First-Time Caller by B K Borison

First-Time Caller by B K Borison

B K Borison has written several novels, including the popular Lovelight series. First-Time Caller is the first in her new Heartstrings series, surrounding a small radio station in Baltimore. It is new, only being published in February of 2025, and is already an Amazon Editor's Pick for Best Romance. It deals with cancer and abandonment.

Lucie is fine. She has a wonderful pre-teen daughter, a very good co-parenting relationship with Maya's dad and his husband (who live next door), and she lives across the street from her best friend Patty with whom she gets to enjoy wine and freshly baked pastries. What more could a woman want? Queue her meddling - but with the best of intentions - daughter, who calls into Baltimore's premier romance hotline to brainstorm ways to make her mom less lonely. When Lucie gets on the line and talks to the host of Heartstrings, Aiden Valentine, the conversation goes viral. Turns out Lucie isn't the only person who wants magic in her relationship, she has struck a chord with more than just Baltimore. And Heartstrings wants to ride this viral train as long as they can to help their ratings, which have been less than stellar. Lucie becomes Aiden's temporary co-host while they try to find that magic for her, but maybe it isn't magic that Lucie was looking for at all.

I have had this book on my "want to read" list since it came out. And it did not disappoint, catching my attention from the first few pages. Was it thought provoking - not really. But it was possibly the perfect read for the summer, despite taking place in the winter. Fun, funny, full of loveable, quirky characters and good writing, with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Not only were Lucie and Aiden incredibly likeable and well rounded, the chapters are broken up with little excerpts from the radio show or comments from it's listeners, which I really loved and were fun to read. The supporting characters from both Lucie's and Aiden's lives were wonderful and I was absolutely delighted to find out that this is a series - the sequel comes out in February and will follow Heartstring's meteorologist. I can't wait. As an aside, this book has the hottest sex scene I can remember reading, and it is not dirty or scandalous at all, just really well done.

I'm giving First-Time Caller by B K Borison 5 stars and a spice rating of 3.25. No notes, other than not believing that pineapple on pizza is good. Not because I don't believe it belongs on pizza, I don't believe pineapple belongs in anything because it's gross. I said what I said and I'm not sorry for it.

For more from B K Borison, check out her website at https://bkborison.com/

Pairs well with cruffins and not putting lights on the undercarriage of your car.

Favorite quote: "When the whole world tells you you're silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them."