If you used to fantasize about the Brad Pitts and George Clooneys of the world, that’s totally changed. Now it’s more common to swoon over the boys that you find in the pages of your favorite novels — especially if you’re a bookworm who would rather stay in with a juicy read than head to a club. Here are 8 book boyfriends that are better than any real ones could ever be:
- Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The ultimate book boyfriend, right? If you’re a total bookworm who loves the classics or you just were forced to read this novel in high school English, you’re a Mr. Darcy fan.
- Adam from If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Whether or not you have a thing for bad boys, you will fall in love with Mia’s boyfriend Adam in this poignant and poetic YA novel. Adam is tough yet sensitive and, best of all, he’s in a band. Enough said.
- Mac from Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen. The beloved YA author also writes swoon-worthy love interests for her teen girl protagonists. Mac from her latest novel, published last Spring, is particularly amazing. He’s super loyal to his family, including his mom who’s going through a health issue, and seems years older, wiser and more mature than any teenage boy (or twentysomething male, to be honest).
- Luke from the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. The series’ main character, Becky Bloomwood, is adorable and hilarious, but it’s her boyfriend and later husband, Luke, that also steals the fictional show. He’s a financial wiz who’s super intelligent but basically humors Becky when she’s hatching one of her wild and crazy plans. He’s never a jerk and always super supportive and level-headed.
- Samuel from The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Besides the gut-wrenching premise of this popular novel – 14-year-old Susie watches her friends and family from above, literally, as she was murdered – there’s a sweet love story, too. Susie’s sister, Lindsay, has the most perfect boyfriend ever in Samuel, who is so kind and loving that Susie finds it painful to observe.
- Paul from White Oleander by Janet Fitch. This beautiful, poetic novel was everyone’s fictional obsession years ago, and the most swoonworthy aspect was definitely main character Astrid’s artsy boyfriend, Paul. Their love is super sweet and innocent and a total bright spot in her otherwise completely tragic life. In real life, this relationship would never work out because both people would be way too messed up, so it’s nice than in the book they ended up together.
- Gale and Peeta from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This super popular series had two major love interests. The best part? Both boy-next-door Gale and handsome warrior Peeta are totally legit romantic options for Katniss. You’re totally torn between who you want her to be with. Love triangles definitely seem to be best left in a fictional world.
- Ethan in Something Blue by Emily Giffin. The sequel to the successful Something Borrowed sees bad girl Darcy falling for her childhood BFF Ethan while staying with him in London. Of course, the pair end up together, while you’re still looking up (or, um, stalking) your childhood crush on Facebook.
