Unfortunately I was unable to finish On Screen & Off Again. I was very tempted to dnf early but decided to see how the story may progress. I read 64% of it before finally making the difficult decision.

The blurb and cover art caught my attention from the get-go. I was excited to read a book about two young actors making their way in the world and getting a second chance at a relationship after seven years. But I felt like they didn't have any chemistry. There was no tension and it read like a young adult novel but I believe I signed up for the arc in the new adult category (I could be wrong). From their first meeting after seven years, they were talking like they were never apart which is fine if it wasn't such a big deal that they broke up in the first place. They were both so heartbroken that it just felt unrealistic. The constant back and forth from then and now made it choppy. It was nice at times to look at the past that shaped their decisions in the present but the placement of some chapters broke up the storyline. Wilhemina is a very pushy character while Daxon is a pushover. The idea for this book was great and having the acting scenes incorporated was really unique but I feel like it could have been executed better. I'm still very grateful for the opportunity to have received an arc.

*Thank you to Netgalley, 8th Note Press, and the author for the ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

This was a pleasant surprise! I was worried that the Hollywood of it all would make the characters feel superficial, but in fact, it's the opposite! Wil is sad and discouraged and there is some reference to her partying but it doesn't feel like her whole personality. Instead, she has a uncontrollable streak for pranks and payback, a wounded tenderness for her dad, a love of acting, AND a nostalgia for her time as a child star. Similarly, Dax loves his craft, is a little disillusioned by the hollywood rat race, and has never stopped thinking about Wil. I love that these two can't keep their hands off eachother once they are back together. The 3rd act breakup here feels earned but it hurts so good. Drink this book: Enjoy with either Viognier from Virginia or California Sparkling.

I was really excited for the concept of this book. I'm not usually into second chance romances, but I've been picking them up a lot lately. This book stars (haha), Dax and Wil, two child actors who have grown up--one went to school and studied drama at Yale, while the other stayed in LA and largely just, partied and took up B&E as a hobby. The pair were childhood sweethearts, meeting on set of a show that gave Hannah Montana vibes (loved this though), but had broken up and not spoken in 7 years after some drama surrounding the Yale decision. In what really is a huge opportunity for each of them, the pair end up starring opposite each other in a love story that parallels the story in the book. That's what made me really excited for this one. I know it can be a fine like between too much filler and not enough, but this one didn't feel like enough for me, I just wanted more of each character, and more development of them as individuals and as an eventual couple.
Overall, the book was good. The bones were there.It has sweet moments, funny lines, and a happily ever after. All things most people look for in a romance book. The characters change and grow, There's some healing from childhood trauma. The connection the main characters had was great and felt so right. I just needed a little more. I can get SO invested in characters in the books I read and I just didn’t feel that as much here.
If someone asked me about this book, I would tell them it was cute, but something was missing. Still a decent read, but, for me, not a great one.

Wilhelmina Chase and Daxon Avery were the stars of a wildly popular TV show when they were teenagers. The plot sounds ridiculous yet believable as a pseudo-Nickelodeon type show. Think Hanna Montana meets The Princess Switch. (I think. I’ve never seen either.) When the show is cancelled, Wil spirals into all the stereotypes of troubled young stars while Daxon moves across the country to study acting at Yale. This separation also puts an end to the romance that’s been growing between them and they lose touch for the next several years. Daxon’s career begins to grow while Wil only gets press when she’s in trouble with the law. When Daxon lands a huge starring role in a new movie and the director is struggling to cast the female lead, the first person Dax thinks to suggest is Wil.

The movie is a World War II era romance – very reminiscent of The Notebook – and has the potential to relaunch both of their careers. But will the chemistry and romantic tension between the two of them ruin the whole thing?

This book goes in exactly all the directions you think it will but, honestly, that’s part of the fun. Is it realistic and believable? No. But Wil and Dax are decently likeable and it’s easy enough to cheer for them. A lot of the plot feels pieced together from celebrity headlines and cheesy movies but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It adds to the comfort and familiarity of the story and as long as you’re not expecting anything more, I think the reader will be satisfied.

For me, what makes the book stand out is the unique Hollywood setting. Not just that Wil and Dax are working actors but that they were both successful child actors. Cross shows two different paths that we are all probably used to seeing child actors take. Those who spiral into self-destructive behaviours after they age out of their first career and those who put their heads down and are maybe able to parlay it all into something more lasting. As well, another interesting part of the book for me was that both Wil and Dax come from industry families. The book never uses the term “nepo babies” but that’s essentially what they are. Wil’s dad is a famous comic actor who played her father on their TV show while Daxon’s dads are the stars of a hit decorating show. Through this we get to see two different ways of families navigating this unusual lifestyle.

Overall, an easy and fun read if you’re looking for some escapism.

4.5 STARS (Round Up to 5 Stars)

OKAY WAIT THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN. The perfect freaking second chance romance. I loved reading about the dual timelines and the concept behind the story.

I felt the chemistry, tension and discomfort between the two of them. (In a good way) I really enjoyed Caitlin's writing style and appreciated that it flew by!

DAX & WIL were meant to be together and the pranks truly had me howling and kicking my feet. I felt butterflies reading this book.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF @ 20%

There's nothing horribly wrong with this book, but there's nothing really good about it either? I mean, I suppose that the writing is really breezy, so one can get through 20% of the book in a blink like I did. But just nothing about this book stuck. The premise is interesting enough. Two teen-stars from a popular teen show, the different ways they went in life, then coming back together for a big movie that mirrors pieces of their real life drama.

But everything just felt... forced to me? We were told basically who Dax and Wil were by whoever's PoV it was going something akin to "typical NAME, and their CHARACTERISTIC ways." Then the script just felt TOO on-the-nose rather than simply the MCs being able to see themselves there. And the writing just felt very jilted and just not great.

So, again, not a horrible book, and it'd probably be an enjoyable quick read to others, but I just could not find myself invested at all. The only reason I considered finishing it was because of how quickly it all went by, but then I have other books to read, so why would I do that to myself, you know?

Seven years ago, Wilhelmina “Wil” Chase and Daxon “Dax” Avery were teenage co-stars and sweethearts on a hit kids’ TV show (think Hannah Montana, but she's also royalty??). After the show’s cancellation, Dax left for college, and their lives took different paths. Now in their twenties, Wil’s more famous for her tabloid appearances than acting roles, while Dax is on the brink of A-list stardom. When Wil gets arrested for a Hollywood mishap, she calls Dax—the only number she has memorized. Dax arranges an audition for Wil in his upcoming movie, reigniting old sparks as they navigate on-screen roles and off-screen emotions. 🎬❤️

MUST READ for:
🎥 A fun and authentic behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood
💔 Dual timeline and dual POV in both timelines
📖 A clever parallel historical fiction script
👩‍❤️‍👨 Childhood best friends to lovers to heartbreak to second chance
😎 A class clown sidekick who Longbottoms hard into an A-list movie star

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All opinions are my own. 😊

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy for my honest review.

This gave me mega The Notebook vibes. At least the film that they were making throughout the book. I don’t know if that was the inspiration but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

No spoilers but this was a sweet, fluffy romance about two people who couldn’t be any different yet love each other all the same. Wil, a closed off former childhood actress turned bad girl and Dax, hollywoods golden boy. I loved them, I loved watching them grow not only with each other but with themselves.

Such a good book. 3 stars, not very spicy. Sweet story.

Caitlin Cross crafts a lovely, cinematic romance that feels straight off the CW in the best way. ON SCREEN & OFF AGAIN is a voicey, second chance romance and the perfect romantic escape.

Childhood sweethearts Wilhelmina Chase and Daxon Avery reunite years after their hit TV show ended, now co-starring in a high-stakes film. Wil’s career is in shambles, while Dax is on the rise, but their undeniable chemistry, both onscreen and off, is impossible to ignore. Told through dual timelines, the story beautifully captures their past and present, weaving in the emotional depth of their film’s script. Wil’s growth from reckless starlet to serious actress was engaging, and Dax’s unwavering devotion was swoon-worthy. Though I wanted more buildup in key moments, this was a heartfelt second-chance romance that I couldn’t put down. I’ll definitely read more from Caitlin Cross.

Unfortunately I didn’t like this book, even though the premise was very interesting and it had a lot of potential. It was about Wil and Dax who were child actors in Hollywood and were in a kid TV show together. They were best friends but the book makes it seem like they’re actually together. But there wasn’t any scene in the book that confirmed someone asks someone out. So I was a little confused there. Especially because they were teenagers so they for sure need the “asking out” part to make it official.

When the show got canceled, Dax decided to go to college and Wil stayed in LA, so they broke off whatever relationship they had. Years later, Dax is about to star in a big movie production and is looking for the main female lead. After months of auditions, Dax thought Wil would be the perfect person for the role.

She came in to read the part, she was amazing and she is cast in the movie. They started working together again after all these years. It brought up some memories and hurt from their time together. While at the same time, Wil is reinventing herself and her acting career.

I just feel like the chapters feel a little flat. There isn’t that much tension between the two characters after years not keeping in touch with each other. Maybe there’s some longing from one character, but it wasn’t enough for me.

I would love to recommend this book to everyone, but I would say read at your own risk.

Tldr: mostly cute and fluffy. Didn’t have a lot of substance but it was still a nice book. 3.5

Wil and Dax were childhood best friends and costars turned romantic couple, until they broke up after he went to college and she jumped off the “childhood star turned diva” deep end. Ten years later, she’s calling him from jail and he has a new starring role begging for her to be his counterpart.

Caitlin Cross did the Dang thing! I Love to see a debut author that has a good first story, because I know there will be more to look forward to later in their career! I liked the inside look into a slice of Hollywood production. I really enjoyed the concept and I appreciate a closed door moment. I liked that both characters had problems they needed to deal with that didn’t involve eachother. Daxon is great and sweet and worked really hard to get where he’s at.

There were a lot of things that really threw the vibe off for me. Mainly, I think Wil is the worst. She’s presumptive and unprofessional and truly went off the deep end in her teenage years and then expected everything to be fine when she decided to to start trying to act again. Also Katrina literally doesn’t seem that bad. Rude and catty, yes, but the evil Hollywood devil, no. Also something about the fact that Daxon has two dads but they’re like not really important or involved and only mentioned a couple times and make a single lackluster appearance gives me virtue signaling vibes. Idk that’s just me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

3.5 stars.
Thank you netgalley for an Arc of this story.
This book follows Wilhelmina and Daxon who are actors and childhood best friends. They end up working on a movie together after not speaking in years.
Their chemistry is unmatched but unfortunately I found the story to drag as it went on.

ARC review:

2.5⭐️. This had the bones to be really good but just fell really flat. I found the FMC to be really annoying and childish. I didn’t get enough chemistry between Dax and Wil. I wanted more angst and longing between them. Oh and if it matters to any readers, this is a closed door romance. While i don’t need spice to be interested in a book, i think an open door scene would’ve helped. Found myself skimming the book from 50% and beyond. Probably should’ve been my sign to DNF since it was a push to finish it.


Thank you to Net Galley and 8th Note Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sigh.

I’m not a fan of second chance, but I thought this would be different.

The characters were flat and had zero chemistry. The plot of the book sounded intriguing, but was boring throughout the reading process.

I wanted to reach in and wring half the characters by the throat, or at least shake some common sense into them. Because come on!!

"On Screen & Off Again" is a mixed bag for me. In the beginning, I thought that this book seemed pretty cute. It had some good lines between the main characters that were sort of adorable. The only thing is that it felt empty. It should've made me swoon, but I barely felt anything. I really do appreciate this being a relatively clean romance. However (there is always a however with me), the characters still felt like they were seventeen. The whole conflict between Wil, Daxton, and Katrina annoyed me so bad man. Despite this I did enjoy the ending scene I found myself smiling at it. If you like mostly clean romances, a slightly (SLIGHTLY) Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Esque character, and celebrity drama I think you would like this.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

3.5/5

I’m not always a big fan of stories where the structures goes between the past and present but I enjoyed on and off screen again.

Though makes me roll my eyes the back and forth question of their relationship made a lot of sense to me

So I was up and down with them on every part of their journey

This was a cute second chance romance. The story follows Wil and Daxton, childhood stars that grew up together on a tv series. They dated, broke up, and reconnected. I did like the before and now timelines; I thought it helped add depth to the characters. This book read more YA to me, which was fine. It fit the characters. I do wish there was more build up/angst when they started working before falling together so quickly again. Overall, I thought the story cute. and I did enjoy it. It is a good easy read to get lost in.

Thank you to Carlin Cross, the publisher, and Netgalley for opportunity to read this. This review is my own thoughts and opinions.

On Screen & Off Again by Caitlin Cross was such a great debut!
Such a fun and entraining second chance rom-com.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.

I haven't read many second chance romances books but I found myself drawn into the relationship and I enjoyed the povs.