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!

This was a nice surprise. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

I will read anything B.K. Borison writes, and the first book in her new world did not disappoint. The influence from classic 90s romcoms is clear, but Borison's own unique voice makes it fresh—hopeful, heartfelt, a little spicy, and stunningly romantic. This one resonated deeply with me, and I think will do so with many of her readers. I cannot wait to hold the finished copy in my hands!

An absolutely fantastic first departure from the Lovelight Farms series, and I’m so excited to dive into this world with the other books still to come. I loved the setting and the dynamics of the radio station, and I’m obsessed with Aiden and Lucie. It was a slow burn with a hot payoff!

I think the middle of the story could be tighten up a bit to be just a little snappier. I also wish we saw more about Baltimore loving these two together… I loved the thought of the whole city seeing their connection before Aidan and Lucie did. Having everyone rooting for them made it that much better, so lean into that more.

Overall I loved it and it’ll make the perfect series!

Loved this new romance from BK Borison! It had the typical, wholesome-yet-sexy yearning that BK Borison is famous for . The two main characters had great chemistry and I loved that the FMC was a single mom who still has a great relationship with the father. I loved the atmosphere of the radio station. I also enjoyed how BK Borison leaned into her sexier side with this book. She writes great sex scenes and should flaunt that talent more. It makes the dynamic of the two main characters deeper and more believable.

I’ve seen a lot of praise for this author’s books, but this was my first by B.K. Borison and I now understand all the rave reviews! First-Time Caller is a swoony, sweet Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance that will tug on all your heartstrings!
Aiden Valentine is a cynical host of a Romance Advice radio show, and when a young girl calls in asking for advice for her mom, the city of Baltimore becomes enthralled in finding love for Lucie Stone. As Aiden helps Lucie find her happy ever after, her vulnerability and hopefulness opens up something in him that he’s closed off for a long while.
Borison is masterful in developing the slow burn relationship between Aiden and Lucie. It’s tender with incredible chemistry and delightful banter. The phenomenal side characters add so much to the story! Lucie’s relationship with her daughter’s father and his partner is one of the sweetest fictional relationships ever written! And Aiden’s co-worker, Jackson – do I see a story in his future?
A true romance story, but it also pays homage to all forms of love – a mother’s love, a son’s love, platonic loves.

I love a classic rom com, anything staring Meg Ryan and I’m in, so seeing a Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance by BK Borison, I knew First-Time Caller would be a winner! Romance advice radio host Aiden Valentine has fallen out of love with love. But a call from a young girl asking for advice on helping her mom find love changes everything and his show and life is shifted by Lucie Stone. She thought she had things figured out til her daughter’s call and now with all of Baltimore helping her find her happy ending, she’s not holding back. First-Time Caller is emotional and romantic and lovely. Aiden is a grump. He’s done with love, and watching Lucie help him open up and explore the parts of himself he’s closed off was just beautiful. And Lucie! Between her drive, her strength, her love for her family and daughter, she’s so easy to root for. Every side character added so much, and Aiden and Lucie were just everything together. Their banter and chemistry. This felt like a classic romance and it was just so easy to fall into. With both of the POVs for Lucie and Aiden, it’s well developed and just truly enjoyable with wonderful characters. It left me so happy!

My heart!! This was sweet, swoony, and so so tender. Aiden is the epitome of boy obsessed!!

Read this if you like:
-slow burn romance
-90s rom coms
-YEARNING
-incredible chemistry

I swear, B.K. Borison gets better with every book! This is absolutely a contender for one of my favorite romances of 2025.

I thought the plot was unique and the tension between the main characters was done well. I've never read a book with this radio host plot/ romance lover turned skeptic along with trying to find a date for the fmc so of course I was into it. I thought the fmcs relationship with her platonic baby father was lovely to read and I liked how they co-parented. The romance was a slowwww burn, there are like 2 steamy scenes but the MCs have that push-and-pull relationship where they want to but they don't want to cross any boundaries. I thought the book was too slow at times and I got tired of the mmcs shenanigans, especially toward the end. Overall it was good, thanks to Berkley for this arc for an honest review.

B.K Borison does it again!

I adored Lovelight Farms and the entire Lovelight series so I was both nervous and excited for B.K Borison's first release outside that series. First Time Caller captures everything you love about a true romance, there's found family, tension, banter, chemistry, grand gestures. Lucie Stone is a badass single mom mechanic, Aiden Valentine is a charismatic radio host. Both of them have lost a little of their sparkle in life and end up connecting through the radio one night. Together Aiden and Lucie help each other get their spark back, embrace their flaws, and lift up their strengths. Their story will make you laugh, cheer them on, audibly gasp, its a truly enjoyable ride!

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily #berkley #berkleypartner

will i ever stop crying??? i have no words. i ADORED this book. BK just gets better and better. the writing was amazing, the characters are raw and real, and i loved the nod to sleepless in seattle (one of the best romance movies ever). don’t hesitate to add this to your tbr when it comes out february 11th.

thank you so much to berkeley romance and netgalley for the ARC.

“Longtime listener, first time caller.”

“I wish I could talk about my mom without feeling like my chest is caving in…”

“I think if anyone could convince me to believe in it, Lucie, it would be you.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance!

I came into this read very excited because I love this author a lot! Lucie is a single mother and I think if there are readers who are single mothers you could relate a lot to her. The way she feels about dating and relationships is super relatable and honest. I truly enjoyed Lucies character a lot! She is a strong, relatable, and witty FMC. She is someone who is not afraid of what she wants and I admired that a lot! Aiden’s character is grumpy, but really has a soft heart and just a lot of fear that I found myself relating to as well. The side characters are top tier I want a friend like Patty so bad!

The story made me laugh out loud a few times, but overall I just found myself bored. To me the chapters just felt like they dragged on, which overall made the story for me drag. I feel like that can happen in a first book in a series, cause you’re getting a lot of the info and backstory; but I found my brain wondering off A LOT during this book. Which for romance that doesn’t typically happen.

Overall a good book, still a fun time, sweet and cozy. Just lacked a bit for me.

Lucie Stone is a hopeless romantic. She wants her happily ever after but she’s also afraid to put herself out there. So when her 12 year old daughter calls into the local Baltimore radio show and connects with the jaded Aiden Valentine, the last thing she expected to find was love. This Sleepless in Seattle vibe set in Baltimore is the cozy romance you need!

I love all of BK Borison’s books and being a Baltimore girl, I was DYING to read this!

I absolutely LOVED all of the Baltimore Easter eggs. There was even a point in the book that I reached out to her and was like is this place I’m thinking it is…which it was. It honestly just gave me all the feels, and it was so cool to have places that I go regularly in the book.

There were so many parts that made me laugh out loud, plus Lucie and Aiden’s chemistry 🥰and I even loved her best friends. Honestly, as much as I loved the Lovelight universe, I love this new one and I’m excited for the next books in this series.

The first half of this book is the perfect cozy, curl up with a blanket read. The second half of this book is... well, it's still pretty cozy, but it has more tension and it had a well-written third-act conflict. Both halves are perfect. It's low-stakes but you still won't be able to put it down. The characters are sweet and lovable but they still have flaws. The build up and progression of their relationship is delightful to read, and that third-act conflict feels so natural with the rest of the story. It's a wonderfully cozy read, and although I read it in December, it's going to be a great mid-February release. (And, since I've somehow gone my whole life never seeing Sleepless in Seattle, which I will certainly fix soon, I can attest that this book holds up without having seen that movie!)

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Thanks for the e-ARC! I have voted for First-Time Caller for LibraryReads. I'll post my review to social sites the week before publication and to retail sites after publication, and will update here with links.

Aiden Valentine is a disc jockey who hosts a popular romance hotline, Heartstrings. The only problem? He doesn’t really subscribe to happily ever afters after being disappointed in life, as well as dealing with a plethora of jilted call in lovers.

Then one night he gets an unusual call from a young fan. The girl isn’t looking for love for herself, but rather for her single mom. Listeners immediately fall for the sweet story, and fall in love with the soon to be singled out single mom, Lucie.

When fans start clamoring for more, the radio station invites Lucie on air, a reluctant participant in her daughter’s quest for love. But the more Lucie goes on lackluster dates, the more she finds herself comparing them to her cantankerous cohost. Soon Lucie and Aiden find their hotline experience turning into red hot feelings. Can these two lost souls answer love’s call before it’s too late?

First Time Caller is the first book in a new series from popular romance author, B.K. Borison. Having read some of her popular Lovelight Farms series, I was eager to see how this measured up. Initially I was drawn into the premise, its Sleepless in Seattle influence causing my inner teenage self to squeal. I also loved the quick banter and the early character development.

Unfortunately, the second half of the book played out rather predictably, resorting to some cheesy romance scenes and unnecessary third act miscommunication. It wasn’t a bad book, I just couldn’t help but being a tad disappointed after the first half promise of much more. I’d still recommend this to swoony romance readers, and B.K. Borison fans specifically. I just wish First Time Caller didn’t feel like it was phoning in this romance.

This book has entered my top 10 romance novels list. I absolutely adored it. It gave off such 90s rom com vibes. I loved Lucie and Aiden so much, the side characters were fun but not distracting from their story. I swooned over the declarations of love and what love should feel like. Everything about this book was perfect.