Top Ten Favorite Romances

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

I know I don’t participate in Top Ten Tuesday every week but I couldn’t give up a chance to share my favorite romances with you guys! I actually made a hand written list of these favorites and then using very scientific reasoning I narrowed it down to only ten..so in no particular order…

Bran and Liadan from Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier – (Or every single couple in every single Marillier novel ever…) Like many of Marillier’s heroines, Liadan brings Bran back from the brink of madness. They both broke my heart and though I also love Clodagh and Cathal, Bran and Liadan were the first couple that I fell in love with. “I just knew, overwhelmingly, that if I did not touch him I would shatter in pieces. Jump, cried the wind. Jump over. I shut my eyes and moved toward him, and my arms went around his waist, and I rested my head against his chest and let my tears flow. There, said the voice deep inside me. See how easy it was?”

Bigby and Snow from Fables by Bill Willingham – Snow tames Bigby in a few ways and I just love how much he loves her. I devour all stories starring these two.

Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – This couple was heart wrenching in quite a few ways, their backstory and current love affair was beautiful and heart breaking. I can’t wait to see what happens with them in book two. “Your soul sings to mine. My soul is yours, and it always will be, in any world. No matter what happens. I need you to remember that I love you.”

Marco and Celia from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Oh those star crossed lovers who are doomed to duel to the death, the story, setting and characters all read like a love story to me. “As he kisses her, the bonfire glows brighter. The acrobats catch the light perfectly as they spin. The entire circus sparkles, dazzling every patron.” 

Anita and Jean Claude from The Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton – Anita has many lovers and boyfriends and though Jean Claude isn’t human I still can’t see anyone else as a better fit. Jean Claude understands Anita on all levels, though they are different in many ways, Jean Claude understands her rage and how it is a part of her better than anyone. “Je reve de toi..”

Cimorene and Mendanbar from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede – I read these books a long time ago, before a good romance was a key element in my book choices and I fell in love with the witty banter between these two characters. Their love shows in subtle ways and to this day they are still one of my favorite couples. “Yes,” Mendanbar said, looking down. “I love you, and—and—” “And you should have said that to begin with,” Cimorene interrupted.

Jamie and Claire from The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon – Okay maybe I didn’t love the first book but the parts I did love revolved around Claire and Jamie. Specifically, around Jamie’s love for Claire and their interactions with one another. “Oh, aye, Sassenach. I am your master . . . and you’re mine. Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own.” 

Robin Hood and Maid Marian – In every form, I love this couple. In the poems, novels, movies and songs their romance is beautiful.

Ismae and Duval from Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers – Ahh the slow burn romances always get to me! Through the whole novel I was on edge waiting for them to finally get together! “Whenever you are ready, or if you never are, my heart is yours….”

Wesley and Buttercup from The Princess Bride by William Goldman – How can this not be one of my favorites? Though I love the movie a tad more, their love is still beautiful! “Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.”