B.K. Borison’s First Time Caller is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that plays with themes of love, self-discovery, and second chances. Drawing inspiration from the beloved Sleepless in Seattle, the novel takes us into the world of Aiden Valentine, a disillusioned radio host, and Lucie Stone, a woman who thought she had everything figured out—until her love life suddenly becomes a matter of public scrutiny.

At the core of First Time Caller is the relationship between Aiden and Lucie, two characters who, at first glance, seem to be at opposite ends of the romantic spectrum. Aiden, the host of a Baltimore-based romance hotline, is a man who has fallen out of love with love itself. Once an idealistic romantic, he’s now a cynic who hides his disillusionment behind the microphone. For Aiden, romance is no longer something to be cherished, but rather something to be criticized—an unfortunate side effect of years of giving dating advice that he himself no longer believes in.

Lucie, on the other hand, appears to have it all together. She’s got a solid job, a loving family, and a brilliant, slightly mischievous daughter. On the surface, she’s content—except when it comes to her love life. Having been out of the dating game for years, Lucie’s romantic life is practically non-existent. When her young daughter calls into Aiden’s show to ask for advice on her mother’s love life, the innocent query sets off a chain of events that propels Lucie into the spotlight and forces her to re-evaluate her own feelings about love and romance.

The charming twist in this story is the viral interview that catapults both Aiden and Lucie into public attention. As Aiden’s cynical views on love meet Lucie’s need for a little more romance in her life, their interactions become the heart of the book. What begins as an awkward, media-driven connection between a radio host and a woman who is suddenly thrust into the limelight, turns into something far more complicated—and much more compelling.

Borison’s writing is light and breezy, filled with humor, tenderness, and relatable moments. Lucie’s character is particularly easy to root for—she’s grounded, intelligent, and refreshingly realistic about her life. Her journey of self-discovery, as she contemplates whether or not she truly wants to reignite the romantic spark in her life, is a nuanced one. She’s not just figuring out whether or not to find love, but also whether she can allow herself to be vulnerable again after years of putting romance on the backburner.

Aiden, with his complex and guarded heart, is a perfect foil to Lucie’s more open-hearted and hopeful nature. His struggles with his own emotional baggage give the romance a more thoughtful and realistic edge. His slow unraveling as he begins to care again—whether for Lucie or for the idea of love itself—forms a moving narrative arc that will resonate with readers who’ve ever struggled to trust love after it’s let them down.

But where First Time Caller truly excels is in its portrayal of the interplay between love and public perception. Lucie’s romance, which she thought was private and under control, suddenly becomes a spectacle for all of Baltimore to scrutinize. As a result, she has to confront her own vulnerabilities in front of a public audience, which adds an extra layer of tension to the narrative. This idea of a love story becoming a media event is both funny and poignant, highlighting the unrealistic expectations that can be placed on people’s relationships, especially when they’re placed in the spotlight.

I loved the ‘Lovelight farms’ series, but this is by far Borison’s best yet!

It has everything a romance book needs: love, hope, yearning, emotionally repressed men. It was so beautifully written with many quotes that will stick with me. It’s definitely a book that resonates with life and I think I’ll be thinking about this book for a very long time.

Thank you NetGalley & Pan MacMillan for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

Honestly, I would have absolutely loved this book if it had been shorter, say 300-ish pages, but no, this book had to be long 😩.

Aiden and Lucie have one of the best meet-cutes I've ever read, and it is so nice what Maya did for her mom. But due to the long pages of this book and due to the fact that this is a slow-burn romance, the banter between our two MCs stretches for so long that I had to do some begging for something, anything, to happen 😅.

Also, since this is a grumpy/sunshine romance, Aiden is one of the grumpiest fictional characters I've ever read; he stressed me so bad!

Overall, this was a very cute love story, and I absolutely adore the radio aspect of this novel.

4.75

I loved this so much, I cannot tell you how happy I was to be back with BK Borisons writing. The set up of this series was perfect, she always manages to make you fall in love not just with the main characters but all the side characters too, and I could see the set up for other stories and I am already screeching with excitement at the thought of them.

But back to Lucie and Aiden. Tears. This was so beautifully done, I loved the focus not just on romantic love, but family love, friendship love and all of the in between. I giggled, I swooned, I cried. I already know this is a book I will reread over and over. Oh and now I need to go watch sleepless in Seattle because if that’s what inspired this book I must watch it immediately.

I love B K Borisons books, they are the perfect cozy romance books and get me every time. Lucie’s wonderfilully chaotic family dynamics will make you laugh and you just wanna hold Aiden’s hand while he figures out that Lucie is actually his magic.

the slowest burn of slow burns to slow burn. these two were a labour of love, a delicate yet flirty and hilarious balance. they suited each other perfectly and I couldn’t have been more inlove with the way this ended. everything ended the way it started and i loved the meddling family members. this whole trope as an idea is awesome and I need to watch the movie it’s based off of. a romance hotline with a guy who hates love and a woman who needs her love life back?! and then they fall inlove with each other. this book made me love love, but the real love, the one where you make your own magic.

This is my favourite type of romance book - pure delight from stary to finish, with just enough tension, pining, a little low stakes drama, chemistry, and so much love.

I devoured this and absolutely loved all the characters, the humour, the emotion, the intimate spice.

I haven't seen Sleepless in Seattle, and this book makes me want to remedy that, stat.

B. K. Borison remains my favourite romance author, and I cannot wait to read whatever she releases next.

"The part that doesn't want to get too close because the idea of getting attached to someone scared the sh*t out of me" I really enjoyed this book, from the start of Maya making the first call and the mum and daughter squabbling. The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie, how he fell so deeply with out realising at all. The realisation he kept a list to ensure he didn't forget, the fort it was all so adorable I was kicking my feet through a lot of this book. There were smiles, there were tears, I love the fact he realised what he wanted and knew he wanted to make changes so asked for help and stopped pushing people away. Lucie realised she can stop putting her needs last and actually ask for what she wants. I was rooting for these two from their first dental meeting and especially when they ended up in the booth together.

"But Lucie snuck in through the cracks when I wasn't looking and made herself at home in the corners of my heart. She ruined all the plans I made for myself with a smile on her face."

First Time Caller
Pub Date: Feb 13
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aiden Valentine has been hosting Heartstrings Baltimore's Romance Hotline for 6 years now. You might think it's an easy and joyful job however, Aiden has fallen out of love with love, doesn't know how to be a hopeful person anymore and stopped believing in himself too. With that being said, Heartstrings is struggling and the show isn't attracting people like it used too. Until, a teenage daughter called in for help with her mother's non-exsistent dating life.
Lucie, is a 29 years old single mom and mechanic. She hasn't dated since she gave birth and doesn't really like the idea of dating coz she always dreamt of romance, magic, sparks, and soulmates when it comes to love. So, when she goes viral on the internet the radio calles her to co-host with Aiden on the journey to find her love match.
Little did Aiden and Lucie know that this phone call will change their lives forever.
Bk Borrison did it again!!! What an amazing story 😍 👏🏼 loved every min of it.
It was funny, romantic,sexy, emotional, and full of hope. The chemistry btw Aiden and Lucie was off the charts 🫠🫠🫠.
The whole story was new and engaging and the idea that LOVE&SPARKS are not dead if you just believe was so beautiful.
Im 100% sure this book will be the talk of 2025 so buckle up and get ready 🎊.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #FirstTimeCaller in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo😘

Loved this! Both main characters (Aiden and Lucie) had great development and learned to communicate as the radio show went along, after a bit of miscommunication to begin with. Loved Maya, Grayson and Mateo and how they all cared for and cheered along Lucie. Their family dynamic was perfect. Some really nice romantic gestures and moments too (e.g. when Lucie gets stood up).

With thanks to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was unfortunately a disappointment to me. I had high expectations and the book certainly started off strong. I wanted a rom-com in a book and it seemed like I was getting that. It was funny and sweet, but unfortunately it went downhill from there.

I loved Lucie. I really disliked Aiden. I think the author was going for one of those rom-com type men who have the emotional depth of a teaspoon but it did not translate well on page. Aiden was unprofessional and had zero motiviation. There's a scene towards the end where he has some sort of revelation but in my opinion, it was too little too late. He was touching Lucie's legs before the halfway mark. When they slept together for the first time, he immediately started finding another man for her to date. There was so much emotional hangups that it made me lose interest.

I also think the grand gesture at the end was cringe-worthy and awful. It put Lucie in a really awkward spot.

Also absolutely everyone in this book is entirely too invested in Lucie's love life. I get the premise of the book and I understand that apparently their show is so popular, but EVERYONE in Lucie's life cannot stop talking about it. Even her twelve year old daughter seems to be invested which is a little weird.

I think Aiden ruined this book for me. He needed to have his revelation a lot sooner than at 95% or whatever. He needed to apologise to Lucie, because he's the one that held out and was rude to everyone who expressed one bit of interest in Lucie.

And frankly, Lucie could do better.

I also think this book should be at least 100 pages shorter. It's far too long. It dragged on and on and I started skimming because I had lost all interest completely.

I think people who love older rom-coms would love this. I prefer more recent stuff where the male main character isn't afraid to be vulnerable or show emotional depth. But sadly this one is a miss for me.

BK Borison’s First-Time Caller is everything a romcom should be and more,a heartwarming, laugh out loud, and tear inducing masterpiece that will make you believe in love all over again. The story follows Aiden Valentine, a grumpy radio host who doesn’t believe in love, and Lucie Stone, a hopeless romantic single mom who’s lost her spark. When Lucie’s daughter Maya calls into Aiden’s romance hotline to nudge her mom back into the dating pool, it sets off a chain of events neither of them could have predicted.

Baltimore’s bustling cityscape is the perfect backdrop for this fate driven romance, giving the story that “out of all the people here, we found each other” vibe. Aiden and Lucie’s chemistry is *chef’s kiss*—sweet, authentic, and refreshingly drama-free. Their honesty and emotional vulnerability make their connection feel so real, and THE TENSION. Oh my word, the *tension*. There’s a “tell me to stop” moment that had me screaming into a pillow and questioning if it was leg day from all the kicks and jumps I did in bed.

This book masterfully balances humor, heart, and heat while weaving in themes of family, self discovery, and second chances. Lucie’s relatability, Aiden’s swoon worthy grumpiness, and the undeniable charm of Maya make this story unforgettable. By the end, I was ugly crying both from joy and the emotional rollercoaster and already itching to reread it. The ending? Perfection. Nothing feels overdone or rushed; it’s just the exact payoff you hope for.

This book is a love letter to romance, fate, and the power of putting yourself out there. If you’re a fan of *Sleepless in Seattle* or just want a romcom that hits all the emotions this book is for you. It will steal your heart and never give it back.

Wow, this book really went ahead and wormed its way into my feels. This is one of the most solid contemporary romances I've read in a long time with compelling banter, back stories, and side characters.

I was rooting so hard for the characters in this book, and I loved so much about their story. Let me tell you, if 'Invisible String' is in your top 3 Taylor Swift songs, this book is for you. It walked the balance of heavy topics and backstories whilst still maintaining a light rom com feel, and it's that perfect blend that has you desperate for these two characters to make it work. There were scenes that had me kicking my feet and fanning my face and I am so excited for anything else in this series.

I struggled to get into this book a little at the beginning, and I think it could have been slightly shorter which is why this wasn't a 5 star for me. However, once I got into this story I was truly hooked, and the connection I felt with the characters really kept me reading.

I fell in love with B.K. Borison’s storytelling through the Lovelight Farm series, so the anticipation of stepping into a new world with First-Time Caller had me both excited and nervous. Would it live up to my high expectations? It didn’t just meet them—it surpassed them.

What an absolutely beautiful and heart-melting love story! I adored everything about this book. Lucie is sweet, relatable, and easy to root for, while Aiden—grumpy, charming, and swoon-worthy—has secured a spot on my list of top book boyfriends.

And the romance? Pure perfection. It’s a flawless blend of slow burn, witty banter, tender moments, and just the right dash of spice. The intimate scenes feel organic, never forced, and serve to move the story forward in meaningful ways.

I wish I could experience this story for the first time all over again. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment of the Heartstrings series! B.K. Borison has done it again!

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of my honest review.

"I want to feel something when I connect with someone. I want sparks. The good kind, you know? I want to laugh and mean it. I want goose bumps. I want to wonder what my date is thinking about and hope it might be me. I want... I want the magic."

4 stars

I read First-Time Caller faster than I expected, as it was my first B.K. Borison book and I didn't know what to expect. It went far beyond my expectations, I'd heard a lot of good things about this author and this book made me curious to read more.

We follow Aiden and Lucie on a romantic journey, where Lucie is trying to find a true, romantic lover. As the weeks go by, we ‘hear’ these two characters talking on the radio and even helping their callers, but nothing is as easy as it seems. After a few failed dates, Lucie finds herself falling for Heartstrings's host, Aiden.

I loved the atmosphere and found it unique, as I'd never read a love story set in a radio station, but as time went on, I found myself getting a little frustrated because there were a few things that were happening over and over again and others that didn't add much to the book, which dragged the story down in the last 25%-30%, I'd say. Apart from that, I especially loved the characters, with their own flaws, and the way they realised what was happening and how they could change, not for others, but for themselves.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Pan Macmillian, Bookbreakuk, and BK Borison for approving my request for a Netgalley eARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.

First Time Caller possesses the vibes of 90s romcom with flavours of the film Sleepless in Seattle and comedy TV show Frazier, setting up a hopeless romantic and romance skeptic together in the pursuit of finding love. B K Borison’s writing is the perfect balance of humour, deep emotions, and swoony romance. The world-building pulls you into the heart of the story with powerful, vivid description that richly paints the story to life in your imagination.

The struggles, heartache, and insecurities of the characters are so authentically human and build a fantastic cast of characters around the two main love interests, Lucie and Aidan. The character development was incredible, capturing the trials and tribulations of love. Learning how to love yourself so you can be loved without sacrificing your happiness for others. Or how scary, messy, and hard it can be to put your heart in the hands of others and opening yourself up to potential heartbreak, as all love comes with risk.

Lucie and Aiden have a sweet, slow-burn romance that flourishes in the forced proximity of their radio booth. The attraction between them grows naturally in the warmth of a caring friendship that sizzles with off the chart’s chemistry. The dual POV allows us to get all the juicy insights to melt our hearts as these love birds fall head over heels for one another.

One of the most romantic books I’ve read in ages; full of swoony, endearing moments that show love is in the small things we do, not the big gimmicks. Definitely one for romance readers who love a beautiful, heartfelt romance with lots of warm fuzzy feels. This was my first book by Borison, but it won’t be my last for sure, as I’m smitten.

This was my first book by B.K. Borison and it certainly won’t be my last because this was absolutely incredible. The writing style was so good, it sucked you in immediately and the book had me giggling and blushing at the tension between Aiden and Lucie nonstop. This genuinely felt like you were watching an early 2000s movie - so tender and heartwarming! Oh and the banter and flirting between the main characters felt so natural and real, it had me literally catching my breath at times. Literally will give you the tiniest snippet - “That excited, huh?” I try to pinch him again, but he grabs my hand and drags it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my palm.” They literally drove me insane guys….. he also wears a gold chain around his neck, just saying. But don’t think it’s all just fun and flirty because it was also so emotional. There was a conversation near the end that had my in tears and had putting “My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys” on repeat. Yall for sure need to go pick this book up when it comes out on Feb 13th! Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Dernière lecture de 2024/première lecture de 2025 et on est sur un coup de cœur ! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

J'ai complètement fondu pour cette histoire tellement romantique, inspirée de Nuits blanches à Seattle, un film dont j'ai toujours gardé un souvenir ému. C'est un roman bourré de charme, de romantisme et tendresse, avec des personnages bien écrits, les principaux protagonistes comme les secondaires.

J'ai beaucoup aimé ce principe d'émission radio, ça donne un petit côté un peu désuet cet espèce de courrier du cœur au creux de la nuit, avec ces confidences, ces râleries et ces espoirs racontés au téléphone. C'est à la faveur d'un appel de Maya, fille pré-ado de Lucie, que les héros vont faire connaissance, et que tout Baltimore va tomber sous le charme de Lucie.

Lucie, c'est une maman solo très bien entourée qui s'est toutefois perdue en cours de route, et finalement elle décide qu'elle en veut plus, qu'elle ne veut pas se satisfaire des miettes, mais qu'au contraire, elle veut la totale, et qu'elle veut de la magie. C'est un personnage fort et inspirant. Elle est romantique, certes, mais elle n'est pas naïve pour autant, elle a la tête sur les épaules, a de la détermination à revendre et saura prendre le taureau par les cornes le moment venu.

Aiden ... Ah Aiden ... Sous ses airs détachés et cynique, il y a une belle âme romantique qui sommeille, c'est un héros typique des romans de cette autrice, un homme doux, charmant, attentionné. En apparence il a l'air impassible, mais en le regardant bien, on voit que les fortes émotions affleurent et auront besoin d'un bon coup de pouce (et d'une conversation on ne peut plus essentielle) pour enfin éclore et s'épanouir.

B.K Borison a vraiment l'art de me charmer et de me faire tomber amoureuse de ses héros et de ses couples. J'aime cette douceur, cette tendresse qui nous enveloppe à chacun de ses livres, elle a vraiment le chic pour ça !
Là, on a non seulement une superbe romance, mais aussi de très jolis liens amicaux, et on retrouve ce thème de la famille choisie qui était déjà présent dans sa série "Lovelight".

Je ne compte plus les passages que j'ai surlignés, les moments où j'ai été émue par une phrase, un geste ... Et je me languis déjà de la sortie de ce livre pour pouvoir me le procurer en papier et retrouver toutes ces émotions ! ♥ ♥ ♥

La definicion perfecta de rom-com plasmada en un libro. Desde el inicio los personajes me han resultado increíbles, Lucie es un personaje femenino super decidido y valiente. Mientras que Aiden es un personaje masculino que merece el mundo y muchísimo más, me derriten sus momentos cutes y sus momentos hot.
No puedo sacar de mi cabeza la escena del armario y mucho menos la escena del epílogo y las sensaciones que me han producido ❤️‍🩹

This was the first book I read by this authors and it was a good introduction for me. I liked Aiden and Lucie together. I loved how Aiden kept a list of Lucie’s favourite things in the glove compartment. I thought I was very adorable. This only flaw I had is that it did drag on a bit for me.