We rounded up five book boyfriends who are straight up nice guys, and five, who are, to quote Taylor Swift, “Darling, I am a nightmare, dressed like a daydream.”
1. Eitienne St Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
With a name like Etienne St Clair, it is difficult to not swoon. A dreamboat who speaks with a British accent and is fluent in French, is a history nerd, an excellent friend and a son, and, more importantly, knows the best place for a sandwich is a very good book boyfriend.
Image via : Usborne Publishing
2. Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
A good boyfriend is above all, a true friend, and who better than Gilbert Blythe to embody that in spirit. Intelligent, witty, and cute to the boot, Gilbert is the personification of loyalty and good heart. From the first time they met, Gilbert irrevocably supports Anne for who she is and he is the only person who appreciates Anne’s imagination and eccentricity, and who doesn’t want that in their boyfriend?
Image via : Penguin UK
3. Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
As long as we are talking fictional, let’s throw in a vampire boyfriend as well into the list. Belikov is compassionate, handsome, romantic, and has an accent that makes you go weak in the knees every time he speaks, which is not often. But his actions do make up for it, you know he’ll do anything to protect Rose. Yes, he did go all evil vampire when he was attacked, but then he does get better and becomes the perfect vampire boyfriend, again.
Image via : Razorbill
4. Kaz Brekker from Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo
Kaz is smart, snarky, and has the ability to surprise you. A ruthless businessman who maintains a cool demeanour, underneath which his heart beats for Inej, he goes to great lengths to help free her from the Menagerie even when this means compromising his own desires. In the end, his love and respect for Inej is far more than his greed for power, which ranks him higher than The Darkling.
Image via : Square Fish
5. Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
It’s pretty hard to not swoon over a guy who gives up his last dying wish to the girl he loves, and flies her to Amsterdam to meet her favourite author, despite the enormity of his own physical pain. Unashamed about his feelings for Hazel since the day he met her, Augustus is simply the best, okay?
Image via : Penguin
One of the best joys that romance novels give us the opportunity to explore the attraction of a romance with a bad boy without the danger. A dangerous charm, good looks and devil-may-care attitude seem good on paper, but does it hold up in real life? (Hint: No)
1. Edward Cullen from Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer
He maybe sparkly and beautiful, but boy, is he the poster child for predatory romance or what! He used to watch Bella sleep under the guise of protection, but conveniently broke up with her in a forest, alone, when it was crawling with vampires wanting to kill Bella. #SMH. Emotionally controlling and manipulative, Edward needs to do a little bit of growing up even though he is 104 years old.
Image via : Hachette
2. Hardin Scott from After series by Anna Todd
Where to begin? Anger issues. Trust issues. Double standards. Sexist behaviour. Fragile ego. Eventual descent into alcoholism. Bully. Emotionally manipulative. Blackmailer. Personification of toxic masculinity. I mean, I could go on, but I have a word count to maintain here.
Image via : Gallery Books
3. Joe Goldberg from You by Caroline Kepnes
Joe Goldberg comes across as the nice guy in the first, second and maybe third interaction, but there is something dangerous lurking inside of him, and, that is that he is a sociopath and a MURDERER. Please don’t simp for him. What is wrong with you’ll?
Image via : Atria/Emily Bestler Books
4. Jake in Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Ugh. You know how there are some men who like to pretend that they are damaged and dangerous for effect, well… Jake is not doing it for effect, he truly is. For once, believe a man when he tells you who he is and just walk away.
Image via : Oneworld Publications
5. General Kirigan aka The Darkling in Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo
A brooding handsome general with a mysterious past, who ignites a passion in you that your childhood lover cannot, and opens a whole new world for you. Exciting! But, underneath it all, you know there is something sinister lurking in and around him and when you call him out on his toxic behaviour and his response is, “Fine. Make me your villain,” you run towards Mal like Alina did.
Image via : Square Fish
Tell us in the comments below which book boyfriends you do want to date and which you don’t!
