⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

First-Time is the first book in the Heartstrings standalone series.

Single-mom Lucie is content in her life. She feels like she has all the love that she needs with her daughter and the family that she has built around her. Lucie's daughter doesn't agree - she calls into a radio romance hotline, hoping to help her mom find love. When Lucie is put on the spot with the phone call, she doesn't expect to open up about why she doesn't want to date. After Lucie's on-air conversation goes viral, the radio station convinces her to join the show and to allow them to help her find love. Sparks fly between Lucie and Aiden, the host of the show, and they both fight the feelings they begin to develop for one another.

I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed this book. It seemed like a cliché premise, but B.K. Borison executed it in a special way. Her witty and heartfelt writing had me entranced in this book. I couldn't get enough of the smart dialogue and the in-depth characters.

Before I talk about Lucie and Aiden, I want to talk about Grayson. Grayson is Lucie's daughter's father. Lucie and Grayson have a co-parenting relationship that I wish everyone who has to co-parent outside of a romantic relationship could have. I loved the scenes with their family and I couldn't get enough of them. I wish we could get a book for Grayson!

Lucie and Aiden's chemistry was evident from the moment they connected on-air. As awkward as that situation was, there was something about Aiden that made Lucie want to open up to him. As they continued to work together, their on and off-air connection was clear to everyone but Lucie. When they finally gave into the sparks, I was elated for them! Lucie finally put Aiden out of his misery and did something that was just for her for once. Good for her!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: cancer

Was my first book of the year potentially my favourite book of the year? Quite quite possibly, but it's a little early to tell. Because I have nothing negative to say about this book and I could spend all day yelling about how incredible this book was and how swoony it was and all the things I loved the most about this book.

Not only is Borison's writing absolutely flawless, but her characters feel so real you're desperate for them to be your best friends. I really won't waste your time with all the sickly sweet lovey things I need to say about this book, but I will say you need to read it. And prepare your heartstrings because they'll be constantly tugged and torn and put back together.

This is the perfect book for those of us who grew up loving romcoms. This book is a love letter to all the classic romcoms that came out in the 90s and 2000s. This is based off of Sleepless in Seattle and it has so many swoony moments that will have you kicking your feet. It is oh so romantic with our MMC Aiden being a radio host for a love segment. He has become desensitized to love after hearing people call in to his show for years and complain about their relationships. Until one night when a little girl calls into the show to get advice about how she can get her mom a boyfriend. Through that phone call Aiden meets Lucie and he suddenly is invested in her story. This is the perfect feel good book that is just in time for Valentine’s Day.

First-Time Caller was pure magic.

This book really checked so many of my boxes when it comes to contemporary romances. If you like found family, idiots-in-love, mutual pining, a realistic relationship progression, and beautifully written main characters, you will love First-Time Caller.

In this heartwarming, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired romance, jaded radio host Aiden Valentine, secretly disillusioned with love, finds his show (Baltimore's romance hotline 'Heartstrings') thrust into the spotlight after a young girl calls in seeking dating advice for her mom. That mom, Lucie Stone, has a perfectly happy life but starts to question her happiness as the city tunes into her love story. Amid the public pressure and media frenzy, Lucie and Aiden discover unexpected sparks behind the scenes, forcing her to choose between a scripted happily-ever-after and the real connection blossoming between them.

I really loved how natural and realistic Aiden and Lucie's romance felt. The progression of their relationship was well-paced and believable, with their inner misbeliefs and past life experiences creating genuine challenges that didn’t feel forced or cheesy. Their growth as individuals and as a couple was rooted in relatable struggles, making their connection feel authentic and earned.

I absolutely adored Lucie as a FMC. She isn't cookie-cutter by any means, but it never reads in a "pick-me" way. She is such a good mom to her daughter and throughout her love story, Maya remains a priority. Lucie also co-parents with her ex—who’s now happily with his new partner. There is no toxicity, just a village raising their daughter and it honestly was so heart-warming. It is really rare that you enjoy an ex as a character in a romance plot, but I think Borison did such a great job of creating an ex that is truly on Lucie's team.

Aiden Valentine is peak "men written by a woman". I adore this man. I adore how down-bad this man is. I adore his inner monologue, and how good of a person he genuinely is. He is the perfect MMC, and combined with my love for Lucie, I was truly rooting for them both the entire story.

B.K. Borison's writing is incredible. From the first chapter, I was highlighting passages not only of great dialogue, but simple descriptor phrases just because I loved the words she had chosen to express herself.

If you want the perfect love-story to read valentine's week, you need to read First-Time Caller.

"I think you're the magic."

Another amazing romantic novel by B.K. Borison. As a huge fan of her Lovelight series, I could not wait to read this new novel. This rom com gives Sleepless in Seattle feels that will keep you reading for sure. I almost wish I had done the audio, since it is bases on a radio call in show. I am sure that when the audio comes out I will listen to the story in this form as well!!!! I loved the main interests, the dual point of view, and the nosy family that added a lot of humor to the story. I can't wait to see what Borison comes up with next!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free book and audiobook!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO SO MUCH!!!! My new favorite BK Borison book and most importantly, what I know will be one of my favorite books/romance releases of 2025!!!! I loved this story so much, it was emotional, so romantic, a love story to love, and had the most heartwarming, fun, comforting plot. Truly so unique and so wonderfully written.

First Time Caller is loosely based off Sleepless in Seattle. It all starts with Lucy's preteen daughter calls into the Heartstrings radio station, and Lucy spills her soul to the host, Aiden Valentine. Lucy opens up about how she has struggled with dating and finding the right type of person in her adult life, and how she craves finding the magic in love. When the clip goes viral, Lucy is invited to co-host a new segment of the show with Aiden, where they can work to find Lucy a love match!!

Aiden was the perfect, closed off, grumpy male main character. I LOVED HIM!!!!!! A man with a gold chain, who remembers all the details of the woman he is crushing on, who will do anything to hear her laugh and make sure she isn't alone, but won't say it to her face!?! I'm obsessed. I loved Aiden's growth throughout the book, as he begins to realize that maybe love can be good and kind, and that he needs to trust that if he opens himself up to feelings things and trusting others, it all won't crumble every time.

And LUCY!!! What a powerful, badass, vulnerable woman. I LOVED how she was this single mom figure, struggling with her love life in her 30s, trying to do everything right for her daughter. Feeling like she was failing at dating but also knowing what she wants and refusing to accept less. I loved her character so much, I really think so many women in their upper 20s and 30s are really going to relate to her daily struggles and internal dialogue.

The romance was ON FIRE. I genuinely could not stop listening to this book I just wanted more more more!! The narrators were so perfect for the characters, I was soooo obsessed with Aiden's voice. I loved the little components in each chapter of adding in clips of Lucy and Aiden talking on the radio, it made the audiobook feel so real, like I was listening to Heartstrings. I loved literally everything about this book, no complaints. The writing was GORGEOUS, and made me tear up multiple times. I already cannot wait to reread!!!

B.K. Borison you have done it again. I'm not sure what this woman puts in her books, but it's truly addicting. She is truly one of those authors that gets stronger with every output, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her, especially when I see what she has on the horizon! I loved the setting of a radio station for these two, it was so much fun. Just like our beloved Lovelight Farms, this radio station comes to life immediately and this pocket of the city feels so full of love and wonder. Aiden and Lucie have a ton of chemistry, and all the side characters were incredible. I loved that Lucie was really satisfied with her life, except for the fact that she was single, because I felt like Aiden came into her life and just the right time- and conversely, that is exactly the kind of person that Aiden needed. Borison puts everything together like a perfectly plotted puzzle, and I loved reading this book! I can't wait for Jackson's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy of this book. 5 stars for sure, hands down this is one of my favourite contemporary romances I have ever read! The dynamic between hopeless romantic single mom Lucie and grumpy anti-love radio show host Aiden was everything. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. This story will have you smiling ear to ear — in fact my cheeks still hurt from smiling.

“I think you’re the magic.”

HI HELLO BK BORISON WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE.

thank you so much @berkleypub @berkleyromance @netgalley @authorbkborison for sending me this ARC. I feel so lucky and I can’t wait to get my physical copy and put in all my annotations.

you guys. this book is worth all the hype it’s getting online. one of the absolute best contemporary romances i’ve ever read. I was audibly giggling, gasping, sobbing, and kicking my feet the entire time.

lucie is one of the best most relatable fmcs and I absolutely adored her crafted/found family, her outlook on life, and her brutal honesty. I loved her dynamic with grayson and mateo and the friendship coparenting representation was so special to me personally. maya was such an excellently written kid, I loved her role in the story, and I loved lucie’s adoration of her even more.

and don’t get me started on AIDEN. i’m a lesbian and that man had me SWOONING TO THE MAX. I loved how realistic his story arc was and how he grew throughout the narrative. and the BANTER. wow. just wow.

everyone RUN to your local bookstore on february 11th and pick up your copy of this book. you will be changed for the better.

if it wasn’t clear. five stars.

BK Borison is an expert in her craft. She gives us yet another nostalgic and cozy romantic comedy full of so much feeling. Her best yet!

I'd give First-Time Caller endless stars but 5 is the highest I can go. I adored this book. I felt like I was wrapped up in a warm blanket the entire time I read it. I simultaneously wanted to quickly consume and take my time absorbing every word on every page. Like, I just loved it. It's inspired by one of my all-time favorite movies, Sleepless in Seattle, and it paid that movie so much justice.

I was grinning at the page, kicking my feet, swooning to know what was going to happen next. The chemistry between Lucie and Aiden is top tier. I love when characters say each others names in books, sounds weird I know, and there's plenty of name-saying in this book. Like, give me more?!?

When I say this is a book that spoke to me, I mean it's like B.K. Borrison took all the thoughts out of my head and wrote them into a beautiful love story. I am convinced I won't read another book this year that makes me this happy and taken care of. If it isn't my top read of 2025, I'd be surprised.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was throwing my ass in a circle so hard I almost broke a hip.

✰ 5 stars, at the start of 2025 we really said bring back yearning bring back romantic tension and ms borison said say less and delivered on that declaration.

thank you to Berkley for the free book in exchange for an honest review #berkleypartner #berkley

4.5⭐

Okay, so I screamed when I read the acknowledgement and B.K. Borison mentioned Sleepless in Seattle because the entire time I was reading this...I kept feeling like it gave Sleepless in Seattle vibes.

First Time Caller felt like magic. The vibes I got was a quiet snowy night in the city and it's just you and your SO. There's no loud energy. It's all soft and magical and comforting.
That's the vibe I got from this book.
It doesn't matter that they were broadcasting for the entire city of Baltimore to hear. It still felt private and like there was no one else.

My only problem was it felt a tad bit long for me.

First-Time Caller
(Heartstrings #1)
B.K. Borison
Pub: 2/11/25
4.5☆

Another absolute must read by B.K. Borison!

OK I adored everything about this one. Bec’s writes the cutest stories with the most lovable characters and this was another shining example. Lucie and Aiden’s story was heartwarming, funny (so much witty banter), and filled with so much growth. The sweet, slow-burn romance will have you swooning and smiling throughout. And along with the rest of the town, you just can’t help but root so hard for these two to find love. The first in a new series and I am all in and so excited for what’s up next.

What I loved;
✨ Sleepless In Seattle Inspired
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Single Mom
✨ Amazing Side Characters
✨ Glove Compartment Lists
✨ Brooks Robinson

It was truly a love letter to love and I definitely feel like a reread with the audio is in my near future.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the free book. #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

Got to read this ARC (thank you NetGalley) & also got to experience this author for the first time. This book had everything I love in a romance novel. Fluffy, tension & spice, emotions & feelings. The issues than the characters faced in this book were extremely realistic. I loved the side characters & truly had such a fun time imagining this book as I read it. The FMC was endearing & likable while the MMC was perfectly conflicted, confused and sexy. I am now a Lucie & Aiden stan.

Truly a novel that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the little things with someone you love.

this sleepless in seattle inspired novel did not disappoint in the slightest! this book follows lucie, a hopeless romantic whose daughter calls in to Heartstrings, a radio show hosted by our broody MMC aiden, trying to get love advice for her mom. this book gives pure romcom, contemporary romance at it's finest. i don't think i've ever read a romance book that had me so giggly and had me squealing so much. this love story felt so magical yet so raw at the same time. lucie is one of the most likeable and unique FMCs i've had the honor of meeting and aiden valen(tine) has a reserved spot near the top of my list for top romance book boyfriends. i guarantee this book will have you feeling so giddy the entire time.

this book was made for anyone who has been scared to let themselves fall in love and there was not a second of this book that i did not love!

5⭐️ I have yet to read a BK Borison I haven’t loved but this is definitely my favorite.

This is a romance at its finest. The MMC is the true definition of “if he wanted to he would”. I thought this book started a little slow but there was a lot of ground work to lay to make this a perfect romance novel.

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until February 11, 2025! But this is my honest review!

Add this book to your to read list, I promise you won’t regret it! & then let me know what you thought!

#books #bookstagram #booktok #bookrating #library #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecs#bookcommunity #booklovers #booksofinstagram #bookish #fivestarbooks #romancebook #kindlebooks
#kindleunlimited

My first 5 star read of 2025!!!!! I don’t know how else to put it other than this is probably the most romantic romance book I’ve ever read. Literally felt like I was transported into a 90s romcom the vibes and romance were so immaculate. Obviously I loved the writing, BK Borison just never misses for me. I thought the plot was super entertaining and fun; I was literally hooked from the first chapter. I love that this book had me laughing and giggling but then also tearing up and relating to the characters. I love a romcom with depth and I think this book balanced that perfectly. I loved the single mom aspect and Lucie’s relationship with her daughter and Maya’s father. I thought their coparenting relationship was so sweet and Grayson made me laugh so much. Aiden and Jackson’s friendship was SO CUTE and so funny and I am feral for Jackson’s book. I loved his character so much. Aiden was literally man obsessed, man in love, would do anything for Lucie. His story and hesitations towards love made me CRYYY. I love how he was a little reserved but not grumpy and mean. And Lucie 💗 ugh my girl. She loves fiercely and puts her loved ones before herself. I loved her outlook on love. But I did love how sassy and outspoken she could be. I loved her character growth. The tension, banter, and chemistry was off the charts!!! I truly just loved every part of this book. The characters, setting, plot, it was the perfect romance book.

I think the romance genre was specifically created because someone knew that Bk Borison would be born one day and that it’d be her calling to write books. I love love. So much. And this is one of those books that just made me LOVE love even more. And also remember why I love reading about love?? Like this book has burned itself into my brain and buried itself into my heart.

Lucie was so deeply relatable to me, and it’s crazy to think a fictional person and words on paper can make someone feel less alone, less silly, and overall really proud to have the feelings they do but that’s exactly what Becs accomplished with this book. My most consistent and inner thoughts are just about everything Lucie felt and talked about in FTC and it was so validating to read it and think…. “Wow other people will read this and feel the same and the fact that someone wrote this means they. KNOW. this feeling and maybe I’m not so alone in it!!!”

I could go on and on about this book, and the mushy gooey insane feelings I have but it actually almost feels tooooooo close to home. This was the best book, I don’t know how anything will match or top it.

The biggest love letter to love lovers everywhere and to the people who just want their own REAL but magic feeling love story. Our time is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t say this lightly, but BK Borison might just be Nora Ephron reincarnated. It feels too early in the year to proclaim my favorite romance of 2025, but it might just be true. The banter, the spice, the swoon, the invisible string of it all. It’s all there. I had to take breaks between nearly every chapter because I had such big feelings I couldn’t handle it. If you’ve loved any Nora Ephron movie, this book is for you. I can’t wait to read whatever Borison writes next!