Tag: man-crush monday

Man Crush Monday: Etienne St. Clair

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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*Spoiler alert: I don’t think I can do St. Clair justice without spoiling all the books in the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy. Therefore, read at your own risk.*

I can’t believe I haven’t talked about St. Clair yet. He’s amazing!

Admittedly, he’s not the best at first. When he meets Anna, who’s perfect for him, he’s in a relationship with someone else and he doesn’t handle that whole situation well at all. But once he does work that out he’s a great boyfriend to Anna. I honestly believed I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door more than Anna and the French Kiss because we got to see Anna and St. Clair being so coupley and it was adorable.

The way he tells Lola that Anna’s the one and he knows that he’ll marry her one day made my heart sing. Or the fact that he works in the movie theater with Anna even though he doesn’t have to (his dad is rich) just so he can buy Anna an engagement ring with his own money. *happy tears*

And then when he proposes at their spot in Paris and has all their friends there too. So cute! St. Clair is seriously boyfriend goals and I absolutely love him. Honestly, you should too.

Swoonworthy Line:

“My fiancée and I are headed out for a celebratory dessert. I’d ask you all to join us, but I don’t want you there.”

Dreamcast: Tom Sturridge

Man Crush Monday: William “Will” Owen Herondale

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare involves one of the most interesting love triangles I’ve ever read. That being said, although I truly love Jem I also really love Will and I believe we’re supposed to love them both just as protagonist Tessa Gray does.

Therefore I had to dedicate a Man Crush Monday to Will. He’s incredibly handsome with his jet black hair and blue eyes. More than that, he’s got that complicated, bad boy, dark past that makes him incredibly irresistible even though it totally shouldn’t.

When we’re first introduced to Will he’s adventurous and snarky, pushing away the people that love him because he feels he has to. The only person he lets love him is Jem and their friendship is amazing. They’re parabatai, which in the Shadowhunter world means they’ve taken an oath to protect and look out each other for the rest of their lives. It’s kind of like they got married but they’re like brothers, not husband and wife.

Anyway, I honestly think I loved Jem and Will’s relationship more than Tessa and Will’s relationship because the bond between Jem and Will was just so strong. I won’t spoil it but they’re friendship goals to the max.

But back to Will as a person. He’s really funny, loves books (a man truly after my own heart), and he’s weirdly afraid of ducks. Oh, and did I mention he’s very attractive. Because he his. Even Magnus can’t keep his eyes off him.

Honestly, if you haven’t read The Infernal Devices trilogy yet please do so immediately. Even if you don’t like The Mortal Instruments still read this prequel series. I think it could stand on it’s own and I liked it better than The Mortal Instruments anyway. Although Alec and Magnus are still my OTP so you do miss out on that. Seriously though, read these books!

Swoonworthy Line:

“Of course you can have a true Shadowhunter name. You can have mine.”

Dreamcast: Joshua Anthony Brand

Man Crush Monday: Carswell Thorne

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog


The amazing thing about The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Myer is there’s so many amazing characters. I plan to talk about all of them at some point but today’s Man Crush Monday is Carswell Thorne or just Thorne for short. Or Captain, which is his preferred name actually.

Thorne is cute, funny, and has a big heart. Although he jokes around and some people can never take him seriously he honestly cares about his friends and he’s a good Captain.

Also, it cute how much he loves his ship, the Rampion. It’s like how some guys really love their car. Despite the fact that Thorne technically stole the ship, he cares for it like its his own and it kind of is.

I don’t want to spoil the series but his love interest is adorable and the two of them gave me all the feels. I think Thorne’s best side comes out when he falls in love and decides to be the hero the girl he loves already thinks he is.

Honestly, if someone asked me to choose my favorite Lunar Chronicles guy I couldn’t. Next week I’ll be talking about Wolf and if you haven’t read these books yet you should read them just for him because he’s AMAZING. And I’ll explain why next week.

Swoonworthy Moment:

“If you honestly believe that,” said Thorne, stowing the gun again, “then you really don’t recognize true value when you see it.”

The Ultimate Man Crush Monday Is …

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instruments! 

Winning with 66.67 percent of the votes, Jace has been declared the ultimate Man Crush. With his fierce, golden eyes, Shadowhunter bod, and magical way with words it’s no surprise he’s the winner. I fell in love with Jace when I quickly read through the whole Mortal Instruments series these past few months and I still enjoy his way with words.

In a not so far off second place was, Maxon Schreave. Loveable, a little dorky, and now a hot dad, Maxon is totally crush-worthy and I’m surprised this final battle wasn’t closer. Maxon is also known for his excellent love quotes and sweeping women off their feet. He’s the kind of prince some girls dream about. If you haven’t checked him out in The Selection series yet you absolutely must. You’ll fall in love.

This wraps up my Man Crush Monday series. To learn more about what’ll be happening (or not happening) with MCMs and WCWs in the future just click the link for more information and stay tuned for the Woman Crush Wednesday face off.

The End of MCMs and WCWs

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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Hi followers! Some of you may have noticed that there was no Man Crush Monday this week and in recent weeks they’ve been getting posted later and later in the day. If you haven’t noticed this then don’t worry about it and check out my latest book review by clicking the link in the side bar or just scroll past this.

The truth is I’ve just started a new job and besides that I’m also just working on some other writing projects. That being said I’m just busy and although my blog is a high priority there’s certain parts of it (book reviews) that are more important than others (Man Crush Mondays). Therefore, for the time being Man Crush Mondays and Woman Crush Wednesdays are on hold.

I’ll be posting the winner of the Man Crush Monday Face Off this Friday and that’ll be it for Man Crush Monday. There will be a Woman Crush Wednesday Face Off in the future but I can’t promise when. For now there will still be book reviews posted every Tuesday and Thursday as well as other book related content including occasional polls and some new stuff I want to try out.

For the most part my focus for this blog will be the book reviews. That’s the main reason I started this blog and I think I owe it to you guys to continue to do it but more than that I just love reviewing books. I will continue to write as much as possible and give this blog all my love and care because it’s a site I’m really proud of and I have no intention of letting it go anytime soon.

Thank you to all my followers that have stuck with me this long and to my new followers, thanks for joining this crazy group of book nerds.

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POLL: Who’s the Best Man Crush Monday? Pt. 2

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Last week I asked you guys who’s your favorite Man Crush Monday thus far and because I’ve done so many I divided it up into two parts. Although there were many great contenders last week including Four from Divergent  and Gale from The Hunger Games, the winner has been determined.

In a very close race the winner is Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instruments series. I love Jace and I could talk about him for days but I already did that in another post so I’ll spare you all.

This week we have part two of the man crush battle. Vote below to choose who you think is the best man. After a winner is decided there will be a final vote between the two to see which man is actually the most crushable. I’ll be posting the final battle on Saturday therefore you only have 24 hours to vote for your fave in this round, so don’t miss out.

Don’t see your fave on the list? Let me know in the comments who’s your favorite fictional man and I’ll try to include him in an upcoming Man Crush Monday.

POLL: Who’s the Best Man Crush Monday? Pt. 1

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I’ve done so many Man Crush Monday’s now that I’m almost running out of guys (suggestions are welcome, please leave them in the comments). Therefore when I was going through all of them I found myself thinking but who’s the ultimate Man Crush Monday? Who’s the best of the best?

Rather than force myself to choose I figured I’d ask you. Therefore I’ve put together all of my previous Man Crush Mondays so you can decide who’s the ultimate Man Crush Monday (thus far). Because I’ve done so many (almost 20!) this will be done in parts starting with this first 10. Don’t see your fave on the list? Let me know in the comments and maybe they’ll be next.

 

Results of last week’s poll:

Are you a borrower or a buyer?

In a shocking twist, at least it was shocking to me, buyers won this one with 57.14%. I wish I cold buy all the books so I could have the ultimate library but unfortunately it’s out of my price range. Kudos to those of you who can though. Check back her next week to find out the results of this week’s poll.

Man Crush Monday: Cinna

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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I just went to The Hunger Games exhibit and I realized I haven’t talked about Cinna yet which is a crying shame. I love Cinna and if you don’t love Cinna we can’t be friends.

First of all, I always imagined Cinna as a cool, swagged up guy from the Capitol. I was not disappointed when the first movie came out and Lenny Kravitz was cast to play him. That was perfect casting to me.

Cinna was one of, if not the only person in the Capitol that made Katniss feel comfortable. He treated her with respect and acknowledged the fact that the hunger games actually sucked and shouldn’t be praised. When he told Katniss he would bet on her if he could I swooned (although unlike some fans I never actually shipped them).

More than that it was Cinna that first made Katniss into a symbol by turning her into the girl on fire and later an actual mockingjay. His keen eye for fashion wasn’t just a game but was his own personal way of rebelling. Unfortunately it inevitably got him killed.

I loved Cinna and more than anything I wanted a better ending for him but unfortunately it is what it is. This is why fanfiction exists, so Cinna can live forever.

I’ve said this a million times but I’ll say it once more. If you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet please do so as soon as possible.

“Remember, girl on fire,” [Cinna] says, “I’m still betting on you.” – Catching Fire

Man Crush Monday: Eikko (Erik)

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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I don’t care what anyone says, if Erik doesn’t end up with Eadlyn in the next Selection book I’m going to be the most upset. I don’t think I’ll forgive Kiera Cass. I really don’t think I could.

Erik is fantastic. He speaks both English and Finnish and he just gets Eadlyn better than anyone. He’s cute and kind of shy and always knows the perfect thing to say. Did I mention he’s cute?

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see a lot of him in The Heir because technically he’s not a part of Eadlyn’s selection but I saw enough of him to fall head over heels. Honestly, he made the book for me and I hope to see plenty more of him in the next one.

If you have no idea who Erik is please do yourself a favor and read The Selection series. I’m pretty sure I talk about this series at least once a week so if I haven’t convinced you to read it yet I don’t know what will.

If you have read the books vote in my poll for who you think Eadlyn should end up with (*cough* Erik *cough*). Also if you have a book hottie you think should be next week’s Man Crush Monday let me know in the comments below.

I remembered the feeling of my first date with Hale, how I felt when I was sure he’d peeled everything back and had seen the real me. This time, I felt like I was on the other side of that, looking past duty and worry and rank, seeing the true heart of a person. 

And [Erik] was so beautiful. – The Heir

Man Crush Monday: Peeta Mellark

Posted on by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

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Oh Peeta. He’s such a sweetie. Until you try to hurt Katniss. Or President Snow makes him crazy and … hurt Katniss. He’s a complicated individual.

Honestly though, Peeta is a cute and sweet guy. He tries his best to do what he believes is right and he loves Katniss so fiercely it’s hard to believe it’s real. I was team Peeta from day one (but let’s face it Gale is hotter) and I think he’s the perfect compliment to Katniss’ fierce personality.

Additionally, Peeta isn’t just a softie though. He turns out to be really strong and more than that he stands up for himself. He may love Katniss but he doesn’t always like or agree with what she does and tells her so. I like that Peeta is kind and caring but not a push over. He’s my fave.

“Peeta, how come I never know when you’re having a nightmare?” I say.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I cry out or thrash around or anything. I just come to, paralyzed with terror,” he says.
“You should wake me,” I say, thinking about how I can interrupt his sleep two or three times on a bad night. About how long it can take to calm me down.
“It’s not necessary. My nightmares are usually about losing you,” he says. “I’m okay once I realize you’re here.” – Catching Fire