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.

Obsessed!

This was my first time reading a B.K. Borison and it lived up to the hype and beyond. I adored every single second of this book.

Aiden my sweet sweet dumb dumb, years of guarding his heart have made him cynical about love in so many ways, not just romantic but also familial and friendship love. So when it lands in front of him it takes a while for him to really accept it.
and Lucie, it’s been a while since I have loved an FMC as much as this. Her vulnerability around love felt so real and understandable. Not knowing how to put yourself out there in an authentic way, but what I loved most about her is how open she actually is as a person. I loved that she’s this bad ass single mum with a strong chosen family (co parenting peacefully with her platonic soulmate and his husband - two adorable side characters) she’s a mechanic but despite having a not traditionally feminine job there wasn’t even a whiff of “not like other girls” in her character. Her job is just her job and I loved it!!

The slow burn tension of these two was wonderful, I felt like the plot moved at a pretty medium pace but the action was always progressing and to be honest I was so sucked into the story I read it in a single sitting.

Although not heavy on the spice the spice we got was GOOD!

5/5 ⭐️ I will be shouting about this one for a long time! It’s probably going to be one of the rare physical book trophy’s I add to my shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and B.K.Borison for the advanced copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for the arc!
A "Sleepless in Seattle" inspired romcom set in a radio station in Baltimore? What's not to love-
Just want to start out by thanking B. K. Borison for giving us this gem of a book because god, this book was perfection. Aiden and Lucie are beautiful together and somehow so real at the same time? most of the times, romances are supposed to be fiction and they are just so swoony and cute but FTC was all that and more.
Lucie my badass mechanic, I have not loved a fmc like I love her in a long time, she's fiercely strong and independent but knows how to love and show her feelings and I'm just in awe of her all the time. Lucie Stone is a queen in every sense of the word.
Aiden, my man, my soulmate. The way I relate to Aiden Valen is crazy, from all of his insecurities to the way he loves so hard, gosh. I remember posting a story on booksta while reading it for the 1st time how Aiden is so babygirl coded and till this day I stand by it. A particular dad-son call was the end of me, I'm weak for them. All the relationships were so beautifully depicted and seamlessly woven in every part of this story. Grayson, Mateo, Maya, Jackson MY LOVE, Maggie- I LOVE THEM ALL. Especially love how Grayson and Aiden were Lucie's personal protection squad lol. A truly perfect radio setting to make this shine the brightest it can shine. I love how I fell in love with Baltimore through the subtle nods to the city spread throughout the book.
It was funny, cute, happy, sappy but it was also deeply emotional, fiercely relatable, ridiculously soft. I'm currently rereading this beauty and let me just say, this just gets better with every reread because I'm struggling to continue reading to stop it from getting over. I just want to sit here with the feeling that is this book forever. I needed FTC in my life and suffice to say, I will be thinking about this book for years. A truly perfect romance to ever romance ugh.

I'm dying waiting for Jackson's and then Maggie's(?) books AAAAAAAAA

I don’t even know where to start because WOW. This book is everything I didn’t know I needed—a story that feels like a warm hug, a reminder of love’s many forms, and a cozy dive into opposites attract done RIGHT!

Lucie Stone is a single mom who believes in love with every fibre of her being, even when it’s hard. Aiden Valentine is a grumpy radio host who’s all but given up on love, despite hosting Baltimore’s hottest romance hotline. Their banter? Snappy, hilarious, and absolutely sparkling. Their chemistry? Slow-burn perfection that had me rooting for them with every page.

And then there’s Maya—Lucie’s sharp, sweet, and slightly mischievous daughter—who may be one of my favorite kid characters ever. Her initial call to Aiden’s show sets everything in motion, and I adored how she’s the glue bringing these two hesitant hearts together.

The way B.K. Borison weaves radio show interludes into the story is just brilliant. It adds this unique layer of intimacy to Lucie and Aiden’s journey while also giving us some laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking moments.

What really stole my heart, though, was how deeply relatable both characters felt. Aiden’s guardedness, Lucie’s relentless hope—haven’t we all been there at some point? It’s a love story, yes, but it’s also a story about healing, family, and finding a place where you truly belong.

If you’re a fan of forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, or just need a book to make you believe in love all over again, "First Time Caller" is it. Seriously, you’ll be blabbing about this one to everyone who’ll listen. I know I am.


Thank you Netgalley for sending me an eARC !!

#FirstTimeCaller #NetGalley

As a big fan of the Lovelight Farms series, I was excited to see what was next from B. K. Borison and this did not disappoint! Sleepless in Seattle is one of my all time favourite movies and I loved this modern take on that. It was full of moments that made me laugh and those that made me cry, and I absolutely adored all of the characters. I cannot wait to read it again!

This was just a refreshing book. I loved the talk show concept. All the characters gave the story something. My heart felt so full. Probably my favourite BK Borison book to date!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC copy.

This started off very well with a wonderful premise, but I was left feeling like something was missing. It took me a while to finish this one.

I loved the dynamic between Lucie and her family and the romance between Lucie and Aiden was sweet and very wholesome. This just felt like it lacked some substance when it came to the plot, it got very slow at times and because of that, the chemistry seemed to falter.

The cover is stunning though!

I enjoyed this and loved the dynamic between Lucie & Aiden in the first 60% of the book but then just got slightly frustrated by Aiden which is what dropped the star rating for me.

Loved all the side characters and it was a fun read but I just wanted more.

For all my 90s and 2000s romcom loving people this is the one for you! This is a take on the iconic movie Sleepless in Seattle and let me tell you I had all the butterflies for this book. It is swoony, oh so romantic, and you can't put it down. You will be kicking your feet over the main character, Aiden. This is a perfect read for valentines day and I cannot recommend it enough. We have our main character Lucie who finds her preteen daughter calling in to the local radio show. She wants her mom to have love, happiness, and to not feel so alone in life. At the other end of the radio show is Aiden who has a segment all about love. Days later their radio segment goes viral and the whole country wants to know everything about Lucie. In comes Aiden and we have the perfect meet cute.

4,5 ⭐️ this truly felt like a 90s romcom. it made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. b.k. borison can never do wrong in my eyes.

“i think you’re the magic”

thank you netgalley and pan macmillan for the arc <3

This is one of the most wholesome romance books I’ve read in a long time.

When Lucie’s daughter calls Baltimore’s romance radio show, Heartstrings, on behalf of her mum’s failing love life she never expected quite how much things would change. Lucie joins the radio host Aiden on a quest to find her love amongst the Baltimore listeners. Aiden is cynical, has fallen out of love and the show’s listeners have been tanking - can Lucie’s quest reignite his belief in love?

BK Borison always writes romance that I enjoy and this was no exception being my first 5⭐️ read of the year. First Time Caller is a wholesome, unique and fun story with some spice that is a must read for romance lovers.

I suspect there’s more books coming in the future with these characters and I already can’t wait!

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and B.K. Borison for providing me with an ARC of First Time Caller in exchange for an honest review.

Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to my first five-star read of 2025. I had heard a lot of positive reviews about First Time Caller but I really could not have expected to love it this much! I have only read one other B.K Borison novel; Lovelight Farms, which I enjoyed but I fear this book may have altered my brain chemistry. You know when you're reading and you just see the entire book before your eyes like a film, that was First Time Caller - it definitely needs to be included in the rom-com movie Renaissance.

First Time Caller follows Aiden Valentine, a radio DJ who has fallen out of love with the concept of love who runs a show where people can call in for relationship advice, and Lucie Stone, a twenty-nine-year-old single mother who has given up the dating game. The meet-cute? Lucie's daughter calls into the show hoping Aiden can help Lucie find a boyfriend. Can Aiden help Lucie find love, and does he even actually want to?

The chemistry and banter between Lucie and Aiden were just off the charts! There were so many butterfly-inducing moments and plenty of times when I teared up. The rom-com staples were all there as well; the pining, the will-they-won't-they, the funny moments, and the grand gesture. I just can't say any more than that I adored this book, every time I had to put it down I was desperate to pick it back up.

First Time Caller releases 13 February 2025 (just in time for Valentine's Day!) and it's definitely one to watch.

A Lovely romcom which while hit all the beats you needs for the cold winter! Lucie and Aiden were incredibly sweet (and hot) and felt like they had real on-page chemistry. As Borison says in her afterword, this is one for all of us who love the big speech moment in the romcom. This book is like strawberry hot chocolate, sweet and warming!

My heart is so full.

Where do I even start? Lucy & Aiden have stolen my heart and I don’t think I’ll be getting it back any time soon.

This story gets its start in the most hilarious way: a 12 year old trying to set up her Mom. She’s then roped on to a local radio show and from here Lucie charmed me from the very beginning just like she did all of Baltimore. Her grumpy, jaded co-star Aiden softens before our eyes and makes you root for them from the get go. I’ve always loved BK Borison’s talent for crafting characters you can’t help but love but she’s taken it to new levels in this book.

This book is a celebration of love in every form. Romantic, parental, friendships, it has it all. It reminds us that you get to choose who you love. That nothing in life is perfect but it’s real and bursting with love.

But most of all it reminded me that you make your own magic in life, so stop waiting around for it to happen to you.

Funny, heartfelt and one for the romantics. Heartstrings is a must read.

4.75 stars, thank you to netgalley for the arc.
I think the author must have heard us all saying we needed yearning back in our lives, and she delivered.
As a big fan of meg ryans catalogue of films, I was very excited for this and was not disappointed.
Really loved it, the girlies are gonna enjoy this one

Oh man, this was so good ! I loved the sweet chemistry between Aiden (the grumpy one) and Lucie (the sunshine one). I enjoyed all the reflection around relationships,the sweet banter, the not so solo mom vibes. The story is pretty cool : Aiden runs a radio show about romance, even if he has stopped believing in it. And Lucie's daughter calls his show because she wants her mom to stop being lonely. And they begin to speak together, and the chemistry is so obvious that Lucie is asked to join the show.
My heart broke a little for them, but also filled with good vibes, and that's all I'm waiting from a romance novel. I loved it !