Hedayat Reda By Hedayat Reda and Sama Farrag
In the event that you don’t have someone to cuddle with this Valentine’s day, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a dashing prince to rescue you (we know, it’s 2026– but come on, we still wanna swoon a little!) or just an equal who can meet you on the mental plane (it’s getting harder and harder to find those), these 7 Book Boyfriends have raised the bar for men everywhere. Activate drool feature.
- Rhysand- A Court of Thorns and Roses
Perhaps the O.G book boyfriend that booktok can’t stop talking about, this dark-haired Fae High Lord embodies cheek and suaveness. Introduced initially as the villain in the series, his character arch unveils itself slowly, like a complex sidr honey, with layers and notes of jasmin, night sky, raw masculinity, and a touch of arrogance. Imagine a world in which you are safe and centered, you evolve as your partner encourages you, you are built up to your highest potential, all the while flirtation and excitement keep you on your toes and activate your imagination. In the background of war and intense scheming, Rhys’ vulnerability is contrasted with his strong family-style leadership, giving us the kind of fictional relationship we crave. When things go wrong, Rhys, he is whom you would want on your side championing you. All hail the “Shadow Daddy”.
- Charlie –Book Lovers
Find you a man that can do it all: Make you laugh, challenge you intellectually, join you in taking a spontaneous midnight dip in a lake… Charlie Lastra got to me through his subtle flirtation. He is obvious, palpable, and yet reserved enough to have that “I want to know more” quality about him. His get-to-know-you texts to Nora made me actually lough out loud, his broody yet sensitive side is irresistibly charming, and the personal details that you discover about him page-by-page unveil a complex, yet steady man who is secure in his manhood. Also, tall, dark, and imperfectly handsome happens to be my type. If you need a laugh or a fictional sparring battle –I’m a sucker for the rivals-lovers trope– this is your man.
- Nathaniel – The Undomestic Goddess
This one is a nostalgic return to my teens and the man that shaped my view of how men should be. Strong, somewhat silent, and seriously sweet, Nathaniel is a breath of fresh air from the toxic badboys and situationships we encounter in real life. There’s something quietly subversive about a man whose strength lies in steadiness, who understands that care, like plants, can’t be rushed. He fixes what’s broken without announcing it, and possesses the deeply attractive ability to stay calm while everything around him is on fire. What more could you ask for? As a package deal, Nathaniel comes with the promise of a mother-in-law who offers tea, perspective, and unwavering belief in you—arguably the most elite trait of all 😉
- Peeta- The Hunger Games
Who could ever forget about the boy with the bread? Peeta is the blueprint – the OG Golden Retriever boyfriend. He’s soft-hearted, loyal, and fervently protective of Katniss throughout the entire book-the perfect example of a man written by a woman. Peeta is a breath of fresh air in a literary world crowded with dark and scowling fictional love interests who are in desperate need of therapy. He’s genuine, kind, and tries his best to be pure in a kill-or-be-killed world (a feat!). He is relentlessly good. When Peeta gets his memories hijacked and he is subsequently turned into a weapon to kill Katniss, he still manages to fall in love with her all over again. His love is enduring, gentle and in my *slightly* unpopular opinion, one of the most beautiful portrayals of romance in literature. “You love me. Real or not real?” Real ya Peeta, walahy.
- Xaden- Fourth Wing
Not everyone loves a “touch her and die” protector book boyfriend, but I sure do. Similar to Rhys, Xaden is one of the men booktok can’t shut up about. His power, his shadowy complexity, his ability to lead with conviction and really see Violet for who she is…If there is ever a fantasy man we would like to bring to life, it would be him. But most interesting about him, I find, is his ability to let go of hate, and overcome the prejudice he had for Violet’s mother with such humbleness. It takes a certain kind of emotional intellect to be able to accomplish that. Real men, please take notes. If you want a seriously macho man who is also very sexy and fair, this is your guy.
- Mr. Darcy- Pride and Prejudice
The original slow-burn book boyfriend before slow-burns had a name, Mr Darcy is the literary lesson in why patience pays off. Socially disastrous at first glance and emotionally constipated by design, his appeal reveals itself gradually—through restraint, through action, through the rare ability to learn and course-correct. What reads as arrogance is really pride under renovation, paired with a moral compass so rigid it is quite admirable. The moment that seals him for me is the letter: stripped of ego, heavy with accountability and honest well wishes. Darcy is proof that growth is romantic, humility is magnetic, and that the most desirable men are the ones willing to change. Also, “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you,” will forever be the line I measure all real boyfriends against. Thank you Darcy for ruining me.
- Wes- The Truth About Forever (The YA pick)
Confession: I still have a crush on Wes. I haven’t read The Truth About Forever in years, yet Wes lingers in my mind as the ultimate dream boyfriend. Whenever real boys let me down, it’s him I turn to—for the standard of what love could be. Tattooed, artistic, with a quiet intensity that pulls you in, he carries the weight of his past but has reshaped it into something thoughtful and real. A reformed bad boy, it is refreshing to see his growth phase throughout the book; the ease with which he jokes, the lightness of his core personality, his strong and enduring love for his Wish family and how he constantly respects and matches Macy where she is. I don’t know if I could ever do him justice in this post—but reading this book again, maybe I’ll be able to try again.
Share your Book Boyfriends with us! Tell us who has captured your heart and raised your standards for men.
