Top 5 Book-Boyfriends

BY MACKENZIE JOHNSON

Managing Editor

According to a report from the Pew Research Center, 50% of single people actually don’t want a relationship, and surprisingly enough, more women are recorded to feel this way than men.

Within younger adults, 39% of women would prefer to stay single compared to the 33% of men.

I can’t help but believe that if single women were instead polled on whether or not they’d be willing to date their favorite book character, that statistic would be drastically different.

The reason as to why many women prefer to stay single ranges from anything to valuing independence, lacking the time to commit, feeling insecure and scared at the prospect or, possibly most common, having too high of expectations for a relationship.

The media portrayal of relationships on TV screens plays a part into these seemingly high standards, but the portrayal of romance in the pages of our most beloved books is also to blame.

Men written by female writers are universally adored because they were written by women, for women. These fictional men are endearing, witty, thoughtful and always easy on the eyes.

As a result, it’s easy to transfer those standards you’d look for in a book-boyfriend over to your actual love life.

If you yourself have fallen in love with a book-boyfriend and refuse to let go of those characteristics read in your favorite male lead, you’re not the minority.

In fact, you’re right on track – and although unrealistic, or at least difficult, expectations are probably not something to be proud of. For the duration of this article, we’re instead going to choose to celebrate it.

We celebrate by checking your book-boyfriend list and making sure these five men haven’t been left off of it.

5. Kai Azer

I was hesitant about diving into the “Powerless” trilogy written by Lauren Roberts.

Prior to reading it, I had heard differing reviews of the book; one of the more negatively popular ones being that it too closely resembles the plot of Victoria Aveyard’s “Red Queen” series.

As a die hard fan of “Red Queen,” I was very reluctant to crack open “Powerless” based on these reviews alone.

On one hand, I selfishly didn’t mind peeking back into a realm similar to that of “Red Queen,” and on the other hand, if “Powerless” is nearly a replica of it, it would have felt wrong to betray the original series that introduced me into young adult  fantasy.

In the end, talk of the unparalleled banter and male love interest “Powerless” had to offer tipped the scale, and I picked up the book out of sheer curiosity.

I was expecting to be offended by its supposed outright comparability to “Red Queen,” but was rather left pleasantly surprised.

Could I see some similarities between the two? Sure, probably.

Just about every fantasy book harbors the trope of having a guy with a high status and dark hair and actions fall for a fiercely independent female protagonist with self-preserving tendencies and a dreadful backstory – just not before the two both mildly hate each other.

“Powerless” is no different and neither is said love interest Kai Azer.

He’s a lethally powerful and overconfident prince coded like nearly all fantasy book male leads, and yet, I wasn’t once bored despite his character being a blueprint I’ve seen countless other times.

It could be from a place of comfortability, and yes, maybe some of the dialogue is a little repetitive, but I was hooked.

His character’s outright fascination with female lead Paedyn Gray is addictive to read, as are the arrogant, yet commendable, measures he takes to get close to her despite their complex circumstances.

4. Peeta Mellark

What kind of book girl would I be if I didn’t put Peeta Mellark on this list?

Answer: Not a real one.

I first read “The Hunger Games” in middle school while on a trip to the beach in Florida.

I have always loved the beach, but I distinctly remember sitting out of the ocean waves in order to soak up more of the words Suzanne Collins fed to Peeta.

I had all three books of the series read before the four day vacation concluded.

“The Hunger Games” is truly a dystopian classic, and although the movies are spectacular, you’re still missing out if you haven’t read the books the movies were adapted from.

Book Peeta is a little more bold – so bold you have to sit the book down for a few minutes at a time to process the game this guy has. For the sake of time, the movie cuts much of that dialogue out.

The same goes for the gut-wrenchingly romantic dialogue Peeta drops. I am very easily pained by lovey-dovey lines, but book Peeta somehow makes it work in a way that doesn’t inflict great suffering upon me.

Although Josh Hutcherson does a phenomenal job of bringing Peeta to our screens and showcasing those loyal qualities, not all of the best parts of Peeta in the book translate over to the movie.

The books give an even further look into not just the character of Peeta, but the premise of Peeta and Katniss’ entire relationship.

Peeta is much more multifaceted than the movies credit him for, and that alone should be enough encouragement to want to see his character on paper.

3. Carden Greenbriar

Carden is so interesting to me.

Born out of Holly Black’s fantasy trilogy “Cruel Prince,” Carden is, you guessed it, a cruel prince.

He’s described as cunning, entitled, manipulative and positively beautiful, which certainly helps the case of overlooking those initial qualities.

However, along with those questionable character makeup components, he’s also severely vulnerable and mostly uses those traits to mask the internal struggles pumping through his royal blood.

And this royal blood absolutely boils for character Jude Duatre.

As a human outsider in a faerie world, Jude suspects Carden hates her for her mortality, but rather, Carden hates himself for not.

“Cruel Prince” is the ultimate slow burn and is loaded to the rim with betrayal, and this has a lot to do with the mixed opinions of the book.

The two truly do despise each other for much of the series, even if the underlying reasons as to why are to the contrary; therefore, the first book of the trilogy is more politicaly based and revolves around the realm’s twisted court.

The final books of the series are where the focus is really dialed in on the thorny dynamic between Carden and Jude, and this is where the redemption arc of Carden also comes into full bloom.

Although not your traditional book-boyfriend, his convoluted character is not to be overlooked and will leave you saying, “I can fix him.”

2. Étienne St. Clair

If you’re thinking, “This name sounds foreign,” then you’re absolutely correct.

If you’re also thinking, “The name alone of this character is probably much of why he’s second on this list,” then you’re also correct.

The name Étienne St. Clair is derived from French roots, but the actual character the name belongs to claims several nationalities.

Commonly referred to as simply St. Clair by everyone but one singular person, St. Clair is American, French and English.

Meaning, he’s bilingual and can speak American and French, all with a British accent.

What more could you possibly want in a book-boyfriend?

Written by Stephanie Perkins, the novel “Anna and the French Kiss” is one of my favorite novels to ever exist and the character St. Clair is mostly why.

This book is set in France at the School of American in Paris (SOAP) – a private high school of sorts for Americans in France.

The chemistry between St. Clair and main character Anna Oliphant, a Georgia native forced to attend SOAP by her distant father, are simply unmatched.

The banter is charming, the relationship buildup is authentic and the instant adoration the two characters have for each other is enough to make you want to jump into the book and drop kick both main characters for how outright unfair it is.

Not to mention, the setting the book takes place in is exquisite, all of the characters are ones you want to put in your pocket and keep forever and the dialogue is funny enough to be enjoyed by all young adults, but not so over the top to be classified as cheesy.

St. Clair himself is gorgeous, hilarious, charming and have I mentioned British?

His character is so captivating that you will find yourself overlooking one thing – his height.

Yes, he’s on the shorter side, but this just means it will be easier for him to reach the ground when it’s time to get down on one knee and ask for your hand in marriage.

I think we all know what my answer would be.

1. Maxon Schreave

The time has come where I have to muster up all of my strength and courage and selflessly give away the one I love the most – Maxon Schreave.

Maxon is all things every boyfriend should be: swoon-worthily handsome, heartbreakingly kind, undyingly devoted and naturally, in line for a throne.

If your real life boyfriend fits every single one of these criteria, then it’s not necessary to finish this article.

If you chose to be honest, then you’re still here and we can continue.

“The Selection” series by Kiera Cass where Maxon resides is the major pillar of all young adult novels.

Is the writing the best you’ve ever read?

Not particularly, no.

Is the female lead America Singer infuriating?

Absolutely, yes.

Does Maxon completely make up for these weighty downfalls?

100% percent, yes.

In fact, the frustrating decisions made by America in her and Maxon’s relationship is part of what makes him the best book-boyfriend.

I would have kicked America to the curb after decision one, but Maxon’s patience, benevolence and undeniable love for this difficult character always prevails.

Although the concept of “The Selection” trilogy is eccentric—think “The Bachelor” set in a castle—the writing is undoubtedly young adult and definitely nothing groundbreaking, but the character of Maxon is.

He is crafted perfectly, and his quotes will have you blushing, giggling and kicking your feet – to the point that I reread the series twice a year despite the fact that I was introduced to it in junior high.

Some books are simply timeless and impossible to outgrow, and Maxon adds just that effect to “The Selection” series.

Although fostering attachments to fictional characters may come with the ramifications of high expectations in real life relationships, it’s a price many are willing to pay.

Take a glimpse into any one of these five book-boyfriends, and you too may just find yourself paying that price – a price best paid by making a book-boyfriend list of your own.