First-Time Caller
Author: B.K. Borison
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Aiden has hosted a local romance hotline radio show for six years, and he has major burnout, not even sure he believes in love. But when 12-year-old Maya calls the show to find a date for her single mom, Lucie, Aiden’s life changes. Soon, Lucie joins Aiden on the show and the pair have amazing chemistry as Aiden tries to find Lucie a date with Mr. Right.
What starts off with a Sleepless in Seattle vibe, turns into its own journey about friendship and love. In her acknowledgments, Borison shares that First-Time Caller is a “love letter to love. And a thank you to Nora Ephron.” I believe she successfully reaches her goal, because the story isn’t just about romantic love, but about familial love, found families, best friends, and bonds that cannot be broken. It’s about allowing oneself to the freedom to feel any and all emotions, both the good and difficult. It’s about what it’s like to be hurt and to heal.
First-Time Caller is shared via the alternating first person POVs of Lucie and Aiden. I love this because it allows me to experience the raw emotions of both characters first hand. At first Lucie and Aiden become friends, and then they develop a crush, and then they fall in love, but Aiden is too scared to take a chance. I love how Borison writes the emotions of Aiden. She digs into his panic and fear, knowing he’s on the cusp of something amazing and too scared to go for it. The panic of seeing his life plan crumble and realize it wasn’t the right plan. I felt it all along side Aiden and that connected me to the character and relationship.
First-Time Caller really warmed my heart and made me smile. I love the search for love and the discovery that it’s not this perfect, magical thing. I love Lucie’s family and the love she has in her life. She’s sunshine and magic and makes everyone a bit better. I highly recommend this friends-to-lovers romance; it’s destined to become one of my comfort reads!
My Rating: A-
Jen
About the Book:
Aiden Valentine has a secret: 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.
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Heartstrings #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (448 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher / NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)