Top 14 of 2014: Top 14 Favorite Relationships

Hey everyone! First off Happy Holidays! Second, 2014 is coming to a close and a few of my favorite bloggers are ending this year on a high note with their very own "Top 14 of 2014" blog series! Each day from now until New Years, a host of bloggers will be posting their "Top 14" answers to the following questions:

Sounds exciting, right?

As you can see, today's topic is "Top 14 Favorite Couples". This one is not a 2014 exclusive category. These 14 will be picked from all the novels I read in 2014 and not just those published in 2014. Fair warning, several of these authors will be reappearing throughout the next week!

Also, this category says "couples". I don't like that, at all. Instead, I am showcasing my Top 14 RELATIONSHIPS of 2014. Relationships could mean romantic or platonic in nature. I do not read a whole lot of romance, so I simply do not have 14 different couples to list here, but I do know of some awesome relationships to list!

In no particular order, I present to you: my 'Top 14 Favorite RELATIONSHIPS of 2014"...
*Click each book's/series' title to be taken to its' Goodreads page.

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Carson McClain and Dallas Cole

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

As most of you guys know, I am a pretty big Cora Carmack fan. Earlier this year I was chosen to be a member of Cora's street team promoting her newest Rusk University series. Never in a million years did I think I would enjoy this story as much as I did. Equal parts awkward and awesome, Dallas and Carson had it all! 

Pixie Marshall and Levi Abrams

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

Without a doubt the best romance novel I read this year. Whenever someone asks me my thoughts on the romance genre, I am usually not shy in saying I'm not a huge fan. Then I read Chelsea Fine. Holy hell people. Seriously, I have never shipped a couple as hard as Pixie and Levi before in my life. I seriously loved every second of their love story. If Chelsea wanted to write about 15 more books just about Pixie, Levi, and their lives at the Inn over the summer, I'd read them all and love every second of it. So many feels.

Rowan and Marcus 

Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale

My first non-romantic relationship of the list. These two guys share the ultimate bromance. A fire elemental prince and a Hellhound, these two are the perfect embodiment of friendship. They would lay down their lives for one another in a heartbeat and neither of them are shy about saying it. Marcus is one of the most devout characters I have ever read and Rowan reciprocates all the feels. Seriously, I am constantly in awe of the love these two bros share for one another. They literally go through hell and back for one another and I love ever second of it. I feel like every author should be looking to Stacey O'Neale for inspiration on writing meaningful relationships. Not all great relationships are based in romance and I think it's time some people recognize that!

Lucy and Gabriel

Donovan Circus by Liz Long

Sigh... How do I start this. First off, sorry Liz, you knew this was coming. So this relationship may or may not happen in the end... To be completely honest I'm not sure including it on this list is even fair to Liz, but I'm doing it anyway. Lucy and Gabriel are part of this love triangle, right? Well, Lucy may have chosen the other direction in this instance, but I am still solely Team Gabriel. Gabriel is am empath. A kick ass one at that. While his power may not be as 'awe-inspiring' as Keegan *rolls eyes*, Gabriel is definitely awesome. He also plays double agent for the entire series and ultimately keeps the Donovan group alive so many different times. What isn't there to love about Gabriel? Also, Lucy is the "hottest" chick in the Donovan clan, also she's smart and sassy, what's not to love?

Alexandria Andros and Aiden St. Delphi

Covenant by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Do I even have to write anything here? Anyone who has read this series know that these two were destined for each other form the very first page. Everything about their relationship was awesome except for that creepy pregnancy scare... Awkward when Gods literally live inside you, right? Anyway, Alex and Aiden literally go through hell for each other and I think that in itself is the epitome of the perfect relationship. Also, they get their HEA! Who can beat that? Oh yeah, Seth getting his own series maybe, THAT beats that! Woo!

Amy Gumm and Nox

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

I'm sure this is going to bring about questions of 'is that really a relationship'? And to that I say: I think it was/is. Granted, we are only one full novel into the series, but I foresee big things in store for Amy and Nox. I do have to say I was much more optimistic about this couple before I read Daniell's latest novella, The Witch Must Burn, because it kind of made it seem like Nox had something going on with Jellia too... Hmm... Nox may have some explaining to do.

Layken Cohen and Will Cooper

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Who hasn't read this series? Is your hand up? Get out of here. Seriously. I jumped on The CoHo train SUPER late, but DAMN this series killed me. I loved every second of Will and Layken's story. It's heartbreak and heartwarming at the same time... is that even possible? Yes. Yes it is.

Evangeline and Caden

Causal Enchantment by K.A. Tucker

Were they the most groundbreaking couple in the history of time? No. Did they overcome huge obstacles to be together? Kind of. Did they have an awesome love story that really stood out to me? Hell yes. Caden is a vampire. Being a vampire isn't always easy, not at all. Caden spends the majority of the series learning to curb his appetite that that he can be with Evangeline and honestly, never in the four novels of this series did I ever fear for Evie's life when they were together. Both Caden and Evie had their hands full with other matters during this whole series, but I still think they made a great couple!

Sophie and Carter

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

Damn you Chelsea Fine. Sophie and Carter are probably the best romantic relationship I probably read all year. While they were only around for a short novella, I know they ended up having a very happy ever after. They overcame so much. Life sucks, especially when you're a teenager raising your younger siblings, or caring for your mentally ill parent. Sophie and Carter are not only extremely mature, they are also intelligent, caring, and extremely responsible. I ship it. HARD. Also, Chelsea Fine, I LOVE YOUR GUTS. Have I told you that before? Because I do.

Cash and Clutch

Deadland Saga by Rachel Aukes

Who would have ever thought that anything about the zombie apocalypse would be romantic. Short story, it isn't. But when two people from two very different walks of life find one another, you never know what will happen. Cash, or Mia as she was once known as, and Cash are seriously the greatest 'odd couple' I have ever read. A truck drive and an... accountant? I think Cash was an accountant. Funny how things in your normal life don't mean a doggone thing after the apocalypse happens, right? After some convincing, Clutch takes Cash under his wing and teaches her everything she needs to know about surviving. For two heartbreaking novels now I have read their relationship blossom into what it is today. At this point I'm just hoping that someone doesn't kick the bucket in book three...

Blue and Charlie 

Carnival by K.B. Nelson

Oh boy, where to start. First off, can I just say this was probably one of my favorite romance novels ever. Carnies, molly, and more sex scenes than you can shake a stick at, Carnival was one of THE most unique reads I have ever taken a chance on. Holy hell I loved every second of it. Blue, the carnie, and Charlie, our high school senior with big dreams, make the perfect couple. I have heard so many people's varying reactions to this love story, but I love every second of it. Haha! Sure it may not be the healthiest relationship ever, but I love it. Their relationship is so much more believable than others I have read. Charlie definitely falls down the rabbit hole with Blue and I can't wait to see how she gets out of it.

Finn O'Malley and Nurrin Sanders

The World Without End by Nazarea Andrews

Back to the romance while surviving the apocalypse thing. Is this a romance? Not in the traditional sense, at all. Do Finn and Nurrin make an absolutely kick ass team? Yes. While I do genuinely believe there is a love story hidden beneath all the angst, sarcasm, and fear they share, I think they have a lot of issues to work out. Finn isn't exactly 'take home to mom' material. Thankfully that makes no difference to Nurrin: her parents are dead. As is her brother. As is everyone else in her haven and most of the people she's ever met. Jesus... someone pour this girl a drink. Seriously, Finn has enough issues in his own personal life to fill a ravine as well, but Nurrin takes it all in and does her best to help him out. They are a great couple in these senses, but I ever foresee wedding bells in their future? Negative ghost rider.

Zayne, Layla, and Roth

Dark Elements by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Another one of those pesky love triangles. A Warden (Zayne) and a Demon (The crown Prince of Hell, Roth) both vying for the heart of half breed Layla? Talk about an awesome story. While I do take issue with a few things about this series, it is probably one of my favorites. In true JLA fashion, all of the characters are written to excellence, the plot lines are fantastic, and the feels are real, folks. The series wraps up next summer when we learn who Layla ultimately picks, but I'll be honest and say I won't accept any ending where Layla doesn't pick Roth. That is, unless she wants to pick Ethan instead?

Drake and Xavier

Rebirth by Becca Vincenza

My first, and only, same-sex relationship to make the list, Becca Vincenza really opened my eyes with this read. I had never read any sort of m/m romance before and almost didn't read this. I am a huge fan of Becca's Rebirth series, but was extremely hesitant to read this one. Nothing against same sex relationships, it's just not something I would have ever thought myself fond of. I do have to say that in the end, the love shared by Drake and Xavier was just as strong, if not stronger, than any other love combo found on this list. Becca's flawless storytelling ability paired with an amazing sense of character development gave me everything I wanted from this story and more. I was a huge fan, theirs is definitely a love worth mentioning!

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Alright guys, there you have it. My Top 14 Favorite Relationships of 2014! Did yours make the cut? Let me know in the comments below!

Head on over to the hosts' blogs to see their awesome posts as well:
Kim @ KimberlyFaye Reads | Krista @ Krista's Dust Jacket | Jessica @ A Midsummer Nights Read

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan