College romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a college romance, choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

I regularly update this list of college romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn college romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Little TemptingAuthor: Kelsie RaeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
2. AlwaysAuthor: Loren LeighYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, queer, romance, series counter
3. Begin AgainAuthor: Emma LordYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, young adult
4. Black ThornsAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Second chance, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
5. BlindsidedAuthor: Becca SteeleYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
6. Blitz'dAuthor: Lee McCormickYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, sports
7. Burn BrightAuthor: Krista RitchieYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Found family, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
8. BurnoutAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
9. Caught StealingAuthor: C.E. RicciYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, romance, series counter, sports
10. CollideAuthor: Bal KhabraYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
11. Damaged GoodsAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Dark, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
12. Dear ReaderAuthor: Tate JamesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense
13. Deep EndAuthor: Ali HazelwoodYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
14. Devious ObsessionAuthor: S. MasseryYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Hockey, adult, romance, series counter, sports
15. First DownAuthor: Grace, ReillyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Football, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
16. For the FansAuthor: Nyla K.Year published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, smut, sports
17. Forged in FlamesAuthor: Ivy SmoakYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, Dark, adult, contemporary, mystery, new adult, romance, series counter
18. From Now OnAuthor: C.W. FarnsworthYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Hockey, Slow burn, adult, romance, series counter, sports
19. Frozen HeartsAuthor: R.A. SmythYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Hockey, Why choose, adult, romance, series counter, sports
20. Girl AbroadAuthor: Elle KennedyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, adult, chick lit, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
21. God of MaliceAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
22. God of PainAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, romance
23. God of RuinAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, smut
24. God of WrathAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance
25. Good Girl ComplexAuthor: Elle KennedyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Summer, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, summer reads
26. Hating the PlayerAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Basketball, College, Enemies to lovers, Second chance, adult, new adult, romance, sports
27. Her SaintAuthor: Harmony WestYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
28. Hidden ScarsAuthor: Andi JaxonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, LGBT, adult, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, sports
29. Just FriendsAuthor: Charity FerrellYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
30. Keep Me NeverAuthor: Meagan BrandyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Football, Found family, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
31. KingstonAuthor: Leila JamesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, romance, series counter
32. Kiss the VillainAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2025Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter
33. Lords of MercyAuthor: Angel LawsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
34. Lords of PainAuthor: Angel LawsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, erotica, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
35. Master of MayhemAuthor: Saxon JamesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, queer, romance, series counter
36. Mr. RomanceAuthor: Louisa MastersYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, queer, romance, series counter
37. Night ShiftAuthor: Annie CrownYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Basketball, College, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
38. Nothing Like the MoviesAuthor: Lynn PainterYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Second chance, contemporary, rom com, romance, young adult
39. Now Open Your EyesAuthor: Nicole FiorinaYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, Dark, Emotional, Mental health, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
40. Offside PlayAuthor: Lyssa LemireYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
41. On GuardAuthor: J.R. GrayYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, romance, series counter, sports
42. Past Present FutureAuthor: Rachel Lynn SolomonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Mental health, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, young adult
43. Play It DirtyAuthor: Michelle HerculesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
44. Playing GamesAuthor: Riley HartYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
45. Playing with FireAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
46. Please Don't GoAuthor: E. SalvadorYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Baseball, College, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
47. PlierAuthor: Jane WashingtonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Slow burn, Why choose, adult, fantasy, new adult, omegaverse, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
48. Power Plays & Straight A'sAuthor: Eden FinleyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
49. Pretty Boy DAuthor: Rachel JonasYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, High school, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
50. PurityAuthor: Skyler MasonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut, sports
51. Quarterback SneakAuthor: Kandi SteinerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Football, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
52. RevolveAuthor: Bal KhabraYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
53. Rule Number FiveAuthor: Jessa WilderYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
54. SabotageAuthor: Shantel TessierYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
55. ShiverAuthor: Crea ReitanYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, sports
56. ShutoutAuthor: Avery KeelanYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
57. SIN-BINAuthor: Anastasija WhiteYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
58. Tempting Little ThiefAuthor: Meagan BrandyYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
59. Tempting the PlayerAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, sports
60. The Blood We Crave: Part TwoAuthor: Monty JayYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Found family, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, romance
61. The Charlie MethodAuthor: Elle KennedyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Hockey, Why choose, adult, contemporary, romance, sports
62. The Devil You KnowAuthor: Veronica EdenYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
63. The EnforcerAuthor: Avery KeelanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Hockey, Second chance, adult, romance, series counter, sports
64. The Frat BoyAuthor: Nikki SloaneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, erotica, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
65. The Graham EffectAuthor: Elle KennedyYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Hockey, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
66. The JockAuthor: Tal BauerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Football, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, queer, romance, series counter, sports
67. The Lies We StealAuthor: Monty JayYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, mystery, new adult, romance, series counter
68. The Step BetAuthor: Riley HartYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, new adult, queer, romance, series counter
69. The Trouble With LoveAuthor: Kat T. MasenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
70. Tutoring the DelinquentAuthor: Jessa KaneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, adult, contemporary, erotica, new adult, novella, romance, series counter, smut, sports
71. Tutoring the PlayerAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
72. Twilight of EmbersAuthor: Tessa HaleYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Dragons, Magic, Shapeshifters, Why choose, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
73. Unhinged TitanAuthor: E.V. OlsenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: College, Dark, Hockey, LGBT, adult, gay, m m romance, romance, sports
74. UnlovedAuthor: Peyton CorinneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
75. UnsteadyAuthor: Peyton CorinneYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
76. Watch Your BackAuthor: Tate JamesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, suspense
77. Weak SideAuthor: S.J. SylvisYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Hockey, adult, romance, series counter, sports
78. Wild LoveAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
79. WrathAuthor: Ella JamesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, sports
80. You're NextAuthor: Tate JamesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut, suspense

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a college romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”