Rating: 6/5 ⭐️

Read if you like:
- Grumpy MMC who is secretly a golden retriever
- Helping her find love
- HILARIOUS banter
- Forced proximity
- SNEAKING LITTLE TOUCHES UNDER THE TABLE

Review:
I read a lot of romance books and a book that makes me FEEL THIS MUCH is so rare. Just spent my entire evening kicking my feet and giggling like I was in high school again because BK Borison KNOCKED it out of the park with this one.

Aiden Valentine hosts a romance hotline and when Lucie Stone's daughter calls her in, she somehow finds herself co-hosting with Aiden to boost the show's ratings and help her find love. BUT OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, THE FALL IN LOVE.

This book was just such a realistic depiction of what it's like to fall in love with hints of Emily Henry vibes mixed with Ali Hazelwood humour. The banter and chemistry between Aiden and Lucie is unmatched. I swear if I could just be a fly on the wall in their relationship, I would.

It's the "we should stop doing this" and then the "ONCE ISN'T ENOUGH FOR ME" vibes FOR ME.

I also think Aiden is delusional when he says he doesn't know what to say because EXPLAIN THIS THEN:
"Nah Lucie. I think you're the magic." LIKE PUH-LEASE.

Honourary mention of Lucie's blended family and how close they are to each other. Her ex-husband Grayson is the most supporting, loving, and chaotic character and I almost want his story as well.

minor things, I wish we did have more backstory to Aiden, felt like his story could've gotten fleshed out a bit more and also a bigger love declaration but the vibes make it 6/5.

If B.K. Borison writes something, I’m reading it, and First-Time Caller was no exception. I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the very first page and even stayed up way too late just to keep reading. The concept felt so fresh and unique, and the banter was everything I hoped for, fun, flirty, and perfectly timed. Such a great read, and one I’d highly recommend!

I adored this book 🥹 so much more than a romance novel. Lucie’s trials and tribulations were incredibly relatable, and Aiden’s skepticism for love actually made him quite lovable. A beautiful nod to Sleepless in Seattle! Highly recommend!

"When the whole world tells you you’re silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them. You start to think you’re not worth it. If the things you’re waiting for do exist, they’re not for someone like you."

THOUGHTS :
Borison's writing is so compelling. Lucie is such a strong, lovable character. I loved that she had a good relationship with her daughter's father. Aiden was so flipping lovable. Aiden's conversation with his parents was so relatable, and I understood where he was coming from. I loved the banter and loved the whole radio talk show idea!

5/5
This book was so cute! I loved every minute of it!!! It was genuinely a really tun read, every chapter just hooked you in more & more to where you couldn't put it down!
I literally felt like I was watching one of my fav romcoms while reading this!! Like I'm just speechless over this book!
Before I go though, let's just give a round of applause for Aiden, this man keeps a list of her favorite things in his car!!!!!!!!!!

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle- inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

4.5*

I liked the concept of this book and premise very new and fresh for me personally. It’s such a cute read, and I absolutely cannot wait for more from this author.

Read if you like:
-she falls first
-forced proximity
-single parent

I think I listened to too much of they hype around this book and it ended up affecting my enjoyment of the story. On the surface, it's everything I love in a romance novel. A cute first meet between our two main characters. Great banter. A stellar cast of supporting characters. But I think in the end, it kind of fell a bit below my expectations.

Unfortunately, I think Aiden was the main problem for me. He had so much potential as a great love interest. The banter. The protectiveness. That list! But I just didn't believe that he overcame all his issues - and with no real introspection. His flip from pushing Lucie away, to winning her back just happened too fast and too easily. I think I just wanted more character development for Aiden.

That said, this was still a great book that I'd recommend you pick up. And I'll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. I know the next book in the series is about Jackson, but I'm dying to know what happens to Oliver!

Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC.

I loved Aiden and Lucie. I generally steer clear of books with children in the mix because I find that most authors dont write them well, or they are ill placed etc. I liked Maya, and that the focus was primarily on the adult relationships. I really loved this book and I look forward to Jackson's story next! I dropped a star because I hate a 3rd act breakup.

I ended up really enjoying this but it was really slow in the beginning. I needed a little more of the connection faster I think but it ended up being a cute romance

I whizzed through First Time Caller by B.K. Borrison in two days. That said, I struggled with the beginning of this book. As someone who has watched Sleepless in Seattle more than once, it seemed as though the author had lifted the story straight from the movie. It began to follow its own path, and I very much enjoyed the characters who were the unique aspect of this story, but my feelings overall were colored by that first impression. The author adds a note acknowledging a love of the aforementioned film, but I'm still sad that they could not use it as inspiration rather than a remix.

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.