Thanks Berkley for the arc in exchange for an unbiased review

I have never read BK Borison - the audiobook narrator for Lovelight Farms threw me off so much that I’m putting it off until at least November.

So much truth, humor, and love to “First Time Caller”. The side characters were beautiful, the grumpy x sunshine was everything. There was even a little callback to a Christmas tree farm.

The entirety of the bar scene had me kicking my feet for two days.

I can’t wait to find out who is next in Heartstrings. Jackson & the weather girl? And something has to happen with butt Cooper Wren who had his name dropped just once … I’m thinking it’s a clue.

Anyways 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love the premise of this book and series. I loved Sleepless and Seattle as a kid, and so I was really looking forward to this boo (I even did a rewatch). This book starts out deep and romantic. I loved calling in to the radio station, the single mom, and a grump with the last name Valentine hosting a Romance Hotline. I ate it all up, no crumbs left.

I really liked that BK really broke down some “gender norms” in this book. The FMC is a mechanic, she’s content with her life & family, and she knows what she wants. There was no damsel in distress here and I really liked that. The “damsel” was lightweight Aiden lol. He was a sensitive guy, in tune with his emotions and I felt like I needed a lot more emotional support than Lucie did. Their attraction felt a little instant, and even though it was a slow burn, I kind of wish we got more building of their relationship. I do think though the timing and pacing felt true to Sleepless in Seattle.

I thought they had a lot of sweet moments, and I feel like I could picture their life in Baltimore. BK does a great job of setting a scene, where you get transported into the neighborhood, the house, and the community.

I can’t wait for book 2, as I’ve gotten older I now love When Harry Met Sally, and I can’t wait to see what quirky Jackson gets up to in book 2.

I really enjoyed this one! I was a big fan of the Lovelight series and I love Sleepless in Seattle, so I was so excited to read this one! Aiden and Lucie are so cute together and I really enjoyed how she dealt with some of the more nuanced aspects of the plot.

I devoured this in less than 24 hours - I could NOT put it down!

One night, Maya - Lucie's preteen daughter, calls in to a radio show about love asking the host for advice on her moms lack of a love life. Lucie overhears her daughter on the phone, takes it from her, and after a little misunderstanding as to why this grown man is talking to her daughter in the middle of the night, she opens up about why she is reluctant to find love.

Lucie is an amazing mother and has an amazing co-parenting agreement with Maya's dad. Lucie and Grayson have been best friends since childhood and after Maya gets pregnant they are both cut off from their families. Grayson is married to Mateo and while the family isn't "typical" it really is everything Lucie could ask for, minus the fact that she doesn't have a partner of her own.

Enter Aiden who is dealing with a lifetime of waiting for the other shoe to drop as he has dealt with a sick parent for most of his life. He keeps himself closed off as a defense mechanism but he finds it more and more difficult to stay away from Lucie.

It doesn't hurt that Lucie's call into the station goes viral and she is asked to come join Aiden on his radio show and document her journey going on dates. After two failed attempts she is ready to give up, but Aiden comes to her aid when she is stood up and the flirting and tension and banter IS EVERYTHING.

I love these two characters so so so so much. Aiden is just like the grumpy secret soft boy of my dreams and Lucie is so relatable and such a strong FMC - it was so fun reading about her journey and seeing her character growth firsthand.

This story is told in dual POV (YAY) so we really get an amazing understanding of both characters and their motivations. There is some spice but it is mostly tension and flirting which like SO much better honestly.

Also, this man keeps a written list of Lucie's favorite things in his glove compartment so he wont forget what she likes. He builds her a blanket/pillow fort, orders her favorite pizza, knows how she takes her coffee etc but then still thinks hes incapable of love.

There is a third act breakup but it is very quickly resolved and it honestly makes the ending so much better!

There is also a scene in the closet at the radio station..... Ill just leave it at that.

Borison’s first series, Lovelight Farms, was a love letter to rom-coms in general. The classic tropes were lovingly polished, updated, and spiced up with banter, spice, and small town shenanigans. Her new series, Heartstrings, is inspired by the Holy Ephron Trinity (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and You’ve Got Mail), and I’m beyond excited to see what she has in store for them.
To love the worlds of Nora Ephron is to proclaim loudly into the void: “I want to be in love in a movie.” And Borison understands that on a molecular level. How can I tell? Every single one of her books makes me feel exactly like I did the first time I watched You’ve Got Mail. You’re dropped into a world that makes you immediately nostalgic, with characters who are larger than life in the most charming and ridiculous ways. There’s silly feuds, sweet family routines, and idyllically low-tech jobs. There’s a strong feeling that if you put up more twinkle lights, it’ll all work out and that ten is the perfect number of dinner plates to own.
First-time Caller took all the magic (insert Tom Hanks voice here) of Sleepless in Seattle and wove it into a perfectly fresh and new story. We lose the (very creepy) stalking and sad dumping of Walter and gain a loving family of co-parents, bright and bold coworkers, and actual chemistry between the main characters. I loved Lucie and Maya’s dynamics as a single mom and daughter, but I adored their family dynamics with Lucie’s dad Grayson and step-dad Mateo even more. Lucie and Aiden have vivacious coworkers with personalities that jump off the page and bring the chaotic background hilarity I’ve come to expect in a Borison novel. There’s also lots of drama surrounding the radio station where Aiden works, and I’m waiting with bated breath to see what happens next!
I absolutely adored this book, and every single ounce of love and joy that Borison put into it. I devoured it within a matter of hours, and will probably read it again before the end of the year. This is a book that celebrates the many forms of love we will encounter throughout our lives, and that comfort pours out from the pages. All that said, if you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with its characters, this is a perfect choice.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!

What an incredible story! This is one of the best love letters to classic romance that you will read. I watched Sleepless in Seattle right before reading it just to refresh my memory and get all the references. BK has done an amazing job of staying true to the original - the parallel conversation about magic for example - but has updated the story for a 2020 audience. The fact that the couple in First-Time Caller actually speak to each other was very appreciated haha.

While this is very much for romance fans, it is also for those that have fallen out of the idea of love. Lucie and Aiden are both struggling with what love is, with the expectation of folding yourself into an uncomfortable shape to better appeal to your partner or the concept of dating, but also the fear that comes with love. How do you deal with the possibility of loss?

I will be highly recommending this book to everyone!!

I am BEGGING someone to make this into a movie – it’s the kind of story that you can visualize in your head, making the characters come to life in the most visceral and smile-inducing way. It’s absolutely a love letter to the rom com movies I grew up with, the ones that shaped my love of the genre. And it’s also so fresh, fun, SEXY, and one-of-a-kind. There’s chemistry between these characters from that first phone call, which grows and expands along the way. They’re opposites in their views on love, but they fit together perfectly in all the ways that count. I loved watching our jaded hero fall head over heels for his girl before he even knew what was happening; he is swoony in his actions, even though he’d deny that with words. I also loved that our heroine was strong enough to know her worth and hold out for a love that felt right. Their love story comes together over a short period of time, but we spend so many extended moments with the characters that I felt like I was falling right alongside them. I binged this SO FAST, and loved it the whole way through. I think it might be my new favorite from the author, and the bar was already sky high.

The story follows Lucie, a single mom who is mortified to discover that her 12-year-old daughter called into the city’s romance hotline on her behalf. Sure, Lucie rarely dates, but that’s because she doesn’t want dating to become just another chore – she’s holding out for that magic kind of love, the one that happens without trying to force it. After arguing with the hotline’s host, Aiden, for a while, Lucy thinks that’s the end of it. Until their conversation goes viral, and suddenly the city is rooting for Lucie to find love. Somehow, she finds herself agreeing to co-host the radio show for a few weeks while looking for love amongst a mountain of potential suitors – all while sharing the airwaves with a man who openly admits that he’s fallen out of love with love. As Lucie and Aiden search for her perfect match, they stumble onto something unexpected.

I devoured this in one sitting, because it felt like I was watching a movie play out before my eyes and I was wholeheartedly invested in seeing these two get together. It’s a delicate balance to have Lucie actively seeking out other guys while slowly falling for our hero, but Borison handled the situation with ease. It was really refreshing to have a single mom heroine who has such a rock solid relationship with her co-parent. They’re lifelong best friends who happened to have a baby together as teenagers, and he is her biggest cheerleader. The cast of characters adds plenty of comedic relief whenever the story starts to veer into emotional territory (strong “parent with cancer” energy with this one), deftly navigating between the heartfelt moments and the humorous ones. And the spice! It’s the kind of slow burn that SIZZLES once it kicks into high gear, with spice that’s intimate, revealing, and smokin’ hot. The story made me smile and swoon in equal measure, stealing my full attention from start to finish. I definitely loved it!

I screamed when I saw that I was approved for the arc of First-Time Caller! Thank you netgalley and berkley!!!

Some things hit a little too close to home and I loved it! The way these characters communicate and talk openly about their feelings, despite a few setbacks because of things that happened to them was so incredibly refreshing!
I was so pleasantly surprised with story and all of the characters. I adore each and every side character, they were not just there to be there but they are actual fleshed out characters. Lucie and Aidan have my heart. I love them together and separately. The dynamic between all of them was amazing. The love in this??!!!! This gave me hope. To be surrounded by the people you love has to be the best thing in the world.
The writing, the feelings I felt while reading, the little breaks between the chapters. I loved it!
This book was everything I needed and more.
Business Casual by B. K. Borison was the first book I read by this author and it was amazing but this solidified it for me. Shes one of my auto-buy authors for sure! I can‘t wait for the rest of this new series and I‘m so grateful that I got to read about Lucie and Aiden this month!

First-Time Caller is a romance that feels comforting and cozy like a Nora Ephron movie. The two main characters had fantastic chemistry. All of the secondary characters were a joy to red as well. Oftentimes with romance it feels like secondary characters are cast aside when it comes to character development — this was not the case with this book. Each character in First-Time Caller jumped off the page and made the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Thank you Berkley for this advanced copy, I literally still can’t believe how lucky I am.

Well, she’s done it again.

I am absolutely in love with this book and these characters. As a mother, I found Lucie to be so relatable. It can be so hard to feel as if you deserve more than what you have. To want more for yourself. To see Lucie not only acknowledge that it was okay to put her needs/wants as a priority but also fight for what she wanted was amazing.

The dynamic of her little family was such a lovely surprise. How supportive Grayson, Mateo and Maya were was everything you could ever hope for.

As with the Lovelight series there are some great quirky side characters that I can’t wait to see more of.

This book was an absolute delight and I can’t wait for the world to have the chance to read it. BKs writing is so beautiful, I feel such a connection to the characters and story. So, thank you BK Borison ❤️

I fell in love with this book! I cursed myself for reading it so quickly! Several things made me swoon and sigh, starting with the delightful banter between Aiden and Lucie during their radio show, where they shared a tiny booth without a single complaint. I absolutely adored the moment when Lucie found the list of her favorite things in Aiden’s car glove compartment, and her being stood up by her date turns into the most entertaining and memorable night—reminiscent of a scene from New Girl's pilot episode. (I’m trying not to give too many spoilers, but I can’t help sharing some moments that made me truly adore this book!)

I have a confession to make, and I hope Nora Ephron fans won’t boo me for it, but this book’s plot is even better than Sleepless in Seattle! The similarities begin with 12-year-old Maya’s call to Heartstrings, Aiden Valentine’s Baltimore romance hotline (which unfortunately only a dozen people listen to), asking for dating advice for her 29-year-old single mom, Lucie Stone. But that’s where the similarities end. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait until the end for the characters to meet at the Empire State Building (because, let’s face it, I’m not that patient).

When their conversations go viral, bringing back ratings and sponsors to the struggling station (thanks to Aiden’s brooding tone and existential crisis), the intimidating station manager Maggie Lin decides on a solution: to include Lucie in the show. So many lonely listeners connect with her and her journey to finding the real love she deserves.

Aiden agrees to help Lucie in her quest for love, sending her on dates connected through a separate phone line provided by the station. But there’s one big problem: if there were a Grinch who stole Valentine’s Day, it would be Aiden. He fell out of love with love a long time ago due to family tragedies, keeping people at arm’s length and avoiding any intimacy in his life.

How can Aiden, who doesn’t believe in love, help Lucie find her perfect match when he’s starting to develop feelings for her himself? He tries to restrain himself, believing he can’t offer her the magic she deserves. But the sparks between them are undeniable, and Lucie has feelings for him too. Can he do the honorable thing and send her to a man who can give her what she wants, or will he tear down the walls he’s built around his heart and take a chance on becoming a better man?

I loved Aiden and Lucie’s story. Their attraction and sizzling chemistry are off the charts. Lucie is brave, kind-hearted, and tough, always putting her loved ones first—and she’s also a kickass mechanic. Aiden, on the other hand, is incredibly sweet, a true romantic hiding behind his cold, sarcastic, and depressed exterior.

Grayson, the gay dad next door who’s fiercely protective of Lucie, and his husband form a big, eccentric family that had me laughing so much. And Maya is smart, sweet, and absolutely adorable.

If I had the talent to write and compose a love song for this book, I would do it in a heartbeat!

I have a feeling we’re going to read Jackson Clark (Aiden’s best friend with a cruffin addiction I can’t blame him for—those things are amazing!) and Delilah Stewart’s enemies-to-lovers story in the second book of the series. (At least, that’s what I’m guessing based on the hints the author dropped!) I can’t wait to read more of this series. It’s off to an even better start than the Lovelight Farms series (which I also adore). Aiden and Lucie’s story will tug on your heartstrings, bringing you joy, entertainment, and hope—the perfect recipe for a great romance!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this perfect romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

When I say this book is going to be my obsession until it gets published, I really, REALLY mean it.

I had been wanting to read some of B.K Borison's books since I knew so many people loved her Lovelight Farms series! I applied to this ARC on a whim and was so honored to have received a digital copy. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and B.K Borison for the ARC!

B.K. Borison's writing style is romantic, whimsical, and makes you feel like you're in a Hallmark movie, in the best way possible. I loved both of the main characters, especially how they both felt like individual characters who had their own stories, quirks, and past, rather than being just two characters who fall in love. It's clear from the get-go that Lucie and Aiden have great chemistry, but I also really loved the relationships that Lucie had with the other characters. It was very heartwarming to see the family dynamic between Lucie and her co-parents, and it was a great representation of how families can look different from what's considered typical, but still are full of love and support.

I felt like the romance really took its time to build up in this story, and I really appreciated it. We were able to see how the chemistry between our two leads started from a small spark, only to become a blazing fire later on. I also appreciated Aiden's inner monologue, especially as a dual-pov lover. It was so cute to hear how much he really knew Lucie and all her little quirks.

I can't wait until this book is published and would 10000% reccomend you read it once it comes out!

This book is pure magic! ✨🫶✨

Aiden and Lucie are really special! Their love story is one I think a lot of people will relate to and find comfort in! The entire Heartstrings cast was like a warm hug. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

BK Borison has perfected the craft of romance novels. She has done it again!!!! My fav romance author!!!!

Gosh the plot of First Time Caller is soooo much fun. The Sleepless in Seattle vibes are impeccable and so well done. The writing is brilliant (which I expected). The fmc, Lucie, is a single mom auto mechanic baddie, and Aiden is a man who wants to settle without love in his life. This book is definitely on the heavier side with themes of illness, loneliness, vulnerability. However, it is laugh out loud funny (the meet cute is hilarious).

The banter & chemistry are top notch and I had a ginormous smile on my face throughout this story. I mean they had chemistry from the jump!!

I don’t know how BK is able to craft multiple beautiful, cozy, unique romances and they all hit with the same amazingness??? Her prose and characters just leap off the page. I highly recommend this book and I just know that the rest of the books will hit. I can’t wait!

Thank you SO MUCH to Berkley and BK Borison for the advanced copy. Everyone mark your calendars for Feb 11!!!!

Confession: I’ve never seen Sleepless in Seattle. I really feel the need to change that now, having read First-Time Caller, but also, I’m not sure it’s gonna live up to this book.

I don’t know what BK puts in her writing but I’m convinced she could write literally anything in her style and it would be an instant 5 star read for me. I was really hard pressed to believe anything would live up to the feelings the Lovelight Farms series gave me, but she did it.

Aiden and Lucie have wormed their way right into my heart and it only took a handful of pages before I was completely smitten. I think one of the things BK does so well is Found Families and this cast of characters is no exception. I’m dying to know who else will be getting a book because I HAVE OPINIONS. 👀 I need something for Jackson and Patty and Maggie … just, all of them. Please. And thank you.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

final verdict: i still feel very conflicted

the things that stand out to me are less positive than i would hope. the thing that immediately comes to mind is the fact that he never *actually* meets her kid. the ENTIRE book. it was said this was single parent, but she’s always off and away for her to hook up/hang out with aiden…brother WHAT. like, there comes a time where, when two people fall in love, they eventually meet their significant other’s child i’m so 😭

other than that, the setting really never changed. that’s not something inherently bad about the book because the whole point of this book is the radio show, but it’s a personal issue. that was kinda boring, i wanted more from them out of the booth.

what upsets me the most is how fucking long they took to get together in ANY respect. this was so slow burn the candle idk dissipated???? we had emotional hang up’s galore and sometimes aiden was really not swoon worthy and i thought lucie deserved better high key

okay okay hater time over, the three stars are for 1) enjoyable writing. this single book is better than the lovelight farms series 2) RIDICULOUS spicy scene. singular scene, which sucks, but boy was she hotter than the sahara! 3) lucie representing dating in this era and still finding love. miss girl it IS hopeless out there, that’s why i read!

I’ve been in a mini-contemporary romance slump and this was the first synopsis that has grabbed my interest in a while (also I absolutely adore this cover)! I flew through this in two sittings and loved it so so much! Insanely adorable and feel-good story that had me constantly smiling and giggling. Aiden and Luci had such great chemistry and the building tension kept me flipping pages. I enjoyed seeing Luci’s confidence build and that she wasn’t afraid to back down from what she wanted. Really loved the last scene between Aiden and his dad, too. They just both seemed like really authentic characters and the story was so much fun!

I also loved the side characters in this, especially Grayson. Will definitely go back and check out this author’s other books!

B.K. Borison does it again! I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry between the main characters was amazing - like one of the best I’ve read in a long time. They were flawed but interesting and the plot was unique and something I haven’t read before. I loved that it was a bit of a slower burn to the romance kept me on the edge of my seat. Will be adding to our library and recommending 100%!

Once again, B.K Borison delivers a swoony, deeply romantic love story. Aiden and Lucy were made for each other and the chemistry, connection and banter was palpable since page one. I loved and adored every second of this beautiful story but specially how flawed and realistic the main characters felt. Everything about this book touched me deeply and I had the best time with it. The writing is gorgeous, the pacing flows perfectly considering that the romance is more on the "slow-burn" side of the story but it doesn't take away from enjoying this book.

It was wonderful and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

i just read my favorite book of 2025 in august of 2024. b.k. borison has cemented herself as a must-read romance author with first-time caller!! when i tell you this book is a Romantic Comedy, i mean it so seriously. i was actually laughing out loud every few pages because the writing is sparkling and fresh and perfect. the characters feel very true and well-rounded - i loved aiden and lucie separately and together. borison writes their fears and passions and quirks in a way that makes everything feel so real as you're reading. the banter is fun, the conversations are meaningful, the physical scenes are hot and the connection is genuine. absolutely adored the radio show storyline and all of the radio transcripts in between chapters. each of the supporting characters are delightful (especially maya!!) and make the story extra vibrant. and yes i did tear up reading the acknowledgements! everyone who loves rom coms please read this (and then be my best friend) <3