What do you think?
Rate this book
Elizabeth Browne, Children's Nurse
Elizabeth's joy in finding the sister she hadn't seen since child-hood was quickly overshadowed by shock. For she found out that Diana was in love with the same man as Elizabeth herself -- and most of the cards were stacked in Diana's favor.
In such a tangled situation could they each find happiness?
In such a tangled situation could they each find happiness?
- GenresRomanceHarlequin Romance
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
30 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Warren
82 books10 followersLilian Warren aka Rosalind Brett, Kathryn Blair, Katrina Britt, and Celine Conway.
Lilian Warren was born in London, England, UK. She worked as secretary, when at 19, her first magazine story was accepted. She married and moved to South Africa, where she continued writing. In the 1950s, she started to write to Rich & Cowan, and later to Mills & Boon, under various pseudonyms Rosalind Brett, Celine Conway, and Kathryn Blair. She passed away on 1961 in South Africa. Some of her books were published posthumuously.
Lilian Warren was born in London, England, UK. She worked as secretary, when at 19, her first magazine story was accepted. She married and moved to South Africa, where she continued writing. In the 1950s, she started to write to Rich & Cowan, and later to Mills & Boon, under various pseudonyms Rosalind Brett, Celine Conway, and Kathryn Blair. She passed away on 1961 in South Africa. Some of her books were published posthumuously.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 18, 2018
3 Stars ~ Orphaned when she was a toddler, Elizabeth was raised by her Aunt and had thought she had no other living relatives. She'd trained to be a children's nurse and when her Aunt became ill Elizabeth learnt she had an older sister who had been about nine when their parents died. Diana had been taken in by an Uncle, whose wife felt an older girl would be easier to manage than a demanding toddler. Elizabeth's Aunt had begged to keep the girls together, and even offered to keep both if only the Uncle would offer financial support, but the Uncle's wife had taken a shine to the very pretty Diana and the girls were separated. Elizabeth grew up to be a very generous and kind hearted young woman cherishing the value of family. So upon learning about Diana, she decided to seek her out, however the last news had been that they'd all moved to France where the Uncle's wife was from. To help in her task, Elizabeth took the position of children's nanny for two very young children in Provence and upon arriving she sent advertisements to various newspapers across France seeking any information on Diana.
Elizabeth loves France and she adores the children she's caring for. They're staying in a Villa owned by an elderly Aunt while the parents are travelling extensively. Life had settled into a routine, until the Comte d'Anelle nearly runs Elizabeth over. Elizabeth doesn't know he's the Comte, just some wealthy arrogant man so when he scolds her, she insults his driving. Later, the man who introduces himself as Louis, comes to the Villa to check that she is okay, and again his manner rubs Elizabeth the wrong way and she spars with him. It's not until the next morning when the local paper arrives that she learns that the man she's been rude to is the Comte who has returned to his Chateau with several high society guests, one a particularly beautiful blonde. The Comte insists on drawing Elizabeth into his circle with invitations to lunch and dinner at the Chateau. The elderly Aunt insists that Elizabeth accept, as this brings the Aunt also into the Comte's circle. But Elizabeth doesn't care for the blonde beauty, Mimi, who doesn't hide her infatuation with Louis, even in front of her doting husband. When Mimi seeks out Elizabeth and tells her that she's Diana and that she doesn't want anything to do with her, Elizabeth is shocked. Mimi married Augusts for his money, but now she's in love with Louis and nothing is going to stop her from having him.
This is a charming vintage romance with a young woman who suddenly finds her very ordinary self in the midst of wealthy important people. She learns though that she rather prefers her quiet life compared to the pettiness she encounters, especially from her own sister. Seeing the ruthless woman her sister is, shatters Elizabeth's dream of being a part of a family and leaves her with a bitter taste. Louis is enchanted with Elizabeth and misinterprets her loyalty to the artist for love. He tries very hard to get rid of the artist and doesn't hide his dislike for him. Elizabeth confounds him, as the only woman who seems uninterested to be in his company. What he doesn't realize is that Elizabeth thinks that it's Mimi that he loves and that he only tolerates her because he's the Comte and it would be rude not to. There's some high drama around the secret of Mimi but it all sorts out and Louis and Elizabeth get their HEA.
Edited to add --- 3 1/2 Stars ~ Browsing through my vintage collection, I came across this one again and found myself enjoying it all over again. In 2015, I gave this 3 Stars. I've upgraded that a half star as, for me, this story was still able to charm me.
Elizabeth loves France and she adores the children she's caring for. They're staying in a Villa owned by an elderly Aunt while the parents are travelling extensively. Life had settled into a routine, until the Comte d'Anelle nearly runs Elizabeth over. Elizabeth doesn't know he's the Comte, just some wealthy arrogant man so when he scolds her, she insults his driving. Later, the man who introduces himself as Louis, comes to the Villa to check that she is okay, and again his manner rubs Elizabeth the wrong way and she spars with him. It's not until the next morning when the local paper arrives that she learns that the man she's been rude to is the Comte who has returned to his Chateau with several high society guests, one a particularly beautiful blonde. The Comte insists on drawing Elizabeth into his circle with invitations to lunch and dinner at the Chateau. The elderly Aunt insists that Elizabeth accept, as this brings the Aunt also into the Comte's circle. But Elizabeth doesn't care for the blonde beauty, Mimi, who doesn't hide her infatuation with Louis, even in front of her doting husband. When Mimi seeks out Elizabeth and tells her that she's Diana and that she doesn't want anything to do with her, Elizabeth is shocked. Mimi married Augusts for his money, but now she's in love with Louis and nothing is going to stop her from having him.
This is a charming vintage romance with a young woman who suddenly finds her very ordinary self in the midst of wealthy important people. She learns though that she rather prefers her quiet life compared to the pettiness she encounters, especially from her own sister. Seeing the ruthless woman her sister is, shatters Elizabeth's dream of being a part of a family and leaves her with a bitter taste. Louis is enchanted with Elizabeth and misinterprets her loyalty to the artist for love. He tries very hard to get rid of the artist and doesn't hide his dislike for him. Elizabeth confounds him, as the only woman who seems uninterested to be in his company. What he doesn't realize is that Elizabeth thinks that it's Mimi that he loves and that he only tolerates her because he's the Comte and it would be rude not to. There's some high drama around the secret of Mimi but it all sorts out and Louis and Elizabeth get their HEA.
Edited to add --- 3 1/2 Stars ~ Browsing through my vintage collection, I came across this one again and found myself enjoying it all over again. In 2015, I gave this 3 Stars. I've upgraded that a half star as, for me, this story was still able to charm me.
April 16, 2019
I really enjoy these vintage books. For one, they really have so much more story going on compared to the more current books. Further I like Rosalind Brett because she can really transform her characters from a carefree, happy young girl into a tension filled, stressed and depressed young woman. Ha ha, ok this sounds really bad, but actually it’s the way she portrays the emotions that consume her heroines that lead to their maturity.
This is a charming book and actually not as dark as some of her other ones. The heroine is a children’s nurse who is working for a French family. She loves her job and her charges, but she chose this job in France because she has a bit of an agenda. The heroine was orphaned as a very young child and separated from her older sister. She doesn’t remember her sister but she knows her name and that she lives France and she has been trying to find her.
She meets the Hero one day when she saves a child from almost getting run over. The Hero is an aristocrat and is vacationing in his chateau with some guests. He is always in the presence of a very beautiful OW who is the wife of his business partner. The whole town and even the heroine think he is in love with this woman. Despite her “lowly” position, the Hero is always inviting the heroine and her employer to join him and his crowd either at the chateau or for an outing. The heroine feels awkward since she is employed as a nanny, and not of their social standing.
Spoilers:
One day she is approached privately by the OW. It turns out that the OW is her sister! The sister knew all along that the heroine was looking for her, but she didn’t immediately want to make contact. She had changed her name, and is now married to a much older wealthy man (the business partner) She doesn’t want to have anything to do with the heroine nor for it to be known that she is related to the “children’s nurse”. She also plans to divorce her husband so she can go for the wealthy aristocratic Hero. She wrings a promise from the heroine to never reveal their connection. The heroine is very much saddened by this since she is alone in the world and had only wanted a family.
The heroine gets more and more embroiled in the schemes of the OW, and she hates being part of the deception. There is some minor OM action so we can see the Hero get unreasonably jealous. The hero’s sister arrives, bringing a friend for her very eligible brother so there is also more angst from yet another OW. By this point the heroine is already in love with the Hero, so her emotional distress is amplified.
The sister of the Hero finds out that OW-1 Is somehow related to the heroine so she uses this to blackmail OW-1 and leave the field clear for her friend. OW-1 is furious, she thinks the heroine betrayed her. She picks up the heroine to talk but they drive off speeding. OW is in a towering rage and crashes the car. She is killed and the heroine is injured. The Hero is in distress, but everyone still thinks it’s over OW-1.
Heroine finds herself recuperating at the hero’s chateau, but she still keeps her secrets and manages to leave without the Hero finding out. It’s only when the Hero’s sister reveals what she found out that the Hero goes to confront the heroine. Finally, only when he confesses that he has been in love with her all along, that she tells him of her search for her sister and all that had happened up until the crash.
The Hero had never been in love with any of the Other women. He had only ever admired the OW (heroine’s sister) as the charming wife of his friend. Heroine never reveals the scheme of her sister to entrap Hero, even at this time. The other lady was just a friend of his sister, whom she was unsuccessfully trying to match with the Hero.
Alls well and they finally get their HEA.
There is a very cute relationship between the heroine and her charges and a somewhat complicated one with her employer. At the start, the employer is very flattered to finally be invited into the society of the Hero, not realizing that it was actually his way of including the heroine in his affairs.
This also has a few weird dated ideas that I didn’t quite understand. For example. The Hero is furious that the heroine allowed the OM to paint a portrait of herself from a photo. Apparently, this was considered cheating and the Hero thinks the OM is committing fraud, with the heroine’s consent. Since she gave him the photo. Ah huh 😳 was that a thing? I didn’t quite get that part.
This is a charming book and actually not as dark as some of her other ones. The heroine is a children’s nurse who is working for a French family. She loves her job and her charges, but she chose this job in France because she has a bit of an agenda. The heroine was orphaned as a very young child and separated from her older sister. She doesn’t remember her sister but she knows her name and that she lives France and she has been trying to find her.
She meets the Hero one day when she saves a child from almost getting run over. The Hero is an aristocrat and is vacationing in his chateau with some guests. He is always in the presence of a very beautiful OW who is the wife of his business partner. The whole town and even the heroine think he is in love with this woman. Despite her “lowly” position, the Hero is always inviting the heroine and her employer to join him and his crowd either at the chateau or for an outing. The heroine feels awkward since she is employed as a nanny, and not of their social standing.
Spoilers:
One day she is approached privately by the OW. It turns out that the OW is her sister! The sister knew all along that the heroine was looking for her, but she didn’t immediately want to make contact. She had changed her name, and is now married to a much older wealthy man (the business partner) She doesn’t want to have anything to do with the heroine nor for it to be known that she is related to the “children’s nurse”. She also plans to divorce her husband so she can go for the wealthy aristocratic Hero. She wrings a promise from the heroine to never reveal their connection. The heroine is very much saddened by this since she is alone in the world and had only wanted a family.
The heroine gets more and more embroiled in the schemes of the OW, and she hates being part of the deception. There is some minor OM action so we can see the Hero get unreasonably jealous. The hero’s sister arrives, bringing a friend for her very eligible brother so there is also more angst from yet another OW. By this point the heroine is already in love with the Hero, so her emotional distress is amplified.
The sister of the Hero finds out that OW-1 Is somehow related to the heroine so she uses this to blackmail OW-1 and leave the field clear for her friend. OW-1 is furious, she thinks the heroine betrayed her. She picks up the heroine to talk but they drive off speeding. OW is in a towering rage and crashes the car. She is killed and the heroine is injured. The Hero is in distress, but everyone still thinks it’s over OW-1.
Heroine finds herself recuperating at the hero’s chateau, but she still keeps her secrets and manages to leave without the Hero finding out. It’s only when the Hero’s sister reveals what she found out that the Hero goes to confront the heroine. Finally, only when he confesses that he has been in love with her all along, that she tells him of her search for her sister and all that had happened up until the crash.
The Hero had never been in love with any of the Other women. He had only ever admired the OW (heroine’s sister) as the charming wife of his friend. Heroine never reveals the scheme of her sister to entrap Hero, even at this time. The other lady was just a friend of his sister, whom she was unsuccessfully trying to match with the Hero.
Alls well and they finally get their HEA.
There is a very cute relationship between the heroine and her charges and a somewhat complicated one with her employer. At the start, the employer is very flattered to finally be invited into the society of the Hero, not realizing that it was actually his way of including the heroine in his affairs.
This also has a few weird dated ideas that I didn’t quite understand. For example. The Hero is furious that the heroine allowed the OM to paint a portrait of herself from a photo. Apparently, this was considered cheating and the Hero thinks the OM is committing fraud, with the heroine’s consent. Since she gave him the photo. Ah huh 😳 was that a thing? I didn’t quite get that part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2013
Elizabeth is working as a children's nurse with a family on the coast of Provence. She took the job to find her estranged sister who was adopted by French relatives after the death of their parents.
She meets Louis de Sergeron one day when a party of rich socialites arrive at the village to stay at the nearby castle of the Comte d'Anelle.
She is charmed by Louis until she realises that he is the Comte and therefore far out of her reach. When she learns the glamorous blonde who is his constant companion is her sister Dianne it only makes things more impossible.
Dianne is determined to do all she can to entrap the Comte despite being married to a rich, but much older man. She enlists Elizabeth's help relying on her family loyalty.
Also complicating matters is an artist of weak character who the Comte despises and believes Elizabeth has feeling for, though she feels only pity and a comradeship because he is English.
As you would expect, things get pretty angsty before all comes good for our happy ending. Enjoyable.
She meets Louis de Sergeron one day when a party of rich socialites arrive at the village to stay at the nearby castle of the Comte d'Anelle.
She is charmed by Louis until she realises that he is the Comte and therefore far out of her reach. When she learns the glamorous blonde who is his constant companion is her sister Dianne it only makes things more impossible.
Dianne is determined to do all she can to entrap the Comte despite being married to a rich, but much older man. She enlists Elizabeth's help relying on her family loyalty.
Also complicating matters is an artist of weak character who the Comte despises and believes Elizabeth has feeling for, though she feels only pity and a comradeship because he is English.
As you would expect, things get pretty angsty before all comes good for our happy ending. Enjoyable.
November 11, 2025
Heroine (22) goes to France to nanny 2 children whilst her real desire is to find her elder sister after 20 years apart. The hero (30s) is hosting business get together that includes the sister who is married to a business associate (but is still OW1). They encounter each other at the beginning of the book and it’s obvious the hero is smitten as she gets included in many invitations despite being only a nanny (he is of noble birth). There are a lot of misunderstandings and a few interesting encounters, with two potential OM and a second OW. Details can be found in other reviews.
It’s incredible that the hero doesn’t see that the OW1 is completely determined to catch him, but perhaps that is because he has a strict moral code and it would not have occurred to him. His sister is less likeable.
Hero spends most of the book jealous and grumpy about it, but he’s still rather nice, as is the heroine.
It’s a likeable story and even the OW are not too bad.
It’s incredible that the hero doesn’t see that the OW1 is completely determined to catch him, but perhaps that is because he has a strict moral code and it would not have occurred to him. His sister is less likeable.
Hero spends most of the book jealous and grumpy about it, but he’s still rather nice, as is the heroine.
It’s a likeable story and even the OW are not too bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2023
This 1965 Harlequin Romance was a republication of the English book, “Spring at the Villa”. I was surprised by how taken I was by this story. I am not familiar with this genre but it did not seem to be a typical romance as it had a quite a few twists. I could believe the heroine’s point of view, distorted though it was. I think it would’ve made a good screenplay.
The ending, however, was a big disappointment to me and not for the reason you would imagine. This vintage paperback was missing the last 4 pages. I got the basic idea but still feel cheated. To make up for the loss, finding a copy of the original “Spring at the Villa”, finding an intact copy, or another Harlequin by this author would satisfy. I read she wrote some dark stuff.
The ending, however, was a big disappointment to me and not for the reason you would imagine. This vintage paperback was missing the last 4 pages. I got the basic idea but still feel cheated. To make up for the loss, finding a copy of the original “Spring at the Villa”, finding an intact copy, or another Harlequin by this author would satisfy. I read she wrote some dark stuff.
May 22, 2025
This book was captivating with lots of twists and turns and I found it to be a very good read with not much of a drag.
The characters were well described and the story moves at a good pace with nice scenes and descriptions of French towns.
The characters were well described and the story moves at a good pace with nice scenes and descriptions of French towns.
October 28, 2014
Every once in awhile I find an old unread novel which fits my (indescribable) idea of the perfect romance.Very satisfying read.
July 8, 2018
This book contains a few complicated, weird messed-up elements that I enjoyed greatly.
February 12, 2020
I love this old style writing.
September 28, 2020
This was one of my favourites when I read it over 40 years ago aged about 11 in 1976. This was published in 1961 the year of her death and under her other pseudonym Rosalind Brett. This cover version I think was 1967 and was in my mum's collection when I discovered it to read. I loved the setting -the south of france - and the main characters. I also liked the main heroine being a nurse but thankfully the hero was not a doctor so not quite so stereotypical. I still have this today and have re-read on occasions through the last 40 years.
December 9, 2024
I read this book under the title Elizabeth Browne, Children’s nurse.
It was very enjoyable and I couldn’t put it down written for 1961 it was excellent for the time.
It had drama and angst and to main characters that would not know how to communicate if it bopped them on the head!
It was very enjoyable and I couldn’t put it down written for 1961 it was excellent for the time.
It had drama and angst and to main characters that would not know how to communicate if it bopped them on the head!
March 23, 2026
Elizabeth Browne, Children's Nurse is a beautifully written, evocative vintage romance set in Provence. An escapist fantasy where the young English governess heroine falls in love with the glamorous French Count living in the chateau next door.
Spoiler ahead!!!
The psychotic, absolutely demonic and homicidal woman who is rumored to be the Count's mistress turns out to be none other than the heroine's long lost sister, who had been separated from her when they were children! The hero also has a fang-toothed, venomous viper of a little sister who sets into motion an unimaginable tragedy and is completely unrepentant afterwards. My heart aches for the heroine to marry into this snake's nest. The hero, despite being obviously besotted with and in hot pursuit of the heroine from Day 1, nevertheless let the OW and his own sister ride roughshod over him. Despite not knowing the connection between the OW and the heroine, it was still creepy that he obviously found both sisters attractive. He actually said the OW was the most beautiful woman he has ever known. His protestations that they were just friends rang hollow. And the fact that he will always see a shadow of his former mistress when he looks upon his wife's features, and the features of their children, gives me the ick.
Spoiler ahead!!!
The psychotic, absolutely demonic and homicidal woman who is rumored to be the Count's mistress turns out to be none other than the heroine's long lost sister, who had been separated from her when they were children! The hero also has a fang-toothed, venomous viper of a little sister who sets into motion an unimaginable tragedy and is completely unrepentant afterwards. My heart aches for the heroine to marry into this snake's nest. The hero, despite being obviously besotted with and in hot pursuit of the heroine from Day 1, nevertheless let the OW and his own sister ride roughshod over him. Despite not knowing the connection between the OW and the heroine, it was still creepy that he obviously found both sisters attractive. He actually said the OW was the most beautiful woman he has ever known. His protestations that they were just friends rang hollow. And the fact that he will always see a shadow of his former mistress when he looks upon his wife's features, and the features of their children, gives me the ick.
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
February 10, 2023Elizabeth's joy in finding the sister she hadn't seen since child-hood was quickly overshadowed by shock. For she found out that Diana was in love with the same man as Elizabeth herself -- and most of the cards were stacked in Diana's favor.
In such a tangled situation could they each find happiness?
In such a tangled situation could they each find happiness?
July 27, 2017
This was completely bonkers. But also a lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews