First-Time Caller Book Review

My Kindle is STUFFED with an embarrassing number of books to be read. I collect them whenever they go on sale and then pick the right read for the right time when I’m want to start a new book.

It is rare that I buy a book and read it immediately but in the case of First-Time Caller, I was so excited to read it I started it the very day that the paper copy was delivered from my Book of the Month subscription.

I always read on my Kindle at night in bed and this book was so good that I had to buy the Kindle copy to keep my momentum going! My eyes are just too tired at night to read paper copies and this story was worth the splurge on the additional format. (Just one of my mini habits that help me read more every year.)

Curious if this book is for you? Check out my full review below.

Summary of First-Time Caller

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.

Book Stats

Published: February 11, 2025
Pages: 448
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance
Get Your Copy: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook

What I Liked

Here’s what I would tell my best friend about the book:

1. Perfect for Sleepless in Seattle Fans: I love that movie so much. When I first started reading, I didn’t know that it was the original inspiration for the story but I quickly picked up on the similarities. Imagine a gender-swap of the main characters to start but there are significant differences in the plot as it goes on. It is definitely a love letter to Nora Ephron’s masterpiece.
2. Charming Main Character: I adored Lucie throughout the book. She was relatable as a mom and extremely likable all around.
3. Insightful Main Male Character: Aiden comes to the table with his own traumas and what he learns about love and relationships over the course of the book is quite powerful.
4. Entertaining Radio Transcripts: I love books that have unusual formats in the mix. There is a radio transcript from the show at the start of every chapter and they provided perfect comedic relief and warm heart fuzzies throughout. I would SO listen to Heartstrings if it were a real radio show.
5. I Want a Series: I don’t usually enjoy reading series romances, I prefer a one-and-done approach. BUT, I would LOVE to see a Heartstrings Book 2, or 3, 4, and 5! Everything you need is tied up in a bow with this book, but I’d love to revisit the world the author has created here.

What I Didn’t Like

Every reader needs something different from a book. What I may not have preferred may be your favorite part so take this with a grain of salt.

As I mentioned, I had no idea that this was supposed to be a Sleepless in Seattle-inspired story when I first started reading it. I was initially annoyed by the similarities but then the plot shifted and it became its own thing.

Had I known at the outset, I doubt this would have bothered me at all and it was not a problem in the long run. So now you know!

Overall Score

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I give First-Time Caller 5 stars.

I LOVED this book so much. It held my attention, had me choosing to read rather than other activities, and I finished it fairly quickly. All signs of a perfect reading experience.

I can’t stop thinking about the characters and I’d watch the heck out of a movie version of the story.

If this is your first time reading one of my reviews, you may want to check out how I score my reads with this scale guide here.

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