I grew up reading romances. I started with the teen romances of the 80’s, moved on to Harlequin, and then to the full-fledged romances for big kids. I earned a degree in English Ed with lots of classic reading for classes so my weekend historical romance reading was relaxing. Here are a few of the love stories that have stuck with me.
Books
1-Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series. Although I am woefully behind in the series I love this couple so much.
2-Rochester and Jane. They became my first classic love story and I love them still. I watched a bunch of the Jane Eyre films a few years ago and Timothy Dalton was my favorite Rochester.
3-Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice and Anne and Wentworth from Persuasion are the two Jane Austen couples I love the most.
4-Almost Heaven (historical) and Paradise (contemporary) are two oldie but goodies from Judith McNaught. I’ve read all of her books, many multiple times. I wish she was still writing!
5-I remember reading so many of Jude Deveraux’s historicals as a teen, but A Knight in Shining Armor still stands out for me.
A few honorable mentions – Francesca and Calder from Brenda Joyce’s Deadly series and the authors Susanna Kearsley, Kristan Higgins and Eloisa James are consistently good.
Movies
1-CK Dexter Haven and Tracy Lord from A Philadelphia Story. I loved the maturity and reality of their relationship. Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart were superb.
2-Harry and Sally. Loved the movie and Billy and Meg in the lead. When Harry Met Sally remains a favorite.
3-Lucy, Jack, Peter and family all won me over in While You Were Sleeping.
4-Colin, Bridget and Hugh made Bridget Jones’s Diary a treat to watch. That last scene gets me every time 🙂
5-Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable make a memorable couple in the classic It Happened One Night.
So tell me. Who are your favorite couples in books and film?
Stacy's Books 
I haven’t read any of the romances that you’ve listed. But I have seen When Harry Met Sally, While You Were Sleeping, and Bridget Jones’ Diary and liked all of them, especially Harry/Sally. I know that I have both movie and book romances that stood out for me. Unfortunately, none of them come to mind at the moment!
I thought the list would be easy since I have a top100 list of fave books and movies, but the ones that truly stand out were more difficult than I thought they would be.
Love a lot of your favorites too. I want to read the Judith McNaught novels and see if I still love them today.
I might try to reread one this year. Why did she quit writing? 😦
I love When Harry Met Sally!
I’ve seen it many times but none lately. Love it.
Darcy and Lizzie and Ann and wentworth are my two fave Austen couples too. Jane Eyre is my all time favorite book period. I fell in love as a teenager and it continues to stay relevant for me. I try to reread Jane Eyre every two or three years.
While You Were Sleeping and Mirror Has Two Faces were my faves as a teen. French Kiss too. I loved Meg back in the day.
I’ve never been a big romance fan so I may have to look into some of those to try them out! Great post. ❤
I liked French Kiss but didn’t love it. I need to see Mirror Has Two Faces! Streisand right?
Oh, this was fun! I had totally forgotten A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR! I loved that one. Need to see if my library has a copy. And if it would still be as fun. I love a few of Julie Garwood’s older historicals, especially THE SECRET and SAVING GRACE. As to movies, While You Were Sleeping is still a favorite as is Bridget Jones – I agree about that last scene. And When Harry Met Sally – remember the scene in diner where the lady at the next table says ‘I’ll have what she’s having…’! LOL
I’ve been thinking about rereading A Knight in Shining Armor too, No idea if it would hold up by today’s standards. I think I read Garwood back in the day but nothing recently. I’m going to look for those two!
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels of all time, although I admit to not being a big fan of Rochester’s. I do adore Elizabeth and Darcy though from Pride and Prejudice, another favorite of mine.When Harry Met Sally is my husband’s favorite movie (that and The Princess Bride). It’s a great film! Great list, Stacy!
The Princess Bride is a real manly romance even though women love it too, lol. I’m due for a Jane Eyre reread. It’s been too long.
Getting to this a little late, but your list resonates with me. I like every one. I would add the movie Kate and Leopold with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, and the book Gone with the Wind.
Gone With the Wind is on my list for the Classics Club so I’m hoping to get to it in the next year or so. I did love Kate & Leopold. Such a fun and romantic movie.