Love triangles tap into deep-rooted human emotions and desires, making them a powerful tool for writers to explore complex relationships. At the core of a love triangle lies the conflict between passion and reason, between the heart and the mind. The characters are torn between two individuals, each representing different aspects of their desires and needs. This internal struggle resonates with readers, who may have experienced similar conflicts in their own lives.
Love triangles have been a captivating aspect of literature for centuries, evoking a range of emotions in readers. A love triangle’s complex dynamics and intense emotions make for compelling storytelling. While most common in romance novels, love triangles are also found in other genres, offering a range of emotional experiences from light-hearted to deeply dramatic.
A clear example is Twilight, where Bella must choose between Edward and Jacob and the vampires and werewolves. The vampires are cold, mysterious, and reserved, whereas the werewolves are passionate, warm, and familial. Bella then has to choose what life she can see herself in and who she wants to be with. But she chose the wrong team, Jacob, forever. Another example is in The Notebook, where Allie has to choose between Noah and Lon Hammond and between the comfort and stability that Lauren can provide versus Noah’s passion and instability.
Unlike Twilight, this isn’t a balanced love triangle. We know who Allie will choose, and Lon is only a potential roadblock to their love. But it’s an example of the trope nonetheless. Another example is Rose, Jack, and Cal from Titanic. So when the protagonists must choose between them, they also choose between the two versions of themselves in these relationships.
As a writer, I am fascinated by the art of depicting love triangles in literature and their impact on the audience. This article will show the psychology behind love triangles, explore famous examples from literature, and discuss them in detail.
15 Love Triangles Books (Triad Romance)
Love triangles engage us emotionally, making us root for one relationship over the other or creating suspense about the outcome. This is a widespread must-read trope that includes Twilight, The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass, and Pretty in Pink. Many love triangles are annoying and boring because they’re so shallow. They don’t dig into the character’s internal conflict. Everything is so surface-level and stagnant that you can predict what will happen by page one. Who wants to read a book like that?
So, is there a way to make this plot device interesting? Rule number one, the love triangle, should not be simple. This pretty much applies to any storytelling. I read many triad relationship books that list the best and most complicated love triangle stories. I will discuss 15 love triangle books for you that give you suspense and a thrilling vibe. They explore love, desire, loyalty, and jealousy, offering a rich emotional experience. Let’s go!
| Name | Storyline | Tropes |
|---|---|---|
| Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare | A love, betrayal, and the search for identity in a Victorian-era shadow world filled with magic and mechanical creatures. | Forbidden love, love triangle, secret identities, steampunk setting, supernatural creatures, moral ambiguity, hidden heritage, mentor-protégé relationship, societal expectations, unrequited love, secret societies, magical artifacts, Victorian era, inner turmoil, betrayal and loyalty, family secrets, tragic pasts, coming of age, power struggle, sacrifice for the greater good. |
| Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens | A tumultuous and passionate love triangle, exploring themes of desire, loyalty, and the complexities of heart versus mind. | Forbidden romance, emotional conflict, infidelity, rock star romance, coming of age, self-discovery, moral dilemma, intense relationships, jealousy and insecurity, loyalty tests, protagonist torn between two loves, personal growth, romantic drama, passion and temptation, friendship dynamics, internal struggle, choices and consequences, betrayal and forgiveness. |
| Even If It Hurts by Marni Mann | A story of love and loss, focusing on the emotional journey of a woman torn between her past and present loves. | Second chance romance, emotional turmoil, heartbreak, forbidden love, past and present narrative, personal sacrifice, enduring love, life-altering choices, romantic conflict, moral dilemma, unrequited feelings, complex relationships, nostalgia, self-discovery, tragedy and healing, passion versus reason, secrets and revelations, bittersweet romance. |
| The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen | A story of a stolen first kiss leading to an unexpected and intense romance, set against a backdrop of power struggles and revenge. | Enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage, power dynamics, revenge plot, age gap romance, alpha male hero, strong-willed heroine, forced proximity, societal expectations, sexual tension, betrayal, forbidden romance, first love, personal growth, emotional healing, family feuds, wealth and privilege, moral conflict, passion and resentment, transformation through love. |
| Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Orgeron | The emotional and psychological impact of war on relationships, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. | Military romance, love triangle, PTSD and trauma, emotional healing, long-distance relationships, survival and resilience, loyalty and duty, personal sacrifice, internal conflict, strength in adversity, forbidden love, moral dilemmas, homecoming and readjustment, family dynamics, coping with loss, enduring love, heroism, personal transformation, overcoming obstacles, psychological depth. |
| Serenading Heartbreak by Ella Fields | The story of a young woman navigating the complexities of love and heartbreak, ultimately finding her own voice and strength. | Coming of age, unrequited love, personal growth, emotional turmoil, young adult romance, musician romance, first love, heartbreak and healing, self-discovery, jealousy, passionate romance, friendship dynamics, romantic conflict, chasing dreams, betrayal and forgiveness, finding oneself, internal struggle, sacrifice and choices. |
| Something in the Way by Jessica Hawkins | A forbidden and unyielding love, set against a backdrop of societal norms and personal growth. | Forbidden love, age gap romance, unrequited love, emotional turmoil, coming of age, societal expectations, internal conflict, strong emotional bond, family dynamics, self-discovery, longing and desire, moral dilemmas, passion versus propriety, secret love, character development, love over time, personal sacrifice, societal barriers, enduring connection, heartache and hope. |
| One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid | An exploration of love, loss, and the question of whether a person can have more than one true love in their lifetime. | Second chance romance, lost love, rediscovery of love, moral dilemmas, emotional journey, life-altering choices, personal growth, tragedy and healing, rekindled romance, soulmates, love versus duty, widowhood, coming to terms with the past, identity and self-discovery, bittersweet decisions, navigating grief, transformative experiences, enduring love, personal resilience. |
| Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton | A dark and atmospheric tale intertwining witchcraft, sacrifice, and love in a village bound to a mysterious bargain with a forest deity. | Dark fantasy, witchcraft and magic, sacrificial rituals, supernatural beings, village secrets, love triangle, queer romance, atmospheric setting, folklore and mythology, pact with a deity, moral ambiguity, coming of age, forbidden love, mystical forest, community traditions, curse and sacrifice, polyamorous relationships, gender fluidity, courage and survival, complex relationships. |
| Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas | A tale of ambition, love, and personal transformation, following a young woman’s journey from poverty to success in the high-stakes world of Texas oil. | Rags-to-riches story, strong female protagonist, older man-younger woman romance, wealth and power dynamics, personal growth, social climbing, Texas setting, romantic suspense, revenge plot, family secrets, betrayal and redemption, self-discovery, class differences, ambition and success, first love versus true love, emotional complexity, coming of age, struggle for independence. |
| Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert | A steamy and daring romance that shows power, desire, and unconventional relationships within a mythological backdrop. | Polyamorous romance, mythological characters, BDSM elements, power dynamics, erotic romance, love triangle, moral ambiguity, forbidden desires, sexual exploration, dominant-submissive relationship, Greek mythology reimagining, emotional complexity, self-discovery, consensual non-monogamy, character development, passion and control, psychological depth, overcoming societal norms, intense relationships. |
| Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn | The world of modern dating as the protagonist goes through a series of blind dates, searching for her perfect match. | Romantic comedy, dating adventures, contemporary romance, search for love, blind dates, humor in romance, strong female lead, dating mishaps, friendship dynamics, online dating, personal growth, love versus compatibility, character-driven narrative, finding true love, comedic misunderstandings, self-discovery, modern relationships, charming suitors, playful banter. |
| Taking Chances by Molly McAdams | A gripping tale of young love, heartbreak, and the consequences of making difficult choices in relationships. | College romance, forbidden love, emotional rollercoaster, personal growth, tragedy and healing, betrayal and forgiveness, coming of age, bad boy romance, friendship dynamics, life-altering decisions, jealousy and insecurity, self-discovery, loyalty and sacrifice, intense relationships, first love, moral dilemmas, passion and temptation, character transformation. |
| Collide by Gail McHugh | A story of unexpected love and complicated relationships, where a woman finds herself torn between her steady boyfriend and a magnetic stranger. | Forbidden romance, emotional turmoil, instant attraction, loyalty vs. desire, personal conflict, passionate affair, betrayal, self-discovery, romantic drama, moral dilemmas, strong-willed protagonist, unfulfilled relationships, intense chemistry, secrets and revelations, life-changing decisions, urban setting, internal struggle, desire versus duty, heart versus mind. |
| From Ashes by Molly McAdams | A moving story of love and healing, where a young woman overcomes a traumatic past and finds strength and love in unexpected places. | Healing from trauma, friends to lovers, emotional growth, overcoming adversity, small-town romance, protective love interest, dark past, personal transformation, love triangle, strong female lead, friendship bond, emotional support, new beginnings, finding safety in love, past versus present, self-discovery, trust and vulnerability, protective relationships, resilience and courage, journey of healing. |
1. Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices)
If you are unfamiliar with the shadow of the world of the Shadowhunters that Cassandra has built, you must get on the train. This is a fantastic shadow world parallel to our world where you race Nephilim, and the Nephilim are charged with protecting humans and the world from demons.
The story takes place in the 1890 Victorian era in London. It’s with the London Academy. The main players in this book are Will, Jem, and Tessa. Will and Jem have a unique bond and closest relationship. So they are as close as they can ever be. Tessa comes into the situation and folds very nicely into their dynamic. It is the adventures that they have together.
Will is a very dark character, but Jem loves him no matter what. He is very kind, compassionate, giving, loving, and caring, but he also is dealing with a terminal situation. So they’re their dynamic gets sticky very quickly. As the reader, we can see that both of these gentlemen are falling for Tessa, but Tessa does not see it. So, it gets a complicated triangle love situation.
Author: Cassandra Clare
Average Rating: 4.8/5
Category: European Historical Fiction, Dark Fantasy
Available: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
2. Thoughtless
This is book one of the Thoughtless series. The series has five books, and you should read them all. In this one, our main character is Kiera, from her point of view. Also, it is heart-wrenching because you feel Kiera’s plight. Kiera is very immature, which is part of why she gets herself in this situation. But she’s in a two-year-long relationship with her boyfriend, Denny.
They have gone to the same university together. Denny is from Australia, and Kiera is from the U.S. They embark on a cross-country trip and will stay together. Denny came over for a study abroad program, and he met Kellan. He is in a band, so he calls them because Denny gets a new job in an advertising agency. So they stay with Denny, and things happen.
It’s a love triangle, messy, sticky, and sad romance because you will feel Kellan’s and Denny’s situation. It breaks your heart in so many ways because it’s how love can hurt so much pain. When you know that love is beautiful, but when it’s misdirected, it’s hard. You want it not only because you see the love between Kellan and Kiera but also because you see Kiera has a love for Denny as his best friend, who’s only been there.
Author: S.C. Stephens
Average Rating: 4.3/5
Category: Women’s Friendship Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
3. Even If It Hurts
This is about three characters: Oliver, Lance, and Chloe. Also, it is a new adult because it starts when they’re in college and then proceeds after college. It starts with Chloe talking to her best friend and preparing to embark on a semester-long trip where she studies in the UK in London. She can enjoy the party here, and the story embarks from there.
You’ll be upset and know that it will be angsty and drama. There is a love triangle. It’s about loving two people so immensely and powerfully and not wanting to hurt anyone. My heart broke for Chloe to see her struggle and emotion. Both Lance and Oliver are favorites for her. But she has to choose one, and it’s a tough decision to sacrifice her favorite one.
Author: Marni Mann
Average Rating: 4.3/5
Category: Contemporary Romance Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
4. The Kiss Thief
This differs slightly from the other stories because it’s a mafia romance. Mafia princess Rossi is part of the outfit. She has everything laid out, and she knows who she will marry and what will happen. But things don’t quite work out the way that she has intended. There is some revenge plot here where some mafia dynamics intertwine with politics and what that all means: love to hate.
There’s an age gap with a love triangle. While this is angsty and emotional, it’s not typical, as discussed in these other books. They are moving forward as a couple, trying to get past this revenge and dealing with broken characters. They are so angry that they can’t see what they have in front of them. Therefore, they make a lot of mistakes as a result. But it’s also about growth and development for what you want and then forgiveness.
Author: LJ Shen
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Multicultural & Interracial Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
5. Heartbreak Warfare
This has a lot of trigger warnings for PTSD, sexual assault, and being a prisoner of war. This one’s about a woman (Katy) in the military. Initially, she leaves behind her husband (Gavin) and her child, who is eight years older than her. They met when she was 18 and got married young. Katy loves her husband. He’s also part of the military, but she is going on deployment to be a medical assistant there.
So she’s not on active duty, but she is sent overseas to be medical, and she instantly has an attraction to another guy (Briggs) who’s very playful. Briggs is the typical bad boy who doesn’t care about the rules. But Katy is faithful to her husband and can’t deny that she likes Briggs. Also, she does everything in her power to stay away from him.
Briggs still likes to push her buttons and has a nickname for her. Then she visits with him to the local town, and they are ambushed and kept prisoner together. So Katy has a connection with him, and when she gets home, she has to figure out what she’s feeling. It was very angsty and emotional, and I would recommend it.
Author: Heather M. Orgeron
Average Rating: 4.8/5
Category: Military Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
6. Serenading Heartbreak
This romance is about a girl (Stevie) who grew up and fell for her brother’s best friend (Everett). Everett is a rock star but a very damaged guy. He doesn’t have a good home life and hangs out often with their house growing up. Also, he ends up saying he does have feelings for her. Then he goes off on tour with her brother, and they hit it big, and he stops communicating with her.
So, she decides to move on with this sweet guy. Then, the other guy keeps coming back into the picture, and she doesn’t know what to do. Stevie falls into the love triangle and can’t choose. It was very emotional because she was in college when she got back into contact with the guy from her past.
Author: Ella Fields
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Sports & College Romance
Available: Paperback | Kindle
7. Something in the Way
This book is also a love triangle about a young girl, Lake. She falls for a guy (Manning) working on the construction site next to her, and he does his best to push her away. They end up having to go to the same camp together. But her sister ends up being like the same guy. So it’s a love triangle between her, her sister, and this guy, which would normally bother me. This ends on a cliffhanger, and it’s very emotional.
Lake feels guilty because her sister likes him. She wants him because he’s hot, and she feels an emotional connection. But she’s too young. As a sweet sixteen-year-old teenager, Lake creates this immediate connection, but she holds it for a long time. You will see her dedication and struggle when you think she is mature and adult.
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Family Fiction Sagas
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
8. One True Loves
This is women’s fiction but also deals with romance. Our main character is married to the love of her life (Emma Blair). Then he (Jesse) goes missing because he’s a nature photographer. So, he ends up going missing in a helicopter and is presumed dead. Emma moves back home, and she connects with Sam from her past. He always liked her, and she became a different person.
Then they get engaged, and her husband shows up alive. So Emma doesn’t know what to do. She’s engaged to Sam, but Jesse’s husband has come back. It’s much different than your typical romance. You will enjoy this one if you don’t want as much fantasy as a love triangle.
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Romantic Comedy
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Library Binding | Kindle | Audio CD
9. Strange Grace
This is a polyamorous relationship because our main characters are interwoven. They’re all in this beautiful, angsty romance, gut-wrenching relationship. We follow a town (Three Graces) that has dealt with a devil. Years ago, a witch and a devil made a pact in a forest deal to protect their town and be very prosperous. So they didn’t have to deal with any death, illness, shortness of food.
Everything was perfect in this town. But in return, they had a thing called a Slaughter Moon, where every couple of years, they sent in a boy to be sacrificed by the devil, and some boys made it out. Some boys didn’t make it out, which was their yearly sacrifice. Polyamorous relationship features our main characters, Mairwen, Rhun, and Arthur.
I love their dynamic together. They all have known each other since they were kids. They feel like the bargain with the devil has gone wrong, or they don’t know the entire story of the deal all those years ago. So, the three go into the forest to discover the town’s secrets. Their reverse harem relationship works so well because they are all connected. There’s no jealousy, no characters that have more time with each other. It’s so seamless how they flow together. They’re all struggling with their identity; together, they become stronger and more confident.
Author: Tessa Gratton
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Thrillers & Suspense
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD
10. Sugar Daddy (The Travis Family)
This is part of The Travis Family series. There are four books in the series. Lisa Kleypas is a viral historical romance author, but this is one of her new adult contemporary romances. The story follows our main character, Liberty Jones, and her life at a very young age. She ends up being responsible for her younger sister, which follows her finding herself.
It’s a beautiful story with a love triangle that follows Lisa’s first love, Hardy’s childhood crush. They have this immediate chemistry and love for each other. But Hardy leaves the small town to make a name for himself, and Liberty continues with her life. She asks many questions about her past and her mother, and she runs into an older gentleman who is linked to her mother or that sugar daddy becomes a fatherly figure to him.
Then, the second love interest is that guy’s son, Gage. Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon, a sugar daddy. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty discovers secrets about her family’s past: two men and one woman, a choice that can make or break her as a woman. You’ll root for every step of the way, a love story you’ll never forget.
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Western Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback
11. Learn My Lesson (Wicked Villains)
This is the second book in the Wicked Villain series. This series takes a dark twist on Disney villains, who become the story’s love interest and heroes. The story follows Meg, Hades, and Hercules, and it follows all of them in this intense polyamorous relationship.
The book has an overarching plot, but their time spent together and these steamy moments. It has a little bit of a BDSM situation, so again, check the trigger warnings if that’s not your vibe.
Author: Katee Robert
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Romantic Suspense
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
12. Three Blind Dates (Dating by Numbers)
The story follows Noely Clark, who is focused on her career and hasn’t had the best luck in dating. She is a TV host and decides to join a dating app and become part of her TV talk show. It’s like this whole series of her being on this dating app and finding the one, so it’s a funny comedic book. So Clark joins a dating app, and she gets matched with three guys, and they’re all titled by their dating app name.
We have the suit, the rebel, or the jock, and she goes on dates with all three of them. I won’t tell you who she ends up with, but again, I love who she ends up with. They fit well so perfectly. The dates were super sweet and a very evenly balanced love triangle.
Author: Meghan Quinn
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Romantic Comedy
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
13. Taking Chances
This is about a girl named Harper. She grew up on base because her dad runs everything, so she never attended regular school. She can get exposed to a lot of stuff. So when she moves away to college, she’s thrust upon, and she ends up dating a guy named Brandon. But she likes her roommate’s brother named Chase, and it’s a big pile jumper.
Harper had so many problems with relationships. She thought it was downgrading to girls and didn’t send a good message. She can not forget Brandon or Chase, and she wants both. But it is tough to continue or handle two lovers, and it’s unfair. So you will see the most complicated love triangle here.
Author: Molly McAdams
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Coming of Age Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
14. Collide
Our leading lady, Emily, recently moved to New York with her boyfriend, Dillon. Her mother had passed, and she got an apartment with her best friend, Olivia. So, we learn a little bit about Emily and Dillon’s relationship. But Gavin is our leading man. Emily has a job at a restaurant, and she makes it to order very randomly. The regular delivery guy didn’t come in, so she was doing a favor for her boss on her way home, and she took the delivery up to this tower. Here, she meets Gavin.
Gavin tries to come on to her. He tried to get her number, and she was with Dillon. So she pushes him away, and she gets out of there. Then, the next day, he ordered the food from when he went to the restaurant. Again, he tries to get her number and name, but Emily says Molly is. He gives her his number, and she throws it away.
A little later, Gavin discovers that her name is not Molly and she’s Dillon’s girlfriend. So Emily meets Dillon through her friend Olivia, and Dillon happens to come down with Olivia’s brother. When Emily catches Dillon kissing Monica, she’s upset and tries to leave. Then Gavin’s worried about her. So he takes her back to her place, and they start kissing.
Author: Gail McHugh
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Romantic Erotica
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
15. From Ashes
This follows the three characters, Cassidy, Tyler, and Gage. Tyler and Gage are cousins. Tyler and Cassidy grew up as neighbors next door to each other. While Tyler had an excellent, privileged life, Cassidy had a much worse upbringing. Her parents continually beat her every day, and it was to the point that she never thought she was going live some days.
It was heart-wrenching to hear about all of this. Tyler is Cassidy’s savior, and that’s the only reason she’s ever stuck around because she didn’t want to lose Tyler. So, a few weeks before her 18th birthday, Tyler takes her away and goes down to Texas. They started college and lived with his cousin, Gage. When Cassidy first meets Gage, she seems overwhelmed. Tyler realizes that they like each other, but he wants Cassidy.
So, it starts the upbringing of a vast tornado mess that is coming. He tries to convince Cassidy and Gage that they don’t feel that way about each other. But they deny their feelings for over a year and a half.
Author: Molly McAdams
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Women’s Friendship Fiction
Available: Paperback | Kindle
Last Words
In conclusion, the art of depicting love triangles in literature is a delicate balance between passion and conflict. By understanding the psychology behind love triangles, writers can create narratives that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact. Whether it be the tragic love triangle of “Wuthering Heights” or the intoxicating allure of “The Great Gatsby,” these stories remind us of the power of love and the consequences of our choices.
So, the next time you pick up a book that features a love triangle, allow yourself to be swept away by the emotions it evokes and the timeless allure of this captivating narrative device. Let these stories transport you to worlds where passion and conflict collide, leaving you enthralled until the very last page. Happy reading!
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Table of Contents
