Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
The ACW Book Review
Book Series: Heartstrings
Book: First-Time Caller (book 1)
Author: B.K. Borison
Number of pages: 422
Genre: Romance, fiction
Attended Audience Age: Mature, Young Adult
Medium Type (physical, digital, audio): Physical
Book rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summary:
Lucie Stone’s daughter, Maya calls into Heartstrings asking for love advice for her mother. The host, Aiden Valentine doesn’t believe in love because of his past. With her call going viral, Heartstrings offers to help her find a date, working closely with Aiden. The unlikely pair seem to hit it off and learn what they want in love and how it impacts them personally.
Qualities:
Prose: The prose can be lyrical and is intended to be comical but heartwarming. The qualities are pulled off well.
Characters: Development The characters resemble a grumpy and sunshine trope, making their relationship all the more attentive.
World Building: Much of the world building is centered around several areas in the book rather than the city. We learn the family dynamic in Lucie’s home, her ex-husband, the radio station, and Lucie’s work life. We do not participate in many of Lucie’s dates. Most of the world building is centered around radio calls and the radio station, as well as Lucie’s home, her friends, and ex-husband.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in romance, an easy read, and a realistic grumpy/sunshine trope. The focus on searching for love on a radio show is unique and intriguing!
Notable Quotes:
- “But what’s wrong with being a romantic? I can be a confident, independent woman and still want someone to hold my hand. To ask about my day. It’s a good thing to want passion and excitement and care. Attention and affection. I don’t want to settle for anything less than that.”
- “Long-time listener, first-time caller,” he says over the line. There’s a reluctant grin in his voice. It twists his words up at the edges, just like his smile. “I was hoping you could give me some advice” (p. 406)
- “I'm thinking about her, about us, about this. About this tiny café across from her house and all the places we almost met. About the right time, the right place, the right moment. I'm thinking about the way her hand fits in mine, and the way my heart drums out a beat that matches her name. Lu-cie. Lu-cie. Lu-cie.”
Inspired Music:
-Walking Around by Eldar Kedem
-First Time Caller by White Lies
-Packing It Up by Gracie Abrams
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