I Heart Book Boyfriends

The real world disappoints, but book boyfriends last forever. They never grow old. They’re always available when you want them and you don’t have to pick up their dirty underwear off the floor.

But what makes for a good book boyfriend? That’s something I constantly grapple with when writing my love interest. When writing Phillip for Sweetwater, I had to back off on making him have what I call Perfect Boyfriend Syndrome - he never says or does anything wrong. Which, of course, doesn’t make for a very memorable book boyfriend.

Using memorable book and movie boyfriends, let’s discuss what makes romance books so swoony.

Augustus Waters - The Fault in Our Stars

The listening ear. Kindness personified. Selfless and sweet. Augustus are all these things and more. We love him because he truly has the best interest at heart for the people he cares about. He understands and is willing to be vulnerable with Hazel.

And who doesn’t love a guy who arranges an activity or present that means so much to the girl he loves? I mean, for real. When he arranges for Hazel to meet her favorite author, you just want to give Augustus a big ole kiss.

Gilbert Blythe - Anne of Green Gables

Who else could keep up with Anne’s snarky, sometimes biting humor? Some who’s just as quick-witted and good-humored. We love Gilbert because he’s so devoted to our favorite redhead. We’re secretly cheering for him every time he goes back with a good or better zinger when she’s being a little testy.

We also love him because he loves Anne's intelligence and spunkiness. We love a man who can appreciate our mind and any physical attributes we might have.

And he’s Anne’s biggest cheerleader. Can any else forget in the mini-series after Anne finishes reciting “The Highwayman,” he was the first one on his feet and clapping the loudest? Swoon.

Peeta Mellark - The Hunger Games

Peeta’s the type of character that could have easily fallen into Golden Retriever Boyfriend territory - enthusiastically positive, loyal and adoring of the heroine. But there was so much more to Peeta. Over and over again, he subverted Katniss’ expectations of him. He showed courage in the face of some really scary situations. He pep-talked Katniss when she doubted herself. And he constantly put himself in harm’s way to protect Katniss.

The ultimate Golden Retriever Boyfriend then, I guess? All things we could, and Katniss did, scorn him for ended up being the strengths that we loved him for. He exemplifies those traits - bravery, persistence, and perseverance.

Mr. Darcy - Pride And Prejudice

And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t include at least one Jane Austen book boyfriend. And might as well go for the GOAT - Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Does he have a bad attitude sometimes? Yes. Can he be kinda snobby? Yes.

But — what did he do when Elizabeth tore him a new one when he asked her to marry him the first time? Darcy gathered himself up, and with as much dignity as her tongue lashing could allow, walked out the door. He gave her the benefit of explaining where she was wrong, but also allowed her to know something about himself that was deeply personal and hurtful. He helped her and her family without expectation that it would come to anything at all.

That, my friends, is an emotionally intelligent man. And that’s why we love him so much.

A book boyfriend idealizes the traits we love in the people we want to love us - compassion, cleverness, courage and emotional intelligence. That’s what’s so addicting. Too many times our real-life relationships disappoint us, but book boyfriends will always be here for us.

Tell me - who is your favorite book boyfriend, and why? Reply below or tag me in your social media post about it!

Happy Reading!