First Time Caller: A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story Paperback – 13 Feb. 2025

REVIEWcw: mentions of cancer, child abandonment, anxietyB.K. Borison writes some of THE swooniest romances that I've ever read, and this was no exception. This was THE most exquisite slow burn! I genuinely didn't know how she could follow the amazing Lovelight Farms series, but here I am, grinning and swooning all over again. I LOVED the little transcripts at the end of each chapter. It was such a cute touch.At times this was a tough read for me, especially early on, because I identified SO much with Lucie. I found myself sobbing so many times whenever she spoke about how she'd pretty much lost herself in many regards and had pushed the idea of love and romance to one side while she prioritised raising her daughter. She was incredibly relatable, especially in how she struggled with dating. It was like seeing inside my head when she talked about the exhaustion of holding everything together alone. But most of all, I loved her vulnerability. When she spoke about what she'd like from a date it also spoke deeply to me. I loved how awkward she was at times, but, she was also very funny and deeply empathic, and I loved her celebrity crush.Aiden was such a cinnamon roll underneath his seemingly jaded exterior. My heart broke for him when we learned the burden he was putting on himself always to be positive around his parents. When he finally revealed his reasons for being cynical about love to Lucie, my heart broke even more. The key ring made me sob. But I adored how much he secretly cared about everyone, especially Lucie, and how he always checked in that she was emotionally comfortable at the studio.Both Lucie and Aiden perfectly voiced the disconnect and lack of enthusiasm for dating, and the all-encompassing loneliness, even when surrounded by people you care about. But the chemistry between them was palpable, and it was SUCH an exquisite slow burn. I ADORED it when Aiden rushed to comfort her after the no-show. The simmering tension throughout was utterly sublime. Chapter eighteen was SO adorably awkward, then ridiculously cute. Aiden's gradual realisation that he needed Lucie in his life was so deeply satisfying to watch unfold, but also incredibly sweet, especially as he awkwardly tried to navigate those new feelings. The way I swooned during chapter twenty-six. It was both incredibly moving and deeply adorable. As for the following chapter? It was 'very nice' and most definitely worth the wait!There were, of course, lots of great supporting characters. Maya, Lucie's daughter was sweet and funny, and I loved how much she wanted good things for her mum. I also loved Maya's father, Grayson, and his husband, Mateo. They were so wonderfully supportive of Lucie, even though the initial reveal made me giggle. Patty, Lucie's neighbour, was such a fun character, with a great sense of humour. The way I CACKLED when Grayson, and then Patty, saw Lucie after she'd had some apricot jam. I loved the quirkiness but also the caring nature of Angelo, Harvey, and Dan, Lucie's colleaguesI also adored Aiden's friend and colleague, Jackson. His friendship with Aiden was wonderful, and they were hilarious together, but he also gave great advice. Meanwhile, his nervous, meandering weather talks were absolutely hilarious. I also loved what (I hope) was the setup for his book, and the car park scene cracked me up. The station manager, Maggie, was also an interesting character, and I hope we see more from her in the future. Oliver was also adorable and I hope we get his full story at some point because the setup was SO intriguing. I also think there was a tease for another story with Maggie. But the person I desperately want a book with is Jackson. In case you haven't guessed by now, I absolutely adored him.The chapters towards the end absolutely broke me, but I was SO proud of Lucie, and then Aiden for confronting their fears. I adored Aiden's father's advice. You'll want to stock up on hankies for this book because I was an emotional wreck so many times But the final couple of chapters were SO cute, and as for the epilogue? It was perfection!This was THE most exquisite slow burn and another masterpiece in swoon by B.K. Borison.Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

4.5 ⭐️sTW⚠️- family member cancer diagnosis/treatment (mentioned in past history)⚠️Spice level 🌶️🌶️ (a chapter long sex scene lots of dirty talk 🙈 - did end up skim reading this part)I knew this book was going to be a great read from page 3 🥰. The perfect feel good romance 💕Gives hints of the book series the bromance book club. So if you like that book series you will love this book too. #foundfamilyLove that the main female character is a mechanic and she works with a bunch of guys - I read a lot of books and this is the first time I’ve read this trope in a book 🥰 felt refreshing. I hope the next book in the series follows one of the guys from the mechanic garage 🤞I also loved the Easter eggs the author put in the book from his previous books like an advert on the radio for trees (referencing her previous book lovelight farms).I tabbed so many great quotes and feel good parts of the story. I think the authors writing was even better in this book then her previous book lovelight farms. It made me laugh. smile and gasp out loud. All the characters felt so real and unique. I loved the little radio excerpts in between chapters just made you feel like you were listening to a radio station. I bet this book would be amazing as an audio book.The only thing stopping this book from being a 5⭐️ to me was I would have liked a few more chapters on her job as a mechanic as I really enjoyed the banter with the characters and customers in the garage. I also felt the book was a tad too long and lost its way in the middle. But even with that being said I can’t wait for the next book in the series 🥰

B.K. Borison’s First-Time Caller is a delightful, heartwarming romance with a fresh take on the "Sleepless in Seattle" concept.The story follows Lucie Stone, a single mom with a solid, fulfilling life, and Aiden Valentine, a radio host who has secretly lost faith in love.When Lucie’s daughter calls into Aiden’s radio show to find her mom a date, the segment goes viral, forcing Lucie into the spotlight and giving Aiden’s career a much-needed boost.As they navigate the unexpected media frenzy, real chemistry starts to develop between them, making Lucie question whether a scripted love story could turn into the real thing.Lucie is a charming, down-to-earth protagonist, and Aiden is the perfect mix of grumpy and secretly soft-hearted. Their banter is sharp, witty, and full of tension.The book radiates warmth, with a strong found-family vibe and a comforting, nostalgic feel. Borison masterfully balances humour, romance, and emotional depth.The romance unfolds naturally, keeping readers hooked with its mix of flirtation, vulnerability, and sizzling moments.The narration (by E.J. Bingham & Hathaway Lee) brings the story to life, enhancing the emotional beats and witty dialogue.First-Time Caller is an irresistibly charming romance that will make you smile, swoon, and maybe even shed a happy tear. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, and classic ‘90s rom-coms. If you love witty banter, slow-burn tension, and a dash of nostalgia, this book is a must-read.Favourite Quotes from First-Time CallerI like that. Thinking that I’m worth paying attention to. Something ordinary made extraordinary by the person you’re sharing it with.When the whole world tells you you’re silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them. You start to think you’re not worth it. That if the things you’re waiting for do exist, they’re not for someone like youI 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 goosebumps. I want to wonder what my date is thinking about and hope it might be me. I want…I want the magic.Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️