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With 50 main book genres and thousands of subgenres, it is easy for a reader to not know where to even begin finding their favorite(s). Thankfully, fall is here to give students the perfect time to cozy up with a new genre. If you are anything like me, the recent rainy weather gives you the perfect excuse to find a new favorite book or author. With so many choices, from fantasy to thrillers, there are over thousands of different options to pick from. What better time to ignore the dreaded 8 a.m. class, or even 6 p.m. lecture, than with a new author?
Whether you are coming back to the reading scene or it’s brand new to you, there’s no better time than college to start looking for your next obsession. It can be a bit overwhelming with all the options, so here are five authors in some of the most popular genres to look for at your next trip to the bookstore.
1. Sports Romance – Liz Tomforde
Liz Tomforde is an author of sports romance novels that give readers a mix of witty banter, enemies-to-lovers trope, undeniable chemistry, and a bit of spice with swoon-worthy men. Tomforde began writing in 2020 when the global pandemic caused her job as a flight attendant to be postponed. She is best known for her Windy City series, which features five main books and one spin-off.
For readers interested in her work, I recommend Book 1 – Mile High, a 490-page book with forbidden love, hockey romance, and enemies-to-lovers. Available on Kindle and Paperback.
2. Cowboy Romance – Holly Renee
Holly Renee is a Southern author, raised in East Tennessee, with romance books that will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation. Her works range from fantasy to contemporary, and now cowboy romance as well. Renee has hit the ground running in the cowboy romance subgenre and become a quick hit with TikTok and Instagram over her series The Calloway Ranch.
For readers interested in her work, check out Book 1 – Cowboy Casual, a 418 page book with second chances, forced proximity, and a small-town romance. Available on Kindle and Paperback.
3. Dark Romance – Rina Kent
Rina Kent, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, specializes in enemies-to-lovers stories that are all interconnected dark romances (in the same universe) with one another. She often writes for the anti-heroes, villains, and society’s outcasts,giving them either a happy ending or the ending she believes the misunderstood deserve. Her books often contain darker topics and concepts, providing readers with trigger warnings on both her website and within the books themselves. Readers are advised to preview these potential triggers prior to reading (note: reader discretion is advised before reading any/all dark romance) to ensure they are comfortable with the discussed topics prior to continuing.
For readers interested in her work, try Book 0 – Cruel King, a 416 page book with high school romance, bad boy x good girl, and bullying/elite school dynamics. Available on Kindle and Paperback.
4. Romantasy – Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros is an American author in the contemporary romance and romantasy genres. Her journey as an author began writing in 2014 when her husband was deployed. Since then, she has gone on to write 25 books and counting. Rebecca’s most popular series is the Empyrean pentalogy, an ongoing romantasy series following the story of Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson.
For readers interested in her work, try Book 1 – Fourth Wing, a 530 page book with enemies-to-lovers, dragons, and dual perspectives. Available on Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover.
5. Thriller/Horror – Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden is a bestselling author and part-time neurosurgeon, where she specializes in brain injuries. She is best known for her hit series The Housemaid, a psychological thriller that was recently adapted into a 2025 film. McFadden’s novels often start with a murder, arrest, or even the killer beginning to approach the narrator. Fans often view her works as fun page-turners that make them think of reality TV or as books to escape into.
For readers interested in her work, try Book 1 – The Housemaid, a 338-page book with life facades, hidden identities, and jaw-dropping twists. Available on Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover.