India’s Gen Z Swipes Right on Romance Inspired by Fictional Heroes

Love languages like words of encouragement, service, and quality time are inspired by fictional heroes.

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New Delhi, August 19, 2025

Who says Gen Z doesn’t read anymore? In fact, they are not just reading about romance but also shaping their dating choices around it. Tinder’s latest data reveals that young daters in India are increasingly obsessed with the idea of a “Book Boyfriend” — fictional heroes from novels who embody emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and devotion. This trend is redefining modern romance for Gen Z, who are weaving literary love into their bios and bringing main-character energy into real-life relationships.

Between 2024 and 2025, the number of references to “bookstore” in Indian Tinder bios doubled. Globally, mentions of “Book Boyfriend” rose by 58% in 2024, with a dramatic 77% surge in January 2025 alone. Sample bios highlight this trend: “Books > Boys (but I’m willing to negotiate)” and “The best way to my heart is a date at the bookstore.”

According to relationship expert Dr. Chandni Tugnait, fictional characters give Gen Z a safe and emotionally expansive space to explore love. Unlike the chase for perfection, today’s daters value presence, depth, and being understood. Literary references act as “love codes,” helping young people filter matches who share emotional fluency and creative interests, much like sharing playlists or memes.

Romances based on books also highlight modest acts of service, quality time, and affirmation words as symbols of love. For Generation Z, the ideal companion is similar to a Book Boyfriend: there during difficult times, emotionally stable but firm, and behavior-consistent. Real love is about presence, not perfection, as fictional green flag heroes tell kids.