Who Are The Main Love Interests In 'Sunkissed'?

I've been obsessed with 'Sunkissed' since the first chapter—it's one of those romance novels where the love interests aren't just tropes but feel like real people you'd root for. The main love interests are Ethan and Lucia, two characters who couldn't be more different yet fit together like puzzle pieces. Ethan is the brooding artist type, all sharp angles and quiet intensity, while Lucia is sunshine personified, a free spirit who laughs too loud and loves too hard. Their dynamic is electric, not just because of their personalities but because of how the story peels back their layers.

Ethan isn't your typical romantic lead. He's got this guarded vulnerability, a guy who paints his emotions onto canvases but can't verbalize them. His backstory—growing up in foster care, never feeling like he belonged—makes his hesitance to trust Lucia utterly heartbreaking. But when he does open up? The way he describes her in his sketches, like she's the only color in his grayscale world, just melts me. Lucia, on the other hand, is the kind of character who makes you believe in joy. She's a marine biologist who sees magic in tide pools and stubbornly believes in happy endings, despite her own messy family drama. Her energy isn't just infectious; it's the catalyst that forces Ethan out of his shell.

The slow burn between them is masterful. It's not just about stolen glances on the beach or heated arguments that dissolve into kisses. It's the little things—Lucia teaching Ethan how to skip stones, Ethan memorizing her coffee order before she even wakes up. Their conflicts feel genuine, too. Ethan's fear of abandonment clashes with Lucia's tendency to dive headfirst into love, and when her career threatens to take her overseas, the tension is *palpable*. What I love most is how their flaws don't magically vanish. Ethan still struggles to say 'I love you,' and Lucia still acts impulsively, but they learn to navigate it together. The book's ending isn't just about them choosing each other; it's about choosing to grow, which makes their love story unforgettable.

Let me tell you why the love triangle in 'Sunkissed' is the most refreshing thing I've read in ages. While Ethan and Lucia are the central pair, the story throws in a wild card: Marco, Lucia's childhood best friend. He's not some villainous third wheel but a fully realized character who forces Lucia to question what she *really* wants. Marco is the stability Ethan isn't—steady, reliable, the guy who remembers her mom's birthday and fixes her sink without being asked. Their history is a double-edged sword; he knows her better than anyone, but that familiarity also makes her wonder if they're just comfort, not passion.

Ethan and Marco represent two sides of love: the exhilarating unknown versus the safety of what's always been there. The book doesn't cheapen this by making Marco some obstacle. There's a scene where he confesses his feelings under this crumbling lighthouse, and it's so raw you almost want Lucia to pick him. But what seals the deal for Ethan is how he sees Lucia's ambition. Marco wants her to stay, but Ethan—who's terrified of losing her—is the one who helps her draft her grad school applications. It's selfless love versus possessive love, and the way Lucia's choice reflects her growth is *chef's kiss*.

The beach setting isn't just backdrop; it mirrors their relationships. Ethan's art is all stormy waves and hidden depths, while Marco's like the tide—constant, predictable. Lucia? She's the sunlight that changes both of them. The book's genius is making you ache for all three characters, even when you know who ends up together. It's messy, honest, and so damn human.