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“So, what we think of as fate is just two neuroses knowing that they are a perfect match.” If you recognise this (brilliant) movie line, you’ll want to read First-Time Caller, the new romantic comedy by B.K. Borison inspired by Sleepless In Seattle (kindly sent to me for review by my friends at Macmillan).
Through alternating points of view, we watch a love story unfold between disillusioned radio romance hotline host Aiden Valentine, and hopeful single mother Lucie Stone (yeah, the names aren’t subtle). First-Time Caller is a sloooooow burn, too, so if you’re going to pick this one up, prepare yourself accordingly.
Sometimes, the prose feels like it’s just trying too hard (“His voice is low. Rough. Like the storms that come in quick over the harbor and sit there, thunder rumbling…”, page 19), and some moments are unrealistic in a way that’s hard to ignore (no radio producer in the history of the world has ever allowed a full minute of dead air!).
That said, the characters are sweet and likeable, and the dialogue is snappy and funny. I particularly loved the non-traditional family that Lucie has built for herself and her pre-teen daughter. Grayson and Mateo were my favourite characters, hands down.
First-Time Caller is a novel for readers in an ooey-gooey romance mood. Cynics will find it frustrating and a bit cringey. Much like the movie that inspired it, really…
Read First-Time Caller on audiobook via Libro.fm here. (affiliate link)
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