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Book Boyfriends: 30 Fictional Men Who Are Better Than the Real Thing
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26- GenresRomance
168 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A copy of this book was provided by Chronicle Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I already know what I'm buying every single one of my romance and romantasy loving girlfriends for Galentine's Day, and my shopping is done.
Book Boyfriends: 30 Fictional Men Who Are Better Than the Real Thing by Nichole Perkins was SO much fun. I had the best time with this one, and I have a feeling you will too.
The book features 30 of our most beloved, drool-worthy book boyfriends, and the format is absolutely brilliant. Each boyfriend gets up to six pages dedicated entirely to him. First, you get a fan fiction style illustration complete with his perfect pickup line. Then comes what I can only describe as a dating profile, summing him up at a glance with details like the book he's from, his genre, age, where he lives, his physical traits, his dream date, and his most swoon-worthy boyfriend traits. From there, you get a deeper dive into his story and why he would make such a fantastic boyfriend. And then, saved for last, his most memorable quotes, laid out beautifully across one page, a two-page spread, or if you're really lucky, both.
The lineup of boyfriends is chef's kiss. We've got YA heartthrobs like Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, and Conrad Fisher. Literary classics like Mr. Darcy and Heathcliff. Romantasy shadow daddies like Xaden and Rhysand (and yes, besties, no Dain or Tamlin in sight — we only go for the crème de la crème here). Contemporary romance favorites like Noah Calhoun, Charlie Lastra, and Michael Larsen. And a few delightful surprises, including Westley from The Princess Bride, which made my whole day.
One of my favorite unexpected bonuses? This book basically built my TBR list for me. Several of these boyfriends belong to books I haven't read yet, and now I absolutely have to.
Beyond the boyfriend profiles, the book is packed with even more fun, including quizzes, MASH, boyfriend bingo, and other little extras that make it feel like the ultimate bookish sleepover with your best friends.
If you have ever found yourself completely, helplessly falling for a book boyfriend, this one is for you. It would make the most perfect addition to any BookTok or Bookstagram library, and it is genuinely the ideal gift for every book-loving girlfriend, book club friend, or yourself. No shame. I see you.
I already know what I'm buying every single one of my romance and romantasy loving girlfriends for Galentine's Day, and my shopping is done.
Book Boyfriends: 30 Fictional Men Who Are Better Than the Real Thing by Nichole Perkins was SO much fun. I had the best time with this one, and I have a feeling you will too.
The book features 30 of our most beloved, drool-worthy book boyfriends, and the format is absolutely brilliant. Each boyfriend gets up to six pages dedicated entirely to him. First, you get a fan fiction style illustration complete with his perfect pickup line. Then comes what I can only describe as a dating profile, summing him up at a glance with details like the book he's from, his genre, age, where he lives, his physical traits, his dream date, and his most swoon-worthy boyfriend traits. From there, you get a deeper dive into his story and why he would make such a fantastic boyfriend. And then, saved for last, his most memorable quotes, laid out beautifully across one page, a two-page spread, or if you're really lucky, both.
The lineup of boyfriends is chef's kiss. We've got YA heartthrobs like Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, and Conrad Fisher. Literary classics like Mr. Darcy and Heathcliff. Romantasy shadow daddies like Xaden and Rhysand (and yes, besties, no Dain or Tamlin in sight — we only go for the crème de la crème here). Contemporary romance favorites like Noah Calhoun, Charlie Lastra, and Michael Larsen. And a few delightful surprises, including Westley from The Princess Bride, which made my whole day.
One of my favorite unexpected bonuses? This book basically built my TBR list for me. Several of these boyfriends belong to books I haven't read yet, and now I absolutely have to.
Beyond the boyfriend profiles, the book is packed with even more fun, including quizzes, MASH, boyfriend bingo, and other little extras that make it feel like the ultimate bookish sleepover with your best friends.
If you have ever found yourself completely, helplessly falling for a book boyfriend, this one is for you. It would make the most perfect addition to any BookTok or Bookstagram library, and it is genuinely the ideal gift for every book-loving girlfriend, book club friend, or yourself. No shame. I see you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
=> Book boyfriend anthology
=> Multimedia / magazine-style storytelling
=> Interactive elements (quizzes, profiles, visuals)
=> Pop culture + romance commentary
=> Reader-insert emotional chaos
💘 This isn’t a traditional “read-it-and-forget-it” book. It feels like stepping into a glossy, slightly unhinged magazine dedicated entirely to fictional men and the way readers obsess over them. Each “profile” is crafted like an exhibit: personality breakdowns, aesthetic framing, quotes that hit way too precisely, and interactive elements that make it feel like you’re part of the obsession rather than just observing it.
📚 The structure is what makes it stand out. Instead of a linear narrative, it leans into fragments, visuals, and curated sections that mimic scrolling through a perfectly designed fan space. It captures bookstagram/booktok culture without mocking it, just… holding it up like, “yes, this is what you’ve become.”
💔 And then there are the character appearances. When familiar literary figures show up, especially emotionally loaded ones like Connell from *Normal People*, it hits differently. Not because it’s shocking, but because it reframes them as “book boyfriends” while you still remember exactly how much emotional damage they came with. That contrast is kind of the point.
🧠 What works best is how self-aware the book is. It understands the way readers attach meaning, attraction, and identity to fictional characters, and it plays with that seriously but playfully. It’s not shallow fanservice — it’s commentary wrapped in aesthetic obsession.
✨ If anything, the experience is less about reading and more about participation. You’re not just consuming it; you’re reacting, remembering, comparing, laughing at yourself mid-page because you recognize your own taste in fictional men too well.
📌 Final verdict:
A clever, stylish, slightly chaotic celebration of book obsession culture. It’s fun, self-aware, and weirdly reflective in the way it makes you question why you know so much about fictional men’s emotional availability.
=> Multimedia / magazine-style storytelling
=> Interactive elements (quizzes, profiles, visuals)
=> Pop culture + romance commentary
=> Reader-insert emotional chaos
💘 This isn’t a traditional “read-it-and-forget-it” book. It feels like stepping into a glossy, slightly unhinged magazine dedicated entirely to fictional men and the way readers obsess over them. Each “profile” is crafted like an exhibit: personality breakdowns, aesthetic framing, quotes that hit way too precisely, and interactive elements that make it feel like you’re part of the obsession rather than just observing it.
📚 The structure is what makes it stand out. Instead of a linear narrative, it leans into fragments, visuals, and curated sections that mimic scrolling through a perfectly designed fan space. It captures bookstagram/booktok culture without mocking it, just… holding it up like, “yes, this is what you’ve become.”
💔 And then there are the character appearances. When familiar literary figures show up, especially emotionally loaded ones like Connell from *Normal People*, it hits differently. Not because it’s shocking, but because it reframes them as “book boyfriends” while you still remember exactly how much emotional damage they came with. That contrast is kind of the point.
🧠 What works best is how self-aware the book is. It understands the way readers attach meaning, attraction, and identity to fictional characters, and it plays with that seriously but playfully. It’s not shallow fanservice — it’s commentary wrapped in aesthetic obsession.
✨ If anything, the experience is less about reading and more about participation. You’re not just consuming it; you’re reacting, remembering, comparing, laughing at yourself mid-page because you recognize your own taste in fictional men too well.
📌 Final verdict:
A clever, stylish, slightly chaotic celebration of book obsession culture. It’s fun, self-aware, and weirdly reflective in the way it makes you question why you know so much about fictional men’s emotional availability.
May 14, 2026
I mean, it’s fine, lol. You pick up a book like this and you get what you get, you know?
I’ll give the author credit, as I could never write a book like this—I’d be far too picky about who is deserving of being included. Truthfully, I think the author could’ve been a little choosier given that there are definitely some red flag “book boyfriends” included here, à la Heathcliffe and Pedro and, yes, Gale. I, personally, would also throw Rysand in that list—cause yuck—but given I’ve only read half of the second book in that series, I’ll concede that perhaps I don’t know enough. All I can say is, thank the stars and literally everything in existence that she didn’t include Warner from the Shatter Me series because I would have fucking rioted at having that abusive piece of shit included.
Book Boyfriends is the sort of silly coffee table book you throw out and don’t really read all too often. Maybe you’ll skim it from time to time, but the content included isn’t exactly phenomenal or party entertainment worthy. It’d be fun to have at your romance book club meetings, but you’re not going to pick it up and giggle about it being all that humorous. And there’s no denying that this book definitely caters to the author’s specific reads, so if you haven’t read all the same books you’re not likely to connect with a lot of it. All that said, there are a pretty fair amount of characters included from books that you’d have to be living under a rock to not know about at the bare minimum, but most likely you’ve picked up if you’re in the know on the popular reads these days. And the little quizzes and games were fun, even if they weren’t the best.
Also, a minor critique…but why is Prince Henry the only character included from Red, White, and Royal Blue? There are two lovely boys in that book, you know…
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll give the author credit, as I could never write a book like this—I’d be far too picky about who is deserving of being included. Truthfully, I think the author could’ve been a little choosier given that there are definitely some red flag “book boyfriends” included here, à la Heathcliffe and Pedro and, yes, Gale. I, personally, would also throw Rysand in that list—cause yuck—but given I’ve only read half of the second book in that series, I’ll concede that perhaps I don’t know enough. All I can say is, thank the stars and literally everything in existence that she didn’t include Warner from the Shatter Me series because I would have fucking rioted at having that abusive piece of shit included.
Book Boyfriends is the sort of silly coffee table book you throw out and don’t really read all too often. Maybe you’ll skim it from time to time, but the content included isn’t exactly phenomenal or party entertainment worthy. It’d be fun to have at your romance book club meetings, but you’re not going to pick it up and giggle about it being all that humorous. And there’s no denying that this book definitely caters to the author’s specific reads, so if you haven’t read all the same books you’re not likely to connect with a lot of it. All that said, there are a pretty fair amount of characters included from books that you’d have to be living under a rock to not know about at the bare minimum, but most likely you’ve picked up if you’re in the know on the popular reads these days. And the little quizzes and games were fun, even if they weren’t the best.
Also, a minor critique…but why is Prince Henry the only character included from Red, White, and Royal Blue? There are two lovely boys in that book, you know…
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was fun and unserious in the best way. I downloaded it on a whim, and had a fun time breezing through it. Each book boyfriend gets an illustration, a summary and a quotation. The layout is very graphic and aesthetically pleasing. While not a deep dive, it is a self aware and meaningful look at how and why we get attached to characters. It is definitely target towards a specific reader (that I fit to a tee), an unapologetic millennial Swiftie romance reader. You don't have to be a Swiftie to understand this but I appreciated the subtle references. It definitely uses a heterosexual female gaze but that is the point. It does include at least one LGBTQ character and strives for inclusivity.
The illustrations were great and very fun. This was book is probably best read as a physical book but is okay on a tablet. It's not a great read on a phone or e-reader. It requires color and seeing a full page spread is helpful. There are slight spoilers for the books included in this, but they are mostly older releases that have been greatly dissected in traditional and social media. This book is not picking characters who would be good boyfriends. These men are ones who people have been obsessed with, even if they are unhealthily morally grey. If your first crush was Dmitri from Anastasia (or a different animated character of that generation), you have come to the right place. If you completed quizzes in Teen Beat or Seventeen, this is for you. The men are mostly ones that were popular from the late 90's through the mid 2010's, and still remain popular today. This would be a fun gift for a romance obsessed friend. I have a few new books on my TBR after reading this.
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
The illustrations were great and very fun. This was book is probably best read as a physical book but is okay on a tablet. It's not a great read on a phone or e-reader. It requires color and seeing a full page spread is helpful. There are slight spoilers for the books included in this, but they are mostly older releases that have been greatly dissected in traditional and social media. This book is not picking characters who would be good boyfriends. These men are ones who people have been obsessed with, even if they are unhealthily morally grey. If your first crush was Dmitri from Anastasia (or a different animated character of that generation), you have come to the right place. If you completed quizzes in Teen Beat or Seventeen, this is for you. The men are mostly ones that were popular from the late 90's through the mid 2010's, and still remain popular today. This would be a fun gift for a romance obsessed friend. I have a few new books on my TBR after reading this.
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is any romance girlie's dream, but especially us Millennials who grew up playing M.A.S.H. and lived through the Twilight phenomenon! It has pretty much all the faves! Jacob and Edward, Cardan Greenbriar, Jamie Fraser, Rhysand, Simon Basset (The Duke! Swoons), Xaden, etc. I loved reading the little blurbs about my faves, plus it also introduced me to some new hotties that I officially want to check out! This is definitely a great method to introduce people to new book boyfriends. I loved the little games and quizzes throughout too. Honestly, I'd buy this in a heartbeat, not only for myself but for my bookish friends too! I just know it would be even cooler in print because the illustrations and everything are so wonderful and I'd love to have a print copy to display! My only complaint was the copyright watermark throughout making it a little hard to read some parts, but I know that just comes with getting an ARC like this. Another reason to go for the print version!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me a chance to check this out! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for it in stores!
This is any romance girlie's dream, but especially us Millennials who grew up playing M.A.S.H. and lived through the Twilight phenomenon! It has pretty much all the faves! Jacob and Edward, Cardan Greenbriar, Jamie Fraser, Rhysand, Simon Basset (The Duke! Swoons), Xaden, etc. I loved reading the little blurbs about my faves, plus it also introduced me to some new hotties that I officially want to check out! This is definitely a great method to introduce people to new book boyfriends. I loved the little games and quizzes throughout too. Honestly, I'd buy this in a heartbeat, not only for myself but for my bookish friends too! I just know it would be even cooler in print because the illustrations and everything are so wonderful and I'd love to have a print copy to display! My only complaint was the copyright watermark throughout making it a little hard to read some parts, but I know that just comes with getting an ARC like this. Another reason to go for the print version!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me a chance to check this out! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for it in stores!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full disclosure: I am not this book's intended audience. I don't particularly enjoy the romance genre.
And yet, here I am, fully charmed and entertained.
This book rounds up 30 of fiction's most iconic "book boyfriends" from Shakespeare's Romeo to Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, all the way to modern obsessions like Edward Cullen (Twilight), Rhysand (ACOTAR), and Xaden (Fourth Wing). As a cultural artifact alone, it's genuinely fascinating to trace the evolution of the literary heartthrob. The book contains characters from a variety of genres, including: contemporary romance, fantasy romance, historical romance, gothic fiction, dystopian fiction, and more.
The book clearly has a sharp self-awareness of its subject matter, leaning into the absurdity with affection and pride. I cringed a lot, but romance fans will likely enjoy the unashamed full embrace of the genre.
This is the kind of gift you'd deliver into the hands of a BookTok-obsessed friend. For the outsider like me, it's an unexpectedly entertaining crash course in the history of romantic hero archetypes, pop culture, and why these characters have endured in the sea of love interests.
I'm glad I read it.
(Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
And yet, here I am, fully charmed and entertained.
This book rounds up 30 of fiction's most iconic "book boyfriends" from Shakespeare's Romeo to Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, all the way to modern obsessions like Edward Cullen (Twilight), Rhysand (ACOTAR), and Xaden (Fourth Wing). As a cultural artifact alone, it's genuinely fascinating to trace the evolution of the literary heartthrob. The book contains characters from a variety of genres, including: contemporary romance, fantasy romance, historical romance, gothic fiction, dystopian fiction, and more.
The book clearly has a sharp self-awareness of its subject matter, leaning into the absurdity with affection and pride. I cringed a lot, but romance fans will likely enjoy the unashamed full embrace of the genre.
This is the kind of gift you'd deliver into the hands of a BookTok-obsessed friend. For the outsider like me, it's an unexpectedly entertaining crash course in the history of romantic hero archetypes, pop culture, and why these characters have endured in the sea of love interests.
I'm glad I read it.
(Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was fun! While I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into at first (--maybe 30 short stories?) it was interesting to read through. While I was reading I thought Perkins was around my age as she picked a loooot of YA bookish characters that were relevant to me growing up (turns out she's 20 years older than me, and that's okay! lol)
Each of the 30 book boyfriends she has selected gets a character page followed by a write-up of why they are an ideal book boyfriend. Mixed in are some quizzes (think teen magazines) and other games.
I have to deduct some points for GALE (THG) being included as a book boyfriend and calling Conrad a "budding brunch daddy" ...
I think Perkins does a good job of balancing the old and the new -- with a lot more NEW book boyfriends. I think with the way some of these YA characters are talked about, more adult aged-characters might have been beneficial (see above about Conrad), but overall this was a good time!
The illustrator Emma Munger also did a GREAT job I loved her artwork throughout!
This was fun! While I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into at first (--maybe 30 short stories?) it was interesting to read through. While I was reading I thought Perkins was around my age as she picked a loooot of YA bookish characters that were relevant to me growing up (turns out she's 20 years older than me, and that's okay! lol)
Each of the 30 book boyfriends she has selected gets a character page followed by a write-up of why they are an ideal book boyfriend. Mixed in are some quizzes (think teen magazines) and other games.
I have to deduct some points for GALE (THG) being included as a book boyfriend and calling Conrad a "budding brunch daddy" ...
I think Perkins does a good job of balancing the old and the new -- with a lot more NEW book boyfriends. I think with the way some of these YA characters are talked about, more adult aged-characters might have been beneficial (see above about Conrad), but overall this was a good time!
The illustrator Emma Munger also did a GREAT job I loved her artwork throughout!
May 1, 2026
Book Review: Book Boyfriends by Nichole Perkins
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
The Premise:
Nichole Perkins dives into the fictional men who have defined "book boyfriend" culture, offering a collection of 30 profiles ranging from classic literary icons to modern romantasy favorites. The book includes playful illustrations, quizzes, and a deep dive into why these specific archetypes resonate so strongly with readers.
My Thoughts:
I was incredibly excited about the concept of this book—it’s such a fun, relatable idea for anyone who spends their time lost in a good story. However, the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me.
While the writing is witty and the layout is engaging, I found the selection of characters a bit disappointing. It highlights a significant number of "older" books and classic protagonists. While those characters are certainly foundational, I was hoping for a list that leaned more heavily into the current trending favorites and the specific tropes that are dominating the book world right now.
Fun gift idea for romance book lovers
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
The Premise:
Nichole Perkins dives into the fictional men who have defined "book boyfriend" culture, offering a collection of 30 profiles ranging from classic literary icons to modern romantasy favorites. The book includes playful illustrations, quizzes, and a deep dive into why these specific archetypes resonate so strongly with readers.
My Thoughts:
I was incredibly excited about the concept of this book—it’s such a fun, relatable idea for anyone who spends their time lost in a good story. However, the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me.
While the writing is witty and the layout is engaging, I found the selection of characters a bit disappointing. It highlights a significant number of "older" books and classic protagonists. While those characters are certainly foundational, I was hoping for a list that leaned more heavily into the current trending favorites and the specific tropes that are dominating the book world right now.
Fun gift idea for romance book lovers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC!
As I was browsing through Netgalley’s Read Now category, I stumbled across this gem and felt compelled to read it (with some encouragement from a friend). I read a fair amount of romance, so I was curious which 30 men made the list. Some I agreed with, some I had no idea who they were and a few were on the Hard Pass list. But I still had some fun reading it and actually laughed quite a few times. I was reading it with a friend, so that definitely made it even funnier and it really made our day.
I recommend giving this one a go if you're a fan of book boyfriends and looking for a bit of fun. There’s even some quizzes and mini-games to entertain you as you read through. Also, I liked the art as well as the witty writing. This book was a love letter to romance while also acknowledging some of the silliness (no shade, romance will forever be my #1) of the genre
As I was browsing through Netgalley’s Read Now category, I stumbled across this gem and felt compelled to read it (with some encouragement from a friend). I read a fair amount of romance, so I was curious which 30 men made the list. Some I agreed with, some I had no idea who they were and a few were on the Hard Pass list. But I still had some fun reading it and actually laughed quite a few times. I was reading it with a friend, so that definitely made it even funnier and it really made our day.
I recommend giving this one a go if you're a fan of book boyfriends and looking for a bit of fun. There’s even some quizzes and mini-games to entertain you as you read through. Also, I liked the art as well as the witty writing. This book was a love letter to romance while also acknowledging some of the silliness (no shade, romance will forever be my #1) of the genre
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This illustrated book is a fabulous addition to any book babe's library. I appreciated Perkins' insight and humor as she describes each book boyfriend, from Jane Austen and Emily Bronte's heroes of centuries ago, all the way to current favorites written by Emily Henry and Rebecca Yarros.
The full page spread giving a brief overview of each boyfriend is helpful if you already know your tropes and types, or if you want a couple jokes about a well known character. Then the full description on the following page is incredible to think more deeply about what makes that book boyfriend so alluring, and might shed some light on the dynamics in the book.
Interspersed there are little quizzes to take yourself or discuss with a friend. These are lighthearted and cheesy, and made me want to keep going to find more.
I enjoyed how colorful and detailed the pages were, and I found a couple books to add to my TBR that hadn't been on my radar.
I received the ARC from Netgalley.
The full page spread giving a brief overview of each boyfriend is helpful if you already know your tropes and types, or if you want a couple jokes about a well known character. Then the full description on the following page is incredible to think more deeply about what makes that book boyfriend so alluring, and might shed some light on the dynamics in the book.
Interspersed there are little quizzes to take yourself or discuss with a friend. These are lighthearted and cheesy, and made me want to keep going to find more.
I enjoyed how colorful and detailed the pages were, and I found a couple books to add to my TBR that hadn't been on my radar.
I received the ARC from Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A humorous look at 30 fictional men and how they're prime boyfriend material.
The layout of this book is good: each man gets an illustration, a character description, one page on why they're worth swooning over, and a quotation from their book. A couple of quizzes are included, giving the book a fun, magazine-like feel.
Where the book fails for me is in the selection of characters. Westley from The Princess Bride? Sure. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings? Why not? But Wuthering Heights's Heathcliff, the poster child for abusive stalkers? Or Pedro Muzquiz from Like Water for Chocolate, whose idea of romance is to marry a woman he doesn't love so he can have unfettered access to her sister? I get that this book is supposed to be about fantasy rather than reality, but maybe don't romanticize characters who are really abusive jerks?
Two and a half stars.
Received via NetGalley.
The layout of this book is good: each man gets an illustration, a character description, one page on why they're worth swooning over, and a quotation from their book. A couple of quizzes are included, giving the book a fun, magazine-like feel.
Where the book fails for me is in the selection of characters. Westley from The Princess Bride? Sure. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings? Why not? But Wuthering Heights's Heathcliff, the poster child for abusive stalkers? Or Pedro Muzquiz from Like Water for Chocolate, whose idea of romance is to marry a woman he doesn't love so he can have unfettered access to her sister? I get that this book is supposed to be about fantasy rather than reality, but maybe don't romanticize characters who are really abusive jerks?
Two and a half stars.
Received via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Chronicle Books, and Nichole Perkins for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
The concept of this book is unique, and I appreciated the wide range of fictional “boyfriends” included throughout. The artwork is well done and gives the book a fun comic-book style, while the quizzes and mini-games add an interactive element that feels very reminiscent of teen magazines.
While I could see what the book was aiming for, the writing style didn’t fully work for me. Despite covering more mature topics (including sexual desires) and quoting adult language, much of the tone and phrasing felt geared toward a younger audience. Because of that, the balance between the adult themes and the presentation (like the repeated stickers throughout) felt a little inconsistent at times.
Overall, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it, especially for the artwork and nostalgic magazine-style format, but it ultimately wasn’t something I would personally purchase or revisit.
The concept of this book is unique, and I appreciated the wide range of fictional “boyfriends” included throughout. The artwork is well done and gives the book a fun comic-book style, while the quizzes and mini-games add an interactive element that feels very reminiscent of teen magazines.
While I could see what the book was aiming for, the writing style didn’t fully work for me. Despite covering more mature topics (including sexual desires) and quoting adult language, much of the tone and phrasing felt geared toward a younger audience. Because of that, the balance between the adult themes and the presentation (like the repeated stickers throughout) felt a little inconsistent at times.
Overall, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it, especially for the artwork and nostalgic magazine-style format, but it ultimately wasn’t something I would personally purchase or revisit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An entertaining read that’s absolutely going to stir up the romance crowd. There’s plenty here to debate: the characters, the choices, the messy dynamics which and I’m sure will spark more than a few lively conversations. Besides, there’s no universe where my book boyfriends are limited to only thirty. 🤪
And speaking of book boyfriends, this story pulls from the lineage of the greats. You’ve got Heathcliff and Fitzwilliam Darcy the OG broody romantic heartthrobs who set the standard for every single tortured love interest that followed.
If you love stories that spark debate, stir emotions, and give you at least three new fictional men to add to your ever‑growing roster, this one delivers. It’s fun, dramatic, and just self‑aware enough to keep you grinning. And 30 book boyfriends? I’m going to need a much bigger list or a Part two of this book.
And speaking of book boyfriends, this story pulls from the lineage of the greats. You’ve got Heathcliff and Fitzwilliam Darcy the OG broody romantic heartthrobs who set the standard for every single tortured love interest that followed.
If you love stories that spark debate, stir emotions, and give you at least three new fictional men to add to your ever‑growing roster, this one delivers. It’s fun, dramatic, and just self‑aware enough to keep you grinning. And 30 book boyfriends? I’m going to need a much bigger list or a Part two of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! All of the best book boyfriends rounded up into one book with illustrations, descriptions & the best quotes! I have added so many new romance books to my list to read after seeing the book boyfriends and hearing about them 😍
This had such a good selection too, like Edward, Rhys, Charlie Lastra, Adam Carlsen, Cardan… so many good ones! 🔥
It was so fun going down memory lane with some of these books I haven’t read in years but also to get fun new books to add to my list just based on the MMC. This was the coolest idea & I highly recommend checking it out. I can’t wait to see it in print and flip through it again!
Thank you NetGalley, Nichole Perkins & the publisher Chronicle Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased feedback.
This book will be released on October 5, 2026!
This had such a good selection too, like Edward, Rhys, Charlie Lastra, Adam Carlsen, Cardan… so many good ones! 🔥
It was so fun going down memory lane with some of these books I haven’t read in years but also to get fun new books to add to my list just based on the MMC. This was the coolest idea & I highly recommend checking it out. I can’t wait to see it in print and flip through it again!
Thank you NetGalley, Nichole Perkins & the publisher Chronicle Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased feedback.
This book will be released on October 5, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 stars. This was more nostalgia than anything for me. I felt like I was reading a teen magazine in the 90s with male heartthrob exposes, but also like that scene in Princess Diaries 2 where they are all looking at the profiles of all the eligible bachelors. This felt like a magazine I would take to the beach to do the quizzes with friends.
I have actually read most of books used, so it was a look back on many MMCs I have liked throughout my reading journey. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and I found myself trying to see if i could guess who the character was before reading their piece. My biggest gripe is that this is formatted for print or for using an e-reader in landscape orientation only. It was really hard to read the small print without having to constantly zoom in and out and switch between pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the free eARC.
I have actually read most of books used, so it was a look back on many MMCs I have liked throughout my reading journey. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and I found myself trying to see if i could guess who the character was before reading their piece. My biggest gripe is that this is formatted for print or for using an e-reader in landscape orientation only. It was really hard to read the small print without having to constantly zoom in and out and switch between pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the free eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley.
This book is adorable, nerdy, and basically required reading for any girlie who knows fictional men will always set the bar unrealistically high. The activities and quizzes sprinkled throughout are hilariously accurate and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever spent way too much time imagining their life as the main character in their favorite story.
And the artwork? Absolutely stunning. The lineup perfectly balances classic literary heartthrobs with modern morally gray disasters we’d all willingly ruin our lives for. It’s the perfect mix of funny facts, iconic quotes, and pure bookish chaos wrapped into one gorgeous collection. Honestly, this is 100% going to be one of my go-to gifts this year because more people absolutely need to know this exists.
This book is adorable, nerdy, and basically required reading for any girlie who knows fictional men will always set the bar unrealistically high. The activities and quizzes sprinkled throughout are hilariously accurate and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever spent way too much time imagining their life as the main character in their favorite story.
And the artwork? Absolutely stunning. The lineup perfectly balances classic literary heartthrobs with modern morally gray disasters we’d all willingly ruin our lives for. It’s the perfect mix of funny facts, iconic quotes, and pure bookish chaos wrapped into one gorgeous collection. Honestly, this is 100% going to be one of my go-to gifts this year because more people absolutely need to know this exists.
May 16, 2026
**ARC REVIEW**
This is a cute idea for a book. It’ll be a fun gift for any romance reader in the way an ACOTAR or Fourth Wing coloring book would be. I couldn’t tell from the introduction if this was supposed to be a pitch to introduce non-romance readers to the idea of a book boyfriend or for current romance readers to reminisce about their favorites. I knew most of the guys in the book and the summary of each ‘boyfriend’s’ character was helpful without many spoilers.
I don’t know if this will convert your average reader or if it’ll be best enjoyed as a coffee table book, but I liked it. The best part was how much the author clearly loves MMCs and the genre. I see a lot of myself and how my tastes developed here and my hope is that others will feel the same.
This is a cute idea for a book. It’ll be a fun gift for any romance reader in the way an ACOTAR or Fourth Wing coloring book would be. I couldn’t tell from the introduction if this was supposed to be a pitch to introduce non-romance readers to the idea of a book boyfriend or for current romance readers to reminisce about their favorites. I knew most of the guys in the book and the summary of each ‘boyfriend’s’ character was helpful without many spoilers.
I don’t know if this will convert your average reader or if it’ll be best enjoyed as a coffee table book, but I liked it. The best part was how much the author clearly loves MMCs and the genre. I see a lot of myself and how my tastes developed here and my hope is that others will feel the same.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Boyfriends is an instant mood booster. The art is vibrant and expressive, the humor lands perfectly, and the characters are irresistibly charming. It’s the kind of cozy, feel good book that makes you smile from page one and keeps that warmth going long after you’re done. Light, funny, adorable, and full of heart.. I enjoyed every minute of it.
I especially loved the fun quizzes sprinkled throughout; they add such a playful, interactive touch and made me laugh more than once. The cute quotes and little snippets woven into the pages give the story extra heart and make it incredibly re readable.
Light, sweet, and irresistibly charming, this is the kind of illustrated book that brightens your whole day. I adored it.
I especially loved the fun quizzes sprinkled throughout; they add such a playful, interactive touch and made me laugh more than once. The cute quotes and little snippets woven into the pages give the story extra heart and make it incredibly re readable.
Light, sweet, and irresistibly charming, this is the kind of illustrated book that brightens your whole day. I adored it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
This was a super cute guide to many of the book boyfriends out there. It has mostly classics but some newer boyfriends to help get your whistle wet or dip your toes in to some different books. Love the throw backs to the old style teen magazine layout as well! It was fun to read and go through!
For me, though, I would have liked to have seen more of a mix of newer books as well as classics, lol definitely less humans. I get the allure of some of the men in here, but for me, I'm more of a fantasy groupie.
Love the idea, just not for me!
This was a super cute guide to many of the book boyfriends out there. It has mostly classics but some newer boyfriends to help get your whistle wet or dip your toes in to some different books. Love the throw backs to the old style teen magazine layout as well! It was fun to read and go through!
For me, though, I would have liked to have seen more of a mix of newer books as well as classics, lol definitely less humans. I get the allure of some of the men in here, but for me, I'm more of a fantasy groupie.
Love the idea, just not for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun, flirty little guilty pleasure (without the guilt!), this delves into individual analyses of our favorite book boyfriends. The variety of it was surprising from our favorite shadow daddy Rhysand to our favorite Austen gentleman Mr Darcy. I skipped over a couple chapters since they were books I haven’t read yet but the vast majority are commonly loved BBFs with a focus on why we love them and some of their best quotes, with cute illustrations. There are also some fun little activities. A good time to be had for the romance lover.
Thank you Chronicle Books for providing this ebook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Chronicle Books for providing this ebook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 14, 2026
This was a fun romp through some of the best fictional men to inhabit our pages. Each one gets art, a brief bio, and an overview on why they make us swoon. There are also some activities such as quizzes, MASH, and matching games.
I was very happy to see several historical works included along with the current popular ones. My only real issue is that I would have loved to see more LGBTQ representation, though I appreciate at least Red White and Royal Blue was included.
Overall, I had a fun with this book and recommend to anyone looking for that perfect book boyfriend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I was very happy to see several historical works included along with the current popular ones. My only real issue is that I would have loved to see more LGBTQ representation, though I appreciate at least Red White and Royal Blue was included.
Overall, I had a fun with this book and recommend to anyone looking for that perfect book boyfriend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is so much fun! It's kinda like an amusing reference book you can dip in and out of as you read the relevant books (if you haven't already). There is a nice mix of classic and recent male heroes (and anti-heros), and the bios of each are quite amusing. I also appreciated that there was at least one book boyfriend from a queer story! I didn't read all of the bios (to avoid spoilers for series I haven't read), but since I have read a LOT of the books featured, I read a fair amount! I enjoyed the quizzes and activities scattered throughout, as well. A light-hearted read, which made me put some more books on my TBR list! 3.5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. 😁
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is a novelty book, a gag gift, something to buy a romance reader if you want to buy them a book and you don't know what books they have.
It's not something you as a reader want to read cover - cover. (That was a slog.)
It would be more useful, flipping through to chuckle over the depictions of books you've already read, or carefully (there are some spoilers) look for recommendations for books you haven't.
Note about the art, because I usually comment one way or the other, it wasn't my favorite style. It wasn’t the worst, but it could definitely have been more polished.
This is a novelty book, a gag gift, something to buy a romance reader if you want to buy them a book and you don't know what books they have.
It's not something you as a reader want to read cover - cover. (That was a slog.)
It would be more useful, flipping through to chuckle over the depictions of books you've already read, or carefully (there are some spoilers) look for recommendations for books you haven't.
Note about the art, because I usually comment one way or the other, it wasn't my favorite style. It wasn’t the worst, but it could definitely have been more polished.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Very cute book!
Do you have a book boyfriend? Do you want one? Then read this short book! It covers what a book boyfriend is, the different subtypes, and the 30 most popular book boyfriends from popular fiction. I do think a few more options for sci-fi, mystery, and urban thrillers could have been included such as Jean Claude from the Anita Blake series or Bill and Eric from True Blood (among others) as not everyone reads romance and romantasy but still this was a fun read. It would appeal to romance readers of all ages.
**Thanks to the author and Chronicle Books for the eARC I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
Do you have a book boyfriend? Do you want one? Then read this short book! It covers what a book boyfriend is, the different subtypes, and the 30 most popular book boyfriends from popular fiction. I do think a few more options for sci-fi, mystery, and urban thrillers could have been included such as Jean Claude from the Anita Blake series or Bill and Eric from True Blood (among others) as not everyone reads romance and romantasy but still this was a fun read. It would appeal to romance readers of all ages.
**Thanks to the author and Chronicle Books for the eARC I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to first thank the publisher, Netgalley & of course the author for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
First off its not really what I was expecting book wise which is 100% on me. I did like the assortment of all the book Boyfriends we become obsessed with. The artwork was very nice as well. It wasn't too long of a book either which can be good. I think in my head I was imagining something different. If your looking for a book that has a collection of your favorite book Boyfriends, fun facts and info and artwork then I would recommend reading it for sure.
First off its not really what I was expecting book wise which is 100% on me. I did like the assortment of all the book Boyfriends we become obsessed with. The artwork was very nice as well. It wasn't too long of a book either which can be good. I think in my head I was imagining something different. If your looking for a book that has a collection of your favorite book Boyfriends, fun facts and info and artwork then I would recommend reading it for sure.
Read
May 27, 2026Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
This was a fun read. Great to just sit and read for fun or as you read each book based off of each book boyfriend.
Love the quizzes thrown in reminded me of those quizzes that used to be in old teen magazines.
I enjoyed this book overall even if the art style wasn’t for me (only reason for the 4 star review) but I know someone would like it more than me.
This is perfect for all the book/booktok girlies. This is more of a book you would gift to someone other than buy for yourself (or buy for yourself and can display it with your favorite book boyfriend books
This was a fun read. Great to just sit and read for fun or as you read each book based off of each book boyfriend.
Love the quizzes thrown in reminded me of those quizzes that used to be in old teen magazines.
I enjoyed this book overall even if the art style wasn’t for me (only reason for the 4 star review) but I know someone would like it more than me.
This is perfect for all the book/booktok girlies. This is more of a book you would gift to someone other than buy for yourself (or buy for yourself and can display it with your favorite book boyfriend books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This fun, flirty field guide for romance readers 💘 rounds up 30 iconic MMCs—from Shakespeare’s Romeo to Austen’s Mr. Darcy to modern obsessions like Rhysand and Xaden “Xaddy” Riorson!
✨ Bite-sized profiles + fun pull quotes
✨ Great diversity across MMCs, genres, and authors
✨ Solid variety in tropes, eras, and types of leading men
Lighthearted, nostalgic, and very giftable—especially for a new romance reader 💝
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
✨ Bite-sized profiles + fun pull quotes
✨ Great diversity across MMCs, genres, and authors
✨ Solid variety in tropes, eras, and types of leading men
Lighthearted, nostalgic, and very giftable—especially for a new romance reader 💝
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good book boyfriend, and it was so fun recognizing some characters from books I’ve already read! I was also introduced to a few new ones, and of course, had to add even more titles to my TBR. The quizzes were super fun to go through, and the visuals made reading this book enjoyable, especially since I didn’t know what some of these characters looked like.
Book Boyfriends would make such a cute coffee table book for any romance lover! It’s the kind of book you can flip through again and again.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Book Boyfriends would make such a cute coffee table book for any romance lover! It’s the kind of book you can flip through again and again.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**Thank you Netgalley and Chronicle Books for providing this ebook. All opinions are my own.**
This was super cute and just what I was expecting. I loved the artwork and the games. My favorite part was the quotes. So swoon worthy. I was surprised by some of the choices, but that's just personal opinion. A quick afternoon read, I wish I had spaced it out a bit, maybe read a couple a day. This would be a good book to have on your nightstand for a quick and light read before bed.
If you love romance or romantasy, this is a total hit if you are looking for something light and fun.
This was super cute and just what I was expecting. I loved the artwork and the games. My favorite part was the quotes. So swoon worthy. I was surprised by some of the choices, but that's just personal opinion. A quick afternoon read, I wish I had spaced it out a bit, maybe read a couple a day. This would be a good book to have on your nightstand for a quick and light read before bed.
If you love romance or romantasy, this is a total hit if you are looking for something light and fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was fun! I loved seeing some of my fav book boyfriends and reading about them again! And maybe adding some new ones to my tbr 🖤 I’m a little surprised that not more of the big hitters were put in. It could have added more to the book, but book boyfriends are subjective to the reader! So I get that.
I liked the layout and the artwork. Easy to read and navigate, should you want to revisit your man from time to time to time 😉
In all this was a fun quick read, and I am sure this would a nice addition to a book girlies shelf!
Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy!
I liked the layout and the artwork. Easy to read and navigate, should you want to revisit your man from time to time to time 😉
In all this was a fun quick read, and I am sure this would a nice addition to a book girlies shelf!
Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy!
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