Top Ten Tuesday- The Best and Worst Fictional Relationships

Hello everyone and welcome back to another Top Ten Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ ThatArtsy Reader Girl and today is freebie prompt that we definitely took advantage of: 10 books we think showcase the best and worst relationships in fiction.

Spoiler Alert!: A lot of this post will include spoilers so proceed at your own risk.

And the Award for OTP goes to…

1- Vasya and Morozko from The Winternight Trilogy

This trilogy gets a lot of heat because there isn’t enough romance in the first book but the ARC of the trilogy shows a relationship that grow and changes over time and one that is complex and perfect for such a stellar series. Their slow burn romance is well suited to Arden’s lush, atmospheric style of storytelling.

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2- Tonks and Lupin from the Harry Potter Series

Lupin and Tonks are the most underrated couple in Harry Potter, hands down. Both are looked down upon in their society despite being possibly the two kindest adults in the entire series. They are brilliant magic workers, steadfast and loyal to the end. And the way he quietly falls for her and she wins him over is one of my favorite parts of the novels. She brings out a fun side of him that makes you understand how he held his own with Sirius and James.

3- Nita and Kovit from The Market of Monsters Trilogy

It could be debated whether these two are romantic or not which is one of the reasons they made this list. Nita and Kovit are intense, flawed individuals and together they frequently do terrible things but I am here for all their interactions and chenistry.

4- George and Alanna from The Song of the Lioness series

George and Alanna are the perfect foils for each other. One upstanding and one rule breaking, they both share kind hearts and a pure love for each other. They are intellectual equals and balance each other out perfectly.

5- Anne and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables

Anne and Gilbert might just be the reason an entire generation of girls love “hate to love” romances. Even though they didnt always see eye to eye growing up, Anne and Gilbert ended up being the perfect partners. He loved Anne entirely - all of her quirks and flaws included, and she allowed herself to be vulnerable for him. It is a beautiful love story and one of my first favorites.

Relationship that make us cringe

1- Joe Golberg from You and Hidden Bodies

Yeah we don’t even need to include a love interest for Joe. For anyone who has read either of Caroline Kepnes’ novels you know all about Joe and we don’t need to say anything else except maybe: stop making us empathetic towards your horrible behavior!

2- Heathcliffe and Catherine from Wuthering Heights

I would love to see the Lady Janie’s do a retelling of this classic with their biting wit and fantastical elements. I know we’re getting a trilogy featuring Mary’s from history but there have to be enough Catherines from history justify another trilogy! Tangent aside, this is definitely one of the most angsty, depressing relationships on the list.

3- Meggie and Father Ralph from The Thornbirds

Look. I’m sure there will be a niche group of readers who might want to take me to task for this one but for so many reasons the idea of a Catholic priest (later cardinal) falling in love with a young girl, waiting until she’s old enough to sleep with her and then tossing her aside- it sounds like a VC Andrews novel!

4- Basically every book by VC Andrews

Speak of the devil. This series recently resurfaced in my consciousness thanks to bookstagram. These were definitely the books I hid under my mattress (metaphorically speaking) and I read them over and over and over. Her books run the gauntlet from incest, to child abuse, to rape and murder. And that’s just one book.

5- Ana and Elizabeth from The Blood Countess

I picked this one because it was a recent read and it is intensely cringey on so many levels! It includes unequal power dynamics, manipulative tendencies, and gaslighting. All the things that you hate to love in a good horror novel. We can’t think of a better book to round out our list!

What About You?

What are some of your favorite fictional couples? What about the couples that make you squirm? Shares your thoughts about our picks in the comments and let us know how you think we missed!