Book Review: First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison – A Sweet, Sleepless in Seattle-Inspired Romance

First-Time Caller follows Aiden Valentine, a cynical radio host, and Lucie Stone, a single mom whose life is turned upside down when her daughter calls into Aiden’s show looking for a new husband for her mom.

Summary:

Aiden Valentine, the jaded host of Baltimore’s romance hotline Heartstrings, finds himself thrust into the limelight when a young girl’s call seeking dating advice for her mum goes viral. That mum, Lucie Stone, is a content single mother with a great job, a close-knit family, and a clever daughter, but suddenly finds her love life—or lack of one—under the city’s spotlight. As Aiden and Lucie navigate the media frenzy and growing public pressure for Lucie to find her happily-ever-after, unexpected sparks ignite between them. Now, Lucie must choose between the picture-perfect romance everyone expects and the imperfect, heartfelt connection forming behind the scenes.

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a charming, feel-good romance with nostalgic 2000s rom-com vibes, First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a great pick. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, this story introduces us to Aiden Valentine, the disillusioned host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, and Lucie Stone, a single mom whose life is upended when her precocious daughter, Maya, calls into Aiden’s show looking for a new husband for her mom.

Aiden has grown cynical about love after witnessing his parents’ troubled marriage, which makes his role as a romance expert on the air all the more ironic. Meanwhile, Lucie is content with her life as it is—balancing a fulfilling job and a close-knit family—until the public (and Aiden) starts rooting for her to find her happy ending. When sparks start flying behind the scenes, Lucie has to decide if she’s ready to open her heart again.

This was my first book by B.K. Borison, and I’m already looking forward to reading more in the Heartstrings series. The story is heartwarming and funny, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. There were a few steamy scenes which I quickly skipped through. On a side note, I recently had a positive experience with another author who provided information at the beginning of the book advising readers which chapters to skip if they didn’t want to read the steamier moments. I wish more authors would offer a heads-up on which chapters to skip for those who prefer to avoid them.

The Audiobook:

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narration, which added depth to both Aiden and Lucie’s perspectives. While the performances were strong, I would have loved to hear more sound effects to enhance the radio show atmosphere.

Final Thoughts:

First-Time Caller is a sweet, cozy romance that’s easy to recommend to rom-com lovers.

A Similar Book You May Enjoy:

Beg, Borrow, Or Steal by Sarah Adams