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Two Weeks to Remember
Charity's job as a hospital secretary is hectic, but routine. Even the man she's expected to marry is safe, reliable, and dull. Feeling there has to be more to life, she jumps at the chance to work for Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon. The job is everything she's dreamed of--and so is Jake. But there is where Charity's problems really begin.
219 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
48 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
564 books408 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 36 reviews
April 19, 2017
Thoughts on April 18, 2017 reread:
There are a few nice bits, most particularly the ending where Charity is working the baby stall at the Fancy Fair. She looks up, sees Jake and says: "Good afternoon Professor. If you want to buy something I think the bookstall might interest you. There is nothing here."
He picked up a small woolly cap with a bobble on top. "This interest me far more than books. I think our eldest would look delightful in this thing."
Then he says he fell in love with her at first sight. Sigh. If that were true, why did he do nothing about it for so long? Apparently TGB - or her M&B overlords - thought LAFS was the ult in romance, to be trotted out on every possible occasion. I can tolerate it when it makes sense; in stories like this, it is merely annoying. I'd rather have a nebulous Dawning Realization.
************
Charity Graham, tall, shapely, with curly brown hair and a pretty face, is, we are told, a contented girl. Her father is a retired solicitor who collects rare books which eats up much of his income. Her mother died when Charity was six and her father’s sister came to live with them. Charity has an “understanding” with Sidney, a boring civil servant. Charity wanted to attend university to study history, but there wasn’t enough money, so she became a medical secretary. She spends her days typing in the dreary hospital basement with a complaining, shirking co-worker named Miss Hudson.
Much of her workload is courtesy of Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon. Jake, we later learn, is half-Norwegian with a mother and several siblings (presumably his father is dead). Jake is tall, easy-going and handsome. Charity likes him in spite of the piles of atrocious-handwriting-filled paper that he brings her to type every day. And we suspect that Jake likes Charity great deal indeed, or why else is he always hanging around, giving her rides home after work, just happening to meet her when she is out to lunch, and worming from her the story of her broken engagement.
One day, Jake offers Charity a job as medical secretary in his private practice. By this time, she has become discontented for reasons unknown to her; she has thrown over the worthy Sidney and since she has little opportunity of meeting people her age, has resigned herself, more or less, to growing old alone. She accepts the job and is quite excited, particularly because Jake says she will travel with him from time to time.
Charity soon discovers several things about Jake: he is engaged to a gorgeous creature named Brenda Cornwallis; he expects her to earn every penny of her salary, but is a good boss; and she is in love with him. When she has to work late, which is often, he usually drives her home; he has met her father and aunt and shares her father’s hobby of book collecting.
One morning, she sees a stray dog running in the street and of course, she runs into traffic to save it; Jake happens to be near and helps her. He tells her he knows it is pointless to tell her not to rescue stray animals, but not to do it too often because “his heart won’t stand it.” He also takes her to his home later that day to see the dog; she meets his household staff and animals and also Brenda. *The dog rescue is one of my favorite scenes in this books.
*Brenda is not one of the subtle OWs. She makes her feelings very clear as to smelly, filthy animals and Charity, calling her “this person.” How did someone as nice as Jake get mixed up with such a nasty witch? And why does he hang onto her/allow her to hang on to him for so long?*
Soon, he tells her she is to accompany him on a lecture tour to Norway. This is the “two weeks to remember.” Of course they see each other each day, there is some kissing, Jake takes her to meet his family and teaches her to ski. Naturally, his family is lovely and his mother takes to Charity right away. On one of the occasions that he kisses her, Charity tells him not to do it again and to “remember Brenda.” He says, “When we get back home and there is time, we must have a little talk; I fancy that we have our wires crossed,” kisses her again, and says that he doesn’t like to be “thwarted.” They're in the car, with miles to drive; why can none of Neels' heroes talk and drive at the same time?!?
Well, the two weeks are over and it’s back to the London routine. Charity is on a bus that gets hijacked by some thugs and gets a black eye. She is taken to the hospital where Jake swoops in and takes her to his home and tells her to stay in bed for 2 days (for a black eye?!?). Aunt Emily comes to stay for propriety’s sake; when Charity is well enough to return home, he tells her he will miss her. She blurts out, “I’ll miss you, too, Jake. You know, don’t you? You know that I love you?” Of course, he has no time to talk then and has to leave immediately.
He had specifically tells her not to go to work, which she does and finds someone else doing her job and not just temporary. She thinks she’s been sacked.
Three days later it’s the Fancy Fair at church. She is selling baby booties and hats such when Jake appears and suggests they would do for their eldest child. Declaration and proposal follow with smooching in the church pantry with two ladies as witness.
This is one of those Neels’ books that fall in the middle. There isn’t anything really wrong with it but nothing that really stands out, either. I always remember it as “the one where she is the secretary and goes with him to Norway.” Jake tells her he has been in love with her since he first saw her – why wait so long to do anything about it? No explanation for that. Charity is nice but to be honest, a little boring. So is Jake, for that matter. There aren’t really any terrific secondary characters in this one. Meh. I guess it’s actually in the bottom fourth or so.
There are a few nice bits, most particularly the ending where Charity is working the baby stall at the Fancy Fair. She looks up, sees Jake and says: "Good afternoon Professor. If you want to buy something I think the bookstall might interest you. There is nothing here."
He picked up a small woolly cap with a bobble on top. "This interest me far more than books. I think our eldest would look delightful in this thing."
Then he says he fell in love with her at first sight. Sigh. If that were true, why did he do nothing about it for so long? Apparently TGB - or her M&B overlords - thought LAFS was the ult in romance, to be trotted out on every possible occasion. I can tolerate it when it makes sense; in stories like this, it is merely annoying. I'd rather have a nebulous Dawning Realization.
************
Charity Graham, tall, shapely, with curly brown hair and a pretty face, is, we are told, a contented girl. Her father is a retired solicitor who collects rare books which eats up much of his income. Her mother died when Charity was six and her father’s sister came to live with them. Charity has an “understanding” with Sidney, a boring civil servant. Charity wanted to attend university to study history, but there wasn’t enough money, so she became a medical secretary. She spends her days typing in the dreary hospital basement with a complaining, shirking co-worker named Miss Hudson.
Much of her workload is courtesy of Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon. Jake, we later learn, is half-Norwegian with a mother and several siblings (presumably his father is dead). Jake is tall, easy-going and handsome. Charity likes him in spite of the piles of atrocious-handwriting-filled paper that he brings her to type every day. And we suspect that Jake likes Charity great deal indeed, or why else is he always hanging around, giving her rides home after work, just happening to meet her when she is out to lunch, and worming from her the story of her broken engagement.
One day, Jake offers Charity a job as medical secretary in his private practice. By this time, she has become discontented for reasons unknown to her; she has thrown over the worthy Sidney and since she has little opportunity of meeting people her age, has resigned herself, more or less, to growing old alone. She accepts the job and is quite excited, particularly because Jake says she will travel with him from time to time.
Charity soon discovers several things about Jake: he is engaged to a gorgeous creature named Brenda Cornwallis; he expects her to earn every penny of her salary, but is a good boss; and she is in love with him. When she has to work late, which is often, he usually drives her home; he has met her father and aunt and shares her father’s hobby of book collecting.
One morning, she sees a stray dog running in the street and of course, she runs into traffic to save it; Jake happens to be near and helps her. He tells her he knows it is pointless to tell her not to rescue stray animals, but not to do it too often because “his heart won’t stand it.” He also takes her to his home later that day to see the dog; she meets his household staff and animals and also Brenda. *The dog rescue is one of my favorite scenes in this books.
*Brenda is not one of the subtle OWs. She makes her feelings very clear as to smelly, filthy animals and Charity, calling her “this person.” How did someone as nice as Jake get mixed up with such a nasty witch? And why does he hang onto her/allow her to hang on to him for so long?*
Soon, he tells her she is to accompany him on a lecture tour to Norway. This is the “two weeks to remember.” Of course they see each other each day, there is some kissing, Jake takes her to meet his family and teaches her to ski. Naturally, his family is lovely and his mother takes to Charity right away. On one of the occasions that he kisses her, Charity tells him not to do it again and to “remember Brenda.” He says, “When we get back home and there is time, we must have a little talk; I fancy that we have our wires crossed,” kisses her again, and says that he doesn’t like to be “thwarted.” They're in the car, with miles to drive; why can none of Neels' heroes talk and drive at the same time?!?
Well, the two weeks are over and it’s back to the London routine. Charity is on a bus that gets hijacked by some thugs and gets a black eye. She is taken to the hospital where Jake swoops in and takes her to his home and tells her to stay in bed for 2 days (for a black eye?!?). Aunt Emily comes to stay for propriety’s sake; when Charity is well enough to return home, he tells her he will miss her. She blurts out, “I’ll miss you, too, Jake. You know, don’t you? You know that I love you?” Of course, he has no time to talk then and has to leave immediately.
He had specifically tells her not to go to work, which she does and finds someone else doing her job and not just temporary. She thinks she’s been sacked.
Three days later it’s the Fancy Fair at church. She is selling baby booties and hats such when Jake appears and suggests they would do for their eldest child. Declaration and proposal follow with smooching in the church pantry with two ladies as witness.
This is one of those Neels’ books that fall in the middle. There isn’t anything really wrong with it but nothing that really stands out, either. I always remember it as “the one where she is the secretary and goes with him to Norway.” Jake tells her he has been in love with her since he first saw her – why wait so long to do anything about it? No explanation for that. Charity is nice but to be honest, a little boring. So is Jake, for that matter. There aren’t really any terrific secondary characters in this one. Meh. I guess it’s actually in the bottom fourth or so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2013
It's hard for Betty to ever go wrong. This is another fun read about a young woman and doctor who are hopelessly in love with one another, yet tip toe around it fearing the other's heart is involved elsewhere.
Very enjoyable read for me. Loved, Jake who happened to be Norwegian this time, not Dutch.
Betty certainly spends alot of time taking you into the culture of the land focusing on the scenery, mountains, customs and food. I feel like I just came back from my own little holiday to Norway.
Very enjoyable read for me. Loved, Jake who happened to be Norwegian this time, not Dutch.
Betty certainly spends alot of time taking you into the culture of the land focusing on the scenery, mountains, customs and food. I feel like I just came back from my own little holiday to Norway.
October 15, 2010
I couldn't put this one down. In this book, Betty Neels does not make us privy to Jake Wyllie-Lyon's feelings or thoughts. However, there are many hints and suggestions and it is quite clear that he has been watching our heroine Charity for a while and is very interested. He decides to offer her a job as his secretary but it soon becomes increasingly difficult for him to separate his professional life and his desire to be the love of her life - so many kisses. The book is full of very touching moments between the two as we feel the tension building. This one is on my list of favorites!
December 13, 2015
This the story of Charity, who is a typist in a pathology lab and Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon who is half Norwegian.
Charity finds her job very dull and her sort of boyfriend very dull. The only bright spot in her life is the Professor who gets her to type his reports. So when he offers her a secretarial job she takes it and sloughs off the old boyfriend.
Almost immediately she learns that there is a woman in Jake's life. But Charity still gets to go to Norway with him and learns to ski and meets his family. For once there isn't any sign of the other woman, on the rumours of where she has been.
This is fairly typical Betty Neels fair with a hero who is so enigmatic right up to the last it always surprises me that the heroine hasn't got herself engaged to a second best or joined a nunnery in despair. But of course it all turns out right in the end.
Charity finds her job very dull and her sort of boyfriend very dull. The only bright spot in her life is the Professor who gets her to type his reports. So when he offers her a secretarial job she takes it and sloughs off the old boyfriend.
Almost immediately she learns that there is a woman in Jake's life. But Charity still gets to go to Norway with him and learns to ski and meets his family. For once there isn't any sign of the other woman, on the rumours of where she has been.
This is fairly typical Betty Neels fair with a hero who is so enigmatic right up to the last it always surprises me that the heroine hasn't got herself engaged to a second best or joined a nunnery in despair. But of course it all turns out right in the end.
December 15, 2019
One of my favourites
April 25, 2020
Charity is a hospital secretary living a very quite life with the perfect husband to be she should be happy and looking forward to her future right ?
When Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon asks her to come work for him as his private Secretary she jumps at the changes. Will Charity be happy just been Jake secretary or will fate step-in?
IF you would like to know what happens with Charity why not have a read, one for snuggling with cuppa on a raining day
When Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon asks her to come work for him as his private Secretary she jumps at the changes. Will Charity be happy just been Jake secretary or will fate step-in?
IF you would like to know what happens with Charity why not have a read, one for snuggling with cuppa on a raining day
July 14, 2013
I first read BN when I was a preteen, & love re-reading one of her novels when I have a moment or am trying to find a way to break away from a specific rut I find myself into.
This book here, is the first BN I ever read. I remember thinking it was so light & short (only 9 chapters), plus it reminded me of P&P.
All these years later, I have bought & read every BN ever published (some had to be special ordered from the UK because they were difficult to locate back then), but there are only a few I always fall back on, wanting to re-read them & treasuring certain parts. Two Weeks To Remember is one such one.
TBH, it's not because it was the first *blush* it's because . Kawaii.
This book here, is the first BN I ever read. I remember thinking it was so light & short (only 9 chapters), plus it reminded me of P&P.
All these years later, I have bought & read every BN ever published (some had to be special ordered from the UK because they were difficult to locate back then), but there are only a few I always fall back on, wanting to re-read them & treasuring certain parts. Two Weeks To Remember is one such one.
TBH, it's not because it was the first *blush* it's because . Kawaii.
January 10, 2018
Another delightful read and most appropriate title. The two weeks to remember were the business trip both our hero Jake and heroine Charity took to Norway.
Our British doctor hero had a Norwegian mother! Of course it's not just all work and no play for Jake and Charity! He was so sweet to squeeze in the odd hour here and there to show Charity some of Oslo and the two weekends spent with his large family made me wish *I* were there too! The magnificent scenery of the fjords were described in vivid details. Seeing it was deep in winter the snow made the landscape even more magical...at least in my mind...
Jake was more sweet and at most impersonal but unfailingly polite. I liked how he charmed her absentminded scholarly father and hapless aunt so easily. I felt awful for Charity because her father would rather spend all his money on rare first editions than send Charity to university. She's obviously bright!
That nasty Miss Hudson in the beginning made me root for Charity. I couldn't wait for her to throw in her letter to quit the job! But as Jake would know, it got tricky having Charity work for him because his feelings for her were deepening even though he claimed later to have fallen in love on first sight.
Spoilers!!!
I wished Jake had handled the end better. Why wait three days before seeing Charity to clarify things? It was a nasty shock for her to find things out the way she did, though to be fair nobody expected her to drop in at the clinic so suddenly. If I were him, I'd have charged to her house the moment I found out Charity had been told her job was gone. I have to say Jake was pretty bold, to be kissing Charity as often as he did, even thinking she's interested in the young NZ doctor! But those kisses were so sweet aww...
I really like Jake as he's not the blow hot and cold type of hero, and Charity was a sweet heroine, always practical and positive. Except when she assumed too much about the hero. But then again, typical of a BN hero he held his cards close to his chest so what's the poor girl to do but jump to conclusions?
The love at first sight declaration was a bit lame though, because why did it take him soooooo long to get rid of bratty Brenda?
I love the end bit where Charity was knitting and imagining if things had been different whatever she's knitting would have been meant for "Jake junior" haha! Then when Jake appeared at the church fair, he grabbed the baby woolly cap and declared "our eldest would look delightful in this thing." LOL
Oh After he kissed her,she said it had to stop. So Jake replied, another word for Charity is love. Would she like him to call her that? Aww...
After she got the black eye, and he got a call to go to hospital, he had time to kiss her and said he'd miss her. Charity declared her love, but typical of a BN hero, he got interrupted and STILL RUSHED to the hospital first. Sigh it's ALWAYS patients first, eh?
I shall remember this as the book set in Norway and the hero sweetly taught the heroine to ski.
Our British doctor hero had a Norwegian mother! Of course it's not just all work and no play for Jake and Charity! He was so sweet to squeeze in the odd hour here and there to show Charity some of Oslo and the two weekends spent with his large family made me wish *I* were there too! The magnificent scenery of the fjords were described in vivid details. Seeing it was deep in winter the snow made the landscape even more magical...at least in my mind...
Jake was more sweet and at most impersonal but unfailingly polite. I liked how he charmed her absentminded scholarly father and hapless aunt so easily. I felt awful for Charity because her father would rather spend all his money on rare first editions than send Charity to university. She's obviously bright!
That nasty Miss Hudson in the beginning made me root for Charity. I couldn't wait for her to throw in her letter to quit the job! But as Jake would know, it got tricky having Charity work for him because his feelings for her were deepening even though he claimed later to have fallen in love on first sight.
Spoilers!!!
I wished Jake had handled the end better. Why wait three days before seeing Charity to clarify things? It was a nasty shock for her to find things out the way she did, though to be fair nobody expected her to drop in at the clinic so suddenly. If I were him, I'd have charged to her house the moment I found out Charity had been told her job was gone. I have to say Jake was pretty bold, to be kissing Charity as often as he did, even thinking she's interested in the young NZ doctor! But those kisses were so sweet aww...
I really like Jake as he's not the blow hot and cold type of hero, and Charity was a sweet heroine, always practical and positive. Except when she assumed too much about the hero. But then again, typical of a BN hero he held his cards close to his chest so what's the poor girl to do but jump to conclusions?
The love at first sight declaration was a bit lame though, because why did it take him soooooo long to get rid of bratty Brenda?
I love the end bit where Charity was knitting and imagining if things had been different whatever she's knitting would have been meant for "Jake junior" haha! Then when Jake appeared at the church fair, he grabbed the baby woolly cap and declared "our eldest would look delightful in this thing." LOL
Oh After he kissed her,she said it had to stop. So Jake replied, another word for Charity is love. Would she like him to call her that? Aww...
After she got the black eye, and he got a call to go to hospital, he had time to kiss her and said he'd miss her. Charity declared her love, but typical of a BN hero, he got interrupted and STILL RUSHED to the hospital first. Sigh it's ALWAYS patients first, eh?
I shall remember this as the book set in Norway and the hero sweetly taught the heroine to ski.
February 13, 2012
Charity realizes she is in a rut. She was unable to go to university to study for a career do to family and finacial restraints. Taking a course in typing and shorthand enabled her to find a position at the local hospital. Having to deal with the almost illegible scribbles of the doctors, especially Professor Jake Wyllie-Lyon, adds little variation to her dull routine. Even the man she has gone out with for years did not spark anything in her.
Jake always gets what he wants. While a patient man, he has to try and sort out the screts Charity holds close at hand about the men in her life. Having her come and work directly for him gives him better access, but also a juggling act to try and keep business separate from personal.
A really sweet, uplifting story.
Jake always gets what he wants. While a patient man, he has to try and sort out the screts Charity holds close at hand about the men in her life. Having her come and work directly for him gives him better access, but also a juggling act to try and keep business separate from personal.
A really sweet, uplifting story.
July 6, 2017
Bentley & Volvo
I really liked this one. Charity isn't poor but she does have to work to help support her retired father and maiden aunt (I do love that there's a maiden aunt in a book published in 1986!). She's an uber-competent medical secretary and I loved reading all the medical terms Neels throws in just because she can. Charity is also one of Neels' magnificently built heroines.
Jake is a RBD of Norwegian descent. He is smitten the moment he lays eyes on her but circumstances thwart the courtship for a time.
There is a brief appearance by Brenda the OW but she is not about to get in the way of Dr. Jake and Charity. Charity also as a beau, the bland Sidney, who gets the ol' heave-ho early on.
Maybe one day some tall handsome man (not necessarily a doctor) will stuff me in a Bentley or Volvo. And that's no euphemism!
I really liked this one. Charity isn't poor but she does have to work to help support her retired father and maiden aunt (I do love that there's a maiden aunt in a book published in 1986!). She's an uber-competent medical secretary and I loved reading all the medical terms Neels throws in just because she can. Charity is also one of Neels' magnificently built heroines.
Jake is a RBD of Norwegian descent. He is smitten the moment he lays eyes on her but circumstances thwart the courtship for a time.
There is a brief appearance by Brenda the OW but she is not about to get in the way of Dr. Jake and Charity. Charity also as a beau, the bland Sidney, who gets the ol' heave-ho early on.
Maybe one day some tall handsome man (not necessarily a doctor) will stuff me in a Bentley or Volvo. And that's no euphemism!
July 29, 2016
Betty Neels has a gentle touch with her stories. They are always warm-hearted, generally have a arrogant, self-absorbed supposed love interest at the start when the man of the story discovers his true interest.
I enjoy her knowledge of the medical world across the years when she wrote her books. And the cultural quirks of Dutch, Norwegian and various regions of England as the background for her characters.
I enjoy her knowledge of the medical world across the years when she wrote her books. And the cultural quirks of Dutch, Norwegian and various regions of England as the background for her characters.
July 27, 2021
A large doctor and a heroine with a magnificent bosom, a PBH other woman and a whole story concocted around the fact that the doctor opted not to tell the heroine that a. he wasn't seeing the other woman any more and b. fancied her instead until the very end.
There was a whole chapter about buying fish for tea and putting it on the windowsill so it didn't go off.
Only Betty Neels could get away with it.
There was a whole chapter about buying fish for tea and putting it on the windowsill so it didn't go off.
Only Betty Neels could get away with it.
April 3, 2021
A very nice book yes it much like the rest of Mills & Boon & especially Betty Neels books but it how you get from the start to the end & the story
This one is a nice one you do think that people like they are in these books are from a time gone by can't see the ladies of this day & age behaving like this lol
This one is a nice one you do think that people like they are in these books are from a time gone by can't see the ladies of this day & age behaving like this lol
March 28, 2024
Simple, sweet, comfortable, and totally romantic. It's a nice read for a rainy afternoon. The story is nothing new, and very much a Betty Neels classic storyline. However, the characters are well developed and seem like people one would like to meet and share an afternoon coffee and chat with. It'll probably be one of my favorite Betty Neels stories.
December 30, 2013
A nice read:)
August 24, 2014
loved the Norwegian aspect. Edward Grieg link, too. (composer and pianist born in Bergen).
June 5, 2016
Fun Story with Interesting Travels
Lots of travel, comings and goings, all told well by Betty Neels. Worth your while - hard to put down!
Lots of travel, comings and goings, all told well by Betty Neels. Worth your while - hard to put down!
June 8, 2025
Two Weeks to Remember is Betty circa 1986. Charity is a medical secretary, age 26, living a life of (dare I say it) quiet desperation. She wants to be married and have a family but she's unwilling to settle and she's watching all her chances drain away. Lack of money, family obligations and a father who lives emotionally as well as physically in his library of rare books ensures she won't go to university, won't have a career and might have to settle for the dreary Sidney, a real bore (as well as boor). But since she's not willing to settle, she ditches the dreaded Sidney before Chapter 1 even concludes. I love it.
Betty wrote her share of waifs but Charity isn't one. Rather, she is an Olivia, tall and beautiful, but not really placed to meet the right kind of man. This is all very old-fashioned, real retrograde way of thinking. But that's Betty. Born in 1909, coming to maturity in the 1930s, she was a product of her time. You read her books knowing this is how she sets up all her heroines.
Enter Jake the RBD (rich British doctor) or should I say, half- British. I can't tell what his medical specialty is. Maybe I need to read that part again. Anyway, he's half Norwegian (not Dutch!!) apparently for no other reasons than a) Betty must have traveled in Norway around the time of writing, and b) so Jake and Charity can spend a couple of weeks traveling in Norway where in between lectures and typing up the notes, they can bond: go skiing, hang with his family, do some shopping and sightseeing and eat Norwegian dinners.
Charity works in the hospital but is lured to take a job as Jake's secretary. She falls in love with Jake about halfway through the book. Her angst is palpable and real. It's obvious to the reader that (despite his awful girlfriend) Jake feels the same about Charity and has engineered her working for him as well as the trip to Norway so she'll fall in love with him too. But it's not obvious to Charity. He's got that girlfriend and she doesn't realize Jake is doing his best to break free (all of which happens off page). Charity's love for Jake is the kind that wakes her up in the middle of the night in ugly and painful despair that he'll never love her, and probably that she'll die an old maid.
Charity is a nice heroine. She is quiet and even-keeled but can get snippy although it's rare and justified when it happens. I love that she dumps Sidney early and without remorse. Jake is one of Betty's kind, paternal, all-seeing, all-knowing heroes. He's delightful since despite knowing everything, he treats everyone with kindness and respect. The only real slip-up he makes is toward the end. Charity tells him she loves him and he promptly goes out of town for several days, leaving her hanging. He also fires her but without telling her why. She's kept waiting in agony and disillusionment for *far* too long. He redeems himself, of course, in a very romantic and lovely conclusion. You just know they are going to have a blissful, baby-filled future. 4 stars.
Betty wrote her share of waifs but Charity isn't one. Rather, she is an Olivia, tall and beautiful, but not really placed to meet the right kind of man. This is all very old-fashioned, real retrograde way of thinking. But that's Betty. Born in 1909, coming to maturity in the 1930s, she was a product of her time. You read her books knowing this is how she sets up all her heroines.
Enter Jake the RBD (rich British doctor) or should I say, half- British. I can't tell what his medical specialty is. Maybe I need to read that part again. Anyway, he's half Norwegian (not Dutch!!) apparently for no other reasons than a) Betty must have traveled in Norway around the time of writing, and b) so Jake and Charity can spend a couple of weeks traveling in Norway where in between lectures and typing up the notes, they can bond: go skiing, hang with his family, do some shopping and sightseeing and eat Norwegian dinners.
Charity works in the hospital but is lured to take a job as Jake's secretary. She falls in love with Jake about halfway through the book. Her angst is palpable and real. It's obvious to the reader that (despite his awful girlfriend) Jake feels the same about Charity and has engineered her working for him as well as the trip to Norway so she'll fall in love with him too. But it's not obvious to Charity. He's got that girlfriend and she doesn't realize Jake is doing his best to break free (all of which happens off page). Charity's love for Jake is the kind that wakes her up in the middle of the night in ugly and painful despair that he'll never love her, and probably that she'll die an old maid.
Charity is a nice heroine. She is quiet and even-keeled but can get snippy although it's rare and justified when it happens. I love that she dumps Sidney early and without remorse. Jake is one of Betty's kind, paternal, all-seeing, all-knowing heroes. He's delightful since despite knowing everything, he treats everyone with kindness and respect. The only real slip-up he makes is toward the end. Charity tells him she loves him and he promptly goes out of town for several days, leaving her hanging. He also fires her but without telling her why. She's kept waiting in agony and disillusionment for *far* too long. He redeems himself, of course, in a very romantic and lovely conclusion. You just know they are going to have a blissful, baby-filled future. 4 stars.
July 7, 2025
I finally finished a book by Betty Neels, and considering all the prior praise I’ve read regarding her work, this was a letdown. Sure it was sweet, but also rather insipid. The writing was fine but hardly exceptional, the story itself only meh, and the romance tepid at best.
My take, the H wants a nice, comfortable wife who won’t make too many demands of him so decides to settle for the nice, doormat h. Does he make any effort to woo her? Not really. Outside work and the H & h’s trip to Norway, the H spends more time on page with the h’s father than the h. Did I buy his unoriginal declaration that he’s loved her from the moment he saw her? Again, not really, or he wouldn’t have been enjoying the OW’s company long after he met the h, and well after the h came to work for him (hell, he kept the OW’s picture on his desk!). Does the H care for the h? Sure, but I just don’t buy that she’s the grand love of his life. Will she make a convenient wife (unlike the OW), subsuming all her personal wishes and interests (if she ever has any) and deferring to those of the H? Most probably.
So yeah, a letdown. 2.5 stars.
My take, the H wants a nice, comfortable wife who won’t make too many demands of him so decides to settle for the nice, doormat h. Does he make any effort to woo her? Not really. Outside work and the H & h’s trip to Norway, the H spends more time on page with the h’s father than the h. Did I buy his unoriginal declaration that he’s loved her from the moment he saw her? Again, not really, or he wouldn’t have been enjoying the OW’s company long after he met the h, and well after the h came to work for him (hell, he kept the OW’s picture on his desk!). Does the H care for the h? Sure, but I just don’t buy that she’s the grand love of his life. Will she make a convenient wife (unlike the OW), subsuming all her personal wishes and interests (if she ever has any) and deferring to those of the H? Most probably.
So yeah, a letdown. 2.5 stars.
September 13, 2025
I liked this book. It is a simple sweet romance with two somewhat hesitant lovers. Jake keeps his feelings to himself when he hires Charity from the hospital office to work for him at his office. She begins to fall in love with him, but mistakenly thinks he means to marry the snobbish and high-maintenance Brenda. I love the descriptions of Norway and Jake's family was nice. The only small drawback is that, in today's society, Jake kissing Charity while she was his employee would be frowned upon.
May 29, 2021
A large doctor and a heroine with a magnificent bosom, a PBH other woman and a whole story concocted around the fact that the doctor opted not to tell the heroine that a. he wasn't seeing the other woman any more and b. fancied her instead until the very end.
There was a whole chapter about buying fish for tea and putting it on the windowsill so it didn't go off.
Only Betty Neels could get away with it.
There was a whole chapter about buying fish for tea and putting it on the windowsill so it didn't go off.
Only Betty Neels could get away with it.
May 26, 2019
This one was really boring. There isn't a distinct central plot and none of the characters stand out as memorable. If you wanted a peep on what it's like to live/travel in a different land, this isn't the book to provide it.
December 12, 2023
I love a BN book where the hero falls first (not that we really find that out until the end, but it was pretty obvious in his actions). It was a sweet book and a nice change from the Dutch doctors. We even got to see some of Norway in the book.
January 25, 2018
Delightful
Heartwarming and restful love story. The characters balance each other beautifully and take you into their world of destiny's discovery.
Heartwarming and restful love story. The characters balance each other beautifully and take you into their world of destiny's discovery.
August 4, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances light, clean, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances light, clean, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
December 25, 2018
Great story
I enjoyed this book very much. Great story, clean and easy reading. Well written. No big upheavals and very peaceful surroundings
I enjoyed this book very much. Great story, clean and easy reading. Well written. No big upheavals and very peaceful surroundings
May 3, 2019
lots of sweetness in this one
January 8, 2022
Different type of female protagonist. Refreshing!
August 6, 2024
4.5 stars
Norwegian travelogue with delicious meals
Occasionally reassurance of H's POV
Some frustrating stringing along of heroine, particularly in final chapter (of course, Ms. Neels!)
Norwegian travelogue with delicious meals
Occasionally reassurance of H's POV
Some frustrating stringing along of heroine, particularly in final chapter (of course, Ms. Neels!)
November 7, 2024
A rather middle of the road Betty but still enjoyable.
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