<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!!

LITERALLY OBSESSED!!!! I couldn't put it down omg omg I was still reading it at 3am and I just looooved it so much! OBSESSED!

Thanks so much to B.K. Borison, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for eArc, all opinions expressed are my own.
 
I think this might be my favourite book of the year, by far, it's such a fantastic slow-burn romance, full of witty banter and it's written like an absolute masterpiece.
 
I was hooked from the first page, I loved the unique premise and Aidan and Lucie were such well developed characters. The opposites attracts dynamic and simmering tension had me reading more. Lucie was my favourite character, a fiercely independent single mother (with an incredibly supportive network) whose life gets thrown into the spotlight by her meddling daughter. Borison creates a great background for the character to overcome their personal issues, with Aidan as a jaded romantic, who's uninspired.
 
 Borison shows the vulnerabilities of each of the characters, making the story compelling and addictive. The romance is fantastic, layered and real. I highly recommend to anyone who'll listen!

I’m annoyed at myself for waiting so long to read this book. I LOVED IT!

Borison has done it again with another outstanding book that captured my heart and made me want more and more and more. I was literally smiling so hard reading this.

Aiden and Lucie are GOALS! We have another fictional relationship setting inspo for a relationship I wish I could fall into. Their chemistry was literally there from the beginning. The found family was heartwarming and the relationship between the main characters was everything I love in a good story. I can’t wait for others to be able to read this. It was just such a joy to read.

I really enjoyed this! The sleepless in Seattle vibes were perfect, and it has such a cosy atmosphere.

I loved that she was a single parent as we don’t get that in romances very often, and bk borisons writing was as perfect as in lovelight farms.

My only qualm was that the pacing lulled in the middle for me.

I really liked Aiden as our Grumpy MMC. He was actually very considerate and caring.
In fact I loved this book and yes it definitely has the Sleepless in Seattle vibes but with a modern and slightly more jaded vibe…all in a good way of course.
All the secondary characters were really interesting and fun, especially Lucie’s daughter but I didn’t really feel like there was enough of them on page to really get to know them. It was a book wholly focussed on our two main characters and their friendship dynamics and slow burn romance.

I received this book as an ARC and provide an honest review

Imagine being the host of a romance hotline while you no longer believe in true love. That’s a bit of a problem. But when a call from a young girl asking for dating advice for her mom goes viral everything changes. Lucie thought she was happy and fine without romance but when everyone starts scrutinizing her relationship she’s forced to reconsider. Everyone is rooting for Lucie to find her happy ending. As sparks begin to fly behind the scenes Lucy makes one final call.

I’m speechless. BK Borison continues to write incredible books and my heart can’t handle it. The tension and chemistry between Aiden and Lucy is unmatched. I live for the slow burn office romance.

I adore the relationship Lucy has with her daughter who’s just too cute as well as her co-parents. They all get along really well and that they’re pushing Lucy to finally do something for herself. Her child will always come first but her own happiness matters too.

Just like Borisons other books this one features a dual pov, HOT spicy scenes and plenty of banter. This one’s a big yes for me, definitely one to look forward too. It’ll be released on February 13th 2025!

Read this if you like
🩷Single mother trope
💫Forced proximity
🫶🏼Opposites attract
🔥Slow burn

First I know this will be unpopular oppinion, but I just wanted more from this book. I heard great things about it, before reading it, and I was left puzzled...
I don't get how this missed mark for me. I just can't give this 5 stars.
Why she isn't spending her free time with her kid? Why they aren't spending some time with her kid?
I couldn't feel their deeper connection

I am so broken hearted to give this 3.5 stars

HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE B.K BORISON BOOK SO FAR!

Lucie and Aiden!!! THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT IDEA AND THE STORY, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! GOOD SOUP.
I was laughing out loud, kicking my feet and feeling that new found love glow.

THIS IS GOING TO BE HUGE NEXT YEAR!

Thank you bookbreak

Oh my heart! What a book! Highly recommend adding this to your 2025 must read list!!

B.K Borison is a new favourite author for me, after devouring and loving the Lovelight Farms series I couldn’t wait to read this new one coming out next year!

First-Time Caller has the Borison brilliance the whole way through! The ability to make you smile reading every single page and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside is what Borison does best.

This was so good and so sweet! I was hooked right in from the first few pages, a smile from ear to ear and giggles here and there!

I adored Lucie and Aiden, their flirting was so much fun, I loved these two main characters a lot. But I also loved Lucie’s daughter, the dads, the workmates, Patty, every single character was warm hearted, lovable and supportive!

I was a blubbering mess towards the end, but no spoilers, you will enjoy this story for everything that is there between the pages; the love, the romance, the vulnerability, the acceptance, the heart ache and all the beautiful relationships. Oh! And the perfect amount of tension and spice!

All the stars from me, highly recommend for all romance lovers and Sleepless in Seattle fans! You won’t be disappointed!!

Thank you so much @panmacmillan and @netgalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review. So grateful.

You know a book is incredible when you take a short break from exams and devour it in a few hours.

I loved Lucie and Aidan, I loved Maya and I loved Baltimore. Some of the scenes were so wholesome and others had me screaming, giggling and kicking my feet. Plus some of the things Aiden does for Lucie in this book???! (Lucie deserved all of it and moreeee)

Things Aiden did for Lucie:
-Ran to her when her date no-shows
-keeps a list of all the things she likes
-generally grumpy but a big softie for her

I can't wait t read the rest of this series especially knowing each book is inspired my an iconic Nora Ephron Movie!! Thank you so much Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read this one

This book put the biggest smile on my face !

“Did you just manhandle me?”
“I manhandled the chair,” I tell her.
Does this count as a micro trope ? If so I’m adding it to my list of favourites.

This was such a fun plot line , the radio station romance show was chaotic & funny I would for sure listen to it in real life

I loved the main characters, I loved their chemistry together I was invested in lucies “road to love” as much as aiden was !

One of my favourite things in books is a good friendship / family group and this has it. They bring so much to the story.

“We’ll see you next time on Heartstrings, Baltimore’s Romance Hotline.”

Thank you bookbreak / pan macmillan for this arc copy.

My first BK Borison and it won't be my last, I'm officially a part of the fan cult-i mean club I am utterly obsessed with this Sleepless in Seattle inspired story, grumpy X sunshine meets single mum, this was sweet, swoon-worthy and appealed to the hopeless romantic in me, the writing was fresh and witty, great authentic characters and THE TENSION WAS TENSION-ING it was hot, tender and spicy (it sounds like I'm describing food maybe because I ATE THIS STORY UP)

This book was a joy to read, a real treat.
It features many of the things we have come to love and expect from BK Borison: main characters that hook you right away, great friendships, really fun banter and sharp dialogue, and side characters that make you hope there are spinoffs in the works so you can hear more about them.
But let’s proceed in order.
Our two MCs, Lucie and Aiden, are both lovely, in different ways. Aiden is a grump; Lucie is an awkward, sweet mess. They don’t quite fit in the expected grump and sunshine trope: Aiden’s gruff ways would make him the perfect candidate, and you can see that Lucie might be a sunshine at heart but years of challenges and hardship have... dulled her sparkle, shall we say, and she is a bit of a sad girl — much as she might protest and tell you she loves her life.
Lucie and Aiden find each other attractive but don’t have immediate chemistry, In fact, for a good while I struggled to see how they would fit together as a couple. But BK Borison has this amazing talent of making you care deeply about her characters soon after introducing them — straight from the start, you may not know who they are or what their deal is, but you can tell it’s worth sticking around to find out.
So I did stick around, because they felt so real — their challenges, their uncertainties, their frustrations deeply convincing and relatable. We just can’t help but want to root for them, even as separate entities.
So when something finally shifted (thanks to the clever use of an element I have to admit I hadn’t expected), I couldn’t help but feel I was witnessing something special, almost like a spell had been cast — from there on it was just a head-first dive into a proper romantic slow-burn, one of those filled with all those little moments so perfect that they might elicit embarrassing sounds like sighs, awws, and maybe even a giggle or two (go on, I won’t tell).
I LOVE the effect they have on each other, the way they open up in different ways after crash-landing in each other’s lives. And the fact that they didn’t seem like a good fit at first just made the changes all the more charming, addictive even.
From there on, I challenge you to resist the temptation to binge-read the rest of the book, because it is so hard to set it down and not wonder exactly what is happening with these characters we somehow have come to love like they are some of our closest friends! So hard not to be completely absorbed in the way their story develops.
One very small gripe: I wish that slightly less importance was placed on attraction purely by physical appearance. Of course romance is going to feature ideals, but I really would have liked it if everyone hadn’t been noticeably and impressively attractive — not that they had to be ugly but I would have liked to see more observations like how kind someone’s smile was, or how their eyes were warm and their smile put one at ease, or something. Instead we had several instances of “I was speechless for a minute because the person in front of me was just so freaking gorgeous” (referring to more than just the two MCs.)
But that said, this book is still lovely and I really recommend it if you are craving a fun, heartwarming romance with a slow burn, a fiery pay-off, and some of those wonderful character dynamics BK Borison is famous for!