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No Need to Say Goodbye
Could it only ever be a dream?
Dr. Aldo van der Linden would make a marvelous husband—Louise was certain of that. Before he'd involved himself in her family's affairs, Louise hadn't considered the doctor as anything more than a work colleague. But now that she had lost her job, she had plenty of time to think about him…his charm, kindness, splendid good looks. The young nurse knew she was the last woman on earth Aldo would propose to, but she couldn't help wondering what it would be like to be Mrs. van der Linden.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
61 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
564 books412 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 17, 2017
3 1/2 stars. I’m going to steal a page from Betty Magdalen’s book and talk about this one from the RDD’s viewpoint. Because all Louise does is think about how she can’t have a life of her own until her siblings are all grown. (More about that later.)
1st journal entry.
I’m Aldo van der Linden. Yes, I’m Dutch, but I’m living and working in England for now. I have a home in Much Hadham that I inherited from my grandmother. I’m in love with a nurse at St. Nicholas Hospital, Louise Payne, but she barely knows I exist. She is beautiful and kind, but her parents were killed leaving her with 3 younger siblings to care for. Being the loving, dutiful young woman she is, she focuses all her energies not needed for nursing on the children.
Louise has had something bothering her the last few days. I’d love to take her out for dinner and get her to tell me what is wrong, but between my busy schedule and her working nights, it just isn’t feasible. Then one day I saw her walking down the street and I could tell something good had happened to her. I quickly took advantage of this chance meeting and took her to lunch. It seems that the gods have smiled on me at last! Her family has been evicted from their current lodgings – the building is being sold – and fortunately for her, a great-aunt has died and left her cottage to Louise. It just so happens the cottage is in Much Hadham, where my home is. This is my chance and I must make the most of it.
Louise said she plans to move them right away, after doing some minor repairs and updating of the cottage – most of it DIY, I’m sure, since she can’t have much money. I had a slight acquaintance with Miss Letitia Payne and I’m quite sure she can’t have left much capital as a legacy. I immediately volunteer my services for transporting Louise to the cottage. For the first time in several years, I actually have hopes of making Louise my wife.
2nd journal entry.
I’ve become acquainted with Louise’s siblings; they really are a delightful bunch. Zoe is 19 and is very pretty. I’ve helped her get a job with a local solicitor; the junior partner there is just right for her. I deliberately didn’t say goodbye to Louise when she left the hospital – why should I? I will be seeing her more than ever. Hopefully Zoe and George will soon get married, which will lighten Louise’s load. Christine and Mike are nice kids, too; they are not spoiled and do not complain about not being able to go to boarding school because they know Louise is doing the best she can. I long to . . . but, no, I must be patient.
3rd journal entry.
I’m frustrated. Louise is avoiding me and I don’t know why. I’ve invited Zoe and the younger two to my house for tea and they seem to have had a great time, but Louise always makes excuses why she can’t come. Already, the others see me as an older brother. Patience, I must have patience.
4th journal entry.
Now here’s a stroke of luck. Mrs. Pratt, my office nurse, has become ill and needs a month or so off work. I’ve asked Louise to sub for her. I could tell she didn’t really want to, but I (nicely, I hope) overrode all her objections and she finally agreed. I knew she would because she needs the money. I have a couple of trips coming up; a consultation in Scotland – a retired general with congestive heart failure, and then a trip to Utrecht. That will give me a good reason for Louise to meet my parents and some of my friends.
5th journal entry.
While the trip to Scotland was lovely, I don’t feel I accomplished much with Louise. There were occasions when she would forget about her family problems and talk to me more or less freely and laugh, but she quickly would stiffen up and put up a wall. It’s like she’s afraid to be happy. I could be the greatest help to her, but I know she would never accept any assistance, certainly not from me. I keep reminding myself that I must be patient. She’s just so lovely and such a good person that I - well, I have the most difficult time in keeping myself from taking her in my arms and . . . enough of that.
We will be going to Holland soon and I’ve arranged to stay with the van Rijgens; Litrik is an old friend of course and his wife Francesca is such a sweet girl and their little son Benedict – I wonder what my and Louise’s children will be like? Little girls with her eyes, sturdy blond boys – here I go again. I must stop daydreaming; I have an important consultation tomorrow at the hospital and need to review the medical history.
6th journal entry.
Just as I hoped, the trip to Holland was a success! Louise and I are engaged and I intend we will be married just as soon as it can be arranged. Litrik and Francesca are so obviously in love with each other (and a miracle that is after the rough start they had with the Lisa thing) that I think it made Louise realize what she is missing. I took Louise to meet Moeder and Vader and they got on quite well from the first. Secretly, I’m relieved I don’t have to deal with mother-in-law issues; I’ve heard horror stories from some of my colleagues, like Timon van Zeilst from Groningen.
At any rate, I explained to Louise that Zoe and her George will soon be married (the silly girl had some idea about Zoe and myself – as if!); I can now arrange for Miss Wills to housekeep at the cottage and for Christine and Mike to go to the boarding schools as they wish; and at last, I shall have Louise all to myself. It has finally worked out just as I had planned and if I had to wait for even longer than I thought I had sufficient patience, no one shall ever know that but me. I’m so looking forward to the wedding and, well, after the wedding.
****
This really is quite a delightful story. The only thing that spoiled my enjoyment of it was Louise’s inner voice constantly going on and on about Zoe and Aldo or about how she can’t have romantic relationships or get married until Mike and Christine are grown. If one were unkind, one might call her a martyr. I truly don’t think she had the martyr mentality; I think she wanted to fall in love with Aldo and had to constantly remind herself of her duty to her family in an attempt to remain heart-whole. I do like the story better from Aldo’s POV, though.
1st journal entry.
I’m Aldo van der Linden. Yes, I’m Dutch, but I’m living and working in England for now. I have a home in Much Hadham that I inherited from my grandmother. I’m in love with a nurse at St. Nicholas Hospital, Louise Payne, but she barely knows I exist. She is beautiful and kind, but her parents were killed leaving her with 3 younger siblings to care for. Being the loving, dutiful young woman she is, she focuses all her energies not needed for nursing on the children.
Louise has had something bothering her the last few days. I’d love to take her out for dinner and get her to tell me what is wrong, but between my busy schedule and her working nights, it just isn’t feasible. Then one day I saw her walking down the street and I could tell something good had happened to her. I quickly took advantage of this chance meeting and took her to lunch. It seems that the gods have smiled on me at last! Her family has been evicted from their current lodgings – the building is being sold – and fortunately for her, a great-aunt has died and left her cottage to Louise. It just so happens the cottage is in Much Hadham, where my home is. This is my chance and I must make the most of it.
Louise said she plans to move them right away, after doing some minor repairs and updating of the cottage – most of it DIY, I’m sure, since she can’t have much money. I had a slight acquaintance with Miss Letitia Payne and I’m quite sure she can’t have left much capital as a legacy. I immediately volunteer my services for transporting Louise to the cottage. For the first time in several years, I actually have hopes of making Louise my wife.
2nd journal entry.
I’ve become acquainted with Louise’s siblings; they really are a delightful bunch. Zoe is 19 and is very pretty. I’ve helped her get a job with a local solicitor; the junior partner there is just right for her. I deliberately didn’t say goodbye to Louise when she left the hospital – why should I? I will be seeing her more than ever. Hopefully Zoe and George will soon get married, which will lighten Louise’s load. Christine and Mike are nice kids, too; they are not spoiled and do not complain about not being able to go to boarding school because they know Louise is doing the best she can. I long to . . . but, no, I must be patient.
3rd journal entry.
I’m frustrated. Louise is avoiding me and I don’t know why. I’ve invited Zoe and the younger two to my house for tea and they seem to have had a great time, but Louise always makes excuses why she can’t come. Already, the others see me as an older brother. Patience, I must have patience.
4th journal entry.
Now here’s a stroke of luck. Mrs. Pratt, my office nurse, has become ill and needs a month or so off work. I’ve asked Louise to sub for her. I could tell she didn’t really want to, but I (nicely, I hope) overrode all her objections and she finally agreed. I knew she would because she needs the money. I have a couple of trips coming up; a consultation in Scotland – a retired general with congestive heart failure, and then a trip to Utrecht. That will give me a good reason for Louise to meet my parents and some of my friends.
5th journal entry.
While the trip to Scotland was lovely, I don’t feel I accomplished much with Louise. There were occasions when she would forget about her family problems and talk to me more or less freely and laugh, but she quickly would stiffen up and put up a wall. It’s like she’s afraid to be happy. I could be the greatest help to her, but I know she would never accept any assistance, certainly not from me. I keep reminding myself that I must be patient. She’s just so lovely and such a good person that I - well, I have the most difficult time in keeping myself from taking her in my arms and . . . enough of that.
We will be going to Holland soon and I’ve arranged to stay with the van Rijgens; Litrik is an old friend of course and his wife Francesca is such a sweet girl and their little son Benedict – I wonder what my and Louise’s children will be like? Little girls with her eyes, sturdy blond boys – here I go again. I must stop daydreaming; I have an important consultation tomorrow at the hospital and need to review the medical history.
6th journal entry.
Just as I hoped, the trip to Holland was a success! Louise and I are engaged and I intend we will be married just as soon as it can be arranged. Litrik and Francesca are so obviously in love with each other (and a miracle that is after the rough start they had with the Lisa thing) that I think it made Louise realize what she is missing. I took Louise to meet Moeder and Vader and they got on quite well from the first. Secretly, I’m relieved I don’t have to deal with mother-in-law issues; I’ve heard horror stories from some of my colleagues, like Timon van Zeilst from Groningen.
At any rate, I explained to Louise that Zoe and her George will soon be married (the silly girl had some idea about Zoe and myself – as if!); I can now arrange for Miss Wills to housekeep at the cottage and for Christine and Mike to go to the boarding schools as they wish; and at last, I shall have Louise all to myself. It has finally worked out just as I had planned and if I had to wait for even longer than I thought I had sufficient patience, no one shall ever know that but me. I’m so looking forward to the wedding and, well, after the wedding.
****
This really is quite a delightful story. The only thing that spoiled my enjoyment of it was Louise’s inner voice constantly going on and on about Zoe and Aldo or about how she can’t have romantic relationships or get married until Mike and Christine are grown. If one were unkind, one might call her a martyr. I truly don’t think she had the martyr mentality; I think she wanted to fall in love with Aldo and had to constantly remind herself of her duty to her family in an attempt to remain heart-whole. I do like the story better from Aldo’s POV, though.
August 1, 2013
A Betty Neels sweet love story. Though, this isn't in my top 5 by this author, it was certainly entertaining. For those of you that love a "I've loved you long time" story, this one should work perfectly for you.
Our hero (RDD,of course) has loved the heroine from afar for a very a long time. They work together at St. Nicholas hospital where she is the Ward Nurse. However, heroine is raising her three younger siblings and has no time for any romantic interests. She also is a bit in awe of the good doctor and consequently makes sure to keep a safe distance from him.
With good fortune, she inherits a small cottage in the same village where the hero happens to make his home. Hero uses this as the much needed opportunity to break down her barriers, and boy does he go about doing just that. I even nicknamed him "Sledgehammer Aldo", because he had no mercy. But it was fun to watch all his machinations. Poor man...he tried so hard.
The only not so perfect part for me was the heroine's inability to really "SEE" what was happening. I know that this is part of the whole romantic suspense, but it just didn't quite gel for me. She just continued to build one obstacle after another and it took away from the story.
Our hero (RDD,of course) has loved the heroine from afar for a very a long time. They work together at St. Nicholas hospital where she is the Ward Nurse. However, heroine is raising her three younger siblings and has no time for any romantic interests. She also is a bit in awe of the good doctor and consequently makes sure to keep a safe distance from him.
With good fortune, she inherits a small cottage in the same village where the hero happens to make his home. Hero uses this as the much needed opportunity to break down her barriers, and boy does he go about doing just that. I even nicknamed him "Sledgehammer Aldo", because he had no mercy. But it was fun to watch all his machinations. Poor man...he tried so hard.
The only not so perfect part for me was the heroine's inability to really "SEE" what was happening. I know that this is part of the whole romantic suspense, but it just didn't quite gel for me. She just continued to build one obstacle after another and it took away from the story.
August 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
August 11, 2025
This is my favorite kind of Neels books - the MCs are both intelligent, grown-up and quite nice, the heroine has a likable family and a good reason for not realizing the RDD is attracted to her. (Louise thinks he prefers her lovely younger sister, who is not a pill, either.) Louise works hard to care for her three younger siblings, believing no man would want a woman with that kind of baggage, and the RDD is patient and occasionally amused at her obtuseness. Throw in trips to Scotland and Holland, a crisis during a rain storm and gooseberry tart with lashings of cream, and you have pretty much everything a Neels fan could want.
It was also fun to meet Francesca from The Secret Pool, happy in Holland with her own RDD and new baby. A lovely read for a stressful time in my life.
It was also fun to meet Francesca from The Secret Pool, happy in Holland with her own RDD and new baby. A lovely read for a stressful time in my life.
April 18, 2020
Dr Aldo van der Linden has worked alongside Sister Louise . Louise thinks Aldo would make a wonderful husband, but not for her she see him as just a work colleague and nothing more.
Louise has left her dreams of married life behind and taken on her role as guardian to her younger siblings when her parents pass the most important Job in her life. But like every girl she still holds hope.
Will Louise find her Knight in Shining Armour in Aldo Van der Linden.
Louise has left her dreams of married life behind and taken on her role as guardian to her younger siblings when her parents pass the most important Job in her life. But like every girl she still holds hope.
Will Louise find her Knight in Shining Armour in Aldo Van der Linden.
June 22, 2018
3.75* 1989
The Great Betty is back to dragging the muddled thoughts and feelings until we only got half a page at the end with love declaration, proposal and kissing! Argh!
I'm sure there's lots of criticism on Louise for being so dense; but I think I too would get the impression Aldo and Zoe were a pair. Maybe because Zoe never knew him as a consultant, whereas Louise had years of working with him, having to observe the strict protocol in hospital respecting hierarchy and positions. As night sister, she simply couldn't treat Aldo like the brother/suitor Zoe could.
It's terribly sweet how well Aldo treated the Payne younger siblings. If I were Louise I'd be hurt to be excluded from the initial invitations to Aldo's house... he might feel like he's giving her some time to herself without the kids, but she could still have been asked, no? By the time Aldo did extend his invitation to her, always via Zoe, Louise felt piqued/awkward and played the avoidance game.
Aldo...now we know right at the end that he's been in love with Louise FOR YEARS "a long time ago ", but he had come across as blowing hot and cold. The simplest questions and he'd snub her, and he suddenly played the avoidance game too! Now we know he was trying to propose during those awkward periods, so it's rather nice to know our vast heroes were not always so certain when it came to matters of the heart hehe...
The premise is very sweet, a hero in love with the heroine for so long in secret, but the romance is just not felt strongly here. The way he let her lose her job not once but twice, without advance notice, was brutal. To inform her Mrs Pratt would be back the next day so there's no need for you to go to the clinic tomorrow...shocking!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Paynes relocating to Much Madham. All the younger siblings were good and even Zoe was sweet, offering up her first weekly pay so Louise could buy a new dress for the ball. Such a refreshing change from boyfriend/money/jewellery -stealing selfish sisters! BUT what's with Zoe flinging her arms around Aldo kissing him, those late night visits to "borrow a book"? I really don't blame Louise pairing them up in her mind!
Litrik and Fran of the sad, sad The Secret Pool, make a crossover appearance and they had a baby boy! It was terribly sweet of Litrik to assure Fran that Aldo and Louise would have a happy ending! Normally RDDs stick together and said they wouldn't interfere or question their buddies on their love lives LOL.
The Great Betty is back to dragging the muddled thoughts and feelings until we only got half a page at the end with love declaration, proposal and kissing! Argh!
I'm sure there's lots of criticism on Louise for being so dense; but I think I too would get the impression Aldo and Zoe were a pair. Maybe because Zoe never knew him as a consultant, whereas Louise had years of working with him, having to observe the strict protocol in hospital respecting hierarchy and positions. As night sister, she simply couldn't treat Aldo like the brother/suitor Zoe could.
It's terribly sweet how well Aldo treated the Payne younger siblings. If I were Louise I'd be hurt to be excluded from the initial invitations to Aldo's house... he might feel like he's giving her some time to herself without the kids, but she could still have been asked, no? By the time Aldo did extend his invitation to her, always via Zoe, Louise felt piqued/awkward and played the avoidance game.
Aldo...now we know right at the end that he's been in love with Louise FOR YEARS "a long time ago ", but he had come across as blowing hot and cold. The simplest questions and he'd snub her, and he suddenly played the avoidance game too! Now we know he was trying to propose during those awkward periods, so it's rather nice to know our vast heroes were not always so certain when it came to matters of the heart hehe...
The premise is very sweet, a hero in love with the heroine for so long in secret, but the romance is just not felt strongly here. The way he let her lose her job not once but twice, without advance notice, was brutal. To inform her Mrs Pratt would be back the next day so there's no need for you to go to the clinic tomorrow...shocking!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Paynes relocating to Much Madham. All the younger siblings were good and even Zoe was sweet, offering up her first weekly pay so Louise could buy a new dress for the ball. Such a refreshing change from boyfriend/money/jewellery -stealing selfish sisters! BUT what's with Zoe flinging her arms around Aldo kissing him, those late night visits to "borrow a book"? I really don't blame Louise pairing them up in her mind!
Litrik and Fran of the sad, sad The Secret Pool, make a crossover appearance and they had a baby boy! It was terribly sweet of Litrik to assure Fran that Aldo and Louise would have a happy ending! Normally RDDs stick together and said they wouldn't interfere or question their buddies on their love lives LOL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2010
Classic Betty Neels! This was a lovely story of a self-reliant, beautiful young woman who is love and duty bound to look after her younger siblings after their parents die. It's such a touching love story. The hero, through eyes filled with love, sees how selfless our lovely heroine is and waits for the right moment to make her his own. But can he get through her defenses and her arguments about having to look after the others? Of course, he is a Betty Neels hero!
March 16, 2013
Another lovely restful read - full of descriptions of delicious food.
March 13, 2016
A typical Betty Neels book, but even more miracles happen than usual!
December 12, 2023
Clean romance.
Louise has had to work and care for her three younger siblings since the passing of her parents, as other family wasn’t willing or able to do so. She works as a nurse in a hospital that Aldo just happens to work at as well. With the news that her family will have to move as their apartment lease will not be renewed, they receive an amazing blessing of having inherited a house from a great aunt. Her sister Zoe has indicated that Aldo would be a perfect fellow to marry and Louise kindly tries steps aside so as to not interfere, finally knowing she also has a crush on him.
Louise has had to work and care for her three younger siblings since the passing of her parents, as other family wasn’t willing or able to do so. She works as a nurse in a hospital that Aldo just happens to work at as well. With the news that her family will have to move as their apartment lease will not be renewed, they receive an amazing blessing of having inherited a house from a great aunt. Her sister Zoe has indicated that Aldo would be a perfect fellow to marry and Louise kindly tries steps aside so as to not interfere, finally knowing she also has a crush on him.
January 7, 2025
"No Need to Say Goodbye" is the story of Louise and Aldo.
Same old formula, efficient nurse and a brooding doctor, this time in a new setting. The heroine is the oldest, taking care of her siblings since her parents' death and the hero is her soon to be kind neighbor/ commanding work colleague. If you like plots of oblivious heroines who have NO IDEA the hero loves them, while everyone obviously can and she is hiding her own feelings, this is the book for you. The hero was so smitten. Ofcourse, ends with a last page confession and kiss but I enjoyed it.
Safe
4/5
Same old formula, efficient nurse and a brooding doctor, this time in a new setting. The heroine is the oldest, taking care of her siblings since her parents' death and the hero is her soon to be kind neighbor/ commanding work colleague. If you like plots of oblivious heroines who have NO IDEA the hero loves them, while everyone obviously can and she is hiding her own feelings, this is the book for you. The hero was so smitten. Ofcourse, ends with a last page confession and kiss but I enjoyed it.
Safe
4/5
February 5, 2023
Same theme as always and one knows after 10 pages or so how it will end but it is fun reading the journey...
Louise is a 26 year old nurse whose parents have died and she is left with 3 younger children to care for which she does with no grumbling; just working hard at work and home. She works with Dr. Aldo, who is Dutch, of course...they are on friendly terms but suddenly Aldo is paying much more attention to Louise than before.
And the story ends happily every after.
Louise is a 26 year old nurse whose parents have died and she is left with 3 younger children to care for which she does with no grumbling; just working hard at work and home. She works with Dr. Aldo, who is Dutch, of course...they are on friendly terms but suddenly Aldo is paying much more attention to Louise than before.
And the story ends happily every after.
January 3, 2018
Another cute Betty Neels read. This Dutch doctor has loved Louise from afar for a long time. There is of course plenty of miscommunication along the way, and it did get a bit tiresome to hear Louise going on and on about how something must be going on between Aldo and Zoe - but other than that, it was a quick, clean read.
August 14, 2018
Great light reading
I am a constant reader of this author, have been since Sister Peters in Amsterdam was published. I never tire of re-reading her books over and over and this one is a favourite. I would recommend to anyone who liked light reading that allows a certain Mount of imagination. One book printed gave her writingneeding no imagination.=
I am a constant reader of this author, have been since Sister Peters in Amsterdam was published. I never tire of re-reading her books over and over and this one is a favourite. I would recommend to anyone who liked light reading that allows a certain Mount of imagination. One book printed gave her writingneeding no imagination.=
April 8, 2022
3 estrellas y media para esta novela cuyo título original finalmente se respeta en la traducción.
En esta novela el héroe y doctor romántico le dice a la joven enfermera que no se sienta con la responsabilidad de cargar sobre sus hombros todo el peso del mundo, él de algún modo intentá ayudarla aunque ella poco se deje.
Louise es una de las pocas heroínas Betty afortunadas,si bien trabaja incansablemente como sostén de su hogar y hermanos, heredara una casa campestre apenas inicia la novela,y por algo malo obtiene algo bueno.No tiene tantos detractores ni mujeres maliciosas a su alrededor,pero ella es su principal oponente,no se cree merecedora de elogios o del amor.Todo hasta que conoce a Aldo y allí las dudas, la inquietud y el amor harán lo suyo.
En esta novela el héroe y doctor romántico le dice a la joven enfermera que no se sienta con la responsabilidad de cargar sobre sus hombros todo el peso del mundo, él de algún modo intentá ayudarla aunque ella poco se deje.
Louise es una de las pocas heroínas Betty afortunadas,si bien trabaja incansablemente como sostén de su hogar y hermanos, heredara una casa campestre apenas inicia la novela,y por algo malo obtiene algo bueno.No tiene tantos detractores ni mujeres maliciosas a su alrededor,pero ella es su principal oponente,no se cree merecedora de elogios o del amor.Todo hasta que conoce a Aldo y allí las dudas, la inquietud y el amor harán lo suyo.
July 25, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances clean, light, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
September 24, 2018
Charming
No mean girl fighting for the doctors attention.. Just the heroine getting in her own way. Loved the story very much.
No mean girl fighting for the doctors attention.. Just the heroine getting in her own way. Loved the story very much.
August 17, 2022
Typical Betty Neels!
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November 11, 2025
1989's No Need To Say Goodbye is one of Betty's rare outings that is diminished by the heroine. Louise is 26 years old, and a night sister in charge of a hospital ward. She's also raising her three orphaned teenage siblings and doing a pretty good job of it. She's responsible, sensible, smart, beautiful, kind and loving. But she's not always very logical and she's not good at reading other people. Louise has locked down tight her own need to have a personal life until she's launched her siblings and maybe not even then. Maybe it's ignoring some obvious clues to say these things about her, though. Louise seems to be hiding from life. She's worried about making sure her siblings are able to have some fun now and then but when they point out she deserves some fun too, she dismisses their concerns.
Enter our RDD (rich Dutch doctor) Aldo van der Linden, who is the senior medical consultant at her hospital. Aldo is another of Betty's tall, vast, blond, blue-eyed giants and he thinks Louise is pretty great. But he is well aware that she doesn't see him at all and that she thinks their relationship is purely professional and has never even considered there might be any spark between them. Poor Aldo. Louise is in an emotional deep freeze and he can't figure out how to start the thaw.
But then a series of events precipitates some movement. A relative bequeaths her house to Louise just as Louise and her siblings are being evicted from their London home. The new house is in a village outside London and the siblings are overjoyed. When Aldo finds out, he's overjoyed too, because he himself has a house there. Fate, always remarkable, has put Louise right in his path at last and he begins planning to put himself in Louise's path as much as possible outside the hospital setting in hopes she will start to see him as a man.
But Louise is really, really locked down tight and this is where the book gets silly. For most of the rest of the book, Louise decides that Aldo giving them lifts back and forth to the village, inviting them to his house for tea, etc. means he must be in love with her 19-year-old sister Zoe. She therefore declines all invitations to give Zoe time with Aldo. Zoe is portrayed as sweet and loving (we don't have any rotten family members in this book, a frequent trope of Betty's) but she's always giving Aldo kisses and hugs and I just wanted to reach into the book and tell her to knock it off already. When Louise finally realizes that she loves Aldo herself, she soldiers on bravely, deciding she'll have to leave the village because she won't be a blight on Zoe's happiness. Then I wanted to reach into the book and slap some sense into Louise.
Aldo, meanwhile, decides the only way to get any time alone with Louise is to offer her a job as his nurse, which involves travel to both Holland and Scotland. We get some fancy dinners, a couple of peppery old patients, a visit with Fran and Litrik from The Secret Pool, and Aldo and Louise doing a spot of rescue work when they come across a car crash.
Ultimately, everything gets sorted out, as it must. I really like Aldo. He's in love from the get-go and those are always my favorites from the BN catalog. I just wish Louise wasn't so myopic and prone to making silly assumptions as a way to not have to face up to her own needs as a woman and a human. I wanted to give this five stars because Aldo is so great. But Louise, who I would be genuinely worried about if this wasn't Betty Neels, makes it a three and a half star read so rounding up to four.
Enter our RDD (rich Dutch doctor) Aldo van der Linden, who is the senior medical consultant at her hospital. Aldo is another of Betty's tall, vast, blond, blue-eyed giants and he thinks Louise is pretty great. But he is well aware that she doesn't see him at all and that she thinks their relationship is purely professional and has never even considered there might be any spark between them. Poor Aldo. Louise is in an emotional deep freeze and he can't figure out how to start the thaw.
But then a series of events precipitates some movement. A relative bequeaths her house to Louise just as Louise and her siblings are being evicted from their London home. The new house is in a village outside London and the siblings are overjoyed. When Aldo finds out, he's overjoyed too, because he himself has a house there. Fate, always remarkable, has put Louise right in his path at last and he begins planning to put himself in Louise's path as much as possible outside the hospital setting in hopes she will start to see him as a man.
But Louise is really, really locked down tight and this is where the book gets silly. For most of the rest of the book, Louise decides that Aldo giving them lifts back and forth to the village, inviting them to his house for tea, etc. means he must be in love with her 19-year-old sister Zoe. She therefore declines all invitations to give Zoe time with Aldo. Zoe is portrayed as sweet and loving (we don't have any rotten family members in this book, a frequent trope of Betty's) but she's always giving Aldo kisses and hugs and I just wanted to reach into the book and tell her to knock it off already. When Louise finally realizes that she loves Aldo herself, she soldiers on bravely, deciding she'll have to leave the village because she won't be a blight on Zoe's happiness. Then I wanted to reach into the book and slap some sense into Louise.
Aldo, meanwhile, decides the only way to get any time alone with Louise is to offer her a job as his nurse, which involves travel to both Holland and Scotland. We get some fancy dinners, a couple of peppery old patients, a visit with Fran and Litrik from The Secret Pool, and Aldo and Louise doing a spot of rescue work when they come across a car crash.
Ultimately, everything gets sorted out, as it must. I really like Aldo. He's in love from the get-go and those are always my favorites from the BN catalog. I just wish Louise wasn't so myopic and prone to making silly assumptions as a way to not have to face up to her own needs as a woman and a human. I wanted to give this five stars because Aldo is so great. But Louise, who I would be genuinely worried about if this wasn't Betty Neels, makes it a three and a half star read so rounding up to four.
February 17, 2017
Always a delight.
I wish I could give it 20 stars, but I guess 5 will have to do. Betty Neels remains the queen of romance!
I wish I could give it 20 stars, but I guess 5 will have to do. Betty Neels remains the queen of romance!
September 25, 2016
TGB hits it out of the park on this one. All the feels and emotions
are here.This is a wonderful, well developed story of Louise, her 3 younger siblings and a deeply caring RDD who steps into their lives and becomes vitally important to each and every one of them. Louise has been working to support her sibs since her parents died. She is a Ward Sister and works regularly with Aldo, respects him immensely but doesn't see him as a man at all. Aldo has shown no such restraint and once it seems Louise will gravitate out of his orbit into a conveniently plotted inheritance (cottage) he goes all out in his pursuit of her. Her family is charmed by Aldo and comes to count on him for support, advice, and her two younger sisters have crushes on him. Louise gets the idea that Aldo is interested in Zoe and plots to bring them together. Aldo figures this out and is secretly amused by her machinations. Lovely families (Aldo's parents are a big part of his life as well) and FFRs are in evidence here. Some drama (car accident) moves the plot along but it remains for me on of her best reads.
are here.This is a wonderful, well developed story of Louise, her 3 younger siblings and a deeply caring RDD who steps into their lives and becomes vitally important to each and every one of them. Louise has been working to support her sibs since her parents died. She is a Ward Sister and works regularly with Aldo, respects him immensely but doesn't see him as a man at all. Aldo has shown no such restraint and once it seems Louise will gravitate out of his orbit into a conveniently plotted inheritance (cottage) he goes all out in his pursuit of her. Her family is charmed by Aldo and comes to count on him for support, advice, and her two younger sisters have crushes on him. Louise gets the idea that Aldo is interested in Zoe and plots to bring them together. Aldo figures this out and is secretly amused by her machinations. Lovely families (Aldo's parents are a big part of his life as well) and FFRs are in evidence here. Some drama (car accident) moves the plot along but it remains for me on of her best reads.
December 16, 2016
One of the first Harlequin authors I remember reading. I was completely enthralled by the exotic locales in her books when I was 14. Now reading these books are more of a way of remembering the aunt who got me started on them. I'll probably always love them due to the nostalgia factor. her books will always be some of my favorites to re-read.
April 22, 2025
This was a cute read. Louise is trying to raise her siblings and keep everything together. She worked with Aldo but never really thought they were friends. Will a change in circumstances also cause a shift in their relationship?
This was a sweet, clean read. This author never disappoints.
This was a sweet, clean read. This author never disappoints.
January 16, 2021
First, the h (Louisa) is very annoying! That said, I love Pamela's review . It's humorous, but close to the plot. Note: There are spoilers in it, so be warned.
January 20, 2017
I really could not see why the RDD would deliberately let Louise continue to think that he was in love with her sister. That just seems a bit cold to me.
August 31, 2020
Not really my cup of tea. Why the hero spent more time with heroine sister than heroine and she knew nothing about him but her sister knew.
November 8, 2025
The wrap up didn’t feel quite wrapped up to me. I would have liked it better if, instead of shuffling off all the kids, he had invited them to all live with him or something.
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