YA Love Triangles that Work
Could there actually be YA Love Triangles That Work? I say yes. Check out my list of YA Love Triangles of the 2000s that are not the worst!
YA Love Triangles That Work
Here are my rules for a perfect love triangle:
1) The heroine must be romantically drawn — or emotionally tied — to each guy equally, and for completely different reasons. If not, you have something more like true love and a third wheel.
2) The love triangle has to be true to the characters and the story.
3) By the end of the story, the heroine needs to make her choice and live with the consequences.
I may not know how all these turn out — so please, no spoilers!
5. Logan-Aura-Zach from the Shade trilogy by Jeri Smith-Ready.
Poor Aura. This is not a spoiler, but her boyfriend Logan dies right off. So you’d think that this breaks my rule #3 about killing off one side of the triangle. Nope. Logan haunts her as a ghost, and I kept thinking that there really was a possibility they’d get back together.
4. Jay-Violet-Rafe From the Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting
You would think that Violet and Jay were an unbreakable couple. They were best friends who became more. But this series took a darker turn, and Rafe represents a character who can help Violet understand a whole different side of herself. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book!
3. Tucker-Clara-Christian from the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand
This triangle is similar to the one above. Clara is an angel, and Tucker is mortal. Christian hasn’t made any moves on Clara yet, but I have a feeling that might be coming in the final book in this trilogy. Eeep!
2. Gale-Katniss-Peeta from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I had absolutely no idea which of these guys Katniss was going to choose for the longest time. Then by book three, I could see that one of the guys was subtly changing and I had my suspicions about what was going to happen. Still, I can’t deny that this was a good one!
1. Jem-Tessa-Will from the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
Okay, so I’ve only read Clockwork Angel, and after that I’m Team Will, but then at the end of that book, Will pushes Tessa away. Don’t tell me what happens in Clockwork Prince!
Ah, the love triangle. Yeah I'm not totally opposed if it's done right. I've really been liking the Miranda Kenneally triangles I read recently. Though Sam Henry belongs to ME:) And love the Buffy, Angel and Spike example too!
FYI: I'm reviewing The Demon Catchers of Milan on Monday:)
I'm all for the well-done love triangle.
Ha — I also think Jordan can kick your butt, so hands off Sam!
1
Oh she'd definitely kick my ass, no doubt in my mind!
I have to say, there is a point you wrote about love triangles that a ton of authors seem to ignore and it is: The heroine must be romantically drawn — or emotionally tied — to each guy equally, and for completely different reasonsI think a ton of authors just do the whole third wheel thing and this is what made many YA readers stop liking love triangles. One of my favorite love triangles is from The Host by Stephenie Meyer. There is Wanda, Jared, and Ian.. oh and if you count the inner soul then four including Melaniethanks for the giveaway!! I would pick Onyx!
I'm listening to The Host right now though I haven't got to the love triangle part. I mean, a love triangle with two people in one body — whoa, my mind is blown….
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Most hated love triangle: TIGER'S CURSE. AGH. It was so annoying. -.-
And right? But still: TEAM TUCKER
I am SO torn on that triangle. I'm going to cry either way it goes…
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I looove love-triangles. They really add spice in a book. And ofcourse the tragic-and-sacrifice feel to it, which is my fave when it comes to books.
You already listed my currrent fave love triangle, Will-Tessa-Jem. Dimitri-Rose-Adrian in the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead; Finn-Wendy-Loki in Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy.
I saw a review of a historical romance book which says it has a very pointless love triangle… I forgot the title…
Thank you for this awesome giveaway!!! <3
I didn't see the Dimitri-Rose-Adrian thing as a true love triangle because I never thought that Rose loved Adrian in the same way she loved Dimitri. But I know that a lot of people disagree with me 🙂
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Favorite love triangle? Well one is from an adult fantasy series by RA Salvatore, Drizzt, Cattbrie, Wulfgar….in Ya..don't hate me but Jacob Edward and Bella. I like that Bellas drawn to both for two different reasons and both r hotties!
I agree that the Twilight love triangle worked really well, which is probably why a lot of other books started incorporating them!
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I'm really trying to stay away from the whole love triangle thing because it kind of bothers me but for some reason I always end up reading a book with a love triangle anyway lol. So even though I don't really like love triangles I will admit that some of them really leave me all anxious and in suspense about who she's going to pick. My choices are:
1)The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare-Tessa, Will, Jem
2)Catching Jordan by Miranda Kelley- Jordan, Ty,Sam
SPOILER ALERT — If you haven't read Catching Jordan.
While I agree with you and Heather that Ty-Jordan-Sam was a love triangle, I didn't include it because it didn't come up until the end of the book. I loved that it took me by surprise, though 🙂
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I would like the record to show that the Edward-Bella-Jacob triangle is in fact NOT a triangle. Jacob had ZERO chance with Bella from the beginning which actually makes Jacob the third wheel, not part of a triangle.
I agree with The Great Gatsby and of course The Hunger Games, which is probably one of the best written triangles ever (I haven't read all the books on your list). Until the one guy started to change Katniss could have legitimately gone either way.
And while I agree that there is a good love triangle in the Unearthly series, I really hope she picks Tucker.
I love that there are so many different opinions. You feel the way about Edward-Bella-Jacob the way I feel about Dimitri-Rose-Adrian.
Can't wait to see who Clara chooses!
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Oh, I fell about the Dimitri-Rose-Adrian thing the same way. It was NEVER a love triangle. I love Dimka and all, but I really felt bad for Adrian in the end of Last Sacrifice. At least he has Sydney, unlike Gale from THG who was all alone. :/
Oh, we have the same favorite love triangle! Tessa-Will-Jem of The Infernal Devices! The second book drove me crazy. 🙂 Another love triangle that I like – Lena-Alex-Julian of Delirium and Pandemonium! Thanks for this!
I haven't read Clockwork Prince yet (soon!) but I have heard that the love triangle really gets messy. Can't wait!!!
I'm still on the fence about whether the Pandemonium one meets my criteria. We'll see what happens in the next book…
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Oh love triangles! My favorite would be Tucker-Clara-Christian. I just love them both and I can't decide who I like better. You know it's a good triangle if a reader can't decide.
Exactly!!!!!
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Twilight: Edward – Bella – Jake (Team Jake) and Lost: Jack – Kate – Sawyer (Team Jack) 🙂
Oh, darn, I was thinking about the Lost one the other day and then forgot to put it in my post. That was a good one. I'm adding it.
Another reason I like the Edward-Bella-Jacob triangle is that it really followed my rule #3. Bella had to choose!
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I love that you included The Great Gatsby. Yeaaaaaaaah….. that book has more drama than the CW, because I think in that love triangle you can also include Myrtle and her husband… there is a really effed up relationship web in that book. LOVE it. And I love the idea for this post. Nice.
Good point. Maybe it's more like a love .. what is the geometric shape with five sides?? A pentagon. Which doesn't sound very romantic — more like a field trip to Washington DC. Hexagon sounds romantic, though…
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I'm a fan of love triangles – perhaps because I'm so used to it. LOL
I don't know about favorite love triangle…but I did enjoy Ash-Meghan-Puck in Iron Fey series.
I still need to read that series!!
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Also Stefan-Elena-Damon – BEST TV TRIANGLE EVER!
I have read a couple of the Vampire Diaries books but I haven't seen the show! I wish I'd started watching it — now I'm so behind…
Okay, so you chose pretty interesting triangle. I loved each and everyone you mentioned, especially Cassie Clare's Will/Tess/Jem…and you'll see what I mean when you read Clockwork Prince.
Anyway, I am not particularly fond of love triangles. I must admit, I kinda hate them because, sometimes, it feels that every single book I read has to have one and it's annoying.
Not every book needs one. I'm disappointed when it seems like the author just threw it in there to drag the book out.
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Oh yes, the love triangle from TID was very good! But my absolute favorite is from Richelle Mead's Dark Swan series. I honestly got the wrong guy- I never knew who Eugenie would end up with until the last book! It's the best, in my opinion- but it's not YA though. 🙂 I also like the love triangle from Rachel Vincent's Shifters series. It's also adult, but there was so much emotion that the love triangle was believable!
But aside from TID, I don't think there's any YA love triangle that I like… (And like you, I haven't read CP yet! Sadly, I have a feeling Tessa will end up with Will- for some reason, I like Jem a tiiiny bit more. 😉 )
I haven't read the Dark Swan series but I should — love Richelle Mead!!
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Listen to the audio, Jen…I loved it! Almost as much as VA! 🙂
Oooh, I need a new audiobook *runs off*
Hmmm I like a lot of love triangles. I think the one that was most difficult for /me/ to choose a side was Ren-Calla-Shay from the Nightshade series. Other than that, I liked the triangle in House of Night, and in Vampire Academy.
Oooh, that's a really good one. It did kinda break one of my rules (not saying which because that's a spoiler) but I still thought it was really well done.
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Those are all my favorite love triangles!!! I don't love love triangles by any means, but they can be done in a way that adds conflict to the story without doing so simply to cause drama. I agree that there definitely has to be equal feelings for each character, though, or it's not a legitimate triangle.
You know what I'd like to see, if the triangle has to continue it's upward spiral? More guys in the middle, choosing between two girls. I love reading from the male POV, and it's rare that the guy actually has to choose between two love interests.
Sorry — repeated a number so I had to redo my comment 🙂
I would love to do a post on more unconventional love triangles. I need to start a list!
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Tracy Deebs drove me nuts in Tempest Rising and Tempest Unleashed. The main charachter, Tempest, kept flip-floping between long-time human boyfriend Mark, and hot selkie prince, Kona. My problem is that I kept flip-flopping too!!! I didn't want to because I'm totally Team Kona but in Tempest Unleashed, I ended up falling for Mark again…*sigh* grrrrr!
Then that is a great love triangle. I haven't read that series yet.
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You hit on one of the things that bothers me most about "love triangles" which is that the center doesn't always seem equally drawn to both sides. The other is when the main characteristic of each guy is that he's hot and yet still drawn to the "plain" girl-if all 3 characters have well-developed interesting personalities, then I have no problem.
Agree — well developed interesting personalities are what make a great triangle!
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OMG, all of your TV choices were spot on! I totally forget about Dawson-Joey-Pacey when thinking about love triangles but they were the ultimate in teen angst! Currently, I am obsessed with the Vampire Diaries and Stefan-Elena-Damon but before that was Buffy and all her business. I haven't read most of your literary choices but they sound great! More to add!
I watched some Dawson a few years back and he drove me crazy. #TeamPacey all the way!!
And Spike!!! I was never an Angel fan…
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Easiest question EVER.
Pacey and Joey FTW. Just finished Dawsons Creek and I'm SO happy with how it ended. SO HAPPY. Now, to find a Pacey of my own… Love, love, love.
It's a really great show. I bow down to the genius that is Kevin Williamson. He did DC, Scream and Vampire Diaries!!
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I love love Triangles as long as they are done right. Give me a triangle that leaves me confused as to who I want the character to end up with and I'm hooked. Give me a love Triangle where it's annoying that another character is in the picture and it doesn't feel like it fit's and I'm pissed. I haven't read any of the one's you mentioned but I can't wait to get started. They sound sooo good. My fav. love Triangles are with Will, Casian and Jacinda in the Firelight Trilogy. In the first book, Will was an obvious choice and I felt Casian was just in the way, but by the second book I was shocked to feel a pull towards Casian. My other fav. is the Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow between Kathleen, Blane and Kade. Blane is such an obvious choice but you can't deny the intense chemistry she has with Kade. It confuses me and keeps me hooked!
I read Firelight book one and I agree with you. That seemed like it had real possibilities!
I've never read the Kathleen Turner series but it sounds great!
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Love triangles……I love them and hate them. sigh…But my favorite would be Stefan-Damon-Elena. There's something there that I just can't put my finger on, but it works. Too well.
It does, right?????
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Yes, I love them.. but I'm starting to get bored a little. When you read it in all books, that's what happens.. But my favorites are Peeta-Katniss-Gale and Dimitri-Rose-Adrian. Last one is my number one.. It was amazing!
I'm not sold on Dimitri-Rose-Adrian as a true triangle, but a lot of people agree with you!
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I like love triangles that work. because if they dont then it just makes me annoyed. But there are a few i liked, Like the one you mentioned with Christian-Clara-Tucker. BUT there is one i LOVED which was in the book Phantom by Laura DeLuca [you MUST READ IT! @_@ ]
Tom-Rebecca-Justyn: which was absolutely perfect because you never knew who she was going to end up with, not even in the life & death situation @ the end of the book =D
Okay, I'm on it. I'm putting Phantom on my list 🙂
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I think one of my favourite love triangles is Twilight's Bella/Edward/Jacob, although I'm not so sure that Bella deserves to be at the centre of so much attention 😉 I loved Twilight and I'm not bashing, I just hoped that Bella would be a stronger female lead.
I do think that by the last book, Bella does get pretty tough. I'm a fan too 🙂
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Now that was one well written post! I'm a sucker for love triangles. I love them, crave, need them in books I read lol. Who's my favorite? The list could go on and on! Most recent read though.. Gotta go with Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo… I'm not sure if it's much of a love traingle, but it was sorta there. I'm holding out for Team Darkling though! 🙂
Aw, thanks. Glad to find another fan. I haven't read Shadow and Bone but I really want to!!
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Okay, I can't stand the Edward-Bella-Jacob triangle. I've always been Team Jacob and he never had a chance. I do have to say my favorite triangle right now is the Stefan-Elena-Damon triangle. I am sooo Team Damon!
Poor Jacob 🙁
The Stefan-Elena-Damon triangle is a very popular choice!
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One of the triangles I saw and liked was Logan-Max-Zack from S1 of Dark Angel until what happened at the end.
I haven't read that one, but I am definitely going to check it out.
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I'm not a huge fan of them, but some are pretty well executed.
The iron fey – Meghan, Ash & Puck.
Vampire diaries – TEAM DAMON.
Such love triangles are okay to me.
I need to read Iron Fey. I know !!!
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I'm not really a fan of love triangles. I kinda severly dislike them even if there pretty well done. Most of the time I think they are not. One that I did enjoy, despite myself, was in the City of Bones series for Jace-Clare-Simon. I liked Jace always but found that I didn't mind seeing both boys. There is a few others but mostly, if it has a love triangle, I need a great reason to love it.
I love Simon so much. I think he might be my favorite character in those books 🙂
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My favorites are The Vampire Diaries and the Buffy ones. Thanks for the chance to win!
I miss Buffy so much!!
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I agree that is is hard to find a solid love triangle but I love your rules! I will definitely keep them in mind for my reading future.
I'm going to go with Katniss-Peeta-Gale.
Although there is always the Love Swoop. Also nicknamed the Flip-flop, which is what I love to call Lizzie-Darcy-Wickham! 😉
I love a well done love tri.
I like vamp diaries triangle, well for tv. I actually didnt really love the books (and that doesnt happen often)
I read a couple of the books a long time ago. Now I need to try the show!
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My favorite love triangles are:
Unearthly: Tucker-Clara-Christian
Pandemonium: Alex-Magdalena"Lena"-Julian
Hourglass: Kaleb-Emerson-Michael
Thank you so much for the giveaway!!
Marijana Sitar
I completely agree with you on the first two. I think that poor Kaleb nevrr had a shot..
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I love the Damon-Elena-Stephan love triangle.Though I'm not fond of love triangles if they're well written and seem genuine to me they may work.
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I agree — well-written and genuine. Not just stuck in for the heck of it.
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All mine are tv shows. I'm really into Lost right now (I'm only on Season 2, I know I'm kinda late to the game) so Jack-Kate-Sawyer. Bill-Sookie-Eric from True Blood. Dawson-Joey-Pacey from Dawson's Creek & Brenda-Dylan-Kelly, Dylan-Kelly-Brandon from 90210.
Oooh, jack-Kate-Sawyer is a good one.
And you have made my day by mentioning 90210. I thought everyone here was too young to remember the original!
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My favourite love triangle has to be from Rachel Vincent's Shifters series. I simply could not wait to find out how it worked out! Faythe was in a relationship with Marc, but had a kind-of flirty relationship with Jace. Events happened and it turned into one hell of a mess! I loved it though, just thinking about it makes me want to read it all over again!
I haven't read that one, but it sounds really good!
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My favourite love triangle would be Nick-Zara-Astley in the Need Pixies series by Carrie Jones.
xx
I've only read the first book in that series!
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And just to agree with other commenters – Pacey-Joey-Dawson….Love, love, love!
That was a great one!!!
My favorite is from the movie Fatal Attraction:
Glenn Close(Alex)
Michael Douglas(Dan)
Ann Archer(Beth)
I LOVE that movie, have seen it numerous times, and never get tired of it.
That movie was scary. It was more like a love-lust triangle that went bad!
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Love triangles can be good but to be honest Im getting a little fed up of them. My favourite ones are
Peeta – Katniss – Gale
Bill – Sookie – Eric
Spike – Buffy – Angel
Those are all great ones!
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Yeah i don't know about triangles- i don't know if i like them or not… Does the love triangle in Shatter Me count haha it is a twisted love triangle… I think my favorite love triangle is probably um… i don't think i can choose… 😀 hehe but the love triangle that keeps popping in my mind at the moment is the one is The Beautiful Dark…
I haven't read Unravel Me but it sounds like that is going to turn into a very interesting situation!!
You mean Beautiful Dark as in Asher-Skye-Devin? Those good guy/bad guy triangles are fun!
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oh wait my favorite is Twlight haha!!! i totally forgot that one…
i might have submitted the form twice… idk…
No problem — I only gave you one number. I'm keeping a list since everyone has a lot to say!!
Personally I love love triangles, but they must be well written and developped and be suspenseful. My favourite literary one is Peeta-Katniss-Gale, my favourite TV one: Stefan-Elena-Damon.
Those are two great ones!!
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I wouldn't say I *hate* love-triangles, but I don't really love them either. If I had to pick a love-triangle, it's definitely Angel-Buffy-Spike. By far, my favourite! A close second is Damon-Elena-Stefan. I think I'm just reading too many books with love-triangles that it's making my head spin! lol
I think those are both great ones!!!
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Oh the love triangle. Well first off you doesn't love a good love triangle. My favorite would have to be between Rose-Dimitri-Adrian from Vampire Academy. The was the first book that I read where I absolutely loved both boy. I feel for both of them and in my opinion I would have been happy either way with who ever she chose(But in my heart I knew she would always chose Dimitri).
I didn't see that as a viable triangle — but a lot of people disagree with me — which is what makes this topic so much fun!
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I always love your Friday questions-they're always so much fun to think about and respond to. Yes, I love love triangles! I love to see that the main character has more than one option, and vote for my favorite. To me, the best love triangles are the ones where I love both love interests equally, and I can't even decide who I want the main character to be with! Some of my favorite love triangles are:
*The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare (Will-Tessa-Jem)
*The Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver (Alex-Lena-Julian)
*The Nightshade Series by Andrea Cremer (Ren-Calla-Shay)
*Laurel Series by Aprilynne Pike (David-Laurel-Tamani)
Great choices — I haven't read the Laurel series yet.
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I enjoy a good love triangle. I'm totally Team Will with you, Jem seems kind of selfish to me… like he's spoiled because everyone gives him what he wants because of his condition.
I really love the Vampire Diaries love triangle, go Damon!
I hate when I'm reading a book and it's kind of just slipped in there for the sake of having a love triangle, make me so mad!
Also Team Eric!! *swoon*
OMG –don't say that around Jen M from Some Like It Paranormal….
And I agree, you can't just throw in a triangle. It has to work with the story!!
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I'm a total sucker for love triangles… even the bad ones. The only ones I don't like are the ones where it's obvious from the start who the heroines going to end up with. *cough, Rose/Dimitri/Adrian, cough* But there are some that I really enjoyed… like Elena/Damon/Stefan.
Ha — you agree with me on the Rose-Dimitri-Adrian one. But the Elena-Damon-Stefan one seems more suspenseful!
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I totally agree with the Tessa, Will, Jem one!! OMG I know that Clockwork Princess is going to kill me!! I don't have a team with that one. I equally love Will and Jem. I like the Clara, Tucker, Christian one too, though I am so team Tucker! At least it's a love triangle that doesn't make me want to jump off a cliff over.
I think the Clara-Tucker-Christian one is going to be hard for me. I'm socking up on kleenex…
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I'm not a huge fan of love triangles, but I have a few that entered in my soul, The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare-Tessa, Will, Jem and The Hunger Games – Peeta – Katniss – Gale. A while ago I loved Twilight triangle, but some persons (and the films) make me change my mind. I'm too corruptible.
Can't wait to find out how the Will-Tessa-Jem one comes out!
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I love how you do subjects for your Fridays! Haha! I really like a love triangle. It brings out the emotion in me. Espescially if the guy I'm rooting for is just not getting the girl. Lol! But there are cases where I HATE them. Like if it's CLICHE. Eew gross. Favorites……hmm. Toughie. Love the really sweet one in the Matched books by Ally Condie, Also have to say I like the Unearthly one by Cynthia Hand! But I honestly can't pick one favorite. 😀
I read book one of Matched and I agree, that seemed like a good one!
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I think my favourite has to be between the Vampire Diaries love triangle between Damon-Elena-Stefan. THOUGH, I haven't read the books so I'm not sure what it's like there. I like the TV show!
Ha ha — I've read three of the books and I need to watch the show! Maybe next summer…
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I have such a love/hate relationship with love triangles! I prefer for them to be started in the first book of a series. I hate when I am invested in a relationship and in the next book it flip flops out of nowhere. Though there is one series it worked for me, Delirium.
I feel the same way about the Unearthly series and The Infernal Devices you mentioned above. Both are really well done and have readers truly torn.
My problem is I tend to like both boys! Of course I have my favorites but I am so hoping everyone ends up happy somehow…
See, I feel that way too. I feel like the characters are real people and I worry about them!
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I agree with Spike – Buffy – Angel! My favorite series and I have to go with Spike!
I also liked the love triangles (may not exist anymore though! :)) between:
Will-Tessa-Jem
Simon-Clare-Jace
Gabe-Frannie-Luc
Adrian-Rose-Dmitri
Jeremiah-Belly-Conrad
Eric-Sookie-Bill…Sam (maybe a love rectangle?)
Thanks for the giveaway!
Leanne
Yay for Spike. And Gabe-Frannie-Luc is a good one. And how could I forget Jeremiah-Belly-Conrad. That one had me pulling my hair out!
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I'm not a big fan of love triangles, I must admit 😛 If I had to choose one, it would probably be Gale-Katniss-Peeta too. It wasn't all kisses and sweetness and I found its development fully justified 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, cheers from Italy ^^
I did think that one was complicated. I read an article online saying it wasn't really a triangle, that she and Gale were just friends. No way!!
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I LOVE the Stefan — Elena — Damon love triangle in the TV series 😀
also love the Gabe — Frannie — Luc love triangle 😀
I know how much you love Personal Demons — me too 🙂
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I personally like a good love triangle. And Arianne took the one I was going to say- Vampire Diaries! So i will pick a different one. I really liked the love triangle from A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies! so much so that I kept going back and forth between the guys.
Ah, so you like the good angel/bad angel ones, I see 🙂
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I am find with love triangles as long as they are done well. In other words there has to be true chemistry/connection between all involved. My faves are Will/Tessa/Jem and Bill/Sookie/Eric (in the earlier part of the series).
I haven't read the Vampire Diaries but it was actually on my agenda to start watching it on Netfix this weekend!
Yes, chemistry is key! Otherwise you have a couple plus a lovesick stalker. Yay — we'll watch Vampire Diaries together…
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I love well done love triangles. Unfortunately, the YA genre is just overflowing with predictable and annoying love triangles. Now I just groan whenever I see them.
There are so many of them that it can be hard to make one that seems fresh and exciting!
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I'm not a big fan of love triangles, but I still read books with them in it and I love the ones you chose! The only one I haven't read yet from your list is the Unearthly series, but I have the books on my bookshelf to read!
OMG — read those books. They're fantastic and as you know, I'm not even that much of a fan of angel books!
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Bill -Sookie- Eric from Sookie Stackhouse series/True Blood. Thanks so much!
That is a good one!
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Ren, Kishan, and Kelsey from the Tiger's Curse series is one of my favorites. 🙂
I haven't read those books yet!
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Alleric to love triangles…I love that! lol
I actually dont like love triangles but I dont stay away from books that have them just because of it (I really like the Body Finder, TID, and Unearthly, for example). But I feel like, what if I like both the guys and the MC chooses one, I'd feel really bad for the other guy I liked too! Or even worse, what if I like one guy but totally hate the other and the MC chooses the one guy that I cant stand (like I feel will happend in the Shifters series by Rachel Vincent…haven't read the last book yet. Team Jace!) That would just be not cool (for me!) And then there's the case where the MC chooses the guy I do like and ditches the one I hate…but I find that the first scenerio happens the most often =/
Well that's my case as to how my allergies of love triangles came to be 😉
I feel the same way! I really do feel sad for the guy who gets left out in the cold.
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See my favorite classical love triangle is found in The Great Gatsby and my favorite non-classic is in the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, so this is a hard question for me since you've already picked my favorite two!
I have to say that I enjoyed the love triangle in False Memory by Dan Krokos. It was really well written because the MC lost her memory. It was only natural for her to feel for her rescuer, but echoes of her old love from before she lost her memory still resonate within her.
I haven't read False Memory, but I agree that amnesia could make a great love triangle — just like in a soap opera!
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I really enjoyed the love triangles in VA by Richelle Mead, TID by Cassandra Clare. Sometimes they do get tiresome. Especially if they are not written properly, but for the most part I don't really mind love triengles.
Those authors do write some great ones!
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The Shade trilogy by Jeri-Smith Ready is pretty awesome!!! 🙂
-JennyC
Agree!!!!
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I have a very love/hate relationship with love triangles. I was okay with Unearthly's and Clockwork Angel's (Can't believe you haven't read the next book!!! It changes almost everything!). I think my favorite right now would have to be Jem, Tessa, and Will. I really like both of those guys and in different ways.
I know! I have a ton of review books to read, but I'm dying to get to it!!!
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My favorite love triangle is Conrad-Belly-Jeremiah from the The Summer Series by Jenny Han.
I can't believe I forgot that one, given that it caused me so much angst that I'm tempted to add a new love triangle rule: no brothers!!!
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I liked the VA love triangle just because I thought both Dimitri and Adrian gave Rose very different things that she needed. Like you said I think love triangles are best if the girl really cares about both guys and they both offer great things. I also hate when it turns out one guy is a douche all along. I feel like that is the easy way out. The author presents these two great guys and so you can accept the choice she turns one bad. I hate the Tucker/Clara/Christan love triangle. With paranormal books the whole destiny thing can really mess with a love triangle. It becomes free will verse what a character must do for their people or whatever. I liked the Gale/Peeta/Katniss triangle because I thought both boys were great guys that really loved Katniss. I think she could have been truly happy with either of them but certain circumstances just made the one guy right for her.
I know — the destiny thing makes for a good love triangle sometimes!
And wow, you're being nice to Dimitri today 🙂 🙂
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As much as I'm against love triangles, I have to say, my favorite one that I've read about is Clara-Tucker-Christian. Tucker's so sweet, that one boy that you can count on for anything; but Christian, you can't help but feel sorry for him when you find out everything about him. It was so hard to choose a team when I first read Unearthly, I was crying. Damn it, it still is, pardon my French. But yes, this is my favorite love triangle. 😀
Ah, that one is killing me!!!!!
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I loved the Alex-Julian- Lena and shay-ren-calla triangles!
Those are both really good ones!
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I usually dislike love triangles because they're usually so ridiculous, but I really love the Will-Tessa-Jem love triangle in the Infernal Devices!! It's so perfect
They can be ridiculous, I agree!!
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My absolute favorite love triangle is Elena, Damon, and Stefan from VD the show. Wow those scenes are so entertaining to watch, especially when you get all three in the same room. I personally am Damon all the way since the pilot episode and I truly think Elena should be too. She is but won't admit it and that's crazy. How can one resist such awesome sexiness. Lol
Ha ha — you're so funny. I really need to get to watching that!!
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i loved the love triangle between: samuel- mercy and adam (mercy thonpson by patricia briggs)but i admit i'm even more happy adam won^^::
I haven't read that one, but I'm happy that it turned out the way you hoped!
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My favorite love triangle has always been:
Jay, Violet and Rafe from The Body Finder.
Yay — me too!
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When love triangles are done right, they can make the book/tv show super suspensful. I haven't read all of the books that you listed, but those are all on my list. Of course, I read the Hunger Games and Twilight series; I was Team Peeta and Edward all the way 🙂 In honor of the fall tv series starting up, I'll list two of my favorite tv love triangles: Jack – Emily/Amanda – Daniel from Revenge; and Wade – Zoe – George Tucker from Hart of Dixie.
Oh, right the Revenge one is good because of fake Amanda/real Amanda. I can't wait for that show to start. I've never watched Heart of Dixie!
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I'm not completely allergic to love triangles but I have those instances were I will put a book down because of the love triangle but in other instances I love the love triangle. I suppose I have a love-hate relationship for it and it just really depends on how well written the relationships between the character's is. Also as long as by the end of the book (or series)one person is finally chosen as the main character's love but at the same time the 2nd person did not get one pulled over him/her. I really hate it when one person is just left hanging and no feelings are given to them.
I agree –it makes me sad when that happens! Readers invest so much time and emotion into characters! The rejected guy (or girl) should get their own book 🙂
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I would have to say the Pacey-Joey-Dawson love triangle of Dawson's Creek. I liked it when Joey and Dawson were together but I just LOVED it when Joey and Pacey were together. They were definitely meant to be together.
LOVE that one too. But I've recently decided that Dawson was kind of annoying….
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I actually do like triangles m, as long as they make sense and don't feel like a ploy to simply create drama. The best triangle ive read recently was in A Fractured Light.
I liked that one — can't wait for book two!
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Dude, it took me longer to scroll through your comments then it took me to read your post! 😉
I do agree, the right love triangle can add to a book. Would Bella and Edward have been so compelling without a little friction? The main thing that bothers me in love triangles is that usually there's a bad boy and a nice guy, and the bad boy always wins. There are some books where I switch back and forth, but it's rare!
The comments are the best part!
And agree — the course of true love never does run smooth — or at least not if you want to have a book with some suspense in it!
Ooh, interesting point. Does the good guy always lose out? I need to study that hypothesis….
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I have to go with Bill, Sookie, and Eric from The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris (and True Blood). Thanks for another Freebie Friday!
That's a good one — and you're welcome — this is my favorite part of the week 🙂
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Really great post! Although I may say I'm not such a huge fan of love triangles, I still secretly enjoy them! Some that I don't think have been mentioned are Summer-Seth-Anna from The OC, which although was short-lived made for some pretty funny moments, and I'm in the minority here as I liked Anna more. Also, Peyton-Luke-Brooke on One Tree Hill (Brooke ftw). As for books, I stayed up really late last night finishing Unearthly and loved it. There wasn't really a love triangle in the first one, but I'm anticipating some conflict in Hallowed, which I'm desperate to read!
I only watched a little bit of The OC and One Tree Hill, but those are great additions to my list!
OMG — just wait until you read Hallowed!!!!!!
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i agree with the stefan-elean – damon ( go damon)
Adrian – rose- dimitri from VA also sleth-alex-adian from halfblood
i don't mind love triangles if done tastefully and realistically .
A lot of Damon fans around here 🙂
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I'm not really fond of love triangles, there are only a handful that I actually like.
Stefan-Elena-Damon are definitely a hot love triangle,I'm constantly switching between who's better.
And Will-Tessa-Jem are also on my list. I loved the relationship between them all but I'm definitely Team Will. Though I can't help but love Jem, so I'm torn. I want Will to get the girl, but I don't want Jem to be hurt!
Ah, you're making me so impatient to read Clockwork Prince!
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Hi
I'm not a fan of triangles, but if I have to pick one it would be Damon – Elena – Stefan. I'd love to see Damon And Elena together (really together) at least for a while.
Another triangle could be Eric – Sookie – Bill. I'd Choose Eric for myself *wink*
LOL — wonder if the Damon-Elena-Stefan one will ever get resolved!
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I've always loved love-triangles, but they just have to be done right. They mostly just have to be, as you said, romantically drawn and not just forced just so there could be one for drama. I love the angst and suspense, but it can't be too angsty. I really have too many favorite love-triangles to count! xD
Couldn't have said it better myself!!
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I love the love triangle in the infernal devices. Both Jem and Will are wonderful. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I think that is one of the best ones in YA!
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I'm having trouble thinking of a love triangle in literature that I've really enjoyed right now. However, in TV I have a soft spot for the True Blood triangle/quadrilateral/pentagon.
Quadrilateral? Love it. We can learn geometry and read at the same time!
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It's great that you included literary love triangles, because I do think that they had more substance.
I did not mind the love triangle in THE HUNGER GAMES, but in general they just annoy me. Maybe it's because quite often the girl just comes across as selfish & stupid.
So ends my rant for the day.
You're a tough cookie, Marybelle, which is one of the reasons I love you!
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