4,25/5

This was adorable. I really enjoyed this book. It might have been slightly too long in same places but I loved it.

I'm not a fan of public love confessions or anything like that so reading about Lucie telling everyone her dreams on a radio show as weird for me, I was waiting for the to hang up. But that's what I would have done. And later when Aiden and Lucie finally talked at the very end - I wouldn't have come to the radio station in the first place, but it felt very in character for both Lucie and Aiden.

I loved them. Both characters were amazing. Maya was a little mastermind. My favourite moment was when she said she hadn't found anyone who would compare to Aragorn. Same, kiddo. Absolutely same here.

I like how observant Aiden was and THE NOTE IN HIS GLOVE COMPARTMENT! The picnic! I loved that so much!

I'm glad that Lucie found him and they both finally accepted what was happening. It took Aidan longer (I hate third act breakups, why did it have to be here too) but they got there in the end.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for providing me the ARC for my honest opinion.

3.5 Stars

I had seen some amazing reviews for this book so I was very excited to read it but sadly it didn't blow me away.

The concept is very Sleepless in Seattle, in that Aiden our lead male works as a host for a small radio company and runs their romance section where he answers callers questions about love. Our lead female Lucie is a mechanic and shares her daughter Maya with her ex Grayson and his husband Matteo. Maya rings into the station to sneakily get romance help for her mum, Lucie takes over the call and the podcast goes viral...

The story for me was a very obvious one and although it was a fun read, I wished there had been a few twists that were more unique and interesting.
The romance was the ultimate slowburn and at times even felt it was going backwards. I liked the romantic couple but I just needed more, well...romance! There are a few smutty scenes but unfortunately for me, they didn't quite work and I felt their chemistry more from the excellent banter than the sexy scenes.

Lucie is a fab lead female. She is a great mum and a hardworker and really puts herself out there which I thought was brave. She has a great sense of humour and I just generally loved her and her family and friends.
Aiden is the grumpy to Lucie's sunshine. He struggles with opening up and no longer believes in love, or that it is worth the pain it can cause. I found his reasoning a little stupid and wanted to shake him SO many times. The characters were great fun though and often made me laugh.

The writing was good but the book is pretty long and sometimes dragged. It definitely needed editing to speed things up a little. B K Borison is great at humour though and I smiled a lot!

Overall, a funny and cute read but sadly for me, nothing special. It had so much potential though and so I will definitely try this author's future books.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the advance copy of First Time Caller.

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's stopped believing in love. But as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, Heartstrings, 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. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn't be such a bad thing. Lucie joins Heartstrings as a guest host on a mission to find love, and everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending... even Aiden. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

Ugh, this angsty, yearning, cosy novel, where a hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host. It lives up to the hype, or perhaps is even better. Everyone and their mother has been talking about First Time Caller, and I can confidently say now I've finished this book that it is justified that they haven't shut up about it - I haven't either. Aiden and Lucie's story truly pulled on my heartstrings, and your honour: I love them. Every single thing in this book was just pure magic, and I can't find a single fault. BK Borison, please let me into your brain - I need to know how you work this magic!!! I 11/10 recommend picking up First Time Caller when it releases this Valentine's Day.

4.25 ⭐️

If you’re a 90s romcom lover, this is for you!

This is the first book of a new series by BK Borison called Heartstrings. Each book of this series is going to be modern twists of Nora Ephron movies (she was a film director who made romantic comedies). First-Time Caller was inspired by ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and it follows Aiden and Lucie. He’s the host of a romance hotline and she’s a single mom who suddenly thrusts into the spotlight after an interview in said hotline goes viral.

BK Borison has gone for it all and she did not disappoint. This author’s writing has really evolved since her first book and this is proof of it. The communication between Aiden and Lucie was so good - it’s refreshing to read a book with such a healthy relationship between the main characters.

The solely reason I’m not giving this book 5 whole stars is because sometimes, the storyline gets dragged and I felt like the book could’ve been a bit shorter… But I really loved and enjoyed this book in more ways that I can’t explain. I really can’t wait to read the next two books in this series 💌

Read if you like:
📞 forced proximity.
📞 slow burn.
📞 single mum.
📞 found family.
📞 BANTER!!!!!
📞 grumpy x sunshine.

Thank you to the author, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. First-Time Caller by BK Borison will be coming out on February 11th.

The bolter by Taylor Swift is Aidan's song through and through.

‘I want you to kiss me until I can't breathe'

What to expect?

🪄He doesn't believe in love, she want's magic
📞Radio Show Setting
🧑‍🧒Single Mum
💪Protective MMC
🏡Found Family
-🌶️
📻Forced Prox (kinda)
💕Yearning, so much yearning.
👩‍❤️‍👨Dual POV

'When it comes to you Lucie, there's not much I don't want'

Both our characters are very much Down Bad for each other. This book is sweet and tender to its core, and reading it felt like getting a warm hug. The chemistry between our two characters is explosive, there aren't many spice scenes which I feel added to the emotional depth of the characters. Borison captures the complexity of human emotions perfectly and the gradual development of Lucie and Aidan's relationship from strangers to friends to eventual lovers felt real and pure.
This book was also very well written, it's a joy to see how B.K's writing style has grown since her first novel Lovelight Farms - she just keeps getting better.

Huge thankyou to NetGalley and Panmac for an e-arc and audio arc in exchange for an honest review

3.5 ⭐️
This was a sweet story and it does have some lovely heart warming moments. For me it started off pretty slow and it took me a while to get into it. I just couldn’t warm to Aiden, but later in the story he did do a couple of pretty swoony things. It didn’t quite feel in keeping with his personality though.

I really liked the originality of the idea and was rooting for Lucie to get her happy ending, but I wanted to feel a stronger chemistry between her and Aiden.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The fairytale romance and the fairytale queen when it comes to contemporary romance
Every time i think if BK Borison’s new book will surpass her last one. And the answer is yes, always yes.
Since i got the arc i knew that i have to watch Sleepless in Seattle to understand the vibe and what this book feels like. The book was definitely better but that’s just a personal opinion. It is so beautifully written you guys, i have been giggling and smiling and kicking my feet for the majority of the book. Every meaning of this book is so deeply touching, a reminder that if you think you will never find the love that you deserve, you are so wrong. You are not wrong for knowing your worth and you can wait as long as you need for the right person

I am writing this review after reading FTC for the second time, and let me tell you - the magic of the first time read has not diluted any. On the contrary, it felt comfy and warm and cozy, while also giving me all the butterflies for at least 50% of the story.
Aiden is secret, swoony boy¹ personified, afraid to get hurt, so has built walls up - all of which crumbled when Lucie came into the picture.
Lucie is so many of us - jaded by what romance means in this day and age, but then holding on to hope and being brave by reaching out for what she wants, to the very end.
I genuinely could read more of Lucie and Aiden, but also of Maya and Grayson and Mateo, and the whole radio-show crew. This whole story was absolutely beautiful. I need more romances like this! Give me the cozy feels of a 90s movie, light me up with undeniable chemistry, make me wail at myself for not being this good at banter!
With First Time Caller, B.K.Borison takes us from Lovelight Farms to Baltimore city, and keeps weaving the same magic that she does with her words.
I can't wait to read more Heartstrings books (and anything BKB tbh).

¹“Secret, swoony boy” - Lucie.

Thank you Panmac! Love you forever!

I've been a fan of B K Borison since I read Lovelight Farms.
I enjoyed Lucy and Aidens love story. I love sleepless in seattle and this definitely gave those vibes. Lucy daughter playing cupid was a perfect meet cute. I also really appreciated the coparenting story line. I looooooooove and slow burn and this was done so well.
Im not a big spice reader so I did skip over those parts. I did feel the characters lost some chemistry after but I still enjoyed.

Thank you for the advanced eARC

Perfection, this book was made for my rom com loving heart 💕

I loved everything about this book, B.K has captured my heart with this Sleepless in Seattle inspired story. It was the dreamiest rom-com. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet and giggled.

The chemistry between Aidan and Lucie was SO GOOD, I was invested in their story from the first page. I loved the friends and family around them. I wanted to know them.

I’m not normally a slow burn girlie, but let me tell you this was the best slow burn I’ve read. I was invested, I couldn’t wait for the burn to happen but I loved the journey getting there.

The concept of this book was so different, the little moments at the end of each chapter added such a gorgeous pov.

The easiest 5 stars ✨

Thanks to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the arc 💕

A really cute and lovable story as I've come to expect from BK Borison. I loved it! All the characters have great distinct personalities and I love how funny they are. It was a bit of a different meet cute and family situation to my usual romances and I loved that about it. The romance and flirty banter between the two was the best and I was fully invested the whole time.

4.5/5 stars

First-Time Caller is a Sleepless in Seattle-inspired contemporary romance by BK Borison. Aiden is the jaded host of a romance radio show when a young girl calls in for some advice for her lonely single mom. Lucie thought she was happy with her life when she suddenly finds her daughter on the phone with the radio hotline. When their on-air interview goes viral, the struggling radio show hosts a segment to help Lucie find a match. But of course, Aiden and Lucie’s chemistry isn’t just confined on air and everyone listening can totally tell.

I really loved this book. I thought it was such a cute book with a classic romantic comedy feel to it. From the Sleepless in Seattle set up, I was already entirely on board. I could not stop smiling throughout it. While it does hit the typical romcom story beats, it manages to play with the gender conventions of the genre, making it feel fresh and distinct.

I appreciated that this was told in dual perspectives (an element that really should be a requirement in romances). The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie was just perfection and every interaction of theirs just made me giddy. Then the sexual tension was just really intense and had going “just kiss/f*ck already”. And one thing I really loved was that they were always honest with each other but not necessarily honest to themselves.

First-Time Caller delivers everything you would want from a romcom.

*Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the eARC via NetGalley

The way I enjoyed this book after a very stressful work week!!!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance 🫶🏻

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm not typically a romance girlie, I just read specific authors that I enjoy. Let it be known the B.K. Borison has entered that category for me. This was my first book by them and I absolutely adored it! This had me giggling, full on laughing, grinning teeth and smiling to myself. I loved the concept of the story so much. A man that hosts a romance hotline but doesn't believe in love meeting a woman who wants all the bells and whistles but doesn't think she'll get it? Spectacular give me 14 of them.

Ladies and Gentleman THIS MAN KEEPS A LIST OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS IN HIS GLOVE COMPARTMENT SO HE DOESN'T FORGET THEM. If I don't get love like this then I don't want it. Aiden, my sweet, grumpy Aiden is god tier. Lucie is fabulous, hell even her baby daddy is fantastic. I bloody loved them!

I felt like a was a listener of the show and witnessing Lucie and Aiden fall in love slowly, quietly. I liked how healthy the building of this relationship was and how there was drama but it wasn't in your face.

Though my first B.K Borison it most certainly won't be my last.

Read if you like: radio show romance, jaded mmc x hopeless romantic fmc, single mum, inspired by sleepless in Seattle, found family, mechanic fmc, strangers to friends to lovers, “fuck it”, close proximity, grumpy x sunshine, jealousy

This book felt like a warm hug. B.K Borison wrote a lovely story that was reflective, realistic and raw. It delved into what we experience in the real world with the struggle of dating apps, playing mind games, settling, feeling out of place and lost in the world. I think a lot of people will find themselves resonating to the characters in this book. “You don’t have to be alone to be lonely” was a quote that hit me really hard.

Aiden is a cynic, he’s doesn’t believe in love even though he hosts a radio show about love. Lucie is a romantic and wants to find her person, but she doesn’t date. She has a caring 12 year old daughter who makes a call to Aiden’s radio station to try help her mum’s dating life. From there, you see two strangers turn into friends and then lovers 🥹

Lucie and Aiden were so cute together. He was absolutely enamoured by her. He pays attention to every little detail about her, to the point where he kept a list of her favourite things in the car so he wouldn’t forget 😭😭

I loved that Lucie has such a good co-parenting relationship with her baby daddy/best friend. It was so sweet to read about their interactions and I’m so glad I didn’t have to hate on any characters 😂

I did find that this book was a little too long, it was very slow moving at times. While I enjoyed the couple and their romance, I wasn’t hooked enough to binge read it in a few hours. Nevertheless, I’m very excited for book 2 in this series 🤩

Firstly, this book was such an easy 5 star.

Being set on a radio station was such a fun idea. This was a beautiful love story but also just an ode to all kinds of love! Lucie’s friendships were so wholesome (those with her ex, with Patty and her work family).

I also was not anticipating the level of spice that this book contained. The tension was exquisite. The forced proximity was chefs kiss.

This ticked so many trope boxes that I genuinely think this book is for every kind of romance lover. It features:
*slow burn
*found family
*forced proximity
*grumpy sunshine
* single mum
*work romance

Favourite BK Borison book yet!!

First-Time Caller is the best of a 90s romcom for the modern romantic.

B.K. Borison wanted to write a lovely letter to love and she succeeded and then some! I spent the whole time reading with a big goofy grin on my face. Everything from the tension and build up to the big gesture at the end was sweet perfection.

I don't often read contemporary romance but I'll be coming back to this one over and over as a future comfort read.

Lucie is such a strong and independent character. She knew what she wanted and didn't fall into the classic romance trap of trying to change herself and fit herself into Aiden's life.

Now Aiden... Poor, sweet, misguided Aiden. I spent half the time wanting to bash him over the head with his headphones! He comes across as grumpy but is actually a big softie underneath.

The development of Lucie and Aiden's relationship is so healthy but dramatic without being DRAMATIC.

My only one teeny tiny gripe is that I wouldn't class daisies as smelling anything close to nice. It was an interesting unconventional choice and perhaps it's just me. Borison definitely redeemed herself though by agreeing that no man will ever be better that Aragorn!

Also, side note, I NEED MORE JACKSON.

First-Time Caller is a refreshing and hilarious read. An instant classic.

Thank you Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and B.K. Borison the an early copy. It's been an absolute delight!

thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Lucie is a single mom who is doing fine, has a great relantion with her co-parent and lovers her daughter but wants to finally meet THE one. Her teenage daughter decides to take matters into her own hands and calls a romance hotline in search of advice. Aiden, the radio host, responds and him and Lucie start a friendship while looking for romantic prospects for her.

Lucie: single mom, mechanic and absolutely loveable. I loved her, loved being inside her head and everything about her. I can't say the same about Aiden, i just couldn't get into his reasoning, it felt like something was missing everything we had been told was just not enough for me to like him. he was just there.

things i liked: exploration of family dynamics and unconventional families.
what i disliked: lack of connection with the characters, barely there secondary characters ( we know almost nothing about them)...

I really enjoy this authors writing and this first in a new series was no exception.
Based upon Sleepless in Seattle this book follows Aiden a radio show host and Lucie who's daughter calls in to the show to try to get her mum a date.
The first half was brilliant, but it did feel a bit long in places during the second part, this is probably as I had less time to read it, so don't let that put you off. It's still a great romance and I loved the banter and the little transcript at the end of each chapter.
I'm excited to see where the series goes next

I read this book in under 24 hours.. That's when you know it's a good book.

There were so many tropes involved in this book that came together so perfectly. You had the slow burn of the two main characters alongside the he falls first. The finding a date aspect on a radio show was very interesting to read. I felt as though I had gone back in time but in the modern day.

The author really made Aiden a perfect book boyfriend because he is the definition of he would do anything if he wanted to. The ending just had me giggling and kicking my feet.