I tend to be pretty picky about my romances, and this had everything I loved. The flirty, witty banter and the real-feeling characters. I loved it. Not only did I love the romance aspect, but I absolutely adored the side characters as well. I loved getting to know Maya, Lucie's daughter, Grayson, Mateo, Jackson, Patty, ugh, they were just all so lovable! I have read a book by B.K. Borison, before and though I enjoyed it, portions of the storyline felt confusing to me. I think that she has grown INCREDIBLY as a writer, and I am so excited to get my hands on the second book in this series when it comes out. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. I am so glad I got to read it!

This was my very first B.K. Borison book, and it will certainly not be my last! This book lived up to the hype--it was so sweet and heartfelt. I loved the Sleepless in Seattle reference!

Thank you to Berkley and NEtGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I woudl recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-single parent
-workplace
-Sleepless in Seattle retelling
-cozy
-slow burn

I could not put this one down. I loved the integration of the radio show, the softness of the story as they became friends and fell in love. I don't even know how to review such an incredibly well written book

Very cute. Like if fraiser and roz were younger. I love the gay ex biufriend that lives next door that’s been her bff since 3. Hate that she got pregnant the first time but it happens. I have a gay uncle with a kid too so I get it/

I had a really good time with this book! I loved that it was based off of Sleepless In Seattle. The dynamic between the main characters was really fun to read and I just felt the connection between them the whole time which I loved! The family aspect of it was precious, I loved her daughter and the co parenting relationships was refreshing. Overall a really sweet, fun, and quick read!

Okay, I get the hype and I’m mad I didn’t finish this sooner. I’ve never seen Sleepless in Seattle so when people kept comparing it to that, I didn’t get it at all (I still don’t but maybe I’ll watch the movie soon).

Lucie might be one of my favorite FMC. Once she decides to do something (which is letting loose and being open to finding companionship) she goes full throttle. Meanwhile, Aiden is a coward. Adorable and obviously into Lucie but still too cowardly to make his mind up until she metaphorically slaps him. The almost miscommunication moment where she overhears a conversation about herself AND THEN instead of running away, she faces the music and asks him directly for an answer.

The side characters and her mishmash family? Loved it.

I found the chemistry to be amusing and cute. They were in their own little world each episode and it was so cute that listeners thought the same way. The “break up” in the end was for sure needed. I wanted to call Aiden’s parents myself so he could fess up and move on. The ending? Loved it. Cheesy but a nice ending.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and cannot wait to read Jackson’s story soon. B.K. Borison has made a fan of me.

Oh what a joy this was to read! From the vibrant characters to the heartfelt story line, I was hooked from the very first phone call. I read this book in less than a week & then proceeded to take a few months to obsess over it & recommend it ti everyone alive ever. I loved the modern take on Sleepless in Seattle. I especially adored the fact that she was a full-on car mechanic but it was never made out to be a big deal that she was a "lady mechanic". Aiden & Lucie have my entire heart in their palms. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out early next year!

This is a fun read. I like how developed the characters are beyond Aiden and Lucie. I'll definitely be recommending this to my romance readers.

Audio Review: I often switch between audio and print, and the audio was so good and that I think I did 90% of this as audio. Don’t you love those books where you keep finding things to do so you can keep listening? That was this book. The dual narration was perfect and lended itself so well to the story. I definitely recommend the audio.

Review: This is the first book in the Heartstrings series, and I loved Aiden and Lucie’s story. by now, I’m sure you’ve seen so many reviews of this. I especially enjoyed the character development, the found family, the radio station setting, the radio show, the callers, Lucie‘s job, pretty much all of it! 🩷 It was a joy to read, and I anticipate it being one of my favorite romances of the year.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy with me. All opinions are my own.

Loved this book. Such a Sleepless in Seattle feel and also hit the magic that the movie had then, It's a romantic, sweet story with such great tempo and loved the separation and writing for the podcast vs the actual life happening. Great read.

Very cute and cozy read! Loved the nostalgia of the radio show and invoking Sleepless in Seattle! Overall a very cute, cozy read that’s been doing very well at our bookstore! I personally wasn’t wowed by the romance, I wanted more stakes and emotional depth but still had a great time!

Absolutely in love with this book. It gave everything I wanted it to give and the premise of it was literally the cutest. I loooove the movie Sleepless in Seattle so a book inspired by that was just up my alley. It had slow burn, banter, tension and so much great chemistry between its characters. I love Aiden so much and Lucie? Just amazing.

First-Time Caller is another swoony win from B.K. Borison—equal parts heartfelt and charming. Aiden, the grumpy radio host giving love advice, and Lucie, the sunshine-y mechanic and single mom, are pure magic together. Their chemistry simmers under the surface until that slow burn finally ignites in the most satisfying way. With tropes like forced proximity, workplace romance, and a touch of second-chance sweetness, this story hits all the right emotional notes. Lucie’s vulnerability and strength shine, and Aiden? He’ll make your heart melt.

Favorite quote? “Nah, Lucie. I think you’re the magic.”
Favorite promise? “I'm gonna love you so good, Lucie.”
And he does—beautifully.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7504810791

Sleepless in Seattle is one of my favorite rom-coms, so I was excited to read First-Time Caller by BK Borison, which is a gender-swapped modern love story inspired by the classic rom-com. And I have to confess that, as much as I love Sleepless in Seattle and think it’s a near-perfect movie, my only complaint was that Sam and Annie spent almost the ENTIRE TIME apart! The movie ends when they officially meet and then that’s it! 😫 I’m always left wanting more, which is where BK Borison (thankfully) comes in.  
 
With First-Time Caller, we meet single mom, Lucie, whose daughter calls in to speak with radio host, Aiden, about her love life (or lack thereof). Their on-air chemistry and witty banter prove to be a compelling combination that draws in listeneris and leaves them wanting to know what happens next. I could’ve read an entire book of their engaging conversations, where they effortlessly feed off of each other’s energy, teasing and flirting, and nearly forgetting that a number of people are listening raptly to their every word (myself included). The best part of the narrative wasn’t just getting to know Lucie and Aiden as individuals, but also the way they are around each other. It’s impossible not to swoon over the intimacy of their fast connection, which quickly transitions from strangers to friends to lovers.  

As far as rom-coms go, First-Time Caller is a new favorite. It’s lighthearted, but heartfelt, with a love story that’s the perfect balance of sugary sweet and scorching hot. The narrative is a fun take on a familiar story, but it expands on a romance that’s fairytale-like, if a bit unrealistic (let’s be honest…I had so many questions about Sam and Annie’s future together), and grounds it more in the real world. I finished First-Time Caller with a wide smile on my face because it was everything I could’ve hoped for and then some, both as a new story from an author I’ve already read and loved, and as a retelling of a movie I’ve watched and loved (many, many times). I adored this book and can’t recommend it enough! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely ate this up! Borison does a great job of making the characters well-rounded and I loved the side characters that truly added to the story. Still thinking about this.

One of my favorite authors writing romance books inspired by one of my favorite classic romcom movies (Sleepless in Seattle)? HELL YEAH. Not only was this a book based on one of my favorite romcoms, this also became my favorite book by BK Borison.  
 
I don't know what magic BK Borison puts in her writing - but it's always so cozy and romantic and lovely. She has the perfect balance of banter between characters, tenderness between romantic interests, and overall romantic vibes. I also love how she writes perfectly imperfect characters - people who everyone can see pieces of themselves in.  
 
Aiden and Lucy were just so cute together - even when they were just coworkers / thrown in together by a meddling kid, their chemistry was jumping off the page. I really loved Lucy’s journey towards finding herself in her current phase of life - her friends and family were so supportive and her character arc was impossible not to root for. Aiden, on the other hand, was one of my favorite male leads of the year. My man was a SIMP and I ate it up. The two of them together? Magic. The tension, the yearning, the hearts in their eyes - this relationship was so swoony and lovely.
 
First Time Caller is one of those books that you finish and immediately want to reread - the vibes are perfect, the characters were relatable and dynamic, the romance was amazing and the writing was like a warm hug. This was such a strong start to the Heartstrings series - I can't wait for more of these characters and more classic romcom vibes. Plus, the next one is When Harry Met Sally inspired - I NEED IT!

First-Time Caller is one of the best books of 2025, hands down. There is absolutely no question that this is going to be high up in everybody's rankings at the end of the year. The plot was hilarious and heartwarming (I loved the radio scenes), but the strongest part of the book was for sure the strong cast of characters. Aiden and Lucie were so lovable, despite their flaws---and I felt so much pride seeing them overcome their issues---and I ADORED the side characters. Lucie's little family? Kept me giggling. Her mechanic coworkers? Oh so iconic. Aiden's radio coworkers? I need to know EVERYTHING about them. I can't get enough of this book. I cried like a baby while finishing it. I'll be rereading this one so much.

Tropes
💕So much flirty banter!
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
💕Forced Proximity
💕Slow burn
💕Chosen / Found family

As a hopeless romantic who loves Sleepless in Seattle, I absolutely loved this! What starts as a lighthearted premise, with a single mom reluctantly stepping into the spotlight on a love advice radio show, slowly unfolds into a deeply charming story about taking chances, chosen family, and unexpected chemistry.
Lucie is smart, strong, and wonderfully real - a mom juggling life, supported by a beautifully portrayed blended family. Her late-night on-air conversations with Aiden, a radio host who’s lost faith in love, are full of wit and slow-burn tension. Their connection grows not just through flirty banter, but through vulnerability and honesty that feels refreshingly genuine. I was definitely rooting for them to finally take a leap together !
This book doesn’t shy away from the messiness of love , old wounds, new beginnings, and the courage it takes to hope again. A must-read for 2025!

This was such a fun read. The chemistry is palpable from the first interaction the MC's have. This book is everything you want a romance to be. I giggled and blushed multiple times. I might just be a solid B.K. Borison fan now.

I absolutely adored Aiden and Lucie! After a string of lackluster reads, First Time Caller was exactly what I needed to rekindle my love for romance novels. B.K. Borison’s storytelling is beautifully creative, with a slow-burning connection that builds with such care and depth. The emotional development between the characters felt authentic and heartfelt, making every moment between them that much more rewarding.

This is one of those special books I wish I could experience again for the first time—just to fall in love with Aiden and Lucie all over again. If you're looking for a story that takes its time, pulls you in, and stays with you long after the last page, this is it.