OnlineBookClub.org

For me, a good relationship would have, of course, the very basic requirements like love, loyalty, respect and friendship. But I also think the best relationships are those in which the hero and heroine encourage each other to grow and step outside their comfort zones. I love reading romance novels in which you can see not only the individual growth of the hero and heroine but also their growth as a couple.
Keeping these criteria in mind, my favorite couples are Keira and Kellan from the Thoughtless series and Elena and Raphael from the Guild Hunter series. Both couples have a rocky start. In Keira and Kellan's case, especially, readers are likely to be put off because their relationship starts with Keira cheating on her boyfriend with Kellan. While there is no excuse for cheating, I still strongly believe that Kellan and Keira (especially in the third book, Reckless) have, perhaps ironically, one of the healthiest relationships I have ever read — good communication, no attempt to control or hold each other back in any way, constant love and support, mutual understanding, friendship, humor, passion... I could keep going.
It's the same for Elena and Raphael. Although Raphael, in the beginning, seems to think that Elena is, in some ways at least, inferior to him (her being a mortal and him being an archangel), with each book, we come to see him acknowledge, respect and root for Elena, admiring and loving her for the brave and skilled warrior that she is.

So, I'm curious to know: Which romance/erotica couple do you think has the healthiest relationship?

Have you read the Innkeeper Chronicles? If you haven't I think the relationship the main character eventually gets in is one of the healthiest relationships I've ever read. Without giving any spoilers, they both clearly have respect for each other and the way the writers describe the banter between the two tells me that there's a sense of trust and comfort established.

Bonus is that we get to see them get closer with each book released and I find myself cheering them on.

It’s easier to say which do not have healthy relationships lol

M V 8 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2024, 23:15 Have you read the Innkeeper Chronicles? If you haven't I think the relationship the main character eventually gets in is one of the healthiest relationships I've ever read. Without giving any spoilers, they both clearly have respect for each other and the way the writers describe the banter between the two tells me that there's a sense of trust and comfort established.

Bonus is that we get to see them get closer with each book released and I find myself cheering them on.

I haven't read this series. I'm glad you introduced me to it. I love couples that banter. And, it seems they have a very healthy relationship too. I will most definitely give it a try. Thank you for commenting.

Kristin Cowan wrote: ↑13 Feb 2024, 01:37 It’s easier to say which do not have healthy relationships lol

You make a great point there. There are concerning red flags in almost all romance books. While some books do address these issues, there are others that tend to gloss over these issues in the name of love. Romance authors should definitely think more about the kind of messages they are sending their readers, especially the younger ones. Thank you for commenting.

I wish this wasn't so hard to come up with but it kinda is. After some thinking, I think Rowan and Aelin have the healthiest relationship I can think of. They have a rocky start but they respect each other immensely and their relationship is built on friendship and trust. They push and encourage each other but never stand in the other's way. I think you'd like them.
They're from the Throne of Glass series btw!