Who's Your First?

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with Rachel & Kelly. I had just told them that I had been debating about reading The Infernal Devices (which they lovingly yelled at me to read), and it prompted Kelly to tell us that Will Herondale had been her number one book boyfriend for years until she met Z of Black Dagger Brotherhood fame. As the conversation continued, I got the idea to write about book boyfriends - and more importantly, our first book boyfriends.

A snippet of this conversation

While I am happily married (and as you read this, on vacation with my husband - yes, he's finally here - to celebrate our anniversary), there's no doubt in my mind that I've got quite the roster of book boys who I absolutely love. 

My current number one is Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Guard (and my heart) in the Throne of Glass series. And while I do adore him and would fight off every other girl (save Celaena, obviously) to have him, there are always new boys to add to the little harem of book boyfriends I've got going on - Wrath, Will, Sam, Daniel, Hector, Wolf, Josh, Sturmhond, Kenji, Adam, Ryan, Sebastian St. Vincent, Hardy Cates, Wes and so many more. 

They say, however, that you never forget your first. This is why I decided to share who my first ever book boyfriend was - and I roped some of my blogger friends into doing it too!

from The Babysitters Club series

From the moment I first met Logan in The Babysitters Club novels, I just knew I wanted to date him. Here was a boy who was sweet, who liked shy Mary-Ann (who was totally the babysitter I was most like), who was good with kids. He seemed like the wholesome type, with boy next door charm to match. It's no wonder my younger self was swept away in fantasies of dating him myself!

from The Infernal Devices series

You never forget your first, right? Even when new men come into your bookish life your first love will always stay with you. That is how it is for me and one Will Herondale…le sigh. While a few book boyfriends have surpassed Will in the hierarchy of my love, he will forever hold a special place in my heart. Why? Will was the first guy I read about that actually made me swoon. He was the first book boy that finally brought meaning to the term book boyfriend. He is sarcastic and witty and infinitely charming. And more than that he is selfless and protective and…pause for affect…HE LOVES TO READ! I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a badass warrior, half angel, and is tall, dark, handsome, and broody. And last but not least, he still to this day has the most romantic line I have ever read. It may be short and sweet but it definitely hits the mark and it is a life goal to have somebody say this to me and mean it….“I am catastrophically in love with you.” (Blog || Twitter)

from The Mortal Instruments series

When I read City of Bones and met Jace Wayland, that was the first time the words “book boyfriend” came to mind. I’m a sucker for the seemingly bad boy who hides behind his bravado but really has a sensitive, deeply loving personality. And that is exactly who Jace is. Plus I love banter (so many of his lines cracked me up) and he can play the piano. What's not to love about Jace? (Blog || Twitter)

from the Twilight series

Edward Cullen was the first boy from a book I legit dreamed about! I was pretty creeped out by this... But I was more than happy about it. I was obsessed and would reread scenes over and over again. He is so protective... sexy... fierce... and well, sparkly! Hell, he could save me from just about anything. I will always be hot for Edward and long to be his spider monkey. Twilight forever! (Blog || Twitter)

from Pride and Prejudice

This seems so cliché, but he's the first book guy I can remember crushing on in high school. Stoic, impenetrable, arrogant Mr. Darcy, who's actually hiding one of the softest hearts and who determinedly humbles himself before his lady love. It's the stuff romances are made of. I like that he is so flabbergasted by Lizzy's intelligence, I like that he can match her wit, I like that he can admit when he's wrong, I like that he shows Lizzy he's so much more than the cold facade he presents to most of the world. Swoon! (Blog || Twitter)

from the Vampire Academy novels

Dimitri is very protective of those he loves and willing to do whatever he needs to in order to keep them safe (check out book 3 if you don't believe me). He is strong, loyal, and smart and I love those qualities. Plus...a hot, kickass Russian - this is never a bad thing. (Blog || Twitter)

from My Life Next Door

Okay, so most people probably have an older pick here, but if I have to be honest with everyone I will admit that I wasn't really as much of a reader when I was younger. Most of the classic books that everyone loves, I have never even read yet. So that's why my pick is actually a more recent title. But he's the first book character that I remember thinking, 'God, why wasn't he in my life when I was in high school!'

Which is why he's near and dear to my heart. 

The reason's why he's so amazing to me... he loves his family so much and it's apparent in everything he does. He's the boy who wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't all mysterious about his feelings. He will bend over backwards for the people he loves and cares for and he's so damn swoony. I think that just skims the surface of Jase Garrett, I mean I could talk about him for hours if you wanted, but I'll just let you all go experience him yourself. (Please note that he's mine!) (Blog || Twitter)

from The Truth About Forever

So. Wes is my first full out crush and it's no surprise because SA-WOON. What I like about Wes, and what makes him special even today, is how kind he is. He is a *nice* guy! Truly nice book boyfriends are hard to find in YA and romance nowadays with the bad boy and alpha-hole rage. But that's not Wes. He's sweet, funny, caring and I repeat SA-WOON (read the book to understand this reference). Sarah Dessen just writes really amazing guys (re: Owen Armstrong from Just Listen) Wes might be my first crush, but now he's tied in first place with Owen as my favorite Dessen boy. So I can definitely say that Sarah Dessen is a writer of book boyfriends who you'll love for ages and ages! (Blog || Twitter)

from the Little House series

Although I was a massive shipper from a young age, I rarely crushed on the guys, but there were a few both on screen (*cough*Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez*cough*) and on the page who stood out to me and made me love them. I grew up with my mom reading the Little House books aloud to us almost constantly, and how could you not fall for Almanzo? He was so kind and patient and strong and awesome, even if my little self did pretend he was a lot younger, because the ten year age difference between him and Laura totally squicked me out. Regardless, I love him to this day; Almanzo can come rescue me from a snow storm anytime! (Blog || Twitter)

from The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Nat is a handsome sailor who has a heart of gold. He befriends a Quaker who people think is a witch and helps take care of her, not caring what other people think. He is playful, kind, and brave and the most loyal friend. He will stand up for what and who he believes in, no matter the consequences! *sigh* and now i want to reread this. :) (Blog || Twitter)

Thanks to everyone who participated in this post! It was so great to find out everyone's firsts, and I love that all of us have different picks. Now it's YOUR turn, dear reader - who's your first?