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Dearest Eulalia
Trust him; he is a doctor!
Eulalia cannot bear the thought of losing her home, especially at Christmas. But is marriage to handsome surgeon Aderik van der Leurs really the answer? Aderik appears to want Eulalia simply as a convenient bride but she is, in fact, his dearest Eulalia.
Eulalia cannot bear the thought of losing her home, especially at Christmas. But is marriage to handsome surgeon Aderik van der Leurs really the answer? Aderik appears to want Eulalia simply as a convenient bride but she is, in fact, his dearest Eulalia.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2000
117 people are currently reading
96 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 32 reviews
October 30, 2017
Dearest Eulalia: A Classic Doctor Romance by Betty Neels is a 2017 Harlequin Special Release publication.
It’s so nice to see Harlequin is keeping Betty Neels’ legacy alive.
This is a short story which, if my information is correct, first appeared in a holiday centered anthology, originally published in the early 2000’s, called ‘Mistletoe Miracles’.
Released in digital format, just in time for the holidays, this sweet historical romance is centered around Eulalia, who lives with her ailing grandfather and works at the local hospital.
When Aderik van der Leurs, a surgeon, arrives in town, he immediately takes an interest in Eulalia, and quickly proposes marriage. Initially, Eulalia is reluctant, but a sad turn of events will prompt her to reconsider, even it is only a marriage of convenience… or is it?
Aderik is content to allow Eulalia to believe the marriage is not a love match, that they can be friends, and enjoy one another’s company until such a time that Eulalia feels comfortable in the marriage. But, of course, he’s already in love with her, and wants her to fall in love with him in her own time.
Eulalia soon becomes frustrated by her developing feelings, believing Aderik does not return them, while he wishes fervently she would fall for him, sooner rather than later.
Aderik is a little arrogant, I suppose, presuming Eulalia will eventually fall for him, but he does have the patience of Job and was very sweet and romantic, and Eulalia is sensitive, longing for true love, but believing it to be elusive. She is also a strong character and very likable.
This is such a short story, and is not really the best representation of Neels’ work, but I still enjoyed the sweet, old fashioned, very chaste, romance.
I am a late bloomer when it comes to reading romance. But, I discovered Betty Neels when I started my vintage paperback collection some years back. I loved her stories, all of them sweet and emotional, but of course very, very, very old fashioned.
So, in all honesty, these books might be better suited for her long time fans who will love having these classic stories available to read on their tablets. For modern romance readers, please be aware of instalove and other outdated or wildly unpopular themes. ( I heard that collective groan!!)
But, if you can understand the era in which Neels’ was so very popular, and in this case, the historical settings in the story, you might find her stories are timeless classics and quite lovely.
This one is recommended for fans of this author, first and foremost- but if you long for good old-fashioned love stories, but have given up all hope of ever finding any in the age of Christian Grey, then Betty Neels’ is the author you are looking for.
Overall this one gets a 3.5 rounded up.
It’s so nice to see Harlequin is keeping Betty Neels’ legacy alive.
This is a short story which, if my information is correct, first appeared in a holiday centered anthology, originally published in the early 2000’s, called ‘Mistletoe Miracles’.
Released in digital format, just in time for the holidays, this sweet historical romance is centered around Eulalia, who lives with her ailing grandfather and works at the local hospital.
When Aderik van der Leurs, a surgeon, arrives in town, he immediately takes an interest in Eulalia, and quickly proposes marriage. Initially, Eulalia is reluctant, but a sad turn of events will prompt her to reconsider, even it is only a marriage of convenience… or is it?
Aderik is content to allow Eulalia to believe the marriage is not a love match, that they can be friends, and enjoy one another’s company until such a time that Eulalia feels comfortable in the marriage. But, of course, he’s already in love with her, and wants her to fall in love with him in her own time.
Eulalia soon becomes frustrated by her developing feelings, believing Aderik does not return them, while he wishes fervently she would fall for him, sooner rather than later.
Aderik is a little arrogant, I suppose, presuming Eulalia will eventually fall for him, but he does have the patience of Job and was very sweet and romantic, and Eulalia is sensitive, longing for true love, but believing it to be elusive. She is also a strong character and very likable.
This is such a short story, and is not really the best representation of Neels’ work, but I still enjoyed the sweet, old fashioned, very chaste, romance.
I am a late bloomer when it comes to reading romance. But, I discovered Betty Neels when I started my vintage paperback collection some years back. I loved her stories, all of them sweet and emotional, but of course very, very, very old fashioned.
So, in all honesty, these books might be better suited for her long time fans who will love having these classic stories available to read on their tablets. For modern romance readers, please be aware of instalove and other outdated or wildly unpopular themes. ( I heard that collective groan!!)
But, if you can understand the era in which Neels’ was so very popular, and in this case, the historical settings in the story, you might find her stories are timeless classics and quite lovely.
This one is recommended for fans of this author, first and foremost- but if you long for good old-fashioned love stories, but have given up all hope of ever finding any in the age of Christian Grey, then Betty Neels’ is the author you are looking for.
Overall this one gets a 3.5 rounded up.
November 15, 2016
Eulalia Langley was the 'canteen lady' at the Outpatients clinic of St. Chad's hospital. At twenty-seven years of age, she was single and took care of her elderly grandfather.
His home and its furnishings were entailed. When he passed on, she expected to become homeless. Her circumstances might have been different except she used all of her earnings to pay the difference of the bills her grandfather's pension did not cover. It was never enough and he was clueless to her difficult situation.
At 38, Aderick van der Leurs had never been in love or wanted to marry. He was a respected RDD (Rich Dutch Doctor) on temporary duty at St. Chad's when he first spotted 'Lally'.
She was beautiful.
One of his colleagues described her sweet disposition and the hard times that befell her. Within a span of several days, Aderick not only introduced himself but visited the grandfather's home and informed the worried, sickly man that he was in love and planned to marry her.
Dearest Eulalia was a story of marriage first, then friendship with an engagement following the big event, and love at the very end. Aderick wanted Eulalia to love him without his interference. He solved the matter by showing but not communicating (a sore spot between Betty Neels and myself). He was kind, flattering and gave her full run of the household but he was seldom home. He took on extra duties; his time away was intentional.
Lally was simply naive. Her husband bought her fancy clothes, expensive jewelry and a kitten but it took one moment of unexpected alarm for her to realize what was staring her in the face all along.
~I believe this story was meant to be read after Discovering Daisy as the characters from that story, who are now married, pop up several times in Dearest Eulalia.~
His home and its furnishings were entailed. When he passed on, she expected to become homeless. Her circumstances might have been different except she used all of her earnings to pay the difference of the bills her grandfather's pension did not cover. It was never enough and he was clueless to her difficult situation.
At 38, Aderick van der Leurs had never been in love or wanted to marry. He was a respected RDD (Rich Dutch Doctor) on temporary duty at St. Chad's when he first spotted 'Lally'.
She was beautiful.
One of his colleagues described her sweet disposition and the hard times that befell her. Within a span of several days, Aderick not only introduced himself but visited the grandfather's home and informed the worried, sickly man that he was in love and planned to marry her.
Dearest Eulalia was a story of marriage first, then friendship with an engagement following the big event, and love at the very end. Aderick wanted Eulalia to love him without his interference. He solved the matter by showing but not communicating (a sore spot between Betty Neels and myself). He was kind, flattering and gave her full run of the household but he was seldom home. He took on extra duties; his time away was intentional.
Lally was simply naive. Her husband bought her fancy clothes, expensive jewelry and a kitten but it took one moment of unexpected alarm for her to realize what was staring her in the face all along.
~I believe this story was meant to be read after Discovering Daisy as the characters from that story, who are now married, pop up several times in Dearest Eulalia.~
August 23, 2023
From 2000, near the end of her career (and life), we have a quick one (novella) from The Great Betty that's sweet, although completely lacking in any real conflict or angst, and hits the usual notes with a light touch. Our Rich Dutch Doctor, Aderick van der Leurs, falls in love at first sight with big, beautiful heroine Eulalia (Lally) Langtree, who is the "canteen lady" (i.e., runs the snack commissary) at the hospital that Aderick is visiting as a consultant. His father was in WWII with Lally's granddad, so Aderick makes a point of visiting the old man, where he leaves Lally intrigued and dismayed when he (briefly) returns to Holland. Her interest is caught, and before you know it, Betty has sacrificed Granddad on the altar of Love's Expediency and Lally is agreeing to an MoC.
Aderick resolves to be patient and let Lally come to her own conclusions about any feelings for him. Typical of Neels' later heroes, Aderick is placid and kind, showering our heroine with a new wardrobe, jewelry, and even a rescue-kitty. It doesn't take Lally long to realize that she's in love with Aderick. And Betty doesn't waste any time in wrapping up the HEA either-there are no OW or OM to muddy the waters, and once our heroine realizes her feelings, it just takes an explosion at the hospital to send her running down in an ancient raincoat and sodden slippers to make sure Aderick is safe and confess her love.
I swear, I think only Betty could have pulled off such an uneventful tale and made it palatably sweet--the shortened length helps! Probably the most memorable thing about this one is that we get not one but two cross-overs from earlier books: Daisy and Jules from Discovering Daisy (published the previous year) make a few appearances, as do Christina and Duert from Not Once but Twice (1981). Betty must have loved the latter two MCs, because Christina and Duert appear in more of her books than any other cross-over characters. Fun to see these two, 20 years on, still devoted and with a handful of kids--the cross-over was Betty's version of the epilogue, I guess!
Nothing particularly memorable about this one, but sweet, warm, and placid, like many of her characters.
Aderick resolves to be patient and let Lally come to her own conclusions about any feelings for him. Typical of Neels' later heroes, Aderick is placid and kind, showering our heroine with a new wardrobe, jewelry, and even a rescue-kitty. It doesn't take Lally long to realize that she's in love with Aderick. And Betty doesn't waste any time in wrapping up the HEA either-there are no OW or OM to muddy the waters, and once our heroine realizes her feelings, it just takes an explosion at the hospital to send her running down in an ancient raincoat and sodden slippers to make sure Aderick is safe and confess her love.
I swear, I think only Betty could have pulled off such an uneventful tale and made it palatably sweet--the shortened length helps! Probably the most memorable thing about this one is that we get not one but two cross-overs from earlier books: Daisy and Jules from Discovering Daisy (published the previous year) make a few appearances, as do Christina and Duert from Not Once but Twice (1981). Betty must have loved the latter two MCs, because Christina and Duert appear in more of her books than any other cross-over characters. Fun to see these two, 20 years on, still devoted and with a handful of kids--the cross-over was Betty's version of the epilogue, I guess!
Nothing particularly memorable about this one, but sweet, warm, and placid, like many of her characters.
February 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A marriage of convenience isn’t my favorite but this still has sweet characters with Humbert the shaggy dog and Ferdie the cat.
September 15, 2024
This story has no sharp edges. It is the softest, gentlest romance ever written. If there were an audiobook for it, it would have to be narrated entirely in a whisper, perhaps by a golf announcer.
The rich Dutch doctor (38) falls in love with the beautiful British hospital canteen manager (27) at first sight. He insinuates himself into her life via a family acquaintance with her arthritic grandfather and sees the sacrifices she is making so her grandfather can live out his days in comfort.
Stripped of all the "bad Betty" elements (evil relatives, OW, OM, heroines with low self-esteem, taunting/impatient heroes), Dearest Eulalia fills its short page count with all the good Betty: rides in expensive cars with detailed lists of the motorways involved in every trip, lunches and teas at elegant inns, gifts of clothes and jewelry, sightseeing in Holland, house tours, faithful family servants, cameo appearances from previous Betty couples*, and companionable walks with dogs. Oh, and Christmas! Some readers will find the lack of drama rather boring, but if you're looking for a novella to soothe a weary spirit or confirm that love can be kind, Dearest Eulalia might serve.
* Daisy and Jules from Discovering Daisy, and Christina and Duert from Not Once but Twice
[Random note, unrelated to the review.]
I'm so tempted to index the data in Betty Neels' backlist to map the patterns. Things like the protagonists' ages (the 11-year difference here is probably on the short side for a Betty Neels pairing, for instance) and whether the RDDs only fall in love at first sight with the pretty British nurses or if they ever tumble straightaway for the plain ones. There's something very compelling about the details of 130+ stories that stick to a single vision of romance.
The rich Dutch doctor (38) falls in love with the beautiful British hospital canteen manager (27) at first sight. He insinuates himself into her life via a family acquaintance with her arthritic grandfather and sees the sacrifices she is making so her grandfather can live out his days in comfort.
Stripped of all the "bad Betty" elements (evil relatives, OW, OM, heroines with low self-esteem, taunting/impatient heroes), Dearest Eulalia fills its short page count with all the good Betty: rides in expensive cars with detailed lists of the motorways involved in every trip, lunches and teas at elegant inns, gifts of clothes and jewelry, sightseeing in Holland, house tours, faithful family servants, cameo appearances from previous Betty couples*, and companionable walks with dogs. Oh, and Christmas! Some readers will find the lack of drama rather boring, but if you're looking for a novella to soothe a weary spirit or confirm that love can be kind, Dearest Eulalia might serve.
* Daisy and Jules from Discovering Daisy, and Christina and Duert from Not Once but Twice
[Random note, unrelated to the review.]
I'm so tempted to index the data in Betty Neels' backlist to map the patterns. Things like the protagonists' ages (the 11-year difference here is probably on the short side for a Betty Neels pairing, for instance) and whether the RDDs only fall in love at first sight with the pretty British nurses or if they ever tumble straightaway for the plain ones. There's something very compelling about the details of 130+ stories that stick to a single vision of romance.
January 14, 2024
Same as any other Betty neels novel.Marriage of convenience only difference being hero loves heroine from the beginning but doesn't reveal till the end.
Heroine is not a nurse but runs a canteen in the hospital where she meets the hero who is, as usual, a Dutch doctor. Another noteworthy difference is that heroine is very beautiful, which is rare in Betty Neels novels.
The rest of the story is the same as other books. Heroine is poor,hero sweeps her off her feet, goes on a shopping spree after marriage, lots of parties,balls, Christmas with hero's family and HEA
Heroine is not a nurse but runs a canteen in the hospital where she meets the hero who is, as usual, a Dutch doctor. Another noteworthy difference is that heroine is very beautiful, which is rare in Betty Neels novels.
The rest of the story is the same as other books. Heroine is poor,hero sweeps her off her feet, goes on a shopping spree after marriage, lots of parties,balls, Christmas with hero's family and HEA
December 16, 2018
Eulalia is the “canteen lady” in the Outpatients Department of a London hospital. She lives with her elderly grandfather, her only relation save a distant cousin. Aderik van der Leurs is a Dutch surgeon who comes over to London to see patients needing bone marrow transplants; he sees Eulalia and immediately falls in love with her. Learning that his father knew Eulalia’s grandfather gives him an excuse to visit the old gentleman and get acquainted.
Well, of course, Grandfather dies soon and because of a family trust, the house and its contents go to the distant cousin. (However, the cousin is a nice man with a nice wife and nice children, not the usual nasty bit who chucks the heroine out in the cold.) Nevertheless, Aderik quickly proposes a MOC and she accepts.
We have the usual shopping porn; Christmas arrives and Aderik’s family comes to stay; Aderik introduces her to Jules and Daisy (Discovering Daisy) and Duert and Christina (Not Once But Twice). Eulalia knows she is feeling unsettled but doesn’t know why. Then shortly after Christmas, an explosion in the hospital theatre shakes Eulalia into a Dawning Realisation and she rushes there to search for Aderik. Of course he is safe; Lally blurts put that she loves him. Aderik tells her that it was LAFS for him; kisses; The End.
This is a fairly standard Neels MOC, but somehow lacks the usual charm. 3 stars.
Well, of course, Grandfather dies soon and because of a family trust, the house and its contents go to the distant cousin. (However, the cousin is a nice man with a nice wife and nice children, not the usual nasty bit who chucks the heroine out in the cold.) Nevertheless, Aderik quickly proposes a MOC and she accepts.
We have the usual shopping porn; Christmas arrives and Aderik’s family comes to stay; Aderik introduces her to Jules and Daisy (Discovering Daisy) and Duert and Christina (Not Once But Twice). Eulalia knows she is feeling unsettled but doesn’t know why. Then shortly after Christmas, an explosion in the hospital theatre shakes Eulalia into a Dawning Realisation and she rushes there to search for Aderik. Of course he is safe; Lally blurts put that she loves him. Aderik tells her that it was LAFS for him; kisses; The End.
This is a fairly standard Neels MOC, but somehow lacks the usual charm. 3 stars.
July 30, 2018
Really this is a 3.5 book. Just not as interesting as some of her other books but I really did like this doctor. No drama, just a peaceful getting to know you and fall in love story.
November 23, 2023
Not my favorite type of Neels. The heroine is pretty passive and I definitely prefer a more proactive woman to root for. Plus, since this is much shorter then the usual, there really isn't any plot here. However, it does have quite a bit of talk about Christmas in Holland, so it was a decent, quick, holiday read.
January 16, 2024
Lovely gentle romance.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes without the train wreakiness and OW / OM drama, the story just lacks excitement.
We also get the Hero’s POV so we know from the start he fell in love w he heroine at first sight, so there is also none of the ambiguity of weather he loves me, he loves me not that is characteristic in the older harlequins.
So sweet if a bit boring
I hate to admit it, but sometimes without the train wreakiness and OW / OM drama, the story just lacks excitement.
We also get the Hero’s POV so we know from the start he fell in love w he heroine at first sight, so there is also none of the ambiguity of weather he loves me, he loves me not that is characteristic in the older harlequins.
So sweet if a bit boring
December 8, 2022
🎄Lovely holiday read. 🎁 One of the last books Betty Neels wrote, published in 2000 when the old girl was 91. A shorter book, only five chapters, including descriptions of a happy Christmas. Eulalia, a strapping beauty at 27, runs the outpatients canteen at an inner city London hospital, making the old place as cheerful as possible, and the food as hearty as possible, for the poverty stricken who’d rather eat there than at their cold damp bedsit apartment.
At home, she lives in a fine old townhouse with her grandfather, a WWII colonel confined to a wheelchair. They cannot afford the house, but neither can they sell it or rent it, because of some legal family inheritance mumbo jumbo. Eulalia makes sure her grandfather never realizes that money is so tight that she only heats a few rooms, and that while he eats steak, she eats mac cheese with loyal retainer Jane.
For the hero, a Dutch doctor, she’s his dream girl, love at first sight at age 38. For Eulalia, he’s an interruption at the door while she’s fixing the washing machine.
Ps. Characters from Discovering Daisy — a previously published book —show up several times, with a newborn son. Also, the older-but-still-happily-married couple from Not Once but Twice show up in a few scenes (Christina and her husband, Duert ter Brandt, the hospital director).
At home, she lives in a fine old townhouse with her grandfather, a WWII colonel confined to a wheelchair. They cannot afford the house, but neither can they sell it or rent it, because of some legal family inheritance mumbo jumbo. Eulalia makes sure her grandfather never realizes that money is so tight that she only heats a few rooms, and that while he eats steak, she eats mac cheese with loyal retainer Jane.
For the hero, a Dutch doctor, she’s his dream girl, love at first sight at age 38. For Eulalia, he’s an interruption at the door while she’s fixing the washing machine.
One glimpse of Eulalia and he knew that he had found that woman. Now all he had to do was to marry her… He reached the house and rang the bell and presently the door was opened and Eulalia stood there in a grubby pinny, looking cross. She still had the spanner in her hand, too. He saw that he would need to treat her with the same care with which he treated the more fractious of his small patients. His ‘Good morning’ was briskly friendly. ‘This is Colonel Langley’s house? I wondered if I might visit him? My father was an old friend of his—van der Leurs.’ He held out a hand. ‘I am Aderik van der Leurs, his son.’
Ps. Characters from Discovering Daisy — a previously published book —show up several times, with a newborn son. Also, the older-but-still-happily-married couple from Not Once but Twice show up in a few scenes (Christina and her husband, Duert ter Brandt, the hospital director).
December 26, 2017
This was one of my favourite Betty Neels books. I adored both Aderik, the rich Dutch doctor, and Eulalia, who was sweet, gentle and (unlike most of her heroines) very beautiful. Although it is a "marriage of convenience" book because the heroine finds herself in a difficult position, the truth is that Aderik falls in love with her from the moment they meet. He doesn't want to scare her off or manipulate her by telling her how he feels. He wants her to fall in love with him in her own time and on her own terms, without being influenced by his emotions. I loved how gentle, kind and loving he always was with her. It differs slightly from her normal plots in that for once there wasn't any major drama, no OW or big conflict - it was just a story of a girl slowly falling in love with a man who has loved and adored her from the start, and I absolutely loved that.
These are not steamy romances...her books are what Mills and Boon label "tender romance" which is innocent and clean so if you're looking for something like that which is low on drama, this book is a great place to start.
These are not steamy romances...her books are what Mills and Boon label "tender romance" which is innocent and clean so if you're looking for something like that which is low on drama, this book is a great place to start.
September 20, 2022
I'm in a Betty Neels slump. This one was a novella and she really phoned it in. I don't mean just the parts she always phones in (older Dutch doc and English girl and they go to Holland), but *everything.* He falls in love for no reason at all, marries her, and then wins her by never being home and always being calm. And the end is ridiculous.
She did save on her word count by skipping the usual beautiful-Dutch-girl-the-hero-must-love-instead-of-the-heroine bit.
It's still 3 stars because I finished it and found the descriptions of her shopping and going about her ho-hum life vaguely comforting and hypnotizing.
She did save on her word count by skipping the usual beautiful-Dutch-girl-the-hero-must-love-instead-of-the-heroine bit.
It's still 3 stars because I finished it and found the descriptions of her shopping and going about her ho-hum life vaguely comforting and hypnotizing.
November 25, 2025
I do like the ‘marriage of convenience’ trope and this was a short little story set at Christmas. In typical Betty Neels fashion, a very wealthy Dutch doctor falls in love with a poor sweet girl that works in the hospital kitchen. It was a lovely story, but I wish they had spent more time together. He seemed to be always gone and she was mooning about, or buying clothes. She grew up poor, but she learned how to shop quick!! If you like Betty Neels, you’ll like this.
September 3, 2017
Another Great Betty Neels!
This is the usual Betty story of kindly Dutch male doctor and an English woman. It has a bit of a twist on the relationship between the hero and heroine that is not seen in the other novels. Significantly more time spent on the hero's point of view than in Betty's usual stories. Very enjoyable.
This is the usual Betty story of kindly Dutch male doctor and an English woman. It has a bit of a twist on the relationship between the hero and heroine that is not seen in the other novels. Significantly more time spent on the hero's point of view than in Betty's usual stories. Very enjoyable.
November 3, 2024
Oh my - a marriage of convenience, an old-fashioned colonel grandfather who dies peacefully in his sleep, Christmas in Amsterdam, a hospital explosion, and so much more that would be wild if this weren't a Betty Neels story -- a novella at that.
A pretty heroine (who is also a canteen lady at a hospital) and a distinguished surgeon fall in love -- what a sweet, comforting read.
A pretty heroine (who is also a canteen lady at a hospital) and a distinguished surgeon fall in love -- what a sweet, comforting read.
March 9, 2025
perfect vintage Neels
Ah Neels never disappoints! This book features a sensible jersey dress, looking over to linens with the housekeeper, and meals beautifully described!!!!
The heroine is a beauty and not a nurse but it’s still a classic where a few other characters make cameos!
A delight.
Ah Neels never disappoints! This book features a sensible jersey dress, looking over to linens with the housekeeper, and meals beautifully described!!!!
The heroine is a beauty and not a nurse but it’s still a classic where a few other characters make cameos!
A delight.
July 20, 2018
An other great tale
In today's stories it is heartwarming to find a clean story which brings memories of a simpler time and place. I have loved her stories since I was a little girl.
In today's stories it is heartwarming to find a clean story which brings memories of a simpler time and place. I have loved her stories since I was a little girl.
December 20, 2020
This is probably one of my favorite Betty Neels books, and I love that we get to see two couples from her other books—Daisy and Jules from Discovering Daisy & Christina and Duert from Not Once But Twice! I haven’t read those books yet, so I guess I have to read those next! ;)
December 17, 2024
This was the shortest Betty Neels’ novel I’ve read. Most of the story was set in Amsterdam during the months leading up to and during the Christmas holidays. I learned that the Dutch celebrate on December 25 and 26.
August 16, 2017
Great classic read
Nice innocent romance in an informative setting. Real characaters in real settings for the in which it was written. Mrs. Heels is missed
Nice innocent romance in an informative setting. Real characaters in real settings for the in which it was written. Mrs. Heels is missed
August 19, 2017
Not one of her best but a cozy little no brainer.
June 21, 2018
Love Betty Neels
A short one from Betty I enjoyed the romance,the Hero was Perfect and the Heroine was beautiful and sweet their chemistry was great and of course you get the HEA.
A short one from Betty I enjoyed the romance,the Hero was Perfect and the Heroine was beautiful and sweet their chemistry was great and of course you get the HEA.
July 7, 2018
Lighthearted story
Lighthearted, entertaining romance set in Great Britain and Holland. This is vintage Betty Neels and a very enjoyable story, always looking forward to more.
Lighthearted, entertaining romance set in Great Britain and Holland. This is vintage Betty Neels and a very enjoyable story, always looking forward to more.
March 21, 2019
Sweet
Another sweet story from Betty Neels, one of her later ones but timeless. A rather short story. I enjoyed it tremendously!
Another sweet story from Betty Neels, one of her later ones but timeless. A rather short story. I enjoyed it tremendously!
May 5, 2020
Novella
September 21, 2020
I came across this book when looking for another one and I am so glad I did. Set in England and Amsterdam, it was a nice light hearted romance.
April 20, 2022
Nice just a bit too short
April 3, 2024
Several references to RDD's POV; he was wise enough to fall in love with h on first sight; no OW or attempts to foster jealousy. Peaceful and sweet with lots of new clothes.
April 7, 2024
my very first favorite author
I became a fan and Hooke on Betty Neels in high school. I have read and reread her stories over and over again.
I became a fan and Hooke on Betty Neels in high school. I have read and reread her stories over and over again.
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