Hello Baltimore, hello world, I am calling to tell you about the sweetest, most delicious and tender love story, hang tight!

When Lucie Stone’s daughter calls into the radio show „Heartstrings“ in the hopes that the host, Aiden Valentine, can help her mom feel less lonely by finding her a date and when that phone call goes unexpectedly viral, Lucie’s life takes a turn. Suddenly, she finds herself in the booth next to Aiden Valentine himself, co-hosting the very same radio show and searching for her perfect date. But maybe the search already stopped when they first saw each other?

I loved and adored this book from start to finish. Lucie, the amazing, romantic and hopeful FMC, who is charming and funny and Aiden, the grumpy, closed-off, yet incredibly kind and thoughtful MMC have stolen my heart.

The tension and their chemistry was so fun to read. The tenderness and affection so beautiful, because these two truly see each other (HE KEPPS A LIST OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS). And without giving away too much, I PROMISE this book will make you swoon. Here, a glimpse of it:

„A grin splits her face and it’s like I’ve been plugged into the wall. Like the sun’s been tilted in my direction.“

Need I say more? This is a book for all the hopeless romantics and all the people who have stopped believing in good things or have distanced themselves from then in fear of losing it. There is good out there and may it find us like Lucie and Aiden have found each other.

„First-Time Caller“ is out February 13th 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

-Found family
-Emotionally vulnerable
-Slow burn
-Based on sleepless in Seattle

Anyone that knows me will know Nora Ephron films are my comfort, so when I found out @authorbkborison was writing a series based on Sleepless In Seattle, When Harry Met Sally & You’ve Got Mail I went slightly feral and pestered @libraryofchlo at @panmacmillan for an early copy and she made my dreams come true.

If you are also a massive Nora Ephor fan let me tell you that First Time Caller is not going to disappoint. It was such a delightful, heartwarming read that perfectly weaves romance, humour, and vulnerability.

From the moment I started reading I was drawn in, Lucie is such a great FMC, possibly a new favourite . The irresistible chemistry between the her and Aiden was delicious and the slow burn was buuurning.

What I loved most about First Time Caller was how inspired it was from Sleepless In Seattle but how BK Borison has completely made it her own. The concept of finding a romantic connection through late night radio calls allowed the character’s personality to show through in such an authentic way.
I loved the banter and humour between Lucie and Aiden, but also their shared vulnerability through these calls feel so genuine, and it’s impossible not to root for them.

I LOVED Aiden as the MMC, the man keeps a list of her favourite things in the glove compartment so he won’t forget them 😭😭 sorry real life men, you have a lot to live up to.

Borison has a way of writing that makes you both laugh and swoon, while also tugging at your heartstrings. The balance of lighthearted moments with the deeper emotions of love is written so well. I’ve always loved BK Borison's writing, but this seems such a step up from Lovelight Farms 👏🏼

FTC is a refreshing take on love and connection, and one of those books you’ll want to reread, I know I will be & I genuinely cannot wait for the rest in this series!

I am always a huge fan of things bubbling in front of others and the chemistry in this was so piping hot over the radio station. I adore so many of the lines in this, the sweetness and earned nature of the romance. The dynamics were well handled, pacing was good and it was a fun enjoyable read that I look forward to rereading

What a beauty!

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Heartwarming storylines
- Lovable characters
- Spicy scenes
- Rom-coms

With thanks to Pan and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

This was my first B. K. Borison and if this book is any indication, I will love her books. I absolutely adored this book.

This book is loosely based on Sleepless in Seattle. It gives me the same cute and adorable vibes. The whole plot had me clutching the book to my chest and giggling.

I loved the modern family that Lucie has and also her work family. It was a perfect environment for Lucie and Maya and they made a great cast of characters.

However, what obviously stands out in the book is the chemistry between Lucie and Aiden. Sparks fly during their radio show and then tension only continues to build. The relationship felt like it developed very naturally and didn't feel rushed.

This book is a really easy read and I demolished it in two sittings. I just couldn't put it down.

I would highly recommend this book to romance fans. This book will be released on 13th February 2025 so make sure you check it out. It will be a perfect read for Valentine's Day.

Thanks to NetGalley, B.K. Borison, and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I cannot put into words how much I love this book. When B K Borison wrote at the back that they wanted to write a love letter to love they meant it. I’m just in love with love and First-Time Caller. Easily, the best romance I’ve read this year, followed closely by Lovelight Farms which I immediately went to read after finishing this. I don’t think I’ve ever had a crush on an author before but I am crushing hard on B K Borison.

In a few words: “First Time Caller is utter perfection”.

First Time Caller is a perfect romance inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, if you can please read it!

Thank you to B. K. Borison, Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a feel good read.

Two gorgeous POVs. I loved the FMC's chaotic energy and the golden retriever energy of the MMC.

This book is cosy, funny and heartwarming.

Beautiful radio plot! I think the mini radio dialogue breaks were so well done!

This book is a delightful and heartwarming romance, sweet and funny, with a touch of chaos, making it an irresistible read from start to finish.

Aiden Valentine is a jaded host of a radio romance hotline who lost his faith in love. Enter Lucie Stone, a single mom just trying to navigate life with her clever, slightly mischievous daughter. When Lucie’s daughter calls into Aiden’s show to ask for help finding a boyfriend for her mom, the interaction unexpectedly goes viral, setting the stage for a romance neither Aiden nor Lucie saw coming.

The characters felt real and relatable. Lucie’s vulnerability in opening up to new possibilities make her easy to root for. Aiden’s emotional journey, from cynic to rediscovering the magic of love, adds depth and balance to the story. The chemistry between the two is slow-burning and irresistible, with plenty of witty banter and tender moments behind the scenes of the radio station.

The novel also touches on themes of second chances and how love can find you when you least expect it. This story feel timeless yet contemporary and with its cozy setting and relatable characters, it’s a perfect pick for readers who love sweet, low-angst romances that leave you smiling long after the last page. This is one you’ll want to curl up with a warm drink and your favorite playlist.

𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 :
• grumpy x sunshine
• second chance
• opposites attract
• single mom
• workplace romance
• rediscovering love

𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 : ★★★★.75

Thank you B.K. Borison, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy.

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK, unless you’re ready to ignore all your responsibilities, stay up way too late, and sneak glances at the pages when you should be doing something else because this book is that good, and once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down!

This is the kind of book that feels like a cozy hug on a rainy day. It’s the kind of book that reminds me why I love romance so much. Romance books make me believe in people, in second chances, and in the beauty of connection. They remind me that love is worth it in all its messy, complicated forms. And this story delivered all of that and then some.

Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, this is about Aiden Valentine, a jaded radio host who’s lost faith in love—a bit of a problem when your job is giving advice on a romance hotline. Then, one night, a young girl calls into the show, asking for dating tips for her mom, Lucie Stone. Lucie’s got a great job, an incredible family, and a clever (slightly devious) daughter, but the viral moment throws her into the spotlight, forcing her to confront her own loneliness. As Lucie starts to navigate this unexpected attention, sparks begin to fly between her and the grumpy-yet-charming man on the other side of the headphones. And as they work together, both have to decide if they’re ready to take a chance on love.

When I saw that this book was inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, I knew I needed to read it immediately. I watched this movie as a kid, and it was how my love for romance films started. What a beautiful tribute to have a book inspired by it!

I can’t even describe how much I loved watching Aiden and Lucie’s story unfold. I’m such a sucker for broken characters finding healing through love, and this slow-burn made me feel like a front-row spectator in the best way. I grinned like an idiot, cried, and laughed—it gave me all the feels.

The themes in this story hit so close to home. I loved how it explored people-pleasing and putting others’ needs before your own happiness. Watching Lucie take those first brave steps toward putting herself out there and prioritizing herself was so moving. As a people pleaser in recovery, I felt seen.

And Aiden’s journey? A lesson in opening yourself up after protecting your heart for so long. It’s scary, messy, and vulnerable, but as this book so beautifully shows, there’s no love without loss, and how it is worth it.

This story is packed with some of my favorite tropes: single mom, grumpy-sunshine, he falls first, and even “dating lessons.” It checked every box for me.

Thank you, B.K. Borison, for writing this beautiful story, Pan Macmillan for gifting me this unforgettable book and NetGalley for making it all possible. I’ll be thinking about (and gushing over) for a long time.

I really loved this book. It was such an easy read and I could imagine every scene. I fell in love with the relationship dynamic between Aiden and Lucie and definitely would recommend if you’re a fan of radio station romance and opposites attract.

This book was everything I wanted and more! I wish I had read it a little slower and savoured it, but nope, I couldn't hold back. The number of times it made me giggle, swoon, and even shed some tears is insane.

First-Time Caller is perfect for Sleepless in Seattle fans. And dare I say, it was even better!

Aiden Valentine hosts a romance hotline on the radio called 'Heartstrings'. Over the time, he's lost the spark he once felt for the show and love itself. There's barely any listeners or callers seeking advice. His career is going downhill and fast. One night he receives a call from a twelve-year-old Maya, seeking dating advice for her mother's nonexistent love life. Curious, Aiden engages in a conversation with Maya and later, Lucie takes over the chat. Their conversation goes viral, bringing callers and sponsors back to the struggling station. Since the listeners found Lucie's situation to be relatable and wanted to help her find love, the station manager proposes (albeit a little forcefully) the idea of having Lucie co-host the show alongside Aiden, for a limited time.

But when Lucie joins him in the tiny radio studio, he's conflicted between finding dates for her or taking on the job himself. He likes Lucie, but he also fell out of love with love and is kind of avoidant of intimacy. So, how can he give her the magic she deserves? No one seems good enough for her, especially him. But spending time with her and being in her vicinity makes him reevaluate everything, and the walls that he built around him crumble.

Their chemistry was off the charts. The slow burn in this BURNED and I loved every second of it. It was a breath of fresh air. Aiden Valentine is a man straight out of a hopeless romantic's sweetest dreams. HE KEEPS A LIST OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT!!!!! so he remembers what she likes. He comes running straight outta shower with wet hair in COLD bc she got stood up for a date. An Lucie is such a sweetheart, so loving and strong. She is a great mom and yes she deserves all the magic this world has to offer. AND she was a badass mechanic! I loved the side characters, especially Grayson, the baby daddy. We all need a friend like him in our corner. And Maya was such a cutie. Her character was well written, and I'm so grateful for that. Maya and Aiden's relationship was so cute!! As a romcom girlie, this book managed to crawl up inside my heart and make space for itself; that's all I want to say to conclude this.

You all better get ready for the romcom of the year dropping early 2025.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was really excited to read this book however I ultimately dnf'd cause it is rare that I dislike a MMC but oh my goodness I have met one I hate. He is like a child not a grown professional with a job. I just found the immaturity to be really off putting and I just got the ick.

4,5✨

This book is absolutely adorable! 

First-Time Caller is the perfect book to read if you love "old school" rom-coms. It will have you giggling at how adorably cute this story is. This book is inspired by Sleepless at Seattle, in it we follow Lucie, a single mom whose daughter calls into a romance inspired radio show, hopeing it can help Lucie find love. Lucie, surprised by her daughter's actions, then joins the call. The conversation with the host (Aiden) inevitably goes viral. The station decides to start a new radio program centering around Lucie's love life and the search for her magical love story. But what happens when the search for magic starts to feel like it could be found inside the radio booth with our reluctant host?

The banter between Lucie and Adien had me giggling and laughing the whole time, it's just so good! One of my favourite aspects in the novel. I appreciate that she went the slow burn route, as it makes their journey more special.

Lucie's character is one I absolutely adored!  A romantic at heart, holding out for magic. I relate to her so much, Lucie's the kind of person who has a lot of love to give, to her daughter, her family and friends, but often forgets to allow to receive it too. Reading her journey was so heartfelt and inspiring. Her relationship with Maya, her daughter, was so cute to read. 

Honorable mention to Grayson and Mateo, Lucie's co-parents. Their scenes together were hilarious and added more depth to the story. We are used to reading single mom's stories where she does most of it alone or the dad is not in the picture or is "the bad guy" in the story. It felt so refreshing to have a story where the fmc has this kind of support from her baby daddy and his husband. It opens up a whole new dynamic. 

Aiden has to be one of the more authentic mmc I have read! His struggles with love and affection, is one so many of us are able to resonate with. His caution with getting close to anything he could come to care about in fear of it being lost unexpectedly is something we can all come to understand. Even though at some points in the story you cannot help wanting to smash some sense into him, as his love for Lucie was so clear. 

Seeing these two come together one radio show at a time was brilliant, show stopping, swoon worthy and perfect. Definitely read this one if you love books with heartfelt moments, that will leave you giggling at the page. 

Tropes:

- Grumpy x sunshine
- Single mom
- Strong fmc
- Slow Burn
- Found family
- Strangers to friends to lovers

Thank you to BK Borison, Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions are my own.

One of my favorite reads!! Loved the chemistry oozing off the characters, the setting was spectacular! This is my first book by the author and I'm immediately diving into her backlist.

Thank you to Pan, NetGalley, and the author for the early review copy of First-Time Caller. This is the first book in BK Borison’s new Heartstrings series and I absolutely adored this one!

Aiden Valentine is the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, Heartstrings, a big problem considering he’s fallen out of love with love. But when a young girl calls into the station asking for dating advice for her mum, the interview goes viral. Lucie Stone thought she was doing fine, if not for her devious daughter, who brought her love life under Baltimore’s scrutiny. Despite this, everyone in Baltimore wants her to find her happy ending so when sparks 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.

This one is shaping up to be my favourite read of the month. The radio show setting was so much fun and not something I've read much like before. Lucie’s character was fun and it was great to see her learn more about herself, and I liked discovering more about Aiden’s past and why he is so disconnected. Lucie’s daughter, Maya's scheming was sweet in theory but sounds like my worst nightmare. Lucie and Aiden had chemistry from the very first call and it was so perfect, I loved watching them work together. I also loved the way the author wrote the stable and supportive relationship between two parents who aren't together anymore. Book two is going to be called “And Now, Back To You” and I have a guess about who it will be about and I'm excited!

The chemistry was there, it was cute, I was giggling like crazy. Totally worth the read.

Recommend to anyone looking for a romance about actually nice people.

I am an absolute lover of Borison's work and this was absolutely no exception.

The concept alone felt so unique and I knew it was going to be a memorable romance. I absolutely adored the idea of a romance hotline being the focal point of the story and the way in which the two protagonists' lives intertwined was mesmerising.

I absolutely ADORED how this narrative explored an awful lot of damaging gender stereotypes, particularly involving Lucie's job. It was so refreshing for a female protagonist to have so much grit, honesty and determination, rather than the typical females we are often given in romance novels.

Aiden Valen. Adore the socks off this man. I just fell in love with him, his maturity, his emotional awareness of himself and how he did not hold back when he began to realise his true feelings.

Incredible representation, beautiful love story and a quality bit of banter - B K Borison has absolutely nailed it again.

I was a bit hesitant going into this because I don’t know the movie Sleeping in Seattle that this book is inspired by but there was no need - B. K. Borison is an amazing writer and I fell in love with Aiden and Lucie from page 1. What I love so much about this and also the Lovelight Farms series is with how much care the author writes her characters and their relationships. They feel so real and complex and that made it so easy to fall in love alongside them. Lucie was such an honest and vulnerable character and I adore her and the family she created for herself (lots of meddling but very lovable side characters) and then there’s Aiden on the other hand who was a grump without being an asshole and that’s something I rarely find when reading about grumpy characters. I was also a bit worried because of the whole Lucie going on dates plot because that can be weird to read but again - it was so well done and didn’t take away from Aiden’s and Lucie‘s relationship at all and just caused some great jealousy scenes during which I giggled and kicked my feet. So, in conclusion: love love love this book, highly recommend picking it up when it comes out. B. K. Borison is an amazing writer and not one but two of her romances are on my favorites list of the year. That’s how much I love her books. I also already preordered a copy for my shelf for when this comes out in February. 🫶🏻

B.K. Borison has DONE IT AGAIN! Her writing scratches my brain in exactly the right way, and there's something so comforting about stepping into a new book of hers every time. I loved Aiden and Lucie's story and had the very best time watching these two fall in love. The side characters were great, the banter and spice even greater, and the forced proximity of them working together on the radio show? Chef's kiss. I cannot WAIT to read the next instalment in the series. Also, I NEED a Heartstrings crewneck, thank you.

BK Borison writes in her acknowledgments that she wants this story to be “A love letter to love” and it’s just that. From the first 10 pages or so I knew this was going to be my type of romance book, that I was going to fall in love with the characters, the story and be completely consumed.

I was instantly drawn to both Aiden and Lucie, and I felt I could relate to characteristics of them both. The contrast between Aiden having given up on love and Lucie’s never wavering idea of how love should be gave a truly great dynamic between the duo. I loved that they both needed to learn something from each other.

It was so refreshing that Lucie wasn’t the average leading lady found in lots of romances (and certainly not in a “I’m not like all the other girls’ sense). She is a strong independent woman in every matter of the saying. I loved her being a mechanic and the relationships she has with the guys at the shop. It was yet again another layer of the story that just worked so well. Give me more real honest grown ups in romance please!!!

The way that Aiden spoke about Lucie in his internal thoughts was so sweet and endearing. It’s the way every woman wants their other half to think about them. The way that he notices the small things about her, and makes the conscious effort of learning the things she likes is just so adorable. I have so many of his thoughts and the things he says to Lucie highlighted as they are honestly just so beautiful and heartfelt.

The chemistry was off the charts and I LOVED the setting of the radio booth for the development of their romance. The little touches here and the quips back and too whilst discussing Lucie’s dates to their listeners was excellent. For me a romance needs to build and grow throughout the story and I never want to it happen too early - I want to feel the yearning and desire between the romantic pair. The growth of their romantic feelings resulted in an excellent pay off when they finally got together and well written spice that suited the story.

This was a feet-kicking truly romantic story with such wonderful messages about learning to love platonically, romantically and about loving yourself. Lucie’s family dynamics added another layer to the love story that is this book. I admired her character for always putting Maya first and her growth and development throughout the book to learn to prioritise her needs as well as learn to love herself. I loved Maya as a side character and that she had a whole personality of her own. I was always going to relate as she only has eyes for Aragorn (I loved the little snippets of real life references sprinkled throughout). The mother-daughter relationship between Lucie and Maya was so beautiful and I loved the honesty BK Borison gave both of these characters.

Like many I always say that we don’t get the cinematic rom-coms in the same way that we did in the 90’s/00’s and this filled that empty gap for me. I could imagine so many of the scenes on the big screen. When Lucie runs out of the restaurant after being stood up and Aiden is there (such a sucker for that moment). Aiden’s grand gesture at the end melted my heart, having everyone in on it and the honesty in what he can give her. I honestly cannot tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gave me warm fuzzy feelings, it tore at my heartstrings and I loved every moment of it. It takes a lot for me to be consumed by a romance book, but this has truly done that and I just want to go back and fall in love with Lucie and Aiden all over again.

I cannot wait for the next books in the Heartstrings series, and I think this is going to be an all time favourite of mine.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Netgalley and BK Borison for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.