13 Sizzling College Romance Books to Devour Now
My love for college romance books can be firmly connected to my fear of flying. When I’m on an airplane, I need a book that will suck me in IMMEDIATELY and cause the time to fly by.
I started reading romance books in college and once I discovered New Adult romance books, I was hooked. These stories suck me from the first few pages as I’m transported back to my own college years of fun, partying, romance…and I guess learning.
Most of the college romance books on this list are STEAMY and definitely not for those under the age of 18. They are the perfect mix of frivolity, steam, and students facing the first challenges of adult life.
I’m partial to sporty college romance books….or books that involve royals at University, but you’ll find some bad-boy and other college books on this list too.
*The romance books in college post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
Sports Romance Books in College
The Study Hours
Author: Sara Ney
Year: 2019
Genre: Romance
More info: How to Date a Douchebag #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When champion college wrestler, Oz, is dared to kiss a girl in the library, he has no idea that Jameson is not as much of a good girl as her diligent studying makes her look.
He loves how she treats him like guy on campus instead of the star athlete he is. He can’t get enough and will try anything to capture her heart for good.
Why Kirsten loves it
This series is laugh-out-loud funny. Each book is a stand-alone featuring a dedicated bachelor from a University’s Wrestling team. They are each tamed by a woman in a totally predictable way, but these books set in college are hysterical.
For starters, the author has funny pick-up lines between chapters that I found utterly hilarious, but the dialogue between the characters is witty too.
Find this book in: Sports Books / Rom-Com Books / Books Set in College / College Romances / Fluff Reads
The Deal
Author: Elle Kennedy
Year: 2015
Genre: Romance
More info: Off-Campus #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The first in a series of books set in college about hockey players is also the series that got me hooked on the college romance books sub-genre! This one features a bunch of bachelor hockey players who are the campus hotshots.
To get the attention of the man she really wants, Hannah convinces the cocky captain to go on a pretend date with her in exchange for her tutoring services. Garrett is desperate to get his GPA up so that he can stay on the hockey team and play professionally when he graduates.
But when one kiss leads to a STEAMY hook-up, Hannah needs to reevaluate which man she wants.
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s very similar to the How to Date a Douchebag series, but it has a bit more heart and a little less humor. This is one of the steamy fake dating books EVER but I loved it.
Find this book in: College Romances / Sports Romances / Fake Dating Romances / Books Set in College
All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
The first in a series starring the football players of Rusk University, we get the charming story of the coach’s daughter and her backup quarterback love interest.
Dallas hates football and has sworn to never date a football player again. Carson needs to impress the coach in order to earn a football scholarship, so romantic entanglements are not on the table. Until they meet each other and their chemistry can’t be contained.
Steamy College Romance Books
Icebreaker
Author: Hannah Grace
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
More info: Maple Hills #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This STEAMY romance is a friends-to-lovers story of figure skater, Anastasia and hockey player, Nate.
After Anastasia’s partner breaks his arm, she’s desperately in need of a doubles partner to qualify for the Olympics. Nate is head over heels for her, so he willingly gives up his time. Will she accept his advances and take him out of the friend zone? You’ll have to read it to see! 😜
Trigger Warnings
Eating Disorder
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is not for the faint of heart. It made me blush numerous times while reading. But I loved every minute of it! There is one scene in an Uber that had my jaw on the floor.
Find this book in: Books about Women in Sports / Romance Sports Books / College Romances
Fair Game by Monica Murphy
This is new adult romance at it’s finest! Jade’s boyfriend bets her in a poker game… and loses. Now she “belongs” to Shep Prescott.
Jade isn’t interest but Shep won’t back down. Soon Jade is willing to bet her heart on love. Steamy and adorable, this is the first in a cute series set during college.
The Chase
Author: Elle Kennedy
Year: 2019
Genre: Romance
More info: Briar U #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Are you looking for a swoon-worthy new adult romance that is laugh-out-loud funny? I got you. I downloaded The Chase and it suck me in right away, kept me turning the pages, and made the time fly by.
Elle Kennedy kills me every single time. This series features more of the hockey players at Briar U and the girls that they fall in love with. It’s a spin-off of Kennedy’s Off Campus series.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual assault
Why Kirsten loves it
The books in this series are so hilarious but also swoon-worthy. There are also some serious sex scenes in here – so fair warning if that’s not your jam. This grumpy sunshine book is a great choice for a new adult romance.
Find this book in: Sports Romances / Grumpy Sunshine Books / College Romances
So, That Got Weird by Amelia Kingston
The premise of this college romance story was ridiculous but unputdownable. A rich, virgin, gaming girl pays the hot college football star to be her sex tutor.
INSANE but charming as hell. This opposites-attract love story was a fast read that had me gasping out loud quite a few times. It’s escapist reading that hits the spot.
Bad Boy College Romance Books
After by Anna Todd
This hit book series is now a motion picture series starring Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin! Todd’s smash hit is set in college when bookworm Tessa meets bad-boy Hardin.
Hardin and Tessa’s push-and-pull is at times frustrating but their chemistry is so good! Just make sure you have the second book in the series ready to go. This one ends in a cliffhanger.
The After series is one of many books being adapted to the screen this year. Check out our full list of books becoming movies in 2023!
Fallen Crest High by Tijan
Drama, parties, hot boys and backstabbing friends – this book is everything a guilty pleasure should be.
Jackie and I both fell hard for the Kade boys and their journey to accepting Samantha as their future-stepsister, friend, and romantic interest.
The first few books in this series take place in High School, but by book 3, it’s moved on to college.
Beautiful Disaster: A Novel by Jamie McGuire
Travis is the ultimate bad-boy. Self-destructive, Tattoo-covered, but man, when he falls your heart will explode! If you like standoffish boys like Edward Cullen, Christian Grey, or Reid Royal, this is a great series for you.
Abby is hell-bent on ignoring Travis, but he can’t believe she’s immune to his charms. Soon a bet will have them moving in together. Will they be able to resist their growing spark?
Royal College Romance Books
American Royals by Katharine McGee
I finally got around to reading this YA royal romance! I’m a huge royal romance fan and this one is a great twist on the sub-genre.
What if George Washington had become America’s monarch instead of its president? How would his descendants be ruling the country today? I mean. What a fun plotline! This book was pure fun and honestly would make for a perfect beach read.
Some of the scenes take place at a college in Washington and the rest of the series also features a college based sub-plot.
Love a good royal story? We’ve got dozens on our list of our favorite Royal Reads.
The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright
I started this story the night before Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding. It’s about the spare prince of Britain and his new American love interest. They meet in college when romance blooms.
I mean – literally THE perfect book at the perfect time. I devoured it in 24 hours (totally picturing Meghan and Harry the whole time!) It’s a great one to pack in your beach bag.
The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Look no further than this royal romance. If you haven’t read this romance loosely based on Wills and Kate’s love story, read no further. This is the end-all, be-all of Royal Reads.
This novel spans from the time Bex and Prince Nick’s meeting in college until the night before their wedding. It goes through the ups and downs of the relationship and ends on a cliffhanger. But do not worry. The Heir Affair is already out and you can read that one next.
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