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Making Sure of Sarah
A marriage to secure true love Having fallen in love with Sarah at first sight, Litrik ter Breukel vowed to go slowly because of her youth and innocence. But perhaps he simply needed to propose
283 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
213 people are currently reading
146 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 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 18, 2015
Sarah is on holiday in Holland with her mother and step-father when they are in a car crash. Unfortunately, neither of the parents is killed. Forgive me while I go off on a tangent here: Why on earth did TGB kill the lovely parents in The Vicar’s Daughter but allow the nasty/whiny/selfish ones here to keep living and making Sarah’s life miserable? Ah, well, it rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
Anyway, Sarah is at the hospital following the accident – she was not injured, but she is wet, cold, nasty-smelling and generally a mess, on top of which she is plain. So it certainly stretches credibility that our RDD falls in love with her on sight.
He manufactures a temporary job for her as companion to his aunt (basically, he forces her real companion to take a holiday) and generally tries to improve her life, even after she goes home to England. He sees her with a young doctor and thinks she has a beau; the doctor is engaged to someone and Sarah is just friends with him.
He asks Sarah to marry him, but he doesn’t tell her he loves her. So of course, she runs away and gets a job in a grocery store. He finds her, declares his love this time, proposes and she accepts.
Not bad, but not my favorite. 3 stars.
Anyway, Sarah is at the hospital following the accident – she was not injured, but she is wet, cold, nasty-smelling and generally a mess, on top of which she is plain. So it certainly stretches credibility that our RDD falls in love with her on sight.
He manufactures a temporary job for her as companion to his aunt (basically, he forces her real companion to take a holiday) and generally tries to improve her life, even after she goes home to England. He sees her with a young doctor and thinks she has a beau; the doctor is engaged to someone and Sarah is just friends with him.
He asks Sarah to marry him, but he doesn’t tell her he loves her. So of course, she runs away and gets a job in a grocery store. He finds her, declares his love this time, proposes and she accepts.
Not bad, but not my favorite. 3 stars.
August 21, 2025
This is one of the best books of Betty where the hero falls in love with heroine at first sight. I loved the character of Litrik the hero who once he knows he is in love with Sarah our simple heroine persues her through his own ways never showing his true feelings for her till the end. I enjoyed reading this book a lot and found it to be a nice sweet romance
May 11, 2013
A fairly slow moving story. Litrik fell in love with Sarah at first sight but is uncertain about pushing his claim. Sarah has been browbeaten by her Whiny mother and brute of a stepfather for years and lacks self confidence.
If anything, he is too cautious and several times it looks like he may have waited to long and given Sarah too many opportunities to meet other men or decide on a career.
All the the same it is a sweet and easy read. Nice to see one of Betty Neels enigmatic Dutchman pining right from the start instead of the usual 'by the way I love you' on the last page.
If anything, he is too cautious and several times it looks like he may have waited to long and given Sarah too many opportunities to meet other men or decide on a career.
All the the same it is a sweet and easy read. Nice to see one of Betty Neels enigmatic Dutchman pining right from the start instead of the usual 'by the way I love you' on the last page.
May 9, 2022
This is a lighthearted romance with an adventurous, optimistic spirit.
June 19, 2020
I truly enjoy BN books, some more than others, but she never wrote a clinker. Why? Because she writes about real people, people whom you are compelled to care about as you read. A nice day, a cup of coffee, some good music, and a Betty Neels book is always a pleasure.
The heroine is Sarah Beckwith in her twenties, on a road-trip with her whiny, indulged mother and her angry and downright unkind step-father. Almost immediately, they end up in an accident, due to her step-dad’s bullheadedness. He has an injured foot and ribs, the mother is concussed, and Sarah is stinky and covered with mud, but still tasked with pulling her parents to safety and blamed for everything involved with the accident.
Both parents make it into the hospital via emergency vehicle; complaining at every step about all the helpful thing done for them. Sarah is in the lobby tirelessly waiting for someone to que her in on the specifics regarding her parents. She falls asleep waiting for information. It is here at the Arnhem, Holland hospital that our hero, Dr. Litrik ter Breukel, an orthopaedic surgeon enters the scene. Unlike many BN heroes, he knows immediately that this is the girl for him, but he also realizes he must move cautiously.
He arranges for her to stay with his great-aunt, giving her a place, funds, and purpose while she waits for her parents to get better. He arranges for their transport home to England. He very soon realizes that she will never be released from her servant, do-for-me-every-minute choke hold her parents have over her. Ever resourceful, he soon arranges for the parents to go on a holiday to get “special physical therapy” at a resort. Then, he arranges for her to experience life via a dreary job at the hospital canteen. He believes this will open her eyes to him and life. After a few situations in which Litrik and Sarah function at cross-purposes, true love happens. He rescues her from her second hopeless job, stocking shelves at the local store, declares again he loves her and wants to marry her. This time she believes him and the wedding happens with lightning speed as the hero irons out all difficulties. Totally satisfying.
The heroine is Sarah Beckwith in her twenties, on a road-trip with her whiny, indulged mother and her angry and downright unkind step-father. Almost immediately, they end up in an accident, due to her step-dad’s bullheadedness. He has an injured foot and ribs, the mother is concussed, and Sarah is stinky and covered with mud, but still tasked with pulling her parents to safety and blamed for everything involved with the accident.
Both parents make it into the hospital via emergency vehicle; complaining at every step about all the helpful thing done for them. Sarah is in the lobby tirelessly waiting for someone to que her in on the specifics regarding her parents. She falls asleep waiting for information. It is here at the Arnhem, Holland hospital that our hero, Dr. Litrik ter Breukel, an orthopaedic surgeon enters the scene. Unlike many BN heroes, he knows immediately that this is the girl for him, but he also realizes he must move cautiously.
He arranges for her to stay with his great-aunt, giving her a place, funds, and purpose while she waits for her parents to get better. He arranges for their transport home to England. He very soon realizes that she will never be released from her servant, do-for-me-every-minute choke hold her parents have over her. Ever resourceful, he soon arranges for the parents to go on a holiday to get “special physical therapy” at a resort. Then, he arranges for her to experience life via a dreary job at the hospital canteen. He believes this will open her eyes to him and life. After a few situations in which Litrik and Sarah function at cross-purposes, true love happens. He rescues her from her second hopeless job, stocking shelves at the local store, declares again he loves her and wants to marry her. This time she believes him and the wedding happens with lightning speed as the hero irons out all difficulties. Totally satisfying.
November 21, 2022
This was OK, nothing out of the ordinary, except that there were *2* selfish parent-type adults (mother & stepfather) instead of one. One thing I liked was that the reader knows the doctor's thoughts/ emotions from the beginning, contrary to many of BN's romances.
January 31, 2024
Love at first sight for the persistent hero...and he admits it to himself immediately.
April 2, 2018
3.5
This might be my favorite Neels doctor so far. He is kind and generous almost to a fault. Sarah is a little too wishy-washy and I think it is wise that she is given the chance to develop a little backbone before she marries. I don’t believe in love at first sight though so that made this a slightly less enjoyable plot for me.
This might be my favorite Neels doctor so far. He is kind and generous almost to a fault. Sarah is a little too wishy-washy and I think it is wise that she is given the chance to develop a little backbone before she marries. I don’t believe in love at first sight though so that made this a slightly less enjoyable plot for me.
April 9, 2012
This book, I would say, is quite poignant and speaks of the old times. The story line moves subtly, nice representation of characters and good language, but somewhere in the story there were parts which I thought was weird. It might be because of the old times' setup but two or three twists in the story were my turn-offs.
Firstly, the hero professing his love for her was not that intense, it was rather like a business proposition he was making. Secondly, the fact that the heroine pondered over place and money matters before saying yes to him made me raise my eyebrows. The author must have tried to portray her as a sensible girl but the whole confessing-love-and-getting-married thing was a bit too weird and business-like.
Other than that it is a great book and I recommend this for a nice, one-time read although I think those two parts might be a turn-off later :(
Firstly, the hero professing his love for her was not that intense, it was rather like a business proposition he was making. Secondly, the fact that the heroine pondered over place and money matters before saying yes to him made me raise my eyebrows. The author must have tried to portray her as a sensible girl but the whole confessing-love-and-getting-married thing was a bit too weird and business-like.
Other than that it is a great book and I recommend this for a nice, one-time read although I think those two parts might be a turn-off later :(
September 23, 2019
I went on a mad tear through the Betty Neels ebook collection at my local library this past holiday weekend in an attempt to close the astonishingly large gap in my Goodreads challenge count.
Neels writes charmingly clean romances, often set in hospitals or among the medical profession, with many Cinderella-esque heroines and Dutch professors or doctors. The formula can get a bit tedious (especially if you read half a dozen of them in the course of three days), but if you're looking for a fluffy read along the lines of Grace Livingston Hill (minus the sermons) or D. E. Stephenson, this is definitely an author to check out.
Neels writes charmingly clean romances, often set in hospitals or among the medical profession, with many Cinderella-esque heroines and Dutch professors or doctors. The formula can get a bit tedious (especially if you read half a dozen of them in the course of three days), but if you're looking for a fluffy read along the lines of Grace Livingston Hill (minus the sermons) or D. E. Stephenson, this is definitely an author to check out.
November 10, 2012
Truly terrible. I was surprised since I thought Betty Neels is the British queen or romance, akin to Nora Roberts in the States, but this book is just badly written. There is a plot, I suppose, and the international angle is curious, but there is no sense of development of relationship, no emotional buildup, and the secondary characters are at times more vivid than protagonists. Its a mercifully short read.
Read
December 1, 2008LP Nee
August 13, 2013
It was fine, lots of meddling by the doctor.
August 30, 2014
Cute, light and frivolous.
December 9, 2022
Quick read, published in 1999. Cinder-Sarah and her mother are traveling through wintry Holland with beastly stepfather at the wheel when he plows his car into a muddy, wet ditch. I was hoping stepdad would die immediately, as Betty is not shy about doing away with parents, but in this case she let him live. Him! Possibly the very worst of all parents in all of Neeldom, in all of 130-some books. He is monstrous, an absolute bully. Sarah’s mother is not much better, incredibly self-centered and uncaring. Anyway, Sarah, having been seated in the back seat, suffers only minor injuries and runs for help, flagging down a passing farmer in horse and cart — yup, even though this story is set in 1999, complete with that mysterious artifact, computers. Betty’s “contemporary” world reflects her own youth, and she was born in 1909 England.
Ahem. Having waited several hours in the Dutch hospital to hear news of her parents’ injuries, Sarah falls asleep. She is found by a doctor, Litrik, who does not waken her with a kiss, but we get lots of his thoughts about Sarah throughout the story:
Eventually we meet Litrik’s sister, Suzanne. Very likable. Suzanne conspires with Litrik to keep Sarah nearby, because it is immediately obvious that big brother has finally lost his heart. Eventually, Sarah gets a job working at a hospital canteen (much like Dearest Eulalia), making her own way in the world finally. Wedding at the end.
Ahem. Having waited several hours in the Dutch hospital to hear news of her parents’ injuries, Sarah falls asleep. She is found by a doctor, Litrik, who does not waken her with a kiss, but we get lots of his thoughts about Sarah throughout the story:
The waiting room was empty save for Sarah. He stood looking at her—such an ordinary girl, dirty and dishevelled, a bruise on one cheek and smelling vilely of the mud clinging to her person. A girl without looks, pale, her hair hanging in untidy damp streamers around a face which could easily pass unnoticed in a crowd. A girl completely lacking in glamour. He sighed deeply; to fall in love at first sight with this malodorous sleeping girl, with, as far as he could see, no pretentious to beauty or even good looks, was something he had not expected. But falling in love, he had always understood, was unpredictable, and, as far as he was concerned, irrevocable. That they hadn’t exchanged a word, nor spoken, made no difference. He, heartwhole until that minute, and with no intention of marrying until it suited him, had lost that same heart.
Eventually we meet Litrik’s sister, Suzanne. Very likable. Suzanne conspires with Litrik to keep Sarah nearby, because it is immediately obvious that big brother has finally lost his heart. Eventually, Sarah gets a job working at a hospital canteen (much like Dearest Eulalia), making her own way in the world finally. Wedding at the end.
April 4, 2024
A very different Betty Neels! It still has some of the usual Neels hallmarks with the Dutch doctor and unassuming, plain h. However, in this one it's the Dr who falls instantly in love with the h! She's plain and unassuming but beautiful sometimes (when animated, happy, smiling) and it was lovely to see that the H is charmed by her and sees beauty in her no matter the circumstance. The whole story (it's rather short and honestly could probably even pass for a novella) revolves around the H's carefully laid plans to woo the h. It has a bit of a Cinderella feel to it as the h is treated very poorly by her mother and stepfather. She has led a very confining life having to be at their beck and call and constantly being made to feel less than. It was lovely how the H saw this and rather than swoop in and rescue her he set in motion the means for her to become employed so she could become independent and experience meeting other people her age. He wants her to have these experiences so that if she chooses him, he knows she chose him because she loved him and not because he was simply the first person to help her and give her attention. There are a few miscommunications and misunderstandings but the H doesn't give up.
Just a lovely little story.
Just a lovely little story.
April 11, 2021
3.5*
Why did the Great Betty kill off so many nice parents but left these two nasty ones alive in this story? If they had died at the beginning then maybe we would not have such a beautiful short story. Only five chapters but our TGB even fit in a white church wedding when I expected it to end with the proposal scene LOL
I didn't like the contrived misunderstanding and jealousy plot devices...it dragged out the story unnecessarily and amazingly in a five chapter book.
Litrik's females relatives were lovely and the Holland part of the story was lovely.
This might be a short book but is full of gems like Sarah thinking nurses had stomach of steel despite seeing ghastly stuffs daily...and how Litrik plotted getting her a job in the canteen, far away from horny housemen which he once was haha!
1998/9 book
Why did the Great Betty kill off so many nice parents but left these two nasty ones alive in this story? If they had died at the beginning then maybe we would not have such a beautiful short story. Only five chapters but our TGB even fit in a white church wedding when I expected it to end with the proposal scene LOL
I didn't like the contrived misunderstanding and jealousy plot devices...it dragged out the story unnecessarily and amazingly in a five chapter book.
Litrik's females relatives were lovely and the Holland part of the story was lovely.
This might be a short book but is full of gems like Sarah thinking nurses had stomach of steel despite seeing ghastly stuffs daily...and how Litrik plotted getting her a job in the canteen, far away from horny housemen which he once was haha!
1998/9 book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2018
Ya know, SOMETIMES, Ms. Neels works seem to drag at the middle or near end. Not so much ya hate it, but it’s noticeable. In Making Sure Of Sarah...didn’t happen. Instead I suddenly realized I had only a few pages left when I was sure I had chapters left (my edition is in a 3 story in one book situation and the last pages are adds for other authors so, I had mistaken that).
This was a great deal of the hero being a real hero to a girl strapped to family via guilt. There was a bit more of the hero’s thoughts being shared than in a “regular” Neels’ piece.
I have to say I think this is my fave Neels’ book so far!
This was a great deal of the hero being a real hero to a girl strapped to family via guilt. There was a bit more of the hero’s thoughts being shared than in a “regular” Neels’ piece.
I have to say I think this is my fave Neels’ book so far!
June 29, 2022
Not my favoritest Betty Neels. It wasn't that it was a Dutch doctor (broad-shouldered, brusque, older, having an older female relative that the heroine stays with, etc.) again, paired with a plain girl with the usual beautiful eyes. It was that there was absolutely no reason given for him falling in love (at first sight, no less). What gorgeous doctor sees a mousy, muddy, plain young lady who has just been in a car accident and falls in love? And then there's no obstacle to the far-fetched match, so you just have to enjoy Sarah being carped at by her parents and then getting a job in food service. Blah. She doesn't even have a cat!
November 1, 2017
I liked that this was set in Holland. It was kind of cheesy how the doctor falls in love with her at first sight. She has a wicked step father and a mother who only thinks of her self. Sarah is sort of like Cinderella and like their slave. But love eventually wins out with a few little twists. Very little twists.
August 21, 2020
So beautiful, One of the best. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
October 30, 2017
Not Very Well Written
I understand that this is a short story, but I feel I have read better. At times it was very difficult to understand whose point of view was being reflected and it would switch multiple times throughout a chapter, and sometimes within the same paragraph.
I understand that this is a short story, but I feel I have read better. At times it was very difficult to understand whose point of view was being reflected and it would switch multiple times throughout a chapter, and sometimes within the same paragraph.
March 14, 2018
Love at first sight
It may have been love at first sight for the doctor, but he knew not to push it. Cross purposes lead to interesting situations, but Betty Neels knows just how to connect her characters. A light romantic romance.
It may have been love at first sight for the doctor, but he knew not to push it. Cross purposes lead to interesting situations, but Betty Neels knows just how to connect her characters. A light romantic romance.
September 10, 2023
Different from other Neels books in that there was a lot of info from the Professors point of view! HE fell in love at first sight and the rest of book was abt him trying to get Sarah to reciprocate his feelings. It was a delightful read.
December 10, 2025
I do love a good Cinderella story and this was lovely. Not as humorous as some of the others, but still sweet. The doctor fell in love with her at first sight, so it was a bit unrealistic there, but who cares. You don’t read these for realism. Just have fun!
October 27, 2017
Wonderful little story
Enjoyed reading this book, short enough to finish in one evening and interesting to learn about different cultures. Clean and honest
Enjoyed reading this book, short enough to finish in one evening and interesting to learn about different cultures. Clean and honest
April 5, 2018
Love Betty Neels books. Too bad Ms. Neels has passed away.
June 19, 2018
Perfectly Betty
I love Betty Neels' books, especially when the heroine is a plain Jane and not drop dead gorgeous. This book leaves you feeling good.
I love Betty Neels' books, especially when the heroine is a plain Jane and not drop dead gorgeous. This book leaves you feeling good.
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 6, 2019
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews