Cups & Curiosity

One of my favorite parts of being in a book club is discovering books I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Every month brings a new story, new characters to meet, and a chance to gather with fellow readers to chat about what we loved (or didn’t love). This month, our pick was First Time Caller by B.K. Borison.

Our book club met at the cutest new café with an international-inspired menu, and it couldn’t have been a more fitting setting for a cozy romance discussion. I ordered a rose chai latte along with an orange cream mousse that was almost too beautiful to eat. The mousse was designed to look exactly like a real orange, and every drink and pastry that came out of the kitchen looked like an edible piece of art. It was one of those places where the atmosphere makes you want to linger long after you’ve finished your coffee.

Now, onto the book.

First Time Caller centers around Aiden Valentine, the host of a popular romance radio show, and Lucie Stone, a single mother whose life gets unexpectedly turned upside down after her young daughter secretly calls into the show looking for help finding her mom true love. The call quickly captures listeners’ hearts, and before Lucie knows it, she’s become the focus of a very public search for romance.

What I appreciated most about the story was that it wasn’t just about finding love. Lucie is juggling motherhood, work, and the pressure of opening herself up after disappointment. She feels relatable in the way she questions herself and puts everyone else’s needs ahead of her own. Throughout the novel, you get to watch her slowly regain confidence and realize she deserves happiness too.

Aiden was another highlight for me. Although he’s known for giving relationship advice on the radio, he’s carrying his own emotional baggage. I enjoyed seeing the contrast between his confident on-air personality and the quieter, more vulnerable side of him that only comes out as he gets to know Lucie. Their conversations felt natural, and their chemistry built gradually rather than feeling rushed.

Of course, one of the biggest scene stealers was Lucie’s daughter. Her innocent determination to help her mom find love is what sets the entire story in motion, and she adds so much warmth and humor throughout the book. She creates several genuinely sweet moments that made me smile.

I’d give First Time Caller a 7.5/10.

Was it predictable? Absolutely. I found myself guessing where the story was headed fairly early on, and most of those predictions turned out to be right. But honestly, that didn’t bother me. This is one of those books where the enjoyment comes less from wondering what will happen and more from watching how the characters get there.

B.K. Borison has a writing style that’s easy to sink into, and despite knowing how things would likely unfold, I still wanted to keep reading. I found myself rooting for Lucie, hoping she’d find not only love but also the confidence to embrace a new chapter of her life. The supporting cast also added plenty of charm and helped make the world feel lived in and inviting.

The novel was undeniably cute, comforting, and easy to binge over a few evenings. If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance with lovable characters, plenty of heart, and a touch of Sleepless in Seattle energy, this is a great one to add to your reading list.

Sometimes the best books aren’t the ones filled with shocking twists, they’re the ones that make you smile, keep you turning the pages, and leave you feeling just a little happier than when you started.

Journal Prompt:
If someone who loved you called into a radio show to describe you, what do you think they’d say? And what would you hope they’d say about the kind of life you’re creating?