Customer Reviews

Fate Is Remarkable (Betty Neels Collector's Editions)

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Yes, she wrote a book by that title, but it fits her very well. Her books are reminisicent of the novels of the 1940's and early 50's, before they becaome so explicit. Her plots are re-used and predictable, but her characters come alive, and a reader becomes attached to them. She brings them back in later books, they are all acquainted with each other, and it's very pleasant to encounter them again. I know literary critics will laugh at me, but her characters remind me of those of Jane Austen, set in a more modern time.
I haven't said anything about Fate is Remarkable...I think it is my favorite of her books, an early one, before the plots became a little thin. Sarah and Hugo fall in love, unexpectedly, and all is well.
If I have missed any of her books, I don't know which it is, have owned all of them at one time or another. May they live in print a long time.

Betty Neels' plots usually involve an English nurse and a Dutch doctor's evolving romance. Their gentle predictability might make one think they will be dull, but somehow her character development teamed with loving descriptions of English and Dutch scenery creates devoted fans.
I've read hundreds of romances, but save only a few for rereading. I have almost all her books carefully stacked away for a rainy day read. The familiar plots are like comfort food and never fail to invoke a cozy feeling.
Fate is Remarkable is my very favorite of all Betty Neels' books. It is the touching story of Sarah and Hugo struggling to make their marriage of convenience work. It really is a remarkable book to take a formula romance and turn out such a satisfying love story.

Betty Neels' plots usually involve an English nurse and a Dutch doctor's evolving romance. Their gentle predictability might make one think they will be dull, but somehow her character development teamed with loving descriptions of English and Dutch scenery creates devoted fans.
I've read hundreds of romances, but save only a few for rereading. I have almost all her books carefully stacked away for a rainy day read. The familiar plots are like comfort food and never fail to invoke a cozy feeling.
Fate is Remarkable is my very favorite of all Betty Neels' books. It is the touching story of Sarah and Hugo struggling to make their marriage of convenience work. It really is a remarkable book to take a formula romance and turn out such a satisfying love story.

Betty Neels' plots usually involve an English nurse and a Dutch doctor's evolving romance. Their gentle predictability might make one think they will be dull, but somehow her character development teamed with loving descriptions of English and Dutch scenery creates devoted fans.
I've read hundreds of romances, but save only a few for rereading. I have almost all her books carefully stacked away for a rainy day read. The familiar plots are like comfort food and never fail to invoke a cozy feeling.
Fate is Remarkable is my very favorite of all Betty Neels' books. It is the touching story of Sarah and Hugo struggling to make their marriage of convenience work. It really is a remarkable book to take a formula romance and turn out such a satisfying love story.

FATE IS REMARKABLE IS SEARCH OF COMPANIONSHIP AND ROOTS. "WHY are you so surprised?" Hugo asked. "We're well suited, you know......many marriages succeed very well on mutual respect and liking-and I ask no more than that of you, Sarah---at least until such a time as you might feel you have more to offer!" Sarah Dunn had worked with Hugo Van Elven for a long time, and she was astounded when he suddenly proposed to her. Both of them were still smarting from previous unhappy love affairs which was why Sarah decided to accept; surely neither of them would wish to get emotionally involved again for a very long time?

This is my all time favourite of Betty Neels' books. I still have my original copy from the 70's of this delightful story. I have always wondered if Sarah and Hugo would show up in another BN book like so many others.

It was an unexpected, but delightful, pleasure to see that Sarah and Hugo's story is followed up in "Uncertain Summer". In this, they have almost 1-year old twins; a boy, Hugo, and a girl named after Mrs. Brown, Rosemary.

Publisher Book Description: Sarah Dunn had worked with Hugo van Elven for a long time, and she was astounded when he suddenly proposed to her. Both of them were still recovering from previous unhappy love affairs, which was why Sarah decided to accept. Surely neither of them would wish to get emotionally involved again for a very long time, but she had not considered what would happen if her feelings for Hugo changed, while his remained the same. Could their need for love overcome their painful pasts, and allow a new companionship to grow?

Sister Sarah Ann Dunn worked with Dr. Hugo van Elven worked together in the Out-Patient Department for a number of years. She knew he was quiet, kind to his patients, considerate towards the nursing staff, and possessed an unexpected sense of humor; but knew little about "the man" or his personal life. Rumor had it that he had been unlucky in love. She found herself in the same unfortunate situation but was shocked when Hugo proposed a marriage of convenience. - - "We're well suited, you know...many marriages succeed very well on mutual respect and liking-and I ask no more than that of you, Sarah-at least until such time as you might feel you have more to offer!" - - Sarah decided to accept; after all, neither of them wanted emotional involvement again for a very long time. But she had not considered what would happen when her feelings for Hugo changed. What if while his remained the same? Did he still love the woman who broke his heart? Who was she and would he ever get over her? Would he ever return her love or would his feelings for her remain the same?

Another Dutch Doctor / English Nurse story; though it lacks the plain English nurse (Sarah is described as "a serene beauty") this story is a Neels marriage-of-convenience and includes her ususal descriptions of food, culture, and places in England, Holland, and Scotland. This is another relaxing read Neels fans will enjoy.