Top 10 Book Romances That Would Make It

Mon, August 13, 2012

Top 10 Book Romances That Would Make It

It’s Top 10 Tuesday (hosted at The Broke and the Bookish) and the topic is:

Top 10 Book Romances That You Think Would Make It in the Real World

Oh my gosh. Pardon the large amount of text below, but I just got really unexpectedly serious. Okay, so let’s get into this…

First of all, would Bella and Edward have fallen in love if they were both human? No! He might not have even noticed her, had her blood not called to him.

Would Sam and Grace have ever met if his wolfy friends hadn’t tried to chow down on her when she was a little kid? Probably not.

Would Rose and Dimitri and countless others have been drawn together if they weren’t FORBIDDEN ROMANCES? Who knows!

You can’t answer that stuff, so I immediately have to rule out any non-contemp or non-classic romance. Sorry, paranormal, dystopian, sci-fi and so on fans…

And even in terms of classics, I mean Romeo and Juliet are so screwed. You crazy kids, you barely know each other. Not gonna make it.

And yeah, okay, I love a love story, but in reality most of the YA books I read are about first loves. Can I picture myself with my high school boyfriend? HELL NO. So, frankly, despite all the lovey-doveyness, 99% of them aren’t going to last.

So, here’s what WILL work:

Anyone with a solid relationship from the olden days. Because people didn’t really date around, you know? So they were stuck with each other.

Example: Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are golden. People didn’t divorce back then, so they don’t really have a choice but to stick it out. Plus, those two Judgy McJudgersons were MFEO.

Anyone whose story followed more than just their teen years.

Example: Marcus Flutie and Jessica Darling, after all the shit they’ve gone through in five books – that’s like 10 years of fictional angst and strife, people – have proven that they are hopeless together but they’re also hot messes alone. So, they’ve put in the time. They’re solid.

And, um, yeah, that’s about all I can think of.

So, if I’m going to be that much of a Debbie Downer, why is it that I love YA romances? Good question, you! I think that we have to be honest that teen romances just aren’t going to last most of the time, but damn if I don’t love the start of their journey, at least. First love! Who doesn’t want to remember that feeling? Just leave out all the messy breakup parts that come afterward. Ick!

Lord, Broke and Bookish, y’all just made a pessimist out of this romantic. Whomp wha. SADDEST TTT EVAR!

Anna Reads young adult book blog

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Posted by: Anna • In: top 10

22 Comments

marissa said:

I didn’t realize it would be as hard as it was but when I was thinking of real life I also had a hard time. I had to do a spin on it and just do couples that had admirable romances and even then I only got to 7!
marissa recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Book Couples Worth Admiring

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
elena said:

I skipped this because I couldn’t really think of any YA couples that would really make it. Teenagers change their minds all the time, it’s part of being a teen. Who knows what they’ll be doing in two years much less if they’ll make it with their current gf/bf? Like you, I do love the journey though and think it’s really endearing how these relationships start.

P.S. You really make me want to finish the Jessica Darling series!
elena recently posted..soundtrack to your life: jay kristoff

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Heather K. said:

Another great post!

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Tara @ Hobbitsies said:

BAHAHA See, I thought of it more of a list about couples that would work out of the book, if that makes sense? Not like they were going to last forever…but if there weren’t, you know, death defying situations, would they still be together and what not.
Tara @ Hobbitsies recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Romances Out of the Pages

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Joie @ Joie de Lire said:

Yes! Darcy and Elizabeth! I put them on my list too! And now you have me wanting to finish the Jessica Darling series! I need me some more Marcus Flutie….
Joie @ Joie de Lire recently posted..Top Ten Bookish Romances to Survive in the Real World

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Lori said:

I do have Sam and Grace on my list…They are just too perfect for each other. They would have met eventually. I also have Jessica and Marcus! Those two! Sigh…
Lori recently posted..Top Ten Realistic Romances

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Christina (BookTasty) said:

Hahaha This post doesn’t make me depressed it cracks me up! I see your point totally! But I do think there are a few out there
Christina (BookTasty) recently posted..Top Ten Tuesdays: Fictional Real World Romances

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Tara said:

Thank you for making me giggle at my desk first thing in the morning
Tara recently posted..Book review: Changeling by Philippa Gregory

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Alyssa @ Books Take You Places said:

I had a hard time too! Also, my first thought was “If anyone adds Bella and Edward I am going to throw up all over myself.” I need to read Jessica Darling, pronto!! This list made me laugh, it was fantastic!
Alyssa @ Books Take You Places recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday (23)

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Estelle said:

Hi! I used to think this all the time when I was reading YA. I also could not picture myself marrying my high school boyfriend, even though at the time I totally wanted to. But sometimes I have hope beyond hope that these characters can make it work. Jessica Darling and Marcus! The best!
Estelle recently posted..Travel Tales: A Guest Post from Author Pam Mingle

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Kailia Sage said:

I agree with you completely! I have to say: it seems that many of the relationships that will last come from contemporary book! Did youmknow there’s going to be a Jessica Darling middle grade novel?

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Kait said:

Completely agreed! If you throw a few of the NA books into the mix I think you’d find more of the lasting love, like Will & Lake in Slammed/Point of Retreat or Matt & Julie in Flat-Out Love.

I’m so glad you mentioned Marcus & Jessica. They’re one of my all time favorite couples. Great points.
Kait recently posted..Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
gautami tripathy said:

Some great choices there!

Here is my Top Ten post!

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase said:

When I was a teenager, my mom informed me that my first love more than likely wouldn’t be my last, and I was so angry at her for that. But it’s so true! So I agree with you–most YA couples won’t make it in the long run. But those early relationships are great to read!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase recently posted..Tune in Tuesday (1)

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Krystianna said:

I definitely agree with what you said. I wasn’t even thinking of this when I made my list!
Krystianna recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday (6)

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Sarah @ YA Love said:

Ha! I love this post b/c it’s generally true. I excluded any non-contemp romances from my list for the same reasons. I think part of the reason I like YA romance is because, yeah, it’s often first love, but we also know what love feels like with a new person <3 Can't beat it!

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Tabitha @ Tabitha’s Book Blog said:

Definitely agree about the majority of book couples not making it in real life. But it doesn’t stop me from hoping that they’d make it! And I really need whatever book Marcus Flute and Jessica Darling are in because I’ve heard about them… A LOT!
Tabitha @ Tabitha’s Book Blog recently posted..Top Ten Book Romances That Would Make it in the Real World

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Celeste said:

So hard I can’t think of any. Seems like most books the couple meet in unconventional ways and things are always happening around them. In most books you wonder will their love last once all the craziness is gone? Sorry can’t think of any.
Celeste recently posted..Book Review: Off The Grid – P.J. Tracy

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Ashley @ Book Labyrinth said:

Ha! That is depressing, but definitely truthful.

I think when I thought of couples I looked for ones who had a real connection and had to work for their relationship. The ones that had a real basis of friendship and respect. Those ones I can see going beyond just the book, and potentially lasting long-term.
Ashley @ Book Labyrinth recently posted..Top Ten Book Romances

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Randi M said:

Totally agree with your reasoning for being attracted to YA fiction. Ah, first love. So sweet! And I definitely CANNOT picture myself still being with my first love! Bahahaha. Great post, even if a bit sad!
Randi M recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Romances that would Make It in the Real World

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Kelsey @ The Lost Book Reports said:

this was why this topic was way harder for me than I thought it would be too, cause I had to seriously think about it!

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books said:

I have to admit that, even though I root for a lot of different paranormal couples or first love conquers all couples, you do have a point to make by choosing these two realistic pairings. I’m an especially big fan of Darcy & Elizabeth
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books recently posted..Beautiful Lies – Jessica Warman (Review)

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Posted on: Mon, August 13, 2012