Romance Authors on Their Favorite Fictional BFFs

When it comes to fictional holidays, Galentine’s Day is one of my favorites. Started by Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, the holiday was quickly adopted in the real world by those who wanted the chance to celebrate the incredible strength, support, and power that comes from good friendships. While romance novels are best known for their romantic relationships, these books also feature BFFs who help each other through all of life’s ups and downs. Here 12 romance authors share their favorite fictional friendships.

Memory, Ashaya, Sascha, and Jaya
Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

“Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling world is built around intense relationships, from soul-deep romance to familial bonds tangible on the psychic plane. Factor in Singh’s diverse representation of womanhood—from ruthless strength to emotional delicacy to nurturing leadership—and it’s no surprise my favorite female friendship in romance comes from her book Wolf Rain. The heroine, Memory, has suffered terrible abuse and is anxious about her place in the world. But the constant, steady support from her newfound friends Ashaya, Sascha, and Jaya helps Memory realize her dream of being a badass protector. Plus, they help detangle her hair. Now, that’s loyalty.”
Talia Hibbert, author of Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Ledi, Portia, and Nya
The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole

I love the Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole for many reasons, including the friendship between Ledi, Portia, and Nya. Ledi and Portia are friends when the series begins. They have some issues in the first book, A Princess in Theory, but are able to work through them. Though Nya is Ledi’s cousin, they don’t meet until later in the first book and I enjoyed seeing them bond. The three women are often on different continents, and they keep in touch via group chat. Their conversations are hilarious—but also supportive, and they are there for each other throughout everything.”
Jackie Lau, author of A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day

Sloan, Xeni, Joanna, Keira, Meegan, Sarah, and Shae
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon

“I always fall hardest for sidekicks. There’s something about a best friend, plucky assistant, younger sister, or rebellious cousin that hooks me every time. So when Rebekah Weatherspoon revealed that some of her best secondary women characters were all in a group chat trading GIFs and cheering each other on—and when she began writing their love stories (starting with Rafe and now the bisexual romp Xeni)—it felt like pure joy. You don’t need to have read her earlier books (though you should!) to bask in the warmth of this sisterhood.”
Olivia Waite, author of The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics

Nik, Courtney, and Dana
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

“The female friendships in Jasmine Guillory’s books are realistic, empowering, and #lifegoals for me, particularly the friendship between Nik, Courtney, and Dana in The Proposal. Some of my favorite parts of the book were watching the three of them drink bourbon together to commiserate over relationship woes and going to self-defense class. I wish they were real so I could sign up to be their number four. I’d so be there.”
Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test

The Valkyrie
Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole

“A cornerstone of Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series is the badass, fiercely loyal Valkyrie—female warriors who draw energy from the earth and give it back in the form of lightning. They are incredibly tight-knit, have each other’s backs without questions, and each of them is beautifully flawed. There are over ten Valkyrie characters in the series, but my absolute favorite is Kaderin the Cold Hearted from No Rest For The Wicked. Even when each of these characters gets her love story (and trust me, they are all spectacular), the Valkyrie still put their bonds first. The engrossing way Cole writes these characters makes you feel like you’re in the room with them, watching them cheer each other on, call each other out, and love each other unconditionally.”
Christina Lauren, author of The Honey-Don’t List

Livvy and Sadia
The Forbidden Hearts series by Alisha Rai

“Alisha Rai writes wonderful gal pals. I love the friendship between Livvy, the heroine of Hate to Want You, and Sadia, the heroine of Wrong to Need You. At the beginning of Hate to Want You, Livvy and Sadia haven’t seen each other in a long time, but their friendship is a linchpin in their lives. So many people move away from home as adults, yet Livvy and Sadia’s friendship stays strong despite that distance. Livvy and Sadia rally for each other through the course of their books and always have each other’s backs.”
Erin McLellan, author of Candy Hearts

Kit, Zoe, and Greer
A Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn

“I adored the female friendships in Kate Clayborn’s A Chance of a Lifetime series. Armed with life-changing money after jointly purchasing a winning lottery ticket, three women—Kit, Zoe, and Greer—each embark on a journey of self-discovery that also leads to life-changing love. My personal favorite is Luck of the Draw, in which Zoe agrees to fake a relationship with a man who considers her his family’s enemy. Clayborn gives the romance between Zoe and Aiden its due but never skimps on depicting the love and support Zoe receives from her best friends. The gentle way Kit and Greer hold Zoe up when she’s feeling directionless made me swoon.”
Mia Sosa, author of The Worst Best Man
(Psst:
Click here to read our interview with Sosa on her new novel!)

Samiah, London, and Taylor
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

“Female friendships are amazing and something to cherish with your whole heart! I adore when romances highlight their power and one of my absolute favorites to show this is the upcoming The Boyfriend Project from Farrah Rochon. It tells the story of Samiah Brooks, who found out while following a viral live tweet of a bad date (and I oop!) that she was not only being two-timed, but three-timed by the guy she was dating. The fact that the women in this catfish scenario don’t turn on each other, but instead form an incredible sisterly bond makes this story a total win in my book!”
Kwana Jackson, author of Real Men Knit

Iris, Banner, and Lotus
Hoops series by Kennedy Ryan

“When it comes to fictional friendships, I don’t think any author does it better than Kennedy Ryan. I first discovered Ryan through her Hoops series—three novels set in the world of pro-basketball, featuring three women who live through hell before finding their happily ever afters. What I love about these books—and about her more recent All the King’s Men duology—is that the heroines survive and flourish with the help of their friends. She gives us deep, supportive relationships, the characters so realistic, so sympathetic, that you feel like including them in your next Girls’ Night Out.”
Adriana Anders, author of Whiteout

Amira and Reena
The Chai Factor by Farah Heron

“We all know the ‘point’ of a romance novel is the relationship between the main characters, but sometimes the relationship between a heroine and her best friend is just as delicious. I love a ride-or-die best friend who will drop everything for the heroine but is also not taking any of her friend’s BS. Reena, BFF to Amira in Farah Heron’s The Chai Factor, is not there for Amira’s fake relationship with her gay friend. ‘Can I be the maid of honor at your fake beard wedding?’ she asks. ‘I’d love a turquoise color scheme. It really is my color.’”
Jenny Holiday, author of Mermaid Inn

Eve and Delia
Golden in Death by J.D. Robb

“While Eve’s continuing romance with Roarke is the bedrock of this series, I also love the friendship between Eve and her partner, Delia Peabody. To see Eve go from a woman who is shut off from everyone to one who has a tight bond of friendship with Peabody—complete with quips and arguments and running jokes—has been an incredible journey. They have each other’s backs, no matter what. And it’s not just with Peabody that Eve has grown: Her friendship with wild child Mavis is as important. I mean, Eve holds Mavis’s baby, even though she’s scared of babies!”
Nalini Singh, author of Alpha Night

CeCe, Mandy, Astrid, and Sarina
Have a Little Faith in Me by Sonia Hartl

“In Have a Little Faith in Me, CeCe pretends to be Christian to become a counselor at Jesus camp and win over a boy. When she’s placed in a cabin with three actual Christian girls, including one who turns out to be dating the ex CeCe came to win back, it seems like a situation ripe for pitting girls against each other. Instead, Hartl provides readers with not just one quality female friendship, but a myriad of them. Each female character is distinct, and they relate to each other in ways both unique and universal.”
Meryl Wilsner, author of Something to Talk About

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

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