New Adult is a recent and controversial arrival to the publishing scene. While it is generally accepted as describing books that focus on the lives of people in their early twenties, that is where the agreement ends. Some people argue that this covers all books fitting that description while others feel that New Adult is primarily romance. Still, others find the term condescending and feel that these books should simply fall under adult fiction.
Regardless of anybody’s feelings on the name or definition, New Adult is a force to be reckoned with at the moment. Meant to emulate the style of Young Adult fiction, but with much more sex and other taboo behaviors, many successful New Adult titles were self-published and reached success through word of mouth. If you’re curious about the category, but unsure where to start, check out these five titles.
1. Slammed (Slammed Book #1) by Colleen Hoover
Eighteen year old Layken is trying to hold her family together in the aftermath of tragedy. When they move to Michigan, she immediately bonds with her intriguing and sexy new neighbor, a man with a talent for slam poetry and traumas of his own. But when a shocking revelation puts an immediate end to their blossoming romance, can they resist the temptation to give into the chemistry between them?
Source: Amazon
2. Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful Disaster Book #1) by Jamie McGuire
Abby has a second chance and this time, she’s going to be good. But her willpower is tested by Travis Maddox, “Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.” Travis wants her, though she’s standing firm, and this interests him. He challenges Abby to a bet, the results of which will change their lives in ways neither of them could have possibly expected.
Source: Amazon
3. Faking It by Cora Carmack
Max’s parents are coming to visit and they won’t be expecting the tattoos, piercings, or boyfriend named Mace. Desperate, she asks Cade, an aspiring actor, to play the role of her boyfriend while her parents are in town. He agrees, but the act goes a little too well. The lies continue and as they build, Max and Cade begin to wonder if their relationship might not be so fake after all.
Source: Amazon
4. Easy (Contours of the Heart Book #2) by Tammara Webber
The last thing Jacqueline expected when she followed her boyfriend to his dream college was to get dumped two months into sophomore year. But that’s exactly what happened and now she’s stuck in a college she never wanted to go to, failing a class, and is being ignored by all her former friends. After a harrowing incident on her way home one night, she is rescued by Lucas, a quiet, mysterious guy from her Economic class.
Source: Amazon
5. Wait for You (Wait for You Saga Book #1) by J. Lynn
Avery is in college thousands of miles from home, rebuilding her life after the events of Halloween five years ago. She doesn’t want friends and she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself. But those plans quickly fall apart when she catches the eye of the gorgeous Cameron. Though when the past catches up with her, Avery realizes she can’t hide any longer. As things continue to mercilessly fall apart, she’s left conflicted with her emotions for this intriguing, though comforting, man.
Source: Amazon
New Adult titles tend to be dramatic, romantic, and full of emotion. While the genre is still young, there are many new titles coming out all the time. Do you have any others to add to this list?
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Featured image via Derek Berry
