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Stormy Springtime
"He needs a wife-someone like me!" Meg Collins was an old-fashioned country girl facing an uncertain future. Now that the family house was being sold, Meg had to find a job. But where? Her skills were in cooking and gardening-not shorthand and typing. Professor Ralph Culver offered a solution. The eminent doctor needed a "sensible, domestic person" to work in his London office. Someone like Meg. But it wasn't very sensible to fall in love with the professor. Or to hope that he would fall in love with her, too...
187 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1987
60 people are currently reading
170 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 47 reviews
July 28, 2021
Back to the Betty binge! Stormy Springtime was good; a semi-Cinderella stories but not OTT about it--this heroine has family (two bossy sisters) and isn’t completely destitute. Many familiar elements but, as with so many of Betty’s stories, SS has a freshness that makes it enjoyable no matter how many BN books you’ve read. The heroine isn’t passive either—she sets out, in her quiet way, to make the hero notice her: conversely by making herself almost invisible in his presence after he’s come to expect her directness and sometimes sharp tongue. She’s basically playing her own version of The Rules almost a decade before that dating advice book came out—particularly Rule No. 1: Be a “Creature Unlike Any Other.” 😉
From 1987, a good one from Betty with the elements that make her so distinctive. Betty manages to hold my interest even when the MCs are not together in a scene; her secondary characters are colorful and her descriptions of food, furnishings, and settings so lavish and well-written that I find myself Googling recipes and information about antiques. And for all their anachronisms and emphasis on domesticity over personal ambition, I love her heroines for their quiet fortitude and the sense that whatever life throws at them, they will shoulder the burdens (sometimes more than is merited) and soldier on. They are the healers and the helpers of the world, as are the heroes, and in the end it’s that selflessness that makes them so very suited and admirable. Another good read from Betty and one that I’ve returned to more than once.
From 1987, a good one from Betty with the elements that make her so distinctive. Betty manages to hold my interest even when the MCs are not together in a scene; her secondary characters are colorful and her descriptions of food, furnishings, and settings so lavish and well-written that I find myself Googling recipes and information about antiques. And for all their anachronisms and emphasis on domesticity over personal ambition, I love her heroines for their quiet fortitude and the sense that whatever life throws at them, they will shoulder the burdens (sometimes more than is merited) and soldier on. They are the healers and the helpers of the world, as are the heroes, and in the end it’s that selflessness that makes them so very suited and admirable. Another good read from Betty and one that I’ve returned to more than once.
March 2, 2015
Oh my this was different. Hero was not the kind, swoon worthy RDD I have come to love from Betty, but rather a grumpy, nasty RBD (Rich, British, Doctor). However, he did have Dutch ancestors.
In spite of his nastiness, he had his good moments. I enjoyed reading this and was thoroughly entertained on a cold snowy winter's day.
In spite of his nastiness, he had his good moments. I enjoyed reading this and was thoroughly entertained on a cold snowy winter's day.
June 20, 2010
Betty Neels is my role model. She started writing for Harlequin in the 1960's and wrote till she died in 2001 after penning 134 books.
Betty's books are all very similar--a masterful hero who is usually a doctor and with a family connection to Holland.
I'm fascinated by her books. This is because while they are all vaguely familiar, I always enjoy them! And I always care about her heroines.
How did she do that? I even re-read her books. Three times for this one!
Betty's books are all very similar--a masterful hero who is usually a doctor and with a family connection to Holland.
I'm fascinated by her books. This is because while they are all vaguely familiar, I always enjoy them! And I always care about her heroines.
How did she do that? I even re-read her books. Three times for this one!
April 12, 2017
Wait--the doctor's British, not Dutch (but he does have a Dutch grandmother). However, he's definitely rich. She is one of Neels' small, mouse-like, non-nurse characters. But she is no doormat.
Our Meg is the much put upon middle sister who is quite upset when the family home is sold after her mother's death. Her two sisters don't seem to care, they have their own lives to lead. Enter Dr Ralph Culver, who buys the house for his mother and hires Meg to stay on as housekeeper.
She falls for him, natch, even though he is often rude. And he can't figure out how she manages to disturb him, but she does.
Requisite trip to Holland, of course. Mandatory misunderstanding by Meg over who he is going to marry. Confessions of love and a proposal, big smoochies. The End.
Vintage Betty.
Our Meg is the much put upon middle sister who is quite upset when the family home is sold after her mother's death. Her two sisters don't seem to care, they have their own lives to lead. Enter Dr Ralph Culver, who buys the house for his mother and hires Meg to stay on as housekeeper.
She falls for him, natch, even though he is often rude. And he can't figure out how she manages to disturb him, but she does.
Requisite trip to Holland, of course. Mandatory misunderstanding by Meg over who he is going to marry. Confessions of love and a proposal, big smoochies. The End.
Vintage Betty.
December 1, 2017
“Tormenta en primavera”de Betty Neels( no se porque pero me recuerda a Jane Eyre)nos presenta a Meg una joven “pequeña y regordeta, con una cara en la cual sólo destacaban unos enormes ojos grises y una boca ancha y suave, pestañas espesas y rizadas, cabello largo y sedoso de un tono castaño claro ”. Acompañamos a Meg en los cambios a los q se ve sometida su apacible vida doméstica después de la muerte de su madre,y posterior venta de la casa familiar que recaerá en manos de la Sra.Culver y su único hijo:el profesor Ralph Culver un eminente radiólogo( “alto,moreno, de ojos oscuros, arrogante y espontáneo “).Los encuentros entre ambos serán “ casuales “ y totalmente desinteresados para Meg, de hecho ella rehusa verlo,dado que él la intimida.Ella según el profesor”no era una joven cautivadora” aun así el profesor la recordaba.Para él los ojos de Meg “eran de un hermoso gris claro y su mirada transparente, como la de un niño.Meg tendrá que vérselas con sus dos hermanas,quienes la quieren instalada en la ciudad de Londres.Una vez que su trabajo como ama de llaves de la sra Culver acaba,ella será empleada por Ralph en uno de sus consultorios,dándole así alojamiento en Londres y en una casa de campo los fines de semana.La relación entre ellos será profesional y hay escenas memorables:ella recoge un gato tuerto de la calle, lo cobija y mientras lee un libro sobre radiología, él aparece sorpresivamente en el departamento y la increpa:- qué hace este animal sucio y sin duda lleno de pulgas aquí? No se está sobrepasando jovencita, cogiendo mis libros y trayendo animales roñosos a esta casa? Ella muy resuelta lo pone en su lugar y pide disculpas. Llegan a un acuerdo,pero Meg insiste en ser indiferente para el profesor,duda que él alguna vez la mirase por más dos segundos.Ella se ve a si misma poco llamativa y sencilla pero anhela casarse y tener hijos.Poco a poco y sin darse cuenta comenzará a fantasear con la posibilidad de que el profesor la mire con otros ojos y se enamore de ella,aun cuando él se pasea junto a una joven rubia en su roll royce.Meg decidirá ser lo menos espontánea con el doctor, ser lo más servicial y profesional posible, y limitar sus respuestas. Para Ralph, Meg parecía diferente:era la sombra de si misma.Aun así él la busca porque es una compañera tranquila( Tengo necesidad de hablar y por algun motivo usted creo q sabe escuchar, venga a mi casa y cene conmigo Meg).Frases memorables: ...mañana por la noche voy a salir con una joven y necesitaré todas mis energías.-Lo pasará muy bien observó Meg con voz maternal- es bonita?-Mucho.Colecciona hombres de la misma forma en que usted recoge animales necesitados- en la boca del profesor apareció una sonrisa burlona y Meg se sonrojó...No se a que se debe pero usted tiene la virtud de sacar a la superficie lo peor qué hay en mí.me pregunto el motivo,se inclinó y la beso en la mejilla - es una situación que requiere un minucioso análisis - dicho esto se fue.” Usted huele como un jardín campestre” .”No estoy disgustado, solo perplejo,Meg.has cambiado...y no me pregunte cómo, porque no lo sé. La verdadera Meg está fuera de mi alcance.-cuando la tengo cerca no lo noto ,pero cuando no es así,me pregunto donde está y que hace”-tal vez esto no haya sido una buena idea, después de todo ....-declaró él con suavidad.- estaría bien si todos recordaran que soy el ama de llaves, dijo ella.Ralph le quito el trapo y empezó a secar los tenedores.Yo si lo recuerdo y nunca pienso en usted como un ama de llaves”. “No comprendo como has cambiado mi vida ...nunca eres la misma durante más de media hora.Discutes y me haces enfadar, y sin embargo eres una oyente explendida.Comprendes a lo que me refiero?Creo q no has escuchado nada de lo que he dicho o aun peor, has oído todo y decidido ignorarlo. MI VIDA SIEMPRE HABÍA SIDO ORDENADA,pero ahora nada está en su lugar “. El profesor le propone viajar como compañía de su madre como ama de llaves una semana a Holanda a visitar a su abuela:”Meg guardó silencio durante largo rato.Experimentaba una gran alegría y excitación. Lo miró y se dio cuenta de que se había enamorado de él”. Su corazón y mente tenían dueño pero se dijo tenía q olvidarlo aun sabiendo q ella podía hacerlo feliz😭Pero cómo alejarse cuando él le decía frases cómo está:- “cuales son sus planes? -pasear con lucky , ocuparme del jardín e ir de compras.- algunas veces parece demasiado buena para ser real, Meg”.Así y todo Meg no toleraba que él la considerara ejemplar y hogareña ante sus amistades, incluida la rubia que él frecuentaba( hago un paréntesis aquí porque hay una escena memorable q no puedo ignorar: cuando la rubia entra sin ser invitada a la casa de campo donde se aloja Meg los fines de semana, y la humilla burlándose😭😭😭🤭😭😭😭es desgarradora y ella, Meg,tan vulnerable no contiene las lágrimas y llora,luego llega él y se disculpa por sus amistades, y seca sus lagrimas con su mano). Ya instalados en Holanda,Meg albergaba la esperanza de verlo todos los días pero algunas veces el profesor se encontraba atareado con sus conferencias.Sin embargo una mañana el profesor la invita a pasar la tarde con él” ya es hora de qué le dedique unas horas a usted, le dice. Y el corazón de ella dio un vuelco.😍😍😍😍Sin embargo la felicidad de Meg se vería trastocada cuando escucha la conversación de madre e hija hablando de la salida de Ralph a visitar a un antiguo profesor y a su bella hija Julie, a quien llevaría a bailar y cenar.A partir de ese momento ella se verá sometida a diferentes momentos de incomodidad respecto a las insinuaciones del profesor y su amiga Julie.En una memorable escena en la última noche de estadía en Holanda, el profesor recibe una llamada de la chica para despedirse y él se marcha. Meg ayuda a la Sra a hacer sus valijas y ya entrada la noche va a apagar las luces, encuentra en penumbras a Ralph quien le pregunta dónde ha estado, ella le responde y se vuelve para irse:”de pronto el profesor se acercó y la miro a los ojos.-RECATADA E IMPASIBLE dijo antes de besarla con pasión “😱🤤. Meg se apartó de él y se alejó, al rato se fue a dormir y comenzó a llorar.Al otro día, aun con la nariz roja,intento sobrellevar el desayuno con Ralph, quien le insinuó que ella escapaba de la situación.La diferencia de esta novela de Betty respecto a otras que he leído es que esta vez si podemos llegar a saber lo que el personaje masculino piensa o siente porque lo hace discursivo,o sea,Ralph lo dice, lo exterioriza , él se enoja con Meg y le dice: “ su opinión de mí puede ser baja pero espero que me quede el vestigio de los buenos modales...lo siento.hacemos las paces?En la novela hay muchos instantes románticos:el profesor apago todas las luces,menos una lámpara de mesa y comenzó a abrocharle el abrigo.Ella se quedó rígida...temiendo no poder evitar rodear con los brazos su cuello.Esa noche compartieron una cena en casa del profesor, disfrutando ambos de la compañía mutua.A esa altura ella ya albergaba la esperanza de conseguir su amor.La semana transcurrió con normalidad, con el doctor apenas dirigiéndole la palabra.Un evento inesperado los unió para asistir al parto de un bebé en la cabaña luego de que una pareja se quedara a mitad de camino al hospital.Luego del episodio en plena madrugada, ambos se arreglaron y desayunaron juntos,él observó que ahora que ella estaba vestida estaba mejor,aunque bromeó que el camisón que llevaba durante esa mañana le favorecía: “Meg se ruborizó-no tuve tiempo de vestirme dijo. -No...y eso me alegra dijo él.😳🤭Ese evento del parto los une y también lleva a Meg a una situación que la deja perpleja, el profesor se solidariza con la pareja que acaba de dar a luz y les ofrece la cabaña para vivir.Meg pensará en esto como una posibilidad de ser despedida a futuro y en que la rubia había hecho que él actuara así: “ creí q iba a competir con ella y mira donde estoy”.En una charla posterior con el profesor, ella le pregunta si va a casarse, él responde: “si lo he pensado.”ella siente q su mundo se derrumba.Su hermana la invita a su fiesta y ella decide asistir. Allí es incomodada por un invitado quien se burla de su vestimenta de niñera. Hace su irrupción a la fiesta el profesor quien la insta a retirarse de allí a cenar a otra parte.Toman champán y Meg se siente feliz. La burbujeante bebida había hecho su efecto y ya por acostarse recuerda que él subió con ella hasta el departamento, le abrió la puerta,encendió la luz,y al darle ella las gracias por la velada,Ralph la abrazó y besó con pasión. Ella le correspondió también.Los siguientes días pasaron sin más, con la férrea creencia de Meg de que él se casaría y no la necesitaría más en su vida. Una tarde en el consultorio,Ralph llama a Meg y ella está pálida por el temor, él va a despedirla y él se lo confirma: no deseas saber por qué quiero que te vayas ?y fue interrumpido por una llamada. Meg tendrá que esperar a su regreso para saber los motivos. Ella le asegura que es porque lo enfada muy a menudo. Allí sin más él le confiesa,de pie y muy cerca de ella que nunca lo ha enfadado:” me intrigas, me gustas, te has metido en mí corazón, pero nunca me has disgustado.MI QUERIDA NIÑA,CREO QUE ESTOY ENAMORADO DE TI DESDE LA PRIMERA VEZ QUE NOS VIMOS.Él le confiesa entonces que de lo único q estaba seguro es de extrañarla cuando no estaba a su lado.No iba a ser feliz hasta que ella se convirtiera en su esposa” la abrazo con suavidad- eres hermosa, amable y encantadora.Amo la forma en que ries, trabajas en el jardín y recoges animales”Lo recogería a él?Meg lo miro a la cara y vio tanto amor q parpadeo:- oh si por supuesto q lo haré, sonrió radiante-Yo también te amo.❤️💕 El profesor no dijo mas, la beso como nunca,Meg suspiro feliz y contuvo la respiración. Ella quería aclarar varias cosas( la joven rubia por ejemplo) -No son importantes le aseguro él y volvió a besarla. Que vamos a hacer Ralph? pregunto ella.Por qué no subimos cariño...volvió a besarla, mas tarde se lo diría,ahora él tenía otros planes,le susurró.Meg era feliz. Y nosotras también😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2018
The charm of Betty Neels is that her books are all almost the same; the big, handsome, Dutch doctor who falls in love with the slightly plump, plain, mousy, old fashioned girl with big beautiful gray eyes. The personality of the girl does vary a bit, sometimes she's shy, sometimes she sassy, sometimes downtrodden, sometimes fiercely independent, or, as in this title, a mixture of all these. The doctor is always the same gruff, and moody, but kind and always brilliant and overworked.
In this version of the story Neels seems to have forgotten from time to time who did and said what previously which was occasionally annoying, but I liked this girl a lot and her stratagems were clever and funny.
In this version of the story Neels seems to have forgotten from time to time who did and said what previously which was occasionally annoying, but I liked this girl a lot and her stratagems were clever and funny.
June 24, 2013
My first and favorite Betty Neels. I love to re-read a book & have it waiting when I am done with outside projects and inside chores. No worry about putting the book down, my old friend is there when I take a minute or two.
This is the book that made me love this author ... I have read, re-read & collected all her books.
This is the book that made me love this author ... I have read, re-read & collected all her books.
June 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. Meg is a sweet character, and we follow her to a couple different settings. Professor Ralph Culver is one of the emotionally distant heroes, but it felt different for him. He seems to be cold because he's genuinely confused about Meg and why she acts the way she does and why it is he finds her so attractive. She plays with him a bit, which is amusing because she's so completely innocent and just happens to hit on the thing that puzzles him the most. The ending is super sweet! Ralph does have a way with words, which gives one hope after his rather monosyllabic, dubious courtship. LOL
April 19, 2017
Thoughts on reread 4/18/17.
Meg really turns the Professor's world upside down! It's difficult to exactly pinpoint his DR. His mother and grandmother drop hints that he has decided to get married, and Mrs. Culver clearly knows that Meg is the girl, although that could be her intuition and not actual knowledge.
And yet, he continues to wine and dine various females far into the book; one would hope he wouldn't do that once he realized he loved Meg.
It's quite a puzzle.
I found the ending quite abrupt, although the Professor's Declaration & Proposal to be delightful.
*********
Meg Collins is one of three sisters. Their mother has recently passed away; Meg has cared for her the past few years while she was ill. Her oldest sister, Cora, is married with two kids. Doreen is a nurse on the hunt for a rich doctor of any variety. Meg is the quiet, nerdy sister. She doesn't like London, much preferring the country. Her sisters insist on selling the house because they want the money (a nicely kept Georgian, which will no doubt fetch a pretty penny, so who can blame them). Sadly, however, this means that Meg has to find another place to live for herself and of course, FFR, Betsy. Her sisters want her to buy a flat and get a boring clerical job in London. Meg wants to stay in the country, even if she has to go into domestic work – the sisters frown at this, since it would lower their social status to have a sister “in service.”
The house is purchased by a Mrs. Culver, whose son originally came to look at the house and whom Meg disliked intensely. He is tall, dark, handsome and rude, in her opinion. She arranges to be the temporary housekeeper for Mrs. Culver; Betsy, is also to stay on permanently as cook.
When Mrs. Culver's regular housekeeper comes back, Prof. Culver (yes, he is a consultant radiologist specializing in treating cancer) hires Meg to work as a receptionist at his private practice office. The job comes with a flat, and she is allowed to stay weekends in the vacant gardener's cottage at his estate. Almost immediately, they rescue a dog together, who warrants the name Lucky. Soon after Meg moves in, she finds a one-eyed cat that she names Nelson (he has been through the wars, you see).
Meg quickly becomes attracted to Prof. Culver. She buys new clothes and assumes a demure attitude in order to attract his attention. It’s working, because he actually looks at her, although he is still quite often rude and bad-tempered.
The middle of the book is taken up with trips back-and-forth to London and the country, a trip to Holland, where Professor Culver’s grandmother lives (Meg goes as temporary housekeeper – see how that comes in handy?), and work.
Early one morning when Meg is at the cottage, she hears a commotion. A young couple's car has broken down and the woman is in labor. Meg brings them into the cottage and fetches Prof. Culver to deliver the baby. It turns out that the young man is out of work, so Professor Culver hires him to be the gardener. Oh, no, no more cottage on the weekends for Meg! Don’t worry, Meg, you’re destined for the manor house. Next, Prof. Culver tells her that he has hired someone to replace her. Meg is devastated. Prof. Culver asks, "Don’t you want to know why I want you to leave?"
He is about to tell her when his phone rings and he has to leave on an emergency. The next day he calls her into his office. He tells her that the reason he sacked her is that he loves her and wants to marry her. The declaration is simply adorable – one of the best in the Canon:
"You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you’ve wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me. My dearest little darling, I’ve been in love with you since we first met, although I didn’t know it then; I only knew that when you weren’t here I missed you intolerably . . .You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?"
Awwwwww! Oh, yes, indeed she will!
Meg is the quintessential Araminta, but I totally love that Meg actually has a strategy to attract the RDD/RBD's attention instead of just avoiding him or outright running away. And we get to see the Professor’s reactions in such a way that we know her strategy is working. Yes, he is often rude, but it’s because she is getting under his skin and he doesn’t quite know why. This is a delightful little book!
Meg really turns the Professor's world upside down! It's difficult to exactly pinpoint his DR. His mother and grandmother drop hints that he has decided to get married, and Mrs. Culver clearly knows that Meg is the girl, although that could be her intuition and not actual knowledge.
And yet, he continues to wine and dine various females far into the book; one would hope he wouldn't do that once he realized he loved Meg.
It's quite a puzzle.
I found the ending quite abrupt, although the Professor's Declaration & Proposal to be delightful.
*********
Meg Collins is one of three sisters. Their mother has recently passed away; Meg has cared for her the past few years while she was ill. Her oldest sister, Cora, is married with two kids. Doreen is a nurse on the hunt for a rich doctor of any variety. Meg is the quiet, nerdy sister. She doesn't like London, much preferring the country. Her sisters insist on selling the house because they want the money (a nicely kept Georgian, which will no doubt fetch a pretty penny, so who can blame them). Sadly, however, this means that Meg has to find another place to live for herself and of course, FFR, Betsy. Her sisters want her to buy a flat and get a boring clerical job in London. Meg wants to stay in the country, even if she has to go into domestic work – the sisters frown at this, since it would lower their social status to have a sister “in service.”
The house is purchased by a Mrs. Culver, whose son originally came to look at the house and whom Meg disliked intensely. He is tall, dark, handsome and rude, in her opinion. She arranges to be the temporary housekeeper for Mrs. Culver; Betsy, is also to stay on permanently as cook.
When Mrs. Culver's regular housekeeper comes back, Prof. Culver (yes, he is a consultant radiologist specializing in treating cancer) hires Meg to work as a receptionist at his private practice office. The job comes with a flat, and she is allowed to stay weekends in the vacant gardener's cottage at his estate. Almost immediately, they rescue a dog together, who warrants the name Lucky. Soon after Meg moves in, she finds a one-eyed cat that she names Nelson (he has been through the wars, you see).
Meg quickly becomes attracted to Prof. Culver. She buys new clothes and assumes a demure attitude in order to attract his attention. It’s working, because he actually looks at her, although he is still quite often rude and bad-tempered.
The middle of the book is taken up with trips back-and-forth to London and the country, a trip to Holland, where Professor Culver’s grandmother lives (Meg goes as temporary housekeeper – see how that comes in handy?), and work.
Early one morning when Meg is at the cottage, she hears a commotion. A young couple's car has broken down and the woman is in labor. Meg brings them into the cottage and fetches Prof. Culver to deliver the baby. It turns out that the young man is out of work, so Professor Culver hires him to be the gardener. Oh, no, no more cottage on the weekends for Meg! Don’t worry, Meg, you’re destined for the manor house. Next, Prof. Culver tells her that he has hired someone to replace her. Meg is devastated. Prof. Culver asks, "Don’t you want to know why I want you to leave?"
He is about to tell her when his phone rings and he has to leave on an emergency. The next day he calls her into his office. He tells her that the reason he sacked her is that he loves her and wants to marry her. The declaration is simply adorable – one of the best in the Canon:
"You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you’ve wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me. My dearest little darling, I’ve been in love with you since we first met, although I didn’t know it then; I only knew that when you weren’t here I missed you intolerably . . .You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?"
Awwwwww! Oh, yes, indeed she will!
Meg is the quintessential Araminta, but I totally love that Meg actually has a strategy to attract the RDD/RBD's attention instead of just avoiding him or outright running away. And we get to see the Professor’s reactions in such a way that we know her strategy is working. Yes, he is often rude, but it’s because she is getting under his skin and he doesn’t quite know why. This is a delightful little book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2016
Meg Collins is a middle child with a married older sister and a bossy younger sister who is a nurse and aiming to marry a rich doctor. I found her characterisation rather amusing considering the usual meat and drink of a Betty Neels book. The death of their mother, who has been cared for by Meg to the detriment of any career or training, means the comfortable house must be sold so the profits can be shared among the three girls. This leaves unskilled Meg and the faithful family retainer Betsy, homeless and without a future.
Enter Professor Ralph Calver. English but with Dutch ancestry (cheers from the peanut gallery). He is not the usual enigmatic suave doctor but rather a grumpy irascible grouch who doesn't know why he can't find his soulmate among the thin blonde beauties he dates with monotonous regularity. He is after a pleasant home for his mother and he purchases Meg's home along with a temporary lease on Meg and Betsy as his mother's housekeeper is out of action because of her feet. It gives an interesting sidelight on the sufferings of the lower orders who have to be on their feet all day, cooking and cleaning and suchlike.
Of course this halcyon situation of Meg slaving for his mother can't last forever so to his surprise, Ralph offers her a receptionist job at his medical rooms in London along with a small flat she gets to live in for the cost of being around to answer emergency calls. To sweeten the deal, she gets to weekend at a cottage on his country estate.
All this means they get to spend time together, especially travelling to and from. They also combine to rescue a cat and dog and other things.
The ending is very abrupt as is usual with Betty Neels. The hero does need to redeem himself due to the "I DO NOT EXPLAIN ANYTHING" syndrome suffered by most of her heroes.
Enter Professor Ralph Calver. English but with Dutch ancestry (cheers from the peanut gallery). He is not the usual enigmatic suave doctor but rather a grumpy irascible grouch who doesn't know why he can't find his soulmate among the thin blonde beauties he dates with monotonous regularity. He is after a pleasant home for his mother and he purchases Meg's home along with a temporary lease on Meg and Betsy as his mother's housekeeper is out of action because of her feet. It gives an interesting sidelight on the sufferings of the lower orders who have to be on their feet all day, cooking and cleaning and suchlike.
Of course this halcyon situation of Meg slaving for his mother can't last forever so to his surprise, Ralph offers her a receptionist job at his medical rooms in London along with a small flat she gets to live in for the cost of being around to answer emergency calls. To sweeten the deal, she gets to weekend at a cottage on his country estate.
All this means they get to spend time together, especially travelling to and from. They also combine to rescue a cat and dog and other things.
The ending is very abrupt as is usual with Betty Neels. The hero does need to redeem himself due to the "I DO NOT EXPLAIN ANYTHING" syndrome suffered by most of her heroes.
July 26, 2022
I now feel most of the betty neels books are just the same. I see same scenarios repetitive in her books. This one was no different, heroine Meg was a bore,she has no skills,no brains nothing to speak off. She is the most boring heroine I have come across off late and I still can't understand why hero likes her. It's understandable the hero having met so many fashionable girls looks to find a simple kind hearted girl but for me it was surely not Meg. I completed this book with great difficulty and definitely not gonna reread it ever.
December 24, 2017
¡Betty, cómo te queremos!
Esta novela en particular es una de mis favoritas de ella. La protagonista es sencillamente maravillosa y el héroe no se queda atrás. Me pareció un doctor más pícaro que los estirados que hace Betty normalmente, pero sumamente disfrutable.
Esta novela en particular es una de mis favoritas de ella. La protagonista es sencillamente maravillosa y el héroe no se queda atrás. Me pareció un doctor más pícaro que los estirados que hace Betty normalmente, pero sumamente disfrutable.
October 5, 2024
Meg Collins is a mousy little woman, the mostly-forgotten middle child who stayed at her home with her mother in Hertfordshire and nursed said parent at the end of her life. As the book opens, Meg and her sisters are talking about selling the home and how they are going to use their shares of the money. Cora, older sister, is married with kids; Doreen, younger sister, is a vivacious nurse at a London hospital. Both sisters have always run roughshod over Meg, telling her what to do for her entire life, and now is no different. They each encourage her to move to London and find a secretary job, even though she has no secretarial skills and London is extremely expensive, even in the post-war era.
Meg had some ideas of her own for her future. As much as she doesn't want to leave her childhood home, she grudgingly accepts it, and considers hiring herself out as a housekeeper on a similar country estate. After all, those *are* the skills she has: managing a household. She has a vague notion of marrying and having kids someday, and running her own household, but more important right now is to find a roof and a situation that pays wages.
Several people come tour the home when it's put on the market, including a very arrogant man who says nothing and displays even less. Meg takes an instant dislike to him, but manages to forget him when a real potential buyer arrives: the elegant, elderly Mrs Culver, freshly arrived back in England after her husband's death. Meg takes a shine to her, especially after she graciously agrees to let Meg and the cook, Betsy, stay on for awhile while her own housekeeper recovers. The only fly in the ointment? That arrogant man is nice Mrs Culver's son, Ralph, who came to inspect the home because he knew his mother was interested in it.
Once Mrs Culver's housekeeper arrives, Meg is persuaded to go to London to check out a flat her sister Doreen found for her, which she can afford with her share of the money. It's a horrible little place behind an underground station, and Meg is in tears at the idea of leaving her beautiful home for such a place. Mercifully, Ralph Culver swoops to her rescue, assuring her that she shouldn't live in the rundown little hovel because it was structurally unsound. On the way back to Mrs Culver's house, he casually mentions that he can help her out: he has a private practice in London where he sees patients between his rounds at various hospitals around the city. It's a receptionist job, and it comes with a flat because she has to take off-hours calls for him. It also comes with the chance to visit his own country estate, with a little gardener's cottage Meg can make her own on the weekends. Meg jumps at the chance for at least partial country life, and finds herself intrigued by the man. He is a physician, a Professor of Radiology, and once she takes the job in his office, she truly takes interest in his work, as part of her job is to chat with his patients, especially the nervous ones.
Meg is quite happy with her state of affairs, all told; she has a lovely flat in the nice part of town, a little weekend lodge, and enough facetime with Professor Culver that she falls in love with him fairly quickly. She also takes in stray animals, including a one-eyed stray cat in London whom she names Nelson. (My heart melted at this, especially when she insists on taking Nelson with her to the country!)
Meg's grand idea to get the Professor to notice her is basically to fade into the background: being perfectly polite and professional, but otherwise having no personality at all. This is a change for her, and it is indeed one he notices, but it does not seem to have the desired effect. He goes out with glamorous women all the time and invites them for weekends at his estate, especially one particularly stunning blonde. Meg keeps in touch with Betsy and Mrs Culver, and learns that his mother thinks it unlikely her handsome son will settle down with the types of women he dates, but Meg is unsure.
We're nearly 70% into the book before the inevitable trip to Holland arrives. As it turns out, Mrs Culver is Dutch and her mother still lives in Amsterdam. When the Professor takes a week-long trip to visit his grandmother, he invites Meg along - because his grandmother's housekeeper is going on holiday, and the Culvers want Meg along to fill her place. I mean, you just have to laugh, really. Meg is excited, because again, being a housekeeper is her dream in life, and she loves the Culver family, so why not?
Ralph does the same things in the Netherlands that he does in England: teaching, rounds, and dates with beautiful women. He does go out of his way to spend time with Meg, including the scene featured on the cover where they spend an afternoon taking in the sights around Amsterdam. Meg's love just continues to grow, and she continues to suffer in silence. Even the intriguing looks Ralph gives her are only stings, nothing to really hang her dreams on.
They return to England and life carries on. One weekend at Ralph's country home, Meg rushes up to his house to fetch him because a young couple have broken down at her garden gate; the woman is in labor and the man is trying to get her to hospital. Ralph, despite nothing having delivered a baby since he was a resident, of course handles everything with aplomb, and sends the young couple on to hospital in the aftermath, checking up on them, etc. Meg learns that the man is an out of work farm laborer, and then - to her surprise - that Ralph has offered him the position of gardener at his estate, which means the couple with the baby will be moving into her beloved little cottage! Meg is devastated at losing this place, and decides that she needs to move on with her life. She's just another one of Ralph's success stories; he finds people in need and sets them onto a better path in life; this accounts for basically everyone who works for him, in the country and in the city.
Meg starts looking for a new job in London and a new place to live. Ralph runs hot and cold around her; seeking out her company one moment (and even kissing her, though he confesses he doesn't know why) and ignoring her the next. She calls around to find him one night because of an urgent call from the hospital and finds him at the blonde's apartment, and that's just about the final straw.
One day she goes down to the offices and everyone is acting extremely polite and professional, without the warmth she's become accustomed to. She's called into Ralph's office, knowing that he's going to sack her, which he does. She's incredibly upset until he basically says, "You know why I hired another receptionist? Because I want you as my wife!"
I had to laugh, honestly. It's like everyone in the world knew what was going on, except Meg. How was she the last one to know he was in love with her and wanted to marry her? It's a mystery to me. The story is told nearly 100% from Meg's POV (with just a few scenes from Ralph's POV), and since she is pretty clueless, so are we, the readers. Ralph claims that he fell in love with her right from the start, basically because she was not like other girls he knew. We don't really see this on the page, so it was a bit of hard sell for me. I mean, yay that Meg got her happy ending, but also a little WTF??
I enjoyed this for the most part (and the shout-out to my city, Leiden, during the trip to Holland!), just was amused by that ending. Ms Neels writes a compelling story, and this was a quick read. I look forward to the next!
Find more reviews at The Vintage Romance Reader
Meg had some ideas of her own for her future. As much as she doesn't want to leave her childhood home, she grudgingly accepts it, and considers hiring herself out as a housekeeper on a similar country estate. After all, those *are* the skills she has: managing a household. She has a vague notion of marrying and having kids someday, and running her own household, but more important right now is to find a roof and a situation that pays wages.
Several people come tour the home when it's put on the market, including a very arrogant man who says nothing and displays even less. Meg takes an instant dislike to him, but manages to forget him when a real potential buyer arrives: the elegant, elderly Mrs Culver, freshly arrived back in England after her husband's death. Meg takes a shine to her, especially after she graciously agrees to let Meg and the cook, Betsy, stay on for awhile while her own housekeeper recovers. The only fly in the ointment? That arrogant man is nice Mrs Culver's son, Ralph, who came to inspect the home because he knew his mother was interested in it.
Once Mrs Culver's housekeeper arrives, Meg is persuaded to go to London to check out a flat her sister Doreen found for her, which she can afford with her share of the money. It's a horrible little place behind an underground station, and Meg is in tears at the idea of leaving her beautiful home for such a place. Mercifully, Ralph Culver swoops to her rescue, assuring her that she shouldn't live in the rundown little hovel because it was structurally unsound. On the way back to Mrs Culver's house, he casually mentions that he can help her out: he has a private practice in London where he sees patients between his rounds at various hospitals around the city. It's a receptionist job, and it comes with a flat because she has to take off-hours calls for him. It also comes with the chance to visit his own country estate, with a little gardener's cottage Meg can make her own on the weekends. Meg jumps at the chance for at least partial country life, and finds herself intrigued by the man. He is a physician, a Professor of Radiology, and once she takes the job in his office, she truly takes interest in his work, as part of her job is to chat with his patients, especially the nervous ones.
Meg is quite happy with her state of affairs, all told; she has a lovely flat in the nice part of town, a little weekend lodge, and enough facetime with Professor Culver that she falls in love with him fairly quickly. She also takes in stray animals, including a one-eyed stray cat in London whom she names Nelson. (My heart melted at this, especially when she insists on taking Nelson with her to the country!)
Meg's grand idea to get the Professor to notice her is basically to fade into the background: being perfectly polite and professional, but otherwise having no personality at all. This is a change for her, and it is indeed one he notices, but it does not seem to have the desired effect. He goes out with glamorous women all the time and invites them for weekends at his estate, especially one particularly stunning blonde. Meg keeps in touch with Betsy and Mrs Culver, and learns that his mother thinks it unlikely her handsome son will settle down with the types of women he dates, but Meg is unsure.
We're nearly 70% into the book before the inevitable trip to Holland arrives. As it turns out, Mrs Culver is Dutch and her mother still lives in Amsterdam. When the Professor takes a week-long trip to visit his grandmother, he invites Meg along - because his grandmother's housekeeper is going on holiday, and the Culvers want Meg along to fill her place. I mean, you just have to laugh, really. Meg is excited, because again, being a housekeeper is her dream in life, and she loves the Culver family, so why not?
Ralph does the same things in the Netherlands that he does in England: teaching, rounds, and dates with beautiful women. He does go out of his way to spend time with Meg, including the scene featured on the cover where they spend an afternoon taking in the sights around Amsterdam. Meg's love just continues to grow, and she continues to suffer in silence. Even the intriguing looks Ralph gives her are only stings, nothing to really hang her dreams on.
They return to England and life carries on. One weekend at Ralph's country home, Meg rushes up to his house to fetch him because a young couple have broken down at her garden gate; the woman is in labor and the man is trying to get her to hospital. Ralph, despite nothing having delivered a baby since he was a resident, of course handles everything with aplomb, and sends the young couple on to hospital in the aftermath, checking up on them, etc. Meg learns that the man is an out of work farm laborer, and then - to her surprise - that Ralph has offered him the position of gardener at his estate, which means the couple with the baby will be moving into her beloved little cottage! Meg is devastated at losing this place, and decides that she needs to move on with her life. She's just another one of Ralph's success stories; he finds people in need and sets them onto a better path in life; this accounts for basically everyone who works for him, in the country and in the city.
Meg starts looking for a new job in London and a new place to live. Ralph runs hot and cold around her; seeking out her company one moment (and even kissing her, though he confesses he doesn't know why) and ignoring her the next. She calls around to find him one night because of an urgent call from the hospital and finds him at the blonde's apartment, and that's just about the final straw.
One day she goes down to the offices and everyone is acting extremely polite and professional, without the warmth she's become accustomed to. She's called into Ralph's office, knowing that he's going to sack her, which he does. She's incredibly upset until he basically says, "You know why I hired another receptionist? Because I want you as my wife!"
I had to laugh, honestly. It's like everyone in the world knew what was going on, except Meg. How was she the last one to know he was in love with her and wanted to marry her? It's a mystery to me. The story is told nearly 100% from Meg's POV (with just a few scenes from Ralph's POV), and since she is pretty clueless, so are we, the readers. Ralph claims that he fell in love with her right from the start, basically because she was not like other girls he knew. We don't really see this on the page, so it was a bit of hard sell for me. I mean, yay that Meg got her happy ending, but also a little WTF??
I enjoyed this for the most part (and the shout-out to my city, Leiden, during the trip to Holland!), just was amused by that ending. Ms Neels writes a compelling story, and this was a quick read. I look forward to the next!
Find more reviews at The Vintage Romance Reader
October 8, 2010
I found this one every so slightly different from other Neel's I've read. This hero - Ralph Culver - seemed more lost than her other heros. Not that he wasn't self-assured - he is a very successful radiologist. But he seems to be in need of the kind of love and quiet security that his gorgeous, fashionable dates don't have. He becomes completely mesmerized by Meg - an honest, peaceful girl whose happy gardening and picking up stray dogs. She is the perfect girl for Ralph. He resists at first - but in the end he surrenders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2022
c1986. Part of a combo.
Another too abrupt ending :)
I have read many of her books and can count on one hand the number of decent book endings.
Always clean with not much good communication between hero and heroine. But always some Netherlands visit in most of her books.
Really like Meg Collins in this one .. her love of gardening and homemaking .. caring for others and sensibility.
Always a comfy read from BN .. recommended.
Another too abrupt ending :)
I have read many of her books and can count on one hand the number of decent book endings.
Always clean with not much good communication between hero and heroine. But always some Netherlands visit in most of her books.
Really like Meg Collins in this one .. her love of gardening and homemaking .. caring for others and sensibility.
Always a comfy read from BN .. recommended.
January 30, 2022
Again, sweet & predictable. Nice quick read. Currently searching for my own tall & handsome Dutch doctor! 😍😄
August 17, 2020
Meh. In my discovering-Betty-Neels zeal, I probably shouldn't have read my second so soon after my first because, when a woman writes 135+ books, there have got to be some quick go-tos she relies on, and they all show up here. Just as in CASSANDRA BY CHANCE, only not as delightful the second time around. There is the plain heroine; the tall, broad-shouldered, handsome doctor who is alternately kind, cool, or bad-tempered; the job offer; the trip to the Netherlands. In CASSANDRA I could see why the tall, broad-shouldered, handsome doctor would fall for her, despite her plainness (he is blind and they form a friendship), but in STORMY SPRINGTIME I didn't see why he would pick her over the various gorgeous gals. She was frumpy, she confessed to having no skills, she was a family doormat. She could cook and liked animals and didn't talk too much (and didn't wear jangly bangles, he tells her at one point), but I needed a little more to go on here. Also, she just suddenly realizes halfway through that she's in love with him, and I had to go back a few pages to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped over something crucial (like, why?).
Oh, well. I'll wait a little longer before picking up the next.
Oh, well. I'll wait a little longer before picking up the next.
November 30, 2025
Stormy Springtime from 1987 features Betty's classic Araminta character, this time named Meg, and a rather unusual Rich British Doctor (RBD) named Ralph. Ralph? That's right: Ralph. Let's assume the British pronunciation of "Rafe." The setting includes a mix of locations in Hertfordshire and London. Meg (23) is the middle sister of three, and as our story opens, her mother has passed away after a long illness through which she was nursed devotedly by Meg in the family home while Meg's bossy and overbearing two sisters Cora and Doreen lead their own lives while micromanaging Meg's from a distance. Meg is quiet and self-effacing, and she puts up with them while presenting a very calm exterior. But inside, she's had enough, and throughout the story, she quietly makes her own way despite their irritable and probably ultimately well-meaning attempts to dictate how Meg ought to conduct her life. Cora (a housewife) and Doreen (a nurse) aren't evil sisters, as often appear in Neelsland, but they must not believe Meg has much going on in her head since they are convinced she needs them to direct her major decisions. Maddening!
Because they don't really understand Meg. They push her to train as a typist or some such thing and use her portion of the proceeds from the sale of the family home to buy a basement apartment in London, where she can get a job after her typist/shorthand training. But Meg is quite capable of managing her own affairs. She knows what she *doesn't* want and she knows the type of life that will suit her: country living, housekeeping, gardening, cooking, looking after people.
When the house is finally sold, Meg is asked to stay on temporarily as housekeeper to the nice new owner (a lovely older woman) until her own housekeeper returns from sick leave, something which Meg is thrilled to do. She meets the lady’s son, Ralph, who is a radiologist based in London. Ralph is older ("no more than 38" as one character notes) so a significant age gap, something that was often true in Neelsland, but Meg is written as quite mature, so it doesn't feel insurmountable or icky, as it does in some other BN titles. Ralph is handsome, mocking, a little rude, and initially Meg does not like him at all (the book's cover illustration really says it all, with that incredible expression on her face). But Ralph is a good son to his mother, and he cares about his patients, and he has a soft spot for animals. (So does Meg; this book features a couple of animal rescues.) Ralph lives nearby and he frequently visits his mother in her new home, and he finds his attention caught by Meg. He enjoys her occasionally peppery personality. He watches her cook and clean and rescue animals and take care of his mother and unwillingly becomes interested, although this is no insta-love story. It takes Ralph quite a while to understand his own feelings and a little longer than that to act on them, all while battling his unwilling attraction by dating as many other women as possible and maintaining his man-about-town lifestyle in swinging London. Yes, I do know that the book takes place about 20 years after London’s swinging heyday but I can totally envision Ralph out there shaking his moneymaker in the London nightclubs with gorgeous thin blonde models. But he does find himself putting himself out for Meg over and over, first offering her a job in London in his practice when his mother’s housekeeper returns, then offering her the dear little flat that goes with the job, then the use of a weekend cottage in the grounds of his country home (complete with offering lifts every week since she does not have her own car), and then a trip to Amsterdam to do another spot of housekeeping during a week-long family trip, this time for his granny.
For her part, Meg decides fairly early on that it would be interesting to see if she can get him to notice her, and really pay attention to her. She doesn’t think she is his type (and neither does he) but she plans out what she needs to do. It involves dialing down her mildly peppery persona so that he will be forced to notice the change in her and try to figure out what’s going on. (It works!) Sister Doreen also makes an attempt to catch Ralph’s interest under the assumption that no way, no how would he ever be interested in someone like Meg, not that such an idea ever crosses her mind. Meg never tells Doreen that she is interested in Ralph, either, especially since at one point she realizes she does truly love him. I would have enjoyed reading a description of Doreen’s comeuppance when she is informed of Meg’s plans to marry Ralph at the book’s conclusion, but Betty did not see fit to provide this might-have-been delight. (For what it is worth: I do not enjoy it when women are pitted against each other in pursuit of a man, and this is regrettably one of Betty's go-to plot points throughout the canon. But in this case, Doreen is so over-the-top bossy that she needs a wake-up call about her own importance in other people's lives, and secondly, Ralph is never at any point even vaguely interested in Doreen. It's Meg from the get-go, even when he doesn't realize it.)
Stormy Springtime is a delightful entry in the BN canon. Meg is calm and quiet, but she has a lot going on under that calm exterior, and she doesn’t allow low self-esteem to prevent her trying to capture the interest of the man she would like to marry. Ralph is ultimately a good guy, but he isn’t one of Betty’s placid, omniscient and god-like RDDs, nor is he one of Betty’s problematic jerks. The book is filled with all the details that make Betty so endearing, the seemingly banal details that yet paint an engrossing portrait of an **idealized** English life- food, clothes, shopping, cleaning, afternoon tea, walks in the countryside or in London’s parks, plus an adorable rescue dog and even more adorable rescue cat. We read Betty for happy escapism and that is what she provides. Five stars!
Because they don't really understand Meg. They push her to train as a typist or some such thing and use her portion of the proceeds from the sale of the family home to buy a basement apartment in London, where she can get a job after her typist/shorthand training. But Meg is quite capable of managing her own affairs. She knows what she *doesn't* want and she knows the type of life that will suit her: country living, housekeeping, gardening, cooking, looking after people.
When the house is finally sold, Meg is asked to stay on temporarily as housekeeper to the nice new owner (a lovely older woman) until her own housekeeper returns from sick leave, something which Meg is thrilled to do. She meets the lady’s son, Ralph, who is a radiologist based in London. Ralph is older ("no more than 38" as one character notes) so a significant age gap, something that was often true in Neelsland, but Meg is written as quite mature, so it doesn't feel insurmountable or icky, as it does in some other BN titles. Ralph is handsome, mocking, a little rude, and initially Meg does not like him at all (the book's cover illustration really says it all, with that incredible expression on her face). But Ralph is a good son to his mother, and he cares about his patients, and he has a soft spot for animals. (So does Meg; this book features a couple of animal rescues.) Ralph lives nearby and he frequently visits his mother in her new home, and he finds his attention caught by Meg. He enjoys her occasionally peppery personality. He watches her cook and clean and rescue animals and take care of his mother and unwillingly becomes interested, although this is no insta-love story. It takes Ralph quite a while to understand his own feelings and a little longer than that to act on them, all while battling his unwilling attraction by dating as many other women as possible and maintaining his man-about-town lifestyle in swinging London. Yes, I do know that the book takes place about 20 years after London’s swinging heyday but I can totally envision Ralph out there shaking his moneymaker in the London nightclubs with gorgeous thin blonde models. But he does find himself putting himself out for Meg over and over, first offering her a job in London in his practice when his mother’s housekeeper returns, then offering her the dear little flat that goes with the job, then the use of a weekend cottage in the grounds of his country home (complete with offering lifts every week since she does not have her own car), and then a trip to Amsterdam to do another spot of housekeeping during a week-long family trip, this time for his granny.
For her part, Meg decides fairly early on that it would be interesting to see if she can get him to notice her, and really pay attention to her. She doesn’t think she is his type (and neither does he) but she plans out what she needs to do. It involves dialing down her mildly peppery persona so that he will be forced to notice the change in her and try to figure out what’s going on. (It works!) Sister Doreen also makes an attempt to catch Ralph’s interest under the assumption that no way, no how would he ever be interested in someone like Meg, not that such an idea ever crosses her mind. Meg never tells Doreen that she is interested in Ralph, either, especially since at one point she realizes she does truly love him. I would have enjoyed reading a description of Doreen’s comeuppance when she is informed of Meg’s plans to marry Ralph at the book’s conclusion, but Betty did not see fit to provide this might-have-been delight. (For what it is worth: I do not enjoy it when women are pitted against each other in pursuit of a man, and this is regrettably one of Betty's go-to plot points throughout the canon. But in this case, Doreen is so over-the-top bossy that she needs a wake-up call about her own importance in other people's lives, and secondly, Ralph is never at any point even vaguely interested in Doreen. It's Meg from the get-go, even when he doesn't realize it.)
Stormy Springtime is a delightful entry in the BN canon. Meg is calm and quiet, but she has a lot going on under that calm exterior, and she doesn’t allow low self-esteem to prevent her trying to capture the interest of the man she would like to marry. Ralph is ultimately a good guy, but he isn’t one of Betty’s placid, omniscient and god-like RDDs, nor is he one of Betty’s problematic jerks. The book is filled with all the details that make Betty so endearing, the seemingly banal details that yet paint an engrossing portrait of an **idealized** English life- food, clothes, shopping, cleaning, afternoon tea, walks in the countryside or in London’s parks, plus an adorable rescue dog and even more adorable rescue cat. We read Betty for happy escapism and that is what she provides. Five stars!
September 19, 2021
..she pondered the astounding fact that she had fallen in love; this then was what poets since the world began had been writing about, this delightful bubbly feeling which made her want to sing and shout, this wild desire to fling herself into the Professor’s arms.
Falling in love is wonderful, but being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way is a different kind of emotional torture.
Meg Collins, I wonder if her name is really just Meg. Anyway, she is the middle child of a family of three daughters, she happens to be the plain one who has no beauty nor career, but she’s sensible, practical, kind, and responsible, a paragon as what our RBD described her. Her sisters have decided to sell their family home of which she can’t object to, and it happens to be liked and so was bought by the mother of our RBD, Ralph Culver.
Meg happened to find herself to be a temporary house keeper to Mrs. Culver because her house keeper was on a sick leave. And so she continued to stay in their old house for two months and that's where she gets to see Ralph from time to time, since he often visits his mother.
So far, Stormy Springtime is my newest favorite from Betty Neels because I sincerely loved how their love story developed. My heart fluttered a whole lot while reading this book. I loved how Ralph was such a tease. When Meg was still staying as a house keeper to Mrs. Culver, Ralph would always amuse himself by annoying Meg, it even went as far as Meg disliking him. He seemed really cute then.
Eventually he offered Meg a job as a receptionist to his clinic in London, which seemed too good to be true, because along with the job comes a flat wherein she could live, and he even offered her to stay in a cottage in his country home! Which was, basically, the reason why they have so many moments together because they see each other every single day! Unlike most BN novels where the heroine would wait for a couple of weeks before seeing the hero again.. I don't like the waiting game, I’m tired of waiting you know, I’ve been waiting for my RDD long enough already.. 🤭
I think this is the reason why I loved this read so much, they had so many swoony moments together that my heart can’t help but jump all around the place. Although, as most of Betty's heroes, Ralph was also quite austere and indifferent towards Meg a lot of times, which somehow makes him a bit two-faced, but as always he was a perfect gentleman.
My favorite scene was during their stay in Amsterdam, when Ralph promised to show Meg the famous canals but Meg, being sensible as she was, doesn’t want to impose on him or on anyone, went to tour on her own, but when she returned, the professor was very angry with her because she left on her own..
“Where have you been?” he asked her in what she privately called his nasty voice. He was smiling a nasty smile, too.
“I had the afternoon off. Professor Culver.”
“In other words, 'mind my own business', eh?”
She didn’t answer him, and after a moment he said half angrily, “I thought we might do the canal trip this evening—I said I would take you.”
She said gently, “I went this afternoon. It was most interesting.”
His eyes narrowed; they looked very black. He turned on his heel and went back into the drawing-room..
Then later that night, after Meg packed up for Mrs. Culver..
They wished each other a good night and Meg went along to the drawing-room. The old lady would have gone to her room, too; she would just make sure the lights were out and the room fairly tidy before she went to the kitchen to see if Florence needed her help. There was one small table lamp burning. The Professor was sitting in the dimness, doing nothing. He got to his feet as Meg stopped in surprise, and said, “There you are, where have you been?”
“Packing for your mother, Professor. I came to turn off the lights, but perhaps you would do that when you go to bed?”
She turned to go and found him beside her, staring down into her face. “Prim,” he said nastily, and “A poker down your back,” and kissed her hard.”
*internal screams*
My heart went on somersault. Betty really knows how to tickle her readers into romantic madness! The story was progressed slowly, until there was a couple who got stranded near the Professor's cottage, and the wife was on the verge of child birth. Ralph helped them and upon knowing that the man was out of job, offered him the job of being a gardener in his country home. That meant that Meg had to leave the cottage, and fast forward to the ending, the Professor actually sacked her from her job at his clinic before he confessed his love for her. That was really funny, I could imagine how defeated and heart broken Meg must have felt.
Five stars, definitely a five star read! Also, I really love the cover of this one, I find it peculiar that somehow I can really see Ralph in my imagination as that beautiful man with black hair sitting with Meg in that park bench. And as for me, Ralph Culver is the handsomest hero out of all the Betty's heroes I've so far read. Although we know that Betty's MCs are pretty much the same, they just have different names and different circumstances. And I think perhaps that is the reason why I love her books so much. It's romantic, and somehow, realistic, with no big twists, just mundane life experiences, and it's just beautiful. That's why I can't help myself but read continue to read her books because they are that much enjoyable and romantic. Indeed, Betty knows the real essence of romance.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book..
“You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you've wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me.... You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?”
Falling in love is wonderful, but being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way is a different kind of emotional torture.
Meg Collins, I wonder if her name is really just Meg. Anyway, she is the middle child of a family of three daughters, she happens to be the plain one who has no beauty nor career, but she’s sensible, practical, kind, and responsible, a paragon as what our RBD described her. Her sisters have decided to sell their family home of which she can’t object to, and it happens to be liked and so was bought by the mother of our RBD, Ralph Culver.
Meg happened to find herself to be a temporary house keeper to Mrs. Culver because her house keeper was on a sick leave. And so she continued to stay in their old house for two months and that's where she gets to see Ralph from time to time, since he often visits his mother.
So far, Stormy Springtime is my newest favorite from Betty Neels because I sincerely loved how their love story developed. My heart fluttered a whole lot while reading this book. I loved how Ralph was such a tease. When Meg was still staying as a house keeper to Mrs. Culver, Ralph would always amuse himself by annoying Meg, it even went as far as Meg disliking him. He seemed really cute then.
Eventually he offered Meg a job as a receptionist to his clinic in London, which seemed too good to be true, because along with the job comes a flat wherein she could live, and he even offered her to stay in a cottage in his country home! Which was, basically, the reason why they have so many moments together because they see each other every single day! Unlike most BN novels where the heroine would wait for a couple of weeks before seeing the hero again.. I don't like the waiting game, I’m tired of waiting you know, I’ve been waiting for my RDD long enough already.. 🤭
I think this is the reason why I loved this read so much, they had so many swoony moments together that my heart can’t help but jump all around the place. Although, as most of Betty's heroes, Ralph was also quite austere and indifferent towards Meg a lot of times, which somehow makes him a bit two-faced, but as always he was a perfect gentleman.
My favorite scene was during their stay in Amsterdam, when Ralph promised to show Meg the famous canals but Meg, being sensible as she was, doesn’t want to impose on him or on anyone, went to tour on her own, but when she returned, the professor was very angry with her because she left on her own..
“Where have you been?” he asked her in what she privately called his nasty voice. He was smiling a nasty smile, too.
“I had the afternoon off. Professor Culver.”
“In other words, 'mind my own business', eh?”
She didn’t answer him, and after a moment he said half angrily, “I thought we might do the canal trip this evening—I said I would take you.”
She said gently, “I went this afternoon. It was most interesting.”
His eyes narrowed; they looked very black. He turned on his heel and went back into the drawing-room..
Then later that night, after Meg packed up for Mrs. Culver..
They wished each other a good night and Meg went along to the drawing-room. The old lady would have gone to her room, too; she would just make sure the lights were out and the room fairly tidy before she went to the kitchen to see if Florence needed her help. There was one small table lamp burning. The Professor was sitting in the dimness, doing nothing. He got to his feet as Meg stopped in surprise, and said, “There you are, where have you been?”
“Packing for your mother, Professor. I came to turn off the lights, but perhaps you would do that when you go to bed?”
She turned to go and found him beside her, staring down into her face. “Prim,” he said nastily, and “A poker down your back,” and kissed her hard.”
*internal screams*
My heart went on somersault. Betty really knows how to tickle her readers into romantic madness! The story was progressed slowly, until there was a couple who got stranded near the Professor's cottage, and the wife was on the verge of child birth. Ralph helped them and upon knowing that the man was out of job, offered him the job of being a gardener in his country home. That meant that Meg had to leave the cottage, and fast forward to the ending, the Professor actually sacked her from her job at his clinic before he confessed his love for her. That was really funny, I could imagine how defeated and heart broken Meg must have felt.
Five stars, definitely a five star read! Also, I really love the cover of this one, I find it peculiar that somehow I can really see Ralph in my imagination as that beautiful man with black hair sitting with Meg in that park bench. And as for me, Ralph Culver is the handsomest hero out of all the Betty's heroes I've so far read. Although we know that Betty's MCs are pretty much the same, they just have different names and different circumstances. And I think perhaps that is the reason why I love her books so much. It's romantic, and somehow, realistic, with no big twists, just mundane life experiences, and it's just beautiful. That's why I can't help myself but read continue to read her books because they are that much enjoyable and romantic. Indeed, Betty knows the real essence of romance.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book..
“You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you've wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me.... You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?”
September 4, 2023
My first Betty Neels and we're off to a good start. I loved the setting and to be honest, picked it up for the Netherlands setting (where I live right now) and enjoyed read those parts. The characters were good but I was hoping for more from the hero's PoV. Will definitely try another of hers.
Read
August 8, 2015Read this book some months ago after having it on my shelf for more than 6 years. The plot was pretty much about nothing, which what makes it interesting... It's about nothing but her thoughts on how the prof deserves a good wife and about drinking tae.. It's all about drinking some tae and looking forward to the weekend to be spent in the farmhouse
April 10, 2015
Have re-read my first Betty Neels. I have collected all her books ( I think) but still search used book shops and flea markets for various editions. A gentle story, good characters and always a happy ending.
June 26, 2011
Ideal women is seen, not heard and loves their house and housework...this is considered one her best romance novels? Are men the target audience?
September 23, 2011
These are the sweetest books and they are so touching.
September 10, 2013
Neel's books all seem to end quite abruptly to me, maybe it's just me.
April 26, 2017
Wonderful tale.
June 4, 2018
3.75*
The story dragged way too long I feel, we only got a miserable one page at the end for the love declaration and proposal! And the angst was right up till the end when he gave her the sack! Losing the right to stay the weekend at the lodge was painful, as was the thought of not seeing Lucky the dog ever again...Betty, you and your RBD sure knew how to play with our feelings!
Poor Meg had to be the most hardworking heroine ever; no one appreciated how much work goes into running a big house comfortably. While Mrs Culver was lovely she had no qualms letting Meg do EVERYTHING for her, I feel uncomfortable she really treated Meg as the hired help!
Lots of lovely country living minutiae here...especially in the cute little lodge and its garden! Why would The Professor hang out with such nasty people like the blonde girl and bearded man?! Nothing was ever explained about them, strangely edited bits.
For once it's so funny to see RBD's obfuscation by our Araminta acting self-effacing LOL!
My favourite passage is this, as it summed up their interactions quite well haha!
~~~~~
She had just finished writing to Betsy when the doorbell rang. It was a bit late for anyone to call, but it could be Percy with an offer to empty her kitchen bin. She opened the door on the chain and the Professor said testily, ‘Why the caution? You might have guessed it would be me.’
She opened the door and he went past her. ‘No, I didn’t guess, and it was you who told me never to answer the door unless the chain was up.’ She added severely, ‘There’s no pleasing you, Professor.’
He muttered something and she asked politely, ‘Would you like a cup of tea? I’ve just made some.’
‘Tea? At this hour? Yes, yes, I’ll have a cup.’He sat himself down, and Nelson scrambled on to his knee in an elderly fashion.
Meg brought him the tea and offered him a biscuit and they sat munching their digestives, saying nothing, looking at each other.
But presently the Professor said, ‘I don’t understand why you’ve disrupted my life—you’re never the same girl for more than half an hour at a time! You scold me and infuriate me by turns and yet you’re a splendid listener. You efface yourself so completely at times that I miss you, and yet you have the gall to foist stray animals into my household. Something must be done about it.’
He finished his tea, and Meg said in a matter-of-fact voice, ‘Would you like another cup?’
‘You see what I mean? I think you’ve not heard a word of what I’ve been saying, or worse, you heard it all and chose to ignore it?’ He added bleakly. ‘My life has always been an ordered one, but that’s no longer the case.’
Meg didn’t say anything. To a certain extent she had succeeded. At least he had noticed her—it was a pity that he didn’t seem very pleased about that. All the same, it was something. She studied his frowning face, loving every line of it.When the silence had been going on for too long she said kindly, ‘You’ve been working too hard. Can you not take a holiday? I mean a real one, not lectures and things.’
‘And now you presume to tell me what I am to do…’
‘That’s rubbish!’ said Meg vigorously. ‘You know as well as I do that you do exactly what you want. Why did you come here, Professor?’
‘Do you know why they wanted me at Maud’s this evening?’ and when she shook her head, ‘Nancy—you remember her? She collapsed. She’s all right now; with luck she’ll respond to treatment and in a little while she’ll be able to go home. She’ll have to come into hospital from time to time, but if we can keep her going…’
‘You will,’ said Meg firmly. ‘It’s a challenge, isn’t it?’
He smiled with great charm and she smiled back, quite forgetting to be self-effacing.‘
~~~~~
Short though it may be, but the ending is so aww...
She said in an expressionless voice, ‘Yes, of course I have. I think it’s because I vex you sometimes in some way—I have tried not to…’She didn’t quite suppress a watery sniff; all her silly, pathetic ideas about attracting his attention were so much moonshine.
‘You’ve never vexed me.’ He had left the door and was standing very close to her, looking down on to her neat, downbent head. ‘You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you’ve wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me. My dearest little darling, I’ve been in love with you since we first met, although I didn’t know it then; I only knew that when you weren’t here I missed you intolerably. I’ll never be happy until you’re my wife.’He caught her close and held her gently. ‘You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?’
Meg looked up into his face and saw so much love there that she blinked. ‘Oh yes, indeed I will—I can’t think of anything I’d rather do!’ She smiled radiantly at him. ‘I love you, too…’
The story dragged way too long I feel, we only got a miserable one page at the end for the love declaration and proposal! And the angst was right up till the end when he gave her the sack! Losing the right to stay the weekend at the lodge was painful, as was the thought of not seeing Lucky the dog ever again...Betty, you and your RBD sure knew how to play with our feelings!
Poor Meg had to be the most hardworking heroine ever; no one appreciated how much work goes into running a big house comfortably. While Mrs Culver was lovely she had no qualms letting Meg do EVERYTHING for her, I feel uncomfortable she really treated Meg as the hired help!
Lots of lovely country living minutiae here...especially in the cute little lodge and its garden! Why would The Professor hang out with such nasty people like the blonde girl and bearded man?! Nothing was ever explained about them, strangely edited bits.
For once it's so funny to see RBD's obfuscation by our Araminta acting self-effacing LOL!
My favourite passage is this, as it summed up their interactions quite well haha!
~~~~~
She had just finished writing to Betsy when the doorbell rang. It was a bit late for anyone to call, but it could be Percy with an offer to empty her kitchen bin. She opened the door on the chain and the Professor said testily, ‘Why the caution? You might have guessed it would be me.’
She opened the door and he went past her. ‘No, I didn’t guess, and it was you who told me never to answer the door unless the chain was up.’ She added severely, ‘There’s no pleasing you, Professor.’
He muttered something and she asked politely, ‘Would you like a cup of tea? I’ve just made some.’
‘Tea? At this hour? Yes, yes, I’ll have a cup.’He sat himself down, and Nelson scrambled on to his knee in an elderly fashion.
Meg brought him the tea and offered him a biscuit and they sat munching their digestives, saying nothing, looking at each other.
But presently the Professor said, ‘I don’t understand why you’ve disrupted my life—you’re never the same girl for more than half an hour at a time! You scold me and infuriate me by turns and yet you’re a splendid listener. You efface yourself so completely at times that I miss you, and yet you have the gall to foist stray animals into my household. Something must be done about it.’
He finished his tea, and Meg said in a matter-of-fact voice, ‘Would you like another cup?’
‘You see what I mean? I think you’ve not heard a word of what I’ve been saying, or worse, you heard it all and chose to ignore it?’ He added bleakly. ‘My life has always been an ordered one, but that’s no longer the case.’
Meg didn’t say anything. To a certain extent she had succeeded. At least he had noticed her—it was a pity that he didn’t seem very pleased about that. All the same, it was something. She studied his frowning face, loving every line of it.When the silence had been going on for too long she said kindly, ‘You’ve been working too hard. Can you not take a holiday? I mean a real one, not lectures and things.’
‘And now you presume to tell me what I am to do…’
‘That’s rubbish!’ said Meg vigorously. ‘You know as well as I do that you do exactly what you want. Why did you come here, Professor?’
‘Do you know why they wanted me at Maud’s this evening?’ and when she shook her head, ‘Nancy—you remember her? She collapsed. She’s all right now; with luck she’ll respond to treatment and in a little while she’ll be able to go home. She’ll have to come into hospital from time to time, but if we can keep her going…’
‘You will,’ said Meg firmly. ‘It’s a challenge, isn’t it?’
He smiled with great charm and she smiled back, quite forgetting to be self-effacing.‘
~~~~~
Short though it may be, but the ending is so aww...
She said in an expressionless voice, ‘Yes, of course I have. I think it’s because I vex you sometimes in some way—I have tried not to…’She didn’t quite suppress a watery sniff; all her silly, pathetic ideas about attracting his attention were so much moonshine.
‘You’ve never vexed me.’ He had left the door and was standing very close to her, looking down on to her neat, downbent head. ‘You intrigue me, humble me, delight me, you’ve wormed your small person into my very heart, but never once have you vexed me. My dearest little darling, I’ve been in love with you since we first met, although I didn’t know it then; I only knew that when you weren’t here I missed you intolerably. I’ll never be happy until you’re my wife.’He caught her close and held her gently. ‘You’re so beautiful and kind and loving. I love the way you laugh and grub in the garden and collect stray animals. Darling, would you consider collecting me?’
Meg looked up into his face and saw so much love there that she blinked. ‘Oh yes, indeed I will—I can’t think of anything I’d rather do!’ She smiled radiantly at him. ‘I love you, too…’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
The heroine is used like a household drudge by the hero and his mother.
He does give her a job.
I did not like the way he withdrew the lodge from her toward the ending. Height of cruelty.
I cannot understand how Betty Neels’ heroes keep being nasty to heroine and dating anaemic blondes till the end and then do a volte face and tell the heroine they want to marry her.
And she always agrees.
The heroine rescues pets and then keeps leaving them here and there quite heartlessly. In a kennel. With someone’s housekeeper. Somehow this I feel is a failing of the author. To not tie loops properly together.
The heroes till the end seem to be strongly desirous of marrying the Devil wears Prada woman and then bam. They realise that no. They want the doormat who will cook for them and bring them their slippers in the evening
This story could have done with an epilogue. Why do I say that??
I mean what happened to them both afterwards? Did she glam up? Did he become devoted?
The hero was a complete narcissist. Do gooding till it suited him.
Instead of focussing on the heroine he was going away to spend evenings with other women.
I didn’t like this hero. Which is something I say very rarely.
So that’s my review. Still. It is a better story than anything today’s HP authors write.
He does give her a job.
I did not like the way he withdrew the lodge from her toward the ending. Height of cruelty.
I cannot understand how Betty Neels’ heroes keep being nasty to heroine and dating anaemic blondes till the end and then do a volte face and tell the heroine they want to marry her.
And she always agrees.
The heroine rescues pets and then keeps leaving them here and there quite heartlessly. In a kennel. With someone’s housekeeper. Somehow this I feel is a failing of the author. To not tie loops properly together.
The heroes till the end seem to be strongly desirous of marrying the Devil wears Prada woman and then bam. They realise that no. They want the doormat who will cook for them and bring them their slippers in the evening
This story could have done with an epilogue. Why do I say that??
I mean what happened to them both afterwards? Did she glam up? Did he become devoted?
The hero was a complete narcissist. Do gooding till it suited him.
Instead of focussing on the heroine he was going away to spend evenings with other women.
I didn’t like this hero. Which is something I say very rarely.
So that’s my review. Still. It is a better story than anything today’s HP authors write.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2018
A Betty Neels story that is slightly different in that the heroine, Meg Collins has two selfish sisters that show very little interest in her, the middle sister, when they lose a parent and their family home. Meg is the one that stayed home to take care of an ailing mother until her death. One sister is married, the other a trained nurse working in London.
Megs skills are in cooking and maintaining a home. When the house is sold the money is divided among the three sisters, two with their own agenda and poor Meg that has no agenda whatsoever. She is told by her sisters to buy an apartment in London and start pursuing a life. However, Meg is a country girl and the apartment she can afford is the worst and her skills do not make her number one on the employment list.
Professor Ralph Culver having purchased Meg's home for his own mother, steps in and offers Meg a job and a place to live in London. Doesn't take Meg long to realize she'd like a more permanent life with Professor Culver but the obstacles are huge.
As usual this is an outstanding story with plenty of angst for the heroine .
Megs skills are in cooking and maintaining a home. When the house is sold the money is divided among the three sisters, two with their own agenda and poor Meg that has no agenda whatsoever. She is told by her sisters to buy an apartment in London and start pursuing a life. However, Meg is a country girl and the apartment she can afford is the worst and her skills do not make her number one on the employment list.
Professor Ralph Culver having purchased Meg's home for his own mother, steps in and offers Meg a job and a place to live in London. Doesn't take Meg long to realize she'd like a more permanent life with Professor Culver but the obstacles are huge.
As usual this is an outstanding story with plenty of angst for the heroine .
October 16, 2025
5 stars. this was a lovely read. a down to earth hardworking heroine type and Betty's icy incommunicative hero type which makes for delish tension and a bit of angst. he comes to buy her family home for his mother and is intrigued by her but doesn't know why. obviously it's because she seems to dislike him and he is used to women throwing themselves at him. She is taken for granted and used by her two thoughtless self absorbed sisters. He ends up helping her find a new life for herself working for him but is annoyed with himself for doing it because it inconveniences him. it takes him a long while to realise he likes her. meanwhile he's playing the field and being targeted by her pretty sister. he becomes increasingly annoyed with life as our fmc withdraws from him.
the ending was sweet but with the usual annoying thing betty does where the guy assumes he is God gift and gifts himself to the woman after torturing her first by not telling her anything and making it seem like he is pushing her out of his life. I always hate that but I always read her books because they are so delicious.
the ending was sweet but with the usual annoying thing betty does where the guy assumes he is God gift and gifts himself to the woman after torturing her first by not telling her anything and making it seem like he is pushing her out of his life. I always hate that but I always read her books because they are so delicious.
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