Brilliant. Incredible. Amazing. Showstopping.

This review is basically going to be that Lady Gaga gif in long form.

Epic. Spectacular. Flawless. That indescribable feeling.

Tossing in some Nicole Kidman for good measure too.

Perfect.

I am wowed. I am awed. I am properly swooned.

First-Time Caller bulldozed its way into my heart in stunning fashion. And I'd gladly let it do so again and again.

Now this is romance. I was falling all over myself in giggles only 20% in over our leads, and no this isn't insta-love, it's a slow burn but from the onset the way these two were smitten with each other had me smitten with them! I think I blushed my whole way through this book!

To set the scene: Lucie is a single mom whose daughter calls into a romance radio station in the hopes its host can help Lucie find love. The moment goes viral and a new radio program is formed centering Lucie's love life and the search for her magical prince charming. But what happens when the search for sparks ignites within the radio booth?

Magic! I tell ya! Magic!

Lucie, oh Lucie. A romantic at heart, holding out for that magic. I feel you, girl. I connected instantly with Lucie, with her dreams and wishes to just find that right person where it all comes easy. Where there's no trying, just doing-- better than that: there's magic. Now, will that magic be found in some Mr. Tire sponsored dating via a radio show? I'm not so sure. But it sure will be fun to find out! And find out Lucie does. What Lucie learns is such a heartfelt lesson, one I encourage you to discover through this book's journey. Lucie's the best. Her dreams are pure and honest, and it makes rooting for her all the more easy. You want her to find that person who will build a pillow fort for her and make her a picnic, because she deserves nothing less. She has so much love for her daughter and others, but she forgets to allow herself to receive it too. Until she remembers and marches herself to that radio show because she's worth it. And she wants it. Lucie's heart is a courageous beating drum, and wholly deserving of finding its match.

Enter Aiden.

Oh gosh Aiden.
He was so darn smitten with Lucie and it had me reeling! When his knee would brush hers and he was so acutely aware of it. When he got lost in the pale green of her eyes and happily drowned. When her laughter made him feel alive in a way he never has felt before. When he chronicled all her favorite things and quirks and remembered each and every one. He was so Pacey Witter, and if you're a fellow Dawson's Creek fan, you know, you know-- there's no better endgame than Pacey.

But unlike Lucie who bravely opens her heart to finding that magic, he staunchly keeps his under lock and key. And you just want to gently, lovingly knock some dang sense into him because just read his POV and it's clear as day how he feels for Lucie...but..he's afraid. And when those layers are peeled back, it's sympathy that roots itself in complete understanding.

I deeply resonated with his caution in getting close to anything he could come to care about in fear of it being lost unexpectedly and harshly. I understood his distance from loved ones, even if it may seem irrational to others, I am in his exact same spot and I get it. It's so tremendously hard seeing a love one battle a force tearing them apart in the inside. The fear of it winning can lead to a retreat in a misguided effort not to feel its pain reverberating. But just like Aiden, there's a lesson to be learned, and that's that as temporary as some things are, that is what makes them all the better, all the more precious. How it's something to so bravely cherish. Aiden's journey to this realization is one filled with hurdles he's placed himself, but that makes it all the more worthwhile to watch as he dismantles them one by one.

Aiden, you're my book boyfriend of the year. Sorry, Lucie, you'll just have to share.

For having a heart so shut off, Aiden's beat beautifully and loudly for all to hear.

Special shout outs to Lucie's beautiful family: Maya, Grayson, and Mateo. I have a bit of a confession, whenever I read single parent romances I always prefer the other parent not be in the picture, so the love interest can fill in the spot. I know, I know. I can't help it, I'm sorry! But I am so glad this narrative doesn't go in that direction. Now I want all singe parent romances to feature a dynamic just like this. Lucie has the best co-parents in Grayson, her platonic soul mate, and his husband Mateo. They're her best friends and know her inside and out, and are protective of her so loving. And they live right next door, so even when Lucie is lonely, she's never alone because she has them. Then there's Maya, a delight of a daughter, mischievous, intelligent, and loving. She loves all her parents and wishes for their happiness. The love shared among the four of them is so fierce and infinite. Every single time they were on the page together, it filled the story with such exquisite vibrancy. I adored their dynamic so much, I wanted more of them! They just made me so happy, and I can absolutely understand Aiden wanting Lucie's people to be his people too. Because they're darn good people and anyone would be lucky to have them in their life. Look at me talking like they're real life humans, but they felt like it, they felt like it!!!

I can honestly go on and on, there's so much in this book to love and that's what I did: I loved it all.

So...
If you love romances that will have you scrunching up your toes, covering your face in bashful swoons, and kicking your feet in the air as you giggle incessantly. Then trust me-- this is one romance you don't want to miss. This romance is so heartfelt, so heavy in wearing its heart on its sleeve, and so wonderfully uplifting. It's for you, and it's for me. Enjoy!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this complimentary arc, I leave this review voluntarily.