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Sealed with a Kiss #2
Dearest Love
Mills & Boon presents the complete Betty Neels collection. Timeless tales of heart-warming romance by one of the world’s best-loved romance authors.
AN OFFER SHE COULDN’T REFUSE? “I wish to marry for the wrong reasons. I am not in love with you.…” Titus Taverner was a busy and successful medical man who lacked a wife.
Arabella had applied for the job of caretaker at his consulting rooms, but was happy to accept this new position Titus was offering— until she complicated matters by falling in love with him.…
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
92 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
564 books418 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 3, 2021
From 1995, DL shows that Betty still had it in her later years. (3.5*, rounded up) It’s a Cinderella tale, with a plucky heroine making a modest go of it on her own, with a mean mix of janitorial skills and industriousness. From a basement bedsitter to a Georgian townhouse and country manor we go, via an MoC to an RBD!
January 27, 2022
Upping this on re-read. This is my favorite Betty Neels book. There are so many things to like!
1. The h's situation is heartbreaking, but she never succumbs to pity. She is a survivor through and through Even if she hadn't met the H, she would have eventually thrived.
2. Her skill set is amazing and everyone ultimately marvels at it. She loves animals fiercely.
3. The H's point of view is shown throughout so you can see the h growing on him. He is an idiot about his feelings but unlike some of Betty's RDDs, he tends towards kindness. His wedding gift to her actually made me misty-eyed.
4. The OW is a fool and no real threat. The h is very insulting to her in a confident way and there is a very funny moment when she sees the OW in bed (OW is visiting) and she has a Real Housewives-level catty thought.
5. That ending!
.
1. The h's situation is heartbreaking, but she never succumbs to pity. She is a survivor through and through Even if she hadn't met the H, she would have eventually thrived.
2. Her skill set is amazing and everyone ultimately marvels at it. She loves animals fiercely.
3. The H's point of view is shown throughout so you can see the h growing on him. He is an idiot about his feelings but unlike some of Betty's RDDs, he tends towards kindness. His wedding gift to her actually made me misty-eyed.
4. The OW is a fool and no real threat. The h is very insulting to her in a confident way and there is a very funny moment when she sees the OW in bed (OW is visiting) and she has a Real Housewives-level catty thought.
5. That ending!
.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2017
5/3/17
I'm a huge fan of Betty Neels, as anyone who follows my reviews can tell. I discovered her books in my preteen years and continued reading them and collecting them into young adulthood. Then I didn't reread them for at least 20 years - I had moved on to other genres - but I didn't love them less and I would never have parted with them.
Then I rediscovered them in my overcrowded library, behind a row of newer books, and decided to reread them. That is when I found The Uncrushable Jersey Dress blog and Facebook group, and I learned that, contrary to what I previously thought, I am not the only fan of TGB on the planet!
All that was a prelude to this. Even a fan as dedicated as I will admit that TGB wrote a number of books that are routine and only vaguely memorable, while others shine like the jewels they are. Sometimes it takes a rereading to mine all the goodies; sometimes the goodness needs to simmer after reading it.
This book is one of the latter. On a cursory read, it's a pretty standard Neels MOC story, but there are enough unique features that, for me anyway, sets it apart from the run-of-the-mill.
My only criticism is that I wish the second half - post-marriage/pre-Declaration of Love - were as delightful as the first half. And that is why this one does not quite rate 5 stars for me.
***************************
Arabella Lorimer is a young woman from a good background but she was left penniless when her parents died suddenly. She is unable to find work with board where she can keep her cat, Percy. She already had to take her horse and donkey to an animal sanctuary.
She answers an advertisement for caretaker/cleaner of a doctor's office which includes a basement room - no objection to Percy. She quickly makes the basement her home and even acquires a puppy, rescuing him from the street.
But the younger of the doctors, Titus Tavener, makes her uncomfortable and she tries to avoid him. He, however, is bothered by her working such an unsuitable job and keeps popping into her life. So, he proposes a MOC.
From this point, we follow the Betty Joanna rule - fortunately, I never get tired of shopping, even vicariously. Arabella gets her wires crossed about a female Dutch doctor, thinking Titus is in love with her (to be fair, Dr Tulsma lies through her teeth to Arabella).
Titus and Arabella celebrate Christmas at the manor house with aunts and uncles and cousins., all of which are described beautifully.
Arabella becomes more and more unhappy about Geraldine Tulsma and after Christmas, on an evening when Titus is expected to arrive, Arabella goes for a walk and falls into a gully; the rain soon turns to sleet and she's in quite a pickle. Of course, Titus finds her and lifts her out. For his part, he can wait no longer; as soon as Arabella is warm and dry, he tells her he loves her and doesn't care a jot for Geraldine.
There is a brief epilogue in the form of a letter from Titus to Arabella 18 months later; Arabella reads it to Pledge #1, a very small son.
Really lovely. 4.25 stars.
I'm a huge fan of Betty Neels, as anyone who follows my reviews can tell. I discovered her books in my preteen years and continued reading them and collecting them into young adulthood. Then I didn't reread them for at least 20 years - I had moved on to other genres - but I didn't love them less and I would never have parted with them.
Then I rediscovered them in my overcrowded library, behind a row of newer books, and decided to reread them. That is when I found The Uncrushable Jersey Dress blog and Facebook group, and I learned that, contrary to what I previously thought, I am not the only fan of TGB on the planet!
All that was a prelude to this. Even a fan as dedicated as I will admit that TGB wrote a number of books that are routine and only vaguely memorable, while others shine like the jewels they are. Sometimes it takes a rereading to mine all the goodies; sometimes the goodness needs to simmer after reading it.
This book is one of the latter. On a cursory read, it's a pretty standard Neels MOC story, but there are enough unique features that, for me anyway, sets it apart from the run-of-the-mill.
My only criticism is that I wish the second half - post-marriage/pre-Declaration of Love - were as delightful as the first half. And that is why this one does not quite rate 5 stars for me.
***************************
Arabella Lorimer is a young woman from a good background but she was left penniless when her parents died suddenly. She is unable to find work with board where she can keep her cat, Percy. She already had to take her horse and donkey to an animal sanctuary.
She answers an advertisement for caretaker/cleaner of a doctor's office which includes a basement room - no objection to Percy. She quickly makes the basement her home and even acquires a puppy, rescuing him from the street.
But the younger of the doctors, Titus Tavener, makes her uncomfortable and she tries to avoid him. He, however, is bothered by her working such an unsuitable job and keeps popping into her life. So, he proposes a MOC.
From this point, we follow the Betty Joanna rule - fortunately, I never get tired of shopping, even vicariously. Arabella gets her wires crossed about a female Dutch doctor, thinking Titus is in love with her (to be fair, Dr Tulsma lies through her teeth to Arabella).
Titus and Arabella celebrate Christmas at the manor house with aunts and uncles and cousins., all of which are described beautifully.
Arabella becomes more and more unhappy about Geraldine Tulsma and after Christmas, on an evening when Titus is expected to arrive, Arabella goes for a walk and falls into a gully; the rain soon turns to sleet and she's in quite a pickle. Of course, Titus finds her and lifts her out. For his part, he can wait no longer; as soon as Arabella is warm and dry, he tells her he loves her and doesn't care a jot for Geraldine.
There is a brief epilogue in the form of a letter from Titus to Arabella 18 months later; Arabella reads it to Pledge #1, a very small son.
Really lovely. 4.25 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2021
Betty Neels is old school romance at it's finest. Her books are definitely chase so don't expect any heat because that's not what this author was about. Her books tend to lean towards female leads who are not what we see in todays world.
Her leads are not what you'd see gracing the catwalks or even in romance books I normally read. The girls are normally plain, slightly plump (not my words) but that's how they are portrayed in the stories. They are what a lot of us can relate to realistically. The men tend to be doctors who are always wealthy, attractive. And they all gravitate to the females described above. Where some would see unattractive they see beauty.
It also helps that animals play big parts in her stories so that's a winner for me straight away. She published over one and hundred and eighty books before she passed. And I find myself going back to reread her books often. She really does tell a sweet and lovely story.
Her leads are not what you'd see gracing the catwalks or even in romance books I normally read. The girls are normally plain, slightly plump (not my words) but that's how they are portrayed in the stories. They are what a lot of us can relate to realistically. The men tend to be doctors who are always wealthy, attractive. And they all gravitate to the females described above. Where some would see unattractive they see beauty.
It also helps that animals play big parts in her stories so that's a winner for me straight away. She published over one and hundred and eighty books before she passed. And I find myself going back to reread her books often. She really does tell a sweet and lovely story.
March 9, 2023
3.5 stars, more to come…
December 7, 2022
Written by Neels. The story begins with a business letter and ends with a love letter, addressed to “dearest love.” There are rescued puppies and beloved cats, refound ponies and donkeys. Sewing and painting, transforming a dingy basement into a home. Cordon bleu cooking and electrical outages. Arabella is 27, a recently orphaned Cinderella— plain, with beautiful gray eyes —serving as caretaker to a private clinic in London. Titus is an English / Dutch doctor, age 40, with an active lifestyle. He offers up a marriage of convenience — the drollest proposal scene in the midst of the workday.
So they marry. The lovely Dr. Geraldine intrudes. Arabella falls down into a gully…etc.
The first half of the book is best, and the ending. I could do without the entire Geraldine misunderstanding.
Ps. This story includes the main characters from A Happy Meeting — Cressida and Aldrik, complete with newborn twins.
I should like to make you a proposal.’ At her look of astonishment he added kindly. ‘Don’t look so surprised. I should like you to consider marrying me. If you will think about it we can discuss it sensibly at a later date.’ He smiled then. ‘Don’t let me keep you from your work.’ He had gone into his room and shut the door quietly behind him, leaving her with her mouth open, a white face and a rapid pulse. As for Dr Tavener, he sat down at his desk and wondered if he had gone mad.
So they marry. The lovely Dr. Geraldine intrudes. Arabella falls down into a gully…etc.
The first half of the book is best, and the ending. I could do without the entire Geraldine misunderstanding.
Ps. This story includes the main characters from A Happy Meeting — Cressida and Aldrik, complete with newborn twins.
August 29, 2017
I liked this book just as I like her others and in this book I got straight into it from page one because I enjoyed reading about her work, her animals and her little flat and how she met the doctor.
The H I did like but I didn't like how he mostly pitied her and basically fell in love with her because of her change in clothes and not because of her being herself and I would have liked him to have spent more attention on her than with the ow ( I still think he had a relationship with her before he was married despite him denying it) and I wished the h would have slapped and threw her out of the house instead of pretending to be nice to her but I did like the ending and the epilogue was a nice surprise.
The H I did like but I didn't like how he mostly pitied her and basically fell in love with her because of her change in clothes and not because of her being herself and I would have liked him to have spent more attention on her than with the ow ( I still think he had a relationship with her before he was married despite him denying it) and I wished the h would have slapped and threw her out of the house instead of pretending to be nice to her but I did like the ending and the epilogue was a nice surprise.
September 14, 2016
Kindliness, good manners, love of animals, Cinderella retelling - definitely a pristine, "happy ever after" story. I am told that this author has millions of followers. Perhaps women hunger for fairy tales. I finished it with a "smile" on my face and then set it down to return to the real world.
May 31, 2017
No es de mis preferidos de Betty, pero disfrutable como todo lo que escribe. El final fue muy tiernito.
August 12, 2020
As with most of Ms. Neel’s novels this was a gentle balm of a story - which is exactly what I look for when I pick her books up.
Other than the shocker that the hero WAS NOT DUTCH (OH THE SHAME!!), this follow most of the expected Ms. Neels tropes - doctor hero, hardworking but plain heroine (who has the patience of Job) and some cute animals. The latter especially helps for me. The couple get married - there is some misunderstanding (cause in this case by the heroine which was quite funny). There are some dated lines here about how women just love to talk about fashion and “have a gossip” instead of being able to understand all the manly medical jargon. The potential OW is kind of villainized for being smart. I shake my head and kind of ignore it. This all happened in ye-olde times of 1994 after all 😜
Tbh - I picked this particular book up because I had read its sister-manga which I found a bit disturbing because the hero looked a bit deranged (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Thankfully there was no sight or sound of Hannibal Lector here.
I also did find it amusing that there were appreciable differences between the manga and the novel. I like the contrast and if the manga is done well it provides a fun counterpoint. Check both out if you can and read them like a duo.
Other than the shocker that the hero WAS NOT DUTCH (OH THE SHAME!!), this follow most of the expected Ms. Neels tropes - doctor hero, hardworking but plain heroine (who has the patience of Job) and some cute animals. The latter especially helps for me. The couple get married - there is some misunderstanding (cause in this case by the heroine which was quite funny). There are some dated lines here about how women just love to talk about fashion and “have a gossip” instead of being able to understand all the manly medical jargon. The potential OW is kind of villainized for being smart. I shake my head and kind of ignore it. This all happened in ye-olde times of 1994 after all 😜
Tbh - I picked this particular book up because I had read its sister-manga which I found a bit disturbing because the hero looked a bit deranged (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Thankfully there was no sight or sound of Hannibal Lector here.
I also did find it amusing that there were appreciable differences between the manga and the novel. I like the contrast and if the manga is done well it provides a fun counterpoint. Check both out if you can and read them like a duo.
May 10, 2013
A typical marriage of convenience story with English Doctor Titus Tavener and Arabella. There is the usual compliment of servants, dogs and cats and his family members. Arabella is one of the ubiquitous orphans from good family but living in poverty when she comes to work for the Doctor and his partner Dr Marshall.
The other woman in this case is a Dutch female doctor who causes trouble for the newly weds.
In this case neither hero or heroine realise they are in love for some time. In an interesting departure from the norm we see implied conjugal relations at the end of the book. Usually we have to wait until we see them in another book with children. A nice read.
The other woman in this case is a Dutch female doctor who causes trouble for the newly weds.
In this case neither hero or heroine realise they are in love for some time. In an interesting departure from the norm we see implied conjugal relations at the end of the book. Usually we have to wait until we see them in another book with children. A nice read.
June 17, 2013
Well, kind of disappointed.
Titus is a busy doctor who didn't have time to himself and love. That's why he want a simple wife. There was Arabella, sweet and alone and apparently she caught his heart without his knowing. He asked her to marry him and she said yes. But it gets complicated. Because Arabella's falling for him.
Betty Neels's very detail. She describes everything about what Arabella do everyday. It's nice and made this book felt real because I practically imagine myself as Arabella.
But then, it fell flat. I can't feel Titus's warm heart. I mean, in the end he did admit that he loves her but I can't feel it. Lack of chemistry and vice versa from Arabella's side.
I expect so many things but I disappointed. Could've been better. :)
Titus is a busy doctor who didn't have time to himself and love. That's why he want a simple wife. There was Arabella, sweet and alone and apparently she caught his heart without his knowing. He asked her to marry him and she said yes. But it gets complicated. Because Arabella's falling for him.
Betty Neels's very detail. She describes everything about what Arabella do everyday. It's nice and made this book felt real because I practically imagine myself as Arabella.
But then, it fell flat. I can't feel Titus's warm heart. I mean, in the end he did admit that he loves her but I can't feel it. Lack of chemistry and vice versa from Arabella's side.
I expect so many things but I disappointed. Could've been better. :)
October 10, 2014
It's not often I want to slap a Betty Neels heroine...but this is most definitely one of those times. That strength she starts with plummets. I know that happens a lot with Ms. Neels' work, the line that "of course she was not clever' near the 3/4 mark of the book made me cringe. Titus seems to like her for not being someone to talk shop with at the end of the day. Um...what? Every married couple in the med field of my acquaintance (there are a few) at least talk about the day in basic terms with the spouse at the table. (Though now I come to think of it most are married to someone in the field. So maybe the doctor/nurse relationship Ms. Neels was most known for are more accurate.)
Saving feature: the book is set at Christmas time. :-) That fact can save most stories in my view.
Saving feature: the book is set at Christmas time. :-) That fact can save most stories in my view.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 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
June 1, 2018
Historias cortas que se leen de un solo tirón.
Reseña completa en : http://perezosa69.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Reseña completa en : http://perezosa69.blogspot.com/2018/0...
August 15, 2018
Titus Taverner underestimate his new Caretaker Arabella Lorimer.
This has everything you expect from a Betty Neels story. I just love the strengthen in Arabella when she comes face to face with the enemy Geraldine.
Heart- warming read for a rain night and a lovely pick me up
This has everything you expect from a Betty Neels story. I just love the strengthen in Arabella when she comes face to face with the enemy Geraldine.
Heart- warming read for a rain night and a lovely pick me up
November 10, 2023
This was so dumb and sexist that it was funny. The only reason I didn’t dnf it was because I’m on a beach and have no other options.
November 11, 2021
Short review: a bit different Neels story where, yes, the H is still a doctor but the h is a "caretaker" which I felt was like a sort of live in "cleaning person/janitor" type person at the clinic. It's a MOC story but what makes it an unusual Neels story is that the h could be quite a b-otch. Especially with the (hopeful) OW. She takes one look at the (potential) OW and immediately thinks "the enemy." Then proceeds to not pull her punches until basically there was no pretense on either side of trying to be polite.
Actually it was kinda cool seeing her immediately unsheath her claws and go after her...and her poor husband!
On to the next Neels story...
Actually it was kinda cool seeing her immediately unsheath her claws and go after her...and her poor husband!
On to the next Neels story...
January 4, 2021
I had to read another Betty Neels book because I was bogged down in two other reads that required either hard thinking or taking notes, and Betty has (somewhat) surprised me!
Surprise #1: The hero is not a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, rich, brusque Dutch surgeon! He is a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, rich English doctor.
Surprise #2: the heroine is not a plain, capable, English nurse! She is a plain, capable, English...nothing. I mean, she can do housekeeping things and likes animals, but has no nursing skills to speak of.
Surprise #3: They don't go visit his Dutch home, which is occupied by an older female Dutch relative! Instead they visit a doctor friend for the required visit to the Netherlands. They do, however, visit the hero's English manor home, which is occupied by an older female English relative (grandmother).
Surprise #4: the heroine doesn't get insecure over a cute little blonde Dutch girl! She gets insecure over a voluptuous, blonde Dutch doctor named Geraldine.
Okay, so maybe this book wasn't so surprising. But no one reads Betty Neels for surprises. It would be fun to give this book to your most strident feminist friend because Arabella's lone skills seem to be cooking and shopping, and the guy likes how nice it is to come home to her and doesn't want her to cut her hair.
Surprise #1: The hero is not a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, rich, brusque Dutch surgeon! He is a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, rich English doctor.
Surprise #2: the heroine is not a plain, capable, English nurse! She is a plain, capable, English...nothing. I mean, she can do housekeeping things and likes animals, but has no nursing skills to speak of.
Surprise #3: They don't go visit his Dutch home, which is occupied by an older female Dutch relative! Instead they visit a doctor friend for the required visit to the Netherlands. They do, however, visit the hero's English manor home, which is occupied by an older female English relative (grandmother).
Surprise #4: the heroine doesn't get insecure over a cute little blonde Dutch girl! She gets insecure over a voluptuous, blonde Dutch doctor named Geraldine.
Okay, so maybe this book wasn't so surprising. But no one reads Betty Neels for surprises. It would be fun to give this book to your most strident feminist friend because Arabella's lone skills seem to be cooking and shopping, and the guy likes how nice it is to come home to her and doesn't want her to cut her hair.
June 30, 2013
É sempre bom quando nos sentimos bem na casa das personagens, quando o seu caráter e a sua história nos entusiasma. Aconteceu com Titus e Arabella que protagonizaram uma história muito simples mas bonita. Sou suspeita quando a acção se passa em Londres e no campo inglês, mas gostei.
Não sei se foi da tradução mal feita ou se o livro é mesmo assim, mas o que me desapontou foi o estilo agenda do texto. Parecia-me que a história tinha timings muito definidos pela autora, que delineava a acção desde o pequeno-almoço dos personagens até à hora de ir dormir; e no dia seguinte, a mesma coisa; e de semana a semana... descrições básicas do que se passava quase de hora a hora, como se guiasse os seus personagens por uma agenda para não perder o fio à meada.
De resto, gostei.
Não sei se foi da tradução mal feita ou se o livro é mesmo assim, mas o que me desapontou foi o estilo agenda do texto. Parecia-me que a história tinha timings muito definidos pela autora, que delineava a acção desde o pequeno-almoço dos personagens até à hora de ir dormir; e no dia seguinte, a mesma coisa; e de semana a semana... descrições básicas do que se passava quase de hora a hora, como se guiasse os seus personagens por uma agenda para não perder o fio à meada.
De resto, gostei.
October 10, 2024
As far as Neels books go this one is quite standard. The heroine gets a job as a live-in caretaker for a doctor's office and of course one of the doctors "adopts" her, eventually convincing her to marry him. She's not soppy and he's actually pretty nice, so that's good. However, as I read this I just kept thinking that there wasn't anything special about it - nothing to set it apart from the pack.
If you want a book that will grab your imagination and make you fall in love with the characters, or if you want to laugh or be surprised or outraged, this isn't it. If you're content to spend an hour or two in typical Neels fashion, this story should work just fine.
If you want a book that will grab your imagination and make you fall in love with the characters, or if you want to laugh or be surprised or outraged, this isn't it. If you're content to spend an hour or two in typical Neels fashion, this story should work just fine.
January 1, 2018
Traducido como “El amor más querido” Arabella y Titus, o el ama de llaves -niñera vs el doctor. Es una novelita linda, que tiene los lugares comunes de Betty,la huérfana pobrecita y el doctor al rescate que le propone un matrimonio por conveniencia y bienestar pero sin amor...hasta que ellos se sabrán enamorados.no esta mal pero le falta algo... aquí otro crossover:Cressida y Aldrik🤭😃He de señalar que en esta novela el personaje masculino expresa y expone claramente sus sentimientos.el final también es muy revelador y diferente a otros cuentos : se sabe que tienen un hijo varón y claro que son felices 😍
January 29, 2018
3.5*, 0.5* just got the sort-of epilogue which is a first for a BN book I have read! I have always found her endings too abrupt and dissatisfying because it leaves you wanting.
Silly Arabelle, bringing on angst for herself. She DID invite Geraldine and threw her at Titus at every opportunity. That woman was too full of herself and delusions without any humility...recipe for disaster.
I couldn't stand them not having their talk before Christmas. It did cast unnecessary shadows over the festivities.
But overall their relationship was really sweet and it was kind of fun to see Cressida and Aldrik so lovey dovey because we didn't get that in their own book!
Silly Arabelle, bringing on angst for herself. She DID invite Geraldine and threw her at Titus at every opportunity. That woman was too full of herself and delusions without any humility...recipe for disaster.
I couldn't stand them not having their talk before Christmas. It did cast unnecessary shadows over the festivities.
But overall their relationship was really sweet and it was kind of fun to see Cressida and Aldrik so lovey dovey because we didn't get that in their own book!
July 6, 2008
Another Betty Neels novel dari Gramedia. Jalan cerita keseluruhan masih sama, pria dan wanita menikah tanpa dasar cinta.
Setelah menikah, Arabella sering membantu Titus di tempat prakteknya. Dan ada Geraldine "teman" Titus yang menyebalkan karena selalu bertingkah seakan-akan Titus adalah pacarnya dan Arabella dinikahi Titus hanya karena "kasihan".
Akhir cerita ini happy ending, Titus dan Arabella saling mencintai, bahkan memiliki anak.
Setelah menikah, Arabella sering membantu Titus di tempat prakteknya. Dan ada Geraldine "teman" Titus yang menyebalkan karena selalu bertingkah seakan-akan Titus adalah pacarnya dan Arabella dinikahi Titus hanya karena "kasihan".
Akhir cerita ini happy ending, Titus dan Arabella saling mencintai, bahkan memiliki anak.
July 21, 2012
So the only edition of this book in Goodreads that has a cover matching the one I read is the edition that was translated into Indonesian. Who would translate Betty Neels into Indonesian? (Imagine my voice cracking with incredulity as you read that last sentence.) There's hardly any reason for them to be in English.
October 20, 2024
Back cover blurb:
An offer she couldn't refuse?
"I wish to marry for the wrong reasons. I am not in love with you…."
Titus Tavener was a busy and successful medical man who lacked a wife. Arabella had applied for the job of caretaker at his consulting rooms, but she was happy to accept the new position Titus was offering—until she complicated matters by falling in love with him….
An offer she couldn't refuse?
"I wish to marry for the wrong reasons. I am not in love with you…."
Titus Tavener was a busy and successful medical man who lacked a wife. Arabella had applied for the job of caretaker at his consulting rooms, but she was happy to accept the new position Titus was offering—until she complicated matters by falling in love with him….
November 22, 2015
Love story
I do love Betty Neel's books. Sweet romances. This one with a tall handsome doctor and a plain looking woman with a mind of her own fallen on rough times. They marry, then discover love together
I do love Betty Neel's books. Sweet romances. This one with a tall handsome doctor and a plain looking woman with a mind of her own fallen on rough times. They marry, then discover love together
Read
March 30, 2014Arabella is alone in the world after the death of her parents. She gets a job as a caretaker at a doctors office where Titus takes an interest in her.
A very delightful story.
A very delightful story.
August 19, 2011
Oldfashioned sweet romance at it's best.
January 29, 2013
ternyata oh ternyata udah pernah baca ini waktu zaman dulu... ;p
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