Book Boyfriends are the Potato Chips of the Book World

Why do some characters just stay with you? Whether it’s a movie or a book, there are always those characters who work their way into your heart and soul and refuse to leave. It’s quite interesting, developing a crush on a fictional character. But it’s definitely a thing. Maybe it’s their looks that pull you in. Or the experiences they’ve lived through. Or the way they carry themselves. Or their personality. Or a fantastic combination of so many things. When it’s a movie character, it’s pretty easy to get that sense of who they are- lots of visuals create a very specific picture. When it’s a character in a book, it’s all a product of the movie of the mind. Authors can only do so much, but when they do it perfectly, and you connect with that character, it’s really magnificent. And I see a lot of the same characters appear as favorite BBFs (book boyfriends) over and over again because there’s just something about them that draws you in and won’t let go.

One of my favorite things about immersing myself in the romance novel community is seeing who loves the same characters I do. Sharing a BBF can be seriously fun. It means reliving favorite scenes, comparing muses, speculating on what they’re going to do next in a series. It means having a connection within the bookish world with someone who understands your obsession. And doesn’t think you’ve completely lost your mind because of it.

Some readers get really possessive about their BBFs and become really, ummmm, territorial. I get it. It's easy to become invested in a character. Especially one you've followed through numerous books and rooted for, and waited for, their own story to become a reality. There's a wonderful trend I've noticed in several of the books I've read where an author will either dedicate a book to a reader because they pushed for that book's character to have their story told, or they'll call out the book's main character as a specific reader's BBF in promo material, the book acknowledgements, or in a post on their social media. How cool is that!? It's all a beautiful reflection of the connections authors and readers establish with each other, and in turn with the characters we all love and cherish.

Oh, before we go any further: having a book boyfriend is not cheating on your partner/spouse/boyfriend. They’re not real. Get over it.

Now, to the good stuff: Picking a favorite book boyfriend. Wait, I’m pretty sure I said in another blog that I would never pick favorites. So keeping in line with that, let’s call it picking your favorite book boyfriends. Yep, in the world of Romancelandia, multiple book boyfriends is completely normal, acceptable, and actually often encouraged. In fact, they’re kinda like potato chips, you can’t stop at just one. And if you can, there is something seriously wrong with you.

Sometimes your BBFs all come from the same author, even the same series by an author. Again, totally acceptable. Sometimes they’re all really similar to each other, and sometimes they’re completely divergent. Which is weird. How can I fall in love with the bad boy billionaire with a hidden past and dangerous present in one series and a loveable, blue collar, boy-next-door in another? Girl’s gotta have options, right? Seriously, sometimes all the things click together and the author creates such an amazing character that you’re just drawn to them. No concrete, definitive reason. You just are. And those characters never ever leave your soul.

Every now and then someone will tell me they didn’t like my BBF, and I honestly find myself getting defensive. I go into total protector mode. Of a fictional character. Because I see their rejection of that character as a reflection of who I am. Bizarre right? Or is it? Am I upset or offended because they don’t like the character? Or am I reacting to a perceived judgement of who I am because I like that character so much? And, yeah, I am going to confess to getting all petty about it and changing my view of certain people because they don’t like one of my BBFs. Go ahead, judge me. I’m good with that.

Sometimes authors will create such an amazing visual image that you can see every detail of a character. And sometimes they create muse boards to help us get a glimpse into who they were modeling a character on. Those are always fun. But I love taking a character’s description and trying to match them to someone on Instagram. Sometimes someone new will come across my feed and I just know that’s who a certain character is for me. Comparing them to other people’s visions of the same BBF is fun, too. The discussions we’ve had have been, ummm, enlightening. And often lead to further discussions about the character, the book, the author, other authors... See, it’s a total snowball effect. And a great way to channel your inner book nerd with other book nerds. But the added bonus of the eye candy is undeniable.

Ultimately, I blame the authors for creating such deeply meaningful connections between their readers and their characters. A character can make or break a story. Especially in the romance novel world where character development and chemistry is just as essential to the success of a book as the plot. And where the plot more often than not revolves around the relationship in the book, those characters better be on point in their interactions and connections- both within the story, and with the reader.

Now, I know you’re wondering who my BBFs are. And how they compare to yours. So, let’s compare. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Here are my top 5 (in absolutely no particular order. They move up and down the list depending on my mood):

Cooper from Claire Kingsley’s Reckless Miles (Book 3 in the Miles Family series)

Sebastian from Brittney Sahin’s The Real Deal (Book 3 in the Dubin Nights series)

Maddox from Melanie Moreland’s Maddox (Book 3 in the BAM series)

Dutch from Jemma Westbrook’s Enemy Territory (Book 3 in the Alaskan Security series)

Darius from Samantha Cole’s Forty Days and One Knight (Book 2 in the Trident Security Omega Team series) *snerk* you thought he was gonna be book 3, didntcha?

So, leave a comment and let me know if any of my faves are your faves. And if they aren’t, tell me who your top 5 are. And when you know you love an author’s character, and you feel really connected to them, tell the author! It’s a great feeling to know someone you created has touched your heart, helped you connect with others, and encouraged you to read more of their books.