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End of the Rainbow, the
Olympia's overbearing aunt used her as her personal servant, until attractive Dutchman Waldo van der Graaf quite literally rescued her. He suggested that she exchange her life of drudgery for the role of his wife. Waldo needed someone to look after his small daughter and run his home--a marriage of convenience. Olympia was thankful and accepted his proposal, but soon realized she had only exchanged one set of problems for another when she found herself falling in love with her own husband!
186 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1974
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210 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 41 reviews
May 13, 2013
An entertaining read, but the ending ruined it for me. : 0 ((
I could not believe that the hero trusted OW's lies over the heroine's word. The fact that the heroine did not challenge him was disturbing. I recognize that her upbringing affected her self-esteem, but her unwillingness to defend herself lessened an otherwise very strong and delightful heroine. It was clear she would do anything not to rock the marriage boat and I just saw a lifetime of servitude in front of her. Given she didn't have much of a marriage, I don't know what was stopping her. She was more his housewife and nanny than wife.
I could have gotten past all this, if his grovel was commensurate with the crime. But since he got off way too easy in my books, I can only give this 3 stars.
I could not believe that the hero trusted OW's lies over the heroine's word. The fact that the heroine did not challenge him was disturbing. I recognize that her upbringing affected her self-esteem, but her unwillingness to defend herself lessened an otherwise very strong and delightful heroine. It was clear she would do anything not to rock the marriage boat and I just saw a lifetime of servitude in front of her. Given she didn't have much of a marriage, I don't know what was stopping her. She was more his housewife and nanny than wife.
I could have gotten past all this, if his grovel was commensurate with the crime. But since he got off way too easy in my books, I can only give this 3 stars.
April 18, 2021
Updated review (because I forgot I already reviewed this one and I'm more appreciative of our OW on my re-read).
Forget our kindly, placid RDD Waldo and the “I will toil in penury and misery forevermore because I promised!” martyred heroine whom he saves: the REAL star of TEotR is snake-in-the-grass wannabe-OW Elizabeth! Poor Elizabeth has waited 15 years for Waldo’s love, suffering through his marriage to her BFF, who died, and waiting, waiting hopelessly in the wings. So when he abruptly marries a stranger—and a mousy one at that!—she doesn’t sit around mourning her loss. Instead, she subtly begins her campaign to undermine our heroine, particularly with the hero’s little daughter. Hoping to win Waldo through attrition, I guess, by running off the heroine, Elizabeth (smile and smile) is clever and cruel:
Evil I tell you!
Our heroine is completely taken in at first, but then she has other fish to fry After the beans-spilling incident, though, she sees Elizabeth’s true colors (mostly sickly green and acid yellow, one supposes)—but Waldo doesn’t want to hear the truth about the beans and instead “forgives” the heroine and insists they not discuss it anymore. So she seethes and boils and occasionally erupts without clearing anything up, and takes her aggression out on the Sweater of Rage and Despair she’s knitting as our hero’s Christmas present (although Elizabeth told her he hates homemade sweaters and will only wear bespoke cashmere, hee).
After a surfeit of bony sophisticates intent on luring our RDDs from their mousy wives-of-convenience using their flat-chested wiles and tinkling laughter, how refreshing to come across an BN OW who uses her superfakeniceness to try to achieve the same ends. Does she remain in Antwerp forever, one wonders? Probably not—BN’s OW generally don’t have any kind of comeuppance to fear—not even the ones who attempt the vilest things (dog drowning! Baby drugging!), so it's probably all good! when she rolls back home.
The Big Misunderstanding and the absolute REFUSAL (notable even for a BN hero and heroine!) to communicate are silly, of course, and overall, for me, this was one of BN’s more “middlin’” reads, but there’s a nice hero grovel at the end, and the OW is, at least, memorable. Downgraded a star because I've read a lot of BNs since my original review and this one didn't hold up so well in comparison.
Original review:
A fairly typical Cinderella story from Betty, with a rather more touchy-feely hero (he puts his hands on heroine's waist a few times--racy!); a plain-to-pretty heroine with a pretty sharp tongue when she gets riled; a MoC; a wicked aunt; a good aunt; the usual angst-causing miscommunication fostered, in part, by a delightfully horrible sneaky frenemy OW; a potential second OW!; and a satisfying, last-minute make-up/hero grovel/HEA.
Betty car porn: The hero in this one drives a Lambo to start (racy!):
. . . but also has a Rolls Royce Corniche convertible (also pretty racy!):
Forget our kindly, placid RDD Waldo and the “I will toil in penury and misery forevermore because I promised!” martyred heroine whom he saves: the REAL star of TEotR is snake-in-the-grass wannabe-OW Elizabeth! Poor Elizabeth has waited 15 years for Waldo’s love, suffering through his marriage to her BFF, who died, and waiting, waiting hopelessly in the wings. So when he abruptly marries a stranger—and a mousy one at that!—she doesn’t sit around mourning her loss. Instead, she subtly begins her campaign to undermine our heroine, particularly with the hero’s little daughter. Hoping to win Waldo through attrition, I guess, by running off the heroine, Elizabeth (smile and smile) is clever and cruel:
Evil I tell you!
Our heroine is completely taken in at first, but then she has other fish to fry After the beans-spilling incident, though, she sees Elizabeth’s true colors (mostly sickly green and acid yellow, one supposes)—but Waldo doesn’t want to hear the truth about the beans and instead “forgives” the heroine and insists they not discuss it anymore. So she seethes and boils and occasionally erupts without clearing anything up, and takes her aggression out on the Sweater of Rage and Despair she’s knitting as our hero’s Christmas present (although Elizabeth told her he hates homemade sweaters and will only wear bespoke cashmere, hee).
After a surfeit of bony sophisticates intent on luring our RDDs from their mousy wives-of-convenience using their flat-chested wiles and tinkling laughter, how refreshing to come across an BN OW who uses her superfakeniceness to try to achieve the same ends. Does she remain in Antwerp forever, one wonders? Probably not—BN’s OW generally don’t have any kind of comeuppance to fear—not even the ones who attempt the vilest things (dog drowning! Baby drugging!), so it's probably all good! when she rolls back home.
The Big Misunderstanding and the absolute REFUSAL (notable even for a BN hero and heroine!) to communicate are silly, of course, and overall, for me, this was one of BN’s more “middlin’” reads, but there’s a nice hero grovel at the end, and the OW is, at least, memorable. Downgraded a star because I've read a lot of BNs since my original review and this one didn't hold up so well in comparison.
Original review:
A fairly typical Cinderella story from Betty, with a rather more touchy-feely hero (he puts his hands on heroine's waist a few times--racy!); a plain-to-pretty heroine with a pretty sharp tongue when she gets riled; a MoC; a wicked aunt; a good aunt; the usual angst-causing miscommunication fostered, in part, by a delightfully horrible sneaky frenemy OW; a potential second OW!; and a satisfying, last-minute make-up/hero grovel/HEA.
Betty car porn: The hero in this one drives a Lambo to start (racy!):
. . . but also has a Rolls Royce Corniche convertible (also pretty racy!):
September 4, 2023
4 1/2 Stars ~ Snatching a few precious hours for herself, Olympia stumbles on the stairs of a London museum, and is helped up by a very tall and handsome man. He helps dust her off and asks if he can keep her company as she goes through the exhibits, and then he asks her to tea. Waldo is a doctor from Holland, attending a conference, and he gently encourages Olympia to share the story of her life. It's a sad story; orphaned quite young she came to stay with her aunt who runs a nursing home for the elderly. The aunt put her through nursing school with the understanding that she would come back and work at the home. Olympia, though she would have loved to continue her training to be a surgical nurse, kept her promise and now for the past two years, she's become her aunt's terribly paid and greatly overworked slave. When Waldo returns her to the nursing home, Olympia is certain that she's seen that last of him, but several days later he accompanies the homes' doctor to visit one of the patients. Olympia is shocked when Waldo convinces her aunt to allow him to take her out on her off hours, and for several weeks he does this regularly.
Ready to return to his home and practice in Holland, he asks Olympia to marry him. He has a motherless daughter of five who desperately needs a mother and he needs a wife to run his house and be his hostess. It's to be a marriage of convenience, and Olympia accepts. Olympia is at first a little overwhelmed by her husband's immense wealth and Ria refuses to like her. Luckily, Elisabeth, Waldo's very good friend, jumps right in to help her learn what is expected of her and helps with Ria, who seems to adore her. Olympia takes Elisabeth at face value, not noticing that she has a tendency of pointing out her failings in front of others, and that just as Ria seems to be warming to her, all it takes is time spent with Elisabeth for the child to again dislike her. Olympia works very hard to be the kind of wife Waldo expects, or rather the wife Elisabeth tells her he expects. But slowly she begins to wonder just how innocent Elisabeth's helpfulness truly is.
Though this has the usual gentle pace of Ms. Neels earlier books, I found myself tearing up in several places. Olympia is rather a tragic heroine who struggles with her vulnerable self-esteem. Even though he doesn't demand it, she goes the extra mile to please Waldo, only it seems he's indifferent. Waldo, at times, is oblivious to Olympia's unhappiness and doesn't notice how Elisabeth keeps undermining her efforts. I wanted to shoot him when he believed Elisabeth's lies and while he is mortified when he learns the truth and agrees he should be shot, I wish Ms. Neels would have let him grovel a bit more. There are lovely glimpses of past Betty Neels couples, and as this story too has the usual abrupt HEA, I hope we have glimpses of Olympia and Waldo in future stories to see how they are faring.
Ready to return to his home and practice in Holland, he asks Olympia to marry him. He has a motherless daughter of five who desperately needs a mother and he needs a wife to run his house and be his hostess. It's to be a marriage of convenience, and Olympia accepts. Olympia is at first a little overwhelmed by her husband's immense wealth and Ria refuses to like her. Luckily, Elisabeth, Waldo's very good friend, jumps right in to help her learn what is expected of her and helps with Ria, who seems to adore her. Olympia takes Elisabeth at face value, not noticing that she has a tendency of pointing out her failings in front of others, and that just as Ria seems to be warming to her, all it takes is time spent with Elisabeth for the child to again dislike her. Olympia works very hard to be the kind of wife Waldo expects, or rather the wife Elisabeth tells her he expects. But slowly she begins to wonder just how innocent Elisabeth's helpfulness truly is.
Though this has the usual gentle pace of Ms. Neels earlier books, I found myself tearing up in several places. Olympia is rather a tragic heroine who struggles with her vulnerable self-esteem. Even though he doesn't demand it, she goes the extra mile to please Waldo, only it seems he's indifferent. Waldo, at times, is oblivious to Olympia's unhappiness and doesn't notice how Elisabeth keeps undermining her efforts. I wanted to shoot him when he believed Elisabeth's lies and while he is mortified when he learns the truth and agrees he should be shot, I wish Ms. Neels would have let him grovel a bit more. There are lovely glimpses of past Betty Neels couples, and as this story too has the usual abrupt HEA, I hope we have glimpses of Olympia and Waldo in future stories to see how they are faring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2018
The hero makes me so angry! For that I deducted 1*!
But this book really made me feel- anger at Waldo, and the angst felt by Olympia. From the beginning of their marriage, Waldo would rubbish her concerns that it seemed someone was telling Ria not to like her. He'd also make jerkish remarks like talking to her was "a waste of time", and his seemingly kind and meaningless comments were actually cruel...When he could tell she was upset, all he did was dismiss her as being silly, albeit he'd do it affectionately. Argh so condescending! Male chauvinistic even!
And I didn't like it that once they got married, he NEVER took her out without Ria along. She really was a housewife and nanny to his daughter! Even Aunt Betsy saw the problem right away just from the outings Olympia described: to see this and that friend only...
I know it's all very sweet how he was planning a surprise for her but the secretive actions were damning indeed. Worse was his amusement when he suspected Olympia thought he had a woman in London! For once I did not feel the heroine was being a ninny and jumping to conclusions too easily! It certainly did not help when the viper Other Woman was kindly but sneakily undermining Olympia's efforts constantly, in the name of giving advice etc but more like sabotages. Watching her and how grateful poor Olympia was, was simply awful. Like watching a train wreck and knowing what was happening and going to happen!
It took Ria to tell the truth about the nasty event before Waldo believed Olympia did not betray his confidence. He ought to be shot indeed like Olympia said! Though thinking Olympia guilty, he was all ready to be magnanimous and forgive her, but still...I really wanted to see Elizabeth getting her just desserts! But alas the ending did not address this at all. Just a mention that Waldo wouldn't even remember who Elizabeth was at that moment. Well easy for him! He really needed to grovel MORE!
PS 11 March 2018: Waldo and Olympia make cameo appearances in Midnight Sun's Magic as Jake's best friend and wife.
But this book really made me feel- anger at Waldo, and the angst felt by Olympia. From the beginning of their marriage, Waldo would rubbish her concerns that it seemed someone was telling Ria not to like her. He'd also make jerkish remarks like talking to her was "a waste of time", and his seemingly kind and meaningless comments were actually cruel...When he could tell she was upset, all he did was dismiss her as being silly, albeit he'd do it affectionately. Argh so condescending! Male chauvinistic even!
And I didn't like it that once they got married, he NEVER took her out without Ria along. She really was a housewife and nanny to his daughter! Even Aunt Betsy saw the problem right away just from the outings Olympia described: to see this and that friend only...
I know it's all very sweet how he was planning a surprise for her but the secretive actions were damning indeed. Worse was his amusement when he suspected Olympia thought he had a woman in London! For once I did not feel the heroine was being a ninny and jumping to conclusions too easily! It certainly did not help when the viper Other Woman was kindly but sneakily undermining Olympia's efforts constantly, in the name of giving advice etc but more like sabotages. Watching her and how grateful poor Olympia was, was simply awful. Like watching a train wreck and knowing what was happening and going to happen!
It took Ria to tell the truth about the nasty event before Waldo believed Olympia did not betray his confidence. He ought to be shot indeed like Olympia said! Though thinking Olympia guilty, he was all ready to be magnanimous and forgive her, but still...I really wanted to see Elizabeth getting her just desserts! But alas the ending did not address this at all. Just a mention that Waldo wouldn't even remember who Elizabeth was at that moment. Well easy for him! He really needed to grovel MORE!
PS 11 March 2018: Waldo and Olympia make cameo appearances in Midnight Sun's Magic as Jake's best friend and wife.
April 10, 2017
Every girl loves a knight in shining armor. I really love this heroine - she's had a tough life but has the typical "stiff upper lip" English attitude.
I've read this several times. Most recently I read it aloud to my husband while on a 3700-mile road trip from our home in Oklahoma, through Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas again and home in Oklahoma. He has never read a romance in his life, and he hated admitting it, but he was really enchanted by Waldo and Olympia.
Olivia was left an orphan as a young girl. Her Aunt Maria took her in, clothed her (unfashionably), and educated her as a nurse. In return, she extracted a promise from Olympia that after she qualified, she would come back and work at the nursing home that she runs.
Now Aunt Maria has indoctrinated Olympia that she is plain and that no one would ever want to marry her. So when Olympia adds a stipulation that she can leave if she marries, Aunt Maria scoffs but agrees.
So for a number of years Olympia has slaved for her aunt. One day while running errands, Olympia trips and is picked up by a handsome blond man. That gentleman introduces himself as Waldo van der Graaf, gives her tea and then drives her home.
A few days later, he shows up at the nursing home with one of the regular doctor, Dr. Sims. Of course, Waldo is a doctor! Over the next few weeks, he takes Olympia out several times, tells her that he has a young daughter and generally appears to like her. Olympia assumes that he wants to hire her to act as a governess to his daughter.
One day, he takes Olympia to meet his aunt and there proposes marriage. Yes, a marriage of convenience, because Olympia has told him about her promise to Aunt Maria. After due consideration, Olympia accepts. Aunt Maria is livid.
So they marry and go to his home in Middleburg, Holland. Olympia fits in well, except that Waldo's daughter, Ria, doesn't like her. Elizabeth, an old friend of Waldo's first wife, is very friendly and helps Olympia find her feet.
What Olympia doesn't know right off is that Elizabeth is a snake in the grass. She wanted to marry Waldo and she is causing trouble behind the scenes, encouraging Ria to dislike Olympia.
Olympia has her DR along the way and so does Waldo. But every time Waldo tries to tell Olympia, there is an interruption. Olympia's eyes are gradually opened to Elizabeth'a duplicity. Waldo tells Olympia that Ria isn't his daughter; his brother was killed leaving a pregnant fiancée. Waldo married her to give the child the family name and a father. Neither of them know Elizabeth overhears; she tells Ria and tells her that Waldo and Olympia don't want her around.
Then Ria runs away. Elizabeth tells Waldo a monumental lie that Olympia encouraged Ria to run away, when of course she herself had done so. Olympia finds Ria and Ria spills the beans on Elizabeth. But Waldo is so angry he refuses to listen to Olympia's side of the story.
All along, there have been mysterious phone calls from a woman in London. Olympia answered one of these calls in which she did not identify herself. The woman specifically forbade telling Waldo's wife about the call. Well, of course Olympia assumes the worst!
After Ria's runaway, Waldo insists they all go to London. He has purchased the nursing home as a present to Olympia. Ria blurts out the truth about Elizabeth. Waldo grovels for believing the worst about Olympia and tells her he loved her even then. Kisses follow, as well as immediate plans to provide Ria with siblings.
This book has been passionately discussed by the TUJD group. Does the grand gesture (the present of the nursing home - Olympia's long-time desire) and Waldo's apology make up for how he treated her following Ria's runaway? Opinions are mixed. I say yes: I live Waldo and he grovels sufficiently for me to forgive him.
One of TGB's memorable stories. 4 1/2 stars.
I've read this several times. Most recently I read it aloud to my husband while on a 3700-mile road trip from our home in Oklahoma, through Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas again and home in Oklahoma. He has never read a romance in his life, and he hated admitting it, but he was really enchanted by Waldo and Olympia.
Olivia was left an orphan as a young girl. Her Aunt Maria took her in, clothed her (unfashionably), and educated her as a nurse. In return, she extracted a promise from Olympia that after she qualified, she would come back and work at the nursing home that she runs.
Now Aunt Maria has indoctrinated Olympia that she is plain and that no one would ever want to marry her. So when Olympia adds a stipulation that she can leave if she marries, Aunt Maria scoffs but agrees.
So for a number of years Olympia has slaved for her aunt. One day while running errands, Olympia trips and is picked up by a handsome blond man. That gentleman introduces himself as Waldo van der Graaf, gives her tea and then drives her home.
A few days later, he shows up at the nursing home with one of the regular doctor, Dr. Sims. Of course, Waldo is a doctor! Over the next few weeks, he takes Olympia out several times, tells her that he has a young daughter and generally appears to like her. Olympia assumes that he wants to hire her to act as a governess to his daughter.
One day, he takes Olympia to meet his aunt and there proposes marriage. Yes, a marriage of convenience, because Olympia has told him about her promise to Aunt Maria. After due consideration, Olympia accepts. Aunt Maria is livid.
So they marry and go to his home in Middleburg, Holland. Olympia fits in well, except that Waldo's daughter, Ria, doesn't like her. Elizabeth, an old friend of Waldo's first wife, is very friendly and helps Olympia find her feet.
What Olympia doesn't know right off is that Elizabeth is a snake in the grass. She wanted to marry Waldo and she is causing trouble behind the scenes, encouraging Ria to dislike Olympia.
Olympia has her DR along the way and so does Waldo. But every time Waldo tries to tell Olympia, there is an interruption. Olympia's eyes are gradually opened to Elizabeth'a duplicity. Waldo tells Olympia that Ria isn't his daughter; his brother was killed leaving a pregnant fiancée. Waldo married her to give the child the family name and a father. Neither of them know Elizabeth overhears; she tells Ria and tells her that Waldo and Olympia don't want her around.
Then Ria runs away. Elizabeth tells Waldo a monumental lie that Olympia encouraged Ria to run away, when of course she herself had done so. Olympia finds Ria and Ria spills the beans on Elizabeth. But Waldo is so angry he refuses to listen to Olympia's side of the story.
All along, there have been mysterious phone calls from a woman in London. Olympia answered one of these calls in which she did not identify herself. The woman specifically forbade telling Waldo's wife about the call. Well, of course Olympia assumes the worst!
After Ria's runaway, Waldo insists they all go to London. He has purchased the nursing home as a present to Olympia. Ria blurts out the truth about Elizabeth. Waldo grovels for believing the worst about Olympia and tells her he loved her even then. Kisses follow, as well as immediate plans to provide Ria with siblings.
This book has been passionately discussed by the TUJD group. Does the grand gesture (the present of the nursing home - Olympia's long-time desire) and Waldo's apology make up for how he treated her following Ria's runaway? Opinions are mixed. I say yes: I live Waldo and he grovels sufficiently for me to forgive him.
One of TGB's memorable stories. 4 1/2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2010
My all time favorite Betty Neels. I am now on my third copy, as I have read the others to pieces.
Olympia is so put upon, but maintains her cool. Our Rich Dutch Doctor, Waldo (unfortunate name), loves her dearly, but is totally dense when it comes to the plotting of Elizabeth, who is doing her best to break up their marriage.
Add in a plot moppet, in the form of Waldo's daughter Ria, and a vague other woman in England and you have a luscious confection. Topped with one of the best grovels in Neelsdom.
You may need to keep a tissue handy. This one always makes me cry, which makes it the best possible Neels.
Olympia is so put upon, but maintains her cool. Our Rich Dutch Doctor, Waldo (unfortunate name), loves her dearly, but is totally dense when it comes to the plotting of Elizabeth, who is doing her best to break up their marriage.
Add in a plot moppet, in the form of Waldo's daughter Ria, and a vague other woman in England and you have a luscious confection. Topped with one of the best grovels in Neelsdom.
You may need to keep a tissue handy. This one always makes me cry, which makes it the best possible Neels.
August 30, 2013
I wanted the hero to confront Elizabeth!
October 22, 2024
Olympia, orphaned and raised by her miserly aunt, could have stepped from the pages of a Dickens' novel, at least until she falls on the front step of the National Gallery into the arms of a Rich Dutch Doctor, or RDD as they're known in Neels land. After this meeting she's quickly whisked away to The Netherlands for a fairy-tale life as his wife and the mother to his five year old daughter. All fairy tales must have a wicked witch, and one appears to cause to trouble for our heroine, till all is worked out and she gets her HEA.
I'm not a fan of stories with nasty women who cause problems in a marriage, so I like that this part only kicks in toward the end of the book. Most of it is really a feel-good story, and I like the way Olympia manages to stick up for herself and her feelings along the way.
I'm not a fan of stories with nasty women who cause problems in a marriage, so I like that this part only kicks in toward the end of the book. Most of it is really a feel-good story, and I like the way Olympia manages to stick up for herself and her feelings along the way.
February 16, 2021
After reading about 6 novels of Betty Neel’s it’s getting monotonous. 90% of her novels have same concept , hero a Dutch doctor and obviously too rich , heroine English nurse and usually with just enough money to make the ends meet. The hero for reasons I can’t imagine proposes marriage to heroine after having hardly met her / known her. The heroine already likes hero and accepts the proposal. Then starts the big London shoppings for the heroine and she is swept off her feet with so many nice clothes, hat,bags , shoes. In the end the hero finally realised that he loves the heroine and expresses it.
What was appalling was that they just marry without any proper reason and the hero hardly interacts with her and it almost looks like brother- sister relation.
Anyways these books are just a time pass one time read without any logic
What was appalling was that they just marry without any proper reason and the hero hardly interacts with her and it almost looks like brother- sister relation.
Anyways these books are just a time pass one time read without any logic
March 2, 2014
I really loved this story. Olympia is lovely and works so hard at everything, first as drudge to her aunt and then as wife to Waldo. Waldo needs a wife and a mother for his little daughter and Olympia wants to be the best wife and mother she can be. Waldo's old friend Elizabeth is being so very helpful but somehow her assistance always seems to put Olympia in a bad light. Even the little girl Ria is resistant to her new stepmother for no apparent reason.
Of course...we know...Other Woman syndrome. Elizabeth is a little more subtle than other female villains because she makes friends with Olympia but by the end we realise just how unscrupulous the evil woman is underneath her fake friendship.
We get to meet several old friends and hear about others. The ending is very sweet and Waldo is a lovely hero.
Of course...we know...Other Woman syndrome. Elizabeth is a little more subtle than other female villains because she makes friends with Olympia but by the end we realise just how unscrupulous the evil woman is underneath her fake friendship.
We get to meet several old friends and hear about others. The ending is very sweet and Waldo is a lovely hero.
July 30, 2019
I liked this book. It is not one of my favorite Betty Neels books (I have read them all, by the way) but very enjoyable. This one involves a Dutch doctor who falls for an English nurse, a common Betty plot line. It also has a little girl, the doctor's daughter from a previous marriage. It is interesting to follow the development of the relationship between Olympia and Ria, her new stepdaughter, but also how Waldo manages to discover what a treasure he has found in his new wife. But, of course, there is also the old family friend, who is plotting right under their noses to break up this new little family. How long will it take for them to see her for what she really is? My only fault with this story is how gullible Waldo can be about designing women. If he loves his wife, why can't he trust her?
April 9, 2015
Actually I had read this previously, but was unaware I had, till reading it once again. I have enjoyed this read as well. Betty Neels is an author I'd latched onto, about 28 years ago. Find that it is quite comforting to read her novels. Did travel much as a young woman, so it's easy to imagine the scenes in her books. And am not a fan of those newer Harlequins, with too much information about the love scenes between men & women.
July 5, 2013
I loved it, and would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the ending. I would have liked some more romance and some more grovelling from the Doctor's side, y'know?
August 11, 2017
I wish if we know what the hero thought of our heroin throw this novel
January 4, 2019
Some parts of this are a little over the top but overall it is an enjoyable, typical Neels story, with the level-headed, kind and generous girl finding a lifetime of happiness with a rich Dutchman. Most of Betty Neels' novels have a bit of Cinderella to them but the girl is never passive.
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/thr...
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/thr...
December 16, 2016
One of the first Harlequin authors I remember reading. I was completely enthralled by the exotic locales in her books when I was 14. Now reading these books are more of a way of remembering the aunt who got me started on them. I'll probably always love them due to the nostalgia factor. her books will always be some of my favorites to re-read.
March 24, 2015
a little different.
He misjudged her this time. A different twist to the traditional Betty Neal plot. Love the wholesome values and culture/era depicted in her novels.
He misjudged her this time. A different twist to the traditional Betty Neal plot. Love the wholesome values and culture/era depicted in her novels.
February 11, 2016
An easy read. Betty Neels wrote a clean romance.
July 6, 2018
Lovely
I know some people might complain that her books are all very similar and they are. But they’re a nice little bit of fluff to enjoy when you need a break
I know some people might complain that her books are all very similar and they are. But they’re a nice little bit of fluff to enjoy when you need a break
September 19, 2021
“But in England, liefje," he told Ria, "you will sit in the back and make no fuss. That is understood?"
The moppet was all obedience. "Yes, Papa, and Mama shall sit with me."
"Mama will sit where she is."
"But I want her with me."
"I want Mama too." There was something in his voice which made Olympia look at him, meeting his eyes across Ria's head. They held an expression which she couldn't read and she made haste to say brightly:
"I'll sit here so that I can show Papa the way." And that, she told herself, was one of the silliest remarks she could have uttered, an opinion borne out by Ria, who shrilled: "But Papa knows the way."
"Papa," said the doctor gravely, "has been getting lost lately-he has been chasing rainbows. Well, there is a song which goes: ‘Follow every rainbow till you find your dream’ and that is what I have been doing."
"Did you find your dream, Papa?"
He was still staring at Olympia, who, aware of it, was scrabbling round in her handbag, her head bent. "Yes," he spoke slowly, "it took me a long time, though, and even then I didn't know it at once.”
That excerpt is my favorite in the book, my heart practically swooned upon reading it that I have to reread it a couple of times back just to savor the heart fluttering moment.. *sigh*
This is my 24th read from Betty Neels, I just can't get enough of her storytelling even though her books has basically the same theme, but I just love it! Also, starting now, I've decided that whenever I read a BN novel, I'd search the town where the story takes place. I might as well study the map of Holland, this way I can relate to the road trips that always happen in a BN novel. I swear, I will definitely visit Holland soon, I'd like to live there for at least a month, and learn a bit of the language, and maybe stumble to a rich Dutch doctor who happens to see the real me and would eventually fall in love with me. . . okay, I'm practically eaten by the Betty Neel's universe.
Our heroine, Olympia Randle, is a nurse who works in a nursing home that is run by her horrid aunt who guilt trips her into working like a slave for the nursing home. Their deal was, Olympia could only leave the place if she marries, but as her aunt pointed out, it was unlikely for her to get married because no one will fall in love with her. Olympia was described as a small, plain, thin and mousy girl, not really attractive, but as what I love about Betty's heroines, she's sensible, practical, kind, intelligent, diligent and responsible.
She went to a museum on her half day off and stumbled across our RDD, Waldo van der Graaf, who kindly invites her to see the museum with him. Seriously, why does something like that never happens in real life? Well, it'd be weird and a bit creepy if it does. Betty could have made it that they should have met in the nursing home, but anyway... After that, Waldo, thru a colleague of his, happens to visit the nursing home where Olympia works and ends up asking Olympia out for a couple of times during his stay in London, eventually, he asks for her hand in a marriage of convenience because he needs a wife to mother his 5 year old daughter and to run his home. Olympia accepted and moved to Middleburg Holland with him. His daughter, which wasn't really his real daughter, didn't like Olympia no matter what she does. Then there was this "old family friend" and snake, named Elisabeth, who secretly hates Olympia and is in love with Waldo, has been talking bad about her to Ria, that is why the kid doesn't like Olympia no matter what she does.
Fast forward to the climax, Ria ran away because she was upset upon knowing that she's not a real daughter of Waldo, and it was Elisabeth who told Ria about it. Elisabeth knew about that secret when she eavesdropped to Waldo and Olympia talking, where Waldo told Olympia to never tell anyone, especially Ria, of the truth behind the child's birth. Of course Elisabeth, the snake that she was, twisted the story to her advantage, thinking that it will change Waldo's heart towards Olympia.
I really hated how Waldo believed Elisabeth's lie without even giving Olympia the chance to give her side of the story, that was totally unfair of him. Olympia is her wife for crying out loud! Indeed, he deserved to be shot, as what he stated in the last chapter when he found out the truth from Ria. The story ended on their travel to London where Waldo confessed his love and surprised Olympia about the nursing home that he bought from her aunt. He renovated the place to Olympia's liking and that was really sweet of him.
I gave this a five star because I enjoyed it throughout my read. A typical Betty Neels marriage of convenience but it warmed my cold heart. Cheers.
The moppet was all obedience. "Yes, Papa, and Mama shall sit with me."
"Mama will sit where she is."
"But I want her with me."
"I want Mama too." There was something in his voice which made Olympia look at him, meeting his eyes across Ria's head. They held an expression which she couldn't read and she made haste to say brightly:
"I'll sit here so that I can show Papa the way." And that, she told herself, was one of the silliest remarks she could have uttered, an opinion borne out by Ria, who shrilled: "But Papa knows the way."
"Papa," said the doctor gravely, "has been getting lost lately-he has been chasing rainbows. Well, there is a song which goes: ‘Follow every rainbow till you find your dream’ and that is what I have been doing."
"Did you find your dream, Papa?"
He was still staring at Olympia, who, aware of it, was scrabbling round in her handbag, her head bent. "Yes," he spoke slowly, "it took me a long time, though, and even then I didn't know it at once.”
That excerpt is my favorite in the book, my heart practically swooned upon reading it that I have to reread it a couple of times back just to savor the heart fluttering moment.. *sigh*
This is my 24th read from Betty Neels, I just can't get enough of her storytelling even though her books has basically the same theme, but I just love it! Also, starting now, I've decided that whenever I read a BN novel, I'd search the town where the story takes place. I might as well study the map of Holland, this way I can relate to the road trips that always happen in a BN novel. I swear, I will definitely visit Holland soon, I'd like to live there for at least a month, and learn a bit of the language, and maybe stumble to a rich Dutch doctor who happens to see the real me and would eventually fall in love with me. . . okay, I'm practically eaten by the Betty Neel's universe.
Our heroine, Olympia Randle, is a nurse who works in a nursing home that is run by her horrid aunt who guilt trips her into working like a slave for the nursing home. Their deal was, Olympia could only leave the place if she marries, but as her aunt pointed out, it was unlikely for her to get married because no one will fall in love with her. Olympia was described as a small, plain, thin and mousy girl, not really attractive, but as what I love about Betty's heroines, she's sensible, practical, kind, intelligent, diligent and responsible.
She went to a museum on her half day off and stumbled across our RDD, Waldo van der Graaf, who kindly invites her to see the museum with him. Seriously, why does something like that never happens in real life? Well, it'd be weird and a bit creepy if it does. Betty could have made it that they should have met in the nursing home, but anyway... After that, Waldo, thru a colleague of his, happens to visit the nursing home where Olympia works and ends up asking Olympia out for a couple of times during his stay in London, eventually, he asks for her hand in a marriage of convenience because he needs a wife to mother his 5 year old daughter and to run his home. Olympia accepted and moved to Middleburg Holland with him. His daughter, which wasn't really his real daughter, didn't like Olympia no matter what she does. Then there was this "old family friend" and snake, named Elisabeth, who secretly hates Olympia and is in love with Waldo, has been talking bad about her to Ria, that is why the kid doesn't like Olympia no matter what she does.
Fast forward to the climax, Ria ran away because she was upset upon knowing that she's not a real daughter of Waldo, and it was Elisabeth who told Ria about it. Elisabeth knew about that secret when she eavesdropped to Waldo and Olympia talking, where Waldo told Olympia to never tell anyone, especially Ria, of the truth behind the child's birth. Of course Elisabeth, the snake that she was, twisted the story to her advantage, thinking that it will change Waldo's heart towards Olympia.
I really hated how Waldo believed Elisabeth's lie without even giving Olympia the chance to give her side of the story, that was totally unfair of him. Olympia is her wife for crying out loud! Indeed, he deserved to be shot, as what he stated in the last chapter when he found out the truth from Ria. The story ended on their travel to London where Waldo confessed his love and surprised Olympia about the nursing home that he bought from her aunt. He renovated the place to Olympia's liking and that was really sweet of him.
I gave this a five star because I enjoyed it throughout my read. A typical Betty Neels marriage of convenience but it warmed my cold heart. Cheers.
October 24, 2025
3.8 stars. based on other reviews I thought this book would be a disappointing read. some found h to be too much of a doormat and H to be a bit too horrid/unrepentant, but I found this not to be entirely true for me. yes, she was an awfully stupid doormat for her aunt, but I think there was some element of trauma bonding and Stockholm syndrome going on there as she had been with the aunt since she was a toddler. After she escaped, thanks to the doc, she developed more of a backbone when she needed it.
the other woman in this story was a manipulative narcissist and this was so well told how someone like that can pull the wool over your eyes. they destroy lives and create divides so expertly and subtly, and are so adept at it, that quite frankly it's no surprise that the h was taken in and the H too about the reason why the little girl ran away. and narcissists also use children as their weapon, the way this one did. it was horrifying to see and well told. I think Betty must have come across a narcissist or two in her time and understood them well.
the story was enjoyable. only mild angst despite the angst overload i was expecting from other reviews. it was clear the H didnt love the OW, thus less angst.
I didn't quite give it 4 stars because
1. low angst
2. slow start to the romance and v slow development of any romantic tension. it felt like almost nothing til 40 or 50% mark. the romance felt like a nonentity at the start even though he was stealth-dating her
3. I like the icy H's best and this one was quite nice if distant and seemingly disengaged emotionally. giving gifts was his love language which was sweet.
however this book was well written and I enjoyed the ending. I would have liked him to be upset a bit when she told him she was leaving him, but he laughed it off and wasn't scared because she made it obvious she cared for him at that point. that's was a missed opportunity. another missed opportunity was that when she left the house to look for the little girl, he later claimed he'd been afraid she had left him, but this wasn't shown on page much and it would have been satisfying to see.
overall a lovely and engaging read. middle of the betty books pack.
the other woman in this story was a manipulative narcissist and this was so well told how someone like that can pull the wool over your eyes. they destroy lives and create divides so expertly and subtly, and are so adept at it, that quite frankly it's no surprise that the h was taken in and the H too about the reason why the little girl ran away. and narcissists also use children as their weapon, the way this one did. it was horrifying to see and well told. I think Betty must have come across a narcissist or two in her time and understood them well.
the story was enjoyable. only mild angst despite the angst overload i was expecting from other reviews. it was clear the H didnt love the OW, thus less angst.
I didn't quite give it 4 stars because
1. low angst
2. slow start to the romance and v slow development of any romantic tension. it felt like almost nothing til 40 or 50% mark. the romance felt like a nonentity at the start even though he was stealth-dating her
3. I like the icy H's best and this one was quite nice if distant and seemingly disengaged emotionally. giving gifts was his love language which was sweet.
however this book was well written and I enjoyed the ending. I would have liked him to be upset a bit when she told him she was leaving him, but he laughed it off and wasn't scared because she made it obvious she cared for him at that point. that's was a missed opportunity. another missed opportunity was that when she left the house to look for the little girl, he later claimed he'd been afraid she had left him, but this wasn't shown on page much and it would have been satisfying to see.
overall a lovely and engaging read. middle of the betty books pack.
December 11, 2023
Another great story by Betty Neels....Olympia was adopted by her Aunt Maria who demanded much from her niece ....Olympia had no birthday or Christmas gifts, she did get her nursing degree but had to promise to work for her aunt in the nursing home she ran.
Olympia only got a portion of a wage....and she worked very hard. In her 'off time' she was expected to run errands for her aunt so no free time at all.
One day she falls, and Waldo van der Graaf picked her up....after that he came to the nursing home with another doctor for a patient on the 3rd floor.
Waldo asked Olympia to marry him and help him bring up his daughter, Ria....a platonic marriage.
Elizabeth is a sly family friend...she loves Waldo and interferes in Olympia and Waldo' life...and turns 5 year old Ria against Olympia....but all works out in the end....a good read!
Olympia only got a portion of a wage....and she worked very hard. In her 'off time' she was expected to run errands for her aunt so no free time at all.
One day she falls, and Waldo van der Graaf picked her up....after that he came to the nursing home with another doctor for a patient on the 3rd floor.
Waldo asked Olympia to marry him and help him bring up his daughter, Ria....a platonic marriage.
Elizabeth is a sly family friend...she loves Waldo and interferes in Olympia and Waldo' life...and turns 5 year old Ria against Olympia....but all works out in the end....a good read!
July 4, 2019
Olympia has worked for her overbearing aunt for several years, having promised she would do so. When she meets Waldo van der Graf, however, her life changes. A marriage of convenience takes her to Holland where she must care for Waldo's daughter. Can she be satisfied with her life or will she take a chance on love?
I really liked Olympia. She was an interesting, hardworking heroine. She was trapped in a terrible situation and didn't know how she would escape. Instead of a selfish parent or sibling, we have a cold aunt who had raised her after her parents died.
The pace was good, and the plot was a bit predictable. I would have liked to see more romance at the end with Waldo apologizing for what he had done.
For an easy to read book, I would recommend this.
I really liked Olympia. She was an interesting, hardworking heroine. She was trapped in a terrible situation and didn't know how she would escape. Instead of a selfish parent or sibling, we have a cold aunt who had raised her after her parents died.
The pace was good, and the plot was a bit predictable. I would have liked to see more romance at the end with Waldo apologizing for what he had done.
For an easy to read book, I would recommend this.
December 11, 2023
Clean romance.
Olympia as orphaned at a young age, raised by a financially abusive aunt who never let her forget that.
She met Waldo by accident. He courts her and eventually marries her to be a mother to his young daughter, Ria. Olympia wants out of her Aunts domineering abuse, so agrees. When she realizes she is developing feelings for her husband, the marriage of convenience seems less easy to stay in. Her new daughter keeps acting out, A family friend Elizabeth has hinted that Olympia has taken her place, and keeps giving bad advise, Olympia starts noticing the advise given is the opposite it should be.
Olympia doesn’t know if she will lose her new husband and daughter, when she is trying her hardest to be the kind of person she thinks her husband wants.
Olympia as orphaned at a young age, raised by a financially abusive aunt who never let her forget that.
She met Waldo by accident. He courts her and eventually marries her to be a mother to his young daughter, Ria. Olympia wants out of her Aunts domineering abuse, so agrees. When she realizes she is developing feelings for her husband, the marriage of convenience seems less easy to stay in. Her new daughter keeps acting out, A family friend Elizabeth has hinted that Olympia has taken her place, and keeps giving bad advise, Olympia starts noticing the advise given is the opposite it should be.
Olympia doesn’t know if she will lose her new husband and daughter, when she is trying her hardest to be the kind of person she thinks her husband wants.
November 8, 2024
This Betty Neels classic has all the makings of a modern day thriller, the heroine has her wicked witch of an aunt who is a slave driver, the hero is one of those BN heroes who have a benevolent elder female relative, and then there’s the obsessed stalker other woman who is beautiful and has known the hero for years and years and now she starts her campaign to pretend she’s friends with the heroine while undermining and sabotaging her at every turn. The hero is deeply in love though, and all the OW’s machinations are unraveled in the end anyway when the child moppet confesses all. Proving once again that if BN decides the MC’s are fated for each other, then fate shall indeed drive the course.
October 2, 2017
I'd put this between the 40th and 50th percentile of the Neels canon. The first act moves along well enough, but once Olympia settles into married life, most of what passes for "action" takes place inside and the story crawls along.
I don't fault the overall plotting of the romance (much better paced than Heaven Around The Corner), but the most striking part of the story involves the last thing apt to inspire future re-reads. The story showcases a cunning unlike any I've seen in another Neels book, but this overwhelms other parts of the story.
I don't fault the overall plotting of the romance (much better paced than Heaven Around The Corner), but the most striking part of the story involves the last thing apt to inspire future re-reads. The story showcases a cunning unlike any I've seen in another Neels book, but this overwhelms other parts of the story.
August 6, 2017
I don't know if something is wrong with me or Goodreads is misleading, but I never seem to agree with the top most reviews of the books I read. People have given this novel such good ratings, but I completely disagree with them. It was a lousy read for me. Hated the writing style of the author, and the plot was one I've encountered many times.
December 9, 2025
I would have given this more stars if Neels had thrown the villain Elisabeth in the river. Our hero was a pansy to Elisabeth’s lies and deceptions. It was truly sad. Our heroine was made a fool of over and over again, and I really wish she would have had more justice. This was a very skinny Cinderella story that didn’t have enough happy ending for our lovely Olympia. Not my favorite.
February 9, 2018
An other great story
Again, I enjoyed this story as much as the other ones I have read so far. Nice that characters from an other story were included.
Again, I enjoyed this story as much as the other ones I have read so far. Nice that characters from an other story were included.
May 16, 2018
Rating 3.75 stars
This was really a very good read!
This was really a very good read!
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