Next week is Valentine’s Day, which means love is in the air. Relatively speaking, of course. All of the hearts and flowers and chocolates in stores just kind of put you in a romance mood, right? They do for me. Even though I’m not currently reading a romance (I’m re-reading Harry Potter), I’m kind of in the mood for one of those cutesy, heart-melting YA romances with the perfect bookish boyfriends.
Cue: book boyfriends! We all have those characters that absolutely ruin for everyone else, am I right? Of course, they’re all fictional. No one in real life could possibly be that perfect. But these characters make it difficult for any real life relationship to live up to the fictional one. Who wouldn’t want loving, caring Augustus Waters to be their real life boyfriend (minus the tragic ending)? I know I wouldn’t.
Here are, in my humble opinion, some of the best bookish boyfriends in YA.
Top 5 Bookish Boyfriends
Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
I know a lot of people in the online book community think that John Green is overrated, but I am not one of those people. I’ve been a fan of him since I was in high school, and I thoroughly enjoy his books. Yes, I realize Augustus Waters isn’t the most realistic of book boyfriends, but he cares so much for Hazel and their relationship just makes your heart melt. I mean, he took her to Amsterdam. What’s better than that?
Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
When The Hunger Games was first released, there were whole debates about who Katniss would end up with (even though she didn’t need to end up with anybody!). I’ve always been a hardcore Peeta fan, and don’t think Katniss and Gale would have ever worked out. Peeta can bake, paint, likes to read (I imagine); what’s more to like?
Levi Stewart from Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl might be my favorite book from Rainbow Rowell, though Carry On takes a close second. Levi is a barista (check), likes to read (check), and takes the time to get to know Cath and break down her barriers (check). But realistically, you had me at coffee. Because coffee is life.
Rowan Whitethorn from Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas
Even though I got to this series late and knew a little bit about what was going to happen in the later books, I knew from the moment that we met Rowan that he and Aelin would get together. I mean, you could feel the chemistry right from their first meeting. Rowan is one of those guys that would do literally anything to save the woman he loves, and he’s still caring and kind and beautiful.
Ronan Lynch from The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
I debated what to include for this last one because let’s be real, there are a lot of great boyfriends in the young adult world. But since Maggie Stiefvater just announced her new series coming this fall about Ronan, he deserves a mention here. Though he seems broody and wild in most of the Raven Cycle series, he’s actually quite the caring boyfriend. And friend. And I can’t wait to learn more about him.
There are lots of people missing from this list (and I didn’t even include anyone from Harry Potter!). Who would you add? What are your favorite romances from books?
LEVI STEWART. Fangirl was one of the first books I read this year, and it really made me realize how tragically low the bar is for real-life guys. Levi’s such a sweetheart, a great listener who’ll bring you gingerbread lattes and hold your hand (literally and figuratively) as he pulls you out of your comfort zone – is that really too much to ask?
and Ronan Lynch, omg. I think it takes a very specific kind of person to date a Ronan (Pynch is one of my top OTPs for a reason! and I’m so excited to see more of them in the Dreamer trilogy!!!), and I’m more into Gansey and/or Blue myself, but I definitely have a soft spot for fiercely loyal assholes who will hurt anyone who hurts you.
honestly, all I want is some good banter and soft cuddles. someone like Owen from Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley, or a Maurene Goo love interest. or Nick Young from Crazy Rich Asians, maybe. it’s so hard to pick!
Peeta 😍
Peeta is so great!
I’ve not read Throne of Glass or The Raven Boys but otherwise I agree with all the choices here 🙂 great post
Thank you so much! There are definitely some great book boyfriends out there 🙂
I was one of those people who was like ugh, John Green is overrated and now I’ve come all the way back around. I should really take another look at The Fault In Our Stars now that some of the hype has died down.
This is going to sound really strange, but Pa from the Little House on the Prarie books. In the book Caroline: Little House, Revisited I was amazed at how… easily he could become a romance protagonist with minor tweaking. Once the story wasn’t told through the eyes of his daughter, but instead told through his wife, Charles becomes a whole different person.
I actually would recommend visiting his newest book, Turtles All the Way Down! It deals with OCD taken largely from his own experiences, and I thought it was really well done!
I’ve only read one book from Little House on the Prarie, but what you’re saying definitely makes sense! He could definitely be a great romance protagonist if you’re viewing it from the wife’s point of view. 🙂
Peeta deserved better than Katniss to be honest. I shipped those two in the beginning but I wish Peeta had gotten a better love interest. I actually prefer Carry On over fangirl but I do love Levi! I might not be big fan of TOG anymore but yes to Rowan! He gets way too much hate and I just want to protect him.
Some of my favorite bookish boyfriends are Adrian Ivashkov, Will Herondale, Roth, Rhysand and Loki Staad.
I can see what you mean about Peeta and Katniss, but I liked that they ended up together. Haha. Carry On is also great; I’m so excited for the sequel! I might have to revisit the book before it comes out. 🙂
I’m not familiar with all of those, but I know a little about Rhysand (I just started that series last fall!). They sound like great additions to the list, though. 🙂
Such great choices! I LOVE LEVI, I mean he’s perfect. With how he walks Cath back from the library and how he waits outside the first he’s there when she does not want him to come in. He’s a gentleman and it’s sad to see that guys like him don’t exist in real life and, haha, I exist just because of coffee.
Rowan’s great too and I’m totally in love with him. He loves Aelin and well, he’d do anything for her.
YES Levi is so perfect! I remember reading that book and just thinking, why aren’t people really like this?? Haha. I would take a guy like that, especially if he’d make me coffee all the time. Haha.