(I definitely wrote this for a Top Ten Tuesday in 2018… but then never got around to posting it. So here it is for you today!)

I read a lot of romance novels, so this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is going to be a little bit hard. (If you want to see my favorite book boyfriends, you can see that post here.) 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl – I will be linking up there. 

1. The Merrick brothers in the Elementals series by Brigid Kemmerer
   This was the first platonic relationship I thought of when trying to create this list. Their parents are dead, so the brothers (all in the age range of 15-25ish) all sort of take care of and look after each other. They are still teenage boys though, so there’s still plenty of family drama. I just love how they can band together when they need to. 
2. Rev and his Parents from More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer
   Brigid Kemmerer is great at writing relationships apparently. I love most of the relationships in Rev’s life actually. His parents are loving and kind and always seem to know just what he needs – which is pretty impressive considering he doesn’t always know himself. His best friend, Declan, is also a great influence in his life. There’s one specific scene that I especially love with the two of them, but I don’t want to give anything away. 
3. Kel and Neil from Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce
   Neil is just an awesome character to begin with, but he and Kel have such a fun (and crazy) friendship in this series. 
4. Briar, Daja, Tris, and Sandry from the Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce
   I know some Tamora Pierce fans only like her stories set in Tortall, but I like Circle of Magic series’ as well. The concept of how their magic works is so unique, and I love seeing these four characters learn and grow together throughout the series. 
5. Evan and Jessie from The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davis
   This was the perfect little-kid sibling relationship. The characters, 8 and 10, are brother and sister and definitely compete and squabble like siblings. But at the end of the day, they actually complement each other very well with their individual skills, and they seem to stick together well as a family. 
6. Diedre, Helena, and Muriel from The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch by Glynnis Campbell
   These sisters are willing to make sacrifices for each other and seem to do everything together when they can. However, they’re each very independent and unique as well. They practice swordfighting together, but step in to protect the others when needed. And they never seem to underestimate each other as well. 
7. Hermux Tantamoq and his ladybug from The Hermux Tantamoq Adventures by Michael Hoeye
   I’m not sure owner/pet counts in this category, but I’m throwing it in anyways. I mean, how cute is the idea of a mouse (who is a watchmaker) with a pet ladybug!? 
8. Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse from Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Lio Lionni
   It’s so sweet how Alexander wants to help his friend (the wind-up mouse) become real! Also, the illustrations in this book are adorable, so how could you not love any of the characters? 
9. Alexia and Ivy Hisselpenny from the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger
   These two have such an unlikely friendship. Alexia is cunning and not afraid to speak her mind, while Ivy always seems to be trying to be fashionable and in-vogue. However, scenes with them together are usually quite hilarious and they both grow as characters and as friends throughout the series. (At least the books I’ve read anyway.) (You can read a quote from one of my favorite scenes of theirs in my book review here.) 
10. Alanna and Myles of Olau from Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
    Alanna has actually quite a few fantastic parent figures in this series. Among them are Myles of Olau, who is a wise mentor, Eleni Cooper, who teachers her about being a woman and mothers her, and Coram Smythesson, who helps her get started on the whole adventure. 

What are you favorite bookish platonic relationships? 

❤ Annette