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

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!”