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Belong to Me: A Novel | 
| Author: Marisa De Los Santos
Publisher: William Morrow
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy Used: $7.77
You Save: $17.18 (69%)
New (42) Used (32) from $7.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 4102
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1.6
ISBN: 0061240273
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780061240270
ASIN: 0061240273
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Everyone has secrets. Some we keep to protect ourselves, others we keep to protect those we love. A devoted city dweller, Cornelia Brown surprised no one more than herself when she was gripped by the sudden, inescapable desire to leave urban life behind and head for an idyllic suburb. Though she knows she and her beloved husband, Teo, have made the right move, she approaches her new life with trepidation and struggles to forge friendships in her new home. Cornelia's mettle is quickly tested by judgmental neighbor Piper Truitt. Perfectly manicured, impeccably dressed, and possessing impossible standards, Piper is the embodiment of everything Cornelia feared she would find in suburbia. A saving grace soon appears in the form of Lake. Over a shared love of literature and old movies, Cornelia develops an instant bond with this warm yet elusive woman who has also recently arrived in town, ostensibly to send her perceptive and brilliant son, Dev, to a school for the gifted. Marisa de los Santos's literary talents shine in the complex interactions she creates between these three women. She deftly explores the life-altering roller coaster of emotions Piper faces as she cares for two households, her own and that of her cancer-stricken best friend, Elizabeth. Skillfully, de los Santos creates an enigmatic and beguiling character in Lake, who draws Cornelia closer even as she harbors a shocking secret. And from the first page until the exhilarating conclusion, de los Santos engages readers with Cornelia, who, while trying to adapt to her new surroundings, must remain true to herself. As their individual stories unfold, the women become entangled in a web of trust, betrayal, love, and loss that challenges them in ways they never imagined, and that ultimately teaches them what it means for one human being to belong to another.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
Belonged to ME August 18, 2008
I liked this book. I love the dust jacket picture, just love it. I don't know why I do but there is something about that lineup of rainboots that interests me and beckons me to see who fills those rainboots.
I love Marisa de los Santos' writing. Her style somehow draws in the reader compelling you to feel in touch with the story. While the characters are not necessarily likeable or all of them interesting, de los Santos paints them as they are.
Some reviews have said the book was slow, the characters typified the quintessential stay at home mom with successful husbands and no money cares in the world (yawn)and spoiled the most interesting fact about the book (I hate that). I do believe however that the author is writing a story about such lifestyles and portrays them well. If the characters are involved in dilemmas of their making, isn't true of many of us at one time or another? The association the reader may feel with the characters' realities enables them to read on.
Read on you shall. Buy the book, borrow the book, read the book. I was not disappointed and am now a devout reader of works by de los Santos.
 I Am in Love August 15, 2008
The writing in this book spoke to my heart. I love the author's writing style--it is warm, personal and poetic. I have always believed that writing is like painting with words and Marisa de los Santos does just that. Her descriptions are so vivid, whether she is writing about the love between a parent and a child or describing the picturesque suburban neighborhood she moves to. When I was immersed in this book, I felt transported to somewhere else. The author made me believe that the characters and the story were real and authentic. Nothing seemed contrived to me, and I grew to love all the characters, even Piper, who at first seems very shallow and superficial. The best part about the book is the way Marisa de los Santos weaves the lives of the characters together like a quilt, and gives you so much insight into their lives that you find yourself rooting for them as they grow and change, and deepen their love for their families and for each other. Cornelia is a fabulous character--very strong, warm, wise and witty--just the kind of person I would like to befriend in real life. The message of this book is fabulous--true love conquers all and connects us to each other. It explores the love between parents and children, siblings, neighbors, and friends who are so close they feel like family. My favorite story line is about Dev, a young teenage boy who is wise beyond his years and incredibly sweet. He is searching for his father who he has never met and who he believes left his mother before he was born. He befriends Cornelia and her "child of heart" Clare, and their lives intertwine and become richer because of the connections they form. I won't give away the surprise, but he finds more than what he is looking for and his heart grows as a result. My heart was touched by the beautiful story and I hope yours will be too.
Love Love... August 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After I read "When Love Walked In" I knew immediately that I had to have this book. I never read what it was about, and to my surprise it was the continuing story! JOY! I've fallen completely in love this Authors writing. I hope so much that there will be another....
Another beautiful story written by one of our best rising stars. August 5, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
After reading Love Walked In I couldn't wait to refresh my love with the written words of De los Santos once more. Her character creation is on par with some of the greats in the industry and I must admit that the reappearance of Clare was a surprise (albeit a pleasant one) The book in most forms is a further extension of Teo and his wife Cornelia who left the bright lights of New York and moved to the more tranquil PA in an attempt to be closer to their upbringings (a quiet neighbor hood and white-picked fence) They both hope for the quiet life and make fitting in a top priority - until the character Piper crosses their path.
Piper in every meaning of the word is a conflicting character - the term love/hate fits in well with her. At first she appears to be the snobby neighbor bent on driving Cornelia crazy. That is, until her softer side is shone when we meet her critically ill friend Elizabeth with whom Piper acts as caretaker. Another character from the first book is Dev; most will remember this thirteen year old as the heart of her first book and once again plays the role. This young genius has the typical problems facing todays youth - a new school, a new town, and trying to fit in (which he does admirably)
Ms. De los Santos does a wonderful job bringing these complex characters together and forming a great plot driven story. This is a novel you don't want to miss and is a welcomed addition to any library. So treat yourself well and pick up this literary classic by one of the rising stars in literature.
Editor of the novel: Fates by Georgiou, Tino Fates (2nd Edition)
A Testament to Love of All Types August 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An "I am a rock, I am an island" person, I am transformed by de los Santos' novels, stricken by the necessary sustenance of love's many shapes and aspiring to become more like Cornelia, while recognizing elements of my personality in each of the female characters.
As for the main character's joblessness, I see it as authorial choice. Including employment for Cornelia would only multiply the already large cast of characters. Instead, her occupation is to nearly always say and do the right thing, engage in endearing inward thoughts, and demonstrate comfort and ease with being true to herself. This may sound dull or improbable, but de los Santos has a knack with lovable characters whose faults only increase their value.
Piper fascinates me. I recognize her instinct to lash out and say cutting things, as well as clearly seeing how ugly sad it is to give in to such impulses. Her arc is more pronounced than any other character.
Elizabeth's storyline brought me to tears more than once. She also inspired and provided for Piper's welcome evolution.
Clare and Dev are wholly lovable wunderkinds, as are all male characters. Even Kyle is a sympathetic character, thanks to Piper.
Lake is intriguing, and though her character could be explored further, de los Santos deftly implies what we need to know, trusting we readers to understand her.
I was thrilled to recognize characters from the great, uplifting "Love Walked In," but do not think the two books are necessarily interdependent. Give yourself over to the competent Maria de los Santos, and give in to the emotions she delivers. You'll love life, and books, a little more for the experience.
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