Freshman Orientation

Campus Crush #6

by Alex Winters

On the campus of a brand new college, two former classmates share a reunion that changes everything they thought they knew about each other, and even themselves…

Banks Principle can hardly believe his eyes when he glances across the crowded auditorium during the Welcome Week pep rally to find his old classmate, Harper Grant, sitting across the gym. After all, he’d come all the way to Piedmont State in North Carolina to finally be free of his tiny hometown back in Georgia. To be free, in short, to be his horny, eager, strutting, man-loving self. And suddenly, he’s face to face with someone from that very same town? But when Banks sees that Harper is wearing a PRIDE T-shirt, and looking every bit as uncomfortable as himself, Banks sees opportunity where moments earlier he saw ruin. Could it be that he and Harper have more in common than he thought?

All Harper Grant wanted when he applied to Piedmont State was to be free. Free of his tiny Georgia hometown. Free of his mother’s judging ways. Free of the cliques and the jocks and the rumors and the prying eyes that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. He’d shed the wallflower image he’d projected back home and now, on this blank slate of a college campus, he’s run into the jockiest of jocks from back Banks Principle! But when Banks shares a stunning secret, will the two share a one-of-a-kind experience that sheds both their inhibitions and their V-cards at the same time? Or will their inevitable coupling turn into something more than just a passing phase?

Genres: Romance, M M Romance

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

About the author

Alex Winters is an Amazon bestselling romance author with a passion for holiday music, junk food, cheesy 80s horror movies and Epcot. His series feature a variety of romantic pairings (M/F, M/M, F/F AND MMF) and include Campus Crush (Evernight), Slightly Sinful (Siren Publishing), Good Sports (Ninestar Press), High-Stakes Heroines (JMS Books) and more. His stories tend to be sizzling and sweet, with a whole lot of laughs – and spice – along the way!

Reviews

[leanna billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Heat Level: 🔥🔥
Tropes: MM, HFN, 2hr quickie, V-H/h, 3rd POV


Things I didn’t like:
- absolutely nothing 🫶🏼

Things I loved:
- absolutely everything 🤭
- in pants bl@sting while helping the other out 🙌🏼🙌🏼 always a fav micro trope

Banks being a total Bro in HS but always aware of Harper was amazing. I’m so happy they ended up together at school far away from the noise to be able to honestly become themselves. Even if it wasn’t a total insta love story line I think if we picked up their epilogue in 4-5 years they’d still be together madly in love and able to be out and proud.



“My point is, I thought I’d show up on campus feeling out and proud and big and bad and sexy and irresistible but, honestly? I’m still the same sad sack, anonymous gay boy I was back home, skulking in the halls, shy and just out of focus.” ~Harper

“Sorry, I just… You spent two years trying to be anonymous, and now you’re out here wearing rainbow letters and acting like that’s gonna erase the past. I’m just not sure it works that way, or happens quite that fast.” ~Banks.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper and Banks went to the same high school. When they run into each other being from the same small hometown, they realized that maybe they had preconceived ideas of one another. Both of them came here trying to escape who they were and being their true selves with new beginnings. This short read is a really fantastic read.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper & Banks

These two were entertaining to read about. I liked the premise that they each wanted to get a fresh start and live their truth, not knowing about the other's desire to do the same. I also appreciated how things developed for them.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book six in the Campus Crush series. Each book is a standalone read. This is the story of Banks Principle and Harper Grant. Both men went to the same high school but they really didn't interact. Both are at Piedmont State in North Carolina to try and start their lives anew. No more judgement nor rumors from their small hometown in Georgia. Finally a chance to be who or what they are meant to be without pressure or negativity. Each are shocked when they see each other at a Welcome Week Pep Rally. Each have formed opinions about the other without knowing the other. Now is the chance for them to start being their true selves. They alone must decide who to trust and how to act. This is their story. I enjoyed this book. It is a sweet romance that will put a smile on your face.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freshman Orientation is Book 6 of the Campus Crush series. This is a short and steamy, MM, double virgin, close-proximity, college romance. Harper and Banks were high school students in Georgia. Both went away to college, hoping to be free of the small minds in their town. They never expect to see each other at college, nor realize that both are gay and were not as they seemed in high school. This was a really sweet romance about finding love while being true to yourself. Both realized that they had misjudged each other back home, but find they have more in common than they thought. They really formed a strong connection and friendship. These two had great chemistry and we got such a happy ending. I loved this one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DUAL FIRST TIME FRIENDS TO LOVERS!💕🧋🍿

Harper and Banks attend the same College Orientation weekend after leaving the same High School in the same town- as always aware of each other as peers but never spoke a word until their eyes meet… that weekend at Piedmont University…

Both want the freedom to be themselves away from their small little hometown of Straight jocks and swimmers…

A coffee rendezvous starts the ball rolling followed by a movie date which escalates into so much more for these sweet, horny salacious guys! 🍆💦🍿

This is where their friendship starts and maybe a love blossoms for their years at college and maybe after?

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banks is at a freshman pep rally. It’s loud and everyone around is cheering, shouting, stomping their feet and cheering for the Panthers, the college team. While everyone is standing he sees someone from his old high school, Harper. Harper is wearing a pride shirt and looking cute. When their eyes meet Harper is shocked. Banks is or was a jock in high school. But what are they doing in a college far from their home town in another state? They are being their authentic selves.

The whole story takes place in two days and shows how they progress from guys who hardly ever talked to spending time together and talking about everything. Plus giving into their attraction to each other.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Freshman orientation, it's the first day Piedmont State, they are all gathered in the auditorium to find out what plans there are for the week to introduce them to one another and the college.

Banks Principle is looking forward to finally being able to be his completely true self. For him that means shedding the jock persona, the pretence of enjoying being with girls, the cocky attitude. This is a brand new start, this is the start of his future, in a place where he can be true to himself. He'd like to say he's ready but he's wondering what on earth he has done being there. Then he glances around.

Harper Grant applied to Piedmont to be free. Free of his hometown, his judgemental mother, the school cliques, jocks and rumours and most of all to be free of the image he had curated for himself throughout High School. Now. he plans to be true to himself and not look back. He has a Pride t-shirt, he feels different, wants to believe that he is now him true self and is looking forward to it even if it all feels hard. Then he sees him.

When Banks and Harper set eyes on one another to say they are surprised is an understatement. Both had ideas about who the other was, who they had been all through High School. True, they didn't really know one another but that hadn't stopped them forming opinions, opinions that are now about to be shattered for good. For the better. For them both.

Their meeting is one of chance. What happens next is entirely their own decision. Theirs is a story of honesty, of discovery, of opening up and being your true self, not only to themselves as people but also to one another. Neither of them are what the other assumed, neither of them are the person they pretended to be and they are both about to experience something precious, seeing a person for the first time, seeing a person and their truth and knowing that it is what they want.

'Freshman Orientation' is a touching, beautiful, eye-opening and honest story. It is lighthearted with an underlying seriousness, carried an important message tucked up gently in a beautiful, humour-filled story packed with the most perfect dialogue and just the right amount of everything!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short story of two young men in their first week of college away from their small town home, experiencing their first real introduction to their lives as gay young men. Hailing from the same home town and high school, they had had little interaction in school over the years, aware of each other as someone totally different than them, Banks a popular jock, and Harp fading into the background, without any real contact. Both were surprised to see each other at this out of state college when they had expected to leave their pasts behind. Little did they know that what they were seeking had been right in front of them all the time, but it was a case of “wrong place, wrong time”, now it is right for both. As they indulge in their new sexual exploration together, they find an unexpected kindred spirit as they build a beginning relationship. Banks is a great example of “fake it til you make it” and Harp is eager to follow along. An entertaining story of first times with someone unexpected. Engaging and appealing characters embarking on a new chapter in their life with the potential for something much more meaningful for their future, a realistic situation that comes across as totally possible and believable.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Harper nodded quietly, eyes moist but his smooth, hollow cheeks dry. “How can your story sound so much like mine when we couldn’t be more different, Banks?”
Banks swallowed. Heart pounding, palms sweating, nodding quietly in the flickering glow that bathed them both in its chaotic, yet vaguely comforting, light. “Because I guess we’re not so different after all, Harper. Because you can’t hide who you are forever, and if I don’t start living the life I want now, when will I ever?”'

I loved this book. It was such a sweet romance and new beginnings. I loved both Banks and Harper. Both were completely shocked to see a familiar face at the same college each had escaped to to get away from their hometown and finally be themselves away from disapproval. There was a level of hurt and loneliness in each of their former lives.

I love the way the two of them connected, began to open up, and flirted; not even intentionally- it just came naturally. I quickly grew really invested in these two guys and wanted them to find their happiness together. 5 stars

[Reader Monjeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine finally escaping your tiny southern, judgmental hometown to a college far from home, hoping to reinvent yourself as the real you, just to see a familiar face. Harper Grant and Banks Principle faced this situation and had to decide what to do. Come out to the other guy or not. Turns out, they came out to each other. Surprise!

Alex Winters has written another excellent m/m story about friendship, love, and the choice of living life freely. The plot is an enticing tale that captures your attention and doesn’t let go until the last page has turned. Winters typically writes short stories but packs a lot into those pages. His writing is excellent, and he makes the readers feel the sexual tension that is simmering throughout the book. Freshmen Orientation is well-written with a solid plot and great spice. I definitely recommend this book!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book about learning to accept who you are and getting past old assumptions about who we think others are inside. Banks and Harper both choose colleges far away from their hometown in an effort for a fresh start at being who they want to be, not what the world accepts. Their discovery that neither where who they projected to the outside world is well written, organic and wonderful to discover along with them. The romance is sweetly written, and you can't but help yourself fall for them both. Great book - now I'm going back to the previous 5 books in this series!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable addition to the series and I really love how this one came together. Harper and Banks went to the same high school and didn't mingle so both are shocked to see each other at the same college. I got a kick out of how they both wanted a fresh start to become the men they want to be. What starts off as a moment of connecting quickly turns into an open communication that includes being very vulnerable with each other. This leads to exploring some spicy firsts and gives us a fab HFN ending. Good fun!

[Shannon Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Freshman Orientation" by Alex Winters is a fantastic, quick read. I really enjoyed this book. Banks and Harper spot each other across a college pep rally and what ensues is a complete showing of how things aren't always what they seem. Figuring out what is true about each other is a sweet, low angst, sexy journey. I always enjoy books by this author and I'm looking forward to what is next.

[stardragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After looking for a college away from home and fellow students, where he could be free to be himself Banks ends up at Piedmont. During the pep rally for new freshman he discovers a fellow alumni from high school Harper. Even though they never hung out in the same circles it’s a shock to see each other. Harper had the same idea as Banks to reinvent himself. This is a sweet story of discovery and common ideals.

[GreenPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freshman Orientation is a sweet and feel-good romance about Harper and Banks, two guys who knew each other back in high school but never really connected. When they both show up at college, they get a chance to start fresh. A random moment of recognition quickly turns into something deeper. As they start to open up, they let go of their old fears and realize how natural it is to be together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banks decided to go to a different college than where the rest of the family had gone too so he could be true to himself for once. At the pep rally he saw that a fellow student Harper from high school was there too so they got together for coffee. They found out they had a lot in common so they started doing things together and catching feelings.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experience Together

Banks and Harper had similar struggles back home. When they are reunited during freshman orientation at the same college they begin to experience the men behind the facade they both held. It was a beautifully written story and I really enjoyed these two together and how friendship built into something deeper.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

While at a freshman pep rally, Banks spots someone from his high school days. A man named, Harper.
Eyes are locked and imagine the surprise and probably confusion, on Harper's face when he spots the jock from high school. None other than Banks. Seems they both had the idea of escaping small home town scrutiny to pursue a place of being their authentic selves.
Exploration and first time fantasies.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haper and Banks were surprised when they bumped into each other especially with hopes of a new beginning at their college. The short story was cute and the characters were relatable. They were vulnerable with each other and had a genuine connection with one another.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable. It's the story of two young men leaving their hometown and going to college. Neither of them knew the other would be there. Banks is a jock and Harper is not. This book tells their story of how they have much more in common than they thought. I really enjoyed reading this.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freshman Orientation is the sixth book in the Campus Crush series, each can be read as a standalone. This was such a fun read about two boys that left the same small minded town and run into each other at college. I enjoyed reading about Harper and Banks.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banks and Harper went to High School together. Not enemies, just not friends. Now in college, they bare their souls and become more than friends. It's an erotic, learning, bi-awakening experience for them both. I received a copy of this through BookSprout and this is my voluntary opinion.

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed read this book I couldn’t put it down turning the pages. I thought the story was interesting and was well written that kept you reading. I can’t wait to read from this Alex Winters. I recommend.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were wonderful and the story was really sweet. These two were so good together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Harper and Bank's story and I liked them as characters, both were looking for fresh starts and a chance to be themselves so when they recognised each other from their small hometown they were shocked but they soon realised that both had been hiding their true selves back in high school and they connected and we get a great short read.