My Favorite Literary Characters to Fall in Love With

Life has few greater pleasures than curling up by a warm fire or stretching out poolside, wholly immersed in a novel full of love, lust, and passion.

I get emotionally involved with the lives of fictional couples and am heartbroken if things don't work out. After time spent crying, rooting for them to make it, and yelling at the pages, I feel like I've earned the right to determine the fate of these imaginary, fictitious couples.

The best couples from literature aren't always the ones with happy endings – in fact, the more drama involved, the better. Here are a few literary couples that have me head over heels.

Couples That Made Me Cry

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

Bryn Greenwood's All the Ugly and Wonderful Things challenges all we know and believe about love. Simply described, it is the story of how Wavy, the young daughter of a drug dealer, and Kellen, a loner, drug runner, and ex-con, fall in love.

But this story is anything but simple. After all of the ugly and horrifying things Wavy and Kellen go through, you'll be rooting for this little girl and the much older man to overcome all obstacles to be together finally.

Wavy and Kellen are a couple so wrong for each other yet so right. Prepare yourself for one of the strangest but most unforgettable love stories you'll ever read.

Me Before You

Me Before You tells the story of the quirky Louisa Clark, who unfortunately lost her job and is seeking a new one. This is how she crosses paths with Will Traynor, who devastatingly became paralyzed after a motorcycle accident.

Me Before You is a heartbreaking story about finding what makes life worth living and deciding whether it's truly enough.

Couples That Inspired Me

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea introduces us to one of the sweetest couples I've ever met, even though they are fictional. The story centers on Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who visits an orphanage with six rare magical children and ends up finding more than he expected. Through his investigation, he develops a friendship with the master of the orphanage, Albert Parnassus.

The relationship between Arthur and Linus is tender and endearing. This story shows us how finding a true soulmate can make you the best version of yourself and give you the courage to fight for what you love.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly moving. Eleanor and Raymond's friendship shows us how kindness and compassion can be life-altering. Through Raymond, Eleanor is able to overcome the heartbreak she endured at the hands of her abusive mother and learn to trust another person.

For anyone who feels alone, or helpless, Eleanor's story will remind you that there is hope and good in the world. The combination of heartbreak, humor and hope left me wanting more of Eleanor and Raymond and wishing for a sequel.

Relationship Goals

These couples set the bar high for any relationship. They are positive, uplifting, and inspiring. The world needs more of it right now. So whether you are in a real relationship or living vicariously through a fictional couple I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day.

Happy Reading!