Top Ten Book Couples

On a scale of action to romance, I prefer explosions to expressions of undying love.  But that doesn't mean I don't want my characters to get a little love in between their sword fights, magic duels, rescues, crime solving, evil defeating, nefarious plot uneathing, spying, and all around general world saving!  These are my favorite literary romances, beginning with:

10. Merit and Ethan Sullivan
Chicagoland Vampires, Chloe Neill

I wasn't entirely sure whether to include Merit and Ethan on this list.  Yes, I've read Hard Bitten, but I still have hope, and I love Merit and Ethan, so here they are.  Ethan is the 400-year-old Master of Cadogan House and Merit has to be the only vamp who didn't want to be one.  But somehow there some pretty electrifying sparks, and their interactions are a joy to watch.

9. Lan Mandragoran and Nynaeve al'Meara
The Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan

At first glance, Lan and Nynaeve are complete opposites.  He's the king of a country that no longer exists; she's the Wisdom of a tiny, unknown village.  He's always calm; her temper is a legend.  While they try to deny their feelings for each other, eventually they prove too strong for either of them to hold back.

8. Mercy Thompson and Adam Hauptman
Mercy Thompson, Patricia Briggs

I think the junk car in Mercy's yard says it all.  Adam hates how messy it looks, so every time he annoys her, she removes a wheel.  Not the kind of relationship you would expect to progress to love (unless you read a lot), but even then, Mercy's no meek puppy, and Adam will always be an Alpha.

7. Rose Hathaway and Dimitri Belikov
Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead

Source: Little Dhampirs via Dimitri and Rose

Dimitri's exasperation with his student is frequently only exceeded by her joy at pushing him.  Rose and Dimitri shouldn't be together for a lot of reasons (several of which are legal reasons), but something draws them together no matter how much they try to stay apart.  Later, Rose is willing to risk everything to save Dimitri from the Strigoi, and it's through her efforts that he's finally able to return.

6. Elena Devereaux and Raphael
Guild Hunter, Nalini Singh

Despite being at number 6, in some ways I think Raphael and Elena are the perfect couple.  Unlike in some romances (that I hate), meeting the love of their lives doesn't make either of them any less than what they are: Elena is still Hunter-born and very much a warrior, while Raphael's power and occasional cruelty don't vanish just for her.  Raphael and Elena are sexy, powerful, and share troubled pasts, but most importantly, they're willing to fight for each other till the last breath.

5. Phedre no Delaunay and Joscelin Verreuil
Kushiel's Legacy, Jacqueline Carey

A courtesan and a priest.  Do I really have to explain any more?  Phedre and Joscelin are another pair of opposites who are somehow perfect for each other.  (Side note: serious NC-17 rating on these books.  Note that I pointed that out for this one in particular over the others.)

4. Tavi and Kitai
Codex Alera, Jim Butcher

Tavi is exceedingly clever and pretty witty as well, while Kitai is utterly contemptuous of all things Aleran--Tavi included.  However, when their lives become unexpectedly tangled, they learn to work together and eventually can't live without each other.

3. Mac Lane and Jericho Barrons
Fever, Karen Marie Moning

Source unknown

Words fail to describe this relationship.  Someone should duplicate their ability to have conversations with their eyes.

2. Damin Wolfblade and Adrina
Demon Child Trilogy, Jennifer Fallon

When spoiled, beautiful Princess Adrina ends up the captive of Damin Wolfblade, heir to a seriously depraved High Prince, you just know there's a disaster in the making.  They hate each other right up until they tear each other's clothes off, and even after they marry, they refuse to admit to their feelings for each other until it's thrown in their faces.

1. Kate Daniels and Curran
Kate Daniels, Ilona Andrews

Every time Kate and Curran have a conversation, it cracks me up.  Just thinking about them makes me happy.  They are hands-down my favorite fictional couple.

And for those of you who want to see more explosions of a non-"wink wink, nudge nudge" variety...

Source: Uncyclopedia