I adored this book, and will definitely be going back to read everything else Borison has written. Lucie was such a cool FMC, I love that she is a single mom to a preteen & a car mechanic. I will always eat up the storyline where one character is helping the other to find love and is blind to their own feelings as they slowly become jealous of other suitors. This story is the best blend of humor, spice, and emotional vulnerability and growth. The cast of side characters are compelling and add both humor & depth to the story.

E.J. Bingham & Hathaway Lee were spot on with their audiobook narration and really brought Aiden & Lucie’s banter to life! I loved listening to this story because I felt like I was listening in to the Heartstrings radio show.

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for my digital copy and to PRH Audio for my audiobook copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Aiden.
Lucie.
Aiden.
Lucie.
IYKYK 😏

The slow burn was slow burning in this one🔥 @authorbkborison has done it yet again! I will never not fall in love with her stories and characters.

“I want your favorite to be my favorite.”

A hopeless romantic meets a somewhat jaded romance radio host in this new romcom. Aiden wants to believe in love again, Lucie wants to find the magic. Together they gave this reader heart palpitations in the very best way. Aiden and Lucie have instant chemistry. I loved their conversations and teasing. He is so grumpy and obsessed with her. They are both so oblivious it’s killing me. And I rooted for them the entire time.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved lucie so much and related to her so much. She's such a romantic at heart. One thing I loved about Lucie is that she knew what she wanted and didn't sell for anything less. Aiden omg this man was so down bad for lucie. always wanting to be around her and even getting jealous when she's going on dates. Also, can we talk about how this man orders a pineapple pizza because he knows it's her favorite and wants it to be HIS favorite f2) This book truly had everything I could want in a book. Another favorite thing of mine was the mother-daughter dynamic I loved how healthy and beautiful lucie and maya's relationship was.

(Romance)

✨The Highlights✨
. Grumpy × Sunshine ☀️
. Grand Gestures
. Radio Show Meet Cute ☎️
. Single Mom
. Hopeless Romantic 💞
. Slow Burn ❤️‍🔥
. F*** It 😏
. Dual POV
. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle 🎬

✨The Feels✨
Hopeless romantics, this is the book for you! 10 stars, no notes. I’m still swooning.

First off, Aiden and Lucie’s chemistry is incredible—it’s the kind of romance that feels both magical and real. Their relationship is full of stolen glances, knowing smiles, and playful banter that makes my heart ache (in the best way). It’s the kind of love that just feels comfortable and right, you know?

Beyond the main couple, the side characters are wonderfully chaotic and loving, adding layers of fun to the story. I’ve already got my couple prediction for Heartstrings book 2, so I’m definitely excited for what’s next!

As for the reading experience itself, it felt like watching a movie play out in my mind. I’m totally putting the vibes out there for a book-to-screen adaptation—this one has major cinematic potential. And I imagine the audiobook, with all the radio clips, is just as fantastic. No matter how you experience it, if you love love stories, you need to pick this one up!

✨The Spoiler-Free Details✨
Lucie Stone is beyond mortified when she finds out her 12-year-old daughter, Maya, has called into Baltimore’s romance hotline, Heartstrings, in an attempt to help her find love. On the other end of the line is Aiden Valentine, the jaded host of the show. His cynical views on life and love are turned upside down when he teams up with Lucie on her quest for that magical, once-in-a-lifetime romance. Welcome to Lucie’s Road to Love (brought to you by Mr. Tire).

I am a sucker for a romance that is just so mundane - normal jobs, weird co-workers and everyday struggles; First-Time Caller drew me in immediately.

Lucie is a single mom whose attempts at dating have been less than successful, and she's resigned herself to singledom, and her daughter has taken note. Maya takes matters into her own hands and calls into a radio dating show, hosted by Aiden, who is jaded by love and his callers, but somehow, Lucie grabs his attention. Lucie's search for love becomes a feature on the show and as they try to find a date for Lucie, they realize the best option in Baltimore was on the other mic in the booth: Aiden.

I loved the deliberate pace of this book, and the depictions of modern dating (the horrors!!). Lucie is similar to a lot of my peers who are just unimpressed with dating and the effort it takes for unsatisfying results. But throwing herself into a whirlwind of optimism was so fun to read nonetheless because you get this lovely arc of Aiden being unimpressed by all of Lucie's potential dates. The ensuing mini arguments and banter are hilarious without being too cheesy or over the top. Reading both their arcs where neither changes for the sake of the other and how they navigate their incompatabilities was heart-warming, subtle but effective.

My only criticism was the last fifth of the book: sometimes the separation or the breakup aren't necessary and feel like the author was prolonging the story just to squeeze a couple more chapters out, and that was the case here.

Oh boy, I fear I’ve read a book that’s going to make my top ten of the year and it’s only February. I just loved Aiden and Lucie - their witty banter, the sexual tension, the way they just fit together and how he fit perfectly into her circle.

The side characters were all so memorable and funny AF, I cannot wait for more from them!

First I would like to thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC. This story was unbelievably special and it was a privilege to read it before her official release.

First-Time Caller was unbelievably special, and I am so thankful to have experienced the joy and love within the pages of this book.

Lucie is such a beautifully written fmc, one that is relatable for so many women out there. There is something raw woven within her character, giving us a rare vulnerability that is inherently her.. There was never a point where she compromised what she wanted just because it was hard to find, and she was inspiring not just throughout the book but to readers alike. There was beauty in her words, her mindset, her dreams. I love reading about women who are romantics just like me in a way that helps them believe in magic the way we did as kids. Lucie is loved fiercely by her family, the one she chose and the one she made, and seeing those pieces of her life tugged at something in my heart. Her story might not look that way many others do, but the love she was surrounded by was never empty, always overflowing. I also think it is so important to tell people that it is okay to feel lonely even in a crowded room, one filled with people we love and adore. Those feelings are real and it's okay to allow yourself to acknowledge that and truly let yourself feel it. Once she opened up to Aiden...and the world, she never closed herself off again. It was as if she opened the floodgates and was finally allowing herself to reach for her dreams, ones that were solely her own. She shows mothers that it is okay to want something for yourself, that you earned the ability to still prioritize yourself and your happiness. Mothers are some of the strongest people in the world, and Lucie was a beautiful example of that. I am so in love with her as a character, someone who refuses to box up pieces of herself to fit the mold the world has made women believe they belong in. She is authentic and honest, and I am so thankful that a character like her exists, especially in the world of romance.

Aiden, my heart. His story was different than any other that I have read in the most wonderful way. He is someone who has been through unimaginable situations, ones that have shaped him, bruised him in a way that he never saw coming. I think that is what makes him so special, that people who have gone through similar situations to him will have someone to relate to in this world of fiction and romance. They will see someone heal, a journey that sometimes takes some help from others. He showed us that it is normal for life to fracture us, but that experiences that may seem like defining moments may turn out to be a mountain we have to climb over. It doesn't have to define you, even though it changes you. His story is something that felt stripped down in a really realistic way. And yes you might feel like you don't know how to do something, but you're trying and that is bigger than we give ourselves credit for.

Their story was special. There is no other way for me to articulate it if I'm being honest. It was so full circle, from beginning to end, and I wouldn't change a single thing. The last line broke me because after following through the entire book, it meant so much. To Lucie, to Aiden, and to their readers.

I hope that everyone takes the time to read this and fall in love with this love letter to love.

"What are you thinking about?" ... "I'm thinking about you."

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison gives all the nods to the early 2000s rom-coms in this refreshing cozy romance that will have its readers giggling and kicking their feet!

When the author said that this is "a love letter to love" and "for the hopeless romantics and the reluctant ones too," she 100% meant it and delivered.

Lucie is a hopeless romantic who’s put dating on hold, because she refuses to settle for anything less than real effort, as she should! But one night, she’s caught off guard when she finds her daughter calling a radio show for dating advice…for her. What starts as a deer-in-headlights moment turns into an unexpected opportunity: joining the show and getting help from its anti-romance host.

Aiden: "All right, Baltimore. Stick with me. We'll be right back after these messages from our sponsors."
Lucie: "We will possibly be back after these messages from his sponsors."
Aiden: "One of us will absolutely be back after these messages from our sponsors."

For six years, Aiden Valen has hosted Heartstrings, Baltimore's Romance Hotline, despite being anti-romance himself. But his cynicism is starting to seep into his work, turning him into a grouch who’s lost all passion for the show. Everything changes with an unexpected call from Lucie’s daughter.

"The first thing Maya said when I took her call was, “Look. My mom might kill me, but it is what it is.” What it is, apparently, is a lot of dialogue about her mother’s lackluster love life, accusations about a cult, and—I look at the clock—a full minute of silence. I haven’t had this much fun in the booth in months."

Pure perfection! An absolute masterpiece! This book had me grinning like the Cheshire Cat from start to finish. I was kicking my feet, slapping the bed, squealing, and laughing out loud. And yes, I was full-on swooning and stomping my feet in public at the gym! I couldn’t get enough. Someone, please give me 100 more just like it!

"What's wrong with being a romantic? I can be a confident, independent woman and still want someone to hold my hand. To ask about my day. It's a good thing to want passion and excitement and care. Attention and affection. I don't want to settle for anything less than that." [...] "I want goose bumps. I want to be wanted."

If this book taught me anything, it's that being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Family isn’t just who you're born to; it’s who stands by you, loves you, and lifts you up. Lucie has wonderful people in her corner. From her meddlesome yet hilarious ex and his partner to the gossip-loving neighbor who randomly shows up at Lucie's house; even the radio station crew is rooting rooting for Lucie.

I absolutely adored Lucie’s relationship with her ex and daughter’s dad, Grayson. Living practically next door, they have no concept of personal space—him more than her, barging into her house without a second thought. He had me both cackling and tearing up with how deeply he loves Lucie and wants her to find her own happily ever after. The story was already lighthearted, but Grayson brought an extra dose of charm and chaos that made every one of his appearances a true delight!

Aiden: All right, Baltimore. We have a guest in the booth tonight, his name is--
Grayson: Listen up, lizards. There's a new daddy in town.
Aiden: Oh, boy.
Grayson: That's right. Lu has not been getting the respect or attention she deserves, and I'll be taking over her search for Mr. Right.

Aiden Valen climbed to the #3 spot of my list of favorite book boyfriends. This man... THIS MAN! He is THE standard! He had me swooning from the moment he met Lucie until the very last page!

Lucie: I think you're a closet romantic.
Aiden: Decent human being.
Lucie: Secret, swoony boy.
Aiden: I think if anyone could convince me to believe in it, Lucie, it would be you.

Despite his cynicism toward dating and romance, Aiden’s crush on Lucie had him acting in ways he never expected: always showing up for her and caring more than he let on. Whether it was wanting to take down anyone who made her cry, turning her night around after she was stood up, or keeping a note in his glove compartment with all her favorite things so he’d never forget, his actions spoke louder than his words again and again.

Lucie: You can ignore me.
Aiden: It's impossible to ignore you.

Aiden taught me something that may not be entirely realistic, but it was undeniably beautiful: If his heart doesn't drum to the beat of my heart, I don't want him.

Overall, First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a must-read delightful rom-com. This will definitely be in my top 5 favorites of the year!

- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine
- opposites attract
- single mom
- slow burn
- workplace romance

Thank you, Berkley, for the early copy of my most anticipated romance of the year.

BK Borison’s newest romance is finally here!! Happy Release Day to 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, the first swoon-worthy romance in the Heartstrings series.

Read if you enjoy:
• 💖 Grumpy x Sunshine
• 🎙️ Forced Proximity
• 🏡 Found Family
• 😍 Not knowing which MC to fall for

If 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 was a radio station, it would be the first pre-set button in my car! I adored every page of this romance, and as soon as I finished, I wanted to start it all over again.

Aiden and Lucie’s story is inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, and while I haven’t sat down to watch the whole film, I could see snippets of Borison’s inspiration. At the same time, 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 is a love letter to Baltimore and perfectly captures the vibes of Charm City.

Speaking of our main characters, maybe it’s just the queer reader in me, but I have no idea who I fell for the most! Aiden has the perfect grumpy vibes—ready to fight for Lucie despite barely knowing her and not wanting a relationship. And while Lucie is his “sunshine” counterpart, don’t think that puts her in a stereotypical box! She’s not only a killer single mom who co-parents with her best friend and his husband, but she’s also a badass mechanic. Books and movies always seem to put trade workers into more conservative (and misogynistic) boxes, so I loved this addition to the story.

To avoid spoiling the best parts of this fuzzy romance, I’ll leave you with this—if you’re feeling a bit down this Valentine’s Week and need a reminder that love is out there for everyone, skip the date night movies and pick up a copy of 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 at your local bookstore today. Who needs to fall in love with a stranger when you can fall in love with a book instead? 💕

Radio host Aiden Valentine hosts a radio show about love. The only problem is, he no longer believes in it. Lucie Stone is a single mom with a career she enjoys and a beautiful blended family. But when her daughter calls into Aiden’s show Heartstrings, to ask for dating advice for her mom, Lucie admits to wanting more in life. Soon, Lucie is guest co-hosting with Aiden as her family and all of Baltimore tune in hoping to help her find Mr. Right…who might just be closer than they all realize.

It took me a minute to become fully absorbed into this one, but once I was, there was no pulling me away. Literally. When I heard this was a Sleepless in Seattle inspired novel, I was reticent given my love of that film. And yet I wound up absolutely adoring the storyline here. It is the most perfect reimagining of this beloved story combined with something completely fresh and new.

The characters are fully fleshed out and incredibly lifelike. Lucie’s blended family and its inner workings was such a joy to read about and ended up being one of my favorite aspects of the story. I loved the dynamics between Lucie and her ex and Lucie and his husband, and how much of a close knit family they had all become. I was also completely smitten with our MMC Aiden, the cinnamon role alpha who adored Lucie from head to toe. Their crushes stole the show here, and the more they got to know and like each other, the more I found myself simultaneously swooning and rooting for them.

If you are in need of a feel good story (and who among us isn’t right now) that has the perfect ratio of sweet to spice, this is one to put on your radar.

🎧 I don’t recall hearing these narrators before and yet they both blew me away. E.J. Bingham and Hathaway Lee brought these characters completely to life. It was a pleasure spending a few hours with them and because of the occasional radio show type blurbs in the book itself, audio was the perfect format to experience the book as a whole.

Read if you like:
▪️single mom
▪️radio show life
▪️sweet and spicy romance
▪️opposites attract
▪️friends to lovers
▪️forced proximity
▪️Sleepless in Seattle reimagining

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.

Just to set the scene, I’m writing this review while wiping the tears from my eyes because I am a crying mess after finishing First-Time Caller!

Here’s the quick pitch: A cynical radio host with a romance hotline gets more than he bargains for after a precocious twelve year old calls into the show looking for love for her mom.

Wow, this book is so incredibly special, it moved me in ways I was not expecting. B.K. Borison managed to write a touching Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance that tore my heart out and mended it anew. Aiden and Lucie are the pairing of my dreams, I just adored them both so much. I saw a lot of myself in Lucie — the hopeless romantic, searching for magic amongst the mundane. It takes bravery to be as vulnerable as she was and I think we can all learn a lesson from her bold, willingness. The family dynamic she cultivated with Grayson, Maya, Mateo, and Patty was the cutest and I wanted to stay sucked into their world forever.

It was such a smart choice to make this book dual POV. Being in Aiden’s head was imperative to learning why he was so hesitant towards love. We were able to understand his fears but it also gave us a front row seat to his devastating crush on Lucie. We love a man who falls first and no one was yearning more than Aiden Valentine — talk about down bad! The crux of romance is having someone see you for who you are and choose to be with you because of it. Aiden not only sees Lucie, but embraces every facet of her. I highlighted numerous moments where he goes out of his way to note her quirks or engage with something she enjoys and the intimacy of these gestures jumps off the page. To be loved so fully is a beautiful thing and I felt my chest squeeze as Aiden and Lucie slowly wormed their way into each others hearts.

Between the on-air shenanigans and off-air intimacy, I could not get enough of First-Time Caller. B.K. Borison is quickly taking over the romance genre and I feel like we’re all the better for it!

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! From the first chapter, I was hooked by the slow burn, the pining, and the perfect balance of romance and spice. This story is a love letter to Baltimore, and as someone who lives here, I adored every nod to the city - Berger cookies, the paddle boats at the Inner Harbor, O’s games, and even the (tragically accurate) parking situation in Harbor East. It made the setting feel so authentic, like I was right there with Aiden and Lucie.

The audiobook brought this story to life in the best way possible. The talk radio clips between chapters sounded so realistic, adding an immersive touch that made me nostalgic for the days of calling into radio shows. Plus, the banter? Top-tier. Aiden and Lucie’s chemistry was electric, and every interaction had me swooning.

This was my first book by B.K. Borison, but definitely not my last - I’ve already added their backlist to my tbr. If you love small moments that make your heart race, a romance that feels earned, and an audiobook experience that pulls you all the way in, First Time Caller is a must-listen!

Favorite Quotes:

She was crowned homecoming queen but gave the crown to someone else because it made her ears hurt.

It’s fine. It’s over. I dumped a glass of fancy white wine on his lap so it looked like he peed himself. I would like to move on and never speak of this again.

I guess that’s my love life in a nutshell. Underwhelmed and dissatisfied. Print it on my tombstone.

I’m sure I look like a raccoon that’s been in some sort of street fight over a pizza crust after sleeping on the couch in full makeup,

It’s not American Gladiators, Aiden. Finding me a date shouldn’t be that difficult.

I’m not used to letting myself feel things. I’m not sure I like it.


My Review:

I don’t know how I have been so remiss in not reading this crafty wordsmith before but I am kicking myself for being late to the party. I reveled in this cleverly penned tale from start to finish.

I adored the flawed yet lovable and authentic characters and wanted only good things for them. Each was well fleshed out, keenly witty, knowable, and endearing, even when I wasn’t happy with them.

The writing was superb, well-polished, easy to fall into, humorous, deliciously steamy, and unfailingly entertaining. The dialogues, narratives, and inner musings vacillated from cunningly insightful and perceptive to snarky and highly amusing. You can only imagine my glee when I noticed this lovely tome was the beginning of a series.

4.5 stars rounded up!

calling all romance readers! this book is for us romance girlies who are constantly collecting book boyfriends. this book has everything i love in a romance: a funny meet-cute, a bit of a slow burn, witty banter, and supportive side characters!

aiden’s pov had me kicking my feet bc i love a man who is a hardcore simp for his crush. i liked that lucie is a vulnerable character yet so open to new things and strives for “magic” despite past outcomes. i adored aiden and lucie’s story and rooted for them the entire way. were they yearning for each other or was i yearning for them??

i highly recommend! definitely a good read <3

thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for providing me with the arc!

I absolutely loved this book so much! 5 stars. She's truly gorgeous. From the very first page, I was completely sucked in, and I literally couldn’t put it down. The story was so captivating, and since I’ve never seen Sleepless in Seattle, the plot felt so fresh and new and unlike anything I’ve read before.

I kept thinking, I need to listen to this as an audiobook because I’m sure it would be even more incredible that way. The characters? Oh my gosh. Aiden and Lucie are just the best and even the side characters were so lovable. Lucie, is someone I feel so many people can see themselves in. She’s strong, brave, a hopeless romantic, kind, funny, just an overall amazing person. I adored reading about her and hearing her thoughts on romance and every line I felt more connected to her. I didn’t want this book to end.

Honestly, I want to write a love letter to this book. It’s so romantic, and the gestures, the little touches between Aiden and Lucie, ugh—it’s just so good. I couldn’t stop smiling at the slow burn and tension between them. It’s was the best kind of cheesy, like the best pizza you could imagine. The banter between Aiden and Lucie was absolutely perfect, and it’s just so fun to read about them. I felt like I had a movie playing in my head as I imagined their houses, the radio station, everything just came to life.

If you’re a hopeless romantic like me, please, read this book. You’ll love every second of it. I just can’t say enough good things about it. The story is heartwarming, the romance is swoon-worthy, and it will leave you with the warmest, happiest feelings. Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you to Berkley for the review copy of First-Time Caller!

Welcome to Lucies Road To Love ☎️🎧💌🎶💖

Rating: 5/5🌟
Read this if you love…
☎️ 90s romance movies // Sleepless in Seattle vibes
☎️ She’s a single mom & hopeless romantic
☎️ Grumpy x sunshine
☎️ slow burn romance
☎️ Radio show meet cute
☎️ flirty & funny banter
☎️ found family

Aiden & Lucies love story is an absolute gem! It’s heart warming, funny, sweet and cinematic. It felt like I was watching a 90s Meg Ryan movie which I LOVED! The main characters connection and chemistry has me swooning and smiling.

Aiden Valen is my newest book boyfriend which is perfect cause Valentine’s Day is almost here. He’s grumpy, emotionally unavailable (but falls SO hard for her), wears a gold chain (yum) and will sway dance to the thong song with you 🥹🫶🏼 The way Aiden fell in love with lucie, his protectiveness over her and RUNNING TO THE RESTAURANT omfg he brought back slow burn romance and yearning 😭

Lucies romantic thoughts perfectly described me and honestly felt like B.K Borison read my journal and exposed me cause I never felt more seen in my life! Lucie & I definitely don’t have the same life but I never felt so connected to a FMC before 😩😭😩😭 The chaotic side characters never failed to make me laugh! I loved the found family between Lucie, Maya, Grayson & Mateo MY HEART MELTED 😭😭😭

This book was an easy 5 star read and I can’t recommend it enough! B.K Borison writes the most beautiful books filled with emotional punches mixed in with laughter and love 💖

First-Time Caller is based on the 90s classic romcom “Sleepless in Seattle.” Aiden is the jaded host of a radio romance hotline and Lucie is a single mom who longs for romance but doesn’t want to jump through the hoops of online dating. They meet when her daughter calls his hotline to find dating advice for her mom, and Lucie interrupts the phone call. The conversation Aiden and Lucie have is so riveting it goes viral, and Lucie is asked to join the show.

This one felt like a bit of a slow burn at first - Aiden and Lucie don’t fall for each other right away. But as they spend more time in the booth together, searching for dates for Lucie, they begin to catch feelings and it is SO swoony. When Aiden starts falling, he is down BAD, like stumbling over his words, can’t think down bad. I was absolutely giggling and kicking my feet the whole way through this one.

I absolutely adored this book. Borison has such a distinct way of writing romance where the warm fuzzies just burrow their way in. I loved the twist on Sleepless in Seattle as the inspo. Both characters were so relatable when it came to their thoughts and fears on love and relationships. It’s not often where I identify so strongly with both the female and male main characters.

This was everything I was hoping it would be and I will read anything this woman writes until the end of time. The pacing was great, the plot was great, the side characters were great, literally everything about it was great. No notes 10/10!!

Review: FIRST TIME CALLER by B.K. Borison https://bit.ly/42SUTZK
Publication Date: 2/11/2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

This was an enjoyable contemporary romance reminiscent of Sleepless in Seattle. Aiden is a radio romance talk show host. The problem is he doesn’t believe in romance. I liked him even though I occasionally became frustrated with his stand on relationships and inability to communicate at times. I loved Lucie. Quick witted and real. Nothing seemed forced in her personality, making her relatable and someone I wanted to find happiness.

For me the story was about their quick banter and flirting. It was enhanced by the fun friends and family around them. I’m a sucker for group camaraderie that makes me wish I was a part of it all. And this story did that. As for romance, it was a realistically paced slow-burn that became quite spicy. I think the book could have been shorter, tightened up a bit more, so that is why it is scored a 4.

I’m still smiling and can’t wait for the next book.

*Review copy provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/4hyBEJc

This was my first book by B.K. Borison and I had so much fun in Aiden and Lucie's world. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, First-Time Caller gave me everything I wanted in a romantic comedy: interesting characters, a fun meet cute, a heartwarming romance, and enough laughs to keep me turning the pages.

Aiden Valentine is the host of a relationship-focused radio show but ironically, he has given up on love. Lucie Stone is a mechanic and single mother to her daughter, Maya. Lucie has convinced herself she is happy and receives enough love from the people in her life. Maya feels her mother needs help in the romance department, so in hopes of helping her find love, she calls the romance hotline. Catching Maya in the act, Lucie interrupts the call and ends up being honest with Aiden about her love life (or lack thereof). Soon after, the conversation goes viral. Seeing this as a way to rev up interest in the show again, the producer invites Lucie to be a guest host while she finds love. After going on a few dates, Lucie realizes what she is looking for might have been in front of her the whole time.

I loved this book! Aiden and Lucie are everything and I adored their journey to love. They are relatable and likable characters. I loved their chemistry, and I couldn't get enough of their fun banter. Their slow-burn romance had me giddy and kicking my feet. I loved the depth of the characters and the growth they experienced. Watching them work through their insecurities, and finally lean into their feelings, was so heartwarming. Aiden and Lucie stole my heart, and just like the entire city of Baltimore, I couldn't help but root for their happiness. I loved the secondary characters, the amazing found family element, and of course little miss Maya. This story just had good vibes all around and I had a smile on my face the entire time. First-Time Caller is the perfect irresistible, cozy story for those looking for a swoony romance that touches your heart and brings you pure joy.

Thanks to B.K. Borison, Berkley Romance, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted physical, digital, and audiobook advanced copies. Opinions expressed are my own.