“It’s weird how your whole life can completely change in the hours between waking up and going to bed.”
Ah, college. A time when the hormones kick into overdrive and all manner of cliched carnage kicks off. Whether you’re currently studying or reminiscing about the ‘good old days’, campuses and classrooms have provided the perfect backdrop for countless romance tales over the years, leading to the birth of the college romance genre. These books are fast-paced, easy-to-read and steamy enough to hold your attention, and are always good value for plenty of laughs and sobs along the way. So, join us at What We Reading as we present our favourite college romance books!
Heart Bones – Colleen Hoover
From one of the best romance novelists in the world comes a new adult romance story of trust and learning to follow your heart. Beyah Grim is mere months away from leaving her past behind her and forging a new life for herself when an unexpected death forces her to move in with her father. There, she meets her neighbour, Samson.
The two have next to nothing in common; Samson comes from a life of wealth and privilege, whereas Beyah only knows poverty and neglect. And yet, they are both drawn to sad things, which means they are both drawn to each other. Their connection soon becomes too intense to deny, but will they be able to stick to the plan of their fling being strictly for the summer?
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The Trade (Coastal Rivals #1) – Ki Stephens
In the first book in her Coastal Rivals series, Ki Stephens introduces readers to Jade Jennings and Theo Westman-Cooke aka. ‘West’. Jade is an ambitious and driven journalist, whilst Theo is an American Football player with dreams of being drafted into the NFL.
Both are tired of their lives at Dayton University, and both find their lives changing when they attend the football team’s annual spring banquet. This college sports romance book is a story that teaches readers that love is often found in the most unexpected of circumstances.
Collide (Off the Ice #1) – Bal Khabra
Another one of the best sports college romance books comes from Bal Khabra in Collide. Summer Preston is an uptight student with an ambition to become a sports psychologist when an ultimatum from her professor sends her into an unexpected collision with the school hockey captain, Aiden Crawford.
For his part, he has been forced to be the subject of Summer’s research paper, and her uptight approach to life puts the pair at odds from the outset. However, both these two are fierce competitors who refuse to back down, and the high-pressure environment of this college sports setting soon leads to something altogether unexpected developing between them.
You’re The Reason – J. Nathan
New adult and college romance novelist J Nathan introduces readers to Crestwood University in You’re the Reason. Sophia Galloway has no idea what to expect from her new school. What she discovers is a campus where frat boys are adamant they can do no wrong and sorority presidents believe they are at the top of the tree.
And Sophia will soon learn the hard way what happens when she falls for the wrong guy and wrongs the wrong sorority sister. In this snappy contemporary college book, lies will be told, a life will be lost and plenty of hearts will be broken.
So, That Got Weird (So Far, So Good #1) – Amelia Kingston
Elizabeth Wilde is painfully awkward in the ways of love. Despite this, she is desperate for connection, affection and intimacy. So, what does the twenty-one-year-old gamer do? Hire a sex tutor. Handsome jock Austin Jacobs is more than up to the task, having played the role of the playboy on the campus for years.
However, beneath the exterior of six-packs and bravado rests a broken heart that has led to him not trusting others, and certainly not trusting love. And yet, as he coaxes Elizabeth away from the computer screen, the connection they begin to feel is undeniable. As their worlds come caving in around them, Elizabeth and Austin will have wager this thing called ‘love’ is worth fighting for after all. One of the best college romance books for demonstrating how jagged edges can still fit together, Amelia Kingston’s So Far, So Good series is not to be missed!
Iced Out (Leighton U #1) – C.E. Ricci
The first in a five-book standalone college sports romance series from C.E. Ricci, Iced Out immerses readers in Leighton U’s ice hockey team. The first book in the series follows Quinn and Oakley, arch-rivals who end up becoming teammates.
After a string of bad results, the pair end up hooking up and winning the next game. Athletes are a superstitious bunch, which naturally leads to the two of them believing their hookups are behind the team’s transformations in fortune. This explosive enemies-to-lovers story is one of the best college romance books for anyone looking to learn what it means to sleep with the enemy.
Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1) – Hannah Grace
Icebreaker is another 2022 college sports romance book by Hannah Grace. The story follows Anastasia Allen, a competitive figure skater, and Nathan Hawkins, the captain of the Maple Hills Titans Ice Hockey team. Through a series of misunderstandings, the pair are forced to share a rink, which results in Anastasia’s partner being injured. In an instant, Nathan finds himself swapping sticks for skirts as her teammate.
A forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers tale, this viral TikTok sensation is the perfect swoon-worthy read if you’re looking for a slow-burning and flirty read!
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Honey & Spice – Bolu Babalola
Now an international bestselling author, Bolu Babalola’s debut novel, Honey & Spice, is a dazzling story of passion, humour and heart. Sharp-tongued Kiki Banjo is the host of the student radio show Brown Sugar and a renowned voice for the women of the African-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University on how to avoid players, relationships and heartbreak.
But, when she finds herself kissing Malakai Korede aka. ‘The Wastemen of Whitewell,’ she finds both her show and herself on the brink. Embarking on a fake relationship to save their reputations, this new adult romance story is filled with romantic intrigue and delicious tension that any reader is sure to lap up!
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
