Some old best friend romance novels worth mentioning are 'Jane Eyre'. Jane and Rochester's relationship has a progression from a rather strange acquaintance to a deep and passionate love. 'The Scarlet Letter' also has elements where Hester and Dimmesdale have a connection that could be related to an old acquaintance turned complex relationship. 'Great Expectations' features Pip and Estella, whose relationship has a long - standing and evolving nature that can be compared to an old best friend - like romance.
Typically, they start with the characters having a long - standing acquaintance. They often share memories, secrets, and a certain level of comfort. Then, something disrupts this platonic state. It could be a new situation, like one of them moving away or a change in their social status. This forces them to re - evaluate their feelings. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth's visit to Mr. Darcy's estate makes her see him in a new light.
Well, in best friend romance novels, familiarity is key. The characters are familiar with each other's families, friends, and daily lives. In 'Attachments', the guy reading the e - mails gets to know the two women on a very personal level through their e - mails which is like a virtual friendship. There's also the element of inside jokes and shared secrets. This makes their relationship more special and unique. For instance, in 'Anna and the French Kiss', the main character and her friend have their own little world of shared experiences. And often, there's a bit of conflict due to the fear of losing the friendship if the romance doesn't work out, as seen in 'Eleanor & Park' where they're hesitant to fully embrace their romantic feelings.
One great 'brothers best friend' romance novel is 'The Deal' by Elle Kennedy. It has a really engaging story where the heroine falls for her brother's best friend in a college setting. There's a lot of banter and sexual tension that makes it a fun read.
Well, 'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell also has elements of best friend romance. Cath and Levi have a really special relationship. Cath is a bit of an introvert and Levi is this friendly, outgoing guy. Their relationship develops slowly from just being friends who hang out to having deeper romantic feelings. The book also delves into Cath's world of fanfiction writing and her growth as a person, which is really interesting.
You could try 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. The relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Isabella Linton has elements of friendship, though it's overshadowed by the intense and often dark love story. In a historical context, their interactions and how their friendship is affected by the brooding Heathcliff make it an interesting read for those into best friend dynamics in historical romance.
Yes, they can be quite popular in certain romance sub - genres. These types of novels often play on the taboo nature of the relationship, which can add an element of intrigue and drama for readers. They explore complex emotions and situations that can be both exciting and controversial.
One great 'best friend to lovers' romance novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's about two coworkers who start off as rivals but were actually friends in a way before realizing their deeper feelings. Another is 'When Harry Met Sally'. It's a classic that shows the evolution from friendship to love over time.
One characteristic is the exploration of a deep emotional bond. In these novels, the friendship between the characters is often very strong at the start, and then it gradually transforms into a romantic relationship. There's also often a focus on self - discovery. The characters are usually on a journey to understand their own sexuality and identity, and this is intertwined with their relationship with their best friend. For example, in 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda', Simon has to come to terms with being gay while also dealing with his feelings for his best friend.
One characteristic is the element of forbidden love. Since it involves a relationship with a best friend's sister, there's often a sense of crossing boundaries that adds an extra layer of tension. For example, in many such novels, the characters might initially resist their feelings because they don't want to damage the friendship.