Love On The Air

I recently finished reading First Time Caller by B.K. Borison. This is book #1 in the Heartstrings trilogy. This is OwlCrate's first quarterly romance book.

This special edition includes

• redesigned dust jacket art by @fishermanarts

• reversible dust jacket designed by @artsiidaisy

• printed hardcover case designed by @lichen_and_limestone

• end pages designed by @scribbubbles

• stenciled designed edges by @lichen_and_limestone

• author letter bound and bonus content bound into the book

~POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT~

  Rating: 4.5/5 stars

"Aiden Valentine has a he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life—or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending. . . even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her."

I fell in love with this book! I cursed myself for reading it so quickly! Several things made me swoon and sigh, starting with the delightful banter between Aiden and Lucie during their radio show, where they shared a tiny booth without a single complaint. I absolutely adored the moment when Lucie found the list of her favorite things in Aiden’s car glove compartment, and her being stood up by her date turns into the most entertaining and memorable night—reminiscent of a scene from New Girl's pilot episode. (I’m trying not to give too many spoilers, but I can’t help sharing some moments that made me truly adore this book!)

I have a confession to make, and I hope Nora Ephron fans won’t boo me for it, but this book’s plot is even better than Sleepless in Seattle! The similarities begin with 12-year-old Maya’s call to Heartstrings, Aiden Valentine’s Baltimore romance hotline (which unfortunately only a dozen people listen to), asking for dating advice for her 29-year-old single mom, Lucie Stone. But that’s where the similarities end. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait until the end for the characters to meet at the Empire State Building (because, let’s face it, I’m not that patient).

When their conversations go viral, bringing back ratings and sponsors to the struggling station (thanks to Aiden’s brooding tone and existential crisis), the intimidating station manager Maggie Lin decides on a solution: to include Lucie in the show. So many lonely listeners connect with her and her journey to finding the real love she deserves.

Aiden agrees to help Lucie in her quest for love, sending her on dates connected through a separate phone line provided by the station. But there’s one big problem: if there were a Grinch who stole Valentine’s Day, it would be Aiden. He fell out of love with love a long time ago due to family tragedies, keeping people at arm’s length and avoiding any intimacy in his life.

How can Aiden, who doesn’t believe in love, help Lucie find her perfect match when he’s starting to develop feelings for her himself? He tries to restrain himself, believing he can’t offer her the magic she deserves. But the sparks between them are undeniable, and Lucie has feelings for him too. Can he do the honorable thing and send her to a man who can give her what she wants, or will he tear down the walls he’s built around his heart and take a chance on becoming a better man?

I loved Aiden and Lucie’s story. Their attraction and sizzling chemistry are off the charts. Lucie is brave, kind-hearted, and tough, always putting her loved ones first—and she’s also a kickass mechanic. Aiden, on the other hand, is incredibly sweet, a true romantic hiding behind his cold, sarcastic, and depressed exterior.

Grayson, the gay dad next door who’s fiercely protective of Lucie, and his husband form a big, eccentric family that had me laughing so much. And Maya is smart, sweet, and absolutely adorable.

If I had the talent to write and compose a love song for this book, I would do it in a heartbeat!

I have a feeling we’re going to read Jackson Clark (Aiden’s best friend with a cruffin addiction I can’t blame him for—those things are amazing!) and Delilah Stewart’s enemies-to-lovers story in the second book of the series. (At least, that’s what I’m guessing based on the hints the author dropped!) I can’t wait to read more of this series. It’s off to an even better start than the Lovelight Farms series (which I also adore). Aiden and Lucie’s story will tug on your heartstrings, bringing you joy, entertainment, and hope—the perfect recipe for a great romance!

Check out First Time Caller, and discover what happens when you use a radio to find your true love.

Happy Reading :)