59. On meet cutes

the iconic, the origins, and the nostalgia of meet cutes. i have a theory that we're all, at least an itty sliver, of a romantic at heart.

Picture this. You’re walking down the street, so busy on your phone that you don’t even realize when you walk straight into someone. You look up, and he’s handsome and says something witty. Boom. Meet cute.

What is a meet cute? And more importantly, why are we so obsessed with them?

Merriam-Webster defines a meet cute as, “a cute, charming, or amusing first encounter between romantic partners.” Meet cutes originated from the 1938 film Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife, when used to describe the meeting of the two love interests over shopping for pajamas. Despite the name, this is actually a romantic comedy.

While there are numerous meet cutes in movies, a few iconic ones from books include, of course, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice. While the ending is … not great, Romeo and Juliet is a classic meet cute, or insta-love if you will. Or a favorite of mine! Anne of Green Gables, when poor Gilbert tugs on Anne’s hair to get her attention, only for her to whack him across the head with her slate. And thus, Gilbert falls in love. Alternatively, basically any romance book currently out there. Book Lovers, when our two main characters meet at a restaurant only to insult each other then reconnect in a random small town the next week. Or perhaps The Love Hypothesis, which combines some popular themes of fake dating and grumpy x sunshine.

What I am getting at is that meet cutes are so incorporated into literature nowadays that they are somewhat anticipated. How can you get your characters to meet in an obscure, funny, memorable way? To be honest, it’s fun. They’re fun additions (usually) to books.

But, why are we so obsessed with them?

Well, I think it’s natural to want to have some romantic moment where you meet your person. Or alternatively, one seemingly normal interaction that ends up changing your life. And that’s bound to happen to us in real life one day romantic or otherwise, so getting to read about them is almost anticipatory. We can’t wait for our chance, can we?

But, I also think that there’s a tinge of nostalgia nowadays with the addition of dating apps. There is something decidedly unromantic about them, especially with the way they work. You look through some pictures to make a decision about someone. That kind of sucks. And! Let’s not forget the messages. Actually, let’s forget about the messages.

I don’t want to say that dating apps are entirely horrible. I have friends and have known people who met their significant other on dating apps, and they are wonderful people. Stories where he managed to survive The Deleting of The Apps because he was already in her Snapchat or the person was her first swipe ever - and last. And there is beauty in being able to connect with hundreds of different people, a lot of them whom you might not have met otherwise.

But the iconic meet cute? Where you bump into someone randomly? It’s fading away, and I think that makes us all the more desperate for it. I think, in our hearts, there is some romantic in all of us.

What’s your favorite meet cute?

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Note, the links to books are affiliate links! Honestly, there was less than I anticipated. I wonder if publishers stray away from weeks they know “big” books are releasing?

1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (Fantasy): Jan 21, 2025

2. A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene (Fantasy): Jan 21, 2025

3. Bad Seed by Sharon Sala (Thriller): Jan 21, 2025

4. Mask of The Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove (Thriller): Jan 21, 2025

5. A Death in Diamonds by SJ Bennett (Mystery): Jan 21, 2025

6. The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang (Fantasy): Jan 21, 2025

7. Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows (Rom Com): Jan 21, 2025

   1. Note: Guys! A *workplace* meet cute!

8. The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed (Dark Academia Thriller): Jan 21, 2025

Books I’ve compiled from a variety of lists such as the New York Times, Indiebound, and the B&N Top 100, but also through what I’ve seen online. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. Holmes is Missing by James Patterson (Mystery)

2. Never Say Never by Danielle Steel (Romance)

3. Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams (Rom Com)

4. Dark Hope by Christine Feehan (Dark Fantasy)

5. Four Ruined Realms by Mai Cortland (Epic Fantasy)

6. The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (Memoir, Cult)

   1. TW: childhood abuse

7. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight (Women’s Fiction)

8. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (Historical Literary Fiction)

Just a reminder to comment any recommendations or email me: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. The Will of the Many by James Islington (Epic Historical Fantasy)

   1. My little brother recommended this book to me last night, and I thought I’d pass it along! Sounds super fascinating - our main character goes undercover as a student at an elite academy, sent to uncover their secrets while maintaining their hidden identity.

That’s all for today! Much love

Izzy