Top Ten Tuesday – 8th February

Hello hello and welcome or welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet. It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday again, and this time it’s a love freebie. I’ve decided to go for my top ten favourite couples, which might seem a bit obvious, but I picked it as I knew it would challenge me; how do you narrow it down?!

Top Ten Tuesday is run by That Artsy Reader Girl, and you can find all the prompts, past and upcoming, on her post here.

Let’s get started!

#1 – Feyre and Rhysand

This was going to be obvious for anyone that’s been around me in the last couple of years! I love these two as a couple for so many reasons. The strength of their relationship and the level of love is just beautiful, and is the kind of thing that sonnets are written about. My reviews of the series in order here:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses
• A Court of Mist and Fury
• A Court of Wings and Ruin
• A Court of Frost and Starlight

#2 – Poppy and Casteel

Again, another potentially obvious choice, but how could I not include them?! Again, this is the kind of love we can dream of finding. They’re another couple who have had to really fight for each other, and it shows in the way they treat one another. I’m terrified about what the next book is going to bring, but at the same time, I absolutely need to read it. Review of the books so far in order here:

• From Blood and Ash
• A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
• The Crown of Gilded Bones

#3 – Pip and Ravi

Let’s take a step away from fantasy and back to the real world. Pip and Ravi start out as a team, both believing that Ravi’s brother was innocent of the murder of his girlfriend. From a team, they move into a couple – but also stay a totally united front. Their relationship might be far more realistic than the two fantastical ones above, but is no less lovely.

• A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder (Second Viewings here)
• Good Girl, Bad Blood,
• As Good As Dead (review to come)

#4 – Linus and Arthur

The House in the Cerulean Sea was one of my top reads last year, and one of the things that made it so special was the growing affection between Linus and Arthur. They’re so different in so many ways, but it’s Arthur’s kind heart and sweet words that help Linus see that he’s perfectly imperfect. It’s a story about all the different types of love you can possibly hold, and even if their relationship is almost the side line of the story, it touched my heart.

#5 – Tessa and Wes

When I was sent a copy of Defy the Night last year, I could hardly believe my luck. I still can’t! It’s one of those books I’ll keep forever. This, again, is a very special book, going in so many directions, that I can’t wait for the next book already. One of the things that made it so special was the pure and adorable dynamic between Tessa and Wes. They’re risking their lives every night to help people around them, and that’s a powerful force in guiding a relationship.

#6 – Elisabeth and Nathaniel

The natural born rivals from Sorcery of Thorns make for fierce and fabulous interactions. Again, this was one of my top reads in 2021 and everything that is built around their relationship is built from the complete rubble. I loved this book, and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

#7 – Alyce and Aurora

The evil fairy and the beautiful princess. What could possibly go wrong? I fell in love with Malice as soon as the proof copy landed in my hands, and I haven’t forgotten how beautiful it was. Another book I’m excited for and yet terrified of this year is the sequel, Misrule.
Alyce and Aurora shouldn’t be a match according to the rules, but they are, and I believe in their love. I so want them to have a happily ever after.

#8 – Sophia and Constance

Another sapphic duo that won me over, Sophia and Constance star in the utterly brilliant Cinderella Is Dead. In a world that forces castle approved only tellings of Cinderella, and her happily ever after, Sophia can’t help but feel there’s something very very wrong going on around her. When she meets Constance, they decide they make a good team. Tender and true, this pairing always make me smile.

#9 – Simon and Baz

Simon and Baz are the ultimate enermies to lovers duo. I still remember reading Carry On for the first time and being like, “Wait, what?!” and yet at the same time nodding because it all made complete and absolute sense. They balance each other out, even if they’re both rubbish at asking for helping, and despite everything see the very best in each other. Despite this being a fantasy series, it’s also hugely realistic; there’s bumps in the road, and it isn’t plain sailing. I like that, and it makes me root for them from square one all over again.

#10 – Magnus and Alec

Finally, with so many couples to choose from in the Shadowhunters world, it’s hard to narrow it down. But if I have to only pick one from the series, it has to be Magnus and Alec. Again, they fight through so much to be together, against the opinions of Shadowhunters and Downworlders alike, and despite everything, they come out fighting. The TV series might have been shit, but the episode where they got married makes me cry.

So there we have it. My top ten favourite fictional couples. I could have picked so many couples as, despite not even being a big romance reader, when sitting down to attack writing this post, I realised how many books I’ve read where romance is a key factor in the story.

I’d love to know who makes your list. Let me know in the comments!