UV curable adhesive compositions which provide improved bonding to substrates such as carbonates and metals is provided. The compositions are formed as the reaction product of a urethane methacrylate and reactive diluents such as N-vinyl caprolactam and isobornyl acrylate, a photoinitiator compound, and adhesion promoting additives. Urethane methacrylates which may be employed include ester-based urethane methacrylates as well as ether based urethane methacrylates. Also, methods of bonding substrates using their compositions and the articles produced by the methods.