What if you fall in love with someone who is destined to be your enemy, or what if you had to choose between your heart and your duty, or what if fate had other plans for you.
These are the impossible situations that star-crossed lovers deal with every day. If you’re looking for books that rarely sport a happy ending for such star-crossed lovers, here are ten books to try.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli chooses Simon Spier as the main character of her novel. If you haven’t read the book, Simon Spier is a gay teenager in love with a nameless pen pal, who we know only as Blue. Simon’s life changes when a nosy classmate of his learns Simon’s secret and tries to blackmail him.
Now, Simon has to deal with everything at once, be it school, friends, family, his feelings for Blue, and the evil blackmailer. It is one of the most talked about LQBTQ books out there that shows how coming out can be both scary and liberating.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Jonas is the main character of Lois Lowry’s book, The Giver. He lives in a world where everything is the same. This means people wear the same clothes, do the same jobs, and follow the same rules. In simple words, it is a world with no pain, no joy, and definitely no colors.
Jonas thinks he’s content until he becomes the Receiver of Memory, the keeper of the past. The Giver, an old man with a lot of secrets, shows him what he’s missing. The old man shows him snow, music, and love, and now Jonas doesn’t want to go back.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Ask for a book about the hottest couple in the world and we’ll hand you a hardcover copy of Red, White & Royal Blue, a book about star-crossed lovers Alex and Henry. Alex is the First Son of the US, and Henry is the Prince of England.
They start off as enemies but end up as lovers. They also have to hide their romance from the media, the politicians, and the royals to avoid the trouble of scandals, secrets, and snobs. Have some tissue ready, as Red, White, & Royal Blue will have you both laughing and crying.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince is built around Jude, a human girl who lives in Faerie with her kidnapper. Jude wants to fit in, but she faces the hate and cruelty of the faeries. Also, Prince Cardan hates Jude more than anything.
Jude joins the court’s game of politics and shows everyone that she can lie and cheat, too, and changes the whole power dynamics. Through her words, Holly Black tells us how to be brave and cunning in a world that is playing its card against you.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
The heart of the story beats around Tatiana and Alexander, two lovers who cross paths in Leningrad when the world is enveloped in the Second World War. Tatiana is a young Russian woman who lives with her family in a crowded apartment, whereas Alexander is a soldier working for the Russian Army who has a secret, and if it gets out, it will get Alexander killed. As the tension rises, they fall in love and navigate hunger, cold, and bombs with each other by their side.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Name a pair of star-crossed lovers who hail from families, that hate each other more than anything. Yes, we’re talking about Romeo and Juliet, who belongs to rivals Montagues and the Capulets. They meet at a masked ball and fall head over heels in love, but their romance is doomed by fate and feuds.
So, they secretly get hitched, but their plans go awry when Romeo has to kill Juliet’s cousin. The book has one of the most shocking and heartbreaking endings, and to spoil it would be unwise.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s magnum opus centers on a witty and independent young woman who has a lot on her plate. Elizabeth Bennet divides her day dealing with her meddling mother, silly sisters, and the most annoying is her snooty neighbors.
Elizabeth runs into Mr. Darcy, a rich and handsome but proud and rude gentleman, who clashes with her at every turn. With time, they get to know each other better and realize that first impressions are not always right. If you’re someone who digs romance novels more than any other genre, Pride and Prejudice is a must-read.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Beware, this one will have you weep more than laugh. The book chronicles Hazel, who suffers from cancer and whose best friend is a breathing machine. Hazel meets Augustus, a one-legged charmer, at a support group, and they become good friends over a book called An Imperial Affliction, which ends abruptly.
Together, they go on all sorts of adventures, from meeting the jerk author of Imperial Affliction to taking revenge on a self-obsessed girl.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Taking place on England’s untamed moors, Wuthering Heights doesn’t shy away from twist and revenge. It follows the story of Heathcliff, who is taken in by the Earnshaw family but is loathed by Hindley, the son of his new adoptive parents. Even though Heathcliff has feelings for the daughter of the house, Catherine ends up marrying the wealthy and charming Edgar Linton.
Angry and wealthy, Heathcliff returns from his hiatus and plans to get even with everyone who has broken his trust or heart. He plots to kidnap Catherine’s daughter, marries Edgar’s sister, and hires Hindley’s son as his servant.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor & Park is a book about two misfits who find each other on a school bus in 1986. Eleanor is a redhead with a bad wardrobe and an equally worse stepdad, while his polar opposite, Park, is a half-Korean comic book nerd who acts like an alien in the human world. They bond over music and comics and fall in love in spite of their differences.
They believe their romance is not a fairy tale but learn otherwise when they feel pressure from parents, bullies, and who knows what else!!
So, these were our top picks for the best books about star-crossed lovers. Did your favourite make the cut? Leave a comment below and let us know!
God! Me and my girlfriend enjoy reading your lists! They’re too well curated and research. Also, do write some on Marvel and DC comic, i love reading it a lot..