A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

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.

I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I read B.K. Borison’s “Lovelight Farms” a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. I’ve meant to go back and read the other books in that series, but I just haven’t had the time. When I saw that she had a new series coming out, I jumped at the chance. While I didn’t love it as much as others seem to, I appreciated its feel-good energy, endearing characters, and moments of genuine connection.

The story begins with Aiden Valentine, the jaded host of Heartstrings, Baltimore’s romance hotline, accepting the fact that he has fallen out of love with love. This is a bit of a problem for someone whose career revolves around giving others advice on finding love. Things take a turn when a young girl, Maya, calls into the station seeking dating advice for her mother, Lucie. The call quickly goes viral, and Aiden and Lucie are thrust into the spotlight, with everyone in Baltimore suddenly invested in Lucie’s love life. In an attempt to capitalize on the success of that episode, the struggling radio station brings Lucie in to temporarily join Aiden’s show as she looks for the love of her life. As Aiden and Lucie grow closer behind the scenes, sparks fly, but is it worth chasing when both are looking for different things?

Overall, this is a cute read, but I found the book’s first half much stronger than the last. The dynamic between Aiden and Lucie is playful yet emotionally charged, and their chemistry feels natural. After Aiden and Lucie start hooking up, the earlier spark fades somewhat, causing the story to lose momentum once the “will they, won’t they” tension is resolved. While their intimate moments are written with care, the shift in dynamics made the latter half of the book less engaging for me. Another thing that felt underwhelming was the expected third-act breakup. We all know these are coming, so I wasn’t surprised by it, but it felt a little underwhelming here. The conflict seemed trivial and lacked the emotional weight necessary to make their reconciliation feel satisfying.

Despite these minor issues, Borison’s writing is easy to enjoy. She has a talent for creating relatable characters and infuses the story with warmth and humor. The dialogue is sharp, the family dynamics are heartwarming, and the premise is both unique and fun.

One of the things that works well is the dual points of view. Alternating between Lucie and Aiden’s perspectives allows us to get a full picture of the situation. Lucie is chill and relatable. She would love to be in a loving, committed relationship but doesn’t really know how to date. She’s been so focused on Maya and the needs of others that she doesn’t know where to begin. She was hopeful yet cautious, and I could relate to her. Aiden, on the other hand, is a bit grumpy and emotionally guarded, which contrasts nicely with Lucie’s warmth and resilience. Seeing the story unfold from both sides gives the romance more depth and lets readers feel invested in their journey.

The side characters add an extra layer of charm to the story. Maya’s clever schemes and genuine care for her mother bring humor and heart to the narrative. Grayson, Lucie’s gay best friend, and Maya’s father, provides a refreshing take on co-parenting. His friendship with Lucie is one of the book’s most touching elements, showcasing a deep bond rooted in love and mutual respect. Aiden’s coworkers, Maggie and Jackson, are also notable highlights, providing a few comic moments.

While it didn’t completely blow me away, I still found this to be an enjoyable and sweet read. The characters are engaging, the premise is fresh, and the moments of humor and heart make it a worthwhile pick for fans of contemporary romance. If you’re looking for a low-stakes romance with lovable characters, a touch of humor, and a focus on family, this might just be the book for you.