What do you think?
Rate this book
Not Once but Twice
Dr. Duert ter Brandt disapproved of Christina's relationship with his brother, Adam, and he made sure they both knew it.
True, he didn't stop Chrissy from coming to Holland to work near Adam. Still, he made it clear that her infatuation was not in the best interest of his hospital.
But maybe he had other--hidden--reasons for hoping that Chrissy would give up her notion of love at first sight....
True, he didn't stop Chrissy from coming to Holland to work near Adam. Still, he made it clear that her infatuation was not in the best interest of his hospital.
But maybe he had other--hidden--reasons for hoping that Chrissy would give up her notion of love at first sight....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1981
33 people are currently reading
175 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 28, 2016
I always feel that TGB was a bit disappointed with her efforts in Uncertain Summer and NOBT is her redo. I would have to say it is much better!
First of all, Duert is one of the very best RDDs. He's kind, patient, has a sense of humor, and has the knack of showing up at just the right times.
Christina is adorable, too. A slim Araminta with beautiful grey eyes and straight brown hair (that she curls with electric rollers - very 80s!), she is 27 and is living in London with her brother, a doctor. It is through him that Christina meets Adam ter Brandt, a gorgeous Dutch doctor. Then, George Henry announced he's getting married, to a girl Christina doesn't like (the feeling is mutual), so when Adam swoops her off her feet, she falls hard.
Adam suggests that she get a job at the hospital in Amsterdam where he is and of which his older brother, Duert, is the Director. She jumps at the chance to leave London.
In this book, we actually see quite a lot of scenes off-stage, so to speak. Adam is a cad. Duert knows his younger brother well and warns him not to hurt Christina, who Duert recognizes as being a bit unsophisticated. Duert has fallen in love with Christina at first sight and although he doesn't interfere with her and Adam's romance, he is always careful to be there for Christina when Adam disappoints her. When the inevitable break comes, Duert is there to pick up the pieces for her.
In the meantime, Christina is quite happy with her work. She makes friends quickly and there are a number of scenes of Christina and her friends both in and off the job. At a hospital dance, one of Christina's nurse friends develops appendicitis; Christina and Duert whisk her out of the ball and to surgery.
A short time after the ball, Christina sees Adam leaving the hospital with a beautiful girl on an evening that he had told her he had to work. Christina is off the next day and plans to go somewhere deserted and walk for miles, but is intercepted by Duert. He takes her out for the day, ending by taking her to his home. During the drive, Christina falls asleep on his shoulder; he pulls over and holds her for over an hour while she sleeps. (I TOLD you he was wonderful!). He urges Christina give Adam a chance to explain; when she asks why he cares, he tells her that "he has his reasons."
When she does run into Adam, he asks her out and she coolly says, "Oh, is it my turn?" Score for Chrissy!
Christina leaves the hospital for a while to nurse her Dutch teacher, who has lung cancer, at Duert's request. She has seen Adam several times but has successfully resisted his charm. One day while she is nursing Mijnheer Beek, Duert is there checking on him and they are talking about Christina's progress at Dutch. One of them hopes her work won't be wasted when she returns to England. Christina suddenly realizes if she returns to England, she will never see Duert again, and all of a sudden, knows she is in love with him.
The second time Duert takes Chrissy to his home, she gets the full House Tour of Love.
One day she goes to Duert's house, just to look at it. Unfortunately, Adam catches her and, guessing she is love with Duert, makes some snide remarks about her marrying Duert for his money. Even worse, Duert sees them there together when Adam has his arm around her.
Duert treats Christina coldly the next time they meet and she decides to go back to England. Just before she leaves, she goes to his office and tells him that she was at his house that day just to see his house because he lives in it. Then she runs off and take the bus to Noordvijk and walks on the beach as she had done with Duert twice before.
Duert's housekeeper had seen Christina on the bus, so when Duert comes home and tells his butler he's going to England to get her, he knows where to find her. Declarations, proposal and HEA ensue.
Note: Duert tells Chrissy that Adam is not quite ready to settle down yet, that he falls in and out of love just for the fun of it. I have my doubts - I think he's a player and a jerk. Ter Brandt family events may be awkward for a while!
Duert is SUCH a sweetheart and so is Chrissy. They are clearly meant for each other. Duert is my absolute favorite RDD. I think Chrissy and Duert were extra special to TGB as well, because we revisit them in later novels more than any other of her couples. In the last visit, their children are in their teens, Chrissy is in her 40s, and Duert is gray and distinguished. A HEA indeed!!!
First of all, Duert is one of the very best RDDs. He's kind, patient, has a sense of humor, and has the knack of showing up at just the right times.
Christina is adorable, too. A slim Araminta with beautiful grey eyes and straight brown hair (that she curls with electric rollers - very 80s!), she is 27 and is living in London with her brother, a doctor. It is through him that Christina meets Adam ter Brandt, a gorgeous Dutch doctor. Then, George Henry announced he's getting married, to a girl Christina doesn't like (the feeling is mutual), so when Adam swoops her off her feet, she falls hard.
Adam suggests that she get a job at the hospital in Amsterdam where he is and of which his older brother, Duert, is the Director. She jumps at the chance to leave London.
In this book, we actually see quite a lot of scenes off-stage, so to speak. Adam is a cad. Duert knows his younger brother well and warns him not to hurt Christina, who Duert recognizes as being a bit unsophisticated. Duert has fallen in love with Christina at first sight and although he doesn't interfere with her and Adam's romance, he is always careful to be there for Christina when Adam disappoints her. When the inevitable break comes, Duert is there to pick up the pieces for her.
In the meantime, Christina is quite happy with her work. She makes friends quickly and there are a number of scenes of Christina and her friends both in and off the job. At a hospital dance, one of Christina's nurse friends develops appendicitis; Christina and Duert whisk her out of the ball and to surgery.
A short time after the ball, Christina sees Adam leaving the hospital with a beautiful girl on an evening that he had told her he had to work. Christina is off the next day and plans to go somewhere deserted and walk for miles, but is intercepted by Duert. He takes her out for the day, ending by taking her to his home. During the drive, Christina falls asleep on his shoulder; he pulls over and holds her for over an hour while she sleeps. (I TOLD you he was wonderful!). He urges Christina give Adam a chance to explain; when she asks why he cares, he tells her that "he has his reasons."
When she does run into Adam, he asks her out and she coolly says, "Oh, is it my turn?" Score for Chrissy!
Christina leaves the hospital for a while to nurse her Dutch teacher, who has lung cancer, at Duert's request. She has seen Adam several times but has successfully resisted his charm. One day while she is nursing Mijnheer Beek, Duert is there checking on him and they are talking about Christina's progress at Dutch. One of them hopes her work won't be wasted when she returns to England. Christina suddenly realizes if she returns to England, she will never see Duert again, and all of a sudden, knows she is in love with him.
The second time Duert takes Chrissy to his home, she gets the full House Tour of Love.
One day she goes to Duert's house, just to look at it. Unfortunately, Adam catches her and, guessing she is love with Duert, makes some snide remarks about her marrying Duert for his money. Even worse, Duert sees them there together when Adam has his arm around her.
Duert treats Christina coldly the next time they meet and she decides to go back to England. Just before she leaves, she goes to his office and tells him that she was at his house that day just to see his house because he lives in it. Then she runs off and take the bus to Noordvijk and walks on the beach as she had done with Duert twice before.
Duert's housekeeper had seen Christina on the bus, so when Duert comes home and tells his butler he's going to England to get her, he knows where to find her. Declarations, proposal and HEA ensue.
Note: Duert tells Chrissy that Adam is not quite ready to settle down yet, that he falls in and out of love just for the fun of it. I have my doubts - I think he's a player and a jerk. Ter Brandt family events may be awkward for a while!
Duert is SUCH a sweetheart and so is Chrissy. They are clearly meant for each other. Duert is my absolute favorite RDD. I think Chrissy and Duert were extra special to TGB as well, because we revisit them in later novels more than any other of her couples. In the last visit, their children are in their teens, Chrissy is in her 40s, and Duert is gray and distinguished. A HEA indeed!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2010
This is one of the keystones of the Neels canon. She loved these characters and could not let go of them. Chrissy and Duert show up in several books as crossover characters, much more often than any other couple she writes about.
Be that as it may--on the surface of it, this is one of her "infatuated with the wrong person" storylines. In this case, Christina Forbes is infatuated with Adam ter Brandt, the younger brother of Duert. Duert falls for Christina immediately he meets her, but is equally aware that she has stars in her eyes where Adam is concerned.
The fun of the story is watching Christina get over her starry-eyed blindness where Adam is concerned. Now I happened to think it took her rather too long to recognize what a cad he was. I don't care how sheltered her background--she should have swatted him much earlier. (But then the book would have been a short story--so....) And Christina's 'dawning realization' re: her feelings for Duert is very late in coming, but very satisfactory.
And the ending is just great--with a sniffle or two and then a happy sigh.
Almost makes me want to go walking on the beach in the teeth of a North Sea winter gale!!!
Be that as it may--on the surface of it, this is one of her "infatuated with the wrong person" storylines. In this case, Christina Forbes is infatuated with Adam ter Brandt, the younger brother of Duert. Duert falls for Christina immediately he meets her, but is equally aware that she has stars in her eyes where Adam is concerned.
The fun of the story is watching Christina get over her starry-eyed blindness where Adam is concerned. Now I happened to think it took her rather too long to recognize what a cad he was. I don't care how sheltered her background--she should have swatted him much earlier. (But then the book would have been a short story--so....) And Christina's 'dawning realization' re: her feelings for Duert is very late in coming, but very satisfactory.
And the ending is just great--with a sniffle or two and then a happy sigh.
Almost makes me want to go walking on the beach in the teeth of a North Sea winter gale!!!
July 10, 2021
I'm gonna say 3.5 stars rounded up.
I usually avoid love triangles like the plague, but I thought if anyone could write that trope without pissing me off, it's Betty Neels.
The usual Dutch doctor pretends not to romance plain English nurse while trying to subtly stalk her. The plain nurse is sure he doesn't care a fig for her.
But in this one, she first falls for his younger brother, who is even younger than her. He's a flirty self absorbed asshat with a lot of charm. But some of the things he says to her were so cutting! And he didn't even mean them to be, but he's so oblivious to anything outside of his own amusements.
She does give him a couple subtle zingers but I was so hoping he would apologize on page before the end of the book.
Darnit!
Anyways, it's a nice quiet read as usual with lots of details about Netherlands and nursing in the 80's, which honestly, sounded more like the 50's.
The love triangle lasts for the first 2/3rd before the rose coloured glasses finally fall off.
Safety is good
If you want an epilogue, just read the next book A Girl Named Rose. Both Br. Brant and Christina are side characters in it and it's so sweet how much they love each other.
I usually avoid love triangles like the plague, but I thought if anyone could write that trope without pissing me off, it's Betty Neels.
The usual Dutch doctor pretends not to romance plain English nurse while trying to subtly stalk her. The plain nurse is sure he doesn't care a fig for her.
But in this one, she first falls for his younger brother, who is even younger than her. He's a flirty self absorbed asshat with a lot of charm. But some of the things he says to her were so cutting! And he didn't even mean them to be, but he's so oblivious to anything outside of his own amusements.
She does give him a couple subtle zingers but I was so hoping he would apologize on page before the end of the book.
Darnit!
Anyways, it's a nice quiet read as usual with lots of details about Netherlands and nursing in the 80's, which honestly, sounded more like the 50's.
The love triangle lasts for the first 2/3rd before the rose coloured glasses finally fall off.
Safety is good
If you want an epilogue, just read the next book A Girl Named Rose. Both Br. Brant and Christina are side characters in it and it's so sweet how much they love each other.
January 20, 2016
Wonderful story. Shy, quiet heroine;Christina, meets Adam, a young Dutch Doctor at her physician brother's consulting rooms. Because it amuses him he finagles a job for Christina in Holland where his older brother Duert is Medical Director. Starry eyed Christina overlooks Adam's cruel comments and evasiveness because in her naïveté she thinks they are falling in love with each other. At the periphery of this fantasy is solid, undemanding Duert who slowly begins to filter through Christina's hazy feelings for Adam. Nice background characters, and as always typical BN descriptiveness. Adam is a real DB and when Christina finally notices it we breathe a sigh of relief. Team Duert on this one.
July 16, 2015
3.5 stars. Christina loves Adam, but he's a cad. She takes too long to realize this, and to realize she's really in love with Adam's brother, Duert ter Brandt. He's an über-wealthy Baron with a lineage to match, and she's a nobody — plain to boot — so who can blame her for looking elsewhere?
However, Duert knew all along that this little nobody was somebody very special.
Really a nice scene at the end, walking together on the icy cold beach.
Duert and Christina show up (with their children) in a few sequels. A Girl Named Rose, for one.
However, Duert knew all along that this little nobody was somebody very special.
Really a nice scene at the end, walking together on the icy cold beach.
Duert and Christina show up (with their children) in a few sequels. A Girl Named Rose, for one.
August 9, 2013
I can never fully enjoy a romance in which either of the main characters is really made a fool of, and a good part of this book has to do with a shallow and self-absorbed young man (the hero's brother) making the heroine fall in love with him and move to his home country, just in time to be the most pitiful nurse in the hospital. If that had been more in the background, and the hero had stepped up to the plate sooner, I think this would have been more of a 3.5-4-star read for me.
May 28, 2013
Christina Forbes finds herself attracted to the attention she receives from her brother's friend, Adam ter Brandt. Going to Holland to work for Adam's disapproving brother, Christina finds that there is more t0 Dr. Duert ter Brandt than she expected. Adam might be a bit of light fun, but Duert is big, strong, and steady. He might not always approve of her, but he leaves her with a much deeper feeling than Adam did.
I really enjoy the stories by Betty Neels. They often have a basic standard formula, but you learn so much from them. Much deeper than just surface stories of people, but the culture, geography, and habits of the times. Of course, with the advantages of the internet, I can now actually hear what some of the words sound like and see what they are about.
I really enjoy the stories by Betty Neels. They often have a basic standard formula, but you learn so much from them. Much deeper than just surface stories of people, but the culture, geography, and habits of the times. Of course, with the advantages of the internet, I can now actually hear what some of the words sound like and see what they are about.
September 17, 2013
4.5 stars. Such a sweet story. I liked that in this one it was obvious that the hero loved the heroine almost the entire time. Not a very titillating romance because of the age, but a nice, comforting, warm story. There's something so reassuring about a calm, in-control, father-figure type hero in an old-fashioned story like this one, even if he's not someone you'd ever want in real life.
October 16, 2016
Chrissy is one of Neel's classic heroines. A little naive, rather ordinary looks with "fine grey eyes". Living quietly with her brother, working as a nurse, the advent of charming and good looking Adam ter Brandt into her life seemed like the fulfilment of a dream, especially as he took an interest in her.
Her mild romance might have come to nothing when Adam returned to Holland, but her brother's engagement disrupted her cosy little world and Adam's offhand suggestion she come to work in Holland seemed like an answer to prayer. Of course it all depended on Adam's older brother, the director of the hospital, Duert ter Brandt.
It's not the first time a Betty Neels heroine mistakes the shadow for the substance. It doesn't take long for Chrissie to realise that Duert is the better man. If only he weren't a typical enigmatic Neel's hero stoically hiding his real feelings.
This is a nice read and Duert and Chrissie are a great couple. We get to see them in several future books in cameo roles. I always have this feeling in Betty Neel's books that the hero would deserve for the heroine to vanish into nowhere because they are often still escorting attractive blondes around and talking mysteriously of future brides without giving a hint to the heroine that SHE IS THE ONE. But I still enjoy them and they are so comfortable.
Her mild romance might have come to nothing when Adam returned to Holland, but her brother's engagement disrupted her cosy little world and Adam's offhand suggestion she come to work in Holland seemed like an answer to prayer. Of course it all depended on Adam's older brother, the director of the hospital, Duert ter Brandt.
It's not the first time a Betty Neels heroine mistakes the shadow for the substance. It doesn't take long for Chrissie to realise that Duert is the better man. If only he weren't a typical enigmatic Neel's hero stoically hiding his real feelings.
This is a nice read and Duert and Chrissie are a great couple. We get to see them in several future books in cameo roles. I always have this feeling in Betty Neel's books that the hero would deserve for the heroine to vanish into nowhere because they are often still escorting attractive blondes around and talking mysteriously of future brides without giving a hint to the heroine that SHE IS THE ONE. But I still enjoy them and they are so comfortable.
May 7, 2021
This felt like a book I should have loved, but in the end it was only OK. Perhaps I was in the wrong mood?
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
December 10, 2019
This was the perfect read for a cold Winter evening.
August 7, 2022
This was a beautiful story with very likeable hero and heroine.I just liked how sensible and practical the heroine Christina was and how understanding was Duert the hero.
August 30, 2021
4 Stars ~ The charming romances by Betty Neels are a go to for me when I'm looking for a relaxing comfort read. That's not to say there isn't some emotional heartache or feisty conflict, but rather the pacing is so cleverly balanced.
When their last parent passed, the family home went to Chrissy's older brother and he decided to sell it and move his physician's practice to London. Of course, Chrissy went with him and shared his home. Now 27 years old, Chrissy is a ward sister at a busy London hospital. On George's announcement that he is to marry, Chrissy knows she'll have to find a place to live, as his fiancée doesn't want another woman in her house.
Enter Adam, younger by two years, and a doctor completing his medical training. He's charming and handsome, and he takes a shine to Chrissy. He introduces her to his older (37) brother Duert who is a director of a hospital in Holland. They are in need of a highly qualified nurse for the hospital's busy emergency department. Eager to move on from her brother's house, she accepts the job which fills her with excitement, not only for the change of scene, but because Adam is so very keen for her to accept. No man has ever given plain jane Chrissy so much charming attention. Duert warns his brother to not play games with Chrissy, but Adam insists that he only wants to show her how to have fun.
Poor Chrissy, she's a sensible girl but with little experience with charmers like Adam. She's so busy with his romantic gestures and prodding to make more of her appearance, that she fails to see his big brother Duert's gentle council as anything but interference. It is such a relief when Chrissy finally sees that Adam enjoys playing the field and that in comparison to Duert, Adam has no substance
Duert's suddenly alert eyes beneath half-closed lids and unseen grins or quirks at the corner of his mouth give us glimpses of how smitten he has become. It seems he's always there when Chrissy needs him the most, sometimes to her consternation. Always, the patient one, waiting for Chrissy to wake up and finally see him.
~~~~~
The HEA is such a treat. In grand Betty Neels fashion, our heroine makes a rash declaration and then flees. Which gives our poor hero a few white faced moments until he can chase her down!
When their last parent passed, the family home went to Chrissy's older brother and he decided to sell it and move his physician's practice to London. Of course, Chrissy went with him and shared his home. Now 27 years old, Chrissy is a ward sister at a busy London hospital. On George's announcement that he is to marry, Chrissy knows she'll have to find a place to live, as his fiancée doesn't want another woman in her house.
Enter Adam, younger by two years, and a doctor completing his medical training. He's charming and handsome, and he takes a shine to Chrissy. He introduces her to his older (37) brother Duert who is a director of a hospital in Holland. They are in need of a highly qualified nurse for the hospital's busy emergency department. Eager to move on from her brother's house, she accepts the job which fills her with excitement, not only for the change of scene, but because Adam is so very keen for her to accept. No man has ever given plain jane Chrissy so much charming attention. Duert warns his brother to not play games with Chrissy, but Adam insists that he only wants to show her how to have fun.
Poor Chrissy, she's a sensible girl but with little experience with charmers like Adam. She's so busy with his romantic gestures and prodding to make more of her appearance, that she fails to see his big brother Duert's gentle council as anything but interference. It is such a relief when Chrissy finally sees that Adam enjoys playing the field and that in comparison to Duert, Adam has no substance
Duert's suddenly alert eyes beneath half-closed lids and unseen grins or quirks at the corner of his mouth give us glimpses of how smitten he has become. It seems he's always there when Chrissy needs him the most, sometimes to her consternation. Always, the patient one, waiting for Chrissy to wake up and finally see him.
She stole a look at him now; his suit was of impeccable cut, his shirt was silk and his tie, sombre-hued though it was, was silk too. It was borne in upon her suddenly that he was a handsome man, his mouth was firm and his chin even more so. Why hadn’t she noticed that before? Perhaps because his habitual placid expression masked them.
He looked up and she looked away, pinkening because she had been staring. Just as though he had been reading her thoughts, he observed mildly: ‘You’ve never really looked at me before, have you, Chrissy?’
~~~~~
It was almost dark by now. Christina stared ahead of her into the brilliant path made by the car’s lights. Too brilliant; she closed her eyes against it and went to sleep. Presently her head lolled sideways on to the doctor’s shoulder.
He glanced down at her pale sleeping face, slowed the car and slid on to a patch of grass between the trees at the side of the road, slipped an arm around her and pulled her gently against his shoulder, then settled back in his seat. It was quiet and dark, and after a little while, despite the car’s comfort, chilly, but he made no movement, his face so calm that he might have been sleeping too.
The HEA is such a treat. In grand Betty Neels fashion, our heroine makes a rash declaration and then flees. Which gives our poor hero a few white faced moments until he can chase her down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2021
Swoon Worthy Romance
Betty Neels excelled at romance with swoon worthy leads. Always a champion for the underdog, her lead ladies were relatable and believable. It’s refreshing to read books like this. Makes one believe that anything is possible.
Betty is old school romance. I truly believe she set the standard for romance authors of today.
It’s a yes from me.
Betty Neels excelled at romance with swoon worthy leads. Always a champion for the underdog, her lead ladies were relatable and believable. It’s refreshing to read books like this. Makes one believe that anything is possible.
Betty is old school romance. I truly believe she set the standard for romance authors of today.
It’s a yes from me.
January 15, 2024
I'm not really digging BN, though I can definitely see she can write a satisfying romance. Just a bit too prim and laconic for me. I had high hopes for this because I'm a sucker for 2 brothers but how Christina could have had any time for the glib, casually critical and cruel Adam when calm, assured Duert was right there idk.
September 26, 2024
What an unsatisfactory read.
May 22, 2018
1981 book. 4.5*
Very similar to Uncertain Summer, in which the heroine was infatuated with a scoundrel, only to realise later it's the dependable not-so-likeable male relative she's in love with all this while! This seemed an improved version of Uncertain Summer, and my only wish was the cad had been a more distant relative who could be totally cut off from our couple after marriage. Unfortunately in this case, the louse was the hero's own brother, so a permanent exile across the pond seemed the next best alternative. He could die in a plane or car crash in the US, just saying.
There were many poignant and sweet scenes dotted throughout the book. Christina/ Chrissy was cursed with a a chauvinistic father who left everything to his wimpy brother; he may feel guilty but that did not stop him from being henpecked and asking Chrissy to leave their home, which Chrissy helped take care all these years.
It was this situation that made the normally sensible Christina ripe for Adam to pluck. Her head was turned by the flamboyant Adam, but it was the staid and placid Duert that could make Chrissy comfortable and be herself. He'd say the darndest thing and she'd be angry, like saying Adam only liked pretty girls, and she's not pretty...this was to hint to her that Adam was playing with her. Deep down I think Christina knew Adam wasn't serious but she'd been so deprived of male attention she was just happy to bask in his attention. His constant nick picking on her appearance and working hours were terrible! And why none of the Dutch nurses felt close to Chrissy enough to warn her what a playboy Adam was? It was clear Truus knew but decided to zip.
I rather enjoyed the scenes with both Christina and Duert, especially when he'd silently appear to work beside her, never throwing his weight around and always appreciative of good work by the staff. It's funny how early The hoofd zuster Bunsma caught on to Duert's interest in Chrissy; could it be because until Chrissy joined, the Accident Room never saw so much of the Directeur?LOL
The poignant scenes had to be when Chrissy criticised Duert for not knowing what it's like to be in love, and the one where he let her sleep in the chilly car, head on his shoulders for over an hour, awww!
Duert was one of the best heroes ever! He was always there for Chrissy whenever she needed him, and his honour meant fair play; he was willing to let her go to Adam if it made her happy but I think he had faith she'd come to her senses and see Adam for what he was. Unlike Adam,
The end was really well done. The sequence of events, her wanting to see his house became she missed Duert, the malicious Adam making ugly accusations and even more vile insinuations that Duert pitied Chrissy, purposefully acting intimate for the benefit of upsetting Duert, leading to his jealous rage and arranging for Christina to return to the hospital to work. When she could not bear to work in Holland anymore and keep being treated coldly by Duert, she quit and was let go off so easily. I absolutely loved how Chrissy beared the lion in the den, or Duert in his office, by getting things off her chest and giving her side of the story, then telling him she did nit ever want to see him again before storming off! Brava!
Why couldn't Duert ring the porter to detain her, I never know, but if that had happened we wouldn't have the awesome beach reunion scene.
The beach was where Duert brought Chrissy to walk when she's sad, so to her it's their special place. Thank goodness Duert's cook saw Christina on the bus and Duert needed not go to England! The beach scene was so well done, this has one of the best endings Betty Neels ever wrote!
I readn reviews Christina and Duert had to be BN's favourite couple because they appeared in three other books, the last one with their children being university aged! Wow! I look forward to seeing them in the future!
"How like Chrissy to make a statement to alter a man’s whole life and then disappear."
<>
[He came a little closer and put his arms round her. ‘If you had waited just one minute—but no, you go rushing off, telling yourself that you’re unloved and unwanted.’Two tears trickled down her cold cheeks. ‘But I am,’ she wailed. ‘You sat there like an iceberg, t-telling me that it suited you if I left as soon as possible…’‘Well, I could hardly marry you while you were still working at the hospital, could I?’She glared up at him. ‘Don’t you say things like that to me!’‘It slipped out,’ declared Duert meekly. ‘I’ll start again.’ He held her a little more closely and pushed the unbecoming cap back from her face. ‘I fell in love with you the very first time we met,...]
{‘We’re going back home,’ he said softly, ‘our home now. We’ll be married just as soon as the law allows and I shall buy you a new hat, because I can’t like this one.’ He turned her round and began to walk back towards the town, but presently he stopped and wrapped her tightly in his arms again and kissed her until she was breathless.}
Very similar to Uncertain Summer, in which the heroine was infatuated with a scoundrel, only to realise later it's the dependable not-so-likeable male relative she's in love with all this while! This seemed an improved version of Uncertain Summer, and my only wish was the cad had been a more distant relative who could be totally cut off from our couple after marriage. Unfortunately in this case, the louse was the hero's own brother, so a permanent exile across the pond seemed the next best alternative. He could die in a plane or car crash in the US, just saying.
There were many poignant and sweet scenes dotted throughout the book. Christina/ Chrissy was cursed with a a chauvinistic father who left everything to his wimpy brother; he may feel guilty but that did not stop him from being henpecked and asking Chrissy to leave their home, which Chrissy helped take care all these years.
It was this situation that made the normally sensible Christina ripe for Adam to pluck. Her head was turned by the flamboyant Adam, but it was the staid and placid Duert that could make Chrissy comfortable and be herself. He'd say the darndest thing and she'd be angry, like saying Adam only liked pretty girls, and she's not pretty...this was to hint to her that Adam was playing with her. Deep down I think Christina knew Adam wasn't serious but she'd been so deprived of male attention she was just happy to bask in his attention. His constant nick picking on her appearance and working hours were terrible! And why none of the Dutch nurses felt close to Chrissy enough to warn her what a playboy Adam was? It was clear Truus knew but decided to zip.
I rather enjoyed the scenes with both Christina and Duert, especially when he'd silently appear to work beside her, never throwing his weight around and always appreciative of good work by the staff. It's funny how early The hoofd zuster Bunsma caught on to Duert's interest in Chrissy; could it be because until Chrissy joined, the Accident Room never saw so much of the Directeur?LOL
The poignant scenes had to be when Chrissy criticised Duert for not knowing what it's like to be in love, and the one where he let her sleep in the chilly car, head on his shoulders for over an hour, awww!
Duert was one of the best heroes ever! He was always there for Chrissy whenever she needed him, and his honour meant fair play; he was willing to let her go to Adam if it made her happy but I think he had faith she'd come to her senses and see Adam for what he was. Unlike Adam,
The end was really well done. The sequence of events, her wanting to see his house became she missed Duert, the malicious Adam making ugly accusations and even more vile insinuations that Duert pitied Chrissy, purposefully acting intimate for the benefit of upsetting Duert, leading to his jealous rage and arranging for Christina to return to the hospital to work. When she could not bear to work in Holland anymore and keep being treated coldly by Duert, she quit and was let go off so easily. I absolutely loved how Chrissy beared the lion in the den, or Duert in his office, by getting things off her chest and giving her side of the story, then telling him she did nit ever want to see him again before storming off! Brava!
Why couldn't Duert ring the porter to detain her, I never know, but if that had happened we wouldn't have the awesome beach reunion scene.
The beach was where Duert brought Chrissy to walk when she's sad, so to her it's their special place. Thank goodness Duert's cook saw Christina on the bus and Duert needed not go to England! The beach scene was so well done, this has one of the best endings Betty Neels ever wrote!
I readn reviews Christina and Duert had to be BN's favourite couple because they appeared in three other books, the last one with their children being university aged! Wow! I look forward to seeing them in the future!
"How like Chrissy to make a statement to alter a man’s whole life and then disappear."
<>
[He came a little closer and put his arms round her. ‘If you had waited just one minute—but no, you go rushing off, telling yourself that you’re unloved and unwanted.’Two tears trickled down her cold cheeks. ‘But I am,’ she wailed. ‘You sat there like an iceberg, t-telling me that it suited you if I left as soon as possible…’‘Well, I could hardly marry you while you were still working at the hospital, could I?’She glared up at him. ‘Don’t you say things like that to me!’‘It slipped out,’ declared Duert meekly. ‘I’ll start again.’ He held her a little more closely and pushed the unbecoming cap back from her face. ‘I fell in love with you the very first time we met,...]
{‘We’re going back home,’ he said softly, ‘our home now. We’ll be married just as soon as the law allows and I shall buy you a new hat, because I can’t like this one.’ He turned her round and began to walk back towards the town, but presently he stopped and wrapped her tightly in his arms again and kissed her until she was breathless.}
October 20, 2022
A little slow but I kinda dug it. A strangely melancholy read with a sweet ending.
July 21, 2020
I enjoyed this nice, romantic story by Betty Neels. My only dislike is that the heroine spends entirely too long to see through the empty flattery of the hero's brother, Adam ter Brandt. He was impatient, insulting, and insincere. She should have realized that sooner.
May 5, 2025
3 estrellas y media para Solo una vez en la vida.
Esta novela corta de Betty nos trae una particular historia con una protagonista enfermera Christina Forbes y dos hermanos médicos.
Por un lado Adam y por otro Duert ter Brandt .
Esta novela corta de Betty nos trae una particular historia con una protagonista enfermera Christina Forbes y dos hermanos médicos.
Por un lado Adam y por otro Duert ter Brandt .
June 25, 2011
Love this novel. Amazing what love can do to someone! Well, at least it did matter on this book.
Christina thought she was falling in love with Adam ter Brandt. She even accepted a nurse job at a hospital in Den Haag, so she could be with Adam even more. What she did not realize at the first time was that Adam did not intend to have a serious relationship with her.
The director of that hospital was Duert ter Brandt, Adam's elder brother. Duert has fallen in love with Christina the first time he saw her, but considering the relationship between Christina and Adam, Duert felt that it would be best to wait, as he knew Adam's love story with lots of woman and none of them were serious. Duert thought it would be best for Christina to have known by herself how was Adam's love journey.
At the end, Christina realized that Adam only made a fool of her and that she was falling in love with Duert. There was one quote from Duert to Christina that "you have to look and know someone not once, but twice" (or something like that). That was why this novel is called "Not Once But Twice...
Christina thought she was falling in love with Adam ter Brandt. She even accepted a nurse job at a hospital in Den Haag, so she could be with Adam even more. What she did not realize at the first time was that Adam did not intend to have a serious relationship with her.
The director of that hospital was Duert ter Brandt, Adam's elder brother. Duert has fallen in love with Christina the first time he saw her, but considering the relationship between Christina and Adam, Duert felt that it would be best to wait, as he knew Adam's love story with lots of woman and none of them were serious. Duert thought it would be best for Christina to have known by herself how was Adam's love journey.
At the end, Christina realized that Adam only made a fool of her and that she was falling in love with Duert. There was one quote from Duert to Christina that "you have to look and know someone not once, but twice" (or something like that). That was why this novel is called "Not Once But Twice...
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.
April 27, 2012
Typical Neels. Very sweet and chaste. Though sometimes I find the heriones too wishywashy.
August 26, 2013
First book I ever read of hers. I was 7th grade.
March 28, 2021
Really enjoyed this one
February 26, 2016
Well at least he's only in his thirties and he kisses her at the end!
January 16, 2021
One of the better BN books I've read. You can see the sweet, slow growth in the relationship between Christina and Duert. No misunderstandings, just a nice plot.
September 1, 2019
Betty Neels seems to be my comfort read author of the year. Not sure why.
This one has a similar set up another Neels book I read this weekend (Off with the Old Love); the mousey nurse is in a relationship with a young fella who doesn't treat her right but there is the paternalistic, very large, somewhat older doctor on the sidelines waiting for her realise that 1) young cock is a dick and 2) very large, enormously rich doctor is the Man for HER.
These books must surely be the original slow burn. Things are never declared until the last paragraph where the dr and nurse declare their love, decide to get married and Nurse joyfully abandons the career that she loves.
This one has a similar set up another Neels book I read this weekend (Off with the Old Love); the mousey nurse is in a relationship with a young fella who doesn't treat her right but there is the paternalistic, very large, somewhat older doctor on the sidelines waiting for her realise that 1) young cock is a dick and 2) very large, enormously rich doctor is the Man for HER.
These books must surely be the original slow burn. Things are never declared until the last paragraph where the dr and nurse declare their love, decide to get married and Nurse joyfully abandons the career that she loves.
December 31, 2022
Two brothers....Duert and Adam...Duert a well-known doctor in both London and Holland and Adam also a doctor but a playboy, too.
Adam meets Chrissy in London but comes back to Holland to finish his training...Chrissy is there also because she is an exchange nurse for a year. She is so infatuated with Adam and his flattering ways but she also knows he lies and doesn't mean half he says.
Duert tries to tell Chrissy that he is not ready for any type of commitment, doesn't like medicine, and just wants to have a good time with as many girls as he can find.
But the story ends as it should.
Adam meets Chrissy in London but comes back to Holland to finish his training...Chrissy is there also because she is an exchange nurse for a year. She is so infatuated with Adam and his flattering ways but she also knows he lies and doesn't mean half he says.
Duert tries to tell Chrissy that he is not ready for any type of commitment, doesn't like medicine, and just wants to have a good time with as many girls as he can find.
But the story ends as it should.
October 11, 2025
Head Over Heels
Ahhh. This book grabbed me and made a wreck of my emotions at the end. Christina is a wonderful girl who just seems to get the worst of things. Her brother is kind of a thoughtless jerk, or he's influenced by his girlfriend. She meets Adam and Duert almost at the same time. Adam is flighty and you know it from the beginning. Christina eventually figures that out. Duert is very unlike his brother makes him out to be. In the end, Christina ends up with the right brother. It's a wonderful story!
Ahhh. This book grabbed me and made a wreck of my emotions at the end. Christina is a wonderful girl who just seems to get the worst of things. Her brother is kind of a thoughtless jerk, or he's influenced by his girlfriend. She meets Adam and Duert almost at the same time. Adam is flighty and you know it from the beginning. Christina eventually figures that out. Duert is very unlike his brother makes him out to be. In the end, Christina ends up with the right brother. It's a wonderful story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews