4.5 🌟 !!!

my new favorite B.K. book omg. I connected so so much to Lucie and her hopes and views on love. so many of the things she says and thinks and things I’ve said or thought!! love her bad.

and Aiden!!! my broken afraid of feeling too much man. I love how he slowly but surely opened himself up and how by the end he let himself heal and feel everything he was afraid to.

the middle dragged for me a little, I found it to be a bit slow and repetitive, and the third act breakup annoyed me. but the ending!!!! and the romantic gesture oh my heart.

overall I loved loved loved. tysm to Berkley for the arc + for the finished copy!!

2.5 Stars
This was somehow insta-lust and mega slow-burn at the same time? It took me way too long to read this partially because I'll admit, it was a bit boring, but mostly in part because I forgot where I left my kindle (I randomly found it in my laundry room 2 and a half weeks later on a shelf that I don't even remember putting it on and it had no business being on lol). I loved the idea of the radio show but I just couldn't get invested in these MCs at all (I actually wish we got more of Maya because she is so great). Overall, it was a cute read but wasn't anything special (but it did still made me tear up at the end lol).

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

I wanted to like it. I loved the premise but I thought it was kind of a yawn. Predictable. Long. Kind of boring. I am so sorry. I appreciate the ARC and I think others will like it…just not for me.

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of this book.

First-Time Caller" by BK Borison initially took a moment to hook me, but once it did, I was completely captivated. As a huge fan of "Sleepless in Seattle," I was hesitant about this reimagining, but Borison delivered a fresh and utterly charming story.

Aiden Valentine, a radio host disillusioned with love, and Lucie Stone, a single mom seeking more, are beautifully developed characters. Lucie's complex and loving blended family was a standout, showcasing a refreshing and heartwarming dynamic. Aiden, the quintessential cinnamon roll alpha, was utterly swoon-worthy, and the chemistry between him and Lucie was palpable. Their slow-burn connection was the heart of the story, leaving me rooting for their happily ever after.

This is the perfect feel-good romance, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and spice. It's a must-read for anyone needing a heartwarming escape.

The audiobook experience was exceptional. Narrators E.J. Bingham and Hathaway Lee truly brought Aiden and Lucie to life. Their performances, especially during the radio show segments, made audio the ideal format for this story. They were fantastic.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #prhaudio #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #prhaudio #prhaudiopartner #berkelywritesstrongwomen #firsttimecallyer #bkborison #sponsored

First-Time Caller follows Aiden, the host of Heartstrings, Baltimore’s romance hotline, who has fallen out of love with love, and Lucie, a single mother whose daughter calls in for dating advice for her mom. When Lucie grudgingly gets on the line with Aiden to discuss her love life, the interview goes viral, sparking public interest in Lucie finding her happy ending.

I absolutely loved this Sleepless in Seattle-Inspired romance book! Lucie and Aiden’s love story was so endearing, I found myself completely invested in their journey. I loved how their relationship unfolded in such a natural way from friends to lovers. First-Time Caller is truly one of my favourite books by B.K. Borison, along with Business Casual. I can’t recommend her books enough!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

It's the hug from your best friend that moved across the country that you haven't seen in years. Beautiful and warm, the thing you didn't know you were missing until it was right in front of you. I loved this Nora Ephron inspired love story. More than just the grumpy/sunshine trope.
Loved Aiden from page 1. Lucie was everything, we need more single mom romances. Please.
Can't wait for the next installment from Heartstrings.

Thank you for the free book @berkleyromance @netgalley #berkleypartner #berkleybooks #berkleyinfluencer #berkleyinstagram !!

BK Borison has a soft and lovely way with prose that really gets to me - and her characters always have a bit of a wistful melancholy to them that make them feel a little bit more real and touchable than just characters in a story. Lucie and Aiden are no different in that respect, and I very much liked this shy and grasping homage to Sleepless in Seattle.

Lucie is a 29 year old car mechanic optimist who has a 12 year old daughter. Her daughter’s father is her childhood best friend Greyson, a bisexual artist with a husband, Mateo, who lives next door. I like this mushed together family; Lucie and Greyson were both disowned when they decided to have a kid at 16. Lucie is a strong character, but stoic and lonely, refusing to date because it feels fake and she’s not here for bullshit.

Aiden is a grump with a romance radio show, mostly because his radio persona last name is Valentine. He’s disillusioned by all the callers who call in to complain about mundane but annoying things about their partners, and downright angry at how much garbage people dish out to their spouses. He’s actually afraid to love, because his mom almost died three times of cancer and love seems like so much pain (especially when you’re like 8 but you witness your dad sobbing about potentially losing his Big Love).

Lucie’s daughter calls into the station to prompt Lucie into finding love, and she goes along with it. What Lucie finds is Aiden. And now they can pine for each other while sitting next to each other and trying to find Lucie some dates!

The cons: the ages of the characters annoyed me the entire way through. Lucie seemed too old to be under 30 with an almost teenager. Aiden seemed too old with his grief to also be under 30. I don’t know why these complex characters had to be under 30. What the hell is the issue with making your characters over 30? It might not bother you; it did bother me. That’s all I’m saying.

Other than that, it was a lovely read. All the characters had heart, and *gasp* one even goes to therapy!

BK Borison is talented at creating characters you want to be friends with, invite over for a cup of coffee. I adored Lucie and her complex relationship and yearning for love. The homage to Sleepless in Seattle and the general feel of beloved 90's rom-coms was present on the page. I struggled more to connect to Aiden, as his inner conflict didn't quite pose the obstacle to a happy ever after as I'd have liked to see. Regardless, a charming story with a swoony setup, this one is sure to make waves.

As it stands right now; this is my favorite book of 2025. I don’t know if BK got her PhD in Swoon or what, but I was swooning the whole time. There’s nothing I didn’t love about this!

This book is so sweet! I loved Lucie and Aiden as characters. Lucie is not like any FMC that I have read about. I think the things that made her different made me like her even more. Aiden was someone that at first I did not think I was going to care for. As I continued reading and the more that Lucie was involved in Aiden's life, the more enjoyable I think he became. The side characters in this book were also great. Grayson and Lucie's relationship was great and very relatable for many readers. I also liked Jackson and hope that we get a second book about him and possibly the weather woman?. This is a slow kind of burn and it is one that I think is meant to make you feel good and hopeful at the end.

This book had me blushing, kicking my feet, and giggling MULTIPLE times while reading. I loved this modern twist on "Sleepless in Seattle", and I really identified with Lucie as a character. I thought that her struggles to not settle for love were so real, and I enjoyed watching her relationship develop with Aiden. Also, Aiden is the absolute BEST, and I highlighted so many of his lines to Lucie (that man is built upon romance, he can never tell me otherwise). Overall, a very fun, sweet, funny, romantic book.

☏"𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳, 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳"☏

BOOK REVIEW: First-Time Caller by @authorbkborison
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I… just yes. All of it yes.

This book!!! The stereotype breaking (Lucie is a badass mechanic - when does that ever happen in books?!?), the family unit inclusivity and representation - it is all SO GOOD!

Within the first few chapters I related to the things Lucie said so much, but in a completely different context. What she talked about in terms of dating - for example, not knowing the steps everyone else knows - hit me so hard in my big autistic heart.

I also LOVED how mature she was. Parts where she could have assumed what was being said leading to miscommunication was immediately avoided because she just… ASKED !?! IMAGINE!!!

Watching Aiden and Lucie fall in love was so heartwarming. Their connection was so tender and genuine and romantic in a real life way.

This book had all the things I look for. Humour, depth, relatability, inclusivity and growth. 10/10.

Read this - regardless but especially - if you like:

👩‍🔧 badass mature stereotype breaking FMC
🏳️‍🌈 representation and inclusivity - the family dynamic is 👌🏼
🧑‍🧒 single mom
📻 workplace romance/ forced proximity
☀️ grumpy/ sunshine

🚨 TW: cancer, pregnancy (past), parental estrangement

~thank you so much @berkleyromance for the e-arc! 😍
#netgalley #firsttimecaller #berkleypublishing

I thought this was one was enjoyable and kept me wanting to read more. I really like the setting because I’ve never read or seen another romance that bloomed in a radio station. I loved how everyone around Aiden and Lucie, both friends and listeners, were so invested in their relationship. I thought it was also so fun to read about Lucie being a mechanic to challenge gender norms. Grayson and Maya were probably my favourite characters in the whole book. They were so delightfully comedic and I loved their whole dynamic with Lucie and Aiden, and of course, Mateo too (can’t forgot Grayson’s hubby). I will admit that I’m more excited to read Jackson’s story than I first was to read this one. At this point, B. K. Borison is an auto buy author for me because I love her characters and the worlds she writes for them. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy, as always I’m so grateful!!

Well that was DELIGHTFUL. Dare I say 6 star romance read? Kicking my feet, squealing with joy, highlighting cute quotes like crazy. Great banter, great chemistry between Aiden and Lucy. Loved every single character in this book. I kept imagining Jackson to look like Doyle from Brooklyn 99? Highly recommend. Also maybe I have a thing for radio romances cause I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve read lol. Top 10 romance of 2025 solidified!!!



P.S. do you ever think about how much shorter romance books would be if everyone remembered therapy exists or

As a Nora Ephron fan, I was so excited to read a book inspired by one of my favorite movies, Sleepless in Seattle. Though it is a predictable read, it’s very sweet. The side characters were also all so charming. Really hard not to root for absolutely everyone involved.

Two words: Hopeless Romantic.

More to come on this later.
---
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced readers copy of this book.

This review will be short and sweet... because you should just read it.
- Sleepless in Seattle vibes
- Kick your feet giggling
- Hope for the hopeless romantic
- Struggling MMC (emotionally, family illness)
- Super competent and independent FMC (she's an auto mechanic!)
- Reversed gender norms, which was super fun!

Also of note: I listened to the audio book as well and highly recommend! The narration is excellent, especially with the dual POV.

📚Trope(s): Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Mom, Competent Heroine/Sweet Hero, Reversed Gender Norms
What you get: 🎙️📻👩🏻‍🔧🌩️☀️
⭐️Plot: 3/5 (not the most original, but solid)
🔥Chemistry: 5/5
🌶️Spice: 4/5

This book was a breath of fresh air in a season of books I've struggled to finish. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me a copy through Netgalley. It's been a real pleasure.

All of the characters are adorable. The banter between the characters is believeable. I can't wait till there are more books in the series.

Loved every single second of this, thank you so much for putting it into the universe! I was never able to put this book down without the incredible urge to pick it back up and find out what happened next. There's something about a single mom with a meddling daughter that always pulls me in.
I would 100% recommend!

So, so stinking cute. I loved this author’s previous works and this one is no exception. I will definitely be recommending this one to the romance lovers in my life!

This was a fun, quick read but didn't have the spark I expected based on my experience with other books by this author (I LOVED the Lovelight Farms series). It was so strange, but I cared way more about the supporting characters than the main characters. Grayson, Mateo, and Maya were far more interesting to me and I wanted more about them, especially Grayson. The writing was good and it wasn't a bad book, I just didn't connect with it the way I'd hoped.