I really enjoy reading this book. I have now read it three times in about fifteen years. This time I had to read it again after rewatching the HallmarI really enjoy reading this book. I have now read it three times in about fifteen years. This time I had to read it again after rewatching the Hallmark movie (which is not near as good as the book). I think what I like most is the female characters. They are all well-drawn and different women. Diana Campanella has left her ordinary job to open a vintage secondhand store for ladies. It isn't doing all that well, and neither is her relationship to the cold Philip. She meets Harry, a lawyer who does a lot of important work, very often in bad neighborhoods and sometimes pro bono. He makes her laugh, but she is hesitant to leave the security of her "engagement" to Philip. Marriage to Philip seems farther and farther away. I liked Diana's relationships with her large Italian/American family. One sister is a beautiful lingerie model, another is a devout Catholic housewife who lives to organize get-togethers. There are so many wonderful conversations in this book that I love. I've even written down several lovely quotes in my personal favorites file. Why the Hallmark movie had to change the plotline so much, even giving Harry leukemia, is a complete mystery to me. The book as it stands would make a wonderful movie. ...more
I enjoyed this story very much. Mary Pagett is a general dogsbody for her clueless intellectual parents. She takes care of all the household chores, aI enjoyed this story very much. Mary Pagett is a general dogsbody for her clueless intellectual parents. She takes care of all the household chores, and is a surrogate parent for her little 13-year-old sister, Polly. When her great-aunt Thirza has a heart problem, she takes her to see Roel van Rakesma, an eminent Dutch heart specialist. The doctor immediately captures her heart. One thing I like about this book is how Roel befriends young Polly. They become fast friends and Polly helps along the romance as much as she can. She is mature beyond her years and so funny. I like when Roel secretly gets Mary a job at a small bookstore. Except for the ending being a bit rushed, it is a very enjoyable love story. ...more
I have read this one before, probably more than once. It is a typical Betty Neels romance in that a young woman, down on her luck, meets a rich, succeI have read this one before, probably more than once. It is a typical Betty Neels romance in that a young woman, down on her luck, meets a rich, successful doctor. The only thing not typical about this one is that the young woman is not a nurse, and the doctor is not Dutch. I still liked this story very much because it has two people who need each other, and slowly begin to realize that they are in love with each other. The only small complaint I have is that Deborah seems to be so unable to get her own life together. She is only able to find work as a companion or mother's helper. Sir James Marlow falls for her sweetness but believes that she wants to be a career woman. I don't see why he would think her interests lie that way....more
I've read this book several times. One of my favorite Betty Neels books.I've read this book several times. One of my favorite Betty Neels books....more
I have read this book before but not reviewed it. I like Betty Neels' Christmas stories and this one is fun because it shows the family celebrating thI have read this book before but not reviewed it. I like Betty Neels' Christmas stories and this one is fun because it shows the family celebrating the feast of Sint Nikolaas in Holland. I'm not sure what day this feast comes up, but it is before actual Christmas Day. I like the gentle way that Eleanor and Fulk are brought together again. They met when Eleanor was five and Fulk sixteen. Now it is twenty years later and Fulk is a consultant and Eleanor a nurse in Edinburgh. The characters of Eleanor's young sister and brother were sweet. Eight-year-old Henry gets ill and spends his convalescence at Fulk's home near Groningen. Twelve-year-old Margaret helps to keep him company. Their attempts to get Eleanor and Fulk together are funny at times. Children are not subtle. I also like that Eleanor is described as beautiful. Some of Betty's heroines are plain, but not the case here. Imogen, Fulk's present fiancee does not enter the plot often, but her lack of feeling is heavily suggested....more
This has to be one of my favorite Betty Neels. A gentle romance between a pediatrician from Amsterdam and an antiques lover from a small town in EnglaThis has to be one of my favorite Betty Neels. A gentle romance between a pediatrician from Amsterdam and an antiques lover from a small town in England. Daisy Gillard is a sweet girl who works in her parents' antique shop. She travels to Holland to deliver a valuable antique screen to Dutch clients. Along the way, she again meets up with Jules der Huizma, who is very friendly and very engaged. These are two honorable people. Daisy won't reveal her feelings to an engaged man. Jules won't break off his engagement because he gave his word. What follows is how circumstances come to change for the better so that they may hope at last for their "happily ever after". I loved it. This is, of course, a reread. I have been enjoying Betty's books for decades....more
This is about my 4th or 5th read of "Sense and Sensibility". I do enjoy it, but the movies are a bit more interesting for me. I still would give it fiThis is about my 4th or 5th read of "Sense and Sensibility". I do enjoy it, but the movies are a bit more interesting for me. I still would give it five stars for the romance, character development, and the beautiful language. Elinor embodies sense, but suffers for it. She has to face her own disappointment in love alone and see to her sister's hysterics and depression in losing her lover. Marianne embodies sensibility (taken to me to be heightened feelings and awareness) and suffers for it also. She puts all of herself into her emotions and has a huge downfall when they are not appreciated. Both sisters find happiness in the end, Marianne with acquired sense, and Elinor with heightened sensibility. They almost trade places in some ways. Always a satisfying read....more
Loading...
