Top New Adult Books
My favorite books with college-aged characters (ages 17-23)
“New adult” is a relatively new genre of books since the advent of self-publishing. There was young adult, and there was adult, but the grey area in between was difficult to find because publishers didn’t know where to put these books. Now with self publishing, these books are becoming more and more common. Your typical 16-17 year old doesn’t want to read “kids” books anymore, and may still find it difficult to relate to traditional adult books. These books fit right in between. The themes are still adult, but the characters are younger, just starting out in life. Going to college, leaving home, losing their virginity, falling in love for the first time…..all common themes. Here is a list of some of the outstanding new adult books I’ve read this year.
I have read many more than this that I love, but almost every book on this list was a 5 star read for me.
Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover were two of the best books I have ever read, in any category. The film rights have been optioned as well. See my review of Slammed here. See my review of Point of Retreat here. Purchase Slammed at Amazon || BN.com || iBooks Purchase Point of Retreat at Amazon || BN.com || iBooks
The 3rd book, This Girl is out too. Purchase This Girl at Amazon || BN.com || iBooks See my review. See the Slammed Series order.
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park is quirky and unique. This one is good for any mature teenaged girl. This is another book that stands out as a favorite. See my review here. Purchase Flat Out Love at Amazon. Flat Out Matt is its companion book, and has a pretty detailed sex scene. See my review here. Purchase Flat Out Matt Amazon
Sempre (Forever) by JM Darhower was long, emotional, and totally satisfying. This book also has a movie deal with a producer working on it now. See my review here. Purchase Sempre: Amazon
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire has been billed as Fifty Shades for a younger set. No big sex scenes, but it features that all-consuming, obsession love like Fifty Shades had. Amazing read I couldn’t put down. See my review here. Purchase Beautiful Disaster at: Amazon || BN.com || iBooks Walking Disaster, is from the male point of view and can be purchased here.
Easy by Tammara Webber was great for about 11th grade and up, and I highly recommend it for any girl going off to college. See my review here. Purchase Easy at Amazon || BN.com || iBooks
Losing It by Cora Carmack featured a 22 year old. It was funny, sweet, charming and romantic. There is one sex scene that is not too graphic, but the sexual tension is there. See my review here. Purchase at Amazon || BN.com
Chance Encounters by J. Sterling features a slightly older heroine, but is still classified as New Adult, and there was no sex in this, but plenty of tension. See my review here. Purchase Chance Encounters at Amazon || BN.com
White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert was a great Cinderella/rock star story. See my review here. Purchase White Trash Beautiful: Amazon || iBooks
The Perfect Game by J. Sterling was sweet, angsty, romantic and delicious. Featuring a college girl and her baseball playing love. See my review here. Purchase The Perfect Game at Amazon || BN.com
Followed up by The Game Changer
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover was another one of my favorite books ever. Heartwrenching and uplifting at the same time, this book blew me away. Phenomenal. See my review here. Purchase Hopeless: Amazon || Nook || iBooks
Followed up by the equally awesome Losing Hope. See my review here.
Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover is an amazing FREE spin-off from the Hopeless series by Colleen Hoover. Funny, sweet and amazing, it can be read all by itself. See my review.
Download FREE at Amazon
Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay made my Best of 2012 list. Tragic, uplifting, funny mysterious, breathtaking and unforgettable. I loved it! See my review here. Purchase Sea of Tranquility: Amazon || BN.com || iBooks
Vain by Fisher Amelie. Wow…unique, different. This book will change you. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book has everything. This will be on many of my Top Picks lists this year. This book has a new cover. See my review here. Purchase Vain: Amazon | BN.com
Nets and Lies by Katie Ashley was an intense, roller-coaster of a read that made me completely check out while reading it. Amazing book, highly recommended. See my review here.
Purchase Nets and Lies Amazon | BN.com | Smashwords
Miss Me Not by Tiffany King had the perfect combination of angst, drama, love, funny moments, sad moments and left you feeling good, not wrecked.
Purchase Miss Me Not Amazon
Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder was one of the best books ever. This took the New Adult and made it pretty adult though. There was a lot of sex, but I’m not complaining. Just be aware. See my review.
Purchase Falling Into You Amazon | BN.com | iBooks Book 2 (They can both stand alone): Falling into Us: Amazon | BN.com | iBooks (My review)
Playing Patience by Tabatha Vargo was dark, gut-wrnching and completely addicting. Zeke is a budding rock star, and the two together are explosive! See my review.
Purchase Playing Patience: Amazon | BN.com
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Going Under by S. Walden This was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. This is not as angst filled as some other books, because the romance takes second to the main subject…rape. But it is engrossing, brutal, sweet, romantic, heartbreaking and addicting. See my review.
Purchase Going Under: Amazon | BN.com
Left Drowning by Jessica Park pulled every emotion possible out of me. It was so well written that I feel no review can do it justice. She took what could be depressing and made it delightful. See my review.
Purchase at Amazon
Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec was the most real book I have ever read. It was so clearly a personal story, I wanted to climb in the book and comfort the characters. See my review.
Purchase Watch Over Me Amazon | BN.com
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- My Favorite Books of 2012
Cynthia L. Miller says
I’d love to add another to your list if I may. It’s “Sea of Tranquility” by Katja Millay. Well written, interesting story and a very good read. Check it out if you haven’t already. Thanks 😉
anasdiary says
It’s on my kindle now….
Pam says
I love lengthening my TBR list! Zoe of these are already on it, but I’m always down for more recommendations! Thanks so much!
Debbie says
I’ve read a majority of these. Great books! Love new adult
Mindy says
I would also love to add to this list. How about Crow’s Row by Julie Hockley. I loved this book ! It’s the first book and second hasn’t come out yet. I didn’t even realize there was not a cuss word or a sex scene in it until I had finished !! Thanks !
Sue says
I just finished reading Beaytifully Damaged by L. A. Fiore. What a story! This has to be one of the best books I have read in a while. It grabs you right from the beginning and you cannot put it down! I was up till 2:30 a.m. A couple days reading this! It has romance, mystery, angst and keeps you guessing to the end. I highly recommend this book! I know it is one I will re-read more than once!