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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!!

Brilliant. Incredible. Amazing. Showstopping.

This review is basically going to be that Lady Gaga gif in long form.

Epic. Spectacular. Flawless. That indescribable feeling.

Tossing in some Nicole Kidman for good measure too.

Perfect.

I am wowed. I am awed. I am properly swooned.

First-Time Caller bulldozed its way into my heart in stunning fashion. And I'd gladly let it do so again and again.

Now this is romance. I was falling all over myself in giggles only 20% in over our leads, and no this isn't insta-love, it's a slow burn but from the onset the way these two were smitten with each other had me smitten with them! I think I blushed my whole way through this book!

To set the scene: Lucie is a single mom whose daughter calls into a romance radio station in the hopes its host can help Lucie find love. The moment goes viral and a new radio program is formed centering Lucie's love life and the search for her magical prince charming. But what happens when the search for sparks ignites within the radio booth?

Magic! I tell ya! Magic!

Lucie, oh Lucie. A romantic at heart, holding out for that magic. I feel you, girl. I connected instantly with Lucie, with her dreams and wishes to just find that right person where it all comes easy. Where there's no trying, just doing-- better than that: there's magic. Now, will that magic be found in some Mr. Tire sponsored dating via a radio show? I'm not so sure. But it sure will be fun to find out! And find out Lucie does. What Lucie learns is such a heartfelt lesson, one I encourage you to discover through this book's journey. Lucie's the best. Her dreams are pure and honest, and it makes rooting for her all the more easy. You want her to find that person who will build a pillow fort for her and make her a picnic, because she deserves nothing less. She has so much love for her daughter and others, but she forgets to allow herself to receive it too. Until she remembers and marches herself to that radio show because she's worth it. And she wants it. Lucie's heart is a courageous beating drum, and wholly deserving of finding its match.

Enter Aiden.

Oh gosh Aiden.
He was so darn smitten with Lucie and it had me reeling! When his knee would brush hers and he was so acutely aware of it. When he got lost in the pale green of her eyes and happily drowned. When her laughter made him feel alive in a way he never has felt before. When he chronicled all her favorite things and quirks and remembered each and every one. He was so Pacey Witter, and if you're a fellow Dawson's Creek fan, you know, you know-- there's no better endgame than Pacey.

But unlike Lucie who bravely opens her heart to finding that magic, he staunchly keeps his under lock and key. And you just want to gently, lovingly knock some dang sense into him because just read his POV and it's clear as day how he feels for Lucie...but..he's afraid. And when those layers are peeled back, it's sympathy that roots itself in complete understanding.

I deeply resonated with his caution in getting close to anything he could come to care about in fear of it being lost unexpectedly and harshly. I understood his distance from loved ones, even if it may seem irrational to others, I am in his exact same spot and I get it. It's so tremendously hard seeing a love one battle a force tearing them apart in the inside. The fear of it winning can lead to a retreat in a misguided effort not to feel its pain reverberating. But just like Aiden, there's a lesson to be learned, and that's that as temporary as some things are, that is what makes them all the better, all the more precious. How it's something to so bravely cherish. Aiden's journey to this realization is one filled with hurdles he's placed himself, but that makes it all the more worthwhile to watch as he dismantles them one by one.

Aiden, you're my book boyfriend of the year. Sorry, Lucie, you'll just have to share.

For having a heart so shut off, Aiden's beat beautifully and loudly for all to hear.

Special shout outs to Lucie's beautiful family: Maya, Grayson, and Mateo. I have a bit of a confession, whenever I read single parent romances I always prefer the other parent not be in the picture, so the love interest can fill in the spot. I know, I know. I can't help it, I'm sorry! But I am so glad this narrative doesn't go in that direction. Now I want all singe parent romances to feature a dynamic just like this. Lucie has the best co-parents in Grayson, her platonic soul mate, and his husband Mateo. They're her best friends and know her inside and out, and are protective of her so loving. And they live right next door, so even when Lucie is lonely, she's never alone because she has them. Then there's Maya, a delight of a daughter, mischievous, intelligent, and loving. She loves all her parents and wishes for their happiness. The love shared among the four of them is so fierce and infinite. Every single time they were on the page together, it filled the story with such exquisite vibrancy. I adored their dynamic so much, I wanted more of them! They just made me so happy, and I can absolutely understand Aiden wanting Lucie's people to be his people too. Because they're darn good people and anyone would be lucky to have them in their life. Look at me talking like they're real life humans, but they felt like it, they felt like it!!!

I can honestly go on and on, there's so much in this book to love and that's what I did: I loved it all.

So...
If you love romances that will have you scrunching up your toes, covering your face in bashful swoons, and kicking your feet in the air as you giggle incessantly. Then trust me-- this is one romance you don't want to miss. This romance is so heartfelt, so heavy in wearing its heart on its sleeve, and so wonderfully uplifting. It's for you, and it's for me. Enjoy!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this complimentary arc, I leave this review voluntarily

YES YES YES EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS ONE WAS A BIG FAT YES!!!!!!!

i was giggling the whole damn time i was reading it was SO CUTE!!!!! I absolutely loved Aiden & Lucie right from the beginning 🥹 the whole concept of the book like it being a romance hotline was just so fun to read and seeing their chemistry when she joined the show was so fun!!!

IM SO GIDDY ABOUT THIS ONE I LOVED IT

PLEASE read this when it comes out it’s so so so GOOD

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel via NetGalley.

This Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story was such an enjoyable read. Lucie's daughter calls in to the local station's romance hotline asking for dating advice for her mom and the interview goes viral. Lucie, a mechanic and single mom, is a hopeless romantic and ends up agreeing to a stint on the radio show while they help her to find love. The show's host, Aidan, is skeptical about love, but obviously they're going to fall for each other. The chemistry and tenderness between Aidan and Lucie had me wanting to kick my feet and giggle. My only complaint with this book is that I wish Aidan's character development had been paced a bit more evenly; it's all packed into the ending. Overall this was one of the best romance novels I've read in quite some time. Fans of contemporary romance should put this on their 2025 TBR!

I have been a B.K. Borison reader since her first indie published book ,Lovelight Farms. Her stories and characters just keep getting better with each novel (how is that possible?). First Time Caller has moved into my all time favorite romance list. Aiden and Lucie both have plenty of reasons to stay single. When Lucie's daughter decides to meddle in her non-existent love life, by calling in to Aiden's late night radio station, those reasons will be challenged. The chemistry between this couple was red hot, with a wonderful tenderness running underneath.

This story was AMAZING. I was a little nervous about a spin on Sleepless in Seattle, since that movie is beloved to me, but this book was wonderful. It was similar enough to the inspiration that I felt the touch of a beloved classic, but different enough that I knew this was a new story. It made me fall in love with Sleepless in Seattle all over again. I am chomping at the bit for the next books in this series! Plus, I love when Baltimore gets a little love - she deserves it. Will be rereading over and over in anticipation of book two!

This was an excellent, romantic read that hit all the right notes. I loved the concept of Heartstrings and how the radio show was foundational to the story. Aiden and Lucie were great protagonists and their chemistry was unreal. They were also interesting characters in their own right and I loved the growth we saw, particularly from Aiden, throughout the book. The supporting characters were also great, particularly Grayson, Mateo, and Maya. Overall a wonderful read and I hope the author writes more stories from this universe!

I was thrilled when I was allowed access to this early read from BK Borison and it didn’t disappoint! Thank you NetGalley and Berkley!

This is so soft and sweet, making this slower paced read something to savour. I loved Lucie (so much yes all around)and her entire family! I also feel this is a great Sleepless in Seattle reimagining/ adaptation of sorts. All the aspects were there but I did find the pacing of this did throw me off a little, especially when it came to Aiden. I love that he knew he had to get out of his own way to be worthy of Lucie and to build a life with her, but it all happened at the end. So I spent some time wondering… how will he come back from this? That aside, I think it could have been really great to have more interactions between Maya and Aiden too, but that’s just a desire I had while reading this. Overall, B.K brings the comfort with this one and I look forward to Jackson’s story!!!!🤞

3.5/5

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet from start to finish 😍 if you want story with feel-good, early 2000s romcom vibes, First-Time Caller is the one. Thank you to Berkley Publishing/Netgalley for the early copy!

This book was a cute, light, easy breezy read with likable characters, cute banter, and a Sleepless In Seattle vibe. I read it in one sitting at the airport and I think it was perfect for that exact situation. I struggle to give it more than three stars though because I thought the conflict was dumb. I could not wrap my head around why Adian. was all “we wouldn’t work together”. They were clearly great together idk! Overall it was a totally fine read though and would maybe make a cute rom com.

Thanks NetGalley and BK Borison and crew for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was a fun and cozy read but I felt like something was missing that I can't quite put my finger on? This was actually my first book by B.K Borison and I really enjoyed her writing- there was tons of chemistry between the main characters, and I loved the banter. I enjoyed the cozy vibes and the "Sleepless in Seattle" spin. I would say the pacing was a little slow and it took me a while to get into it, and I also felt the conflict towards the end was a little bit of a letdown. Overall, I think this might be more of a "me" problem as there was plenty to like about this book and I can see this being well-loved by many romance readers.

If I could build a shrine to B.K. Borrison I would! The way that these two interact and they find love is absolute perfection. Plus with a last name of Valentine you know it's going to be good.

This book was pure magic! ✨

I loved the Lovelight series by Becca and I was so excited to read new characters and a new world by her. She outdid herself with this book. It literally felt like a movie in my head -- the story was written and told so well.

The plot around the radio station was so unique and engaging. The banter was so funny and I loved all of the characters. I was smiling and laughing and did not want to put the book down! I fell asleep reading it and woke up and immediately continued reading. There is just something about Becca's writing that draws you in. The metaphors and the way she structures sentences I just can't get enough of.

Her characters are also so well fleshed out. I felt this especially in Business Casual and then again in this book. They feel like real people with real struggles that you can easily relate to. I loved Aiden and Lucie so much -- they were so good for each other. Aiden was grumpy but still was so kind and had a soft spot for Lucie which I couldn't get enough of. The way Aiden thought about Lucie made my heart squeeze in my chest 🥲 Lucie was so fun and I loved that she was a mechanic! what a queen! They are just perfect together and I cannot wait to see them in future books in this series.

I also can't wait to read the other characters' stories as we continue the series! This is definitely a new comfort read and one of my favorite romances of all time 🥹

I could not say thank you enough to the publisher for the early copy!!

Borison just keeps getting better. This was very sweet and swoony and felt like how two adults would handle a relationship. There wasn't miscommunications, there weren't hijinks. But it was fun and romantic. It really did feel like a Nora Ephron movie, so Borison did capture that magic and I can't wait to read the others in this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this adorable "Sleepless in Seattle" romcom. The main characters and side characters were all well developed and fun to get to know. Banter was great. The vulnerabilities of the main characters were relatable and honest.

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

I loved every single page of this. This was my first B.K. Borison book, and it's safe to say I'm now hooked (yep, I bought her entire backlist because of this book). I am an absolute sucker for authors that can blend feel-good romance with deeper real-world issues, and Borison has done that and so much more. There's also a touch of nostalgia here for those that grew up watching (and re-watching) Sleepless in Seattle. Start to finish perfection.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for an advance copy of this book.

I have so many highlighted quotes from this! For someone who doesn't believe in love, Aiden really showed up! Such a cute romance book that was just so easy to read. I was literally blushing at Alden putting headphones on Lucie!!! The TENSION!.

Lucie and her unique family were absolutely perfect. Lucie is "single mom" but her baby daddy and his husband are very involved. They are great friends and co-parents. I love that Lucie is a car mechanic!