The Fifth Day of Christmas

By Betty Neels

Book Overview

Snowed-in somewhere in Scotland with the disturbing Ivo van den Werff, Julia Pennyfeather is in a predicament. Despite their attraction, Ivo makes it clear he already has a woman in his life. But neither of them reckon on the magic of Christmas.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373511639
• ISBN13: 9780373511631
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

A Romance With Lots of Anger

I've read at least 30 of Betty Neels novels and overall, I like them, many well enough to read over and over. This is the only one so far that I do not like. Most of the heroes are arrogant and many are at least at times bad tempered. The hero in this novel is delightful at the beginning but quickly becomes arrogant, bad tempered, and abusive. Maybe I am more sensitive to any violence against women than some, but I read these romances to get away from the horrible parts of the real world, not relive them. It is definitely personal preference though. It ends well as they always do.

One of Neels' best--a cozy winter read!

I have read almost all of Betty Neel's books and this is one of my favorites. The plot isn't deep, but the characterization is excellent, and the romance is satisfying. Yes, this is an "old-fashioned" book in that the main characters don't lust after each other nor have pre-marital sex. It is a gentle, thoughtful romance. My mom, dad, sister, and I have all read this book several times. One of the sayings that has become a joke in our family comes from the part where the old family retainer tells the couple that the "wind took the electricity," and later, we all wonder if the wind brought it back! It is the well-developed characters that make this book a classic. It is variation on the snowed-in house party theme, only in this case the characters were accidentally marooned together in a storm, and have to make do. Julia, the heroine, is an intelligent, independent nurse, and the hero is her forceful counterpart. I do wish the that the supposed "other woman" would be exposed for what she is sooner, but even with that frustration, it is still a very enjoyable book. I am glad that Harlequin re-printed it, since the old copies out there were wearing out. Now you can get a good used copy at a very reasonable price.