Blind Date with the Hero

Heroes of Freedom Ridge #18

by Tara Grace Ericson

She’s on a series of blind dates, but all she can think about is her Secret Santa… Alexis would rather skinny dip in a snowbank than make good on the bet she lost. Ten blind dates? As though the holidays weren’t hard enough, now she has to sit at awkward Christmas parties with men who were more likely to be intimidated by her military experience than infatuated. At least her Secret Santa was keeping things interesting. K9 Specialist Jared Keen couldn’t believe his luck when he got his best friend’s name in the Secret Santa pool. After years of wishing he could tell Alexis how he felt, this is his chance to show her instead. At the same time, he just needs to convince her that their friendship can handle the pressure outside the friendzone, and pray that one of her ridiculous blind dates doesn’t derail his plan. Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas romance.

Genres: Christian Romance, Fiction, Romance

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2022

About the author

Tara Grace Ericson

faith, hope, and happily ever after

Tara writes small-town, contemporary Christian romance. She loves stories of modern-day characters struggling to obey God, forgive others, and accept themselves - oh, and finding their happily-ever-after along the way.

She lives in Southwest Missouri with her husband and two sons, writing full-time, in between chasing a two toddlers!

Get a free e-book by signing up for Tara's newsletter at her website!

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Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a super cute book! Well the story is sit around Christmas and New Year's, you're not overwhelmed by the holiday. The unfolding romance is the main focus of the story. Since I am not a seasonal reader I was glad that this story didn't make me feel like I was overwhelmed by the holidays. On the other hand if you like stories set around the holidays you'll get that sense with how the story progresses.

I really like that the author used a woman to have PTSD from being in the military instead of it being the typical man. I really felt like this storyline was very powerful! Alexis has so much going for her but struggles with ptsd. And Jared trains dogs that help people with a variety of conditions and disorders as well as SAR. They've been friends for years but they each have feelings for each other but aren't aware.

Experiencing the blind dates with Alexis are cringeworthy and hilarious. I love this twist to cause the story to move along! At the same time Jared has to sit on the sidelines watching it all happen in front of him! I just love the way Jared handled all of it.

Well he doesn't know that Alexis has PTSD he treats her with kindness, love, and respect. He is incredibly patient with her and I enjoyed seeing the ways he tried to show her he loves her.

Once again the author has done a terrific job keeping Christ as an important part of the story. I always appreciate this aspect of her books!

*I received the ARC for review. This is my personal opinion.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet Christian Christmas romance! Such a fun read!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I highly recommend this entire series. So much fun, suspense, action, love and Very spiritual with wonderful bible verses throughout the series.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was a fun and sweet book. I have really been enjoying Ericson's books and I have been binge reading the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series so I was so excited to read this one. Blind Date with the Hero is written by Tara Grace Ericson and it is the 18th book in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. The stories have been so fun and I have loved getting to see different characters.
Alexis, poor Alexis, she had her demons to work through. It was fun to read more about her. Alexis was a bit of a more grumpy character, but I loved her from the beginning. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and she worked hard to prove herself. But Alexis had to learn to let others in and see that God wanted what was best for her. Alexis had to learn to overcome her demons and fight for a chance at happiness.
Jared was a great character. He was kind and thoughtful. I loved getting to know him more. Jared really cared for Alexis and he was trying to show her that he felt for her. Jared was fighting for a chance to have a relationship with Alexis and it was sweet to read of him reaching out to her and loving her. Jared had to learn to wait patiently for Alexis and to hope for the best. I liked how Jared learned to trust in God’s plan as he tried to woo Alexis.
Jared and Alexis were fun together. I liked how they were friends first and how they had an easy chemistry. It was sweet to read about them realizing their feelings for each other. The plot of the book was enjoyable. I thought that the blind dates would be awkward but they were actually perfect for the story. The Secret Santa part of the story was also so cute.
I loved this book! It was the perfect Christmas read. Ericson is wonderful at weaving faith into her books and this one was no different. You need to have this on your TBR. Blind Date with the Hero is a clean friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine contemporary Christian romance.


I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Date With The Hero is another story from Freedom Ridge. It is almost the holidays in Freedom Ridge and Alexis and Toby from Got Your Six Security has made a bet. If they cannot finish their hot hot wings then they will have to pay up. Alexis looses to Toby so he is going to set her up with 10 blind dates between now and the New Year. She doesn't date as she has a secret that she don't want to be found out. The dates that Toby sets for Alexis is far from good. Jared, that works with both Alexis and Toby has been friends with Alexis since she came to Freedom Ridge and he has been wanting to up their friendship to dating but now that will have to be put on hold.

Freedom Ridge has their own Secret Santa holiday event. Alexis shares with Jared that her friend signed her up. He signs up and gets Alexis' name. He hoped by Christmas his notes and gifts will win her heart. He happens to go to a couple of holiday events where Alexis and her blind date are. He finds Alexis setting in the snow very upset when he got to the Christmas party at their friend's home. The out of town friend that Toby set Alexis up with is standing over her calling her a crazy chick. Jared takes control of the situation with Alexis while Toby comes up and gets his friend away from her. Jared thinks he may know what Alexis brought home with her from the Marines. With Jared being such a caring and loving Christian, he puts his talents to good use on Alexis.

I received an advanced copy for my honest review. I really enjoyed this story and give it 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance and a little Christmas magic? The result is this sweet, wonderful friends to lovers romance. Though Alexis, or Alex as Jared calls her, is determined to remain single and alone, her friends have all decided that she needs more socializing and dating in her life. To that end, she has been signed up for the Secret Santa event and Toby set her up on a date he knew she would lose, so she will have to go on ten blind dates. Jared, a DK9 trainer and a friend who has deeper feelings for Alexis, but has been afraid to ask for a date or to change their dynamic, realizes he could lose her to one of her blind dates if he doesn’t do something now. He was told before by an ex that he was too intense, so he left everything up to Alex, but now he knows he can’t do that. He signs up for the Secret Santa event too, where he luckily or by some divine intervention, ends up with her name. Jared hopes that his gifts and notes will show her how much he cares for her.

The blind dates and the Secret Santa gifts serve to remind Alexis that she doesn’t want to be alone, but her PTSD and anxiety issues make her feel unworthy of love. She has long been attracted to Jared, but she is afraid of losing their friendship since she has so few friends. Something has recently changed in their relationship, especially the way he looks at her. Can Jared convince her to take a chance on love, on a deeper relationship with him? Will she have faith that God has a plan for her that includes Jared and his love?

I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis doesn't date because she has no interest in marriage. But when she loses a bet, she's forced to go out for 10 blind dates of a co-worker's choosing. Jared has been best friends with Alexis for years because he knew he had no hope for more unless he took it slowly, but when he sees her starting going on these blind dates, he realises he has to make a move or chance losing her forever. The town's Secret Santa gift exchange offers him an opportunity to show her his heart - but can he convince her to open up to him - and accept that he can deal with her brokenness?

This story grabbed my attention from the very first page and held it through to the delightful ending. I loved the way that Jared put so much effort and thought into showing Alexis that he really saw her and that she was worthy of love - and watching Alexis gradually open herself to the possibility was amazing. One slight comment: the 'search and rescue' in the subtitle refers only to the company Jared works for, there's no actual search and rescue in the story. All in all, another lovely visit to Freedom Ridge which I found surprisingly hard to put down. Recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Priscila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I read Faith In The Hero I've wanted to read Alexis and Jared's story, and Tara Grace Ericson certainly delivered the most perfect "best friends to more" book in Blind Date with the Hero. Seriously, I just loved how the author blended the concept of going on 10 blind dates (as payment for losing a bet), with Secret Santa's gifts, a best friend who's clearly been in love with the other for a while now, and the other that's been hiding a secret for pretty much the same amount of time as well as dealing with some heavy issues. Speaking of which, I think the author did a marvelous job of dealing with the topics of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, presenting them in a realistic way, yet also with hope and grace. In that regard, I loved how perfect Jared was for Alexis, and how they both grow in trust and understanding of the other throughout the story. I also enjoyed getting to see and understand more about his job as a K9 specialist. I could definitely go on and on about my favorite parts or what else I loved about this book, but for fear of ruining it for someone else, I'm going to stop here. This one's perfectly recommended for fans of the Freedom Ridge series, Christian Contemporary Romance, Tara Grace Ericson, and/or people who are looking for the perfect Christmas read with the sweetest HEA. ~ 5 stars!

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Alexis leaned toward him, nudging his shoulder. "You're totally right. I'm sorry. I don't like being the center of attention.'
'I know,' he said quietly.
'You're a good friend, Jared Keen.'
He stuffed a nacho in his mouth to keep himself from saying anything more. Like that he was done pretending that he didn't have feeling for Alexis. Or that the idea of her going on a blind date with anyone had been driving him crazy for days."

As far love stories go, this one was SO good. Why? Rather than emphasizing attraction or passion, the emphasis was on loving someone well. Jared knew Alexis. He knew how to love her well, and he expresses his care in both public and private ways. And some of them were also anonymous, so seeing when Alexis finally realizes what is going on is beautiful to see. I enjoyed this book SO much that I could gush more about it, but then there would definitely be spoilers!

This book is a part of the Freedom Ridge series. Characters in this one are definitely connected to previous books. I would say it would be helpful to read the whole series in order. BUT one could definitely appreciate this book on its own merit.

I was provided with an advanced copy of this book. I really wanted to read it, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashley Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good friends to more story! Blind Date with the Hero delivers a charming friends to more trope with the added bonus of a Christmas setting and a secret Santa gift exchange! Jared was thoughtful and caring and I thought he was the perfect compliment for Alexis who was more of a prickly outside, soft center kind of girl! The town of Freedom Ridge is my absolute favorite! It’s quaint and charming and bursting with Christmas cheer and traditions and I love that as a reader we get to walk through the events and season’s festivities with the characters. The secret Santa exchange was so much fun! I really enjoyed watching Jared prove how well he knew and loved Alexis through his gifts and watching her soften with each present was really special. There were some definite obstacles for this couple to overcome, however it never made the story heavy or detracted from the cheerful Christmas atmosphere created by the author. There might just be a happily ever after, however I’m not going to spoil the fun! If you love hallmark feels, and holiday themes this would be a great addition to your reading list!

[Kendra Muonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s on a series of blind dates, but all she can think about is her Secret Santa…

Alexis would rather skinny dip in a snowbank than make good on the bet she lost. Ten blind dates? As though the holidays weren’t hard enough, now she has to sit at awkward Christmas parties with men who were more likely to be intimidated by her military experience than infatuated. At least her Secret Santa was keeping things interesting.

K9 Specialist Jared Keen couldn’t believe his luck when he got his best friend’s name in the Secret Santa pool. After years of wishing he could tell Alexis how he felt, this is his chance to show her instead. At the same time, he just needs to convince her that their friendship can handle the pressure outside the friendzone, and pray that one of her ridiculous blind dates doesn’t derail his plan.this was a quick read for me that had me staying up too late to finish reading.i received an advanced copy of the book from the author.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, but I sure hate to see this series end. I will note that the authors wrote another short series… I think six books… Called Christmas at Redemption Ridge. I’ll be reading that series soon. I also want to add that reading a series with multiple authors is a great way to be introduced to new authors. There’s several here that I’ve never read before and I will be adding their books to my to be read list.

Back to this story… One of the main characters struggles with anxiety and depression brought on by PTSD. While I’ve never had PTSD, I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks and depression in the past. And a lot of what she felt I could personally relate to which made this book a bit more special to me.

I love the idea of the secret Santa and I loved how Jared used that to win Alexis’ heart. This was definitely a good ending to this great series.

[Tazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Christmas read - it has all the warm-fuzzy feels, working dogs, kind-hearted and protective male lead and a scared-but-not-broken considerate friend. It ticks all the boxes for a cosy, sweet (clean) romance.

It was easy to imagine the thoughtful & patient way in which Jared softens Alexis heart, as if a movie was playing out in front of you. The story touches on the internal battle that comes with mental health difficulties, and the hope that can be found despite it.

A standalone story, although it's more fun to read these in order. Any of the authors in this multi-author series is well worth reading. The series delivers on its promise of squeaky clean romances with a light faith arc.

* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of the book.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another beautiful faith centered story in the Freedom Ridge series.  I enjoyed the two, strong, main characters.  Jared was so sweet, caring, and romantic.  Alexis worked at Got Your Six Security and suffered from PTSD. She had been a Marine for eight years. She and Jared were best friends but he was in love with her.I liked how Alexis was finally able to see what was right in front of her all along.  Her blind dates, set up when she lost a bet, were quite interesting to read about.  These two characters and Maverick really touched my heart.  It was interesting learning more about the DK9 program that Jared worked for. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

The characters were wonderfully written.
She's strong and smart, funny and fun... and hiding a health issue because of the way someone else reacted to it.
He's also smart, fun, and funny, but he's also patient, observant and romantic. He's holding back because of someone else's reactions.

They have a strong, long-lasting friendship. Really, they should know each other enough to trust the other with those parts they hide from everyone else. They just aren't sure if they can risk their friendship... until they do! Oh so worth the wait!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed taking a trip the past few Christmases to Freedom Ridge and Blind Date with the Hero was a fabulous addition this year. I am always game for a friends to more especially when one of the characters is a former Marine. I absolutely adored the premise of the story of Alexis losing a bet and having to go on ten blind dates set up by a friend, but my favorite part was the Secret Santa gift exchange. I was already enamored with Jared due to the fact he was a k9 trainer for search and rescue dogs, but I totally fell in love with his character as his secret Santa gifts for Alexis were just so thoughtful! I appreciated the way the author incorporated Alexis' battle with PTSD from her time in the military, but didn't allow that to overshadow a lighthearted Christmas story. I just love the hallmark feel to these stories with a quaint town complete with festive holiday events and fabulous people.

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Jared Keen works training K9 dogs and has been best friends with Alexis Alonzo for several years. She loses a bet with a co-worker and has to go on 10 blind dates. Most of them are bad. She thinks she’s unlovable because of her problems from her time in the service. During the Christmas season she and Jared both participate in a Secret Santa exchange, and she receives one of a kind gifts perfect for her. This book addresses PTSD and its related problems plus references to children with problems that can be helped with dogs. A heartwarming story and a great addition to this series.

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Blind Date with the Hero by Tara Grace Ericson. I always love visiting Freedom, Colorado. It's one of those fictional towns that I would love to live in or at least spend the Christmas season there!

This is a sweet Hallmark type story with a best friends to more romance, which is one of my favorite tropes. Jared is such a great character. I loved his job as a K9 Specialist and learning about how they train the dogs to help people. Alexis was a bit salty for me, but I still liked her well enough and felt for her and her struggles with PTSD. I felt like the Secret Santa gift exchange added so much fun to the story and really showed how Jared felt about Alexis.

Blind Date with a Hero was a great way to start off my Christmas reading. If you're looking for a sweet friends to more romance filled with all things Christmas, this is the story for you.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis loses a bet and has to go on 10 blind dates before Christmas. She is dreading it. Alexis is a former Marine and suffers from PTSD. She manages it well, but keeps everyone at arms length so they can't see the "real" person she is.
Jared has been friends with Alexis for the past 4 years. He trains service dogs for military and personal needs. When he hears that Alexis is going on 10 blind dates, he's afraid that she'll fall in love and never know that he loves her. He decides he needs to do something.
Such a sweet book. The blind dates are very different. Some are good. Most are bad. It's so funny how Alexis gets out of the dates. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the series from Freedom Ridge. Jared and Alexis are best friends but Jared had been carrying a flame for Alexis for several years. Will she ever see that they could be more than friends? She has to endure ten blind dates because she lost a bet. Jared has to sit by and wait for his turn but he doesn't want to spook her or act too quickly or rashly. Can he wait for her to see him as more than a friend?

This was a sweet, clean, romantic story between best friends. There are some PTSD struggles in the storyline, as well. There is also a happy ending.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Vicci Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, Romantic, Inspiring

My only complaints is that it wasn’t longer, we never found out who wrote the first 3 Santa notes and there was no HEA epilogue! Not rehashing the plot because if you’ve made it this far you know that already. Jared was a sweetheart when we met him way back in the series. Alexis had a story that begged to be told as well, and it is such a satisfying story.

The amount of love and thought he puts into his Secret Santa gifts is wonderful, and the notes he enclosed are absolutely swoon worthy! Just a sweet, sweet love story and as a bonus a dog. Curl up with your cocoa and an Alexis candle for a fabulous treat in this book.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blind Date with the Hero by Tara Grace Ericson is a great Christmas read! I love a good friends to more story and I really liked how much Christmas was in this Christmas book. I want to organize a secret Santa exchange because of this book! Alexis is a good main character in that she is strong, yet still struggling with PTSD and how her mother treated her with regard to that. I liked that Jared was so caring toward her, yet still struggling with the repercussions of a past relationship. And the ten blind dates that Alexis had to go on were comical. The story contains a strong faith element, too. This is the first book I've read by this author, but now I want to look for more!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends to more?

Wonderful story of accepting each other for who they are, even though previously others have not done so, being vulnerable enough to let someone in, and being confident that with God, you can handle it. Appreciated the sensitive handling of PTSD and the way the author put God into the story gently without preaching. Laughed through the blind dates which provided release from the tension in the story. Highly recommend this Christmas story. It has all the feels!

Received ARC and this is my honest review.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure that Toby didn’t already have Alexis and Jared in mind when he set up Alexis’ 10 blind date bet payoff. Some of them he had to know would be really losers, maybe not as bad as they actually were. I liked how Tara Grace Ericson tackled PTSD in the book. Those suffering from it should not be made to be ashamed or “broken” because of it. Alexis’ dates made me really glad I am beyond that stage in life, even though I did meet my late husband on a blind date, just that he wasn’t my date. Guess if could go down as one of my friend’s bad blind dates. Jared’s thoughtfulness in his secret Santa gifts shows he really knows Alexis. I really enjoyed this book.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were two heroes in this story. Alexis, a former Marine, served her country well and is suffering from PTSD. Even her own mother was unwilling to put up with her issues and she has decided that it is unlikely she would ever find a husband who would have enough patience either.. Jared, Alexis’ best friend, is the hero who truly knows and loves her and is trying everything he knows to show her. It was positively swoony. All husbands need to be this kind of hero for their wives. Loved the story! I received an ARC and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Freedom Ridge series, a collaboration by various authors.
A crazy bet lays the foundation for a fun read, with enough angst to hold one's interest, plus a little jealousy that is easy to empathise with, add to that a Secret Santa, and you have the perfect clean Christmas romance!
Alexis has a past that makes her afraid of the future until her best friend persuades her to face it head on and move forward.

This was a free read from the author for an honest review.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you read the first paragraph of this book, it becomes impossible to put it down. I love the characters in this book and I love that it deals with a subject that most people don't give a thought to. The Secret Santa twist gave this story an extra dimension but I honestly don't know of a single man who has ever put that much thought into the gifts he was purchasing. The disasters of her blind dates added a bit of humor (for the most part) that most women can relate to. This is a great book!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Date with the Hero

Jared and Alexis have such a wonderful story. They had been best friends for several years but Alexis was keeping a secret from all of her friends. When Alexis loses a bet to a colleague she ends up having to go on 10 blind dates. Meanwhile another of her friends signs her up for the community Secret Santa. Her Secret Santa seems to know her so well. This is a fun Christmas story. Will Jared still care for her once her secret gets out?

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Grace Ericson does a wonderful job in this addition to the series.
Alexis makes a bet and if she loses, she has to go on ten blind date by New Year’s Eve. She’s a former Marine who works for Got Your Six Security so can handle most things thrown at her. But blind dates, not so much!
Jared works for DK9 and has been one of Alexis’ best friends in town. They both think they are always going to be just friends, but hope for more.
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review.

[Elle Kay]

Loved this final book of the season in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. Both main characters are heroes in their own right. Alexis is a former Marine who works for a security firm and Jared trains service dogs. They are best friends, but he wants more, and this is the story about how he goes about trying to make her see him as more than a friend.

Pick it up and you'll soon be swooning right alongside the heroine.

I didn't offer a rating since I write in the same series.