Ellie's Favorite Romances RIGHT NOW!

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE FLUFFY ROMANCES

Hey everybody! I am a total sucker for a happy-ending romance (and even a not so happy ending romance) and I've come up with a collection of some of my favorites! (This is by no means a full list! It will surely have sequels and counterparts eventually). *SPOILERS AHEAD SPOILERS AHEAD*

SO. In no particular order:

1. Can You Keep a Secret? (Sophie Kinsella): Emma & Jack:

When a plan ride seems to become ill-fated, Emma drinks vodka and spills her life secrets to the man next to her--only to later find out, he's her boss. A tumultuous relationship, obviously, becomes heartwarming and sweet as the novel goes on, only to have a twist that resolves itself perfectly. The banter and honesty that develops between Emma and Jack leaves any reader desperately hoping for more of these two! (I will never stop laughing at Emma's awkwardness & I'll never stop loving Jack).

2. I'll Meet You There (Heather Demetrios): Skylar & Josh

Skylar and Josh live in a small trailer town, and both have hoped to escape the town their whole lives. Skylar hopes to do so by leaving for college in the fall, but Josh has already left, but returns from a tour in Afghanistan without one of his legs. The two form an incredible bond and relationship over their work at "Paradise" (a kitschy motel), and Josh's PTSD & Skylar's turbulent home life lead for some dramatic twists and turns in their love. (SO GOOD! One of my favorite summer reads, summer based with some dark spots).

3. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald): Jay Gatsby & Daisy

I could not write a list of romances without Daisy & Gatsby. The two are immortalized with Romeo and Juliet in their affection for one another, and Gatsby's eternal love for Daisy is something readers everywhere can admire. The green light symbolism and the extravagant ways Gatsby tries to impress Daisy stick with us forever as readers, and Fitzgerald does a wonderful job of creating a torturous but innocent romance. (I love Daisy & Gatsby, I will forever despise their lack of a happy ending).

4. Betsy-Tacy Series (Maud Hart Lovelace): Betsy & Joe!

First off, Annalise and I are HUGE HUGE HUGE Betsy-Tacy fans, and to prove the PERFECTNESS of this couple, they have an entire book of the series named after them! (Betsy & Joe, Deep Valley book 8). Betsy and Joe are the perfect 1910's couple, and their romance develops slowly and beautifully throughout the high school-age Betsy novels. There is no romance sweeter than one that builds over time! (And Annalise & I hope for a love as pure as the love between Betsy & Joe).

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Benjamin Alire Sáenz): Aristotle & Dante

So. This novel doesn't start out as a romance, but as a strongly building friendship between Ari & Dante. These two boys identify differently with their Mexican sides, and have very different family lives. The two boys go through other relationships throughout the novel, but always find their way back to the comfort of their friendship. The last five or so pages of this novel showcase a budding relationship in a not so surprising twist. (We happened to like it, after we got over the shock).

6. Chasing Jupiter (Rachel Coker): Scarlett & Frank Set in the late 1960's, this family based novel ends up being a beautiful romance! Scarlett takes care of her entire family, primarily her younger (autistic) brother Cliff. Frank appears to be in love with Scarlett's older sister Juli, but as the novel continues, Scarlett & Frank form bonds over Cliff, peach pies, and flying to Jupiter. The two become fast friends & confidants, and the novel ends with them acknowledging and exploring their love, with a sneak peek into their happiness further down the road. (Twas an ending that was strange, but one I ended up accepting and liking! (I mostly just liked how they helped Cliff the most!)).

Well, those are the romances I'm loving right now! Some of the books, like Gatsby, Aristotle and Dante, and Can you Keep a Secret? are works that I haven't read as recently as the others, but the well-crafted, beautiful romances stick with me. Hope you enjoyed reading about my favorites, we'll be back with more soon!

#ListsbyEllie