Memorable Fiction Couples, Part 2 2013
You may remember back in April, a post showed up chronicling favorite fictional couples inspired by one of the (many) crazy “book conversations” we girls have had in the book community. Putting it together, it was surprising how easy it was to separate
the truly “good” couples from the ordinary. After much discussion (which I thank you all for providing!), it seemed like a good idea to write a “part two” of this meme – after all some had to be left out for specific reasons and others I’d not yet had the pleasure of meeting.
Without further ado, here are some of those favorite pairings – whether it be their sizzling chemistry or more simply how they interacted on the page, the list is below the cut!
MEMORABLE FICTIONAL COUPLES, PART 2
Alexander Banebridge and Lydia Pallas from Against the Tide
In the elements revolving around both Lydia and Bane as a couple, it surprised me how little the romance factored in – Lydia falls hard for Bane but an unusual amount of time separates them and the love story isn’t the easiest to “buy” given that timeframe; that being said, I never doubted her love for him, and likewise (despite his claims), his for her.
Beckett O’Reilly and Madison McKinley from Barefoot Summer
Here we are introduced to a broken, mourning Madison McKinley and the boy who has loved her since high school, Beckett O’Reilly. In their story, there is poignancy between the two of them; Beckett is tender, loving and not at all the “bad boy” he is made out to be. Madison is hurting in deep, dark places and only through Beckett’s steadfast support (he won’t let her go even when her actions push him away) and God’s healing hand does she come to realize that.
Bo Porter and Meg Cole from Undeniably Yours
If Bo is one of the more memorable leading men, then Meg was adorable. I enjoyed her character very much and was repeatedly impressed by how sincere Meg was. She was the epitome of a character whom we could relate too, and was both “flawed” [yet] likable. Pleasant to both the most romantic heart and those who like “cute” exchanges of affection, Becky’s unique furthering of the starry-eyed romantics or passionate tension isn’t vibrant; it’s very subtle. In fact, the first meeting of Meg and Bo is very businesslike, no flirting or funny “first meeting” incidents. Instead of sparring, this relationship builds off of solid friendship (big fan of this!).
Caleb Knight and Isadora Presley from My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren
Colton Brady and Jillian Carter from When a Secret Kills
Wrapping up sweetly is an ending that puts a small piece of fairy-tale charm [between Colton and Jillian] into an otherwise suspenseful plotted novel and leaves a smile…
Drake Rutledge and Faith Butler from Speak to me of Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
Jay Tanner and Kate Merritt from Small Town Girl
Jim Micah and Lacey Montgomery from Flee the Night by Susan May Warren
John Brady and Elizabeth O’Conner from A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
Matt and Kate from My Stubborn Heart
The characters; I just loved Wade’s leading couple. By definition, they are “ordinary,” and by that, I mean they are “real.” Both are likable but flawed human beings who we could easily imagine being friends with. Matt’s broken past might remind readers of a favorite literary man. His good looks and brooding manners aren’t all that make us fall in love with him (but it isn’t a hindrance, either *wink*), his protectiveness and eventual redemption are what makes him an admirable, good man. Kate likewise isn’t hard to like. She is quirky but loveable – and is a woman we long to see take her happy ending.
Morgan Spencer and Quinn Reilly from The Breath of Dawn
I’m a sucker for love stories that truly cherish love, growing in the sanctity of marriage. Few authors give that satisfaction since most books end long before the “I Do’s” are vowed which displays a “prettier” frame of love. That’s not to say that the first blush of love isn’t equally compelling and endearing in its getting-to-know stages, rather when fiction imitates life, there is a respect for a story that looks beyond the surface of being “adequate.” Both Morgan and Quinn are fragile after being knocked around by life. One never fully mourned the loss of a person he partnered with more out of a shared past than hope for a new future, the other is running from a cult background that should have controlled the idea they had of God.
Nate Kenneth and Susanna Truitt from Once Upon a Prince
Susanna was the girl-next-door and special despite her misguided calculations about Adam – I couldn’t be too hard on her. It was an honest mistake and she wasn’t the only one in that relationship at fault. Then, in waltzes the dashing Nate. OH. MY. GOSH. I love this hero. He was noble, exceptional and not at all the kind of chap one may envision when concocting an image of royalty.
Nate doesn’t necessarily sweep us or Susanna off her feet by whisking her away and by proxy make the reader swoon, rather it’s his character – how he comports himself (how he respects Susanna) and oh, that accent! I am telling you, girls, his accent practically rolls off the page and fills us with a sense of authenticity, as if we can literally hear him speak. Whether it’s his affectionate terms of endearment for Susanna (he calls her “love,” peeps!) – proof that the physical struggle in relationships isn’t everything – or confronting his mother over tea, I adored him and the way he handled himself; he makes British “stuffy” very appealing.
Will Masterson and Dannette Lundeen from Escape to Morning by Susan May Warren
Told ya’ there were likely more who earned a place in my heart as favorite couples. Each of these couples are special.
What “memorable fiction couples, part 2 2013” have been making you believe in love these days…
Love this post, Rissi! Sadly, I haven't read any of the books these characters hail from, though "Once Upon a Prince" looks so good! I hope to go over to England in my third year of university, so British accents make me melt. ;) My favourite fictional couples all come from fantasy books–mainly Eugenides and Attolia from "The Queen's Thief" series, Imraldera and Eanrin from "The Tales of Goldstone Wood", and Enna and Finn from "The Books of Bayern". I'm sure I've forgotten a few….
Neat, Rebeka – how fun to have a chance to live in England for a while! Always did like the British accent though rarely is it written so convincingly as Rachel Hauck did with Prince Nate. I mean, it was excellent. :)
That's what I say also – each time I put one of these together, I know that I leave some important names out. But it's a good start though. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites! :)
You're welcome! Love these posts, Rissi–they're so much fun to read! :)
…they are fun to put together also! Glad they're fun to read. Thank you. :)
Wow…I've not read any of the books listed. ;) Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet would have to be my all time favorite couple. Followed closely by Katniss and Petta. :)
Oh, yes! Who could forget Darcy and Lizzie!? I always leave classic literary characters off just because I haven't read the books – but many are among my favorites also, Heather. :)
I'm a Team Peeta girl also. Most the time. ;)
What a great list. I wish I knew more of them. :)
Hope you can meet some of them soon, Juju – gotta' love a wonderful fictional couple. :)
I've had the pleasure of reading all of these books and agree with you, Rissi, they are memorable :)
Looking forward to part 3!!
They sure were special, Rel. Definite re-reads. :)
Thanks for stopping by – and I cannot wait to find out who else we'll be meeting so that a part 3 can be written!
Such a great list! :)
Yes to Beckett and Madison, and Micah and Lacey, and Matt and Kate, and Nate and Susanna, and Will and Dannette! Okay, so that pretty much covers all of them. But there's still a few I haven't met yet. :)
After hearing both you and Ganise rave about Morgan and Quinn, I cannot wait to meet those two!
As Rel said, looking forward to part 3. :)
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on them, Kara! I have a feeling you'll enjoy this one. And I 'third' this. Bring on part 3!
Kara – these couples are SO fun to know. :)
LOL, summing them up works well. I really need to meet again with Susan's "Team Hope" but as I remember I loved the pairings in those books. That earned them a place here.
Anxious for your review of Morgan and Quinn's story. That book is WONDERFUL.
Cool! Cannot wait to meet the couples who will land on a "part 3." :)
Ganise – neither can I! Hoping after all our raving, Kara likes the book. :)
Aw, thanks! Anxious to start making another list.
Yes, Rissi! I think I'll be joining you in this. Makes a good post. I was happy to see your choices. :))
Alright so…
Alex and Lydia – score! Exceptional romance. That's what theirs is.
My copy of 'Barefoot Summer' is coming. I just saw that it arrived at the library. Whoop.
Yes.. Caleb and Isadora. Sooo :) does that mean you've made it to the end of the book? It was one of the best I read last year.
Haven't read When a Secret Kills. Or any book by Henderson.. yet.
So Small Town Girl is good, eh?
John Brady and Beth! Uh-uh. :) (I'm so enjoying these choices.)
Matt and Kate. – Yes…
Morgan and Quinn – I am sucker for their type of romance as well!! Thoroughly captivating.
Hmmm.
Didn't really enjoy Undeniably Yours, unfortunately. Nor Once Upon a Prince, for that matter. But I so wanted to enjoy both of them. And the other books mentioned, I haven't read.
Very fun to see, Rissi! Thank YOU for sharing.
Neat! I’d enjoy reading your list, Ganise. :)
You know, while reading Against the Tide, the romance didn’t seem very prominent, but perhaps that is what made Lydia and Bane so good together…? Either way, Elizabeth wrote a wonderfully – or as you say, an exceptional novel; definitely it earned a spot on my “best of” list this year.
Honestly, no (*she admits sheepishly*) I haven’t finished My Foolish Heart yet. That being said, I am far enough along to know that I adore those two. It’s a romance that isn’t all about the “physical” and that earns high praise from moi. ;)
Matt & Kate, John & Beth (probably my favorite Lessman couple) Morgan & Quinn (total sucker for love after marriage – so special!), yes, love those couples! Oh, so sad you didn’t enjoy UY or Once Upon a Prince. Those were/are two of my 2013 favorites.
Oh, my! Yes, Small Town Girl is lovely in a quiet unassuming way and if you like suspense, you *must* read Lynette’s books – they’re SO good.
No, no, no, thank you for commenting – enjoyed reading your thoughts!!!
Lovely post. I fell in love with Beckett and Madison as well. Looking forward to falling in love with Nate and Sussana from Once upon a Prince.
Tell the World
Weren't Beckett and Madison special!? Like you, Funto, I fell in love with their romance and characters as individuals also. Ooo! You will enjoy Nate and Susanna's story – they are also a sweet couple. :) Rachel did a terrific job balancing the fairytale elements against reality. Just as the best fiction should.
Thanks bunches for the blog follow and comment! Appreciate both very much.
Hey, Rissi, SOOOO appreciate you popping Lizzie and Brady on your list!! I have a great sub story for those two that was unfortunately cut from my last O'Connor book (A Love Surrendered) when my editor asked me to cut 50,000 words!! So I hope to turn it into a novella one of these days. :)
Hugs,
Julie
Loved those two together, Julie! Especially considering their relationship had a long-standing history. :) It was really sweet.
Aw! Neat – perhaps someday their story could be a novella, yes! That'd be fun. :)
Thanks for stopping by! As always, I appreciate your comments.