College might be busy, but we still need to make time for the things that we enjoy. At the beginning of 2023, we’ve made a list of 12 rom coms to read this year. Each of them contains something relevant to the college experience, whether it’s thematic, characteristic, or situation-centric. If you like reading, this list is definitely for you.
1. The Secret Bridesmaid
If you’re looking for a cute, lighthearted rom coms to read this year, this is one to consider. Sophie has created her own business as a stand in bridesmaid. She hires herself out as a personal assistant/wedding planner/fire diffuser to various brides to ensure their weddings go off without a hitch. However, despite all of these weddings, her love life is nonexistent.
Sophie’s life gets turned around when she lands one of the most prestigious clients in all of England, Lady Cordelia Swann. However, Cordelia isn’t a fan of the idea of a secret bridesmaid, and she’ll do anything she can to make Sophie quit. Determined, Sophie embarks on a journey to deliver the best wedding possible–and see what sparks fly with Cordelia’s brother.
Reasons to Read: lighthearted, British, comical, well-written, compelling characters
2. The Royals Next Door
A Canadian Royals-enthusiast gets the surprise of her life when the new young royals start residing in secret next door. Piper is an elementary school teacher who’s trying to get by in her island town where she’s still considered an outsider. She works, takes care of her mother, and avoids her ex-fiancé. Her one true joy comes from her anonymous podcast on the royals, and fantasy becomes reality when they move in next door. As time goes on, sparks begin to fly more and more with the royals’ bodyguard. Piper must not only navigate this new romance and the pressure that comes with the Royal spotlight, but she must also find herself and learn how to use her voice.
Reasons to Read: charming, character growth, finding a voice, mental health, outsiders, comical
3. Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors
I put this book because it’s the first in a series of four, and I would highly recommend each of them. The author cleverly retells Jane Austen stories through the Raje family. They’re a wealthy Indian American family in the Bay Area with a plethora of talent: surgery, cooking, politics, humanitarian work, etc. With warm characters, compelling struggles, sweet romance, and wonderful ties to the original stories, I would recommend these to anyone.
I also loved that there’s a touch of magical realism. It’s very light, and I would by no means call this a fantasy book, but it works well. Even though these stories are relevant to our time and timely, I’d also say that the touch of magical realism makes them a little bit more timeless as well.
Reasons to Read: vibrant characters, talented retelling, set in Bay Area, family-centric, young adults finding their way, sweet romance
4. The Soulmate Equation
This is a personal favorite of mine because it takes place in San Diego! I don’t find too many books that take place in San Diego and have such a realistic knowledge of neighborhoods and good spots. As I read it, I was able to be like, I go there every weekend! That was a fun experience, but it might just be me.
However, the story itself was fantastic, and if I were to pick one of these rom coms to read, this might be it. Jess, a single young mom, works constantly to support herself and her daughter. She meets River, one of the founders at a company that claims to create pairings in based off of statistics and genetics, by chance. That chance meeting eventually leads to her having a 98% match with him based on their algorithm. After GeneticAlly, the company, offers her money to test out the romance, Jess begins to learn more and more about River, her view of romance expanding in the process.
Reasons to Read: San Diego, young single mom, women in science, smart writing, capable heroine, found-family centric
5. The Wedding Crasher
A romantic, opinionated woman crashes the wedding of a control freak lawyer after discovering the bride’s motives aren’t sincere. Due to various circumstances on both sides, the two of them begin to fake a relationship. They’re aiming to fool everyone–his employers, her family–and along the way, they begin to find true feelings. However, neither of them are in a place to accept these feelings. What do they do when their semblance of control begins to crumble?
Reasons to Read: strong heroine, comedy, compelling romance, Brazilian culture, control freak meets reality
6. The Royal We
This book is essentially a fictionalized retelling of Will and Kate’s love story, but it’s good! I will preface it by saying that I didn’t love the sequel and that it seemed a bit forced, but the first one was great. It starts off when they’re in college, which too few books do. American Bex Porter, normally conservative in her choices, chooses to study abroad at Oxford. During her first year, she meets Nick, the down-to-earth prince of England. The book tracks their relationship over the years, covering the joys, the romance, the tribulations, the sacrifices, and the chaos that follows dating the future king of England.
Reasons to Read: captures the college spirit, study abroad, relatable, retelling, ties to reality, finding your way
7. The Unhoneymooners
In another Christina Lauren rom com, an enemies to lovers romance ensues when two people end up on a vacation they never intended to take. Olive is the unlucky twin, the one who is constantly living in the shadow of her sister Ami. However, when Ami’s wedding goes awry and everyone gets food poisoning, Olive and Ethan (her nemesis and the best man) are the only ones who escape unharmed. However, since the honeymoon needs to be enjoyed, Olive and Ethan agree to go together to Maui. Despite the tension in the beginning, Olive begins to feel more and more affability towards Ethan, possibly even bordering on romance. During a vacation of comedy and fun, the two create a fantastic summer story.
Also, if you like this, you should check out all of Christina Lauren’s books. If you’re looking for cute, lighthearted rom coms to read, they have you covered.
Reasons to Read: women in science, Hawaii, honeymoon, enemies-to-lovers, lighthearted, relatable regarding luck
8. The Ex Hex
Vivi is a witch. Nine years ago, in college, she was a witch with a broken heart. After Rhys Penhallow broke her heart, she placed a curse on him. She didn’t think much of it until now, when he returns and messes up everything in her town. Vivi and Rhys must work together to solve many mysteries and obstacles, including her ex hex–and their amazing chemistry.
Fun fact: this is written under the pen name of Rachel Hawkins, who wrote Hex Hall and The Wife Upstairs, our June 2022 book of the month! If you’ve read her books before, the writing style is so familiar!
Reasons to Read: magic!, fantastic romance, adventure, college romance, broken hearts (relatable in the actions, even if they’re magical), great voice, comedy
9. American Royalty
I loved this book because it felt relevant to our culture today without trying too hard. It tells the story of an American rapper who mistakenly ends up performing for the queen of England’s celebration. However, as her appearance is a surprise, she needs to stay with the royal family member who accidentally chose her. He’s a professor who wants nothing to do with royalty or Duchess (the rapper). As time goes on, sparks fly and a romance heats up, despite the obvious problems that come with it.
Reasons to Read: energy, culture clash, well written romance, successful women, doesn’t try too hard
10. From the Jump
If you’re a control freak like me, this book is for you. Liv is someone who thrives on the “shoulds” of life. She’s a perfectionist to the max, someone who molds her life around the things that should happen. When she finally says no and follows her old friend group to South Africa, however, her life falls into chaos. Following this trip, everything she knew as true is no longer guaranteed. Living situations, work, love, and passion are all up in the air. How can Liv fix the situation–while amending it to include what she actually wants? This was one of my favorite rom coms to read in the latter half of 2022 because it felt so relatable!
Reasons to Read: good reminder to live life, slow burn romance, adventure and travel,
11. The Proposal
This book by Jasmine Guillory has gotten so much attention, and rightfully so. She does a fantastic job of representing underrepresented characters and giving them true depth. Like The Rajes series (#3), Guillory keeps everything in one universe, so all of her characters are connected in some way. In The Proposal, we meet Nik, a strong protagonist who knows what she wants, and Carlos, a sexy doctor who’s the perfect fling. After Nik dumps her shallow boyfriend in front of an entire stadium and Carlos saves her, romance heats up, eventually simmering into something more. Full of fun and flirtation, this book is certainly worth the read!
Reasons to Read: strong female friendship, career women, cute romance, good food, LA, comedy
12. A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
This is the only YA book on our list, but it’s here for a good reason. In college, you’re in the transition period between childhood and adulthood. Many of these books feature young adults and themes around this age, but some of them still are situationally older. A Cuban Girl’s Guide bridges this gap. Miami native Lila’s life plan falls apart when she ends up in England for the summer after a breakup. Despite the chaos that she expects, she finds a sense of peace and some new recipes in the sleepy English town. Most of all, she finds friendship and romance in local boy Orion. Together, the two explore England and begin to change Lila’s view about the future–and the present. Especially if you’re looking for YA rom coms to read, this is an excellent choice.
Reasons to Read: study abroad vibes, breakup healing, coming of age, Cuban food, good voice
A Final Word
These are some of our top picks to start out 2023. What did you think? Are there any books that you would have recommended? Have you read any? Let us know in the comments!
