Debut Author Caitlin Cross’ Hollywood Romance Novel Is Going To Be Your “Will They? Won’t They?” Obsession In 2025!

Valentine’s Day is almost here! And we have the perfect romance story to keep those butterflies going well beyond February 14th, from debut author Caitlin Cross. Her novel ‘On Screen & Off Again’, hits shelves February 4, and has already been getting a lot of buzz from The New York Times, The Guardian, and more. ‘On Screen & Off Again’ will be the first book published in print by 8th Note Press – the new publishing imprint from ByteDance, owner of TikTok.

‘On Screen & Off Again’ is a will-they-won’t-they second chance romance with a Hollywood twist and a dual POV – centering on a childhood best friends to lovers story. And although she is a debut author, Caitlin is no stranger to the Hollywood scene, having spent her childhood alongside her dad – writer/director/producer, Alan Cross – on set for the TV series he worked on, including ‘Weird Science’, ‘Veronica’s Closet’, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and more. Because of this exposure, Caitlin fell in love with Hollywood, acting and writing, and it all inspired the story in her book.

Seven years ago, childhood sweethearts Wilhelmina Chase and Daxon Avery were on top of the world as the charismatic star and beloved sidekick of a hit kids’ TV series. But when the show got canceled, Dax left for college across the country and they broke up.

Now they’re in their 20s, and their paths have diverged. Wil gets more attention in the tabloids than she does in casting calls, and Dax is about to star in a buzzy new movie that could cement his place on the Hollywood A-list. The one problem? After weeks of searching and auditions, his studio still hasn’t found the right co-star. 

Meanwhile, Wil has just been arrested for stealing something from the home of a Hollywood bigwig. She gets to make one call from jail, and Dax’s is the only phone number she can remember.

On a whim, Dax swings Wil an audition for the movie. It’s a long shot, but it soon becomes clear Wil hasn’t lost an ounce of her talent; the years have given her a depth and intensity that Dax (and the casting director) can’t look away from. As filming begins, the chemistry on both sides of the camera is stratospheric. But this is Wil’s last chance to reclaim her career; she can’t get distracted. Plus, Dax already left her behind once. 

Will their romance be an on-screen hit but an off-screen disaster?

We got Caitlin to dish the dirt on her debut novel, where she talked about the process for writing her YA romance novel, the genuine anecdotes of her own star-studded childhood which provided inspirations for ‘On Screen & Off Again’, crafting the chemistry and dynamic between Wil and Dax (also peep her IG to catch the vibes!), and her thoughts on the booming romance genre. 

Author Caitlin Cross

How did the idea for ‘On Screen & Off Again’ come about, and when did you begin writing it?

On Screen & Off Again is really a mix of romance tropes that I love (friends to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, to name a few), my experiences growing up in Los Angeles, the time in my life when I was an auditioning actor, and my fascination with the complexities of child stardom. I started writing it in Spring 2021, and it’s so wild to think that four years later, it’s a Spring 2025 debut novel about to hit shelves. 

You drew from your upbringing and background, spending a lot of time on Hollywood TV sets. What particular experiences did you incorporate or adapt in your novel?

I wanted to capture the mood of a set as I’ve experienced it. The energy, the attitudes, the personalities of crew members, actors etc. I’ve been so fortunate to observe actors on set, especially between takes, and there’s such a lovely mix of focus and creativity and fun that really serves as a compelling setting for a love story. Growing up, I had a number of classmates who were child actors, or had parents in the industry like I did. It was all really normal to me.

I once ran into Miley Cyrus at my Orthodontist’s office in the height of Hannah Montana mania. She and her mom slipped out the back door of the office right behind my tipped back chair as I waited to have my braces tightened at like 8am on a Tuesday. That’s not everyone’s experience, so I wanted to bring that behind-the-scenes slice of the industry to life in a way that felt lived in and authentic for my readers. 

Growing up with a writer/director/producer father, did you turn to him for any advice or direction when writing your story and creating your characters?

I definitely had some clarifying questions here and there, but I think just my experience observing him working in the industry for so many years really was key. His highs and lows. Booking a big project like Dawson’s Creek or Desperate Housewives. Something he’d worked so hard on not ultimately getting picked up. Watching him direct an episode of Weird Science.

All of those experiences helped inform how my characters interacted with each other and within the industry on the page. Reading his scripts was a lovely crash course in learning what a script should look and sound like, and that was so helpful when including pages of scripted scenes from the movie my main characters star in. 

Why did you want to write a novel based on your knowledge of the Hollywood environment?

I am fascinated by Hollywood and fame in general. What it does to people. My books will always take place in and around the industry because it has so many layers. There are pockets of joy and victory offset by the highest stakes and total unpredictability. It’s such a dynamic setting for a book. But more than that, I strive to bring an authenticity to my books in as many ways as I possibly can. Whether that’s through observation of how crew members communicate on set, or more personal experiences like mental health issues, for example.

There is absolutely nothing like a romance book. They’re like our favorite rom-com movies that you can carry around in your pocket. There’s nothing better than that giggling, kicking your feet feeling of pure giddiness as two characters share a first kiss. That’s what romance books are. I love a happily-ever-after, I love a will-they-won’t-they. Knowing that despite any obstacles along the way, there’ll be a happy ending, is so different from how real life can be. It’s escapism, which I think we need more than ever. Where the real world can be bleak and upsetting, romance books are a warm hug. 

This is something I think about literally constantly and would be the ultimate dream come true! I actually based my characters’ appearances specifically on Zoey Deutch from ‘Set It Up’ for my grumpy girl heroine, Wil, and Joe Keery from ‘Stranger Things’ as my sexy sunshine dork with a heart of gold, Dax. Consider this my plea to the universe for a film/TV adaptation of ‘On Screen & Off Again’. Give the people what they want (it’s me, I’m the people)!

As someone who has been an actress and understands the cutthroat world of auditioning, casting and the pressure to present a certain image, what do you want readers to know about this world when reading ‘On Screen & Off Again’?

I think acting is generally seen as a relatively easy profession; however, it’s legitimate hard work that is never not slowly eating away at your self-esteem. I was always second-guessing myself. This is what I wanted to infuse the book with–the authentic dichotomy of how we see actors. The outward success, privilege and fortune combined with the inward insecurities and emotional turmoil. I wanted my characters to feel not only real in the flawed, human sense but like they are actual celebrities that could exist in our world. I brought some vulnerable truths to these characters, specifically Dax’s experiences being fat as a child. I hope that resonates. 

Your debut is also the first book published in print by 8th Note Press, the new publishing imprint from ByteDance, owner of TikTok. Can you tell us about this significance and how you are feeling in the lead up to the release?

It’s never lost on me how incredibly fortunate I am to be in this position. 8th Note Press has made a dream come true for me, and I’m eternally grateful. Leading up to release day, I’m feeling about eight thousand different emotions (sweatiness, giddiness, intense imposter syndrome, anxiety, bliss, gratitude). But emotional rollercoaster aside, I’ve already read reviews from early readers that have been extremely life-affirming and kind. So, at the end of the day, knowing someone somewhere loved my book, I feel true joy. 

Will you be utilizing social media, especially TikTok, to draw attention to your book?

Absolutely! You can find me on TikTok @writtenbycaitlincross. 

There’s so much craziness and division on our news feeds right now, so we all need some light and joy in our lives, including a good romance escapism! What do you hope readers will love most about ‘On Screen & Off Again’?

I hope they love and root for Wil and Dax as characters who are flawed but who grow, whose career trajectories diverge dramatically at an extremely vulnerable time in their lives, then years later merge for a satisfying happily-ever-after. 


Get your copy of ‘On Screen & Off Again’ out now, and follow Caitlin on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.