June 28, 2013

Sizzle & Swoon: Our Favorite Couples


Today marks the last day of Sizzle & Swoon (cue sad violin music), but we're going out with a bang! I'm going to be sharing one of my favorite lists of this entire event: favorite couples. For what good is a romance without that perfect hero-heroine combination? I'll tell you - NO GOOD. It took quite some time for each of us to decide who best fits our idea of the ideal couples, so without further ado, enjoy the list! Like before, if there's a +A/+R/+S, it means that more than one person endorses that choice.

ALEXA'S PICKS

Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas
Celaena & Chaol (Throne of Glass/Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas) - These two are just so completely epic. I've raved about them (well, honestly Chaol) plenty on Twitter, but thinking about their relationship makes me smile. They're well-matched physically, mentally and even emotionally. Any moment they share is charged with electricity! They're perfect for each other.

Minerva & Colin (A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare) - I loved this pairing because it was very unexpected. To the regular observer, these two are not suited to each other at all. But throughout the course of their book, you see how they manage to complement each other very well. The way they developed into something more is so darn cute too!

Evie & Sebastian (Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas) - I know, I know, this book again. But I couldn't keep them off of this list! Their pairing is also unexpected - the shy, stuttering wallflower and the sly, irredeemable rake. But Kleypas works her magic and has readers falling completely in love with Sebastian and Evie's love story.

RACQUEL'S PICKS

Blue-Eyed Devil - Lisa Kleypas
Hardy & Haven (Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas) - It's a beautiful romance between two people that need it the most. (+A) (+S)

Jack & Ella (Smooth-Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas) - Another perfect pairing! Jack is not Ella's regular cup of tea, but seeing her fall in love with such an alpha, even though she doesn't want to, is great. Because time and time again, Jack proves worthy! (+A)

Will & Elly (Morning Glory by LaVryle Spencer) - If you've read Spencer before, you know her writing is so heartwarming and sweet, that it could kill. This romance is so beautiful, that it's suffocating.

SHARON'S PICKS

Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
Jamie & Claire (the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon) - I love them individually, and I love them together. These two just make me incredibly happy with their fun interactions, their down-to-earth quality, and their genuine love for each other.

Millie & Fitz (Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas) - These two are simply wonderful! They were both married for years AND best friends before they truly began a romantic relationship. And it was beautiful. (+R)

Mia & Michael (The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot) - Book or movie, these two are amazing! There's a reason that the first fan fiction I ever wrote was about them! What was it, you ask? I'll never tell! (+A)

YOUR TURN - Who are your favorite couples in books? Tell us who brings on the SWOON, the BANTER, the FEELS!

For more Sizzle & Swoon, visit The Book Barbies!

17 Comments:

  1. I haven't read any of these books/series! But, a great couple with a swoony love story can really make a book!

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    1. I think you should definitely try some of them out, particularly the romance novels! They're really quite good and a whole lot of fun to read.

      If you prefer historical romances, I'd say go for The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas (which includes Devil in Winter). And if you want contemporary, I'd say the Travis Family series by Lisa Kleypas.

      (Clearly, Lisa Kleypas is the master.)

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  2. ooh You really liked the Crown of Midnight! Was it better than the first book? If there is still a love triangle I don't think I can bring myself to read it. ha

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    1. Oh, I LOVED IT. I personally think it was MUCH better than the first one (which I loved too). The story is better, the writing is better, and the love story is SO SO GOOD. I think you might like it ;)

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  3. Your reason for loving Celaena and Chaol is basically MY reason. They are one of those couples that are just so perfect together - they get one another, they don't try to hurt each other. I think they are stronger together. GAH. I just love them so much.

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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    1. I think they're perfect for each other too! They're so well-suited, and I like how they manage to be friend, competitors and swoon-inducing all at once ;)

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  4. You gotta love Evie and Sebastian. Kleypas really does work magic, because I hated him in It Happened One Autumn. But after reading The Devil in Winter - well, he is one of my favorite heroes.

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    1. YES! He became a big favorite of mine after reading DEVIL IN WINTER. The way that Kleypas was able to uncover his true personality was lovely, and I just cannot stop loving him. I really can't!

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  5. Oh Celaena & Chaol would definitely make my list too. After Crown of Midnight, I haven't been able to stop thinking about them! And broom cupboards... ;) I definitely need to try Diana Gabaldon's books soon as I hear nothing but great things.

    Thanks for sharing as always!

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    1. Stoooop. You're killing me ;) After CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, I just cannot stop gushing about Chaol. He was always my favorite, and I just loved him in this one!

      Me too! I've actually never read a Gabaldon book, but I'm curious. Sharon says it's a great series, so I'll definitely consider checking it out!

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  6. First of all, I know that you are Team Chaol, but I have to give you props here because OBVIOUSLY Team Chaol is the winning team. I love him. I can't wait to read Crown of Midnight!
    Also, this Blue-Eyed Devil sounds VERY intriguing. I am bemoaning the ack of historical romance in my life right now--I've got plenty of books, just not enough time!--so I'm adding this one to the TBR so I can swoon over this rake with you.
    And HUGE shout-out to Sharon, who chose one of MY favorite couples, Jamie and Claire from Outlander. BEST.

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    1. Team Chaol is ALWAYS the winning team. Just saying! It's not that I don't like Dorian (because I actually really do), but if I'm looking for swoons, I'd personally pick Chaol. I hope you get to read Crown of Midnight soon because it is PHENOMENAL.

      As we discussed on Twitter, it is imperative that you read the Travis Family series because it is SO GOOD. All three of us love, love, love those books, but particularly Blue-Eyed Devil because Hardy Cates is <3

      Aaaaah, an Outlander fan! I've been meaning to read it, but haven't quite gotten the courage to yet. We will see if it happens :)

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  7. To be honest, I haven't read any of these books, but I always loved Mia and Michael in the movie. They were one of my fave movie couples (still undecided about the whole Chris Pine thing in the second one lol). I must definitely get to Throne of Glass and probably try a Lisa Kleypas book?

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    1. Please do read Throne of Glass! I'm sure you know that I love that series, and will always and forever gush over it with anyone who wants to. And reading Kleypas would be a very very smart decision as well ;)

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  8. Oh my goodness JAMIE AND CLAIRE! I adore them. Sold me on Scottish men...

    Also, Alexa, I just got Throne of Glass last week! Hopefully will get to read it soon, I'm excited!!

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  9. Love the Wallflowers series-I think my favorite though is the Autumn one because I love the vivacious girl warming up the stiff British lord trope.

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  10. Oh man, I love Lisa Kleypas. Well, actually I have only read one of her books, Secrets Of A Summer Night, BUT OMG I DID LOVE IT.

    Also.

    Jamie And Claire FOREVER.

    AND OMG YES, I am glad to see you ship Chaol and Celaena too!

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Thanks for leaving a comment! I love seeing what you have to say, and will try to reply (here or on Twitter) as soon as I can :)