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An Ordinary Girl: A Hearfelt Romance
An ordinary girl. An extraordinary love?Professor James Forsyth is intrigued when he first meets Philomena Selby. She's so shy and kind – he's used to much more demanding women!There was no doubt James is very handsome but Philly knows he has a fiancée and as a plain country girl, she can't hope to match such a glamorous woman.But James has been struck by Philly's inner beauty…and surely she's much more the woman he wants as his wife…?Originally published in 2001.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2008
113 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
564 books418 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 30, 2023
This was about 100 phone-sized pages shorter than the normal Betty Neels and how disappointing! I loved this! The two leads are Professor James Forsyth, a pediatrician, and Philomena Selby, a young woman who lives with her Vicar father, mother, and four sisters in a small village in the English countryside. When James and Philly meet, James has his fiancé Sybil with him to visit friends in the area. As they are returning, they have to take refuge overnight with Philly’s family because of a snowstorm. Philly’s family is used to jumping to meet needs at the drop of a hat so they welcome the pair warmly and cheerfully. James and Philly connect at first glance, but there’s Sybil, a spoiled rich, selfish OW.
I enjoyed Sybil because she was so obviously awful and it was clear early on that James knew he had made a mistake with his engagement and he was looking for the right way to oil out of it. There are some adorable scenes between Philly and James, including when James takes part in the village’s annual May Day fete. Sybil is a particularly calculating mean girl but she was foiled in her plan in a satisfying way…
I am realizing that I love Betty Neels because justice prevails! The selfish get their comeuppance and virtue is rewarded. I know real life is much more complex but boy is this kind of story soothing to read!
I enjoyed Sybil because she was so obviously awful and it was clear early on that James knew he had made a mistake with his engagement and he was looking for the right way to oil out of it. There are some adorable scenes between Philly and James, including when James takes part in the village’s annual May Day fete. Sybil is a particularly calculating mean girl but she was foiled in her plan in a satisfying way…
I am realizing that I love Betty Neels because justice prevails! The selfish get their comeuppance and virtue is rewarded. I know real life is much more complex but boy is this kind of story soothing to read!
July 19, 2015
This was a very sweet, slow read by BN. She never disappoints :") I gave it a lower rating than I normally would have because the characters in this book (namely, the heroine) didn't connect with me, and I just didn't feel the book like I normally do with BN.
The hero was amazing, the connection they felt was obvious right from the beginning. And we see a lot of the hero's POV, which is characteristic of the later BN books. We hardly saw any hero POVs in her earlier work (which I liked better, I don't like knowing the hero's POV and like being kept in suspense of his feelings - but writing the hero's POV also works very well with Betty.)
The heroine was our regular Mary Sue heroine by BN. I think the world should exchange the "Mary Sue" signifier to "Betty Neels heroine", because it is much better suited. I love me my Mary Sue (oh wait, Betty Neels) heroines :3
What I did have a problem with was that she didn't admit her love for the hero, all throughout the book - not even to herself. And I love BN books because the heroines are in love with the heroes. (Well, that is one of the reasons :P)
The OW was one of the most vicious I have ever seen. She went as far as to make her cousin pretend to be interested in the h and drag her along to keep the hero away from her! That has never been done before in a BN!
ALSO, I LOVED HOW HE BREAKS OFF HIS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OW AT THE END! THAT HAS NEVER, EVER, EVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN A BN! WHOOP WHOOP! GO HERO!!! IT WAS SUCH A KICK ASS MOMENT!
All in all, it was a slow, super sweet read, as is characteristic of BN :3
The hero was amazing, the connection they felt was obvious right from the beginning. And we see a lot of the hero's POV, which is characteristic of the later BN books. We hardly saw any hero POVs in her earlier work (which I liked better, I don't like knowing the hero's POV and like being kept in suspense of his feelings - but writing the hero's POV also works very well with Betty.)
The heroine was our regular Mary Sue heroine by BN. I think the world should exchange the "Mary Sue" signifier to "Betty Neels heroine", because it is much better suited. I love me my Mary Sue (oh wait, Betty Neels) heroines :3
What I did have a problem with was that she didn't admit her love for the hero, all throughout the book - not even to herself. And I love BN books because the heroines are in love with the heroes. (Well, that is one of the reasons :P)
The OW was one of the most vicious I have ever seen. She went as far as to make her cousin pretend to be interested in the h and drag her along to keep the hero away from her! That has never been done before in a BN!
ALSO, I LOVED HOW HE BREAKS OFF HIS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OW AT THE END! THAT HAS NEVER, EVER, EVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN A BN! WHOOP WHOOP! GO HERO!!! IT WAS SUCH A KICK ASS MOMENT!
All in all, it was a slow, super sweet read, as is characteristic of BN :3
July 15, 2015
This story is published in The Engagement Effect : An Ordinary Girl (Neels) and A Perfect Proposal (Fielding).
AN ORDINARY GIRL is another strong entry from the somewhat restricted imagination of Betty Neels. Here we have a change of pace. No crazy Dutch names this time! It's Doctor James Forsyth falling for Philly Selby, with his fiancée, the spoiled but sleek Sybil, making every spiteful effort to keep his $$$$$ to herself.
The heroine, who is NOT a nurse (the mind boggles): "PHILOMENA SELBY, the eldest of the Reverend Ambrose Selby’s five daughters, was hanging up sheets. It was a blustery March morning and since she was a small girl, nicely rounded but slight, she was having difficulty subduing their wild flapping."
It's insta-lov, when James meets Philly, stopping his Bentley to ask her for directions: "There are crossroads at the end of the village. Go right, and after a mile you’ll see a lane signposted to Netherby House. Can you remember that?’ she asked anxiously.
She looked at him then; he had a handsome, rather rugged face, close-cropped dark hair and blue eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, and she had the strange feeling that something had happened… ‘I shall remember,’ he told her, and smiled."
Their eyes meet again a month later, when a spring snowstorm smothers the country roads. James (and Sybil) seek refuge at the vicarage overnight, along with several other stranded motorists:
"With the prospect of the weather clearing, breakfast was a cheerful meal. The porridge was eaten with enthusiasm— although Sybil nibbled toast, declaring that she hadn’t slept a wink and had no appetite. But her complaining voice was lost in the hubbub of conversation, heard only by the doctor sitting next to her."
(James, now 6.5 feet, had learned long ago to eat all his porridge.)
‘If the snowplough gets through we will be able to leave later today,’ he told Sybil, and then, hearing Philly saying in a worried voice that the hens would be snowed in, he volunteered to shovel a path to their shed."
We go from there. It's just lovely, and nothing new from Neels. Recommended for those who want a serene, predictable day in the English countryside.
Quibbles: I don't normally like romances with a third party, especially where the hero is already engaged, but in this case, we get to hear James's thoughts enough to compensate.
Ps. There are two stories in this book. A PERFECT PROPOSAL, by Liz Fielding, is on my to-read-someday list.
AN ORDINARY GIRL is another strong entry from the somewhat restricted imagination of Betty Neels. Here we have a change of pace. No crazy Dutch names this time! It's Doctor James Forsyth falling for Philly Selby, with his fiancée, the spoiled but sleek Sybil, making every spiteful effort to keep his $$$$$ to herself.
The heroine, who is NOT a nurse (the mind boggles): "PHILOMENA SELBY, the eldest of the Reverend Ambrose Selby’s five daughters, was hanging up sheets. It was a blustery March morning and since she was a small girl, nicely rounded but slight, she was having difficulty subduing their wild flapping."
It's insta-lov, when James meets Philly, stopping his Bentley to ask her for directions: "There are crossroads at the end of the village. Go right, and after a mile you’ll see a lane signposted to Netherby House. Can you remember that?’ she asked anxiously.
She looked at him then; he had a handsome, rather rugged face, close-cropped dark hair and blue eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, and she had the strange feeling that something had happened… ‘I shall remember,’ he told her, and smiled."
Their eyes meet again a month later, when a spring snowstorm smothers the country roads. James (and Sybil) seek refuge at the vicarage overnight, along with several other stranded motorists:
"With the prospect of the weather clearing, breakfast was a cheerful meal. The porridge was eaten with enthusiasm— although Sybil nibbled toast, declaring that she hadn’t slept a wink and had no appetite. But her complaining voice was lost in the hubbub of conversation, heard only by the doctor sitting next to her."
(James, now 6.5 feet, had learned long ago to eat all his porridge.)
‘If the snowplough gets through we will be able to leave later today,’ he told Sybil, and then, hearing Philly saying in a worried voice that the hens would be snowed in, he volunteered to shovel a path to their shed."
We go from there. It's just lovely, and nothing new from Neels. Recommended for those who want a serene, predictable day in the English countryside.
Quibbles: I don't normally like romances with a third party, especially where the hero is already engaged, but in this case, we get to hear James's thoughts enough to compensate.
Ps. There are two stories in this book. A PERFECT PROPOSAL, by Liz Fielding, is on my to-read-someday list.
March 23, 2021
The path to true love can sometimes be bumpy, and for our heroine Philly it’s no different. An ordinary girl, one we can all relate to is content being at home surrounded by family and village life. When she meets our lead it’s like they’ve known each other before. It’s fleeting though for he’s engaged to another.
James realises that the life he thought he wanted pales in comparison to his chance meeting of Philly. She’s the total opposite of his fiancé, who’s selfish and conceited something he’d been beginning to see. Meeting the gentle Philly changes the course of both their lives.
It’s pure romance, sweet and perfectly swoon worthy, Betty Neels really didn’t know how to write anything else. Her old school ideals is refreshing in it’s simplicity. It doesn’t have to drama and over the top to deliver a quality read. Sometimes it’s the simple things that remind you of this.
It’s a yes from me.
James realises that the life he thought he wanted pales in comparison to his chance meeting of Philly. She’s the total opposite of his fiancé, who’s selfish and conceited something he’d been beginning to see. Meeting the gentle Philly changes the course of both their lives.
It’s pure romance, sweet and perfectly swoon worthy, Betty Neels really didn’t know how to write anything else. Her old school ideals is refreshing in it’s simplicity. It doesn’t have to drama and over the top to deliver a quality read. Sometimes it’s the simple things that remind you of this.
It’s a yes from me.
March 25, 2018
Short and sweet! Betty Neels never disappoints! A great comforting read on a relaxing Sunday!
September 3, 2022
3.25 Betty™️ Stars.
This was a cute romance or it would have been if we had managed to get a bit more of the main couple together. Indeed it’s hard to call Philomena and the Professor (because he’s barely named in this and it is entirely possible that Philly ends the book not knowing his first name- certainly she never uses it… I think he may have been called James) the “main couple” because of their lack of prominence and interaction as a pairing in this story. As it was, there are a very limited number of scenes where Philly and the Professor have any conversation. Even the proposal at the end is dead and non-existent. We are just left to assume the happy ending much as we assumed the entire relationship. All this may sound like I didn’t like this for all my complaining. But actually, I did.
The Professor in this was already engaged so this could have skewed towards a sort of morally-ambiguous love triangle. But his fiancée is such a caricatured villain in this that you’re not even worried for her. You’re cheering for his liberation. It felt like there was much more of The Professor and his fiancée together than there was of him and Philly and I think this book would have been greatly improved if it had been otherwise. But still it was adorable and soothing as we expect from our Betty… and delightfully vintage. Not my favorite BN but I liked it.
This was a cute romance or it would have been if we had managed to get a bit more of the main couple together. Indeed it’s hard to call Philomena and the Professor (because he’s barely named in this and it is entirely possible that Philly ends the book not knowing his first name- certainly she never uses it… I think he may have been called James) the “main couple” because of their lack of prominence and interaction as a pairing in this story. As it was, there are a very limited number of scenes where Philly and the Professor have any conversation. Even the proposal at the end is dead and non-existent. We are just left to assume the happy ending much as we assumed the entire relationship. All this may sound like I didn’t like this for all my complaining. But actually, I did.
The Professor in this was already engaged so this could have skewed towards a sort of morally-ambiguous love triangle. But his fiancée is such a caricatured villain in this that you’re not even worried for her. You’re cheering for his liberation. It felt like there was much more of The Professor and his fiancée together than there was of him and Philly and I think this book would have been greatly improved if it had been otherwise. But still it was adorable and soothing as we expect from our Betty… and delightfully vintage. Not my favorite BN but I liked it.
March 4, 2016
Simple story of an ordinary small town girl catching the attention of a hot-shot doctor. He drives past her town, asks her for directions and is quite smitten then and there.
While his pain-in-the-neck but gorgeous fiancee makes a hew and cry every time the doctor comes in contact with our ordinary girl, the doctor realizes quite early on - its time to dump the fiancee and grab the ordinary girl, she is a gem !
Before the doctor could act, the fiancee hatches a plot to show our ordinary girl as elsewhere engaged. A convenient jobless cousin brother shows up and fakes his acquaintance with the heroine in front of the doctor just to put him off. But our doctor is also a super-sleuth !
He uncovers the conspiracy in no time. So exit fiancee , entry ordinary girl. HEA ...
3 stars , simple story of how the ordinary has its own sweet appeal !
While his pain-in-the-neck but gorgeous fiancee makes a hew and cry every time the doctor comes in contact with our ordinary girl, the doctor realizes quite early on - its time to dump the fiancee and grab the ordinary girl, she is a gem !
Before the doctor could act, the fiancee hatches a plot to show our ordinary girl as elsewhere engaged. A convenient jobless cousin brother shows up and fakes his acquaintance with the heroine in front of the doctor just to put him off. But our doctor is also a super-sleuth !
He uncovers the conspiracy in no time. So exit fiancee , entry ordinary girl. HEA ...
3 stars , simple story of how the ordinary has its own sweet appeal !
October 12, 2018
Love me some Betty Neels
Slightly shorter than her typical stories, but enjoyable all the same. And I don't know about anyone else, but I always sense a hint of Rochester (from Jane Eyre) in all of Betty Neels heroes. They're enigmatic, powerful, and somewhat manipulative of others (in a good way). The heroine also blurted out something to the hero that gave him a glimpse of her true feelings, like Jane did to Rochester. Lol, I don't know. I've read Jane Eyre too many times. -_-
Slightly shorter than her typical stories, but enjoyable all the same. And I don't know about anyone else, but I always sense a hint of Rochester (from Jane Eyre) in all of Betty Neels heroes. They're enigmatic, powerful, and somewhat manipulative of others (in a good way). The heroine also blurted out something to the hero that gave him a glimpse of her true feelings, like Jane did to Rochester. Lol, I don't know. I've read Jane Eyre too many times. -_-
February 16, 2017
TGB is on point here. Great protagonists in James and Philly, wonderful FFRs and loving and supportive family for our intrepid Philly. Arch and evil Veronica (Sybil) has an equally insidious cousin Gregory and together they hatch a plot to torpedo Philly and James. Lots more POV from James and just a sweet, lovely story.
July 29, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
April 10, 2018
So, ‘operation find my floor’ is underway. Yes, I have a new project - to read and pass on at least one book per month from the titles which have overflowed from my bookcase and are spilling onto the floor, creating towers beside the bed. My new preference for ebooks means these piles of books are growing at such a rate they are now threatening to trap me in bed. (Okay, this sounds like a good thing but, unfortunately, until I win lotto or write some bestselling book myself, I still need to get up and go to work, at the very least.)
I’ve started with a short book which didn’t demand too much concentration. (That is, one that allowed me to continue to watch the Commonwealth Games at the same time as I read it.)
An Ordinary Girl sticks to Neels’s tried and true formula. Heroine is a plain and sensible girl who is naturally brilliant with children and animals. Hero is a doctor (not Dutch this time though!) who meets h, the Vicar’s daughter, when he and his fiance (aka the evil OW) are caught in a snowstorm. Our couple keep interacting in a series of convenient meetings and other rather ordinary circumstances until H realises h will keep his house much better than the OW.
The heroine is actually probably a bit too unassuming. We get a lot from the Hero’s POV and don’t get enough h scenes to really feel the love and/or sympathy for her sad life which is the usual M&B/HP goal.
I was thoroughly confused as to the time setting of the novel. My copy is saying it was first published in 2001 which is the same year Neels passed away. From the way the characters behave, I'd guess she wrote it much earlier. For example, h’s lack of career is unsettling for modern times. She arranges flowers for the church, changes sheets, washes and pegs out said sheets, babysits and types up her father’s sermons. She’s also considered a spinster who will probably never marry at the ripe old age of 29. Obviously I assumed the book was supposedly set in the 70s or 80s but then there is a sudden reference to using a mobile phone. This does nothing to modernise the rest of the plot and/or characters. The editors would have been better off leaving it as some sort of vintage story.
Neels never has graphic sex and everything stays strictly sweet (or as it’s now often referred - ‘clean’). This makes the book quite restful and stress free actually.
3 out of 5 stars I would have probably given it more if the time setting wasn’t so confusing.
I’ve started with a short book which didn’t demand too much concentration. (That is, one that allowed me to continue to watch the Commonwealth Games at the same time as I read it.)
An Ordinary Girl sticks to Neels’s tried and true formula. Heroine is a plain and sensible girl who is naturally brilliant with children and animals. Hero is a doctor (not Dutch this time though!) who meets h, the Vicar’s daughter, when he and his fiance (aka the evil OW) are caught in a snowstorm. Our couple keep interacting in a series of convenient meetings and other rather ordinary circumstances until H realises h will keep his house much better than the OW.
The heroine is actually probably a bit too unassuming. We get a lot from the Hero’s POV and don’t get enough h scenes to really feel the love and/or sympathy for her sad life which is the usual M&B/HP goal.
I was thoroughly confused as to the time setting of the novel. My copy is saying it was first published in 2001 which is the same year Neels passed away. From the way the characters behave, I'd guess she wrote it much earlier. For example, h’s lack of career is unsettling for modern times. She arranges flowers for the church, changes sheets, washes and pegs out said sheets, babysits and types up her father’s sermons. She’s also considered a spinster who will probably never marry at the ripe old age of 29. Obviously I assumed the book was supposedly set in the 70s or 80s but then there is a sudden reference to using a mobile phone. This does nothing to modernise the rest of the plot and/or characters. The editors would have been better off leaving it as some sort of vintage story.
Neels never has graphic sex and everything stays strictly sweet (or as it’s now often referred - ‘clean’). This makes the book quite restful and stress free actually.
3 out of 5 stars I would have probably given it more if the time setting wasn’t so confusing.
September 2, 2021
“Una chica corriente”
El pequeño problema con las novelitas de Betty Neels son sus traducciones.dependiendo de la editorial que las haya traducido los títulos cambian notablemente y se prestan a confusiones.entonces me pasa que releo sin querer la misma novela varias veces sin darme cuenta porque las historias aveces se parecen.Con esta novela paso eso.Hecho el descargo paso a realizar mi reseña.
En esta historia se nos presenta una joven de 27 años Philomena Selby,hija de un vicario que vive junto a su madre y hermanas (todas ellas rubias y de ojos claros).Ella se siente diferente e insegura de su aspecto porque tiene ojos castaños y un cabello lacio y fino del mismo tono aburrido.No es una belleza y eso algo le pesa.pero así y todo es feliz en el ambiente rural y campestre en el que vive.se ocupa de las tareas hogareñas y del cuidado de las gallinas,de las compras y de todo lo que se necesita en su familia.Su vida monótona se verá afectada por el encuentro fortuito( otra vez un Bentley y un extravío en el camino)con James Forsyth ,un profesor y doctor especialista en pediatría ( nada de holandeses esta vez )Pero este encuentro y romance a primera vista se verá obstaculizado por la tercera en discordia que no es más que la prometida del doctor Sybil.ella es todo lo opuesto a nuestra heroina.Tendrá clase,belleza,buena vestimenta y gusto pero es egoísta,caprichosa,mala e interesada.no hay nada detrás de su belleza.Es así como toda la novela ,que es breve,girará en torno a la necesidad y búsqueda de James por volver a encontrar a Philomena ya que apenas la vio sintió que la conocía desde siempre.
Debo decir que en esta traducción la novela me sorprende por la facilidad del protagonista masculino por asumir y aceptar que se siente enamorado de la chica en cuestión y que sin tapujos se acerca a ella,la toma del brazo,la lleva consigo,la acompaña,y la busca repetidas veces.mientras la muchacha es un poco más pasiva que otras protagonistas,tiene el encanto y la bondad de las heroinas habituales.
es una novela breve(me quedan las dudas de la traducción y si no hubo algún recorte) pero se deja ver toda la esencia de lo que es Betty.le puse solo 3 estrellas pero bien podrían ser 4.
El pequeño problema con las novelitas de Betty Neels son sus traducciones.dependiendo de la editorial que las haya traducido los títulos cambian notablemente y se prestan a confusiones.entonces me pasa que releo sin querer la misma novela varias veces sin darme cuenta porque las historias aveces se parecen.Con esta novela paso eso.Hecho el descargo paso a realizar mi reseña.
En esta historia se nos presenta una joven de 27 años Philomena Selby,hija de un vicario que vive junto a su madre y hermanas (todas ellas rubias y de ojos claros).Ella se siente diferente e insegura de su aspecto porque tiene ojos castaños y un cabello lacio y fino del mismo tono aburrido.No es una belleza y eso algo le pesa.pero así y todo es feliz en el ambiente rural y campestre en el que vive.se ocupa de las tareas hogareñas y del cuidado de las gallinas,de las compras y de todo lo que se necesita en su familia.Su vida monótona se verá afectada por el encuentro fortuito( otra vez un Bentley y un extravío en el camino)con James Forsyth ,un profesor y doctor especialista en pediatría ( nada de holandeses esta vez )Pero este encuentro y romance a primera vista se verá obstaculizado por la tercera en discordia que no es más que la prometida del doctor Sybil.ella es todo lo opuesto a nuestra heroina.Tendrá clase,belleza,buena vestimenta y gusto pero es egoísta,caprichosa,mala e interesada.no hay nada detrás de su belleza.Es así como toda la novela ,que es breve,girará en torno a la necesidad y búsqueda de James por volver a encontrar a Philomena ya que apenas la vio sintió que la conocía desde siempre.
Debo decir que en esta traducción la novela me sorprende por la facilidad del protagonista masculino por asumir y aceptar que se siente enamorado de la chica en cuestión y que sin tapujos se acerca a ella,la toma del brazo,la lleva consigo,la acompaña,y la busca repetidas veces.mientras la muchacha es un poco más pasiva que otras protagonistas,tiene el encanto y la bondad de las heroinas habituales.
es una novela breve(me quedan las dudas de la traducción y si no hubo algún recorte) pero se deja ver toda la esencia de lo que es Betty.le puse solo 3 estrellas pero bien podrían ser 4.
December 31, 2025
An Ordinary Girl appears to be Betty Neels’ last
and 134th novel.
Hero slowly notices good and sensible traits heroine has and sees the stark differences between this seemingly ordinary girl with no looks to speak of and his beautiful spoilt fiancée. Slowly heroine falls in love with him but finds it hopeless, he being a prominent professor and already engaged to a very beautiful woman. The malicious machinations of hero’s fiancée against heroine confirmed (what hero already realized) where his affections truly lies.
A beautiful love story from Betty Neels that leaves her readers with a sigh of romantic satisfaction and that Betty Neels Romantic Afterglow!
I have read all of Betty Neels 134 novels and she never failed to spin a love story written with a tinge of humor and very satisfying endings leaving her readers with that unique Betty Neels romantic afterglow.
Sadly Betty Neels passed away on
June 7, 2001 at age 91. She was still writing until her death.
She is missed by her fans worldwide.
Thank you Betty Neels for your novels and all the lovely hours of reading pleasure we so much enjoy.
CYA’58
and 134th novel.
Hero slowly notices good and sensible traits heroine has and sees the stark differences between this seemingly ordinary girl with no looks to speak of and his beautiful spoilt fiancée. Slowly heroine falls in love with him but finds it hopeless, he being a prominent professor and already engaged to a very beautiful woman. The malicious machinations of hero’s fiancée against heroine confirmed (what hero already realized) where his affections truly lies.
A beautiful love story from Betty Neels that leaves her readers with a sigh of romantic satisfaction and that Betty Neels Romantic Afterglow!
I have read all of Betty Neels 134 novels and she never failed to spin a love story written with a tinge of humor and very satisfying endings leaving her readers with that unique Betty Neels romantic afterglow.
Sadly Betty Neels passed away on
June 7, 2001 at age 91. She was still writing until her death.
She is missed by her fans worldwide.
Thank you Betty Neels for your novels and all the lovely hours of reading pleasure we so much enjoy.
CYA’58
December 15, 2022
I think it’s the first time I gave 2 stars to a BN novel. I don’t know, perhaps because it’s hell week at the office with all the clearance and year end closing that’s going on, so I’ve been really busy, and I read whenever I can sneak my phone in between work or at night when I’m about to sleep, so I’m either too preoccupied or too sleepy to really be immersed in the book. The premise was good, but the events did not seem to connect with each other, although Betty’s charm in weaving them was there, but it was not enough. In fact, I can only count the few times that the MCs have seen each other! How did they even fall in love, they didn’t even talk that much!
Anyway, this was also more of the doctor’s POV, which is unique from the rest of Betty’s books. I think this could have been better.
Anyway, this was also more of the doctor’s POV, which is unique from the rest of Betty’s books. I think this could have been better.
December 26, 2024
Kind of quick
This story is about James, who is a doctor and Philly, who is actually not a nurse. Shocking! I know! Anyway, James is set to marry a girl named Sybil, who is one of the worst people I think I've ever read about in Betty Neels' books. James happens to meet Philly by mistake, or by fate, and instantly takes a liking to her. The story goes on rather quickly, but follows a different pattern than most of Betty Neels' other books. The ending was kind of a let down but, overall, the book was a fantastic read!
This story is about James, who is a doctor and Philly, who is actually not a nurse. Shocking! I know! Anyway, James is set to marry a girl named Sybil, who is one of the worst people I think I've ever read about in Betty Neels' books. James happens to meet Philly by mistake, or by fate, and instantly takes a liking to her. The story goes on rather quickly, but follows a different pattern than most of Betty Neels' other books. The ending was kind of a let down but, overall, the book was a fantastic read!
June 15, 2023
One of my favorite Betty Neels books
Short and sweet. The hero and heroine are both admirable and human. It was fun to read about their progress into love. The epitome of what I love best about her books without any of the frustration of the hero or heroine going to outrageous lengths to hide their feelings or silly misunderstandings due to an overemphasis on politeness and imaginative jumping to conclusions. So satisfying!
Short and sweet. The hero and heroine are both admirable and human. It was fun to read about their progress into love. The epitome of what I love best about her books without any of the frustration of the hero or heroine going to outrageous lengths to hide their feelings or silly misunderstandings due to an overemphasis on politeness and imaginative jumping to conclusions. So satisfying!
March 21, 2024
Harlequin Romance by Betty Neels
This story is one of the 134 novels written by Betty Neels. In this story Philly is a home body. She is as the book title says “ An Ordinary Girl “, One evening as she is walking home from an errand for her mother, a car stopped and asked for directions to a house in the neighborhood. The story starts here. Read and enjoy, I did.
This story is one of the 134 novels written by Betty Neels. In this story Philly is a home body. She is as the book title says “ An Ordinary Girl “, One evening as she is walking home from an errand for her mother, a car stopped and asked for directions to a house in the neighborhood. The story starts here. Read and enjoy, I did.
September 21, 2018
As usual
As usual from Betty Neels, a very charming story. This one with a conniving fiancee and disrespectful family member. One of her later stories so characters do actually have cell phones.
As usual from Betty Neels, a very charming story. This one with a conniving fiancee and disrespectful family member. One of her later stories so characters do actually have cell phones.
November 9, 2018
These are strangely relaxing to read. Yes, they're archaic and sexist in their mid-century society values, but...relaxing.
I'm finding I have now have new insight on my mother's era, and her life/POV too. Wow, times have changed!
I'm finding I have now have new insight on my mother's era, and her life/POV too. Wow, times have changed!
November 5, 2023
H was engaged for 98% of the book! It was crazy! He didn’t have the nerve or conviction to break engagement even though OW showed herself to be awful many times! There was nothing romantic about this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
3.5 stars. Novella. Very end has a bit of a rushed awkwardness but this has a lot of MMC POV which is not common with Betty Neels. Caricature of typical other woman for Betty Neels so a fun quick read.
October 17, 2021
Short but sweet. Really despicable foils in this one.
April 22, 2023
Very lovely, as per usual for BN, but a bit short.
April 9, 2024
I always love Betty Neels!
December 7, 2025
I thought this was funny and sweet. A little too much insta-love though, and the ending was a little weak. But it was adorable in the beginning.
July 28, 2025
Another sweet story by Betty Neels featuring an ordinary young woman and a kind hearted gentleman. Philomena Shelby lives in a quiet village with her Vicar, father, mother, and four sisters. Of the five girls in the family, Philly as she is called is the plainest she has yet to meet a young man and his content living in the village helping her family. On their way to a wedding in the village, Dr. James Forsyth and his fiancé civil stop and ask Philly for directions. Immediately the doctor is taken by Philly with her large brown eyes and beautiful smile. The doctor’s fiancé Sybil is an extraordinarily beautiful woman, but one with a cold selfish Demeanor.
Watching the love Blossom between Philly and the Dr is sweet. Sybil however, devices a plan by which the doctor will cartel any interest in Philly. The plot is uncovered and Dr Forsyth and his engagement. There is a.HEA ending although it is abrupt.
Watching the love Blossom between Philly and the Dr is sweet. Sybil however, devices a plan by which the doctor will cartel any interest in Philly. The plot is uncovered and Dr Forsyth and his engagement. There is a.HEA ending although it is abrupt.
January 13, 2025
This is why I get so disappointed with BN books which are not up to par because at her best she creates magic. This is another one with an engaged hero, but he’s English not Dutch and in the end not only does he break his engagement, gasp!, but he sets both villains of the story the principle one being his own fiancé -with whom he thereby breaks up- in their places and calls them despicable. To their faces. If this is not a grand gesture in the Betty Neels world I don’t know what is. And I love how she shows how H and h fall deeper and deeper in love with each other to the extent that at the end when you think back you’re prepared to think they had fallen in love at first sight when it felt like they’d always known each other. So far all BN heroines who’re daughters of parsons have turned out to be exceptionally likeable heroines!
October 14, 2023
After reading a couple over the top HPs I wanted a refresh with the Great Betty. Lovely novella, good characters, a rather full plot considering how short the book is.
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