Actual rating 4.5 stars

What happens when your 12 year-old daughter calls in late to your town's romance hotline? A fun, utterly romantic story that will have you laughing out loud at the sharp and witty dialogue and swooning in the next breathe. When I think of chemistry, I will forever think of Lucie x Aiden who seamlessly roll into one another's life upon a chance encounter and it's absolutely magic from the moment they connect.

I loved the representation in this. Lucie is a single mom, who has a fantastic co-parenting relationship with him and his husband (I KNOW!), is a mechanic that is handled expertly with no cliches, and has some real perceptions about love and why she hasn't dated in a long time. I loved how Grayson and Mateo were championing her along the way, showing us how supportive your ex and their partner can be healthy - that's it's doable! Their friendship and parenting with Maya was one of my favorite parts.

And then, I cannot forget about Aiden who is just a cynic about love, but he also isn't entirely shut off from the magic he feels when he connects with Lucie. Aiden has his own feelings of love and a lot of it stems from his relationship with his parents, particularly his mom. It's heavy and all you want to do is give Aiden a hug and push him towards the love he deserves to welcome and feel.

The ending will have you grinning with tears in your eyes as you watch some intense magic happen.

This was my FIRST B.K. Borison book and it will definitely not be my last!

I absolutely loved this one. What a fantastic story! I love radio and this was such a fun take on Sleepless in Seattle. BK can do no wrong in my book.

Did I think I needed a single mom (with an amazing coparent relationship,) mechanic but also a hopeless romantic, with a daughter who has enough spunk to light up a 90s roller rink with neon black light??

No I did not, but BK delivered✨📚

Do not even get me started on Aiden Valentine 💌 : that man has enough grumpy “love is not real” cynic in his pinky finger that he should NOT be allowed nowhere NEAR a romance talk show. Throw in Jackson, a very (nerd 🤓⚡️🌦️💫 alert) want-to-be SUPER professional weatherman as the underdog best friend… You cannot tell me that the boys aren’t the best thing you’ve ever heard of creating chaos at the break room coffee maker. Hallway broom hockey? ICONIC.

The way that Lucy has such a deep yearning for her own magical love story… but then we give Aiden (the cynic who has some baggage) a telephone, a microphone and a 12 year old and he’s supposed to help her find that magic??

The slow-burn, is BURNING. 🥵 The yearning, secret lists of favorites, sharing his secret coffee stash… cozy, beautiful, squealing and kicking-my-feet BK romance and you have the epitome of the grumpy sunshine, slow-burn romance based on sleepless in Seattle.

Does Lucy deserve to find her person? Absolutely she freaking does!

Does Aiden deserve to continue to question what love is?? heck no!

The way that they start to lean on each other, be there for each other, through the extent of the book is adorable, but not in a Alvin-and-the-Chipmunks-way, but in a the good kind of weight on your chest, the cute kind, the anticipation-on-Christmas-morning kind of adorable.

Infinity stars ✨

This was a DNF.....I was just sooooo bored! And why was it so long? I didn't really like either character and their chemistry was so flat. Not as good as the lovelight series

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

Such a fun and cute romcom that gave early 2000s vibes!! I loved the slow burn and the forced proximity. The 3rd act miscommunication/argument felt really unnecessary but I had lots of fun with this!

This is such a delightful retelling of a classic film with a gender bent twist. I love how cozy/nostalgic it feels while staying fresh and light. This makes me want to go down a BK rabbit hole

Absolutely loved First Time Caller! The banter between the two main characters was so much fun—sharp, flirty, and full of chemistry. I was especially obsessed with their dynamic on the radio show; it felt fresh and entertaining, and I couldn’t wait to see how each new episode would unfold.

One of the things I adored most was how confident the main female character was. She was unapologetically herself and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or say what she wanted, which made her super relatable and fun to root for. Her openness really brought a spark to every interaction.

And the whole setup of him trying to set her up on dates? Hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. I loved watching it backfire in the best ways as their connection deepened throughout the book.

This was such a charming, feel-good read.
Definitely recommend if you’re into rom-coms with witty banter and strong female leads!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE : 🌶️🌶️

If you want a book where you are going to giggle and kick your feet every single time the two main characters interact, this is the book! The Sleepless in Seattle vibes are immaculate.

Ans if you can listen to this book, DO IT! The Audi was flawless and the way they did the radio show was 😘

Aiden And Lucie were the couple I didn’t know I needed. But the way they fell in love, The banter and their journey made me so happy.

This book is worth every bit of the hype and is perfect for anyone who has lived their life as a hopeless romantic.

✨ Single Mom
✨ Radio Show Host x Mechanic
✨ romantic Cynic x Hopeless romantic

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

4.5 stars.

Listen, this book is so effing well written. BK Borison just writes so freaking well and I eat it up every time. But…. That’s not to say that I didn’t have my issues with the story.

Aiden, my bro, my dude, my funky little man… you almost ruined this story for me. You were so goddang possessive, so brooding, and so angry through the whole book and yet, would slowly start to show how sweet and adorable you could be just to be an ass again. I wanted to punch you.

Lucie, girl, you are amazing. No notes. You deserve the world.

I adored the background characters too and I so badly want books based around them. I adored her daughter, Maya, too. usually, I can’t stand FMC’s with kids.

🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5 for spicy scale. Doesn’t really get spicy at all till the second half of the book. Even then, it’s only a few scenes and it’s not constant. Also, easy enough to skim past them if you’re not interested and it doesn’t impact the story.

Anyway, I liked the book but Aiden needed punched in the face.

b.k. borison has never missed. she has written one phenomenal romance after another. as a fan of early 2000s rom-coms and someone who has sorely missed them in media, this book was everything and more. it was heartwarming, emotional and so romantic. oh, to have a love story like Aiden and Lucie - i could only dream!

Paying homage to ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ B.K. Borison’s ‘First-Time Caller’ is a heartfelt ode to love. This story is filled with romance, laughs and gut punching moments that leave readers rooting for not only Lucie and Aiden to find love with each other but learn how to love themselves as well. B.K. Borison’s Hearstrings series may be a departure from ‘Lovelight Farms’ but the story still embodies the charm and coziness that readers have come to expect from her stories. ‘First-Time Caller’ is sure to make anyone jaded to love an immediate hopeless romantic — and maybe convince readers to actually like pineapple pizza.

I loved the setting of this book, peak radio show time (pre-cellphone TikTok era), where everyone tuned in to their favorite shows and the radio show hosts were their own brand of celebrity.

The chemistry between the two main characters, the pining, the yearning, the banter, and the element of the FMC's daughter were all incredibly heartwarming. This was my 1st BK Borison book, and it won't be my last!

FIND YOURSELF AN AIDEN THAT KEEPS A LIST OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS !!!! *swoon*

Any book that is inspired by Nora Ephron movies will automatically go into my TBR. Add to it being written by B.K. Borison and this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. This story is such a fun read, with two characters, Lucie and Aiden, who come together with the assistance of Lucie's daughter, Maya. Aiden is the host of a Baltimore late night romance radio show, Heartstrings, and Maya decides it's time for her mom to get back out there in the dating world, so calls in on her behalf. The struggling radio show goes viral and asks Lucie to become a regular guest with Aiden. As you can guess, sparks fly in the recording booth as this Sleepless in Seattle retelling moves forward. The last third did last a little longer than necessary for me, and I was hoping for more time with them talking on the phone before spending time together in person, which is why this is a 4.5 and not a 5, but overall a fantastic start to a new series! I cannot wait for weatherman Jackson's story next!

4.5 stars

3★ - Sweet, Cozy, and Perfect for Valentine’s Season
Such a fun and flirty setup, and I was totally on board from the start. The premise is adorable: a hopeless romantic single mom, a grumpy radio host with a love hotline, and a viral moment that throws them into each other’s orbit? Yes, please!
There were some incredibly sweet moments throughout that had me smiling, and I especially enjoyed the found-family vibes with Aiden’s friends, a definite highlight. Watching Lucie slowly become part of that circle was genuinely touching.
Where the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me was in the romantic development. I’m a big fan of slow burns, and while this book had the setup for it, I wanted more tension, longing, and emotional build-up. The romance felt like it took a backseat to the plot and side dynamics, and by the time it did come into focus, it felt a bit rushed.
And personally, I struggled a bit with Aiden. I understood why he was emotionally closed off, but the level of self-doubt and unavailability made it hard for me to feel fully invested in him as a love interest. Lucie, on the other hand, was open-hearted, grounded, and so deserving of a partner who could meet her halfway.
However, there’s a lot of adorable moments (the list of her favorite things!), strong side characters, and a warm vibe that makes this a great read, especially during Valentine’s Day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

I never would’ve thought that talk of pineapple pizza would make me swoon, yet here I am.

“You have a pineapple pizza?”
I nod, anonoyed with myself. “I do.”
“You said pineapple on pizza is disgusting.”
“It is.”
“Then why do you have it?”
“Because you said it was your favorite,” I admit. “And I want your favorite to be my favorite.”

Aiden and Lucie. Lucie and Aiden. I couldn’t get enough of those two and their nonstop flirtatious bantering. I would’ve read hundreds more pages about them if given the chance. The way he fell first and sooo dang hard. “I remember all the things you’ve said.” The picnic. The note in his glovebox. He was thoughtful and romantic from the very start before he even knew he was falling for her. And Lucie, a mom putting her role as mom first before her happiness. It was totally relatable and I loved that she decided to give love a chance. Maya and Lucie’s extended family and best friend were the perfect supporting characters with their entertaining, hilarious, and perfectly chaotic personalities!

And the spice!! Of course Aiden Valen was a bossy sex God! Lucie didn’t just get the magic… she got the whole dang spellbook and then some!

B.K. Borison does it again! If I wasn’t already a fan of hers, this book would’ve done it. Romantic, steamy, and so much fun. It was like… magic :)

FIRST-TIME CALLER follows single-mom Lucie, whose preteen daughter calls in to the Baltimore romance hotline, “Heartstrings”, hosted by a lovable love-cynic: Aiden Valentine. When their segment goes viral, Lucie is convinced to co-host with Aiden in the hopes of finding a date for herself Bachelorette-style.

This book really does feel like your favorite RomCom movies. It’s similar enough to its Sleepless in Seattle inspiration to be comforting and familiar, but different enough that it feels fresh. From the very beginning, this one pulled me in and it never let up.

Someone get me a Berger cookie STAT!

Big thank you to Berkley for sending me the eARC in exchange for my review!

WOW! this book was so NICE😏! (read the book and you’ll understand) but seriously it took me a little to get into it but once the ball got rolling the tension was THICK! it was a perfectly smooth transition from strangers to friends/coworkers? to lovers. it’s definitely a slow burn and when they finally realize their feelings for each other and they began testing their boundaries and crossing the line of friendship to “messing around” it was SEXYYYY! this might be B.K.s hottest book!?

i REALLY enjoyed how the 3rd act drama was justified and reasonable! i know that sounds silly but sometimes the couples quarrel can be very unnecessary but this one made sense and we got to see Aiden resolve his issues in order to be with Lucie! i loved it!

thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC! i really enjoyed this. everyone BE EXCITED!

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

| Thank you #PRHPartner @prhaudio & @berkleyromance for the early listening access! |

📕(𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥):
𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 🥣 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 • 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙚𝙨 • 𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 • 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 • 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 • 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮 • 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 • 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 • 𝙇𝙂𝘽𝙏𝙌𝙄𝘼 𝙧𝙚𝙥 • 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 • 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 • 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢 •

🍌 :
Ring ring!

This book was so much fun and enjoyable to read!

📕:
FTC starts off strong, never losing its pace. I was engaged the entire time.

A single mom, Lucie is a mechanic with a fashion style I could relate to. She still believes in the magic of love, but didn’t do anything to change her status.

One fateful night, with the help of her daughter, Lucie and radio host Aiden cross paths.

Lucie’s daughter is the cutest and she is so thoughtful/insightful for her age. I love the concern she had for her mother’s well-being and happiness.

I also loved the family dynamics - Lucie and her ex share custody of their daughter, are best friends and next door neighbours too!

“𝘈𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵: 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮.”

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”

🎧:
The narrators did a fine job portraying their characters and bringing them to life.

When I say I devoured this - no crumbs were left.

Immediately I fell in love with Lucie, and as we spend more time with the people in her life, you get to see what makes her so special. The relationship she shares with her baby daddy/best friend Grayson and his partner Mateo was so loving and warm. I even loved Maya and I’m not usually a kid person! I loved every single character in this book and I’m so glad this is a part of a new series. I can’t wait to see whose book is next.

I tandem read the ebook with the audiobook and had such a great time. The dual narration was wonderful and since so much of the book includes phone calls and radio air time, I think consuming via audiobook just added to my enjoyment.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a review copy. All of the stars!