What better way to kick off February than with a dash of romance? 💖 Tiktok loves a bad boy. So does Insta. With the enemies to lovers trope at an all-time high, there are lots of bad boys to fall in love with. But in this article, the nice guy ALWAYS gets the girl!
This post is a part of the Bookish Blog Hop for February. Check out some of the other great posts below. You can also enter our Amazon gift card giveaway at the bottom of this article.
Book Boyfriends & Girlfriends
Nice Guys Finish First: My Favorite YA Book Boyfriends (You're here!)
Nice Guys Finish First: My Favorite YA Book Boyfriends
You've heard the saying, "Nice guys finish last." Not today, friends. Not today. This post is all about the good guys of YA.
Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games
I LOVE Peeta's character, and he is 100% worthy of the top slot on this list.
Best Dystopian Meet Cute Moment
Peeta's family owns a bakery. Katniss is starving and out in the rain. Peeta intentionally burns bread so that he can give it to her, earning him a punishment from his parents.
Peeta is strong and a fierce competitor, but he is always kind to Katniss. During their fake dating, Peeta is the first to fall in love.
Wholesome Overload
“You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers.
"Real," I answer. "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”
Maalik from Guardian Angel Academy
This series is a lesser known gem. I absolutely loved it and finished all four books in less than a week. They were, at times, poignant, thought-provoking, and adventurous.
But onto our nice guy...
Maalik is the essence of patience and kindness. He's good to our MC, Jez, who has been accepted into Guardian Angel Academy... straight from Hell. He has a LOT of doubts about her presence at the school, but he helps her study and keeps her secret.
He quickly begins to see Jez as someone with potential. Someone he cares about. Cue the beginning of this EPIC love story. I don't want to say too much and spoil the story for those who haven't read, but Maalik is the sort of guy who would move mountains for the people he loves.
Jem Carstairs from Infernal Devices
“Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention — but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest. He could make you happy.” - Clockwork Prince
Reasons to fall in love with Jem Carstairs... how much time do you have? He's handsome. He plays the violin. He's got a tragic backstory that has made him stronger and more compassionate. He's the best friend you could find (even though his best friend can be challenging at times).
And if you were laboring under the delusion that there would be no steam... think again! (Within YA genre constrains, of course.)
Looking for more book boyfriends? Meet the guys from the Shadows & Starlight series.
Seven Crowns (Book 1 of Shadows & Starlight) has several leading guys to fall for. No, it's not a giant love square! (Is that even a thing?)
Adam - Dark hair, green eyes, polished. Charming, driven, and competitive with a penchant for jealousy. A thirst to prove himself. Falls easily into leadership positions.
Holden - Blond hair, preppy look. Dependable and hard working. Loyal to a fault when it comes to those closest to him. Prefers to be laying under an engine or piloting something fast.
Samuel - Long dark hair and golden eyes like a cat. Witty, charming, and bookish with a dash of paranoia. Certified night owl. Not afraid to step outside of the status quo.
February Giveaway
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