This was such a cute romcom with a spin I have never read before.

We get to meet Lucie, a mechanic/single mom to a lovely tweenager girl, who gets tossed into the dating scene via a late night romance radio show her daughter called into. Cue the shenanigans.

Aidan is Heartstrings local romance radio host who has fallen out of the idea of love and is just plain grumpy. He tries to help Lucie fall in love as people call or text the show, but somewhere along the way realizes that love is really out there if he just stops sabotaging himself every step of the way.

Can you believe this was my first book by B.K. Borison? I’m utterly obsessed. This book was so sweet. I also loved Lucie’s job. Felt very unique and even her relationship with her daughter’s father felt like a breath of fresh air. The banter between Aiden and Lucie is unmatched. This is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time again. I love love loved this book so much!

Thank you Berkley for the gifted copy!

This book had the power to make me both laugh and cry. The characters were so witty in their banter, and I enjoyed their chemistry so much, especially the radio conversations. And when we got down to the serious conversations— Aiden’s fear of commitment and love, and Lucie realizing what the magic she wants really is— I was boohooing.
I loved that Aiden didn’t even flinch at the fact that Lucie had a child, let alone a preteen, and actually the first conversation was between Maya and Aiden when Maya called into the radio station asking for his advice for her mom. The meet cute was just that— very cute. I felt like a Baltimore resident falling in love while listening to these two fall in love.
I recommend listening to the audiobook while reading this as it really adds to it, especially with the radio segments.
I loved the Lovelight Farms series, but this may be my new favorite from Borison!

I loved this sweet romance! Don't be fooled by the slow-burn. The sweetness definitely turns to spice! These characters were very well formed and lovable! I would have loved learning more about Lucie + Grayson's history!

This was my very first book by BK Borison and it was definitely cute. I absolutely loved the concept of a romance radio show and I loved how the entire thing was set up in the very beginning. This particular book managed to have that magical feel that romance books often do while also making it feel like a real story happening to real people that I'm watching unfold and I love romance books that manage to do that.

Lucie was a refreshing character, I love her family dynamic and the relationship she has with each person that falls under that found family umbrella. Her daughter is an icon and I love her so much. As a mom, I found a lot of what Lucie said about putting herself last and not thinking about her wants really relatable and her desire to not want to settle because her life is fulfilling enough as it is.

Aiden was a charming grump and I love love love the fact that we got to see his POV throughout this book because his internal dialogue surrounding Lucie specifically was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Their banter throughout was phenomenal, chemistry was so good and that grand gesture that he pulls off was one of my favorites from a romance book.

This book was enjoyable, I'll be picking up other books by BK Borison but I do think I might have set up too high of expectations for this book because I went into it thinking it would be one of my new favorite books and that wasn't the case.

- sleepless in seattle vibes
- grumpy/sunshine
- banter and chemistry thar are off the charts
- forced proximity
- found family
- slow burn
- dual pov and open door

I’ve never seen Sleepless in Seattle, a movie I know this book has been compared to many times, but I sure can’t wait to watch it because I adored every second of Aiden and Lucy’s story. This was such a unique romance and there was so much to love - Lucy’s unconventional career, main characters in their 30’s, a romance radio show, real thoughts on datingand an absolutely incredible cast of side characters. I laughed out loud many times but there were also so many sweet and tender moments that made my heart melt. This was the most perfect slow burn and the chemistry between Lucy and Aiden was such a treat to witness. So glad I chose this as my first BK Borison book!

A great rom-com. This tribute to Sleepless In Seattle made a great mix of fresh new takes on the story as well as glimpses of memories of the movie we all love. Lucy and Aiden are truly dumb idiots we can’t help but cheer for. This is definitely worth the read and the inevitable rewatch of Sleepless In Seattle you will definitely do.

This was my first book by this author and while I did enjoy it, it felt a little long for my liking. I know a lot of people like long, slow=burn romances but unfortunately they're my cup of tea. I did like Aidan and Lucie's characters and everything that they both went through, I just felt it could have been a lot shorter. I did like the uniqueness of the radio show intermixed with the plot for the romance, I've never read a concept like that before. I'm curious if the next book is going to be about Jackson, I loved him and his goofy nerdiness.

This book was everything I never knew I needed. Aiden and Lucie are my favorite book couple! The way Aiden was down bad for Lucie was perfect. The love between Lucie and her daughter was heartwarming and I adored Lucie’s relationship with Grayson and Mateo and the guys at the mechanic shop! I related to Aiden and his feelings about his mom being sick! It’s a feeling that never leaves you and I truly felt so seen! I will forever hold a place in my heart for First-Time Caller!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a new & fresh romance that I devoured!! The story was so cute and the buildup was making my feet KICK. I personally loved the ages of the main characters as well as having an older single mom just trying to try out dating again. Thank you so much for letting me read this book <3

I really wanted to like this one more than I did, but I think my expectations were too high because I loved Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison. This book was missing the small town charm element that I think a lot of people expect from the author, and I just didn’t connect with the characters. They actually became rather irksome to read about at a certain point, and the book could have benefited from being a little shorter and more condensed, I think.

I do like the general premise, especially with it being a take on Sleepless in Seattle, which is one of my favorite movies. The radio show setup was fun, and I liked the initial dynamic between the main love interests, but I feel like we needed more of them out of the studio and less of the recording sessions.

This book was very fun. I really liked all the characters, not just the main ones. The banter was really great and the story moved along quickly. I would recommend.

First Time Caller by BK Borison is a charming, heartfelt, and fun read that had me hooked from the very first page. Borison's writing is fresh and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the world she’s created.
What I particularly loved about the book is the way Borison balances humor with emotional depth. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and while romance is at the heart of the story, it’s the personal growth and connections that truly make this book shine. The pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of tension and warmth to keep readers invested.
BK Borison also weaves in meaningful themes about love, self-discovery, and second chances. The witty banter and memorable secondary characters add depth, making this much more than your typical romance.
Overall, First Time Caller is a wonderfully enjoyable read, perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good, romantic story with a little something extra. Highly recommend!

Sweet, smart, and full of heart! The chemistry crackles, the dialogue sparkles, and it’s impossible not to root for these characters. A delightful rom-com!

A charming and heartfelt dual-POV novel about being willing to open yourself to new possibilities. Marvelous banter between not just the two leads, but ensemble cast as well. The romantic leads had real depth of emotion as well as healthy senses of humor.

It took me much longer to finish this book than I would have liked, and I think that's partially why I didn't rate the book a little higher. For reference, I'm a medical student and I love reading romances because they're light and fun and easy for me to read when I'm not in the mood to read. Anyways, I did really enjoy this book and knew I would because I love B.K. Borison's books. Her writing is lyrical and magical and makes me believe in all the beautiful aspects of love and romance. I would definitely recommend this book as a Valentine's Day read. I loved Lucie's character and how she didn't shy away from what she wanted even if other people found it silly. I enjoyed learning about her life outside of the romance like her relationship with her daughter, and her friends. My only tiny complaint about this book came towards the end. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it, but there was a third act breakup situation which is not my favorite. Outside of that, my only other criticism would be to have seen Aiden interact more with Lucie's daughter since she was the start of it all. With that being said, I found the epilogue to be charming and did have bits and pieces of things that came full circle. I'm a sucker for the red string theory and any mention of that is a win to me. All in all, I do recommend this one for a cute and cozy time!

This was a nice spring surprise!

Ended up liking this so much more than I realized or thought I would.

First-Time Caller is a hazy late-night phone call that makes the heart flutter, and the world outside the window feel like a fuzzy, faraway dream. Aiden Valentine and Lucie Stone’s evening forays in the sound booth taste of bitter coffee and gazing at the stars. The book buzzes with a giddy, sleep-deprived energy that will keep readers up late for all the right reasons.

First-time readers of B.K. Borison are sure to become dedicated listeners after this enthralling read. This contemporary love story, set against the backdrop of glowing city lights and cozy recording booths, is a soothing balm of healing love connections.

The movie bottles up the magic of Nora Ephron’s Sleepless in Seattle with a weary harbour town setting and an emotionally unavailable love interest slowly worming his way into the leading lady’s heart with her favourite pizza and his comfiest sweaters. It’s a whirlwind of adorable banter, stolen coffee, near-missed connections, and small brushes across the other’s skin that tug at the heartstrings.

Readers can expect to float through this urban fantasy with a delightful protagonist who is refreshingly sincere about her worth and pitfalls.

Lucie also has a badass job as a mechanic and a semi-tragic backstory — elements the author merely uses to enrich her character rather than letting them consume her identity. Lucie is like all the other girls — she is a goddess who wants a romantic love worthy of the platonic and familiar love she has surrounded herself with. And maybe that’s what makes Lucie such an infatuating narrator. Her best features are heightened by a dozen wholesome dynamics with her grumpy mechanic pals and unconventional yet loving family. It feels like she walked right off the set of a 90s rom-com into the pages of this book without sacrificing authenticity,

First-Time Caller is a tantalizing commentary on fate and all the near misses that have to happen for Lucie and Aiden to finally meet, miles away from each other over the static of an on-air phone call. They orbit around each other for years, never really knowing each other, and once they do, the couple finds themselves at the mercy of constant run-ins. This steamy radio meet-cute thrives in the unknowns of the universe, the possible supernatural forces of a city on the cusp of sleep, and the nostalgia of a dating advice hotline.

It does stumble in its humble beginnings. The duelling POVs succumb to asking one too many leading questions, drawing out the mystic of their first few runs as strangers. However, the reader often comes to the conclusion pages before the protagonist and has to endure infuriating lines of questions as Lucie and Aidan refuse to reach out and grasp the answer right in front of them. Thankfully, these quirks evaporate once the two get in the booth.

Then, not even some annoying miscommunication and icky emotional unavailability can stop the momentum of their love story.

The result is a romance reminiscent of Jess and Nick’s wholesome friendship-to-lovers arc on New Girl, with bantering family dynamics that could easily fit in alongside charming TV ensembles like Modern Family and Shrinking.

The novel does not shy away from the harsh realities of dating while wrapping Lucie’s brave journey in a warm blanket of healthy self-esteem, functional relationships, and a fulfilling career with supportive co-workers. It is a vulnerable, heart-tugging tale of red-hot passion that proves authentic romance isn’t dead — it’s just a phone call away.

Borison crafts a contemporary time capsule that captures the bittersweet essence of late-night phone calls and meet-cutes in a city that never sleeps.

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

Thank you Berkley for the gifted physical copy. #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

First Time Caller
B.K. Borison
Publishing Date: February 11, 2025

This romance inspired by Sleepless in Seattle gives us Lucie and Aiden’s story. Lucie is a romantic who is having a hard time finding love and Aiden is a jaded radio-host of a show about… love. When Lucie’s daughter calls into the show to get advice on how to help her mom, their worlds collide.

This was a really great romance. Lucie is a strong, independent, patient, loving FMC. Aiden has had a rough life and as a result is a bit of a mess when it comes to how to handle his feelings in relationships, so he just doesn’t engage in them. But the heart wants what it wants.

B.K. Borison excels at conveying the emotional struggles that these characters go through. The growth they go through. And how they help each other achieve that growth. She also writes really lovely side characters that don’t steal the show but really add to the story. You will swoon, you will laugh, and you’ll fall in love with these characters.

I just finished listening to *First Time Caller* by BK Borison, and I have to say—this book is absolutely adorable. A huge thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for the audiobook, which made this sweet, heartwarming story even more special.

This is the kind of book that makes you *believe in love again.* It’s the perfect romance to curl up with, especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. The story is charming, the romance is swoon-worthy, and every moment is filled with the kind of warmth that makes your heart melt.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the *maturity of the characters.* It’s refreshing to see a romance where both leads communicate, grow, and handle situations in a way that feels genuine and real. Plus, the *side characters* bring so much personality and fun, adding even more depth to an already engaging story.

If you’re looking for a feel-good, uplifting romance that will leave you smiling, *First Time Caller* is a must-read. Highly recommend for anyone needing a dose of love and joy in their reading life!