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Damsel In Green
She'd do anything for the children's sake
Georgina Rodman had been given a special nursing assignment—she was to look after the Van den Berg Eyffert children, who were recovering from an accident. Having worked in a casualty ward, Georgina felt she could cope with just about anything life threw at her.
But that was before she met the children's guardian, Julius. Afterward, she realized that even common sense and a practical nature couldn't stop her from falling in love…with a man who didn't even know she existed!
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1971
67 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
582 books419 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 50 reviews
September 23, 2025
It's difficult for me to review a Betty Neels story. I pretty much like all of them - so three star is my baseline. This one is a favorite with most Neels fans. The heroine is competent. The hero's family is complicated and vast, yet he seems to take good care of all of them. The H/h meet after his wards/nephew and nieces are in a car accident. She is the nurse on duty in the emergency room. One thing leads to another and she ends up nursing the nephew first in the H's English country house and then in Holland. My favorite scenes center around Christmas and New Years in Holland.
There's an OW that the h is jealous of. The OW also makes sure they fall through thin ice, so that was fun. The title refers to dress the h wears at Christmas - the hero compares it to a green liqueur.
There's an OW that the h is jealous of. The OW also makes sure they fall through thin ice, so that was fun. The title refers to dress the h wears at Christmas - the hero compares it to a green liqueur.
November 25, 2020
Was 1970’s Damsel in Green Betty’s take on The Sound of Music? It definitely has that vibe and a somewhat similar plot (the first half of SoM, before the Nazis arrive, anyway). The romance in DiG takes a back seat to the heroine’s relationship with the hero’s five wards (his orphaned cousins), but it’s still a sweet, slow burn between our MCs, as hero Julius does his best to conform to the RDD/RBD code and keep his hands off the heroine while she’s in his employ (he mostly manages to, except for a few irresistible lapses in kissing her and some strong hints as to his feelings).
Nurse-heroine Georgina Rodman meets hero Julius Van den Berg Eyffert (a Rich half-British/half-Dutch Doctor) when 3 of his 5 young wards (orphaned cousins) are brought into the emergency department following a car accident. 7-year-old Cornelius is the only one seriously injured, with two broken legs. Julius arranges for Georgina to come to his beautiful home to nurse Cornelius, and she ends up mothering his entire brood and slotting perfectly into his life and heart.
For the MCs, it’s love at first sight, but Julius won’t act while Georgina is working for him, and Georgina is pretty sure any feeling is all on her side despite a few scenes that clearly show (to us) Julius’ feelings for her. Most of the story takes place in the hero's English country manor, but we do get a trip to the ancestral family manse in Holland, complete with some brief, pernicious OW drama and a slight (as opposed to Big) misunderstanding that gets cleared up quickly at the end, leaving the path clear for our hero and heroine to come together.
Betty writes a really lovely family-focused story with this one, with nice development of our secondary characters (except for 12-year-old Franz, who gets short shrift--sorry Franz!). In particular, we get some really nice Christmas scenes, as Georgina keeps everyone occupied making decorations and eating mince pies, and a few nice party scenes. Betty seemed to get a kick from her heroines with masculine nicknames (George in this one; Haughty Harry in Tempestuous April, ), which immediately preceded this one (and so did I). A sweet and homey story that I enjoyed revisiting and liked even more on this, my second, read.
Some random observations:
-Maggie and Paul from A Match for Sister Maggie (aka Amazon in an Apron) make a very brief appearance in DiG.
-In the Harlequin Omnibus version of DiG, Georgiana's hospital ward is called "Emergency" (Americanizing it); in the standalone version, the British term, Casualty, is used.
Car porn (some BN faves in this one):
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Aston Martin DB
Morris Minor
Mini Cooper
Nurse-heroine Georgina Rodman meets hero Julius Van den Berg Eyffert (a Rich half-British/half-Dutch Doctor) when 3 of his 5 young wards (orphaned cousins) are brought into the emergency department following a car accident. 7-year-old Cornelius is the only one seriously injured, with two broken legs. Julius arranges for Georgina to come to his beautiful home to nurse Cornelius, and she ends up mothering his entire brood and slotting perfectly into his life and heart.
For the MCs, it’s love at first sight, but Julius won’t act while Georgina is working for him, and Georgina is pretty sure any feeling is all on her side despite a few scenes that clearly show (to us) Julius’ feelings for her. Most of the story takes place in the hero's English country manor, but we do get a trip to the ancestral family manse in Holland, complete with some brief, pernicious OW drama and a slight (as opposed to Big) misunderstanding that gets cleared up quickly at the end, leaving the path clear for our hero and heroine to come together.
Betty writes a really lovely family-focused story with this one, with nice development of our secondary characters (except for 12-year-old Franz, who gets short shrift--sorry Franz!). In particular, we get some really nice Christmas scenes, as Georgina keeps everyone occupied making decorations and eating mince pies, and a few nice party scenes. Betty seemed to get a kick from her heroines with masculine nicknames (George in this one; Haughty Harry in Tempestuous April, ), which immediately preceded this one (and so did I). A sweet and homey story that I enjoyed revisiting and liked even more on this, my second, read.
Some random observations:
-Maggie and Paul from A Match for Sister Maggie (aka Amazon in an Apron) make a very brief appearance in DiG.
-In the Harlequin Omnibus version of DiG, Georgiana's hospital ward is called "Emergency" (Americanizing it); in the standalone version, the British term, Casualty, is used.
Car porn (some BN faves in this one):
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Aston Martin DB
Morris Minor
Mini Cooper
March 4, 2023
I've seen Betty Neels showing up so often on my feed recently that I thought I'd give her a try. This was a cute, quick read, although it was soooo laden with tired tropes and dated relationship dynamics that I can't really see myself reading any more, unless I completely run out of other stuff 😂 If I'm going to read something in that line, I prefer Mary Burchell's writing.
In this one, a plucky young nurse is invited to take charge of a child who's been in a car accident. His guardian spends the entire book making thinly veiled passes at her--or occasionally randomly kissing her -- 🙄🤨🤦🏻♀️ -- and she spends the entire book wringing her hands at how hopelessly she loves him. It's all very unnecessarily Rochester and Jane like, but with less plot. Nothing about it really makes sense, and I say that as someone who usually tolerates romance-y tropes.
In this one, a plucky young nurse is invited to take charge of a child who's been in a car accident. His guardian spends the entire book making thinly veiled passes at her--or occasionally randomly kissing her -- 🙄🤨🤦🏻♀️ -- and she spends the entire book wringing her hands at how hopelessly she loves him. It's all very unnecessarily Rochester and Jane like, but with less plot. Nothing about it really makes sense, and I say that as someone who usually tolerates romance-y tropes.
September 20, 2025
Georgina Rodman and Julius van den Berg Eyffert meet in Casualty when Julius's cousins are injured in a car crash.
Georgina - of course that gets shortened to George - learns that Julius is guardian to his orphaned cousins: Karel, about 20; Dimphena, 16; Franz, about 14; Cornelis, 7; and Beatrix, 5 or 6. Cornelis is the only one seriously injured with both legs broken. Oh, and they're all half Dutch.
When Cor is released to go home, George is asked to go with him since he will be confined to bed in traction for a couple of months.
She agrees. Their home, Dalmers Place, isn't far from her Aunt Polly's home. George fits in nicely and is beloved by all the kids. Karel develops quite a crush on her. As for herself, George becomes very fond of them all and falls in love with Julius.
Julius makes rather cryptic remarks, makes George wear uniform while on duty, but kisses her several times. George is afraid to think he might love her; she has heard the kids mention a Madame LeFabre in Holland and imagines that Julius is going to marry her.
After Christmas, they all go over to Holland for 2 weeks. Madame LeFabre comes to stay, lending credence to George's thoughts. One morning, Beatrix wants to go skating and when George hesitates because she doesn't have permission from Julius, Madame LeFabre says that Julius told her that it was safe for them to skate. Of course this is a lie, the ice collapses and George and Beatrix are plunged into the icy water. Fortunately, Julius arrives just in time to save them. He is blazingly angry.
George thinks he is angry at her and makes the kids promise not to tell the whole story. The "no tattling" is a common theme in Neelsdom. it doesn't bother me that much - I understand the context. It's a product of the stiff-upper-lip-old-British-public-school. Cor (being half Dutch, as TUJD reminds us) tells anyway. Then she overhears Julius declare:
‘I was mad to invite her here. I do not wish to see her again, though I suppose I am bound to meet her at some time in the future.’
She automatically assumes he is talking about her. Before she can do more than begin packing, Julius declares himself - while George is in bed!
This one is really delightful. There's a lot of Christmas stuff and lots of cozy tea parties. 4 1/2 stars.
Georgina - of course that gets shortened to George - learns that Julius is guardian to his orphaned cousins: Karel, about 20; Dimphena, 16; Franz, about 14; Cornelis, 7; and Beatrix, 5 or 6. Cornelis is the only one seriously injured with both legs broken. Oh, and they're all half Dutch.
When Cor is released to go home, George is asked to go with him since he will be confined to bed in traction for a couple of months.
She agrees. Their home, Dalmers Place, isn't far from her Aunt Polly's home. George fits in nicely and is beloved by all the kids. Karel develops quite a crush on her. As for herself, George becomes very fond of them all and falls in love with Julius.
Julius makes rather cryptic remarks, makes George wear uniform while on duty, but kisses her several times. George is afraid to think he might love her; she has heard the kids mention a Madame LeFabre in Holland and imagines that Julius is going to marry her.
After Christmas, they all go over to Holland for 2 weeks. Madame LeFabre comes to stay, lending credence to George's thoughts. One morning, Beatrix wants to go skating and when George hesitates because she doesn't have permission from Julius, Madame LeFabre says that Julius told her that it was safe for them to skate. Of course this is a lie, the ice collapses and George and Beatrix are plunged into the icy water. Fortunately, Julius arrives just in time to save them. He is blazingly angry.
George thinks he is angry at her and makes the kids promise not to tell the whole story. The "no tattling" is a common theme in Neelsdom. it doesn't bother me that much - I understand the context. It's a product of the stiff-upper-lip-old-British-public-school. Cor (being half Dutch, as TUJD reminds us) tells anyway. Then she overhears Julius declare:
‘I was mad to invite her here. I do not wish to see her again, though I suppose I am bound to meet her at some time in the future.’
She automatically assumes he is talking about her. Before she can do more than begin packing, Julius declares himself - while George is in bed!
This one is really delightful. There's a lot of Christmas stuff and lots of cozy tea parties. 4 1/2 stars.
January 3, 2024
I think this might be in my top 10 Bettys. I loved it! Georgina Rodman works is a casualty ward at a hospital and is the nurse to three orphaned siblings who were injured in a car crash. Two of the children are young and under the care of their cousin, a Dutch doctor named Julius. Georgina has an immediate rapport with Beatrix and Cornelis, so Julius invites her to be a resident nurse for Cornelis at his home in Essex. Cor has broken both legs and is in traction for two months. Georgina has just passed her exams to become a full nurse so she is excited at the opportunity to try a different kind of nursing…and it won’t hurt to be near the Professor.
There are two other teenage siblings between Beatrix and Cor and the oldest, Karel. They all live with Julius in Essex and at his ancestral home in Holland. Most of the action takes place in Essex in the run-up to Christmas and this was my favorite part of the book. Georgina is such a good nurse and friend to the kids after the trauma of the car crash. She makes life fun for Cor and they have all kinds of fun preparing for Christmas. Later on, they all get to travel to Holland and there are some fun and exciting things that happen. I love the description of skating on the lake.
The romance has lots of Betty’s typical developments, but some of the more annoying ones (miscommunication) are more toned down here. It’s very clear Julius loves Georgina early on and they’re both very enjoyable characters. The denouement is rather dramatic but fun. I love that the kids, especially Beatrix and Cor will get a mother figure in their lives whom they already love and trust. Such a happy ending!
There are two other teenage siblings between Beatrix and Cor and the oldest, Karel. They all live with Julius in Essex and at his ancestral home in Holland. Most of the action takes place in Essex in the run-up to Christmas and this was my favorite part of the book. Georgina is such a good nurse and friend to the kids after the trauma of the car crash. She makes life fun for Cor and they have all kinds of fun preparing for Christmas. Later on, they all get to travel to Holland and there are some fun and exciting things that happen. I love the description of skating on the lake.
The romance has lots of Betty’s typical developments, but some of the more annoying ones (miscommunication) are more toned down here. It’s very clear Julius loves Georgina early on and they’re both very enjoyable characters. The denouement is rather dramatic but fun. I love that the kids, especially Beatrix and Cor will get a mother figure in their lives whom they already love and trust. Such a happy ending!
November 5, 2012
I truly love Betty Neels and am so glad that her books are being re-published. She is such a great treat for me.
Georgina is a newly graduated nurse that works in the casualty unit of a hospital in England. She unexpectedly meets a young family when they are admitted to casualty after an auto accident. The youngest girl has multiple cuts that need sutured and the little boy has broken both femurs. Julius, their uncle and guardian, comes to the emergency room and meets Georgina. Julius was such a class act and I fell in love with Georgina from the very first page. What made this book unique was that the primary love story is between Georgina and the children and how they come to welcome her into the folds of their family.
This story was reminiscent of other much beloved stories, such as Little Women, The Five Little Peppers...
If you like Betty Neels, then I would suggest "Damsel in Green". It is one of my favorites and a keeper!
Georgina is a newly graduated nurse that works in the casualty unit of a hospital in England. She unexpectedly meets a young family when they are admitted to casualty after an auto accident. The youngest girl has multiple cuts that need sutured and the little boy has broken both femurs. Julius, their uncle and guardian, comes to the emergency room and meets Georgina. Julius was such a class act and I fell in love with Georgina from the very first page. What made this book unique was that the primary love story is between Georgina and the children and how they come to welcome her into the folds of their family.
This story was reminiscent of other much beloved stories, such as Little Women, The Five Little Peppers...
If you like Betty Neels, then I would suggest "Damsel in Green". It is one of my favorites and a keeper!
October 29, 2020
There were more than usual misunderstanding for a Betty Neels book. I don't like so much misunderstanding and also hero's stubbornness annoyed me a little bit. It still is a 3 starts reading.
November 2, 2017
Betty Neels wrote 134 romances from 1969-2001. I have now read three of them and am pretty sure I won't need to read even one more. I've got the formula down pat in my head and the books don't vary much from one to the next.
There's usually an English nurse as heroine. She's competent, capable, maybe plain, maybe pretty in a zaftig way, but with a good heart. The hero is a Dutch doctor. He's tall, handsome, kind, but rather erratic in behavior. Blows hot or cold to the heroine. May compliment and kiss the nurse on one day and the next he's cold and withdrawn. WTF anyway with that!
There's also usually an Other Woman, whom the hero feels obligated to a relationship with even though apparently more attracted to the nurse (although it's hard to tell about that on his off days). There's also some kind of medical crisis that the nurse responds to ably and competently, showing herself to be far superior to the drippy, bitchy Other Woman, but the hero still remains closed off and ambivalent about his feelings.
I chose this particular Neels romance because it sounded a bit Christmasy in plot. The heroine Georgina is hired to take care of the hero's houseful of nephews and nieces he's guardian to, after Georgina had cared for two of them in hospital after a car accident. So she's home with them for the holidays. The heroine-children relationship is sweet. The children are all likeable and the preparations for the holidays with Nurse Georgina are seasonally appropriate and fun.
However, I've just about had it with the Neels heroes, all of whom keep themselves so closed off emotionally. And what's with the kissing one day and coldness the next? Those heroes are clinically messed up. One more thing that annoys is that the heroine keeps quiet about the whole treatment he gives her. She should call him on the kissing thing that he does without explanation when she thinks he isn't in to her and even may have an Other Woman. Who falls in love with an emotional tease anyway? Well, I guess a Neels heroine does.
OK, now that I've vented about that H-h relationship dynamic, I can go on to say that if I can keep my blood pressure down about that aspect, there are some comforting, sweet moments in a Neels book. Reading them is like going back to a warmer, sweeter, gentler time, maybe in a fictional 1950s. But I refuse to read the additional 131 books still out there by Neels. Three is enough.
There's usually an English nurse as heroine. She's competent, capable, maybe plain, maybe pretty in a zaftig way, but with a good heart. The hero is a Dutch doctor. He's tall, handsome, kind, but rather erratic in behavior. Blows hot or cold to the heroine. May compliment and kiss the nurse on one day and the next he's cold and withdrawn. WTF anyway with that!
There's also usually an Other Woman, whom the hero feels obligated to a relationship with even though apparently more attracted to the nurse (although it's hard to tell about that on his off days). There's also some kind of medical crisis that the nurse responds to ably and competently, showing herself to be far superior to the drippy, bitchy Other Woman, but the hero still remains closed off and ambivalent about his feelings.
I chose this particular Neels romance because it sounded a bit Christmasy in plot. The heroine Georgina is hired to take care of the hero's houseful of nephews and nieces he's guardian to, after Georgina had cared for two of them in hospital after a car accident. So she's home with them for the holidays. The heroine-children relationship is sweet. The children are all likeable and the preparations for the holidays with Nurse Georgina are seasonally appropriate and fun.
However, I've just about had it with the Neels heroes, all of whom keep themselves so closed off emotionally. And what's with the kissing one day and coldness the next? Those heroes are clinically messed up. One more thing that annoys is that the heroine keeps quiet about the whole treatment he gives her. She should call him on the kissing thing that he does without explanation when she thinks he isn't in to her and even may have an Other Woman. Who falls in love with an emotional tease anyway? Well, I guess a Neels heroine does.
OK, now that I've vented about that H-h relationship dynamic, I can go on to say that if I can keep my blood pressure down about that aspect, there are some comforting, sweet moments in a Neels book. Reading them is like going back to a warmer, sweeter, gentler time, maybe in a fictional 1950s. But I refuse to read the additional 131 books still out there by Neels. Three is enough.
March 29, 2022
4 Stars ~ As a newly qualified nurse, Georgina was working in Casualty when two children were brought in. The girl, aged five, had cuts to her head and the boy, aged seven, had two very badly broken legs. Julius has become guardian to his four young cousins, and he is also a very well respected anesthesiologist. The boy, Cornelius (Cor), has a long recovery ahead of him, and Julius wishes for him to mend at home, but this means a full time nurse. He offers George the position, and she accepts. Julius has one rule that he insists not be broken, she is to always be in her nurse uniform except for when she is on her personal time. George easily fits into the routine of the house and gets along well with all four of the children. As the weeks pass and Christmas nears, George finds herself very much a part of the family, except with Julius who one morning kisses her and then remarks, she's not in uniform. As Cor is unable to travel, he and George stay behind in England while Julius takes the other children off to Holland to celebrate the new year. When they return, George is disconcerted because Julius keeps staring at her. Thinking it's her nurse's cap, she keeps trying to straighten it. When Julius kisses her, he remarks, the uniform is not enough, only to puzzle her further. When Cor is almost fully healed, George learns that she'll be offered the head staff nurse position in Casualty at the hospital. Returning to the hospital is something she is not eager to do.
Another charming story from Ms. Neels. Julius admits to falling in love with George from the moment he seen her at the hospital with the children. Insisting that she always be in uniform, he had hoped would help him keep his distance. Of course, George had also been in love with Julius for months but thought he was in love with a pretty Dutch woman. I adore these stories! I find them so refreshing
Another charming story from Ms. Neels. Julius admits to falling in love with George from the moment he seen her at the hospital with the children. Insisting that she always be in uniform, he had hoped would help him keep his distance. Of course, George had also been in love with Julius for months but thought he was in love with a pretty Dutch woman. I adore these stories! I find them so refreshing
July 9, 2025
I loved the family, but Julius was a bit high-handed.
August 28, 2017
This one has to be one of my favourite Betty Neels books and I liked that they were both in the medical profession, I did find the H Julius a bit hot and cold but I grew to like him despite near the ending which I found what he did was a bit childish but it was all down to mixed signals and him being too cowardly. The h Georgina aka George I did like aswell as the children to whom Julius was guardian to and I liked how George was going to move on from Julius. I was happy about there being no ow until near the end where there was a tiny bit of mischief and I would liked to have seen how Julius reacted to her face to face but there's only him being angry about it afterwards and as usual there is a bit of misunderstanding before there is a HEA.
January 20, 2024
4.5 Betty ⭐️s! All the dumb Betty miscommunications but I did enjoy the characters in this story. I especially loved the Christmas scenes.
July 15, 2024
Great read, the ending was too abrupt though. I wish Betty Neels wrote epilogues.
May 23, 2020
I have been looking for comfort reads that still have a dash of angst...makes sense? Barely. But this one fit the bill. Adorable h that I loved, gentleman hero, just a bit of OW drama to keep h angst-filled and feeling quite unrequited in her feelings, and HEA cherry on top.
What is it about Betty Neals? Her books are warm, well-mannered, charming...this book almost felt like Sound of Music with a less thorny H and kids who were happier and well-loved from the get-go (H is their guardian not their father). It’s got a lot of holiday, winter imagery, but I’m glad I read it now- got me feeling all cozy!
What is it about Betty Neals? Her books are warm, well-mannered, charming...this book almost felt like Sound of Music with a less thorny H and kids who were happier and well-loved from the get-go (H is their guardian not their father). It’s got a lot of holiday, winter imagery, but I’m glad I read it now- got me feeling all cozy!
January 4, 2011
Oh what a lovely little book. This is not so much a romance between Georgina (English nurse) and Julius (mandatory Rich Dutch Doctor) as a story of Georgina falling in love with a family and they with her. Julius is guardian to 4 children ranging in age from 5 to 16. Georgina is nursing the 7 year old boy (Cor, short for Cornelius), who is stuck in bed with 2 badly broken legs (car crash). We know that Julius is a goner when he insists that Georgina wear a uniform all the time--silly man thinks that she won't be as attractive to him that way. Ha! But we the readers spend much more time watching Georgina (fondly known as George by all the children) and the children interact.
There is the obligatory 'other woman' who tries to harm George and Beatrix(the 5 year old), but all ends well. Of course it does--this is Betty Neels!
There is the obligatory 'other woman' who tries to harm George and Beatrix(the 5 year old), but all ends well. Of course it does--this is Betty Neels!
April 26, 2024
3.5 stars. Definitely a future re-read.
November 7, 2023
Reread Nov 2023: I liked Julius in the first half of the book, but in the second half I could've smacked him. George also behaves in a nonsensical way at the end, the sort of thing every Betty Neels heroine does that makes you think, would any actual person ever behave this way?
That being said, I think I like this couple better than many other Neels couples, and the children are delightful.
That being said, I think I like this couple better than many other Neels couples, and the children are delightful.
November 21, 2022
I really liked this book. Georgina is hired temporarily to care for two young children who are injured in an accident. At their home in Saffron Walden, there are two more siblings. The kids call her George, but their guardian Julius, a famed anesthesiologist, always calls her Miss Rodman or Nurse. Georgina becomes more attracted to him as the months go by, but could she tackle a ready-made family if a relationship develops? When the whole family goes to his second home in Holland, she is even more aware of how different their worlds are.
October 16, 2016
Georgina and Julius.
Julius is the guardian of four children and when they are involved in a car accident in London, they come into contact with Georgina who is newly graduated and working in casualty. One of the children has broken both legs and George, as the children call her, is asked to nurse him at their country home.
Julius is already fighting a losing battle, insisting that George wear her uniform at all times and treating her very formally, except when kissing her.
The bulk of the action takes place with George and the children, who take her to their hearts very quickly, with the oldest boy, at twenty, having a little crush on her.
There is the obligatory other woman and misunderstandings but overall this is a very sweet story with engaging characters.
Julius is the guardian of four children and when they are involved in a car accident in London, they come into contact with Georgina who is newly graduated and working in casualty. One of the children has broken both legs and George, as the children call her, is asked to nurse him at their country home.
Julius is already fighting a losing battle, insisting that George wear her uniform at all times and treating her very formally, except when kissing her.
The bulk of the action takes place with George and the children, who take her to their hearts very quickly, with the oldest boy, at twenty, having a little crush on her.
There is the obligatory other woman and misunderstandings but overall this is a very sweet story with engaging characters.
October 25, 2016
Yet another winner from Betty Neels although this one isn't my favorite. Not sure why, exactly. Maybe it was the scene with George and the ring. That was silly and unnecessary.
Dutch doctor, English nurse who's not plain. Children galore - reminded me a bit of the von Trapp family.
Someone should catalogue all of the vehicles featured in Neels' books. Here we have an Aston, RR and Morgan.
Dutch doctor, English nurse who's not plain. Children galore - reminded me a bit of the von Trapp family.
Someone should catalogue all of the vehicles featured in Neels' books. Here we have an Aston, RR and Morgan.
Read
July 27, 2011Kindhearted Georgina undertakes the care of an injured boy, living in the home of his guardian and uncle. Julius tries to let her see what life with him would entail. He has the care of 4 children and life is hectic.
A really endearing tale.
A really endearing tale.
November 3, 2015
Excellent Read
Has to be one of my favorites!!! Betty Neels does a really great job making the children so real and so enjoyable - and no, it doesn't detract one bit from the romance!!!
Has to be one of my favorites!!! Betty Neels does a really great job making the children so real and so enjoyable - and no, it doesn't detract one bit from the romance!!!
November 29, 2013
Very nice as usual. I find it hard when she uses the same name for characters that she's used in the past.
March 2, 2014
I love Betty Neels. This is another reprint of an old title that is just a very nice romance without any crazy adventure or frills. Pure romance at its best.
February 11, 2016
Quick, fun, sometimes painfully cheesy read. Keep in mind that it was first published in 1971 and that Betty Neels seems to write pretty much the same story over and over. Then just enjoy it.
March 26, 2018
3.5* I like this book very much but struggle to give it 4* because the romance itself was flat/nonexistent! Damsel In Green was a liqueur, and they drank it when Georgina wore the green velvet dress for Christmas.
The children and Georgina/George stole the show here. I mean Julius was a fantastic guardian, look at how all the cousins looked up to him and loved him, and he was especially good to the youngest ones Cor and Beatrix. They must have been babies when Julius becane guardian and he took right over and gave them the best he could...and not just materially.
Julius was very rich. A house in Essex and Holland...Bergenstijn's land extended to join the neighbouring PALACE! Neighbours with Queen Beatrix
He drove a Rolls Royce (Silver Shadow Drop head coupe - a James Bond movie car!) in England, and an Aston Martin in Holland! He self-deprecatingly said it wouldn't do to have him walk everywhere to his patients...even George had to laugh.
SPOILERS
The thing is Julius only revealed he fell in love at first sight at the end but it was fairly obvious he had deeper feelings for George. I hate those heroes who made cryptic remarks, to those around and the heroine, that they were ready to get married soon etc. We readers know what they meant but it created the unnecessary angst for the heroine and snacks of presumption most of the time.
Anyway here we could see how Julius tried to keep George at a distance, by insisting she's to wear nurse's uniform at all times while on duty, and he always called her Nurse or Miss Rodman.
My main issue was they never dated. He never took her out for a meal or dancing...their time together consisted of snatched kisses (he couldn't resist ir control himself! ), going to church on Christmas morning, and driving her home to collect more clothes before going to Holland. They shared a hug on the ferry to Holland on the deck but that was in public! Sigh.
Throughout her stay with them Julius continued to say cryptic things like it's was important she loved his homes etc, but his actions seemed to put distance between them at times. Typical RDD blowing hot and cold!
During his love declaration Julius claimed ti have fallen in love with George in Casualty when the cousin had that car accident. Him hiring her as nurse was a ploy to get her to see how he lived in both countries because he'd be springing a ready made family on her, on top of any children they may have. That's very admirable but he could have done less of the blowing cold...and inviting that widow Lefabre was to make George jealous?! Asinine idea...
There are lots of humorous lines dotted throughout typical of BN's style. I missed thosein her later books actually.
Beatrix was so adorable and not sickeningly sweet...after some homicidal children in the previous book (Sun and Candlelight) this was great to read!
The story was really George and the Eyffert family's love story.
PS. Paul and Maggy from A Match for Maggy make cameo appearance as Julius's dinner guests. Don't think we got any updates like how many kids they had etc...Maggy promised to pick George up for lunch but we never read about it.
The children and Georgina/George stole the show here. I mean Julius was a fantastic guardian, look at how all the cousins looked up to him and loved him, and he was especially good to the youngest ones Cor and Beatrix. They must have been babies when Julius becane guardian and he took right over and gave them the best he could...and not just materially.
Julius was very rich. A house in Essex and Holland...Bergenstijn's land extended to join the neighbouring PALACE! Neighbours with Queen Beatrix
He drove a Rolls Royce (Silver Shadow Drop head coupe - a James Bond movie car!) in England, and an Aston Martin in Holland! He self-deprecatingly said it wouldn't do to have him walk everywhere to his patients...even George had to laugh.
SPOILERS
The thing is Julius only revealed he fell in love at first sight at the end but it was fairly obvious he had deeper feelings for George. I hate those heroes who made cryptic remarks, to those around and the heroine, that they were ready to get married soon etc. We readers know what they meant but it created the unnecessary angst for the heroine and snacks of presumption most of the time.
Anyway here we could see how Julius tried to keep George at a distance, by insisting she's to wear nurse's uniform at all times while on duty, and he always called her Nurse or Miss Rodman.
My main issue was they never dated. He never took her out for a meal or dancing...their time together consisted of snatched kisses (he couldn't resist ir control himself! ), going to church on Christmas morning, and driving her home to collect more clothes before going to Holland. They shared a hug on the ferry to Holland on the deck but that was in public! Sigh.
Throughout her stay with them Julius continued to say cryptic things like it's was important she loved his homes etc, but his actions seemed to put distance between them at times. Typical RDD blowing hot and cold!
During his love declaration Julius claimed ti have fallen in love with George in Casualty when the cousin had that car accident. Him hiring her as nurse was a ploy to get her to see how he lived in both countries because he'd be springing a ready made family on her, on top of any children they may have. That's very admirable but he could have done less of the blowing cold...and inviting that widow Lefabre was to make George jealous?! Asinine idea...
There are lots of humorous lines dotted throughout typical of BN's style. I missed thosein her later books actually.
Beatrix was so adorable and not sickeningly sweet...after some homicidal children in the previous book (Sun and Candlelight) this was great to read!
The story was really George and the Eyffert family's love story.
PS. Paul and Maggy from A Match for Maggy make cameo appearance as Julius's dinner guests. Don't think we got any updates like how many kids they had etc...Maggy promised to pick George up for lunch but we never read about it.
September 22, 2024
This would have been a ten star read, had the hero been less of an idiot and the heroine’s upper lips less stiff and had we not had such an abrupt ending. Otherwise not only is this a story of the heroine falling in love with the hero’s family - no need for the MC’s to fall in love they’re already languishing for each other which puts the case more in point that the hero is a an idiot with a capital I- but you the reader will fall in love with the sweet natured children and family and their lovely lifestyle and beautiful homes.
The hero furthers his efforts in abject idiocy when knowing the heroine’s circumstances and directly told that she feels herself in her great aunt’s debt and therefore not having any other venue open to her -since he’s so consistently averse to declare his feelings to her and to ask her to marry him and actually leads her on to think he’s on the brink of proposing to the OW - still gets into a huff when he learns she’s to accept the promotion she was offered, and not being content with his huff he goes on to actually invite the OW to his home. And when this other woman does something that puts the children in danger our heroine on some misguided delusional idiocy of her own makes the children promise not to tell the hero that they fell through thin ice because of the OW’s lies.
Thankfully one of the children, the heroine’s patient, has more sense than the MC’s put together and saves the day. He’s half the reason one loves this book so much to be honest, but sadly we are not there to witness the OW’s comeuppance first hand and the abrupt proposal and ending simply didn’t do our indignant feelings the slightest justice. After thinking so highly of the hero one comes to be very much disappointed by the him even though one is delighted for the heroine as she will at least have a golden life of comfort and luxury ahead of her instead of the bleak prospect of dreary hospital drudgery that would otherwise have been her future lot. Hopefully the little boy who’s one of the hero’s wards and who loves them both very much will be there to keep an eye on them through their lives.
In the end to give credit where it’s due Betty Neels makes it an art form to show us feelings instead of describing them, at one point the whole room was throbbing with the hero’s longing to propose to the heroine there and there, why he didn’t I’ll never know.
The hero furthers his efforts in abject idiocy when knowing the heroine’s circumstances and directly told that she feels herself in her great aunt’s debt and therefore not having any other venue open to her -since he’s so consistently averse to declare his feelings to her and to ask her to marry him and actually leads her on to think he’s on the brink of proposing to the OW - still gets into a huff when he learns she’s to accept the promotion she was offered, and not being content with his huff he goes on to actually invite the OW to his home. And when this other woman does something that puts the children in danger our heroine on some misguided delusional idiocy of her own makes the children promise not to tell the hero that they fell through thin ice because of the OW’s lies.
Thankfully one of the children, the heroine’s patient, has more sense than the MC’s put together and saves the day. He’s half the reason one loves this book so much to be honest, but sadly we are not there to witness the OW’s comeuppance first hand and the abrupt proposal and ending simply didn’t do our indignant feelings the slightest justice. After thinking so highly of the hero one comes to be very much disappointed by the him even though one is delighted for the heroine as she will at least have a golden life of comfort and luxury ahead of her instead of the bleak prospect of dreary hospital drudgery that would otherwise have been her future lot. Hopefully the little boy who’s one of the hero’s wards and who loves them both very much will be there to keep an eye on them through their lives.
In the end to give credit where it’s due Betty Neels makes it an art form to show us feelings instead of describing them, at one point the whole room was throbbing with the hero’s longing to propose to the heroine there and there, why he didn’t I’ll never know.
November 28, 2023
5 cute stars
I read a WIDE variety of romances, from squeaky clean books like this, to books so smutty they'd make a prostitute blush, and I was recently asked by a feminist friend, how I can possibly rate a Betty Neels book 5-stars and also give 5 stars to something on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Basically, context matters in my ratings. I rate Betty Neels books with the knowledge that they were written in the 60s/70s/80s etc. when gender roles and expectations were different. I'm not going to give it a lower rating just because that's not how things are done these days. They are also clean books and I'm not going to "penalize" them for being just that. So with that explanation...here are my thoughts:
I've read close to 60 Betty Neels books and this one is probably my favorite. I loved all the characters. Georgina is wonderful and capable (even if a bit blind, because there would be no story if she could read the Professor properly). The kids are adorable and I LOVED that unlike the standard BN formula, the Professor fell for her from the very beginning. It hit all the right notes for a BN book. My only minor criticism of the book is that it had a bit of a slow start at the hospital. I thought instead of 2 chapters giving insight into her life at the hospital, 2 paragraphs would suffice. Having said that though, it wasn't enough of an issue to make me rate it lower than 5 stars. It's a cute read, and definitely one that I'll re-read when I'm in a fluffy Betty Neels mood.
I read a WIDE variety of romances, from squeaky clean books like this, to books so smutty they'd make a prostitute blush, and I was recently asked by a feminist friend, how I can possibly rate a Betty Neels book 5-stars and also give 5 stars to something on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Basically, context matters in my ratings. I rate Betty Neels books with the knowledge that they were written in the 60s/70s/80s etc. when gender roles and expectations were different. I'm not going to give it a lower rating just because that's not how things are done these days. They are also clean books and I'm not going to "penalize" them for being just that. So with that explanation...here are my thoughts:
I've read close to 60 Betty Neels books and this one is probably my favorite. I loved all the characters. Georgina is wonderful and capable (even if a bit blind, because there would be no story if she could read the Professor properly). The kids are adorable and I LOVED that unlike the standard BN formula, the Professor fell for her from the very beginning. It hit all the right notes for a BN book. My only minor criticism of the book is that it had a bit of a slow start at the hospital. I thought instead of 2 chapters giving insight into her life at the hospital, 2 paragraphs would suffice. Having said that though, it wasn't enough of an issue to make me rate it lower than 5 stars. It's a cute read, and definitely one that I'll re-read when I'm in a fluffy Betty Neels mood.
November 13, 2022
This is one of my absolute favorite Betty Neels books. I've read probably 75% of her work. I'm a fan. What makes this one stand out is #1 the hero - Julius, and #2 - the children (his wards). In many of Betty's stories the hero can be short tempered and not always the most likable fellow through part of the book. Not so with Julius. He's a dream from his first appearance on the page. Who wouldn't fall in love with him. He obviously adores his young cousins, who he's raising on his own, and they adore him back. He goes the extra mile so Cor can leave the hospital and return home to be with the family. Enter our heroine- Georgina- or George as she's called by everyone. She's a sweetheart and it's no wonder she falls hard for Julius and the children. 5 stars for this one.
May 29, 2020
Pretty standard Neels. The children are implausibly delightful but the Christmas details are fun and Georgina was pretty easy to empathize with. The professor's continual hints that he's getting married soon but he won't say to whom are obnoxious - I had convinced myself that Neels didn't adopt that tic until her later writing - and for some reason he invites the Dreadful Other Woman (who, of course, looks every day of her THIRTY YEARS, the horror - note the hero is in his mid-thirties) which causes chaos. On the other hand at least he seems to know she's dreadful?
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