this book is incredible - the yearning and longing. only read if you enjoy being edged lol. but seriously, this was such a beautiful book about looking for love and being strong enough to reach out and take it when you find it.

aiden valentine is a radio host on heartstrings, Baltimore's romance hotline. one night he gets a call from maya, who wants aiden's help in finding her someone to love. maya's mum, lucie is initially mortified but eventually agrees to look for love on the show.

bk did a fantastic job with this one. its cliche but i would honestly love to read their shopping list.

Sexy, sweet and funny! I want more of the Lucie Highway to Love. Great representation and relatable family dynamics. I want more!

l didn't love it but I didn't dislike it - my critiques (not as much parent-type content for a single parent romance as I'd expect; perhaps too slow of a burn; room for being bored with the plot/characters) are equally met by things I enjoyed (the premise itself; Lucie being five foot ten [ali hazelwood eat your heart out]; her friends at work; her monologue about finding magic). overall a solid contemporary romance but nothing to really call into your hometown radio show about.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is volcanic lightning in a bottle. I loved B.K. Borison's Lovelight Farms series, but I think I may adore Heartstrings even more. 90's romcom retellings set at a radio station? Say less.

Aiden and Lucie had chemistry from the get-go and are aided perfectly by a cast of charming side characters. (Though let's be real, Jackson and Maggie are totally getting their own books) It truly felt like a warm emotional hug - everyone deserves a little magic in their lives and a person willing to deliver it. We're talking pillow fort picnics, drunken piggybacks, and steamy skee-ball lessons y'all. I don't want to spoil too much of the swoony moments, but my heart is still all melty.

I want to curl up with a cruffin, ogle Aragorn on the TV, and reread this book over and over again.

I fell head over heels in love with this BK Borison novel! The single mom who raises her daughter with her baby’s father and his husband is a really sweet setting. But the radio show meet cute a la Sleepless in Seattle is just such a cute start off. I really enjoyed this one and think it’s a favorite Borison for me.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy of "First-Time Caller".

This is my first B.K. Borison novel, but I had only heard good things from friends and reviews on goodreads. I was charmed from the beginning by the premise of the story and then my heart melted even more at the addition of the meddling child in her mother's life. It was so heartwarming to have so many people rooting for Lucie's love life. Aidan immediately captured my attention as well. You can tell from the beginning there's something about him that's hurting, and the climax of this book is a really good culmination of how bottling up your feelings is never a beneficial thing. The third quarter of this book was a little slow and made me want to pick up the book less often but overall, I was very happy with my first Borison read and will certainly be turning my attentions to the Lovelight Farms series in the future!

4.5 stars

Thank you to @netgalley, @berkleypub, and @berkleyromance for my early copy of this book!

This was my first time reading a B.K. Borison book, and I immediately want to read her Lovelight series! This book was so sweet and even though it’s based on Sleepless in Seattle, the idea felt original and different from any romance book I’ve read!

First off, a FMC who’s a mechanic?! I’m obsessed. More of this in romance novels, please and thank you. Second, the whole concept of the meet cute being a call in radio show—LOVE! I completely adored this storyline. And I always love books that positively portray single parents, especially single moms, even though the FMC here had a large amount of support 🙌🏻

This is definitely a SLOW burn. Like, reallllly slow. Dare I say TOO slow? It definitely got to the point where I needed something to happen! The build up definitely paid off, though 👏🏻

There was a little bit of miscommunication/third act breakup going on, but it’s not leaned into too hard and things resolve in a realistic way. The epilogue felt like a very satisfying conclusion 😻

I think people are going to LOVE this one! You definitely need to put it on your list to read—an adorable & fresh romcom with lovable side characters!

I did not like Aiden. Instead of coming to like him as I read, I came to dislike him more. He never grew up. He was immature and sulky the whole time. Not the main character I want to spend a whole book with.

This was by far one of the best romance books I have ever read 🥹 I'm pretty sure this ruined me for all other books. I genuinely don't know how I'm supposed to move on after this.

~Aiden is a radio host for a romance hotline and he has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. Lucie was happy where she was in life, she didn't realize how lonely she actually was. Enter 12 year old Maya (and her two dads) who just wants to see her mom happy. No one expected the interview to go viral.~

Aiden is the sweetest man alive. The change we see in him from beginning to end is actually so amazing and just goes to show you what the right kind of love can do for someone. I love their love so much. Lucie is the sweetest woman and deserves the literal world. I love how open and honest she is about what she wants. These two are such goals.

I loved Grayson and Matteo so much. They added so much love and laughter to their little family, it was beautiful to witness. Jackson was HILARIOUS! I thoroughly enjoyed every single character in this book and would happily read their own books.

This made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me realize how functional families can be.. this book was everything.

Forced proximity
Single mom
Meddling daughter
Friends to lovers

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

I am so in love with this book. It was achy and tender, and just so sweet that I could barely handle it. I adored the Sleepless in Seattle inspired premise, and Lucie and Aiden are two of my favorite romantic leads that I've encountered in a long time. Their chemistry and tension were unmatched. I loved every second of this book, and I really cannot wait for more installments in the series because all of the side characters were just so fun and interesting. Very fun, very cute read that I'm sad to have finished.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Though I will say it took me a bit to get into the book, once I did, I couldn't put it down! I will say I was absolutely obsessed and invested in Lucie and Aiden and the way they met, I feel like it was just perfect. The flirting was everything!! Aiden is such a grumpy character, but boy, could he flirt! I can fully relate to both of them and their romance and love life situations. I love Aiden and his attempts to avoid his feelings; it was an adorable attempt. The writing was absolutely wonderful and so witty. The slow burn between both of them was perfect and definitely a sloooooww burn. Lucie was so optimistic about things and a "hopeless" romantic, but not too much. Aiden was definitely my favorite in this book because he was incredibly kind and thoughtful, even if he gave off this grumpy, standoffish facade. The third act conflict honestly made a lot of sense and I can see why it was necessary for it to happen. I think this book was everything and more and I LOVE Aiden and Lucie so much!!!

Thank you for this ARC! I was really excited to read it because I have heard great things and I am a fan of BK Borison. I really liked the MMC and the found family arcs in the story. I liked the single mom trope, it's not in enough books. I am rating it 3 starts because I enjoyed it but I didn't love it. I think it was missing something for me. I would recommend to friends.

I never doubted Becs’ ability to write a good book. From the very first time I read Lovelight Farms I knew she was special. But now after reading her fifth book, and the first in a new series…I am just in awe of her. She has a way with words that just feels like coming home. Even the little things that happen are written like they’re the big things, like they’re just as important (because they are). The first time Lucie’s on the air and the way she wrote Aiden describing it just felt so real and I literally was tearing up. This book is absolutely perfect and I cannot wait to read it again and for the rest of the series.

Aiden and Lucie were absolute magic. In so many beautiful ways. The tension and their banter and their chemistry came off the page in such a delicious way. They were so soft with each other in a way they both desperately needed. Watching them fall in love with each other without even realizing it was so beautiful.

I love a sad grumpy boy and that is exactly what Aiden was. Seeing how closed off and bruised his heart was HURT. But also seeing him work to start healing, to start loving again was perfect. And Lucie was so different than him, she really believed in the magic of falling in love. But watching them realize they both just want something real…and that they could have it with each other??? Perfection.

I also am in love with all the characters in this new world. Maya, Grayson, and Mateo and even Patty are the perfect little family and I love how much they love Lucie. I cannot wait to get to know everyone at the station more. Aiden and Jackson’s friendship already makes my heart so happy (and Aiden calls him Jackie and I love that so much).

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

I admit I’ve never seen Sleepless in Seattle, but I loved this book so much! It was perfect. I fell in love with both the lead characters: Aiden and Lucie. It truly was an opposites attract, but in the best way. It’s been a while since I’ve read a great slow burn like this one. The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie was so good. I even adored all the secondary characters. I think this is the start of a new series so hopefully we will see more of them soon! This was my first Berkley arc and am so grateful to be apart of this influencer group. It didn’t disappoint- really going beyond my expectations! I will write a review post on this and post it on my Bookstagram this Monday morning. I will update this review with the link below then.

Let me start with a confession. I've never seen Sleepless in Seattle. Or You've got Mail. Or any of the Tom Hanks rom-com classics. I KNOW. I am a certified romantic, I've majored in best cinematic kisses, with a minor in looks of pining. What is wrong with me!?
If those classic movies are 1/10 as romantic and beautiful and heartfelt and magical as this novel, I will eat them up with a goddamn spoon. I loved every single thing about this book. A perfect romance. No notes.

I’m a huge fan of B.K. Borison’s Lovelight Farms series, so when I heard she was releasing a new Nora Ephron-inspired series, I was so excited to read it. First Time Caller is inspired by Sleepless in Seattle. It delivers everything you could want in a heartwarming romance—it’s clever, touching, and absolutely swoon-worthy.

The story centers on Lucie, a hardworking single mom whose 12-year-old daughter secretly calls Aiden’s romance hotline radio station, hoping to help her mom find love. Intrigued by the heartfelt call, Aiden—a cynical, grumpy host who doesn’t believe in love—decides to feature Lucie’s quest for romance on his show, broadcasting her journey to his audience. As Lucie embarks on a series of dates, an undeniable connection begins to form between her and Aiden. But as sparks fly, one question looms: Can Lucie make Aiden believe in love again?

Aiden is the perfect “grump” book boyfriend—brooding, skeptical, and entirely charming in his reluctance to open his heart. Lucie, on the other hand, is warm, relatable, and refreshingly optimistic, carrying sunshine wherever she goes. While she dreams of a magical romance, Aiden makes her realize that she is the magic. Their slow-burn romance is full of heartfelt moments, witty banter, and just the right amount of angst to keep you hooked.

This book is pure romantic bliss and the perfect read for Valentine’s Day! Make sure to preorder it—you’ll want this gem ready to go for your February TBR. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!

I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed this book. I will be looking out for this author in the future and will be recommending it. This book is a great addition to any library.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
✨ Slow burn
✨ Single Mom
✨ Jaded radio host
✨ Strangers to friends to lovers

If there were any doubts in your mind about how BK's books would be post-Lovelight, throw them out the window cause First-Time Caller might be her best work yet. This one felt SO DIFFERENT from Lovelight but also just felt like signature BK.

Lucie + Aiden 🥹

Lucie is our hopeless romantic and Aiden is out jaded radio host of a romance show.

First-Time Caller is the perfect blend of grumpy x sunshine and strangers to friends to lovers. This entire book made me feel cozy with butterflies in my stomach.

With the forced proximity of a radio booth, you know there is going to be tension but OHMYGOSH I was not prepared for it!

I don’t know how BK is going to top this one, but man I can’t wait to continue to read everything she puts out.

Your honor I love them!!! First Time Caller was so tender and THE YEARNING?! I loved that Lucie was a character that already had a life full of love & community before the novel started—it was so lovely to see someone find love because she wanted it, but that she was a whole and complex person beforehand. Their love is so pure & the feel of this book reminded me of Out on a Limb in a lot of ways!

I also adored the dynamics at the radio station—the characters there (and at Lucie’s job) were so well-defined and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

This book was incredibly heartwarming and hopeful. I was swooning. BK Borison's prose shines in this book. It's hilarious and heartfelt and I couldn't put the book down. The premise was absolutely delightful. I loved watching Aiden try to help Lucie find a boyfriend while slowly realizing that he wants nothing more than to fill that role. The yearning was absolutely delicious. I adore BK Borison's writing. The characters she has crafted are so relatable in their confusion and flaws. I felt so seen by the struggles the main characters faced. The side characters deserve their own specific shout-out because they really shine in this book. I can't wait to read the next books in the series and watch those characters find their happy endings as well! Please do yourself a favor and pick this up. This is one of my favorite reads of the year hands-down. It deserves all the stars!!