Best New Adult Romance Novels of 2018
New Adult Romance
With 2018 winding down, I’ve been thinking about all the books I’ve read this year. There has been a lot, about 175 according to Goodreads. Most of them fall into the romance genre. Generally contemporary romance with a good mix of adult and new adult titles and a pretty equal mix of sweet and steamy.
As with anything else, some were amazing, others not so much. For a list-lover like me, the end of the year is the perfect time to show off all the amazing lists I’ve kept up over the past 12 months.
Lucky you, these book lists mean I’ve pretty much given you your reading list for 2019. These books are amazing and I highly recommend each and every one of them.
I can’t wait to share them with you. But I’m not looking to write a 20 000 word blog post – mostly because I don’t imagine anyone would ever want to read that. We’re going to keep things reasonable and break my massive list down into manageable chunks.
Today we’re going to start with my favorite New Adult Romance titles.
Are you familiar with the New Adult Genre? I don’t remember it being a thing 5 – 10 years ago when I was young enough to be considered a ‘new adult.’ But, I think it’s an awesome addition.
What is a New Adult Romance
As far as romance is concerned, there is a huge gap in maturity, experience, behavior and even comfort level between the young adult and adult market and I’m glad there is something to fill it.
Think back to your own experiences you have the adorable innocence of first dates and kisses, then you have first times and all the experimentation that comes along after that. New adult romance, generally skips all the awkward first and takes us to the couples first “real” or “adult” relationship.
These books feature relationships that end in commitments, marriage, or moving in together that we would never see in a young adult book. But the characters aren’t jaded, they don’t have a history of failed relationships and often they’re naive as to just how cruel the world can be.
It’s a very unique sub-genre of romance.
New adult books generally encompass those university years. Those first years on your own. The years when people are trying to find themselves, learning how to ‘adult’, figuring out who they are and settling into their place in the world. The other side of those years involves building up your alcohol tolerance, eating Kraft Dinner out of the pot to cut down on dishes and trying to find enough change between the couch cushions to put some gas in the car.
Somewhere amid all the confusion and overwhelming life changes, there’s room for love. There’s a spot for someone else to find themselves alongside you. When it’s done right, this makes for a beautiful story.
2018’s Best New Adult Romance Books
You can read these with confidence, I enjoyed them. Believe it or not, there are a lot of books I don’t enjoy. Books I choose not to review or share on my blog. This blog is a place for me to recommend books I think you’re going to love.
***Books are in alphabetical order because I suck at picking favorites.
A Wish For Us by Tillie Cole
In A Wish for Us, we meet music students Bonnie and Cromwell. They both have secrets and no desire for a relationship. Will they find a way to make things work?
Seriously, grab the tissues you will cry during this one! See Review
A story of music. A story of healing. A story of love conquering all.
Nineteen-year-old Cromwell Dean is the rising star of electronic dance music. Thousands of people adore him. But no one knows him. No one sees the color of his heart.
Until the girl in the purple dress. She sees through the walls he has built to the empty darkness within. Read More
Best Served Cold by Emma Hart
Emma Hart never fails to deliver laugh out loud funny romances. Full of awkward situations and situations you’ll be glad you’ve never found yourself in. This book is the perfect light-hearted read to balance out some of the heavier stories on this list.
Ice-cream store owner Raelynn Fortune has everything but her last name—fortune.
Despite living in a Floridian hotspot for tourists, she just can’t get her business back off the ground. And she knows why.
Her rival store next door is run by nobody other than her ex, and with his fancy-schmancy concoctions, he’s taking all the clients two generations of her family cultivated. Read More
Fall by Kristen Callihan
The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways.
In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip.
Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Read More
For Crosby by J. Nathan
For Crosby takes us to a University Campus in Alabama where we meet Crosby, a troubled hockey player, and the witty, confident Sabrina. See Review
Crosby Parks had the life. A wealthy family, girls vying for his attention, and pro scouts after his hockey skills. But when that life comes crumbling down, he’s sent to Alabama to escape the media storm and to rebuild his life. If Crosby has any shot of playing professional hockey, he must keep a low profile and graduate from college. But the second he steps foot on campus, keeping a low profile becomes impossible. Read More
I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Here we have a college, sports romance. Jocks make some of my favorite book-boyfriends, although generally, I prefer hockey players over football, Ryker is still an awesome book-boyfriend. You can find out more in the awesome review from Bookworms Corner.
The text is random but Penelope figures out exactly who “Sexy Athlete” is. And why she shouldn’t take his wager.
Ryker Voss.
Football star.
Walks on water and God’s gift to women.
Just ask him.His bet? He promises Penelope he’ll win her the heart of the guy she’s been crushing on. Read More
Incognito by Siobhan Davis
Incognito shows up what happens when two people with more secrets than they know what to do with crash into each other’s life. Plus we have a rock star in hiding and well, who hasn’t dreamed of finding prince charming and finding out he’s really super rich or famous? See Review
A troubled popstar forced into hiding… A sweet small-town girl overcoming tragedy… And the kind of love that only happens once in a lifetime.
Dakota’s dreams of attending Juilliard were shattered the night tragedy struck her family. It’s one year later, and she’s now enrolled at a local university trying to piece her life back together.
Shawn is one of the world’s most famous faces, having lived under a spotlight since his star exploded when he was fourteen. Read More
Rock Star’s Heart by Kella Campbell
In Rock Star’s Heart, we meet guitarist Blade and university student Crys. Let’s watch is this unlikely couple forms a bond that will hopefully last a lifetime. Read Review
When a twist of fate throws university student Crys Murphy into an unexpected job on tour with a wildly successful rock band, her crush on the guitarist turns into powerful temptation. But there’s a dark side to the glamour and champagne: Blade has anger and addiction issues, a history of partying with groupies, and a tendency to get naked in public… Read More
Ryan’s Bed by Tijan
This is another book that will make you ugly cry, so be prepared. This book deals with the very pertinent and difficult issues of suicide, grief, and bullying but wraps it up nicely and gives us a happy ending. Read Review
I crawled into Ryan Jensen’s bed that first night by accident.
I barely knew him. I thought it was his sister’s bed—her room. It took seconds to realize my error, and I should’ve left…
I didn’t.
I didn’t jump out.
I didn’t get embarrassed.
I relaxed.
And that night, in that moment, it was the only thing I craved.I asked to stay. He let me, and I slept. Read More
The Boy I Grew Up With by Tijan
The Boy I Grew Up With gives us a glimpse into the ups and downs of a relationship that lasted a lifetime. I was slacking and didn’t write a review for this one, but here is Kat’s awesome review.
I have loved Channing Monroe all my life.
In first grade, he asked for my Trapper Keeper.
I hit him in the head with it.
Third grade, we were best friends. We kissed in seventh grade.
Eighth grade, he turned into a bad boy and the rest was a tumultuous storm.Growing up, the problem was never love for us. Read More
The Chase by Elle Kennedy
We all remember Elle’s Off Campus series, right? I thought the entire series was amazing. I also found myself quite sad because the series ended and there were still several eligible bachelors on the team. Thankfully, the series picks up with the same hockey team.
Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.
And that his best friend has a crush on me.
And that I just moved in with them.
Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates? Read More
Too Hard To Resist by Robin Bielman
Who doesn’t love a good friends to lovers story? What about a workplace romance? This was a sweet, fun and passionate read. I just know you are going to love it. See Review
Have you ever wished for the perfect job? Me, too. So when I land a temporary gig with a worthwhile and exemplary startup, I’m determined to make it permanent. That my boss is the gorgeous, clever Elliot Sax is nothing I can’t handle. We may steal glances at each other and straddle the line of playing it safe, but our partnership is too important for complications. Not to mention workplace hookups are against the rules. Read More
Final Thoughts
There you have it, 11 of my most favorite New Adult Romance novels from 2018. These books have everything from pop stars to athletes, to millionaires and even the owner of an ice cream shop. If you’re looking for a new book boyfriend this list should have just the thing.
Let’s Talk
Do you enjoy new adult romance novels? What are your favorites? Are there any I should add to the list? Or even take off, in your opinion?
I am always on the lookout for my next book-boyfriend so if you know of anyone hook a girl up, please!
As always,
One Comment
jennifertarheelreader
That’s a wonderful point about the gap between young adult and adult, Sawyer. This is a wonderful list, and I am adding to my wishlist.