This book had a lovely premise and followed some great romcom tropes in the best way - we all love a bit of forced proximity and enemies to lovers. It worked brilliantly well as an audiobook and the production value was really high. I loved the radio snippets and the sound effects and the dual narrators were really beneficial to the production.

My favourite thing about this story was the family. I loved the way BK wrote an unconventional/found family-style unit so beautifully and normally.
I loved the support network they provided for each-other and Maya was written wonderfully and confidently. It was totally believable.
I particularly loved a scene between Lucie and Matteo and the clear love between them.

I sadly feel that overall, I was a bit underwhelmed by the story as a whole. I had really high hopes but I didn't feel completely taken by their chemistry and didn't love Aiden as a character. It was sweet and lighthearted but not my favourite.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

Ahh this was SO cute!!

I don’t often read romances as they tend to all get a bit samey after a while but I enjoy it as a palette cleanser in-between heavier books. But this was such a good read!!

The idea of a love story starting from a radio show felt really original, the characters were so loveable and I liked having both perspectives of Lucie and Aidan throughout the book.

The writing style was easy to read, funny at times and the suspense of would they fall for each other kept me going

I loved reading/listening so much I had to go out and buy a copy 😍 the voices for the audiobook really complemented each other well

Romcoms are back! But to be fair, did they ever really leave? This is perfect for lovers of 90s Tom Hanks movies, that cozy yet toe curling attraction between both characters, the tension is static and I just loved getting lost in this story and wrapped up with the characters

B.K. Borison never misses! This romance was everything my heart was looking for. Lucie and Aiden actually are my world. What a perfect story of love and parenthood and finding what we deserve. I wish I could relive this book over and over again. A masterpiece!

Naturally after reading Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison this last Christmas i had veeeeery high expectations for this book and they were exceeded beyond my imagination. This story was like being wrapped up in a heated blanket, handed a mug of hot cocoa and given a kiss on the forehead. Wholesome doesn't even begin to cover it. With absolutely "Sleepless in Seattle" vibes (one of my favorite romance movies by the way), this was bound to be a success.
It starts with a single mum and her pre-teen daughter calling into a romance radio hotline to try and liven up her love life and things just get wholesomer by the page, the main character keeps wishing for her magical meet-cute and lets just say she get it.

I cannot recommend this enough and the audiobook made the whole experience so much better. the narrators were perfect for these characters.

Loved this! A slow-burn friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine romcom with a nice level of spice, First Time Caller is highly recommended for fans of writers like Abby Jimenez. Lucy is a great character - kind and relatable, and also a car mechanic (yesss!), and Aiden is the grumpy single man who's sworn off love. The audiobook is great, too - talented narrators and lots of nice little auditory flourishes.

3.5 Stars. If you love Sleepless in Seattle then you will love this, An easy, lovely romance that delivers everything you want.

Oh how I loved this one! Felt like I hadn’t read a romcom in a while, and this was just the tonic - great characters, sizzling chemistry, a fun setting and just all the feels 🩷

I totally get the Sleepless in Seattle comps, but it is quite different in plot too. The radio show was such a great idea to bring Aiden and Lucie together, and the opening bit where her daughter calls in got me - it was just so sweet! Whilst Aiden and Lucie were obviously the main attraction in the story, there were so many wonderful side characters too, including Lucie’s baby daddy and his husband (yes I’m rubbish with names), and Aiden’s colleague (I can guess where book two might be going 👀). There’s just so much great conversation and emotion in this story, and I wanted to insert myself in the pages to hang out with them all!

I was especially invested in Lucie’s story as she was just so lovely, whereas I did occasionally struggle to fully understand Aiden’s motivations for not wanting to get involved - but obviously if he didn’t have those we wouldn’t have the will they/won’t they storyline that I love so much so I’ll get over it. Honestly, a total treat of a love story and I can’t wait for more in the series! Also really recommend the audio as the narrators are excellent 👌

As someone who has pretty much given up on love, the premise of this one called to me. Plus reading BK Borrison’s Lovelight series, I thought I would love this book…and it did not disappoint. I loved Aiden and Lucie. The ‘slow burn’ build of the relationship was well written. I really connected with Lucie and understand where she’s coming from. I liked the side characters, especially Maya. The dual narration of the audio brought the story to life. I liked the radio segments between chapters where the 2 narrators narrate back and forth and it sounds like a real radio show. I can’t believe I have to wait a year for the next in this series.

A beautiful romance that although doesn’t reinvent the wheel, is a delight to read. When Lucie’s daughter calls the grumpy radio host of ‘Heartstrings’ for advice on helping her mum find a date and the conversation goes viral, Lucie finds herself the centre of attention! All the characters in this small town are instantly loveable. There is endless yearning and tension, and it is also incredibly humorous and heartfelt. If you loved the Dream Harbor series this is definitely for you! A feel good romance that is only made better by the audiobook, this is without doubt a top tier audio as it enhances the experience and brings the characters to life perfectly.

4 ⭐️

This was the perfect read for February aka love month! I loved how unique and romantic this story was, as soon as I started the book I was hooked right in! I really enjoyed the interactions between Aiden & Lucy and caught myself smiling several times 🤭

It was really refreshing to read a romance book that had more mature elements to it and therefore felt more realistic/real. Lucie is a single mother with a teenage daughter who happens to call in to Baltimores romance hotline one day to help her mum meet someone. This then leads to Lucie making her connection to Aiden the radio host sparking a friends to lovers situation.

I now want to live in Baltimore and listen to Heartstrings romance hot line everyday! ☎️
I’m looking forward to continuing with this series as they get released!

Thank you @bookbreakuk & @netgalley for the proof copy!

This story very much has Sleepless in Seattle vibes to me. The characters are super loveable and relatable, and the story flows quickly and effortlessly. Lucy is so relatable in her "road to love" and Aiden is so swoony without even realising it! When Lucy's daughter calls in to Aiden's late-night radio show looking for help for her mom's love life, Lucy is thrown in at the deep end. She and Aiden have instant chemistry, but he's supposedt8 be helping her find dates! This was a sweet, fun story.

I didn't know how much I needed a big read button that says 'stfu' until this book.

Okay, so the way this book made me literally smile from start to finish. It was just so cute. The flirty banter, hilarious side characters, lovable family, heartbreaking back stories, steamy cupboard scenes, it had it all. The start of the book was particularly a favourite for me. I love reading something new. Romances get the same same, and this was the first in a good minute. I've felt something a bit different.

🤍

"I like thinking that I'd be worth the trouble of something like that."

"Make sure you tell me if it's nice." 🥵

"I'm hoping you can help me?"
"With what?"
"Tell me what it feels like to fall in love."
"I'm not sure I'm qualified for that."
"Actually, you're the only one who is."

B. K. Borison can do no wrong!

This was one of those romances that make you feel nostalgic. It gave me butterflies and it reminded me of why I love reading romance books like this.

I thought I’d lost the love for lighthearted, sweet and romantic stories, but First Time Caller catapulted me right back to reading for enjoyment.

Aiden and Lucie were an absolute delight, and this was a really cute take on a Sleepless in Seattle style story. What better book to read on the run up to Valentine’s Day, than one that celebrates why women fall in love?!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC - the narration was excellent, highly recommend!

Headlines:
Radio show
Uncertain and hopeful
Audio heaven

This was a joy of an audio that was definitely accentuated by the fact that the setting was a radio show and so the scenes from that felt so authentic narrated back and forth. This was a fun set up with a romance radio show host (MMC) who had lost any kind of belief in love had a daughter call in for her mom. What ensued was the FMC becoming a regular co-host on the show trying to find love.

I liked the step outside of stereotypes for this story. Lucie was a mechanic and Aiden was the romance show host. Those differences weren't laboured but this something I appreciated in the plot and characterisation.

Over time, Lucie and Aiden slowly built a tentative chemisty but it was full of uncertainty. All the while, the search was supposed to be on for Lucie's big love with dating being reported back on the show. I loved their hopeful and gentle flirting that developed from a strong friendship and how that played out into their eventual intimacy; it was a sweet story with humps in the road.

The narration was dual POV with duet dialogue and it worked so well. The characters were truly brought to life.

Thank you Panmacmillan for the review copy.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan UK Audio for the ARC of this audiobook 🎧

—> 4.5 stars ⭐️

SWOON! This was undeniable adorable. Super cute concept, and I loved falling in love with Lucie and Aiden whilst they (frustratingly unknowingly for a while…) fell for each other. Wish they actually had a radio station so I could listen to them on the reg. The tension and chemistry were on point, and I loved the side characters. Can we also have a moment for the intimate scenes? 🥵

30s+ characters, single mum, dual POV, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, lots of great tropes!

Audiobook performance was fab. Loved these two and really appreciate the dual POV being voiced by two separate narrators. Made the experience so much more enjoyable. 💞

4.75⭐️

I think the fact that I would listen to these two on the radio just goes to show how much I loved them!! I love lucie so much and I would have been rooting for her to find love too!! I love her little family she has and how supportive they are of her!

Aiden did annoy me towards the end. They did so good with none miscommunication but then he had to ruin it but I did still love the characters and the plot!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author to give me the arc in exchange of my honest review

I absolutely loved this, managed to listen in two sittings, as always I listened at 2x speed.
This was my first B.K. Borison book despite me owning a lot of them! I will deffo be going through the entire back catalogue now! Romance but awkward, funny, sad - just made it feel alot more realistic than most romance books.
I laughed, a lot! It was the perfect driving companion book. Honestly made me want to just go on a long drive so I could listen to more.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 11th February 2025

I’ve been seeing this book everywhere, and knowing it’s centred around a radio show, I figured the audiobook would be the perfect way to experience it—and I was not disappointed! This is hands down one of the best romances I’ve read in a while, and it’s left me eager to explore more of B.K. Borison’s work.

I really enjoyed both character POVs in the book; each one felt so real and authentic. I could genuinely imagine them as real people. The chemistry between the characters was incredible, and the witty banter and flirting on the radio as they got to know each other, while also addressing the past issues that kept them apart, added so much depth to the story.

One of my favourite parts was the dynamic with Lucie’s family. She has a daughter and shares a strong bond with her daughter’s dad and his husband. While this kind of family setup isn’t often seen in books, it was heartwarming to see the genuine love and care they all share for one another in the life they’ve built. I also really enjoyed the glimpses we got of Lucie’s job and her relationships with her coworkers at the garage.

All in all, I loved every aspect of this book and can’t wait to read more!

Thank you to Macmillan UK Audio and Netgalley for this audiobook to review.

4.25⭐

Really enjoyed First Time Caller, I've haven't been impressed by traditionally published romances the last year, but this one definitely stood out. I loved the banter between the characters and thought it was written really well.

My only gripe was their emotional ineptitude. Both realised so late that they fancied each other when it was glaringly obvious from the beginning. It felt a little miscommunicationy at points and it's not my favourite trope as I find it frustrating at times.