Do you ever get butterflies while reading a book, wondering if only this character *actually* existed? Yeah, we do too! Here we're sharing a list of some fictional "book boyfriends" we love to admire (and swoon over). From the mysterious and witty Gus Everett from Beach Read to the thoughtful and selfless Sam from Holes, there are so many incredible male literary characters. We are forever grateful to know them in our minds and our hearts.❤️ Is your favorite on this list? Let us know in the comments!
12 Male Literary Characters We Love In Our Books & In Our Hearts
1. Adam Carlsen, The Love Hypothesis
“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you." Rudeness and arrogance quickly fade into the Adam Carlsen that got him on this list! Protective, sarcastic, and thoughtful, Adam prioritizes making Olive feel comfortable which is something we love to see in books AND real life.
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2. Noah Calhoun, The Notebook
"If you're a bird, I'm a bird." Ah, how could we not put the free-spirited, hopeless romantic Noah from The Notebook on this list? Building Allie's dream house, writing her love letters even without getting a response, steadfastly knowing what he wants -- these are all things we couldn't resist falling in love with!
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3. Gus Everett, Beach Read
"I want to be the one who gives you what you deserve." Mysterious and sensitive, witty and playful, Gus Everett has so many wonderful qualities wrapped up in one character. He writes, he reads, he asks thoughtful questions... Beach Read sequel, please? We need more Gus!
Shop the Gus Everett Bookmark.
4. Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games
"You love me. Real or not real?" Ah, Peeta! Who else would you want to be stuck in a cut-throat (literally) universe where everything can (and will) go wrong? He is kind, understanding, respectful, and completely devoted to the one he loves. #TeamPeeta
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5. Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice
"My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” While Mr. Darcy may not be everyone's favorite, his honesty and sincerity make him an iconic character who was far ahead of his time, paving the way for so many incredible characters we now love to love.
Shop the Mr. Darcy bookmark.
6. Harry Potter
"I’ll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I’m not there." Love someone rebellious and sensitive? Clever and charming? Unique and unlike anyone else? Harry Potter is all of the above and so, so much more.
Shop the Harry Potter bookmark.
7. Sam, Holes
"I can fix that." Sam is one of the best characters of all time (IMO). His love of his donkey Mary Lou, unconditional selflessness, and kindness in spite of horrific circumstances make him an unforgettable and admirable character we can all learn from.
8. Edward Cullen, Twilight
"You are my life now.” Charming, mysterious, determined, and very stubborn. Protective but loving. Polite yet Edward Cullen is the seductive vampire we can't help but fall for as he cares so much for the one he loves.
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9. Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!” Gatsby is a dreamer and idealistic, constantly envisioning a better future for himself. His focus on what is possible, rather than what is practical, is infectious.
Shop the Gatsby bookmark.
10. Ron Weasley, Harry Potter
“If you want to kill Harry, you’ll have to kill us too!” One of our favorite fictional characters of All. Time. Ever. Ron is a true Gryffindor. He shares, he sticks up for his friends even when it's hard (especially when it's hard), and he tries to do the right thing. We love Ron!
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11. Jeremiah, The Summer I Turned Pretty
“I think if you don’t want to be married, you just shouldn’t be married.” Jeremiah is the epitome of light and charm. He brings joy to every room he walks into and we swoon over his sweet lines to Belly.
Shop the Jeremiah bookmark.
12. Klaus Baudelaire, A Series of Unfortunate Events
"You can never give up if you find yourself in terrible circumstances. You must keep struggling." He is intellectual, passionate, and an avid reader, which we love obviously. But he also has another side that's full of courage and bravery even when circumstances aren't going his way.
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Read more: 16 Swoon-Worthy Quotes About Love in YA Books