Offscreen Chemistry: A Novel

by Cortney Meriwether

Former costars of a hit early-2000s teen TV show agree to fake date their way through a nostalgia podcast in this witty and heartfelt novel about make-believe romance and real-life second chances.

After starring on the popular teen show Somewhere, Elsewhere in the early 2000s, Delilah Pemberton walked away from the spotlight and never looked back. Now, thirteen years later, she hears from her former on-screen love interest—the stoic and standoffish Reid Strauss—who asks her to cohost a rewatch podcast.

But when their sizzling chemistry sparks speculation of a real-life relationship, Reid suggests they play into the rumors. Delilah reluctantly says yes, in part to take the attention off her singledom as her musician ex-fiancé makes headlines with his new engagement.

Their plan works better than they anticipated, and Delilah soon finds herself thrust back into the media frenzy she spent years avoiding. Faced with everything that made her quit Hollywood in the first place, Delilah will have to reconcile her complicated feelings on fame and creativity…along with her feelings for Reid, which start to feel less and less like acting with every passing day.

Genres: Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 13, 2027

About the author

Cortney Meriwether has been crafting stories since before she was old enough to write, dictating sentences to any willing adult she could find. She studied creative writing at Hollins University and received her MFA from North Carolina State University. These days, she spends her time writing layered love stories rooted in nostalgia. When she isn’t writing, you can find Cortney chasing her sons around the boarding school where they live, cheering in the stands at a basketball game, or nerding out over a lengthy board game. OFFSCREEN CHEMISTRY is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Sarah]

Omg I love the cover and the premise sounds so good! I am BEYOND excited to read this 😍😍😍

[Flannery Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah. I don’t typically gush about romance BUT I loved this SO SO MUCH. Its nostalgic, it’s fake dating, it’s slow burn but most of all, the writing is so good. I could not put it down. I need this to be a movie please.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me out of a reading slump where I was finding it hard to focus. So much so I stayed up til '2am to finish. RTC

[Liz Pipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best romance I’ve read since Christina Lauren’s “Love and Other Words.” Delilah is fully realized, flawed yet relatable, and it’s so easy to root for her as she overcomes her past and finds footing professionally, personally, and romantically. I absolutely loved seeing the dynamic between Delilah and her best friend (fully realized, too, which can be hard to come by in contemporary romance!). Reid, our MMC, is irresistible while still being dynamic and imperfect, too. Perhaps my favorite part of the book (okay, aside from the first spicy scene which is SO good and well worth the wait) is that it’s peppered with scripts from the 2000s hit teen drama that Delilah and Reid starred in together (the one they’re doing a rewatch podcast for in the present day). The scripts are so well done and feel so real and just gave this millennial a shot of nostalgia for The OC, Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, etc. that really made this book un-put-down able for me. The way Meriwether reflected and complicated what is going on in the present day with excerpts from the show from way back when was truly genius and I have no idea how she thought of this and even less of an idea how she learned how to write a script and make it work in a novel. The writing is crisp and lively and vivid while still being accessible, the plot pulls you in right away, and the scripts bring a freshness to the book I always crave when I read a romance. I was kicking my feet and squealing from start to finish and I will be reading this book again via audiobook the MOMENT I can get my hands on it. 5 stars, no notes, read this book asap.

[ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! What a stunning debut. This was everything I wanted it to be and more! I absolutely loved Reid & Delilah, and watching them fall in love was beautiful. Between the fake dating, the TV show scripts, and the delicious tension, I was completely hooked!!! The writing is phenomenal and pulls you right into the story. I couldn’t put it down, and I loved it from start to finish. Do not sleep on this debut. It’s SO GOOD!

[Sue Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Offscreen Chemistry completely blew me away! An instant favorite and such an incredible debut from Cortney Meriwether. I was immediately drawn in by the premise. I've always loved books involving radio shows and podcasts, and combining that with early 2000s teen stars, fake dating, and a second-chance romance? Say less. I was sold immediately!

I absolutely adored Delilah and Reid. Their chemistry, witty banter, and the underlying tenderness they showed each other made their relationship such a joy to read. There's something especially fun about a romance involving former celebrity costars, old feelings, and the possibility of rekindling something years later. I loved watching them reconnect and realize that maybe things weren't quite what they seemed all those years ago.

The podcast aspect was another huge highlight for me. I imagine writing conversations between two podcast hosts and keeping them engaging without relying on traditional action could be challenging, but Meriwether absolutely nailed it. Their personalities came through so naturally, and you could feel their growing connection in every interaction.

I also loved the supporting cast, especially the friendships surrounding Delilah. They felt like meaningful parts of the story rather than characters simply added to fill space, and I appreciated how much they contributed to her personal growth.

And can we talk about the early 2000s nostalgia?! This gave me all the Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill feelings. I loved the idea of revisiting a beloved teen show years later, reconnecting with former costars, and seeing how fame and growing up have changed everyone. It felt like such a fun love letter to that era of television.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Lake Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Nicole · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Cortney Meriweather has just become an instant-read author for me. Wow did I love this book, I literally could not put it down. 4.5 stars due to my one complaint below.

This story was so original while also hitting all of my favorite tropes in realistic ways that didn’t feel too gimmicky or just shoved into the narrative as a way to check a box.

The reason for the .5 is because I kind of agree with Delilah's friends that she must not have that strong of feelings if she can leave the relationship with Reid alone for FOUR MONTHS! I feel like if she really loved him, she wouldn't have found that as easy as it seems she did. She also probably wouldn't have been able to wait yet another two weeks after deciding she loves him to tell him. I also wouldn’t have hated a liiiiiittle more spice, and I felt sort of robbed that we didn’t actually get to witness Reid telling Delilah he loved her for the first time or say it to her at all actually.

I can’t wrangle the rest of my thoughts into a cohesive structure so they’re just going to live here as they were written:

Omg the prom scene was heartbreaking

Almost every time I read a book like this, where the MMC is mean or distant towards the FMC in the past, I always think “there’s no way he’ll be able to convince me he actually had deep feelings for her back then,” and almost every time I’m proven wrong. The difference with this book, though, is that it makes sense in a way I didn’t see coming. I didn’t roll my eyes at how far-fetched the reveal was, and it was handled so eloquently- sheesh, Reid really got me

I see you Cortney… matching the plot of Reid and Delilah’s current relationship to Ace and Greta’s relationship on the show

[Danielle Grunewald · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

As a lover of 2000’s shows and rewatch podcasts, I ate this up. The author does so well at creating chemistry between Reid and Delilah. You can feel their tensions the entire time and you are rooting for them. I did enjoy getting the sides for scenes they were going over in their podcast how the TV show and their present relationship weaved together, but then re-describing those scenes in Delilah’s internal monologue felt unnecessary. A lot of Delilah’s internal monologue felt unnecessary. She got stuck in her head a lot and it really held her back. Especially for someone who is in therapy, though it could just be something she hasn’t worked on.

I needed more showing in the writing. Like in the epilogue and being told what happened instead of actually getting to experience that moment fell flat. And being limited to Delilah’s POV I felt like we could have had more conversations between Reid and Delilah once they are together, as I’m sure she still has insecurities. Reid is swoon-worthy. Him showing up and being steady and patient with Delilah made him so sexy. I need more Reid moments.

[Bridget Scarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover does not do this book justice. Offscreen Chemistry is a stunner of a debut! It has all the nostalgia of your favorite 90s teen shows, sizzling chemistry, and a love story that felt genuine and rewarding. Absolutely loved it!

The author ties in scenes from their past teen show, the live podcast and the present day storyline perfectly. Each was so fun to read and were seamless together. I read most of this book in one very late evening because I could not put it down. I will be reading anything Cortney Meriwether writes in the future!

The book has tropes of fake-dating, one bed and celebrity romance but none of it felt cheesy or forced like some romances. Delilah and Reid feel so real and their interactions were filled with witty banter and flirtation but also a quiet evaluation of the other. They see each other for who they are and not who they thought they were.

I LOVE Reid’s character. Thoughtful, protective, sexy, witty, this man has it all! So thankful I was able to read an eARC of this book. It’s honestly amazing and I highly recommend. Just like a rewatch of our favorite teen shows, I’ll definitely be rereading this one!

[Hayley Moore · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Wow this was stunning! With all the nostalgia podcasts from former tv stars popping up recently, this felt like perfect timing for this book. It was fantastic. Somewhere, Elsewhere feels like it would have been a real-life tv show from the early 2000s. Perfect WB/CW vibes. Delilah and Reid are fantastic characters and their showmance to romance was the perfect pacing I love a good fake dating trope that includes a lot of character development and growth, but where things aren't resolved right away. I think my only complaints are first that I would have liked to have seen more scenes with the podcast and get into Somewhere, Elsewhere a bit more. But it didn't take away any enjoyment from this at all. Secondly, I think I would have liked to see a bit more of Reid's life. We got a lot of Delilah, but I also would have liked some focus on Reid as well more than what we got. Thank you so much NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this stunner of a debut! I look forward to seeing Cortney Meriwether's future projects!

[anj (acozyday) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was growing up, I watched My So-Called Life like it was a religion. As the kids now say, I shipped Jordan and Angela.
And that is probably why I loved this book so dang much. 😂

Reid and Delilah starred in a cult-favorite TV show that was canceled after its second season. Years later, they reunite for a podcast rewatch, and suddenly the nostalgia brings their old fandom roaring back into the spotlight. But as they get to know each other again as adults, they start to realize that maybe they misunderstood each other all those years ago.

I really do feel like this book is an ode to shows like My So-Called Life and honestly, I’m perfectly happy if that’s just my own dream interpretation. 🤣 It has everything I want: former teen heartthrobs, fake dating, the complications of fame, second chances, and all the butterflies you could want. 🦋 And yes, I read this in one day bc it's that bingeable.

[Emily ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“Former costars of a hit early-2000s teen TV show agree to fake date their way through a nostalgia podcast in this witty and heartfelt novel about make-believe romance and real-life second chances.”

This book was everything it intended to be - charming, cosy, cute and romantic. As an avid early 2000s tv show fan, I was hooked from the beginning and LOVED the characters. Deliah as the main female character was equally relatable, loving and not too intense. Reid, the male main character, was SO GREAT and I loved their chemistry so much. I was equally invested in the side characters, Maya and Deliah’s best friend/assistant and I really feel they added lots to the plot.

This was my first romcom in a hot minute and it reminded me why they are so great to read! Super quick to read and enjoy.

It was beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Would thoroughly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this arc! :)

[Mae B · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The way I absolutely devoured this book is embarrassing. I couldn’t put it down.