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A Christmas to Remember: The Mistletoe Kiss\Roses for Christmas
Back in print after many years, these two classic stories celebrate Christmas as a magical time when dreams really do come true. Includes The Mistletoe Kiss and Roses for Christmas. Reissue.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
49 people are currently reading
189 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 23, 2023
These old-fashioned, unromantic and cosy stories by Betty Neels are very good palate cleansers in-between other reads.
1st story: 3 stars, 2nd one: 2 stars b/c I loathed the male MC's behaviour.
(I was willing and able to cut BN some slack for the over-contrivance of plots and bland characters not talking in Book 1 and in the 2 previous books I read by her, but this guy has eroded all my goodwill. I just wanted to hit him on the head, preferably with a shovel. )
1st story: 3 stars, 2nd one: 2 stars b/c I loathed the male MC's behaviour.
(I was willing and able to cut BN some slack for the over-contrivance of plots and bland characters not talking in Book 1 and in the 2 previous books I read by her, but this guy has eroded all my goodwill. I just wanted to hit him on the head, preferably with a shovel. )
May 7, 2021
Two Christmas books in one.
The Mistletoe Kiss is one of her "poor girl barely getting by" stories. Emmy works at the hospital telephone exchange and lives in a tiny house with her mother while her father, who has been made redundant in his old job, travels for work. Clearly the RDD has a need to rescue stray dogs and people, and Emmy needs rescuing. lol
Roses for Christmas has a hard-working nurse with a large, loving family. In this case the RDD is someone our nurse knew as a young child - and she wasn't too fond of him. When he shows up years later she can't decide if she likes him or not. There's a real feel of winter in the first part of this book, when our hero and heroine must rescue some stranded school children in a blizzard. I happen to love stories with plenty of snow, so that part was right up my alley. The second half had our MC's caring for her sick younger brother in Holland.
I liked the second one a bit more than the first. But they're both pretty typical Neels, so you know you'll get what you want when you read them.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
The Mistletoe Kiss is one of her "poor girl barely getting by" stories. Emmy works at the hospital telephone exchange and lives in a tiny house with her mother while her father, who has been made redundant in his old job, travels for work. Clearly the RDD has a need to rescue stray dogs and people, and Emmy needs rescuing. lol
Roses for Christmas has a hard-working nurse with a large, loving family. In this case the RDD is someone our nurse knew as a young child - and she wasn't too fond of him. When he shows up years later she can't decide if she likes him or not. There's a real feel of winter in the first part of this book, when our hero and heroine must rescue some stranded school children in a blizzard. I happen to love stories with plenty of snow, so that part was right up my alley. The second half had our MC's caring for her sick younger brother in Holland.
I liked the second one a bit more than the first. But they're both pretty typical Neels, so you know you'll get what you want when you read them.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
February 15, 2011
This book contains 2 stories, The Mistletoe Kiss and Roses For Christmas. I instead of writing two reviews I will sum them up in one.
I enjoy reading Betty Neels' books. They are always so refreshing. They are very clean romance novels. I admit that most of them always contain a well known doctor from holland, who is very headstrong, and is usually engaged to a woman that is beautiful, yet arrogant, and not nice. The heroine is always some plain jane girl that can't seem to get or keep a boyfriend, but is nice and is in need of some kind of help from the doctor (i.e. job)
In these two books, she didn't deviate from the status quo. But what makes me enjoy the books so much, is that the falling in love seems to sneek up on the charaters. Which at times can be frustrating, because you as the reader can see it happening, and you are wondering why the girl or the doctor can't. And then when they finally realize it or decide to do something about it, you the reader are saying, "it's about time!" You are then happy that they are together, not realizing that the story is about to end. But you are too happy to be frustrated (at least that is how it is for me).
Betty Neels' books are keepers for me.
I enjoy reading Betty Neels' books. They are always so refreshing. They are very clean romance novels. I admit that most of them always contain a well known doctor from holland, who is very headstrong, and is usually engaged to a woman that is beautiful, yet arrogant, and not nice. The heroine is always some plain jane girl that can't seem to get or keep a boyfriend, but is nice and is in need of some kind of help from the doctor (i.e. job)
In these two books, she didn't deviate from the status quo. But what makes me enjoy the books so much, is that the falling in love seems to sneek up on the charaters. Which at times can be frustrating, because you as the reader can see it happening, and you are wondering why the girl or the doctor can't. And then when they finally realize it or decide to do something about it, you the reader are saying, "it's about time!" You are then happy that they are together, not realizing that the story is about to end. But you are too happy to be frustrated (at least that is how it is for me).
Betty Neels' books are keepers for me.
February 13, 2025
Solid Betty, and I liked how The Mistletoe Kiss with its ubiquitous Betty heroine (plain face, beautiful eyes, nice figure) and usual hero (description unnecessary if you've ever read Betty) was paired with Roses for Christmas. The latter had a pretty heroine(!!!) and the usual fellow but was really lacking a driving conflict.
A comfortable read, like a mug of hot chocolate with spritz cookies.
A comfortable read, like a mug of hot chocolate with spritz cookies.
May 23, 2011
Save this one for the holiday season--good, quick read.
February 29, 2012
It was only so-so for me. I would have enjoyed a more dramatic ending. Maybe my timing wasn't great, I honestly didn't enjoy it that much. Somewhat boring.and repetitious.
March 31, 2016
Sweet, English, medical romances from the days of yore. Innocuous and inoffensive.
August 17, 2016
The Mistletoe Kiss was very good but the second story, Roses for Christmas was not that good -3stars at best.
December 26, 2017
3.5* First time I am doing a Christmas read so I went with good ole Betty Neels!
An anthology of two Christmas stories, both featured feisty and practical heroines, curt and engaged heroes with catty fiancées!
I like it not that the heroes were kissing the heroines when engaged to somebody else argh!
Mistletoe Kiss
The hero could have been nicer from the beginning...he could be tactless in saying Emmy was no rival to his seemingly perfect fiancée ... and describing her so unflatteringly was hurting indeed.
BN's Other Woman can be one-dimensional b!tches?! So fun hating them!
The hero always had perfect families and it's no exception here. Emmy's own parents were pretty good folks too! A 1990s book but read no differently from a 70s or 80s book!
Roses For Christmas
I really liked this story very much! A 1976 book, the heroine Eleanor was for once not a mousy snd plain but pretty and confident girl! A young sister of the ward too! The childhood backstory with family link was real lovely...we don't see much of the hero's lousy fiancée but she came with a nasty aunt...or mother?
The hero's name made me chuckle...Fulk van Hensum... sounds like "handsome"! He too started a but unfriendly or rather too familiar, saying it as it is. The adventures they had together, showing how well they worked together was good to read.
I have issues with Fulk blowing hot and cold towards Eleanor though, and those unsuspecting kisses were to show he could not control himself in those weak moments? But this story has got to have the most kisses sprinkled throughout the story! The usual ones have them kissing only in the last pages! Yay!
I'd gladly give this story alone 4*.
An anthology of two Christmas stories, both featured feisty and practical heroines, curt and engaged heroes with catty fiancées!
I like it not that the heroes were kissing the heroines when engaged to somebody else argh!
Mistletoe Kiss
The hero could have been nicer from the beginning...he could be tactless in saying Emmy was no rival to his seemingly perfect fiancée ... and describing her so unflatteringly was hurting indeed.
BN's Other Woman can be one-dimensional b!tches?! So fun hating them!
The hero always had perfect families and it's no exception here. Emmy's own parents were pretty good folks too! A 1990s book but read no differently from a 70s or 80s book!
Roses For Christmas
I really liked this story very much! A 1976 book, the heroine Eleanor was for once not a mousy snd plain but pretty and confident girl! A young sister of the ward too! The childhood backstory with family link was real lovely...we don't see much of the hero's lousy fiancée but she came with a nasty aunt...or mother?
The hero's name made me chuckle...Fulk van Hensum... sounds like "handsome"! He too started a but unfriendly or rather too familiar, saying it as it is. The adventures they had together, showing how well they worked together was good to read.
I have issues with Fulk blowing hot and cold towards Eleanor though, and those unsuspecting kisses were to show he could not control himself in those weak moments? But this story has got to have the most kisses sprinkled throughout the story! The usual ones have them kissing only in the last pages! Yay!
I'd gladly give this story alone 4*.
September 20, 2019
"The Mistletoe Kiss". Emmy Foster works as a receptionist in London's St. Luke's Hosp. Professor Ruerd ter Mennolt is a visiting specialist from Holland. She can't imagine why he notices her and helps her out. He's engaged to the "right" woman and doesn't understand either. She goes to Holland for Christmas with her parents as his guest and they end up falling in love.
"Roses for Christmas". Eleanor is a Scottish nurse and hasn't seen Dr. Fulk van Hensum (also Dutch) for 20 years, but still remembers the teasing the older boy did. Now he's returned and helps her out several times with her sickly younger brother. Eventually both realize they love each other.
Both are older CLEAN stories that have been republished from 1997 and 1976.
"Roses for Christmas". Eleanor is a Scottish nurse and hasn't seen Dr. Fulk van Hensum (also Dutch) for 20 years, but still remembers the teasing the older boy did. Now he's returned and helps her out several times with her sickly younger brother. Eventually both realize they love each other.
Both are older CLEAN stories that have been republished from 1997 and 1976.
October 10, 2017
2 short innocent, Christmas romances.
Plain Emmy works as a receptionist at a hospital where she is hired as a replacement secretary for a handsome Dutch consultant when she doesn't cave to his bad temper. He realizes that her mother is taking advantage of her and charms the mother into letting them both travel with him.
A horrid acquaintance from childhood makes an unwanted reappearance in Eleanor's life. However, he keeps saving the day.
Plain Emmy works as a receptionist at a hospital where she is hired as a replacement secretary for a handsome Dutch consultant when she doesn't cave to his bad temper. He realizes that her mother is taking advantage of her and charms the mother into letting them both travel with him.
A horrid acquaintance from childhood makes an unwanted reappearance in Eleanor's life. However, he keeps saving the day.
November 30, 2018
Old-Fashioned, But I enjoyed it;
I really needed a specific date/year for the setting of these books to put it in the proper context. The general plot and characterization of both stories are VERY similar. But, this modern gal found herself almost envious for simpler times. And I always love a love story.
I really needed a specific date/year for the setting of these books to put it in the proper context. The general plot and characterization of both stories are VERY similar. But, this modern gal found herself almost envious for simpler times. And I always love a love story.
December 28, 2023
This is two novels in one volume. The Mistletoe Kiss works; Roses for Christmas doesn't. The difference is that the hero's motivations in the former are clear and noble, but in the latter, the hero just comes off as a jerk.
October 8, 2019
This book was amazing a wonderful combination of romance and Christmas <3
June 8, 2022
Entertaining Christmas stories.
June 28, 2025
great book
Betty’s book are always great it is great that big men can love a woman who is very genuine thanks
Betty’s book are always great it is great that big men can love a woman who is very genuine thanks
November 9, 2025
Two delightful Betty Neels stories with romantic Christmas themes.
August 14, 2017
3. for the price of one how cool is that ?
Wonderful, combination of books showing a different side of the writer . She has one theme but I read them over again.
Wonderful, combination of books showing a different side of the writer . She has one theme but I read them over again.
September 25, 2016
Classic Betty Neels - I have read the majority of her stories and I am re-reading them as I find them in the library (city\county or friends) in print or Kindle.
Nothing explicit, gentle and classic romances almost always a connection to a well-known Dutch physician (specialist or surgeon) and the female lead most often a nurse of some kind. Occasionally the female is mistreated poor relative or working in a less specialized role in healthcare.
Nothing explicit, gentle and classic romances almost always a connection to a well-known Dutch physician (specialist or surgeon) and the female lead most often a nurse of some kind. Occasionally the female is mistreated poor relative or working in a less specialized role in healthcare.
December 8, 2017
Re-read 2017
One of my aunts got me hooked on Betty Neels books back when I was a teenager, I still like picking them up and re-reading them from time to time as a guilty pleasure. I have to admit that these two stories aren't my favorite by the author, but I do like reading about how the winter holidays were celebrated in Holland in the 60's and 70's.
One of my aunts got me hooked on Betty Neels books back when I was a teenager, I still like picking them up and re-reading them from time to time as a guilty pleasure. I have to admit that these two stories aren't my favorite by the author, but I do like reading about how the winter holidays were celebrated in Holland in the 60's and 70's.
April 22, 2025
The first book, "The Mistletoe Kiss" is one of my favourite Betty Neels ever. Emmy is works in the Hospital's Switchboard. One day she meets Professor ter Mennolt and then she keeps seeming to run into him more often. This is such a cute, sweet read!
December 17, 2020
Two Christmas novels
I do so love Betty Neels' sweet romances. I also love Christmas stories. You get both in these two delightful novels
I do so love Betty Neels' sweet romances. I also love Christmas stories. You get both in these two delightful novels
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews