My All-Time Favorite Book Ships

With it being Valentine's Day and February being all about love, I thought it’d be fun for me to share my top 5 book ships. Obviously, these are also objectively the best couples ever written...

Nah, it’s just my opinion but it’s hard not to love these pairings. Whether it’s the banter, the chemistry, or the slow burn, these couples have you turning pages.

Percy and Annabeth 

Okay, let's start with the best power duo in all of YA fantasy (and like, my childhood). Percy and Annabeth are the ship for so many reasons. First off, their banter and sarcastic dialogue make them so likable and easy to follow along. The humor of Rick Riordan and how he captures teenagers so well makes the story really immersive and gets you rooting for the characters. The way these two balance each other out perfectly and how their relationship develops throughout the series makes this ship a lot of readers OTP. 

Peeta and Katniss 

Peeta and Katniss weirdly set the standard for the fake dating trope. Actually, no, that’s a lie, Peeta ‘if it wasn’t for the baby’ Mellark set the standard, and Katniss was just there. Peeta’s unconditional love for Katniss, even when she’s unsure of her own feelings, makes them an iconic couple. Don’t worry, I also love Katniss and acknowledge that she was going through a lot and that she did contribute greatly to their relationship later in the novels. Peeta and Katniss’s relationship added such a good level of depth and went a long way in humanizing their characters as both young and vulnerable despite their circumstances. Also, let’s be real that love triangle wasn’t fooling anyone. Peeta was the only choice. 

Elizabeth and Darcy 

Okay, this one’s a classic, Elizabeth and Darcy are basically the blueprint for every slow-burn romance ever. Their chemistry is a masterpiece of misunderstandings, witty banter, and, let's be real, major character growth. I’m going to be honest: I’m actually not a fan of slow burn. Misunderstandings are my least favorite trope. Yes, that means no ‘what letter’, no ‘meeting in a year but one can’t make it so the other person runs away for the next 10 years while they chase after to apologize’. I’m sorry. I just can’t. But Elizabeth and Darcy are so genuine, and with them, it feels almost less like the typically trope-y misunderstanding and just genuine human interaction. 

Nick and Charlie 

Okay, I had to include these two because, well, Heartstopper. Nick and Charlie are the definition of what people think of when they envision first love. It’s a little messy, awkward, and nerve-wracking, but it’s also very pure and beautiful. I just adore both the show and the graphic novels and I think Nick and Charlie might be the most on-brand for the Valentine's Day inspiration of this blog. No enemies to lovers, misunderstanding that lasts 2 years, love triangle mess, just teenage relationships and the occasional mess that comes with them.

Kaz and Inej 

Finally, the ultimate “will-they-won’t-they” couple: Kaz and Inej. These two have such a complicated relationship. They don’t have a typical by-the-books romance, but there's this intense connection and understanding between them. The slow burn here SLOW BURNS due in part to both emotional baggage. Despite the reluctance between them, there’s a deep respect within their partnership that’s truly admirable and their tension is unmatched.