First-Time Caller by B.K. BorisonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
🌅So many good quotes –
“How often have I felt like I’m just drifting from one thing to the next? How hard has it been for me to muster enthusiasm for… anything?”
“I don’t want to settle for something just to say I have it.”
“Love and romance seem like a fairy tale now, something we tell kids to help them sleep better at night. Something we tell ourselves too.”
“I can still be a confident, independent woman and till want someone to hold my hand. To ask about my day.”
Some romances are pure comfort food, and First Time Caller delivers that rare mix of charm, wit, and emotional depth that makes you smile even when your heart aches a little.
The story follows Lucie Stone, a single mom whose daughter dials into a struggling Baltimore romance hotline hosted by the grumpy yet magnetic Aiden Valentine. What begins as a sweet on-air connection quickly snowballs into a full-on radio sensation, thrusting Lucie and Aiden into forced proximity both inside and outside the studio. Their banter is sharp, the tension electric, and the slow-burn chemistry is impossible to ignore. I loved the supporting characters. Lucie’s neighbors/co-parents are so huggable, and I’m dying to hear more about Aiden’s coworkers (come on Book #2 – can’t wait 😉). They add warmth, humor, and found-family vibes that round out the world beautifully.
Lucie is one of the most grounded romance heroines I’ve read in a while. She’s kind, self-aware, and strong, yet still allows herself to hope for more. Aiden, on the other hand, hides a tender heart behind sarcasm and grief. Watching him inch toward vulnerability, especially when he quietly keeps track of Lucie’s favorite things, made my chest ache. Their chemistry is a slow build, more about longing glances and sharp dialogue than instant fireworks, which only makes the eventual payoff that much sweeter.
Borison shines at creating believable, relatable characters. Lucie is resilient, witty, and grounded, while Aiden hides a vulnerable heart behind layers of sarcasm and cynicism. Their relationship doesn’t rely on tired miscommunication tropes; instead, it unfolds with honesty, vulnerability, and the kind of tenderness that feels earned. The result is a romance that strikes a balance between lighthearted fun and moments of genuine emotional resonance.
If I had one critique, it’s that I wanted more details about Lucie's life beyond the radio booth and further exploration of Aiden's internal development. But the beats Borison hits land exactly as they should, and the ending is both satisfying and swoony. The story strikes a balance between humor, tenderness, and emotional depth, never feeling manipulative or overdone.
As Aiden muses, “She said she wanted magic, and I thought we’d found something better. Something real.” That’s precisely what this book is: real, tender, and quietly magical.
I devour contemporary romances the way some people binge-watch their favorite sitcoms: quickly, lightheartedly, and guaranteed to keep me entertained. I don’t demand the same level of precision from them as I do from historical or science fiction, where the facts and science must be correct. Instead, I reach for romance when I need a distraction between heavier reads or when life itself feels overwhelming. If a book makes me laugh or touches me deeply, that’s a bonus. And that’s exactly what First Time Caller did for me, it was the perfect escape at the perfect time.
First Time Caller is witty, heartwarming, and brimming with charm—perfect for readers who want the butterflies of a classic rom-com with the grounded emotional depth of contemporary romance. I can’t wait to get my hands on Jackson & Deliah’s story in the next book - And Now Back To You due out in Feb. 2026. 🥰
#AndNowBackToYou #FirstTimeCaller #BKBorison #NetGalley #Berkley
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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