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Ranking Lisa Kleypas Heroes: Top 10 Most Swoon-Worthy Book Boyfriends
Lisa Kleypas has given us some of the best romance heroes of all time—men who make us swoon, sigh, and sometimes even scream into our pillows. Whether they’re self-made men, brooding aristocrats, or charming rakes, one thing is for sure: they leave a lasting impression. But who reigns supreme in the world of Kleypas heroes? It’s time to rank them from “I’d risk it all” to “Still dreamy, but maybe not the one.”
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The Best Lisa Kleypas Heroes
Bonus: Hardy Cates (Blue-Eyed Devil) – The Texan Bad Boy
Hardy Cates is ambitious, rough around the edges, and undeniably charismatic. His journey from self-made oil tycoon to deeply protective lover is full of emotional highs and lows, making his romance with Haven Travis unforgettable.
Why We Love Him:
- His love for Haven is unwavering and fierce
- Texan swagger that melts hearts
- The perfect mix of alpha confidence and emotional vulnerability
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas book review
For even more contemporary romance from Lisa Kleypas, check out our Travis Family series guide.
10 – Tom Severin (Chasing Cassandra) – The Billionaire Before Billionaires Were Cool
Tom Severin, a powerful railway magnate, believes emotions are a liability—until he meets Cassandra Ravenel. His calculated logic slowly gives way to genuine love, making his transformation deeply satisfying.
Why We Love Him:
- The ultimate “grumpy but soft for her” energy
- His awkward attempts at romance are oddly endearing
- The way he slowly realizes he actually has a heart
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas book review
9 – Leo Hathaway (Married by Morning) – The Reformed Scoundrel
Leo starts out as a reckless rake drowning in grief, but Catherine Marks brings out the best in him. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is top-tier, filled with banter and unresolved tension.
Why We Love Him:
- His cutting wit
- Major character growth
- The best insults-turned-declarations-of-love
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas book review
8 – Rhys Winterborne (Marrying Winterborne) – The Ruthless Businessman
Rhys Winterborne is a Welsh department store magnate who believes everything can be bought—until he meets Lady Helen Ravenel. His rough edges contrast beautifully with Helen’s quiet strength, creating a deeply passionate and tender romance.
Why We Love Him:
- Their romance has some of the most heart-stopping moments
- Powerful yet utterly devoted to Helen
- Determined to give Helen the world
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas book review
7 – Kev Merripen (Seduce Me at Sunrise) – The Tortured Hero Supreme
Kev Merripen is fiercely protective and deeply in love with Win Hathaway, but his past trauma and Romani heritage make him feel unworthy of her love. His brooding and pent-up emotions lead to an angsty, passionate romance.
Why We Love Him:
- Devotion bordering on obsession (in a good way)
- Tragic backstory that hurts
- The tension is off the charts
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas book review
6 – Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent (Devil in Spring) – The Golden Boy
Being the son of one of the most beloved romance heroes of all time comes with high expectations, but Gabriel delivers. He’s charming, responsible, and utterly besotted with Pandora, the eccentric heroine who turns his world upside down.
Why We Love Him:
- He’s a cinnamon roll wrapped in a rogue’s exterior
- The way he adores Pandora’s quirks instead of trying to change her
- That Devil in Winter nostalgia factor
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas book review
Come meet the whole brood! Check out our Ravenels series guide
5 – Cam Rohan (Mine Till Midnight) – The Free-Spirited Rogue
Cam Rohan is a Romani hero who values freedom above all else—until he meets Amelia Hathaway and finds himself unexpectedly longing for permanence. His easy charm and devotion to Amelia make him one of Kleypas’s most beloved heroes.
Why We Love Him:
- That irresistible mix of carefree and deeply devoted
- His love for Amelia’s chaotic family
- The way he cherishes his heritage while embracing love
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas book review
4 – Marcus, Lord Westcliff (It Happened One Autumn) – The Steady Protector
Marcus is the epitome of a responsible, honorable nobleman. Unlike some of Kleypas’s more brooding or reckless heroes, Marcus is a rock—steady, disciplined, and deeply devoted once he falls in love. His romance with Lillian is full of tension, passion, and some of the best banter in the Wallflowers series.
Why We Love Him:
- A rare historical romance hero who isn’t a rake but still makes us swoon
- He respects Lillian’s independence even as he protects her
- That slow-burn romance that explodes with chemistry
Grab this book on Amazon or read our It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas book review
3 – John McKenna (Again the Magic) – The Forbidden Love Hero
John McKenna starts out as a lowly stable boy who is torn away from his true love, Lady Aline, due to their class differences. His return as a wealthy, hardened man makes for a second-chance romance filled with longing and angst.
Why We Love Him:
- Second-chance romance perfection
- That slow burn of rekindled passion
- Deep devotion masked by his tough exterior
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas book review
2 – Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent (Devil in Winter) – The Reformed Rake
No one does redemption quite like Lisa Kleypas, and Sebastian’s transformation from the villain in It Happened One Autumn to devoted husband in Devil in Winter is legendary. He starts as the ultimate rake—arrogant, charming, and selfish—but the way he falls for Evie is chef’s kiss perfection.
Why We Love Him:
- His wicked sense of humor
- Protective to the point of deadly when it comes to Evie
- That moment he tells Evie he loves her while delirious with fever? Weeping.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas book review
1 – Derek Craven (Dreaming of You) – The Ultimate Hero
If there were a Lisa Kleypas Hero Hall of Fame, Derek Craven would be front and center. A Cockney-born gambling club owner with a rough past, Derek is broody, devoted, and completely undone by Sara Fielding. His transformation from untouchable to hopelessly in love makes him unforgettable.
Why We Love Him:
- Tragic backstory that hits you right in the heart
- Fiercely protective, especially when he doesn’t think he deserves love
- That scene where he steals Sara’s glasses? Iconic.
Grab this book on Amazon or read our Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas book review
Who Are Your Favorite Lisa Kleypas Heroes?
Ranking Lisa Kleypas heroes is no easy feat, and let’s be honest—there’s no wrong answer. Whether you love a self-made man, a brooding aristocrat, or a reformed rake, Kleypas delivers something for everyone.
Who’s your ultimate favorite? Are you a die-hard Derek Craven fan, or is your heart with Sebastian, Cam, or Rhys Winterborne? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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