This week’s Top 10 Tuesday, hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl is a Genre Freebie! Which made it harder for me considering I’ven been out of practice for Top 10 lists for the past several months. So I thought I would do one that admittedly was done in August 2021, but I missed out on that one. So I give you:
*drumroll please*
Top 10 Bookish Boyfriends!
These are ranked in ascending order, but it’s a very loose ranking. Except the top three slots. Those I will defend with my honor as a book girl (and one of them is likely to piss some people off). One thing to note: I tried to only choose one person from each series. Which means there may be someone left off that I normally would have chosen, but I was trying to diversify and not choose all Bat Boys.
10. Ned Nickerson
Nancy Drew’s dreamy boyfriend in the entire series, following his introduction in Nancy Drew #7 The Clue in the Diary, Ned was the definition of my crush growing up. I will always have a spot in my heart for him <3.
**Photo is from HER Interactive Nancy Drew games**
9. Tiberias Calore VII
I really loved Cal when I first read the Red Queen series. Don’t get me wrong, he majorly pissed me off on many occasions, but all in all he tried to be honorable, and I could always tell he loved Mare.
**Artist credit Morgana0nagram**
8. Will Herondale
I loved the Clockwork Angel/Prince/Princess series from Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter universe. It is likely my favorite of all the series. I also love the adult version of him in the most recent Chain of Gold/Iron/Thorns series. He is a stable friend and brother, and is willing to defend his found family with his life.
**Art from 10th Anniversary Edition of Clockwork Angel**
7. Vincent Aldrhe
I love a good Beauty & the Beast retelling as much as anyone (looking at you ACOTAR), but somehow this one felt fresh. Likely because it went beyond the moment of “Happily Ever After” and let me actually get to see what happens after.
**Artist credit watermarked as Gabrielle Ragust on image**
6. Captain Carswell Thorne
I love Carswell Thorne so much. He’s like if you take Mal Reynolds (Firefly), Nathan Drake (Uncharted), and Han Solo (Star Wars). He’s so sarcastic, cocky, hilarious, and above all else, loveable. I love how he is with Cress, and I love how he is when he loses his sight, he never fails to be himself, he’s strong through all.
**Art from Wiki and credited artist is lostie815**
5. Fitzwilliam Darcy
I can’t imagine a list about book boyfriends not including the original swoon-worthy male. I have read Pride & Prejudice an uncountable number of times, and each time it’s easy to fall in love with the proud Mr. Darcy.
**Photo of Mathew McFayden as Mr. Darcy in 2005 P&P**
4. Roman Kitt
The newest addition to my heartthrob list is Roman Kitt from Divine Rivals. I easily fell in love and wish that I could open my closet to find a letter from him. Although, maybe my husband wouldn’t want that, haha.
**Artist credit Rosalynnart**
3. Chaol Westfall
Chaol Westfall is likely to be the most controversial pick for me, but I’ll stand by my choice. I know that he did things that were wrong, but so did many other men on this list as well as many others. Chaol and Aelin may have been a ship that sank, but his friendship with Dorian was what I was always more invested in.
**Artist credit Charlie Bowater**
2. Rhysand
The Bat Daddy to end all bat daddied (sorry Cassian, Azriel, and Hunt). Rhysand saves Feyre, but ultimately, he gives her the tools to save herself. He is fierce and strong when he needs to be, but soft and tender with those he loves.
**Artist credit to Morgana0Anagrom**
1. Valek Icefaren
Oh Valek. My original book boyfriend. Valek was the reason I discovered the term book boyfriend, and since then he has never been removed from the top spot. And I can’t imagine he ever will be.
**Fanart of Valek and Yelena credit to reebardin.art**
Honorable mention goes to Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing. Since I just finished reading it a few days ago I felt like I couldn’t put him on the list until my brain settled down from the roller coaster of that book.
marenbobarenreads 
The pictures you included were really fun!
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What a fun topic. 🙂
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
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Fun topic! I barely finished Fourth Wing on audio (yuck all around) but then again I’m not a “romance” / smut fan haha. Thorne would be on my list though, he was one of the superstars of TLC!
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Yep, I totally agree on Rhysand and Thorn! Okay on Will too, but it’s a little weird now as I’m currently reading Chain of Thorns where he’s a father to 2 teenagers.
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Fun list! I haven’t heard of most of these, but I’m glad you find them all so appealing 🙂
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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I have to admit, I’ve never had the “book boyfriend” mindset, but I can understand it. Ned Nickerson has probably given a lot of adolescent girls unfair expectations for the guys in their lives.
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