1. Henry and Alex from 'Red White and Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston

“You are," he says, "the absolute worst idea I've ever had.”
I reread this book each year and always end up loving it more. It is hilarious and romantic and outlandish, and I adore it. The emails. The John Cusack scene. The bit when Henry takes off his ring. Oh, I could go on and on and on…

2. Luc and Oliver from 'Boyfriend Material' from Alexis Hall
“I don’t want fine. Fine isn’t enough. Isn’t not about the open fire or whatever other clichés you can conjure up, but yes, I want a connection. I want you to care as much as I care. I want you to need it and want it and mean it. I want it to matter.”
Luc and Oliver forever. There is something incredibly real about Alexis Hall’s characters. Luc can’t stop screwing up and Oliver can’t stop saving him. A story full of heart and the sort of happy-ever-after we all need right now. I just wish Oliver didn’t recommend Luc an eel sandwich because eels give me the ick.

3. Willem and Jude from 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara
"And who are you?"
"I'm Willem Ragnarsson. And I will never let you go.”

I could have picked a million quotes, but I feel this sums it up. Willem and Jude are nothing like the couples above. They are the Romeo and Juliet of my list, but god how I love them. How they walk about inside my head and how grateful I am that they existed. I will read this book again when I feel strong enough to cry myself sick.

4. Maren and Ursa from 'The Mercies' by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
“Again Maren feels that reach from inside her, a third, ghostly arm stretching out to seize hold of Ursa, as though she were drowning and found a raft among wreckage.”
Maren and Ursa’s story is about more than desire (not that the above aren’t too) but their relationship (based on a true story) is set in a time when being a woman is incredibly dangerous, let alone being a woman in love with another woman. The gentleness between these two women was captivating and real and heartbreaking.

5. Charlie and Nick from 'Heartstoppers' by Alice Oseman
“I wake up because the sun is in my eyes – I forgot to close my curtains last night. I forgot to do a lot of things last night. Like be a decent human being.”
The Netflix adaption of this is TV perfection as well. I have watched it over and over again. When Nick is standing in the rain... be still my heart. A triumph of a book. Sod it, I’m going to watch it again tonight.

6. Darcy and Elle from 'Written In The Stars' by Alexandria Bellefleur
“The sky was blue. The grass was green. Darcy was beautiful. Universally acknowledged truths.”
Darcy and Elle could not be more different and yet together they are perfection. A couple you root for from the word go. This book is funny and hits all the notes needed in an escapist romcom. I’d deffo have Darcy on my ‘if zombies invaded’ team.
 

7. Mungo and James from 'Young Mungo' by Douglas Stuart
“Mungo pulled his finger off the rusted nail. “I’m glad you are fixed, James. You’ve worked hard to get better. You deserve it.”

“I’m not fixed, Mungo. Ah’m just a liar.”
Douglas’ books are set in hard, cruel worlds, which throws the innocent and gentle love story between Mungo and James even more into the light. Hidden away from the world, Mungo and James discover themselves and one another and I adored every second of it.

8. Robin and Edwin from 'A Marvellous Light' by Freya Marske
“You look like a Turner painting and I want to learn your textures with my fingertips. You are the most fascinating thing in this beautiful house. I'd like to introduce my fists to whoever taught you to stop talking about the things that interest you.”

Everything about this fantasy was magical, but the love story between Robin and Edwin was my favourite part. Enemies to lovers, high-stakes, sarcastic banter and steam? Oh God, yes please.

9. Ellwood and Gaunt from 'In Memoriam' by Alice Winn
“Ellwood smiled, and a sudden, dry bleakness spread over Gaunt’s heart as he thought of Hercules, and Hector, and all the heroes in myth who found happiness briefly, only for it not to be the end of the story.”

I am not sure there is a braver hero than Gaunt. Alice’s book about the war hit me so hard I saw stars. I could taste the adoration in this book. A proper ugly cry romance.

10. Dan and Atticus from 'Dog Days' by Ericka Waller

“Afterwards, they lie together, Dan’s head on Atticus’s chest. ‘I’ve missed you,’ he whispers to Atticus. ‘I’ve missed you through all the years before I met you.’”
Dan and Atticus are still in my head and my heart. How I wished them a happy ever after, a transcendent love story. What they found was real and honest and brave but I do have another ending in my head… asleep on a train with Fitz by their feet, an open ticket in their wallets.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What about Bert and Ernie from 'Sesame Street'? And did I tell you about that Tintin and Captain Haddock fanfic I read?!]