Sometimes when I have the time, I wander into Finding Wonderland’s archives and revisit the oldies. The reason for this is still up in the air. Do I do this simply to look back at what I’ve written? Am I feeling nostalgic and wondering what I’ve written? To improve the archives? Or am I doing it to torture myself?
While I don’t think the latter is the motivator, I often think it’s the result. Because HORRENDOUS formatting and writing is the norm in the Finding Wonderland archives.
LIST | Memorable TV Ships, 2016 Edition
This is part motivator for today’s list. I posted (all the way back in 2013 – and no, I will not be linking said posts in this post) two separate lists of memorable couples. While the lists are fun to revisit and remember, I decided with Valentine’s Day 2019 (a list that was originally supposed to publish in 2017 – and I have the post in draft as proof!), it might be fun to revisit the topic with an entirely new group of swoony couples. There are bound to be a few repeats below simply because that couple made such an impression, but overall, we’re meeting all new pairs today.
Before we get to these OTPs, let me just say, while some are beautiful in their ordinary every day stories, there are some unique love birds too. From 1920s amateur detectives to new romantic, there is no shortage of creative, colorful and congenial characters. Many of these won’t surprise you, readers, but what can I say? When I fall, this girl, falls. Allow me to introduce you to these One True Pairings and our Love Stories in Fiction, Part 1 list.
New & Old Favorites: Love Stories in Fiction, Part 1
1: Adam and Mia from If I Stay (Gayle Foreman)
The way Adam falls in love with Mia makes for a swoony and lovely story. In this scenario, it’s Mia who isn’t quite as sure of the relationship, unusual since ordinarily, it’s been the other way around. Goodreads
2: Aidan and Clare from Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between (Jennifer E. Smith)
I like that this book doesn’t take the easy answers and instead ends with open-ended possibilities. Goodreads
3: Charlie and Ella from The Lady and the Lionheart (Joanne Bischof)
An injury might introduce these two, but it’s at the circus where this Beauty and her “Beast” truly fall in love; a love that’s a fairy tale in the most genuine of ways. Goodreads
NETFLIX REVIEW | The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society – Hope and Heart
4: Dawsey and Juliet from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Only recently (2018) did I meet these two. While I adore them in the book, I think I like them ever more in the Netflix adaptation. Is that OK? Goodreads
5: Drew Farthering and Madeline from the Drew Farthering Mysteries (Julianna Deering)
This couple is memorable for so many ways. Plus I love how darn cute they are together. Madeline is one lucky gal. Goodreads
6: Etienne St. Clair and Anna from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)
Yep, you know this one would be a given, right? Goodreads
7: Jackson and Allison from Close to You (Kara Isaac)
If you like intelligent contemporary, this book is for you – and the characters beautifully reflect this feeling. Goodreads
8: Jim and Mary from Through Waters Deep (Sarah Sundin)
The couple that sleuths together stays together – plus, the Navy white uniform doesn’t hurt Jim’s cause. Goodreads
9: Justin Keller and Melody Johansson from Brunch at Bittersweet Café (Carla Laureno)
These two… I adore them together. SO. MUCH. More importantly, I like them as individuals. Both of them have legit issues going on in their lives, which separates the possibility of their being together in the present. Or does it? Goodreads
10: Max and Paige from The Start of You and Me (Emery Lord)
The classic literature references and opening bookstore scene sealed the deal. Goodreads
11: Travis and Gabby from The Choice (Nicholas Sparks)
I know many people are weary of Sparks books and the generality of his stories, but I thought this is actually one of his best. I respect and adore the way Travis loves Gabby throughout the good and bad. Most stories end without showing the “ever after,” but this one does, and it isn’t always happy. Goodreads
FILM REVIEW | The Choice (2016) – A Romantic Drama about True Love and a Second Chance
12&13: John and Nora from True to You and Ty Porter and Celia from Meant to Be Mine (Becky Wade)
Both perfect contemporary romances, and couples far as this girl is concerned. True to You: Goodreads • Meant to Be Mine Goodreads
That’s it for this edition of “Love Stories in Fiction, Part 1” – one that grew a great deal longer than I intended. But I just kept right on typing and when the above names make as great couples as these 13 pairings do. I regret nothing.
Tell me, what are your Favorite Love Stories in Fiction? Comment down below with your favorites and why they’re in that position. I’d love to chat about them all with you.
Talking a few favorite #romance stories in a new(ish) list. New & Old Favorites: Love Stories in Fiction, Part 1. #Love #Romance #Books #BookLovers #Fiction Click To TweetThank you for visiting!
The only one I know are Adam and Mia, but you have quite a comprehensive list! I am so bad at this because I never remember who I love, except for the ones I REALLY love hahha. I think Peeta and Katniss will always be huge for me, and Bellarke is a whole other story. Though Book Bellarke is canon and I think people like it? So fun, can;t wait to see part 2!
(Apologies for the reply delay, Shannon!!)
Once in a while, there’s a couple that really stands out. Sometimes they’re “cute” in the moment, but I promptly forget about them. I think it helped that I had this post in draft for so long. I made changes, and added a few more before I called it good. ;) Appreciate you reading, and sharing your favorite. I always did like Peeta, but wish Book Katniss appreciated him a bit more. :D
Love this list Rissi!! Great choices!
Thank you, Andi; and my apologies for the reply delay. :/
These are some really great choices! I had forgotten some of these couples and am happy you reminded me how great they are, like Max and Paige and Drew and Madeline. And yes, it is okay to prefer the film version of a couple over the book.
YAY! Gotta’ love Drew and Madeline (they’re SO darn cute), and Max and Paige (plus it doesn’t hurt that a book store is involved in their story). I’m so glad it’s bookworm acceptable to like a film over a book. :D
Thanks for the comment, Brittaney; my apologies for the delay in replying.
Great picks! Some are on my TBR list and I also loved the couples in Becky Wade’s books!
YES! Becky’s couples are always rom-com magic. :)
Apologies for the delay in replying, Heidi; I always love reading everyone’s comments, so thanks for being a reader and the comment.