If you've read the Lovelight Farms books, you know Borison is really good at crafting the closed-set world of a cozy romance. It looks sort of like reality, but it's more of a snowglobe version, a realistic fantasy where everyone knows everyone and everyone has adorable quirks and everyone is looking out for everyone else. That's a nice place to hang out -- it's half the reason to read romance -- and she's done it again here, with what is obviously the start to another series. (I enjoyed trying to spot the seeds for the follow-up books. My money is on Jackson next.)

Borison's writing is improving; her banter & swoon, already solid, is even better here.

I see the complaints from other reviews about the slow plot and lack of conflict. Fair points, but honestly, who cares? This is an homage to Sleepless in Seattle, a love letter to all of us who want to believe in love and magic -- or at least hang out in a world where everything works out -- and it hits all the right notes.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I love this author's writing. She evokes feelings and wakens all the senses. I feel like I'm there. Her 🌶️ scenes work.

BUT...

She seems to struggle with plot. She often tries to insert tension in nonsensical ways.

In this case, Aiden doesn't believe in love and has turned his emotions off because his parents loved each other too much and when his mom went through cancer, it hurt his dad. 🙄

Uh.

This results in so much "I'm not right for you, Lucie" all the way through the book... until past 90% of the book.

They are about to have sex for the first time and he's still thinking "she's meant for someone who isn't me". 🙄

After they have sex, he is still trying to set her up with another man.

At the end, he pushes her away and she tells him "I'm interested but the ball is in your court". And he goes a WEEK without talking to her until everyone around her pushes her towards his orbit again. I was so livid that his "grand gesture" puts her in an uncomfortable situation. It makes me feel like he's a coward and couldn't pursue her and make himself vulnerable without making her more vulnerable than she already was.

So, the hero gets to have this "romantic" setup to tell her he's gone for her. The author (and hero) puts her in the position for her to be the first one to say she loves him even tho he's been the holdout.

I needed him to be vulnerable in a way that didn't strip her of her dignity and feeling of safety.

Also, I find it frustrating that I don't understand her baby daddy's story and why they had sex together when they were younger. He's married to a man and there's no explanation whether they were in love as teens or just fooling around, whether he's bi or discovered his interest for men later. I appreciated that they're like family to each other, especially as co-parents, but it was bizarre to have this backstory that was never explained.

This book was incredibly frustrating.

Safety deets
- It's unclear if she's been with anyone since getting pregnant by her best friend during their first time having sex as teenagers.
- He's had casual sex and the last time is a few months before.
- He's trying to set her up so she's going out with a few guys during the book but doesn't click with any of them.
- He doesn't go out with anyone during the book.
- The dude has negative motivation so much and it drives me crazy.
- There is an epilogue but no point where we know they have made a commitment so it kind of feels happy for now rather than happily ever after.

This book was a love letter to all romcoms, but specifically Sleepless in Seattle. All of the characters in this book - not just the main characters - were lovely and entertaining.

This story was captivating, laugh out loud funny, sad, empowering, sexy, and so so good! While inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, it had so many wonderful and unique pieces that make it really stand on it’s own.

Easy 5 star read for me and one that I will reread again when seeking the same joy and comfort I get from rewatching my favorite Nora Ephron movie ❤️

Thank you Net Galley for the preview of this book!
I adored it for many reasons but here’s a few.

- a woman being seen as appealing in a man’s profession.
- so many chances for a third act breakup that didn’t happen (collective whew)
- the slow burn banter
- the spiceeeeee once they get together

As someone who used to call into radio station and chat with the late night DJs this story really appealed to me and showed how real the people behind the voice are.

Would recommend!

love love LOVED this!!!!!! This was my first B.K. Borison and I am very excited to pick up her previously published romances. The set up in this was very fun and Aiden and Lucie had really great banter and chemistry which is VERY important to me. I unexpectedly got very EMOSH when Aiden was talking to his dad on the phone at the end.

For me, I definitely preferred the second half of the novel and I wish the burn was a LITTLE bit slower. Which is funny because I saw on other reviews that some people thought this was too slow but I personally love when an author takes their time with setting up the characters and making the reader really anticipate their relationship.

This was great! Looking forward to Borison's other books even more now.

This had a SLOWW start. I almost gave up a few times because there was just no real story happening. Ultimately I enjoyed the second half, and I appreciated that the (eventual) plot didn't rely on misunderstandings or miscommunication. However, there really isn't a believable romantic conflict, despite the author's repeated attempts to assure the reader that there is, in fact, a reason the leads can't be together. Aiden's reasoning for being "bad" for Lucie is totally underdeveloped and nonsensical. There really isn't much else going on in the book besides their back-and-forth, so the absence of that tension is glaring.

B.K.!!! This was adorable. I read it in literally ONE day. The author somehow continues to get better and yet keep me nostalgic for her early works at the same time. Excited to have another to recommend.

4.5/5.0

I have so many thoughts. First of all, after the first 10% I read the entirety of this book in 12 hours. It was incredible and so worth it. I read this in a time of heightened anxiety (after the 2024 presidential election) and needed a cozy heartwarming hope giving piece of love. First-Time Caller was that for me. BK Borison outdid herself in this book. As a major fan of the Lovelight Farms series I didn’t think it could get any better but it absolutely did. Any Sleepless in Seattle fans, or fans of cozy romance stories with a lot of heart should absolutely add this book to their lists.

Have you ever met someone who is in love with love? Or maybe someone who is so over love they simply quit looking? This book looks at both extremes.

If you have ever watched Sleepless in Seattle and swooned at their love growth and development, then this is your kind of story. Borison nails it with her tender-hearted main characters and delightful secondary characters. Lucie’s ex is fabulous and provides so much lightness.

This story is everything you want in a sweet, powerful, deeply touching romance. We get to watch these two learn about each other and slowly fall without even realizing it! Gahhhh. So Sweet! They are both hurting yet learn how to heal each other. The magic surrounding this story is impactful and god, I just love her stories so much! Borison says this one is a love letter to love. I agree and I think you will too.

If you are in love with love, grab First-Time Caller. Your heart will sing.

This was my first B. K. Borison book! I can definitely see why this author is so popular. Loved the characters and the super sweet story. This was a really fun read that I didn’t want to put down.

Thanks to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This book... Oh boy was it adorable.

"I dont know how to be a hopeful person anymore, its easier not to be." Picture a jaded radio DJ whos last name is Aiden Valentine and hosts a romance show, and add a tall beautiful auto mechanic named Lucie whos 12 year old daughter thinks it would be a GREAT idea to call into the radio, and hook.her.mom.up! What do you get? Well, Obviously you get the next amazing read by B.K Borison!

"Lucie laughs, bold and bright,. I want to yank out the headphone jack and fill the studio with it."
You have the fun dynamic of a man who has been jaded by so many phone calls all complaining about love, and a woman who still believes in magic and romance and maybe someone out there is meant for her, she just hasn't met them yet. Clashed together due to a viral clip of their late night radio conversation has the two MC spiraled together.

This book was funny, sweet, found family, personal growth and a man who keeps all her favorite things written down on a list so he EVER FORGETS.
4.5 stars out of 5!

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an early e-copy to this book. I am SO grateful!!

My 90's baby millennial heart is so obsessed with this book, it isn't even funny. I ATE THIS UP in less than 24 hours and was grinning like an idiot the entire time. It was so damn cute, and so funny that I absolutely could not put it down.

As a person who grew up listening to late-night romance talk shows on the radio, the whole premise of this story instantly spoke to me. The Sleepless in Seattle vibes were excellent, and I love the idea of starting to feel a connection with someone over the radio before you ever even meet them. I absolutely loved the characters – both of the main characters were so great, and the side characters were delightful. The flirty banter was top-tier, and I absolutely loved the radio transcripts in between chapters.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend that romance lovers add it to their TBR!

B K Borison’s books speak so deeply to my soul. I loved everything about this. The home-iness of the writing, the tender love between the characters, the characters themselves. I could cry.

What happens when Lucie's tweenage daughter calls into a love themed radio show. Who doesn't love a good radio-themed romance? She's a car mechanic with a kid, he's just a sad radio host. It took me a little bit to get invested but once I did, the romance was very satisfying and it looks like it might start a series? Curious to see where it goes. Thanks for NetGalley for this one.

I adored this book. I really saw a lot of myself in Lucie, and found myself relating to her so much. I, like all the radio show listeners, wanted to see her get her happy.

My heart hurt for Aiden, as someone who has lived through cancer diagnosis and treatment, I also found myself relating to him, sometimes you want to hide from people so they don't get hurt.

This was a really slow burn romance, but I loved that because it made Lucie and Aiden's romance more realistic.

The author continues to write delightful romances, and I can't wait for more!

I went into this book with little to no knowledge about it's plot and it was my first B.K. Borison book! I feel like all I really need to say is that after reading this, I went out and bought three more of her books. Aiden and Lucy were so lovely to read about. The way the author wrote them as perfect opposites, but somehow made them to bring one another out of their comfort zones was so seamless. I also really enjoyed the radio show setting!

One thing I always appreciate in a romance book is strong relationships outside of the two MCs and this definitely delivered. I found myself looking forward to all the interactions Lucy had with the supporting characters :)

The only part I left wanting more about was Aiden's backstory. We got some glimpses into this past and why he is the way he is, but I would have loved if we got more of his story.

Overall, I loved this book and WILL DEFINITELY be reading more B.K. Borison!

OBSESSED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

Aiden & Lucie are now the two great loves of my life. I love Sleepless in Seattle, and was so excited to see a gender-bent edition coming to the small screen (aka my kindle) and this exceeded all my expectations.

Aiden Valentine is the host of “Heartstrings” a Baltimore romance radio show. Lucie’s daughter Maya calls into get some advice for Lucie’s dating life, and Lucie’s conversation ends up going viral. The radio show offers a guest spot to Lucie to help her on her “Road to Love” and help Aiden maybe believe in romance again.

This delivered on so many levels. The banter was phenomenal, the pining was perfect, and the burn was slow. Lucie was a tall girl, upwards of 5’10”, which is something I have been actively searching for. I love a tall FMC & it’s so nice to have another one.

I highlighted a ridiculous amount of Aiden moments. Aiden is such a grumpy “I don’t believe in love, romance is a construct” kind of guy but homeboy is smitten. He is a perfectly imperfect guy, and I loved his arc & how he not only worked on himself but on his relationship with his family.

Lucie is a darling, I loved that she was a mechanic & I especially loved the healthy coparenting with Grayson & Mateo. She’s so funny and I loved how realistic her feelings about love were.

This was a 12/10, I’m already dying for a physical copy so I can read and annotate it.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the digital arc!

I posted on my instagram story about this book, and will be doing a full review closer to the publishing date on my feed in January.

Lucie hasn't made love a priority since welcoming her now 12-year-old daughter, Maya, with her best friend. But then Lucie discovers Maya making a late night phone call to the local radio station's romance hotline to help her mom find love. Lucie ends up chatting with the show's host, Aiden, and their conversation goes viral, resulting in Lucie's own recurring segment on the show. Lucie and Aiden develop an easy rapport and start to develop feelings for each other, but Aiden has his walls up after watching his mom battle cancer for the past decade. Can Lucie learn to prioritize her needs and can Aiden open himself up to love even if it means the risk of heartbreak?

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this story. Lucie and Aiden had great banter and this was a lovely journey for both of them, but I especially loved the addition of Maya's dad Grayson and his husband Mateo. As the mom of a young teenager, I could relate to Lucie's struggle to prioritize her own needs. And one of my favorite romance storylines is when one of the characters has to do the work to heal themselves from past heartbreak before they can move their relationship forward, so I really enjoyed seeing Aiden come to terms with how his mother's health journey impacted him and learn to move past that.

Overall: 4.5/5 rounded down
Spice: 1.5/3

I loved this book. It was so fun, I loved Lucie and Aiden and all of their family and friends. The book was clearly inspired by Sleepless in Seattle and I loved that but feel like it was also original enough that it wasn’t just a copy paste of the movie. I thought the chemistry between Lucie and Aiden was great and I would happily hang out with other people in their world in more books.

Jaded radio host Aiden Valentine has fallen out of love with love, while Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine until her daughter calls into Aiden's show looking for help for her Mom. Lucy quickly becomes a radio sensation and everyone wants her to have her happily ever after, but date after disastrous date makes Lucy wonder what's wrong with her, while Aiden comes to realize he might not be done with love after all.

The banter between Aiden and Lucy was great. The side characters were lovable and laughable. Overall, one of the best romance books I've read in a while.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.