"Every great love starts with a great story..."

I think it's fair to say that most readers cherish a good love story...the intensity, and the will they/won't they (although more often than not we know that they most certainly will).  There have been so many memorable couples; Elizabeth Bennett & Mr Darcy, Romeo & Juliet, Adrian Mole & Pandora Braithwaite (sorry, I couldn't resist!), and of course Bella Swan & Edward Cullen.

Stories of true love aren't always straight forward or conventional, and they don't always have a fairy tale ending, but they nevertheless capture our hearts and restore our faith. This is indeed the case with three of my favourite love stories, which I am going to share with you; The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, and, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

"There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..."
Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

The Notebook is beautifully written, and shows that finding 'the one' doesn't always mean that the heartache is over or that life will be simple from that moment on. In fact, it can mean quite the opposite. We first meet Noah in a nursing home reading a story from a notebook to a woman, who we later find out is Allie, his wife. The story he is reading to Allie is in fact their story, one of a powerful and unwavering love, that overcomes issues of class and circumstance, and the realities that can affect us all. Whilst the film adaptation is very true to the book, you must read the book even if you have seen the film - and you will get the pleasure of picturing Ryan Gosling throughout!

"There were hundreds of them spread across the floor, each telling its own tale of triumph or sadness, each letter representing a phase in her life. She had kept them all".
Cecelia Ahern, Where Rainbows End

Throughout Where Rainbows End we learn about the lives of Alex and Rosie through a series of letters, emails and messages, starting from their childhood and spanning almost fifty years. From the very first page it is clear that Alex and Rosie are destined to be together, however their story shows how a catalogue of errors and missed opportunities can alter your life course, but that it is never too late for love. It is a charming and funny read, it made me laugh and cry in almost equal measure, and I could relate to both Alex and Rosie. I will warn you, it is often a frustrating read, sometimes filled with heartbreak and sadness, but I give you my word that it is worth it.

"...I told him a story of two people. Two people who shouldn't have met, and who didn't like each other much when they did, but who found they were the only two people in the world who could possibly have understood each other".
Jojo Moyes, Me Before You

Me Before You...where do I start? I cannot recommend it enough, never has a book affected me in quite the same way, and the story of Will and Lou will stay with me for a very long time. It may not be a conventional love story, but it is a great one. Jojo Moyes delicately covers complex issues, allowing the reader to understand these issues from the different perspectives of each character. Beautifully written, funny, poignant, uplifting and thought provoking. I felt as though I experienced every moment and emotion with Will and Lou, and I was inconsolable when their story ended, even though I knew that the ending was absolutely the right one.

I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the books I have mentioned, or any that you would recommend.

I started this post by mentioning some of the great fictional love stories, and I'd like to end it with a real life love story...my grandparents who had been married for nearly 51 years when my Grandma died, they bickered constantly but loved each other dearly.