The Thing About Blind Dates

by K. Leah

Could love be the prescription for healing old wounds?

Marlowe Campbell doesn’t take risks. Structure, routine, and the steady rhythm of running her family’s pharmacy keep her grounded.

Brock Edwards—a former troublemaker and the source of Marlow’s unforgettable high school humiliation—never planned to return to his hometown of River Ridge. But after years of running from his past, it’s the only place that feels like home.

He’s not the reckless guy Marlowe remembers, but proving he’s changed—and earning her trust—may be his biggest challenge yet.

When a blind date photoshoot unexpectedly throws them together, it shakes the foundation of Marlowe’s carefully ordered life. Will she protect her heart or take a leap of faith on the man he's become?

***
Welcome to River Ridge, North Carolina. Step into a world of heartwarming stories with the perfect blend of lovable characters and small-town, Southern charm. You will be transported to a place where family ties run deep and faith is restored in this Christian romance series by K. Leah.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

K. Leah grew up in the South and likes her tea sweet and coffee strong. Faith and family are what matter most, and she wears many hats, including being a children’s pastor’s wife, travel volleyball mom, and full-time marketing coordinator.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. When she’s not working or driving her daughter to volleyball, you’ll likely find her reading or listening to a book.

**Sign up for my newsletter: https://sendfox.com/kleahbooks

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLeahBooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kleahbooks/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kleahbooks/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-leah

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story was a beautiful picture of the way God can change a life. I really appreciated how obvious it was that God had gotten hold of Brock’s heart and made a big difference in his him. He didn’t downplay what he had done in the past and he owned up to his mistakes and regrets.

Marlowe was resistant to Brock at first, yet she was still kind. She also recognized that she should forgive Brock, but it was very realistic that she struggled with it for awhile.

But these two finally began spending time together and Marlowe opened her heart to getting to know the man that Brock had become. They had such a great connection and their romance was a joy to read about.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Caroline David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was so sweet and such a feel good read. Marlowe and Brock’s story is one of forgiveness, second chances, and letting your heart guide you. The emphasis on family and faith was tucked neatly into the pages. I flew through this book and can’t wait for it to be published!

[Monique Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE THING ABOUT BLIND DATES
eARC Review
♾️ ⭐️
Release Dat: August 28

“These people act like a real couple during the photoshoot, when, in reality, they’ve never meet until they turn around and see each other for the first time.”

What a brilliant idea. When I looked up if blind date photoshoots were an actual thing, turns out they are and I am secretly hoping my sisters plan this for me 😂 😂.

In highschool Brock was the guy that Marlowe didn’t like. A prank gone wrong had Marlowe in the middle of a mess right before their graduation. Now Brock has moved back to their hometown and he’s her cousin and best friend’s brother in law which means they get to spend a lot of time together. I love Stella, Marlowe’s cousin, because she plays matchmaker and plans a blind date photoshoot. Now Brock is determined to show Marlowe that he is a changed man and wants her to give him a chance to prove it.

I absolutely loved this book. This was sweet, and swoony. And Brock was amazing. He was attentive and charming. A true gentleman. Marlowe is a type A personality. Everything had a place, an order, and needs to be done at a certain time and date. Leave it Brock to help her shift her schedule loving self around.

A perfect faith filled and God wink 😉 story full of family, love, and forgiveness.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor 5:17

We see this verse in the life of Brock. He had a tragic childhood that led to behavior that caused emotional pain for others.. including Marlowe. Both left their home town of River Ridge, NC for college and beyond, never intending to move back. But life often takes a different path than the one we plan. Ten years have passed since high school and they are both home, Marlowe running her family’s pharmacy and Brock working from home as he attempts to regain his health after a high stress career. Marlowe’s goal is to avoid Brock and the painful memories he brings. Brock’s goal is shed his guilty and prove to Marlowe he has changed. They find themselves in the same place over and over, plus they are the topic of their small town as every one suggests they should get together.

Can Marlowe move past the hurt, not only forgiving Brock but also giving him a second chance? If so, can Brock let go of the guilt he carries and be the man Marlowe deserves?

Beautiful story of grace, redemption and love.

[Heather Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light, faith-filled romance. Brock hurt Marlowe in high school and both went their separate way for years. When they both end up back in the small hometown, Brock has changed and wants to apologize to Marlowe for his past treatment. After he and Marlowe are set up by mutual friends/family in a blind date photo shoot, Brock realizes he actually wants more with Marlowe and sets out to prove how he has changed.

The blind date photo shoot wasn’t something I had read before so I enjoyed the uniqueness. I appreciated Marlowe’s journey of learning to forgive and trust Brock.

I did feel like everything got resolved a bit too easily and quickly. The writing style wasn’t my personal favourite but for those who love simple, sweet romances with great faith elements, give it a read!

[Tawni Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story with multiple character arcs that unfolded naturally.
The sort of "meet cute" was so much fun and something I had never read before. I loved it!

Even though the story happens over a short period of time, the relationship growth was organic and believable. The touches of faith were nicely done and added a fabulous layer of Christianity to the plot.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys low-angst, Christian romance with Hallmark vibes.

Ratings:
✝️ ✝️
💋
15+

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 1/2 Stars!

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a Christian romance book and part of the series It’s A Love Thing. The main characters are Brock and Marlowe. Brock and Marlowe end up together at a blind date photoshoot. Unfortunately, Marlowe doesn’t like Brock after how he humiliated her in high school. Brock has come a long way and changed. Will Marlowe give Brock a chance to show her he has truly changed? Will Marlowe be able to forgive Brock? The more time they spend together the more they fall for each other. Will they open their hearts to each other? I loved how we got to see how much Brock changed thanks to God. No matter what you have done in life God is there all you need to do is open up to Him. I loved getting to see characters from the first book as I loved them. I was very excited to read this book on Brock. This book was full of faith, forgiveness, and second chances. No matter what someone has done to us we need to forgive them even if it’s the hardest thing to do. Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like small towns, Christian romance, close families, second chances, and slow burn love stories with happy endings that leave you with a smile on your face, check this one out!

[Megan Doubrava · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute love story. I enjoyed the setting. Marlowe was very hesitant to start a relationship with Brock bc of something he’d done in high school. At times I felt like it was too repetitive. A light, quick Hallmark-esque read. Clean Christian fiction. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

[Crystal Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was sweet!! I loved Brock's pursuit of Marlowe. 

l
Their blind date was adorable 💙

Second Chance
Faith Inspired 
Small Town
Blind Date
Meddling Family
He Falls First
Redemption 
High School Crush


Thank you for a copy of your book! This is my genuine review.

[Kirsty Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet read, the chemistry between the leads was lovely, Stella's 'little' nudges a riot, and I loved that there was no third act break-up!

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlowe has taken over the pharmacy now her father has retired. Brock has come home after being away for years, he ran away from memories of his parents as it was too hard missing them.
Now he's back and Stella, his sister in law, and Marlowe's cousin, has decided they're a good fit! But Brock blotted his copy book years ago, can Marlowe forgive him?

An interesting read about forgiveness

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Marlowe and Brock’s story. This was a well written romance about forgiveness and giving second chances. I appreciated how the author shows us how important it is to apologize and seek out forgiveness when we have wronged someone. The author also shows us how important it is to accept that apology and forgive.

This was a sweet romance between Brock and Marlowe and I enjoyed watching their relationship progress. The faith elements felt realistic and not forced. I also enjoyed catching up with some of the characters from book one! I look forward to reading more from this author.

I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! Just all the sighs and heart eyes. The Thing About Blind Dates was just so sweet and adorable and so full of romantic moments. As I was trying to find a way to describe it, the word "tender" comes to mind. Like it's just such a gentle heartfelt story that will pull all the heartstrings.

I just loved the small town setting where Marlowe works in the local family run pharmacy and there's so many mentions of working on the local family owned Christmas tree farm, which is starting to see business outside the holiday season. It was just so cozy and sweet. Poor Marlowe really did struggle with whether or not to let Brock into her life and especially her heart after their interactions in high school were definitely not great and surely a bit traumatizing for her. But I loved Brock's sweet and gentle dedication to showing her he's changed. It was just all so sweet. Have I said that enough?

This story can be read as a standalone but I also really enjoyed the book that came before this one, The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses, so they are both worth adding to your TBR in my opinion!

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thing About Blind Dates is part of the, It’s a Love Thing series so it was nice to see the same characters in the storyline. This was sweet and a beautiful look on how can change you for the better once forgiveness steps in. There is lots of emphasis on family which I think it’s always great in a story and the faith is nicely tucked within the pages. Of course there are plenty of sweet romantic moments that leave you smiling as you read this wholesome and clean read!

I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was such a fun book! I was excited to see that K Leah was adding to her series and I really enjoyed this sweet book. The Thing About Blind Dates is the second book in K Leah’s It’s a Love Thing series. I love the title and the way that it played out in the story.
Marlowe and Brock had history together and it wasn’t a good one. But I loved reading about their story of forgiveness and falling in love. This was such a sweet read especially as Marlowe and Brock learned to be vulnerable with each other. I loved the transparency of both of the characters as they learned to overcome their shared past. Brock had to learn to submit everything to Christ and Marlowe had to learn to forgive.
The romance felt like a soft love song, easy to read and slow burn. Brock fell fast and hard but he had to be patient with Marlowe. Marlowe took a while longer but Brock totally captured her heart. Their families were fun, I loved the small town feel and how everyone was pushing them together. The Thing About Blind Dates is a clean Christian romance and I would totally recommend it!
Book Highlights:
Second Chances
Redemption
Sweet romance
Christian themes
Learning to forgive
Family
Small towns

I received a complimentary copy

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! I had never heard of having a first look blind date photo shoot. But it's what Marlowe's friend, Stella, keeps trying to talk her into doing. She wanted Marlowe to have a blind date at her Christmas tree farm and have a photo shoot while doing it. And I have to be honest, that scene was so magical in this book. I loved it!

Marlowe and Brock have a complicated relationship in this book. Brock had done a terrible prank in high school that ended up involving Marlowe. And she had not forgiven him.

But Stella keeps throwing these two together. And little by little, Marlowe can see that Brock is not the same man he was before.

I love a good redemption story. This one is so great!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really sweet! I really enjoyed the faith themes and the character growth. I really liked the idea of the blind date photo shoot and thought that moment was really sweet. Forgiveness was a big part of this story and thought it was done really well and I also enjoyed the small town elements.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Had to read the whole book; to find out the outcome! It is sometimes Tuff to forgive someone for doing something. But accepting that they were going through something and were young... takes some time. But in the end... its worth it. But its not always easy to forgive. Memories of the past creep in to remind of the pain it caused.With help from the Lord anything is possible

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about love, changed hearts and forgiveness. The part where he really opened up to her was really wonderful. I felt their emotions and I love that in a book! Well done!

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Brock & Marlowe's uncertain, hopeful, redemptive, caring, loving, sweet n swoony happily ever after!