Let's be real for a minute. They call it One True Pairing, but we can never pick just one, can we? Of course not, which is why we've split this up into two parts!
In case you missed it, click here to check out Jordan's list of OTP's! I'll wait here for you.
Caught up? Good! Let's take a look at my top favorite fictional pairings!
FEYSAND/ROWAELIN [A Court of Thorns and Roses / Throne of Glass]
"There you are." - Rowan, Heir of Fire / - Rhysand, A Court of Thorns and Roses
It's hard for me to pick between these two couples. Both have a history of helping each other grow, especially through their traumas. It's not all sap and romance for these pairs; they butt heads and challenge each other, but there is never a lack of respect.
Rhys and Aelin are both aware of their respective mating bonds, yet choose not push it onto Feyre or Rowan, giving them time to work it out on their own and choose what they want for themselves.
I love Rhys because he’s more in touch with his emotions, making him more romantic and affectionate . . . but there are times when (as much as it kills me to say it) Feysand feels cheesy; a bit too perfect. Rowan, on the other hand, feels more realistic. Plus he has a Scottish accent, which automatically gives him extra points, right?!
KAZEJ [Six of Crows]
“You know I can do it, Kaz, and you know I'm not going to refuse. So why ask?"
"Because I've been looking for an excuse to talk to you for two days.”
Kaz is the kind of bad-boy you should be idolizing— he knows where he is messed up, what his triggers are, in what ways he is unable to be what Inej needs, and he accepts all of it. He knows she deserves better and does everything in his power to make sure she can have it.
As the person who helped free her, he is aware of her history as a slave and the abuse she endured; he makes sure to always respect her boundaries, which she is not afraid to set.
“I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.”
Kaz teaches Inej how to fight and defend herself, and gifts her with her first knife— her weapon of choice, each one sacred and named after a Saint. Meanwhile, Inej is one of the only people Kaz can count on. With her abilities in stealth, she not only helps him in his quest for revenge but also watches his back and makes sure he is never truly alone.
In the end, Kaz puts Inej's needs and desires above his own, going so far as to gift her things she'll need to start a new life . . . even if it's one that will take her far away from him.
Though he’d trusted her with his life countless times, it felt much more frightening to trust her with his shame.
JURDAN [The Folk of the Air]
Yet another enemies-to-lovers pairing. Are we starting to see a pattern yet? With this one, readers are shown just how much love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
“My sweet nemesis, how glad I am that you returned.”
What I love about Jurdan is how in love they are with each others' worlds. As a human who has experienced both modern reality and the land of Elfhame, Jude has no interest in going "home," but would rather seek glory among the Fey. Meanwhile, Cardan has been treated as an expendable burden by much of his royal family, so he dreams of escape and finds it in books like Alice's Adventure in Wonderland— instantly making me love him!
“Kiss me again,” he says, drunk and foolish. “Kiss me until I am sick of it.”
Another thing I love about their story is that I was just as confused, mistrusting, and questioning as they were. It took a while for me to figure out how they truly felt about each other (at least with Cardan), making it all the more gratifying when Jude/the reader realizes that Cardan's "betrayal" was actually a trick where he'd placed all his faith in Jude to figure it out.
And the single last thing in my head is that I like him better than I've ever liked anyone and that of all the things he's ever done to me, making me like him so much is by far the worst.
NESSIAN [A Court of Thorns and Roses]
“I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world - the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.”
Okay, so their story has yet to play out (COME ON, FEBRUARY 16th!) but I think we can agree these two are going to be a serious power couple!
Cassian might be terrifying to behold, but he is one of the most honorable males I've ever read. His snarky humor is the cherry on top. Nesta, with her iron will and sharp temper, needs someone who is tough enough to not shy away from her able to go toe-to-toe and put her in her place. Which is exactly what he does upon their first meeting.
Cassian was sizing up Nesta, a gleam in his eyes that I could only interpret as a warrior finding himself faced with a new, interesting opponent . . .
. . . Nesta didn’t bat an eyelash as she studied the handsome features, the muscled torso. Then turned to me. Dismissing him entirely.
Cassian’s face went almost feral. A wolf who had been circling a doe . . . only to find a mountain cat wearing its hide instead.
I think it's important for Nesta to learn she can take care of herself, but she also needs someone who will be there for her after her father nearly let them starve. Cassian can empathize with her struggles, her anger, and the way she wields it as a weapon to protect herself. Because of this— and the fact that he is one of the most powerful Illyrian males and she was Made differently than the others— I think they're equal to each other and definitely Mates.
I guess we'll find out in a few days! (Thanks for gifting me a kindle preorder, Mom!)
“Nesta looked at the king with death twining around his hands, then down at Cassian. And covered Cassian’s body with her own. Cassian went still—then his hand slid over her back. Together. They’d go together.”
IKO + KINNEY [Wires and Nerve]
While every relationship in The Lunar Chronicles is absolutely adorable, I was a little upset Iko didn't get a happy ending with someone by the end of the novels, especially since she is such a romance lover. When her graphic novels came out and we were introduced to her new enemy-to-lover, I was so excited!
This is another couple that has to learn how to work together and appreciate each other, as Kinney starts off feeling awkward and a bit anti-robot towards Iko. Throughout the story, he learns just how much our little android really does feel, and that her personality is genuine—NOT a programming glitch, asshole! (Just kidding, you're cool now, Kinney).
PERCABETH [Percy Jackson]
Before I could lose my courage, I said, "Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right?"
I figured she would punch me. Instead, she drew her knife and stared at the army marching toward us. "Come back alive, Seaweed Brain. Then, we'll see.”
Last but not least, the couple who started it all for me! Percabeth was one of my first slow-burn/enemies-to-lovers romances. They are the reason I adore strong female characters paired with snarky men; dark-haired boys with blue eyes; couples that butt heads as much as they lay on the sap; and most importantly, couples who have to put in the work, earning each others' trust and love. I blame them for my bookish couple preferences!
He didn't think much of fates and prophecies, but he did believe in one thing: Annabeth and he were supposed to be together.
Which of these OTPs have you read? Which are on your list to read? Drop those names in the comments!