Wil had issues from so many different directions but they didn’t seem to leave an actual permanent impact
- things affected her career but not HER, past getting mad and immediately getting over it
- her drinking / going out problem wasn’t addressed because she suddenly didn’t have a drinking problem anymore when she decided not to
- her crime sprees just stopped after getting caught one time
- Her exec producer sexually harassed her as a child and she’s just like …fine other than being kicked off a show. Her career suffered, but we didn't actually dive into how terrible that would have been and the impact it would actually make on her psych (i.e. the drinking problem she just stopped having)

The romance moved way too quick - they fell into bed immediately and conflicts kept popping up and then being glossed over. Despite the fact that no conflict lasted long she was still opposed to the relationship. But she kept hooking up with him. It felt like we were being told a lot of things, but not shown, and at times even that felt clunky. I lost track of how many times someone said something and it was followed by "we laughed." It almost read like a first person script with just "he did this then she did this"

The manufactured will they won’t they just kind of ended. There was no real resolution except this one person said something that resonated with Wil, that other people also said and she ignored, but this time it’s different so I can change my mind

Not a huge fan of the super villain stepmom and the lack of accountability from Wil’s dad. She still thinks her pulling away (at 17?! When he didn’t even care if she was in the room when he proposed?!) was the problem?!

Dax’s relationship with his dads was fixed with one conversation? That whole situation felt weird.

I think what this book comes down to for me is Daxon. What a dorky sunshine beam of a character, whose pov chapters I never wanted to leave. There was such a refreshingly nuanced look at his body confidence and his ceaseless passion for acting felt authentic. Daxon is easy to love yet, by nature, Wil is not nearly as much and she takes you on a tumultuous character arc that does feel satisfying in the end. Their dynamic is equal parts the fun and cozy of being best friends whilst also feeding into delicious mutual yearning at the same time. The parallels between their film's script and their own love story feel a bit on the nose, but in the end I found that I was sucked in enough not to be too bothered by it. I do wish that the pacing were more consistent and that there were less repetitive elements (in the beginning with the pact and towards the end Wil's repeating of her self imposed isolation), but the individual character journeys and their love story kept me interested.

Overall this was a cute story with some interesting elements and other aspects that made me not love it completely.

The best part of this story is the book/movie adaptation within the book itself. That was a nice touch and frankly I was more invested in that love story than the actual love interests in the main one. I think the primary reason why I did not love this was the maturity level of both characters. At times I had to remind myself how old they were - not even because they did something stupid but because it simply didn't make sense that they would act, say, or would have/have not had certain experiences. It made me pause too many times sadly.

The other reason the pacing of the book and the romance/relationship. The middle of the book really feels like it could be skipped except we want to know what happens in the story within the story mentioned above which they are filming throughout the book.

I don't think it's a bad book at all, I just felt bored and was only caring about their characters in the movie for a good portion of the book.

Second chance romances are like that friend who sometimes shows up late and ruins the vibe—but this one? Total MVP. I legit couldn’t put it down, which is great unless you count the very real complaints from my brain at 2 a.m. Dual timelines usually have me doing mental gymnastics, but this book handled it so smoothly I didn’t need a cheat sheet. And the chemistry? Hot enough to set off my smoke alarm (and no, I don’t have a smoke alarm—so that’s saying something). Did I buy a physical copy? Heck yes.

📖 On Screen & Off Again by Caitlin Cross – Book Review

Okay, On Screen & Off Again is everything I didn’t know I needed! 😍🎬 This second-chance romance between Wil and Dax is so good! Childhood friends turned movie co-stars? Yes, please! The chemistry between them is off the charts, and the tension from their past mixed with the drama of being in the spotlight made this such an addictive read.

I loved how the slow burn between them built up so perfectly. Wil is strong and independent, and Dax is all brooding charm — the perfect combination. 💕

If you're into swoon-worthy, second-chance romances with a bit of celebrity drama, this one will totally give you all the feels. Highly recommend it if you need something fun, steamy, and totally heartwarming! 🌟

📚 Tropes:
🎬 Second Chance Romance
💘 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🎭 Co-Stars in a Movie
💥 Slow Burn Chemistry
🌟 Celebrity Drama

📌 Hashtags:
#OnScreenOffAgain #CaitlinCross #SecondChanceRomance #HollywoodRomance #RomanceBooks #BookRecommendation #Bookstagram #CelebrityDrama #SlowBurn #RomCom

I loved this so much! On Screen & Off Again was exactly the romcom energy I've been needing.

Sweet and spicy and funny. I never usually like a second chance but this one did it for me.

I'll definitely be recommending this!!

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the story were great and loved the banter. The tropes were on point for what i enjoy reading. This is my first book by this author and i look forward to more.

This was such a cute 2nd chance romance. I normally don't like this trope but something about this story intrigued me. It was such a nice pallet cleanser and hit me right in the feels. Thank you for the chance to read this!

I was drawn in to premise of this book.
However the follow through did not do it for me.

I felt zero connection to the characters/their story.
It seemed forced and didn't flow like I would've hoped.

The writing was easy but it didn't feel like enough.

I am obsessed!!!

When I saw the cover for this book, I was immediately drawn in, and wow, was it worth it.
Second-chance romance books are one of my absolute favorites, and Caitlin delivered! I love Dax and Wil so much that I cannot even explain it. Their growth in this book is noticeable, and I was cheering them on. This book is fast-paced and will have you wanting more. The romance is sweet, and the chemistry is off the charts. Dax is officially one of my favorite MCs. How he cares for Wil and wants the best for her will melt everyone's hearts. The friendship and growth themes really sold this book for me! I loved it and cannot recommend it enough!

cute second chance romance with a fun split storyline (past/present), a movie star MMC, a down on her luck also movie star FMC, and sparks between them! I definitely enjoyed it and especially loved the parallels between the script they were playing and their actual past!

I was really excited for this when reading the premise and the start but the characters were annoying, mostly the FMC. I didn’t hate it but I certainly did not love it which was a bummer. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

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. 😊