What do you think?
Rate this book
Marrying Mary
Mills & Boon presents the complete Betty Neels collection. Timeless tales of heart-warming romance by one of the world’s best-loved romance authors.
A Perfect Wife?
Everyone in her family had agreed that Mary Pagett would one day make some man a perfect wife. The problem was that the only man Mary had ever even thought about marrying was eminent heart specialist Roel van Rakesma.
But it had been clear from the start that his only interest was in curing frail hearts, not broken ones!
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
152 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
584 books419 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 29, 2023
This was a sweet little story where Mary the heroine falls in love at first sight with the hero roel a heart surgeon. What follows is a series of situations where they keep meeting, and finally, the hero realises what Mary means to him.
The only part I didn't like was that Mary was all the time working in her house for her parents and sister, thereby not having a life of her own. Her parents are good, but they seemed unattached and had no consideration for Mary's feelings. It was only Mary's little sister Polly who cared for her.
I also liked the hero roel who though very rich and successful, was always down to earth and all the time helping anyone in need. All in all, it's an enjoyable read.
The only part I didn't like was that Mary was all the time working in her house for her parents and sister, thereby not having a life of her own. Her parents are good, but they seemed unattached and had no consideration for Mary's feelings. It was only Mary's little sister Polly who cared for her.
I also liked the hero roel who though very rich and successful, was always down to earth and all the time helping anyone in need. All in all, it's an enjoyable read.
November 29, 2023
This was one of those books where the H seemed to live to make the h insecure about where she stood with him. it also got a little bit repetitive in parts. The h was admirable but completely unable to assess anything related to the H accurately.
April 28, 2024
Polly wins for best heroine’s sibling, hands down!
October 10, 2010
I couldn't give this one five stars. It should've been a great story and might've been if it had been 20 pages longer. I though the romance was too rushed and didn't make sense. Our hero spent more time with the heroine's teenage sister than with the heroine. They were both very strong characters and didn't get along very well - misunderstandings of course. I would've liked to see the more gradual development of their relationship that Betty Neels is so good at. It was like she was cut off here.
April 28, 2016
Mary Pagett has loving if somewhat absent-minded, airy-fairy parents along with an adorably feisty younger sister (also two brothers but we know nothing of them other than they are away at school). Her father is an intellectual who gets swindled out of much of his capital and anticipated inheritance from Great-Aunt Thirza (a real piece of work, but she dies early on).
Mary long ago took over the running of the household from her mother, an artist who paints Christmas cards. But she has to earn some money so she takes a job as a mother's help which turns out to be not as advertised.
The RDD (who Mary met when he treated Aunty's heart attack, and fell in love with) can't bear to see her slaving so he conspires with Polly to get Mary a more suitable job, in a bookshop belonging to an old friend of his.
Roel van Rakesma thinks this will help him stop thinking about Mary. He even welcomes the Veronica, Ilsa van Hoeven, to visit him along with his younger sister, Pleane.
Well, Pleane is delightful, a slightly older Polly, but Ilsa is Not Delightful.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Roel and Polly. They exchange Mary-secrets and Roel tells Polly he intends to marry Mary.
Other wonderful characters include Fred, Roel's manservant (whom Ilsa would discharge) and Nathaniel. Nathaniel was a homeless man that Roel treated for a heart attack and subsequently hired to caretake his country cottage.
Plenty of angst in this one , from financial worries to Mary having to cook supper for Roel, Pleane and Ilsa at a moment's notice to the trouble caused by Ilsa's malicious machinations.
3 1/2 stars.
Mary long ago took over the running of the household from her mother, an artist who paints Christmas cards. But she has to earn some money so she takes a job as a mother's help which turns out to be not as advertised.
The RDD (who Mary met when he treated Aunty's heart attack, and fell in love with) can't bear to see her slaving so he conspires with Polly to get Mary a more suitable job, in a bookshop belonging to an old friend of his.
Roel van Rakesma thinks this will help him stop thinking about Mary. He even welcomes the Veronica, Ilsa van Hoeven, to visit him along with his younger sister, Pleane.
Well, Pleane is delightful, a slightly older Polly, but Ilsa is Not Delightful.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Roel and Polly. They exchange Mary-secrets and Roel tells Polly he intends to marry Mary.
Other wonderful characters include Fred, Roel's manservant (whom Ilsa would discharge) and Nathaniel. Nathaniel was a homeless man that Roel treated for a heart attack and subsequently hired to caretake his country cottage.
Plenty of angst in this one , from financial worries to Mary having to cook supper for Roel, Pleane and Ilsa at a moment's notice to the trouble caused by Ilsa's malicious machinations.
3 1/2 stars.
November 13, 2020
A later BN book (1996) that, like The Vicar’s Daughter, published that same year, features an old-fashioned stay-at-home-daughter heroine—no poor British nurse here. Mary, one of BN's very pretty Junoesque heroines, runs her hapless parents’ household, despite little help or money, with sensible competence. Her artistic mother and scholarly father are loving but impractical, so most of the responsibility and worry of family life falls to Mary, and she's in a rut and wishing something exciting would happen. (Fate, that force in the BN universe, listens.) Overall, it’s pretty standard Betty fare (albeit “the one with the visit to the homeless encampment”), complete with little communication between the MCs, a meddling and malicious OW, a visit to the ancestral manse in Holland, and some nicely drawn secondary characters (the heroine’s younger sister Polly in particular).
It’s love at first sight when pretty Mary meets the Rich Dutch Doctor, Roel van Rakesma, but she knows it’s ludicrous and hopeless and does her best to avoid or act coolly toward him for far too many scenes in the book. He also is irritated that he can’t seem to stop thinking about Mary, even going so far as to try to distract himself by inviting his “suitable” woman-friend/potential fiancee, the awful Ilsa, to accompany his younger sister, Pleane, on a visit to his fab London flat. Ilsa and Mary instantly dislike one another, and Mary, nice as she is, holds her own with the snooty, jealous, and rightly threatened OW. Roel soon realizes that he has zero interest—and little liking—for Ilsa and, once she and Pleane return to Holland, begins popping up to see Mary and hustling her off for fabulously detailed meals and arranging visits for Mary and her sister to his country cottage, his home in Holland--generally deepening his (initially reluctant) pursuit.
Between the two MCs, their mutual unwillingness to reveal any warm feelings makes the romance/growing relationship a little thin and undeveloped, not helped by a rushed HEA ending. Mary’s younger sister, 13-year-old Polly, who becomes boon companion and confidante to our Rich Dutch Doctor, had a much more satisfying and warm relationship with our RDD than did our heroine. The MCs do too good a job of hiding their growing regard for one another, except for a few warm scenes of Mary helping him to pick out curtains and accessories for his country cottage and a kiss or two. There’s a brief Big Misunderstanding caused by the OW’s duplicity, but the good doctor gets the truth of the matter out of the heroine and clears the path to mutual declarations and a baby-filled future. In true RDD fashion, he more or less tells her she’ll be marrying him. She’s happy to agree. Hopefully their HEA will include better communication!
Not remarkable but overall a decent one from Betty with a nice amount of her unique charm and warmth.
It’s love at first sight when pretty Mary meets the Rich Dutch Doctor, Roel van Rakesma, but she knows it’s ludicrous and hopeless and does her best to avoid or act coolly toward him for far too many scenes in the book. He also is irritated that he can’t seem to stop thinking about Mary, even going so far as to try to distract himself by inviting his “suitable” woman-friend/potential fiancee, the awful Ilsa, to accompany his younger sister, Pleane, on a visit to his fab London flat. Ilsa and Mary instantly dislike one another, and Mary, nice as she is, holds her own with the snooty, jealous, and rightly threatened OW. Roel soon realizes that he has zero interest—and little liking—for Ilsa and, once she and Pleane return to Holland, begins popping up to see Mary and hustling her off for fabulously detailed meals and arranging visits for Mary and her sister to his country cottage, his home in Holland--generally deepening his (initially reluctant) pursuit.
Between the two MCs, their mutual unwillingness to reveal any warm feelings makes the romance/growing relationship a little thin and undeveloped, not helped by a rushed HEA ending. Mary’s younger sister, 13-year-old Polly, who becomes boon companion and confidante to our Rich Dutch Doctor, had a much more satisfying and warm relationship with our RDD than did our heroine. The MCs do too good a job of hiding their growing regard for one another, except for a few warm scenes of Mary helping him to pick out curtains and accessories for his country cottage and a kiss or two. There’s a brief Big Misunderstanding caused by the OW’s duplicity, but the good doctor gets the truth of the matter out of the heroine and clears the path to mutual declarations and a baby-filled future. In true RDD fashion, he more or less tells her she’ll be marrying him. She’s happy to agree. Hopefully their HEA will include better communication!
Not remarkable but overall a decent one from Betty with a nice amount of her unique charm and warmth.
August 12, 2022
Updated August 2022: All I will say is that this girl’s parents really used her and took advantage. They’re nice people, but they’re definitely users. Poor Mary. The rest of the review still stands.
I really enjoy Betty Neels romances because they’re universally simple and incredibly basic stories. There’s something in the repetition that appeals to me and really, what about romance is not somewhat repetitive- the comfort and enjoyment is in knowing that it will all end well. And in this, like many of Betty Neels’ stories, the major conflict is not one to have you on proper tenterhooks, it’s more of a sensible unrequited love by an eminently sensible heroine and a sort of emotional out of touchedness by a somewhat aloof but competent and helpful hero. The lack of extremes of emotion make this really nice and comforting to read in periods of emotional stress.
In this book, rich Dutch Doctor (he “works in hearts”), Roel, meets Mary when she brings in her belligerent elderly aunty to see him. Mary is the perfect homemaker and she’s had to be because her parents are beyond hopeless and ridiculously out of touch with the world, to the point of you wondering whether she raised herself and how they can be so utterly useless and casually irresponsible, leaving Mary to sort everything out and face the consequences. Anyway Mary falls in love with Roel at first sight by Roel seems indifferent and anyway, he has the nasty Ilsa waiting in the wings and he seems primed to marry her.
I thought this was fine and expectedly old-fashioned, but generally unproblematic as these things go. I’ve been enjoying the experience of listening to Betty Neels in audio, being that I’ve read pretty much all her books multiple times in ebook and print formats. I liked this one.
I really enjoy Betty Neels romances because they’re universally simple and incredibly basic stories. There’s something in the repetition that appeals to me and really, what about romance is not somewhat repetitive- the comfort and enjoyment is in knowing that it will all end well. And in this, like many of Betty Neels’ stories, the major conflict is not one to have you on proper tenterhooks, it’s more of a sensible unrequited love by an eminently sensible heroine and a sort of emotional out of touchedness by a somewhat aloof but competent and helpful hero. The lack of extremes of emotion make this really nice and comforting to read in periods of emotional stress.
In this book, rich Dutch Doctor (he “works in hearts”), Roel, meets Mary when she brings in her belligerent elderly aunty to see him. Mary is the perfect homemaker and she’s had to be because her parents are beyond hopeless and ridiculously out of touch with the world, to the point of you wondering whether she raised herself and how they can be so utterly useless and casually irresponsible, leaving Mary to sort everything out and face the consequences. Anyway Mary falls in love with Roel at first sight by Roel seems indifferent and anyway, he has the nasty Ilsa waiting in the wings and he seems primed to marry her.
I thought this was fine and expectedly old-fashioned, but generally unproblematic as these things go. I’ve been enjoying the experience of listening to Betty Neels in audio, being that I’ve read pretty much all her books multiple times in ebook and print formats. I liked this one.
February 16, 2018
3.5* Would have given this 4* if not for the too short ending.
Overall I like both the Professor and Mary very much. We also have three matchmakers here, their respective sisters Polly and Pleane, plus Fred the housekeeper! I especially enjoyed the close friendship Roel had with Polly, who was 13 going on 30! So wise and precocious!
While Mr and Mrs Pagett were likeable and pleasant, they were virtually useless as parents! They lived in their literary and artistic world...if not for Mary and Polly both of them could not survive daily!
The Other Woman Ilsa was two dimensionally b!tchy; knowing Roel would not marry her she cut her losses but that did not stop her from messing with Mary's head at the end.
I really wish the ending love confession could have been longer! I want more sweet loving moments between Roel and Mary!
SPOILERS
The manner in which Great Aunt Thirza died was shocking! Like in one sentence they were talking about her recovery and the next, she died in her sleep. She was rather nasty in donating most of her fortune to charities, when her nephew and Mary were the ones who looked after her, and were definitely not well off.
It was funny how a big deal was made in the beginning about her being a vegetarian, but when Mary went to see Great Aunt after her heart attack, Mary suggested fish for the old lady and she was ok. A blooper moment like the missing red Laura Ashley dress or the brother who was never mentioned though both the heroine's parents died. (Cannot recall the titles of these bloopery books!) ha!
Overall I like both the Professor and Mary very much. We also have three matchmakers here, their respective sisters Polly and Pleane, plus Fred the housekeeper! I especially enjoyed the close friendship Roel had with Polly, who was 13 going on 30! So wise and precocious!
While Mr and Mrs Pagett were likeable and pleasant, they were virtually useless as parents! They lived in their literary and artistic world...if not for Mary and Polly both of them could not survive daily!
The Other Woman Ilsa was two dimensionally b!tchy; knowing Roel would not marry her she cut her losses but that did not stop her from messing with Mary's head at the end.
I really wish the ending love confession could have been longer! I want more sweet loving moments between Roel and Mary!
SPOILERS
The manner in which Great Aunt Thirza died was shocking! Like in one sentence they were talking about her recovery and the next, she died in her sleep. She was rather nasty in donating most of her fortune to charities, when her nephew and Mary were the ones who looked after her, and were definitely not well off.
It was funny how a big deal was made in the beginning about her being a vegetarian, but when Mary went to see Great Aunt after her heart attack, Mary suggested fish for the old lady and she was ok. A blooper moment like the missing red Laura Ashley dress or the brother who was never mentioned though both the heroine's parents died. (Cannot recall the titles of these bloopery books!) ha!
April 11, 2021
This is a pretty typical Neels book. Our heroine has two nice but clueless parents leave all the finances, shopping, housekeeping and managing to her. She has a younger sister and they get along well, but there's almost no money and the father's inept money management mean that our girl must work to pay the family's bills. She starts as a mother's helper to a nasty woman who neglects her two young monsters, then the intervention of our RDD allow her to start working in a bookshop with a lovely old man who teaches her about books.
My complaint about this story is that the heroine was so passive she didn't have any personality at all. On the other hand, the RDD is a good man who takes care of homeless people in his off hours. I liked that he didn't immediately fall in love with the heroine, though he was intrigued by her. It was fun to watch them "not like each other" until they realized they were in love. There is a snooty OW and a few family members, but mostly it's a story about the heroine, her younger sister and the RDD. Nothing really stood out, but like most of Neels books it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
My complaint about this story is that the heroine was so passive she didn't have any personality at all. On the other hand, the RDD is a good man who takes care of homeless people in his off hours. I liked that he didn't immediately fall in love with the heroine, though he was intrigued by her. It was fun to watch them "not like each other" until they realized they were in love. There is a snooty OW and a few family members, but mostly it's a story about the heroine, her younger sister and the RDD. Nothing really stood out, but like most of Neels books it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
January 11, 2015
Middle of the road and not one of Betty's better romances.
June 3, 2017
If I were to expand my small best-of Betty Neels collection, I might add this book. Though aspects of the story fit the classic Neels profile, she took several of the secondary characters and relationships in less-typical directions, which gave the story a more vivid life.
I'm starting to think that Neels gets better results when at least one protagonist has a large and colorful family she can bring to life. The stories I've liked less involve at least one character with almost no family, which puts a greater emotional burden on the romantic relationship. But when she gets to situate some characters in a larger social network, everything about the story works better.
I'm starting to think that Neels gets better results when at least one protagonist has a large and colorful family she can bring to life. The stories I've liked less involve at least one character with almost no family, which puts a greater emotional burden on the romantic relationship. But when she gets to situate some characters in a larger social network, everything about the story works better.
November 29, 2023
Fun little sister.
May 6, 2012
So, in this one, the inevitably useless mother makes a living painting Christmas cards. She has earned enough to purchase a "hut" where she goes to paint. (As in, "mother's in her hut." Or "go out to mother's hut and tell her dinner is ready.") There's something fundamentally hysterical about the word "hut."
November 9, 2011
It was OK but more a 2 1/2 star -- there wasn't enough to make it unique. It did adore the servants and the younger sister but I seriously got into despise territory w/the parents. Their selfishness really grated on me. Neels is just too forgiving.
October 28, 2009
Classic Betty Neels, old fashioned and comforting.
January 15, 2014
A nice, clean, gentle romance.
March 22, 2015
Always a comfortable and comforting read.
December 5, 2013
Very nice, usual betty neels read
March 12, 2026
Read: 30Dec25, 11mar26
4 stars. this was a lovely book. I love it when the H fights his feelings and it takes him a while to realise he's fallen hard. however, I wish there had been a stronger reason for Roel to fight his feelings (like trust issues after a past betrayal) but his reasons here were mainly that he though she was too aloof. even so, it was an enjoyable book.
Mary (27?) lives in London with her scatty author father and her scatty artist mother and a lovely considerate teen sis. with such useless parents, she's become the housekeeper and keeps the family going for the sake of her sister. the father makes life harder by inviting a horrid old rich great aunt to stay for a visit while recuperating from a heart attack. when Mary takes the aunt for a checkup, she meets Dr Roel, a handsome RDD and heart specialist, and instantly falls in love. I'm not a fan of instalove, but didnt mind it here because Mary remained a practical girl and didn't let herself get carried away with daydreams and futile wishy washy hopes. she knew she would have to carry on with her life and wouldn't see him again, so she just got on with things.
Mary is a tall junoesque beauty and the doc noticed her too. when her aunt takes ill again some time later he makes the effort to come to the aunt's house (we assume he wanted to see Mary again) but Mary is aloof with him. she thinks her feelings are futile and must not be shown, and also she is very busy and has no time to be washed away in hopes. when the doc sees how stressed she is, he organises for a nurse to come to help care for the aunt.
he offers Mary a lift back to her home one day and strikes up a casual friendship with her cheerful kid sister. but by this point, he finds Mary withdrawn and uninteresting and has largely put her out of his mind. the little sis tries to play matchmaker but he determinedly has no interest.
Poor Mary soon discovers her dad lost his money to a con artist and the family can't cope, so she finds a job as a mother's help to a horrid woman with 2 neglected kids, of which the boy is beastly, constantly kicking and biting Mary etc. roel sees her a couple of times out and about with the kids and wo ders why she is caring for such a beastly boy.
SPOILERS AHEAD
he bumps into Mary's sister in a park while walking his dog and the sister tells him about Mary's awful job and asks him if he can help. he says he doesn't see how he possibly could, and that Mary can find herself another job if this one is no good. but when the owner of an antique bookshop he frequents laments that he can't find an assistant, he recommends Mary and discreetly arranges for her to be hired without her knowing his involvement.
Roel doesn't like that Mary creeps into his thoughts sometimes, so he invites a beautiful woman to come visit from Holland to keep his young sister company. the woman is a family friend and divorcee and Roel knows the woman would marry him in a heartbeat. he thinks he should probably consider marriage and this woman is most suitable and would fit into his life.
the woman is actually only interested is roel's money and prestige and looks. she hides her dislike of roels adored younger sister and plays the role of charmer, and does her best to get roel alone whenever they all go out. one day, the sister decides to visit a homeless camp and the OW is horrified at this and abandons the sister.
when the sister doesn't return home late that evening, she pretends to be concerned. but roel sees through her and hides his anger that she left his sister alone in a dangerous place.
he seeks Mary's help to go with him to look for his sister, saying she is a practical girl who won't panic. Mary resents that he sees her as a boring steady dependable creature. they find his sister but when the doc drops Mary off at home, the sister takes ill with a horrid bout of food poisoning. Mary insists on bringing her in for the night and nurses her herself. the doc is grateful, impressed with how cool and kind she is under pressure, but still finds her to be too withdrawn and prickly for his liking.
and yet he brings his sister and the OW over for dinner at Mary's house the enxylt day, invited by her scatty father who never bothered to warn Mary, and is impressed with how she whips up a meal out of nowhere. and when he sees she never knew they were coming, he offers to leave, but she fiercely stays he damn well better stay and eat the quiche she's already made, so he meekly helps her to make the salad instead. he is enjoying that Mary is finally letting her personality show and begs a truce. she doesn't quite agree as she still loves him and must hide her feelings. especially because the nasty OW takes Mary's aside and let's her know roel is hers and that they will be getting married.
by now Mary has learned the doc is wonderful and he even regularly visits the homeless camp to give them medical and financial aid but keeps it secret. and yet he is marrying the OW and she must be careful of her heart.
then Mary's sister gets a bad viral infection. the doc finds out and steps in to help perk the girl up by visiting and bringing her treats and helping Mary when he can. he realises he had fallen in love with her. he even whispers to the sister that he's going to marry Mary, but he must bring her round first.
ENDING SPOILERS
he arranges for Mary and her sister to go stay at his country cottage for a week to rest after their ordeal. he stays away. but when he comes to fetch them, he takes them to Holland for another week of rest, so he says.
when they arrive there his family welcome them, but he needs to leave for a couple of days of work. the OW arrives and stirs the pot, showing Mary her engagement ring and saying she and roel will be wed soon. and that he knows how Mary feels about him and he pities her. Mary is upset and wants to go home but can't yet. when roel returns, she is distant. he immediately takes her aside but she won't tell him. he guesses exactly how the OW has caused drama. he tells Mary she is a goose for not knowing when a man is in love with her. says he has been in love for weeks with her. she confesses she proved him from the start. kisses. engagement. the end.
CONCLUSION
I liked this book a lot..never a dull moment. I think if it had reached a little deeper with the angst for Mary and also given roel deeper reasons for avoiding her then it could have been a five star book. also, the ending 2as a tad rushed and a but too pat. giwever it did give the lovely emotional gratification I wanted and I also wouldn't have liked it to drag on at that point. I would read this one again.
4 stars. this was a lovely book. I love it when the H fights his feelings and it takes him a while to realise he's fallen hard. however, I wish there had been a stronger reason for Roel to fight his feelings (like trust issues after a past betrayal) but his reasons here were mainly that he though she was too aloof. even so, it was an enjoyable book.
Mary (27?) lives in London with her scatty author father and her scatty artist mother and a lovely considerate teen sis. with such useless parents, she's become the housekeeper and keeps the family going for the sake of her sister. the father makes life harder by inviting a horrid old rich great aunt to stay for a visit while recuperating from a heart attack. when Mary takes the aunt for a checkup, she meets Dr Roel, a handsome RDD and heart specialist, and instantly falls in love. I'm not a fan of instalove, but didnt mind it here because Mary remained a practical girl and didn't let herself get carried away with daydreams and futile wishy washy hopes. she knew she would have to carry on with her life and wouldn't see him again, so she just got on with things.
Mary is a tall junoesque beauty and the doc noticed her too. when her aunt takes ill again some time later he makes the effort to come to the aunt's house (we assume he wanted to see Mary again) but Mary is aloof with him. she thinks her feelings are futile and must not be shown, and also she is very busy and has no time to be washed away in hopes. when the doc sees how stressed she is, he organises for a nurse to come to help care for the aunt.
he offers Mary a lift back to her home one day and strikes up a casual friendship with her cheerful kid sister. but by this point, he finds Mary withdrawn and uninteresting and has largely put her out of his mind. the little sis tries to play matchmaker but he determinedly has no interest.
Poor Mary soon discovers her dad lost his money to a con artist and the family can't cope, so she finds a job as a mother's help to a horrid woman with 2 neglected kids, of which the boy is beastly, constantly kicking and biting Mary etc. roel sees her a couple of times out and about with the kids and wo ders why she is caring for such a beastly boy.
SPOILERS AHEAD
he bumps into Mary's sister in a park while walking his dog and the sister tells him about Mary's awful job and asks him if he can help. he says he doesn't see how he possibly could, and that Mary can find herself another job if this one is no good. but when the owner of an antique bookshop he frequents laments that he can't find an assistant, he recommends Mary and discreetly arranges for her to be hired without her knowing his involvement.
Roel doesn't like that Mary creeps into his thoughts sometimes, so he invites a beautiful woman to come visit from Holland to keep his young sister company. the woman is a family friend and divorcee and Roel knows the woman would marry him in a heartbeat. he thinks he should probably consider marriage and this woman is most suitable and would fit into his life.
the woman is actually only interested is roel's money and prestige and looks. she hides her dislike of roels adored younger sister and plays the role of charmer, and does her best to get roel alone whenever they all go out. one day, the sister decides to visit a homeless camp and the OW is horrified at this and abandons the sister.
when the sister doesn't return home late that evening, she pretends to be concerned. but roel sees through her and hides his anger that she left his sister alone in a dangerous place.
he seeks Mary's help to go with him to look for his sister, saying she is a practical girl who won't panic. Mary resents that he sees her as a boring steady dependable creature. they find his sister but when the doc drops Mary off at home, the sister takes ill with a horrid bout of food poisoning. Mary insists on bringing her in for the night and nurses her herself. the doc is grateful, impressed with how cool and kind she is under pressure, but still finds her to be too withdrawn and prickly for his liking.
and yet he brings his sister and the OW over for dinner at Mary's house the enxylt day, invited by her scatty father who never bothered to warn Mary, and is impressed with how she whips up a meal out of nowhere. and when he sees she never knew they were coming, he offers to leave, but she fiercely stays he damn well better stay and eat the quiche she's already made, so he meekly helps her to make the salad instead. he is enjoying that Mary is finally letting her personality show and begs a truce. she doesn't quite agree as she still loves him and must hide her feelings. especially because the nasty OW takes Mary's aside and let's her know roel is hers and that they will be getting married.
by now Mary has learned the doc is wonderful and he even regularly visits the homeless camp to give them medical and financial aid but keeps it secret. and yet he is marrying the OW and she must be careful of her heart.
then Mary's sister gets a bad viral infection. the doc finds out and steps in to help perk the girl up by visiting and bringing her treats and helping Mary when he can. he realises he had fallen in love with her. he even whispers to the sister that he's going to marry Mary, but he must bring her round first.
ENDING SPOILERS
he arranges for Mary and her sister to go stay at his country cottage for a week to rest after their ordeal. he stays away. but when he comes to fetch them, he takes them to Holland for another week of rest, so he says.
when they arrive there his family welcome them, but he needs to leave for a couple of days of work. the OW arrives and stirs the pot, showing Mary her engagement ring and saying she and roel will be wed soon. and that he knows how Mary feels about him and he pities her. Mary is upset and wants to go home but can't yet. when roel returns, she is distant. he immediately takes her aside but she won't tell him. he guesses exactly how the OW has caused drama. he tells Mary she is a goose for not knowing when a man is in love with her. says he has been in love for weeks with her. she confesses she proved him from the start. kisses. engagement. the end.
CONCLUSION
I liked this book a lot..never a dull moment. I think if it had reached a little deeper with the angst for Mary and also given roel deeper reasons for avoiding her then it could have been a five star book. also, the ending 2as a tad rushed and a but too pat. giwever it did give the lovely emotional gratification I wanted and I also wouldn't have liked it to drag on at that point. I would read this one again.
May 2, 2024
As usual, another nice read written by Betty Neels...
Goodness, how Mary had the energy and strength to look after a house with a mother who is whimsical and creates greeting cards in her little hut...no housework for her....and a father who is writing a book in his study with no idea what is going on in the house except that Mary was looking after them all.
Roel van Rakesma is a Dutch professor who is in England at this time and he meets Mary when attending to her aunt's health in the hospital. She immediately falls in love with him but he is only aware of her at odd times and then wonders why he is thinking of her at all. There are several women who want to marry him but marriage is not in his plans now.
The father loses a lot of money by taking someone's advice about dealing in stocks...he loses his shirt which puts Mary really trying to keep the houseload afloat with just a tiny bit of help from her mother.
It seems Mary and Roel meet more and more often and he is coming to the house more ...loves talking to Mary's father who has books and interests that he is also interested in.
Everything works out wonderfully in the end.
Goodness, how Mary had the energy and strength to look after a house with a mother who is whimsical and creates greeting cards in her little hut...no housework for her....and a father who is writing a book in his study with no idea what is going on in the house except that Mary was looking after them all.
Roel van Rakesma is a Dutch professor who is in England at this time and he meets Mary when attending to her aunt's health in the hospital. She immediately falls in love with him but he is only aware of her at odd times and then wonders why he is thinking of her at all. There are several women who want to marry him but marriage is not in his plans now.
The father loses a lot of money by taking someone's advice about dealing in stocks...he loses his shirt which puts Mary really trying to keep the houseload afloat with just a tiny bit of help from her mother.
It seems Mary and Roel meet more and more often and he is coming to the house more ...loves talking to Mary's father who has books and interests that he is also interested in.
Everything works out wonderfully in the end.
November 4, 2024
Everything is standard BN fodder, except that it takes eight chapters out of nine for the hero to realise that his constant preoccupation with the heroine is because he’s in love with her. And there’s a rather psychotic OW who even though she’s given up on the hero and is on the verge of marrying an American tycoon, still does her best to mislead and to hurt the heroine.
I have two observations to make, one is BN must not be very fond of Americans especially those living in Florida or California because a fair number of her villainous OW are disposed of by being married off to rich men from those parts.
And the second one is a bit more disturbing but having read a few of her books now, it always seems that such sadistic, psychotic behaviour never shocks BN’s Dutch heroes. They even seem to be able to predict what the conversation must have been, sometimes, word for word, which in itself can be worrying.
I have two observations to make, one is BN must not be very fond of Americans especially those living in Florida or California because a fair number of her villainous OW are disposed of by being married off to rich men from those parts.
And the second one is a bit more disturbing but having read a few of her books now, it always seems that such sadistic, psychotic behaviour never shocks BN’s Dutch heroes. They even seem to be able to predict what the conversation must have been, sometimes, word for word, which in itself can be worrying.
June 13, 2020
I've decided I have a love-hate relationship with these books. I do sincerely enjoy the beginning. I like the characters (for the most part) I like meeting them for the first time and getting an idea of the setup. What I detest is that way the Doctor/Professor doesn't give the girl a chance to say no when asked to marry. He just assumes that they will and that's that. I'm reminded of Gaston every time...
Anyway, even though this is only my second Betty Neels books, this one is my favorite thus far. I loved Polly (the chatter box little sister) and the evil girlfriend was a great add to the plot. I did not like the ending. It was way to abrupt and it seemed cut off.
Anyway, even though this is only my second Betty Neels books, this one is my favorite thus far. I loved Polly (the chatter box little sister) and the evil girlfriend was a great add to the plot. I did not like the ending. It was way to abrupt and it seemed cut off.
December 31, 2023
Another cute story, although not one of my favorites. Although I liked both Mary and Roel, their dislike of each other seemed to come a bit out of the blue. Their first interaction was pleasant, and then suddenly they didn't like each other for no rhyme or reason. It didn't feel right. I also didn't like that it took him so long to realize he loved Mary. I definitely prefer the BN heroes who fall first and fall hard.
March 8, 2024
typical Betty Neels. Overworked young lady with "no prospects" who has a family who takes her for granted. Rich, Broody, tall foreign doctor who is annoyed by said woman...until he's not. And always the society woman snob who pretends she's married to the said man because of jealousy.
And yet, I keep reading them because I know they will always have a happy ever after.
And yet, I keep reading them because I know they will always have a happy ever after.
May 25, 2024
All the flaws of Betty Neels: misogyny being the foremost, but never forget that 1996 in a Betty Neels novel seems exactly like 1954.
But this has all her comforts, too: a kind, hard-working woman escapes her appallingly selfish parents through marriage to a kind, handsome, wealthy man.
But this has all her comforts, too: a kind, hard-working woman escapes her appallingly selfish parents through marriage to a kind, handsome, wealthy man.
January 25, 2018
Enjoyed it
This was an other great story by Betty Neels. This time no nurse but still a Dutch doctor. Variation is fun!
This was an other great story by Betty Neels. This time no nurse but still a Dutch doctor. Variation is fun!
July 25, 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
July 22, 2020
Always a delightful story - very typically worked but who cares - light and inoffensive. Enjoyed.
May 4, 2022
This is a delightful romance set in both England and Holland.
November 11, 2022
Even for a Betty this was a mild “love” story! I enjoyed the two younger sister a lot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews