Are you a fan of young adult literature? Do you enjoy reading about charming and attractive male leads? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the canonically most attractive male book characters from YA and NA. Due to the popularity of the “Most Beautiful Female Lead” posts, I’ve decided to make a similar list but this time for male characters. Hopefully, this can be a list of guidance for other male leads you can simp for. Discover your next book boyfriend and add these books to your reading list here! If you are interested in the female version of this list, check out my “7 Most Beautiful Popular Female Book Characters in YA and NA Books” post too!
Kaidan Rowe from “The Sweet Trilogy” by Wendy Higgins
Kaidan Rowe is a demon who serves the devil and is one of the commanders of the Hellions, a gang of young people who have sold their souls to him. He is renowned for his haughtiness and his aloof, icy manner. He is a strong fighter and fiercely protective of the people he loves. He will be the 428,942 male lead with black hair and blue eyes (you’ll see what I mean as the list goes on).
As the series goes on, Kaidan’s personality emerges, and it becomes clear that he has a terrible past and internal conflict, which accounts for his initially aloof and chilly manner. Additionally, he reveals a more sympathetic and kind side, particularly toward Anna, the primary character. He is a complicated, multifaceted character with many facets, and readers are drawn to him because of his physical prowess, combat prowess, and troubling history.
Kaidan also appears on: 8 Popular Series About Angels That I’ve Read (And Recommend)
Roth from “The Dark Elements” series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Roth is shown as tall, lean, with dark hair and blue eyes. As an incubus, a type of demon renowned for his capacity to entice and influence others in order to further his own ends. He is shown to be self-assured, magnetic, and endearing, with a sly sense of humour. He is also renowned for being a playboy and being promiscuous.
Roth’s character evolves over the series, and it becomes clear that he is also battling inner demons and emotional upheaval as a result of his background. Additionally, he reveals a more protective and sympathetic side, especially toward the lead heroine Layla. His charm and charisma endear him to readers despite being a complex, multidimensional character with numerous dimensions.
Roth also appears on:
- Book with the Enemies to Lovers Trope – Fantasy Edition
- 5 Series When the Heroine Unexpectedly Falls for and Chooses the Second Guy Part II
- Coolest YA Book Powers: Top 12 Special Abilities That You Would Want To Have!
Curran Lennart from “Kate Daniels” series by Ilona Andrews
Finally, a blonde haha. There’s a recurring trend with dark hair male leads in romance literature reads across the board, ranging from romance novels to manga/manhua.
Curran Lennart is tall and muscular with shaggy golden blond hair and golden eyes. Renowned for his strength, power, and leadership skills, he is the Beast Lord of the group of shape-shifters known as the “Pack.” He jealously guards his people and would stop at nothing to ensure their safety.
Additionally, he is represented as being wise, cunning, and a proficient combatant. As he battles his inner demons and the weight of his duties as the leader of the Pack, Curran also reveals a more vulnerable side. He also has a sarcastic sense of humour and a sharp wit.
Curran is portrayed as having a loving and sensitive side in addition to his intimidating presence, especially when it comes to the main heroine Kate with whom he has a confusing romantic relationship. His great sense of devotion, bravery, and leadership endear him to readers despite being a complex and multifaceted character with numerous dimensions. He is seen as an Alpha male, embodying the myth of the strong, capable leader who can yet be kind and vulnerable.
Rhen from “The Enchanter Heir” by Cinda Williams
As the prince of the magical realm of Emberfold with dark hair and blue eyes (and we’re back with dark hair + blue eyes), he is renowned for his fierce loyalty and sense of duty. He is renowned for his leadership qualities, fearlessness, and loyalty.
He has a strong sense of obligation and is committed to going to whatever lengths to keep his people and his realm safe. In addition, he is shown to be honourable and to have a strong sense of right and wrong. He also has a good disposition and is capable of showing sympathy and understanding.
In addition to being a complicated character with numerous layers that are revealed during the series, Rhen is also a decent and honourable individual who makes sacrifices for the greater good for the sake of doing what is right. He appeals to readers because of his appealing personality, bravery, and sense of responsibility as well as his appealing physical attributes.
Daemon Black from the “Lux” series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Daemon Black is an alien with black hair and green eyes from the planet Luxen with superhuman abilities (hey look, green eyes). He is renowned for his razor-sharp wit, sarcasm, and self-assured demeanour.
He is fiercely loyal to and protective of his family and close friends. He can be characterized as a strong, protective, and resolute person. He has a rather obstinate and headstrong nature, but he is also a charming and attractive character.
Despite this, Hardin’s persona is frequently depicted as attractive and charismatic, which is one of the reasons he is thought of as an attractive male character. However, it is crucial to remember that the character’s physical appearance in no way justifies or excuses the abusive behaviour he exhibits. It’s crucial to understand that in reality, those who behave in a poisonous or abusive way shouldn’t be romanticized or justified, and any abuse should be treated seriously.
Dameon also appears on:
- If You Like This Book Then Read (Top 3 KU Fantasy + Science Fiction Recommendations)
- The Hottest Male Leads from Popular YA and YA Books
- Your Guide to the Types of Book Boyfriends in YA Books
Hardin Scott from the “After” series by Anna Todd
Hardin is (and I hate to use his word because it’s so cringy but I have no choice) bad-boy, as the book very subtly shows through his dark hair, tattoos, and green eyes (oh look, another green eye) and horrible attitude. With his rebel image, he is initially portrayed as rough around the edges, arrogant, rude, and a womanizer. He is also portrayed as emotionally damaged and closed off as a result of traumatic events in his past.
However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that Hardin’s behaviour extends beyond roughhousing and that he is emotionally and verbally abusive to the main character. He exhibits controlling, jealous, and possessive behaviour and employs manipulation to keep her in the relationship. His actions are harmful, dangerous, and unacceptably unacceptable (i.e. a jackass).
Will Herondale from “The Infernal Devices” series by Cassandra Clare
Will Herondale is most just well known for his black hair, blue eyes, and dashing looks – he is also well recognized for his sharp wit, intelligence, and sarcasm and is a member of the Shadowhunters, an organization of warriors who defend mankind from demons.
He also exudes a sombre, troubled aura and battles his own inner demons. He has a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and family, and he would sacrifice his own life to ensure their protection.
His family history and the shame he harbours for past wrongs also plague him. Because of his wit, cunning, bravery, and sense of humour, he is a rich and multifaceted character whom readers find endearing.
Cardin from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
With his dark hair, sharp features, and green eyes (at this point I feel like I should be apologizing, I swear I don’t have a type), Cardin is almost sensual in his beauty. He has a sharp edge to his features that makes it seem like he can cut you just by looking at you.
With a reputation for being nasty and haughty, he frequently sports expensive apparel and jewellery. Many individuals in the book find him appealing despite his harsh nature because of his strength and cunning, knowledge, and fascination with the forbidden, as well as the risk that comes with being a faerie.
Because of this, he can appeal to some readers as an archetypal “bad guy” or “anti-hero.” Additionally, his depth and unpredictability as a character might draw readers in.
Cardan also appears on:
- Prince Falls for Commoner Books PART II + Enemies to Lovers
- The Hottest Male Leads from Popular YA and YA Books
- 12 Characters Like Rhysand From A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Most Hated Book Characters in YA (And Why)
- Your Guide to the Types of Book Boyfriends in YA Books
- Books with “Who Did This to You” Trope
Rowan Whitethorn from the “Throne of Glass” series by Sarah J. Maas
Rowan Whitethorn is depicted as having a tall and powerful physique, furious green eyes, and golden-bronze hair (A BLONDE LET’S GOOO). As a Fae prince, he is renowned for both his icy, distant manner and his terrifying reputation as a fighter. He will go to tremendous measures to defend those he cares about and is extremely protective of them.
He appears to be severe, but he has a strong sense of honour and a strong feeling of loyalty. Only a select few people get to glimpse his dry sense of humour and his secret sympathetic side. Rowan is a complicated character who appeals to many readers because of his mysterious past, his protectiveness, his bravery, and his
Rowan also appears on:
- The Hottest Male Leads from Popular YA and YA Books
- 12 Characters Like Rhysand From A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Books with “Who Did This to You” Trope
- If You Like This Book Then Read (Top 3 KU Fantasy + Science Fiction Recommendations)
- Most Hated Book Characters in YA (And Why)
- 5 Series When the Heroine Unexpectedly Falls for and Chooses the Second Guy Part II
I really hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, I highly recommend you to also check out:
Beauty Fashion
Sunday 11th of June 2023
I do believe all the concepts you've introduced on your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for starters. May just you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.
Anne Clarence (The Reading Life)
Monday 12th of June 2023
Thanks for your feedback! It is something I am working on, and I am trying to increase the volume of my content every time I post. If you like this post and want more I also recommend you to check out my Characters Like Rhysand (https://thereadinglifeblog.com/2021/06/04/characters-like-rhysand-for-the-thirsty-fans-out-there-yes-i-see-you-dont-be-shy/) post. Thanks again for visiting!