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Cruise To A Wedding
Loveday Pearce's old friend Rimada desperately wants to get married and comes to her for help. Rimada's guardian, Baron Adam de Wolf van Orsinga, doesn't approve of her choice. Loveday is in charge of the couple's wedding, but Adam quickly realizes he'd rather talk about Loveday's marriage--to himself. Reissue.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
73 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
582 books419 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 6, 2014
While I was reading this book I kept visualising this conversation between Betty Neels and her publisher.
M&B: Have you thought of writing something a little different Betty, something that isn't all Holland and Dutch doctors.
Betty: Everyone loves my Dutch doctors. Although a good few come from Friesland which isn't quite the same thing you know.
M&B: That's true...but you know...variety. Have you thought of setting the story somewhere different.
Betty: I've done some completely set in England.
M&B: Yes, well...cruises are very popular at the moment...we'd like to see what you could do with a cruise story. Some of our other authors have done cruises and they are very popular. Madeira, Portugal, the Mediterranean.
Betty: You want a cruise story.
M&B: We knew you would see it our way.
Betty: (mutters under breath) I'll give you a cruise story.
Anyhow that's how it went in my mind.
So what did we get? Heroine is nursing in England and her best friend is Rimada, the ward of Adam, a distinguished Dutch doctor. Rimada wants to marry a loser and Loveday isn't all that happy. Enter Adam being all macho and guardianly and sets up Loveday's back. Okay, to spite Adam (who is strangely attractive despite his autocratic horribleness) Loveday will help Rimada to a runaway marriage with loser Doctor boyfriend.
Finally we get to the cruise. They will go on a cruise and Rimada will marry at Madeira. But first we have to go to Holland and check out Adam's lovely house.
Yes we do get to go on the cruise...for a couple of days...and guess who turns up on the cruise...Adam...with news to blight any loser eloping Doctors hopes. Rimada has lost her fortune.
Suddenly loser Doctor isn't so keen.
So they hop off the boat at Madeira. And they don't get back on. They do the tourist thing at Madeira and then fly to Lisbon, do the tourist thing...and yes...back to Holland.
(At this point Betty, in the politest way is no doubt saying "suck eggs" to M&B under her breath while telling her editor the cruise story is going swimmingly.)
So there you go...Adam is the usual irritatingly enigmatic Dutch doctor (or is it Frieslander) Loveday is the usual English nurse and the ending is the usual Happy Ever After.
Thus endeth the required cruise romance.
M&B: Have you thought of writing something a little different Betty, something that isn't all Holland and Dutch doctors.
Betty: Everyone loves my Dutch doctors. Although a good few come from Friesland which isn't quite the same thing you know.
M&B: That's true...but you know...variety. Have you thought of setting the story somewhere different.
Betty: I've done some completely set in England.
M&B: Yes, well...cruises are very popular at the moment...we'd like to see what you could do with a cruise story. Some of our other authors have done cruises and they are very popular. Madeira, Portugal, the Mediterranean.
Betty: You want a cruise story.
M&B: We knew you would see it our way.
Betty: (mutters under breath) I'll give you a cruise story.
Anyhow that's how it went in my mind.
So what did we get? Heroine is nursing in England and her best friend is Rimada, the ward of Adam, a distinguished Dutch doctor. Rimada wants to marry a loser and Loveday isn't all that happy. Enter Adam being all macho and guardianly and sets up Loveday's back. Okay, to spite Adam (who is strangely attractive despite his autocratic horribleness) Loveday will help Rimada to a runaway marriage with loser Doctor boyfriend.
Finally we get to the cruise. They will go on a cruise and Rimada will marry at Madeira. But first we have to go to Holland and check out Adam's lovely house.
Yes we do get to go on the cruise...for a couple of days...and guess who turns up on the cruise...Adam...with news to blight any loser eloping Doctors hopes. Rimada has lost her fortune.
Suddenly loser Doctor isn't so keen.
So they hop off the boat at Madeira. And they don't get back on. They do the tourist thing at Madeira and then fly to Lisbon, do the tourist thing...and yes...back to Holland.
(At this point Betty, in the politest way is no doubt saying "suck eggs" to M&B under her breath while telling her editor the cruise story is going swimmingly.)
So there you go...Adam is the usual irritatingly enigmatic Dutch doctor (or is it Frieslander) Loveday is the usual English nurse and the ending is the usual Happy Ever After.
Thus endeth the required cruise romance.
October 7, 2012
4 Stars ~ Lovejoy is the head nurse in charge of a very busy operating theater in a London hospital. Her closest friend, Rimada, is a Dutch nurse working in the same hospital. Lovejoy is more level headed than Rimada, who comes from a wealthy family and really doesn't need to work. Until she's 25, Rimada's cousin acts as her guardian in charge of her trust and it was at his urging that she took up nursing in England. Lovejoy is amazed at how often her friend falls in and out of love, and now, after only a few short weeks Rimada is declaring her love for a new doctor, Terry, and they want to get married. The thorn in their happiness is Rimada's guardian, Adam, who flatly forbids them to marry. Lovejoy knows very little about Adam, until he shows up in her operating theater as a very highly skilled and sought after surgeon. Adam is incredibly handsome, but he takes too much pleasure in baiting Lovejoy's temper and she finds herself siding with Rimada just to annoy him. So she helps her friend plot her elopement on a holiday cruise, but as the ship departs from port, much to everyone's surprise, Adam appears.
Betty Neels has a great sense of humour and it shines in this story. The sparks fly between Adam and Lovejoy from the moment they meet. He loves to wind her up always hoping he'll get her laughing with him. It's easy to tell that Adam adores her, but of course, Lovejoy has no clue. Adam's quite the plotter and he almost plots himself out of the picture! I found myself chuckling out loud as Lovejoy had him on a merry chase. These two have roles in Betty Neel's "Esmeralda" where they take great pleasure helping that hero win the girl.
Betty Neels has a great sense of humour and it shines in this story. The sparks fly between Adam and Lovejoy from the moment they meet. He loves to wind her up always hoping he'll get her laughing with him. It's easy to tell that Adam adores her, but of course, Lovejoy has no clue. Adam's quite the plotter and he almost plots himself out of the picture! I found myself chuckling out loud as Lovejoy had him on a merry chase. These two have roles in Betty Neel's "Esmeralda" where they take great pleasure helping that hero win the girl.
September 14, 2023
Meh. That's how I felt about this one. Rimada is annoying, lol. Also stereotyped. (Though her mother is even worse!! Ugh!) Loveday is also annoying. I like Adam. I love the travel scenes in Madeira and Lisbon. I love Loveday's family and I wish we got to see a lot more of them. There are some rather romantic scenes in this under moonlight. But there are definitely Betty heroes and heroines that I like a lot more.
April 9, 2019
Look, to start, the heroine is named Loveday. Secondly, the heroine machinates, against the hero's wishes, to help his ward marry. The hero foils her at every turn, but she dances him a merry dance. She's always snapping at him and calling him on his superior ways. They go on a Portuguese cruise and fun times are had, food and wonderful gift-giving on the hero's part. They dance! and he's wonderfully tender and solicitous when they climb some hill and she has acrophobia; also, he holds her hand throughout their flight back. She continues to flash eyes and be rude to him. He takes it all with sleepy-eyed sang-froid. She gets a lot of headaches to avoid being with him and, once, he orders her such a light supper for her "headache" that she's furious and hungry. She's always running away from him until the marvelous end when he has to literally CHASE her from hospital corridor to corridor and room to room. To boot: best description of a tipsy girl I've ever read, Loveday is in her cups and The Divine Bets describes her as being "pot-valiant"! My only regret: the hero has a lame dog named Digger and a cat named Moggy and we didn't see enough of them. Exemplary Neels, everything you could ever want. (#25 of 134 in my Great Betty Read)
February 7, 2025
This was not like the regular betty neels novel. I could neither like the heroine Loveday (weird name) nor her best friend rimada.
This story was also not at all interesting and somehow I found it very difficult to turn over the pages and finish the book.
This story was also not at all interesting and somehow I found it very difficult to turn over the pages and finish the book.
February 17, 2017
First, let me say that this is not, and never has been, my favorite Betty Neels book. Loveday annoys me. Adam annoys me. Rimada annoys me.
Loveday Pearce is a Theatre Sister in a London hospital. Her best friend there is a Dutch girl, Rimada de Wolffe. Rimada is wealthy and has a guardian (and frankly needs one). She imagines herself to be in love with Terry, one of the housemen, and wants to marry him. Loveday is sure this is NOT a good idea UNTIL she meets said guardian and Rimada tells Loveday that Adam said she, Loveday, was bossy. From then on, Loveday is determined that Rimada will marry Terry, even though she strongly suspects Terry is just a fortune hunter.
Seriously. Would you aid and abet your bestie in marrying someone who only wants her money, just to spite someone else??? I HOPE NOT.
Now. Having said that, there are some REALLY lovely things in this book: witty, if snarky dialogue; food; clothes; and especially descriptions of Portugal! It makes me want to buy a plane ticket tomorrow!
Luckily, Adam steps in and interferes with Rimada's plans (even though I think he goes over the line a bit when he allows Rimada's mother to blame Loveday for the botched wedding plans). Rimada ends up with a rich guy who loves her in spite of her dimness and will always take care of her.
There are more snarky comments than kisses between the H/h. In spite of the good bits, for me , this one still goes into the bottom third of the Canon.
Loveday Pearce is a Theatre Sister in a London hospital. Her best friend there is a Dutch girl, Rimada de Wolffe. Rimada is wealthy and has a guardian (and frankly needs one). She imagines herself to be in love with Terry, one of the housemen, and wants to marry him. Loveday is sure this is NOT a good idea UNTIL she meets said guardian and Rimada tells Loveday that Adam said she, Loveday, was bossy. From then on, Loveday is determined that Rimada will marry Terry, even though she strongly suspects Terry is just a fortune hunter.
Seriously. Would you aid and abet your bestie in marrying someone who only wants her money, just to spite someone else??? I HOPE NOT.
Now. Having said that, there are some REALLY lovely things in this book: witty, if snarky dialogue; food; clothes; and especially descriptions of Portugal! It makes me want to buy a plane ticket tomorrow!
Luckily, Adam steps in and interferes with Rimada's plans (even though I think he goes over the line a bit when he allows Rimada's mother to blame Loveday for the botched wedding plans). Rimada ends up with a rich guy who loves her in spite of her dimness and will always take care of her.
There are more snarky comments than kisses between the H/h. In spite of the good bits, for me , this one still goes into the bottom third of the Canon.
April 17, 2018
Loveday, out of spite for Adam the guardian, decided to help Rimada elope, EVEN THOUGH she had misgivings about the relationship and especially Terry the Terrible...
While Adam did everything nicely, he was gentlemanly, masterful in arranging things and basically showed what a great surgeon and head of the family he was; it disturbed me that he had no qualms using Loveday in his machinations! First, he liked to Terry that LOVEDAY was an heiress, and Rimmy had lost her fortune. So much so Terrible Terry turned his slimey attentions to Loveday - even after the holiday was over and they were back in the hospital working. Silly girl still went on a date with him and had to avoid him subsequently.
When Loveday faked a headache, he changed her delicious meal room service to a horrid one, and took away her ONLY BOOK, argh! Petty and mean...he crossed the line in my opinion!
THEN Adam was happy to let Loveday be the scapegoat. He let his aunt believe Loveday was the bad influence on Rimmy who planned the elopement while on cruise...which she DID. But rather than clear the air, he'd rather let Loveday shoulder ALL the blame so as not to spoil the relationship between mother and daughter. Argh! With such a "warm" welcome, I don't blame Loveday for wanting to leave ASAP! Poor girl had to walk in the drizzle, with a luggage and overnight bag, catch a bus AND train just to get to the airport. And when Adam finally found out, all he did was laugh at "intrepid" Loveday!
I really hate the hero who announced to the world he's getting married...except the woman he wanted to marry did not know it yet. WHAT IF the woman said no? He must have been damn cocky to believe she'd say yes!
So forgive me if I didn't quite believe Adam here when he said he wasn't sure of Loveday.
PS. I get very creeped out when the heroine's younger sister announced that the hero " turned me on"! It seemed to be a hip/cool thing to say, but like one mother declared, it was vulgar! Strangely when it's said by other nurses it's ok abd even understood because our RDDs are hot, hot, hot. I get it. But now some young teen declaring this of their potential brother-in-law!
Rimmy and her mother were very annoying TBH. Adam spoilt her too!
PS2. Loveday was afraid of heights and flying, but before the cruise she flow to Schipol with Rimmy and no mention of her fear!
While Adam did everything nicely, he was gentlemanly, masterful in arranging things and basically showed what a great surgeon and head of the family he was; it disturbed me that he had no qualms using Loveday in his machinations! First, he liked to Terry that LOVEDAY was an heiress, and Rimmy had lost her fortune. So much so Terrible Terry turned his slimey attentions to Loveday - even after the holiday was over and they were back in the hospital working. Silly girl still went on a date with him and had to avoid him subsequently.
When Loveday faked a headache, he changed her delicious meal room service to a horrid one, and took away her ONLY BOOK, argh! Petty and mean...he crossed the line in my opinion!
THEN Adam was happy to let Loveday be the scapegoat. He let his aunt believe Loveday was the bad influence on Rimmy who planned the elopement while on cruise...which she DID. But rather than clear the air, he'd rather let Loveday shoulder ALL the blame so as not to spoil the relationship between mother and daughter. Argh! With such a "warm" welcome, I don't blame Loveday for wanting to leave ASAP! Poor girl had to walk in the drizzle, with a luggage and overnight bag, catch a bus AND train just to get to the airport. And when Adam finally found out, all he did was laugh at "intrepid" Loveday!
I really hate the hero who announced to the world he's getting married...except the woman he wanted to marry did not know it yet. WHAT IF the woman said no? He must have been damn cocky to believe she'd say yes!
So forgive me if I didn't quite believe Adam here when he said he wasn't sure of Loveday.
PS. I get very creeped out when the heroine's younger sister announced that the hero " turned me on"! It seemed to be a hip/cool thing to say, but like one mother declared, it was vulgar! Strangely when it's said by other nurses it's ok abd even understood because our RDDs are hot, hot, hot. I get it. But now some young teen declaring this of their potential brother-in-law!
Rimmy and her mother were very annoying TBH. Adam spoilt her too!
PS2. Loveday was afraid of heights and flying, but before the cruise she flow to Schipol with Rimmy and no mention of her fear!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 1, 2024When I read these books I always imagine they are set in some unknown but distant past then you read a line that disproves that theory but it’s so fabulously wrong that I’m laughing.
In this one you get this line:
‘Golly’ she exclaimed, ‘aren’t you super? You turn me on - why, you’ve got George Michael beaten hollow!’
This is apparently said by a teenager into George Michael, kind of like me as a teen, I’m in stitches!!
In this one you get this line:
‘Golly’ she exclaimed, ‘aren’t you super? You turn me on - why, you’ve got George Michael beaten hollow!’
This is apparently said by a teenager into George Michael, kind of like me as a teen, I’m in stitches!!
April 27, 2020
Pretty standard Neels novel; the secondary characters were fairly boring - even Rimada, who was a lot more obnoxious than the author really wanted to acknowledge - and it had what I used to consider a typical Neels wedding, Apparently my tolerance for this has gone way up - blame quarantine, maybe? - but not four-star high.
March 28, 2021
Not one of her best/. I thought the friendship was unconvincing. Aside from the fact they were both nurses; they had nothing in common. The Dutch girl was just plain annoying and someone who is down to earth, sensible and mature, would get fed up pretty quickly with that nonsense.
Not one I'd recommend. I still love her stories.
Not one I'd recommend. I still love her stories.
November 22, 2015
A reread from several years ago. A nice little escape during a busy week.
First finished reading December 8, 2012
Reread November 22, 2015
First finished reading December 8, 2012
Reread November 22, 2015
September 15, 2013
Too much planning in this book for me.
February 19, 2015
Not the craziest Neels I've read (which is not saying all that much). Still made my hand twitch until I got out a pen to annotate it, though.
November 5, 2014
3.5 seemed modern for Betty. copyright is 1974 and mentions George Michael. I found the friend aspect of story annoying, but still love Betty.
March 12, 2021
Another good book
It now come in to the 70s of the books but by today's standards dated but an enjoyable read
It now come in to the 70s of the books but by today's standards dated but an enjoyable read
August 29, 2024
Easily one of the most romantic harlequins I’ve read. The H is very much deserving of his upper case recognition. He is smart, clever, incredibly intelligent, ruthless (rightfully so given his tiresome relations and heavy responsibilities that will be his for a lifetime) and unashamedly drops obvious hints (visible to us, enthralled readers) of his adoration of the h.
Very much an alpha hero, and very very uncommon for Betty Neels, esp. from the handful of books I’ve read thus far. Her other heroes wait ages to declare themselves, always with a requisite emergency that puts off the proposal much to the agony of the h; but there’s none of that here. If there’s an OW in the story Neels contrives it such that the OW begs off first because the H makes it impossible to continue with them. While one could say he’s upholding his honour by not breaking his word/promise to the woman he’s engaged to, repeated readings of similar situations smacks of cowardliness couched in “hero-like” behaviour. Anyway, I digress. Adam is brilliant.
The dialogues Neels gives her hero in Cruise to a Wedding are unlike anything I’ve read in her works so far. My favourite part was when the h realises she’s in love with the H, despite his many “failings” as she sees them, and his response. It’s such a brilliant observation of her expression – is that not how any of us would look when a lifechanging realisation occurs? Thunderstruck evokes nothing, but this…
It made the h come alive for me, standing in the circle of his arms, a wondering, searching expression, hoping she would find it.
When there’s a fortune hunter intent on H’s cousin (and h’s bestie), he throws him off track by 1. Saying cousin is poor as a church mouse actually, but surely suitor will be able to provide for her. And 2. Oh by the way, the H is an heiress on the down low [reader she is no such thing, and constantly alarmed/puzzled by fortune hunter’s advances towards her]. *and then* helps untangle her by telling him…
Ah, such delight. Masterstrokes at every turn.
He’s also delightfully self-assured and plays the role of “villain” with cutting precision. It was a delight to watch the scenes unfold because of how the secondary characters respond to his authority. The h’s best friend’s responses to the H drive home the seriousness/the possible long term dangers of certain actions, and it’s wonderful to read. Neels really built the tension unexpectedly well.
I loved her writing of the h’s internal monologue at the prospect of having to function normally with the prospect of her beloved, her heart’s true desire marrying someone else. Her uncharitable thoughts of this “horrible” girl waiting for Adam made for excellent reading.
I will forgive the h’s oddball name, I will forgive everything, and give almost anything to read this book again for the first time.
Very much an alpha hero, and very very uncommon for Betty Neels, esp. from the handful of books I’ve read thus far. Her other heroes wait ages to declare themselves, always with a requisite emergency that puts off the proposal much to the agony of the h; but there’s none of that here. If there’s an OW in the story Neels contrives it such that the OW begs off first because the H makes it impossible to continue with them. While one could say he’s upholding his honour by not breaking his word/promise to the woman he’s engaged to, repeated readings of similar situations smacks of cowardliness couched in “hero-like” behaviour. Anyway, I digress. Adam is brilliant.
The dialogues Neels gives her hero in Cruise to a Wedding are unlike anything I’ve read in her works so far. My favourite part was when the h realises she’s in love with the H, despite his many “failings” as she sees them, and his response. It’s such a brilliant observation of her expression – is that not how any of us would look when a lifechanging realisation occurs? Thunderstruck evokes nothing, but this…
He was infuriating and he liked his own way and he could be nasty when he had a mind to be, but he could also be kind. She looked up into his face at that moment and discovered a look upon it which wasn’t in the least kind, only extremely thoughtful, as though he could read her thoughts and was trying to decide what to do about them. She found herself unable to look away, and when he stopped dancing she went on looking at him, standing quiet within his arms while other couples revolved around them. She felt excited, as though something wonderful was about to happen, the excitement suddenly crystallized into a knowledge which rounded her magnificent eyes and caused her pretty mouth to gape slightly. She was in love with this man; it hit her like a sharp blow so that she drew a long breath, searching the blue eyes looking so intently into hers as though she expected a response. But his eyes held nothing but faint amusement.
‘You look as though you had forgotten the key to the front door,’ he told her lightly. ‘Come outside and get sentimental under the moon.’
It made the h come alive for me, standing in the circle of his arms, a wondering, searching expression, hoping she would find it.
‘Dear girl,’ he declared genially, ‘how I do waste my time chasing you around!’ He smiled as he spoke; the smile was for her alone, no one else there counted.
When there’s a fortune hunter intent on H’s cousin (and h’s bestie), he throws him off track by 1. Saying cousin is poor as a church mouse actually, but surely suitor will be able to provide for her. And 2. Oh by the way, the H is an heiress on the down low [reader she is no such thing, and constantly alarmed/puzzled by fortune hunter’s advances towards her]. *and then* helps untangle her by telling him…
‘Is that what you told him? That I was going to get married? But I’m not—I have no intention…’ She drew a deep indignant breath. ‘So that’s why he told me that if I changed my mind…’ She let the breath out in what sounded like a snort. ‘I never heard anything like it—the nerve…’
‘Ah, but I’m a surgeon, we need nerve, you know,’ he sounded quite undisturbed by her temper.
Ah, such delight. Masterstrokes at every turn.
He’s also delightfully self-assured and plays the role of “villain” with cutting precision. It was a delight to watch the scenes unfold because of how the secondary characters respond to his authority. The h’s best friend’s responses to the H drive home the seriousness/the possible long term dangers of certain actions, and it’s wonderful to read. Neels really built the tension unexpectedly well.
I loved her writing of the h’s internal monologue at the prospect of having to function normally with the prospect of her beloved, her heart’s true desire marrying someone else. Her uncharitable thoughts of this “horrible” girl waiting for Adam made for excellent reading.
I will forgive the h’s oddball name, I will forgive everything, and give almost anything to read this book again for the first time.
January 8, 2026
3.5 stars because while this book had a fab arrogant snarky hero that made for fab tension, the heroine felt a bit all over the place and, given how he used her, she forgave him too easily in the end. he watched out for her a few times, sure, but nowhere near the level of other betty heroes. and yet, I liked the tension and angst enough to know I will reread this one.
Loveday (27) is a beautiful nurse and best friends with fellow nurse Rimada who is rich and a bit thick and easily led by men who want her money. now she wants to marry some houseman doc who is a golddigger. she moans to loveday that her guardian and cousin Adam will never allow it. Adam has control over Rimada's money until she's 30. loveday doesn't think much of the guy Rimada wants to marry and had no intention of helping rimada with her goal.
then loveday meets a handsome arrogant man who is snarky with her. she is snarky straight back. but then, to her great annoyance, he ends up being a consultant surgeon and he's smug about it. then he reveals he is rimadas guardian and kisses loveday out of the blue. loveday is disconcerted. when she learns that he told rimada that loveday is a no good interfering bad example to rimada, loveday is furious and decides to help rimada marry her guy to peeve Adam off.
that was one aspect that let her character down. she had token doubts sometimes but she knew full well the guy was no good and a golddigger and yet told herself that rimada wanted to wed him so it didn't matter and so she conspired to outwit Adam even at the price of bringing her friend long term misery. it felt forced for the plot. or we accept this is who she is and it makes her look despicable and selfish.
SPOILERS AHEAD
anyway, she arranges a cruise to get the couple away from Adam's oversight and so they can elope. Adam is constantly around and seems one step ahead and loveday is determined to outfit him. but I also didn't like how every time she gets caught by him helping the other two, she acts like a terrified rabbit in headlights. either she knows she is in the wrong or she had no backbone.
also, she realises in the first half she has fallen for Adam, who watches over her when she gets into trouble with her fear of heights, but he punishes her whenever she does stuff he doesn't like. e.g. she fakes a headache to get away from him and she wants a nice meal and a book to while away her evening. he cancels her meal and takes away her book. he knows she's faking, so he does it to punish her for it. anyway, she gets overly emotional sometimes, running off to cry because she loves him so much but thinks he is not into her. I like a heroine who can control her emotions better and not lose her dignity in front of the smug hero.
I do like that when he takes her back to Holland because, one assumes, he wants to propose to loveday now that he has got everything his own way over the rimada mess, loveday doesn't let him get his own way for once. he takes her back to rimadas mums house, knowing the mum will blame loveday for rimada trying to run off with a golddigger. the mum is a shallow idiot who paid for the golddigger to go on the cruise but she loves to blame anyone but herself. the mum reacts as expected and makes it clear loveday is an unwanted guest and says she can only atay overnight and must leave in the morning. adam, who the aunt respects, could easily point out the blame is also on rimada and her mum, but he chooses to let the blame rest in rimada. he even later says he preferred his aunt to blame loveday rather than blame her own precious daughter rimada. anyway, Adam talks his aunt into letting loveday stay longer even as an unwanted guest. but loveday has had enough and says she will leave in the morning and she's glad to say goodbye to him. he hevay handedly says he will come and get her in the morning because they need to talk. but she needs out at 4am and gives him the slip. go loveday!
he has to follow her to England, intent in having their chat. she keeps running from him at the hospital. at this point she thinks he is about to marry some other woman and is heartbroken. he keeps chasing her, until she tuns away sobbing. too much melodrama for me. he follows her and says its her he loves and wants to marry. I felt she should have made him apologise and suffer for being so mean to her but she doesnt. she just gives in too easily.
CONCLUSION
I loved the angst and drama and asshole hero but didn't love the melodramatic fickle heroine.
Loveday (27) is a beautiful nurse and best friends with fellow nurse Rimada who is rich and a bit thick and easily led by men who want her money. now she wants to marry some houseman doc who is a golddigger. she moans to loveday that her guardian and cousin Adam will never allow it. Adam has control over Rimada's money until she's 30. loveday doesn't think much of the guy Rimada wants to marry and had no intention of helping rimada with her goal.
then loveday meets a handsome arrogant man who is snarky with her. she is snarky straight back. but then, to her great annoyance, he ends up being a consultant surgeon and he's smug about it. then he reveals he is rimadas guardian and kisses loveday out of the blue. loveday is disconcerted. when she learns that he told rimada that loveday is a no good interfering bad example to rimada, loveday is furious and decides to help rimada marry her guy to peeve Adam off.
that was one aspect that let her character down. she had token doubts sometimes but she knew full well the guy was no good and a golddigger and yet told herself that rimada wanted to wed him so it didn't matter and so she conspired to outwit Adam even at the price of bringing her friend long term misery. it felt forced for the plot. or we accept this is who she is and it makes her look despicable and selfish.
SPOILERS AHEAD
anyway, she arranges a cruise to get the couple away from Adam's oversight and so they can elope. Adam is constantly around and seems one step ahead and loveday is determined to outfit him. but I also didn't like how every time she gets caught by him helping the other two, she acts like a terrified rabbit in headlights. either she knows she is in the wrong or she had no backbone.
also, she realises in the first half she has fallen for Adam, who watches over her when she gets into trouble with her fear of heights, but he punishes her whenever she does stuff he doesn't like. e.g. she fakes a headache to get away from him and she wants a nice meal and a book to while away her evening. he cancels her meal and takes away her book. he knows she's faking, so he does it to punish her for it. anyway, she gets overly emotional sometimes, running off to cry because she loves him so much but thinks he is not into her. I like a heroine who can control her emotions better and not lose her dignity in front of the smug hero.
I do like that when he takes her back to Holland because, one assumes, he wants to propose to loveday now that he has got everything his own way over the rimada mess, loveday doesn't let him get his own way for once. he takes her back to rimadas mums house, knowing the mum will blame loveday for rimada trying to run off with a golddigger. the mum is a shallow idiot who paid for the golddigger to go on the cruise but she loves to blame anyone but herself. the mum reacts as expected and makes it clear loveday is an unwanted guest and says she can only atay overnight and must leave in the morning. adam, who the aunt respects, could easily point out the blame is also on rimada and her mum, but he chooses to let the blame rest in rimada. he even later says he preferred his aunt to blame loveday rather than blame her own precious daughter rimada. anyway, Adam talks his aunt into letting loveday stay longer even as an unwanted guest. but loveday has had enough and says she will leave in the morning and she's glad to say goodbye to him. he hevay handedly says he will come and get her in the morning because they need to talk. but she needs out at 4am and gives him the slip. go loveday!
he has to follow her to England, intent in having their chat. she keeps running from him at the hospital. at this point she thinks he is about to marry some other woman and is heartbroken. he keeps chasing her, until she tuns away sobbing. too much melodrama for me. he follows her and says its her he loves and wants to marry. I felt she should have made him apologise and suffer for being so mean to her but she doesnt. she just gives in too easily.
CONCLUSION
I loved the angst and drama and asshole hero but didn't love the melodramatic fickle heroine.
February 15, 2018
Having completed ESMERALDA by Betty Neels a few days ago and loving it, I was prompted to ask my fellow Neels readers if they were acquainted with the married characters Adam and Loveday Ozinga. My reader friends indicated that their story is CRUISE TO A WEDDING. Aha, another two book connection.
It is rapidly becoming a fact that Betty's books need to be read in order. In Cruise to a Wedding, Loveday is the close friend of Rimada, the ward of Baron Adam de Wolff van Ozinga. Adam controls Rimada's purse strings and when she wants to elope with a penniless young doctor, she seeks the help of her friend Loveday. The wedding is to occur on a cruise to Portugal but Adam gets wind and makes plans to nip it all in the bud. When Loveday and Adam discover each other, all bets are off and unexpected romance is on.
It is rapidly becoming a fact that Betty's books need to be read in order. In Cruise to a Wedding, Loveday is the close friend of Rimada, the ward of Baron Adam de Wolff van Ozinga. Adam controls Rimada's purse strings and when she wants to elope with a penniless young doctor, she seeks the help of her friend Loveday. The wedding is to occur on a cruise to Portugal but Adam gets wind and makes plans to nip it all in the bud. When Loveday and Adam discover each other, all bets are off and unexpected romance is on.
May 3, 2019
When Loveday's friend asks for her help, Loveday Pierce is not certain she wants to get involved in the situation. When she meets Rimada's guardian who is opposed to the match, Loveday throws herself into planning. A wedding will happen by the end, but who's will it be?
First of all, it was difficult to take a character seriously when her name is Loveday. (No offense to anyone named Loveday out there who sees this.) Who names their child that? Is this a common name? Was it a common name in the 1970s?
This is another one of Betty Neels' the heroine and hero disagree through the story with the hero interested in the heroine without telling her. Maybe because this is the second one I've read in the past couple weeks, but I was very bored with this story. It is enjoyable enough, but I didn't love the story.
First of all, it was difficult to take a character seriously when her name is Loveday. (No offense to anyone named Loveday out there who sees this.) Who names their child that? Is this a common name? Was it a common name in the 1970s?
This is another one of Betty Neels' the heroine and hero disagree through the story with the hero interested in the heroine without telling her. Maybe because this is the second one I've read in the past couple weeks, but I was very bored with this story. It is enjoyable enough, but I didn't love the story.
July 26, 2022
This not one of Betty Neels' better offerings. The descriptions of the surrounding area(s) in which her stories take place are always one of the best parts of a Betty Neels book. So many descriptions leave me wanting to hop a plane and pay a visit; this book falls into that category. But, I digress. I found Loveday Pearce's defense of her friend, Rimada, most annoying. Both girls are twits - one for letting a guy use her for her money; the other for going along with the abuse just to spite the friend's guardian. Guardian Adam rightfully protects his ward but goes about it in such a strong-armed way that I wanted to smack him. Communication among the characters was not a consideration in this book. Everyone wanted what they wanted when they wanted it - even the minor characters. I'll revisit this book again in another five years or so. Maybe I'll like it a little better.
January 1, 2024
Quite the story!!
Adam and Loveday meet in a bad circumstance. Loveday is best friends with Adam's cousin and determined to help. It's too bad that the girl is selfish and thoughtless. Adam, though, is very good at getting his own way and this story stays entertaining all the way through the end. There aren't any loose ends left dangling in this story as there are in other Betty Neels books. I appreciate that everything was brought to a conclusion.... although, I'd have loved to see Loveday put the other guy in his place. Nevertheless, that part of the story is resolved even if I wanted it to be a bit meaner. You'll know what I'm talking about once you read the book. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
Adam and Loveday meet in a bad circumstance. Loveday is best friends with Adam's cousin and determined to help. It's too bad that the girl is selfish and thoughtless. Adam, though, is very good at getting his own way and this story stays entertaining all the way through the end. There aren't any loose ends left dangling in this story as there are in other Betty Neels books. I appreciate that everything was brought to a conclusion.... although, I'd have loved to see Loveday put the other guy in his place. Nevertheless, that part of the story is resolved even if I wanted it to be a bit meaner. You'll know what I'm talking about once you read the book. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
May 9, 2020
"A quiet, almost dull morning but delightful--no rush, no hurry, nothing to do by enjoy themselves."
This describes pretty much all of Betty Neels' books.
I'm on a mission to read all 100+ of them. They're not particularly good, but their wholesome predictability is incredibly comforting and delightful.
Some are better than others. Cruise to a Wedding falls right in the middle. The last 25-30% of the story is perfect with its comfortable haze, but it took forever to get through the first half--mostly because it focuses on the heroine's immature friend. Get through the first half and you'll can find yourself floating through a cloud of easy, lazy, dull comfort to the end.
This describes pretty much all of Betty Neels' books.
I'm on a mission to read all 100+ of them. They're not particularly good, but their wholesome predictability is incredibly comforting and delightful.
Some are better than others. Cruise to a Wedding falls right in the middle. The last 25-30% of the story is perfect with its comfortable haze, but it took forever to get through the first half--mostly because it focuses on the heroine's immature friend. Get through the first half and you'll can find yourself floating through a cloud of easy, lazy, dull comfort to the end.
October 17, 2023
"Cruise To A Wedding" is the story of Loveday and Adam.
Absolutely adorable and my favorite so far!
The heroine has a lovesick best friend, who is about to marry a gold-digger, much to the chagrin of her guardian. She coerces the heroine to help her escape, and the heroine does.. only to be confronted by the said guardian.
It's very sweet how smitten the hero is and how obvious his feelings for her are. He chases her around, shows how much he cares for her and the confession at the end is heartwarming.
Safe
4.5/5
Absolutely adorable and my favorite so far!
The heroine has a lovesick best friend, who is about to marry a gold-digger, much to the chagrin of her guardian. She coerces the heroine to help her escape, and the heroine does.. only to be confronted by the said guardian.
It's very sweet how smitten the hero is and how obvious his feelings for her are. He chases her around, shows how much he cares for her and the confession at the end is heartwarming.
Safe
4.5/5
April 17, 2020
Not exactly sure why I found this one off putting...maybe the hero was too flirty while being so controlling? Made him seem skeezy. And he seemed fine with ruining her relationship with her best friend(?)’s mom AND making her work environment super uncomfortable by getting a creep to think she’s an heiress. Too bad because I read this because they were friends in Esmerelda and they seemed nice there.
August 11, 2022
Improbable
Even for a Betty Neels story this is improbable. Rimada is a silly drip, Guake rendered into an almost colorless nonintity, and Loveday helps Rimada plot an elopememt with the *clearly* unsuitable Terry. As usual all ends well and the Professor Baron gets his girl. But also as usual no one talks to anyone else and they all fall in love despite not really knowing one another. Not Neels best work.
Even for a Betty Neels story this is improbable. Rimada is a silly drip, Guake rendered into an almost colorless nonintity, and Loveday helps Rimada plot an elopememt with the *clearly* unsuitable Terry. As usual all ends well and the Professor Baron gets his girl. But also as usual no one talks to anyone else and they all fall in love despite not really knowing one another. Not Neels best work.
December 6, 2024
This had Neels's usual charm (and the sightseeing was mouthwatering), but I had to stop reading several times because of wanting to punch the hero in the head (managing, smug, utterly confident, and -- more than once -- manipulating the heroine for his own ends).
November 8, 2017
A delightful, rather predictable, old-fashioned romance. I loved it!
August 1, 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
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November 20, 2023So not the drama.
October 29, 2025
My old standby from many years ago. I needed to read something that I knew would have a good ending!
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