Harlequin Romance #3084: The Convenient Wife

by Betty Neels

Book Overview

Faced with no home nor family, Venetia must consider an unorthodox solution--a marriage of convenience to Duert ter Laan-Luitinga. But surely she would not be so foolish as to fall in love with him--would she? Reissue.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373030843
• ISBN13: 9780373030842
• Release Date: September 1990
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Good Read

This is one of the first Betty Neels novels that I read. I liked it and have read it several times although it is not a favorite. Most of her novels follow a formula which is fine, but this one is almost exactly the same as a couple of others. If you are just starting to read her work, that should not matter. If you have read the others, then this one may be even more predictable than usual. However, it is still a sweet, enjoyable love story.

A Marriage of Convenience ....

This review is for the March 2007 Large Print Edition (ISBN 0263198413); there was no link to review this edition. Book Description: The professor made it very clear, "You have no family, no home, and no prospect of marrying." Duert ter Laan-Luitinga told Venetia, as if she wasn't fully aware of her precarious position. His solution to the problem took her by surprise. Marriage-to him! Not a love match, of course, but a marriage of convenience. Venetia should have rejected him but strangely found herself agreeing hoping with all her heart that the stranger she was marrying would one day grow to care for her-as much as she loved him. She was plain, had no looks to speak of; her grandmother, who raised her after her parents' death, died leaving only an unknown distant cousin as her only family; she no longer had a home; and with no boyfriend or marriage prospect on the horizon. But she was a second year student nurse, a sister-like friend to everyone, and could make a career for herself. He was a consultant, eminent brain surgeon and professor, no nonsense, and medicine was his life. He came to her aid when he first met her, unaware that he would continue to show up when she had no one and needed him the most. He had no idea what continually drove him to seek her out and be there for her. Professor Duert ter Laan-Luitinga decided that a marriage of convenience to Venetia Forbes was a mutually beneficial and advantageous arrangement. She was surprised to hear herself saying yes to the marriage proposal, especially when she intended to say no. How could their marriage succeed without love?

One of Betty Neels best!

God only knows why I like these books so much but, alas I do! I am a Betty Neels addict. This was one of her best with the heroine student nurse Ventetia Forbes and the brain surgeon Duert Lan te- something. The usual Betty Neels is here: the food, the Bentley, the clothes, the BIG MISUNDERSTANDING, the house in Holland, the house in England, the servants, the jewels, the ward and the hero finally realizing that he is in love. I highly reccomend this book, I think Betty Neels is a very relaxing "vintage" read. Not sexy, but a love affair of the mind.

Cinderella in the emergency room

Back Cover description: "You have no family, no home and no prospect of marrying." That might be true, but Venetia Forbes didn't see her situation as any reason to accept Professor Duert ter Laan-Luitinga's prosaic proposal! But after tasting champagne for the first time in her life, Venetia was astounded to hear herself saying yes. "My ward needs an example of a contented, harmonious marriage." Without love Venetia was convinced their marriage might be anything but harmonious by the time young Anneta went to her aunt in America! And what would happen to their marriage then?This is another typical Betty Neels story-doctor and nurse, but I liked the way the plot moved, and the love grew between them. Though at times Duert's character could be annoying. Why a wife, why not a governess? Venetia's character was quiet and shy, but not a doormat. And the ending was slightly different--the doctor gets jealous.

ORDINARY GRAY EYES ARE THE WINDOWS OF THE SOUL

BACK COVER: The professor made it very clear.... "You have no family, no home and no prospect of marrying," Duert ter Laan-Luitinga told Venetia, as if she wasn't fully aware of her precarious position.His solution to the problem took her by surprise. Marriage - to him ! Not a love match, of course, but a marriage of convenience.Venetia should have rejected him but strangely found herself agreeing - hoping with all her heart that the stranger she was marrying would one day grow to care for her - as much as she loved him.This is another of Neels' wonderful stories about a lovely, compassionate woman making her way in the world all alone. She loses the last of her family and faces little prospect of sharing her vast reserves of compassion and kindness with anyone other than her patients. Though she considers herself plain and unremarkable, the doctor has better instincts. It may take him a while to admit all of what he has gained, and how deeply he cares, but he takes care of her and protects her from the first moment they meet. He finally proves his ability to judge true beauty and character from an ordinary pair of loving gray eyes !This is a true Betty Neels staple romance and will greatly satisfy loyal readers as well as indoctrinating and enslaving new readers of her work.

It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship

This was the book that started me on the Betty Neelscollection. I enjoyed it very much.