Greatest Romantic Couples in Literature

If you're looking for some inspiration this Valentine's Day, check out the famous couples in romantic books that captured our hearts. Get swept off your feet with these stories.

Pride and Prejudice

Get drawn in by the lavish, often exaggerated sense of self-importance lifestyle of English aristocracy and the hopeless woes of eager young women looking for wealthy suitors. Mr. Darcy's attitude is clouded by pride and matches contentiously with Elizabeth Bennet's spirit of prejudice as these two individuals encounter one another in the most English and yet unsuspecting of circumstances. Love is finally found in the most unlikely of relationships.

Jane Eyre

Though her employer, Jane Eyre, secretly falls in love with the wealthy, brooding Mr.Rochester, who ends up proposing marriage after several twists and turns. Unfortunately, Mr. Rochester is discovered to be married, and the romance ends with Jane penniless, hungry, and out on the streets. After many years have passed, fate brings them back together, with the tables turned as Jane is wealthy and Mr.Rochester, a broken man. Equality in life is achieved through marriage and the beauty that comes from tragedy.

Outlander

In this historical romantic tale by Diana Gabaldon, Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp Randall first meet when Claire, a former British combat nurse, attends to the wound on Jamie's shoulder when she finds herself transported back in time to 1743. For Jamie Fraser, the interest began immediately though it grew into love during her emotional release in his arms months later. Unfortunately, Claire has made many mistakes when it comes to love, including already being married. Adventure, war, and romance bring twists and turns but show there is never a question that Jamie is truly the only man for Claire.

Romeo and Juliet

Nothing reveals love at first sight, as the connection between Romeo and Juliet, a story written by one of the world's foremost romantic authors, William Shakespeare. Loyalty, commitment, and authenticity are three keys to the bond between these characters, though ultimately, they lead to ruin. Tender, passionate, and flirtatious interactions must overcome the poisoned relationships between two warring families for true happiness to be found.

The Great Gatsby

The relationship between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan is complex and self-fulling. Gatsby deeply longs for Daisy and a superior lifestyle, but rather than risk her wealth and status, Daisy uses Gatsby as a diversion from her own romantic unhappiness. Gatsby's romantic passions go unfilled, and he ultimately finds his idolization of Daisy is misguided and not returned.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Being a time traveler already creates a unique relationship between the married couple of Clare Abshire and Henry DeTamble, but it is the interaction between the two that shows how love can be complicated and self-serving. In the end, the complexities of Henry's commitment issues make marital bliss fleeting, though worth the effort.

The Hunger Games

Perhaps one of the more realistic approaches to romantic literature, the relationship between Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark is forged from letting down personal walls and defenses and developing a respect and admiration for someone who provides safety, strength, and hope. These characters treat each other according to the demands of their situation, but the steady presence and dependence on one another for emotional and physical survival grow a deep love from conflict.

Antony and Cleopatra

Two powerful people succumb to intense desire and passion due to the impact of love at first sight, yet the relationship between the powerful Antony and the beautiful Cleopatra was marked with volatility. However, the relationship was marked by distinct self-serving interests, and the political influence on their relationship was their demise.

Bridget Jones Diary

Bridget Jones, a 32-year-old English single woman, goes on a journey to find herself to gain a better opinion of herself and find the perfect soulmate. Distance, interpersonal conflict, and personal insecurities keep Bridget and Mark Darcy from reuniting in love until they each accept the humanity of the other. This funny reinterpretation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice has been hailed as a cult film.

A Walk To Remember

One of the most cherished romantic novels, Nicholas Sparks, shows that love can be found in the most unlikely of people and places. Innocence and impossibilities are recurring themes between Jamie and Landon Carter, and the depth of human emotions can overcome the greatest odds and hurts between two people who genuinely love each other.

Give a little romance this Valentine's Day with one of these novels. Thriftbooks has these titles and more to get you in the spirit of love and affection. Shop thousands of titles of both new and used books at affordable prices.

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