Library Loans

---

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Published by Berkley on February 11, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

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.

Lucie had built a life for herself. She had a job she enjoyed, a best friend, and a healthy co-parenting arrangement with the platonic love of her life. But her daughter thought something was missing, so she phoned into a romance hotline on her mother's behalf. This ends up with Lucie on the line, sharing her thoughts about love and what she wants and deserves. Her confessions inspire the city, and Lucie soon finds herself invited to be part of the show. Aiden is the jaded host of the show, but something about Lucie has him questioning his down-on-love stance. There is an obvious connection between Lucie and Aiden, but can they be each other's happily ever after?

This is one of those books that just makes you happy. The premise of a romance radio show host who was disenchanted with love and a single mom who was waiting for something magical struck a chord with me. I remember shedding happy tears as Lucie shared how she wanted more, and I was like - YES! But I also nodded as Aiden lamented all the negativity he has observed with the couples who contacted him. But together, they were magic. Their connection was special and balanced. 

Aside from the fantastic premise which Borison executed spectacularly, the book was packed with a great cast of characters. I loved them all! Aiden, his traveling-so-in-love parents, the radio station staff, Lucie, her daughter, her bestie, her ex, his husband, and the staff at the garage -- ALL AMAZING! So humor, so much heart. I really have nothing bad to say about this book. Maybe it made my face hurt from smiling too much, but is that a bad thing??? 

All I can say is that I had an incredible time reading this book. I laughed and smiled and swooned, and the characters were so special. It's a story I fell into and never wanted to climb out of. I think it may be my favorite from Borison.

---

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
Published by Dell on January 28, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

High school sweethearts Sarah and Caleb Linwood have always been a sure thing. For the past seventeen years, they have had each other’s backs through all of life’s ups and downs, achievements, losses, stages, and phases.

But Sarah has begun to wonder... Who is she without her other half?

When she decides to take on a project of her own, a fundraising gala in memoriam of her late mother, Sarah wants nothing more than to prove to herself—and to everyone else—that she doesn’t need Caleb’s help to succeed. She’s still her mother’s daughter, after all. Independent and capable.

That is until the event fails and Caleb uninvitedly steps in to save the day.

The rift that follows unearths a decade of grievances between them and doubts begin to grow. Are they truly the same people they were when they got married at nineteen? Are they supposed to be?

In a desperate attempt to fix what they fear is near breaking, Sarah and Caleb make the spontaneous decision to join a grueling hiking trip intended to guide couples through rough patches.

What follows is a life-affirming comedy of errors as two nature-averse people fight their way out of the woods in order to find their way back to their roots.

Sarah and Caleb had been together for many years, but Sarah found herself growing restless and questioning her marriage. In order to mend the rift that had arisen between them, Sarah and Caleb signed up for a couples retreat with hopes that going into the woods would get them out of the woods. 

Bonam-Young really set the bar high for this story with a beautiful author's note that had my happy tears flowing. I can say, without a doubt, that she did not fail to deliver. As if I was not already excited to be back in this world, Bonam-Young presented me with a beautiful and touching tale of two people who had been each other's rocks for so long and were fighting to save the life they had built together. 

I suppose some may call this a marriage-in-crisis story, but I never doubted this marriage. It was obvious how much these two loved each other. But in the seventeen years since they met, both Sarah and Caleb had grown and evolved separately, and it was time for them to grow and evolve together. This was especially vital for Sarah. She was suffering from a sort of identity crisis - she needed to figure out who she was besides Caleb's partner. Luckily, Caleb was very supportive. I love that they were willing to do the work, to be open and honest, and ruff it for a few days. 

The retreat was such a fun way for them to explore their relationship. The setting was challenging but also a separation from their lives that they needed. I wanted Caleb and Sarah to have that time away to reflect and connect in a different way. In that place with some interesting and fabulous retreat leaders and participants created a space where self discovery and healing could begin.  

Overall, I am so glad I went into the woods with Caleb and Sarah. Their journey was honest and emotional and heartwarming. I loved every second of it. 

Favorite radio show, past or present?
Let us know in the comments!