What do you think?
Hilltop Tryst
When Beatrice's world turned upside down, Oliver Latimer was on hand to pick up the pieces. There was something solid and reassuring about Oliver. Beatrice felt safe with him. But he wasn't an easy person to get to know. Accompanying him on a lecture tour to Europe convinced Beatrice that there was more to Dr. Latimer than she'd imagined. In fact, she came to believe he was the only man she could truly love. But Oliver kept his feelings hidden. What did he really think of her?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Betty Neels
606 books425 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 32 reviews
April 11, 2021
On my journey to reading all of Betty's books, I stumbled upon this little gem. It had all the things I love about Betty...
+ A dashing successful doctor (but English, not Dutch)
+ OW (OM this time)
+ A heroine who has no job but is helpful around the house
+ Aunts that live in far away places like Cornwall
+ Lots of dogs, cats, and even a donkey
+ Travelogue to the Netherlands (+Germany & Denmark)
+ A Rolls Royce (really is there any other car?)
+ Lots of faithful servants who do all the heavy lifting
+ Wonderful descriptions of food
What I didn't get were:
- Awful, despicable parents
- Loving parents who die tragically
(I'm still recovering from the Vicar's Daughter)
- beautiful, mean, vicious stepsisters
+ A dashing successful doctor (but English, not Dutch)
+ OW (OM this time)
+ A heroine who has no job but is helpful around the house
+ Aunts that live in far away places like Cornwall
+ Lots of dogs, cats, and even a donkey
+ Travelogue to the Netherlands (+Germany & Denmark)
+ A Rolls Royce (really is there any other car?)
+ Lots of faithful servants who do all the heavy lifting
+ Wonderful descriptions of food
What I didn't get were:
- Awful, despicable parents
- Loving parents who die tragically
(I'm still recovering from the Vicar's Daughter)
- beautiful, mean, vicious stepsisters
February 24, 2023
This Betty features an RED (rich English doctor) and an OM (other man) instead of an OW (other woman)! I'm proud of my Neels terminology, lol. In this story, we have Beatrice Browning who lives at home with her mother, father, and youngest sister (her other two sisters are out in the world). Her father is a vet and Beatrice is his assistant. She hasn't been to veterinary school, but her father has trained her well and she has a natural steadiness and good sense and love of animals. When she's out with the family dog one morning, she randomly meets Dr. Oliver Latimer and a friendship begins between Oliver and Beatrice and her family. Oliver is a renowned cardiologist and steps in to help when Mr. Browning has a heart attack and needs several weeks of hospitalization.
It's when Mr. Browning is off in hospital that the trouble begins. Mr. Browning's vet replacement is the handsome, debonair Colin Wood, and Beatrice is smitten...and Oliver is dismayed (albeit silently). What will happen next??
I enjoyed this story even with the section of Beatrice's obvious and obviously misplaced infatuation. There is some travel later in the book as well, and we get to see Holland, Germany, and Belgium from Beatrice's perspective. The travel section was super fun! And amusing. There is a grouchy great-aunt who plays an important part at several points. I especially enjoyed Beatrice's family. She has a younger sister named Ella who is quite delightful. I'd like a sequel about her and her vet training please.
I think the title of this one and how it plays into the plot is especially fun.
It's when Mr. Browning is off in hospital that the trouble begins. Mr. Browning's vet replacement is the handsome, debonair Colin Wood, and Beatrice is smitten...and Oliver is dismayed (albeit silently). What will happen next??
I enjoyed this story even with the section of Beatrice's obvious and obviously misplaced infatuation. There is some travel later in the book as well, and we get to see Holland, Germany, and Belgium from Beatrice's perspective. The travel section was super fun! And amusing. There is a grouchy great-aunt who plays an important part at several points. I especially enjoyed Beatrice's family. She has a younger sister named Ella who is quite delightful. I'd like a sequel about her and her vet training please.
I think the title of this one and how it plays into the plot is especially fun.
December 5, 2010
Hilltop Tryst is another sweet romance by the famous Betty Neels featuring a fair-haired doctor as a hero, although this time, he's British, not Dutch. The heroine isn't a nurse but the daughter of a local successful veterinarian.
The title Hilltop Tryst makes it sound a little steamier than this book really is. It's a very clean, closed-door Harlequin Romance, so no trysting here!
One morning, Beatrice is taking a walk with her dog, and she meets the hero along the way, Dr. Oliver Latimer. Oliver's a nice, stolid type. There's a bit of trouble with another dog, and Oliver arranges to bring the pup to Beatrice's father's office for a check-up.
Everything lines up, making it seem as if Oliver's interested in Beatrice: he's kind to her, spends time with her family, and in typical Betty Neels fashion, doesn't make a move!
When Beatrice's father has a heart attack, they're fortunate that the accomplished heart surgeon Dr. Latimer is there to save the day.
Enter our Other Man, a more debonair and sophisticated vet (Really, have you known many vets? Some of them are really nice folks. But hardly dashing when compared to heart surgeons).
Anyway, this OM takes a liking to Beatrice, and she to him. Oliver's nice and all, but he's so placid and just there.
Unfortunately, Beatrice soon finds out that the scheming vet has his sights set on taking over her father's thriving vet business. Cozying up to Beatrice was just part of his plan.
Ashamed, her heart in tatters, Oliver is there to save the day for Beatrice. He proposes a phony relationship with her and offers to take her on a Continental-speaking tour.
Along the way, Beatrice realizes she wasn't really in love with the sleazy vet, she was just blinded by his rhinestone flash. As she gets to know more about Oliver on their trip, she realizes that it's he whom she prefers.
There's some bit of dull action before the two meet up again on that same Hilltop and declare their love for each other. No trysting, but promises of marriage and forever are made.
Again, this was a pleasant Betty Neels, but not really very exciting. I was reading another Harlequin Romance at the same time as this and found that other book more to my liking. To my (not) surprise, Hiltop Tryst is rated much higher than the book I enjoyed. Oh, well, I like a little drama in my romances, even the sweet ones.
I'd mark Hilltop Tryst as good but not great. Oliver scores points for being an animal lover, though. This is definitely a 3-star outing for me.
The title Hilltop Tryst makes it sound a little steamier than this book really is. It's a very clean, closed-door Harlequin Romance, so no trysting here!
One morning, Beatrice is taking a walk with her dog, and she meets the hero along the way, Dr. Oliver Latimer. Oliver's a nice, stolid type. There's a bit of trouble with another dog, and Oliver arranges to bring the pup to Beatrice's father's office for a check-up.
Everything lines up, making it seem as if Oliver's interested in Beatrice: he's kind to her, spends time with her family, and in typical Betty Neels fashion, doesn't make a move!
When Beatrice's father has a heart attack, they're fortunate that the accomplished heart surgeon Dr. Latimer is there to save the day.
Enter our Other Man, a more debonair and sophisticated vet (Really, have you known many vets? Some of them are really nice folks. But hardly dashing when compared to heart surgeons).
Anyway, this OM takes a liking to Beatrice, and she to him. Oliver's nice and all, but he's so placid and just there.
Unfortunately, Beatrice soon finds out that the scheming vet has his sights set on taking over her father's thriving vet business. Cozying up to Beatrice was just part of his plan.
Ashamed, her heart in tatters, Oliver is there to save the day for Beatrice. He proposes a phony relationship with her and offers to take her on a Continental-speaking tour.
Along the way, Beatrice realizes she wasn't really in love with the sleazy vet, she was just blinded by his rhinestone flash. As she gets to know more about Oliver on their trip, she realizes that it's he whom she prefers.
There's some bit of dull action before the two meet up again on that same Hilltop and declare their love for each other. No trysting, but promises of marriage and forever are made.
Again, this was a pleasant Betty Neels, but not really very exciting. I was reading another Harlequin Romance at the same time as this and found that other book more to my liking. To my (not) surprise, Hiltop Tryst is rated much higher than the book I enjoyed. Oh, well, I like a little drama in my romances, even the sweet ones.
I'd mark Hilltop Tryst as good but not great. Oliver scores points for being an animal lover, though. This is definitely a 3-star outing for me.
February 25, 2015
Oliver Latimer, RBD/eminent cardiologist, is out walking in the countryside in the early morning on Midsummer’s Day when he finds a Jack Russell that has fallen into a rabbit hole. He comes up on a young woman leaning against a tree with her own dog. Beatrice Browning is 26 and helps her father, the local vet. She is the eldest of four sisters and has brown hair and eyes. Beatrice recognizes the Jack Russell as the missing dog of a local resident and volunteers to take him and the dog to her father. Mr. Browning invites the doctor to stay for breakfast; the whole family likes him right away.
So when Mr. Browning has an unexpected heart attack, it is fortuitous that Oliver is nearby to oversee his treatment. While Mr. Browning is incapacitated, a young vet is hired to stand in for him – Colin Wood, who is young and dashing, also mercenary. He quickly decides the quickest way to the top of his profession is to marry Beatrice and become partners with her father. Beatrice has fallen for his charm, until one day she hears him talking on the phone about his gold-digging plans.
Oliver rides in on his white horse and offers his services as a “family friend,” proposing a fake engagement to discourage Colin. He even takes Beatrice on a European lecture tour. In the meantime, Beatrice discovers she was only infatuated with Colin and that she really loves Oliver.
Blah, blah, blah. Stuff happens. Stuff like Beatrice chasing a would-be burglar from her irascible Great-Aunt Sybil’s home and staying for a week with Great-Aunt Polly in Cornwall. Oliver picks her up from Aunt Polly’s home and tells Aunt Polly he will send a car to bring her to the wedding (Aunt Polly instantly sees which way the wind is blowing) and provide someone to cat-sit. Oliver takes Beatrice home, drops hints about his intentions and kisses her in front of her family.
Next morning, Beatrice wakes early and goes for a walk up the same hill as at the beginning of our story. Oliver is there. Declaration, Proposal and Kisses. Beatrice says she has got everything she ever wished for. Oliver says, “If you haven’t, my dearest love, I’ll make sure that you do.”
Another solid Betty; nothing spectacular. In Betty-speak, it’s like spending a lazy summer afternoon lying on the grass in the garden – dozing when you feel like it and having tea when Jolly brings it. Having been a secretary for years (and still do a lot of secretarial-type tasks even though I’m a full-fledged paralegal with a certificate to prove it) I do love Oliver’s secretary, Ethel, and her little black number.
So when Mr. Browning has an unexpected heart attack, it is fortuitous that Oliver is nearby to oversee his treatment. While Mr. Browning is incapacitated, a young vet is hired to stand in for him – Colin Wood, who is young and dashing, also mercenary. He quickly decides the quickest way to the top of his profession is to marry Beatrice and become partners with her father. Beatrice has fallen for his charm, until one day she hears him talking on the phone about his gold-digging plans.
Oliver rides in on his white horse and offers his services as a “family friend,” proposing a fake engagement to discourage Colin. He even takes Beatrice on a European lecture tour. In the meantime, Beatrice discovers she was only infatuated with Colin and that she really loves Oliver.
Blah, blah, blah. Stuff happens. Stuff like Beatrice chasing a would-be burglar from her irascible Great-Aunt Sybil’s home and staying for a week with Great-Aunt Polly in Cornwall. Oliver picks her up from Aunt Polly’s home and tells Aunt Polly he will send a car to bring her to the wedding (Aunt Polly instantly sees which way the wind is blowing) and provide someone to cat-sit. Oliver takes Beatrice home, drops hints about his intentions and kisses her in front of her family.
Next morning, Beatrice wakes early and goes for a walk up the same hill as at the beginning of our story. Oliver is there. Declaration, Proposal and Kisses. Beatrice says she has got everything she ever wished for. Oliver says, “If you haven’t, my dearest love, I’ll make sure that you do.”
Another solid Betty; nothing spectacular. In Betty-speak, it’s like spending a lazy summer afternoon lying on the grass in the garden – dozing when you feel like it and having tea when Jolly brings it. Having been a secretary for years (and still do a lot of secretarial-type tasks even though I’m a full-fledged paralegal with a certificate to prove it) I do love Oliver’s secretary, Ethel, and her little black number.
May 30, 2017
I enjoyed this quiet, lovely story so much I stopped reading it for a while to stretch out the experience. Our hero and heroine meet in the early morning on a hilltop while out walking. I loved the way the hill kept figuring into the story. She's the daughter of a local vet and he's a leading heart specialist - not Dutch. lol
She's strong and compassionate and he's kind, so they're a good match. There's a conniving assistant vet and crabby great aunt, but the story does a good job focusing on our heroine. They travel overseas a bit though most of the story is set in rural England and has a pastoral feel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Neels, who did this slice of life type story so well.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
She's strong and compassionate and he's kind, so they're a good match. There's a conniving assistant vet and crabby great aunt, but the story does a good job focusing on our heroine. They travel overseas a bit though most of the story is set in rural England and has a pastoral feel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Neels, who did this slice of life type story so well.
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
May 24, 2017
Sweet one with the twist of the h having the OM for once. H gets HUGE bonus points cause he offered to get cat staff in so the h's elderly aunt could go the wedding. I like H's like that.
August 7, 2010
Betty standard plot 5B--our Rich British Doctor falls for our heroine (in this case, the local vet's daughter Beatrice) immediately, but she doesn't see it and develops an infatuation with another man. Our RBD is all patient and kind and there to pick up the pieces when the other guy turns out to be a rotter.
A nice, gentle little love story.
A nice, gentle little love story.
Read
July 27, 2011Beatrice knows she is getting older and at risk of becoming an old maid. She knows she is not in love with the local doctor's son since he is more like a brother than a lover. She meets Oliver while watching a sun rise, and he sets out to win her, but Colin appears and sets things adrift for awhile. But, in the end, Oliver gets his woman.
A really nice story.
A really nice story.
March 28, 2012
A lovely comfort read with a delicious hero and a nice heroine.
March 31, 2018
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars.
It's a generally an angst-free, gentle slow build romance.
There is only 10 years difference in their ages but Beatrice is VERY naive for a 26 year old.
Beatrice and Oliver first meet on a hillside in the early morning hours. (morning people! lol)
She is a very honest, generous and unambitious person who didn't go on to post secondary school but stayed home to help her father in his veterinary clinic.
Oliver is a famous heart doctor with a gentle but confident personality.
It's pretty clear from early on that the Doc is smitten with Beatrice but she is clueless.
Things would have been smooth sailing if her father hadn't had a heart attack. Oliver saves the day for her father BUT the boy-man who arrives to fill in for the dad at work, turns Beatrice's head. He's closer to her age and more obvious in his courting.
But does he really care for Beatrice???
It bothered me that it took so LOOOOOONG for B to pull her head out of her ass where Collin was concerned. I mean she's 26 for crying out loud, not 16!
And it doesn't help that Oliver plays his hand so close to his chest.
But this is the usual formula for this author, more or less.
The POV is all the h and the H is usually enigmatic and giving mixed signals.
A sweet little romance.
It's a generally an angst-free, gentle slow build romance.
There is only 10 years difference in their ages but Beatrice is VERY naive for a 26 year old.
Beatrice and Oliver first meet on a hillside in the early morning hours. (morning people! lol)
She is a very honest, generous and unambitious person who didn't go on to post secondary school but stayed home to help her father in his veterinary clinic.
Oliver is a famous heart doctor with a gentle but confident personality.
It's pretty clear from early on that the Doc is smitten with Beatrice but she is clueless.
Things would have been smooth sailing if her father hadn't had a heart attack. Oliver saves the day for her father BUT the boy-man who arrives to fill in for the dad at work, turns Beatrice's head. He's closer to her age and more obvious in his courting.
But does he really care for Beatrice???
It bothered me that it took so LOOOOOONG for B to pull her head out of her ass where Collin was concerned. I mean she's 26 for crying out loud, not 16!
And it doesn't help that Oliver plays his hand so close to his chest.
But this is the usual formula for this author, more or less.
The POV is all the h and the H is usually enigmatic and giving mixed signals.
A sweet little romance.
January 31, 2013
Set in England, it was an interesting twist to the 'Bad Penny always turning up'.
December 6, 2020
This is your typical Betty Neels. Smart, rich doctor and knight to the rescue. This doctor is British instead of Dutch. No death in this one. Heroine is younger than hero with no ambition other than to live safely at home with Dad and Mom, underpaid and overworked. Beatrice works for her father,
a vet at his practice. If she had ambition, she could have been a vet herself or at the very least
a vet's assistant. Oliver Latimer meets Beatrice as he is walking around the hills of Dorset after rescuing a neighbor's dog. He is attracted to her right away and pursues her in subtle ways as she doesn't get it on the ways of men or romantic attraction. He is ten years older than Beatrice. A consultant as well as a lecturer with a quite a few sisters. He is well versed in the ways of women.
Beatrice has 3 younger sisters, one is married, one lives the single life and Ella, the youngest is 15,at home but very observant. Note the 2 younger sisters get out...they are not staying at home with mom and dad.
Something happens to Dad that shakes things up and a temporary vet is needed. Enter Colin; young and good looking and full of himself. Looking to be partner in the practice without making his bones by using Beatrice.
Beatrice is smitten with him until she overhears a conversation. Then, she is heart broken. Who helps her pick up the pieces? Oliver, of course. In an effort to help her forget Colin, he and his assistant Ethel along with Beatrice go on a lecture tour for 2 weeks to the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Scotland. Made me want to visit every one of those places.
While there Oliver manages to date Beatrice: dinners, dancing, sightseeing. Manages to kiss her
hold her hand and and caress her cheek too. Girlfriend is getting it but VERY slowly. Oliver is
slowly infiltrating her thoughts and senses and Colin is fading.
Loved Oliver, his gentleness, humor(especially with Beatrice's "peevishness") He was kind but could get tough(see his interactions with Colin). Much different than the aloof, arrogant, cold
heroes in most of Betty's books.
Beatrice not so much...she was frequently snippy, tart, peevish. Acted younger than her age with her
angst about Colin which was unnecessary.
Ella at 15 had more sense than Beatrice at nearly 27. Witness this exchange between the 2 sisters:
"You're going to those dinner parties Oliver hates; find him a sexy blonde and hunt around for your self."
Beatrice let her hair fall round her shoulders. "Ella, where do you get your ideas from? You're
only fifteen..."
"Darling Beatrice, you're the one who's fifteen-being taken taken by Colin like a teenager and
not having an idea how to deal with him. You're a darling, but you've spent too many years with
animals and not enough with men. "
Beatrice was well and truly read. Yes, Ella!
The best things about this book was the travels, Oliver and Ella.
All's well that ends well and you'll have to read the rest to get the HEA.
a vet at his practice. If she had ambition, she could have been a vet herself or at the very least
a vet's assistant. Oliver Latimer meets Beatrice as he is walking around the hills of Dorset after rescuing a neighbor's dog. He is attracted to her right away and pursues her in subtle ways as she doesn't get it on the ways of men or romantic attraction. He is ten years older than Beatrice. A consultant as well as a lecturer with a quite a few sisters. He is well versed in the ways of women.
Beatrice has 3 younger sisters, one is married, one lives the single life and Ella, the youngest is 15,at home but very observant. Note the 2 younger sisters get out...they are not staying at home with mom and dad.
Something happens to Dad that shakes things up and a temporary vet is needed. Enter Colin; young and good looking and full of himself. Looking to be partner in the practice without making his bones by using Beatrice.
Beatrice is smitten with him until she overhears a conversation. Then, she is heart broken. Who helps her pick up the pieces? Oliver, of course. In an effort to help her forget Colin, he and his assistant Ethel along with Beatrice go on a lecture tour for 2 weeks to the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Scotland. Made me want to visit every one of those places.
While there Oliver manages to date Beatrice: dinners, dancing, sightseeing. Manages to kiss her
hold her hand and and caress her cheek too. Girlfriend is getting it but VERY slowly. Oliver is
slowly infiltrating her thoughts and senses and Colin is fading.
Loved Oliver, his gentleness, humor(especially with Beatrice's "peevishness") He was kind but could get tough(see his interactions with Colin). Much different than the aloof, arrogant, cold
heroes in most of Betty's books.
Beatrice not so much...she was frequently snippy, tart, peevish. Acted younger than her age with her
angst about Colin which was unnecessary.
Ella at 15 had more sense than Beatrice at nearly 27. Witness this exchange between the 2 sisters:
"You're going to those dinner parties Oliver hates; find him a sexy blonde and hunt around for your self."
Beatrice let her hair fall round her shoulders. "Ella, where do you get your ideas from? You're
only fifteen..."
"Darling Beatrice, you're the one who's fifteen-being taken taken by Colin like a teenager and
not having an idea how to deal with him. You're a darling, but you've spent too many years with
animals and not enough with men. "
Beatrice was well and truly read. Yes, Ella!
The best things about this book was the travels, Oliver and Ella.
All's well that ends well and you'll have to read the rest to get the HEA.
August 4, 2012
Beatrice met Oliver on midsummer's morning at the top of the hill and he fell in love with her at once but Beatrice thought he was just a nice man. She is well aware her age 26 is near to thirty and she has yet to fall in love. When a family emergency comes up and Vetenarian Collin arrives to help out the Vet Practice she finds herself in love with him but it isn't long before his true colours shine and Oliver is there as a comforting friend. But he has his own agenda and it is a long journey before that faithful hilltop tryst.
September 6, 2013
Beatrice helps her father at his veterinarian clinic. Oliver meets her on a hilltop in the early morning walking the dog. This one is a bit dated due the the lengthy description of clothing. The story is one of waiting and learning.
March 9, 2016
I love Betty Neels for clean, sweet romances with heroes and heroines that are good, decent and easy to love. This wasn't one of her best (and I have read many), but it was a light read, perfect for my vacation.
May 22, 2014
Not her best
October 20, 2015
The Plot is a Bit of a Stretch
Although all Neels' books are easily readable, this one pushes coincidence to the limit, and then plants a plot with a heavy foot.
Although all Neels' books are easily readable, this one pushes coincidence to the limit, and then plants a plot with a heavy foot.
March 2, 2016
If a fifteen year old can see through Colin, why can't a 26 year old? Crazy!
June 27, 2018
3.75* 1989
I really like Oliver the hero; he's pretty much perfect! Always there right when Beatrice needed him, no bland face or silky voice, mocking smiles...so refreshing! Only thing was he did the "I'm getting married soon" announcement, without informing his future bride. Quite presumptuous!
I got REALLY annoyed and even disgusted with Beatrice when she thought how old the tired Oliver looked, and proceeded to make a fool of herself over the clown Collin. When she interviewed him, that scene made me mad! But she's thinking herself becoming a spinster with nothing exciting in her life happening, so have to cut her some slack in falling for the scum Collin. Thank goodness she overheard that phone call and came to her senses.
Still, it was most irritating to see her liking our RBD, fall for the clown, getting over the stalker clown, then fall in love with our hero again. Sigh.
A lot happened, I guess Oliver had to make sure she got Collin out of her system. And it's a good thing the unfortunate episode happened, so that Beatrice would recognise real love when it happened...LOL
I was getting impatient, even in chapter NINE he was still leaving her at her parents ' without declaration, but he did kiss her "soundly"/"thoroughly " right in front of her family! Though there's not enough "hard" kisses in this story. With such a "titillating" title as Hilltop Tryst, I expected more snogging on the hilltop!
However this line made the wait worthwhile: 'I promised myself when we met that one day I would ask you to marry me on this very spot...' So Oliver was waiting for the right time, and the right place, to ask Beatrice on their hilltop. Aww...
I really love Beatrice 's family here, her parents were great and Ella was a hoot! Being the youngest she gave the eldest sister Beatrice love advice LOL. Aunt Polly was in sharp contrast to nasty Great Aunt Sybil! I loved how Oliver blended into her family right from the start; he'd be the son the Brownings didn't have!
Everyone loved Oliver's assistant Ethel; when Beatrice asked if Oliver's 'fiancée' ever came along for lecture tours, I wondered what Oliver and Ethel were thinking when they looked at each other over Beatrice haha! I had to take it that Ethel knew about their fake engagement, that Beatrice thought Oliver was marrying another girl, AND Oliver's TRUE intentions towards Beatrice. Yet she's discreet, worthy of Oliver's trust and high salary!
How can we forget the epic burglar chasing scene in dressing gown? Beatrice was a might stupid (danger!) but like she said she'd rather chase down the thief than face Great Aunt Sybil telling her the family silver was gone! Oliver swooped right in to rescue her and whisk her back home, telling GAS off. Bravo!
I really like Oliver the hero; he's pretty much perfect! Always there right when Beatrice needed him, no bland face or silky voice, mocking smiles...so refreshing! Only thing was he did the "I'm getting married soon" announcement, without informing his future bride. Quite presumptuous!
I got REALLY annoyed and even disgusted with Beatrice when she thought how old the tired Oliver looked, and proceeded to make a fool of herself over the clown Collin. When she interviewed him, that scene made me mad! But she's thinking herself becoming a spinster with nothing exciting in her life happening, so have to cut her some slack in falling for the scum Collin. Thank goodness she overheard that phone call and came to her senses.
Still, it was most irritating to see her liking our RBD, fall for the clown, getting over the stalker clown, then fall in love with our hero again. Sigh.
A lot happened, I guess Oliver had to make sure she got Collin out of her system. And it's a good thing the unfortunate episode happened, so that Beatrice would recognise real love when it happened...LOL
I was getting impatient, even in chapter NINE he was still leaving her at her parents ' without declaration, but he did kiss her "soundly"/"thoroughly " right in front of her family! Though there's not enough "hard" kisses in this story. With such a "titillating" title as Hilltop Tryst, I expected more snogging on the hilltop!
However this line made the wait worthwhile: 'I promised myself when we met that one day I would ask you to marry me on this very spot...' So Oliver was waiting for the right time, and the right place, to ask Beatrice on their hilltop. Aww...
I really love Beatrice 's family here, her parents were great and Ella was a hoot! Being the youngest she gave the eldest sister Beatrice love advice LOL. Aunt Polly was in sharp contrast to nasty Great Aunt Sybil! I loved how Oliver blended into her family right from the start; he'd be the son the Brownings didn't have!
Everyone loved Oliver's assistant Ethel; when Beatrice asked if Oliver's 'fiancée' ever came along for lecture tours, I wondered what Oliver and Ethel were thinking when they looked at each other over Beatrice haha! I had to take it that Ethel knew about their fake engagement, that Beatrice thought Oliver was marrying another girl, AND Oliver's TRUE intentions towards Beatrice. Yet she's discreet, worthy of Oliver's trust and high salary!
How can we forget the epic burglar chasing scene in dressing gown? Beatrice was a might stupid (danger!) but like she said she'd rather chase down the thief than face Great Aunt Sybil telling her the family silver was gone! Oliver swooped right in to rescue her and whisk her back home, telling GAS off. Bravo!
June 23, 2024
DNF p. 115.
I normally love a Betty Neels but this one was a bit too bland and directionless. The hero was passive in the extreme and just sort of blended into the background, emerging every so often to murmur something in a quiet and 'silky' voice before rushing out the door to go to Germany for a week.
Not like me to DNF so close to the end, but my heart wasn't in it and when I start yearning to read something else I know it's time to throw in the towel.
I normally love a Betty Neels but this one was a bit too bland and directionless. The hero was passive in the extreme and just sort of blended into the background, emerging every so often to murmur something in a quiet and 'silky' voice before rushing out the door to go to Germany for a week.
Not like me to DNF so close to the end, but my heart wasn't in it and when I start yearning to read something else I know it's time to throw in the towel.
November 2, 2024
I’ve skimmed this several times now because the whole thing seemed so dull and underdeveloped that my memory refuses to retain the plot. For future reference of self: the one where she engages a nasty replacement vet to cover for his father while he’s in the hospital with the rich English doctor waiting on the side for her to come to her senses.
September 23, 2026
Hilltop Tryst
Another story from Betty Neels. I love her books all about the the 1950s and hospitals and nurses, though Beatrice in this one is not a nurse.This book took you through several countries and it finally to the romanic part.
Another story from Betty Neels. I love her books all about the the 1950s and hospitals and nurses, though Beatrice in this one is not a nurse.This book took you through several countries and it finally to the romanic part.
July 6, 2018
Lovely
I know some people don’t like old, vintage romances of different times. But they’re like a nice little visit into the past.
I know some people don’t like old, vintage romances of different times. But they’re like a nice little visit into the past.
September 8, 2018
A bit different
A bit different from most of the other Betty Neels stories, no nurse and no Dutch doctor. Very nice regardless.
A bit different from most of the other Betty Neels stories, no nurse and no Dutch doctor. Very nice regardless.
July 30, 2020
Old-fashioned romance and a chaste one at that. The male protagonist is not a jerk, thank God. It was published in 1989? But it felt like in the sixties or seventies. Too many coincidences, though.
April 15, 2022
Just wonderful
Beautiful story, loved every minute of it, didn't really want it to end. Would of loved to had a followup story.
Beautiful story, loved every minute of it, didn't really want it to end. Would of loved to had a followup story.
August 23, 2023
Very typical Betty, almost the densest heroine yet!
August 21, 2025
It was ok, at times little boring .. always talking about drinking tea...
October 6, 2015
Very nice read. But I’ll be honest, I agree with Oliver in his assessment of Beatrice, “You are a goose.” It’s obvious that Beatrice is the girl Oliver wants to marry. How Beatrice believed that Oliver’s fiancé would allow him to travel all over Europe with a young pretty girl and not complain is beyond me. No one is that nieve. She acts more like a teenager than a woman of 26. That said, my heart does break for Beatriz when she overhears Colin’s phone call.
I would have liked to be privy to Oliver and Colin’s conversation when Colin was escorted from the house. A good read for a rainy afternoon.
I would have liked to be privy to Oliver and Colin’s conversation when Colin was escorted from the house. A good read for a rainy afternoon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2013
Back cover blurb:
A dependable man…
When Beatrice's world turned upside down, Oliver Latimer was on hand to pick up the pieces. There was something solid and reassuring about Oliver. Beatrice felt safe with him. But he wasn't an easy person to get to know.
Accompanying him on a lecture tour to Europe convinced Beatrice that there was more to Dr. Latimer than she'd imagined. In fact, she came to believe he was the only man she could truly love. But Oliver kept his feelings hidden. What did he really think of her?
A dependable man…
When Beatrice's world turned upside down, Oliver Latimer was on hand to pick up the pieces. There was something solid and reassuring about Oliver. Beatrice felt safe with him. But he wasn't an easy person to get to know.
Accompanying him on a lecture tour to Europe convinced Beatrice that there was more to Dr. Latimer than she'd imagined. In fact, she came to believe he was the only man she could truly love. But Oliver kept his feelings hidden. What did he really think of her?
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