COVER: Dr. Walle van der Tacx was a very attractive man! When he offered Philomena a nursing job in Holland, she jumped at it--surely it would mean that she could see more of him? It didn't take her long to realize her mistake, and to discover that there was no point in entertaining romantic thoughts about the doctor. When it was clearly just a question of time before he married pretty, vivacious Tritia, it would take a miracle for him to notice plain, competent Philomena, who had nothing but a kind heart to recommend her!
I enjoy Betty Neels' books, and, for me, this is one of her finest stories. In it, we have a stepmother, two very pretty stepsisters, and Tritia, a young cousin to the doctor and another pretty rival. I always felt that, although she was described as "plain," Philomena was was not so much "plain" as she was "overwhelmed" by her pretty family and Tritia. Certainly, we see in the end that the doctor did not feel that she was "plain," and he loved her deeply, despite the fact that Tritia's mother does her best to end the relationship. The interchange between the two main characters is very sweet, and it seemed to me that their dialog was a little "warmer" with each other than in most of Ms. Neels' books. This story satisfies that desire for a truly happy ending! I recommend this one highly!
I enjoy Betty Neels' books, and, for me, this is one of her finest stories. In it, we have a stepmother, two very pretty stepsisters, and Tritia, a young cousin to the doctor and another pretty rival. I always felt that, although she was described as "plain," Philomena was was not so much "plain" as she was "overwhelmed" by her pretty family and Tritia. Certainly, we see in the end that the doctor did not feel that she was "plain," and he loved her deeply, despite the fact that Tritia's mother does her best to end the relationship. The interchange between the two main characters is very sweet, and it seemed to me that their dialog was a little "warmer" with each other than in most of Ms. Neels' books. This story satisfies that desire for a truly happy ending! I recommend this one highly!
