15 Must-Read College Romance Books - BOOK RIOT

Rino Abdulah

6 min read

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14-11-2024

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15 Must-Read College Romance Books - BOOK RIOT

Dive into the whirlwind of emotions, late-night study sessions, and unexpected connections that define the college experience with these 15 captivating romance novels.

College is a time of self-discovery, growth, and, for many, blossoming romance. It's a period filled with new experiences, friendships, and the potential for love to bloom in the most unexpected places. The college romance genre captures this magic beautifully, offering relatable characters, heartwarming storylines, and often, a healthy dose of angst and drama.

Whether you're a seasoned romance reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, we've curated a list of 15 must-read college romance books that will transport you back to those carefree (and sometimes chaotic) college days.

The Classics You Should Never Miss:

1. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: This timeless classic needs no introduction. Noah and Allie's love story, set against the backdrop of a summer romance and enduring through the trials of time and societal pressures, continues to captivate readers decades later. The book's poignant depiction of first love, loss, and the enduring power of true connection makes it a must-read for any romance enthusiast.

2. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: This STEM-focused romance is a modern favorite. A brilliant astrophysicist, Olive Smith, fakes a relationship with a handsome lab partner, Adam Carlsen, to convince her best friend that she's moved on from a past heartbreak. But as their fake relationship deepens, so too does their undeniable attraction. The book offers a delightful blend of science, witty banter, and simmering chemistry, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a good academic setting romance.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: This enemies-to-lovers story is a rollercoaster of emotions. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two ambitious and competitive colleagues, engage in a constant battle of wits and pranks. Their mutual animosity masks a simmering attraction that explodes in a whirlwind of unexpected events. The book is full of witty dialogue, escalating tension, and a satisfyingly steamy conclusion.

Exploring Diverse Love Stories:

4. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: This charming LGBTQ+ romance is a modern classic. Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry, the Prince of Wales, are forced to fake a friendship to maintain good relations between their respective countries. Their staged camaraderie, however, soon blossoms into something more profound, challenging both their personal lives and their royal obligations.

5. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: This contemporary romance focuses on accessibility and diversity. Chloe Brown, a chronically ill woman, sets out to reclaim her life with a list of 10 things she wants to achieve, including finding love. Enter Red Morgan, a handsome and quirky handyman, who becomes her unexpected love interest. The book explores themes of disability representation, self-acceptance, and finding love on your own terms.

6. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: This enemies-to-lovers story explores the complexities of family, friendship, and finding love in the most unexpected places. Catalina Martín, an architect who pretends to be in a relationship to appease her family, finds herself in a fake-dating scenario with her handsome, arrogant co-worker, Aaron Blackford. As they navigate their fake relationship, their feelings for each other begin to change.

Beyond the Campus:

7. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han: This trilogy, set against the backdrop of a charming beach town, explores the complexities of summer romance. Belly Conklin, who spends her summers with her family at Cousins Beach, finds herself caught between two best friends, Conrad Fisher and Jeremiah Fisher. The books delicately capture the joys, heartbreaks, and growth that come with first love, making them perfect for fans of coming-of-age stories.

8. The Roommate by Rosie Danan: This contemporary romance is a feel-good story about unexpected love. When a chance encounter leads to a one-night stand with a handsome and enigmatic stranger, Jessica Davis's life takes a turn. She soon learns that the stranger is her new roommate, a successful writer who happens to be secretly a romance novelist. This humorous and heartwarming book explores themes of second chances, vulnerability, and finding love in unexpected places.

9. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han: This bestselling YA novel, which has become a beloved Netflix adaptation, is a sweet and heartwarming romance. Lara Jean Covey, a high school senior, writes love letters to all her crushes, but keeps them hidden away. When her secret letters are mysteriously mailed, Lara Jean finds herself navigating the complexities of real-life romance.

Finding Love in the Academic World:

10. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: This hilarious and heartwarming romance centers on Stella Lane, a data analyst with autism, who decides to hire a male escort to help her overcome her anxieties and learn about intimacy. Michael Phan, the escort, is initially hesitant but eventually falls for Stella's intelligence and wit. This book explores themes of neurodiversity, self-acceptance, and the importance of finding love on your own terms.

11. Beach Read by Emily Henry: This witty and heartwarming romance explores the creative process and the unexpected connections that can blossom between authors. January Andrews, a romance novelist struggling with writer's block, is forced to share a beach house with Gus, a literary fiction author who is known for his bleak and depressing novels. Their clashing writing styles and personalities, however, soon give way to a surprising attraction.

12. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: This enemies-to-lovers story is full of laughs and romance. Olive Smith and Ethan Thomas, a former wedding planner and the best man, are forced to travel together after the rest of the wedding party comes down with food poisoning. Their forced proximity, however, soon leads to an unexpected attraction.

Taking a Risk on Love:

13. The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez: This contemporary romance explores the complexities of friendship and love. Kristen Peterson, a successful businesswoman, has been friends with Josh, a charming and witty musician, since they were kids. Their friendship has always been platonic, but when Josh starts to develop feelings for Kristen, their friendship is thrown into turmoil.

14. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary: This unique romance is a heartwarming story about two strangers who share a flat and fall in love without ever meeting. Tiffy Moore, a struggling writer, needs a roommate, while Leon, a night nurse, needs a temporary place to stay. They agree to a unique arrangement: Tiffy will have the flat during the day, and Leon will have it at night. As they leave messages for each other and their lives slowly intertwine, they find themselves developing feelings for each other.

15. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes: This moving story explores the complexities of love, loss, and life-changing decisions. Louisa Clark, a young woman working in a coffee shop, is hired as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a wealthy quadriplegic man who has lost his zest for life after a motorcycle accident. Louisa's optimism and determination to show Will the beauty in life begin to change his perspective, but their newfound connection is threatened by Will's desire to end his own life.

Table Breakdown:

Keywords for Deeper Exploration:

• College Romance Books: If you're interested in exploring this specific genre, search for books with keywords like "college romance," "campus romance," "university romance," or "young adult romance."
• Diverse Love Stories: If you want to read stories with diverse characters and perspectives, use keywords like "LGBTQ+ romance," "interracial romance," "disabled characters," "representation in literature," or "diverse romances."
• Enemies-to-Lovers: If you're drawn to the tension and sparks of enemies-to-lovers tropes, look for books with keywords like "enemies to lovers," "office romance," "fake dating," or "forced proximity."
• First Love: If you're looking for stories about the joys and heartbreaks of first love, explore books with keywords like "first love," "summer romance," "coming of age," or "young adult romance."
• Contemporary Romance: If you're interested in modern romance with relatable characters and settings, search for books with keywords like "contemporary romance," "new adult romance," or "rom com."

Enjoy diving into the world of college romance and discovering your next favorite love story!