UPDATE: Congrats to Martha, the winner of this giveaway! Even though the giveaway is over, still feel free to read our Favorite Romantic Couples List and comment on what you think!
Happy Valentine’s Day! We decided to do a special feature and giveaway to help celebrate the holiday. I put together a list of my favorite romantic couples (and love triangles, since that’s the big thing nowadays) from recent literature. I mostly read Young Adult books, so many of these couples are from my favorite YA novels. But you’ll see a few from other genres.
Also, I decided to limit my selections to only books that have come out in the past 3 years or so. We’ve all seen the lists that include Elizabeth/Mr.Darcy, Jane Eyre/ Mr. Rochester, or even Bella/Edward/Jacob. While those are all great romantic couples, I think it’s time to showcase a few newbies (without spoilers, of course). And to encourage our readers to check out some of these new books, we’ll be giving away a copy of Love? Maybe (a cute love story that I’ll review in a couple days) and YOUR CHOICE of one of any of the books mentioned below. Good deal, huh? Rules and details on how to enter are at the bottom of the post.
Without further ado, here are my favorite, new romantic couples (in no particular order):
Clary & Jace – The Moral Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
Poor Clary and Jace can’t catch a break. I started out with this couple because I’m forever feeling bad for them. Clary is the lead in The Mortal Instruments series. She’s a cool heroine and a good match for the complicated and brooding (and handsome) Jace. When things seem to be looking up for them, something bad happens. I’m hoping that Clare gives them a hell of a happy ending because these two more than deserve after all the trials and tribulations she keeps putting them through.
Lucy & Ed (aka Shadow) – Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
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I really loved Graffiti Moon. Almost like Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Graffiti Moon follows Lucy and Ed as they spend a whole night together with their friends looking for a street artist that Lucy’s obsessed with. Only thing is that Ed is actually the street artist in question, and Lucy can’t stand Ed. These two are so funny and cute. Their witty banter was a ton of fun to read. Without a doubt, Lucy & Ed are definitely one of my favorites.
Tessa & Will & Jem – The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare
Ah, the first love triangle of the list! And of course, it comes from Cassandra Clare, the author who loves to torment her characters’ love lives. After reading Clockwork Prince, this whole love triangle is a mess. Tessa loves Jem, but she can’t deny her feelings for Will. Will and Jem both love Tessa. In my personal opinion, I’m pro Will/Tessa. I do love Jem (actually more than Will), but come on! I can see from a mile away that Will and Tessa are supposed to be together.
Diana & Matthew – A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
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This book is one of my top favorite books of last year, so of course I had to add Diana and Matthew. Diana is a witch and Matthew is a vampire, and in their world, their love is forbidden. So many star-crossed romances! But what I love is that the author doesn’t torment us by separating the characters. She has them team up to fight for their love. As characters, I absolutely love Diana and Matthew, and I can’t wait to read about their ongoing adventure Shadow of Night, coming out later this year.
Tris & Four – Divergent by Veronica Roth
I was able to spot a romance growing between Tris and Four a mile away. Those two had instant chemistry. They had my heart racing, especially during those final scenes in the book. I seriously can’t wait to read more of these two when Insurgent comes out.
Amy & Elder – The Across the Universe trilogy by Beth Revis
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I wasn’t too crazy about Across the Universe at first. But after A Million Suns, I totally changed my mind about the series. Amy and Elder, not only make a great couple, but a great team. They balance each other out. I have confidence that on whatever journey they go on next, it will go okay with these two in charge.
will grayson & Tiny Cooper – Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
I kind of cheated with this one. Only, not really. I can’t say how without spoiling the book though. However, I will say how much I adored these two characters! will grayson (yes, no capital letters) and Tiny Cooper are an odd match. They have completely opposite personalities, and when will is betrayed by a friend, Tiny is there to lift his spirits. But what I also loved was that will showed Tiny how much everyone loved and appreciated Tiny’s vibrant personality.
Katniss & Peeta & Gale – The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
These three are probably the most famous of the list. If you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet, then stop reading this list and GO READ IT NOW. The love triangle isn’t played up until the second and last books. But by God, this was the most frustrating love triangle of all time. Unlike most stories, there wasn’t a clear indication of who was better for Katniss. Peeta and Gale both had their pros and cons. I would literally spend hours discussing this triangle with friends. Even with the story over, I still do.
R & Julie – Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Unlike most of the couples on the list, R & Julie are the least overtly romantic. You see R is a flesh-eating zombie, with a conscience. R is one of the most interesting protagonists I’ve read in a while. Julie is a human girl trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. It’s an unorthodox romance, but it’s subtle and works so well. I couldn’t believe how much I really liked this story when I finished reading it.
Dash & Lily – Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
From the same authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, they once again created one of the wittiest and sweetest romantic couples: Dash and Lily. Dash hates Christmas, and Lily loves it. During the holiday season, the two pass onto each other a book of dares. They never met each other, and as they keep passing on these dares (ones that have them exploring all of New York City), they slowly start to fall for each other. It’s holiday romance, without exactly being a holiday romance. You can’t help but to adore Lily and love Dash. They’re the perfect couple to go on a NYC adventure with.
Ana & Sam – Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Incarnate. Ana is a new soul; hence she’s an outcast in a world of reincarnated souls. After getting lost in the forest, she meets Sam, a very old soul inside a teenage body. Together, they try to find out why Ana was born a new soul. They’re romance is a slow-burn kind. Ana is at first untrusting, and Sam doesn’t know if it’s right to act on his feelings. I spent most of the book waiting for them to JUST KISS ALREADY. Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed.
Dexter & Emma – One Day by David Nicholls
Dexter and Emma captured many hearts with their unwavering friendship and on-and-off romance. After a one night stand on the night of their graduation, they keep in contact with each other as they go off to accomplish their dreams. Whether lost, confused, happy or successful, they always found a way back to each other.
Clara & Tucker & Christian – The Unearthly Trilogy by Cynthia Hand
I just finished catching up on the Unearthly series, and if you read my review the other day, well you know I’m obsessed. This love triangle is almost just as frustrating as The Hunger Games one. Clara is part angel, and she keeps getting visions that tell her she’s supposed to be Christian. However, she accidentally falls for her best friend’s brother, Tucker. Throughout the books, she must decide whether she should be with Christian, who seems to be her soulmate, or Tucker, the one that she chose to fall in love with. In my opinion, I’m totally Team Tucker for Clara. I think Christian is a cool lad. I like him, but Tucker is just so perfect for Clara. He balances her out in all the right ways.
Hazel & Augustus – The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Alright, so I did save the best one for last. Hazel and Augustus are undoubtedly one of the most touching romantic couples of all time. (I want to cry thinking about it.) These two just captured my heart and soul and squeezed the life out of it. Their love story is genuine and real. It isn’t overdone or has a hint of phoniness. It’s quite perfect. It almost goes without saying that we all want and need an Augustus (or Hazel) in our lives. (P.S. If the movie adaptation of this book messes up the romance, there will be WORDS.)
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Finally, what you’ve been waiting for: THE GIVEAWAY! Fill out the form below to enter. The contest ends Wednesday, February 22nd at 11pm EST.
One winner will be picked at random to win:
Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler AND ONE book of his/her choice from these options: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare; Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare; Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley; Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan; A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness; The Fault in Our Stars by John Green; Divergent by Veronica Roth; Across the Universe by Beth Revis; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins; Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion; Incarnate by Jodi Meadows; One Day by David Nicholls; Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan & John Green; Unearthly by Cynthia Hand.
Good luck!
Giveaway is over.
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