PURE ROMANCE!

🎙️I’m tired of trying so hard at something that comes so easily for everyone else.🎙️

All it took was one late night call into a radio show for me to be hooked. Lucie and Aiden were fantastic together. It’s been a minute since I read a slow burn romance and let me tell you IT WAS WORTH IT!!

🎙️I wonder what it’s like to walk around with your heart on your sleeve. Mine is buried so deep in my chest I’m not sure I could find it if I wanted to.🎙️

There were moments when I was straight giggly and others where I was wiping tears off my face. Truly all the good makings of a romance book

Thank you Berkley for the eARC

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was hooked, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished. The characters, Lucie and Aiden, were so well-developed and felt incredibly real, which made the whole story even more engaging.

Aiden Valen, also known as Aiden Valentine, is the host of a love advice radio show. At the start, he’s totally disillusioned with his job. He’s been fielding calls from phony listeners and dealing with loveless, uninspired situations that have drained him. You can feel his exhaustion and frustration—it’s like he’s lost his connection to love entirely. But everything changes when a teenage girl calls in for advice—not about her own love life, but about her mother’s. It’s such a unique twist that immediately grabs your attention.

Lucie, the mother in question catches her daughter on the phone and this is where everything changes. Their conversation on air is charged with so much tension, vulnerability, and heart. What starts as a casual exchange soon becomes something more significant—something that marks the beginning of a truly transformative journey for both of them.

The way the author weaves their lives together, building both the romantic tension and the emotional depth, kept me completely captivated. It’s not just a love story; it’s about finding inspiration, rediscovering passion, and learning to open up in unexpected ways. The chemistry between Lucie and Aiden was undeniable, and their development throughout the story felt so natural and earned.

Overall, this book was a delightful escape, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment of it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good, heartfelt romance with characters you can’t help but root for.

Thank you to NetGalley, author B.K. Borison, and Berkley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Wow I loved!! I've seen so much about Borison's previous series, Lovelight Farms, so I was excited to check out her newest release. I thought this was a delightful read that resonated with me more than I was expecting. I'm not the biggest Sleepless in Seattle fan or the biggest fan of single parent trope (both of which were present in the book), but honestly, I fell in love with Lucie and Aiden! Borison's writing felt fresh and realistic without ever leaning towards overly sappy or contrived. I felt like I not only had a clear sense of these characters and who they were individually, I also could easily see them together as real people. Maya was a delight, and I loved Lucie's "found family" through Maya's dads and her best friend. Was it a bit cheesy at time? Of course, since it's a romance novel, but it was never over the top to distract from the connection between the two. I do wish we as readers would have seen more of Aiden's life, as a big part of the novel is him not believing in love anymore. There is a clear reason why he is unable to fully open himself up, but I felt that the perspective of him and why he was distant could have benefitted from a little more time on the page. His background seemed a bit rushed or not fully fleshed out in comparison to Lucie's side of things. I did truly enjoy this story and the premise though besides this, and now I'm more inclined to check out Lovelight Farms and Borison's future works!

You had me at an inspired by Sleepless In Seattle sort of storyline. (100 pages too long and a real meh cover, but who gives an eff when you got those good feels???)

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

B.K. Borison has made a name for herself with her delightful Lovelight Farms series, creating small-town romances that blend whimsy, warmth, and relatability. Naturally, I approached First Time Caller with high expectations, drawn in by its ambitious premise and promises of a classic romantic comedy. Unfortunately, this novel did not meet those expectations and stands out as Borison's weakest work to date.

The story begins on a melancholic note, introducing readers to Aiden, a man navigating the complexities of his emotions and professional life. The opening chapter is captivating, full of promise, and sets the stage for what could have been a compelling journey. However, beyond that initial intrigue, the narrative falters.

Lucie, the female lead, lacks the depth and charm that Borison's characters are known for. Typically, Borison excels at crafting endearing, relatable protagonists who feel authentic and emotionally nuanced—even when their experiences are far removed from our own. Unfortunately, Lucie falls flat, and the writing itself lacks the maturity and finesse evident in Borison's earlier works.

Another shortcoming lies in the tone. While First Time Caller leans heavily into its romcom roots, its reliance on cheesy tropes feels excessive and detracts from the story’s potential emotional resonance. For readers who enjoy lighthearted, trope-heavy romances, this may not pose an issue, but it wasn’t a fit for my personal tastes. Additionally, the book might have benefited from tighter pacing or a shorter length, as its current form feels overly drawn out.

While I remain a fan of Borison’s work and appreciate her creativity, First Time Caller failed to capture the charm and emotional depth I’ve come to expect from her. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. Here’s hoping Borison’s next release returns to form.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I felt this book deep in my chest—the kind of romance that makes you smile uncontrollably, kick your feet, and tear up in all the best ways!! First-Time Caller is pure magic, a warm hug of a story that wraps you up in the nostalgia of a ‘90s romcom while delivering a fresh and heartfelt love story!

Lucie is the kind of heroine you root for—an incredible single mom who’s given everything to her daughter and at some point stopped taking chances on herself along the way. The motherhood aspects in this book? So tender, so beautifully done, and so real! And then there’s Aiden, the darling, broody radio host who thinks he’s fallen out of love with love… until Lucie enters the picture. Watching him fight his feelings (and lose spectacularly) had my heart soaring. Tears were shed more than once!

And can we talk about the chemistry? Off the charts. Add in the friendships, the found family, the support systems—it’s all one big, romantic chef’s kiss. If you love Nora Ephron movies (Sleepless in Seattle vibes are strong here!), this book will sweep you right off your feet.

I read this one twice—first digitally as an ARC and then on audio as an ALC—and both experiences were a solid 5/5. The audiobook brings Lucie and Aiden to life perfectly, and I highly recommend it!

Simply put: I adored every second of this book. If you’re looking for a romance that makes you believe in love all over again, First-Time Caller is it! 🩷

Dare I say that was perfect? This was honestly just a perfectly constructed romance book and I couldn’t find a flaw. The plot was unique and I loved it. This book starts with Lucie’s daughter calling a romance hotline radio show to try to help her mom’s love life. Of course we have grumpy “I don’t believe in love anymore” host Aiden is on the other end of the line, the interview goes viral, and you can guess where it goes from there. The storyline was so much fun. Every character was funny and lovable. Aiden and Lucie had the best banter and chemistry. Aiden was so down bad for her I loved him. I also loved the little radio show bits at the end of every chapter I thought they added so much. I was just grinning at this book the whole time!!

Some of Aiden’s struggles actually hit so deep for me and seeing those on paper was something I never thought I’d get out of a cute romcommy book. Both of them were going through individual struggles that added so much to the story and we got to see so much development while having a great time reading it. This was really just so good and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Thank you Berkley for the free copy!!! Everyone run to get this on 2/11 it’s a must for romcom season!!!

Thanks to @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for the free ARC and to @prhaudio for the ALC!

I loved this romance. It starts just like Sleepless in Seattle, with a daughter calling into a radio show on behalf of her single mom Lucie. The show sees a ratings spike and asks Lucie to join host Aiden Valentine as he tries to help her find love, even though he doesn’t believe in love himself.

Their on air banter and off air chemistry were delightful. I was very invested in their relationship right from the start. I loved the daughter as well as the unconditional family Lucie had. I want more of their stories!

Unexpected surprises drove the plot, with lots of forced proximity moments including a very hot closet make-out scene! The spicy scenes had great buildup and a satisfying payout.

I both read and listened to this one, and I thought the audiobook really brought the story to life. The bits of radio dialogue were done in duet with sound effects which helped drive home the radio vibes. I loved the voices the narrators used for the various characters.

Lucie is an amazing mom and a great character and I loved watching hers and Aiden’s story unfold. I will be buying this one for sure.

Gifted an ARC by Netgalley and publisher! I am obsessed with this author. I feel like I have never read a dual perspective story where I am invested in both characters equally! The way she is able to express these deep emotions about love and self reflection while also maintaining the humor is amazing. The family dynamics here are perfect and the author has a real gift with writing side characters that you fall in love with in just a few sentences. The spice scenes are also top tier and I can't wait for book two of the series!

All the stars for Lucie and Aiden! This book was the perfect way to kick off B.K. Borison's new series.

Aiden is the host of Heartstrings, Baltimore's romance radio show and he gets a call from Maya who is looking for dating advice for her mom Lucie. When Lucie overhears Maya, she ends up talking to Aiden and admitting what she is looking for in a relationship. Their segment goes viral, and in an effort to boost the ratings for Aiden's show, his boss wants to follow Lucie's journey as she goes on dates and potentially finds the love of her life.

I just loved watching these two slowly fall in love with each other. Aiden says he doesn't believe in love and is anti-relationship due to personal family reasons, yet he is so drawn to Lucie and wants her to be around him in any capacity. As Lucie figures out that her dream qualities in a man are maybe not what she really wants, she can't help her feelings for Aiden continuing to grow. She loves her life with her daughter, with her best friend Grayson, Maya's dad, and his husband Mateo, and her job as a mechanic, and she thinks maybe that is all she needs, yet Aiden, even when he is being grumpy, keeps pushing a way into her heart.

The banter in the book was great and I loved all the characters and am hoping book two will be focusing on Jackson! The tears did not stop flowing towards the end and I was said when the book was over and I had to say goodbye to Lucie and Aiden, hopefully only for now since the hope is they'll have cameo's throughout the series.

BK Borison has yet to disappoint! First Time Caller is so full of heart, love, and adorable moments. I love Lucia and Aiden with my whole heart, and the people around them bring even more love to the table.

It's always harder for me to talk about why I love a book than it is to talk about why I don't, so read this book if you love

- forced proximity
- slow burns
- "fuck it"
- the location as a character
- found family
- heartfelt moments
- hilarity

I loved this book so much, and BK Borison has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me. 5 stars!

Thank you Berkley Romance for the free finished copy!

I had a feeling I would love this book because I love everything B.K. Borison writes but this was even better than I expected. Lucie and Aiden had immaculate banter and chemistry. I found their romance to be very believable and beautifully written. The side characters were also wonderful. I didn't love the third act break-up but I liked the rest of the book so much that I could look past it. I was afraid that 448 pages would be too long but the pacing worked for me.

Read This Book If…you love Sleepless in Seattle!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Genre: romance
Series: Heartstrings # 1
Spice Level: 3/5🌶, 1-2 explicit scenes
Setting: Baltimore, MD
POV: dual, 1st person, present tense
Tropes: single mom, grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, slow burn

My Thoughts:
I love a jaded man doing a full 180 to “if he wanted to, he would”! There were so many great moments between Aiden and Lucie and tons of tortuous slow-burn chemistry.

I loved Lucie’s daughter and the co-parenting situation, but I would have loved to see Aiden interact more with Maya. Lucie having an unconventional career was fun and I really liked both of their backstories.

Overall, I think this is some of BK’s best writing and I cannot wait for the rest of this series!

Memorable Quote: “I can be brave enough for the both of us. I can make my own magic. You just have to give me a reason to.”

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!

That was so so perfect and the quotes 🥰

He keeps a list of her favorite things in his glove compartment and makes himself like pineapple on pizza because it’s her favorite and he wants her favorite to be his favorite.

this is now my favorite bk borison book i fear!!! i was obsessed with the concept right from the beginning but watching aiden and lucie cohost the show together and slowly fall for each other AHHHH

i LOVED lucie’s character and everything she said the first time she called in was so relatable and her searching for “magic” in a relationship gah i just love her sm! and AIDEN i love how he’s a little bit grumpy but still so sweet and how he memorizes lucie’s favorite things and the pineapple pizza scenes pls i need him!!! his angst honestly got me and seeing him realize that he’s been distancing himself from everything so he never gets hurt was a LOT

lucie and aiden’s whole dynamic in general was EVERYTHING!!! their flirting and tension and banter AHHHH i love them sm <3 also all of the side characters were SO GOOD (im seeing hints of stories for jackson and maggie hmmm) but also maya is the true mastermind in the whole book i love her!!!

overall this book was everything i wanted it to be and tysm to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!

This was so cute and romantic! It felt like an early 2000s rom-com which I loved so much. The plot was so unique and fun! Lucie’s daughter calls into a radio station asking for dating advice for her mom, and the interview goes viral. Lucie joins Aiden on the radio show and their story is so sweet. They had instant chemistry, great banter, and the slow burn was perfectly done. The list that Aiden kept🥹🥹🥹

The only reason it’s not 5 stars is because I felt like I couldn’t personally connect to the characters that much, but they were still fun to read about! I just felt myself getting a little bored at some parts. But I especially loved the dual POV, grumpy x sunshine, and forced proximity. I would definitely recommend this to any romance book lover!

4.5 stars! (rounding up) wowowowow
This book officially made B.K. Borison an auto buy author for me!

-Rom com
-Meet cute
-Single mom
-Grumpy x sunshine

This book was so deeply romantic, it had me swooning!
Lucie & Aiden were literally made for each other and no one can convince me otherwise!
Aiden has a tough time taking down these walls he’s built around his emotions because of his past life experiences. It was beautiful to see the way his character evolved throughout this book. The way he cares for our FMC is literally the STANDARD. The list!!!!
Lucie’s character felt like such a breath of fresh air. She was so sure of herself, so genuine & in tune with her emotions.
I’m not usually one to care too much about side characters because I feel like somethings they’re just THERE? The side characters in this book added SO much to the story & I loved seeing them in specific scenes.
The overall plot/setting of this book was so cute! I loved the way we got them on the calls after each chapter!

This book was made to be read when it comes out, the perfect Valentine’s day read!!

Absolutely loved this. Honestly now in my top 5 fave books of all time.

It's so romantic and nostalgic. I felt the magic you feel when you watch a rom com.

I will never get over this book.

First time caller. Can a single mom , looking for love that is magic and a jaded heartstrings dj, both find the hope of romance

*Thank you Berkley for the NetGalley approval*

Absolute stunner of a romance novel.

Borison truly shines with her writing, never fails to make me fall in love with her characters and coincidentally leave me with a good ache in my chest.

First Time Caller is full of love, apprehension, sneaky pre-teens and letting people in. From its first page to its last it’s a tale of two romantics, one who denies loves existence and the other who’s aching for it.

Lucie’s take on romance and her desire to want to find the magic in a dating pool of, ‘you up?’, texts was something real. That take, her want to find the magic in love still, winds her up on a radio show about said love with a host who’s all but given up. Aiden Valentine can deny it all he wants, but I’ve got a folder of highlights to prove he’s just of a romantic as the rest of us. It’s just buried beneath the fear of letting people in, the fear of loss which in return results in walls so high no one can climb them. The both of them tumble into this journey, guised under content for the radio show, and the reader just can’t help but root for them (and Maya iykyk).

So much of this book screams, ‘to be loved is to be seen’. It screams the magic is in the small details, the remembering your favorite things *hint hint there might be a list scene in which I continue to think about,* the just because I wanted to see you smile—moments and more. It’s a comforting hug, a happy teary eyed smile, and I enjoyed every page!

If you’re on the edge of picking this book up to quench your rom-com thirst… this is me pushing you off the edge! (lovingly)