Whether you want to get an idea of what’s to come or want to remember the good old days (like me), College Romance books are super fun!
College is a time of exploration and learning, not only in regard to academics but also in regard to finding out who you are and what you want. Everyone’s journey is very different, and the following College Romance books give this back.
Of course, they all have absolutely fantastic audio versions, so you can enjoy these stories as audiobooks while cleaning up your dorm room, sorting your notes, or looking for peer-reviewed journals in the library!
With every book, I will include links to Audible because we all use it, and I promised you books on Audible in the title. But I will add alternatives as well!
One is Libro.fm, because if you buy an audiobook there, you actually own the MP3 and can listen to it in any app. Plus, you support your local indie bookstore with your purchase!
And whenever possible, I will also add a link to Scribd because they are a very budget-friendly option for listeners. If you have a subscription there, you can listen to several of the audiobooks below for a flat monthly fee!
**The marked links and book covers on this page are affiliate links. If you use them to purchase something, I earn a fee at no additional cost for you. Disclosure**
American Panda
Gloria Chao (Author), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator)
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American Panda is a sweet Young Adult Romance. Mei is only 17 and has just started college.
Her parents have her life planned out, but Mei can’t make herself fit the plan, no matter how hard she tries.
As heartbreaking as this story is at times, it also had me laughing out loud often, and the Happy Ending is perfect! The audiobook is narrated by the amazing Emily Woo Zeller, who is always such a pleasure to listen to.
Related article: Audible Alternatives to try now!
To Have Loved and Lost
Eliza Andrews (Author), Angela Rysk (Narrator)
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Angela Rysk is one of my absolute favorite voices! I found To Have Loved and Lost when looking for more audiobooks narrated by her.
This is a very emotional College Sports Romance about two young women recovering from loss and finding love again. I found this such a moving story, and this indie-published hidden gem is worth a read!
Starting from Scratch
Jay Northcote (Author), Lewis Carter (Narrator)
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Starting college is an opportunity for Ben to start over. But he is unsure whether he wants to share that he is transgender, something he would have to talk about if he wants to start dating.
Starting from Scratch is an adorable Friends to Lovers Romance that I found so touching. Jay Northcote is a fantastic author whose stories always get me because they are so raw, real, and emotional.
And Lewis Carter’s narration brought out all these feelings! A truly wonderful New Adult Romance book you shouldn’t miss.
Related article: How to get Audiobooks cheaper with Whispersync deals
Smut
Karina Halle (Author), Lidia Dornet (Narrator), Shaun Grindell (Narrator)
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Smut is one of my favorite College Romance books of all time! The story is funny, super spicy, and so damn cute.
This is a great Enemies to Lovers novel about two college kids who can’t stand each other but are forced to work together on a project. And, of all things, they end up writing Erotica!
This is so entertaining and wonderfully brought to life by Lidia Dornert and Shaun Grindell!
Only When It’s Us
Chloe Liese (Author), CJ Bloom (Narrator), Nelson Hobbs (Narrator)
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Chloe Liese is one of my favorite Romance authors, and her New Adult Romance When It’s Us is a must-read!
There’s Willa, who is such a badass when she is in control, but so insecure when it comes to dealing with people outside of her inner circle. And Ryder who struggles with anxiety after losing his hearing to an infection.
This is a beautifully written, emotional Enemies to Lovers. And I was so, so happy when the two found their Happy Ending! Nelson Hobbs and CJ Bloom are perfect in this book.
Top Secret
Sarina Bowen (Author), Elle Kennedy (Author), Teddy Hamilton (Narrator), Christian Fox (Narrator)
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Top Secret is SO GOOD!! It’s one of those books that made me feel absolutely infatuated.
Teddy Hamilton and Christian Fox are perfect at bringing LobsterShorts and SinnerThree to life.
Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy are two of the most popular New Adult and College Romance authors. And their collaborations are absolutely delightful!
This is a love story that starts in a hookup app, and it’s so emotional and funny and sexy. An absolute must-listen, both for fans of College Romance books and M/M Romance in general!
Jock Row
Sara Ney (Author), Ava Erickson (Narrator), Josh Goodman (Narrator)
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Jock Row takes the popular nerd/player trope and goes its own way with it. This book has an unusual but wonderful pace when we accompany Scarlett and Rowdy while they hang out on the porch and talk.
We get to accompany them step by step as they get to know one another, slowly become friends, and then…
This is one of my favorite Friends to Lovers books and a must-read among College Romance books!
Ava Erickson and Josh Goodman turned it into a great audiobook as well.
Misadventures of a College Girl
Lauren Rowe (Author, Narrator)
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Lauren Rowe is one of the few Romance authors I trust when it comes to virgin heroines. She knows how to take care of her girls!
And so, Zooey and Tyler go on an extremely steamy, very satisfying journey in this super fun novella.
But Lauren Rowe isn’t only great at writing, she’s also amazing at bringing her own characters to life in the audio version! If you are looking for something spicy and fun, you will not regret grabbing Misadventures of a College Girl, I promise.
Torn And Bound Duet
Nikki Ash (Author), K Webster (Author), Kelsey Navarro (Narrator), Tim Paige (Narrator)
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If you enjoy angsty College Romance books and like both love triangles and “why choose”, you will have a great time with the Torn And Bound Duet!
This M/F/M/M is super hot and emotional but also has the perfect amount of angst to really give you all the feels. I absolutely loved Torn Apart and Bound Together!
Kelsey Navarro and Tim Paige did a great job at bringing out all the emotions of these four people. An absolutely captivating audiobook that you won’t be able to turn off!
Trade Me
Courtney Milan (Author), Xe Sands (Narrator), Sean Crisden (Narrator)
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Trade Me is one of my all-time favorite Romance novels! I loved Tina’s and Blake’s story, the thrifty badass girl and the heir who isn’t as spoiled as he seems.
Courtney Milan is such a fantastic author, and Xe Sands and Sean Crisden are among the best narrators out there. This audiobook is an all-around great experience and so worth it!
Related article: The Best Romance Audiobooks of all time
Getting Schooled
Christina C. Jones (Author), Sean Crisden (Narrator), Adenrele Ojo (Narrator)
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I will never get tired of recommending The Wright Brothers series by Christina C. Jones!
The first book, Getting Schooled, is one of the College Romance books with older protagonists. Jason is 28 and returns to college after having been in the army. Reese is 26 and a TA.
This is a super, super funny, and emotional story that you absolutely do not want to miss!
Sean Crisden and Adenrele Ojo are two of my favorite narrators, and you will not regret giving this wonderful book a listen.
Related article: My Favorite Laugh Out Loud Funny Romance Books
Elements of Chemistry
Penny Reid (Author), Fiona Fischer (Narrator)
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Elements of Chemistry is a trilogy of College Romance books that’s so, so worth it!
Book one and two end on a cliffhanger, so you definitely have to plan to go all the way if you want to get to Kaitlyn’s and Martin’s Happy Ending. Fortunately, they are available as a box set now.
Kaitlyn is inexperienced because she uses all her time to study, not to party. But she’s also a feminist badass! Martin is a bit of a player and also a rich jerkface. But he listens closely to everything Kaitlyn tells him, and it’s just so wholesome and cute and damn hot!
The Risk
Elle Kennedy (Author), Teddy Hamilton (Narrator), Virginia Rose (Narrator)
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I just love me a badass heroine and Brenna certainly qualifies! The Risk is book two of Briar U, one of the most popular series of College Romance books.
I loved the push and pull between Brenna and Jake. This is a super fun mix of a forbidden love and fake relationship theme.
And Teddy Hamilton and Virginia Rose are such a pleasure to listen to! While The Risk is my personal favorite, the entire Briar U series is a good starting point if you are looking for the best College Romance books.
Let’s Get Textual
Teagan Hunter (Author), Emma Wilder (Narrator)
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Let’s Get Textual is one of the funniest, cutest College Romance books on Audible!
It’s wonderfully narrated by Emma Wilder, and you will laugh out loud again and again, I promise!
This is such a wonderful story in which an accidental text turns into a chat friendship and then into more…
The Shameless Hour
Sarina Bowen (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator), Nick Podehl (Narrator)
Listen for free with Audible Plus**
College Romance Books often have virgin heroines who are looking to get more experienced. The Shameless Hour switches things around!
Here we have a heroine who is a bit of a player and likes to party. The hero was holding out for his girlfriend, only to find out that she cheated on him.
This is a very sweet love story, and I loved the theme!
The entire Ivy Years book series by Sarina Bowen is excellent, though, and a great choice if you are looking for the best College Romance books!
Related article: What is Audible Plus?
Charade
Nyrae Dawn (Author), Macy Sterling (Narrator)
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While you can tell that this audiobook was produced several years ago, the narration is absolutely fantastic! And the story… Oh my.
Charade is heartwrenching. It’s deeply emotional and raw!
And I felt so strongly for both Cheyenne and Colt, who find themselves struggling with very similar, heartbreaking problems, and somehow, without meaning to, they help each other to heal.
Honey & Spice
Bolu Babalola (Author), Weruche Opia (Narrator)
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Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola is one of my most favorite College Romance books, and I can’t recommend this book enough to you!
Kiki is such a lovable heroine, and I rooted so hard for her. She’s navigating college life, and I found her so relatable. Socially, she tries to stay somewhat on the outside while still being in good standing with everyone. She is worried about messing up any friendships, and she doesn’t want a relationship.
Kiki hosts a radio show for her fellow Black college girls in which she talks about guys who are abusive or take advantage. But then super swoon-worthy Malakai enters the scene! Kiki feels drawn to him even though she’s sure he must be a player.
This is such a fantastic New Adult book that takes you through all the emotions, making you laugh, cry, and fan yourself, haha. And Weruche Opia did an absolutely outstanding narration!
How to Excavate a Heart
Jake Maia Arlow (Author), Hope Newhouse (Narrator)
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How to Excavate a Heart is such a sweet and tender YA Romance!
May and Shani start out as enemies (frankly, May has every reason to dislike Shani). But slowly, they grow closer and form a beautiful friendship.
May and Shani both struggle with the place they are at in their lives. And both are still coming to terms with their sexuality.
Shani is a college student in a new city, far away from her mom, and May doesn’t know which step to take next.
This is such an adorable, queer, feel-good Romance, and Hope Newhouse brought it to life perfectly!
Upsy Daisy
Smartypants Romance (Author), Chelsie Edwards (Author), Mari (Narrator), Leon Nixon (Narrator)
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Upsy Daisy is a first-love College Romance set in 1976. It has a beautiful flow, and the narration by Mari and Leon Nixon makes this a very emotional listen.
Upsy Daisy is part of Penny Reid’s Green Valley universe, and this is the origin story of the famous Daisy Peyton from Daisy’s Nut House!
The Love Hypothesis
Ali Hazelwood (Author), Callie Dalton (Narrator)
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Graduate student Olive isn’t interested in romance, but to get her best friend off her back, she claims to be dating. When her friend wants to see proof, Olive ends up claiming to be dating Adam, a professor at their university!
He has a reputation as a rather unlikable guy, but for reasons Olive can’t quite figure out, he agrees to be her pretend boyfriend.
Olive and Adam are so cute and romantic together, and their fake relationship really works. Callie Dalton did a fantastic job with the narration, and this is a real feel-good listen for anyone craving a College Romance book!
Save this list of College Romance books for later:
Eline Blackman (pronouns: she/they) fell in love with books as a child – with being read to and reading herself. 10 years ago, she bought her first Audible book. It was love at first listen! An average of 250 audiobooks per year has become the new normal and you will rarely see Eline without a wireless earbud. Romance and Fantasy are the go-to genres for this audiobook fan.