Thank you to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free book and audiobook!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO SO MUCH!!!! My new favorite BK Borison book and most importantly, what I know will be one of my favorite books/romance releases of 2025!!!! I loved this story so much, it was emotional, so romantic, a love story to love, and had the most heartwarming, fun, comforting plot. Truly so unique and so wonderfully written.

First Time Caller is loosely based off Sleepless in Seattle. It all starts with Lucy's preteen daughter calls into the Heartstrings radio station, and Lucy spills her soul to the host, Aiden Valentine. Lucy opens up about how she has struggled with dating and finding the right type of person in her adult life, and how she craves finding the magic in love. When the clip goes viral, Lucy is invited to co-host a new segment of the show with Aiden, where they can work to find Lucy a love match!!

Aiden was the perfect, closed off, grumpy male main character. I LOVED HIM!!!!!! A man with a gold chain, who remembers all the details of the woman he is crushing on, who will do anything to hear her laugh and make sure she isn't alone, but won't say it to her face!?! I'm obsessed. I loved Aiden's growth throughout the book, as he begins to realize that maybe love can be good and kind, and that he needs to trust that if he opens himself up to feelings things and trusting others, it all won't crumble every time.

And LUCY!!! What a powerful, badass, vulnerable woman. I LOVED how she was this single mom figure, struggling with her love life in her 30s, trying to do everything right for her daughter. Feeling like she was failing at dating but also knowing what she wants and refusing to accept less. I loved her character so much, I really think so many women in their upper 20s and 30s are really going to relate to her daily struggles and internal dialogue.

The romance was ON FIRE. I genuinely could not stop listening to this book I just wanted more more more!! The narrators were so perfect for the characters, I was soooo obsessed with Aiden's voice. I loved the little components in each chapter of adding in clips of Lucy and Aiden talking on the radio, it made the audiobook feel so real, like I was listening to Heartstrings. I loved literally everything about this book, no complaints. The writing was GORGEOUS, and made me tear up multiple times. I already cannot wait to reread!!!

B.K. Borison you have done it again. I'm not sure what this woman puts in her books, but it's truly addicting. She is truly one of those authors that gets stronger with every output, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her, especially when I see what she has on the horizon! I loved the setting of a radio station for these two, it was so much fun. Just like our beloved Lovelight Farms, this radio station comes to life immediately and this pocket of the city feels so full of love and wonder. Aiden and Lucie have a ton of chemistry, and all the side characters were incredible. I loved that Lucie was really satisfied with her life, except for the fact that she was single, because I felt like Aiden came into her life and just the right time- and conversely, that is exactly the kind of person that Aiden needed. Borison puts everything together like a perfectly plotted puzzle, and I loved reading this book! I can't wait for Jackson's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy of this book. 5 stars for sure, hands down this is one of my favourite contemporary romances I have ever read! The dynamic between hopeless romantic single mom Lucie and grumpy anti-love radio show host Aiden was everything. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. This story will have you smiling ear to ear — in fact my cheeks still hurt from smiling.

“I think you’re the magic.”

HI HELLO BK BORISON WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE.

thank you so much @berkleypub @berkleyromance @netgalley @authorbkborison for sending me this ARC. I feel so lucky and I can’t wait to get my physical copy and put in all my annotations.

you guys. this book is worth all the hype it’s getting online. one of the absolute best contemporary romances i’ve ever read. I was audibly giggling, gasping, sobbing, and kicking my feet the entire time.

lucie is one of the best most relatable fmcs and I absolutely adored her crafted/found family, her outlook on life, and her brutal honesty. I loved her dynamic with grayson and mateo and the friendship coparenting representation was so special to me personally. maya was such an excellently written kid, I loved her role in the story, and I loved lucie’s adoration of her even more.

and don’t get me started on AIDEN. i’m a lesbian and that man had me SWOONING TO THE MAX. I loved how realistic his story arc was and how he grew throughout the narrative. and the BANTER. wow. just wow.

everyone RUN to your local bookstore on february 11th and pick up your copy of this book. you will be changed for the better.

if it wasn’t clear. five stars.

BK Borison is an expert in her craft. She gives us yet another nostalgic and cozy romantic comedy full of so much feeling. Her best yet!

I'd give First-Time Caller endless stars but 5 is the highest I can go. I adored this book. I felt like I was wrapped up in a warm blanket the entire time I read it. I simultaneously wanted to quickly consume and take my time absorbing every word on every page. Like, I just loved it. It's inspired by one of my all-time favorite movies, Sleepless in Seattle, and it paid that movie so much justice.

I was grinning at the page, kicking my feet, swooning to know what was going to happen next. The chemistry between Lucie and Aiden is top tier. I love when characters say each others names in books, sounds weird I know, and there's plenty of name-saying in this book. Like, give me more?!?

When I say this is a book that spoke to me, I mean it's like B.K. Borrison took all the thoughts out of my head and wrote them into a beautiful love story. I am convinced I won't read another book this year that makes me this happy and taken care of. If it isn't my top read of 2025, I'd be surprised.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was throwing my ass in a circle so hard I almost broke a hip.

✰ 5 stars, at the start of 2025 we really said bring back yearning bring back romantic tension and ms borison said say less and delivered on that declaration.

thank you to Berkley for the free book in exchange for an honest review #berkleypartner #berkley

4.5⭐

Okay, so I screamed when I read the acknowledgement and B.K. Borison mentioned Sleepless in Seattle because the entire time I was reading this...I kept feeling like it gave Sleepless in Seattle vibes.

First Time Caller felt like magic. The vibes I got was a quiet snowy night in the city and it's just you and your SO. There's no loud energy. It's all soft and magical and comforting.
That's the vibe I got from this book.
It doesn't matter that they were broadcasting for the entire city of Baltimore to hear. It still felt private and like there was no one else.

My only problem was it felt a tad bit long for me.

First-Time Caller
(Heartstrings #1)
B.K. Borison
Pub: 2/11/25
4.5☆

Another absolute must read by B.K. Borison!

OK I adored everything about this one. Bec’s writes the cutest stories with the most lovable characters and this was another shining example. Lucie and Aiden’s story was heartwarming, funny (so much witty banter), and filled with so much growth. The sweet, slow-burn romance will have you swooning and smiling throughout. And along with the rest of the town, you just can’t help but root so hard for these two to find love. The first in a new series and I am all in and so excited for what’s up next.

What I loved;
✨ Sleepless In Seattle Inspired
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Single Mom
✨ Amazing Side Characters
✨ Glove Compartment Lists
✨ Brooks Robinson

It was truly a love letter to love and I definitely feel like a reread with the audio is in my near future.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the free book. #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

Got to read this ARC (thank you NetGalley) & also got to experience this author for the first time. This book had everything I love in a romance novel. Fluffy, tension & spice, emotions & feelings. The issues than the characters faced in this book were extremely realistic. I loved the side characters & truly had such a fun time imagining this book as I read it. The FMC was endearing & likable while the MMC was perfectly conflicted, confused and sexy. I am now a Lucie & Aiden stan.

Truly a novel that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the little things with someone you love.

this sleepless in seattle inspired novel did not disappoint in the slightest! this book follows lucie, a hopeless romantic whose daughter calls in to Heartstrings, a radio show hosted by our broody MMC aiden, trying to get love advice for her mom. this book gives pure romcom, contemporary romance at it's finest. i don't think i've ever read a romance book that had me so giggly and had me squealing so much. this love story felt so magical yet so raw at the same time. lucie is one of the most likeable and unique FMCs i've had the honor of meeting and aiden valen(tine) has a reserved spot near the top of my list for top romance book boyfriends. i guarantee this book will have you feeling so giddy the entire time.

this book was made for anyone who has been scared to let themselves fall in love and there was not a second of this book that i did not love!

5⭐️ I have yet to read a BK Borison I haven’t loved but this is definitely my favorite.

This is a romance at its finest. The MMC is the true definition of “if he wanted to he would”. I thought this book started a little slow but there was a lot of ground work to lay to make this a perfect romance novel.

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until February 11, 2025! But this is my honest review!

Add this book to your to read list, I promise you won’t regret it! & then let me know what you thought!

#books #bookstagram #booktok #bookrating #library #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecs#bookcommunity #booklovers #booksofinstagram #bookish #fivestarbooks #romancebook #kindlebooks
#kindleunlimited

My first 5 star read of 2025!!!!! I don’t know how else to put it other than this is probably the most romantic romance book I’ve ever read. Literally felt like I was transported into a 90s romcom the vibes and romance were so immaculate. Obviously I loved the writing, BK Borison just never misses for me. I thought the plot was super entertaining and fun; I was literally hooked from the first chapter. I love that this book had me laughing and giggling but then also tearing up and relating to the characters. I love a romcom with depth and I think this book balanced that perfectly. I loved the single mom aspect and Lucie’s relationship with her daughter and Maya’s father. I thought their coparenting relationship was so sweet and Grayson made me laugh so much. Aiden and Jackson’s friendship was SO CUTE and so funny and I am feral for Jackson’s book. I loved his character so much. Aiden was literally man obsessed, man in love, would do anything for Lucie. His story and hesitations towards love made me CRYYY. I love how he was a little reserved but not grumpy and mean. And Lucie 💗 ugh my girl. She loves fiercely and puts her loved ones before herself. I loved her outlook on love. But I did love how sassy and outspoken she could be. I loved her character growth. The tension, banter, and chemistry was off the charts!!! I truly just loved every part of this book. The characters, setting, plot, it was the perfect romance book.

I think the romance genre was specifically created because someone knew that Bk Borison would be born one day and that it’d be her calling to write books. I love love. So much. And this is one of those books that just made me LOVE love even more. And also remember why I love reading about love?? Like this book has burned itself into my brain and buried itself into my heart.

Lucie was so deeply relatable to me, and it’s crazy to think a fictional person and words on paper can make someone feel less alone, less silly, and overall really proud to have the feelings they do but that’s exactly what Becs accomplished with this book. My most consistent and inner thoughts are just about everything Lucie felt and talked about in FTC and it was so validating to read it and think…. “Wow other people will read this and feel the same and the fact that someone wrote this means they. KNOW. this feeling and maybe I’m not so alone in it!!!”

I could go on and on about this book, and the mushy gooey insane feelings I have but it actually almost feels tooooooo close to home. This was the best book, I don’t know how anything will match or top it.

The biggest love letter to love lovers everywhere and to the people who just want their own REAL but magic feeling love story. Our time is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t say this lightly, but BK Borison might just be Nora Ephron reincarnated. It feels too early in the year to proclaim my favorite romance of 2025, but it might just be true. The banter, the spice, the swoon, the invisible string of it all. It’s all there. I had to take breaks between nearly every chapter because I had such big feelings I couldn’t handle it. If you’ve loved any Nora Ephron movie, this book is for you. I can’t wait to read whatever Borison writes next!

Sometimes, you get weary about Nora Ephron rom-com reimaginings. Not because they're not good---Nora Ephron movies are elite, so it'll be good at its base. But you run into the risk of being just derivative, a repackaged plot that makes you long for the inspiration, instead of the creation. Sleepless in Seattle is one of my ton 10 favorite movies of all time. The cozy hopefullness, the wistfullness and yearning for magic and true love, it's something you don't just find anywhere.
But you find it here. In Aiden, in Lucie, in the little studio booth, you find it there. B.K. Borison has not just given us a Sleepless In Seattle inspired romance. It is not a repackaging of a story we've heard before. It is truly INSPIRED, an entirely new story with it's own soul and it's own desires and it's own magic. It takes off, becomes something all it's own.
Aiden valentine is a romance radio show host that doesn't believe in love. Lucie is a mechanic/single mom that's been longing for love for much longer than she's willing to admit. Throw in her mastermind daughter calling into Aiden's phone line late one night, and you're thrown into the whirlwind of Lucie's adventure. And as far-fetched as a situation like this might seem in real life, it progresses naturally, perfectly, and you don't question a moment of it. Lucie is as lovable as Aiden and everyone else sees her. Aiden thinks he's an asshole, but you see that he's a good guy that's given up a bit. Throughout their story, you see them come alive in each other's company.
I was smiling like an idiot by the end of this. B.K. Borison captures the desperation, the apprehension, the fear and the courage of falling in love when you don't mean to with gorgeous prose, hilarious characters, spicy scenes, and deep emotions.
"You aren't broken. . . I think you're just bruised."
This is a book I will be cuddling up to re-read the same way I click on Sleepless in Seattle when I'm in need of a little reminder that there is magic in every corner, you just have to reach for it.

A great book by bk Borison!! This is the PERFECT book for February/Valentine’s Day 🥰 every book BK releases, the more I love her. She just gets better and better

A truly heartwarming and hit-you-in-the-feels book! I loved the whole crew of characters and Aiden and Lucie's romance was everything I wanted. Her monologue in the first chapter pulled me in and the rest of the book didn't fail to deliver.

I'm officially going to be reading everything B.K. Borison has written and will write. Borison knows how to write banter while also capturing the character's challenges throughout the story.

Aiden Valentine is the host of a failing romance advice radio show called Heartstrings. Between the listener calls and his own doubts about love, the show is barely hanging on. Lucie Stone is a single working mom who is surrounded by love, but not romance. When she is not at work, she is devoted to caring for her 12-year-old daughter, Mia. As much as Mia loves her mother, she can see that Lucie is missing something...or someone. Mia thinks Aiden is just the person to find Lucie's future partner. After exposing her personal life to all of Baltimore on Aiden's show, everyone in Lucie's life is invested in her finding her Prince Charming among the men calling in. However as she and Aiden spend more time together, it becomes clear that the love of her life may be closer than she thinks.

I am so happy there will be 2 more books in this series because I can't get enough! One of my favorite things about the story was how the setting, Baltimore, was a character of its own. I've been there a few times and it was fun to visualize the harbor and Little Italy. I also enjoyed how perfectly flawed Lucie and Aiden were. They were both dealing with some serious issues with their parents and it wasn't wrapped up in a neat bow. The final radio call scene had me internally screaming because of adorable it was. I'm also a sucker for any book with found family and this one didn't disappoint. Highly recommend!

4.25 stars!

"I don't want to settle for something just to say I have it."

Ok Bec's is on a roll because this and Business Casual have been written soooo well and she keeps on upping her game and I have so much respect for her.

I love how this book was paced. I was a little nervous looking at the page length, but I felt this burn was perfectly slow with this one. Whenever I would think
"hey, I would like the plot to develop" it literally would within a couple chapters.

I also love the world building Bec's does. I didn't think she could top the cozy town vibes of the Lovelight series but I somehow loved this setting even more???
The found family and the staff at the radio station I just loved the community here and how RICH it all was. So lived in.

My main issue with this book actually is Aiden, which is probably a hot take (I am so sorry I wanted to love him so bad). I really didn't see much development in him toward the very end and he's just not the kind of guy I get interested in. He has a hard time seeming engaged, doesn't fight for what he wants, is wayward, etc. I know that's a part of his journey and I am there for him, but the way it lasts 95% of the book I kinda gave up hope on him.

Lastly, his actions in the third act breakup were the final straw for me. And this is a common theme in Borison's work for me where I love it but then the third act doesn't stick the landing to me.

Lucie I adored and believed in her and her journey so hard. I loved her creating her own magic

I need books two and three in this series!!!