Joseph Jarrett

It would be so easy to continue on about how problematic men are, what problems they cause, and how they seldom do good by society. But not today. We are going to do a total 180, and I’m going to let you inside my mind for a minute. I’ve made it very clear that dating sucks, that it’s hard as hell, and that I still want nothing more than to fall in love. While there aren’t many real men who fuel that fire, there are PLENTY (and I mean plenty) of men from fictional universes who make me believe that there’s still hope.

            Some of you will probably judge me for this, and that’s okay. Have you ever seen two friends with the same taste in men? I can tell you that none of my friends have ever been remotely interested in the same guy as me. So, without further ado, here’s my breakdown of male characters who make me believe that finding a Prince Charming can still happen.

Dean DiLaurentis – Off Campus

            On the surface, Dean DiLaurentis is a shallow but charming bachelor who thrives on nothing but hockey and casual sex. Underneath all of those washboard abs, though, is a man with a giant heart and a golden retriever personality. Dean is a wonderful balance of sexually-captivating and romantically-captivating. While allowing his casual tendencies to be nicknamed after a theme park (shout out to Busch Gardens!), at his core, Dean shows us that even the most eligible man still wants nothing more than the right person to put his focus into. Dean showed just how capable he is of proving that loyalty when he immediately stood his ground, marked his territory, and shoved Hunter Davenport into a bar. How hot is that?

            While Season 1 of Off Campus is centered around Garrett Graham and Hannah Wells’ relationships, the breadcrumbs leading into the story of Dean and Allie Hayes’ relationship are some of the most captivating moments in the inaugural season. Their dance to J-Lo’s “On the Floor” and their Thanksgiving rendezvous are especially standout moments. Season 2 cannot come out fast enough – please keep in mind that I binged the entire first season in less than 24 hours, so I will be impatiently waiting. (And if you’ve seen my TikTok reposts – NO, you haven’t!)

Ilya Rozanov – Heated Rivalry

            What can I say? There’s something about tall, strong blondes who play hockey that really does it for me. Ilya’s character development needs to be studied by doctoral-level associates because the man in the first episode, compared to the last, is an insane difference. As Shane and Ilya’s decade-long romance unfolds, we see Ilya’s walls crashing down, and new facets of himself are unleashed. We all want our partners to feel safe enough to let us in, but hopefully, it doesn’t take ten years to make it official.

            Viewers and readers of Heated Rivalry always loved Ilya, but he pulls at the heartstrings more and more as the series expands. I cannot even describe to you how hard I sobbed after he took Shane’s advice and spilled his guts to him in Russian. Imagine someone being so in love with you but so scared of hurting the possible future that they can only tell you in an entirely different language. It is so romantic yet so devastating. How amazing would it be if we all could have someone who balances nonchalant and very chalant as well as Ilya does?

Carlos Reyes – 9-1-1: Lone Star

            I wonder what it is like to have someone who loves you sooo much despite your personal issues? Does that make me sound as pathetic as I think it does? You must admit that I’m right, though. Carlos shows us that you can love someone through any mistake or trial. TK works so hard to make sure he stays clean and loyal to the man who loves him most, but he is most successful when Carlos makes it clear and evident that he’s there as a support system. Carlos embodies stability and love, traits that many men lack these days.

            While Carlos has his own indiscretions, he never forces the idea of being the perfect partner. He is probably one of the closest examples of such a thing, but he’s humble enough to acknowledge that he has faults, too. Our humble, uniformed king. I crave the sensation TK must feel when Carlos looks him in the eyes and swears that they are going to be alright, despite whatever crazy event the showrunners throw at them.

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            I can openly admit that I am very jaded when it comes to dating. If you read Mishaps & Mistakes, you’ll understand. I haven’t had the greatest experiences in love yet. I really do believe that someday someone will treat me like Dean treats Allie, Ilya treats Shane, and Carlos treats TK. I have zero clue who he’ll be, but something tells me that I’ll know it almost instantly. Serendipitously, if you will.

            So, what fictional men have you obsessed over? Do we have the same type, or are we total polar opposites in that department? Let me know, friend!