Off Script

by Cameron Starling

Fame is his disguise. Privacy is his shield. Falling for each other was never part of the script.

Eli Carter, famous since fifteen, is living a lie. His carefully managed public image paints him as one half of "Ryeli," the iconic on-screen power couple adored by millions. But behind the scenes, his manager mother, Diana, keeps his true self—and his attraction to men—firmly under wraps. Craving anonymity and a chance to breathe, Eli secretly enrolls at Westlake University, hoping to find the normal life fame stole from him.

Marcus Jennings knows about pressure. As a driven college basketball star navigating the shadow of his pro-athlete brother, his focus is sharp and his guard is high. When he's assigned a year-long sociology project with the surprisingly grounded Eli Carter, an unexpected connection sparks. Stolen moments and late-night study sessions ignite into something deeper—something exhilarating, forbidden, and dangerously real.

Their romance unfolds in whispers and hidden glances, a fragile bubble threatened by Diana's iron grip, relentless gossip blogs, and the constant fear of exposure. For Eli, it's a battle between the life he's supposed to want and the man he's falling for. For Marcus, it's questioning everything he thought he knew about himself.

Off Script is a captivating New Adult MM College Romance brimming with the thrill of secret love and the courage it takes to live authentically. Explore the complexities of navigating fame, family expectations, and the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery alongside Eli, Marcus. Their story intertwines with that of team captain Zach, who grapples with his own hidden identity while developing an unexpected relationship with Eli's perceptive seventeen-year-old sister, Olivia. Please note this M/F subplot explores the dynamics and challenges arising from their connection and age difference (Zach is twenty-one and Olivia is seventeen).

For fans of Red, White & Royal Blue and Him.

Tropes: Celebrity, Coming Out Story, Fake Relationship, Found Family, Slow Burn Romance

Will Eli and Marcus risk their careers, their families, and their carefully constructed worlds for a love that defies the script? Or will the pressure force them apart?

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Cameron Starling is a dedicated voice in LGBTQ+ fiction, specializing in MM Romance and Gay Fantasy. With a passion for character-driven storytelling, Cameron’s writing explores the transformative power of self-discovery and the beauty of queer love.

From the contemporary emotional depths of Off Scripts to the high-stakes world of Heart of the Griffin, a steamy MM Cinderella retelling and Royal Fantasy Romance, Cameron’s stories reflect a vibrant and diverse landscape of queer experiences.

If you are a fan of MM Romantasy, forbidden love, and fairytale retellings, Cameron’s work is crafted to sweep you away. Follow Cameron for updates on new releases in Gay Romance and Fantasy Fiction.

Reviews

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet, deep and very well written, Heartstopper vibes but also very different plot.

I started being interested only in Marcus and Eli's storyline but quickly became fond and engaged with Zach and Olivia's stories and development, as well as Ryan, Patrina, and Eli's and Olivia's mum Diana too.

Some seriously swoony moments, deep exploration of sexuality (coming of age, coming out) from different angles, and some very funny moments too.

Really worth reading, this book could very well be up there with Heartstopper and other famous YA/NA LGBTQ+ books, also because it explores some themes I've not read in other books before.

[laura cabezas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars 🤍 off script is a really sweet, feel good debut. this was definitely the first time i’d read a romance where there are three main characters (and it’s not a throuple). I was invested in Eli & Marcus’ story from the get go however Zach’s story also had me intrigued as I went on. Everyone’s journey of self discovery i think was handled with care. I was rooting for everyone to get their happy ending so i enjoyed this one for sure :)
I received an ARC via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review

[Precociousp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every so often, a young adult novel comes along that sparks a much-needed conversation. Cameron Starling’s debut Off Script is one such book. The story centers around the journeys of young men as they navigate self-discovery, with a particular focus on how societal expectations shape their identities. Starling handles the novel’s themes with sensitivity and authenticity, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to live truthfully in the face of immense public pressure.

The novel follows Eli Carter, a young actor thrust into the spotlight at a young age, largely due to the efforts of his overbearing mother. As a result, Eli has spent much of his life hiding his true self. When he meets Marcus, a college basketball star seeking authenticity, their worlds collide in a way that forces both men to confront their fears and desires. Their evolving relationship is compelling, and the dynamic between them is filled with sharp banter and emotional depth.

The story is enriched by the development of supporting characters like Zach, Ryan, and Olivia, whose own journeys of growth provide additional emotional resonance and relief from the more intense moments. The friendships and character interactions are some of the highlights of the book, making Eli and Marcus's journey feel like a shared experience rather than just an individual one.

That said, while the story is undeniably sweet and tender, Off Script is not without its flaws. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout the book that can become distracting, pulling the reader out of the narrative. Additionally, the pacing, particularly toward the resolution, feels uneven—there’s a drag toward the end that leaves the final stretch feeling less impactful than it could have been.

Despite these drawbacks, I’m excited to see what Starling has in store for future novels. With a little more polish and a strong editor, I’m confident his next project will shine even brighter.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was an interesting read, but kind of dragged on a bit. Some sentences were repeated, and instead of adding depth to the story, they were simply paraphrased a thought presented stated, and sometimes, straight quoting with an added thought. I hated Diana, with passion, and she drove me nuts. And I wanted to like Olivia, I really did, but… I don’t know. And relationships with minors… I don’t care how close they are to being 18, it was emphasized over and over that they were staying friends, and they would respect the fact they were a minor, and then POOF, it’s alright, 17 is almost an adult, and it’s just 4 years difference, right? Wrong. It started really well, and then went downhill and, just no. If the author wants to change the age to almost 18, start as friends, like each other but wait out of respect, it would greatly improve in my eyes, but an adult starting a relationship with a minor… nope.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Their Way . . .

Elijah Thomas Carter (“Eli”) has been in the public eye since he was 15. His public image is strictly managed by his mother, Diana, who keeps his attraction to guys firmly hidden and denied. Needing a chance to live a somewhat normal life, Eli enrolls at the university to blend in with the students. Marcus Jennings is a basketball star, pushed to follow his pro-athlete brother. He will be working on a project with Eli and the two of them connect. But with others trying to control their lives, will their relationship fall apart?

I think the other relationship, which involved a minor, was not a good idea to include.

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, it’s a clean romance with deep feelings. There is great banter and character interactions. The characters are wise beyond their years, not what you would expect from college age, but it’s also kinda nice for a change. It’s an amazing journey with friends to find out who you want to be.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GreenPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli Carter, a young actor thrust into the spotlight since his teens, has meticulously crafted a public persona that conceals his true self. When he meets Marcus, a college basketball star yearning for authenticity, their worlds collide in unexpected ways. As their connection deepens, both men grapple with the challenges of living authentically in environments that demand conformity.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about looking at who we are as a person and who we are on the grand stage known as life.

Eli, the tv star, Zach the team captain, and Marcus the freshman with a famous brother all get paired for a project that changes the course of all their lives.

I loved the story and the characters were engaging and realistic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Havilah Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've reviewed your book and I can see it's a great projects, but it would benefit from professional proofreading and editing so as to be refined and well polished.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very sweet, but too YA/NA for me. The ending of the book dragged like a really, really extended (and uninteresting) epilogue.

[blake alo rehdorf]

This book is labeled incorrectly. It’s not solely an MM romance but but includes both an MM and MF romance story. On top of that, the MF storyline involves an age gap where the FMC is a minor. The book description fails to mention the MF arc, and it also doesn't disclose the age-related issue. Because of this, I can't give the book more than 1 star. I also DNFed it for the same reason.