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At Odds with Love

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When Jane needed help, she was amazed that it was the charismatic surgeon Nikolaas van der Vollenhove who tore himself away from his busy schedule to come to her rescue. A renowned workaholic, it was obvious that he had no time for anything�or anyone�in his life. Which was why his marriage proposal came as such a shock. Just why exactly did he want Jane for his wife, if it wasn't for love?

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1993

91 people are currently reading
157 people want to read

About the author

Betty Neels

541books402followers
Evelyn 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

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5 stars
221 (41%)
4 stars
145 (27%)
3 stars
124 (23%)
2 stars
32 (6%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
343 reviews78 followers
April 14, 2021
That was fun and a little unusual in a few ways for Betty.

I'm not sure how many BN stories I've read to date. (I just finished marking a bunch as "read" because they are all so similar it gets hard to remember if I read them or not based on the similar summaries.) But it's a lot at this point. This is a fairly typical BN MoC story--the initially cold hero and our fiesty heroine start off not liking one another much, but he nonetheless helps her to overcome some real trials in England in the first half, and then, typical of many a Neels', we move to Holland for an MoC in the second (the pets and faithful family retainer come along). Our heroine sets out from the start of their MoC to make the hero fall for her, and there are some pretty funny moments. What she doesn't know is that the hero is way ahead of her by that point, even if he's slow to realize it.



An amusing outing from Betty with a few mild but fun digressions. I think it says a lot that despite having only a couple of well-used plots, Betty remains so bingeable--for me and many a reader before me--because of subtle difference in her MCs from book to book. I take breaks, but upon returning to my Betty binge, I'm always entertained and satisfied. Can't say that for all authors--usually after half a dozen books, all with different plots, I've had enough for a while.

Car porn in this one, from 1993:

Bentley Continental (which the hero tells the heroine she won't be driving--but my guess is she'll suit herself):

Bristol (which the heroine takes in an act of defiance):

Mini, which is used by the RDDs household as a general-purpose car:
Profile Image for Leona.
1,764 reviews18 followers
November 21, 2013
Sweet MOC story by Betty. Not one of her all time best, but still enjoyable.

What I liked:

1) The story was enjoyable and entertaining with lots of evil twists.
2) I particularly enjoyed the heroine. She had a nice tender character without being so overly self-sacrificing that she was unbelievable.
3) There were all those lovely cats and dogs.

What I didn't like:
1) Hero was a bit too cold for my taste and it took him way tooooo long to realize his feelings.
Profile Image for Pamela Shropshire.
1,447 reviews72 followers
February 17, 2017
Jane Fox is a redhaired green eyed Olivia who left her ward sister's post to care for her sick grandmother in the country. After a few months her grandmother became gravely ill and her doctor called in a specialist, Professor Nikolaas van der Vollenhove, a grizzle-haired giant. Jane dislikes him on site, and he treats her cooly.

Three days later, Jane's granny dies. Jane's cousin, Basil, inherits the house. Of course, being named Basil, he's a jerk. He gives Jane two days to leave the house along with the dog Bruno, and the two cats, Percy and Simpkins.

Jane is at a loss to know what to do. She intends to go back to nursing, but it will take time for her to find a job and a place to live. Her grandmother did leave her 500 pounds, as well as a pension for Bessy, the elderly housekeeper.

RDD to the rescue! Nikolaas shows up and Jane cries all over him. He wipes away her tears and when she tells him her predicament. He says he knows of a place for her � a temporary job as a companion to the elderly, irascible Lady Grimstone.

It isn't all peaches and cream with Lady Grimstone, but at least they all have food and a roof over their heads. When the month is up, Nikolaas says that Jane can stay with some friends of his and till she finds a job. Instead, she hurriedly accept a job at a hospital in Carlisle, which turns out to be a disaster.

She doesn't tell Nicholas where she is going, but he finds her anyway and again, when she sees him, she cries all over him. This time he does take her to the home of his friends in London, Rex and Julie, and then returns to Holland almost immediately. A few days later he shows up again and proposes � a MOC. Not only will he marry her, he will employ Bessy and adopt the furkids.

A secure future, to be sure, but what about love, Jane wonders. She soon has her DR, so she says yes. There is the obligatory car crash in front of them and Jane ruins her lovely new dress and gives away her coat.

Nik surprises Jane with a wedding in her Granny's village church, then they're immediately off to Holland. Bessy and the animals settle in right away but Jane worries that Nik isn't in love with her. Actually Nik is having his own gradual DR. Who knows how they would have managed it but As Fate Would Have It (wink at Betty Magdalen), there is an earthquake in Amsterdam one day while Jane is there.

She makes her way to the hospital and helps out in the Accident Room. Nik calls for her to be sent to him; she's nervous because he told her not to drive in Amsterdam. In her unnerved state, she spills all and tells Nik she loves him just as he gets a call.

She tries to run away but he arranges for her to be delayed. He takes the keys and calls her darling. Declaration and Kissing follow. "I'm so glad we're married, Nik." "So am I, my darling."

Pretty standard TGB - I love Jane's devotion to her animals. I also like Nik's determination to help Jane even when he doesn't know why he is doing so.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,445 reviews152 followers
February 16, 2024
Fun but not a favorite! (Very very random natural disaster at the end…why???) Though the last page was perfectly delightful.
Profile Image for Susan in NC.
1,042 reviews
June 4, 2017
Another sweet Betty, replete with beloved pets, loyal family retainers who keep stately households running on "oiled wheels", and a handsome Dutch doctor. Betty never lets me down when I need literary comfort food- she's macaroni and cheese followed by chocolate cake for my brain!

I liked Jane Fox as a beautiful, strong nurse trying to get her bearings and keep her household together after losing her beloved granny - actually, her household consists of her granny's two cats and a corgi and her long-time housekeeper. Jane's rotten, selfish cousin Basil inherits granny's house and basically tells her at the funeral that she and the housekeeper have two days to get out, while he's planning to have the pets put down. Of course since this is a Betty, Nick, the RDD who consulted on granny's case at the end, shows up to save the day; but our Jane doesn't want to be a burden, so she takes off for a post at a depressingly Dickensian nursing home in Scotland...

Once again, RDD to the rescue! Of course things eventually work out for a HEA worthy of Betty, with some lusty teasers - Jane even tells Nick as he puts her in the Rolls to drive home after finally telling each other their feelings and sharing some kisses, "I'm so glad we're married, Nick!" Racy, indeed!
Profile Image for Evelyn.
Author1 book33 followers
March 15, 2021
I like this book very much, but not enough for five stars. There is a lack of tension, and much as I love her animals, they took up too much of the plot. There were constant mentions of Jane's dog,Bruno, and her cats, Percy and Simpkin. I do like that both cats are gingers (and so is Jane). Jane meets Professor Nikolaas van der Vollenhove when she has a family crisis. There are many decisions about what shall become of the animals and Jane's friend and family retainer, Bessy. At the end (actually the middle of the book) Nikolaas proposes a marriage of convenience to Jane. She accepts and all that is left is for the two to fall in love. My favorite part of the book is their wedding ceremony and (on page 138) when Nik dries her long, red hair for her. So romantic.
Profile Image for Fiona Marsden.
Author37 books144 followers
April 1, 2013
A sweet marriage of convenience story. The marriage doesn't occur until well into the book. It has Betty's trademark large Dutch doctor, the English nurse and lots of animals and a cast of nice people to balance the ones who are not so nice.
An enjoyable and stress free read with a nice happy ending.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
356 reviews6 followers
June 4, 2013
As always I love Betty neels books and enjoyed this book as well. I will say however that this book was much different that her other ones. This story was the first that had a character that was truly unpleasant and a marriage that was not based on love. Of course everything worked out in the end, but I was surprised by my inability to like the lead male character in her book. I am hoping that I don't come across another character like this in her others books that I shall be reading! Either way i would recommend this book for the avid fan.
Profile Image for frances schluter.
9 reviews
February 19, 2015
A really good read.

It's rare that I ever give a Betty Neels book, and I'm not doing it to this one either! I love the stories she tells-2 everyday people falling in love with the normal ups and downs that usually happens. But without the cruelty, or faithfulness, or horrid circumstances you can find in others romances.
Profile Image for Sara.
426 reviews32 followers
August 4, 2013
I loved it!!! Could not put it down.
1,433 reviews
October 12, 2013
Very nice read- sweet and typical of betty neels.
Profile Image for Christina Dudley.
Author33 books246 followers
March 4, 2024
Really a 3.5. I swear half the book was spent walking and airing the pets. It got more interesting at 80%, but then it ended! On the exciting side (for a Betty Neels romance), the heroine is pretty, and there is an earthquake!
Profile Image for Annemarie.
1,338 reviews22 followers
August 24, 2020
Dutch Doctor: check
Nurse Heroine: check
Heroine becoming a barones: check
marriage before they even really know each other: check
Red-haired character: check
Lots of misunderstandings based on the main characters insecurities in her looks: no? wait, what?

This book was such a relaxing read and nowhere near as frustrating as the other Betty Neels books I've read. The main character was caring and kind, but, unlike in the other books I have read (by Betty Neels), she wasn't described as plain, with brown hair. No, she knew she was quite pretty. And no red-hair dissing in this book which was a yay. Seeing my own last name was a surprise, since it's not that common, but then again, most of the Dutch names in Betty Neels books aren't very common. I liked the main character and the lead as well. He was the silent, caring, but bad at showing his feelings type, but he was never rude, or mean to the main character (unlike most leads in the Betty Neels books I have read.) It was a cute story, and is was a light relaxing summer read.
Profile Image for Figlet.
540 reviews58 followers
January 5, 2022
Finally got an opportunity to write a review of this. Unbelievably, this is not a Betty that I have read previously. I thought I had, but I totally would have remembered

It's always cool to enjoy a brand new Betty even at my advanced age. She included all her typical ingredients to this charming romance.

Rated Two Cats and A Dog Five Stars
Profile Image for Helen Manning.
297 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2016
Great MOC story. Nik and Jane strike sparks off of each other yet Nik unrelentingly comes to Jane's aid time and time again. He maneuvers her into marriage and she, by now in love with him, tries to get him to notice her. Much to Jane's amazement he has noticed her and much to his surprise he has fallen deeply in love with his beautiful wife.
Profile Image for Teri-K.
2,429 reviews50 followers
April 11, 2021
In this marriage of convenience story I enjoyed the first half most. Everything seemed to rush towards the end. Also the motivation for the heroine's actions after her marriage didn't make sense to me. Still it was a nice enough story. 2.5 stars

NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
Profile Image for Charmaine .
13 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2018
Lovely Old Fashioned Romance

Betty Neels always writes a lovely story Jane is a lovely Heroine who is independent but goes from one unfortunate situation to another and the Hero Nickolas is always there when she needs help and the rest is marriage and a HEA.
Profile Image for Roub.
1,112 reviews64 followers
March 2, 2015
very nice one! really sweet! nikolaas was kind and compassionate. he helped jane in her moment of need and only realised he loved her in the end.
3,071 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2014
enjoyed it and it had a twist or 2 on the typical Betty Neels.
Profile Image for Mudpie.
857 reviews7 followers
January 7, 2018
Another sweet tale with marriage of convenience. It took a while for the hero Nik to realise he's fallen for his wife, but he was so scared and confused, and not quite know how to tell Jane, that he just kept quiet and avoided her. Tsk tsk...

Poor Jane had a series of unfortunate events happen to her in succession: losing her beloved grandmother, her home and no job with 3 pets and a housekeeper friend to look after so to speak. Her developing crush on the Professor Nik made her accept the first job offer in order to get far away from him, and boy did she suffer for it!

She should wonder why the Professor,who had only seen her a couple of times, be so helpful and always looking out for her! Even he did not know he had feelings for her right then haha. Jane fell in love with Nik while in London which firmed her resolve to marry him. He was so confident too, telling Julie even before Jane accepted his proposal! I love the sense of humour he had when it came to Jan, the affectionate laughter she engendered in him.

After they settled in Holland Jane decided it wasn't enough for her to love Nik silently. She then schemed to make Nik jealous and fall for her, and it was amusing to see her antics. Her trip into Amsterdam was so funny! She actually asked the traffic police if he was there to fine her, not knowing Nik had seen her very well from the hospital and asked the TP for assistance!

Glad that there's no Other Woman, though there were almost Other Men for once!

A slight twist to the often used tropes hehe.

For once I love the last few pages of this story. Nik asking the recep to delay Jane until he could reach her. Their lovey dovey antics witnessed by the hospital staff LOL so sweet!

PS. I found it odd that in this story, afternoon tea and dinner/supper happened almost like one right after the other! Really?!
Profile Image for Jite.
1,241 reviews75 followers
August 12, 2021
A solid 3.5 Betty Stars!

My ratings for Betty Neels� books are in a category of their own because these are my ultimate comfort reads. I can’t compare them to anything other than their siblings and this was solid and I liked it, but it was also not one of my favourites. This is one of the Betty books with the RDD and a gorgeous but kind of “in trouble� nurse. The premise is that Jane left the large hospital where she was a Sister to look after her ailing grandmother and when she loses her, she’s out of luck as her awful cousin kicks her out. Coming to her rescue is visiting Rich Dutch Doctor™️, Nik, who reluctantly can’t seem to stop trying to put her back on her feet despite his self-assessed limited interest.

This is one of the lower angst, lower drama books by this author and it was perfect for my mood. Still a mega fan and still find this these books, the ultimate comfort reads.
110 reviews
May 29, 2023
A very sweet story!

This is a very sweet story. It starts out with a big impact. My heart was so broken that I couldn't help but cry. Luckily, the situation in the beginning is the worst of the hurt. The rest of the story is romantic and funny at the same time. Of course there are misunderstandings. These misunderstandings are what makes this book funny. Of course, as always, I love Betty Neels. You'll love this book if you're not looking for a hot and heavy romance. The only thing it lacked, that I could have wished for, was some kind of comeuppance for the situation at the beginning of the book. Phooey. I was really hoping they'd come to some kind of grief but Betty Neels was a very nice lady.
Profile Image for Jill.
157 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2023
My second Betty Neels. This one annoyed me more than Fate Is Remarkable, which I actually mostly enjoyed. THE FOLLOWING IS SPOILER-ISH: Instead of him taking her away I would have liked a story of them taking over the last place she works before he comes to get her. I also thought we'd see more of Mrs. Grimstone. That could have made an interesting story too. I also just wasn't a fan of this doctor. Mostly I didn't like that they didn't know each other for very long (compared with the first one I read) so everything seemed more rushed and forced. I'm still glad I read it though and it was a fairly quick read as her books all seem to be on the shorter side.
Profile Image for Caro.
416 reviews13 followers
April 4, 2018
Leída bajo el título: Búscame al atardecer/ Reñidos con el amor(?) Es una novelita sencilla donde el Dr Nikolaas van der Vollenhove rescata a la joven Jane Fox de su infortunio( muere su abuela a quien ella se dedica y se queda sin hogar y trabajo)La novela no está mal pero me llevo tiempo terminarla. Hay mejores de Betty.
114 reviews
May 24, 2023
Until the last few chapters, I was going to give this story at least four stars. I LOVED how Jane worried / cared about her animals. Then came the part when Nik asked Jane not to take the car into Amsterdam. Jane instantly became a brat and blew the whole story for me. I get that she wanted his attention, but at what/who's expense. Not one of Betty Neels' better offerings.
359 reviews
March 16, 2020
A bit overdone in the end but delightful nevertheless

Enjoyed this book, especially the beginning part. Not so much the stubbornness of driving to Amsterdam though. But it's a book, not real life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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