Thank you to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and author B.K. Borison for this eARC

This was my first BK Borison book and I have to say I'm hooked.
I loved basically everything about First-Time Caller! Our MCs, the colorful side characters, the story, the yearning, the buildup it was all done beautifully and one of the first romances in a long time where I truly believed in the love, not just the lust - even though there was plenty of that too.

This book really did tug on my heartstrings (See what I did there?! Yes, I'll see myself out now)
10/10 recommend

This book is so cute! I adored the dynamic in Lucie's family and how supportive they all are of her. The grumpy x sunshine trope was excellently written and I couldn't help but fall a little more in love with Lucie and Aiden as the story went on. BKB never fails to deliver!

Forgive my lateness in my review. I have so many thoughts about this book and it all amounts to how much I adored and enjoyed it. I read somewhere that the book was the authors version of Sleepless in Seattle and I have to say it exceeded it! I love Nora Ephrons writing and there is something very similar about BKs writing but it surpasses it. She writes the romance without it feeling cheesy and thats what I have been missing some of the other romance books I've read.


The characters are relatable and likeable. Aidan being the grumpy radio host who has given up on love but manages to host a show about it and Lucie is the victim of her daughters plan to get her a date. On that premise alone it could have become a forgettable and predictable tale but B.K wrote a beautiful slow burn romance where the female lead,Lucie, says "I think you tell yourself you don't deserve the things you want so its easier to manage your expectations. It won't hurt if you don't care, right?" well......I felt seen. I dont want to say too much about this book because its a treasure to be discovered. I highly recommend anyone who enjoys romance, slow burn, witty and touching stories to give this a go. I am confident you won't be disappointed.


As always, many thanks to NetGalley, B.K Borison and the publisher for the ARC.

Oh wow why did I wait this long to pick this up! This book has every element that I love and I adored every single page of it. I loved Aiden and Lucie and yes it was obvious what was going to happen but what a wonderful storyline and something I’ve not read before. All the stars and would fully recommend to romance lovers!

I’m so in love with First Time Caller and you should read it asap.

This book had me laughing, giggling and kicking my feet and swooning.

Aiden and Lucie are so perfect for each other and I loved their journey together. This gave me the perfect 2000’s rom com vibes and I LOVED it. Their banter was everything and I felt their chemistry off the page.

Can we also talk about Lucie killing it in a male dominated field? We love to see it.

It’s just so perfect and a great slow burn romance. If this isn’t on your TBR, you NEED to add it too.

Oh my gosh… where to start!
I used to love romance, but I’ve found myself getting a little bit bored of the genre recently. I saw this and was immediately drawn to the cover, but I still wasn’t sure how much I’d love it. But then the rave reviews started to pore in, and my bookseller pals persuaded me…. And now I am completely and utterly in love with this book!

This reminded me why I used to love reading romance and was a breath of fresh air. Aiden and Lucie felt like really characters and I loved the humour. This had one of my absolute favourite tropes in it; found family, and although I loved the central plot of Aiden blending in with Lucie’s life, I really loved his storyline of connecting with his own family that he had slightly strayed from. Despite being such a warm and cosy story, that part really moved me.

But most importantly, the romance was *chef’s kiss*. This last chapter literally had me grinning and bouncing in my seat doing a little happy dance. I am reluctant to call this a ‘slow burn’ as the tension and chemistry is off the charts throughout the book and was definitely worth the wait!

This will definitely be one of my favourite books of the year and I have ordered the author’s backlist!

I really enjoyed this book, I think it is B.K.Borison at her best. This is perfect for anyone who likes a 90s romcom. A lovely romance that has great characters, emotion and laugh out loud moments. There is some spice which personally I didn't think it really needed it but it still brought a great moment to the book. I am looking forward to more from this author.

“I think you’re the magic.”

Aiden Valentine is the jaded radio host of Baltimore’s romance hotline. When a young girl calls in asking for dating advice for her mom Lucie Stone, the interview goes viral. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final decision between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

I expected them to meet a little later in the book and in a more serendipitous way or something, but their first meeting was definitely hilarious with Aiden running his mouth. I loved their chemistry on the show and how the little things built up to an explosive level. I also loved how open they were about expectations. At some point, Aiden's reluctance was frustrating but I loved how he finally got to his senses with help.

The side characters were amazing. I loved Grayson's energy and how he's so quick to raze hell if anyone dares to hurt Lucie. Her fellow mechanics with their nosiness were hilarious.

This was my first B. K. Borison and I enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5⭐
Steam level: 4🌶️ One explicit open door scene

As someone who absolutely loves ‘Sleepless In Seattle’ this book was an absolute dream. The vibes were on POINT. I now need to rewatch it asap.

Aiden and Lucies love story was unconventional but wow does it work. That man was pining and she was so in love she couldn’t see it.

The best part of a single parent romance is the children and Maya was no exception to this rule. Her falling into the radio show was hilarious to me.

I love the dynamic between Grayson and Lucie. They are the example of platonic love.

This is a First-Time Book from B.K. Borison for me and I’ll have to admit, I’m in love with it and B.K.
The main characters but also the side characters feel so real, they are charmingly imperfect and lifelike. The (slow burn) romance between Lucie and Aiden makes me sigh a lot whilst reading the book. You can’t deny the sizzling tension between them and they are cute as hell. B.K. Borison gives us a unique radio station setting with alternating dual pov’s. I can’t wait to read more of this series. And for that I would love to do an re-read via audiobook because I think, it will match the vibe of the book.
This story was like a cozy blanket, fairy lights on my bookshelf and hot chocolate on my couch at the same time.

Within 30 pages of starting this book, I knew it was going to be a 5-star read and bought a physical copy within a few hours.

The witty dialogue and swoony moments made me fall in love with Aiden and Lucie. And I absolutely adored the relationships - not only between our main characters, but between themselves and their friends and family. So much love all around.

"She believed in magic and I thought maybe I could believe in it too.”

Was this book made... for me? probably because if I wasn't already known for being a massive hopeless romantic then this book made sure to highlight and underline it 💘

This book talks about bringing magic into romance but this book was absolutely magical to me. there is such a soft romantic undertone throughout the story that I find so hard to describe when discussing it and the only solution is for you all to go and read it. I loved the main characters, I loved their romance and I loved the development and tension. The pining and build up was p e r f e c t, their scenes together just totally enraptured me and I knew from very early on that I was hooked. The humour, romance and the chemistry between the character made for a book that was very difficult to put down.

Whilst the romance and the main characters are absolutely gorgeous and I loved following them, one of the other aspects that I also adored about the book was that there was so much love and hope that was sprinkled into these small moments in the chapters. from the callers and listeners, to the side characters, the book just screamed love. if you are wanting a romance book that showcases a true romance then this is one you will need to pick up asap!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Just the romance I was looking for!! The balance of plot, character development and romance were all pretty well balanced. I have read a couple of the authors books before and I think this is probably my favourite. I flew through this and look forward to more from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. all thoughts are my own.

If you love B.K Borison's Lovelight Farms Series, then this one will be no different!
This woman can write anything and I will consume it with glee.
First Time Caller is the first book in her new Heartstrings series and we have the main characters Aidan and Lucie.
This story is Sleepless In Seattle inspired and is about a radio host who hosts the loveline but he has fallen out of love with love.
Lucie is thrown into the radio spotlight, as her daughter rings to get her some dating advice, and then she is now co-hosting the radio show with Aidan.
Sparks fly, tension builds and banter galore. This book has everything you expect from Borison's books and more. Its safe to say this has become my favorite of hers that I have read so far.
Please don't sleep on this book. read it asap!

One of my favorite things about this book is l how it expresses knowing what you want when it comes to romance and holding unto it. It shows how loving is being bold and we saw that with the character Lucie. She knew being in love needed her to be open and she did it boldly. Lucie and Aiden were everything. They understood each other and they cared deeply for each other. Aiden was ready to do anything for Lucie. Always fighting for her and making sure was the best. I loved the pace of this story. It was not fast and was not slow, just perfect. The side characters were so interesting. Lucie’s daughter Maya was such an angel.

I enjoyed reading this. Will rate it 3.8/5. Thank you NetGalley and the Publishers for a copy.

I absolutely adored this one!

Amazing romance with well-rounded fleshed out characters and a a relationship that will leave begging for one of your own.

Eagerly awaiting the next installment.

« I could let myself love you so easily, Aiden. »

First Time Caller is the kind of book that makes your heart squeeze, your cheeks hurt from grinning, and your emotions spiral into a full-on pillow-screaming session. Aiden and Lucie have the perfect mix of banter, chemistry, and that slow-burn tension that makes every glance, every touch, and every unspoken feeling hit just right.

Aiden, the hopeless romantic turned cynic, and Lucie, the woman who didn’t even realize she wanted romance, are an absolute delight. Their dynamic is the good kind of cheesy—the kind that makes your stomach flutter and your soul warm. Every scene between them is laced with electricity, and the way their relationship unfolds feels so effortless yet so deeply felt. And let’s not forget Lucie’s daughter, who single-handedly kickstarts the chaos in the best way possible.

This book had me smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet, and absolutely melting over Aiden’s quiet vulnerability and Lucie’s realization that maybe, just maybe, love is worth the risk 💕

Thank you @panmacmillan for the arc 🫶🏽

A great read, with Sleepless in Seattle vibes. The story of Aiden and Lucie, who meet via the radio waves when Lucie's daughter phones in to Aiden's show. She only wants her mum to be happy but sets in progress a train of events that chance both Lucie and Aiden. Highly recommended read.

B.K. Borinson's books are always an absolute joy, and 'First Time Caller' was no exception. Borinson's ability to capture the complete disdain fuelled hopelessness that comes with online dating, felt like she was a fly on the wall in my room. But taking that emotion and paring it with such a comforting and loveable character like Aiden was excellent. Aiden is the personification of 'if they wanted to they would' and having a book start with that kind of plateaued frustration to be met with a character like Aiden is something I will read again and again.

B.K. Borison's First Time Caller did not disappoint. The Sleepless in Seattle vibes, but set in Baltimore were absolutely charming and wonderful. Also, Aiden's love of Lucie's mechanic outfit was definitely very original, and fun to read about. The best part of this story is most definitely the witty banter between Aiden and Lucie. I do feel like the book is probably even better enjoyed via audiobook due to the radio host setting. In my mind, Lucie felt older and wiser than 29.