Stardew Valley: The 10 Best Romances, Ranked

StardewValley is a fantastic, Harvest Moon-esque farm life simulator that provides a calming atmosphere as well as many goals to pursue to improve the player’s farm life. One such goal is Romance and Marriage. Through gift-giving and interaction, players can woo one of a handful of characters—many of whom are considered the best NPCs in the game—in the town of Stardew Valley into a romantic relationship, and eventually to marriage.

There are many prospective suitors for the player to consider. They each have their dreams and aspirations, which the player can help them realize. And, they each provide their unique brand of utility that can make them more appealing based on the player’s wants and needs.

10 Sam

Living in the small town of Stardew Valley is a young man by the name of Sam. Sam’s passion is music, and through interaction with the player, he can decide what kind of music to play. Eventually, if the player gets their hearts up enough with him, they will be treated to a live show that features Abigail on drums, Sebastian on the keyboard, and Sam on Guitar.

Sam’s fourteen heart event sees him go through the steps of making a career out of his passion for music, with the player supporting him. The player is rewarded with a unique piece of furniture, Sam’s Boombox, which can be turned on to play Sam’s music. Though he doesn’t offer much in resources, Sam provides an aesthetic that can be heartwarming for the player.

9 Leah

Leah lives in the woods and works on her passion for art, sculpting, and painting. Throughout her events the player can encourage her to pursue her art in different ways, culminating in an art show or her making a website to display her art. While married she will sometimes give the player coffee which can be much needed to rush through the start of the day on the farm. aside from that she only gives easily foraged items and the occasional salad.

If players want a unique piece of furniture that is more amusing than aesthetically pleasing, then the fourteen-heart event will be perfect for the player. 

8 Harvey

Harvey is the town doctor, who can usually be found working at his clinic. He struggles to stay healthy himself at times but still tries, and once had aspirations of flying planes that were foiled by his poor eyesight.

If the player pursues a romance with him, then they are treated to a hot air balloon date where Harvey overcomes his fear of heights and gets to live his dream. While married, Harvey will provide various cooked meals including a Complete Breakfast which is great for working on the farm.

7 Sebastian

After marriage, he will give the player various cave drops such as Obsidian, Void Essence, or Amethyst, which tend to be rare. 

6 Emily

Emily works as a waitress at the Stardrop Saloon, and in her downtime, she pursues interests in more spiritual things like collecting gems and crystals and working with cloth. Her heart events are trippy, dream-like cutscenes which can be a delight to watch. After marriage, she will on rainy days give the player resources such as Cloth, Wool, and Duck Feather, as well as the occasional gluten-free dessert.

With her fourteen-heart event, she gives the player a unique set of clothing. If players want a spouse who is a free spirit, as well as access to snazzy duds, then Emily is the one to pick.

5 Elliot

Elliot is a secluded writer living on the beach with a luscious head of hair. He has aspirations of writing a book and his story is about him working through writer’s block and finding the right story to write about. Through friendship and heart events, the player can encourage him to write about a specific genre, and if pursued romance he ends up writing about the player.

After marriage, he becomes a source of cooked fish meals which are decent for getting through the day and boosting the player’s fishing ability for a time. Elliot is great for players who want to live out a romance novel fantasy and make a little extra from fishing.

4 Shane

Shane may seem a bit rough around the edges at first. However, after gaining more hearts and deepening the relationship, players will learn that he is struggling with depression born of the day-to-day working life for the Joja Corporation. He can be off-puttingly antisocial at first but his plight is a sympathetic one. Players can help him work through his issues by helping him find a hobby in chicken breeding.

Getting him up to eight hearts gives the player a special event that results in access to blue Chickens. While married, Shane will give the player various eggs, including the rare Void Egg, which can only otherwise be found via an event most players never discover, as well as meals that can assist with energy recovery and farming.

3 Abigail

Abigail is a fan favorite. She’s involved in one of the biggest mysteries in the game involving eating gems and being the Wizard’s secret love child. She loves video games and is adventurous with her attempts to delve into the monster-infested mines. Her story is about gaining self-confidence, which is a struggle many players can relate to.

After marriage, she will sometimes give the player random enemy drops such as Solar Essence and Void Essence, as well as bombs to help supply for mining runs. Abigail is an excellent pick for players who are focused on monster farming and dungeon delving.

2 Maru

Maru lives with her mother, Robin, and her father Demitrius, while working part-time as a nurse at the clinic. Like her father, she is fascinated with all things scientific, and her heart events see her construct a robot to help her parents when she leaves home. Maru’s story is about her place in her family and her desire and apprehension to move on and be her person–with her own family with the player, which is a relatable struggle many players can connect with.

While married she will provide useful items such as Quality Fertilizer (which can be used to farm some of the best crops in the game), a Bomb, or a Warp Totem to return to the farm. She has a strong emotional connection and offers some of the best utility for the player.

1 Penny

Penny lives in a trailer with her mother, Pam, who is out of work and drinking heavily at the start of the game. Penny works as a tutor for the children in the town but struggles with her home life. With her heart events as well as Pam’s, the player can build them both a better home and help Pam deal with her alcohol abuse.

Penny is a sweetheart who loves working with kids and wants a family. When married, she will occasionally give the player animal products, Mixed Seeds or Geodes, and even make them breakfast which can help with farming. Plus, with her fourteen-heart event, she will offer to redecorate the player’s bedroom, making the farmhouse more of a home. Penny has a healthy mix of utility and emotional connection, making her a great Stardew Valley spouse.