Caaaan you feeeeel the loooove tonight? You know, because it’s Valentine’s Day?
It just so happens that sometimes love involves stabby things and bodily harm and the occasional threat of death. Or worse. You know, because love is complicated.
I may have mentioned before that my expectations for literary romance are … different? I mean, don’t get me wrong, fluff and stuff and soulmates are great when I get a hankering for a Hallmark movie, but the rest of the year? I want a romance they have to work for.
Because love isn’t easy. Says the person who has been married for almost nine years and hasn’t killed her husband yet. See? Success!
So here are some of the top literary couples that I just can’t seem to get enough of.
✦ Jin and Amani✦
(Rebel of the Sands)
Technically, they’re not officially a couple yet as of the first book. But let’s face it, they’re obviously meant to be. Anyone who would go through all that mess to keep a guy alive and then not kill him just out of spite is clearly smitten.
What I Love Most: Jin actually asks her not to change just to please someone else. Who does that? It’s sexy as hell. More people should do it, is what I’m saying. Also, they both save each other, multiple times, because they’re equals. Which does not mean, in any way, that Amani will hesitate in the least to punch him in the gut if he gets in the way of her plans for her future. Just because he’s handsome and she’s clearly into that doesn’t mean he gets to do whatever he wants, okay?
✦ Vikram and Gauri ✦
(A Crown of Wishes)
Hate-to-love is one of my all-time favorite tropes when it’s done right. Which is not often, in my opinion. You can’t go from hating someone to loving them in three days. I mean, I suppose you can … but there better be some potions or magic or voodoo or … amnesia, I guess, involved in that mess. Of course, in Gauri and Vikram’s case, it was more like hate to annoyance to tolerance to acceptance to
What I Love Most: I’m pretty sure this pair earns the title of Snarkmaster Couple 2017. Their sarcasm game is on point, and this is one of my favorite couples as far as banter goes. They can both dish it, and they can both take it, and it. Is. Glorious. Also, they’re badass. What’s not to love about two fighters growing close in the face of imminent death while verbally tearing each other to shreds?
✦ Eliana and Simon ✦
(Furyborn)
The Dread of Orline and the Wolf are not merely sexy monikers that make for an even sexier ship name (Dread Wolf), but there was so much yes in this pairing. I mean, other than the obvious fact that they technically aren’t a pairing yet, either. Which sort of makes me love it all the more? Because I’m complicated, and I love pairings all the more when they have to really work for it.
What I Love Most: Will they? Won’t they? I mean, sure, there’s an all-out war going on, possibly the end of the world even, but if they could just turn down the war for just a minute so these two could kiss, that’d be great, okay? I love the work put into this relationship. Nothing comes too easily. Nothing is definite. And none of it is going to work if Eliana doesn’t get her nonsense together and start to grow as a character and if Simon isn’t such a shady … well, liar seems strong. Omitter of facts? They both have their problems, okay? Love is about overcoming that, and I am so along for this journey.
✦ Raoden and Arelon ✦
(Elantris)
Confession: I’ve always said that I like my romance with a heavy dose of fantasy, conniving, betrayal, and mystery. Brandon Sanderson writes some of my favorite
What I Love Most: IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. I was sitting in a corner rocking, biting my knuckles, insisting that they have to find out the truth about each other. My husband was concerned, but since he’s the one who forced me to read the dang thing, he had to sit in a corner and let me have my moment. I particularly appreciated the slow burn to the romance, the way the characters naturally came together for a purpose and fell in love with who the other person was more than anything else. It was such a refreshing approach to
✦ Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald ✦
(Harry Potter)
This one is, like, 95% headcanon and 5% actually from the story. But I’m still counting it, because I am so committed to going down with this ship. And as more and more Fantastic Beast movies come out, it is, indeed, sinking fast. I’m also not going to pretend like I didn’t write a slew of Grindeldore fanfic previously. Because I so totally did. They’re worth it.
What I Love Most: Two powerful, brilliant, cunning wizards who become each other’s greatest weakness. I mean, what’s not to love? There is something wonderful about tragic romance. The angst keeps my shriveled, blackened heart alive. I love the possibility of this pairing more than what was actually written about them, because there is oh so much possibility. Nothing’s better than imagining two young lovers dreaming of taking over the world together, them against everyone else. The notion seems so romantic, and it’s at such a juxtaposition to what actually becomes of them.
✦ Howard Roarke and Dominique Francon ✦
(The Fountainhead)
I read this book when I was still pretty young and impressionable and, wow, I didn’t know that romance could be so complicated and messy. But I loved it. Every last horrible, painful moment of it.
What I Love Most: This relationship is horrible. And painful and gritty. As much as these characters are drawn to each other, they also seek to destroy each other and/or themselves. Because love is hard, okay? It was also the first time that little, naive, innocent me realized that sex can be rough and rowdy and cross all sorts of gray areas and be incredibly hot. Is this romance ideal? Nah. But it’s all sorts of sexy. It may be a dumpster fire, but … see, I’ve got all these marshmallows here, and a little dumpster fire might be just what I need. 😉
✦ Shane and Tammy (August’s Parents) ✦
(A Thousand Perfect Notes)
Time for a little side character love! These guys aren’t even the main course, and yet, for what brief time they appeared, I fell madly in love with them. Probably because they are essentially a cooler version of hubby and I. Plus, Shane actually lets Tammy have a zoo in their house and doesn’t call it unreasonable and complain daily about the animals. If that’s not a dreamy situation, I don’t know what is.
What I Love Most: Is this a healthy, happy parental relationship I see in a YA book?! SURELY NOT! Is that even a thing? But wait! There’s more! They joke, they laugh, they support each other (but not so much that it’s gross because of course you’re going to tease your significant other and argue, even playfully, if you’ve been together for more than, like, 15 minutes). They’re the couple I hope hubby and I eventually grow into. Not just because I want a zoo. But also maybe a little because of that.
Wait a zoo in the house? I’m already in love with Shane now.
RIGHT?! Why can’t all men understand this? I mean, I’m sure the fact that they’re both veterinarians has something to do with it, but pffft. Who needs to be a vet to have their own zoo in their house?