You Belong to Me [Mass Market Paperback]

Johanna Lindsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994

In all the world, no man exists who can tame Alexandra Rubilov. A fiery and beautiful free-thinker, Alex's steadfast refusal to marry has frustrated her hapless father. And so he creates a "long-forgotten" agreement and sends his rebellious daughter away, ly maintaining that Alexandra has been promised since childhood to the handsome, insufferable libertine whom she must now accompany to his homeland to wed.

Dismayed to find himself suddenly engaged, Count Vasili Petroff plans to repulse his unwanted fiancee by acting the perfect cad, unaware that wily Alexandra plans to follow a similar path. But the road to deception is a rocky one and its many unexpected turns can lead two reluctant companions to a most unanticipated destination: that place called passionate love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With anger and bitterness permeating nearly every page, it's doubtful Lindsey's sequel to Once a Princess will attract any new readers. Set in 1836 Russia-though the novel is conspicuously short on historic atmosphere and long on contemporary terminology-Baroness Alexandra Rubliov is a woman beyond her own time, something of a female cossack who wields a whip and breeds and trains her own line of white horses. Her unconventionality and blunt way of speaking her mind make her undesirable in the marriage market. Her desperate father presents what he swears is a long-standing betrothal between Alexandra and Count Vasili Petroff. It is, in fact, a contract of his own creation, but conveniently indisputable because Vasili's father is dead. Alexandra is incensed but honor-bound to comply. Only if the count should break the contract would she be free. So she sets out to insult and ridicule him at every turn and strives to be as physically repulsive as possible, eating like a pig and going for days without bathing. Vasili is a too-handsome man who beds women as easily as elephants eat peanuts. Of the two, however, Vasili is the more sympathetic, especially as Alexandra proves time after time, by word and deed, that she is a better man than he. Reminiscent of the movie The War of the Roses, the couple scrap it out all the way, but in the very last pages they declare a semi-peace and hope for love and romance looms on the horizon.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Her books are well-pacead and well-written, filled with strong characters, humor, interesting plots -- and, of course, romance." -- -- Cincinnati Enquirer

"Johanna Lindsey creates fairy tales that come true" -- -- Romantic Times

"Johanna Lindsey has a sure touch where historical romance is concerned." -- -- Newport News Daily Press

"Johanna Lindsey transports us....We have no choice but to respond to the humor and the intensity." -- -- San Diego Union-Tribune

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Avon; First Printing edition (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380762587
• ISBN-13: 978-0380762583
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( L ) > Lindsey, Johanna

More About the Author

johanna Lindsey is one of the most popular authors of romantic fiction, with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. World renowned for her novels of "first-rate romance" (New York Daily News), Lindsey is the author of forty-three previous bestselling novels, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Lindsey lives in Maine with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another JL favourite, May 26, 2000

By 

"shell30" - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Belong to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

You Belong to Me is a wonderful story, which is a sequel to Once A Princess. Alexandra Rubliov and Vasili Petroff are forced to honour a betrothal agreement that their fathers 'supposedly' arranged. Neither are happy about it and do their damndest to get the other to break the engagement. Set in Russian times, you can just imagine the expolsive tempers that they both have. I loved the manner in which Alexandra tried to disgust Vasili and found myself laughing as I thought that Vasili was a bit too full of himself and definitely needed taking down a peg or two. The passion that flares between them was consuming. Neither were prepared to give an inch. Most definitely a keeper, as are all of JL's books (even the odd bad one). This is yet another JL book that I read over and over again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vasili Meets His Match, June 23, 2004

By 

Dakota "daxydakota" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Belong to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

Vasili was so nasty and arrogant in "Once a Princess," he was downright charming! I fell in love right away. I couldn't wait for Johanna Lindsey to write his sequel, and am quite pleased with the results.

To summarize quickly, "You Belong to Me" throws together gorgeous Vasili with wild Russian Alexandra, a tomboy and horse breeder. They are duped into a betrothal by Alexandra's father and plot endless amusing ways to force the other to break it before the actual wedding takes place.

Vasili is simply exciting - the "peacock" is so insulting and contrary it's a pleasure to once again see him in action. As for Alexandra, she's his match in spirit and temperament, returning his barbs and hot air with equal passion. Plus, she is so jealous she threatens to cut off the ears of all of Vasili's "women," which makes for a fun scene or two.

Speaking of "other women," Lindsey also spices up the story with Alexandra's refusal to give up hope that her first love, Christopher, will marry her. Add to that Vasili's numerous conquests - including his own personal concubine - and you find grounds for a few serious arguments between the unwillingly betrothed pair.

The passion between them is fun, whether it's love or hate, and the setting allows for a lot of action. After all, they are traveling by horseback and wagon from Russia to Cardinia, Vasili's hometown, for the wedding. This allows bandits to sneak up on them and other fine messes to follow. Plus, everyone from "Once a Princess" makes a welcome appearance.

The only negative things I can say about "You Belong to Me" is that Russia wasn't used as much as a setting. If you'd like to read a hot Russian romance by Lindsey, read "Secret Fire" about Prince Dimitri and the Englishwoman he steals. Plus, "You Belong to Me" is very similar in plot to "Joining," a later Lindsey novel, in which the medieval hero and heroine practically kill each other to break their unwanted betrothal as well.

The only reason I didn't give "You Belong to Me" 5 stars is because its prequel, "Once a Princess" is an all-time favorite and, in my opinion, 10 times better.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!EXCELLENT!EXCELLENT!, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: You Belong to Me (Mass Market Paperback)

Johanna Lindsey never dissapoints me in all of her magnificent compassionate romance stories.Romance runs wilded in 'You Belong to Me', especially between Alexandra and Vasili. Many parts of the story are emphasised in various ways showing so much unexpressible relatively explanations. I was so much inclined with this book that led to a sense nothing could be done while reading 'You Belong to Me', except placing yourself as the main character, Alex. Romance is the key to enticement. I strongly recommend EVERYONE to read this story. Positively,I am sure that little regrets will remain.