Name: First Time Caller
Rating: 4.072289156626506 (83 reviews)
ISBN: 9781035028894

B. K. Borison

First Time Caller

Romy

You touched me like you didn’t care what I thought and I- I liked it.

Fiona

I like thinking that I‘d be worth the trouble of something like that.

B.K. Borison

First-Time Caller

Steph

It’s only February 2025, and I’ve already found my favorite romance read of the year! First-Time Caller is everything I want in a romance—slow burn, great relationship development, and that perfect progression from strangers to friends to something more. And the best part? It all happens so naturally. Reading this book felt like watching two of your best friends fall in love, and that’s the best feeling ever. The story itself isn’t groundbreaking—she’s a hopeless romantic, he’s a skeptic who doesn’t believe in love, and they meet under an outrageous circumstance. But what made this book for me was how insanely relatable the FMC was. I saw so much of myself in her. She’s a certified lover girl who refuses to settle for anything less than butterflies, romance, and being swept off her feet. And when she voices exactly what she wants? Sexy as hell. And the MMC—oh god. The way he does all these little things for her? SWOON. Sure, he’s got issues, but the best thing about book boyfriends? They work through them for that perfect happily ever after. Now, the spice. There’s not a lot, but what we do get? HOT. It’s not super explicit, but the way he’s so giving, always asking what she needs, and the way she takes control? Done. Dead. Deceased. I love, love, love this book to death. I need more.

Joana Mae

After reading three Emily Henry books back-to-back, I think I’ve developed a certain standard for romance novels now 😅 Her writing just hits differently—more emotional, more relatable. That said, the two main characters here were very likeable, and I appreciated that. The story itself was fine—fast-paced and not boring at all, which made it an easy read. But I think this might be my last contemporary romance for now… I’ve had enough spice 🙈 I need to be more mindful with the romance books I pick moving forward—it’s starting to affect my ratings 😅

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison. 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 believed. 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 decision between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

kayden storm

why did i wait so long to read this??????

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison. 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.

This was so cute! I loved it. An easy, feel-good romance read!

I really, really enjoyed the chemistry between Aiden and Lucie. It was written incredibly well, and felt palpable throughout the entire book. It had me GIGGLING. It made sense that they fell for each other and I thought the build-up was crafted very nicely. It is quite long for a standard romance book, but I didn’t feel like it dragged at all. If anything, it helped the characters reach depth and feel well-rounded. 

My one small bone to pick is, as usual, with the third-act “breakup”. Ugh, I just don’t like them. I don’t think they’re necessary and I didn’t really love the way this one was done. It felt a bit out-of-the-blue. What I can say about it is that the recovery was done beautifully. So rom-com.

As a HUGE Sleepless In Seattle fan, this was a great read and I’d recommend to all you rom-com lovers out there.

Emilia Vulliamy

This was so cute! I loved it. An easy, feel-good romance read!

I really, really enjoyed the chemistry between Aiden and Lucie. It was written incredibly well, and felt palpable throughout the entire book. It had me GIGGLING. It made sense that they fell for each other and I thought the build-up was crafted very nicely. It is quite long for a standard romance book, but I didn’t feel like it dragged at all. If anything, it helped the characters reach depth and feel well-rounded. 

My one small bone to pick is, as usual, with the third-act “breakup”. Ugh, I just don’t like them. I don’t think they’re necessary and I didn’t really love the way this one was done. It felt a bit out-of-the-blue. What I can say about it is that the recovery was done beautifully. So rom-com.

Side characters were all so loveable.

As a HUGE Sleepless In Seattle fan, this was a great read and I’d recommend to all you rom-com lovers out there.

So charming. The plot was a bit thin. The characters were a bit underdeveloped. But the sex scenes were great. Made from a movie for the movies!

Amelia

Melissa

I love how she writes her characters, they feel so real. The premise was super cute, and it was a fun time!

The only complaint is that it was a bit longer than I feel like it should have been. The last few chapters with the major conflict was a bit rushed and it felt slightly thrown in, like an afterthought to add in some suspense. I personally didn’t need those chapters, but I understand what she was going for. 

Floofyflower

I love how she writes her characters, they feel so real. The premise was super cute, and it was a fun time!

The only complaint is that it was a bit longer than I feel like it should have been. The last few chapters with the major conflict was a bit rushed and it felt slightly thrown in, like an afterthought to add in some suspense. I personally didn’t need those chapters, but I understand what she was going for. 

I’m handing out 5 stars like candy but this book made me believe in love again for like 400 pages and so it deserves it. 

Hannah Bateman

Rare romance book that I did genuinely enjoy, though I felt it stumbled at the end. 

Elizabeth

Giving work place romance which is always a hit, but minus points for just being mostly mediocre. 

Samantha Waterson

“Long-time listener, first-time caller. I was hoping you could give me some advice.”

This story was the perfect summer read! ☀️ I could relate to Aiden so many times throughout this book. 🥹 I really feel like I needed this. He and Lucie were 

This author is so funny! There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud—or giggle and kick my feet in my bed! Her storytelling is remarkable.

Aiden is so f*cking hot, and the spice in this book was so much fun! 😏 This book really balanced sweet and spicy moments so well, and the story was so cute! 💕

The characters were really supportive, and I loved the setting. It was very simple and sweet.

Jacob Edmonds

“Long-time listener, first-time caller. I was hoping you could give me some advice.”

I believe in love again. 📞💘🎧

This story was the perfect summer read! ☀️ I could relate to Aiden so many times throughout this book. 🥹 I really feel like I needed this. He and Lucie were made for each other! 💕

This author is so funny! There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud—or giggle and kick my feet in my bed! Her storytelling is remarkable.

Aiden is so f*cking hot, and the spice in this book was so much fun! 😏 This book really balanced sweet and spicy moments so well, and the story was so cute! 💕

The characters were really supportive, and I loved the setting. It was very simple and sweet.

Wow. Love, love, love! 💌

Mariaaa

I absolutely loved this book. The storyline was amazing, I really enjoyed Lucy joining the radio station and inspiring all those people. I also really enjoyed all the characters and their relationships with one another in the book, like Lucy and Grayson and how well they co-parent. I loved the banter and the chemistry between Lucy and Aiden on the show, and I really felt like the third-act breakup scene was believable. I felt like both of their mental dilemmas were very real scenarios, so it didn't make anything feel forced. Overall amazing read and I would recommend to anyone looking for a good rom-com. 

Maggie Hotmer

I enjoyed this! the first like 60% was super super good and I thought this would be like a 4.5ish, but then the second half just dragged, and I kept thinking “just get together already”. I understand that in romance books, tension is key, but to me, tension only works when there’s a legitimate reason that the couple likes each other but can’t be together. it doesn’t work when one character is just like “I’m bad for you we could never work” and we have no evidence of that being true. plus, while I’m not a prude I didn’t love that the romance started out as a genuine interest and that they liked each other outside of lust, only to then change into a lust thing before then skyrocketing to I love you so fast. I would’ve liked to see some buildup, like in the first half. but overall, I had fun and enjoyed this and the characters are cutie patooties. I would recommend!

fris🐝

Aiden and Lucie. I love love loved this book!

Kelsey 🎀

Aiden and Lucie found their magic 🥹  I really liked this book. I picked it up onna whim when I saw it on the New rack at the library and that was definitely a good choice. One thing I'll always like in a book is when the side characters aren't stillwater placeholders and the relationships between the main and side characters in this book are so so sweet and beautiful. I'd definitely recommend this to others bc it's worth the read. 

jade

Valeria 

this book was kind of a tough read. i loved the plotline and how it started off, but it dragged. there was sort of insta love with aiden and lucie but i surprisingly didn’t hate that. they just had chemistry right off the bat, but even 50% of the way through it had felt like nothing happened and nothing was progressing.

third act breakup was kinda dumb ngl, aiden’s reasoning made sense but i also was like… ok and??? stop depriving yourself of love? ally and i read this together at the same time and it just wasn’t that great. i was cruising at the beginning but the end really dragged on. i’d pass on this tbh!

Tara Bounkeovisane

this book was kind of a tough read. i loved the plotline and how it started off, but it dragged. there was sort of insta love with aiden and lucie but i surprisingly didn’t hate that. they just had chemistry right off the bat, but even 50% of the way through it had felt like nothing happened and nothing was progressing.

third act breakup was kinda dumb ngl, aiden’s reasoning made sense but i also was like… ok and??? stop depriving yourself of love? ally and i read this together at the same time and it just wasn’t that great. i was cruising at the beginning but the end really dragged on. i’d pass on this tbh!

i loved this book so much, i literally read it in a day. i can’t wait for the next one in the series (based off my fav movie when harry met sally)

alyssa 

issa

This book was magic and no one can tell me otherwise. There was not one single moment where I wasn’t completely wrapped up in the story. It made me laugh (and not a cute giggle, like an overwhelming laugh with my whole body cackle). I read this on Libby but I will likely purchase a copy because I will absolutely be rereading this.

Reading this felt like watching a movie with your girlfriends and yelling at the tv, telling the main character to just kiss the girl already. Very rarely is a romance novel a five star read for me, but First-time Caller was flawless

Alissa 

This book was magic and no one can tell me otherwise. There was not one single moment where I wasn’t completely wrapped up in the story. It made me laugh (and not a cute giggle, like an overwhelming laugh with my whole body cackle). I read this on Libby but I will likely purchase a copy because I will absolutely be rereading this.

Reading this felt like watching a movie with your girlfriends and yelling at the tv, telling the main character to just kiss the girl already. Very rarely is a romance novel a five star read for me, but First-time Caller was flawless

Annabella

i love love and i love a good romance book, hell i love bad ones too, but this was not it for me. the levels of corny headassery was just too much for me! it was like the author wrote this with the intention of it being turned into a romcom movie and you can feel that in all the cheesiness (/neg). the witty one liners, the banter, it was not good! AND THONG SONG?! literally my favorite song and that scene still was corny and trash as hell. sorry!

K.K. Jane

I don’t know what B.K. Borison laced in these pages but it was the most addicting thing possible. This gave classic 90s romcom vibes and just when you thought all the meet-cutes were written this classic comes along. I was obsessed with every second I read of this book. The banter, the chemistry, all of the characters, yeah every single thing part of this book was amazing. I’m so excited for book 2 and wish I could have it now but I’ll test my patience to see if I’ll last. But yeah, if you haven’t picked this one up yet please rectify that because this was amazing and is a really good romcom. This is coming from someone who doesn’t always love romcoms but B.K. Borison is my go to for them because they are always amazing. 

Priscilla Stanfield

4.5/5⭐️ • 2.5/5🌶️

I don’t know what B.K. Borison laced in these pages but it was the most addicting thing possible. This gave classic 90s romcom vibes and just when you thought all the meet-cutes were written this classic comes along. I was obsessed with every second I read of this book. The banter, the chemistry, all of the characters, yeah every single thing part of this book was amazing. I’m so excited for book 2 and wish I could have it now but I’ll test my patience to see if I’ll last. But yeah, if you haven’t picked this one up yet please rectify that because this was amazing and is a really good romcom. This is coming from someone who doesn’t always love romcoms but B.K. Borison is my go to for them because they are always amazing. 

First Time Caller

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