Have you ever had the anxiety of being the first to have a traveling ARC? Being the first to mark up a perfect new book stressed me out at first, but luckily, this book had so much to react to that I quickly got over it.
First-Time Caller is the story of the jaded host of Baltimore’s romance hotline/radio show. He is suddenly thrust into the spotlight after his interview with a young girl calling about her mom goes viral. Suddenly, he and the mom, Lucie, are thrown together, doing a series on her dating life, almost like a radio version of The Bachelor. But as Lucie and Aiden spend more time together, the chemistry between them becomes undeniable.
I LOVED this book. From the first few pages, I was laughing out loud. BK Borison writes such fun characters with incredible banter, and this book was full of chemistry and fun. This slow burn gives strong Sleepless in Seattle vibes, and Aiden is the ultimate example of "if he wanted to, he would." Truly one of the best book boyfriends ever. I loved the side characters, including Lucie’s daughter and Aiden’s radio colleagues. I’m excited this is the start of a series, and hopefully, we will get more of them!
This book is expected to be published on February 25th. Add this book to your TBR; you won’t want to miss this one!

First Time Caller is such a beautiful story. Following Aiden and Lucy on their journey of self discovery and self love was a truly magical experience. I was captivated by these two from beginning to end. This GrumpyxSunshine love story comes out Feb 11 2025 and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! Best believe I will be picking First Time Caller as my Fable book club pick In February. I can’t wait to chat with anyone and everyone about this book!! Aiden and Lucy definitely left a mark on my heart.💓📖✨

I ADORED this book!!! This was fun and the banter was top tier! Aiden and Lucie have my heart! I work in radio and this was mot only believable but well executed from beginning to end! Now can we get a book for Jackson? 🤗

"𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹. 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻."

We'd like to preface this review by saying we've never actually seen Sleepless in Seattle (Katie has some strange aversion to Tom Hanks), but if it's anything like this book we will be watching immediately. We want to bottle the feelings we felt while reading because, just like Aiden, we were lighting up! This may be our favorite BK Borison book to date.

This was the perfect grumpy/sunshine, Aiden was a cynic, and he refused to believe in love. All Lucie wanted was to find that magic love. Spending time with them on the radio show and watching them fall in love was literally the best. Aiden got to overcome his fear of caring too much and Lucie found that magic! Also five stars to the supporting characters of Maya and Greyson and Patty, they had us cackling. We were giggling and kicking our feet the whole time!

Thank you so much to Berkey for an advance copy of this book!

🚨 WARNING: This book will permanently alter your brain chemistry! 🚨 I’m serious—every romance I read after this will be judged against the pure magic of this novel. 🫠 It’s raw, real, messy (in the best way), and so beautifully unique that it’s hard to believe these characters aren’t walking around in real life.

So, let’s talk about self-control. I told myself I’d wait to read this closer to the release date, but who was I kidding? One chapter in, and I was GONE. 🫣 Completely immersed. My Kindle might as well have been glued to my hands because there was no stopping me. This was one of those rare romances that made me forget I was even reading. 🥹 I was hooked from the very first page.

Now let’s talk about Aiden and Lucie. OMG. Their romance? Absolutely unforgettable. 💕 THE FLIRTING. I’m talking top-tier, hair-twirling, squeal-out-loud levels of flirting. (“Stop braiding your hair in the booth and I’ll stop flirting with you.” 😭💀) Aiden, you grumpy, clueless, perfect man—you own my whole heart. 🫠❤️

What blew me away was how deeply I connected with both Aiden and Lucie. They made me feel so seen and held. Their moments together? Tender, precious, and yes… HOT. 🔥 Like, SCORCHING. But honestly, some of my favorite parts weren’t even in the dialogue—it was the eye contact, the subtle touches, the quiet ways they noticed each other. My heart melted every. single. time. 🥹

I already miss them so much, and I know I’ll be rereading this one over and over again. Becs absolutely slayed with this story. 🏆 It’s perfection, and I just know you’re all going to be OBSESSED too. 😍✨

I haven't enjoyed a contemporary romance this much in awhile. This updated concept of Sleepless in Seattle was the perfect mix of modern ideals and nostalgia that had me kicking my feet at how cute it was.

The story follows Aiden Valentine, the host of a love advice radio show who gets an unexpected call from a young girl trying to find her mom love. When the segment goes viral, the mom, Lucie, finds herself drawn into the station to try and find love over the airways but maybe love is sitting right across the booth.

The characters were so lovable and their issues felt like real life issues, the discussions and problems felt like adult problems, and the flirting was top notch. This may be an early contender for my favorite romance of 2025. I have felt that third act break ups haven't been doing it right, its not supposed to be some basically unforgiveable sin where he can just make a grand gesture and that's fine. NO! Its supposed to about internal growth and learning and a grand gesture that is adorable and this book hit it SPOT ON.

I'll be recommending this to all the romance girlies I know.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! B.K. Borison has become one of my favorite authors and though this book isn’t in her original universe of Lovelight Farms, it does not disappoint. This book is modeled after Sleepless in Seattle, but really showcases Baltimore nicely and does a gender switch - the FMC is the one whose daughter calls into a radio station and the MMC is the radio host. This book was very very cute and great, with great main and side characters, very sweet build up, and great banter and falling for each other. The only reason this book does not get 5 stars from me is that it’s 448 pages - that’s insane for a cute book like this. It does pace okay, but I truly believe it could have been shorter. Overall, I still highly recommend and love this book - great for fans of Borison, Nora Ephron fan fiction, and sweet steamy contemporary romance.

It's hard for me to rate or review this book because the parts of this book that worked REALLY worked, but the parts that didn't kind of annoy me.

I loved Lucie and liked Aiden, their chemistry was great and the banter was cute and I loved watching them fall for eachother. However, I also felt like Aiden's whole "I'm not the one for you" schtick got old fast and I wish he grew more (someone get this man a lot therapy, stat!).

ALSO, the singular steamy scene had no right to be as hot as it was but omg.

Thank you Berkley Romance for this ARC!

I was almost nervous to start this book. I had such high - probably bordering on unrealistic - expectations and I was worried I'd be unintentionally let down. I should have known to trust B.K. Borison because she is clearly a wizard and puts magic into each and every one of her books. I LOVED THIS. Aiden and Lucie are absolutely everything. I adored their banter and chemistry. Every step of their friendship and relationship felt realistic and I just could not get enough of them. The growth each of these characters have throughout the story is really beautiful and heart-wrenching. I simply could not get enough.

Thank you SO much to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own!

This was 4.5 stars for me!

From the start of this story, I was hooked. The chemistry between our FMC and MMC is giddy from the getgo. I didn't know what to expect when I got into this but it wasn't that I'd be swooning over the banter and characters. I really enjoyed Lucie and Aiden and the fact that Lucie's daughter is the one who set the entire love plot in motion.

Aiden and Lucie's chemistry is clear as they fight their positive charge, but the best part of this read was how I had to make myself slow down while reading. There's something about a book that keeps you engaged but also makes you want to slow down.

Absolutely read this book and enjoy the ride !

Sigh. This is the book that is in love with love. I could feel my heart swell full to bursting as I finished reading. I wish I had more thoughtful words to describe my feelings, but I don’t. I feel so warm and content and full of joy, that I need to just sit with my feelings and enjoy it. Thanks to Berkley for the ARC.

This was a really sweet and charming love story inspired by Sleepless in Seattle. First-Time Caller follows Lucie, single mother and mechanic, and Aiden, radio show host and cynic. I loved the dual POV, and the little snippets from the radio show in between chapters.

When 12 year old Maya calls into radio show Heartstrings, she was wanting to help her mom find love. What her mom Lucie didn’t realize was that that call would go viral. Then she finds herself going on the same radio show and looking for love.

This really was a sweet story. I loved the side characters, especially Maya’s dad. I felt like the characters were well fleshed out and relatable. I would’ve liked a bit more resolution for both MCs in relation to their parents, but I did like both of their backstories. Overall this is a cute romance that I recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this Advanced Reader Copy!

This book follows grumpy, cynical Aiden who runs a radio show about love and romance, but doesn’t believe it exists for someone like him.

One night, a twelve year old named Maya decides to call in and ask for advice about her mom Lucie’s sad and pathetic love life. This turns into Lucie getting roped into coming on Aiden’s show and sharing her desire to feel “the magic” of romance that seems unattainable. Maybe she can change Aiden’s cold heart to believe true love does exist?

This book was so so cute and had so many funny moments. I loved the characters and couldn’t get enough of them and their banter. I am so excited for this book to come out so others can read it! Absolutely great book!

Such a great rom com!

I adored this book and just know it’s going to be a major hit. It’s a Sleepless in Seattle remake with all of the heart, yearning, and vulnerability you want. BK Borison puts a few spins on the story to make it her own, but the overall magic and threads are present throughout the novel.

Lucie is a single mom who enjoys her alone time, work as a mechanic and co-parenting her daughter Maya with her best friend and hs husband. She’s got the found family she wants and doesn’t worry about her failed attempts at romance. Aiden is a grumpy radio show host for Heartstrings, a romance hotline. Ironically, he’s very anti romance and keeps his feelings under tight lock and key due to his family history. When Maya, Lucie’s daughter, calls in about her mom, the show brings Lucie in to help her date Baltimore’s men and find her a match. Before they know it, Aiden and Lucie are spending a lot of time in the booth together, helping her navigate her love life and falling in love in the process.

I love how the talk show premise lets the dialogue drive the story. It’s very characters and interaction based versus plot forward and I think it’s done really well. We get to see the dynamic between the mains early and thoroughly. I love the depth, the vulnerability and the bravery behind the conversations. It all felt very real to me.

As someone who’s mom has had cancer three times, Aiden’s story struck home to me and when he calls his dad towards the end of the book because he recognizes his love for Lucie and is afraid of the pain, I sobbed like a baby. And when he builds her a fort and we find out he keeps a list of her favorite things, I knew I was a goner.

BK Borison has written a mature, heartfelt, incredible romance I know all my romance readers will love.

Vibes;
Sleepless in Seattle
Forced proximity
Grumpy x 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

Thank you Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄?"

"𝑵𝒂𝒉, 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒆. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄."

Now this is what I call a romance! Everything that I wanted and more. Perfect for fans of nostalgic 90's-early 2000's romcoms. A love letter to love in all of its shapes and sizes - family, friends, and that special someone.

The romance was fresh, beautifully written, and so engaging. Lucie and Aiden remind us that love is found in the little things: piggyback rides over cobblestone streets because you're in heels, finding a list of all of your favorite things written in a glove compartment, trying a new pizza order because it's her favorite, and just finding the fun in one another :.). Aiden Valentine is straight out of a hopeless romantics dreams, and Lucie is a sweet, smart, strong-willed, loving and independent leading lady. I fell head over heels for both of them.

First-time caller is real, nostalgic, and full of swoon-worthy, kick your feet and giggle moments. There's no way this book isn't a hit <3.

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the arc!

Make the Call
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)  
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)  
~
“I don’t know what I want for myself. It’s all twisted up in the things I think I deserve, then squashed under the things I’m brave enough to reach for.”
~
Vibes:   
Once I started - I couldn’t stop!! Raw, real, witty, enchanting. I’ve had BK Borison on my TBR for ages, and I’m kicking myself now that I know how amazing her writing is!

I love these characters. I love the way our MCs-Aiden and Lucie-go on a journey of self discovery and find love along the way. The flirty commentary and meddling antics of side characters had me cackling. The spice was absolutely delicious. I felt every emotion. And the HEA should be made into a movie… oh wait, it sort of was!
~
What to Expect:
Based on Sleepless in Seattle
Radio Show Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Search for Love
~
Recommended to...  
If you’re a fan of Sleepless in Seattle (or that 90s romance movie vibe) - you need this book!

You have got to absolutely be joking me with this. This is such a good romance. This book puts a fresh spin on how a romance is written. This is witty, heartfelt, and will absolutely pull on your heartstrings. This discusses very real moments that people deal with every day. This book and character development are executed perfectly. I saw myself in both of these characters. It was just amazing. I was not disappointed. I actually cried at watching Aiden grow. PleeeeeeeeeaW read this book!

I could not recommend this book enough.

Loved this ode to sleepless in Seattle! It felt charming and nostalgic while also being modern and low stakes. The cover is also adorable! Perfect Vday read!

I feel so blessed that I was able to read an early copy of this book! IT WAS FANTASTIC. I already fell in love with Borison's Lovelight Farms, but I enjoyed First-Time Caller even more! From the magic of Sleepless in Seattle, to the writing, the banter, the plot, the characters, the chemistry, the spice - everything was so wonderful. I don't say this lightly, as it's hard to get a full 5 stars from me. This book was perfection and has already been purchased for the library. I will be recommending it to many!

this beautiful book is so precious and perfect to me!!! I just love when a book reminds me on why I love reading so much 🥹🩷 the premise and storyline was SO fun! this book felt like a breath of fresh air. there were so many beautiful moments that had me swooning, and moments that tugged on my heartstrings (I get it now), and other moments that had me literally laughing out loud, I swear this book had it ALL 💜

lucie and aiden are everything to me. such a beautiful slow burn romance that I LOVE, the pacing was absolutely perfect to me and when I say this book is SO ROMANTIC — ugh, it’s perfect. 🤭 the tension between those two was through the ROOF. It had me gasping, giggling and kicking my feet. 🤭🥵 lucie is just such an amazing and brave character, our hopeless romantic girly 🥹 and aiden, the man that you are!!! I’m obsessed with the both of them. 🩷

the chemistry, tension, banter, flirting, family, ROMANCE — perfection. I loved everything about this 🩷 also honorable mention to the side characters because they brought so much laughter and fun into this beautiful story 🥰

thank you SO MUCH berkley for the arc!! I’m so grateful 🩷