First Time Caller by B.K. Borison: Cozy, Realistic Romance for the Middle-Aged Heart

2 Comments / Booked and Reviewed / By

Read time: 3 minutes

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📱📖 Read on Kobo (also listened to parts in audio)
📃 Genre: Romance | 368 pages | 🎧 Listened in audio (selectively)
📢 Narrated by E.J. Bingham, Hathaway Lee ⏱ Duration: 12 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Penguin Audio for audiobooks (ebook & paperback by Berkley)

Book blurb:

Aiden Valentine is a radio host who has lost faith in love, but his romance hotline attracts a call that changes everything. Lucie Stone, a single mom and mechanic, finds herself suddenly in the spotlight when her daughter calls the show to find her love. What starts as a viral interview leads to a story of friendship, realistic connection, and romance that isn’t about fairy tale fantasies but about comfort and real-life emotions.

let’s talk about the book:

This love story shines brightest because it was crafted for middle-aged readers navigating the complexities of real life. Lucie’s need for comfort and genuine connection resonates deeply as she balances motherhood and work without the rose-colored glasses of youth. The slow burn of realistic companionship felt very authentic, reflecting the stage where comfort and friendship outweigh dramatic chemistry. What made the story truly relatable was its emotional honesty about love after responsibilities and past heartbreaks. B.K. Borison delivers exactly that.

Lucie is a relatable single mom who’s all about stability over swoony illusions. Her “fake date” ploy with Aiden feels grounded in reality: friendship first, comfort second, passion as a bonus. At our age, it’s less about rainbows and more about someone who gets the chaos of parenthood. The small-town setting amps up the cozy factor, with radio banter adding fun, flirty tension that had me smiling through commutes.

But… twelve hours of it? That’s where I struggled. This second chance romance dragged like a never-ending voicemail. While the mystery of their romance was never in doubt, the drawn-out pacing and repetition sometimes weakened the impact. I found myself wishing for a tighter edit with less meandering, more momentum.

Despite this, the narration by E.J. Bingham and Hathaway Lee brought warmth and personality, adding depth and engagement that kept it enjoyable.

💕 Would I Recommend It?

Yes, but with a time warning. The length may test your patience, but the relatable characters and genuine warmth make it worth the time, especially in audiobook format.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

if you like this…

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Spill the Tea: Fake Dates or Real Feels?

What’s your take on midlife romance novels that ditch the drama for everyday magic? Did the radio setup hook you, or was the pacing a buzzkill? Drop your hottest takes below. Let’s chat second chance romance gems!

book links:

Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These platforms partner with independent bookstores to fulfill your orders. #SupportLocal

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Bookshop.org
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound |Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary
Follow B. K. Borison on her author page
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