A love letter for those who fell in love with Sleepless in Seattle. B.K. Borison writes a compelling love story, giving readers hope as Aidan Valentine slowly opens his heart to Lucie. Told in dual perspectives with chapter breaks of the what is happening on the radio, readers will have an easy time getting submersed into the world and love story.

Aidan and Lucie are two very relatable characters. We have Aidan who is on one end of the spectrum and Lucie who is on the complete other side. Together they find a common ground and slowly meet in the middle.

First Time Caller needed more On-the-Air banter.

Single Mom Lucie Stone gets quite the surprise when she catches her young daughter calling into radio station 101.6 LITE FM, more particularly to Aiden Valentine, host of Heartstrings, Baltimore's Romance Hotline, asking Aiden to help her mom find a date. Now the whole city knows that Lucie hasn't had a decent date in...years. Yes, okay, it's been years.

After so many people called into the radio station to ask for more information about helping Lucie, she was invited to the station to get a date on-the-air with Aiden himself. But what was supposed to be an evening interviewing dates, showed how well Lucie and Aiden played off each, and their on-air chemistry turned into several weeks of co-hosting Heartstrings. Suddenly the city's desire to set up Lucie on a dream date has turned into the city just turning in to hear Lucie and Aiden flirt live.

But it appears the host of Heartstrings doesn't believe in love and isn't looking for romance for himself, except trying to find Lucie the perfect date isn't as important as it used to be.

THOUGHTS:
First Time Caller had a lot of great characters. We love Lucie and her daughter, Maya. Lucie's gay BFF from childhood (also Maya's father) and his husband. Honestly, Lucie has quite the full life.  She has wonderful family group who care for her, it isn't surprising that her dates don't measure up to the love and support of her made family. Although I did like Aiden, his constant "no romance for me" kept taking the fun out of the by-play between Lucie and Aiden. I can understand the initial purpose was getting Lucie a date, but when they were spending so much time together and their time in the booth showed what great chemistry they had, why was he still dragging his feet and denying his interest in them being together. It kept jerking all the fun to a stop.

While we do have a lot of time spent with Lucie and Aiden, I didn't feel like we had enough of the on-the-air banter which all of Maryland was tuning in for. I don't know if that was a we only get so many pages in the book and the author wanted more scenes in person, but when the whole premise is the co-hosting that the city can't get enough of, we are only left to suppose it is awesome. There wasn't as much of that on page as I would have liked.  Don't tell me they are amazing together, show me.

My jaw is still on the floor as I type this.

First Time Caller blew me away!! Such a unique love story. While reading this book, all that was playing in my mind was a romcom movie and I loved every second. I love a good slow burn and a grumpy man. 😩💗

What am I supposed to do now? I need more. 🥹

4.5 stars!

• when lucie’s preteen daughter calls in to a romance hotline with a story that makes lucie go viral, she finds herself co-hosting the show alongside its grumpy host, aiden, in an attempt to find love for herself. but maybe that love will come from someplace she won’t expect?
• the unconventional family structure lucie has with her baby daddy, his husband, and her daughter, maya, is beautiful, & added a layer to this story i wasn’t anticipating.
• this is a SLOW BURN to the MAX! and i ATE IT UP! the chemistry between lucie & aiden is palpable in every scene (we love a grumpy x sunshine trope), & the payoff towards the end was so worth the wait.
• that said, this probably could have been about 50 pages shorter and still hit the same, if not better.

I’m so grateful to Berkley and NetGalley for providing access to an advance copy of this amazing book!

Aiden is the host of “Heartstrings,” a Baltimore radio show that provides romantic advice for the lovelorn and those struggling to find or keep love. But lately, he’s not been enjoying his job, and that’s been reflected in the ratings. He’s just over the whole concept of love.

One night during his show he gets a call from a 12-year-old girl named Maya. She tells Aiden that her mother never goes on dates and that she is lonely, and asks Aiden to help her. When Lucie, Maya’s mom, discovers who her daughter has been talking with, she unexpectedly bears her soul on the radio. And of course, the show goes viral, so people all over the world are rooting for Lucie to find love.

“When the whole world tells you you’re silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them. You start to think you’re not worth it. That if the things you’re waiting for do exist, they’re not for someone like you.”

The radio station’s general manager invites Lucie to join Aiden’s show in the hopes that he can help her find her happily ever after. As listeners follow along, Lucie starts dating again. But will she find her soulmate this way, or are the feelings sparked behind the microphone the ones she wants to pursue?

I absolutely fell in love with B.K. Borison’s Lovelight Farms series, and while I’m sad that she didn’t continue with that, this is the start of a new one I love already. She is such a fantastic storyteller, and the characters she creates are tremendously memorable. They’re the kind of people you want in your life.

First-Time Caller was such a fun, charming, and witty romance that had me giggling like a kid! Aidan and Lucie were so easy to fall in love with, and they had such great banter. Overall, this was such a feel good read!

B.K. Borison does it again! *First-Time Caller* is the perfect blend of heartfelt emotion, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of swoon-worthy romance that lingers long after you turn the last page. The connection is electric, and the late-night radio call-ins add a touch of magic to their love story. Borison always outdoes themselves, and this one is no exception—absolute perfection!

Guys, I cannot express just how much fun this book was. This is absolutely an audiobook read and not an eyeball read kind of book. The radio show call ins were so much fun. Definitely going to be a top read for me this year.

Lucie and Aiden’s chemistry is absolutely unmatched. I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout this whole book.

I've heard some lovely things about Borison's writing, but this one just didn't hit all the buttons for me. I liked our FMC a lot and our MMC feel short for me.

The romance was reasonable and the tension worked alright. Overall, a fine romance but I'm not sure if I get the hype.

I’m so happy that Aiden and Lucie are officially out in the world. Sleepless in Seattle is one of my all time fave movies so I knew I was going to love this one and I can officially say it’ll fall under one of my top 10 reads of the year. I’m ready for so many rereads and I'll buy every edition of the book I can get my hands on! The only thing I can’t relate to is Lucie liking pineapple on her pizza. Sorry but no. If you haven’t read this one yet you MUST! Many thanks to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. I'd read a few of the Lovelight farms series, so I knew that BK Borison writes Baltimore area romances. I was so excited to read one that was actually set in the city itself. The plot line is really cute, Lucie's daughter calls Aiden's romance hotline radio show to try and get her mom some help with her love life. Lucie opens up on the air and Baltimore (and Aiden) start to fall for her. Adorable. Here's where I ran into problems. BK Borison goes the entire book talking about only white neighborhoods; only businesses frequented by majority white customers; and from what I can tell, only white characters (except for maybe Mateo who might be Latino). Baltimore is a majority Black city. I've lived here for 11 years, and in the greater Baltimore area for my entire life. I was so excited to read a romance set in my home, but this was such a deeply segregated narration that whitewashed a beautiful, diverse city. I still gave it three stars because the story was great, but it would have been a five star read if not for this glaring issue.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

Well, this is how you write relatable emotions. I'm both the hopeless and reluctant romantic.

I have zero experience with romantic love, but i believe it is a very hard thing to find. And when you do you still gotta work for it, so i relate to everything Lucie said she wanted when it came to romance yet in action i related to Aiden.

Of course, First Time Caller isn't just about romantic love, but also parental love, and friendship. Which is what made it interesting to continue. The abundance of characters involved in one person's life is both a curse and a blessing when it comes to pursuing anything in life. Because do i want to show them i have what they want for me or do i disappoint them by taking so long to find what truly makes me happy?

Overall this was cute. Had me thinking more about my own life than the character's as you can see from all of the above. Though i lost interest in the MCs once they found interest in each other, it still was a great romance. Just didn’t feel my mind blowing,
Extra points for them not touching until after 60% and the balanced spicy scenes.
I will say though the aura of mystery that comes with one POV -the fmc's only i mean- was needed here. I found myself wishing i was getting to know Aiden and him developing feelings for her through her pov only.

Who knew skee ball and the Thong Song could be so romantic? This book was everything I love in a romance. The ode to Sleepless in Seattle was done so well. The slow burn between Aiden and Lucie was perfection. I loved getting to fall in love with them as friends before lovers. All the little things that Aiden did to make magic for Lucie had me swooning. I literally smiled throughout this entire book. It will be one I'm recommending for a long time. Easy five stars! I can't wait to read more of this series!

Read if you like:
Sleepless in Seattle
friends to lovers
grumpy sunshine
witty dialogue
dual POV

"What she needs is to see her mom prioritizing her own happiness for once. So she can learn to do the same."

It's been a while since I've read a radio romance😍😍😍

Lucie Stone has the perfect life where she has everything she's ever wanted. Her super smart daughter, her childhood friend who she enjoys coparenting with, and her best friend who she loves spending time with at the café. She does not need romantic love in her life, because her life is perfect just the way it is. But, that all changes when Lucie's daughter gives Heartstrings, a romance hotline, a phone call stating that she wants her mom to find love. Meanwhile, Aiden Valentine, the host of Heartstrings, has stopped believing in love for a while now. Therefore, his job as a host for a romance hotline...let's just say, hasn't been going that great for him. BUT, the phone call with Lucie's daughter brought in a lot of listeners that night. During that call, Lucie talks about how it would be nice to have some romance in her life, and how she wants that happily-ever-after. So, what does the team behind Heartstrings decide to do? To bring in Lucie and help her find her one true love. Lucie gives in and decides to be on the show alongside Aiden, so that not only does Heartstrings gets more listeners, but Lucie can also find her soul mate that deep down, she has always wanted. BUT, what happens when Lucie starts falling for none other than her co-host Aiden? That was not supposed to happen. She was supposed to go out with a listener, someone WILLING to go on a date with her. Not Aiden. But on Aiden's end, he's also falling for Lucie. But, he doesn't want to fall in love. He's seen the pain love can bring, hence the reason that he's fallen out with the idea of love. Despite all of this, Aiden and Lucie find it harder to deny the feelings that are growing each day. So what happens next? Does Lucie date Aiden, or one of their listeners who is willing to give her her happily-ever-after?

SUCH A CUTE ROMANCE BOOK. I LOVED READING THIS FROM START TO END.

Major modern day Sleepless in Seattle vibes to start this one off! And then, who knew two people in a radio booth could be so hot?? I absolutely loved both main characters and especially the close knit family that Lucie has created 🩷 My only issue with the book was that Aiden’s reasons for not wanting a relationship seemed odd and dragged on too long for me.

What to expect::
•Baltimore setting
•Self made family
•Mechanic FMC x radio host MMC
•Radio show scenes (forced proximity)
•Bad dates
•Single mom
•Sloooww burn
•Text messages
•Friends first
•List of favorite things 🫠
🔥Open door

Aiden Valentine is the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline radio show, Heartstrings. Unfortunately he’s “fallen out love with love”, definitely a problem for a romance hotline host.
The show isn’t doing well until Lucie Stone’s daughter calls Heartstrings looking for romance for her mom. Lucie thinks she’s doing fine, but all of Baltimore is rooting for her as she goes on dates.
The listeners can sense that Aiden and Lucie have serious chemistry but they don’t admit it to each other. Aiden thinks he’s not good enough for Lucia and sets her up on one last date.
I loved the banter between Aiden and Lucie, and following along as their feelings blossom made the book go by quickly. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
I love that the MC is a mechanic & she has the best unconventional family dynamic with no scorned ex looming in the background. It is super relatable and still gives the reader that special magic romance books do, while being grounded in more real life situations. I felt for Lucie and I loved watching her Aiden's relationship evolve and grow. It was a real relationship, one that took work and courage. I definitely cried a little at the end!!

She's a mechanic, he's the radio host of a show about romance. Her pre-teen daughter calls into his show looking for romance for her mom.
Lucie, a 29 year old mechanic, the mother of a 12 year old daughter, becomes guest/co-host of a radio romance program after her daughter calls in to Aiden Valentine's show hoping to find romance for her mom. Fun, sweet, good romance.

Wow this book had all the feels from start to finish. The storyline was perfect, the characters were perfect and the romance was perfect! I loved it so much and will be thinking about it for days to come.

I lived Lucie’s backstory and her relationship with her daughter, Grayson and Matteo. That family dynamic really did a lot for the storyline and created super fun side characters who were invested in what happened.

Obviously Aiden was a great MMC and I really liked the way he grew throughout the story. His and Lucie’s relationship developed at a believable pace which made their story that much better. I also loved the radio show aspect of things as it was so unique and nostalgic!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Read this if you like:
💞 90’s soft rock nighttime shows (I’m looking at you Delilah)
📞 Single mom with a good relationship with the dad
💞 Meddling Side characters with tons of personality

This book was not at all what I was expecting. I was hoping for a longer drawn out phone relationship before they met and maybe a mistaken identity situations, but alas. However, this book was good. I loved the FMC's kid and her found family! Writing was good, but overall the story just lacked a little something for me.