Crush-worthy

Spring is here, the sun is shining, (though maybe not at this moment) and everyone seems to be twitterpated.  There's something about the Spring that makes people want to fall in love.  So, I thought this might be a good time to talk about some of my favorite crushworthy books.  You've all heard me talk about some of my favorite male characters in books, and really, what's a book without a little love?  If you're like me and vicariously delve into stories, let me introduce you to some of my very favorite crushes over the years.

Initially, I started rating them from number one on down, but I'm finding that's impossible!  Every love story is different and that doesn't mean that any are better than another.  So I shall just mention them in no particular order.

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
Reason for crush: Jace
Type of love story: Passionate, Forbidden, Slightly heartbreaking
Quote: “There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”-From City of Glass
Gush: Yes, I know, I can't help myself!  I have to mention it again.  And yes, I mean the WHOLE series.  Jace is one of my all-time favorite crushes.  He's slightly arrogant, secretly tortured, and makes my heart swim in a sea of gleeful passion.  Have you grasped how much I love these yet?  In case you didn't, let me gush for a second more.  With the love story here, it's all in the little things.  The subtle glances, the almost touches, and so much more.  Just pick it up!  The author couldn't even get enough.  She wrote the first three and then had to write three more.  City of Lost Souls comes out in May!
Books in the series: City of Bones, City of Ashes ,City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, City of Heavenly Fire

The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare
Reason for crush: Will Herondale
Type of love story: Forbidden, Passionate, Hearbreaking
Quote: "She looked up at him with a smile. The smile broke what was left of his resistance--shattered it. He had let the walls down when he'd thought she was gone, and there was no time to build them back up." -From Clockwork Angel
Gush: Same author, same type of story, but this is a prequel series to the Moral Instruments.  I'm equally in love with this series.  I'm a sucker for Will and his blue eyes.  (I'm an even bigger sucker for blue eyes!)  He is also slightly arrogant and tortured.  His torture is actually one thing that keeps you reading.  You, as the reader, wonder what he's hiding from you and you simply must know why he just won't let himself fall in love, even though he already has.
Book in the series: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Reason for crush: Gale & Peeta
Type of love story:  Start-out-as-friends, Action
Quote: “He tilts his forehead down to rest against mine and pulls me closer. His skin, his whole being radiates heat from being so near the fire, and I close my eyes, soaking in his warmth. I breathe in the smell of snow-dampened leather and smoke and apples, the smell of all those wintry days we shared before the Games. I don't try to move away. Why should I anyway? His voice drops to a whisper. "I love you." That's why.” -From Catching Fire
Gush:  I probably don't need to say anything here because most of you have read these.  But first I loved Gale.  While reading The Hunger Games I said, "No!  Gale turn away, she doesn't love him.  She'll come back to you!"  Then in Catching Fire I said, "No, Gale, what are you doing here?  Where is Peeta?  Where is Peeta?"  Both are great for different reasons.  If you haven't read them, you are missing out.
Books in the series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay


The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Reason for crush: Geric
Type of love story: Fairytale
Quote:  “I, Geric-Sinath of Gerhard, declare that you're beautiful and you're perfect and I'll slay any man who tries to take you from my side. Goose girl, may I kiss you?”
Gush:  Every girl should read this book.  Plain and simple.  If you haven't read this, read it.  Geric is one of the best there is. He loves Ani even when he meets her as a lowly goose girl and not as a princess.
Books in the series: There are other books in this series, but each one is about a different character.  So, I'm going to treat this as a stand-alone novel.



Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Reason for crush:  Alex
Type of love story: Forbidden, Secret, Beautiful
Quote:  “And now I know why they invented words for love, why they had to: It's the only thing that can come close to describing what I feel in that moment, the baffling mixture of pain and pleasure and fear and joy, all running sharply through me at once.”-From Delirium
Gush:  This story takes place in a world where the cure for many of the world's most significant social problems is a cure for love.  Alex is wonderful.  I was positively giddy while I read this book.  He's a character that opens your eyes to a new world.
Books in the series: Delirium, Pandemonium, (Not sure what the third will be called yet)


Heist Society by Ally Carter
Reason for crush: W.W. Hale
Type of love story: Fun, Flirty, Can't-stay-friends-for-long
Quote: “Either we're a team or we aren't. Either you trust me or you don't." Hale took a step toward her. "What's it going to be, Kat?"
It is an occupational hazard that anyone who has spent her life learning how to lie eventually becomes bad at telling the truth; in that moment Kat didn't have a clue what to say. I can't do this with out you sounded trite. What they were doing was too big for a simple please.
Hale I-"
You know what? Never mind. Either way, I'm in Kat." He seemed utterly resolved as he slipped on his sunglasses. "I'm all in.”
Gush: I'm in love with Hale.  He's rich, attractive, confident, and knows what's best for our main character.  I think it's safe to say that we insert ourselves as the main character here...  So, he knows what's good for us, right?  I think he also has blue eyes.  He's a great friend and you know it will turn out to be more.
Books in the series: Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, (There will be more)

More to come soon!