lou's library

Alternative title: Damn, that chemistry🔥

I’m a sucker for a good romance novel. But even in most other books I read, there tends to be a love story and I’m all here for that. I’m currently rereading the Twilight saga (a blog post for another day, believe me), and it’s a bit of a reminder of what makes a great fictional couple in my opinion. And let’s just say Bella and Edward are not it, as I had to slowly and painfully come to terms with. Anyway, let’s focus on the literary romantic matches I would die on a hill for, shall we?

Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper

How anyone could read this series and not fall head over heals in love with the love Charlie and Nick have for each other is beyond me, honestly. I think it being a graphic novel, so seeing their relationship blossom visually, really helps with making me invested in it. It’s teenage love in all its passionate glory, made even more complex by the fact they’re two teenage boys. Alice Oseman handles the topic with such grace and skill and what I love the most about this couple is that they’re two amazing individuals who, when together, support one another and lift each other up to become even better people. Their relationship is so wholesome and heartwarming to read about, although it is of course not without its struggles. I can’t wait to finally watch the Netflix series as I suspect that will lift my love for these two on a whole other level.

Dexter and Emma from One Day

I don’t think I’ll ever shut up about how much this book and the Netflix series ruined me emotionally. I’m still recovering, that’s for sure. I won’t spoil anything here, but Dex and Em are the sort of characters that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. They’re complex and down right messy, and their relationship is far from perfect. But it developed out of a beautiful, genuine friendship and it made me so happy for them both when they finally reached that point. You do really suffer through it all with these two, I was in for the ride and it’s been a long while since I’ve last met two characters who felt so devastatingly real. Honestly, I could gush about these two forever. Emma is just too kind and loving and seeing her become less insecure and standing up for herself (particularly in front of Dexter) was amazing to witness. And Dex is just someone who so desperately wants to get it right and manages to get it wrong every damn time, but somehow that only makes you love him more?? These two, I swear to God, will be the death of me. SOMEONE BRING TISSUES.

Arthur and Molly Weasley from Harry Potter

Now, here’s a couple I don’t see getting nearly enough appreciation, like ever. Even in the world of Harry Potter fandom, nobody ever seems to talk about Arthur and Molly as a couple? Maybe that’s because we don’t get to see a lot of their actual relationship in the books. But I think, what they have is so special. They’ve survived two wars together, raised more children than you can count on one hand (while not having a lot of money), experienced grief and loss and have continued to risk their lives regardless, because they believe in doung the right thing. Most of their children they’ve raised to become amazing wizards and witches and human beings (I know, Percy is a bit of an exception here but hey, there’s always one bad apple I suppose, and he does come round eventually). In a world where the Weasley’s could have chosen to think better of themselves because of their pure blood status, they’ve decided to raise above any such notions and instead prioritise kindness. Honestly, iconic. Yes, Arthur and Molly fight frequently, but that’s because a lot is at stake and because they care so much. They’re great human beings and make the best team and no one ever seems to give them any credit for that. Personally, the fact they both survived made me so, so happy (and made up just a tiny bit for the loss of a certain other couple that I will never get over). So, while Molly and Arthur may not show a lot of affection publicly, I think their love for each other and their family shines through every single one of their actions.

Marianne and Connell from Normal People

You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? I’m not even gonna apologise for it, because these two are the best and I will not hear otherwise. Are they highly dysfunctional and seriously need to learn how to communicate with each other? Absolutely. But their chemistry is off the record and their relationship is one of the best depictions of young love I’ve ever read. You suffer with them and desperately want them to make it work, but Sally Rooney really isn’t trying to fabricate some kind of unrealistic perfect love story here. And by avoiding that, she instead creates two complex and multi-layered characters, who are flawed and mess up regularly, but who also can’t live without one another and somehow fit together like two puzzle pieces. I accept that by the end of the book, a seperation might really be what’s best at that point in their lives. But I don’t for a second hesitate to believe these two will keep finding each other. That’s what they’re doing in my head anyway, and I refuse to believe otherwise.

Henry and Sidney from In Memoriam

Alice Winn, you have bewitched me with your WWI novel about young love in desperate and gruel times and I shall not ever be okay again. It’s been more than two months since I have read this book and I cannot overstate the chokehold it has had on me since. I spent the entire book in a state of mild panic at the thought of one of them dying, because I was fairly certain that would kill me (just being a tad overdramatic here but it did feel that way). I’m not giving away any spoilers here, but let’s just say this book made me wonder if sometimes, death might be the more merciful ending. I guess that’s what you get for reading a queer romance set during one of the most brutal wars in recent history. FUN. What gripped me about Henry’s and Sidney’s relationship was not just their naive, youthful infatuation with one another and how that matures into something much more complex and dark. It’s also how poetically written this book is. It truly turned these characters into artworks for me and I was constantly in awe of the author’s skill. She has created this beautiful, devastating dynamic between her characters, trapped in a world that does its very best to keep them apart. I’m gonna stop writing now before I get upset but Henry and Sidney, you have my heart.

Hazel Grace and Augustus from The Fault In Our Stars

Ah, the first book to ever have made me cry. John Green, you cruel, cruel man. This one goes out to everyone who was a teenager in the 2014 and the years afterwards and who also still hasn’t recovered from the trauma that is this book. GAH. How anyone can write a character as Augustus Waters is something I will never be able to fathom. He’s just perfect, in his very own way. His fears are entirely normal and believable and yet he is so extraordinary in everything he does. Also, he’s perfect for Hazel Grace, who is badass and amazing in her own right. And together they’re just my favourite teenage couple ever. I honestly can’t do them justice, just read the book if you’ve somehow haven’t managed to do so yet. You won’t regret it, because it hardly gets better than these two.

So, here you go, my favourite fictional couples! Let me know which ones are your favourites!