Are you feeling love in the air this Valentine’s Day?
To get into the mood, here at Banksia Journal we’ve been talking about our favourite fictional romances. Read on for our team’s top romantic reads.
What is your favourite romance story?
Taya
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is most definitely my favourite romance story! Although, one might categorise this novel as more of a friendship story. In my humble opinion, however, this is where most romances should start.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe follows 15-year-old, Mexican boy Aristotle (Ari) living in El Paso, Texas with his immigrated parents. He feels quite lost and left behind in the world, and even more specifically in his family. Ari’s dad suffers with PTSD ever since serving in the Vietnam War, leaving their father-son relationship a quiet, fickle thing. Moreover, with siblings ten-plus years his senior, one of them in jail who his parents never talk about, Ari has no one to turn to. He doesn’t know his place.
That is until one day at the local swimming pool, a young boy named Dante offers to teach Ari how to swim. I like to think this dynamic summarises Ari and Dante’s relationship. Dante who knows his place in the world, who knows how to thrive, exist and fit in. Then Ari, who struggles to keep his head above water, drowning in his world of hurt and sadness. Ari who follows in his father’s stoic footsteps enthralled Dante, this boy who comes from a home filled with love and affection, this boy who sees poetry like some see sunlight: everywhere.
Saenz’s prose is what kept me engaged throughout this book. The way in which he uses economical language to create the most beautiful quotes is something that should be studied. Never before have I read an author’s work that has made me feel such strong emotions through such short sentences.
Whilst expanding my reading in the romance genre I have realised that my favourite romance stories are those that act as a character study rather than a heavily plot driven novel. Stories such as Binding 13 and Magnolia Parks. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is no different. I felt so privileged while reading this book to be able to have gotten to know Ari so deeply. As a young person who is struggling to find her place in the world, this access into Ari’s thoughts, especially those about his struggle to find his identity, hit close to home.
The side characters in this novel were just as fleshed out as Ari and Dante. Most other novels I read, side characters are just plot devices to move the story along, but Saenz really develops these characters into people you feel like you know. Ari’s and Dante’s parents highlight how well Saenz executes this.
The older I get, the more aware I become that my parents are actually also humans who have had an entire life before me? Crazy right? This experience is reflected in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe as thanks to Dante, Ari learns to become more reflective and aware of those around him including his parents and starts to learn more of their stories. This understanding creates such humanising, emotional moments between Ari and his parents—especially his dad—that you can’t help but have tears well up.
Overall, I cannot recommend Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and the sequel Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World enough. Despite it being Young Adult, I think everyone from all ages can benefit from reading these novels.
Isabel
I don’t necessarily have a favourite romance story and if I am being honest, I haven’t read enough romantic literature. However, there are two particular stories that stick out to me the most: Normal People by Sally Rooney and Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Although they are two distinctly different stories, I am fascinated by the way that they each paint romantic love.
Normal People captivated me with its realistic and “mundane” portrayal of relationships. I have only ever read “happily ever after” stories or ones that deeply embed the idea that love overpowers everything. It was frustratingly bittersweet to see the progression (and regression) of Marrianne and Connell’s relationship. I found it refreshing to see such a raw and devastatingly beautiful depiction of romance.
Carmilla is a gothic novella from 1872 that explores the friendship and romance between Laura and Carmilla. It is later revealed that Carmilla is in fact a vampire and has been preying on Laura since she was a child.
Vinessa
I really enjoy romance stories where the main characters are always having a witty banter with one another—basically the enemies to lovers trope. An example of this is Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. This is one of my favourite romance stories because it has an interesting concept and I love the banter between Alex and Henry. Oh my goodness, the banter had me kicking my feet, twirling my hair and giggling like a high-school girl.
What is the most romantic scene in this story?
Isabel
The beauty that I found in Carmilla was the way that Sheridan Le Fanu uses vampirism to depict an all-consuming love. On top of that, his use of imagery works to portray an ethereal and eerie feel to Carmilla and Laura’s relationship. My favourite scene is when they are walking by the river and the two profess their love for each other. My favourite quote of the story is in this scene: “Her soft cheek was glowing against mine. ‘Darling, darling,’ she murmured, ‘I live in you; and you would die for me, I love you so.’”
Their soft declarations and acts of love are pitted against Carmilla’s enigmatic personality and Laura’s slow decay as a result of Carmilla’s true vampire form. I like to think of this story as a portrayal of a toxic, all-consuming love which works so well with its gothic elements. Although it’s not a conventionally “romantic” story, I find it strangely endearing, and I felt as if I too, was being consumed by Carmilla’s eerie charm.
Vinessa
Spoiler alert, because I’m going to be talking about Red, White and Royal Blue. Although I highly enjoyed the banter, I really liked the scene where they celebrated New Year’s Eve at Alex’s childhood bedroom. Because although they “hated” each other, I found this to be quite heart-warming, especially because they were opening up to each other about the future and Henry’s struggles of being in the royal family. I really felt a lot of chemistry between the characters, and I learnt that it’s nice to have a safe space to open up to your significant other about your fears and struggles without any judgement.
Who are your favourite fictional couple?
Isabel
My favourite fictional couple, however, is Katniss and Peeta from the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Maybe it’s partially due to nostalgia, but their tragic love story will always stay close to my heart. The way that politics and war twisted their love brings me to tears every time I read the book series or watch the films, but it brings me peace knowing that in the end their love prevailed!
Vinessa
In my teen years, I was addicted to reading Wattpad books—particularly fanfiction, and stories by Filipino authors. Although I enjoyed reading mushy, teen romance, I could not forget how the characters made an impact on me. One of my favourite Filipino Wattpad stories was She’s Dating The Gangster. I remember reading this story and feeling kilig1 throughout the whole thing; then crying because even though it was corny, funny and mushy, it was also sad and tragic. I loved this book simply because I loved the “bad boy” characters in a romance story as a teen.
There’s a movie adaptation of this book, starring KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla)—a beloved love team2 in the Philippines. They were my favourite love team as well, hence why I loved the book and the movie equally (despite the fact the movie was lacking—but hey, at least my favourite love team starred in it!) However, KathNiel broke up in 2023, which left the whole entire Philippine nation quite heartbroken.
1. Kilig refers to a feeling of excitement or giddiness that’s caused by a romantic experience. It’s that heart-fluttering sensation that causes you to feel warm and happy on the inside when you see or think about something romantic—like a crush, a cute couple, or a sweet gesture. [back]
2. In the Philippines, we have this thing called “love teams”, which is basically a pair of actors or actresses who are often paired together in movies, TV shows, or other media. Filipinos love the idea of romance, hence why love teams play a crucial role in Philippine pop culture. They are often created around the idea of a “perfect couple”. Due to the chemistry these actors display on the media they act in, they garner a large following. This is similar to the idea of shipping3 people or characters. [back]
3. Shipping is wishing for, and becoming invested in a (potential) romantic relationship. [back]
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Vinessa
OH MY GOSH YES!!! My most recent fictional character crush was Henry Turner from the book Daydream by Hannah Grace. I love the way he treats Halle (the main character of this book) and he’s so gentle, patient and understanding with her. I like the way he communicates with Halle to solve the issues they have with each other. I also love the way Henry boosts Halle’s confidence in herself and supports her in her dreams and passions. Honestly, he’s the reason as to why my dating standards are very high.
Are you in the mood for a quick, romantic read? Try “Aligned” by H. J. Bogue, or perhaps “On Baldur” by Susan Cornford, both available in our new ebook! Or, you might like “How Far He Went” by Charlie Winter.
And don’t forget, our submissions are now open, so if you have a short story, send it our way.
Taya Dardengo
Taya is a student from Perth studying a Professional Writing and Publishing degree alongside a Marketing degree. When she doesn’t have her head buried in a book, she still finds a way to be surrounded by them as she works as a bookseller. In her spare time from reading and working, she enjoys challenging herself at long-distance running.
Isabel is a Professional Writing and Publishing student and Social Media Manager at Banksia Journal. She is eager to begin her career in the publishing industry and work on personal writing projects once she graduates. She loves to read which is evident by her never-ending TBR pile, and the best part of her day is cuddling with her cats.
Vinessa is one of the Social Media Managers at Banksia Journal, and she is studying Professional Writing and Publishing; Marketing and Graphic Design. She tends to buy more books instead of reading the ones she already has, hence why her TBR list continues to grow. When she’s not reading nor writing, you will find her busting some moves at the dance studio, or on adobe programs creating graphic design-related projects.