This book absolutely hits the mark. When I tell you I can’t stop thinking about this story, characters, setting…. Like it’s literally going to become my whole personality.
We were promised 90s rom-com vibes and it served spectacularly with modern day Sleepless in Seattle vibes coming through strong.
Lucie I absolutely adored. Strong but compassionate, a fighter but still a hopeless romantic. Showing that even when you take a few knocks you can get back up again and always hold on to that hope; that you should never apologise for wanting what you want and waiting for that perfect, whatever it may be.
Aiden was such a cutie! Learning to love again and fighting through the dark places. The perfect book boyfriend. Ms Borison certainly knows how to write them.

What I loved most of all though, is that theme of found family. The support networks were gorgeous, the banter between them all, from Lucie’s best friend and baby daddy Grayson, Aiden’s coworker Jackson, Lucie’s colleagues at the garage - it all contributed to such a delightful read and I can’t wait to delve into the other characters stories.

Shout out to the scene where Aiden comes for Lucie after her failed date. Siiiggghhhh *chefs kiss*. The tension, the flirting, the will they won’t they - it was scrummy!

I couldn’t stop reading and when I had to reluctantly put it down to go and participate in life, I was just thinking about when I could sit down and read it again.

Favourite quotes:
“I want goose bumps. I want to be wanted. All this time and I—I haven’t given up. I guess I’m just waiting for it to find me.”

But I want—I want to kiss her when other people are around. I want to hold her hand. I want to have pancakes at her house on Sunday mornings and I want to help with Indiana Jones costumes. I want her people to be my people too.”

B. K. Borison’s books are a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold rainy autumn day and just make my soul really happy.

Now thank you for coming to my TED Talk on why you should read First Time Caller.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan, Book Break and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Becs Borison does not miss! After reading the Lovelight Farms series i was curious to see where she would go, but leaning into the romance genre hard, and deviating from her usual small-town romance vibe was such a pay off! The characters in the book were all really fleshed out, the side-characters had many funny moments that never took away from the scene. The development of the romance felt to real and well paced, i just wish it didn't end where it did! Can't wait to see more of them in her next book.

★★★★.✫

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧…
🎙️ Sleepless in Seattle vibes
💓 hopeless romantic fmc x jaded mmc
🎙️ single mom
💓 found family

𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨…
Sleepless in Seattle with a twist! Maya, Lucie’s 12 year old daughter, calls into Heartstrings - Aiden’s radio show about finding love - looking for advice for her perpetually single mum. When the clip goes viral, Lucie is invited onto the show to try to find her happy ending.

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
I loved this book! The Nora Ephron / Sleepless in Seattle vibes were immaculate… only better because the meet cute was just perfect! 🫶🏼 (who is really flying across the country to stalk a man they’ve never met 👀) Whereas this felt so natural, and I loved watching Lucie & Aiden’s relationship bloom over evenings spent together in the booth 🎙️

The banter and the tension between Aiden and Lucie was perfect - this had me both laughing out loud and kicking my feet with cuteness! It is also a slooow burn so you’re really thankful when the spice finally hits 🥵🔥😂

I absolutely loved single mum Lucie, and her relationship with Maya, Grayson - her baby daddy - & his husband Mateo made me so happy 🫶🏼 The best found family! And I’m hoping to see this grow over the next two books 🥹

I loved the ending! I’m a sucker for a big romantic gesture, and this was was perfect (there were tears x) 😭💓 Also the epilogue really got me 🥹🫶🏼

I’ve flipped between 4.5★ and 5★ several times here… but whilst I loved it so much, for me it wasn’t *quiiite* the full house. Aiden was a loveable grouch, but I wasn’t fully on board with his “I’m not good for you” spiel, and it made me love him less. Also I would have loved for him to spend more time with Maya - this is always a part of single parent books I love!

I cannot wait for book two already (Jackson 👀) - why is it a whole year away 😭

Loved it!


I read and loved the entire Lovelight Farms series so when First Time Caller was announced I knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint! Really enjoyed the chemistry and the family dynamic. Perfect for rom-com fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC in return for an honest review.

"When it comes to you, Lucie" - I suck at the dip between her collarbones - "there's not much I don't want."

When Lucie's daughter calls into Aiden's late night radio show "Heartstrings" about her concerns over her mum's loneliness and lack of a love life, Lucie doesn't think that she is lonely. She has everything she needs in her close circle - her daughter, Grayson (the father of her daughter), his husband Matteo and her best friend Patty. Perhaps she does need some help on the dating front though. So when she is invited to join Aiden's radio show alongside him in her quest to find love, she reluctantly agrees. Overwhelmed with the amount of interest the show is gaining and her phone that never stops pinging, Lucie isn't sure that this is going to be successful, and with sparks flying behind the scenes - maybe she doesn't need to look much further to find someone who will treat her as she deserves.

Eeek, this is my favourite book by B. K. Borison so far, I was hooked. The vibes between Lucie and Aiden were immaculate, the flirting, the banter that had me laughing out loud, the ANGST - chef's kiss.
The unique family dynamic between Lucie, Grayson and Matteo was so refreshing and I loved how protective and supportive Grayson was of Lucie. Seeing a good relationship between two people co-parenting was great.

Smart, funny and cute, with characters who feel real and relatable, I ate this up and cannot wait to read the next in the series.

Book Review: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

B.K. Borison’s First Time Caller is a heartfelt, charming contemporary romance that beautifully blends the warmth of family life with the magic of unexpected love. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, this novel brings a fresh take on the "hopeless romantic meets disillusioned skeptic" trope, delivering plenty of swoon-worthy moments and emotional depth.

The story revolves around Aiden Valentine, the host of a romance advice radio show, and Lucie Stone, a single mom whose life gets thrown into the spotlight after her daughter calls Aiden’s show asking for dating advice—for Lucie. From this adorable and unconventional setup, Borison crafts a delightful slow-burn romance that is equal parts cozy and captivating.

Aiden is an intriguing character, a man jaded by love despite being a professional dispenser of romantic advice. His arc, from disillusionment to rediscovering love, is tenderly explored, and his chemistry with Lucie feels organic and electric. Lucie, on the other hand, is refreshingly relatable: a hard-working single mom who has contentedly put her love life on hold for the sake of her daughter and family. As the novel progresses, her emotional journey from contentment to questioning her own happiness adds depth to her character, making her decisions feel real and heartfelt.

One of the standout elements of First Time Caller is its focus on the importance of family and personal fulfillment. Lucie’s relationship with her daughter is at the heart of the novel, and it’s both heartwarming and humorous to see how this dynamic impacts Lucie’s budding romance with Aiden. Borison’s portrayal of family life feels genuine, never overshadowing the romance but rather enriching it.

The radio show element adds a fun layer to the narrative, creating moments of tension, humor, and heartfelt connection between the leads. Aiden and Lucie’s behind-the-scenes interactions, as they navigate their unexpected connection, feel natural and swoon-worthy, allowing their relationship to develop in a way that is slow yet incredibly rewarding.

What makes First Time Caller stand out in the crowded romance genre is its balance of warmth, wit, and emotional complexity. While the premise may seem light and fun, Borison skillfully delves into themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and second chances. The romantic tension is perfectly paced, and the resolution feels satisfying without being overly predictable.

Borison’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a witty and endearing dialogue that keeps the reader hooked. The novel’s tone is playful yet profound, offering a satisfying mix of laughter, tenderness, and introspection. Fans of her Lovelight series will recognize her signature blend of warmth and heart, while newcomers will quickly fall for her immersive storytelling style.

Overall, First Time Caller is a warm, romantic, and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to fans of contemporary love stories with a touch of heartwarming family dynamics. Whether you’re a fan of Sleepless in Seattle-style romances or simply looking for a cozy, feel-good read, this novel will not disappoint. B.K. Borison once again proves she knows how to capture the joy and messiness of love in a way that feels both deeply romantic and refreshingly real.

She's gone and done it again. I inhaled the Lovelight Farms trilogy, and I'm so glad that this lived up to the expectations that set. Refreshing to read about Lucie, an independent single mum, and I loved the family dynamics. Funny, sweet and adorable, I'd recommend to all romcom lovers.

This romance novel follows Aiden Valentine who hosts a romance radio show called Heartstrings but he believes he’s fallen out of love with love. A young girl phones up the radio station for her mother to find love and Lucy Stone ends up hosting a radio show with Aiden. Lucy questions if she needs love in her life after not finding anyone but sparks start to fly between Aiden and Lucy and they both must decide if they want to pursue something with time running out on the radio show.

To be completely honest overall I found this a little bit cringe and it felt like Lucy’s daughter was just shoved into the story to start to story. I wanted to love this so bad because the cover is gorgeous and people seem to really love this author. I just found the story to be boring and I just found it a little cringey. It just wasn’t for me but I can easily see so many people loving this.

5 stars. I don't have any notes.

I would usually consider myself a pretty through reviewer, especially with arcs, but I loved this so much I don't really have anything to say except that everyone should read it and I can't wait to have a physical copy in my hands. The Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance book of my dreams.

Thanks to much to netagalley and Pan Macmillan for this e-arc! I owe you my first born child!

I read the entirety of B. K. Borison’s Lovelight Farms series and overall loved it. In the series, she managed to create a very cozy, loving atmosphere you really do wish you could jump into and hide in for the rest of your life. It’s one of those series that makes me, a born and raised city girl who loves living in a city, want to move to a small town. Anyways, my point is I really loved Lovelight Farms so I was obviously super excited when I heard about First Time Caller. Although this book does not take place in a small town, the author once again managed to create a very cozy, loving atmosphere you want to hide in. I also really enjoyed the concept, while completely different, it reminded me a bit of Christina Lauren‘s The True Love Experiment, but in this case there’s not a TV show but a radio show. There’s something immediately romantic about the image of two people sitting in a small, darl booth and talking to strangers about love. I’m a huge fan of single parent romances, but most tend to be single dad, so reading about a single mom was super refreshing. It was also refreshing that being a mom didn’t take up the entirety of the book. In many of these single parent romances the kid is always on the page and truly there for the whole falling in love journey. While that’s adorable and part of the reason I love those books, I loved how part of the point was that Lucie needed to focus on who she was outside of being a mother. That she needed some love just for herself. Ultimately (obviously) that love extends to the kid but it’s nice that it’s just hers for a little while.

All of that’s to say, B. K. Borison is an auto-buy author for me at this point. I had a great time reading First Time Caller and all the little teasers of potential future standalone sequels makes me super excited to see how this universe of hers expands.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Firstly, the biggest thank you to @libraryofchlo and @panmacmillan for my early review copy of First Time Caller! Lovelight Farms is a favourite series of mine and this proof was highly anticipated! And it did not disappoint 🥰

This book was a nod to Sleepless in Seattle and I really loved it - the ending (which I won’t spoil!) was so heartwarming and tied everything up so beautifully - chefs kiss 🤌🏼

🩷 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷 Workplace romance
🩷 Slow burn
🩷 Single parent

Lucie is a hopeless romantic, and Aiden is a closed-off radio host - what could possibly go wrong?!

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ever after - and that includes me! I absolutely loved Lucie and her family, and it was so much fun reading this with the girls!

Take a grumpy radio host, of a romance hotline show, add in a meddling daughter who wants her mom to find love and you get the most perfect romance story. B.K. Borison absolutely smashed it out of the ball park with this one. I could not get enough of it.

The pining, the character growth, the loveable side characters, the way they both fell for each other - it was pure *chefs kiss*.

Borison wrote both characters so well, and although you may get made at them at times, you can’t help but love them. And love them I did.

Just perfection!

Thank you NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for the ARC.

This was a fun, easy romcom that I flew through in one day. It’s definitely lighthearted and easy to read, but it’s not overly exciting. I found parts of it pretty dull and wasn’t attached to the main couple like I’d have hoped. I think it’s perfect for a quick and easy romcom read but it was lacking depth for me and the book was way too long.

I am so lucky to have got a copy of this early and I had to start it right away as BK is hands down my favourite author. Her words resonate with me on a deep level and her characters are always perfectly written.
I wasn’t sure what to expect after the Lovelight Farms series. This is totally different and I wondered if i’d miss the small town setting. I never should have doubted. BK smashed this out of the park. I fell madly in love with Aiden and was rooting for him throughout and just wanted to see him learn to love himself!

The yearning was next level in this book and when we finally finally got the goods (ch27) it was HOT HOT HOT!

The ending was so perfectly crafted and the epilogue added so much to the rounding out of the story (something I find often isn’t the case with epilogues)

I’m currently in a brain tangle trying to figure out if this could even be my new favourite BK book. I didn’t ever think anything could top Beckett for me, but Aiden was the whole package!

This was absolutely adorable. I so love this author work and this new world she created. Aiden is simply amazing character and I so loved this falling in love on air story. Can't wait for more of this world!

Firstly, thank you very much for the opportunity to read this e-arc before its release.

I was so excited to get the e-arc approved so I just had to prioritise picking it up next. I’m so glad I did because I’ve absolutely adored this book. It’s got everything - likeable and realistic characters, strong chemistry between the MMC and FMC, brilliant banter and dialogue and a strong dose of humour. I laughed out loud quite a few times reading this.

The storyline was strong, and as a big fan of Sleepless in Seattle, I was fully bought into the premise. Lucie was so relatable and Aiden was just a dream. I loved everything about him.

The end was perfect too, sometimes with stories like this it can feel overdone or drawn out, but this really didn’t. The author kept to the narrative, the sentiment (which was clear throughout the story) and gave us exactly what we needed.

There isn’t anything I would want to change and I will definitely be rereading this when it’s released!

B.K. Borison weaves a delightful tale of unexpected romance that will tug at your heartstrings in the best way possible! This charming story pairs a hopeless romantic with a jaded radio host, creating an engaging dynamic that is both entertaining and heartfelt. The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie crackles throughout the story, and their banter is sharp and witty, keeping you eagerly turning the pages. Their journey toward discovering what they truly want in life and in love, is both humorous and poignant. With its vibrant characters, engaging plot, and a sprinkle of humor, First time caller is a delightful escape that will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.

From the very first scene, I was completely charmed by the witty exchanges between Aiden and Lucie on their radio show. Sharing such close quarters without a single complaint added an endearing touch to their dynamic. One moment that really stood out for me was when Lucie stumbled upon a list of her favorite things tucked away in Aiden's car. What could’ve been a disappointing evening, after being stood up on a date, turned into a night filled with fun and laughter—it reminded me of an iconic moment from the early days of New Girl. (I’m trying to be careful with spoilers, but I can’t resist mentioning a few parts that made me fall in love with this book!)
I have to admit something, and I hope no die-hard Nora Ephron fans come after me for this, but the plot here tops Sleepless in Seattle for me! It kicks off with 12-year-old Maya dialing into Heartstrings, the love-themed radio show hosted by the brooding Aiden Valentine. Maya’s mission? To find dating help for her single mom, Lucie. That’s where any comparison to Sleepless in Seattle ends, though. Thankfully, there’s no drawn-out wait for a dramatic reunion at the top of the Empire State Building (my patience wouldn’t have held up for that).
Once their banter goes viral, reviving both the show’s ratings and its dwindling sponsors (thanks in large part to Aiden’s moody, yet irresistible voice), the stern station manager, Maggie Lin, insists Lucie join the show as a co-host. Soon, Lucie’s story of searching for true love captures the hearts of listeners who are cheering her on in her quest.
Aiden reluctantly agrees to play matchmaker for Lucie, sending her on a series of dates set up through the station’s phone line. But there’s a major snag: Aiden’s a total love cynic, practically the embodiment of a Valentine’s Day Grinch. A tragic past has caused him to distance himself from everyone, avoiding closeness and emotional ties altogether.
So how can a man who’s lost faith in love help Lucie find her perfect match, especially when he starts to realize his own feelings for her? Despite his efforts to keep his emotions in check, Aiden’s growing connection to Lucie is undeniable. He’s torn between stepping aside and letting her find happiness with someone else or taking a risk by opening up to the possibility of love once again.
I adored watching their story unfold. Their magnetic chemistry leapt off the page. Lucie is strong, compassionate, and fiercely loyal to those she cares about—oh, and she’s a brilliant mechanic, too! Aiden, meanwhile, hides his romantic side beneath layers of sarcasm and sadness, but underneath it all, he’s incredibly tender-hearted.
Then there’s Grayson, Lucie’s hilarious, protective neighbor, and his husband, who bring a warm and quirky sense of community to the story. And Maya? She’s simply the sweetest—bright, thoughtful, and utterly lovable.
If I had any musical talent, I’d be composing a love ballad to celebrate how much I enjoyed this book!
And a little prediction: I’m sensing the next book might focus on Aiden’s cruffin-obsessed best friend, Jackson Clark, and Delilah Stewart’s enemies-to-lovers journey. I picked up on a few hints that make me excited to see where this series goes next. It’s already shaping up to be even better than the Lovelight Farms series, which I’m a huge fan of. Aiden and Lucie’s story is heartwarming, full of charm, and gives you all the feels—a true romance gem!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this fantastic book in exchange for my honest review.

"Good Morning Baltimore"
I am in love. That is my review for this book. Nothing else will ever compare.

When Maya thinks her mom will never date again, she does the only thing she believes will help, obviously she calls the local romance hotline hosted by Aiden Velntine. Aiden who, ironically, does not believe in love anymore. What Maya and Aiden don't account for is that Lucie, Maya's mom, pours her heart out and shares with everyone in Baltimore who listens to the hotline how she is feeling. And do they have something to say, everyone wants to know if Lucie will find her happy ending and more specifically who it's going to be. Hearstrings, the hotline, has not had that many listeners for a long long time, so Aiden and his colleagues (more like his boss forced him) decide to bring Lucie on the show to keep the residents of Baltimore updated on her love life, or lack of. Lucie accpets, only because she wants to find love, the swoony romance that you only find in movies or books, but to do that she must put herself out there first, and what better way to do that than chatting to people and answering messages on the hotline, with Aiden by her side of course. But she did not account for enjoying the company of the grumpy, very reserved, loves his coffee, doesn't believe in love talk host. And he definitely could not have foreseen liking the hopeless romantic, coffee stealer, single mom of an amazing 12 year old. But how could they ever happen when he's the one who supposed to set up dates for her, help her find her happily ever after with someone who isn't him?

Lucie Stone and Aiden Valentine are my everything and more in this book. Did I cry sad and happy tears throughout all the ending? Yes, yes I did. Would I do it all over again to be able to read this masterpiece for the first time? Yes I would also do that. I love every aspect of the relationships, friendships, family and simply everything.