Forever Swooning
The 16 Best Book Boyfriends, Ranked
How does that saying go again? You’re never truly single if you’re lusting after a fictional man. Whether you’re single, taken, or still setting your Facebook to “it’s complicated,” we all have those book boyfriends who make us swoon. Whether you’re reading regency romances, romantasy, or just a classic rom-com, there are certain characters that leap off the pages and straight into our hearts.
This Valentine’s Day, why not curl up with a cozy blanket, a plate of baked goods, and one of these darling book boyfriends? It’s basically the same as manifesting your dream partner, right? Right??? Let’s start by ranking our absolute favorite book boyfriends!
16. Hades, A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
This is the “So what if he’s the devil?” TikTok trend in real life, because let’s be real—Hades is basically that… or at least, he’s the God of the Underworld, which sounds a little more appealing. But while Hades may rule over the dead and be known for cruel punishments, he is actually a loyal and caring boyfriend.
In both the Hades x Persephone series and Hades Saga, he is shown to be a consistent partner to Persephone. He falls SO HARD for Persephone and devotes himself to her. He ensures her safety and frequently displays his affection through acts of service, like when he builds her a greenhouse (a plant mama’s dream). He also calls Persephone his queen, acknowledging her strength as his equal. This is a man who will post you on his Instagram Story without hesitation and celebrate your wins above his own! Also, let’s be honest, this man is going to make sure you’re satisfied, multiple times a night. We see you, Hades.
15. Luke Brandon, Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Let’s take a trip back to the original Man in Finance: Luke Brandon! Many of us have a well-loved, tattered copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic sitting on our bookshelves—because, honestly, we couldn’t put it down. While Rebecca was, well, infuriating at times, Luke was the total opposite—an absolute sweetheart.
Not only was he ridiculously attractive (hello, suits and that chiseled jaw yum), but he put up with all of Rebecca’s wild antics. She lied to him about her shopping sprees and all the chaos she stirred up, yet Luke somehow managed to support her without enabling her bad habits. And in the later books, when they have their daughter, Luke shows us what a great dad he is, too. Seriously, we want this man to bankroll our shopping habits and snuggle us at night—like, yesterday.
14. Jameson Hawthorne, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Turning our attention to some dark romance, let’s hear it for Jameson Hawthorne. Name aside, this man deserves a spot on our list of the best book boyfriends for sure. He is the ultimate charming, thrill-seeking, puzzle-obsessed bad boy. He’s reckless, brilliant, and undeniably swoonworthy.
James is always teasing Avery, throwing witty remarks and flirtatious smirks her way, making their chemistry off the charts. He lives by the “live like you’re dying” mentality, which is totally infectious, and we just know he’d turn every day into an adventure. The best part? James often struggles with feeling worthy of Avery, which, when he admits it, completely steals our hearts.
Jameson is the perfect mix of daring, troubled, and charming—basically, the ideal book boyfriend for anyone who loves a bad boy with a heart of gold. Are you Team Jameson, or does another Hawthorne brother have your heart?
13. Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
We might be showing our age here, but while the rest of the world moved on, we’re still fully Team Peeta. Without even mentioning the atrocity of Team Gale (ugh), Peeta was our first love, literary or real. Throughout The Hunger Games series, he prioritizes Katniss time and time again. He starts out as a soft-spoken, scared boy but grows into a man who will do whatever it takes to protect her. He’s been quietly pining for her for years (burned bread, anyone?), and even though they’re stuck in a fake romance, it was always real for him. In the end, all he wants is a peaceful life with Katniss and their kids. How can we not love him?
12. Lawrence Clark, Humor Me by Cat Shook
Bringing it back to the present with this amazing novel by Cat Shook, which dives into grief, friendship, the #MeToo movement, and the late-night comedy scene in New York City. Clark spends much of the book as a friend on the edge of becoming a love interest, but he definitely earns his spot as a top-tier literary boyfriend. It’s a classic case of opposites attract—he’s sensitive, intelligent, witty, and very…tall (if you catch our drift). The relationship between Clark and Presley is raw and vulnerable, with no cheesy tropes to lean on, making it feel so real and easy to imagine falling for him ourselves. Although we’re not sure where we’d meet him, as Clark definitely wouldn’t be tucked amongst the rabble on Hinge.
11. Xaden Riorson, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
This might be another case of “hear me out,” but it’s honestly difficult to find romantasy men who aren’t a little imperfect! And let’s be honest, where are the perfect men in real life? Yeah, they might not hide entire wars from you or try to kill your enemies, but they ghost, lie, and leave the toilet seat up! In the wake of our Onyx Storm hangover, we’ve been thinking a lot about Xaden.
Not only is he head over heels for Violet, but he always trusts her to choose for herself. He doesn’t try to wrap her in bubble wrap like the rest of the world, and that’s exactly what we’d want in a book boyfriend: Someone who lets us make our own mistakes but is still there to comfort us when things go south. He literally turned Venin to protect her, and here we are, struggling to find a guy to go with us to a family wedding. When all is said and done, Xaden is a real giver and supports Violet in becoming her best self.
10. Garrett Graham, The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Elle Kennedy’s sports romance novels almost make us wish Hinge had a setting for “Hockey Players Only” — almost! Of all our athletic boys, Garrett Graham is the one we really want as a boyfriend. His relationship with Hannah begins as a mutually beneficial arrangement—she helps him academically, and he assists her in making another guy jealous. But as the book progresses, we see less of the arrogant hockey player and more of the supportive and soft guy. His resilience and determination to forge his own path, despite his strained relationship with his father, shows the kind of strength that makes an incredible romantic partner.
9. Reece Krueger, But How Are You, Really? by Ella Dawson
All it took for us to pick up this book was the description of Charlotte, the protagonist, as a “burned-out protagonist.” But while that’s what initially got us to this book, Reece Krueger is what kept us there! As the two return to the past together at their college reunion, we get to see the opposite of what we’d expect from a hot hockey player. Reece is patient and generous (in more ways than one) and supports Charlotte without hesitation. When she’s struggling with anxiety, he gives her space but stays with her. When she encounters a traumatic figure from her past, he gives her the benefit of the doubt. When you’re struggling with your mental health, life’s dramas, or family troubles, this is the man you want in your corner. We’d like one order of Reece Krueger, please, and extra fries on the side!
8. Lorcan Salvaterre, Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas
Put down your pitchforks, and let us explain! There is no doubt that Rowan, Rhysand, and Hunt make incredible love interests in Maas’ books. But they’re a case of being ideally suited to their strong female protagonists, and it’s usually a matter of mates, not boyfriend and girlfriend. Whereas Lorcan is just a simp for Elide, there’s no other way to put it. He is the broody, reluctant softie we want next to us at a party. There’s no doubt that his love language is acts of service, whether that’s offering to kill her abusive uncle, giving her the rest of his food, or ripping up his shirts as sanitary pads (it makes sense if you read the book, we promise). His angsty redemption arc will break and rebuild your heart, and despite his faults, from the moment he meets Elide, he is dedicated to caring for her. He becomes bound to her kingdom just to be near enough to ensure her safety. Most notably, he is gentle and slow with her, aware that he has more sexual experience than her and the traumas she has endured. All to culminate in that loaded, frustratingly vague “And Lorcan did.” — what did he do, Sarah?
7. Josh Templeman, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
It should be surprising how many of these book boyfriends originate from enemies-to-lovers stories, but maybe there’s something to be said for the intensity and chemistry of a nemesis. In this intoxicating tale of office rivalry, Josh is the perfect example of the ‘grumpy on the outside, soft on the inside’ love interest. He’s been pining after Lucy the entire time, his “hatred” was just a front for his deep feelings, making every little interaction so much more meaningful in hindsight. Josh never calls Lucy by her name—just “Shortcake”—until one pivotal moment when he softly says, “Lucy.” And let’s be honest, we’d love a sexy man to call us “Shortcake.” He takes care of Lucy when she’s sick, making sure she rests and eats, which is exactly what we want in flu season. And so much more, ugh!
6. Brendan Taggart, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Let’s hop over to another pillar of romance with a Tessa Bailey MCM. If the Fisherman Aesthetic is in, then why not an actual fisherman? Brendan is the epitome of the grumpy, protective alpha hero with a heart of gold. A rugged, no-nonsense sea captain from a small fishing town, he’s the complete opposite of the glamorous, high-maintenance socialite Piper Bellinger. But despite their differences, Brendan falls hard—and his devotion is what makes him one of the most swoon-worthy book boyfriends ever. One of the appeals of Brendan is that he is protective without being possessive. He’s also quiet in public but quite the talker in the bedroom… with plenty of naughty things to say.
5. Noah Brewster, Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Another comedy scene novel for the list proves there’s just something very sexy about humor! This novel stands out for how it explores the experience of being the less conventionally attractive person in a relationship, even though Sally sounds incredible. Noah is a dreamboat. A pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, Noah is cheeky, sweet, and patient with Sally. He puts up with all of her insecurities and doubts, and when one of her family members is gravely ill, he doesn’t hesitate to help with everything. This is a man who will not only put you first, but everything and everyone who matters to you.
4. Aaron Blackford, The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Isn’t it strange that despite fake dating being such a popular trope, it never seems to happen in real life? We’d very much like to fake date 6’4” blue-eyed Aaron Blackford—or real dating will do just fine! Before their romance blossoms, Aaron and Lina constantly bicker at work. However, his teasing is laced with subtle care, making it clear he’s not as cold as he seems. When Aaron finally tells Lina how long he’s loved her (spoiler: a long time), it’s an incredibly emotional moment that solidifies him as the dreamiest love interest. He makes the perfect plus one to family events, which is exactly what we need in our book boyfriend. Pls protect us from our chaotic family and keep us sane over the holidays!
3. Levi Ward, Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Who wouldn’t want to date a man smart enough to be a NASA engineer? Imagine how great he’d be at fixing appliances, helping you with the Sunday crossword, and doing quick maths for groceries. Levi is serious, logical, and a little socially awkward—the perfect introvert to hold your handbag while you hit the dance floor. He’s been in love with Bree for years, and she has no idea, which is exactly the kind of devotion we are looking for. He remembers every detail about her, reads her Twitter threads, and always leaps in to save her from a crisis. Like when her equipment is suspiciously failing, Levi steps in to fix it before she can even notice. We want this STEM hero to be our STEM boyfriend, please.
2. Wyn Connor, Happy Place by Emily Henry
Picking just one Emily Henry leading man was a struggle, to say the least, but we wanted to showcase as many incredible authors as possible. While all of her love interests are swoonworthy, there is something about Wyn that has caused us to tuck him deep into our hearts. How can we resist a tall, rugged, emotionally complex hero who loves deeply but struggles to express it? Throughout the novel, in both the present and flashbacks, we see the lengths Wyn will go to make Harriet happy, including letting her go. He’s a true family man, and once he considers you part of his family, he’ll go above and beyond for you. Our insides melted when he told Harriet, “I have loved you every single second of every day since I was nineteen years old. And I will love you every single second of the rest of my life.” Last, but certainly not least, he builds furniture for a living, so it’s safe to say that he is very good with his calloused hands.
1. Luke Costello, Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes
We’re a sucker for a Marian Keyes novel, and while it feels like choosing between our [dysfunctional] children, we’ve got to hand it to Rachel’s Holiday. This book makes us feel things we didn’t know we could feel. And at the messy, thumping heart of the novel is Luke Costello, in his leather pants, of course. In both this novel and the sequel, Again, Rachel, Luke proves himself to be the ultimate book boyfriend. He loves Rachel enough to know when he is enabling her and when she’ll only face a situation if he stops supporting her. He sees Rachel in a way that no one ever has before, and at the end of the day, aren’t we all just looking to be seen? We need a man who will take in all of our crazy and chaos, and simply reassure us, “You’re not mad, you’re just a bit sad. And I get that.”
Did we forget to mention your dream literary boyfriend? Let us know in the comments!
