Book Boyfriends: Why We Fall for Fictional Lovers
They’ve taken BookTok and Bookstagram by storm—those glittering corners of TikTok and Instagram where readers gush, swoon, and obsess. 💕
Book Boyfriends. 💘
And no, we’re not talking about literary-minded real-life partners (though, wouldn’t that be something?). Book Boyfriends are fictional characters—completely made-up—and yet they feel more real to some readers than most people they’ve dated.
But what exactly is a Book Boyfriend? Why do we crave them? And what do the most beloved ones have in common?
Let’s dive in.
What you need to know about book boyfriends
What Is a Book Boyfriend?
A Book Boyfriend is a male (or male-coded) character in a novel who ticks all your boxes. He’s the kind of person you’d swipe right on, fall for hard, and obsess over... if he weren’t, well, fictional.
This could be the love interest of the main character—or the morally grey villain. Sometimes he's the grumpy warrior with a secret heart of gold. Other times, he’s the emotionally unavailable vampire who makes you question all your standards.
Yes, it sounds a little silly. But falling for a character is kind of the whole point of fiction, isn’t it? It’s called escapism, and readers love it for a reason.
Besides, thinking about what you find attractive in fictional characters can actually say a lot about your real-life preferences—whether it’s emotional intelligence, witty banter, or just... wings. (Looking at you, ACOTAR fans.)
Popular Book Boyfriends
There are countless BookTok posts ranking everyone’s favorite fictional lovers. Some names pop up so often, they’ve become practically legendary.
A few all-stars:
Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (often just called ACOTAR)
Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Edward Cullen, the iconic vampire from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (yes, even classics count!)
And side characters who stole the spotlight: Azriel and Cassian from the ACOTAR universe
And then there’s the darker, moodier bunch—heroes from Grimdark or Dark Romantasy novels, who blur the lines between danger and devotion.
Whether or not someone is your Book Boyfriend is totally personal. Some swoon over Edward, others can’t stand him. That’s the beauty of it: there's a fictional love for everyone.
What Makes a Book Boyfriend So Irresistible?
While tastes vary, most Book Boyfriends have a few things in common:
Devastatingly good looks (whatever that means to you)
A complex personality—wounds, secrets, inner battles
Often part of the “enemies to lovers” trope (a BookTok favorite)
And many of them fall into the morally grey category. They might not be pure-hearted princes, but they’re fascinating, layered, and full of inner tension. In darker subgenres like Dark Romantasy, these characters can walk the edge of danger—and readers love it.
Another twist? There’s a rising subcategory known as the Shadow Daddy.
(Yes, really.)
These are often mysterious, powerful figures in Romantasy stories—commanding, brooding, maybe a little too good at sword fighting. There’s a whole article about them here if you want to know more.
Are Book Boyfriends Rewriting Romance?
There’s something quietly radical about the way readers—especially women—connect with fictional love interests.
In a world that often tells us what kind of romance we should want, Book Boyfriends invite us to imagine what we do want. No compromises. No awkward Tinder dates. Just desire in its purest form—shaped by longing, fantasy, and emotional resonance.
These characters aren't limited by real-world expectations. They can be dangerous and soft, broken and loyal, impossibly handsome and quietly kind. They reflect the nuance we crave—and often miss—in traditional romantic narratives.
In that sense, Book Boyfriends are doing more than making us swoon. They’re reshaping the archetype of the ideal partner. (Now I leave it to you to judge if this is good… or not!)
They're part of a broader cultural shift that says: We want complexity. We want vulnerability. And we want to feel everything—deeply.
When we fall for fictional lovers, it’s not because we’re delulu. (Or are we???)
My guess is… It’s because we’re tuned in to the emotional possibilities that stories offer. And maybe, just maybe, we’re hoping to carry a little of that magic into real life.
Is It Shallow to Obsess Over Book Boyfriends?
Not at all.
These characters aren’t just eye candy (although they can be). The best Book Boyfriends are deeply written, emotionally rich, and often carry entire stories on their backs. They're not just “Prince Charmings”—they’re fully realized people, wrapped in pages.
And in a world that’s increasingly complicated, fictional crushes are a safe, joyful way to connect with stories and explore our own emotional landscapes.
So go ahead. Fall for the fae warrior, the reluctant vampire king, or the charmingly flawed academic mage. You deserve that fluttery feeling—even if it’s from a book.
Happy swooning. ❦
More articles in the blog: