OKAY BECS BORISON. I SEE YOU!

First, thank you so much to Berkley Romance #partner for the gifted eARC and to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC of this title. These are on my honest thoughts!

For the first time, we're reading a book that isn't a Lovelight book from B.K. Borison, and yet it still had all the magic. This book solidifies B.K. in my book as one of the great romantic novelists of this period. She writes poetic and deeply personal tales of characters who are flawed and hopeful in the same breath, and I can't help but obsess over everything she does.

Lucie and Aiden meet because Lucie's daughter calls into the radio station hoping to get advice for her mom (SINGLE PARENT TROPE IS ONE OF MY FAVES!!). Lucie's got this found family that she adores and loves with her whole heart, but her daughter wants her to have a little bit more. The guy on the other end of the line? The radio host from a radio show called Heartstrings. Lucie's clip goes viral, and Lucie finds herself the star of a new segment, trying to help her find love. Only problem is that Aiden Valentine, her co-host, isn't so sure that he believes in love anymore because he's been burned before.

This story was SO GOOD. I adored the plot, characters, backstory, dreams, adventures, and romance. I loved the found family and the little nods to Baltimore. I loved that Lucie is a mechanic and her life seems full... because that's reality for a lot of us. Our lives are full, busy, focused on the things in front of us, and yet, Lucie finds a way to invite more love and connection in... and that helps Aiden realize he's put up so many barriers after his own trauma.

These two are in a forced proximity situation where they have to work together, and soon that turns to friendship and then more. When they spend time together outside the station (and even inside the station..... wooooo-eeeeee), their friendship at the foundation makes their crushes seem.... risky. First, it becomes, "just this once," and then just one more time, and then hearts on the line...

It's beautiful. It was such a good book to read on January 1st. This one is out on February 11, just in time for Valentine's Day... SO good. 5 stars.

I think this is my first listen with E.J. Bingham and Hathaway Lee, and I loved both performances! They both have a little more gritty of a sound, and I especially enjoyed the raspy portrayal of Lucie. There was a rawness to this audiobook that made this story feel like I was listening to friends. Perfect for audiobook lovers!

A big thank you to Berkley Publishing and Berkley Romance for the ARC of this book!

I’ve been a fan of B.K. Borison since Lovelight Farms graced my kindle in in early 2022 - so you best believe I jumped at the opportunity to read the first book in her new Heartstrings series!

B.K. Borison is an author that I’ve lovingly referred to as the queen of slow burn romance & First Time Caller took the slow burn to the next level 🔥😍

Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, First Time Caller follows the story of Aiden - the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, who has fallen out of love but it’s definitely a secret. Things change when a young girl calls in to the radio station asking for dating advice for her mom, Lucie. I’ll leave it at that to avoid any spoilers, but lI’ll be the first to tell you that Lucie, Aiden & the whole cast of characters in this one are TOP NOTCH! 🙌🏼

Featuring slow burn, grumpy sunshine & found family tropes, First Time Caller is a beautiful cocktail of all three, bursting with sentimentality and profound messages about the power of & importance of love in many different forms. I could not get enough of this book & honestly didn’t want it to end - it was that good! I’d highly recommend reading any of B.K’s books, but I’ll encourage you even more to NOT sleep on First Time Caller!

Thoroughly enjoyed! BK never disappoints- this book is packed with humor and heart. I had such a blast reading this one. Bonus points that it was based in Baltimore, I felt even more connected to the characters and setting. Read this if you’re looking for a sweet and cozy romance.

4.5/5 stars!

THIS IS WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY I WANT A TRUE ROMANCE BOOKS! I loved this book so much, we can all collectively say thank you to B.K Borison. This will definetly be a reread come Valentine's Day because it is so sweet it will give you a toothache.

Love love love!

I am absolutely crawling up the walls waiting to talk to my friends about this one. That pub date can't come soon enough! First-Time Caller was an absolute joy and treat to read. B.K. Borison writes such fun, funny, relatable, and relatably flawed characters that I feel like I'd get sucked in regardless, but the premise of First-Time Caller added a layer of jazz that was too good to resist.

I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook for this one and Hathaway Lee does such a fantastic job with the comedic timing and vulnerability for Lucie. I adored her slow burn romance with Aiden and the development of their characters. The guys at Lucie's place of employment are hilarious as is her baby daddy and I especially enjoyed her relationship with her daughter. Such a fun read and I enjoyed every minute of it.

4.5 Stars! Cute story about Lucie, whose daughter calls into a nighttime radio show for people looking for love because she wants her mom to be happy. Aiden is the host, generally unhappy with everything in his life, and is taken by her honesty in the difficulty surrounding finding love. She comes into the show to document her quest for love. It's a bumpy ride for her, but Aiden is there the whole way!

Loved the tension between Lucie and Aiden, and their journey was so sweet, I couldn't wait to get back to my Kindle. Secondary characters were chef's kiss! Can't wait for future installments in this new series!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts!

This was an interesting contemporary romance featuring Lucie, a female mechanic, and Aiden, a male radio show host.

Lucie is a single mom of a precocious 12-year-old daughter, and has a solid co-parenting relationship with her lifelong BFF and next-door neighbor, who is married to the love of his life. They all make up a truly enviable blended/found family and the dynamic there is great.

Aiden is the cynical host of "Heartstrings", the local radio show on love & romance - except, Aiden doesn't believe in love anymore, hasn't for a long time. His cynicism is getting so bad that listeners have stopped tuning in and the radio station is on the brink of having to sell.

So it's a good thing Lucie's daughter, Maya, calls in one night to ask for help with her mother's abysmal love life. As Lucie and Aiden speak over the phone, they both feel a spark of... something, and that spark is enough to light up the interest of millions of listeners along the eastern seaboard (via podcast recordings). Suddenly, Lucie is Aiden's co-host, and he's charged with helping her to find love.

The novel takes turns between Lucie and Aiden's POVs, with some cute flirting, disastrous dates, fun banter, and steamy interactions. And while all that was good, I didn't find myself super invested in their story. Writing was solid, but not compelling. Character development was decent for the protagonists and few important supporting roles, but not great overall. And the setting was not my jam. The coffee shop and the row houses sounded cool, but in general Baltimore just doesn't do it for me.

This was the first book I've read by Borison, and while it was overall an enjoyable read, I don't think I'll continue with any future books in this series. I may try one of their other series, though (so long as it's not set in Baltimore. Sorry, not sorry.)

Aiden is the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline and a young girl calls into the station asking for dating advice for her mom when the interview goes viral. Will Lucie decide to put her happiness first for once and give into some romance in her life?

This was such a cute premise and the uniqueness of the plot drew me in immediately. Lucie was so kind and really took care of her people, but she was putting herself and her happiness after everyone else. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between her and Aiden and I thought they were perfect for each other! I loved the heartfelt moments and always enjoy a good slow burn romance.

I would loved to have seen some more scenes of them outside the talk show booth and more scenes with her daughter. The middle slowed down for me and got a bit repetitive, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story overall.

I really, really enjoyed this one! All of the characters felt so real and I loved he dynamics between everyone, especially Lucie and her family. Lucie and Aiden were SUCH great protagonists. This was the perfect balance between light and serious, romantic and steamy. Aiden might be one of my favorite romance MMC's I've read in a looooong time. I think fans of Emily Henry will also enjoy this one. Really great!!

Here's the thing: I only requested this one because I LOVE the cover, and the author is popular enough for me to give her a second try. I did not like Lovelight Farms at all, and I found the main character to be pretty annoying. However, this book redeems the author a bit for me. This was cute!

I'm forever a fan of BK Borison! Her Lovelight Series got me through a big slump last year and now I'm so in love with these new characters. I can't wait for Jackson's book!

First Time Caller by BK Borison is the story of Aiden, a love advice radio host who doesn’t believe in love, and Lucie, a devoted single mom who refuses to settle for anything less than magic. When Lucie’s daughter, Maya, calls into the show to help her mom find love, their lives collide in the most unexpected way. It all feels so natural.

Aiden and Lucie are both incredibly lovable and real. Aiden can be grumpy and a little rough around the edges, but as a reader, it's easy to understand where all of it comes from. He can be frustrating at times, but his fear of love is so deeply tied to his fear of getting hurt, and it's such a relatable and real emotion, it's impossible not to root for him.

Their chemistry is electric, their banter sharp and refreshing. The slow build of their relationship feels authentic and perfectly timed, and when they finally let themselves fall, the romance blossoms without ever feeling to cheesy or over-the-top.

The side characters are absolute standouts, each so well-developed that I’m desperate to know their stories, too. I love the "found family" element. This book left me wanting to read everything BK Borison writes. One of the most memorable contemporary romances I've read this year, and I know it's going to be an instant hit once it is released.

Charming, layered, and beautifully written, First Time Caller is easily my new favorite contemporary romance.

IDK I appear to be in the minority with this one. It started really sweet but it was also kinda cheesy. I didn't really connect with the characters and it was way too long for a contemporary romance imo.

I'm just gonna keep this one short and to the point. It didn't give enough Sleepless in Seattle for me. It felt very heavily over troped and thus very predictable and unexciting for me.

The MMC having the last name Valentine, in a valentine's day themed story, while being the grumpy in this grumpy sunshine duo, while hosting a radio talk show based on love and romance, while not believing in love annoyed me on an irrational level.

Overall the writing is really well done, the pacing is okay... few lulls here and there. It did feel a little dragged out due to the amount of pages. It could have easily been 300-350 pages.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

I'm such a sucker for a Sleepless in Seattle inspired story. Here we go! Please be good! 💗🤞


╰⪼ 💗Forced Proximity
╰⪼ 💛Grumpy ✘ Sunshine
╰⪼ 💗Chosen/found family
╰⪼ 💛Single Mom
╰⪼ 💗Yearning
╰⪼ 💛Finding Excuses to Touch Them
╰⪼ 💗Who did this to you
╰⪼ 💛Slow Burn
╰⪼ 💗Public Declarations of Love
╰⪼ 💛Witty Banter
╰⪼ 💗Dual POV
╰⪼ 💛Spice


Anticipated Release Date - 02/11/25

🌸 A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced digital copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 🌸

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
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In First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison, radio host Aiden Valentine finds himself drawn to Lucie Stone after her daughter’s call for dating advice makes them local celebrities. As sparks fly off-air, Lucie must choose between a staged romance and a genuine connection with Aiden.

I loved the premise of First-Time Caller and appreciated that it was inspired by 90s romcoms. The dual perspectives from Lucie and Aiden were fantastic and the sprinkled radio segments added a nice touch to break up the chapters. The characters’ voices were distinctive which made it easy to connect with both protagonists. The supporting cast was equally well written and I’m excited to see which characters might get their own books! Lucie’s 12-year-old daughter, Maya, was an absolute highlight. She was cute, quirky, and showed a wonderful mix of maturity and childlike innocence. I also appreciated that Aiden’s grumpy attitude was explained rather than just presented as a personality trait. The slow build-up and chemistry between Aiden and Lucie were amazing which created great chemistry. However, I found the book to be a bit too long with some scenes dragging and the pacing occasionally feeling off. While the build-up to their romance was great, the steamy scenes felt abrupt and could have benefited from smoother transitions. I also wished there had been more focus on Aiden building a relationship with Maya as that would have added more depth to their story. Overall, I found that this was a solid start to the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

I actually can’t breathe, I love this book so much it hurts.
I don’t know how any romance book can top this one, this might have knocked book lovers out of my number one spot 🥹 first-time caller felt like a romcom, it felt like all of the nostalgia of my favorite romcoms from my teen years. It felt like I was watching this love story between Lucie and Aiden play out in real time. This book was inspired by sleepless in seattle, but dare I say it was better??? I need to see this as a movie I will not rest until it happens.

Zero notes, zero critique. The banter was top tier and some of the best I’ve ever read!!!! It was so authentic and entertaining, I felt so giddy the entire time I was reading 🥹 I mean, legit giggling and kicking my feet (my husband witnessed this multiple times). The chemistry was SO palpable, the tension and yearning and spice were just *chefs kiss* perfection 🥰

I loved every single character- Lucie, Maya, and Aiden have a special place in my heart now and I’m keeping them there forever. This book was pure magic & reminded me just how lucky I am to experience love like this in real life 💗

If this isn’t on your tbr already, do yourself a favor and add it ASAP + preorder!!!! 🥹 I’m going to think about this one for a long, looooong time! Thank you SO much to Berkley Romance for this ARC, love you x infinity 💖

It feels almost silly to review a book 700 readers have already reviewed pre-release, and thousands upon thousands are already dying to get their hands on, but Berkley granted me rare access to a review copy, and just because everyone else is already saying this is delightful and it’s precisely as fabulous as readers expect it to be, doesn’t mean I can’t cheer it on in my own little corners of the Internet. So prepare to be charmed, to find yourself grinning at the flirty banter or fanning yourself at the steamy scenes, and to rush back to the book after reluctantly setting it aside, eager for more time with Lucie, Aiden, and an incredibly well-drawn cast of secondary characters. As with Lovelight Farms, one of my favourite things about Borison’s writing is her ability to create both a story and a world, this one as full of seeds for future relationships as her last series, with a setting and cast so carefully crafted, it’s impossible to finish this one without imagining where the next one will go. It’s an incredible skill, telling a focused love story in which not a page goes by that doesn’t center on the primary relationship, and yet . . . and yet, we’re also introduced to so much more. The Baltimore city lights, bars, and cobblestones. A trio of mechanics that felt like a joyfully modern Greek chorus. A set of quirky radio station coworkers and their deftly name-dropped adversaries, primed for sequels. A running thread about chocolate mints that’s going to serious bump Andie's sales in 2025. As a forever fan of a tension-filled slow burn that takes its time to dig deeper than physical attraction, I loved how Borison built the relationship between her leads. I loved that the heroine was capable, brave, curious, and deeply caring. I loved the magic. I loved the yearning. I loved the humour. I loved the discussion of real vs. right. I loved the love.

I thought this was such a fun, delicious slowburn of a romance! Aiden and Lucy's opposites attract dynamic was filled with chemistry from their first interaction, it was so easy to fall in love with the way their story played out. The radio element was fabulous and even more fun to experience on audio. The tension just kept building and building between them and the payoff was hot! He falls first and HARD y'all. I had a great time.

SPECTACULAR, GIVE ME 14 OF THEM RIGHT NOW!!!!

BECS BORISON, what did you put in this??? This is one of my favorite romcoms to date. I loved this right from the start. Aiden's dry sense of humor had me cackling!!

I will legit never get over this. Honestly, this meet cute was just perfect. Pineapple pizza & a picnic indoors... my heart cannot take it.

"I can be brave enough for the both of us. I can make my own magic. You just have to give me a reason to."

"Make sure you tell me if it's nice." 👀👀👀

"Aiden looks like a brooding Disney prince in a Carhartt hoodie." SAY LESS B.K

"Stop braiding your hair in the booth and I'll stop flirting with you."

"If you're jealous, I'm jealous too. Worse, probably."

"Long-time listener, first-time caller." THAT'S IT, AT THIS POINT I WAS MUSH!!!!

-romcom
-radio show romance
-meet cute
-single mom
-grumpy sunshine
-slow burn
-inspired by sleepless in Seattle
🌶️

Flew through this and could easily turn around and start it over again. Full of the Nora Ephron signatures of the perfect meet-cute, palpable yearning, and deep emotional connection, this book is perfect for rom-com fans looking for a unique yet classic storyline and a romantic pairing fit for the silver screen. I especially loved the alternative formats included to document the radio conversations and internet response; my only wish was for more of that in order to see more of the public's reaction and how that influenced the radio station. Sure to be a huge hit for B.K. Borison fans and beyond, I can't wait for this release so I can recommend it even further.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for the ARC in exchange for a review!