Maybe you would like to read Amphibian Man by Alexander Belyaev? It's pretty old but I find this story kind of charming.

Of course, he knew who she was. He didn't fall in love with her all of a sudden. His (and her) love grew when they were children. They just grew up and had no idea what to say to each other. Derek is... didn't think exactly what he would say or how it would sound.

"Derek loves Odette only for her looks" 1) well, Odette did the same thing 2) They have known each other since childhood. How could he have lived with her for months, being forced to play and talk to her, and not even know what she really was like?