Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Today’s topic is a love freebie, so I thought I’d go with some of my favorite book couples, both romantic and otherwise. Because sometimes, the friendships are better than the romances.
- Sloan McPherson and Scott Hughes from Andrew Mayne’s Underwater Investigation Unit series. Sloan and Scott had a bit of a stiff relationship at first, but as the books progress, they really do lean into each other’s personality quirks. And I swear, if Sloan and her long-time boyfriend, Run, weren’t so cute together, and if Scott wasn’t married, I’d hardcore ship these two.
- Stephanie Plum and Lula from Janet Evanovich’s Plum series. The things these two get themselves into sometimes! But no matter what, they’ve always got each other’s back. Mostly. Sometimes. As long as there isn’t a TastyKake there to distract them.
- Grace Tilbury and Roland Percy from Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe’s Crown Jewels Regency Mystery series. For the time period, Roland gives Grace a lot of space to do her thing, even when it puts her in danger. He’s a great friend and partner and will hopefully make her a fantastic husband.
- Arleta, Doli, and Jez from J. Penner’s Ardenashire series. These three are total opposites, but somehow, their friendship just works. I’d love to have friends like these.
- Mickey Haller and Lorna from Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series. Lorna is Mickey’s second ex-wife, but also the office manager of his law firm. Add to that, she’s dating Cisco, Mickey’s investigator, and you’d think it’d be tense. But it’s not. They’re like the cutest divorced couple ever.
- Kate Shugak and Jack Morgan from Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series. Kate’s reluctant when it comes to love, but Jack is determined. They work so well together that I hate when they’re forced to be apart. And the way Jack’s teenaged son takes to Kate, you just know they’re meant to be.
- Stevie Cartwright and Crispin Allastair Winterbottom, aka Win, from Dakota Cassidy’s Witchless in Seattle series. Win and Stevie go through so much, starting on day one, that you can’t help but root for their love story. Especially when you consider that Win is, well, a ghost.
- Juliet Langley and Ryder Hamilton from Caroline Fardig’s Java Jive Mysteries. They have such a rollercoaster ride of a relationship – from enemies, to lovers, to friends and back – that you often don’t know where they’ll end up. But through it all, they stay sassy and entertaining.
- Luc and Oliver from Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. What starts as fake dating becomes something so much more. There’s a lot of angst in this book, but it only makes their falling in love that much sweeter for me.
- Jess Harris and Dan Burnett from Debra Webb’s Faces of Evil series. This is honestly one of my all-time favorite series and the second chance romance between Jess and Dan is steaming hot. They have years of history, not all of it good, but they confront it and find a way past it.
What about you? Have you read any of these series? What are some of your favorites?
Lovely list!
Thank you!
I love Luc and Oliver from Boyfriend Material so much too!
Seriously! I’d never wanted to be able to un-read a book so I could immediately re-read it more than Boyfriend Material.
I’m not familiar with most of those listed, but I used to love the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie and Lula were always great together. I have to catch up on that series.
The Plum books lagged a bit but have definitely gotten back to old school hijinks. I hope you do get back to them!
I haven’t read any of these, but I have watched some of the show based on The Lincoln Lawyer and I agree on your assessment! I love this topic – Lydia did a similar one – it appeals to me much more than the typical love-themed ones as I have more input! Lol! I hope you have a fantastic reading week!
I absolutely love the Netflix series! I agree, I think it’s easy to default to romantic relationships because they’re the focus this time of year, but friendships are so important, too.
I don’t remember Lula with Stephanie Plum. Makes me wonder if I haven’t read the last few books of the series.
It’s been a loooong time, but I think it took a couple of books before they became joined at the hip. But definitely go check out some of the newer books!
I like your twist on this week’s Freebie. I haven’t read The Lincoln Lawyer, but have watched the series and agree, Micky and Lorna are a hoot and I love Lorna and Cisco. I have the Andrew Mayne series on my TBR and hope to start it soon. Stephanie and Lula? Absolutely. I love them!
Netflix has done a great job with The Lincoln Lawyer (and I adore Manuel Garcia-Rulfo)! There are so many great friendships in that series. I hope you enjoy the Andrew Mayne series, it’s one of my faves. Steph and Lula forever!
I should revisit the Haller books!
You should! There’s a new one coming in November, I believe!
I haven’t read any of these, but the way you write about the couples makes me want to read them all! I’m super intrigued by number 7, though.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a paranormal bent, please do check out Dakota Cassidy! She’s fantastic and the stories are so good.
OOh nice topic! I believe I have used this one in past Valentine’s posts! Lol. These are all new to me books/series but glad you found so many favorites!
Thanks for visiting my TTT!
Thank you! And I agree, I think friendships are just as important as romantic pairings.
I have never given the Plum books a chance. But I have seen the movie and even if it does stray from the books, it does make me laugh quite a bit.
Thanks for visiting my list today.
If you enjoyed the movie, you’d probably enjoy the books. It definitely kept the vibe of the books!
I agree, Mickey and Lorna are one of my favorite divorced couple! Love your list!
They are so good together! And thank you.
What a great way to take this week’s freebie. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
Thank you, and I appreciate the return visit.
Love your twist on this week’s topic!
Thank you!
Great topic choice! They must have been really great books for you to remember the couples.
Thank you! And I stuck with series, so it was easier. Hahaha.
I enjoyed Stephanie and Lula in early books but I felt like Lula’s character kind of….escalated to a point where I just couldn’t buy into it anymore haha.
I do love Luc and Oliver from Boyfriend Material.
Lula definitely became a caricature of herself after a bit. Ah, but Luc and Oliver are the best.
Great list! I’m not familiar with most of the books on your list, but you nailed it with the friendship between Stephanie and Lula – they had me cracking up while reading their interactions.
I’m telling you – I can’t eat fried chicken and not think of alligators because of them. LOL
I haven’t read any of these books, but I love your take on this weeks’ topic.
Thank you! I’m glad it seemed to have resonated with everyone this week.
Boyfriend Material sounds like a delight. Thanks for the recs!
I love your list! I can think of some literary friendships that stand out more than romantic ones–so I like the mix you have here. I haven’t though of Stephanie Plum and Lulu in so long! What a great pairing!
Fun list! The Underwater Investigation series is on my TBR:-)