BALTIMORE – Fans of the “Heartstrings” series are officially trading their bookmarks for popcorn. Following the massive success of her 2025 bestseller, author B.K. Borison announced this week that a movie adaptation of First-Time Caller is officially in development.
The news broke on February 24, 2026—the same day Borison released the novel’s highly anticipated sequel, And Now, Back to You. The project has been optioned by A Cup of Happy Productions, the romance-centric banner led by Daryl Steiger.
A Modern Tribute to 90s Rom-Coms
Inspired by the cozy, high-stakes yearning of Nora Ephron classics like Sleepless in Seattle, the story follows Aiden Valentine, a charismatic but secretly jaded Baltimore radio host. Despite running a popular late-night romance hotline, Aiden has privately lost his faith in love.
The plot kicks into high gear when a young girl calls the show seeking dating advice for her single mother, Lucie Stone. The heartwarming segment goes viral, thrusting the private Lucie into a city-wide spotlight and forcing a grumpy Aiden to confront the very feelings he’s been avoiding behind the microphone.
The Creative Team
While the “dream casting” phase is already in full swing across social media, several key behind-the-scenes roles have been confirmed:
- Producer: Laura Lewis (executive producer of the hit series Tell Me Lies) will produce under her Rebelle Media label.
- Screenwriter: Amy Huckabay has been tapped to pen the script, bringing her experience with character-driven narratives to the project.
- Executive Producer: B.K. Borison herself will serve as an EP, ensuring the “cozy and cared for” atmosphere of her writing translates to the screen.
”I wrote this book as a love letter to love and I simply can’t wait to see it on the screen,” Borison said in a statement. “Grab your popcorn and your pineapple pizza, babes. We’re going to the movies.”
What to Expect Next
The film is currently in the early development stages, meaning we are still waiting on director attachments and official casting news. However, with First-Time Caller recently named a finalist for “Book of the Year,” the project is expected to move quickly through the production pipeline.
The adaptation marks the first step in what could become a cinematic franchise, as Borison has already planned a full “Heartstrings” trilogy centered around the fictional Baltimore radio station.
Clarification Note: This upcoming romance film is separate from the 2024 sci-fi thriller also titled First Time Caller, which was adapted from the podcast The Earth Moves.
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