B.K. Borison chats First-Time Caller and her Nora Ephron-inspired new series
First-Time Caller is the first book in the new series.
First-Time Caller is the first book of a new series by B.K. Borison. Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, the book follows Lucie whose love life got viral after her daughter Maya called in to the radio station asking for advice. As Lucie gets invited to co-host a segment of the show with Aiden, who is a little sceptical of the idea of love, the two realise they can help each other after all.
To celebrate the release of First-Time Caller, we chatted with B.K. Borison on her new series.
Really like the fact that Lucie’s daughter Maya is the one kicking everything off. Why did you decide to have Lucie be a single mother?
I really wanted Lucie to be fulfilled by all the love she has in her life, but still secretly wishing for her own romantic love story. This book was also heavily inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, and I loved the parallel of the kid calling in to the radio station.
While it is lovely to read about the mother-daughter relationship, First-Time Caller also features some amazing father figures. Why is it important to include that?
I loved the idea of Lucie having a really strong relationship with the father of her child. I think, in romance especially, we often see a strained relationship between separated parents. But I wanted the representation of a beautiful, blended family and how special that can be. I also think it’s incredibly important to show men in loving, vulnerable relationships.
Aiden, the host of Heartstrings, stopped believing in love. Do you think all hosts of love-related shows, columns, etc. would get tired of the idea of “love” one day?
I think it might be a little inevitable. If you’re always hearing people complain about their partners or their love lives or their prospects, I think it’s natural to develop a little bit of a jaded attitude towards romance. And for Aiden especially, he’s been dealing with his own misgivings in his personal life, so it feels like an external justification for why he’s so closed off. He feels like he’s not really missing anything, if the people who call into his station are any indication.
Lucie was asked to guest star on the radio show after her phone call went viral. Why do you think Lucie would make such a good radio show host? Would she not be absolutely nervous about being on the show?
Oh, Lucie is absolutely nervous. We see her say over and over how she’s not sure she’ll add anything to the show. But I think it’s a really wonderful moment to capitalize on a genuine conversation and launch it into something more. Maggie, the head of the radio station, is a smart, business savvy woman. I think she’s also a bit of a soft romantic herself, and wants to help Lucie find her happy ending.
The idea of sending Lucie to some dates is so exciting but also nerve-wracking for us. Are there any real-life TV shows etc. that operate like this?
The Bachelorette is probably the closest to what happens in the show. And some of the radio shows of old would do something like this. I remember there was a morning program when I was a kid, where they would send people out on dates and have them report back in the morning. It always seemed horribly invasive, though. So I tried to soften up the experience for Lucie a little bit.
It’s super nice to read about Lucie’s journey to find love, especially since she’s a single mother. What advice would you give to readers who want to try dating but feel like they have too much responsibility to do so?
Making time for yourself, especially as a parent, can be so difficult. But when you prioritize yourself and your own happiness, you are showing your children how to do the same for themselves.
Finally, is First-Time Caller the first book to a new series? What should readers expect in the upcoming ones?
Yes! First-Time Caller is the first in my Heartstrings series. Each book will be loosely inspired by a different Nora Ephron film. The next in the series, AND NOW, BACK TO YOU, is inspired by When Harry Met Sally and will be released in 2026. And the third and final book, still untitled, will be a twist on You’ve Got Mail. I’m so excited to explore this new world with readers.
