PEOPLE Picks Our Favorite Book Couples fromRed, White & Royal BluetoThe Hunger Games— Did Your Top Ship Make the List?

Mar. 15, 2025

Avon; St. Martin’s Griffin; Scholastic Press

If Valentine’s Day isn’t the perfect excuse to revisit your favorite romance novels, we don’t know what is!But whether it’s a steamy fake dating scenario, a classic rivals-to-lovers or a romance that blooms between the unlikeliest of duos, if you’re anything like us book-lovers here at PEOPLE, some of those fictional couples stick with us long after the last page.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.We asked PEOPLE staffers to sound off on some of their favorite literary romances, from books within the genre and beyond. See our full list below. Warning: spoilers ahead!

If Valentine’s Day isn’t the perfect excuse to revisit your favorite romance novels, we don’t know what is!But whether it’s a steamy fake dating scenario, a classic rivals-to-lovers or a romance that blooms between the unlikeliest of duos, if you’re anything like us book-lovers here at PEOPLE, some of those fictional couples stick with us long after the last page.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.We asked PEOPLE staffers to sound off on some of their favorite literary romances, from books within the genre and beyond. See our full list below. Warning: spoilers ahead!

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Amazon

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Penguin Random House

Daphne, a children’s librarian who returns to her hometown after her relationship falls apart, becomes unexpected roommates with Miles, a winery employee and the ex of Daphne’s former beau’s new girlfriend (got that?). These two are the ultimate unlikely couple, sure to make you laughandswoon.

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Golden era movie star Evelyn Hugo may have had to marry multiple men in order to find her one true love, fellow Hollywood actress Celia St. James, but it was well worth the wait. Their relationship is one of our favorites from theDaisy Jones & the Sixauthor.

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Avon

After a somewhat near-death experience, Chloe, a chronically-ill website designer, gets a second wind and creates a list of items she must complete in order to truly live. There to guide her on her quest is bad boy Redford, leading to rom-com hijinks galore. If you love Chloe, check out Hibbert’s other novels about the rest of the Brown sisters.

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Riverhead Books

Lotto, an aspiring actor, and Mathilde, a woman running from her past, meet in their early 20s, and soon become the married couple that all of their friends envy. But there’s two sides to their relationship, as readers will find out in this literary love story.

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Scholastic Press

Sorry, Team Gale! With the hit young adult dystopian series makinga strong comeback in 2025, what better time to revisit the ultimate enemies-to-lovers once again?

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Chani, a cub entertainment journalist, has never been able to escape her infamous profile of A-list movie star — and her celebrity crush — Gabe Parker. When the two are reunited a decade later for a follow-up piece, the second-chance romance that ensues still has us blushing.

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Keru and Nate met at a college party at Yale, and this clever, compact novel examines their relationship, mixed-race marriage and drastically different upbringings over the course of two vacations. One thing’s for certain — if you can lean on each other while your in-laws are visiting, you can survive anything.

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Forever

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Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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St. Martin’s Griffin

Alex, the son of the first female U.S. president, and Prince Henry, a young royal in line for England’s throne, are as entertaining together as they are endearing. If you can’t get enough of their slow burn romance in book form, check out the film adaptation starringNicholas GalitzineandTaylor Zakhar Perez.

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After the death of her husband leaves her rudderless, Feyi embarks on a somewhat unconventional romance as she tries to figure out what she wants and how to get it. This novel, and the unexpected love at its core, is as heartfelt as it is steamy. The island setting also can’t be beat if you’re battling the winter blahs.

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Henry Holt and Co.

This seminal fantasy couple may be another rivals-to-lovers duo, but soldier Matthias and Heartrender Nina are reminders that sometimes, the person you’re looking for has been there all along.

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Fans ofBridgertonwill love this historical romance, as well as the couple at its core: Calpurnia, a high-society girl, and Gabriel, the Marquess of Ralston who goes against everything she was raised to be. This will-they-won’t-they is a regal good time.

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This novel from the author of YA bestsellingFelix Ever Afterspotlights two movie stars, thrown together in a PR dating stunt for their new romantic comedy. If you love a good grumpy-sunshine dynamic, this one’s for you.

source: people.com