4.5 stars

Charming, witty, and a perfect homage to a certain movie set in Seattle, First Time Caller is a triumph.

From beginning to end I was swept up in the characters and the relationships that frame the novel. This is a love story, yes, but it is also a story about community and family—both biological and found. I also appreciated the slight sprinkling of fate in it all. That sometimes the stars really do align and you find the person who is right for you at exactly the right moment in time.

There were moments when I laughed out loud, and moments when I cried. And I think author BK Borison did Nora Ephron so, so proud.

Such cute and cozy vibes with this one. I loved it so much. This is my first B.K. Borison book and I had a really good time with it. I loved the family aspect with the FMCs daughter and her baby daddy. The MMC was so real and felt so relatable. I just really had a good time with this one. I loved them and was rooting for them the whole time. I also really loved that the FMC was a mechanic and a single mom (with dad still in the picture) so it was a fun take on a usual idea. I definitely am curious about a book two because I believe there will be! If the premise sounds good to you at all I definitely recommend reading it! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Berkley Publishing for this free copy so I could read and review!!

What a delightful novel! B.K. Borison knows how to write likeable characters who you really want to see succeed. The dynamic between Lucie and Grayson was fantastic and showed how well co-parenting can be. The emotions in this were so pure and real I felt like I was reading about my friends. You will definitely see parallels to Sleepless in Seattle so if that is your vibe then check this one out!

Holy hell was this ever charming.

When Lucie’s daughter calls into a radio show that focuses on romance, she goes viral for the vulnerability she shares with the shows (jaded, if not grumpy) host, Aiden.

She’s invited for a stint on the show to look for love, but finds it a lot closer than she expected.

This was ELECTRIC. From the chemistry, to the comedy, to the tender moments.

Lucie is so easy to fall in love with, and so are the people she keeps closest to her which includes lovely coparents, an adorable daughter, hilarious bff, and a group of her fellow mechanics who look out for her. Lucie is charming, witty, and the vulnerability of character felt so damn real.

Aiden has a bit of stick up his ass, but quickly realizes that his new cohost is making life suck less and less. He’s smitten so quickly, but has a hard time getting it together. But when he does, or I should say, when THEY DO, just wow.

Also, I so appreciated Borison writing an MMC who also is able to be vulnerable with a character they usually aren’t able to so with, their father. There is a particular discussion that had me on the verge of tears.

In this book, there’s talk of perfection, of what’s right, what feels like magic. In my opinion, this book is all three.

Bravo!

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun and creative spin with a little bit of Sleepless in Seattle nostalgia. The two MCs ended up working perfectly together - they were a great pair and the banter and angst was at a really good level throughout the book.

I adored Lucie's daughter and the relationship that Lucie had with her ex and their modern family vibe. I did end up listening to this one on audio (thank you PRHAudio!) and it was a really well done narration.

I enjoy this author's style of writing and character development - the uniqueness of their backgrounds and surrounding details as well as the broader community of side characters that are part of their lives.

Wow. Just wow! I have been a BK Borison fan for a while now, having read Lovelight Farms a few years ago now. I was excited for her first foray out of that series and I was not disappointed!

Aiden and Lucie were such real and honest characters. I loved reading them as they broke down their own, and each other’s, walls. The setting of the call in radio show was cute, trope-y, and so romantic. I loved getting to know Lucie’s family, Aiden’s coworkers, and the city of Baltimore.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was the perfect winter read to keep me warm (read: hot) and a truly memorable story of two people learning how to be brave enough to fall in love.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that beautifully channels the cozy charm of Sleepless in Seattle. The story follows Lucie Stone, a talented mechanic and single mother, whose love life is thrust into the spotlight after her daughter’s viral call to Aiden Valentine’s late-night romance hotline. Aiden, a cynical radio host, has long lost his belief in love, but as he and Lucie work together on air, undeniable sparks fly.

What makes this book shine is the dynamic between Lucie and Aiden. Their witty banter and constant push-and-pull create a tension that will have readers hooked. Lucie is a relatable and strong character, struggling to open her heart while navigating the scrutiny of a very public search for romance. Aiden, on the other hand, is a grumpy, love-weary man whose interactions with Lucie reveal just how deeply he’s been affected by his past. Their journey of self-discovery and rediscovery of love feels fresh and sincere.

The supporting cast—Lucie’s quirky daughter Maya, the radio crew, and Lucie’s unconventional family—adds to the warmth of the story. The community atmosphere and tight-knit relationships make this romance feel even more special. Lucie’s growth, from being closed off to embracing the possibility of love again, is beautifully portrayed, and Aiden’s quiet, supportive gestures will melt your heart.

B.K. Borison’s writing is sharp, engaging, and full of heart. The romance is sweet, but there’s just enough tension to keep things exciting. The perfect blend of cozy vibes, heartfelt moments, and a touch of spice, First-Time Caller is a must-read for anyone craving a modern, feel-good romance with unforgettable chemistry.

THIS WAS SO CUTE! I really loved how several tropes/character expectations were flipped on their heads—it made for a much more immersive story. I think this is truly a unique love story with characters I could really feel and understand. Also really appreciated the friendships the characters had; it wasn’t just only the love interests interacting. There’s a whole cast of wonderful characters to explore in further books! Me personally, I’m looking forward to Jackson and Delilah’s story!

This is everything you could want in a romance book! "First Time Caller" just oozes charm -- it is funny, hopeful, and just down right sweet! I loved the tension between characters and the whip smart dialogue. This is a must read romance for the year!

✨ Review ✨ First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison; Narrated by E.J. Bingham & Hathaway Lee

Thanks to Berkley, PRH Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

There’s a character named Aiden Valentine who hosts a radio show about love, enough said? Lucie’s a mechanic, a single mom, and hopeless at love. Her daughter calls into Aiden’s show seeking love advice. Lucie and Aiden begin co-hosting episodes while they look for Lucie’s love, but sparks fly between Lucie and Aiden which will inevitably ignite, making this book smolder in your hands.

Things I loved:
⭕️ that Lucie's a mechanic and surrounded by a group of male mechanics who are supportive and caring of her
⭕️ the family dynamic of Lucie, her ex, his husband, and their daughter all living nextdoor to each other. It was such a loving, caring family structure.
⭕️ everything about the radio show and the energy that Aiden and Lucie brought to it.

This book launches a new series, "Heartstrings," and so far it's already filled with the cozy, sweet energy we love Borison for. Hopefully it continues to center the cast from the radioshow, who are all really lovable.

🎧 This was lots of fun to listen to - and there was something about listening to a book talking about a radio show that just felt right!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: contemporary F/M romance
Setting: Baltimore
Length: 11 hours 53 minutes
Reminds me of: Sleepless in Seattle, Borison's other books - cozy and romantic
Pub Date: Feb 11 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ forced proximity
⭕️ single parent
⭕️ opposites attract

BK Borison has quickly become one of my must-read authors, and this book is no exception. I absolutely loved the family dynamics between Lucie, Grayson, Mateo, and Maya - it is refreshing that Lucie's past relationship wasn't a dramatic or negative part of her backstory. I also appreciated that her falling out with her parents was not used for the plot - it was part of her story, but there was no twist that resulted in a reunion in the span of the book. Too often stories incorporate too many things, which pushes them into being less realistic or relatable, and I was worried her non-relationship with her parents would come up as something else thrown at her during this book, so I was glad that it didn't. As someone with a rocky/non-existent relationship with a parent, it was nice to read a story where that existed as a fact and not as something that needed to be resolved.
I really enjoyed the fact that Aiden and Lucie got to know each other through the radio show. I think it helped avoid the insta-love trope by making their relationship develop at a normal pace but still within the length of the book. One thing I didn't love was the epilogue, because it felt like it could have just been a final chapter instead of something seemingly in the future. I think it would have worked better to have the breakfast at Skullduggery happen within the ending of the timeline of the book - it would make more sense for Aiden to discover it was owned by Patty and then hear the call for Brooks Robinson shortly after he and Lucie got together and put those pieces together, rather than that happening after they are living together and spending every Sunday there. It would have been nice for that to be a segue into the start of them creating a routine together, rather than a random snippet of them at some undetermined time in the future.
Overall this was a good read and I am excited to read future books in the series, as I think BK Borison does a great job of writing stories that overlap by integrating additional characters who have their own personalities and aren't just bland people used to further the stories of the main characters.

5/5 Stars 2/5 Spice

Tropes:
💕 Single Mom
🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Forced Proximity
🌦️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✏️ Workplace Romance
🔥 Slow Burn

aiden aiden aiden. the way you own my heart. i loved this story so much. aiden & lucie started with the most fun meet cute & then the tension & build up only gets better. i never wanted this book to end. the found family for lucie & the work family for aiden was such a quirky fun moment. they were all so endearing. this one is a slow burn & you are so ready when the time comes it made it 10x better. five big gold stars for this one. cannot recommend enough!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is the second book by BK Borison that I’ve read and I am officially a FAN and can’t wait to read her whole backlist!! This book made me laugh, swoon, and tear up 🥹 You’ll be rooting for both MCs while loving all the side characters you meet along the way. This was a slower burn compared to Business Casual, which is the other book I’ve read by Borison, but the tension is SO GOOD and so is the spice once it hits.

Here’s hoping that The Primetime Pussycats makes it into more books of this series 😂😂

Thank you Berkeley, NetGalley, and BK Borison for a free copy of First Time Caller in exchange for an honest review.

Read If You Like:
- Contemporary romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine Trope
- Single-parent Romances
- Found family
- Radio Show Settings
- Slow-burn Romance
- Witty Banter
- Heartfelt storytelling

Aiden Valentine, a jaded radio host who's lost faith in love, finds himself entangled in an unexpected romance when Maya, a young girl, calls into his late-night show seeking dating advice for her single mother, Lucie Stone.

What starts as a viral moment turns into a heartfelt journey, as Lucie agrees to let Aiden help her find a match—only to discover that the connection growing between them might be the one that matters most.

I loved the exploration of Lucie attempting to date through the radio show and how it was an interesting journey from getting stood up, to going out with someone who isn’t ready for love, to getting flirted with in real life and her being completely oblivious to the charms of another man once she starts falling for Aiden.

This novel shines with its blend of humor, emotion, and authentic character development of Lucie and Aiden. The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie is palpable, enhanced by witty dialogue and genuine interactions throughout the book and especially with the radio show.

First Time Caller was my favorite read of February and it is sure to leave you smiling, laughing, and believing in the magic of unexpected connections. If you read and loved the Ex Talk by RLS make sure to pick this one up too!

Thanks to Berkley for my gifted ALC and ARC!

First-Time Caller by BK Borison is pure adorable fluff! It’s sweet, light, and just what the heart ordered. The banter between Aiden and Lucie is so cute—you’ll be grinning like a fool the entire time. Their connection is instant, and watching their relationship unfold is like a warm hug for the soul. Honestly this book healed a part of me. I loved all the side characters as well. I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. This book has all the feel-good energy you need, with a perfect balance of sweetness and light-hearted moments that will leave you smiling long after you finish. If you're looking for a feel-good read that’s as cute as a button, First-Time Caller is exactly what you need!

**4.5-stars**

In First Time Caller, we meet Lucie, a car mechanic with a precocious 12-year old daughter, and Aidan, a radio personality who hosts a late night romance hotline. Concerned that her Mom might be lonely, Lucie's daughter, Maya, calls into Aidan's show, Heartstrings, seeking dating advice for her Mom.

When Lucie discovers what Maya has been up to, she's understandably mortified. The last thing she needs is all of Baltimore hearing about her pathetic social life. Nevertheless, Lucie finds herself opening up during an on-air call with Aidan that ends up captivating the listeners and Aidan alike. For someone who has become so disengaged with his work lately, this is a great feat.

The higher-ups at Aidan's station take notice once Lucie and Aidan's call goes viral. They want more and the city of Baltimore wants Lucie to have her happy ending. The station is determined to deliver. Lucie then becomes a regular guest on Aidan's show, under the guise of finding her a perfect match. As the two begin spending more time together though, something starts smoldering, and Aidan's not so sure he wants to be setting Lucie up on dates with strangers.

Could Lucie's happily ever after be sitting right across from her in the cramped radio show room?

First Time Caller was so, so cute and very close to perfect for my tastes. I loved the full cast of quirky characters, as well as all the different kinds of relationships and types of love displayed throughout. Of course, this is first a foremost a story of romantic love, but the love found within the elements surrounding Lucie's family, as well as the found family at her workplace, those were some of my favorite elements of the entire book.

With this in mind, I felt like Borison did a great job balancing the romance along with some true character development. I loved both of these main characters and felt they equally contributed to my attachment with the story.

The pining! Oh my goodness, it just melted my heart and I felt like the relationship between Aidan and Lucie blossomed in such an organic way. It was a delight to read.

There was like one sex scene that wasn't quite for me, kind of cringe, as well as a few of the miscommunication bits towards the end, I could have done without, but I understand why the author included them and it's just a personal taste thing at the end of the day.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is my first Borison, and I'm definitely looking forward to more!

4.5 stars - Calling the perfect match?

I was so excited to read this book, especially since it's inspired by one of my favorite films, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! Aiden and Lucie are such lovable characters, and I was completely drawn into their journey as they navigate the dating world in search of Lucie's perfect match. Their banter, chemistry, and emotional depth made their story both heartwarming and entertaining.

It's rare to love the secondary characters as much as the main ones, but Maya and Grayson stole my heart just as much! Their presence added even more charm and humor to the story. The audiobook format made it feel like I was listening to a live talk radio show, pulling me even deeper into the characters' lives. I was fully immersed from start to finish, and this story left me with a huge smile on my face.

I loved the idea of this book, but I will say I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. I didn’t love the main characters and the male main character wasn’t very likeable and felt annoying at times. I did enjoy the side characters though!

Aiden, a radio jockey hosting romance show on radio meets Lucie who is unabashedly romantic. It felt clearly one will win over the other by either introducing a new life in itself or get extremely practical to stay away from love in life. As a romcom reader, clearly we all want Lucie to win but at what cost does she win? what will this mean to Aiden, does his current life turn upside down due to Lucie? This one had the feels and very calming yet romantic vibes to it that won me over. It felt slightly slow but this slow burn is worth it. I definitely want to read it again!

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a contemporary romance about a single mom looking for love and a talk-radio host burned out by love. The story opens with Lucie Stone’s daughter calling in to Heartstrings, a romance hotline, with the idea of setting her mom up on a date. Lucie overhears the call late in the evening, and through a series of hilarious moments, she winds up talking to Aiden Valentine, the host, until the show is off the air. When their talk goes viral, the radio manager comes up with a way to bring Heartstrings back to life: bring Lucie on the show to cohost with Aiden while she is finding her true love.

The story alternates between Lucie and Aiden’s POV, which I loved. Lucie is a fun character. She’s a single mom who has a healthy relationship with ex. She’s given up on finding her true love and accepted it doesn’t exist for her. Her daughter has other ideas though, recognizing that Lucie is lonely. Because of her daughter, she agrees to do the show on the condition that she has final say on who she accepts dates from.

Aiden is more complicated. He’s the host of a romance hotline who doesn’t believe in love. He’s watched his father’s heartbreak over and over again with his mom’s cancer diagnosis and treatments. As a result, he’s closed himself off from all relationships, afraid of that kind of hurt. But there’s something about Lucie that wakes him up.

The plot is inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, and the author does a wonderful job of creating her own story with similar themes. It honestly felt like I was reading a Nora Ephron book. Seriously, well done! The romance is slow to build, but the friendship is quickly established and gives us some laugh out loud moments.

Overall, I really enjoyed First-Time Caller. Lucie and Aiden are easy to root for. The whole cast of characters are fully fleshed out and complements the main characters. It felt true to life without being over-the-top or too cheesy. If you are looking for a sweet rom-com, this is it.

Audiobook Note: I also received an ALC from the publisher so I did mostly listen to this one. There are two narrators, one for each of our main characters. Both did a great job fleshing out the characters and bringing them to life. If you are a fan of audio format, this one is a good listen.