Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I decided
to base this week’s discussion post on love interests in YA. Sometimes you fall in love with them too and
sometimes there’s nothing that annoys you more, but either way, these
characters stay on your mind. I’ll be
listing the types that stick out most for me (only trying to focus on the good, I may post about my pet peeves in a later post) as well as
naming a few of my favorite guys in YA.
The Protective Guys. Everywhere you look, they’re there. While I like a heroine who can take care of
herself, I also can’t help but fall for the guy who proves that he’ll be there
for her whenever he’s needed. These
characters only work in certain stories for me, but one of my favorite
protective guys is Noah Shaw from the Mara Dyer series.
The Bad Boy with the Big Heart. It's a very familiar title for love interests in general, but that’s completely fine with me, I never seem to get tired of this
type. Of course, not every bad boy will make your heart pound. Some act like complete asshats, but more than half the time, they can make just about anyone swoon. In fact, two of my favorite male characters
would fall into this category--Alex Fuentes from Perfect
Chemistry and Kaidan Rowe from Sweet Evil.
The Boy Next Door. He’s sweet and considerate, ultimately the
boy that you want to take home to your parents. He may not always be your neighbor, but he's the one that's always been around, whether you realize it or not. The first boys that pop into my head for this category are Cricket Bell
from Lola and the Boy Next Door and Jase Garrett from My Life Next Door.
Finally, The Best Friend whose feelings are unclear
to the narrator but painfully obvious to the reader. I mean come on, how many times have you read
this? I know that I have dozens
of times, but even so, I still tend to enjoy it if it’s done well.
I'm a sucker for romance, and although I've never met any boys similar to the ones described in most books, I can't complain because it's surely nice to fantasize. Anyways, who would want to read story after story with male characters who actually act like teenage boys? No thank you, I had enough of that in high school.
Who is your favorite swoony boy/type of romance in YA?
I can't help but enjoy a good witty banter back and forth. I want strong characters on both sides and usually like it best if they aren't head over heals right at first but more like RAWR. What comes to mind is Daemon and Katy and Kate and Curran. I love this post - great list :) Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBad boy with a big heart is my favorite. I love me some Kai, Kellan, Jude, (:
ReplyDeletegreat post!!
I'm a sucker for the bad boys with with big hearts! They get me every time :) Love this post!
ReplyDeleteAs long as the love interest isn't abusive, and he/she and the MC are able to exchange witty dialogue, then I'm happy with any type! :D Noah is definitely a favourite of mine too.
ReplyDeleteI love all of these types of guys, but there's one that I hardly ever see in books which is my favorite type of guy. Country boys and cowboys. These are guys who are sweet, loyal, protective, and so, so muscular because of all of the physical work they have to do. So, basically, the good qualities of all of the types. The only one that comes to mind is Tucker, whom I love.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read any books with a cowboy as the love interest! The idea of a country boy never excited me, but I'll have to give it a try one of these days. All of the qualities you listed are perfect. :)
DeleteKapri beat me to it! Cowboys. Tucker Avery from the Unearthly series....love, love, love. I think it's because my husband is an outdoorsy kind of guy like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm such a sucker for the bad boys! But mostly the bad boys who have a front and the girl has to tear down that wall to see the sensitive boy underneath. >.>
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Sweet Evil right now and I definitely love Kaidan! The accent sweetens the deal.
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
"Anyways, who would want to read story after story with male characters who actually act like teenage boys?"
ReplyDeletehehehehe! I hear you, there.
I'm a sucker for bad boys, too. Bones in the Night Huntress books is my fave, but... it's funny. If I were to pick favorite book boys? I'd always gravitate to the NICE ones. Cricket Bell and Etienne St.Clair = my faves forever ♥
I totally have a love/hate relationship with Etienne. Cricket Bell completely stole my heart, though. :)
DeleteAnother great discussion topic! Mmmm, I never get tired of the bad boy with a heart either ♥ Though you're right not all of them make the cut! I also really *really* enjoy the protective guy...especially if he has a little bad boy side to him haha! I can't think of one instance where I've gone for the boy next door or the best friend...weird o.O I love your last comment there about not complaning about how realistic they all are cause they make for some nice fantasies *swoon* Anyways, thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete