Book Review: A Christmas Wish by Betty Neels

 A Christmas Wish. Betty Neels. Harlequin (1995). 192 pages. Genre:  Romance.

First Lines:  "The dim and dusty Records Office, tucked away in the depths of the hospital, was hardly a cheerful place in which to work, but the girl going back and forth between the long rows of shelves sounded cheerful enough, singing a medley of tunes as she sorted the folders into their right places with the ease of long practice."

Summary:  Olivia Harding feels fortunate to have her job in the Records Office of the hospital.  She has no training that qualifies her for any particular job.  But she is willing to work hard and learn new things.  She and her mother are living with her grandmother, who never lets them forget the favor she has done them.  Soon, she will marry Rodney and won't need to worry about a job or a place to live.  However, Olivia is beginning to wonder whether marrying Rodney is the right thing.  He keeps putting off their marriage until he gets the right job, or gets his flat just like he wants it, or gets a new car. 

Haso van der Eisler, a surgeon consulting at the hospital, visits the Records Office to pick up some notes on a patient.  He notices Olivia's politeness and cheery outlook on life.  When he learns a few weeks later that she has been made redundant, he contacts someone he knows who has connections at a school.  He doesn't want Olivia to know that he has made arrangements for her to get work.  

Olivia takes the job as a "jill-of-all-trades" at a boarding school.  Mr. van der Eisler's goddaughter, Nel, attends the school and when he arrives to pick her up Olivia is surprised to see him.  As the weeks go on, Olivia finds she looks forward to seeing Mr. van der Eisler, but believes he has no interest in her.   And why should he when the beautiful Rita, mother of Nel, would be happy to marry him.  Mr. van der Eisler however, has no interest in marrying Rita.  He finds himself offering to pick up his goddaughter in the hope that he will see Olivia.  With Rita standing in the way, will the two be able to get together?

My thoughts:  My sister gifted me this book, recommending this author as one of her favorites.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I am so glad she recommended it.  The author, Betty Neels, began writing after retiring from nursing.  

"She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind still sought stimulation.  Her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels."

I loved Olivia.  She was a humble, hard-working young woman.  The job she gets at the school has her doing all kinds of things, from washing the little girls' hair, to cleaning, to leading them in outdoor games. She does all of it without complaining and ends most days completely exhausted.  She cares deeply about her mother and her comfort and hopes to provide a place for her to live someday.

Olivia's grandmother is a severe, unlikeable woman.  She is disappointed that Olivia isn't small and meek like her mother, but rather took after her father.  She constantly picks at Olivia, 

"Really, Olivia, your hair is badly in need of a brush, and is that plastic bag you are carrying really necessary?"

Mr. van der Eisler is a perfect gentleman.  He is a skilled surgeon that comes from a wealthy family.  Originally from Holland, his family still has a home there.  He keeps a flat in England as well.  His goddaughter is the daughter of his best friend who was killed in an accident.  He loves her dearly and plays a large part in her life.  Rita, the wife of his best friend, figures he would be a good catch.  He is wealthy and he would let her do what she wants.  However, she cares more about her career than her daughter.  

This would be considered a "chaste" or "clean" romance as there is nothing more than kissing in this story, which I appreciated.

My favorite parts of this story were the descriptions of the landscape, homes and meals.  All those details that I love in a story.  The author's writing reminded me of Rosamunde Pilcher.  

This was a great story, full of interesting characters and charming descriptions.  

Quotes:

"The pleasure of sitting in one's own small home, drinking a last cup of tea before getting into bed, was by no means overrated."

"The dining-room was on the other side of the hall.  Not a large room, it held a circular mahogany table with ribbon-back chairs around it, a side-table holding some massive silver pieces, and a Regency fireplace with a carriage clock on the mantel above it.  The curtains were a rich plum velvet and the floor polished wood.  A lovely room in which to have a meal, reflected Olivia, sitting down and accepting the soup Becky set before her."

"It was cold but fine weather and they took advantage of the peace and quiet to go for long walks, finding a village pub for lunch and getting back to the annexe in time to cook their supper and spent the evening together catching up on gossip."

"It gave her a chance to inspect the house from the outside.  It had a solid front, crowned with a wide gable, with neat rows of windows on either side of a vast front door and smaller windows higher up across its face.  Round the back there were two narrow wings, almost enclosing what she thought might be a lawn once the snow cleared, and at one end a large conservatory.  There were outbuildings too, and a brick wall, the same faded colour as the house, running away into the distance.  The fields were hardly visible, for the snow was falling steadily and was already deep underfoot."