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The Final Touch #1
The Final Touch
Charity thought she had it all—marriage to respected consultant Tyco van der Brons and being a mother to his two children. So why did her heart yearn for his love, too? She had known from the start that theirs was a marriage of convenience—so it would be foolish to wish for anything more...wouldn't it?
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Betty Neels
497 books394 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 36 reviews
June 14, 2019
Charity Pearson is an Araminta who has followed a Caddish Dutch Doctor to Holland, accepting a nursing post in Amsterdam. She has a step-sister (Eunice) who is a gorgeous model, but no other family. Tyco van der Brons, a plastic surgeon on the Burns unit, feels sorry for her because she has to see Cor van Kamp on Men’s Medical all the time and he is quite nasty to her.
So, Tyco (skipping to first-name basis prematurely to save time typing “Dr. van der Brons”) gets Charity transferred to the burns ward. She loves it there. Tyco takes her out to dinner (VERY early in the book). Charity rescues some children from a burning house; she burns her hands and ruins her clothes in the attempt, but is quite the celebrated heroine at her hospital. Tyco arranges for her to get new clothes without her knowing he paid for them. He takes her to his home for lunch; he tells her that he was married but that his wife left him with the twins when they were 6 months old and that she and her lover were killed in a car crash soon afterwards. (Aka NKE, or, the Neels Karma Effect.)
He introduces her to the twins. Tyco is a fast mover – it usually takes the RDD more than half the book to get this far.
Charity and the twins take to each other. The twins have a governess, but she gives her notice because her mother is ill and she has to go back to England to care for her. Tyco proposes a MOC to Charity:
“ . . . believe me when I say that I have a great regard for you and believe that we could be happy as a family.” When she agrees, he says, “I think we might leave the romantic side of it for the time being, don’t you? Neither of us is impulsive and both of us have tried romance and found it – what shall I say? – disappointing. . . “
He arranges for them to be married the same day as Charity’s last day at the hospital. He keeps it a secret from most of the hospital staff. Things go well in the early going; he takes Charity to meet his family and of course, they all like each other immediately. Charity buys a lot of new clothes for herself and the twins as well, so a lot of time is spent shopping.
Then Tyco brings home an old “friend,” Mevrouw de Groot. The twins don’t like her and neither does Charity. Tyco admits that she was a friend of his wife’s and that she has been trying to get him to marry her for years.
Next, Eunice writes that she will be in Amsterdam and wants to stay with Charity. She does her best to attract Tyco, but he rebuffs her advances. While she is visiting, Charity has her DR. Eunice doesn’t give up very easily and outstays her welcome, as far as Charity is concerned. Finally, Charity fibs and tells Eunice she has to leave because Tyco’s family is coming to stay and they need all the bedrooms. Tyco backs up Charity’s story and alerts Jolly as well.
Everyone plays along, which is just so adorable. Tyco agreed to take Charity and Eunice out for an evening, but one of the twins has a sore throat so Charity stays home. The next morning, Eunice twits Charity about it, and Charity literally kicks her out. Ha! This girl has a backbone!
Charity “hauls Tyco over the coals” as Jolly tells Mrs. Jolly, and “him not knowing why. All account of that Miss Pearson saying nasty things before she went.” “It will clear the air,” Mrs. Jolly replies, “Made for each other, they are.”
Tyco tries to talk to Charity, but she refuses to listen. He gives up, for now. One day Charity goes to the hospital to have coffee with the Directrice and runs into Cor. He makes some snide remarks, but unfortunately, Tyco sees them together. He jumps Charity about meeting Cor. She tells him off and makes a remark about him giving red roses to Eunice. She gets angry, her face turns red, she stomps her foot, says, “Oh, pooh,” and kisses him on the chin (because she can’t reach any higher). She whirls around and walks off, but he catches her at the door and drives her home. He tells Jolly they will be in the drawing room and don’t want to be disturbed. He confesses he loves her and admits he “dangled” Mevrouw de Groot and Eunice in front of Charity in hopes of making her jealous. Snogging ensues, interrupted by the twins arriving home from school, who promptly place an order for a baby brother.
I’m always a sucker for a good MOC, and this is a good one. 5 stars.
So, Tyco (skipping to first-name basis prematurely to save time typing “Dr. van der Brons”) gets Charity transferred to the burns ward. She loves it there. Tyco takes her out to dinner (VERY early in the book). Charity rescues some children from a burning house; she burns her hands and ruins her clothes in the attempt, but is quite the celebrated heroine at her hospital. Tyco arranges for her to get new clothes without her knowing he paid for them. He takes her to his home for lunch; he tells her that he was married but that his wife left him with the twins when they were 6 months old and that she and her lover were killed in a car crash soon afterwards. (Aka NKE, or, the Neels Karma Effect.)
He introduces her to the twins. Tyco is a fast mover – it usually takes the RDD more than half the book to get this far.
Charity and the twins take to each other. The twins have a governess, but she gives her notice because her mother is ill and she has to go back to England to care for her. Tyco proposes a MOC to Charity:
“ . . . believe me when I say that I have a great regard for you and believe that we could be happy as a family.” When she agrees, he says, “I think we might leave the romantic side of it for the time being, don’t you? Neither of us is impulsive and both of us have tried romance and found it – what shall I say? – disappointing. . . “
He arranges for them to be married the same day as Charity’s last day at the hospital. He keeps it a secret from most of the hospital staff. Things go well in the early going; he takes Charity to meet his family and of course, they all like each other immediately. Charity buys a lot of new clothes for herself and the twins as well, so a lot of time is spent shopping.
Then Tyco brings home an old “friend,” Mevrouw de Groot. The twins don’t like her and neither does Charity. Tyco admits that she was a friend of his wife’s and that she has been trying to get him to marry her for years.
Next, Eunice writes that she will be in Amsterdam and wants to stay with Charity. She does her best to attract Tyco, but he rebuffs her advances. While she is visiting, Charity has her DR. Eunice doesn’t give up very easily and outstays her welcome, as far as Charity is concerned. Finally, Charity fibs and tells Eunice she has to leave because Tyco’s family is coming to stay and they need all the bedrooms. Tyco backs up Charity’s story and alerts Jolly as well.
Everyone plays along, which is just so adorable. Tyco agreed to take Charity and Eunice out for an evening, but one of the twins has a sore throat so Charity stays home. The next morning, Eunice twits Charity about it, and Charity literally kicks her out. Ha! This girl has a backbone!
Charity “hauls Tyco over the coals” as Jolly tells Mrs. Jolly, and “him not knowing why. All account of that Miss Pearson saying nasty things before she went.” “It will clear the air,” Mrs. Jolly replies, “Made for each other, they are.”
Tyco tries to talk to Charity, but she refuses to listen. He gives up, for now. One day Charity goes to the hospital to have coffee with the Directrice and runs into Cor. He makes some snide remarks, but unfortunately, Tyco sees them together. He jumps Charity about meeting Cor. She tells him off and makes a remark about him giving red roses to Eunice. She gets angry, her face turns red, she stomps her foot, says, “Oh, pooh,” and kisses him on the chin (because she can’t reach any higher). She whirls around and walks off, but he catches her at the door and drives her home. He tells Jolly they will be in the drawing room and don’t want to be disturbed. He confesses he loves her and admits he “dangled” Mevrouw de Groot and Eunice in front of Charity in hopes of making her jealous. Snogging ensues, interrupted by the twins arriving home from school, who promptly place an order for a baby brother.
I’m always a sucker for a good MOC, and this is a good one. 5 stars.
August 23, 2013
This was such a lovely story, with a hero to beat all heroes. I wish that every author that writes asshats would take a moment to read this book. Tyco was one of the most generous souls ever penned in "HQN Land" and I fell instantly in love with him. His kindness and generosity towards the heroine was sigh worthy. Right from the first moment they meet, he goes out of his way to help her and guide her. Though he has been dealt a raw deal in love, he isn't bitter and he cherishes all those that are important to him; his family, his daughters, his staff, his patients and of course, Charity. He is much older than the heroine (17 years). Typically an age difference like that turns me off. But not here. It absolutely made sense in how they interacted and it was rather an endearing element of their relationship.
He said slowly, "When I'm seventy you will be a sprightly fifty-three".
"Well, if you are feeling your age, which I very much doubt, I'll be young enough to look after you, won't I?
She spoke in such a matter-of-fact way that he burst out laughing.
"I find myself looking forward to a delightful old age". He took her hands in his and she smiled up at him.
It is very rare that I enjoy all the books in a series. I usually find one that I prefer over another. But for me, both books were 5 stars.
I highly recommend.
He said slowly, "When I'm seventy you will be a sprightly fifty-three".
"Well, if you are feeling your age, which I very much doubt, I'll be young enough to look after you, won't I?
She spoke in such a matter-of-fact way that he burst out laughing.
"I find myself looking forward to a delightful old age". He took her hands in his and she smiled up at him.
It is very rare that I enjoy all the books in a series. I usually find one that I prefer over another. But for me, both books were 5 stars.
I highly recommend.
May 12, 2021
The Final Touch (1991) was a reread for me, and while I prefer Betty’s more irascible heroes to her more placid and good humored types, like Tyco , I did enjoy it even more on this second go. Pretty standard fare (see Pamela Shropshire’s review for a nice plot summary), but a few nice differences from other BN books.
I like Betty’s angstier reads for the most part, but if I had to pick one of her sweeter romances with a more likable and mellow hero and a heroine who isn’t quite as self-effacing and self-sacrificing as some BN heroines, it would probably be TFT.
I like Betty’s angstier reads for the most part, but if I had to pick one of her sweeter romances with a more likable and mellow hero and a heroine who isn’t quite as self-effacing and self-sacrificing as some BN heroines, it would probably be TFT.
July 28, 2013
Oh damn. Betty Neels does it again. Yet another favourite, I absolutely loved it. :')
When the book started off with Charity being in love with another guy, I didn't think I'd like it very much. And she kept thinking about him for quite a while, even after the professor meets her and shows her exceptional kindness. (But that's being realistic, isn't it? I mean, you can't just forget the guy you thought you were in love with in one day. Damn, Betty Neels is good.) As I was saying, I was kind of pissed off at Charity for that. But she more than made up for it by being so wonderfully jealous of Madame de whatever-her-name-was and Eunice *rubs hands, gleeful laughter* I must say, I quite liked her a bit.
As for Tyco, he was a but different from Betty Neels' other heroes in the sense that he didn't turn hot one instant and cold the other. He was kind and nice and I loved him.
I also loved the age difference between them, almost 17 years. *sigh*
It was a wonderful book, slow and sweet. Just the way I like them.
When the book started off with Charity being in love with another guy, I didn't think I'd like it very much. And she kept thinking about him for quite a while, even after the professor meets her and shows her exceptional kindness. (But that's being realistic, isn't it? I mean, you can't just forget the guy you thought you were in love with in one day. Damn, Betty Neels is good.) As I was saying, I was kind of pissed off at Charity for that. But she more than made up for it by being so wonderfully jealous of Madame de whatever-her-name-was and Eunice *rubs hands, gleeful laughter* I must say, I quite liked her a bit.
As for Tyco, he was a but different from Betty Neels' other heroes in the sense that he didn't turn hot one instant and cold the other. He was kind and nice and I loved him.
I also loved the age difference between them, almost 17 years. *sigh*
It was a wonderful book, slow and sweet. Just the way I like them.
March 14, 2023
I think I’ll round this up to four stars. This Betty is a little different from others I’ve read. Charity Pearson is an English nurse in Amsterdam so she meets doctor Tyco van der Brons on his home turf instead of the other way round. England was in this shockingly little but I didn’t miss it. Charity followed a younger Dutch doctor from London to his home base hospital in Amsterdam but of course he is a cad and Tyco comes to the rescue. Tyco is a specialist in treating burns, which is also unique in my Betty reading so far. The first couple chapters do involve a lot of time at the hospital and the description of some burns was a little more than I like. I skim read that, but I’m sure most people wouldn’t mind. Charity bravely rescues two children from a burning house and suffers some mild burns on her hands that Tyco treats. I loved that glimpse of her courage and heroism just when she’s feeling low from being mildly abandoned by the cad.
The other unique thing about this Betty is that Tyco was married before and has twin girls who are around 10 years old. They have a British governess who must leave to go back to England and Charity hits it off with all three of them. I loved her relationship with the twins! They are endearing kids and good judges of character. 😏 Charity becomes Mevrouw van der Brons for the sake of the two girls… right? From there, it’s a pretty typical Betty story with fewer details about clothes, an even-more-absurd-and-oblivious OW than usual, and some lovely homey details. The ending is so great.
Oh! I was also going to mention that there’s a bigger than usual age gap between Tyco and Charity, 17 years, which puts them firmly in Colonel Brandon and Marianne territory. Tyco seems to take this a bit harder than Charity though there’s no indication he wears flannel waistcoats.
Also, A Happy Meeting is apparently a loose-ish sequel. We probably get a mention of Tyco and Charity there so I’m definitely reading that next.
The other unique thing about this Betty is that Tyco was married before and has twin girls who are around 10 years old. They have a British governess who must leave to go back to England and Charity hits it off with all three of them. I loved her relationship with the twins! They are endearing kids and good judges of character. 😏 Charity becomes Mevrouw van der Brons for the sake of the two girls… right? From there, it’s a pretty typical Betty story with fewer details about clothes, an even-more-absurd-and-oblivious OW than usual, and some lovely homey details. The ending is so great.
Oh! I was also going to mention that there’s a bigger than usual age gap between Tyco and Charity, 17 years, which puts them firmly in Colonel Brandon and Marianne territory. Tyco seems to take this a bit harder than Charity though there’s no indication he wears flannel waistcoats.
Also, A Happy Meeting is apparently a loose-ish sequel. We probably get a mention of Tyco and Charity there so I’m definitely reading that next.
October 1, 2016
I love a visit with Betty Neels when I'm between heavier books to cleanse the reading palate! The GR Heyer Fan Club is starting The Conqueror for our October read, and while I'm looking forward to learning more about William the Conqueror, I thought I'd take a trip with Betty first after this one was recommended highly by a fellow GR friend and Betty fan.
I think I've only read this one once long ago, and it was actually part of a two-book arc, being the first before A Happy Meeting; the H/h in this one (Tyco and Charity) play a significant role in that story as well.
Anyway, this is the usual Betty with a charming, wealthy Dutch doctor, in this case a specialist in burn treatment, and the young English nurse who wins his heart. At first it's a marriage of convenience, but evolves into so much more; I think this is one of Betty's best, and can't believe I haven't reread it before. The hero is truly a class act, kind and decent to everyone and doesn't play games or hide his feelings (much) to prolong the agony of his beloved; for a Betty, you get the feeling there is a growing, passionate love between the two when they finally come to their HEA.
****SPOILER****I was so relieved to find there was no stupid "misunderstanding" to pad the drama - when Charity's bitchy step-sister swans in for a visit (she's a model) - and announces she's going to attempt "to annex" Tyco, there's a bit of hurt feelings and jealousy but it's short-lived and brings things to a head wonderfully, with humor, and it's believable and sweet. And when Charity wants to get rid of her sister after she moves in for a prolonged visit, Tyco goes along with the lie she concocts and even brings the servants and children into it to cover the lie - love it! So very human, so unlike Betty's sometimes too polite to not bitchslap the evil OW when she needs it other heroes and heroines!
So, a very worthwhile visit with two of Betty's finest characters and one I'll remember to revisit in future.
I think I've only read this one once long ago, and it was actually part of a two-book arc, being the first before A Happy Meeting; the H/h in this one (Tyco and Charity) play a significant role in that story as well.
Anyway, this is the usual Betty with a charming, wealthy Dutch doctor, in this case a specialist in burn treatment, and the young English nurse who wins his heart. At first it's a marriage of convenience, but evolves into so much more; I think this is one of Betty's best, and can't believe I haven't reread it before. The hero is truly a class act, kind and decent to everyone and doesn't play games or hide his feelings (much) to prolong the agony of his beloved; for a Betty, you get the feeling there is a growing, passionate love between the two when they finally come to their HEA.
****SPOILER****I was so relieved to find there was no stupid "misunderstanding" to pad the drama - when Charity's bitchy step-sister swans in for a visit (she's a model) - and announces she's going to attempt "to annex" Tyco, there's a bit of hurt feelings and jealousy but it's short-lived and brings things to a head wonderfully, with humor, and it's believable and sweet. And when Charity wants to get rid of her sister after she moves in for a prolonged visit, Tyco goes along with the lie she concocts and even brings the servants and children into it to cover the lie - love it! So very human, so unlike Betty's sometimes too polite to not bitchslap the evil OW when she needs it other heroes and heroines!
So, a very worthwhile visit with two of Betty's finest characters and one I'll remember to revisit in future.
December 15, 2013
This was such a lovely story. Betty Neels reconfirms your beliefs in love and in the general goodness of mankind. She makes you believe in HEA. The hero Tyco van der Brons was such an amazing guy. I fell in love with him immediately. He was so kind and gentle and so very understanding. I loved, loved, loved Tyco. The heroine Charity was so sweet. I think both Tyco and Charity are soul mates. Their love was the kind of love we all look for. Greek tycoons are all right but at the end of the day when you run out of clever conversations, you just want to bask in the warmth of compatible silence, secure in the knowledge of your love for each other.
December 29, 2010
Our Betty returns to a plot she used in Uncertain Summer, with a twist, of course. Nurse Charity Pearson has come to work in Holland on the strength of sweet nothings whispered in her ear by a handsome young doctor. Alas for Charity, young doc is a playboy and wasn't serious. So in typical Neels fashion, Charity accepts a Marriage of Convenience proposal from Tyco van der Brons (classic Neels Rich Dutch Doctor). he, of course, is already smitten; she--not so much. But she soon starts sliding down that slippery slope into love.
The fly in the ointment is her step-sister Eunice-now strolling the fashion runways and appearing in Vogue and other fashion magazine. (Eunice is who Louisa(Winter Wedding's fashionista sister) will be in 5 years time). Tyco loses big RDD points by deliberately using Eunice to make Charity jealous. Bad move, Tyco, really bad move. We have our HEA, of course. But I wanted Charity to give Tyco a great deal more grief--he did not grovel anywhere near enough.
Not great Neels--but it will do.
The fly in the ointment is her step-sister Eunice-now strolling the fashion runways and appearing in Vogue and other fashion magazine. (Eunice is who Louisa(Winter Wedding's fashionista sister) will be in 5 years time). Tyco loses big RDD points by deliberately using Eunice to make Charity jealous. Bad move, Tyco, really bad move. We have our HEA, of course. But I wanted Charity to give Tyco a great deal more grief--he did not grovel anywhere near enough.
Not great Neels--but it will do.
May 7, 2019
Decent marriage of Convenience story. A bit short on romance.
August 10, 2018
Reseña completa aquí: http://perezosa69.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Descubrí a #BettyNeels este año y me he vuelto una adicta de sus #novelas, creo que todas son casi iguales, tienen una que otra variación, pero...me encantan!!! Romance totalmente vintage, ingenuo, sobrio, lleno de pequeños detalles, historias limpias y carentes de descripciones sexuales... un oasis de romanticismo. Espero encontrar alguna vez una edición en papel para conservarlo en mi biblioteca.
#thefinaltouch o #eltoquefinal es la última novela que he leído y no puedo parar, me quedan muchas aún para leer, es que me las "devoro" en un par de horas porque son terriblemente adictivas, tal vez para algunas lectoras sean historias sosas, pero es un estilo que me gusta y acomoda: el amor sencillo y lleno de pequeños detalles ...
Esta historia no se distancia mucho de lo que he leído, pero la pareja protagonista es encantadora. Es el año 1992 cuando Harlequín aún editaba historias de amor a la "antigüa" sin tanto erotismo.
Un encanto de novela.
Recomendada solo para las lectoras que gustan del romance "blanco" algo así como en las películas de Doris Day con Rock Hudson o de Katherine Hepburn con S. Tracy, donde se deja mucho a la imaginación...
Descubrí a #BettyNeels este año y me he vuelto una adicta de sus #novelas, creo que todas son casi iguales, tienen una que otra variación, pero...me encantan!!! Romance totalmente vintage, ingenuo, sobrio, lleno de pequeños detalles, historias limpias y carentes de descripciones sexuales... un oasis de romanticismo. Espero encontrar alguna vez una edición en papel para conservarlo en mi biblioteca.
#thefinaltouch o #eltoquefinal es la última novela que he leído y no puedo parar, me quedan muchas aún para leer, es que me las "devoro" en un par de horas porque son terriblemente adictivas, tal vez para algunas lectoras sean historias sosas, pero es un estilo que me gusta y acomoda: el amor sencillo y lleno de pequeños detalles ...
Esta historia no se distancia mucho de lo que he leído, pero la pareja protagonista es encantadora. Es el año 1992 cuando Harlequín aún editaba historias de amor a la "antigüa" sin tanto erotismo.
Un encanto de novela.
Recomendada solo para las lectoras que gustan del romance "blanco" algo así como en las películas de Doris Day con Rock Hudson o de Katherine Hepburn con S. Tracy, donde se deja mucho a la imaginación...
April 20, 2015
Re-reading my Betty books yet again. I had given this one four stars but when I read it today I bumped it up to five. I really like Tyco he is one super nice guy. He doesn't sneer or look through her with his cold blue eyes as many of Betty's guys are want to do. I liked Charity's gumption when she sent Eunice packing too. The twins are sweethearts and take to Charity at once. Cor was a nasty piece of work and I would have liked to see him get his comeuppance.
January 30, 2010
Trying to review this later, I have no idea WHICH one this is, so that marks it as a very standard Betty Neels book. If you know her cookie cutter writing style, then you know what you're getting into and there's no big surprises. And you will probably devour this book too, like the others!
March 24, 2013
I liked this book because the male declared his love first which is a nice change from the usual Betty Neels hero who gets the female to say it first. I thought I could tell the story but there were some surprises.
February 8, 2016
I love Betty Neels. I've hardly met a book of hers that I did not like.
August 22, 2021
If there is a novel equivalent of a warm hug, The Final Touch is that. It is like swimming in the sea on a hot day, gently swayed by waves, an embrace of tranquility.
Charity is a young British nurse in Amsterdam, her heart broken after her first infatuation. She loves the job, but the guy is the bane of her existence till a Professor from the burns ward gently coaxes her away from her unhappy place, giving her friendship and family. Charity is a very upstanfing heroine, she is simple and matter of fact, practical and homely. As probably all Betty Neels heroines, she is a homemaker, fitting into the role of a wife easily, having no qualms about giving up her job for the marriage.
Usually I would be bothered by how it is an undiscussed fact to give up work, but it is appropriate for for the time and circumstances, especially considering the added bonu of basically hearing the eighty year old author narrating it in your head. I love how you can feel that this tale is told by a nice, elderly lady.
My only complaint is that Betty Neels is very heavily relying on description. Not even just for surroundings but she sometimes presents scenes in description instead of in dialogue, which makes it harder to connect with the main characters. On the other hand, I really appreciate the glimpses at the hero's evenings and the occasional half sentence on the little things the heroine does not see happening but we do.
All in all, I conclude that my reading experience was greatly enhanced when I discovered that the storyteller is an old lady and I consider The Final Touch a warm embrace of lovely, very proper and old fashioned love story.
Charity is a young British nurse in Amsterdam, her heart broken after her first infatuation. She loves the job, but the guy is the bane of her existence till a Professor from the burns ward gently coaxes her away from her unhappy place, giving her friendship and family. Charity is a very upstanfing heroine, she is simple and matter of fact, practical and homely. As probably all Betty Neels heroines, she is a homemaker, fitting into the role of a wife easily, having no qualms about giving up her job for the marriage.
Usually I would be bothered by how it is an undiscussed fact to give up work, but it is appropriate for for the time and circumstances, especially considering the added bonu of basically hearing the eighty year old author narrating it in your head. I love how you can feel that this tale is told by a nice, elderly lady.
My only complaint is that Betty Neels is very heavily relying on description. Not even just for surroundings but she sometimes presents scenes in description instead of in dialogue, which makes it harder to connect with the main characters. On the other hand, I really appreciate the glimpses at the hero's evenings and the occasional half sentence on the little things the heroine does not see happening but we do.
All in all, I conclude that my reading experience was greatly enhanced when I discovered that the storyteller is an old lady and I consider The Final Touch a warm embrace of lovely, very proper and old fashioned love story.
November 8, 2020
I read this one after meeting Tyco and Charity in another Betty Neels book. This wasn't one of Betty's best in my opinion, but still not bad. The twin daughters of Tyco were cute and sweet. Charity's family were not involved in most of the book, just her stepsister at the end. It's the ending that I had problems with. It seemed a little less than believable that Charity would act so untrusting of her new husband. The earlier parts of the book were more romantic and enjoyable.
August 2, 2018
Lovely
If you enjoy your romances light, clean, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
If you enjoy your romances light, clean, fluffy and vintage then you will enjoy the wonderful work of Betty Neels
January 13, 2018
3.5*
I really like both Tyco and Charity. Poor Charity was conned by the playboy doctor into coming to Amsterdam, but it was great that everyone knew what a cad he was and sympathy was with Charity.
Tyco was a really nice hero, and his work was admirable. I love his twin girls! So glad his staff was loyal and lovely too.
My favourite bits n this book is all the cozy moments the twists of them spent together. Be it the first meals, or their companionable silence sitting together after dinner or talking in the kitchen after his late nights. I am always thrilled when he made it home for lunch and tea in the playroom. He's such a darling of a father! Kudos to him and Miss Bloom that the girls are not spoilt but happy and sweet children.
As with all tragic heroines, our Charity was not only unlucky in love, but cursed with an unfeeling stepmother who took all her father's money, and still gave her a nasty and evil b!tch of a stepsister!
But her role was important.
SPOILERS!!!
Eunice making a play for Tyco made Charity realise she loved him! Nothing like jealousy to make feelings clear. Sneaky Tyco, using Eunice to make Charity jealous! What I disliked though was when his plan worked, did he rejoice in Charity feeling jealous thus showing she liked him more than as a friend? No! He took the moral high ground that she did not trust him and was cool to Charity for a couple of days...adding unnecessary stress and angst. But we love reading angst...and how providential that she gave him back a taste of his own meds, when he thought she had an assignation with the jerk doctor in hospital, when it was only a chance meeting.
The ending was so perfect, the twins asking for a little brother! First hint of sex in a BN book haha! Indeed the title made sense; a baby would be the "final touch" to wedded bliss! Aww...
PS. When Tyco found out Charity used his family as an excuse to boot Eunice out of their home-or the b!tch would have stayed on indefinitely!- I thought Tyco would have really surprised her by inviting his family for real. The the family could show their love and support for Charity in full force! Oh well Tyco just prepared the staff to support Charity's story hehe... The girls were good judges of character!
I really like both Tyco and Charity. Poor Charity was conned by the playboy doctor into coming to Amsterdam, but it was great that everyone knew what a cad he was and sympathy was with Charity.
Tyco was a really nice hero, and his work was admirable. I love his twin girls! So glad his staff was loyal and lovely too.
My favourite bits n this book is all the cozy moments the twists of them spent together. Be it the first meals, or their companionable silence sitting together after dinner or talking in the kitchen after his late nights. I am always thrilled when he made it home for lunch and tea in the playroom. He's such a darling of a father! Kudos to him and Miss Bloom that the girls are not spoilt but happy and sweet children.
As with all tragic heroines, our Charity was not only unlucky in love, but cursed with an unfeeling stepmother who took all her father's money, and still gave her a nasty and evil b!tch of a stepsister!
But her role was important.
SPOILERS!!!
Eunice making a play for Tyco made Charity realise she loved him! Nothing like jealousy to make feelings clear. Sneaky Tyco, using Eunice to make Charity jealous! What I disliked though was when his plan worked, did he rejoice in Charity feeling jealous thus showing she liked him more than as a friend? No! He took the moral high ground that she did not trust him and was cool to Charity for a couple of days...adding unnecessary stress and angst. But we love reading angst...and how providential that she gave him back a taste of his own meds, when he thought she had an assignation with the jerk doctor in hospital, when it was only a chance meeting.
The ending was so perfect, the twins asking for a little brother! First hint of sex in a BN book haha! Indeed the title made sense; a baby would be the "final touch" to wedded bliss! Aww...
PS. When Tyco found out Charity used his family as an excuse to boot Eunice out of their home-or the b!tch would have stayed on indefinitely!- I thought Tyco would have really surprised her by inviting his family for real. The the family could show their love and support for Charity in full force! Oh well Tyco just prepared the staff to support Charity's story hehe... The girls were good judges of character!
February 14, 2019
I like almost all of Betty Neels' novels. They are clean, with believable heroines who have character and don't sit around waiting for Prince Charming. Most of the heroes are at least OK and often the hero has some vulnerabilities that keep him from the heroine. Plus all her books are 100% clean, no smut, no vulgar language.
The Final Touch brings Charity, a hard-working English nurse together with Tyco, a rich Dutch doctor; they marry in order to provide Tyco's daughters with a mother. The conflicts are due to neither one realizing they are falling in love, because Tyco is so much older and fears Charity is still attracted to the cad she had fallen for earlier, and Charity believes her poisonous step sister's lies. Of course everything works out and we have a lovely, happy ending.
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/the...
The Final Touch brings Charity, a hard-working English nurse together with Tyco, a rich Dutch doctor; they marry in order to provide Tyco's daughters with a mother. The conflicts are due to neither one realizing they are falling in love, because Tyco is so much older and fears Charity is still attracted to the cad she had fallen for earlier, and Charity believes her poisonous step sister's lies. Of course everything works out and we have a lovely, happy ending.
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/the...
August 25, 2012
I met Tyco & Charity van der Brons in The Happy Meeting. I really wanted to know more about them. So I was delighted to find their story in The Final Touch.
I was a bit disappointed at the copy editing though. In this book, the twins are 10 & adorable. Not a lot of trouble went into forming their characters, but still they were an integral part of the book. In The Happy Meeting they were 5 & negligible. I know that book was not about the van der Brons', but it still irked me a little. In this book they live in Amsterdam, in the other they live in Friesland. Not sure what Tyco's specialty was in the other book, it may not have been mentioned.
I still gave this book a 5 because I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a little spice in this one that isn't usually a part of Betty Neels' books.
I was a bit disappointed at the copy editing though. In this book, the twins are 10 & adorable. Not a lot of trouble went into forming their characters, but still they were an integral part of the book. In The Happy Meeting they were 5 & negligible. I know that book was not about the van der Brons', but it still irked me a little. In this book they live in Amsterdam, in the other they live in Friesland. Not sure what Tyco's specialty was in the other book, it may not have been mentioned.
I still gave this book a 5 because I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a little spice in this one that isn't usually a part of Betty Neels' books.
April 27, 2013
A really sweet marriage of convenience of the typical Betty Neels style. The hero is a widower with twin girls and he of course needs Charity to be a mother to his girls and a staid wife to himself. It takes a little while for the heroine to realise how she feels as she starts off in love with a rather worthless young man who was the reason for her coming to Holland.
Tyco is the usual large and handsome surgeon. In this case his speciality is Burns and some of the mentions of procedures are quite interesting from the nursing point of view.
I found myself getting a little emotional with the ending of this one. It was nicely done in the pure and wholesome way you expect from the author.
Tyco is the usual large and handsome surgeon. In this case his speciality is Burns and some of the mentions of procedures are quite interesting from the nursing point of view.
I found myself getting a little emotional with the ending of this one. It was nicely done in the pure and wholesome way you expect from the author.
January 28, 2018
A marriage of convenience story that involves Doctor/Consultant Tyco van der Brons and Nurse Charity Pearson.
Charity is working in Holland at the invitation of Cor van Kamp. She had hopes of furthering a relationship with him but as she discovers, Cor is a despicable liar that is only making a fool of her.
Tyco van der Brons is a widow with young twin daughters and sees Charity as a candidate for the perfect wife and mother. The two marry in the midst of the antics of Cor van Kamp and Charity's vicious step-sister, Eunice. Despite interference from two terrible outside forces, Charity has high hopes that someday the marriage will become a real one.
Charity is working in Holland at the invitation of Cor van Kamp. She had hopes of furthering a relationship with him but as she discovers, Cor is a despicable liar that is only making a fool of her.
Tyco van der Brons is a widow with young twin daughters and sees Charity as a candidate for the perfect wife and mother. The two marry in the midst of the antics of Cor van Kamp and Charity's vicious step-sister, Eunice. Despite interference from two terrible outside forces, Charity has high hopes that someday the marriage will become a real one.
December 21, 2020
The heroine was not nearly as over-the-top/ annoying as many of Betty Neels' heroines. In fact, I really liked Charity and her issues first with the cad who played with her emotions and then with the surgeon who "hired" her as his wife to take care of his children & make his home pleasant.
I liked that you got both Charity's viewpoint *and* Tyco's, so you can see their changing emotions.
Note to self: This is the one where the h rescues 2 babies from a fire & her hands are burned. Stepsister is a model.
I liked that you got both Charity's viewpoint *and* Tyco's, so you can see their changing emotions.
Note to self: This is the one where the h rescues 2 babies from a fire & her hands are burned. Stepsister is a model.
September 1, 2013
It had all the right elements that makes readers come back to read more of this author's book even though they are very similar as far the plot, the characters, the age difference,.... I enjoyed reading about the twins.
November 22, 2021
This was just like any other BN novels where hero is a rich handsome doctor and heroine is a nurse with ordinary looks and no bank balance.
The hero tyco is a widow with twin daughters who badly need a women’s presence in their life as their governess has resigned.
Heroine charity is a nurse working in England when she meets a doctor from holland named Cor , he is a womaniser and just for fun plays with Charity’s emotions. Poor charity believes he is in love with her and leaves her job to take up nurse’s post in the hospital in Holland where Cor works. She soon realises his intentions but she cannot quit the job as she has signed 6 months contract.
Cor seems to pop up in front of her always and tried to make fun of her, calling Charity foolish to fall for his trap. Charity puts up a brave face. Tyco is a plastic surgeon in the same hospital and one day sees charity crying in a corner. He offers her support takes her out for coffee, subsequently to lunch to his house.
His daughters take to charity at once and tyco after a few meetings proposes a marriage of convenience to Charity which she accepts as she is fond of twins.
Finally the 2 realise their love for each other especially when Charity’s step sister Eunice a model comes to meet them and tries to snatch Tyco from her.
Charity in her jealousy says a good deal to Tyco who is surprised by her outburst and they finally seal it with a kiss and a love confession and ends with the twins demanding a little brother asap.
The hero tyco is a widow with twin daughters who badly need a women’s presence in their life as their governess has resigned.
Heroine charity is a nurse working in England when she meets a doctor from holland named Cor , he is a womaniser and just for fun plays with Charity’s emotions. Poor charity believes he is in love with her and leaves her job to take up nurse’s post in the hospital in Holland where Cor works. She soon realises his intentions but she cannot quit the job as she has signed 6 months contract.
Cor seems to pop up in front of her always and tried to make fun of her, calling Charity foolish to fall for his trap. Charity puts up a brave face. Tyco is a plastic surgeon in the same hospital and one day sees charity crying in a corner. He offers her support takes her out for coffee, subsequently to lunch to his house.
His daughters take to charity at once and tyco after a few meetings proposes a marriage of convenience to Charity which she accepts as she is fond of twins.
Finally the 2 realise their love for each other especially when Charity’s step sister Eunice a model comes to meet them and tries to snatch Tyco from her.
Charity in her jealousy says a good deal to Tyco who is surprised by her outburst and they finally seal it with a kiss and a love confession and ends with the twins demanding a little brother asap.
January 28, 2020
Charity thought she was in love with young Cor Van Kamp, she leaves her job in London to take up a new nursing job in Holland hoping for a better further with Cor, but things do not go to plan. In Charity time of need consultant Tyco Van der Brons steps in with a helping hand and gentle touch.
When Tyco van der Brons asks for her hand in marriage Charity accepts and becomes a mother to his two children. Charity thought she understood love but finds that Tyco has awakened a need she does not understand until its to late.
Will Charity have a happy every after with Tyco and his Children, why not read and find out.
When Tyco van der Brons asks for her hand in marriage Charity accepts and becomes a mother to his two children. Charity thought she understood love but finds that Tyco has awakened a need she does not understand until its to late.
Will Charity have a happy every after with Tyco and his Children, why not read and find out.
November 1, 2023
I wondered at first why it was listed as a marriage of convenience. I read about the h meeting the H at the hospital, a failed relationship, H being sympathetic, them going for lunch etc etc seemed like a meet cute set up. But as the story progressed you started to slowly understand Charity and feel the absence. I found I enjoyed it more than two strangers who feel nothing but dislike for each other get married for material reasons. There was no drawn out misunderstanding, wild secret, or deep insecurity pushing them apart and the plot forward. Instead the conflict was the long hesitant road to emotional intimacy and mutual understanding; I liked it.
August 15, 2022
The Final Touch
A typical feel-good Betty Neels story. I recommend any of Betty's stories. No major complications, no mystery, no foolin' around, no threats or fantasy. When I'm tired of the dark romance or murder mystery stories I read a few of Betty Neels' stories, clear my mind and get grounded in a simpler storyline.
A typical feel-good Betty Neels story. I recommend any of Betty's stories. No major complications, no mystery, no foolin' around, no threats or fantasy. When I'm tired of the dark romance or murder mystery stories I read a few of Betty Neels' stories, clear my mind and get grounded in a simpler storyline.
September 27, 2023
What a hero: amiable, placid, uncommunicative and unavailable. Who could ask for more?
What a heroine: plain as could be, submissive, insecure, but very brave.
Obviously, a match made in heaven. He was so generous with his time, because he gave her half an hour in which he pledged his love, his Fidelity and his life.
What a heroine: plain as could be, submissive, insecure, but very brave.
Obviously, a match made in heaven. He was so generous with his time, because he gave her half an hour in which he pledged his love, his Fidelity and his life.
January 18, 2018
Wonderful story
Another great story by Betty Neels. Of course I read the sequel to this one first but it really didn't make a big difference.
Another great story by Betty Neels. Of course I read the sequel to this one first but it really didn't make a big difference.
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