At Chapter Break, we heart love stories. What are your top 5 love stories of all time?
Rose:
While it is very difficult to narrow down to only 5, these are some of my favorite love stories off all time, in no particular order:
1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon- Jamie and Claire’s love story is EPIC to say the least. I love a tortured hero and a strong heroine and this book has them both! Add in some time travel, horses, Scot’s accents and a kilt and WOW!
2. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons- This book liberated me from a terrible relationship, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I read this book over Christmas break in college one year and was suddenly like, hey, THAT is love…. and so yeah, I ditched the jerk I was with, moved 1500 miles away and started a new life. As for the book, it has it all. Red Army solider does everything he can to protect the young Russian girl he has fallen in love with during the terrors of WWII. Altruistic, innocent but brave heroine and tortured hero willing to sacrifice his very life for his love, check. Great book.
3. Easy by Tammara Webber- So this is not historical, like my previous two mentions. What I like about it is that is hits all the marks for me and is contemporary. Lucas is the very definition of tortured hero and Jacqueline learns to become a brave heroine who must fight back to regain her dignity and self confidence. Awesome read.
4. Sempre by J.M. Darhower- Okay, so I just read these two books (Sempre and Redemption make up the Always Series) and I do not know if they will stand the test of time, but Sempre made the list this time. This is a contemporary read about a young man being groomed to take over as Mafia boss and a girl who was born into human slavery whose biggest dream is live in learning to read. Carmine is rude, insensitive, and would rather punch someone first and ask questions later. Haven is a sweet, gentle soul who suffers extreme discomfort from her master and who fears at any moment, he could simply end her life. You know Carmine has fallen for Haven when he whispers just one word he never tells anyone: “Sorry.” Great love story! and now I am re-watching all 6 seasons of The Sopranos starting with episode one, just to satisfy my mafia craving.
5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte- I read this book the summer before my senior year of high school. I thought it would be a stuffy classic, difficult to understand and boring to read. It was anything, but! I think people don’t pick up the classics because they think the books are too difficult to read. This book reads easily and quickly. You do not need to have a three week short course in Brit Lit I to understand Jane Eyre. I find it absolutely amazing that Charlotte Bronte wrote a love story that still holds so very true to a woman’s heart today. Seriously, every chick who loves love stories, should read this one. Strong heroine and tortured hero (Oh Mr. Rochester, sigh), check! of course!
Lynn:
I am having a difficult time narrowing down the top list of favorite romances to five. But here’s my attempt, in no particular order.
- Outlander, of course, by Diana Gabaldon
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Only series by Elizabeth Lowell
- Phedre’s Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey
Julie:
Here’s a list in no particular order of 5 of my favorite love stories. I tried to include various genre: YA, adult, contemporary, historical, classic.
- Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Outlander is one of those books that I have on my shelf, but I’ve put off reading it because I know that the series is such a commitment! But I know that everyone loves it, so I NEED to read it!
It is definitely a commitment to read that series and kind of daunting. But you can space it out and only read one every once in a while if you like.
This is NOT an easy question. Outlander is a given, but as for my other 4… I adore Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series, although each installment revolves around a different couple. Maybe Charles & Anna from Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: Enslaved by the Others by Jess Haines
I really enjoyed the first two Darkest London series.
Haha, I love how Outlander makes it into all the lists 🙂 , I am not so into romances, but even I loved that one
It is a great one for so many reasons 🙂
Oh man, such a tough question! I loved the romance in Eleanor and Park. Also Sea of Tranquility. Love those!
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Both of those are great, too, Cynthia! That’s why it was so difficult to narrow down the list to five!
Outlander, yes.
The Fault in Our Stars, yes.
To be honest, I hated Jane Eyre! 🙂
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews
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I didn’t hate Jane Eyre, but Rochester never did anything for me, either, Terri!
I have read Jane Eyre- one of my all time favorite books. I didn’t read it until 10 years ago or so and fell in love with it right away. I also read Twighlight. I have The Fault in Our Stars and have had it for 2 years but I have been afraid to read it. I think I will just cry my eyes out and have been putting it off (though I have cried at other books in the past two years). I will be reading it soon. I almost started it this weekend. 🙂
Great to read your lists.
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Stephanie – you WILL cry your eyes out reading Fault in our Stars. But don’t let that hold you back. Read it!