I remember the first time Diana asked me to run the book club. I kept thinking to myself, “No one is going to join. Who is going to read a bunch of books and want to rant about it with me?” It’s immensely vulnerable to put your personality out there like that, but the reality is, we’re all looking for some kind of connection.
It’s why Lucie’s first monologue on the air grabs you. When you find a community of people, or even just one person, to share that with, you don’t feel quite so alone; It doesn’t feel ridiculous or scary anymore. That’s what made this story so compelling. While I love the love story, the banter, and the nostalgia (thong song was epic), it’s the vulnerability and the desire to be understood that opened my heart to Lucie and Aiden’s story.
First-Time Caller takes place in Baltimore, where our male main character, Aiden, hosts a romance hotline called Heartstrings. The problem is, Aiden isn’t sure he’s on board with love anymore. That is, until a 9 year old calls in to the station, looking to help her mother find love.
Lucie has an amazing co-parenting relationship with her daughter’s father (seriously, I’m obsessed with their friendship), a stable job, a safe home, and is all around content with how her life has turned out. But when she sees how much her daughter wants her to be happy, she ends up as a featured guest of the show following an emotional monologue about why she gave up on dating. Her vulnerability touched the hearts of Baltimore, and now, with the help of Aiden and the rest of the station, they’re committed to finding her a match.
Overall, this was a beautiful story about being vulnerable, being open to new experiences, and the courage it takes to let yourself be loved, even if it may end in pain (or grief).
I’ve seen a lot of commentary about this book not needing to be as long as it was, especially for a contemporary romance. I, personally, think that putting a cap on the length of a book simply because of its genre, is a huge disservice to the work and the genre as a whole. There's so much more you can do with a story than just relay the events of what had them fall in love. And what I appreciate about B.K. Borison's writing is that it explored friendships, depending on people, co-parenting relationships, mother-daughter relationships, etc. It become much more of a character driven story than simply a romance, and I appreciated seeing the development of those characters unravel.
For me, the length of the book not only helped drive development and connection between Lucie and Aiden, but was genuine to who the characters are, how they think and feel, and a realistic timeline for their journey. Did Aiden absolutely infuriate me at the end? Oh yes. But it was his journey to navigate, his healing to go through, and sometimes it’s easier to see a solution from the outside than it is when you are in that current of emotion.
The side characters in this story are just as rich as the main characters. I love an interconnected universe, and it always impresses me when I end up just as invested in those side characters when the focus isn't on them. I found myself trying to figure out who else B.K. would write up in the future and wanting to know more.
Grayson, especially, was such a riot to read. I absolutely adored his relationship with Lucie and Maya, and getting to see the dynamics of his relationship with Mateo and how they all work together as a unit was so beautiful. I mean, any man who hops on a radio show and screams "LISTEN UP LIZARDS, THERE'S A NEW DADDY IN TOWN," into the mic is someone I want to know 😂
There were really only two things that pulled me out of the story. The first was how awkward some of the banter was at the beginning of Lucie and Aiden’s interactions. But as the story unfolded, I started to consider that maybe that was the point, because as time went on and the relationship developed, the chemistry was so easy and comfortable. In the long run (whether it was intentional or not), it ended up adding to the experience.
Second thing, and this was equally a humorous thing as it was a little off for me, was when Lucie was crying after that awful date with Asshat (he doesn't deserve to have his actual name acknowledged). I love a protective man, but something about how angry Aiden immediately got was off putting for me. When Grayson is pissed off, it's kind of hilarious. He's just this over the top character, consistently. But Aiden... I don't know. He had a couple of moments like this- the other being at the end when he's worried that Lucie is going to leave and is acting like a jerk. They felt too extreme, like a child having a temper tantrum, and while I understand that it was his warring feelings internally that drove it, it did just feel a little childish to me.
And on that note, I'm going to need everyone to poll their husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and friends here... is their first reaction to get angry and yell/ask, "Who made you cry?" I need to know. For science.
At the end of it all, I really enjoyed reading this story. I've also read And Now, Back to You at this point, and B.K. Borison just does not miss for me. I lover her syntax and diction, I love her characters, and I love the additional themes that she works into her love stories. They feel as compelling and beautifully executed as the romance itself.
Some of my favorite quotes form First-Time Caller:
“When the whole world tells you you’re silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them. You start to think you’re not worth it. That if the things you’re waiting for do exist, they’re not for someone like you.”
“Talking about my feelings live on the air might not be what I want, but maybe it’s what I need. Maybe I need to be tugged out of my comfort zone. Maybe it’s time for something new.”
“What if this is what you’ve been waiting for? What if it’s all a string of choices that have led you to exactly right here? And what if what happens next- what if what happens next is the good part? The part you’ve been waiting for?”
"Nah, Lucie. I think you're the magic."
