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A Little Moonlight
Her new boss meant one thing - trouble! Looking after her invalid mother, Serena had accepted long ago that the bright city lights were not for her. Hardworking and quiet, she was perfectly happy with her life - until the Dutch consultant Marc ter Feulen turned it upside down. As her new boss, he was arrogant and demanding. As a man, he was altogether too attractive for Serena's peace of mind!
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
92 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
567 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 48 reviews
October 19, 2019
Serena Proudfoot is a stenographer-typist, apparently working for an agency. She has been assigned to work at a hospital typing for Marc ter Feulen, whose penmanship and love of long medical terms is equally frustrating to Serena. They exchange barbs in a friendly manner. When Dr. ter Feulen needs a full-time secretary, he offers the job to Serena, who would love to accept, except for her mom.
Him: She is ill?
Her: No...just delicate. She suffers from nerves and finds it hard to do things.
Him: Things like housework and shopping?
Her: Yes.
He sighed gently. Selfish widows with loving daughters were still only too common...Serena deserves more in life.
Because like all RDDs Marc gets his way, he schmoozes Mrs. Proudfoot who agrees to accompany Serena to Holland. Where, thank God, she soon finds a man who will marry her and give Serena her freedom. Except Serena is hurt. Seriously, girl? You should be jumping for joy. Yes, your feelings are hurt that she never appreciated all your pampering. But you’re free now!
While Mum is stepping out with her soon-to-be-husband, Serena and Marc are working and falling in love. On his day off, he surprises her by taking her to meet his family. They get on like a house afire.
Back to England. Serena has her DR then gets another nasty jolt. Mum announces her engagement; furthermore, Mr. Harding has a home in Shropshire, so she is selling their London house and Serena will just have to find a new place to live. Mum is totally going to buy Serena a flat with part of the proceeds. Right, of course she will. When pigs fly.
So, Serena finds a dumpy bed-sit and adopts a stray cat. She is very careful not to tell Marc of her changed circumstances, but of course he finds out. Mum and Mr. Harding are going on holiday for Christmas so Serena will be spending Christmas alone in the bed-sit. Except Aunt Edith (Serena’s father’s sister, married to a rector and living in a rural village) invites her. Aunt Edith Saves Christmas.
There is a bit where Serena saves a woman from drowning in a canal IN LONDON. Marc saves them both. Marc takes Serena to his house to recover, then finds out about all Serena’s lies. Bad Serena. “You have been telling me a pack of lies.” Marc drives Serena to Aunt Edith’s. THEY get on like a house afire.
Full speed ahead, now. Serena hears Marc is getting married soon. She can’t bear to keep seeing him every day, so she gives him her resignation. On her last day, she is called to Matron’s office. Marc is there. Declaration and Proposal ensue.
I like Serena a lot, but can you say co-dependent? Serena's mum (like Eloise's from Pineapple Girl) is, IMO, the worst of the bad parents/step-parents (well, except for would-be animal murderer Basil). I so hate a martyr (perhaps because I have dealt with my own for so many years, although in Betty fashion I hate to air the dirty family laundry). I do like how Marc swoops in as soon as Mum is out of the picture - you can almost hear him thinking "Now's my chance." I loved his conversation with Aunt Edith when he described Serena as a hard nut to crack.
Him: She is ill?
Her: No...just delicate. She suffers from nerves and finds it hard to do things.
Him: Things like housework and shopping?
Her: Yes.
He sighed gently. Selfish widows with loving daughters were still only too common...Serena deserves more in life.
Because like all RDDs Marc gets his way, he schmoozes Mrs. Proudfoot who agrees to accompany Serena to Holland. Where, thank God, she soon finds a man who will marry her and give Serena her freedom. Except Serena is hurt. Seriously, girl? You should be jumping for joy. Yes, your feelings are hurt that she never appreciated all your pampering. But you’re free now!
While Mum is stepping out with her soon-to-be-husband, Serena and Marc are working and falling in love. On his day off, he surprises her by taking her to meet his family. They get on like a house afire.
Back to England. Serena has her DR then gets another nasty jolt. Mum announces her engagement; furthermore, Mr. Harding has a home in Shropshire, so she is selling their London house and Serena will just have to find a new place to live. Mum is totally going to buy Serena a flat with part of the proceeds. Right, of course she will. When pigs fly.
So, Serena finds a dumpy bed-sit and adopts a stray cat. She is very careful not to tell Marc of her changed circumstances, but of course he finds out. Mum and Mr. Harding are going on holiday for Christmas so Serena will be spending Christmas alone in the bed-sit. Except Aunt Edith (Serena’s father’s sister, married to a rector and living in a rural village) invites her. Aunt Edith Saves Christmas.
There is a bit where Serena saves a woman from drowning in a canal IN LONDON. Marc saves them both. Marc takes Serena to his house to recover, then finds out about all Serena’s lies. Bad Serena. “You have been telling me a pack of lies.” Marc drives Serena to Aunt Edith’s. THEY get on like a house afire.
Full speed ahead, now. Serena hears Marc is getting married soon. She can’t bear to keep seeing him every day, so she gives him her resignation. On her last day, she is called to Matron’s office. Marc is there. Declaration and Proposal ensue.
I like Serena a lot, but can you say co-dependent? Serena's mum (like Eloise's from Pineapple Girl) is, IMO, the worst of the bad parents/step-parents (well, except for would-be animal murderer Basil). I so hate a martyr (perhaps because I have dealt with my own for so many years, although in Betty fashion I hate to air the dirty family laundry). I do like how Marc swoops in as soon as Mum is out of the picture - you can almost hear him thinking "Now's my chance." I loved his conversation with Aunt Edith when he described Serena as a hard nut to crack.
December 18, 2020
There is a special circle of fictional hell reserved for certain parents in Betty Neels books. Heroine Serena Proudfoot's mother would be one of the top contenders for admission: selfish, lazy, casually cruel, uncaring--did I mention selfish? I am never sure if I admire the heroines for their filial devotion to these soul-sucking monsters or deplore them for not cutting the cord earlier, but given that duty and self-sacrifice are hallmarks of Betty's heroines, their loyalty is in character and adds to the angst!
I liked ALM a lot! It's such classic Betty--written in 1991, it could easily be slotted in with some of her much earlier works. We have the hardworking, kindly heroine who refuses to give into self pity no matter how bleak things get; the hero whose self control and seeming coolness mask an equally kind heart and his feelings for the heroine (who is in his employ and therefore off limits to a large extent); pets; feats of selflessness and bravery when the hero and heroine work together to save people; faithful family retainers; a nice level of angst; and super-clean romance with just a couple of kisses to liven things up. By this point, Betty hadn't been a nurse for 20+ years, so while our hero is an RDD, the heroine is not a nurse, she's a medical secretary who works for the workaholic hero. It's a sweet, slow burn as they both come to their Dawning Realizations, with the heroine suffering because the hero doesn't reveal his feelings until the very end (when he maneuvers her into resigning so that he can make his move).
Nothing new here, but Serena was sweet, just starchy enough, and very likable, and the story itself moved along nicely. Having read a few of Betty's later books, I have to wonder if the weird changes in voice and signature style in some of the really late ones was due more to really crappy editing (to make them more "modern/marketable"), given that books like this one, written when Betty was 82 or so, still have so much of her particular magic. At any rate, ALM was sweet and just a little sad at times, and while it didn't quite make my keeper shelf, it was an enjoyable stop on my Betty binge.
NB (edited to add): How I miss vintage covers that actually illustrated a scene in the book. This cover shows an early scene in the book where the heroine comes across the hardworking, exhausted doctor asleep in the consultant's break room and just nails it. I like hot-guy abs as much as the next person, but can we just say enough already? I really miss those old illustrated covers.
Car porn:
Hero drives a Bentley Turbo R LWB:
I liked ALM a lot! It's such classic Betty--written in 1991, it could easily be slotted in with some of her much earlier works. We have the hardworking, kindly heroine who refuses to give into self pity no matter how bleak things get; the hero whose self control and seeming coolness mask an equally kind heart and his feelings for the heroine (who is in his employ and therefore off limits to a large extent); pets; feats of selflessness and bravery when the hero and heroine work together to save people; faithful family retainers; a nice level of angst; and super-clean romance with just a couple of kisses to liven things up. By this point, Betty hadn't been a nurse for 20+ years, so while our hero is an RDD, the heroine is not a nurse, she's a medical secretary who works for the workaholic hero. It's a sweet, slow burn as they both come to their Dawning Realizations, with the heroine suffering because the hero doesn't reveal his feelings until the very end (when he maneuvers her into resigning so that he can make his move).
Nothing new here, but Serena was sweet, just starchy enough, and very likable, and the story itself moved along nicely. Having read a few of Betty's later books, I have to wonder if the weird changes in voice and signature style in some of the really late ones was due more to really crappy editing (to make them more "modern/marketable"), given that books like this one, written when Betty was 82 or so, still have so much of her particular magic. At any rate, ALM was sweet and just a little sad at times, and while it didn't quite make my keeper shelf, it was an enjoyable stop on my Betty binge.
NB (edited to add): How I miss vintage covers that actually illustrated a scene in the book. This cover shows an early scene in the book where the heroine comes across the hardworking, exhausted doctor asleep in the consultant's break room and just nails it. I like hot-guy abs as much as the next person, but can we just say enough already? I really miss those old illustrated covers.
Car porn:
Hero drives a Bentley Turbo R LWB:
November 4, 2020
Gosh this book was vexing. The heroine was a doormat who let everyone walk over her, the male lead was annoying and never showed any emotion, and the mother, oh my god, the mother, she is quite possibly the most annoying mother I have read about. And that is including Mrs. Bennett, who got on my nerves a lot too.
December 3, 2022
Great cover art. Love that illuminated phone booth —a thing of the past, rather like this book! Serena Proudfoot. Love that name.
Our heroine is one of Neels’ many Cinderellas, but she is NOT a nurse. Gasp! A typist. However, she does work temporarily in a hospital, typing the doctor’s notes. She’s a plain jane. Yes, you are doubtless not surprised. She’s an ordinary-looking girl, with mousy hair and lovely eyes, and a beaky little nose. Also, she’s “abominable” - totally unpredictable- quite outspoken.
Marc ter Feulen, a consulting doctor. A baron. Of course! No surprises there. Neels loved her dashing dutchmen. Oh, no —Surprise! This one is Friesian.
Rich, handsome, elegant, witty, and for some strange reason, attracted to a mouse! An impertinent one at that!
Then there’s Serena’s mother. Spoiled, vain, grasping, selfish, cold. Martyr Mom! The eternally gaping maw! MAYBE not deliberately cruel or unkind, but the jury’s out on that. She’s a liar, a manipulator, quite negligent, caring only about herself. Greedy. The kind of villain it’s easy to despise. I wish Serena had told her where to go, but that’s not how Neels writes these Cinderella types. An image from the Neels site, The Uncrushable Jersey Dress, says it all.
Actually, I’d like a sequel, describing Serena’s mother (Mrs. Harding) in the future, after her new husband kicks her to the curb. Something like this, where Serena has thoroughly freed herself from any obligation to the woman:
Fanfic:
Mrs. Harding checked her mail. And her phone messages. And checked it again. And again the next day. Still nothing from Serena. Never a word from her ungrateful daughter. Hadn’t she slaved and sacrificed for years to care for that child, and to get only a telex notifying her that she’d married a perfectly marvelous catch. Serena! The ordinary little drudge! Now a titled baroness, she’s enjoying a millionaire’s lifestyle, with jewels and furs and private planes, and several elegant homes and servants, and meeting all those splendid connections, yet making NO time for mother dearest. She sees that hateful Aunt Edith and her grubby husband, and even invites them on a cruise, but she ignores me! Her mother! And her husband is always very polite, but so cool and aloof, so she dare not contact him. It really is too bad, thought Mrs. Harding, for Mr. Harding has been rather cool of late, and just last week he’d cut me off short when I was explaining why I didn’t send a gift to his newly-married nephew. As if!
###
(hehehe!)
Our heroine is one of Neels’ many Cinderellas, but she is NOT a nurse. Gasp! A typist. However, she does work temporarily in a hospital, typing the doctor’s notes. She’s a plain jane. Yes, you are doubtless not surprised. She’s an ordinary-looking girl, with mousy hair and lovely eyes, and a beaky little nose. Also, she’s “abominable” - totally unpredictable- quite outspoken.
Marc ter Feulen, a consulting doctor. A baron. Of course! No surprises there. Neels loved her dashing dutchmen. Oh, no —Surprise! This one is Friesian.
‘You weren’t speaking Dutch,’ observed Serena. ‘Of course not.’ The doctor smiled down at her in what she considered to be a rather smug fashion. ‘I’m Friesian.’
Rich, handsome, elegant, witty, and for some strange reason, attracted to a mouse! An impertinent one at that!
Marc Dijkstra ter Feulen, eminent medical man, top of his profession and a baron in his own right, was, strangely enough, thinking about Serena. Strangely, because his attention should have been centred on the very pretty woman sitting opposite him.
Then there’s Serena’s mother. Spoiled, vain, grasping, selfish, cold. Martyr Mom! The eternally gaping maw! MAYBE not deliberately cruel or unkind, but the jury’s out on that. She’s a liar, a manipulator, quite negligent, caring only about herself. Greedy. The kind of villain it’s easy to despise. I wish Serena had told her where to go, but that’s not how Neels writes these Cinderella types. An image from the Neels site, The Uncrushable Jersey Dress, says it all.
Actually, I’d like a sequel, describing Serena’s mother (Mrs. Harding) in the future, after her new husband kicks her to the curb. Something like this, where Serena has thoroughly freed herself from any obligation to the woman:
Fanfic:
Mrs. Harding checked her mail. And her phone messages. And checked it again. And again the next day. Still nothing from Serena. Never a word from her ungrateful daughter. Hadn’t she slaved and sacrificed for years to care for that child, and to get only a telex notifying her that she’d married a perfectly marvelous catch. Serena! The ordinary little drudge! Now a titled baroness, she’s enjoying a millionaire’s lifestyle, with jewels and furs and private planes, and several elegant homes and servants, and meeting all those splendid connections, yet making NO time for mother dearest. She sees that hateful Aunt Edith and her grubby husband, and even invites them on a cruise, but she ignores me! Her mother! And her husband is always very polite, but so cool and aloof, so she dare not contact him. It really is too bad, thought Mrs. Harding, for Mr. Harding has been rather cool of late, and just last week he’d cut me off short when I was explaining why I didn’t send a gift to his newly-married nephew. As if!
###
(hehehe!)
March 29, 2015
Eh, book was so-so. The writing style wasn't bad but it was a bit dry and dull. It was hard to get enthused about any romance or the "hero" as he was so clinical and lackluster in personality. Serena was ok, although she was annoyingly oblivious about her even annoying mother. She had a tedious job and it took up most of the book.
December 15, 2019
Didn't like the heroine
April 4, 2021
Hero left the lady hanging too long... It ruined the story for me
June 30, 2022
Just like any other betty neels novel this has a average looking,financially slightly better heroine with a waste mother who is very selfish and doesn't care about her daughter and a rich handsome Dutch doctor who also happens to be a baron . The only difference is the heroine Serena ia not a nurse but a typist. The entire story just flows at a regular pace with hardly much happening but endless hospital hopping for the doctor hero and heroine being his typist accompanies him everywhere. One fine day they realize their feelings for one another and confess. A one time read.
February 24, 2020
One of my favorite Betty Neels. Serena, the heroine, is charming, cursed with a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, plus a bone-idle, selfish mother. Serena is typing away, long after quitting time, trying to decipher the penmanship and long words that our hero, Dr. ter Feulen uses. He's the typical Neels hero, a little snarky, cold, aloof, yet underneath it all ready to care for those he admits into his heart.
Eventually Serena is shot of her mother and job and ends up in Dr. ter Feulen's arms. I like this because Serena isn't anyone's fool and eventually realizes her mother cares nothing for her and stops being a doormat.
Eventually Serena is shot of her mother and job and ends up in Dr. ter Feulen's arms. I like this because Serena isn't anyone's fool and eventually realizes her mother cares nothing for her and stops being a doormat.
May 24, 2013
This turned out to be somewhat better than I expected, but not my favorite by Betty Neels who for me is one of my most loved authors. Even though her stories are all similar, they are still very enjoyable to read.
September 1, 2013
80% of this book was about the heroine job: typing, typing and more typing. I didn't feel the love between the h and H. when did the doctor realised he loves the girl? I have no ideea, this is a first for me LOL
July 19, 2011
Very grateful I was not named Serena Proudfoot.
August 14, 2017
Otra novelita de Betty con una protagonista demasiado buena con su madre, mala y desagradecida. Sus libros me hacen sentir bien, hay una escena donde Serena, la heroína, va a trabajar parada en un bus lleno... esas pequeñas cosas son las que te acercan a un personaje. Su RDD (rich dutch doctor, según un foro dedicado a Betty y sus vestidos de lana) es muy agradable también.
October 27, 2024
The hero was your standard BN aloof, smug doctor who hints he’s soon marrying and gets deliriously tickled to see how this news upsets the heroine, which in my opinion simply denotes that the hero has the EQ of a pumpkin and is a smug jerk to boot, but what made me rate this so low is that the awful, evil Mother of the heroine doesn’t get any comeuppance. O wish her nose could be grounded into how everyone looks down on her as the scum of the earth, she should have been tarred and feathered and walked around town. But she remained happily in sunnier climes en vacances. So there.
January 12, 2018
I have been slowly working my way through Betty Neels books in my library Overdrive. I have sorted it by global popularity and for some reason the past few I have read had the poor heroine with nasty mothers. The oh-poor-me-widow type of mothers. Even our hero here Marc knew exactly the type of widowed mother Mrs Proudfoot was haha! Poor Serena, despite being the most devoted daughter, got dump and made homeless the moment her mother found a man foolish enough to marry her at this age! But good riddance I say!
I must say out of the past few BN novels I have read, Marc had to be the most daring and passionate hero! That must have been some hot kisses he gave Serena in front of her aunt and uncle when he dropped her off for Christmas LOL. Even Serena enjoyed the "enthusiasm" in his kiss! Cheeky Marc! So sweet of him to drive like mad to send her to her aunt's and rush back to London for his chartered flight back home. "Rich as Croesus" indeed!
It's amazing how confident Marc was in getting Serena to marry him; very early on we learnt he's already informed his registrar he'd be getting married soon. And the minute Serena mentioned a new start he told her to give her notice, and set things in motion! The cheek! What if he had read her wrong!? But silly Serena should not expect him to go around kissing her if he's to marry someone else...so naive haha!
I really enjoyed this story; as usual the family gathering in Holland was so heartwarming! If only all in- laws were so nice and loving in real life!
Oh I love the title. Very early on, both Serena and Marc were gazing at the moon thinking of each other. So romantic and yet they were not even together!
I must say out of the past few BN novels I have read, Marc had to be the most daring and passionate hero! That must have been some hot kisses he gave Serena in front of her aunt and uncle when he dropped her off for Christmas LOL. Even Serena enjoyed the "enthusiasm" in his kiss! Cheeky Marc! So sweet of him to drive like mad to send her to her aunt's and rush back to London for his chartered flight back home. "Rich as Croesus" indeed!
It's amazing how confident Marc was in getting Serena to marry him; very early on we learnt he's already informed his registrar he'd be getting married soon. And the minute Serena mentioned a new start he told her to give her notice, and set things in motion! The cheek! What if he had read her wrong!? But silly Serena should not expect him to go around kissing her if he's to marry someone else...so naive haha!
I really enjoyed this story; as usual the family gathering in Holland was so heartwarming! If only all in- laws were so nice and loving in real life!
Oh I love the title. Very early on, both Serena and Marc were gazing at the moon thinking of each other. So romantic and yet they were not even together!
January 14, 2026
Read: 13Jan26
4.2 stars. it was a bit slow getting into this one as I didn't much enjoy the Holland section at the start, where the h went accompanied by her horrid mother. I suppose the horrid mom put me off plus the story felt a bit slow to start I abandoned it at 45% the first time around. I think the second half picks up and has many of the elements I enjoy in a betty book, so on balance I gave it 4.2 stars, despite the ending, though sweet, not being quite my cup of tea.
Serena, 25, is a temp secretary at a hospital who provides cover when prof Marc's secretary is off sick. she's a plain Jane with an incredibly selfish mother, and Serena's work supports them both as well as her running around after her mom at home too. She meets Marc when she is complaining her herself about the volume of his typing keeping her working late. he walks in on her as she says something and corrects her. so their meetcute is slightly sparky rather than full on sparky.
Marc is a dutch baron and RDD and is hardworking but quiet and practical man, sometimes aloof. we can't quite tell if he likes Serena, but he likes her work enough to ask her to be his full time secretary and come to Holland for some weeks to work for him. he even makes arrangements for her mom to go too, since the mum otherwise will make it difficult for Serena to go.
I found the Holland section a bit slow. mostly the mom is her nasty selfish moany self and poor Serena is working flat out. however mark does manage to pry Serena away from mom when they work in a different city and he shows her around Holland, out of pity for the plain girl with no life, he tells himself. but while he goes on a date with a beauty later that evening, he reflects that he really enjoyed his time with Serena.
SPOILERS AHEAD
when Serena's mom bags herself a new man (poor silly man!) and goes back to England, Marc even takes Serena to visit his entire family in his home for the day. where Marc's mom comments to his sister that perhaps he likes serena and he doesn't know it yet.
they return to England, where Marc is annoyed to return Serena to a cold empty house, the selfish mom not bothering to be home to welcome Serena back. he is reluctant to leave hwr there but she insists. its at this point that Serena realises she's fallen in love with Marc.
in fact, the mom has decided to get married shortly and ruthlessly tells Serena she's already in the process of selling the house and that Serena better find herself a flat. the mom makes all sorts of excuses about why she won't give Serena any money from the sale of her dads house, saying Serena is a working girl who will be glad to be independent now. warra bitch. May she suffer great misery offpage. we can only hope.
so anyway, all Serena can afford is a bedsit and she secretly moves in, not telling Marc of her misfortune and misery because of her pride. to top it off, the mother says she and her new hubby are going abroad for Xmas, leaving Serena completely alone in the festive season. poor Serena. she lies to marc, saying she will go to her mom's new home for xmas, not wanting his pity. luckily for her, her paternal aunt gets in touch. they'd lost touch because of the selfish mom. now the aunt invites Serena to come to stay for Xmas.
When serena dives into a canal to save a drowning woman, Marc comes across them and helps save them both. afterwatrds, having called the mom to inform her serena is fine, he finds out Serena lied to him about her Xmas plans. he's very angry as she had promised to never lie to him. even so, he takes her to his own house to be coddled by his housekeeper while she recuperates.
I think seeing her in the canal and so sick afterwards is when he realised he loves her. but his comments that he is going to get married shortly make her believe that he is engaged to another woman. cue the angst. poor Serena!
he remains 'annoyed' with her, hardly seeing her at work for weeks until Xmas eve, when he insists on driving her to her aunt. the poor man made an excuse he has to go to see patients in Bristol just in order to be able to drop Serena off and make sure her aunt is nice and that Serena will have a nice Xmas! he then catches a chartered flight home to Holland for Xmas day, then back the next day to pick Serena up and drive her back to London! now we know he's in love! he even confidentially lets the aunt know it too..
ENDING SPOILERS
so anyway, on new years day he insists on taking Serena to dinner..and asks her what she wants for the new year. she has decided she can't bear to see him marry someone else and wants to get a job far away, so tells him she wants a new job. he coolly says she should hand her notice in for a weeks time and can go on to elsewhere.
she is absolutely gutted at the suddenness and because he doesn't even care. she hands in her notice as per his request, and when the week ends, he doesn't.even say a proper goodbye. she leaves work in a daze, only for the porter at the exit to say she must go to matrons office. she goes and is shocked to find Marc there. he kisses her and gets it out of her that she wants to leave because he is getting married. he says, yes, to you my darling. he confesses he loves her and has made all the plans for them to get married ASAP. she says you didn't even ask me. he says I'm asking you now. she agrees. kisses. the end.
I never like the endings where the hero says stuff that makes the h think her world is ending and allows her to suffer but then sweeps in to 'rescue' her by offering himself on a platter, taking it for granted that she will leap at the chance. ugh. it's the bit where he knows she will suffer and seems to be amused by it that really gets to me. but anyway, at least this guy said "if you will have me" after she was a bit annoyed about it. his words and the love he expressed were kinda sweet. a better ending and I might have given this book a 4.5, but the ending did not being the high drama, alas.
CONCLUSION
I liked both protagonsits. I liked that Marc wasn't sure of his feelings at start and wanstsure why this plain young woman was getting under his skin. I liked how he looked out for her and made chances to be with her whenever he could. yes, the start of the book felt slow, and yet after that there were some heartwarming and memorable scenes that I loved. I would probably read this one again.
4.2 stars. it was a bit slow getting into this one as I didn't much enjoy the Holland section at the start, where the h went accompanied by her horrid mother. I suppose the horrid mom put me off plus the story felt a bit slow to start I abandoned it at 45% the first time around. I think the second half picks up and has many of the elements I enjoy in a betty book, so on balance I gave it 4.2 stars, despite the ending, though sweet, not being quite my cup of tea.
Serena, 25, is a temp secretary at a hospital who provides cover when prof Marc's secretary is off sick. she's a plain Jane with an incredibly selfish mother, and Serena's work supports them both as well as her running around after her mom at home too. She meets Marc when she is complaining her herself about the volume of his typing keeping her working late. he walks in on her as she says something and corrects her. so their meetcute is slightly sparky rather than full on sparky.
Marc is a dutch baron and RDD and is hardworking but quiet and practical man, sometimes aloof. we can't quite tell if he likes Serena, but he likes her work enough to ask her to be his full time secretary and come to Holland for some weeks to work for him. he even makes arrangements for her mom to go too, since the mum otherwise will make it difficult for Serena to go.
I found the Holland section a bit slow. mostly the mom is her nasty selfish moany self and poor Serena is working flat out. however mark does manage to pry Serena away from mom when they work in a different city and he shows her around Holland, out of pity for the plain girl with no life, he tells himself. but while he goes on a date with a beauty later that evening, he reflects that he really enjoyed his time with Serena.
SPOILERS AHEAD
when Serena's mom bags herself a new man (poor silly man!) and goes back to England, Marc even takes Serena to visit his entire family in his home for the day. where Marc's mom comments to his sister that perhaps he likes serena and he doesn't know it yet.
they return to England, where Marc is annoyed to return Serena to a cold empty house, the selfish mom not bothering to be home to welcome Serena back. he is reluctant to leave hwr there but she insists. its at this point that Serena realises she's fallen in love with Marc.
in fact, the mom has decided to get married shortly and ruthlessly tells Serena she's already in the process of selling the house and that Serena better find herself a flat. the mom makes all sorts of excuses about why she won't give Serena any money from the sale of her dads house, saying Serena is a working girl who will be glad to be independent now. warra bitch. May she suffer great misery offpage. we can only hope.
so anyway, all Serena can afford is a bedsit and she secretly moves in, not telling Marc of her misfortune and misery because of her pride. to top it off, the mother says she and her new hubby are going abroad for Xmas, leaving Serena completely alone in the festive season. poor Serena. she lies to marc, saying she will go to her mom's new home for xmas, not wanting his pity. luckily for her, her paternal aunt gets in touch. they'd lost touch because of the selfish mom. now the aunt invites Serena to come to stay for Xmas.
When serena dives into a canal to save a drowning woman, Marc comes across them and helps save them both. afterwatrds, having called the mom to inform her serena is fine, he finds out Serena lied to him about her Xmas plans. he's very angry as she had promised to never lie to him. even so, he takes her to his own house to be coddled by his housekeeper while she recuperates.
I think seeing her in the canal and so sick afterwards is when he realised he loves her. but his comments that he is going to get married shortly make her believe that he is engaged to another woman. cue the angst. poor Serena!
he remains 'annoyed' with her, hardly seeing her at work for weeks until Xmas eve, when he insists on driving her to her aunt. the poor man made an excuse he has to go to see patients in Bristol just in order to be able to drop Serena off and make sure her aunt is nice and that Serena will have a nice Xmas! he then catches a chartered flight home to Holland for Xmas day, then back the next day to pick Serena up and drive her back to London! now we know he's in love! he even confidentially lets the aunt know it too..
ENDING SPOILERS
so anyway, on new years day he insists on taking Serena to dinner..and asks her what she wants for the new year. she has decided she can't bear to see him marry someone else and wants to get a job far away, so tells him she wants a new job. he coolly says she should hand her notice in for a weeks time and can go on to elsewhere.
she is absolutely gutted at the suddenness and because he doesn't even care. she hands in her notice as per his request, and when the week ends, he doesn't.even say a proper goodbye. she leaves work in a daze, only for the porter at the exit to say she must go to matrons office. she goes and is shocked to find Marc there. he kisses her and gets it out of her that she wants to leave because he is getting married. he says, yes, to you my darling. he confesses he loves her and has made all the plans for them to get married ASAP. she says you didn't even ask me. he says I'm asking you now. she agrees. kisses. the end.
I never like the endings where the hero says stuff that makes the h think her world is ending and allows her to suffer but then sweeps in to 'rescue' her by offering himself on a platter, taking it for granted that she will leap at the chance. ugh. it's the bit where he knows she will suffer and seems to be amused by it that really gets to me. but anyway, at least this guy said "if you will have me" after she was a bit annoyed about it. his words and the love he expressed were kinda sweet. a better ending and I might have given this book a 4.5, but the ending did not being the high drama, alas.
CONCLUSION
I liked both protagonsits. I liked that Marc wasn't sure of his feelings at start and wanstsure why this plain young woman was getting under his skin. I liked how he looked out for her and made chances to be with her whenever he could. yes, the start of the book felt slow, and yet after that there were some heartwarming and memorable scenes that I loved. I would probably read this one again.
October 22, 2010
A sort of middle-of the road Neels. Our plucky, plain, beaky-nosed heroine (Serena Proudfoot)is the new secretary/stenographer/typist for Type A Rich Dutch Doctor Marc ter Feulen. She's a bit pert, he is a bit stiff, but for the first part of the book they strike nice sparks off each other.
Serena's mother is the most dreaded in Neels' motherdom--the selfish, whiny, 'poor little me' widow. She lives with her hardworking daughter and yet complains, All The Time!!! about how over worked she is. And yet Serena, sassy with the RDD, is an absolute doormat with her mom, offering up all sorts of excuses for her mother's selfishness. And, Mom really screws over her daughter by the end of the book.
Marc suffers from a typical RDD disease--he announces to one and all that he is getting married, but never once actually says to our heroine that he has fallen for her,that she is the chosen one--Not Once!!
I tell you what, communication was Never a strong skill for Neels' RDDs!!
I quite enjoyed this one--it actually made me cry at one point--high accolades for a Betty Neels book.
Serena's mother is the most dreaded in Neels' motherdom--the selfish, whiny, 'poor little me' widow. She lives with her hardworking daughter and yet complains, All The Time!!! about how over worked she is. And yet Serena, sassy with the RDD, is an absolute doormat with her mom, offering up all sorts of excuses for her mother's selfishness. And, Mom really screws over her daughter by the end of the book.
Marc suffers from a typical RDD disease--he announces to one and all that he is getting married, but never once actually says to our heroine that he has fallen for her,that she is the chosen one--Not Once!!
I tell you what, communication was Never a strong skill for Neels' RDDs!!
I quite enjoyed this one--it actually made me cry at one point--high accolades for a Betty Neels book.
October 20, 2022
"Una luz en la oscuridad" una clásica novela corta de Betty, con los personajes habituales en sus historias: una enfermera " era pequeña, de pelo rubio recogido en un severo moño, nariz respingona, boca grande y vivarachos ojos claros" (Serena Proudfoot) el médico holandés ( Marc Ter Feulen ) la madre abusiva y egoísta y como no podía faltar la compañía de una gata.
Nota de color y que solo ocurre en Betty verse en esta oportunidad la protagonista se arroja a un canal a rescatar a una señora 🙆🏻♀️
Nota de color y que solo ocurre en Betty verse en esta oportunidad la protagonista se arroja a un canal a rescatar a una señora 🙆🏻♀️
Read
July 27, 2011Serena has met her match in Marc ter Feulen. After dealing with her mother's weaknesses and self-centeredness, Marc throws her for a loop.
Very good.
Very good.
August 24, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
May 9, 2016
An amazing book that can be completed in a day or two. A simple story of a plain girl with her boss. The characters are so live that I can actually hear them.
Can't wait to read more of Betty Neels
Can't wait to read more of Betty Neels
August 3, 2025
What a delightful little story. Aw, my first Mills & Boon. Sort of like “ Bel Lamington” or a modern day Georgette Heyer. A fluffy and enjoyable romance.
November 10, 2021
“He didn’t tell her that he had gone to the church on an impulse, guessing that it was the most likely place to find her.”
“He was hungry and tired, for he had had a busy day and there was no reason why he should spend what should have been a quiet evening tracking down Serena.”
“I wanted to drive Serena here and I had to have an excuse Bristol seemed a suitable one.”
“He has been in love many times, I am sure, but to love as well as being in love, that is something else. He is not yet aware…”
“pride stiffened her. Let him be as distant and polite as he wished. Two could play at that game!”
“She wasn’t sure if she would be able to go on working for him, seeing him day after day, aware that over and above his concern for her he had no interest in her at all... On the other hand, never to see him again was something she couldn’t even contemplate.”
“All the same,” said Serena to herself, “I shall have to go away, you know; he’s not a fool, and sooner or later he’s going to guess, and I couldn’t bear it if he pitied me.”
“She couldn’t stay, seeing him continuously and loving him a little more each day and finally dwindling into a lovelorn old maid.”
“There was so much about him that she loved even when he was at his most annoying.”
“He was hungry and tired, for he had had a busy day and there was no reason why he should spend what should have been a quiet evening tracking down Serena.”
“I wanted to drive Serena here and I had to have an excuse Bristol seemed a suitable one.”
“He has been in love many times, I am sure, but to love as well as being in love, that is something else. He is not yet aware…”
“pride stiffened her. Let him be as distant and polite as he wished. Two could play at that game!”
“She wasn’t sure if she would be able to go on working for him, seeing him day after day, aware that over and above his concern for her he had no interest in her at all... On the other hand, never to see him again was something she couldn’t even contemplate.”
“All the same,” said Serena to herself, “I shall have to go away, you know; he’s not a fool, and sooner or later he’s going to guess, and I couldn’t bear it if he pitied me.”
“She couldn’t stay, seeing him continuously and loving him a little more each day and finally dwindling into a lovelorn old maid.”
“There was so much about him that she loved even when he was at his most annoying.”
July 10, 2017
Putting a lonely person at the heart of the story presents a challenge for the writer: Can you keep the story interesting despite the protagonist's needs? Or will her isolation deprive the writer of some enjoyments inherent in a story about someone with a richer community?
Some Neels books of this type (e.g., Roses Have Thorns) manage to develop a sense of community through the other servants the heroine befriends, but A Little Moonlight never quite overcomes the sense of quiet misery. This puts more burden on the relationship between the romantic leads. More than any other I can think of, this story continually evoked a sense of gray, rainy, gloomy weather.
A Little Moonlight provided adequate reading enjoyment, but I still find myself conflicted as to whether -- and how -- Neels could have given the story a bit more life without fundamentally altering Serena's character.
Some Neels books of this type (e.g., Roses Have Thorns) manage to develop a sense of community through the other servants the heroine befriends, but A Little Moonlight never quite overcomes the sense of quiet misery. This puts more burden on the relationship between the romantic leads. More than any other I can think of, this story continually evoked a sense of gray, rainy, gloomy weather.
A Little Moonlight provided adequate reading enjoyment, but I still find myself conflicted as to whether -- and how -- Neels could have given the story a bit more life without fundamentally altering Serena's character.
August 20, 2023
A bit ploddy with the usual Betty Neels filler - cinderella h is a doormat/slave to her bitch mother, and pines endlessly over an emotionless H who has decided he's going to marry the h then does nothing about it and ignores her for the whole book. I love these Hs who announce 'I'm getting married' to the h without actually telling her he means to her. I'm sure it's supposed to be some 4D chess shit, but to me it's just baffling.
Here is the ending we all wanted really - Serena's mother shows up a few days before the wedding, thinking she can leech off of her soon to be mega-wealthy daughter, but before she gets her foot in the door Serena slaps her full in the face and tells her 'You are dead to me, mother, you've always been dead to me'. Door shut in face, mother spluttering and swooning from the shock of it all, maybe gets splashed by a passing car.
Of course the baddies never get the comeuppance in Betty Neels' books, but oh how we can dream.
Here is the ending we all wanted really - Serena's mother shows up a few days before the wedding, thinking she can leech off of her soon to be mega-wealthy daughter, but before she gets her foot in the door Serena slaps her full in the face and tells her 'You are dead to me, mother, you've always been dead to me'. Door shut in face, mother spluttering and swooning from the shock of it all, maybe gets splashed by a passing car.
Of course the baddies never get the comeuppance in Betty Neels' books, but oh how we can dream.
November 13, 2023
Sigh. This one was a little frustrating for me, but I think if I hadn't read a zillion Betty books I would have enjoyed it more. Stop me if you've heard this: plain heroine with mousy hair and "little beaky nose" (I swear that description is used at least five times in the book) and "beautiful eyes" works for broad-shouldered, bossy, self-assured, handsome, slightly older, rich, workaholic Dutch doctor who falls for her for no readily apparent reason but doesn't bother to let on until the book is at 97%.
Yes, there is the visit to the Netherlands. Yes, there are the Dutch relatives. Yes, there are the food scenes where the doctor tells her what to order. Yes, there is a cat (eventually). Yes, the doctor opens all car doors and apartment doors.
But, no, there is no hot girl of whom mousy heroine is jealous. And no, at no point is there any makeover or nicer clothes!
One day I would really, really like to read a Betty Neels about a pretty, confident girl and a doctor who isn't quite sure where he stands and therefore has to work a little bit. I would even take a love triangle, dang it. But then I guess it wouldn't be a Betty Neels.
Yes, there is the visit to the Netherlands. Yes, there are the Dutch relatives. Yes, there are the food scenes where the doctor tells her what to order. Yes, there is a cat (eventually). Yes, the doctor opens all car doors and apartment doors.
But, no, there is no hot girl of whom mousy heroine is jealous. And no, at no point is there any makeover or nicer clothes!
One day I would really, really like to read a Betty Neels about a pretty, confident girl and a doctor who isn't quite sure where he stands and therefore has to work a little bit. I would even take a love triangle, dang it. But then I guess it wouldn't be a Betty Neels.
March 25, 2025
"A Little Moonlight" is the story of Serena and Marc.
Slow burn romance between a professor/ doctor and his secretary. The heroine is hired as a temp to help the hero, and soon gets a permanent employment. She lives a dull life, controlled by her overbearing mother who basically uses her as a maid. The hero spots it and takes it on himself to change her life.
If you have read enough BN books, you can predict the very off page romance, medical jargon, smitten hero, ignorant heroine, fade to black love confession at the very end.. however my biggest gripe with this one was that the heroine was a complete pushover, and until the very end we saw the selfish mother steal her inheritance and get away with it. Was hoping her new husband was a serial killer or something but the author made that vile woman get a happy ending and I was not pleased.
Safe
2.5/5
Slow burn romance between a professor/ doctor and his secretary. The heroine is hired as a temp to help the hero, and soon gets a permanent employment. She lives a dull life, controlled by her overbearing mother who basically uses her as a maid. The hero spots it and takes it on himself to change her life.
If you have read enough BN books, you can predict the very off page romance, medical jargon, smitten hero, ignorant heroine, fade to black love confession at the very end.. however my biggest gripe with this one was that the heroine was a complete pushover, and until the very end we saw the selfish mother steal her inheritance and get away with it. Was hoping her new husband was a serial killer or something but the author made that vile woman get a happy ending and I was not pleased.
Safe
2.5/5
June 28, 2019
Serena works as a typist for an agency, working hard to care for her delicate mother. When she fill-ins for Dr. Marc ter Feulen's ill secretary, she finds him demanding and difficult. In spite of her best efforts, though, she starts to fall in love.
Betty Neels' books are always perfect for filling some time. I liked Serena from the start. She is like many of Neels' heroines: plain, hardworking, and unwilling to take any disrespect from anyone...except for her mother.
The plot is straightforward, with no real surprises. Serena is a true heroine towards the end, going into a canal to save a woman's life. The focus stays on Serena, following her with her work as she starts to fall in love.
For a light read, I would recommend this to anyone.
Betty Neels' books are always perfect for filling some time. I liked Serena from the start. She is like many of Neels' heroines: plain, hardworking, and unwilling to take any disrespect from anyone...except for her mother.
The plot is straightforward, with no real surprises. Serena is a true heroine towards the end, going into a canal to save a woman's life. The focus stays on Serena, following her with her work as she starts to fall in love.
For a light read, I would recommend this to anyone.
January 15, 2021
This is actually a five star book in its own special genre of Betty Neels books. Strangely the heroine Serena Proudfoot has the same unusual last name as the girl in the last Neels book I read, Eliza Proudfoot.
This girl has a “beaky” nose we are told several times, and is plain with mousy hair. Luckily her rich Dutch baron doctor boss seems to need exactly that. Satisfying descriptions of London and Holland, lots of coffees and teas, a couple kisses. Very nice, plus a couple surprises, a daring rescue and a horrible parent!
This girl has a “beaky” nose we are told several times, and is plain with mousy hair. Luckily her rich Dutch baron doctor boss seems to need exactly that. Satisfying descriptions of London and Holland, lots of coffees and teas, a couple kisses. Very nice, plus a couple surprises, a daring rescue and a horrible parent!
July 10, 2022
It's a Betty Neels book, so it's sweet, light, frothy, and absolutely sexless. It's one of her later ones, apparently, but (as they all are) could have been set in the 1960s just as much as the 80s.
This one has a medical transcriptionist in place of the nurse, but the standard Dutch Doctor/Baron with a huge happy family. The FMC's mother is particularly awful; truly abominable. Selfish, grasping, manipulative, lying, and cruel. It's one of the harshest treatments I've seen in a Neel's book.
Ultimately, it was just the pleasant step away from reality I wanted for that hour of my life.
This one has a medical transcriptionist in place of the nurse, but the standard Dutch Doctor/Baron with a huge happy family. The FMC's mother is particularly awful; truly abominable. Selfish, grasping, manipulative, lying, and cruel. It's one of the harshest treatments I've seen in a Neel's book.
Ultimately, it was just the pleasant step away from reality I wanted for that hour of my life.
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