With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we stopped by to chat with our friends at Montgomery & Taggert, Connecticut’s first and only romance-centric indie bookstore, to see what they had to say about the holiday — and which fictional characters they’d spend it with. They had a lot to say, as did the staff here at BookTrib.
It seems everyone has their own unique taste when it comes to fictional crushes. Do you see yourself spending a romantic evening with any of these characters?
Montgomery & Taggert Co-Owners:
Elizabeth Tucker:
As far as Old School romance heroes go, one need look no further than James Malory from Johanna Lindsey’s Gentle Rogue as a perfect date. As comfortable at a pub (read: seedy dockside tavern) as a high society ball (where he will fight all of your brothers for the chance to talk to you), James’ quick wit and banter will ensure a perfectly delightful evening. Worst case scenario, he kidnaps you and takes you back across the ocean with him. A Gentle Rogue, indeed.
Sarah Borgnis-Tobin:
Tall? Check. Dark? Check. Brooding? Check. Giant wings? Check! While he may be an unconventional heartthrob, Moth from Paige Lavoie’s Mothman In Love series is the fictional character I’d pick to go on a date with. I’m a sucker for a guy who’s (more than) a little obsessive and knows where his loyalties lie, and this cryptid fits the bill. Perhaps we’ll skip the candlelight dinner and opt for an intimate game night at his cozy cabin in the woods. What secrets are behind those glowing red eyes? I’d like to know!
Who BookTrib Is Falling For:
Jim Alkon:
Anastasia Steele from 50 Shades of Grey. Common interests in books, Impressionist art, sitcom reruns, flea markets, competitive frisbee and French pastry.
Barbara Wilkov:
Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. Seems like I’d be set up for failure, but there is such passion there! He just needs to be understood and loved. He certainly comes with some baggage.
Kendall Farris:
Kishan Rajaram from the Tiger’s Curse series by Colleen Houck. Devoted & funny … if you know, you know.
Cameron Kimball:
My answer has to be Charlie Lastra from Book Lovers. Emily Henry’s men are unmatched when it comes to a) romanticism and b) emotional maturity. And I mean, it’s in the name — Charlie loves books! Between that and his signature dry wit, what more is there to ask for?
Kelsey Hall:
Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
Katie Bloomer:
Maeve from Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert. Fun and light-hearted, but with a serious side … we’d definitely laugh a lot, but we could also talk about really personal things … cute freckles … fun beach date!
Natalie Garrison:
Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre … dark and brooding yet so romantic!
Megan Beauregard:
Dylan from Trust & Safety by Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman … “The-woodworker-next-door” type who is an expert in home repairs. Sign me up!
Olivia Wieland:
Edward Cullen from Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.
Eileen Flaherty:
Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Incredibly kind, selfless and a total lover boy (and one of my first book crushes!).
