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The Hasty Marriage

Betty Neels

First published 1994 · 243 pages

A comforting, slow-burn marriage of convenience steeped in quiet longing and cozy domestic details.

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What it feels like

Reading this is like wrapping yourself in a familiar, comforting blanket on a rainy afternoon. It moves at a leisurely, soothing pace, trading high-stakes drama for the quiet, simmering angst of a marriage of convenience. The atmosphere is deeply nostalgic and cozy, anchored by endless cups of tea, sensible tweed skirts, and the reassuring presence of a stoic, imposing Dutch doctor. The emotional texture relies on the heroine's quiet dignity and practical nature as she navigates feelings of inadequacy and a manipulative sibling. It is a gentle, restrained romance that delights readers who crave vintage, low-angst love stories where steadfast devotion and quiet competence ultimately triumph over flashy superficiality, culminating in a deeply satisfying, warm-hearted resolution.

Mood
  • cozy
  • quietly angsty
  • comforting
  • nostalgic
Tone
  • earnest
  • gentle
  • traditional
  • restrained
Pace
leisurely
Themes
marriage of convenience · quiet devotion · sibling rivalry · hidden depths · domestic comfort
The writing
Quaint and soothingly detailed, lingering affectionately on comforting meals, sensible clothing, and the quiet rhythms of daily life.
The arc
The protagonist moves from quiet resignation in the shadow of her sister to claiming her own worth and securing a deeply rooted love.
Who it's for
Readers seeking a gentle, vintage romance where quiet competence wins the day and the angst is softened by endless cups of tea.
Content notes
  • emotional manipulation
  • feelings of inadequacy

About the book

Which sister would he marry? Laura had always been used to taking second place to her pretty, younger sister, Joyce. If Joyce wanted something, she got it! It was therefore, no surprise to Laura that when she fell in love with the attractive Dutch doctor Reilof van Meerum, he chose Joyce instead. When Joyce walked out on him to marry another, richer man, Reilof asked Laura to marry him instead. He needed a wife and Laura it seemed, would do as well as anyone, so she accepted, but could she really expect to be happy with a man who did not love her? And months later..... Joyce smiled at Laura. "You can have him for a month or two, just while I divorce Larry, then all you'll have to do is to leave Reilof and he can divorce you. He'll see that you're provided for." Laura listened with growing rage. It was like being in a hideous nightmare. She wouldn't give up Reilof without a fight unless he really did love Joyce, then...well, then she didn't know what she would do?

Description from Open Library.

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