“‘I want . . . I want the magic.’ ‘Magic?’ I try to find the part of myself that isn’t so damn rattled by every word coming out of this woman’s mouth. ‘You’re one of those, huh?’ ‘One of what?’ ‘A romantic,’ I say. ‘Sparks. Soul mates. Happily ever after. A gold thread tied between two hearts.’”
First Time Caller, B.K. Borison
Borison’s first series, Lovelight Farms, was a love letter to rom-coms in general. The classic tropes were lovingly polished, updated, and spiced up with banter, spice, and small town shenanigans. Her new series, Heartstrings, is inspired by the Holy Ephron Trinity (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and You’ve Got Mail), and I’m beyond excited to see what she has in store for them.
To love the worlds of Nora Ephron is to proclaim loudly into the void: “I want to be in love in a movie.” And Borison understands that on a molecular level. How can I tell? Every single one of her books makes me feel exactly like I did the first time I watched You’ve Got Mail. You’re dropped into a world that makes you immediately nostalgic, with characters who are larger than life in the most charming and ridiculous ways. There’s silly feuds, sweet family routines, and idyllically low-tech jobs. There’s a strong feeling that if you put up more twinkle lights, it’ll all work out and that ten is the perfect number of dinner plates to own.
First-time Caller took all the magic (insert Tom Hanks voice here) of Sleepless in Seattle and wove it into a perfectly fresh and new story. We lose the (very creepy) stalking and sad dumping of Walter and gain a loving family of co-parents, bright and bold coworkers, and actual chemistry between the main characters. I loved Lucie and Maya’s dynamics as a single mom and daughter, but I adored their family dynamics with Lucie’s dad Grayson and step-dad Mateo even more. Lucie and Aiden have vivacious coworkers with personalities that jump off the page and bring the chaotic background hilarity I’ve come to expect in a Borison novel. There’s also lots of drama surrounding the radio station where Aiden works, and I’m waiting with bated breath to see what happens next!
I absolutely adored this book, and every single ounce of love and joy that Borison put into it. I devoured it within a matter of hours, and will probably read it again before the end of the year. This is a book that celebrates the many forms of love we will encounter throughout our lives, and that comfort pours out from the pages. All that said, if you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with its characters, this is a perfect choice.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!
Read with Fern 
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