Cassandra by Chance

I own over 100 of Betty Neels books...I appreciate the fact that you can count on Betty to keep it clean. Not all of her books are fabulous, but Cassandra by Chance is a real gem - it would definitely make it in my list of top 10 Betty Neels books. ...Cassandra Darling, newly minted nurse, goes to Scotland to tend her sister Rachel's kids - ages 5 and 6. While taking Andrew and Penny (the kids) for a walk, Cassandra and the kids come across an isolated cottage. And now we get the best, the very best, the most phenomenal name for a house ever...."Ogre's Relish". At least, that's the name that Andrew and Penny gave it. Andrew says, "There's a man lives there, and one day I heard Mrs. Todd telling Mrs. MacGill that he relished his peace and quiet, and of course he's an ogre because no one's ever seen him." (If I ever own a cottage, I shall call it "Ogre's Relish". Much better than "Rainbow's End", "Wisteria Lodge" or "Rose Cottage". It would be much easier to neglect the gardening around a house called Ogre's Relish, in fact it might even be a moral imperative.)

Book Description: 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? This wonderful story is a different Good-Looking Rich Dutch Doctor / Plain Nurse Neels story. She combines her best hero/heroine combination with a slightly different slant on the health issue, the usual lack of self-confidence due to lack of looks, small town gossip, the imagination of two children, with a dash of humor. The story admirably deals with the frustration of what may be a life altering health issue with the ability to rob Benedict of something he dearly treasures - his surgical career. Though he rescues her saving her from drowning -- ultimately, she may just rescue him. . .

The reviewer from GA has given the plot description in her review. This is an unusual and different story then I'm used to from Ms. Neels. In this one the doctor has a disability. Cassandra is smart, caring and strong. Nice story, good plot, a better than average Neels book.

BACK COVER: He needed her as a nurse, not a woman.Benedict van Manfeld really was one of the surliest, most unfriendly men Cassandra had ever met ! But then she learned he was a brilliant Dutch surgeon who had severely damaged his sight in an accident, and her attitude changed. He didn't know if he would ever see again, so when he asked her to go to Holland with him as his nurse, she agreed ....... and soon began to feel rather more than sympathy for him. But with his close friend Paula nearby, why should he even notice Cassandra ?This book deviates from Ms. Neels' standard plot lines, and does so beautifully. The heroine thinks she is a plain girl with nothing special about her, when in truth her compassionate, giving soul is truly wonderful. She meets the hero on a compassionate mercy mission to be a good neighbor, refuses to pity him or indulge in his private pity party, and then continues to show her understanding and warmth. The hero is smart enough to keep her close, and eventually comes to cherish her inner beauty. He knows that it will not matter what she looks like if his sight comes back. She fears just the opposite. She is sure that when he can see how plain she is he will leave her behind. Let's hear it for the good guys ! And for the really important kind of beauty in this world - the inner beauty seen through a person's actions and in their eyes.This will be a true treat for devoted Neels fans and an engaging read for new fans ! :)

I am an avid fan of Betty Neels books. Not every single book is my favorite I would say this one will be added to the list of ones. The doctor in this book had physical limitations which was unusual and refreshing. I loved the way they interacted with candor, wit and humor. I liked the way the doctor had a way of humbling himself in this story. It is still a classic Betty Neels. A wonderful read that I am sure that I will read again and again.