Let’s keep the cuffing season celebration going by reviewing this year’s best couples on the page and the screen. 2024 brought us so many adaptations and adaptation announcements for the future that we already can’t wait for. Books are finally getting the recognition they deserve, being able to watch in real time what we imagined in our heads for so long is something I never thought would happen for many of the books I love. Here is a quick list of the best book and adaptation couples we read and saw this year.
Justin and Emma from Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Justin and Emma will go down in history as one of the best book couples to ever exist. Justin was patient, caring, and emotionally mature. He fought for Emma like no other book boyfriend has ever fought before, even when Emma continuously pushed him away because of her past traumas that kept her from letting him all the way in. Justin and Emma both have a curse: every person they date ends up meeting their one true love after breaking up with them. They develop a plan to date each other in hopes it breaks the curse by canceling each other out, but maybe they just needed fate to bring them together after all.
Wes and Elizabeth from Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
We all fell for Wes when reading Better Than the Movies because of how deep in love he was with Elizabeth. Without giving away too much if you haven’t read the first book, Wes would do just about anything to make sure Elizabeth was happy, even if it meant crushing his own heart in the process. The sequel, released in October of this year, follows Wes as he tries to win over Elizabeth’s heart once again, only this time, he doesn’t have an advantage because they haven’t seen each other in over two years.
Miles and Daphne from Funny Story by Emily Henry
It was probably in Daphne’s wildest dreams to fall for her ex-fiance’s new fiancee’s ex-boyfriend, Miles. A fake-dating romance, Emily Henry does it again and wows readers with a beautiful romantic comedy. Daphne and Miles bring out the best in each other, they are adventurous together, comfortable showing their faults, and become the best of friends through the most bizarre circumstances. Miles introduces Daphne to a whole new town, helping her make it her own after her ex-fiancee kicks her out of their house right before the wedding so he can move in and start a life with his lifelong best friend and Miles’ girlfriend. But everything happens for a reason, and there is no couple better suited for each other than Miles and Daphne.
Soléne and Hayes from The Idea of You by Robinne Lee on Prime Video
The Idea of You surprised many fans when it was released earlier this year. The book was originally a Harry Styles fanfiction, but now it follows a boy band whose lead singer, Hayes, has a growing relationship with an older woman, Soléne, after meeting her at Coachella with her daughter. Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine portrayed the characters so well and gave them so much of their own personalities that it made it hard not to fall in love with their relationship. We were all rooting for them to be together in the end, and while the book and movie have different endings, most people were very pleased with the direction the movie went.
Penelope and Colin from Bridgerton by Julia Quinn on Netflix
The long-awaited third season of Bridgerton came out this year, and it was better than anyone could have expected. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton had incredible on-screen chemistry that had audiences everywhere sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for Penelope and Colin to finally be together after years of friendship. Penelope has fawned over Colin for her entire life, but as Lady Whistledown, she’s hurt him badly and doesn’t know how to tell him her big secret. Colin has only ever looked at Penelope as a friend or her little sister’s best friend and neighbor, but there’s something different about her this season, and he can’t quite get her off his mind.
Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper by Alice Oseman on Netflix
The third season of Heartstopper came out this year and did not disappoint. Heartstopper tells the heartwarming and realistic story of young queer love and navigating the challenges of coming out. Charlie and Nick are both different, but together, they support and uplift each other when life’s challenges face them. Kit Conner and Joe Locke bring these characters to life in season 3, representing volumes 4 and 5, as they take the big leap of saying those three little words. It’s sweet, romantic, authentic, and wholesome to watch their love grow and witness the compassion they have for one another.
There are so many more couples to celebrate and remember from this year, but these are six that stood out. They give us all butterflies and make us want to kick our feet up in the air when we read about them and see them reenact the scenes we vividly imagined in our heads. Here’s hoping that 2025 brings us just as many, if not more, happy couples to add to the never-ending list.
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