5⭐️
2🔥

Quick Breakdown

Sleepless in Seattle Inspired
Single Mom
Strangers to Friends to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Hopeless Romantic x Jaded Non Believer
Dual POV
Open Door - Mild to Moderate

Thank you with all my heart to @berkleyromance for the eARC & finished copy & @prhaudio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest opinion #berkleypartner

Meet First Time Caller - the first book in BK Borison’s new series & 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, FTC features Aiden & Lucie who first “meet” when Lucie’s daughter calls into a romance themed radio show in search of dating advice for her mom.

Prepare yourself for the word salad, friends. I’m obsessed with this book. So much so, I’ve already read it twice. Twice! Lucie & Aiden completely stole my heart. I loved the slow burn of strangers to friends to lovers which was perfect for the jaded Aiden not sure he wanted to fall. While there still is bumbling, there’s lots of open communication about what each other wants until he is forced to face his emotions. And the final grand gesture.. SWOON 🫠

God, there was so much to fall in love with. All the secondary characters, for one. The perfectly imperfect blended family tribe of Lucie, Grayson, Mateo & Maya. And Aiden’s best friend, Jackson. Ahhh, I’m already geeking out over his HEA. All the bits of serendipity and overlapping similarities scattered throughout. Lucie’s job as a mechanic. The show transcripts snippets. It’s no surprise I fell as hard as I did.

If you are an audio lover, jump on this one please. Hathaway Lee was the perfect Lucie & parts are performed in duet only adding to the pure magic that is this romance.

This book was unlike any other new adult/romance book I've read! Both characters were so well written and the struggles they had felt thought out and realistic. I can't say enough good things about this book!!

This was so adorable! Lucie’s 12 year old daughter is the best wing woman of all time. The co-parenting relationship between Lucie, Grayson, and Mateo is incredible. And Aiden keeping a list of all her favorite things in his glovebox? Swoon!

If you like audiobooks, highly recommend listening to this one for to get the full experience of them being on a radio show.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is so cute and fluffy it's sick!
I love it!

I enjoyed this romance novel between Aiden and Lucie. Aiden is a radio show host who is a cynic when it comes to love. Ironically, he's also the host of the Baltimore romance hotline and I found that hilarious. One night Lucie's daughter calls into his radio show asking for his help in finding a partner for her mom. Lucie catches her on the phone, and takes it from her and starts chatting with Aiden. They end up having a conversation that flows nicely with chemistry. Weeks later, Aiden's boss tells him that the ratings for their show went up after that night and she's invited Lucie to come on the show as a temporary co-host for their romance hotline radio show.
Sparks fly, chemistry ignites and we get to witness the cynic and hopeless romantic fall in love <3

I loved Aiden and Lucie and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. My only critique is that this book was a little too long (400+ pages) and a lot less pages could have been used to provide the same fluffy romance.

I haven't giggled and kicked my feet like this over a book in so long! This was the perfect mix of Becca's witty humor and Nora Ephron's nostalgic movies. This felt like something brand new and like coming home at the same time.

The romance was magical. I found myself blushing from their very first interaction, and every little touch and flirtatious look that came after. If someone asked me for the perfect rom-com, I'd recommend this one without a second thought. This is everything that a romance can be; this is the new standard to which every romance must be compared.

There is something both mature about the characters and also the feeling that everyone is living life for the first time. There are so many types of love, and here we can see every kind. Lucie is looking for her epic love story, while Aiden doesn't believe it will ever happen, but something about Lucie makes him want to try and find it for her. There is love and caring between the characters from the very start, but the realization of those feelings will have you blushing and giggling the whole time.

Aiden's story is one that I think many will relate to, especially when it comes to putting distance between yourself and everyone around you. His story is one of taking down those walls and allowing those that love you in. This book is about the magic of love, letting love in, and what love can look like.

"'I think you're the magic.'"

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is so dang delightful, I almost couldn't believe it. First-Time Caller is both a tribute to Sleepless in Seattle and the city of Baltimore. Lucie is such a deeply relatable female protagonist and the supporting characters are truly wonderful: her dramatic co-parent and his husband, her best friend at the cafe across the street, and her daughter...who makes the fateful call to the radio station romance hotline. I've read Borison before and enjoyed her Lovelight Farms series, but this one has a special kind of magic all its own. It made me homesick for Baltimore (a city I only lived near but not in) and somehow managed to bring tears and giggly smiles.

This was a beautifully written book. BK Borison is able to write with the softest of magic. You feel for both of these characters so much and I couldn't put it down. With this soft magic though, there isn't much a story of line if I am honest. Just some beautiful characterizations and two people trying not to fall in love with one another. A take on Sleepless in Seattle, this one is perfect for this time of year. But again, a very mild plot where the romance IS the plot.

Consider me a B.K. Borison superfan now! I adored the Lovelight Farms series but I think First-Time Caller might be my new favorite!

First-Time Caller is filled with so many things I love about romance and contemporary fiction. The romance is a dreamy slow-burn, forced proximity gem. The superb side cast of lovable side characters and the found family aspect was *chef’s kiss.* While the romance definitely takes center stage, the focus on family and the inclusion of coworkers for both MCs really rounded out the story.

The romance was everything in this one and just so, so swoony. It was at times sweet, silly, and spicy. I loved all the little things that Aiden and Lucie noticed about each other and the care they took with each other’s feelings. I loved that their relationship evolved in a very organic way from a forced-proximity collaboration turned friendship. Truly so much to love with this one!

The radio aspect of First-Time Caller was really fun. I know this was inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, and I could see that inspiration in the first little bit, but then it’s completely its own unique story. It also reminded me of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s The Ex Talk (which I also love and recommend!), with the radio show, romance, and banter.

If you only read a couple romances this month, make sure this is on your list! You can’t go wrong with the print or the audiobook!

This book is everything I love in a rom-com. There's playful banter, delicious tension, angsty longing, and the sweetest love story. Aiden and Lucie are characters that draw the reader in from their first encounter. This story explores human vulnerability and finding the courage to reach for what you want. I loved the side characters too, My heart is full of hope after reading this one.
All the stars.

I was a little bit nervous about reading this one because of a few reviews I saw. Though most were positive, I was worried I too would grow impatient with Aiden's hesitancy towards romance. However, that was not the case! I devoured this book in one day - I read the e-book and then thanks to PRH Audio, I was able to listen to parts of it while I was cooking dinner because I could not stop! The banter was on point, the slow burn was done well and I felt unlike some reviewers, that Aiden overcame his hesitancy for commitment rather quickly. The side characters were excellent when they were a part of the story and I also enjoyed the dual POV. Very cute book!

Fun quick read for a romantic novel. Characters were quirky and the novel felt like reading a romantic comedy film. I would recommend to those looking for a cute, fast read and are comfortable with romantic novels.

Aiden is a radio host for a romance hotline, Heartstrings, who has fallen out with the idea of love. Lucie is a co parent and car mechanic finds her love life being blasted on Heartstrings after her daughter calls into the show. Y’all, I cannot with the chemistry and banter!! Aiden gives off brooding but fragile puppy vibes while Lucie is basically warm honey and cozy sweatshirts and I’m here for it 🥰 We explore topics of love -- romantic, familial, etc, as well as growing fears of losing those who are closest to you. There’s a good mix of grumpy sunshine, dual povs, spice, found family (loved the side characters!), and forced proximity. This was also inspired by Sleepless in Seattle which I need to watch asap!

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley Romance for my arc!

My review as posted to my Instagram today:

FIRST-TIME CALLER by B.K. Borison

Thank you @berkleyromance & @prhaudio for my #gifted copies! #berkleyromancepartner #berkleyig #penguinrandomhousepartner

Look, I'm going to keep this brief because y'all have already seen this book 726,382 times over the last few days, 🤪 and there's really not much I can add that hasn't been said.

So here's the short and sweet of it:

I picked this up because of the Sleepless in Seattle comp. Was it like Sleepless in Seattle? Sorta, but not really... 😆 But I absolutely LOVED it, anyway! This is your quintessential romantic comedy. It has fantastic humor, witty banter, and ultimate swoon! 🥰 What struck me even more than the engaging plot, was the writing itself. Borison has such a gift! 👏🏼

It may not have been like Sleepless in Seattle in plot, but it was there in the vibes and nostalgia. I had such a great time with this book, thanks in part to the tremendously talented audiobook narrators, Hathaway Lee and E.J. Bingham.

Romance readers: if this isn't already on your TBR, you're going to want to add it. 💛

📌 Available now!

📌 A February @bookofthemonth pick!

Okay, this was the cutest, most swoony romance I’ve read in a while! I absolutely loved the wit and banter between these two. And Lucy’s relationship with her daughter and her ex and his husband was so wonderful and cozy. I just sank into this story and never wanted to leave. There was tension, steam, butterflies, and best of all? NO BIG MISCOMMUNICATIONS. These characters actually said what they needed to say and didn’t let bits of conversation define how they felt. Such a breath of fresh air!!

Honesty read this so quick and over half in just one sitting. I love the way Borison writes, her worlds always feel like I’m visiting familiar, comforting places.

I loved Lucie, she was a tough character with a soft spot for love, in various forms, even if she thought she’d given up.
I adored Aiden, I enjoyed watching his love crack his shields. The banter between the two was fun and cute.

Reading this felt like being wrapped up in a love hug. Absolutely enjoyed this one from start to finish.

I’m in love with First-Time Caller, I’m in love with Lucie and Aiden, and I might be in love with B.K. Borison after finishing this book! This is for the readers who love love. Whether romantic or platonic, because this book showcases love in all forms beautifully. Most of all though this is for the lovers of that soulmates, written in the stars, kismet kind of love.

A meddling phone call from Lucie’s daughter Maya lands her on Aiden’s radio show, Heartstrings. Lucie is the sunshine romantic to contrast Aiden’s grumpy jaded facade. The audience loves it, and despite Aiden’s reservations, he does too. This slow burn romance is filled with so much romantic tension, and I promise the build up and eventual steam between these two is definitely worth the wait🥵

I love the way Borison writes her characters. Everyone feels significant and realistic. She beautifully depicts the relationships between co-workers, family, chosen family and friends, adding more depth to the world she created. I also really love that Lucie is a mechanic, very cool to read an fmc working in a male dominated industry💪🏼

Officially my favourite romance. There wasn’t a thing I’d change about First-Time Caller. I was laughing, grinning, kicking my feet, had butterflies more times than I can count, highlighted everything, and even got a little teary-eyed. B.K. Borison set out to write a love letter to romance, and I don’t think she could have done it better than this.

**Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.**

☎️🎙️🎬☕️⛅️💌

In awe of B.K. and her ability to constantly raise the bar. Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the arc, out now!

Goodness I really don’t know how to form words. I was grasping at straws for more of Aiden and Lucie. Aiden with his dull tone but stary-eyed gaze and Lucie with her hopefulness kept contained. Both characters loved hard but were so afraid of being in love as they thought it wasn’t in their cards, and boy did that hurt.

When B.K. first posted teasers about First-Time Caller, I was already intrigued, but with each teaser and each snippet, I fell in love with characters I have yet to know much about other than they existed.

This is for the hopeless romantics who have day jobs they tolerate, for the ones who want to love but are afraid to give and take it in fear it will be taken away, this is for the ones who keep to themselves, for the ones who had to grow up too fast, this is for the ones who want to believe in love again.

Truly truly truly recommend this darling read to everyone. I will shove this down everyone’s throats because it deserves to be so cherished and loved. This is noted to be “A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story” and you know what? It was beautiful!

Also she works as a mechanic, talk about boss queen <3

- Single Mom
- Jaded Lover Boy x Hopeless Romantic
- “How’d you know it was me? Ah, Lucie, I’d know you anywhere”
- Fuck it moment
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Slow Burn
- He keeps a list of her favorite things
- Found Family
- Forced Proximity
- He wears a gold chain

Thank you again Berkley and NetGalley for the special moment of reading them before release day. I cried, my heart ached, and I just constantly am giddy over them. Like I am crying writing this review now because of how much I adore them and feel for them, like a warm hug from your person (not that I have a person, but like you get the gist, I hope?)

Go read this! Each edition of the book is stunning and I want every single copy✨🫶

Oh my, how I wanted to fall in love with this one. It just did not do it for me at all. I did not like any of the characters. It felt overly cheesy and overly tropey. It just irritated me. I wanted to give this author another shot after not enjoying Lovelight Farms like everyone did, but hearing so much rave about this one, I am coming to the conclusion that this author is just not for me. I unfortunately couldn't continue on and had to DNF.

This was ADORABLE. I've been a big fan of B.K.'s work in the past, and this is no exception. I flew through this and never wanted it to end. I know this will be on a lot of people's year-end favorite book lists!

✨ A Sweet and Sassy Journey of Finding Love, Growth, and Self-Discovery ✨

At the core of this love story is Lucie Stone, who sets out to find love with the help of a Romance Hotline. She has always believed her life was full of love, yet everyone around her notices the loneliness she refuses to acknowledge. Lucie is strong, independent, self-sufficient, and deeply devoted to her loved ones, yet she struggles to find her one true love.

And then enters Aiden Valentine, who was once warm and passionate; Aiden has since detached himself from emotions due to past trauma. Despite being the host of Heartstrings, Baltimore’s Romance Hotline, he has lost faith in romance, no longer believing in its magic.

Aiden and Lucie’s chemistry is simply undeniable! It’s the kind of romance that feels like watching two classmates fall for each other; their friendship slowly blossoms into something more. You can’t help but tease them, yet they adamantly deny their feelings despite the obvious sparks emanating through the air. That’s exactly how I felt watching Aiden and Lucie’s romance unfold, magical and palpable simultaneously.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a heartwarming and relatable journey of romance and self-discovery. For anyone who has had their heart broken one too many times, built emotional barriers as high as a fortress, or lost touch with romance, and yet, deep inside, still longs to believe in love, this book is perfect for you!

B.K. Borison has beautifully crafted characters whose emotions feel valid and deeply relatable. Life experiences shape us, and our childhood memories can mold us—for better or worse. This book is a testament to the fact that people can change, love can heal, and sometimes, it takes the right person at the right time.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me the opportunity to read this heartwarming and unforgettable love story of Aiden and Lucie.

✨ Why you NEED to read this book ASAP:

"It was never a choice, Aiden. I was always going to love your mom. And I would never have chosen different, even with everything we've endured together.” - Aiden’s Father

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Maya called Heartstrings
📌 Grayson being such an overprotective best friend
📌 Jackson's jargon's weather forecast (I find it real funny!)
📌 Grayson's platonic friendship with Lucie
📌 Aiden's parents unconditional love for each other
📌 Lucie's relationship with Maya

✨TROPES:
📌 Grumpy x Sunshine
📌 Workplace Romance
📌 Forced Proximity
📌 Slow - Burn Romance
📌 Second Chances at Love & Healing
📌 Opposites Attract
📌 Found Family
📌 Emotional Baggage
📌 A Moderate Amount of Spice

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7298793439

👩‍💻 INSTAGRAM REVIEW: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF7ubGoyZsm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/02/11/arc-review-first-time-caller/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kinanahmanalao_arc-review-first-timecaller-activity-7295064253995094017-2Xtq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADZadkYB6kcp2SMdCiCoSdnI_IRLHncLwvs