In honor of Valentine's Day, I present to you a list of my favorite young adult fictional couples from the last 12 months. Some of these couples repeat from last year. You can review last year's list here.

Couples must be in a book that was published since February 14, 2012 which means, classic YA couples like Edward and Bella do not make the cut. Also, these are romantic pairings from books that I read, so if your favorite couple did not make the list, it probably means I have not read their book. Couples are listed in alphabetical order by the girl's first name unless there are more than one couple by an author.

The post contains slight spoilers so read at your own risk.

Alice and Cole from Alice in Zombieland

When they first lock eyes, Alice and Cole get a glimpse into the future - a future that involves a lot of kissing. Despite this premonition, it takes time for them to open up to each other and form a romantic attachment. I liked how they could see the strengths in each other.

Aura and Zachary from Shine

After two and a half books of angst and one dead but a ghost boyfriend, Aura and Zachary finally can be together.  They are there for each other throughout a whole lot of conflict.

Cammie & Zach from Out of Sight, Out of Time

Even memory loss cannot keep them away from each other. Swoon at this exchange.

“Zach,” I said as I lay there “Where did you go? When you were looking for me?”
I shifted in his arms, looked into his eyes.
“Crazy.” His voice was a whisper against my skin. “I went crazy.”

Kat and Hale from Perfect Scoundrels

Kat gets caught while trying to steal a Monet and steals Hale away instead. They started as friends, and their relationship developed into more.

Clary and Jace from City of Lost Souls

They have managed to stay a strong couple despite possibly sibling status and possession. They are stronger together.

Ismae and Duval in Grave Mercy

As you might be able to tell from this list and last year's list, I am a fan of couples whose love develops over time and is not insta love. Ismae and Duval are initially wary of each other, but as they are forced to work together, they are drawn to each other's true character.

Katy and Daemon from Opal

Their relationship started with attraction/hate as his being an alien kept her at arm's length. Although they do end up kissing a lot and then pulling away from each other, as the series progresses, they get to know each other and fall in love.

Pippin and Matty from "Gentleman Send Phantoms" in Foretold

Pippin and Matty played together as children. When it is that time of year when men send out their phantoms to woo prospective brides, their friendship turns into something more.

Samantha and Jase from My Life Next Door

Samantha has spent years gazing over at the chaotic family next door. One night, Jase makes the first move and talks to her. Soon, they spend more and more time together. Samantha falls for his family life just as much as she falls in love with him.

Sydney and Adrian from The Indigo Spell

Sydney is an alchemist trained from an early age to think that vampires are evil and unnatural. Adrian is a wounded, party boy vampire who might go crazy because of his spirit powers. Although they would seem like two people who would not even be friends, they balance each other out. Their relationship starts slowly and builds to epic levels in the latest book.

Tris and Four from Insurgent

Another couple that is stronger together than apart.

Violet and Jay from The Last Echo

Childhood friends became romantically involved in the first book in this series. She has the ability to find the echoes of dead bodies, and Jay supports her as she deals with this strange ability. Even the edition of another guy in the series cannot keep them apart (so far).

 

- nb