REVIEW: Cassandra by Chance by Betty Neels
He needed her as a nurse, not a woman
Benedict van Manfeld was one of the surliest, most unfriendly men Cassandra had ever met. But when she learned he was a brilliant Dutch surgeon who had severely damaged his sight in an accident, her attitude changed. Benedict asked Cassandra to go to Holland with him as his nurse. She agreed and soon began to feel something deeper than sympathy for him. But with his close friend Paula nearby, why should he even notice Cassandra?
CW – There is a Polish concentration camp survivor character who briefly discusses his past. It is understood that in one crash scene, a child has died.
Review
After a few rough personal weeks and having finished a string of anticipated books that hadn’t worked for me as well as I had hoped they would, I realized I needed something certain, a sure bet. Yep, time to pull out a Betty Neels book. I knew exactly what I was going to get but darn it, sometimes you need that.
Cassandra is just finishing her training at a London hospital when her sister calls and tentatively asks if Cassandra might be able to look after her (totally adorable) niece and nephew while Rachel and husband Tom jet off to Greece for six weeks. Tom’s just finished a book (Roman Empire and he never wants to do another one. Too much research). Afraid she’ll get in a rut if she takes the offer to work in men’s medical, Cassandra jumps at the chance. She’s thinking she’d like to take a midwifery course but she has time.
During a walk through the Scottish countryside (in tweeds, woolens, and wellies), Andrew points out Ogre’s Relish – the name he and Penny have coined for the house where a recluse is staying. Thinking the recluse might enjoy a cake or pie (or both, she’s a good baker), Cassandra heads up one day while the children are in school. The reception is chilly, to say the least. From his dark glasses she can tell the Ogre obviously has trouble with his sight. Today a person’s response to him might be “Rude!” Cassandra politely tells him that he is, drops her cake offering, and then walks out. Rude Ogre – through his man Jan – sends letters which Cassandra rips up. Undaunted, Mejnheer shows up at her door. And thus starts their courtship only Cassandra doesn’t know it.
After a while she’s reading him medical journals (he’s a ENT surgeon and Jan has trouble with the medical terms), still baking (until she discovers that he gets hampers from Fortnum and Mason so he’s not hard up for money and needing her to feed him), putting up with his tempers, and learning to be wary when his tone turns silky. That’s when she knows he’s amused at something and about to skillfully have his way. His latest “way” is to get Cassandra to accompany them back to Holland where it’s time for Benedict to have his eyes checked to see if his optic nerve has healed and he might be able to resume his career.
Of course he has a lovely home and devoted housekeeper (Miep), there’s vague mention of a cat (but no name), a friendly coworker, and scads of lovely young Dutch women who come calling – conveniently after Benedict gets the medical all clear. Tante Beatrix and Jan have opinions about them. Benedict does too and often uses Cassandra as a screen. Also conveniently the eye doctor needs a nurse for about ten days and guess who’s now free? But will Benedict ever come clean about his feelings or will Cassandra’s willful misunderstanding of his personal situation keep them apart? Thank goodness Benedict did a tricky surgery a year ago on an employee at Schiphol.
So we start on Oban, shift to the Netherlands, deal with snowy winter weather, and Benedict’s tempers. Cassandra snaps back at him though so I didn’t mind them if she didn’t. The All Hands tragedy is a boat collision that calls for Cassandra and Benedict (him cheerful, her slightly nauseous) to be tendered out and then Cassandra hauled around from boat to boat after Benedict. Crisp and professional Cassandra manages to lend a hand at the ophthalmologist’s office despite not speaking Dutch while Benedict tries to sound her out and make sure she’s not a gold digger. Oh, the misunderstandings. Oh, the frustration. Oh, the friends who try and help Benedict’s courtship. Of course all’s well that ends well and it was just what I needed to reset my mood. Thanks, Betty. B
~Jayne
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Jayne–lovey review.
Betty rarely fails to soothe one’s spirit and restore calm. Always accompanied by a pot of tea and a sweet or two, of course!
@Barb in Maryland: As long as the sweet has lashings of cream. ☺
I always turn to Betty when I’ve had one of those “I can’t bear another moment of …” days. This title has been packed away for so long that I don’t recall the plot. That will make it extra pleasant to re-read.
I think I have almost all of the Neels’ books now. They are absolutely comfort re-reading for me.
@LML: “Betty, take me away!” (If you remember the product and commercial I’m referencing)
@Nudibranch: I think there are still a few that I don’t have but only a few. Now if only someone would get cracking on Mary Burchell’s undigitally released books …
@ Jayne, I do remember! As a kid, I thought it was corny. Now that I’m not a kid, I understand the sentiment.
@Nudibranch, like you, I have almost all of Neels’ books. Quite a few are digital, though. I’d rather have them all in paperback. I MISS used book stores and sales. Buying on-line is not nearly as satisfying.
@LML: Some days it’s Betty or wine. Betty is better for my health.
I used to have 4-5 really good USBs in my immediate area. All are gone now. There are a few left that double with selling comics and DVDs or are mostly new with a small used book section but the glory days seem to be over.
While many of the used bookstores that carried romances are sadly gone (sigh), I am fortunate to live in an area with a lot of thrift stores. I’m especially fortunate because the Saint Vincent de Paul thrift stores sort their books by genre and further by author. @Jayne, do you have that option in your area?
@Kareni: There are some thrift stores but I haven’t noticed that they have used books.
@Jayne, and yet, used paperback prices are higher than ever, so it surprises me that so many folded. I’m hoping that as COVID fades in the distance (if ever it will), more people will take a stab at opening a UBS. Think of all the book-loving, retired, bored baby boomers with funds available.
For those of you lucky enough to be in New York or LA, The Ripped Bodice stores carry used books. The Los Angeles (Culver City) shop has an upstairs room full of used books with a couple of chairs where I’ve spent some hours. I think the NY store has used books also.
If I’m not mistaken, they started out with fewer used books but found that the demand for them was high and that the profit margin was pretty good too. At one point I asked if they could be traded in and they said no, they got their used books from donations. Then I asked if I could donate some and they said they were full up on donations for the moment. So it seems that there is a real demand for both acquiring and giving away used books.
Also—in my pre e-reader days I used the Paperback Swap website a lot. Are you all familiar with it?
I’ve heard of Paperback Swap, Janine, but never used it. How neat to hear about The Ripped Bodice stores carrying used books. Perhaps one day I’ll have the opportunity to visit one of their locations.
@Janine: Oh my goodness. I didn’t know Paperback Swap was still in business. I fondly remember a yahoo group that looked for subscriber’s wanted books.