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The Most Marvellous Summer
The instant Matilda meets good-looking surgeon James Scott-Thurlow she falls head-over-heels in love! But does James already have a glamorous fiance? Matilda is about to find out because James seems to be considering a summer proposal...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
84 people are currently reading
129 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 33 reviews
March 6, 2024
Admittedly this is my 50th Betty. 🤣 I’m so glad it was a good one!
June 20, 2018
As far as TBR Challenges go, “comfort reads” always makes for a tough prompt. My definition of a comfort read generally involves rereading a much-loved book. It doesn’t do much to whittle down the TBR mountain, but such is life. After some thought and rummaging through my bookcases, I surfaced with a Betty Neels book I somehow hadn’t read. Betty Neels’ novels at their best are the perfect comfort reads. Published in 1992, The Most Marvellous Summer is one of her later works – and it is sublime.
In an unusual (for Neels) twist, this book doesn’t take place in a hospital and the heroine isn’t a nurse. Beautiful, red-headed Matilda is the daughter of a vicar and she works as a secretary for the unbearably stuck-up Lady Fox. And unusual for romance in general, Matilda ffinch (that really is her last name, I know, I know) is part of a happy family with two parents who are actually alive. The family doesn’t have much money, but it’s obvious that they are close and as a reader, I found that refreshing.
The story begins with a strong bolt of love at first sight. While sitting in church, Matilda spies a very handsome man sitting with the local doctor. She is instantly smitten. The object of her affections turns out to be one James Scott-Thurlow, a well-respected surgeon. Matilda figures she will never see him again after church, but he turns up the very next day as he comes to visit her employer’s home.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/june-tbr-...
In an unusual (for Neels) twist, this book doesn’t take place in a hospital and the heroine isn’t a nurse. Beautiful, red-headed Matilda is the daughter of a vicar and she works as a secretary for the unbearably stuck-up Lady Fox. And unusual for romance in general, Matilda ffinch (that really is her last name, I know, I know) is part of a happy family with two parents who are actually alive. The family doesn’t have much money, but it’s obvious that they are close and as a reader, I found that refreshing.
The story begins with a strong bolt of love at first sight. While sitting in church, Matilda spies a very handsome man sitting with the local doctor. She is instantly smitten. The object of her affections turns out to be one James Scott-Thurlow, a well-respected surgeon. Matilda figures she will never see him again after church, but he turns up the very next day as he comes to visit her employer’s home.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/june-tbr-...
April 17, 2017
3 1/2 stars.
Matilda ffinch is the curvy, redheaded daughter of a country rector. She helps her mother in the house and her father in the parish and works as a social secretary to the local lady-of-the-manor. At church one morning, she falls in love with a handsome stranger, who is orthopedic surgeon and Rolls-Royce owner James Scott-Thurlow. Unfortunately, he is engaged to the gorgeous but haughty Rhoda Symes.
Circumstances and temporary jobs keep throwing them together. She even stays in his house caring for his young goddaughter, Lucy, who has mumps. She then accompanies Lucy to James’s cottage on the seashore; James kisses Matilda in front of Lucy and Emma, the housekeeper. Matilda kisses him back. This is repeated, both “lingering, tender” kisses and “swift, hard” kisses. Then she sees him at the hospital and he barely speaks to her. Does he love her or not?
Matilda has finally decided to go somewhere far away so she won’t know when James marries Rhoda, when her younger sister reads a notice in the paper that the engagement is off. Her first thought is to get to James to tell him she loves him and she is literally backing the car up when she almost hits his Rolls.
The Declaration and Proposal – the entire denouement, really - are really lovely.
Matilda ffinch is the curvy, redheaded daughter of a country rector. She helps her mother in the house and her father in the parish and works as a social secretary to the local lady-of-the-manor. At church one morning, she falls in love with a handsome stranger, who is orthopedic surgeon and Rolls-Royce owner James Scott-Thurlow. Unfortunately, he is engaged to the gorgeous but haughty Rhoda Symes.
Circumstances and temporary jobs keep throwing them together. She even stays in his house caring for his young goddaughter, Lucy, who has mumps. She then accompanies Lucy to James’s cottage on the seashore; James kisses Matilda in front of Lucy and Emma, the housekeeper. Matilda kisses him back. This is repeated, both “lingering, tender” kisses and “swift, hard” kisses. Then she sees him at the hospital and he barely speaks to her. Does he love her or not?
Matilda has finally decided to go somewhere far away so she won’t know when James marries Rhoda, when her younger sister reads a notice in the paper that the engagement is off. Her first thought is to get to James to tell him she loves him and she is literally backing the car up when she almost hits his Rolls.
The Declaration and Proposal – the entire denouement, really - are really lovely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2018
La última de las novelitas que Caro Charmie me prestó muy amablemente de una de mis autoras favoritas, leí tranquila y sonriendo para mí misma, porque hay pasajes que sinceramente tocan de un modo sensible a alguien como yo, que no le da demasiada importancia al romance en la vida real.
Trabajar por un sueldo mísero para ayudar en la casa, la falta de dinero para comprar ropa y otras cosas... Hay un libro de Betty donde la heroína compra sopa antes de tomar un ferry sabiendo que tenía poca plata para comer algo más sustancioso, esas son las cosas con las que una puede sentirse identificada y querés seguir leyéndola con deleite.
Matilda obtiene su HEA con el doctor James Scott-Thurlow y yo pasé una hermosa lectura con ellos, me parece justo ^^.
Trabajar por un sueldo mísero para ayudar en la casa, la falta de dinero para comprar ropa y otras cosas... Hay un libro de Betty donde la heroína compra sopa antes de tomar un ferry sabiendo que tenía poca plata para comer algo más sustancioso, esas son las cosas con las que una puede sentirse identificada y querés seguir leyéndola con deleite.
Matilda obtiene su HEA con el doctor James Scott-Thurlow y yo pasé una hermosa lectura con ellos, me parece justo ^^.
August 12, 2021
This book started on a good note with Matilda the heroine falling for love at first sight with the hero James but about 20% down the story lost it’s charm. It was just about a series of jobs being arranged by the hero James for Matilda. There were very few scenes to show their interactions or chemistry and I couldn’t understand why Matilda fell in love with Janes when she thought him too e arrogant, harsh and not caring and moreover James was always engaged to an arrogant girl Rhoda.
I liked the supporting characters especially Matilda’s family and James’s grand parents and his house keeper and Nanny. Lady fox was another busy body who used Matilda like a servant.
All in all a one time read with nothing much interesting happening in the whole book except in the end when they confess their love for one another
I liked the supporting characters especially Matilda’s family and James’s grand parents and his house keeper and Nanny. Lady fox was another busy body who used Matilda like a servant.
All in all a one time read with nothing much interesting happening in the whole book except in the end when they confess their love for one another
May 30, 2013
I just adore this author and read this book in one day! What a nice day it has been
February 17, 2025
An actual two and a half stars.
Something was lacking. The heroine was wonderful, beautiful and had a delightful family the hero is standard BN RBD but the underlying element of passion was simply missing here. The evil other woman was the hero’s soon to be ex fiancée. It was very bland. And I find it a bit hypocritical that righteous, pious BN doesn’t see anything wrong with her heroes, passionately kissing the heroines while they’re engaged to other women, but most often than not refrain from breaking their engagements because it’s not done.
(What’s not done is getting an innocent bystander entangled in your baggage and then when you claim you’re in love with her and have her fall in love wi5 you, placing her lower than the fiancée)
Thankfully hat didn’t happen here and the hero had the sense to see to breaking his engagement with seeming finesse. But still!
Something was lacking. The heroine was wonderful, beautiful and had a delightful family the hero is standard BN RBD but the underlying element of passion was simply missing here. The evil other woman was the hero’s soon to be ex fiancée. It was very bland. And I find it a bit hypocritical that righteous, pious BN doesn’t see anything wrong with her heroes, passionately kissing the heroines while they’re engaged to other women, but most often than not refrain from breaking their engagements because it’s not done.
(What’s not done is getting an innocent bystander entangled in your baggage and then when you claim you’re in love with her and have her fall in love wi5 you, placing her lower than the fiancée)
Thankfully hat didn’t happen here and the hero had the sense to see to breaking his engagement with seeming finesse. But still!
October 26, 2013
Back cover blurb:
"I'm Surprised No Man Has Snapped You Up."
Matilda had every quality that turned a man's head but she had remained heart-whole and fancy-free despite a number of offers. Then she met eminent surgeon James Scott-Thurlow and fell in love at first sight. But James clearly didn't feel the same way. How could he when he was already engaged to the glamorous Rhoda . . .?
"I'm Surprised No Man Has Snapped You Up."
Matilda had every quality that turned a man's head but she had remained heart-whole and fancy-free despite a number of offers. Then she met eminent surgeon James Scott-Thurlow and fell in love at first sight. But James clearly didn't feel the same way. How could he when he was already engaged to the glamorous Rhoda . . .?
July 12, 2020
Matilda had every quality that turned a man's head but she had remained heart-whole and fancy-free despite a number of offers. until she meets surgeon James Scott-Thurlow and fell in love at first sight.
but alas James is to marry another, Will true love win out or will James take another bride?
but alas James is to marry another, Will true love win out or will James take another bride?
April 11, 2021
A nice, solid Neels story. Matilda is pretty and likable, the rather impulsive and outspoken eldest daughter of a small town vicar. Unlike most of these heroines, she's not a nurse, but has no real career, just acts a general gopher for snooty Lady Fox, a neighbor who puts on airs. It's a case of love at first sight for Matilda, (never my favorite trope), but the British doctor, James, is engaged to someone else. Matilda goes through several jobs, including a child carer -giver at a girl's school, before she and James get their HEA. Not one of her best, but a pleasant enough story.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
October 17, 2020
You know how happy you are when you get home and put on your comfy clothes? Well, that’s how Betty Neels books make me feel. Even this one which had almost no plot and characters hard to love. However! “Soup in a pitkin,piping hot,fish and creamed potatoes,broccoli and carrots and a baked custard.” Delightful. What is a pitkin?
July 25, 2018
3.8* rounded up. Would have given full 4* if not for the engaged-but-kissing hero!
I have always found it icky for an engaged hero to be kissing our heroine no matter how hard he fought...It's just not fair to both women!
SPOILERS
In this story, it's not clear when James broke off the engagement to Rhoda, but
I have a good hunch it was while Lucy and Matilda were at the Devon cottage, which sounded sooo lovely especially when James was there. It was where each kiss got better! ;)
That's also when sly Rhoda had visited the rectory to boast about (no longer existing) wedding plans to Mrs ffinch! Did I mention Matilda had the most interesting surname? Double 'f's and no capital! It's an old name in the area, more distinguished than Fox at least!
Anyway I like how Betty gave ur hero's background story, how he became who he was, and his reason for proposing to someone cold like Rhoda. That's rarely seen in a BN novel!
I too loved Matilda and her spirits. She's well mannered enough not to engage the inferiors in verbal sparring but that didn't mean she took it like a doormat!
James loved to needle her, I ALMOST find all his redhead stereotype comments insulting! I am no redhead too!
His anger at seeing her made me angry like Matilda, but on hindsight it only served to show how Matilda affected him... Otherwise he'd be his placid self.
When he showed up at the cottage with Lucy's parents, he wasn't very nice. He could have tried harder to find out why Matilda behaved so coldly. Maybe he was having cold feet too... Anyhow I hope Esme or their mother would somehow let James know about Rhoda's mischief making one day... Otherwise I love the ending!
All in a very delightful read though I wish our couple had had more alone time for romancing. As it is, they spent too little time together!
I have always found it icky for an engaged hero to be kissing our heroine no matter how hard he fought...It's just not fair to both women!
SPOILERS
In this story, it's not clear when James broke off the engagement to Rhoda, but
I have a good hunch it was while Lucy and Matilda were at the Devon cottage, which sounded sooo lovely especially when James was there. It was where each kiss got better! ;)
That's also when sly Rhoda had visited the rectory to boast about (no longer existing) wedding plans to Mrs ffinch! Did I mention Matilda had the most interesting surname? Double 'f's and no capital! It's an old name in the area, more distinguished than Fox at least!
Anyway I like how Betty gave ur hero's background story, how he became who he was, and his reason for proposing to someone cold like Rhoda. That's rarely seen in a BN novel!
I too loved Matilda and her spirits. She's well mannered enough not to engage the inferiors in verbal sparring but that didn't mean she took it like a doormat!
James loved to needle her, I ALMOST find all his redhead stereotype comments insulting! I am no redhead too!
His anger at seeing her made me angry like Matilda, but on hindsight it only served to show how Matilda affected him... Otherwise he'd be his placid self.
When he showed up at the cottage with Lucy's parents, he wasn't very nice. He could have tried harder to find out why Matilda behaved so coldly. Maybe he was having cold feet too... Anyhow I hope Esme or their mother would somehow let James know about Rhoda's mischief making one day... Otherwise I love the ending!
All in a very delightful read though I wish our couple had had more alone time for romancing. As it is, they spent too little time together!
February 18, 2019
Time once again for Betty Neels bingo!
- Hero is Dutch - No
- Hero is a doctor - Yes
- Heroine is a nurse - No
- Heroine is quietly attractive - No
- Hero's terrible current love interest - Yes
- Written in the '90s but seems vaguely set in the '50s - Oh yes
Bonus: Kid has serious vaccine-preventable illness and it's treated as run of the mill rather than a public health emergency
So this one doesn't win. Betty Neels seems to be trying some new things in this book, which is good for writers to do, but the narrative really would have been better served by sticking with the heroine's POV.
While I'm used to Betty Neels's heroines being a little dull and her heros being a little dickish (e.g. a tidge controlling, presumptuous, or manipulative), the leads in this one are straight up assholes. The heroine spends most of her thoughts on how much prettier she is than others, how terrible everyone else is, etc. The hero is apparently incapable of basic communication and social skills, and is breathtakingly presumptive and manipulative while seemingly caring little for others' feelings. Also a walking sexual harassment lawsuit.
- Hero is Dutch - No
- Hero is a doctor - Yes
- Heroine is a nurse - No
- Heroine is quietly attractive - No
- Hero's terrible current love interest - Yes
- Written in the '90s but seems vaguely set in the '50s - Oh yes
Bonus: Kid has serious vaccine-preventable illness and it's treated as run of the mill rather than a public health emergency
So this one doesn't win. Betty Neels seems to be trying some new things in this book, which is good for writers to do, but the narrative really would have been better served by sticking with the heroine's POV.
While I'm used to Betty Neels's heroines being a little dull and her heros being a little dickish (e.g. a tidge controlling, presumptuous, or manipulative), the leads in this one are straight up assholes. The heroine spends most of her thoughts on how much prettier she is than others, how terrible everyone else is, etc. The hero is apparently incapable of basic communication and social skills, and is breathtakingly presumptive and manipulative while seemingly caring little for others' feelings. Also a walking sexual harassment lawsuit.
September 22, 2017
I always find Betty's books a nice escapism and this one was enjoyable, I liked how it was all set in the countryside and I like the H James and the h Matilda and I enjoyed the beginning when they first meet in the church and it's love at first sight for Matilda and I did find James a little confusing at times throughout the book as he was nice one second and the next he would be snarky to Matilda, I liked how she spoke her mine and especially when she decided she had enough of working for the not so nice Lady Fox, I disliked Rhoda whom James was engaged too but I thought her character wasn't as bad as some in her other books because she wasn't in it that much despite her being mentioned alot.
I did like the ending especially when James was trying to tell her something important and she wouldn't listen to him and then how she was planning to escape so she wouldn't know when he got married, the only thing that I would have enjoyed more reading about is Lady Fox and her reaction to that her daughter wasn't going to get married first lol.
I did like the ending especially when James was trying to tell her something important and she wouldn't listen to him and then how she was planning to escape so she wouldn't know when he got married, the only thing that I would have enjoyed more reading about is Lady Fox and her reaction to that her daughter wasn't going to get married first lol.
January 19, 2018
Fantasía de verano (en su traducción para Jazmín)Aquí tenemos a Matilda Ffinch y James Scott-Thurlow. Ella es una joven soltera de 26 años que a diferencia de otras heroinas betty es muy bella y es pelirroja!El héroe es doctor, un reconocido traumatologo soltero pero comprometido con la frívola Rhoda. Lo interesante de esta novela es lo alejada q esta de los lugares comunes,encuentro muy pulida la técnica narrativa de Betty, es un gran logro si la comparamos con otras novelas donde se repite mucho. En esta novela todo resulta refrescante y novedoso a pesar de ser una historia de amor sencilla pero encantadora: ella se enamora a primera vista,y él afanosamente busca apartarla de su vida sin éxito, el destino los une con esas intensas miradas y besos robados. Novela altamente recomendable.
October 10, 2017
A Betty Neels book with a beautiful, confident, if slightly plump, heroine who has a large, loving family, and the doctor is not Dutch! I really liked our heroine here, but was annoyed that the fact that she had a backbone was looked on as temper and blamed on her hair. I am also not a big fan of love at first sight. And if the doctor really had fallen in love with her then why did it take him so long to break his engagement with the ice princess.
Popsugar 2017: a book with one of the four seasons in the title
Popsugar 2017: a book with one of the four seasons in the title
June 9, 2020
You read one, you have read them all.
Just another typical Betty Neels. Gorgeous doctor falls for sensible country girl. She is not a nurse in this one, but a companion of sorts. He gets her a dozen jobs one after the other , to keep her near. Finally decides they have run around enough and proposes. 100% compliant to her regular formula. He is not Dutch though ;))
Just another typical Betty Neels. Gorgeous doctor falls for sensible country girl. She is not a nurse in this one, but a companion of sorts. He gets her a dozen jobs one after the other , to keep her near. Finally decides they have run around enough and proposes. 100% compliant to her regular formula. He is not Dutch though ;))
December 23, 2025
4.4 stars. this was a lovely heartwarming story. I thought I wouldn't like it because it was an instalove (for the h) story, but it caught my attention from the start and stayed interesting the whole way through. the h was charming, and the H was intriguingly aloof and determined to resist his emotions due to childhood trauma and a need to control his life. Betty, of course, doesn't detail trauma too much, but the H had lost his parents as a young boy and his grandparents were only interested in each other so never gave him the security of true warmth and love that a young child needs, and so he had planned an equally emotionless marriage for himself, but then he met the h and BOOM, his ordered world was rocked. we could feel the chemistry and pull between these two right from the start. they were drawn together like magnets. and the story was told so well that it wasn't too cheesy. a lovely balanced and nicely paced plot. plus h and H were v relatable and I enjoyed seeing them find each other.
Big beautiful Matilda (26) is a parson's daughter, happily carefree, works as a girl Friday to the local Lady of the Manor to help out with her family finances. Happy-go-lucky and outspoken but a lovely kind girl. one day, in church, she sees Mr James Scott-Thurlow in the pews and -BOOM!- she falls instantly in love. she is astonished by it and had always hoped to fall in love. he sees her too but his expression is chilly.
Tilly's boss, snooty Lady Whatever, wants to pair him off with her own spotty daughter Roseanne so invites him for dinner but tries to keep the beautiful Tilly out of the way. however, he and Tilly meet briefly and he is still chilly. later, they meet at her parents house when he stops to drop something off for her dad. She finds out he was visiting the local doc, a friend of his, and that he is engaged to be married. this news is a bit of a blow and she knows she will never love anyone else the same way but knows she must put him out of her mind as she is unlikely to see him again.
fate intercedes when Lady Whatever insists that Tilly must go to London as companion to Roseanne, who is socially awkward and won't go without Tilly. they stay with roseanne's godmother. Roseanne's interest in art takes them to a gallery where they meet James again, this time with his beautiful snooty fiancée. he looks angry to see Tilly again but is civil to her.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Tilly tries to put him out of her mind, especially as she has now seen his fiancée. it's hard because her immediate response every time she sees him is overwhelming joy. so anyway, they keep meeting. he helps her rescue an injured dog. then she must take charge when the godmother's cook slices off her fingers and everyone else panics. Tilly takes the woman to hospital, where she discovers James is a surgeon. he sews the fingers back on. Tilly returns home to find the godmother furious about a lack of cook when she has a dinner party that night. Tilly has a magic touch with cooking and agrees to take over and turns out a splendid meal.
James and his fiancée come to the dinner party. his fiancee was the one who was invited. he only agreed to come because he couldn't control a wish to see Tilly again. but is disappointed she is not there. roseanne whispers to him that Tilly cooked the delicious food and sneaks him down the the kitchen, where he is angry to see her skivvying.
She is glad when it is time to leave London as she is sad to be near him when she can't have him. but when they return home and roseanne horribly breaks her leg, she ends up seeing him again because Lady Whatever calls him in to fix roseanne's leg.
the book carries on like this. she keeps thinking she will never see him again and can't control her joy when she does again and yet he is usually chilly. they keep seeing each other for one reason or another. sometimes it is because he goes out of his way to find her jobs, but then he regrets it because being near her messes with his peace of mind. so even after they enjoy time together, he withdraws, and she remembers that she has no place in his life and is only the hired help and goes icy on him in turn.
but the romance/chemistry is strong in this one. every time they meet they cannot take their eyes off each other even when other people are present. we also get to glimpse his backstory and discover that he is deeply lonely. and that the cool impartial marriage he plans to have will only make him lonelier for the rest of his life. and that he needs Tilly, and her natural joy and exuberance and loving nature will light up his life and make him happy. and we get to see a glimpse of that happiness on a day out on the beach with Tilly and his goddaughter.
eventually he realises this of course and we get a sweet and satisfying ending.
it doesn't have the full depth of despair and joy of my fave 'save the waif' tales by betty, and the angst here is more a medium low level because Tilly is a determinedly optimistic girl by nature, and while James is often icy, he is not a beloved ogre. and so I give this book 4.4 stars (as I save anything 4.5 stars plus for my ideal betty books.) however, this one was lovely and kept me fully engaged, and people who love a gentler read will adore it. I will reread it at some point.
Big beautiful Matilda (26) is a parson's daughter, happily carefree, works as a girl Friday to the local Lady of the Manor to help out with her family finances. Happy-go-lucky and outspoken but a lovely kind girl. one day, in church, she sees Mr James Scott-Thurlow in the pews and -BOOM!- she falls instantly in love. she is astonished by it and had always hoped to fall in love. he sees her too but his expression is chilly.
Tilly's boss, snooty Lady Whatever, wants to pair him off with her own spotty daughter Roseanne so invites him for dinner but tries to keep the beautiful Tilly out of the way. however, he and Tilly meet briefly and he is still chilly. later, they meet at her parents house when he stops to drop something off for her dad. She finds out he was visiting the local doc, a friend of his, and that he is engaged to be married. this news is a bit of a blow and she knows she will never love anyone else the same way but knows she must put him out of her mind as she is unlikely to see him again.
fate intercedes when Lady Whatever insists that Tilly must go to London as companion to Roseanne, who is socially awkward and won't go without Tilly. they stay with roseanne's godmother. Roseanne's interest in art takes them to a gallery where they meet James again, this time with his beautiful snooty fiancée. he looks angry to see Tilly again but is civil to her.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Tilly tries to put him out of her mind, especially as she has now seen his fiancée. it's hard because her immediate response every time she sees him is overwhelming joy. so anyway, they keep meeting. he helps her rescue an injured dog. then she must take charge when the godmother's cook slices off her fingers and everyone else panics. Tilly takes the woman to hospital, where she discovers James is a surgeon. he sews the fingers back on. Tilly returns home to find the godmother furious about a lack of cook when she has a dinner party that night. Tilly has a magic touch with cooking and agrees to take over and turns out a splendid meal.
James and his fiancée come to the dinner party. his fiancee was the one who was invited. he only agreed to come because he couldn't control a wish to see Tilly again. but is disappointed she is not there. roseanne whispers to him that Tilly cooked the delicious food and sneaks him down the the kitchen, where he is angry to see her skivvying.
She is glad when it is time to leave London as she is sad to be near him when she can't have him. but when they return home and roseanne horribly breaks her leg, she ends up seeing him again because Lady Whatever calls him in to fix roseanne's leg.
the book carries on like this. she keeps thinking she will never see him again and can't control her joy when she does again and yet he is usually chilly. they keep seeing each other for one reason or another. sometimes it is because he goes out of his way to find her jobs, but then he regrets it because being near her messes with his peace of mind. so even after they enjoy time together, he withdraws, and she remembers that she has no place in his life and is only the hired help and goes icy on him in turn.
but the romance/chemistry is strong in this one. every time they meet they cannot take their eyes off each other even when other people are present. we also get to glimpse his backstory and discover that he is deeply lonely. and that the cool impartial marriage he plans to have will only make him lonelier for the rest of his life. and that he needs Tilly, and her natural joy and exuberance and loving nature will light up his life and make him happy. and we get to see a glimpse of that happiness on a day out on the beach with Tilly and his goddaughter.
eventually he realises this of course and we get a sweet and satisfying ending.
it doesn't have the full depth of despair and joy of my fave 'save the waif' tales by betty, and the angst here is more a medium low level because Tilly is a determinedly optimistic girl by nature, and while James is often icy, he is not a beloved ogre. and so I give this book 4.4 stars (as I save anything 4.5 stars plus for my ideal betty books.) however, this one was lovely and kept me fully engaged, and people who love a gentler read will adore it. I will reread it at some point.
August 12, 2024
Nice start but by middle it started to pall .. nothing new. I lost interest when ANOTHER CONTRIVED meet happened with heroine caring for little Lucy (hero’s goddaughter) who was recovering from mumps.
At that point the tried and true BN pattern took hold. Superior dedicated surgeon (NOT talking much to Matilda) making all the decisions .. leaving her guessing to the very end of the book.
This hero came across as wooden by book’s end and I was not in charity with him.
Never were they on a first name basis with one another. His red-headed comments were not welcomed either.
At that point the tried and true BN pattern took hold. Superior dedicated surgeon (NOT talking much to Matilda) making all the decisions .. leaving her guessing to the very end of the book.
This hero came across as wooden by book’s end and I was not in charity with him.
Never were they on a first name basis with one another. His red-headed comments were not welcomed either.
July 30, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
April 20, 2021
1.5 stars. A Betty Neels I didn't really like. Given how comforting i find her old fashioned, trope laden world, that's something.
July 7, 2022
3.75 stars
February 21, 2023
Lovely lighthearted story.
December 18, 2023
I enjoyed this one because it is a little different from the norm. Set entirely in Britain, and not a dutchman in sight! Also the heroine is not a nurse - OMG.
Very nice.
Very nice.
February 20, 2017
One of my favorites she has done.
November 27, 2022
This is one of my favorites. James is easy to like. Sometimes it takes me a minute to warm to Betty's heroes. Not so with James. He's considerate, kind, thoughtful and doesn't have a nasty temper. Matilda is beautiful, kind and it was love at first sight for her.
November 8, 2011
Too many coincidences for it to get 5 stars but a lovely book. Some wonderful beach scenes.
May 6, 2012
I don't see this as one of her best books. But as always, a nice escape.
September 9, 2012
Classic Betty Neels, always a good comfort read.
October 11, 2012
Slightly different approach to her main female character, but the overall storyline is classic Neels.
Warm fuzzy, gentle, comforting could apply to most of her writings fir Harlequin
Warm fuzzy, gentle, comforting could apply to most of her writings fir Harlequin
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