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.

I really liked this one! Second chance romance isn’t my favorite trope, but this one was done so well!! I devoured this book in a day. I really enjoyed the back & fourth timeline- I think this is what made me love this book the most. Seeing the friends to lovers evolve over time was perfectly done.

Some of my favorite moments were the jinx scene and the mtv movie awards!

Thank you so much Caitlin and NetGalley for a chance to read and review this lovely book!

I was really excited to read this because I love second-chance romances, and the fact that they were childhood friends/co-stars intrigued me. Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. As a second-chance romance, I was hoping for more tension between the characters, especially since they hadn't spoken for years. There was no build-up of anything, which led me to feel no real chemistry between Wil and Dax. I'm also a big fan of dual timelines in books, and I could tell the author was trying to form a connection between the characters through the "then" chapters, but honestly, it just felt disjointed to me. The premise of the book definitely had potential; it just needed better execution. This was still a solid debut novel, and I am definitely interested in seeing what the author plans to write next.

Thank you to 8th Note Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wilhelmina and Dax were child stars on a popular TV show, they had a nasty breakup when the show ended. Years later, they meet again on the set of a movie. Sparks start flying again, making things complicated.

This was such a fun second chance romcom, I enjoyed the dual timeline as well as dual POV. These two were cute, I enjoyed their story 💖

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Finished this book in one sitting!!
I loved how fast paced it was, i'm definitely a fan of dual timeline and this second chance romance didn't disappoint.
I'm in love with Wil and Dax's story.

ON SCREEN & OFF AGAIN by Caitlin Cross

Pub date: Feb. 4th, 2025
Publisher: 8th Note Press
Rating: 3 / 5



Ever heard that famous saying, "You know I adore you, I'm crazier for you // Than I was at 16, lost in a film scene"?

Wilhelmina Chase had the dream teen star life. She had a hit TV show, happy home life, and her best friend/co-star/first love Daxon Avery. But that was 7 years ago. Now, Wil is just another child star turned tragedy. Meanwhile, Dax has made a name for himself as one of Hollywood's hottest actors. His newest project, To The Stars, is looking for a female lead, and Dax has his eyes set on Wil. Starring in this movie means a second chance for Wil's career... and maybe for Wil and Dax too.

ON SCREEN & OFF AGAIN is a debut romance that follows two people relearning what their dreams look like. The book alternates between Wil and Dax's POVs in the past and present. There are also sections following the movie script of To The Stars. The movie characters are clear parallels of Wil and Dax, and while the script adds a fun multimedia aspect to the story, the book sometimes feels more invested in the movie characters than Wil and Dax. There is very little build up to them getting back together, and their present day relationship felt rushed and superficial. It was also hard to feel like the characters grew at all when Wil is essentially the same at 17 as 24. Dax is definitely a highlight of the book, with truly swoon-worthy lines and charm, but the lack of action and conversations on page takes away some of his depth too. Romance fans looking for a light read with Hollywood drama and second chances will likely enjoy Wil and Dax's story.



(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

ARC Review

Thank you to Caitlin Cross, 8th Note Press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice: 🫑
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
📽 childhood best friends
🥰 second chance

This book was so cute! I loved the romance! I was rooting for Dax and Wil as individuals and as a couple the entire time!

Vibes:
1. Hannah Montana meets Bling Ring (in part) meets celebrity comeback (i.e. Lindsay Lohan)
2. Tom Holland protecting Zendaya from the press

This is my new go to recommendation for anyone that wants a good romance book!

Ooooooh, what an enjoyable read!

I was really anticipating this book, and it did not disappoint. It's got "if former Disney Channel stars reunited on a movie set as adults and fell back in love" energy and I was HERE. FOR. IT. Former friends to lovers second chance is my kryptonite, and Cross did this so well. The writing is engaging and beautiful, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is captivating from start to finish. A delicious read.

Can't wait to read what Caitlin Cross writes next.
 
Thank you to 8th Note Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. ON SCREEN & OFF AGAIN is out 2/4/25.

This is the stuff of fanfiction dreams, truly. Wilhemina and Daxon were child stars on an extremely popular TV show, but had a bad breakup when the show ended. Seven years later, Daxon's star is on the rise, while Wil has faded into obscurity. They are reunited on a blockbuster movie, and of course, sparks fly and things get complicated.

I went back and forth on whether to give this book three or four stars, and I landed on four stars because this was a fun, easy read with lots of familiar tropes that were relatively well-executed. I felt the chemistry between Wil and Daxon, but the degree to which I was rooting for them was definitely dampened by the fact that I thought Daxon treated Wil pretty shittily. When he was young, of course, I gave him a bit of a pass (even though I feel like the way he treated her was indicative of how little he actually respected her), but in the present-day timeline, it felt like he was still willing to do anything for his career and he was unwilling to really remedy the rift between them with real accountability. The movie Wil and Daxon are working on is also extremely cheesy, and there was way too much of the script in there for my liking. But this didn't feel like a three-star book to me because it is actually really well written, and I loved Wil as a character.

Thank you to NetGalley and 8th Note Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!