Looking Back...Top 10 "book boyfriends" of 2011

Today's Looking Back Top 10 topic is...."book boyfriends" of 2011 - those male characters that made me swoon. My list is not necessarily from books released in 2011, but from books that I read last year. I wish I had pictures to go along with them...instead, I will include a "swoon-worthy" quote....so, let's get started, shall we?

1. Vincent De la Croix (Die For Me by Amy Plum) - I even told my husband that Vincent was my imaginary boyfriend, lol. His protectiveness, his strength, his accent (well, at least as I imagined it in my head), what he did for Kate for her birthday at the end of the book....le sigh. Plus, Revenants are just so much sexier than vampires. I just loved me some Vincent!

"I can't promise you an ordinary experience, Kate. I wish I could transform myself into a normal man and be there for you, always, without the trauma that defines my life as "the walking dead." Since that isn't possible, I can only reassure you that I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. To give you more than a normal boyfriend could. I have no idea what that will mean, exactly, but I'm looking forward to finding out. With you.”

2. Xander (Crossed by Ally Condie) - I know fans are pretty split between Team Xander or Team Ky...but I am Team Xander!! I typically side with the boy next door/best friend type. He was just so sweet, stable, secure....and he TRULY was in love with Cassia. The fact that he let her go to find Ky, and even HELPED her...now THAT is love.

"Sometimes it seems like everything I've done has been to help you be ready for someone else."

3. Puck (The Iron King by Julie Kagawa) - Here is another example of where I side with the "friend". I'll be honest - I have only read the first in this series, so it is possible that my feelings will change - I'm open to that. But in this book at least, I could NOT stand Ash. I thought he was rude and hateful and arrogant. But Puck was that steady presence in Megan's life. Plus, he won me over with his dry, sarcastic sense of humor!!!

"Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-a**?"

4. Sam Roth (Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater) - ah, Sam. What can I say about Sam? He is just so sweet, caring, protective, romantic...all those good things. He just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"I don't want to do this anymore, Grace. It's not good enough any more to watch you from the woods, not now that I've been with you - the real thing. I can't just watch any more. I'd rather risk whatever could happen."

5. Alex Fuentes (Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles) - ooooh, he was such a bad boy! But, he didn't want to be. Yes, he was a gang banger, but his reason for doing so was to protect his family. He might have initially planned on using Brittany, but he fell in love with her. And he even left the gang for her. I might not have ever gone for a "bad boy" in real life, but if I did, Alex would have a chance, lol.

"I don't belong here. It doesn't matter, because even if I don't belong in this place, she's here and I want to be where she is."

6. Catcher (Dead Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan) - There's just something attractive about a man who is immune to zombies, lol. I loved his relationship with Annah, and that he looked past her deformities and loved her anyway.

“I catch my breath but he's not finished. "I love you, Annah. And if you're willing to risk everything to be with me, then I'm willing to risk everything to be with you. I'm going to keep fighting for you, every day of my life. If you'll have me.”

7. Jay Heaton (The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting) - another "friend" who turns into more than a friend, because he is caring and protective.

“I was just waiting for you to want me as much as I wanted you.” His words were quiet but carried one hell of an impact. “I knew we were going to be together; it was just a matter of time. I kept hoping that you would figure it out. But for a smart girl, you’re a little dense, Vi. I kept bringing up Lissie Adams, and showing you the notes she was leaving me, hoping that you’d get pissed enough to finally admit how you felt about me.”

8. Gabriel (Wither and Fever by Lauren deStefano) - I'll admit that in Wither, I kind of wanted Rhine to stay with Linden. But, after reading Fever, I was team Gabriel! He put his life on the line for her - can't help but love that!

Ok....I couldn't find a good quote for Gabriel. Honestly, he wasn't a major character in Wither, and I'm not sure I should quote from Fever yet, as it hasn't been published...just trust me on this one.

9. Four (Divergent by Veronica Roth) - strong, brave, and sensitive - what else could a girl want?

“We've all started to put down the virtues of the other factions in the process of bolstering our own. I don't want to do that. I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest." He clears his throat. "I continually struggle with kindness.”

10. Sagan (Throat by R.A. Nelson) - I have a thing for nerdy guys, ok. And this nerdy guy also kicks vampire booty. 'Nuff said.

"You know, probably we would have never met, Sagan said. If - whatever happened to you hadn't happened. So I feel...I feel lucky already.' He tilted my head up to look into his eyes. 'I don't see how somebody could be any more lucky."

So, those are my swoon worthy picks as book boyfriends. Who makes you swoon?