Reviews with content warning for Cancer - First-Time Caller

Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

406 reviews

sunshinekmp's review against another edition

4.25

funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

gabriela_carolinacf's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I’ve loved Sleepless in Seattle since I was about 14. So when I found out this book was inspired by it I had to get it; this was an AMAZING READ. I truly loved the way the author wrote the relationships between all the characters not just the main couple, you truly grow to love everyone in this book. Whoever first said it feels like an early 2000’s rom-com in book form is absolutely correct. 10/10 no notes! ❤️

“She said she wanted magic and I thought we found something better.” ✨

Content Warnings

macwiththemic's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved this book. I loved every single part. This is one of those books that I immediately want to pick back up. The radio station setting was so fun. Aiden Valentine gives me major Delilah vibes… only a man lol.

The chapter where Aiden talks to his dad is probably my favorite moment in the entire book. I think in a perfect world I would have liked to see more of Aiden’s relationship (or avoidance of relationship) with his family, sprinkled here and there throughout the book. But I also think his avoidance of even talking about it works with the journey that his character is on.

These two are professional yearners and I couldn’t get enough.

I think this author does that thing where she writes books about characters within the same world, so I really hope we get a Jackson book. I just know there could be a fun lil enemies to lovers story with his and this Delilah person with the pudding Also Oliver!!! He was in the book for barely a blip but I’m invested!

Content Warnings

takarakeireads's review against another edition

3.0

Idk once we got past the Sleepless in Seattle vibes I was just not further intrigued. I didn't feel like there was enough character development esp on Aiden's side when we get his pov? Just another man afraid of commitment idk. I also found Lucie's inability to recognize flirting when it's happening to her or when she's doing it naive.

Content Warnings

midwestbookslinger's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

andrea_reads1985's review against another edition

4.0

4/5 star

Please review trigger warnings before reading

Note: 60% in becomes very open door

This was a cute, charming and fun Rom-Com! It started out really strong for me, fell a little flat around the 60% mark, but then picked back up again for a redeeming and heartwarming ending. This was my first B.K. Borison read, and it will not be my last. ❤️

Every character in this book was so easy to love. Lucie is a young single mom supporting her little family as an auto mechanic. She hasn’t had any romance in her life in a while, and her daughter Maya is concerned about her mom’s love life- or lack thereof. She just wants her mom to be happy and not feel lonely, and maybe find her special someone. Enter Aiden, the handsome radio host of a struggling romance hotline, who has gradually lost his belief in love and happy endings. Maya calls his hotline for relationship advice for her mom, and after a bit of a whirlwind and an offer from Aiden’s boss, Lucie reluctantly agrees to be a part of the radio show in an effort to find love (and hopefully boost ratings). The problem? She’s already stolen the heart of Aiden. But she’s there to find love, to find her magical romance. And he doesn’t believe in love, especially not Lucie’s magical version. She wants a relationship and he’s not relationship material. He’s determined to never be hurt by love.

Lucie and Aiden and their hilarious wit and banter absolutely stole the stage for me, making it easier to tune out the things that might have otherwise bothered me a bit more and knocked my rating more than it already did (please read trigger warnings before reading as this book does hold quite a few and won’t be for everyone). And Maya- cute, adorable, sassy Maya…that little girl wound her way around my heart! I could absolutely see my Clara being a lot like her as a pre-teen! I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions, and there are few books that have done that for me. It also brought about some heartfelt tears at the end with that sweet and redeeming ending. I know I’ve found something rare in a book when it does all that for me. Also as someone who typically doesn’t care for open door romance at all, the way this book still managed to capture my heart says a lot, too. I did enjoy watching their emotional connection in the first 60% of the book a lot more than all the spice thereafter, though. But that’s just my personal taste. I would recommend this read if you are okay with the triggers, especially if you’re looking to find hope in love again. 🫶

Content Warnings

mairasbookshelf's review against another edition

3.0

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was pretty cute. I found myself relating to both Lucie and Aiden. Sometimes I want a kind of love that feels like magic, but sometimes too afraid to actually commit to something for fear of losing it. I also really love the side characters. Love that they were rooting for the main characters.

However, this book was pretty slow moving. Not much of a plot going on. And I disliked it when romance books prioritise sex before actually tackling the trauma.

Content Warnings

catreadsbook's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved this so much right up until 90%. The banter is top tier. When she gets stood up by her date and they end up in a bar that only has one song on the jukebox and then she’s teaching him skeeball? Amazing. No notes. The fact that she’s a mechanic and has a solid relationship with her daughter and no drama with the father of her child. Love. Then we get to the end of the book and it’s .. meh.

third act breakup? Aiden being randomly shitty after being so sweet to Lucie the whole book. It was so abrupt and then there was no groveling, just shoving her on the air again for him to apologize in front of everyone. This book deserved a better ending.

Content Warnings

rewritingrosie's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

FIRST TIME CALLER:

RATING:
EXCELLENT, five stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5.

‘SPICE’ LEVEL:
MODERATE.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5.

MEET HEARTSTRINGS:

Aiden Valentine has a secret: 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.

IF YOU LIKE:
Forced proximity!
Coworkers-to-lovers!
Contemporary romance!
She falls first, he falls harder.
Single mother without a toxic ex!
Miscommunication.
Banter.
The vibes of an early 2000’s rom-com!

THIS MAY BE YOUR NEW FAVORITE!

My thoughts:

FIRST TIME CALLER pairs best with a warm cup of tea, and a cozy blanket. It’s flirty, tender, and comforting when you need it best, teasing our smiles and laughs you didn’t know you needed. I am a sucker for a feel-good contemporary romance when I can make time for it, and this was a perfect selection for just that! While somewhat predictable, the cast is heartwarming, and fully fleshed out, and easy-to-love. As a fellow hopeless romantic with a somewhat dysfunctional family, Lucy Stone absolutely stood out to me, and watching Aiden wrestle over his feelings for her was so, so satisfying. They were easy to root for.

Okay, some of the dialogue was a little cheesy, but I truly didn’t mind! Now, the ‘spice’ was also very light in my opinion for anyone concerned, but it also wasn’t a closed door romance, so just be aware going into it if you are adding it to your TBR!

Additionally, please look at trigger warnings! This novel was very light, but did mention cancer recovery of a secondary character related to the MMC. Keep yourself safe! 💖

All in all, absolutely amazing addition to my home library!

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Content Warnings

callynr19's review against another edition

4.5

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Loveable characters: Yes

Content Warnings

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