If you’ve ever finished a fantasy romance and had an immediate hangover from the MMC, then this is for you! The genre is full of protective, powerful men who turn “touch her and die” into life. These books make falling in love with a fictional character inevitable. That’s why I’ve made this list for you! So you can find a cure to that feeling of “I’m never getting over him”. I added mostly underrated books, because the most popular ones – like Ryhsand and Xayden – are covered. So with that out of the way, let’s dive in!
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10 Book Boyfriends that You’ll Never Get Over
1. Lio in Blood Mercy by Vela Roth
This is an absolutely delicious forbidden fantasy romance. This author does an amazing job at world-building and character relationships. The tension is to die for, and so is Lio. Our MMC in this book is an absolute sweetheart, Hespirine (this world’s version of a vampire). He is respectful and helps the FMC, Cassia, see her true potential. Don’t mistake his kindness for weakness, though; he will kill for Cassia if necessary. Note that this book is going to be a 10 book series; the plot in it is slow, but I think it makes up with political intrigue.
2. Rainier vel’En Daris in Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson
Don’t let this old cover fool you. I started this series because I had heard that Sarah J. Maas had taken inspiration from and really liked C.L. Wilson’s work. I was trying to cure the hangover from Ryhsand. This series is an absolute delight. Rainier is a Tarien Soul and fae. He can change into a giant feline that has wings, can shoot flames, and has toxic venom. He is far from perfect, but he really does try to accommodate Ellysetta even though every fibre in his being is telling him to protect her. He is the most powerful, yet also kind and tenderhearted towards those he loves. The world-building is so immersive and captivating.
3. Stephen from Paladin’s Grace
Stephen is the kind of MMC who redefines what a soft, steady, deeply loyal man should be. He’s a paladin with a heavy past, but his capacity for gentleness is unmatched. This man would apologize if he accidentally looked at you too lovingly. His devotion is quiet, powerful, and unwavering – the kind that makes you feel safe even in the middle of chaos. And while Stephen may be tender-hearted, don’t underestimate him; saints help anyone who threatens the woman he’s fallen for.
4. Damien from Villains and Virtues
Damien gives off those irresistible “touch her and perish” vibes wrapped in mystery and power. He’s the MMC who always seems one step ahead, calculating yet magnetic, the kind of man who will both challenge and protect the FMC in equal measure. There’s a quiet intensity to him — the slow-building, simmering kind that makes every interaction feel charged. His devotion runs deep, even when he doesn’t say it outright. He. slowly gets feelings which he feels he shouldn’t have as a half-demon. This is the slowest of the slow burns, but it’s SO worth it. I love a good slow burn, and this series delivers.
5. Slade from Gild
Slade is a walking contradiction in the best way possible – dangerous yet captivating, cold yet undeniably alluring. He’s the type of man whose presence alone shifts the balance of every room he enters. The tension he brings is absolutely electric. Beneath the sharp edges and the ruthlessness is a man whose loyalty could burn down kingdoms. You just know he’s the kind of MMC who would rip the world apart piece by piece for the person he loves. Note that he comes in later in the series, and some people had a hard time with the first book, but I did enjoy this series nonetheless.
6. Max from Daughter of No Worlds
Max is absolutely the definition of a patient, grounded, emotionally rich MMC. He has this calm, slow-burn energy that makes every moment with him feel meaningful. He’s the quiet strength the FMC didn’t know she needed – someone who supports her without ever overshadowing her. There’s a steadiness to him that screams comfort and safety.
7. Wendell from Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries
Wendell is pure charm and chaos. He’s the kind of MMC who infuriates you one moment and makes you laugh the next — the perfect blend of arrogance, hidden depth, and unexpected tenderness. The author has written him to be a mischievous fae who changes moods quickly. But when it comes down to it, his affection runs deeper than he’ll ever admit out loud. He’s trouble, but the fun, irresistible kind.
8. Shiro from Red Winter
Shiro radiates that ethereal, immortal grace that makes his presence feel both calming and intense. He has that protective, ancient-being energy, someone who has seen lifetimes but still finds something worth fighting for in the FMC. His loyalty feels sacred, his emotions controlled but profound. He’s the type of MMC who would cross realms, timelines, or destinies without hesitation if it meant keeping her safe.
9. Elias from Ember in the Ashes
Elias is the warrior with a conscience, the rare MMC who carries both strength and compassion with equal weight. There’s a really well-written complexity to him: torn between duty and desire, between what he was raised to be and who he truly is. He’s brave in ways that aren’t just physical; his vulnerability and moral clarity make him unforgettable. Elias loves deeply, fiercely, and with a sense of purpose that feels almost heroic.
10. Joscelin from Kushiel’s Legacy
Joscelin is the epitome of disciplined devotion. As a warrior bound by vows and honour, he exudes control, but beneath that stoic exterior is a man capable of startling tenderness. His protectiveness is intense, unwavering, and sometimes a little overwhelming in the best way. There’s something magnetic about watching someone so restrained slowly unravel for love. Joscelin is the MMC who would stand between you and the world without hesitation, blade in hand, vow unbroken. Check out the trigger warnings on this one before you dive in.
So tell me in the comments: Who’s your ultimate fantasy book boyfriend, and did he ruin real men for you, too?
