Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I am so surprised (and disappointed) to find myself giving this book 2 stars after having just given [b:Love Walked In|115076|Love Walked In|Marisa de los Santos|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171698450s/115076.jpg|3000860] 5 stars. I can't help it though, I just didn't really enjoy it. The story was predictable and melodramatic I knew it was going downhill when I had to fight the urge to skim. I have no doubt that de los Santos is a talented writer, but she can be verbose to the point of distraction.
After reading the first two chapters of "Belong to Me," I did not think I would be able to finish the novel. One of the characters so enraged me, that I decided to give the book one more chapter before I tossed it aside. Fortunately, that is when Marisa de los Santos really made her move, literary-wise, and I was hooked.
While this book can be called "chick-lit" (a term I despise, incidently, because it reeks of condecension), it is one of the most substantial books I have encountered in that genre. While certain scenarios might have been a tad bit unrealistic and the plot had some cliched twists, the emotion written throughout the story was true. It was real and vibrant and incredibly touching. The writing, as well, was solid and capable. "Belong to Me" is a lovely treat one does not need to feel guilty enjoying, it is simply a pleasure.
While this book can be called "chick-lit" (a term I despise, incidently, because it reeks of condecension), it is one of the most substantial books I have encountered in that genre. While certain scenarios might have been a tad bit unrealistic and the plot had some cliched twists, the emotion written throughout the story was true. It was real and vibrant and incredibly touching. The writing, as well, was solid and capable. "Belong to Me" is a lovely treat one does not need to feel guilty enjoying, it is simply a pleasure.
Chick lit...and while it was a quick and relatively entertaining read, it could have been so much more. I'd've thought a poet would kick it up a notch.
Belong to Me combines three seemingly separate stories linked by real estate. About 3/4 of the way into the book, however, you realize that two of the stories are inextricably linked. In addition to the three main stories there are at least three off-shoot stories to the main action.
All of the stories explore the concept of what is family and, more importantly, who is family. It's Cornelia's story, who I found it hard not to identify with the author. (It may not be autobiographical in the least, but I guess since Cornelia's story is told in first person I see her as a stand in for Marisa de los Santos herself.) The chapters alternate, from Cornelia's voice to Piper and Dev's stories told in 3rd person.
The characters all grow throughout the arc of the story, perhaps most especially Piper who begins the story as something of a stereotype. As a reader, you begin to care about them and once the connection is to two of the stories is made, you're hooked for the last quarter of the book - racing through to find out what will happen.
All of the stories explore the concept of what is family and, more importantly, who is family. It's Cornelia's story, who I found it hard not to identify with the author. (It may not be autobiographical in the least, but I guess since Cornelia's story is told in first person I see her as a stand in for Marisa de los Santos herself.) The chapters alternate, from Cornelia's voice to Piper and Dev's stories told in 3rd person.
The characters all grow throughout the arc of the story, perhaps most especially Piper who begins the story as something of a stereotype. As a reader, you begin to care about them and once the connection is to two of the stories is made, you're hooked for the last quarter of the book - racing through to find out what will happen.
i’m all in on you, marisa de los santos! i read this series in the weirdest order - 3, then 1, then 2 - but i loved that each book stood on their own. this one has a weird specific spot in my heart — man, i love cornelia. that’s it, that’s all, just a big cornelia stan.
I absolutely adored this second book from Marisa de los Santos. Her first novel, Love Walked In was well-written with great, engaging characters and her second novel continues the story of Cornelia and Teo. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it. There were even a few occasions where I felt tears coming to my eyes (a feat that is hard to achieve with even the sappiest stories). I will be recommending this book to anyone/everyone that enjoys a well-written, thoughtful novel about what it means to be "family".
Good read. It took a little bit to get into the story and to see how it was all going to fit together, but by the end, I really enjoyed it.
First time I have read this author and I liked what I found. It is a quick read but not as predictable as I originally thought it would be.
I really like her writing style, her characters. But her plotting is so contrived. The 4 stars are because it was an immensely enjoyable read, but at the end it feels a little bleh...