Book Boyfriends: What a Girl Wants by Karen Rock


I’ll admit that I fall pretty hard for male characters. Should my husband be jealous? Nahhhhh.… obsessing over a ‘Book Boyfriend’, spending every free minute with him, and mourning our ‘break up’ at the book’s end is normal, right? Okay. Maybe not. But I can’t resist some of the amazing men created by such talented writers. And I wouldn’t want to. A romance is best when I want to jump into the pages and into the leading man’s arms. Although I’ve had several Book Boyfriends through the years, here are three that I’ll never forget.

Augustus Waters from John Green’s novel, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS is my all-time favorite. Sure, he’s new to the rotation. But he’s going to be in my top three for a long long time. He’s charismatic, confident, selfless, funny, and intelligent… not to mention gorgeous. As my daughter Danielle said, “He may be missing half his leg, but he’s all man.” She’s right. Augustus is a cancer survivor and amputee. Yet none of that affects his game when he first meets the narrator of the novel, Hazel. When she asks him why he keeps staring at her, he says that he likes looking at pretty things and he’s learned not to deny himself that pleasure. Wow. I melted on the spot, although Hazel remains skeptical.
 
He eventually wins her over when he selflessly uses his ‘Make-A-Wish’ to take Hazel to the Netherlands to meet her favorite author. But it’s his unabashedly romantic side that wins over every reader that meets him. The first time he tells Hazel he loves her he says, “…I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.” So beautiful. Can you believe Hazel doesn’t drop the L word for another chapter or so?! I wanted to pull her aside and demand that she put Gus out of his misery… or let me have him. Preferably the latter.

The second fictional love of my life is Noah from THE NOTEBOOK. He’s super confident, yet down to earth. He leapfrogs across a moving Ferris Wheel to convince Allie to go on a date with him. He may not have the money to win her parents' approval, but he more than won me over with his perseverance in writing Allie every day for a year after they were separated and fulfilling his pledge to her to make a white sided home with blue shutters. Noah never gives up on his love for Allie and nothing is more heartwarming than seeing him as an old man, still dedicating his life to his wife, even though she no longer recognizes him.  Noah is an incredible example of what every girl should hope to find, a determined, loyal, honest, big-hearted man who fights for what he knows is right. And that kiss in the rain… don’t even get me started.

Mr. Darcy of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE may be the oldest of the trio, but his claim to the title of best Book Boyfriend is just as strong and current as ever. I fell for him long before Elizabeth came to her senses. Although he’s proud, there is something irresistible about a man who is brought to his knees by love. Darcy is tough, powerful, a good though misguided friend, and on every mother’s match.com list. Yet he can’t deny his feelings for a woman whose family is beneath his in station and manners.  When Elizabeth rightfully rejects his bumbling, harshly honest wedding proposal, my heart breaks for him. Despite the setback, Darcy selflessly intervenes and helps Elizabeth avoid scandal when her wayward sister runs off with a Darcy’s sworn enemy. Even more appealing is that he’s learned to be humble. Who doesn’t adore a man who is willing to change for you? He doesn’t want the credit for saving Elizabeth’s family from ruin and is ready to return to his lonely life without receiving his due. Thankfully, Elizabeth learns the truth and Darcy gets the love he deserves. If he hadn’t, I might have asked Miss Bennett to take a turn in the garden with me for a long talk.

Please give a shout out to your favorite Book Boyfriend in the comments section below. You'll also be entered to win a copy of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, Dawn Stewardson’s wonderful Heartwarming novel THE SHELTER OF HIS ARMS, an autographed bookmark for my upcoming young adult novel, CAMP BOYFRIEND, and friendship bracelets, one for you and another to share. I would love to know who gets your vote and maybe find my next Book Boyfriend! The winner will be announced on this blog and on www.facebook.com/JKRockwriters tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts J

Comments

  1. Gabriel in the dark visions series by l j smith when I was in junior high!

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    1. Thanks for the recommendations, Heather!! I'll have to read the series for sure now and meet Gabriel :)

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  2. I've always been in love with Ron Weasley. <3

    Deniece Liza
    denieceliza@gmail.com
    http://denieceliza.wordpress.com

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    1. Big love to Ron Weasley!! He's so adorable in that bumbling, Hugh Grant sort of way. Was so glad when he and Hermione finally got together :) Thanks for casting your vote for this awesome Book Boyfriend!

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  3. I really love Peeta. Even though Katniss could never love him the way he loved her, he never let it stop him from showing her his true feelings. He's a trooper!

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    1. Oh Peeta is such a great pick, Raquel! I love how he's willing to sacrifice it all for Katniss. He's in my top five!! Thanks for commenting :)

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  4. I <3 Count Vronsky from Anna K. The whole man in a uniform thing...

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    1. I <3 men in uniform! The count is so dashing and gallant and so in love with Anna! What an awesome pick! Thanks for sharing it :)

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  5. I have a LOT of book boyfriends (I call myself a polygamist), but one of my favorites is Shane Collins from Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires series. (:

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    1. Lol- these guys are so awesome, how could we settle for just one... And Shane Rocks! Love this pick :) thank you for sharing him with us

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  6. I can agree with Noah from The Notebook or could take Ryan Gosling himself, lol.

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    1. Lol- definitely will take Ryan Gosling- but Noah is one of his best leading men! I so want that kiss in the rain! Thanks for stopping by Heartwarming, Vicki :)

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  7. Matt Brown from THINGS I CAN'T forget, Augustus & Four from DIVERGENT

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  8. Wow do you have great taste in Book Boyfriends- I might have to fight you for Four.. Then again Tris will kick both our butts- lol. Thanks for those sigh worthy names, Jen!

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  9. My book boyfriend has got to be Noah from The Notebook. He's just cocky enough, but determined and loyal to his one true love.

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  10. Agreed, Sandie! He strikes just the perfect balance of confidence and sensitivity! If only he were real :) thanks so much for giving Noah a shout out

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  11. I really the guys Jeri Smith-Ready has written, Zach and Logan from the Shade series are such great guys, I love them very much!!
    It's hard to limit the list, I love so many guys, LOL! but they are definitely really high on my list :)

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  12. Hey, Gaby! I haven't read that series, but I'm definitely looking for a new book boyfriend after finishing Things I Can't Forget. The only question is - how will I choose between Zach and Logan? Then again, they are Book Boyfriends... I can fall for both!! Thanks for the great tip, Gaby :)

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  13. I adore Daemon Black from Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. A hot, sarcastic alien *sigh*

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  14. Ohhhhh- Jenn has given us some amazing book boyfriends!! Love Daemon and am now falling for Cam in her New Adult romance WAIT FOR YOU! Great pick, Lea! Thanks :)

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  15. Ahh omg I love Augustus! Definitely one of my all-time favourites. And of course, Daemon from JLA's Lux series <3 Frankly, all of JLA's guys are freaking amazing!
    Great post, Karen :)

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    1. Thanks, Richa :) It looks like we both have great taste in Book Boyfriends !! Thank you Jennifer Armentrout for giving us so many amazing men to dream about :) So glad you stopped by, Richa!

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  16. My book boyfriend is Miles Vorkosigan in the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Miles is smarter than anybody in the room, self-assured and short and thinks he is unloveable. He is anything but!

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    1. Wow! I haven't heard of the Vorkosigan series but I will definitely check it out. I may have to borrow Miles from you for a little while since he sounds great :) thanks so much for the recommendation and for stopping by Heartwarming :)

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  17. I have to give Nora Roberts a shout out here. She writes male characters that are all man! It's how they act and talk that make them so appealing. And Vicki Lewis Thompson can pen cowboys that step right out of the book ma'am. I also can't resist most of Suzanne Brockman's Seals. They come with an irresistable swagger. The writer has done a good job if you can't stop thinking about the guy after you put the book on the shelf.

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  18. Roz you are so right! Nora Roberts men are great book boyfriend material! I should have given her a shout out on the blog! Thanks for suggesting the other two authors as well. I will check out there books. I can't resist a man in uniform or one who calls me ma'am in a way that makes me feel young not old :) plus cowboy hats are the most attractive piece of apparel a man can wear--- very swoon-worthy :)

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  19. Jane Austen created THE ultimate man in Mr. Darcy-to me-no other book boyfriend can come close lol:)

    Fun post!!

    xo
    Jen

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    1. Thanks, Jen! I love Darcy too. He's everything- especially when Collin Firth played him- I swooned during that entire movie/mini series. I also love John Thornton in NORTH & SOUTH as another conflicted, brooding, hero :)

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  20. Around here cowboy hats and boots are what you wear, unless you want sunburn or a snake bite! LOL! But I have to say I don't have to look far for my hero. He was raised on the Navajo Nation, is as tough as leather, and is by my side through thick and thin. Whatever happens there's two of us to face it. All my heroes are a version of him. Of course I'm talking about David, but I'm not showing him this. It'll go to his head for shur, as they say around here.

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    1. Awwwwwww- Aimee that was the sweetest tribute I've heard!! If you don't show David that post, I will :) He is a romance hero come to life and you are lucky on so many levels to call him your partner/husband/best friend. Cowboy hats off to you both!

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  21. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Predjudice.

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    1. Absolutely!! I like a man with a little mystery and he plays it close to the chest when it comes to his feelings... I wish we could have a rewrite from his POV . Thanks so much for stopping by Heartwarming :)

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  22. Karen, Good Morning! HAWKEYE from Last of the Mohicans. He risks his life over and over to keep Cora safe and when he has to leave her to be able to save her later, and tells her to "Stay Alive! I will find you!" you gotta believe him!

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    1. Wow! Great choice, Muriel! Hawkeye is the ideal book boyfriend - he's so protective, brave, smart, and willing to put Cora's life ahead of his own. I have to admit, I've only seen the movie of it, so I can't officially count him as a book boyfriend, but I would like to- especially when Cora says, "what are you looking at?" And he says, "I'm looking at you, Miss." MELT

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  23. Mine is Noah from the Notebook so you kidnapped mine already lol great minds think alike I always say!

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  24. Lol- you said it, Desere :) we both have great taste in Book Boyfriends! A couple of things I forgot to mention about why Noah's in my top three is that he's a war vet (in-coming! MAN IN UNIFORM!!) and he's a carpenter. A man who works with his hands... Phew.... Fan me now! Thanks for stopping by Heartwarming :)

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    1. The man in uniform part is exactly why I love him so much I have a soft spot for those!

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  25. Mine would have to Tucker Avery from Cynthia Hands Unearthly series. I think that he is just perfect :)!!!

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    1. I love this book and this awesome book boyfriend!! Thanks for sharing such a great pick, Bridget :)

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  26. There are some good ones here!! Muriel Jensen, I'm with you.... love Hawkeye in Last of the Mohicans for exactly the scene you cited :-). I also loved Heathcliff to distraction in Wuthering Heights. I know he turned into a mega dark character, but it was because that darn Catherine Earnshaw didn't love him the way he deserved!! Thanks for another fun blog, Karen :-).

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  27. You're welcome, Joanne :) thanks for stopping by to visit :) I feel the same way about Heathcliff- if only Catherine had trusted in them... I cried reading that unforgettable book and definitely fell for Heathcliff! He is such a great candidate for a fav book boyfriend!

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  28. Congratulations , Rachel! You've won the giveaway :) please send your mailing info out to you right away
    To my contact form on www.karenrock.com. Thanks:)

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  29. Uh oh. I think I'm a fickle reader because my favorite book boyfriend is usually the one I'm currently reading about. And then when that book is over, I'm on to my next :)

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