Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted ARC.

As a huge fan of classic 90s rom-coms like Sleepless in Seattle, I was super excited to read this modern take, but didn't find myself connecting to the main characters as much as I thought I would. Lucie is a 28 year old single mom, who has never really dated after having her daughter at just 16 years old. When 12 year old Maya takes it upon herself to call into the local radio station's romance hotline, Heartstrings, to try to find her mom a date, she thrusts Lucie into the path of grumpy host, Aiden Valentine. Her raw and honest phone call has ratings soaring, prompting the station to have her on as a series regular. Working in close quarters in the booth has sparks flying between the two, and Aiden conflicted about helping her find love when he wants her to himself. The banter between the two was quick, but the burn was slow, and I couldn't help but feel like Lucie wasn't as into it as Aiden was. I don't really love a gushy, he falls first MMC, and was frustrated in Aiden's case that he had these strong feelings in his head but was so poor at communicating them and showing them. I enjoyed the comic relief from the side characters and the scene that was set for future installments in the series, which will be takes on When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail, so while this one was an "I liked it but didn't love it", I'm still invested in seeing where this series goes.

Oh how I love books by B.K. Borison.

First-Time Caller is a work of art that made me feel everything. I was giddy while rooting for Lucie and Aiden, with their perfect banter and radio dynamic. I cried for them, wished I could hug them. I felt EVERYTHING for them.

I loveddd Lucie and her daughter. Their blended family was so lovely & healthy and I loved reading about their lives. This was such a perfect single mom book that shows being a single parent can be full of joy and support <3

I also adored the mixed format (with the radio clips between chapters), the sheer amount of coffee the characters consumed, and Lucie's career as a mechanic. I also thought Aiden was such a cutie. Learning to love pineapple on pizza because SHE does. Keeping a list of everything that makes her happy. We love a supportive man!!!

I cannot wait to see where the next book in this series goes :)

4.5 ⭐️

immediately hooked!!! i loved sooo much about this book! the premise is so unique and piqued my interest right from the start!
i found the themes in this book to be sooo real and relatable! the way both lucie and aiden feel about love and where they’re each at in their romantic life deeply resonated with me! i think so many readers will be able to see themselves in this story!
all of lucie and aiden’s interactions had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air! their banter was top tier!!! the flirting had me in a chokehold!!! the tension was so juicy!!! the slow burn was delicious!! ugh, i couldn’t get enough!
i also loooved all the side characters so much! they all added so much heart and comedy to this story! (i would have loved to see more interactions between people from aiden’s world and people in lucie’s life!)

overall, this romcom is an absolute treat and i will without a doubt be recommending it to everyone!

thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy!!! <3

I stayed up late last night to finish First Time Caller and I have absolutely no regrets - even when my littlest woke me up before 6am.

If you want a kick your feet in glee, slow burn, sweet and spicy romance - add this to your TBR. I love BK Borison’s Lovelight Farms series, and this start to a brand new series absolutely did not disappoint. Aiden and Lucie are one of my favorite couples of all time, their chemistry is off the charts, and all of the supporting characters are beyond charming.

Their emotional journeys - Aiden’s working through grief and fear, and Lucie’s realization that she deserves to be loved fully - never felt formulaic, or simplistic, but absolutely genuine. This is definitely going on my list of absolute favorite romances ever! All the stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved, loved, loved this book. Given that it was inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, it should come as no surprise that it had an old-school rom-com feel. I loved the premise of a jaded, burnt out romance radio host helping a single mom find love.

But where the book really shined was the chemistry between Aiden and Lucie. Even before they met in person, there was something between them and it only grew from there. The mix of pining, jealousy and protectiveness we got from Aiden was top-notch!

The full cast of characters deserves a shoutout! If you’ve read Lovelight Farms, you know BK Borison always does an excellent job with supporting characters and it was no different here. From Lucie’s community (her daughter was adorable! Her co-parenting relationship/friendship with Grayson and Mateo! Patty!) to the radio station crew, she’s created a world that feels fleshed out and three dimensional.

I loved how between each chapter you get a little snippet of the “show” transcript- since it’s a dual pov, it was such a clever way to give an “unfiltered” look at their dynamic without skewing towards one of their perspectives.

Read if you like:
- He Falls First
- Single Mom
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- 90s Rom Coms/Nora Ephron movies

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the advance reader copy of this book!

currently reading this one and loving it. i have a feeling it’s going to be a 5+ star read for me. every word of it has been a delight to read; it’s so nostalgic, reminiscent of my favorite cozy, inspiring romcoms, and harkens back to slower times where things felt less complicated. i really, truly am savoring this one, and i have a feeling reading ‘the end’ will be heartbreaking. will update review once i have finished!

Sigh. Aiden just set the book boyfriend bar pretty high, and I was not ready to turn the final page and say goodbye to these characters!

Lucie is a single mother, and her preteen daughter decides to meddle in her love life by calling a late night radio show about love. From the first time Lucie and Aiden, the host, speak, their banter, chemistry, and connection are off the charts. Their talk goes viral, leading to Lucie joining the show for awhile, looking to find love.

I loved everything about these characters, but I especially loved how brave they were to actually talk about how they were feeling about one another. They had a discussion about flirting with each other that had me smiling and kicking my feet, just completely delighted by the charm and cuteness of it all. That’s not to say that everything comes easily for the pair- Aiden has some pain in his past that he has to learn to face, and man did I love when he finally decided he needed to do something about it.

The dialogue is authentic, the setting and premise so much fun, and the side characters incredible. I can’t wait for book two featuring this group, partly to check back in with Aiden and Lucie and partly to get even closer to their friends and family!

Thank you to Berkley romance for the gifted ARC; all opinions are my own.

It's no secret that I'm a B.K. Borison fan (Lovelight Farms forever!), and this one didn't disappoint. Borison always manages to strike the right note for an easy-reading romance. They are heartwarming and a only a bit smutty, without any of the "cringe" I encounter in so many of the popular romance novels I try out lately. This will be my romance recommendation to friends and library patrons next year, especially for those who are new to the genre or have historically avoided this type of novel.

You won't regret reading this book. Favorite New Couple Alert.

B.K. Borison has become a "must read" author for me. She has a way of righting characters who are relatable and real.

With the first entry in her new series, Heartstrings, First-Time Caller (FTC) gives us characters who are perfectly flawed and so much fun to follow. There is Aiden, a radio host who is closed off to the idea of love. His journey was beautiful to follow and the chemistry is some of the best that I have read in a very long time. Lucie, is a single mother of probably the most amazing and fun 12 year old, Maya. Lucie was a breath of fresh air and probably my new top FMC that I have read in a long time. She has an amazing support system and that is one of the highlights of this book.

The premise will remind many of Sleepless in Seattle, but I think this is a much more relatable and realistic. The last few chapters had me all in my feels and I was crying at the beautiful story unfolding before me.

I will read this book again and again. I can hardly wait for the next book, which I'm sure I know who the main characters will be. I'm excited for what B.K. has in store for all of us.

THIS IS A MUST READ.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

I did really enjoy this! I wasn't a fan of Borison's previous work but this definitely showed an improvement in writing and development. Now I watched sleepless in seattle for the first time after reading this book because I had to know the inspiration, and let me say the book is better.

This book is a very slow burn, almost unnecessarily, and pretty redundant, but it also works out perfectly in that sense. I do not mean it negatively. It still flows, and there is enough meat in between to keep the story moving. Aiden and Lucie had undeniable chemistry and I loved how it felt to be in the station/recording room all the time. The little snippets of Aiden and his routine were fab, and he was such a grumpy cutie. and i LOVED the radio transcripts. They were perfect and did make me laugh. There were plenty of very romantic and sweet moments that made me swoon. It was magical!!!!

I will say for a book with a single mom, there is barely anything really *with* the kid on Lucie's side and on Aiden's side. With a book so long, I would have imagined there would've been more moments and time between the three of them like other single mom books, but there wasn't. With that being said, it was nice to see how Lucie had a strong support system between her baby daddy and the people at her job and her friend.

Thank you Berkley for the arc! #berkleypartner

Synopsis:

Aiden Valentine is the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, but doesn't believe in love himself. When a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine, but when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending... even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

Review:

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! It's a Sleepless in Seattle retelling. I loved Aiden & Lucie as well as all of the side characters. B.K. just knows how to write characters who are so endearing and you're rooting for them through the whole book. Lucie was so sweet, honest and a mechanic (loveee when we switch things up in typically gendered professions). Her daughter was also the sweetest yet also spiciest pre-teen. Aiden was a bit messy but so thoughtful (he kept a list of her favourite things written down in his glove compartment *sobs*) and romantic. I literally cried on and off (from happiness) in this book and could not put it down. Highly recommend!

Thank yoooooou to Berkley for my digital galley!

I absolutely loved this book! The FMC is a mechanic, which is awesome, and a single mom; her relationship with her daughter and her ex and ex's husband is just lovely. Aiden is adorable and lovable. I wanted to get to know every character in this book - it's been a long time since I've been so invested in multiple characters. Reading the growth in Aiden and Lucie's relationship was a wonderful journey despite the slow burn. I will recommend this book to all my fellow romance readers! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-galley!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an early review copy.

B.K. Borison's follow-up to the "Lovelight" Series is a delight. The first in a new series, this book follows Aiden, the radio host of a romance hotline, who no longer believes in love, after he received a call from Lucie's daughter, trying to get dating advice for her single mother. After Aiden and Lucie's segment goes viral, the two are tasked with bringing up the studio's ratings, by trying to get Lucie a date.

I absolutely loved this book. The banter between Aiden and Lucie is masterfully written and I loved how their relationship developed between the two, as they got to know each other slowly through their interactions hosting Aiden's radio show. I also really liked the side characters, and I'm thrilled were getting more books with them.

Ohhhh B.K you just melt my heart. I’ll read anything she puts out- loved the connection and the two lovebirds so much!!

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
This book was absolutely adorable, an ode to love and rediscovering it! The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie practically leapt off the pages. I loved the banter and the raw, honest emotions of the characters. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I totally remember watching Sleepless in Seattle as a kid, this book gave me all the same swoony feelings. The side characters were fantastic, and I can’t wait to dive into more of the Heartstrings series. Book 2 is inspired by When Harry Met Sally and Book 3 is inspired by You’ve Got Mail. There’s so much to look forward to from BK Borison!
If you love a cinnamon roll grumpy man as much as I do, Aiden will not disappoint. This book is a perfect reminder that we all deserve a little magic in our romances. Oh, and for the record, I totally agree with Lucie, pineapple is the best pizza topping!

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🧲Opposites attract
☀️Grumpy sunshine
🎙️Workplace romance
🧍🏻‍♀️Single mom
🥰Swoon worthy
🏠Found family
🌶️A little bit of spice
🎥Sleepless in Seattle
🗣️Dual POV

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: cancer

🎙️𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🎙️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: “𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼’𝓂 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝑒𝓃𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝑒.”

🙏Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and BK Borison for this free ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕 #BerkleyPartner

This was a super cute read! I fell in love with the characters the first few chapters and couldn't stop reading!

I think this is my favourite romance book I’ve ever read. This gutted me towards the end. A word of advice - don’t read the last 10% of this book immediately after downing a large glass of wine. I am an emotional wreck. These characters were absolutely fantastic. Not just the mains, but also all of the side characters. The plot was so clever as well & really shaped this story to be so captivating & attention-catching. I must also note that the tension & banter in this is TOP NOTCH!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this & I am ECSTATIC to read more from BK Borison!!!!

Thank you SO much to Berkley Romance for the eARC!!!

In a new series by the creator of “Lovelight,” Lucie is a mechanic in Baltimore with a 12-year-old kid, fulfilled in her cobbled-together found family but lacking in romantic love. When she finds herself in the spotlight of a late-night romantic talk show, a la Sleepless in Seattle, she becomes the romantic darling of her city and is paired with the talk show host to end her love troubles. Her chemistry with the disc jockey Aidan Valentine is electric on air, and the two navigate how to mesh cynicism and romanticism in front of the entire Baltimore listening area.

I love Borison’s writing style - there’s grit to every character she draws, and people are never tropes but human: flawed, open or closed, an amalgamation of their choices, and the product of their environment. I love how the city plays such a big part of this story too; readers get a genuine sense of Baltimore and the people who inhabit it and the places they go and live - it was a main character along with Lucie and Adian. I like that she had a troubled relationship with her family but it wasn’t just brushed over and “fixed.” The whole narrative is a slice-of-life romance based in reality rather than Hallmark-fantasy-realistic-fiction-land. Love it and can’t wait for future installments!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I am shocked at how much I loved this. The description was what dragged me in, but I hesitated to actually read it when I noticed it was first person POV and dual POV - two things I don't normally enjoy. This was so much different from those that I've read in the past though.

I was really happy that the book didn't rely heavily on the child as a character. A lot of books featuring single parents over infantilize the kids, which is so grating. Maya - the daughter - flits in and out of scenes like a preteen living her life and worrying about her mom in between cosplay events. She's great. Aiden (ML) doesn't blink at Lucie (FL) having a kid, and they don't make a big deal of it.

Borison offers a lot of really relatable insight on dating - apps, settlings, etc. - and I think that really helped me dive back into the romance novel pool.

I'm frothing at the mouth for the next in the series.

ARC Review: First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Pub Date: February 11, 2025

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the eARC and to @joyfulchaosbookclub for including me in on the traveling ARC.

Honestly words cannot even come close to describing how much I love this book! I'm as obsessed with it as Aiden is with Lucie - and let me tell you, that man is down BAD. Like you don't even know - he is so utterly enchanted by her and I was just kicking my little feet because I was so giddy about it.

I've loved B.K.'s books for a long time - they all have something truly special! I laughed, I swooned, I wanted to move to Baltimore and become best friends with all of these characters?? Rude that I can't honestly.

This book is not one to miss. Preorder now! Also please do guess how many copies of this book are on their way to my home....