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Esmeralda
Esmeralda unexpectedly finds happiness and love with renowned surgeon Thimo Bamstra when he heals her body as well as her heart. Reprint.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1976
69 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
580 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 48 reviews
May 17, 2021
I've read Esmeralda a couple of times now and I just can't seem to warm to it. The titular heroine, one of Betty's nurse-heroines, was too hung up on the OM (Leslie-the-cad, who's only interested in her because she has money) for too long. Esmeralda's foot was crushed by a pony when she was a wee one and after years of disappointing and unsuccessful treatments, she's half-hearted when the surgeon-hero, Thimo Bamstra tells her he thinks he can reconstruct her foot to give her better mobility and aesthetics. But she is spurred on by the thought that perhaps Leslie will love her if she can only "fix" herself (ugh, pfffttt, all the noises), so with the encouragement of her loving mother and nanny (who loooove Thimo but aren't so crazy about Leslie), she's off to Holland for surgery.
We're not told when Thimo falls in love with her, but his interest is pretty plain from the start, although he remains professionally aloof while he is actively her doctor. Esmeralda becomes more and more attracted to Thimo over the course of the book, but she doesn't have her Dawning Realization until near the end. The romance seemed a little flimsy to me, particularly given their doctor-patient relationship. And Esmeralda's continual pining for and excuses on behalf of Leslie were irritating after a while.
I appreciate this one because it has some very unusual elements for Betty--the heroine being from an affluent and supportive background; the initial reasons for bringing the hero and heroine together, etc. But for whatever reason, I just failed to connect with the characters in this one, and I didn't really buy the romance either. "And now tell me why you love me" Esmeralda demands in the very last line. Too bad, because I'd like to have heard Thimo's reasons myself!
Random observation: I never noticed the tear in the heroine's eye before on that Bern Smith cover! Dunno about Esmeralda, but I usually emit tears from the front of my eye, where the duct is located.... very gangsta, Esmeralda!
Betty crossover characters: We visit with Adam and Loveday de Wolff van Ozinga, from Cruise to a Wedding (still on my TBR).
Betty car porn:
Our skeevy OM, Leslie, drives a Lotus Elan: "a showy, rather elderly model with far too much chromework on it, and painted an aggressive yellow....He was a showy driver, full of impatience and blaming everyone except himself, but she wouldn't admit that, staying quiet until he pulled up with a squeal of brakes outside the restaurant." Bad drivers do not a hero make in BN books!
Esmeralda has the usual heroine mini in "a sober blue":
Hero Thimo, an excellent driver (of course), has a Bristol 411 (misprinted as 114, which doesn't exist as far as I can tell): "large, elegant [like our RDD!], and a pleasing shade of dark gray; a very expensive car...with a subdued, understated style which made the cars around it look a little vulgar....He eased the Bristol into the traffic and began to overtake everything on the road ahead of him, driving very fast and yet with such an easy manner that he might have been tooling along a country lane. Esmeralda thought of Leslie and his flamboyant driving and dismissed the idea as disloyal...."
We're not told when Thimo falls in love with her, but his interest is pretty plain from the start, although he remains professionally aloof while he is actively her doctor. Esmeralda becomes more and more attracted to Thimo over the course of the book, but she doesn't have her Dawning Realization until near the end. The romance seemed a little flimsy to me, particularly given their doctor-patient relationship. And Esmeralda's continual pining for and excuses on behalf of Leslie were irritating after a while.
I appreciate this one because it has some very unusual elements for Betty--the heroine being from an affluent and supportive background; the initial reasons for bringing the hero and heroine together, etc. But for whatever reason, I just failed to connect with the characters in this one, and I didn't really buy the romance either. "And now tell me why you love me" Esmeralda demands in the very last line. Too bad, because I'd like to have heard Thimo's reasons myself!
Random observation: I never noticed the tear in the heroine's eye before on that Bern Smith cover! Dunno about Esmeralda, but I usually emit tears from the front of my eye, where the duct is located.... very gangsta, Esmeralda!
Betty crossover characters: We visit with Adam and Loveday de Wolff van Ozinga, from Cruise to a Wedding (still on my TBR).
Betty car porn:
Our skeevy OM, Leslie, drives a Lotus Elan: "a showy, rather elderly model with far too much chromework on it, and painted an aggressive yellow....He was a showy driver, full of impatience and blaming everyone except himself, but she wouldn't admit that, staying quiet until he pulled up with a squeal of brakes outside the restaurant." Bad drivers do not a hero make in BN books!
Esmeralda has the usual heroine mini in "a sober blue":
Hero Thimo, an excellent driver (of course), has a Bristol 411 (misprinted as 114, which doesn't exist as far as I can tell): "large, elegant [like our RDD!], and a pleasing shade of dark gray; a very expensive car...with a subdued, understated style which made the cars around it look a little vulgar....He eased the Bristol into the traffic and began to overtake everything on the road ahead of him, driving very fast and yet with such an easy manner that he might have been tooling along a country lane. Esmeralda thought of Leslie and his flamboyant driving and dismissed the idea as disloyal...."
August 29, 2023
4 Stars ~ Esmeralda is a staff nurse on the children's orthopedic ward of a busy London hospital. She doesn't need the work as she has an allowance from a trust fund, but she finds nursing very rewarding. When she was three she was injured in a riding accident that left her with a very badly mangled foot and a horrible limp. Over the years she's had many doctors look at the damage and none could do anything. Much to her surprise an esteemed Dutch surgeon, Thimo, says he can re-break the bones and reshape them. The surgery will have to take place in his hospital in Holland but after three months no one would ever know she had been injured. Esmeralda eagerly agrees to the operation. A very ambitious junior surgeon, Leslie, has his eye on Esmeralda's trust fund, though she thinks he's genuinely interested in her. He warns Esmeralda that Thimo is a foreigner and his fees will be enormous Esmeralda thinks that if she were to have the surgery and no longer limp, she would be so much more suitable to be Leslie's wife. Travelling to Holland, Esmeralda discovers Thimo has thought of everything to make her stay comfortable. After the surgery, he's very attentive, but she finds it frustrating because he rarely shares any information about himself. As the weeks pass, Esmeralda wonders more and more about Thimo, and less about Leslie, who seems to have forgotten all about her. Thimo doesn't want Esmeralda to form affection for him out of gratitude or on the rebound, so he patiently waits for her to find her own heart.
Betty Neel's heroines all have a very generous nature. With Esmeralda this nature keeps her from seeing that Leslie is a gold digger and she is starved for the attention he gives her. Betty Neel's heroes tend to be the quiet, patient types who know they are in love well before the heroine does. Thimo's in a predicament, he doesn't want gratitude to falsely form into love for Esmeralda, so he keeps himself at arms length. He risks his own heart with his patience, because once back in England, Esmeralda is back in Leslie's sphere. I found myself rooting whole heartedly for Thimo to have his HEA, and of course, he does!
As a note, Loveday and Adam from "Cruise to a Wedding" are Thimo's very close friends in this book. I'll be adding that one to my TBR soon pile. :)
Betty Neel's heroines all have a very generous nature. With Esmeralda this nature keeps her from seeing that Leslie is a gold digger and she is starved for the attention he gives her. Betty Neel's heroes tend to be the quiet, patient types who know they are in love well before the heroine does. Thimo's in a predicament, he doesn't want gratitude to falsely form into love for Esmeralda, so he keeps himself at arms length. He risks his own heart with his patience, because once back in England, Esmeralda is back in Leslie's sphere. I found myself rooting whole heartedly for Thimo to have his HEA, and of course, he does!
As a note, Loveday and Adam from "Cruise to a Wedding" are Thimo's very close friends in this book. I'll be adding that one to my TBR soon pile. :)
July 13, 2013
An enjoyable read, but not one of my favorites by this author. I found the heroine to be too self absorbing for my taste. I also got tired of the constant descriptions of how "plain" she was with her mousey brown hair, but fabulous green eyes.
This is a common theme with Betty and I can never figure out why she focuses so much on the physical aspects of her heroines. Secondly, I don't get how someone with incredibly beautiful eyes can be plain? The eyes are the mirror to the soul.
This is a common theme with Betty and I can never figure out why she focuses so much on the physical aspects of her heroines. Secondly, I don't get how someone with incredibly beautiful eyes can be plain? The eyes are the mirror to the soul.
November 29, 2014
A delightfully different heroine! This PBN is actually a RBN with a crippled foot who, although not pretty, isn't quite as sensitive as most Aramintas (presumably the money makes her more self-confident).
Her foot was broken at age 3 when her pony stepped on it, crushing the bones; nothing was done and the bones fused incorrectly. Now the head consultant brings in the RDD to try and put it to rights.
Family is a loving mother and nanny; father is dead. OM is an ambitious surgical resident who has an eye for Esmeralda's money.
Once in Holland for surgery, we visit old friends, Adam and Loveday de Wolff van Ozinga (from Cruise to a Wedding) who now have an infant son, also Adam.
We know Thimo is in love with Esmeralda, but just when did it happen? When he examined her ankle in the beginning? Did he fall for her from his conversations about her with Mr. Peters before the book starts? That question is never answered. Esmeralda doesn't have her DR until the last few pages of the book after Leslie bores her while dancing.
Her foot was broken at age 3 when her pony stepped on it, crushing the bones; nothing was done and the bones fused incorrectly. Now the head consultant brings in the RDD to try and put it to rights.
Family is a loving mother and nanny; father is dead. OM is an ambitious surgical resident who has an eye for Esmeralda's money.
Once in Holland for surgery, we visit old friends, Adam and Loveday de Wolff van Ozinga (from Cruise to a Wedding) who now have an infant son, also Adam.
We know Thimo is in love with Esmeralda, but just when did it happen? When he examined her ankle in the beginning? Did he fall for her from his conversations about her with Mr. Peters before the book starts? That question is never answered. Esmeralda doesn't have her DR until the last few pages of the book after Leslie bores her while dancing.
August 10, 2025
One of her best! So good that I bought it!
July 10, 2023
I loved the story of Esmeralda and Thimo. Was she a bit immature? Yes. Was he patient and kind (and maybe overbearing)? Yes. But I enjoyed the dynamics of a nurse with a life-long disability finding a kind surgeon who has the skills to help both physically and emotionally as she finds confidence she has always lacked. The cast of characters from nannies to mothers to pets to nurses were all fun (of there were a few nasties) and the Dutch scenes were lovely as usual.
January 4, 2021
I'm back on a mills & boon kick, and at the top of my list is this author. Betty Neels is a true queen of the romance genre. Her books lack the steam I read now but it does nothing to take away from her stories.
They always leave me feeling happy and with a smile. The biggest thing for me is that her leading lady's are not the drop dead beautfiul woman we get now. They are women you can relate too. They are genuine, kind and sweet. I think the world needs more of this to be honest.
They have soft spots for animals, rescue's in particular. If you haven't read this author you should definately give her a try. Though Betty has now passed she published over 180 books and I've read eveyone of them.
They always leave me feeling happy and with a smile. The biggest thing for me is that her leading lady's are not the drop dead beautfiul woman we get now. They are women you can relate too. They are genuine, kind and sweet. I think the world needs more of this to be honest.
They have soft spots for animals, rescue's in particular. If you haven't read this author you should definately give her a try. Though Betty has now passed she published over 180 books and I've read eveyone of them.
July 12, 2025
3.75🌟 It surprised me how much this book resembled the very first Betty Neels' book I read, The Quiet Professor! It was exactly the same in plot except for different names, a different Norwegian location and a deformed foot. (Since this was written first, I wonder if The Quiet Professor might be a rewrite or updated version of this story. Maybe?)
But, even with that issue, I still enjoyed reading Esmeralda. Betty Neels' writing is so light, fun, interesting and easy to read. Although most of the situations are very dated, I truly appreciate the lovely clothing and food descriptions, supportive friends and loving family included in her stories.
This is just one of her vintage romance novels that I have in my small collection, so I think I'll keep reading and enjoying when my brain needs a break (and I don't mind a bit of silliness.)
Many thanks to my dear friend, Caro (@carosbookcase) for buddy reading this book with me this July. I hope we'll have many more like this to savor during the year!
But, even with that issue, I still enjoyed reading Esmeralda. Betty Neels' writing is so light, fun, interesting and easy to read. Although most of the situations are very dated, I truly appreciate the lovely clothing and food descriptions, supportive friends and loving family included in her stories.
This is just one of her vintage romance novels that I have in my small collection, so I think I'll keep reading and enjoying when my brain needs a break (and I don't mind a bit of silliness.)
Many thanks to my dear friend, Caro (@carosbookcase) for buddy reading this book with me this July. I hope we'll have many more like this to savor during the year!
July 31, 2020
It's too bad Esmeralda's premise is about "fixing" Esmeralda's foot, ughs to ableism. But, I still couldn't help but find Thimo Bamstra a wonderful hero and his and Esmeralda's quiet road to love and commitment a great Betty read. You may read more of my thoughts on this romance by following the link to my blog:
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
December 12, 2025
“Esmeralda” is the story of Esmeralda and Thimo.
Sweet, slow burn romance between a nurse who struggles with an acquired limp, and the surgeon who decides to help her. He charms her family, gets her away from a toxic boyfriend, gradually courts her and engrains himself into her life. She realizes her love at the climax and the book ends with fade into black.
Nice read
Safe
3/5
Sweet, slow burn romance between a nurse who struggles with an acquired limp, and the surgeon who decides to help her. He charms her family, gets her away from a toxic boyfriend, gradually courts her and engrains himself into her life. She realizes her love at the climax and the book ends with fade into black.
Nice read
Safe
3/5
July 13, 2023
This was a lovely read! Thimo is a wonderful hero. I love the twist of Esmeralda’s injured foot and how that affects her self esteem and confidence with others. It seemed pretty realistic. There are some lovely side characters in this and the OM is awful (but his end is just!).
October 16, 2016
Esmeralda is an interesting heroine because she is both brave in adversity but also a little self absorbed. She is in love with an ambitious young doctor, not realising he is only in love with her trust fund. He pretends not to care about her badly deformed foot and limp but Esmeralda cares that she wont be the right wife for him as a cripple.
So the scene is set for the entrance of our hero. Thimo Bamstra is a notable orthopaedic surgeon and has the skills to fix her foot. Our heroine doesn't realise that he has other heart stirring qualities because she is totally fixated on what a cure would mean for her and Leslie.
Fortunately, the operation and recuperation must take place in Holland, thus bringing our heroine into Thimo's extended life and meeting his colleagues and family. It also takes her away from Leslie.
Thimo is one of Neel's patient heroes. He knows that Esmeralda thinks Leslie is the one, even though everyone else knows he's just a fortune hunter. But Esmeralda must have her chance to make her choice without the self consciousness that comes with her disability.
I really enjoyed this story and the HEA was sweet.
So the scene is set for the entrance of our hero. Thimo Bamstra is a notable orthopaedic surgeon and has the skills to fix her foot. Our heroine doesn't realise that he has other heart stirring qualities because she is totally fixated on what a cure would mean for her and Leslie.
Fortunately, the operation and recuperation must take place in Holland, thus bringing our heroine into Thimo's extended life and meeting his colleagues and family. It also takes her away from Leslie.
Thimo is one of Neel's patient heroes. He knows that Esmeralda thinks Leslie is the one, even though everyone else knows he's just a fortune hunter. But Esmeralda must have her chance to make her choice without the self consciousness that comes with her disability.
I really enjoyed this story and the HEA was sweet.
July 23, 2015
Wonderful!
She was a most unlikely bride.
Esmeralda Jones was a very nice girl. It seemed to Esmeralda that she was invisible to the opposite sex. Perhaps the real reason was the impaired foot she struggled with since childhood. When the brilliant surgeon Thimo Bamstra offered to sure her, Esmeralda was over the moon. Thimo also managed to mend her broken heart. Esmeralda had never imagined marriage as part of her future, but now she could dream of little else.
She was a most unlikely bride.
Esmeralda Jones was a very nice girl. It seemed to Esmeralda that she was invisible to the opposite sex. Perhaps the real reason was the impaired foot she struggled with since childhood. When the brilliant surgeon Thimo Bamstra offered to sure her, Esmeralda was over the moon. Thimo also managed to mend her broken heart. Esmeralda had never imagined marriage as part of her future, but now she could dream of little else.
June 25, 2011
Just one look at the cover, I can remember why I liked this book – for its ending.
Who wouldn’t fall in love with a hero who has remained by the girl’s side in sickness and in health, cured her of her disability, stood aside for what the girl considers her fantasy date and patiently waited for her to realize that she loved him all along?
Setting: Leiden, Netherlands
Who wouldn’t fall in love with a hero who has remained by the girl’s side in sickness and in health, cured her of her disability, stood aside for what the girl considers her fantasy date and patiently waited for her to realize that she loved him all along?
Setting: Leiden, Netherlands
May 2, 2020
I loved this story as a child and it remains a keeper and is number 4 in my favourites in my betty Neels books that I have kept over the years. I have read 102 of the 134 that she wrote and I have only kept about 20 of her books.
December 29, 2007
Esmerelda is lovely plain-faced girl with a foot that is crippled. As a nure she meets a surgeon who willing to correct the problimatic foot and steals her heart. I loved it.
January 11, 2011
Book 'E' in the A-Z Romance Challenge. Esmerelda puts her life on hold to have surgery on the foot she injured when she was three. Will this new lease on life be everything she hoped it would be?
November 11, 2021
Too cute. Unusual for a BN novel where the H begins to woo the h right off the bat, albeit in a very sneaky way... He was like a freakin' mind reader. 🤔
February 20, 2017
A plethora of cars: Lotus, Mini, Rover, Bristol (!)
Not quite the typical Neels in that the eponymous heroine has surgery done on her foot by the RDD. She's also wealthy and doesn't have to work but she enjoys it. There's an OM who's after her money and while the RDD picks up on that right away, Esmerelda's a bit slower on the uptake.
I believe there's a mention of another Neels couple in this one too.
Not quite the typical Neels in that the eponymous heroine has surgery done on her foot by the RDD. She's also wealthy and doesn't have to work but she enjoys it. There's an OM who's after her money and while the RDD picks up on that right away, Esmerelda's a bit slower on the uptake.
I believe there's a mention of another Neels couple in this one too.
May 16, 2013
Bland. I have no idea why or how they fell in love. On the very last page, Esmeralda says to Thimo, "I can't think why you love me." I can't either. Or vice versa. Or why no one would tell her even one stinkin' little thing about anything to do with him--that so-and-so was his sister, that his mother and her mother had met (why would the mothers' meeting need to be a secret? do not get it)....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2013
She had a formula & it worked for her & her readers. We don't need no stinkin' character development!
April 23, 2013
A bit dated in ways, but a nice story nonetheless. I was in high school when this was written, it's interesting to read about what things were like then for women.
August 13, 2013
It was an interesting read. I wonder if my book was missing a page at the end because it seemed to end very abruptly.
July 11, 2010
This is one of my favorite Betty Neels books. I've read it more than once.
April 25, 2018
3.75*
I actually loved the writing of this book! Betty Neels ' dry wit, wry humour really came through! So many funny lines I wish I knew how to copy and highlight in my Library Overdrive book!
There's a kind of role reversal here and I got impatient with Esmeralda actually. She did not have her Dawning Realisation till the LAST scene, and was thinking about Lousy Leslie the WHOLE BOOK. It's a bit too much for me! But she wasn't exactly pining away from Leslie, more an I'll - show-you-what-you-missed by ditching or playing with her!!
In contrast, we could infer almost right from the start that Thimo already had hie eye and heart set on Esmeralda! And just how he could have fallen for her was the big question because, that ending! It was Esmeralda 's question why did he fall in love with her that we'll never know. Sigh this is why I did not give the book full 4*. That ending!
It's nice to read a heroine who's not destitute surviving on chips. The scene where Thimo caught Esmeralda feeding her lunch to the birds was soooo cute! And I wouldn't have been surprised if Thimo had paid for all the niceties Esmeralda had enjoyed in hospital. It was a private patient room and she got more than the VIP treatment from him!
Him and his twinkling/gleaming and outright dancing eyes! He was so secretive about himself that it was frustrating...there's definitely a lot we have to infer and read deeper to get at his meaning and intentions. I love that Thimo was not shy to call her out at times, but just when he's made progress like getting her to miss him or be jealous, he played the absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder card and disappeared for days...that's too much realism LOL. I know being a famous consultant surgeon, he had to be very busy but still, the purpose was for Esmeralda to know him better and fall for him!
Adam and Loveday from Cruise to a wedding make crossover appearance and were active matchmaker, at least Loveday was. Funny! There's a lil Adam, two months old too!
Love seeing our RDD bromance...
"Do you speak any Dutch at all Esmeralda", says Loveday. Then Esme says " About 40 words, blah, blah. Loveday says "The days of the week, the months, time, numbers....(here the guys break in)
"Mr. Bamstra is out" (says Adam)
"Mr. Bamstra is In", Thimo added helpfully.
Then the girls giggle and Loveday scolds.
Overall a sweet and delightful book.
I actually loved the writing of this book! Betty Neels ' dry wit, wry humour really came through! So many funny lines I wish I knew how to copy and highlight in my Library Overdrive book!
There's a kind of role reversal here and I got impatient with Esmeralda actually. She did not have her Dawning Realisation till the LAST scene, and was thinking about Lousy Leslie the WHOLE BOOK. It's a bit too much for me! But she wasn't exactly pining away from Leslie, more an I'll - show-you-what-you-missed by ditching or playing with her!!
In contrast, we could infer almost right from the start that Thimo already had hie eye and heart set on Esmeralda! And just how he could have fallen for her was the big question because, that ending! It was Esmeralda 's question why did he fall in love with her that we'll never know. Sigh this is why I did not give the book full 4*. That ending!
It's nice to read a heroine who's not destitute surviving on chips. The scene where Thimo caught Esmeralda feeding her lunch to the birds was soooo cute! And I wouldn't have been surprised if Thimo had paid for all the niceties Esmeralda had enjoyed in hospital. It was a private patient room and she got more than the VIP treatment from him!
Him and his twinkling/gleaming and outright dancing eyes! He was so secretive about himself that it was frustrating...there's definitely a lot we have to infer and read deeper to get at his meaning and intentions. I love that Thimo was not shy to call her out at times, but just when he's made progress like getting her to miss him or be jealous, he played the absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder card and disappeared for days...that's too much realism LOL. I know being a famous consultant surgeon, he had to be very busy but still, the purpose was for Esmeralda to know him better and fall for him!
Adam and Loveday from Cruise to a wedding make crossover appearance and were active matchmaker, at least Loveday was. Funny! There's a lil Adam, two months old too!
Love seeing our RDD bromance...
"Do you speak any Dutch at all Esmeralda", says Loveday. Then Esme says " About 40 words, blah, blah. Loveday says "The days of the week, the months, time, numbers....(here the guys break in)
"Mr. Bamstra is out" (says Adam)
"Mr. Bamstra is In", Thimo added helpfully.
Then the girls giggle and Loveday scolds.
Overall a sweet and delightful book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2024
Another lovely story by Betty Neels....a great easy read after reading a couple of long mysteries.
When Esmeralda was 3 years old, she fell off her pony who also landed on her foot and damaged the bones within. Even though her parents took her to many doctors, none of them felt capable enough to tackle repairing the damage....so for many years, she limped dragging her foot but she did become a nurse and a very good one.
A specialist from Holland was visiting in London, saw Esmeralda and wanted to fix the foot which meant she had to leave her job in London and go to Holland so Thimo Bamstra could operate and fix the damage so that she would be able to walk properly and even dance later on.
Esmeralda thought she loved a surgeon at her former hospital and even though he was never kind to her, knew she had money coming to her later on so he dated her a few times....never kept in touch about the surgery, brought his girl friend when he finally visited her due to Thimo insisted he come see her.
But as usual, everything worked out in the end of the story....a good read before bedtime.
When Esmeralda was 3 years old, she fell off her pony who also landed on her foot and damaged the bones within. Even though her parents took her to many doctors, none of them felt capable enough to tackle repairing the damage....so for many years, she limped dragging her foot but she did become a nurse and a very good one.
A specialist from Holland was visiting in London, saw Esmeralda and wanted to fix the foot which meant she had to leave her job in London and go to Holland so Thimo Bamstra could operate and fix the damage so that she would be able to walk properly and even dance later on.
Esmeralda thought she loved a surgeon at her former hospital and even though he was never kind to her, knew she had money coming to her later on so he dated her a few times....never kept in touch about the surgery, brought his girl friend when he finally visited her due to Thimo insisted he come see her.
But as usual, everything worked out in the end of the story....a good read before bedtime.
October 26, 2025
• Esmeralda, is a nurse. She is dating Leslie another male nurse in her hospital. He approached and befriended her all for her reputation and financial stability.
• After years of unsuccessful treatments on her limping leg, Esmeralda is offered surgery by surgeon-hero Thimo Bamstra.
• Thimo's interest in Esmeralda is evident from the start, but he remains professionally aloof.
• Esmeralda's attraction to Thimo grows over time, but her realization of her love for him isn't until the end. Not until she almost got ruined by het ex!.
• The romance is deemed flimsy, especially considering their doctor-patient relationship.
• Esmeralda's persistent pleas for Leslie's love are irritating. As always the FL is naive and still trusted her ex even after she knew he is after her money snd was lying to her.
• The novel has unusual elements for Betty, such as the heroine's affluent background as wealthy woman and the initial reasons for their relationship.
• After years of unsuccessful treatments on her limping leg, Esmeralda is offered surgery by surgeon-hero Thimo Bamstra.
• Thimo's interest in Esmeralda is evident from the start, but he remains professionally aloof.
• Esmeralda's attraction to Thimo grows over time, but her realization of her love for him isn't until the end. Not until she almost got ruined by het ex!.
• The romance is deemed flimsy, especially considering their doctor-patient relationship.
• Esmeralda's persistent pleas for Leslie's love are irritating. As always the FL is naive and still trusted her ex even after she knew he is after her money snd was lying to her.
• The novel has unusual elements for Betty, such as the heroine's affluent background as wealthy woman and the initial reasons for their relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
I just have to admit I might be Bettied out. Another plain nurse with mousey hair and lovely eyes, which the older smug handsome huge Dutch surgeon falls for for.no apparent reason and then doesn't tell her about except to say, yes, he's going to get married to someone. For some reason in Betty books, the hero will occasionally randomly kiss her, and she never seems to think anything of it later, like, why is this guy kissing me if he's going to marry someone else?
On the plus side, Betty gives this gal a gimpy foot which got crushed by something, and he's the orthopedic surgeon who fixes it! And the Cinderella ending was worth a star all by itself, though it made me grin because it ended with the hero not actually having to explain WHY he fell for her, so at least Betty didnt have to say, "It was for the purposes of the plot."
On the plus side, Betty gives this gal a gimpy foot which got crushed by something, and he's the orthopedic surgeon who fixes it! And the Cinderella ending was worth a star all by itself, though it made me grin because it ended with the hero not actually having to explain WHY he fell for her, so at least Betty didnt have to say, "It was for the purposes of the plot."
March 18, 2024
Wonderful story!
Esmeralda is so sweet! She's also very naive. You can't help but fall in love with her from the beginning. Thimo obviously did, but he's good at not letting her realize it. This story keeps moving and stays interesting all the way through. There aren't any real slow moments that make you want to skip pages, though I will admit to some impatience towards the end because I wanted to know how it would go! I got really frustrated with Esmeralda when she kept hoping for the jerk Leslie to want her back. I'm glad that she realized he wasn't the one. I loved this story. I'm sure you will too!
Esmeralda is so sweet! She's also very naive. You can't help but fall in love with her from the beginning. Thimo obviously did, but he's good at not letting her realize it. This story keeps moving and stays interesting all the way through. There aren't any real slow moments that make you want to skip pages, though I will admit to some impatience towards the end because I wanted to know how it would go! I got really frustrated with Esmeralda when she kept hoping for the jerk Leslie to want her back. I'm glad that she realized he wasn't the one. I loved this story. I'm sure you will too!
March 16, 2023
This is the story of a young lady who is now a nurse. When she was little a horse stomped on her foot and it never healed properly so she walked with a pronounced limp. One day, a professor from her college days walks in. She can't stand his arrogant demeanor but when he declares that he can fix her foot, she puts her feelings aside and hopes for a miracle. Miracles come in more than one way. A good romance.
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