethless, I really enjoyed this one. Betty’s such a good, well-balanced, entertaining writer that, as I’ve noted before, she holds my interest even when the MCs aren’t in scenes together. Part of it is how vividly she draws even minor characters. And the idealized vaguely Edwardian British world she depicts (despite being written/set in 1992) is so appealing to this Anglophile American. But mostly it's the characters in this one who just charmed the bejeezus out of me--the big, beautiful, confident heroine who most definitely can hold her own with that most intimidating of creatures, an ultra-reserved, cool-eyed, utterly self-possessed Rich British Doctor who is alternately amused, bemused, and knocked from his perch by our redoubtable heroine.
A sweet and funny ending closes out this sweet and funny book, which may be too slow paced and uneventful for a lot of modern romance readers but really does show Betty at her most charming and amusing. This was a re-read for me and even better the
March 5, 2017
I haven't read this one in quite a while, but I was quickly reminded why I've always enjoyed it immensely (hint: it isn't the lackluster title!)
There are many things I enjoy about TGB's writing: rescued animals, the beautiful English and Dutch countrysides, lovely descriptions of food and fashions of the periods. Sometimes, however, I must admit that these things rather overwhelm the actual romance between our RDDs and PBNs. Not so in this one!
Florence is a lovely redhead with blue eyes and a shapely figure, while Alexander is tall and vast (as usual) with salt-and-pepper hair and grey eyes that range from warm to steely, depending on the occasion and his mood. Each admits to the other, early on, that they have fiery tempers.
*****
"Is Sister Napier there yet?’
'Yes,’ said Florence, slightly tartly, ‘she is; she came at eight o’clock sharp.’
'The time we agreed upon?’ he asked silkily. ‘I should warn you that I frown upon unpunctuality.’
'In that case, Mr Fitzgibbon,’ said Florence sweetly, ‘why don’t you have one of those clocking-in machines installed?’
'I frown on impertinence too,’ said Mr Fitzgibbon, and hung up.
****
Since they are working together daily, we see plenty of them together, both in harmony and out. However, their fiery exchanges are merely indicative of the chemistry between them. There is plenty of witty banter between them as well. Also, we see a good deal of Alexander's POV.
And little by little, they learn more about each other, the really important stuff. When a theatre star comes to consult with him, Alexander expresses his thoughts.
****
‘Mothers of families are famous too in their own homes, and they face a hazardous future, and what about the middle-aged ladies supporting aged parents, or the women bringing up children on their own?’
‘Well, I didn’t know that you were like that…’
'Like what?’
'Minding about people. Oh, doctors and surgeons must mind, I know that, but you…’
****
Alexander is the first to discover his feelings for Florence.
****
"He wanted a wife, a home life and children, but not with Eleanor; the certainty of that had been in his mind for several weeks, although he had ignored it. Now, watching Florence, he acknowledged it."
****
He then waits, more or less patiently, for her to realize that she loves him, too. When she does, she soon decides she cannot continue working for him so she gives her notice and begins thinking about taking a new job in New Zealand.
This is what Alexander has been waiting for! He clears his schedule for a week and shows up at her home, but her response is perhaps not what he was hoping for.
****
"Florence stood stock-still as he got slowly to his feet and walked towards her. ‘Go away,’ said Florence, wishing with all her treacherous heart that he would stay, and then, to make things clearer, she added, ‘I don’t want to speak to you and, if you want me to go back and work for you, I won’t.’
'My dear girl, there is nothing further from my mind.’ He looked amused. ‘And certainly I am going away, but first I must bid your mother goodbye.’
****
So, he does as she says, but is back the very next day, and this time, he will not be denied.
****
"I have a week’s holiday, taken at great inconvenience to myself and my patients; I have wasted two days already, and I have no intention of wasting any more.’"
****
He declares himself and proposes very nicely.
****
"If you won’t have me, my dearest heart, I think that I shall go into a monastery or emigrate to some far-flung spot.’
'Don’t do that—don’t ever go away,’ said Florence urgently. ‘I couldn’t bear it. It took me quite a while to discover that I loved you, but I do and I shan’t change.’
Mr Fitzgibbon swept her into his arms. ‘I’ll see that you don’t.’ He kissed her then, taking his time about it, and then he kissed her again."
****
*sigh*
There are many things I enjoy about TGB's writing: rescued animals, the beautiful English and Dutch countrysides, lovely descriptions of food and fashions of the periods. Sometimes, however, I must admit that these things rather overwhelm the actual romance between our RDDs and PBNs. Not so in this one!
Florence is a lovely redhead with blue eyes and a shapely figure, while Alexander is tall and vast (as usual) with salt-and-pepper hair and grey eyes that range from warm to steely, depending on the occasion and his mood. Each admits to the other, early on, that they have fiery tempers.
*****
"Is Sister Napier there yet?’
'Yes,’ said Florence, slightly tartly, ‘she is; she came at eight o’clock sharp.’
'The time we agreed upon?’ he asked silkily. ‘I should warn you that I frown upon unpunctuality.’
'In that case, Mr Fitzgibbon,’ said Florence sweetly, ‘why don’t you have one of those clocking-in machines installed?’
'I frown on impertinence too,’ said Mr Fitzgibbon, and hung up.
****
Since they are working together daily, we see plenty of them together, both in harmony and out. However, their fiery exchanges are merely indicative of the chemistry between them. There is plenty of witty banter between them as well. Also, we see a good deal of Alexander's POV.
And little by little, they learn more about each other, the really important stuff. When a theatre star comes to consult with him, Alexander expresses his thoughts.
****
‘Mothers of families are famous too in their own homes, and they face a hazardous future, and what about the middle-aged ladies supporting aged parents, or the women bringing up children on their own?’
‘Well, I didn’t know that you were like that…’
'Like what?’
'Minding about people. Oh, doctors and surgeons must mind, I know that, but you…’
****
Alexander is the first to discover his feelings for Florence.
****
"He wanted a wife, a home life and children, but not with Eleanor; the certainty of that had been in his mind for several weeks, although he had ignored it. Now, watching Florence, he acknowledged it."
****
He then waits, more or less patiently, for her to realize that she loves him, too. When she does, she soon decides she cannot continue working for him so she gives her notice and begins thinking about taking a new job in New Zealand.
This is what Alexander has been waiting for! He clears his schedule for a week and shows up at her home, but her response is perhaps not what he was hoping for.
****
"Florence stood stock-still as he got slowly to his feet and walked towards her. ‘Go away,’ said Florence, wishing with all her treacherous heart that he would stay, and then, to make things clearer, she added, ‘I don’t want to speak to you and, if you want me to go back and work for you, I won’t.’
'My dear girl, there is nothing further from my mind.’ He looked amused. ‘And certainly I am going away, but first I must bid your mother goodbye.’
****
So, he does as she says, but is back the very next day, and this time, he will not be denied.
****
"I have a week’s holiday, taken at great inconvenience to myself and my patients; I have wasted two days already, and I have no intention of wasting any more.’"
****
He declares himself and proposes very nicely.
****
"If you won’t have me, my dearest heart, I think that I shall go into a monastery or emigrate to some far-flung spot.’
'Don’t do that—don’t ever go away,’ said Florence urgently. ‘I couldn’t bear it. It took me quite a while to discover that I loved you, but I do and I shan’t change.’
Mr Fitzgibbon swept her into his arms. ‘I’ll see that you don’t.’ He kissed her then, taking his time about it, and then he kissed her again."
****
*sigh*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2023
This was a four-star read, with one of Betty’s vibrant, beautiful heroines, but at the end it had to slip down to a three because the H was such a moody, manipulative baby. I don’t feel a lot of respect for a man who is filthy rich, handsome, professionally successful, and admired by everyone who knows him yet cannot straightforwardly court a woman who is younger and less resourced. he really put her through the mill during the last quarter of the book. I think Betty thought that because she was getting such a prize,the h should suffer a little bit.
September 11, 2017
This book got me straight away and I havent been able to put it down, I had mixed feelings about the H Alexander but Florence I did like, she was fiery as she was described in the book and in this one she wasn't a plain Jane which makes me think if she was perhaps Alexander might have softened towards her lol. Alexander did eventually grow on me but just like Florence when you began to like him he would do a big turn around and you would begin to dislike him again.
I liked how Florence stood up to herself when it came to the ow who didn't do much mischief and it made a nice change and I liked the settings and Florence's family, I enjoyed it when Alexander got a little jealous but didn't show it when she talks to an engaged co worker at the hospital and I enjoyed the ending despite it being short.
I liked how Florence stood up to herself when it came to the ow who didn't do much mischief and it made a nice change and I liked the settings and Florence's family, I enjoyed it when Alexander got a little jealous but didn't show it when she talks to an engaged co worker at the hospital and I enjoyed the ending despite it being short.
March 24, 2017
This is a fairly typical Neels romance. The heroine, Florence, is a nurse but has been helping out at home while her mother recuperates from an illness. When a medical friend recommends her to Alexander Fitzgibbon to work in his consultancy rooms she isn't quite sure she wants to go.
This is one of those stories where the heroine doesn't quite realise what's happening as she is drawn into the heroes life and starts to see him from a different perspective. Underneath his cold exterior, there is someone quite intriguing.
Nice little prozac read with a very sudden but satisfactory ending.
This is one of those stories where the heroine doesn't quite realise what's happening as she is drawn into the heroes life and starts to see him from a different perspective. Underneath his cold exterior, there is someone quite intriguing.
Nice little prozac read with a very sudden but satisfactory ending.
October 8, 2010
Alexander Fitzgibbons works very, very hard. He really doesn't have much of a social life as a result and has never fallen in love deeply enough to want to marry. Our heroine is a lovely redheaded nurse who goes to work for him. He is austere and she is easily peeved. There is so much tension as the attraction builds but since they work together, it can't be resolved easily. She quits while in a temper tantrum and he goes to find her and gathers the courage to ask her to marry him even though he is not sure how she feels about him. I wasn't sure about this book as I read it, but I kept going and was pleasantly surprised at the way Betty Neels wrapped it up. Our hero might be a eminent surgeon at the top of his profession, but if anyone needed love in his life it was clearly him. As always, she is a master at getting people together somehow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2012
I love anything by Betty Neels. Her writing is predictable and her characters are frighteningly similar, and yet I can't get enough. I'm always drawn to sweet, sappy romances that shouldn't-be, and I can count on Betty Neels to deliver whenever I'm in the mood. Romantic Encounter is the first Betty Neels book I read, and I just finished it for the second time. Just as cute the second time around!
October 15, 2017
“Donde menos se espera” es su título al español.Aqui la enfermera es Florence y el doctor es Alexander Fitzgibbon.Es un lindo relato donde la protagonista nunca es víctima del todo y él es bastante abierto en sus sentimientos y la declaración de amor es bastante explícita tratándose de Betty.
August 4, 2022
Classic Betty!! Loved it😘
September 24, 2023
Omg guys this is so cute and wholesome 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
March 5, 2017
3.5 stars
A rather calm outing from The Great Betty. Not much happens except some good dialog. The title is a complete misnomer, as there is no real romantic encounter at all. No Rich Dutch Doctor, but a British one, Alexander Fitzgibbon, a 'chest surgeon'. Our heroine, a vicar's daughter(!), is one Florence Napier, whom he hires to work in his office. He appears all stiff, stern, no nonsense, ice-cold. Florence has a temper (to go with her bronze hair), but manages to keep it under control.
As the story progresses, we learn that the good doctor's actions are at odds with his demeanor--he's caring, kind, etc, etc. Runs a clinic in a poor neighborhood--you get the picture.
Gradually, Florence begins to fall for Alexander, and vice versa.
There is another woman, Eleanor Paton, who is around just long enough to ruffle Florence's calm.
This being one of Betty's later books, we get to know that Alexander has dumped Eleanor before Florence does, which is nice. But Eleanor isn't one of The Betty's top of line 'other women'.
Florence is a sweetie, with very good manners (see her meeting with Alexander's nanny when they stop by his country cottage, for example). I did get kinda frustrated with her for being so slow to have her real DR, but that's okay. And I just loved the scene where she takes the file to the clinic and he loses his cool.
The ending segment is wonderful--dear Florence realizes she loves the RBD, quits her job (the old 'it will be too painful to see him everyday, knowing he doesn't love me' thing). Alexander doesn't beg her to stay but rather says that he's already got her replacement lined up. Say what?!?!!
All is explained, big smoochies, HEA.
Not great Betty--she's done much better. But not too shabby, either.
note: the cover illustration is spot on with the heroine's outfit!
A rather calm outing from The Great Betty. Not much happens except some good dialog. The title is a complete misnomer, as there is no real romantic encounter at all. No Rich Dutch Doctor, but a British one, Alexander Fitzgibbon, a 'chest surgeon'. Our heroine, a vicar's daughter(!), is one Florence Napier, whom he hires to work in his office. He appears all stiff, stern, no nonsense, ice-cold. Florence has a temper (to go with her bronze hair), but manages to keep it under control.
As the story progresses, we learn that the good doctor's actions are at odds with his demeanor--he's caring, kind, etc, etc. Runs a clinic in a poor neighborhood--you get the picture.
Gradually, Florence begins to fall for Alexander, and vice versa.
There is another woman, Eleanor Paton, who is around just long enough to ruffle Florence's calm.
This being one of Betty's later books, we get to know that Alexander has dumped Eleanor before Florence does, which is nice. But Eleanor isn't one of The Betty's top of line 'other women'.
Florence is a sweetie, with very good manners (see her meeting with Alexander's nanny when they stop by his country cottage, for example). I did get kinda frustrated with her for being so slow to have her real DR, but that's okay. And I just loved the scene where she takes the file to the clinic and he loses his cool.
The ending segment is wonderful--dear Florence realizes she loves the RBD, quits her job (the old 'it will be too painful to see him everyday, knowing he doesn't love me' thing). Alexander doesn't beg her to stay but rather says that he's already got her replacement lined up. Say what?!?!!
All is explained, big smoochies, HEA.
Not great Betty--she's done much better. But not too shabby, either.
note: the cover illustration is spot on with the heroine's outfit!
August 5, 2014
She's done it again! Betty Neels holds us in her hands and gives us what we need--characters who are what we secretly yearn to be. She never preaches but we absorb the fact that we are stronger than we thought. When we finish her stories, we sigh and think, 'I can do better'.
Eris
www.erisfield.com
Eris
www.erisfield.com
July 22, 2017
I have to admit it: sometimes I just NEED a Betty Neels novel. Why is that? She uses basically the same character profiles over and over...and yet there is something classic-and-classy about her stories that keep me coming back for more.
Read
July 27, 2011Florence is Alexander's new nurse. Trying to understand the complex doctor is very difficult for Florence.
An excellent story.
An excellent story.
September 9, 2012
Classic Betty Neels
September 3, 2013
A very nice read
November 12, 2015
A Easy Read
Not a lot going on, but as always with Betty Neels, interesting details. Doctor not so very attractive, at least to me.
Not a lot going on, but as always with Betty Neels, interesting details. Doctor not so very attractive, at least to me.
July 22, 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
December 28, 2009
good but quite lengthy to reach the climax unnecessarily..
January 24, 2026
1992's Romantic Encounter features a Rich British Doctor (RBD) named Alexander and a tall, beautiful Olivia named Florence. We don't find out Alexander's first name until comparatively late in the book; he's Mr. Fitzgibbon or "sir" and he comes across as quite the cold fish. He is a "chest" surgeon but this just means he's a pulmonologist. Several of his patients have lung cancer and there are a few children with cystic fibrosis. Florence has red hair, is 25 years old and is a former ward sister who took time off from her hospital to care for her sick mother. Alexander hires her to work as his private practice nurse. Florence is warm and chatty and gets along with everyone except Alexander, who is distinctly lacking in warmth. Oh sure, he's kind and sympathetic with his patients. Betty frequently had her heroes present a surface level facade of cold professionalism, but she lets us know when a specific hero is actually a nice guy, as in this story. In addition to his fantastic bedside manner, the BN standard-issue former nanny-turned-housekeeper at his BN standard-issue country home thinks he's the bee's knees. But he can be abrupt, even a little rude with Florence and she takes exception to nearly everything he says to her. She's pretty snappy with him, even while calm, polite and professional with everyone else, and there is talk on both sides about whether they can get along well enough for either one to make it through her month's trial period. But this is all just a cover for Betty's version of unresolved sexual tension.
Many of Betty's usual tropes are present.
•Florence's family is one of Betty's nice ones, so Dad is the village vicar and Mum can see which way the wind is blowing vis a vis Florence+Alexander.
•Alexander takes Florence out for nice dinners, whether at nice restaurants or at his home where his faithful family retainers cook, clean, show Florence upstairs to a delightful guest room where she can "tidy" herself. (Note to self: why do only the women in BN books use the loo? The men seem to use the time to wait downstairs or take the dog for a walk.)
•Alexander runs a free clinic for the poor in a bad part of London that no one is supposed to know about but which Florence ends up helping out at.
•There is a rude, selfish OW that Alexander might have married out of lack of other options (I don't believe he had no other options) but who gets shortly sent on her way once Alexander gets a load of Florence's beautiful face and snippy ways.
I read this one during a Betty binge some years ago. I think I was stuffed to the gills with Betty and might have done better to take a break for a few months to re-set before embarking on this one. I seem to have read the first few chapters, then skipped to the end and decided it was not a favorite. But this time I read it cover to cover and decided it's a 3.75 star read, rounded up to 4. It is by no means one of Betty's best and certainly she pulled out all the same old tropes without trying to make it stand out. But it's nice nevertheless. Maybe what makes it interesting is that Alexander, for all his confidence and cool reserve, is really quite unsure about the whole thing despite being very attracted. He doesn't know if Florence even likes him, much less loves him. He isn't completely sure marrying her is the right decision. Neither is Florence, for that matter. They both realize they are in love (without telling the other, naturally) then they each seem to talk themselves out of it, then each decides later, nope, I'm really in this for the long haul. I initially chalked this up to inconsistent writing but now I think Betty did it deliberately, ha ha, and it's actually clever and also true to life, where you might be unsure of your own feelings and trying to decide what's the best way forward.
There are a few little bits of business that make it very funny in parts. Trying to maintain her dignity after Alexander flusters her, she gets out of his car and trips on the pavement. Later, she exits the car (naturally, a Rolls) a second time veeeeery carefully, to his hidden amusement. In another scene, she watches from the window while he escorts the OW out of his office after a raised voice discussion behind closed doors, and while trying to move away before he spots her spying, realizes he has sneaked up behind her and is standing so close his waistcoat is sticking into her back. "Snooping?" he says.
The ending is delightful.
Many of Betty's usual tropes are present.
•Florence's family is one of Betty's nice ones, so Dad is the village vicar and Mum can see which way the wind is blowing vis a vis Florence+Alexander.
•Alexander takes Florence out for nice dinners, whether at nice restaurants or at his home where his faithful family retainers cook, clean, show Florence upstairs to a delightful guest room where she can "tidy" herself. (Note to self: why do only the women in BN books use the loo? The men seem to use the time to wait downstairs or take the dog for a walk.)
•Alexander runs a free clinic for the poor in a bad part of London that no one is supposed to know about but which Florence ends up helping out at.
•There is a rude, selfish OW that Alexander might have married out of lack of other options (I don't believe he had no other options) but who gets shortly sent on her way once Alexander gets a load of Florence's beautiful face and snippy ways.
I read this one during a Betty binge some years ago. I think I was stuffed to the gills with Betty and might have done better to take a break for a few months to re-set before embarking on this one. I seem to have read the first few chapters, then skipped to the end and decided it was not a favorite. But this time I read it cover to cover and decided it's a 3.75 star read, rounded up to 4. It is by no means one of Betty's best and certainly she pulled out all the same old tropes without trying to make it stand out. But it's nice nevertheless. Maybe what makes it interesting is that Alexander, for all his confidence and cool reserve, is really quite unsure about the whole thing despite being very attracted. He doesn't know if Florence even likes him, much less loves him. He isn't completely sure marrying her is the right decision. Neither is Florence, for that matter. They both realize they are in love (without telling the other, naturally) then they each seem to talk themselves out of it, then each decides later, nope, I'm really in this for the long haul. I initially chalked this up to inconsistent writing but now I think Betty did it deliberately, ha ha, and it's actually clever and also true to life, where you might be unsure of your own feelings and trying to decide what's the best way forward.
There are a few little bits of business that make it very funny in parts. Trying to maintain her dignity after Alexander flusters her, she gets out of his car and trips on the pavement. Later, she exits the car (naturally, a Rolls) a second time veeeeery carefully, to his hidden amusement. In another scene, she watches from the window while he escorts the OW out of his office after a raised voice discussion behind closed doors, and while trying to move away before he spots her spying, realizes he has sneaked up behind her and is standing so close his waistcoat is sticking into her back. "Snooping?" he says.
The ending is delightful.
October 22, 2021
The cover is beautiful, I have a paperback copy of this one, but the story was stiff. One thing I love about Betty Neels is her amazing ability to develop the love story in a realistically slow pace, she'd weave unlikely conversations and situations of her main characters and turn them into heart fluttering romance. However, this one lacked that formula. Perhaps I didn't feel the story that much because I was just too busy with work and I couldn't find the time to sit and read it in one go.
So we have Florence, a parson's daughter and a nurse, she's described as very pretty, a red head with a sharp tongue. One thing I do relate with her is that she's a Sunday School Teacher, like me! Anyway, insert Alexander Fitzgibbon, RBD, a consultant who runs a free clinic at the outskirts of London once a week to help poor people. He's stoic, and he doesn't seem to take notice of Florence, he never showed his feelings towards her, but Florence should have taken the clue when he dropped by her house in the country, that alone says a lot! She's just too dense to get the clue! Ah, but of course, or BN heroines are always sensible and doesn't assume things unless they are declared, that's why I love them.
The storyline was a bit awkward for me, really, especially in the later parts when Florence realized that she's in love with Mr. Fitzgibbon. Right then and there decided to quit her job because she couldn't stand seeing him everyday and not have her love returned.. like seriously lady, that's very weak of you! I've been in love with the same guy for four years now and he doesn't even give a damn about me, and despite my strong urge move to the other side of the world just so I wouldn't see him, I still remained in the same freakin' city where I see him every week! It hurts, but guess what, I bear with it! Why? Because I love the guy! And here comes Florence, who've only just realized her feelings for Alexander for a few hours, then she decides that she's done with him! Can't you at least give the dude a chance to show his feelings? You've only known him for a month woman, give him a break! I'm just utterly disappointed, Florence is so weak for a BN heroine. And besides, her decision to quit was impractical, Betty's heroines are never impractical.. but then she's not struggling for her livelihood or anything like that.
The last chapter bugged me a lot because Florence was struggling so much with her feelings and it seems like Alexander was doing it in purpose! As if he's happy that she's so miserable because of him, give the girl a break dude. She even quit her job just to avoid you and now you come loitering in her village.. It's frustratingly funny. Anyway, here's my favorite quote..
She felt shy of Mr. Fitzgibbon and anxious to present her usual matter-of-fact manner towards him; on the other hand she wanted to spend as much time as possible in his company. Ahh the irony and ache and frustration of unrequited love. This is why I love Betty Neels, for a lot of times she has put into words the very feelings that are alien to most people, but is very natural to me.
So we have Florence, a parson's daughter and a nurse, she's described as very pretty, a red head with a sharp tongue. One thing I do relate with her is that she's a Sunday School Teacher, like me! Anyway, insert Alexander Fitzgibbon, RBD, a consultant who runs a free clinic at the outskirts of London once a week to help poor people. He's stoic, and he doesn't seem to take notice of Florence, he never showed his feelings towards her, but Florence should have taken the clue when he dropped by her house in the country, that alone says a lot! She's just too dense to get the clue! Ah, but of course, or BN heroines are always sensible and doesn't assume things unless they are declared, that's why I love them.
The storyline was a bit awkward for me, really, especially in the later parts when Florence realized that she's in love with Mr. Fitzgibbon. Right then and there decided to quit her job because she couldn't stand seeing him everyday and not have her love returned.. like seriously lady, that's very weak of you! I've been in love with the same guy for four years now and he doesn't even give a damn about me, and despite my strong urge move to the other side of the world just so I wouldn't see him, I still remained in the same freakin' city where I see him every week! It hurts, but guess what, I bear with it! Why? Because I love the guy! And here comes Florence, who've only just realized her feelings for Alexander for a few hours, then she decides that she's done with him! Can't you at least give the dude a chance to show his feelings? You've only known him for a month woman, give him a break! I'm just utterly disappointed, Florence is so weak for a BN heroine. And besides, her decision to quit was impractical, Betty's heroines are never impractical.. but then she's not struggling for her livelihood or anything like that.
The last chapter bugged me a lot because Florence was struggling so much with her feelings and it seems like Alexander was doing it in purpose! As if he's happy that she's so miserable because of him, give the girl a break dude. She even quit her job just to avoid you and now you come loitering in her village.. It's frustratingly funny. Anyway, here's my favorite quote..
She felt shy of Mr. Fitzgibbon and anxious to present her usual matter-of-fact manner towards him; on the other hand she wanted to spend as much time as possible in his company. Ahh the irony and ache and frustration of unrequited love. This is why I love Betty Neels, for a lot of times she has put into words the very feelings that are alien to most people, but is very natural to me.
November 19, 2025
4.4 stars. this was a lovely read and I enjoyed it a lot but it didn't quite leave me with the amazing cozy afterglow of the top Betty masterpieces. I think because it didn't really reach those very angsty lows or the sweetest of sweet highs, and possibly I found the ball was in the H's court far too much so we didn't get to see him be angsty even when he feared there might be an OM interested in her.
hmm.... and yet there was so much I liked about this book. the powerful well respected rich (british) doctor, a beautiful but down to earth and likeable h, the cozy and likeable side characters, his driving her everywhere, the h and H spending lots of time on page together, a bit of OW drama..but nothing was pushed to the max effect. the OW drama felt a bit tokenism because h's reaction to her wasnt that strong and OW was never really a threat because H clearly didn't like her much. nor did h and H overly connect enough during their long drives or during their working together through a crisis or two. all the elements were there but it just never quite came together into a truly magical mix.
SPOILERS
hero just organised everything to his liking, taking his time making up his mind whether he liked the h enough to want her as his wife or not, keeping her at a distance when he felt like it or casually taking her out when he felt like it and her having to go along with it without him seeming truly glad to have her company. it other Betty books this highhandedness of the H played out much better but in this one there wasnt that extra chemistry in those scenes. he was just a bit too unfeeling almost.
even the ending wasn't as powerful as id have liked. at the end, he all too readily accepted it when she handed in her notice and told her she might as well go in a week rather than a month, and it was too smug that he did so because he was finally ready to propose. and her thinking she wouldn't see him again, and then his casually turning up at her village to ask her to marry him. everything on his terms and him so smug about it. the only saving grace was that he said if she didn't agree to marry him then he would have to take himself off to a monastery or somewhere. lol. why not show a bit of that feeling much earlier? i enjoy an aloof icy hero as much as anyone but we need to still see some depth of emotion, some powerful reason for him holding himself apart...
ooh, I think I have just struck on the reason the book lacked that extra oomph. the hero had no real reason to blow hot and cold. he wasn't holding himself apart due to fear of being hurt due to past angst or any other belief that stopped him wanting to be married. or even that he felt the h wasn't good enough for him. there was nothing but his own whims in play. and that made the story not strong enough.
glad I sorted that one out in my own head as I couldn't quite put my finger on it. having said all that, it was still an enjoyable enough read just not a truly stand out one for Betty.
hmm.... and yet there was so much I liked about this book. the powerful well respected rich (british) doctor, a beautiful but down to earth and likeable h, the cozy and likeable side characters, his driving her everywhere, the h and H spending lots of time on page together, a bit of OW drama..but nothing was pushed to the max effect. the OW drama felt a bit tokenism because h's reaction to her wasnt that strong and OW was never really a threat because H clearly didn't like her much. nor did h and H overly connect enough during their long drives or during their working together through a crisis or two. all the elements were there but it just never quite came together into a truly magical mix.
SPOILERS
hero just organised everything to his liking, taking his time making up his mind whether he liked the h enough to want her as his wife or not, keeping her at a distance when he felt like it or casually taking her out when he felt like it and her having to go along with it without him seeming truly glad to have her company. it other Betty books this highhandedness of the H played out much better but in this one there wasnt that extra chemistry in those scenes. he was just a bit too unfeeling almost.
even the ending wasn't as powerful as id have liked. at the end, he all too readily accepted it when she handed in her notice and told her she might as well go in a week rather than a month, and it was too smug that he did so because he was finally ready to propose. and her thinking she wouldn't see him again, and then his casually turning up at her village to ask her to marry him. everything on his terms and him so smug about it. the only saving grace was that he said if she didn't agree to marry him then he would have to take himself off to a monastery or somewhere. lol. why not show a bit of that feeling much earlier? i enjoy an aloof icy hero as much as anyone but we need to still see some depth of emotion, some powerful reason for him holding himself apart...
ooh, I think I have just struck on the reason the book lacked that extra oomph. the hero had no real reason to blow hot and cold. he wasn't holding himself apart due to fear of being hurt due to past angst or any other belief that stopped him wanting to be married. or even that he felt the h wasn't good enough for him. there was nothing but his own whims in play. and that made the story not strong enough.
glad I sorted that one out in my own head as I couldn't quite put my finger on it. having said all that, it was still an enjoyable enough read just not a truly stand out one for Betty.
January 8, 2018
3.5* I found myself bursting out laughing at various points in the story and I like that different stories manage to have little things that differ from a one another. The part where Florence played a prank on the obnoxious Other Woman on the phone was hilarious. So was her insistence on calling him sir, when he told her not to be so formal haha...
In this story I really enjoyed reading how closely Florence and Mr Fitzgibbon worked together on a daily basis. This was especially true when they witnessed that truck accident and at the free clinic. It was nice to see other doctors whom Florence knew, like them all having tea together after an operation.
We only knew very late into the book that Mr Fitzgibbon's Christian name was Alexander. He started out really abrupt and not very nice. I admired him much for all he's done for his patients and those in need. But he could be inconsiderate of his own staff, probably because he himself was careless about his own meals/breaks for rest etc.
I also dislike his constant mixed signals to poor Florence. Just when she thought their relationship had warmed up, Alexander would frown, show impatience or snap back sarcastically... what's the poor girl supposed to think and of course tone down her own chattiness etc? And then HE complained she's sulking for nothing or they'd gone back to square one.
Despite this I enjoyed this book very much.
Oh and our hero was NOT a Dutch! I was expecting him to have a Dutch mother or something though hehe...Love this "junoesque and beautiful heroine" as compared to the mousy and plain ones!
In this story I really enjoyed reading how closely Florence and Mr Fitzgibbon worked together on a daily basis. This was especially true when they witnessed that truck accident and at the free clinic. It was nice to see other doctors whom Florence knew, like them all having tea together after an operation.
We only knew very late into the book that Mr Fitzgibbon's Christian name was Alexander. He started out really abrupt and not very nice. I admired him much for all he's done for his patients and those in need. But he could be inconsiderate of his own staff, probably because he himself was careless about his own meals/breaks for rest etc.
I also dislike his constant mixed signals to poor Florence. Just when she thought their relationship had warmed up, Alexander would frown, show impatience or snap back sarcastically... what's the poor girl supposed to think and of course tone down her own chattiness etc? And then HE complained she's sulking for nothing or they'd gone back to square one.
Despite this I enjoyed this book very much.
Oh and our hero was NOT a Dutch! I was expecting him to have a Dutch mother or something though hehe...Love this "junoesque and beautiful heroine" as compared to the mousy and plain ones!
June 11, 2017
So, while my mom was visiting, we stopped by the local quilt shop (of course). There was a little lending library outside, and when we peeked in, there were at least 5 Betty Neels books just waiting to be borrowed (and most likely never returned). My mom had her stash of Betty Neels books tucked behind her headboard when I was growing up. I remember the first time I read one--thinkng I was getting away with something naughty since it was A Harlequin romance, after all--only to discover the sweetest little, mushy love story unfold in my imagination. Her books are pretty much all the same, and yet, I love them. An unappreciated and conservative good girl catches the eye of a handsome, unemotive doctor and they both eventually realize they are in love. It is a lovely stroll through the angst of supposed unrequited love and miscommunication that always ends happily ever after. Always. My daughters have now read through their first Betty Neels romances, and the legacy continues--except my Betty Neels are on a shelf instead of behind my bed.
April 9, 2024
Florence has been away from nursing because she left that career to look after her mother for a year or more because of illness. Her father is a vicar and money is scarce.
Alexander Fitzgibbon needs a capable nurse in his office because the present one is leaving to get married. A friend recommends Florence so he asks her to come in for an interview. Florence is very pretty but a bit of a large girl.
Alexander is very strict but he starts taking her out for dinners, gets her to work in his free clinic for people who can't afford to go to a regular doctor and she is with him when a bad accident occurs.
She discovers she is in love with him to her surprise and she becomes very cool but efficient which makes him wonder if she cares for him as he does her.
Alexander Fitzgibbon needs a capable nurse in his office because the present one is leaving to get married. A friend recommends Florence so he asks her to come in for an interview. Florence is very pretty but a bit of a large girl.
Alexander is very strict but he starts taking her out for dinners, gets her to work in his free clinic for people who can't afford to go to a regular doctor and she is with him when a bad accident occurs.
She discovers she is in love with him to her surprise and she becomes very cool but efficient which makes him wonder if she cares for him as he does her.
January 21, 2023
Very typical Neels with a nurse and this time British Doctor working together. Not much happens, but that didn't bother me. What was a problem is the Doctor in the first half of the book - he has no personality at all. Quiet and firm, we're told a few times of good things he does, but he's a dead as a dried up stick personality-wise. In the second half he comes much more alive and I liked him a lot. The heroine didn't make a lot of sense to me, sometimes she'd get upset at him, other times not, and I couldn't always figure out why. So, the first half was 2 stars, the second more like 4, making it three overall. Not on I'd recommend except to real Neels fans.
June 18, 2023
This one just didn't click with me. I think the H was just too reserved and cold, he seemed to spend the entire book avoiding the h, walking out of the room, not looking at her, or simply removing himself entirely from her orbit. She meanwhile did the exact same thing - they avoided each other to such an extent I wondered how they managed to exist in the same book. As a result we have VERY FEW nice moments between them. The odd excruciating car journey carried out in total silence, or dinner in which very little is said or done.
I dunno - I normally like BN's taciturn, seemingly cold heroes but this was so cautious he never made a single move and I got boooored.
I dunno - I normally like BN's taciturn, seemingly cold heroes but this was so cautious he never made a single move and I got boooored.
October 8, 2024
Raramente riesco a dare a Betty Neels le quattro stelle che meriterebbe come scrittrice: anche se i 'plot' sono scontati e ripetitivi, la sua abilità nel ricreare contesti e personaggi è davvero notevole, e nessuno sa evocare come lei le atmosfere dei villaggi inglesi e gli ambienti e la vita nell'Olanda degli anni '50-'60.
La colpa di questa mia 'avarizia' sta, come in questo caso, nella sua visione asimmetrica del rapporto uomo-donna, che risulta abbastanza fastidiosa per chi ha vissuto la sua giovinezza negli anni del femminismo militante.
Ma è soprattutto la parte finale del libro che riesce alla fine a rovinare tutto.
La colpa di questa mia 'avarizia' sta, come in questo caso, nella sua visione asimmetrica del rapporto uomo-donna, che risulta abbastanza fastidiosa per chi ha vissuto la sua giovinezza negli anni del femminismo militante.
Ma è soprattutto la parte finale del libro che riesce alla fine a rovinare tutto.
March 21, 2025
"Romantic Encounter" is the story of Florence and Alexander.
Another battle of wills between the cold surgeon hero and his ever efficient nurse heroine. I know the author would have been 125 years old this year, but these books are like time capsules into yesteryears, with loads of yearning, insane amount of medical jargon and little to np romance - ending in a love confession and fade to black. Still, a pleasant read.
Safe?
2.5/5
Another battle of wills between the cold surgeon hero and his ever efficient nurse heroine. I know the author would have been 125 years old this year, but these books are like time capsules into yesteryears, with loads of yearning, insane amount of medical jargon and little to np romance - ending in a love confession and fade to black. Still, a pleasant read.
Safe?
2.5/5
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