Customer Reviews

You Belong to Me

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you have read ONCE A PRINCESS, then you're already familiar with most of the characters in this book, particularly the hero Vasili Petroff, that arrogant peacock that had women falling at his feet. Now we finally get to see his downfall.

In the kingdom of Cardinia, no man is more sought after than Count Vasili, the devilishly handsome cousin of King Stefan. Women, married and single alike, all clamor to get into his bed. Thus his arrogance is without limits. But after years of sowing his oats and avoiding marriage, he is slapped with the news of a supposed betrothal arranged by his father. Bound by honor, he is given no choice but to fetch his bride from Ukraine, Baroness Alexandra Rubliov.

Now Alexandra is also not pleased when her father breaks the news to her. Little does she know that the betrothal was fabricated by her father who has grown tired of waiting for Alexandra to get over her obsession with an Englishman she met seven years ago and whom she had since fancied herself in love with.

As they say, great minds think alike for Vasili thinks to make Alex cry off by acting like a total cad and treating her callously, while Alex swears to act unlady-like hoping to turn him off completely and cause him to break the betrothal. And so when Vasili finally fetches her and they journey back to Cardinia, what ensues is a pretty hilarious battle of wills as each try their utmost to disgust one another in fervent hope of preventing the wedding.

In this sequel, it was finally great to see Vasili meet his match in Alex, a vibrant, sharp-tongued and strong-willed twenty-five-year-old. I enjoyed her antics especially during mealtime, when she behaved like a total barbarian much to the disgust of everyone around her. Those moments provided some good laughs. I also enjoyed how she delivered the ultimate rejection by forthrightly advising Vasili the moment they met that she didn't want to marry him. I could just picture the arrogant peacock's expression!

Unfortunately, some scenes dragged a bit and I just didn't find the romance as well-developed as that in its predecessor. I felt like Vasili was more enthralled with Alex's "chest" thus finding it hard to believe that he was suddenly in love with her.

YOU BELONG TO ME is an easy enough read but lacks the spark of ONCE A PRINCESS.

Set back in Russian times, this book is a beautifully written historical romance. The "drop dead" gorgeous Count Vasili, must honor his deceased fathers so called wish, for him to wed. His mind is set on making his bride to be loathe and despise him. Little does he know that, the stubborn though well bred, Alexandra (his bride to be) has the same thing in mind. Known for her manner of always saying "the truth", this is a "no holds barred" battle between two stubborn Fools. You will love the misunderstandings and humour that goes on between these two. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys lighthearted and hilarious banter between two people who are obviously made for one another. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!

King Stefan's cousin Vasili is a rogue of the worst kind. Women swarm to him in droves thanks to his incredibly handsome face. He has just discovered that his late father betrothed him 15 years before to a Russian baroness. Now he must go and collect his bride. But he is determined to show her what a cad he is so she will cry off the wedding. Alexandra prefers the independent life. She has been breeding and raising her own horses for years. Now her father has admitted that she is betrothed and that her groom is soon to arrive. She is honorbound to marry him. Furious, Alex refuses to present herself as the lady that she is and is determined that Vasili becomes disgusted enough with her to call off the wedding never realizing that he is as honorbound as she is. Now as they make the trip from Russia to Cardinia they are each determined to get the other to cry off. But something goes wrong. There is an underlying attraction between the two and to their dismay it is pulling them right into each other's arms.

I have to say that I sided with Alexandra the whole time. Vasili rubbed me the wrong way in Once a Princess and continued to do so in this story. Although, like Alex, I too soon succumbed to his charms in the end. Alex was strong, independent, feisty, and wonderfully funny. I loved her! This is no milk-and-water miss to fall at anyone's feet. Especially an arrogant rogue no matter how good his looks. A great story that keeps you laughing through the whole book.

Johanna Lindsey did it again! This is one of her best books yet. It is exceptionally wonderful!! I've read this book about 5 times and I enjoyed it just as much each time round! I still can't get over Alex and Vasili. These two are definitely made for each other. The story is very humurous, especially the antics that Alex plays on Vasili. I enjoyed the characters tremendously! They seem to just jump out and grap you and won't let go. This is a real page turner. I also recommend you read Once a Princess which this is a sequel to. This is a definite must!

When I read this book's summary, I thought that it will be really good, because before this book, I have read the book, "Once a Princess" and I enjoyed it. This book is a series to it, with the nearly the same characters. But all the arguments and stuff between Vasili and Alexandra were rather boring, although some were quite funny. But not much romance was in it, so I think that this book is a disappointment to me.

I've read almost every JL book ever written and Alex is hands down the worst heroine ever! She's disgusting and so hateful! It's not fair that she got one of JL's BEST heroes ever. Vasili deserved someone witty and awesome like Amy Malory or Tanya!

I can't believe so many people liked this. It started out fine, sure, but the ending was too rushed. Compare this to Gentle Rogue with all the well-rounded, very real characters Come on, some character development, please!