The beautiful cover got me. I think the story was cute. I like Aiden, he's sweet and attentive. I also like Lucie. The two of them are cute together but it's missing chemistry for me. The smut scene was a lot too, but not is a good way for me.
It's cute, it's funny but not entirely my vibe

First-Time Caller by B. K. Borison

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A book series based on Meg Ryan films? I could not have been more excited when one this series was announced, and by one of my favourites, B.K. Borison. I was soooo excited when I was given an e-arc as I didn’t think I’d be able to get my hands on an advanced copy.

I adored absolutely everything about this, I had no doubt it would be another great story from Borison. The chemistry between Aiden and Lucie was brilliant from the start, and I devoured every moment of their banter. The exploration of Lucie’s found family was beautifully handled and as always with Borison, a brilliant cast of secondary characters.

A brilliant romance book for fans of Meg Ryan and Nora Ephron.

The elements were all there it was just a matter of poor pacing. Unlike most romances that leave me wanting this actually had chemistry. I could see the two leads being interested in one another and working out but the book failed at getting them together quickly enough to give the romance time to blossom. I wish this was done better because the potential was there. Too much time was spent on the build-up.

The chemistry was chemistry-ing here! This book is wonderful and such a fun read I hope there will be more books in this universe so I can dive back in

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

First Time Caller - B.K. Borison
🌟🌟🌟.💫

LIKES
☀️ Such a fun premise filled with loveable characters. I really liked the unique family dynamic and Aiden’s radio co-workers. Jackson in particular must be protected at all costs.
☀️ Slow burn with great pay off in the form of the spicy scene.
☀️ All the sweet little details (seriously, so many, but I won’t them spoil here).
☀️ Believable banter.
☀️ The radio transcripts.
☀️ How the dates panned out, they were really interesting to read about down to the waiter interaction.

DISLIKES
🌙 There were moments I felt the story dragged, probably because so much of it took place in the same setting.
🌙 I never felt like we got to know Aiden all that well outside of the booth. I wish there’d been scenes of him hanging out with both Lucie and Maya. His moment towards the end also felt out of place for me given how much had already happened between them.

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC - I think this one will be a hit!

Reading this book was like slipping on a cosy jumper on a cold winters day. I giddy kicked the entire way through it tbh.

Perfectly paced with a great cast of characters, it was like reading about your best friends. I can’t wait to read it again and again and again. Aiden Valen?! Are you kidding me?! Where has this man been all our lives. The dual pov strikes again as the perfect way to write a romance novel. I’ll be running to watch Sleepless in Seattle now.

There were elements of this book that I really enjoyed. The banter and slow burn romance developing between Aiden and Lucie was great, and I really liked the side characters too. The forced proximity and scenes in the radio were also fun to read and I enjoyed Aiden and Lucie's dynamic when they were on air.

Other areas, unfortunately, fell flat for me. The book felt very slow, and while I understand it's a slow burn, it just felt like it was dragging as not a lot was happening for much of the book. I also wanted some things to be explored more - I was expecting more from Lucie's dates and I wanted to hear more about how the experiences were affecting her. I also wanted more interactions between Aiden and Maya. For Maya being the catalyst to the story, it felt like she was just brushed over in the relationship.

Overall, though, this was a sweet slow burn romance and I would recommend it.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an ARC. First Time Caller is just wonderful, I’m a huge fan of Nora Ephron fan and this is an absolutely lovely tribute to Sleepless in Seattle, Lucie and Aiden are thrown into working together and blimey, are they a funny, teasing chemistry for the ages duo. I loved their friends and family, it was just a breath of fresh air. Five stars.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

Ahhhh I really enjoyed this. It was a little slow to get into but when I finally made it to 50% it was gorgeous!!!! Slow burn, he doesn’t want to fall in love but then she comes along and ugh it was so lovely. Loved the banter, the flirting, the friendship they developed, everything about it and I’m so excited to read more by this author!!!

While the Sleepless In Seattle inspiration drew me in, this far exceeded my expectations and they were already pretty high.
From their brilliant banter to their obvious chemistry, I was fully invested in them both as individuals and a couple.
The tension was oh so good and when they do actually get together it was steamy in the very best way.
I was seriously swooning at times and loved the entire premise.
The supporting cast of characters were brilliant too and just brought so much life and colour to their lives that everything felt authentic.
Honestly, this was just such a joy!
Easily one of my favourite reads in 2024 - that I can't wait to rave about in 2025 - it's one of the best romances that I've read in a while too.
I absolutely adored this book and it truly did not disappoint. I also can't wait to see where the Heartstrings series goes next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.75⭐️

i loved this so incredibly much. so much. Aiden is top tier book boyfriend material. i need more of these characters I AM OBSESSED.

the banter was so perfect and really reminded me of the love wager (one of my fave books). it was fast paced but didn’t seem to rush anything *chefs kiss*. i had butterflies throughout and genuinely loved the chemistry and tension between Aiden and Lucie. HE KEEPS A LIST OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS IN HIS GLOVE BOX FFS🫶🏼

i kinda wish there was just the tiniest more drama but honestly this was practically a 5⭐️

LOVED
[Fave quotes:]
✨”Magic? You told me dating gives you indigestion.”
✨”Who the fuck made you cry”
✨”You said pineapple on pizza is disgusting.” “It is.” “Then why do you have it?” “Because you said it was your favorite,” I admit. “And I want your favorite to be my favorite.”
✨”I could let myself love you so easily”

I don't know if I can put how much I loved this book into words, but I'll try my best! B.K. Borison's romances are so beautifully crafted, and so real. She weaves emotion and humanity into every page, truly bringing her characters and her settings to life. In this story we spend a lot of time in the radio station, and in the booth with Aidan and Lucie, and the attention to detail with the environment around them, the people, and the radio experience have given me such a vivid picture of this place in my mind that has been offered in such a subtle way, with a post-it note here, a tin of secret coffee there, and the vibrancy of the characters in this space (and those outside of it, too). The chemistry between Aidan and Lucie is off the charts, built up over multiple interactions, snippets of radio transcript between chapters, and the gift of dual points of view. We have the opportunity through their narratives to not only get to know Lucie and Aidan, and see how their relationship and feelings develop from both sides, but also who their people are, how they interact with friends, family and colleagues. The attention B. K. Borison gives to each part of their lives, weaving descriptions and conversations to naturally into the story, offers us the full perspective that makes their lives feel real and means I couldn't help but be invested in them all from the outset. Their path to romance is a rocky one and they both have some soul searching to do but there's plenty of fun, with addictive banter, temperature-raising spice, and quirky friends and family to balance out the more emotional elements and the hang ups these characters have. This book is 10 out of 10, no notes perfection. But I wouldn't expect anything less from B. K. Borison! I also have a strong suspicion of whose romance we'll see next in this brand new series and I'm so ready for it.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This book was everything I needed to help me get out of a 3 week reading slump. It was cutesy, funny and had a sprinkle of spice - the perfect amount for this book.

I promise you, you’ll fall in love with both Aiden and Lucie.

<i>I received an Advanced Reader Copy of First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison from Pac Macmillan through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</i>

First of all, B.K. Borison is one of my FAVOURITE authors. And if she writes it, I’m reading it for sure. And thankfully I received an arc for this wonderful book, and I couldn't be happier. Now on to the review.

First-Time Caller is a book inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, which is a lovely film, and I think Borison has beautifully woven the storyline in the book. It is a cosy, but heartfelt romance book that makes you want to dive right in about a disillusioned radio-host and an independent single mom who brings lots of humour, warmth and emotional depth.

You quickly dive into the introduction of Aiden Valentine, the radio-host of a Baltimore romance hot-line, who lost faith in love. One evening he gets a call from a young girl asking romantic advice for her mom, thus far introducing Lucie Stone, a single mom with her lively family and a job she loves. The interaction goes viral and thrust Lucie into the spotlight on her journey finding her other half on the radio show. While doing that, sparks fly between Aiden and Lucie, making them navigate through their own feelings of discovering what love is to them.

Lucie is a character who is grounded and her devotion to her daughter is so admirable. Her openness to love makes her very likeable and easy to root for. I found pieces of myself in her which made me more self-aware about myself. Aiden, even though cynical in the beginning, reveals a vulnerable side of him. Which gives more depth to his layers of his character and I also could see some parts of me in him. Especially with not knowing if love is for me or how it is supposed to be. Their chemistry is like a spark turning into a loving embrace. The build-up is slow, taking it step by step, which makes it believable and authentic.

And how she writes is like wrapping a warm blanket around you and settling down on the couch. The dialogue consists of clever banter, filling up with emotional aspects, a nostalgic feeling and a balance between humour and tenderness. Borison's ability to create characters who feel real and relatable while keeping the story light and engaging is truly an art. How she gives each character the space to show and express themselves.

What I love most about this book is how Borison explores the concept of love, and its many forms— romantic, familial and self love. It gives a message that love finds us in many ways possible, even when it seems like it's out of reach. And tells you how a support system is just as crucial as a romance.

In the end, I truly enjoyed reading this book and I will do so many more times in the future. First-Time Caller is a story that celebrates joy of unexpected love while still embracing challenges about personal growth and family bonds. Many moments made me realise how relatable the book is, which comforted me, but also opened my eyes about things. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a cosy, but heartfelt read with authentic characters. This book is the one for you.

Thank you to Pac Macmillan for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book. Sharing my honest impressions was a joy. And I truly can’t wait for you to fall in love with Lucie and Aiden just as much as I did.

I absolutely loved this book it put the biggest smile on my face and while there were heartfelt moments throughout that completely touched me especially as I have lived through those emotions that the main mmc Aiden goes through and for that alone this book resonated with me so much.

Everything about this book gave such a feel good feeling, I loved the main two characters and especially the side characters they added so much to the story. I was smiling at certain scenes and kicking my feet at others this book is what a slow burn romance should be as Aiden and Lucie got closer through their radio show together.

The plot line based around a radio show was such a fun and chaotic setting, the chemistry between Lucie and Aiden was there from the beginning and I loved how it subtly grew throughout their scenes together. This book will go down as one of my favourite romances.

Highly recommend if your looking for a feel good romance with an amazing friend/family group, a fun and chaotic setting and just a really beautiful story about finding love.

I absolutely adored this book and it was so good to be back with B K Borison’s beautiful writing. I love Sleepless in Seattle and the homage this book gives to it was perfect.
Aiden and Lucie were brilliant characters, and little Maya was cute and feisty. I thought it was sweet that Aiden kept a list of things about Lucie in his glove compartment.

My only real downfall - beyond it took me personally a bit to get into this book - was that I didn’t love Aiden’s constant “I’m not good enough for love” vibe. It got a bit tireless and I just wanted to slap him a little for this.

Overall, a brilliant novel and I’m very excited for book 2!

I'm such a sucker for a Sleepless in Seattle inspired story, and First-Time Called by B.K. Borison did NOT disappoint! I already fell in love with her writing and her characters in the Lovelight Farms series, and I already am on-board with whatever is to follow in the Heartstrings series!

I loved both of the MC's, the perfect blend of grumpyxsunshine paired with strong female (single mom!) energy. This book pulls you from page one and holds your attention until the end, which was really sweet and lovely!

First Time Caller is the new Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance from B.K. Borison, the writer of the Lovelight series.

Aiden is the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline - Heartstrings, however he has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. When a late-night call from a young girl asking for dating advice for her mum goes viral, the show becomes an overnight hit. Enter Lucie, a single mum who, despite her disastrous dating record, still believes in romance and magic. Can Aiden's new segment ‘Lucie’s Road to Love' help find her that match she's been looking for?

There were elements of this book I adored. Lucie's slightly unconventional and loving little family for one as well as the hilarious radio segments, the forced proximity and the delicious slowburn that bubbled gently throughout.

However, even though this book is over 440 pages long, I couldn't really connect with Aiden, our conflicted and slightly frustrating MMC. I also felt like elements were glossed over such as Lucie’s relationship with her parents, the disastrous blind date (that's got to put a series dent in your self-esteem) and the fact that Aiden didn't seem to form any kind of relationship with her daughter after their initial conversation.

This was a cosy, if not slightly longwinded romance that was sweet and full of witty banter. I adored Lucie and became fiercely protective of her. She deserved the world and I felt like she just kept getting the bare minimum in return.

Borison has a way of writing that shoots directly into your heart. It makes me worry I will never be as good a writer, and inspires me to try. First Time Caller had be laughing and and crying, smiling and sighing. You can feel the tension in the booth as if you are there yourself, or as if you're sitting in a dark car driving down the highway with their dulcet tones in your ears.
My only complaint is that I can't read it for the first time again.

I am utterly obsessed!! This book was so hard to put down, legit all i was thinking about all week was Lucie & Aiden my sweet babies <33

Okay first of all, this is likely to become one of the best romance books ive read all year - it was so swoon worthy! Here are some important things to know if you will also love this book:

💓SLOW BURNNN
💓single parent
💓found family!!!
💓grumpy/sunshine
💓UNREAL banter

I adored the premise of this book, romance hotline radio host who doesn’t believe in love (or so he says..) and a single parent who wants to find her magic🪄! Honestly, what more could you want?? The chemistry lucie and aiden had was 10/10, every interaction i was giggling and blushing! This book had me laughing out so many times.

I also really connected to all the characters in this book. The found family was beautiful and it was nice to see a healthy co- parent situation in a romance book!! Ngl i'm gonna need a spin off book for every character in this book bc they all deserve their own story!!

This is a must read of 2025! The perfect butterfly inducing romance book, you will not be disappointed!!