THIS BOOK!! I absolutely loved it with my whole heart. I adored B.K Borrison's Lovelight Farms series so I was really excited to hear that she was publishing new interconnected series and especially that they would be based on Nora Ephron films, and this first instalment did not disappoint. It felt so nostalgic to the Sleepless in Seattle film of which it was inspired by while also keeping the plot fresh and new. I loved the found family and the chemistry between the two main characters was electric!

Lucy thought she was doing okay... until her tweenage daughter calls in to a romance hotline, asking for advice on her behalf. Now she's looking for love on-air... but will jaded radio host Aiden prove to be a help, a hindrance, or something else entirely? Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, I fell head over heels for this romcom - perfect for fans of Emily Henry!

Today is my stop on the tour for First-Time Caller by B.K.Borison 💖 Thank you so much to the lovely Chloe at Pan Macmillan for my copy and for having me on the tour!

I have been so EXCITED for this book!! I love B.K. Borison’s Lovelight series and Sleepless in Seattle is one my favourite films so I immediately knew I was going to love this!

I’m obsessed with the concept and our characters - Aiden who has given up on the idea of love and Lucie who wants to find the magic. They had such an instant chemistry that carried beautifully throughout the story, I couldn’t help but smile everytime they interacted! Lucie was such a lovely character - I’m pretty sure I fell in love with her too during this book 😂

Plus, the side characters were so fun and the humour throughout this book is amazing! I haven’t giggled out loud like that in so long and it gave me all of the same wonderful romcom feels that my favourite movies do!

This was such a magical and romantic read, I feel like my heart is about to burst! This is being added to my all time favourite reads list and is definitely going to be a comfort read for me that I come back to time and time again!

First-Time Caller is the rom com of my dreams, I loved it so much! 💖

EASY FIVE STARS!!! this is for all the classic rom com lovers. i loved the story, the romance, the characters, the pacing... every thing was perfect!! B.K. Borison - you have done it again!!

Another awesome book from Borison - I fell in love with Lovelight series and I can already tell this series will make me fall in love as well. Aiden is fed up of love, dealing with as your day job can make something lose its sparkle. Insert Lucie who is forced into the public eye because of her own daughter. This book made me laugh so much and it gave me the all the feels. I cannot wait for the next!

I was intrigued to read this one given all the excitement about it online but came to the conclusion that it's slightly over-hyped. That said, it's a good, serviceable romance from a reliable author who knows what their readers want and will suit anyone looking for a cute, easy read very well

I would like to thank the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
First-Time Caller was my first ever book from B. K. Borison, but definitely not the last! This story had everything I needed. It's like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. It was so refreshing seeing older main characters as the leads for a romance book. I resonated with everything Lucie stands for, and my feelings felt so validated by her thoughts and feelings. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Reading a BK Borison book is like slipping under a cozy blanket with a warm sugary drink, it's comforting and sweet.
Aiden and Lucie were so cute and I could not help but root for them throughout the whole book.

5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶
I absolutely loved this book! This is such a sweet and funny romance. Aiden - my heart broke for you. Aiden is this sweet, guarded perfect book boyfriend. Lucie - Oh wow, the bravery it takes to be so vulnerable and open to new connections. I really related to each character at different times. The plot, the character growth from both of these was perfect and exactly what was needed. There was tooth achingly sweet moments and the kicking my legs spice that we all love from BK. The banter between these two were chefs kiss. There was a third act breakup but, rather than it feeling like a conflict that isn't needed. This third act break up was very needed and the grovelling and Aiden's gesture at the end was amazing. I am hoping that the next book is Jackson's because I love him already.

Thank you for this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Can we all just agree that the hype for this book is definitely justified?! It's amazing!

I actually ended up listening to this as an audiobook, and it was just the best. I highly recommend it as a cute, easy listen. It had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn't help falling in love with Aiden and Lucie and rooting for them. It was a swoon worthy romance for sure.

!! attention, minor presence of spoilers*

This was one of my most expected romance of the year and I wasn't disappointed at all.
First Time Caller has a sort of magical writing style so delicate it's impossible not to be charmed by its story. It's a caress to the heart, making us consider, in the meantime, what do we really want for ourselves and who we would love to be with, without misconceptions or idealizations.
This is a novel about two common people who, thanks to their simplicity and authenticity, capture immediately the heart of every radio listener (as well as every reader), whether they're flirting, bickering or discussing about something. If I have to be honest, Lucie and Aiden conquered me since their very funny - and unintentionally double meaning - first encounter in person, and I couldn't stop rooting for them because these two goofies are made for each other. I think that one of the things that hooked me the most was this sort of nineties movies vibes: very quiet, sometimes bittersweet, and slow, with apparently simple main scenes, that always gave me a strong emotional impact because they felt so true.
It's crystal clear Lucie and Aiden aren't perfect, they often misunderstand the other, they make mistakes or not always say the right thing, but they're also capable of recognize and admit their errors, and they try to make amend. Of course, it's not a short journey, but seeing them understand their issues and try to do better was so heartwarming I couldn't stop to care for them. And it's not something only related to love life, since Lucie have time to reflect about herself too, while Aidean starts to confront himself with the way he keeps people he loves away, family included, because he doesn't want to suffer again.
And talking about family, I loved how the non-traditional one that Lucie formed with Maya and her two fathers and Aiden's one showed the same thing: the people we call "family" could not be related to us by blood, but that doesn't mean anything. Family is our safe place, and includes people who loves us and are here for us, no matter what. That also means they can lecture and scold us if we're doing something wrong, and help us when struggling, because they care. That's why one of my favorite moments is Aiden and his dad's phone call. It's so honest and full of frailties but also love for each other it made me emotional. I would love a father who talks to me like that, really.

Another thing I really appreciated is how careful Aiden is approaching Maya. At the beginning he listens to her even if he doesn't know a thing about this little girl calling for help about her mother love life, and then they meet in person and they just... click. I really wanted more scenes with the two of them bonding because they are so sweet together.
Furthermore, I'm not a fan of third act breakups, but I liked how this has been handled. Lucie reacts in a very mature way, even if hurt by what happened, and that made the difference for me. Her ability to really understand Aiden (better than himself, I'd say) and her patience during the whole story are amazing. Plus, then Aiden makes up for it beautifully, so, I have nothing to complain about.
I'm sure I'll miss having their point of views in book two, especially Aiden's bossiness in certain occasions, although I'm super curious about the next couple. I think we'll have lot of fun!

Anyway, I'm totally smitten by this adorable story. So I totally recommend to give this book a chance, if you haven't done it already.

(Thanks to the publisher for the eARC <3)

You know those books you go into with moderate expectations and the knowledge that BookTok went crazy over their previous series, but something about the summary is calling to you so you go for it? Listen to that call. Seriously, listen. That’s how I felt about ‘First Time Caller’ and it’s now one of my favourite books of 2025 so far.

This books made me laugh, it made me tear up, and it made me swoon. I absolutely loved it.

A hopeless romantic meets a demoralized radio host in this cosy, Sleepless in Seattle inspired love story from fan-favourite author of the ‘Lovelight’ series, B.K. Borison.

Aiden Valentine has a he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and ‘Heartstrings’ into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life—or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending. . .even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to 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.

I haven’t read a contemporary romance in a long while, but this has been calling to me and reading it during Valentine’s week just felt right. This is how you write romance and I immediately want more from this series and these characters, and in the meantime I’ll be reading BK Borison’s other novels.

I’m a huge fan of ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ (and that whole era of romances and romcoms from Nora Ephron and her contemporaries, honestly) so that what was drew me to ‘First Time Caller’ and I think it honoured the original really beautifully. It also actually made me think of elements of ‘Just Listen’ by Sarah Dessen as well with the falling in love during a late night radio show, though the rest of the novel is very different! There’s always a magic to people talking late at night when barriers are lowered, the darkness shields your face and anonymity allows a freedom of expression, but adding to that the element of radio and the extra layer of protection but also intimacy when it feels like that person on the radio is talking only to you.

When presenting on ‘Heartstrings’, Lucie and Aidan exist in a little bubble insulated from the outside world by their tiny little studio, able to cut off all influences from the outside world with the incoming calls - for a few hours they exist as Lucie and Aidan, and that allows them to fall head over heels in love. And I fell in love with them, too.

I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of romances in my time, but it takes something special to make me tear up when someone opens up or for something to feel truly romantic, and ‘First Time Caller’ achieved both of those things. Even though it had a modern setting, it also felt like it could have existed in a 90s or 00s romcom effortlessly because the emotion was there and it’s a love story that could have taken place anywhere and in any time. Yet to through the novel into 2025, it has some recognisable tropes: grumpy x sunshine, single mum, forced proximity, and found family.

The found family and non-traditional family structure in ‘First Time Caller’ was a joy. Lucie co-parents her 12-year-old, Maya, with Maya’s father and his husband who live next door, and Lucie very quickly becomes a part of the Heartstrings family after joining the show, while you can see Aidan desperate to be a part of Lucie’s family. There’s lots of discussions around family, love in all of its guises and the strains of parenthood, even when the parents love their roles whole-heartedly. It was deftly handled and even though I’m not a parent, I felt the pull that Lucie felt between doing right by her child and also taking back time and fun for herself.

The chemistry between Lucie and Aidan is red-hot, but the slow burn is tantalising and all of the build up was more than worth the wait. There is a dose of spice in this novel, but it’s anchored by real feelings as well as lust which was really appreciated and evident in a publishing trend of the more smut the better (which I do read now and then!). Everything about their romance made me want, and that’s what a good romance should do.

I absolutely loved ‘First Time Caller’ and I haven’t read anything since finishing the novel so I’m a little concerned that I loved it so much that it’s put me into a slump!

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the review copy.

Written by Sophie

For some reason this didn’t quite catch me as much as the former books from the author have. I really wanted to love it, but it was hard for me to connect with the characters. I just didn’t fall in love with Lucy and Aiden. I also think the story was quite uneventful…? The whole dating concept was intriguing, but for some reason didn’t play that big of a deal throughout the story. I did like some of the dialogue as well as the little radio snippets in between chapters.
But overall unfortunately this read is more like a 3.75 stars.

3,5⭐️ J’ai découvert l’auteur avec ce livre, et la couverture m’a tout de suite attirée avant même que je ne lise le résumé. (Je suis sûre qu’elle vous plaît aussi !)

J’ai trouvé le concept original et intrigant : trouver l’amour grâce à une émission de radio, c’est tellement différent !

Cependant, je n’ai malheureusement pas réussi à m’attacher aux personnages, que j’ai trouvés un peu trop superficiels.

Il y avait pas mal de longueurs dans le récit, ce qui m’a un peu ennuyée par moments.

I loved everything about this.
I'm not a huge contempory romance fan HOWEVER this sucked me in from the start and was actual perfection for me.
I loved that the main characters weren't perfect. They were a bit older and had their life together. I loved the side characters as they really added to the story. I could read more books in this story tomorrow and not be bored!

This was super cute and cozy🥹💌🫠🫠
But beyond the romance, this book glows with warmth and depth. It’s about rediscovering hope, taking risks, and believing in love again—even when it feels impossible.
Borison balances humor, heart, and just the right amount of angst, making every moment feel authentic and deeply satisfying.
It was truly the perfect cozy, feel-good romance to curl up with.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with this e-ARC.

And I cannot wait for And Now, Back to You (Heartstrings,
#2)!! I need Jackson and Delilah rivals to lovers workplace story 😫

I tried so many times to get into this one and I just cant, so its a DNF for now - but with the intention to try again in 6months+

I absolutely adored this quirky romcom!
The idea of a radio dating show is brilliant, and it sets the stage for some truly funny and heartwarming moments. I felt as if I were right there, listening to "Heartstrings" and witnessing the growing chemistry between the two main characters as they fall for each other. (Although, to be honest: Aiden was utterly captivated from the moment they met in the hallway earlier (oh yes, great scene), and it's easy to see why!) Lucie is an incredibly charming and relatable protagonist, making it impossible not to root for her.
This story was exactly what I was looking for!

"I want to feel something when I connect with someone. I want sparks. The good kind, you know? I want to laugh and mean it. I want goose bumps. I want to wonder what my date is thinking about and hope it might be me. I want…I want the magic."

|| • workplace romance • single mom • opposites attract • a pessimistic radio host x a hopeless romantic (we love a good grumpy x sunshine romance)

I think it's safe to say at this point that B.K. Borison, for me, can do no wrong. What is it about her writing romance that just ticks every damn box for me. Every time I think about this book, it makes me giddy!

A Sleepless In Seattle inspired story we follow Lucie a hopeless romantic and Aiden a jaded radio presenter who hosts a romance hotline in Baltimore.
Aiden has fallen out of love with love. He's weary and doesn't know how to get that spark back, but when a young girl calls into Heartstrings attempting to find love for her mum, the interview goes viral and suddenly everyone's eyes are on Aiden and the biggest radio romance line.

Lucie has it all, a great job, an incredible family, and a daughter that she adores, It's just the romance element that hasn't really been there for a while but with the whole of Baltimore invested in her love life, she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought or if in fact as her daughter suggests she's kinda lonely.

Everyone wants Lucie to have a happy ending, but no one more than Aiden, so when sparks behind the booth begin to fly, Lucie must make her choice, to continue dating on the show or to choose the man sitting next to her in his headphones.

Full of heart, First-Time Caller had me swooning from pretty much the first page. Lucie and Aiden are everything! I loved how our FMC didn't need a man, like she fully had her shit together and wasn't looking for anyone to complete her, and Aiden is perfect for her. The miscommunication at the end wasn't, in my opinion, necessary, but that's just my personal taste and it wasn't too traumatic in fact I love how the romance between them bloomed organically rather than feeling forced. The yearning was also done so well! I love that Aiden came through for her in the end in probably the sweetest way I've ever read. The side characters are also so wholesome, especially Lucie's family, as well as her found family at work and the love they share is magical.
This book is sheer perfection when it comes to my taste in romance like I wanted to reread it as soon as I finished. It's just a beautiful, beautiful book.

Thanks to b k borison and panmacmillan I got to read an ARC of first time caller. I loved it.
Every bk borison's book is even better than the one before I don't understand how that's possible.

This book is so cute and delicate it could make everyone believe in love.
There is everything one could hope for: yearning, tension, found family, banter, chemistry and so on.

Both the protagonists are interesting and well developed. Lucie is so loving but also bold and she has an amazing non traditional family. Aiden omg he hit so close to home... His fears are so understandable but he is also able to be so caring and perfect.AMAZING.

This book is an easy 5 stars for me.