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An Unlikely Romance
Agreeing to share her life with Professor van der Brink-Shaaksma had seemed a good idea to Beatrice at the time. But while fine in theory the 'no strings attached' deal soon proved to be disastrous. For how could it work when every time she saw him, her heart skipped a beat? And what could she do now to make him notice her- not just as his wife but as his partner?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 1, 2003
119 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
576 books419 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 22, 2016
AN UNLIKELY ROMANCE was my first book by Betty Neels. It takes 'marriage of convenience' to a whole other level.
Beatrice 'Trixie' Doveton is in-training as a nurse. She is best described as a little plump, somewhat frumpy and, at times, clumsy. She is 23 years old and has been an orphan for a number of years; she was the bane of her cousin Margaret and Aunt Alice.
So when she comes to the attention of the handsome but preoccupied bachelor, Professor Krijn van der Brink-Shaasma, she doesn't know what to think. Especially when he asks for her hand in marriage. Except, he makes it known immediately, that it will be a platonic marriage. He believes that he has found the answer in Beatrice: someone that is quiet and calm. A do-gooder.
He desperately needs a 'wife' to keep every well-intentioned relative/acquaintance/friend from trying to hook him up with their sister/daughter/cousin/niece. He also needs someone to organize his home-life and be prepared to entertain on a moment's notice. Hence, the chaste relationship. He doesn't have the time nor does he want the complications that come with love.
Initially, Krijn appears lost in thought constantly. His job takes precedence and Beatrice tries to understand. While he is very satisfied with their 'marriage', Beatrice falls in love. And this is where the chink in their 'friendly' relationship begins.
Coffee, tea and sandwiches are continually mentioned. Descriptions of what Beatrice wears are cited frequently. The level-headed discussions between Krijn and Beatrice gave new meaning to talking without communicating. These two poor souls desperately needed a course in confession and learning how to acknowledge honest feelings they had for each other.
It is a squeaky-clean romance. I understand that Ms. Neels wrote many of her stories with 'the nurse and doctor/professor' in a similar vein. I probably will try some of her other books but I will need to wait some time. Otherwise, I could see myself getting bored.
Beatrice 'Trixie' Doveton is in-training as a nurse. She is best described as a little plump, somewhat frumpy and, at times, clumsy. She is 23 years old and has been an orphan for a number of years; she was the bane of her cousin Margaret and Aunt Alice.
So when she comes to the attention of the handsome but preoccupied bachelor, Professor Krijn van der Brink-Shaasma, she doesn't know what to think. Especially when he asks for her hand in marriage. Except, he makes it known immediately, that it will be a platonic marriage. He believes that he has found the answer in Beatrice: someone that is quiet and calm. A do-gooder.
He desperately needs a 'wife' to keep every well-intentioned relative/acquaintance/friend from trying to hook him up with their sister/daughter/cousin/niece. He also needs someone to organize his home-life and be prepared to entertain on a moment's notice. Hence, the chaste relationship. He doesn't have the time nor does he want the complications that come with love.
Initially, Krijn appears lost in thought constantly. His job takes precedence and Beatrice tries to understand. While he is very satisfied with their 'marriage', Beatrice falls in love. And this is where the chink in their 'friendly' relationship begins.
Coffee, tea and sandwiches are continually mentioned. Descriptions of what Beatrice wears are cited frequently. The level-headed discussions between Krijn and Beatrice gave new meaning to talking without communicating. These two poor souls desperately needed a course in confession and learning how to acknowledge honest feelings they had for each other.
It is a squeaky-clean romance. I understand that Ms. Neels wrote many of her stories with 'the nurse and doctor/professor' in a similar vein. I probably will try some of her other books but I will need to wait some time. Otherwise, I could see myself getting bored.
October 1, 2020
A familiar MoC tale from Betty. So why the 5 stars? I just love Trixie (Beatrice to our RDD hero), and Krijn is pretty lovely too when he's not lost in his world of endocrinology, so the characters make this a standout for me. And there's no potential OW or hero headgames in this one--it's the hero who becomes quite jealous when his younger cousin tries to cause mischief by pursuing the heroine. For once, too, the hero makes a point of making his contempt clear to the heroine's horrible aunt and cousin and in rubbing their faces in Trixie's transformation from clumsy mouse to stunning and poised young lady of fashion.
Some lovely romantic moments too, as our RDD comes to his own Dawning Realization.
...standing by the door, watching her, [he] caught her up as she reached the first stair.'
"You are so pretty in your lovely dress, and your eyes are so bright and shining. I don't want you to think that I have only just noticed that. You were like a picture this evening when I came home, sitting by the fire in the lamplight...."
He swooped suddenly and kissed her quite roughly and then a second time with a gentleness that set her heart pounding against her ribs....
:-)
Some lovely romantic moments too, as our RDD comes to his own Dawning Realization.
...standing by the door, watching her, [he] caught her up as she reached the first stair.'
"You are so pretty in your lovely dress, and your eyes are so bright and shining. I don't want you to think that I have only just noticed that. You were like a picture this evening when I came home, sitting by the fire in the lamplight...."
He swooped suddenly and kissed her quite roughly and then a second time with a gentleness that set her heart pounding against her ribs....
:-)
October 23, 2025
It is what it is: comforting, unpretentious cosy, clean "romance".
December 8, 2016
Beatrice Doveton is a 23-year-old nursing student; an orphan brought up by her uncle and aunt. The uncle is kindly, but the aunt is a social climber type; she is too concerned with promoting the social success of her beautiful daughter, Margaret, to bother with plain Beatrice (whom she calls Trixie).
Trixie (I continue to call her this to distinguish her from the other Beatrices in the Canon and besides, I was a huge Trixie Belden fan) is aware of Professor Krijn van der Brink-Shaaksma, hereafter referred to as Krijn, but he inhabits the loftier heights of medical staff and pays little attention to Trixie, even when he picks her up after she falls on the ward. Then after they meet in a social setting, he remembers who she is. He takes her out a couple of times and then proposes a MOC. See, he is writing a scholarly book on his speciality, the endocrine system, and needs a buffer to keep the partying hordes at bay and allow him to focus on his book.
Trixie agrees, and soon has her DR. Krijn blunders along cluelessly for most of the book and is aroused to jealousy by the attentions that his cousin Andre lavishes upon Trixie - lots of flowers and notes, visits, etc. Finally Krijn realizes what a treasure he has.
This would only be in a pack of similar Neels fare except for Trixie: she has a well-developed talent of snark that she can deliver whilst planning a house party for 20. There are some terrific lines in this one, and in fact, these causes me to bump this up to 5 stars on this reread.
Trixie (I continue to call her this to distinguish her from the other Beatrices in the Canon and besides, I was a huge Trixie Belden fan) is aware of Professor Krijn van der Brink-Shaaksma, hereafter referred to as Krijn, but he inhabits the loftier heights of medical staff and pays little attention to Trixie, even when he picks her up after she falls on the ward. Then after they meet in a social setting, he remembers who she is. He takes her out a couple of times and then proposes a MOC. See, he is writing a scholarly book on his speciality, the endocrine system, and needs a buffer to keep the partying hordes at bay and allow him to focus on his book.
Trixie agrees, and soon has her DR. Krijn blunders along cluelessly for most of the book and is aroused to jealousy by the attentions that his cousin Andre lavishes upon Trixie - lots of flowers and notes, visits, etc. Finally Krijn realizes what a treasure he has.
This would only be in a pack of similar Neels fare except for Trixie: she has a well-developed talent of snark that she can deliver whilst planning a house party for 20. There are some terrific lines in this one, and in fact, these causes me to bump this up to 5 stars on this reread.
November 19, 2022
Another solid hit from Betty la-Neels. Nothing too exciting, though, and no hanky panky! Beatrice is an orphaned nursing student who agrees to a marriage of convenience with a rich Dutch doctor, consulting in London. I'm not even going to try to spell his name!
She loves him, but he doesn't love her (as far as he knows). Nope. He proposes because he thinks she will make a nice buffer from all the husband hunters, so he can write his medical book in peace.
JUST STAND THERE, BETWEEN ME and ALL THEM.
HERE, WEAR THIS THICK CASHMERE SWEATER. PADDING!
AND THIS EXPENSIVE FUR. MORE PADDING!
He buys her lots of clothes, but gradually realizes that money means little to her. He's fairly dense, and aloof, but she holds her own beautifully against him. Loved that about her! It's a MOC, and a cool one. Not friends with benefits!
When he thinks another guy is getting interested, he comes to his senses. Just in time, too. This dude dwelt in a fog thicker than the pea soup that swallowed up poor Beatrice!
I read one Neels a year nowadays. I like to pretend I'm so industrious: Up at dawn's pearly light. Baking homemade bread. Puttering in the garden. Whipping up a gourmet meal from whatever's on hand. And walking. Lots of long rambling walks in the country. That's me. :-)
She loves him, but he doesn't love her (as far as he knows). Nope. He proposes because he thinks she will make a nice buffer from all the husband hunters, so he can write his medical book in peace.
JUST STAND THERE, BETWEEN ME and ALL THEM.
HERE, WEAR THIS THICK CASHMERE SWEATER. PADDING!
AND THIS EXPENSIVE FUR. MORE PADDING!
He buys her lots of clothes, but gradually realizes that money means little to her. He's fairly dense, and aloof, but she holds her own beautifully against him. Loved that about her! It's a MOC, and a cool one. Not friends with benefits!
When he thinks another guy is getting interested, he comes to his senses. Just in time, too. This dude dwelt in a fog thicker than the pea soup that swallowed up poor Beatrice!
I read one Neels a year nowadays. I like to pretend I'm so industrious: Up at dawn's pearly light. Baking homemade bread. Puttering in the garden. Whipping up a gourmet meal from whatever's on hand. And walking. Lots of long rambling walks in the country. That's me. :-)
July 24, 2015
Marriage of convenience set in London and Holland. Famous Dutch endocrinologist marries sensible mousey loner inept nurse for purposes of managing social engagements/personal assistant/appearances. Doc is handsome, absentminded and rich with great cars/homes/peeps/pets. Beatrice and Krijn are opposites, yet are they? Beatrice blooms in lovely haute couture and makes for exceptional faux wife. Krijn notices. Dutchiness a plus to storyline. Shiney clean romance. 3.5
March 16, 2015
I loved the ironic humor in the first part of the story. I loved the two main characters and how very unlikely they were to fall in love. You knew that this would be a fun story. It was indeed! Beatrice aka Trixie Doveton is a student nurse who is a bit klutzy. Well liked by the other students but often late because she stops to help others, her supervising nurses are skeptical that she will ever make it become a qualified nurse. She literally trips over her own feet and falls in front of visiting consultant Krijn van Brink-Schaaksma. Barely stopping his conversation with a staff member, he picks her up, sets her own feet, brushes her off and continues talking. She doubts he was even aware of what he was doing. I was hooked at that point.
The story is sweet and Trixie's tries to cope with being married to a man who seems to view her as a sister at best and not to see her at all at worst. She falls in love with him early in the story. She is an orphan who grew up with relatives who resented her and saw her simply as a poor relation.
Yes, it is predictable but Betty Neels does it so well. A very satisfying romance. You are left to imagine what happens after the last chapter when Neels ends the story. I, for one, like my own imagination rather than having it graphically presented to me.
The story is sweet and Trixie's tries to cope with being married to a man who seems to view her as a sister at best and not to see her at all at worst. She falls in love with him early in the story. She is an orphan who grew up with relatives who resented her and saw her simply as a poor relation.
Yes, it is predictable but Betty Neels does it so well. A very satisfying romance. You are left to imagine what happens after the last chapter when Neels ends the story. I, for one, like my own imagination rather than having it graphically presented to me.
July 14, 2024
This will be one of my fave BN novels so far.
Some might find it kinda dull because not much happens, but I liked that about it. It's a quiet little story about an absent minded professor falling in love with a plump sweetheart nurse without realizing it until it's almost too late. Just what I needed!
Beatrice is the usual orphan raised by cold hearted aunt and uncle, with her snobby conceited cousin who is of course prettier in a more flashy and popular way. Beatrice is probably about 24 but could be a couple years older.
Krijn is the handsome doctor/professor whose decided he needs a wife of convenience so people will stop trying to match make for him. He's 38 and set in his ways, lost in books and hypothesis much of the time.
What I liked about this one above other books of BN, is that there isn't really any anxiety over an OW. The selfish cousin tries to give it a go but is so skillfully set down by Krijn without him even saying a word, that I absolutely crowed while reading it.
I also liked that an OM is used to awaken Krijn to his true feelings for Beatrice. Beatrice wants nothing to do with the OM, but Krijn makes assumptions because of Beatrice's young age. This leads to an almost tragic ending
Lots of delicious meals eaten and pretty dresses bought. Krijn is so wealthy it's a little ridiculous. But Beatrice is sweet and patient, yet no doormat.
I quite enjoyed it.
Safety is all good
Some might find it kinda dull because not much happens, but I liked that about it. It's a quiet little story about an absent minded professor falling in love with a plump sweetheart nurse without realizing it until it's almost too late. Just what I needed!
Beatrice is the usual orphan raised by cold hearted aunt and uncle, with her snobby conceited cousin who is of course prettier in a more flashy and popular way. Beatrice is probably about 24 but could be a couple years older.
Krijn is the handsome doctor/professor whose decided he needs a wife of convenience so people will stop trying to match make for him. He's 38 and set in his ways, lost in books and hypothesis much of the time.
What I liked about this one above other books of BN, is that there isn't really any anxiety over an OW. The selfish cousin tries to give it a go but is so skillfully set down by Krijn without him even saying a word, that I absolutely crowed while reading it.
I also liked that an OM is used to awaken Krijn to his true feelings for Beatrice. Beatrice wants nothing to do with the OM, but Krijn makes assumptions because of Beatrice's young age. This leads to an almost tragic ending
Lots of delicious meals eaten and pretty dresses bought. Krijn is so wealthy it's a little ridiculous. But Beatrice is sweet and patient, yet no doormat.
I quite enjoyed it.
Safety is all good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Unusual for Neels, this convenient marriage story has the man thinking the girl's affections turn elsewhere. There's not any plot to speak of, but I enjoyed watching his feelings for her slowly unfold. 3.5 stars
August 14, 2021
3.5 stars
December 31, 2023
Decidedly so-so for me, though the hero has a crystal clear moment of self knowledge that was very satisfying. Too bad he didn’t act on it with more wisdom. Ah well, all’s well that end’s well.
June 7, 2016
I just love Betty Neels, you have an story that grows it a beauiful love story with all the things a girls heart wants.
December 31, 2023
Always enjoy reading Betty, especially when I'm engrossed in a big knitting project on a deadline or busy with family activities - and I've got both going on right now! This is a favorite, with plain but patient Beatrice in a marriage of convenience with absent-minded professor Krijn. I wanted to shake both of them at times but all works out in the end and true love prevails along with large and loving extended family, loyal old family retainers, beautiful old homes and incredible food - comfort food for the brain!
April 21, 2010
Ini cerita yang agak lain dari karya-karya BN yang lain.
Trixie cukup menyadari bahwa dia tidak cukup cantik untuk menggaet lelaki yang pantas untuk menikahinya, dan memilih menopang hidupnya sendiri dengan bekerja sebagai perawat. Namun dia jatuh cinta dengan Krijn, pofessor asal Belanda, yang luar biasa tampan, luar biasa linglung, namun justru orang pertama yang melamarnya hanya untuk sekedar menjadi istri formalnya. Trixie diharapkan mampu menjadi PR bagi sang professor, mengatur rumah tangga, menjalankan tugas sosial, membebaskan sang professor dari kewajiban pergaulan, sehingga dia bisa berkonsentrasi penuh pada buku dan penelitiannya.
Namun sampai kapankah Trixie mampu bertahan? Dia mencintai lelaki itu dengan sepenuh hati, namun Krijn bahkan tak menyadari keberadaan Trixie.
Trixie cukup menyadari bahwa dia tidak cukup cantik untuk menggaet lelaki yang pantas untuk menikahinya, dan memilih menopang hidupnya sendiri dengan bekerja sebagai perawat. Namun dia jatuh cinta dengan Krijn, pofessor asal Belanda, yang luar biasa tampan, luar biasa linglung, namun justru orang pertama yang melamarnya hanya untuk sekedar menjadi istri formalnya. Trixie diharapkan mampu menjadi PR bagi sang professor, mengatur rumah tangga, menjalankan tugas sosial, membebaskan sang professor dari kewajiban pergaulan, sehingga dia bisa berkonsentrasi penuh pada buku dan penelitiannya.
Namun sampai kapankah Trixie mampu bertahan? Dia mencintai lelaki itu dengan sepenuh hati, namun Krijn bahkan tak menyadari keberadaan Trixie.
February 17, 2016
H marries the h, genuinely thinking that she will keep his social obligations at bay!! lol... i thought he said so, just for the sake of form. Nope. Still, he does decide to fall in love with her, so all ok.
I did think it rather stupid that she gives up her education and career for.... getting married, and buying clothes. God, clothes and dressing up make such a huge part of all Betty Neels' books. They matter, no doubt. But there is a difference between a girl giving up her job vs giving up before she completes the degree towards which she's put in so much effort. uh... i don't care for it.
Still, a sweet story to go to sleep to :)
I did think it rather stupid that she gives up her education and career for.... getting married, and buying clothes. God, clothes and dressing up make such a huge part of all Betty Neels' books. They matter, no doubt. But there is a difference between a girl giving up her job vs giving up before she completes the degree towards which she's put in so much effort. uh... i don't care for it.
Still, a sweet story to go to sleep to :)
February 9, 2021
This was a nice little storybook though I found the hero to be quite stupid, the girl Beatrice was just like any of the girl in her twenties waiting to meet her Prince Charming, fall in love but she ends up meeting a professor who wants to marry her for convinience , he wants some one who can act as a shield for him to keep prospective girls away, the heroine having fallen in love with him accepts his proposal hoping one day he too would start liking her . Then starts the story of Beatrice trying to draw his attention and in the end successfully winning his heart over
A decent timepass read
A decent timepass read
April 8, 2011
I love Betty Neels novels! The marriage of convenient with the sweet romance and the love expression at the end of the story.
However, after lots of Betty Neels' books I've read, I think this is the first time I read that there was a guy who falling in love with the girl. As long as I've read, it were usually the man who got an ex girlfriend or a fiancee whom would make the girls jealous...
However, after lots of Betty Neels' books I've read, I think this is the first time I read that there was a guy who falling in love with the girl. As long as I've read, it were usually the man who got an ex girlfriend or a fiancee whom would make the girls jealous...
April 11, 2021
This one is very much like one of Betty's other books as i have read a few out of order then decided to work my way from her first to her last book i am not sure if it was one i read before i started this
But apart from a slight variation this was the same it may be i had read this as a special or something & it got a slightly different part but this is why i have not given this a full rating but if you don't read all Betty's books then it a good one
But apart from a slight variation this was the same it may be i had read this as a special or something & it got a slightly different part but this is why i have not given this a full rating but if you don't read all Betty's books then it a good one
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October 27, 2013Back cover blurb:
Agreeing to share her life with Professor van der Brink-Shaaksma had seemed a good idea to Beatrice at the time. But while fine in theory, the "no strings attached" deal soon proved to be disastrous. For how could it work when every time she saw him, her heart skipped a beat? And what could she do now to make him notice her—not just as his wife but as his partner?
Agreeing to share her life with Professor van der Brink-Shaaksma had seemed a good idea to Beatrice at the time. But while fine in theory, the "no strings attached" deal soon proved to be disastrous. For how could it work when every time she saw him, her heart skipped a beat? And what could she do now to make him notice her—not just as his wife but as his partner?
December 22, 2013
Another book from a beloved author of mine. However, this book is probably my least favorite out of the series. It was a little dull at times and could of used some action. I liked the characters, but was let down on how boring there relationship was. Not my favorite book and probably would not recommend it.
January 8, 2013
Love Betty Neels books and this was no exception.
April 12, 2013
Good read but I still wish the male character's thoughts were better understood. What a cousin!
July 5, 2013
Tender romances like this never get old.
February 3, 2015
The professor is extremely frustrating. He obviously can't see what's right in front of him. Trixie has the patience of a saint. Nice, uncomplicated love story.
July 22, 2014
Awesome, loved it :)
March 6, 2015
for all the similarities in Betty Neels' books, she still manages to make them different. I really liked this one!
November 2, 2015
So sweet and unassuming. Grabs your interest and keeps it. Trixie is a great Neels heroine.
July 15, 2016
Such a Good Romance
Don't know how unlikely this romance is, but it was a very enjoyable story. Usual well-written if a trifle unsurprising tale!!!
Don't know how unlikely this romance is, but it was a very enjoyable story. Usual well-written if a trifle unsurprising tale!!!
September 19, 2024
I’m surprised at myself for rating this so highly. It’s a book that I shall [probably] never reread, but I think it was the element of surprise that delighted me so much in the end. If you divide the book in to 8 parts, nothing happens to drive the romance in its proper sense for 6 of those parts, in fact at one point I thought maybe the marriage itself was a red herring for the doctor to cover up something else and I was baffled that it should even be categorised as romance, on the seventh part a few things start to happen but they go glacially slow. Then unto the last 25% of the 8th part that BAM!!!! we are hit with an explosion of emotion.
For much of the book the Hero is placid and indifferent and I don’t know, just simply negligent and by reinforcing his utter indifference over and over, you get a massive build up of hurt on behalf of the heroine, who is in actual fact deeply in love with the hero which I totally blame on her lonely childhood in the household of that cold bitchy aunt and cousin. The heroine though a bit plain is not a doormat but possess a quiet strength and wisdom and charm and self possession which stand her in good stead. It is when they finally reach Holland and meet the wanna be OM cousin of the hero that very very slowly the hero’s attention is drawn by way of jealousy of the OM to finally properly see the heroine and have his dawning moment in the words of Grrrrace, however he’s so repressed that he still retreats into a massive sulk on the strength of his assumptions that he doesn’t even bother to properly verify. Until the heroine goes off into the fog and he goes to rescue her and it’s in that moment that the truth comes out.
For much of the book the Hero is placid and indifferent and I don’t know, just simply negligent and by reinforcing his utter indifference over and over, you get a massive build up of hurt on behalf of the heroine, who is in actual fact deeply in love with the hero which I totally blame on her lonely childhood in the household of that cold bitchy aunt and cousin. The heroine though a bit plain is not a doormat but possess a quiet strength and wisdom and charm and self possession which stand her in good stead. It is when they finally reach Holland and meet the wanna be OM cousin of the hero that very very slowly the hero’s attention is drawn by way of jealousy of the OM to finally properly see the heroine and have his dawning moment in the words of Grrrrace, however he’s so repressed that he still retreats into a massive sulk on the strength of his assumptions that he doesn’t even bother to properly verify. Until the heroine goes off into the fog and he goes to rescue her and it’s in that moment that the truth comes out.
October 17, 2025
3.8 stars. this is the one where the absent minded bookish professor asks a plain quiet nurse to marry him. she's of the right 'ladylike' background but her family is dead and her uncles family, who adopted her, only pretend to care for appearances sake but also have taken away all her opportunities in life in favour of their spoiled beautiful daughter. the profs proposal is a complete shock to our mousy little nurse. but after a couple of dates with him absentmindedly explaining he needs a wife in name only to fend off all the social engagements of friend desperate to marry him off, so that he can focus on writing his book, she realises she has fallen in love with him. she says yes. he proceeds to marry her but largely ignore her.... right up until his own cousin starts paying her a bit too much attention... this is a sweet and gently told tale, no major angst but just enough feeling to keep the pages turning. his feelings and some anguish are nicely described in the end, just when he thinks he has lost her, and so the ending was most satisfactory. a nice read. not among my top fave betty books but defs middle of the pack.
main source of tension is this romance is her loving him and pining because his head is in the clouds on his work and he doesn't notice her. the cousin plays in some, but isn't the main source.
main source of tension is this romance is her loving him and pining because his head is in the clouds on his work and he doesn't notice her. the cousin plays in some, but isn't the main source.
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