A Star Looks Down

by Betty Neels

Book Overview

Professor Alexander van Zeust's sister was ill, and her four young children needed someone to care for them. He asked Beth Partridge-- kind, capable, sensible Beth--to watch them for a week. She did a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373833962
• ISBN13: 9780373833962
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Another Winner from Betty Neels

Nurse Beth Partridge first meets Professor Alexander van Zeust when she literally runs into him while riding her bicycle. After that, it seems like she keeps bumping into him since he is doing some surgery and consulting at the hospital she works at. Beth enjoys their encounters and she has feelings for him that she can't explain. When Alexander offers Beth the chance to go nurse his sister, Martina, who just had her appendix removed and take care of Martina's four young children, Beth jumps at the chance. She's been feeling a bit restless in her job and is tired of living in a cramped apartment with her brother William. She grew up in the country and misses it. Beth realizes that she may see Alex while taking care of Martina and her children and looks forward to their encounters, although she's not sure why. As for Alex, he's old enough to know what he wants and patient enough to wait for Beth to realize what her true feelings are. "A Star Looks Down" is another delightful romance from Betty Neels. She used one of her basic plot lines - rich, handsome Dutch doctor falls in love with plain, but feisty, English nurse - and did what she did best with that plot line, create an enjoyable, sweet romance. Beth is a nice heroine - a bit put upon by older step brother Philip who basically took her beloved house in the country away from her and by younger brother William who has a habit of borrowing money from her - but very loving and caring. She's so used to being told that she is plain that she doesn't realize how wonderful her hair and eyes are, which makes her an endearing heroine. Professor Alexander Van Zeust is the kind of hero that only exists in Betty Neels novels - a very talented doctor, very rich, owner of several large and beautifully furnished homes in several countries, in love with Beth and willing to take his time until she realizes she is in love with him. The supporting characters are well written. William is a bit selfish, but harmless unlike Phillip who is a true villain; Alexander's sister Martina is a bit spoiled, but a loving mother; and the children are all sweet and adorable, with Dirk, the oldest, the real standout, as he seems to be a real child, with real feelings and faults. The romance between Beth and Alexander is nicely done, but very old-fashioned. Romance readers who want more than chaste kisses between the hero and heroine, won't find it in a Betty Neels book. "A Star Looks Down" is another winner from Betty Neels.

She Ran Into Him On Her Way to Work, Literally (5+ stars)

A HELPING HAND AND A KIND HEART - BETH HAD BOTH, BUT WOULD THEY WIN HER LOVE? Professor Alexander van Zeust's sister was ill, and her four young children needed caring for. He asked Beth Partridge - kind, capable, sensible Beth - to take charge of them for a week. She made a splendid job of it, so one week extended to two, and then longer... The professor was happy, the children loved Beth, and their mother knew they were in good hands. Everyone was happy - except Beth. She had fallen in love with her remote employer, but he wasn't likely to be interested in her. She wanted to return to her hospital job, away from all the emotional turmoil, but how when she was needed by the children? In this "rich good-looking Dutch/British Doctor & plain British Nurse story" Recovery Room Staff Nurse Beth Partridge literally runs into Professor Alexander van Zeust early one morning while trying to report to work on time. They continually meet or are thrown together by chance. An unsuspecting and humble Beth has no idea that "chance" is assisted not by "fate" but by a very patient and determined Alexander. The subtle manner in which he "provides opportunities" to be around her while waiting for her to fall in love with him provides a pleasant, sweet story. To add drama to this story Beth contributes an evil older step-brother and a somewhat selfish younger brother; while Alexander adds a somewhat spoiled sister with a misbehaving, naughty nephew. This is a typical feel-good Betty Neels story that provides a pleasant afternoon read with a few smiles.