Back Cover: "Clotilde Collins has worked with Dr. James Thackery at busy St. Alma's Hospital in London for three years, but she's never considered their relationship as anything more than solidly professional.
Then tragedy strikes and James steps in to take charge of Clotilde's shattered world, offering her his unhesitating comfort and support.
How easy it would be to fall in love with him.
Except he's already committed to another woman......"
This is another of Ms. Neels' highly satisfying stories about the tall handsome mature doctor and the warm, devoted competent Sister that has not any idea of his feelings for her. This time the Sister is tall and striking and dating another doctor. But the hero has been very patient and has been a quietly helpful friend. The book also has all the lovely other Neels ingredients such as lifetime servants who are family, wonderful siblings and companion pets.

'Waiting in the Wings' is a departure from Doreen Tovey's usual style of writing and approach to her subject matter. This book is the culmination of the development of the theme of the life she lived with her husband Charles and their animals in the Mendip Hills of Somerset and consequently is one of the best she has produced so far. Unlike most of her previous works which focus mainly on the idiosyncrasies of the cats and Annabel, the donkey, the focus of this book merges with that of her relationship with Charles. His death and the gradual process of adjusting to a life without him are the main theme of this book. As the author comes to terms with her loss she learns how life continues to go on yet never losing the feeling that Charles is never far away. Her natural and easy humour that is a well known trademark of her earlier works is still very much in evidence as she adjusts to learning new skills and asserts her determination to continue living in her isolated cottage. The cats and Annabel continue to provide plenty of embarrassing and wonderful moments as well as sadness but throughout the book Mrs Tovey never looses hope. Her struggles with learning to drive, holidays with her caravan, whitwashing and redecorating the cottage, her researches into her husband's family tree, encounters with spiritualism and interest in the life of T.E. Lawrence are just some of the many incidents and activities she continued to be involoved with after Charles's death. Her friendship with Derek and Jean Tangye (of the Minack Chronicles) and Joyce Fussey (author of the Westwath books) is mentioned for the first time along with her continuing interest in the happenings of people she encounters in her everyday life, especially her Aunt Louisa and neighbours in the village. This work is not only inspirational and entertaining but also is evident of Mrs Tovey's matured style without losing sight of the humour that is so characteristic of all her earlier works and one looks forward to what else she will produce in the future.

This novel is a very sweet romance. I prefer strong character development and actual romance to heaving bosoms and inappropriate-for-time-period morals, so this is right up my alley.

Betty Neels has written many doctor-nurse romances (or doctor-typist, in this case). Charity is a typist at a hospital who is hired by Dr. Wyllie-Lyons, a reserved and gentlemanly doctor. While working for him, they fall in love and enjoy a gentle, old-fashioned courtship. While Charity is a bit too much of a dependent character for my tastes, the book is still very cute. The characters could be a bit stronger, but overall this book was a fun way to pass an afternoon.

Did you ever have one of those days, you just needed a pick me up? This is the perfect book. The story flows so smoothly, you just can't put it down. In typical Betty Neels style, there's nothing to make you blush, it is a wonderful romantic love story that makes you smile and wish all men could be like this one. She adds humor with a gentle touch, you just want to grab all her books, your most comfy clothes, and curl up for the day.

Real historical fiction. An intelligent heroine, good characters, intrigue, and spies. Good fun, well written.