Book Review: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

---

Introduction

First Time Caller is sweet, charming, and cozy in the way only a good romance can be. It blends humor, found family, and emotional vulnerability with a fun radio-station setting that feels fresh without being gimmicky. While it didn’t quite reach five-star status for me, it was a genuinely enjoyable read with a lot of heart. I also loved that it was set in a radio station because I was a RTV major and have worked for a few stations. This setting was catnip for me.

---

Quick Facts

• Release: Feb 2025
• Read: Read December of 2025 (bought 2/2025 but yay long TBR list)
• Reading Time: Quick, cozy, and engaging
• Pages: 446 (Kindle version)
• Format Recommendation: Physical or ebook for a relaxed, comforting read; audiobook also works well for the radio-show elements.
• Perfect for: Readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, single-parent love stories, and found family dynamics.

---

Genre and Writing Style

• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Writing Style: Warm, character-driven, gently humorous
• Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
• Trigger Level: 💀💀 (emotional vulnerability, past heartbreak)

---

Summary: A Brief Overview (Without Major Spoilers)

From Goodreads:
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.

---

Book Details

The radio show setting adds a fun layer to the story and gives the romance a public-versus-private tension that works well.

---

What Worked for Me

• The premise: A romance hotline and viral moment is a fun, modern setup.
• Single-parent rep: Lucie’s role as a mom feels realistic and respectful. Her also being a mechanic instead of a tradition woman’s stereotype role was also refreshing.
• Chemistry: The slow-burn tension between Aiden and Lucie is sweet and believable. If you want a book with an obvious they will instead of a will they won’t they, this is a slow burn pick for you.

---

What Didn’t Work for Me: Trigger Warnings and Criticisms

The pacing slows a bit in the middle, and some emotional beats feel slightly predictable. While charming, the story doesn’t always push beyond familiar romance tropes. The burn is almost a little too slow.

Trigger Warnings Include:

• Past heartbreak
• Emotional vulnerability
• Mild public scrutiny

---

Final Thoughts

First Time Caller is a cozy, feel-good romance with enough emotional depth to keep it grounded. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers exactly what it promises: warmth, chemistry, and a satisfying happily ever after. A solid four-star read.

---

📚 Study Guide

Tips for Readers

Go into this one looking for comfort rather than high drama. It’s best enjoyed when you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and low-stakes.

Discussion Questions

• How does the public nature of the radio show affect the characters’ choices?
• What role does found family play in shaping Lucie’s confidence?
• How does the story balance romance with parenthood?
• Are happy endings more satisfying when they’re chosen quietly rather than publicly?