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