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

Today marks the publication of B.K Borison's newest title, And Now Back To You, which is taking bookshops across the country by storm (pun intended). If you're tempted to hunker down with this heart-warming, meteorologist romance; don't miss out on the delightful first instalment of the Heartstrings series: First Time Caller.

The story transports us to Baltimore, where Aiden Valentine is struggling to captivate the listeners of his once-popular radio show Heartstrings. Aiden has a complicated history when it comes to attachment, and keeps himself distant from friends and family. His disdain for romance is challenged, however, when hope emerges in the form of Lucie; a woman who wants to believe in the magic of love.

I have high praise for the way Borison chooses to encapsulate the hopes and fears many people experience when searching for a meaningful connection. Lucie's call into the Heartstrings radio show, strikes a chord with listeners across America and the World, earning her a seat next to Aiden in the novel. The show takes on the feel of a podcast, and as you turn the pages it feels like you are right in the booth with them. Borison uses the dialogue to share tenderness and wisdom about finding love - without the need for excessive monologues or heated arguments.

Another excellent feature is the respect dedicated to the modern, blended-family. Whilst Lucie is technically "single" and a mother, she is never defined by these characteristics. A single-parent trope can sometimes be misused and reduces a person's identity to this one aspect of their life. Lucie may not be in a relationship, but she has an extremely supportive co-parent, who alongside his partner, enrich and elevate their daughter's life. First Time Caller explores Lucie's romantic journey as a single-woman, the family happen to be a beautiful, additional layer to the story.

What I believe also appeals to many romance readers is the low-stakes nature of the book. There is, of course, tension, as Aiden and Lucie question how to handle their developing feelings - but this never conflicts with desire to communicate. They may not always say the right things, however the door is always left open for the other to approach. I was really impressed with the healthy conversations they had together, I feel it shines a light on how crucial it is to know your worth and unapologetically set a high standard on the respect you deserve.

You might be curious how Jackson and Delilah play into this story; some chaotic interactions and a lot of disgruntled comments from Jackson ensure for an amusing Grumpy x Sunshine trope in their book And Now Back To You - which I advise you read immediately after First Time Caller to continue riding the high of green-flag, emotionally-intelligent love stories.