Pity Pact

Pity #3

by Whitney Dineen

Who in the world would go on a dating show to find love?

Turns out, I’m that person. Paige Holland, lifetime resident of Elk Lake, Wisconsin, and dedicated seventh-grade math teacher.

I love my charming town, but there’s seriously no single action here. Unless of course I want to date the painfully boring mailman or the kid at the Quick Mart. Hard pass to both.
So, what’s a girl to do?

Apparently, apply to Midwestern Matchmaker and hope the reality show gods will smile on me.

Enter the lawyer from Chicago, the vegan Pho chef, and Tim Ferris—my childhood crush. As luck would have it, the lawyer is a narcissist, I love bacon, and Tim is still hung up on his cheating ex-wife.

When one disaster after another—starring me— gets broadcast around the world, I seriously start questioning what I was thinking...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Rom Com, Friends To Lovers, Chick Lit, Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2024

About the author

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

She's a USA Today Bestselling & multi-award-winning author of romantic comedies, non-fiction humor, thrillers, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016, 2019.


Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017, 2019

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards and Top Shelf Book Awards, 2017

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the Pity series, and Pity Pact is my favorite so far. I only hope it continues so we can meet more characters from Elk Lake. I really love how well executed this story was and enjoyed all the clever and funny banter throughout. The characters were so entertaining too. And it was easy to get angry at the "villains".

Whitney Dineen always delivers with her rom-coms!

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pity Pact is the first book I have read from Whitney Dineen and I was immediately besotted by her humour and fun rom-com. Pity Pactis based in the "real" world behind the scenes of reality TV dating with a bubbly humour and delightful wit

Paige is a darling and utterly relatable. I adore how real she is. A small town girl just poddling along with life, happy with her lot, but not happy with her relationship status. Things have been a bit stale on the dating front so she applies to be on a Reality dating show, hoping to meet the man of her dreams. Paige is in for a rude awkening as she begins to realise just how contrived the show is, when she finds out she is due to be portrayed as the stereotypical small town girl who matches with the rich country club owner Tim (A cinderella trope is always a winner in TV land) The thing is, this is not the type of guy our Paige was looking for, but she powers on regardless and he's in it to make his ex jealous (red flag, red flag!)

This was a really enjoyable read as the story twisted and turned around the sneaky sneaky manipulative host Trina (booooo hissss) and her antics at producing drama for TV as opposed to a real love match. The endearing miscommunications and gaffes between the couple and the hilarious side characters

I really enjoyed this introdction to Whitney Dineen and I will be definitely reading more of the Pity series

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this highly entertaining eARC. My review is left voluntarily

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The characters are so relatable. The stories are heartwarming and funny. The behind-the-scenes looks at a reality dating show were both fascinating and funny, with Paige and Tim giving different perspectives on what it’s like as a contestant. I loved their friendship that turns to more and the addition of Chip to the small town of Elk Lake. The cameos by former main characters are always an added bonus. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a copy from the author for an honest review.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitney Dineen is one of my favorite rom-com authors, and Pity Pact is exactly why I love her writing so much.

This is book 3 in a series, but can stand on its own. Although the characters cross over, it's still worth reading if you can't read the other 2 books.

I love this series because it takes place in Wisconsin, my neighboring state and the state where my girls to college. I absolutely love the Midwestern charm.

Pity Pact centers around a reality TV dating show, which was such a fun backdrop.

If you like any of the following, this book is for you
❤️Small town charm
❤️Friends to lovers
❤️Reality TV drama
❤️Dating shows
❤️Sweet romance
❤️Amazing supporting characters

[Tammy - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pity Pact is a cute romcom about trying to find love on the set of a reality TV show.

When the reality TV show, Midwestern Matchmaker, comes to Paige's hometown, she sees this as her chance to find love. Being a school teacher from a small town, her dating options have been seriously limited. Filming for the show is taking place at the local country club where Tim works and he somehow finds himself getting roped into being a contestant on the show too. Tim isn't looking for love, but maybe he has been looking for Paige.

Now, if you've read the other books in this series, then you've seen Tim before. Although he came across as a bit of a player before, we definitely see a new side of him here. I loved him for Paige and was rooting him on both on the show and off. As with most reality TV, there are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. There were some laugh out loud moments and just a touch of angst in this small town, friends to lovers romance, and I found it to be an enjoyable escape.

[nikkyireads · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series. I didn't care for Paige. She was so judgemental and almost harsh at times. I liked her in the prior books, but she fell flat here. I did like Tim, and there are definitely some laugh out loud moments. Im holding out hope for the next book in the series!

✨️ Reality Dating Show
✨️ Friends to Lovers
✨️ Smalltown Romance
✨️ Slow Burn

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pity Pact delivered: romance, small town, heartwarming, wholesome ( zero smut🤣), humour that was actually cute and funny, etc. This was a sweet read, no major surprises but was still an enjoyable read. I'm going to have to read the first two books in the series and this book left off with the premise for the next one, which I will also have to read. It was a very pleasant and quick read, nothing shocking or traumatic happened, it was quite refreshing. And that cover artwork!!! Love it❤

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this action packed, sexy, fun, highly entertaining and engaging adventure filled with exciting charters, witty dialog, fun twists and thrilling passion.......

[Lilian Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Too much going on, I don’t watch dating reality shows so this felt like a lot. Idk if I’ll con the series.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun but convoluted

This was good but not as enjoyable as the first two for me. I think the premise was a harder sell than the others. Still a fun, easy read.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one annoyed me.

First, let me mention that I really enjoyed the first two books. I’m also a fan of Whitney Dineen and like her writing style…she’s great with quirky characters and witty, well written dialogue. However, I really struggled with this book and couldn’t wait for it to be over.

I found the main character, Paige, so annoying, whiny, exhausting, narcissistic and rude for no real reason that it completely wrecked this book for me. She was a totally different character from the previous book. How she treated supposed friends and acquaintances around her was appalling and in real life, she would have been one of those friends that you decide to eventually jettison. All we heard was how she needed to find a man and it felt like poor Tim was just the guy she latched onto. I never felt the connection between the two and you never understand why “Tim” exactly, other than, and you get it…he was a man. And don’t get me started on Tim.

I’ll probably skip the next one is this series, but pick up other books by the author. Hey, every one can’t be a gem, right?

[Abby Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pity Pact (Pity Series Book 3)
By Whitney Dineen

Description:
Rom Com

💕Friends to Lovers
💕Small Town
💕Reality TV Show
💕Clean Romance
💕Strong Female Friendships

Book 3 main characters are Paige and Tim.

The story involves a match making dating show which the characters are on.
The story will have you laughing out loud.

I’ve enjoyed each book in the series, but this one wasn’t my favourite couple but can’t wait for Trina’s book, Pity Parade.

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thanks, Whitney Dineen, for a digital ARC copy of this book.

#romcombooks #pityseries #pitypact #whitneydineen

[AllBookedUp · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Elk Lake, Wisconsin, Paige Holland faced a challenging upbringing, wearing a back brace and being deemed unpopular. Seeking love in a small town with limited options, Paige and her best friend applied to "Midwestern Matchmaker." Enter Tim Ferris, a well-known figure from her high school days, who returned to Elk Lake to assist his father with their family-owned country club.

As Paige's best friend finds love and Paige embarks on a solo journey on the dating show, unexpected twists and turns unfold. A recent substitute history teacher, who is also a contestant on "Midwestern Matchmaker," a narcissist lawyer, and a host who keeps changing the rules of the game, all this adds to the drama and humor.

The story is a light and entertaining read, perfect for a relaxing beach day. Despite its imperfections, it offers a guilty pleasure that keeps readers engaged and smiling. Be warned, it may lead to late-night reading sessions that end at 4:00 am, leaving little time for sleep before the day begins.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Hidden Gems Books for this free ARC. This review is voluntary and unbiased.

The thing is, Paige is not a likeable main character in my opinion, her entire personality is based on how she wants to find love but doesn't think she will but absolutely needs to (also she had some pretty unfeminist lines in there). And yet, Tim (the main guy) and the other characters, and the drama and plot twist made it an enjoyable read. I loved the humour in this and the drama that came from the backstage of reality TV.

[Rebekah Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

They just get worse

I liked the first book in this series. But each book gets progressively more annoying. I’m not going to read the 4th. Ms. Dinesen is a great writer, but I don’t read to be irritated and these books just irk me.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whitney Dineen’s Pity series takes place in the small town of Elk Lake, Wisconsin. Full of well-rounded characters, this series of standalones reads better in publication order, since you’ll get the satisfaction of seeing what’s happening with the characters even after they cease to be the main focus. CAN you read them out of order? Sure. SHOULD you? That’s up to you.

All of these books feature women who have lots of spunk and personality, but haven’t been lucky in love. Many cover parental relationships, what it’s like to be a woman in business, and other issues reflected in modern society. None of the female leads is obsessed with appearance; all clearly enjoy good food and none is a size 2.

All have references to popular culture, just enough to ground them in the modern day. Recurring characters—even those who are not the focus of the story—are well rounded. It’s also fun to see the hints for what characters could be the focus of later books.

I also love the little bits of unimportant continuity, like the apartment above the yarn shop—first Melissa lives there, then Trina rents it for a summer, and finally, Lorelei considers moving there.
It’s now two years since the first book was published, as the sixth is hitting the market. Time passes a little faster in Elk Lake, as you will see with references to Pity Date’s Faith and Teddy in Pity Play.

Who Might Like These Books:
Romcom fans, especially those who like imperfect characters and small towns..

My Thoughts:
Both of our leads in this one had some significant presence in the previous book. With Melissa now in a relationship, Paige is left to go on reality dating show Midwestern Matchmaker on her own. Lucky for her Tim Ferris, whom Melissa had briefly dated, ends up on the show as a last-minute replacement. So does new substitute teacher Chip Baker whom Paige hates on first meeting.

Paige is haunted by her high-school past of being a bullied, nerdy girl in a back brace. She tends to protect herself by being quick to judge people, often harshly.

Tim is still trying to get over being abandoned by his wife when she took up with an NBA star. He has no desire to find love yet—he’s on the show to show his ex that he’s doing just fine without her. The two of them agree to help each other out, making a “pity pact” to keep each other from wallowing in their sad pasts.

Thus follows the usual romcom complications—each is attracted to the other, neither wants to risk their friendship, thinking the other is only interested in being friends. This leads to plenty of misunderstandings, including the one that breaks them up not long after they acknowledge their attraction.

There are plenty of bright, fun moments here, especially when Paige accidentally ends up wearing a Winnie the Pook onesie for a singles game night.

I appreciated that Paige had to come to terms with her own character flaws in order to move forward. I didn’t like the big move she made in order to protect Tim in the showdown with his ex. I think it was WAY over the top, even for the circumstance.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Very mild cursing. Indications that unmarried adults have sex. Mention of LGBTQ people. Adults drink alcohol. Divorce. Bullying. Mention of nudity.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @whitneydineenauthor for an early copy of Pity Pact I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: January 24th, 2024

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Pity Pact is the third installment from the Pity Series and tells the story of Paige and Tim as they participate in a matchmaking television show as singles looking to find love on the show. With most of her close friends having found their significant others, Paige has become jealous and desperate to find hers, thus her decision to join the dating show. Meanwhile, Tim initially doesn’t want anything to do with the show, but when the show’s host, Trina, asks him to replace a single who was supposed to be on the show but was involved in an accident, he thinks it was a great opportunity to show his ex-wife on television what she’s been missing.

I really enjoyed how naturally Tim and Paige’s friendship evolved in this book, having only reconnected when Tim came back home after his divorce and took over his family’s country club, both have known each other since childhood, and while they’re quite the opposites, I loved their wholesome banter, how they’ve become good friends, and how they discovered during the show how much they’re attracted to each other, albeit initially reluctant to do anything about it as Tim feels like he doesn’t stand a chance with her since she knows his original purpose in joining the show, and Paige not knowing that Tim’s intentions have changed.

With lots of shenanigans and plots by the show’s crew to stir some drama into the show, I’d say most of the events in this book were chaotic and amusing; it made me question the ethics that go with these types of shows in real life (and I honestly do not want to be a part of them at all), but I’m curious to see how the next novel in this series would go given how this one ended. 🤔

I would recommend picking the Pity Pact when it releases if you love some crazy reality TV drama and lots of adorable and loveable characters!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pity Pact is the anticipated sequel to Whitney Dineen’s romantic comedies Pity Date and Pity Party. Pity Pact will be better understood and enjoyed if read after Pity Party. This is a clean second-chance romance that doesn’t contain any sex or profanities.

32-year-old Paige Holland is a seventh-grade math teacher in her hometown, Elk Lake, Wisconsin. She is the only single person in her friend group, all of whom were featured in Pity Date and Pity Party. Paige hasn’t dated much because she is self-conscious from having scoliosis as a teen-ager and wearing a back brace. She is a big fan of the reality dating show Midwestern Matchmakers and auditions for their season of filming in Elk Lake. Part of her reason for being on the show is to earn enough money to get her roof replaced.

Tim Ferris has recently relocated back to his hometown of Elk Lake after his wife of less than two years leaves him for a NBA player. Tim has been dating a lot but he’s really heartbroken and isn’t really ready for a relationship. He gets talked into appearing on Midwestern Matchmakers because they are filming it at his father’s country club that Tim is now running. Tim’s plan is to make his ex-wife, Eva, jealous by dating a castmate on the show.

Paige and Tim are platonic friends at the beginning of Pity Pact; Tim dated Paige’s best friend, Missy, in Pity Party. Tim begins to develop genuine romantic feelings for Paige while faking a relationship with Cami on Midwestern Matchmakers. This leads to multiple comedies of errors. Eventually they admit their true feelings for each other and work things out.

I enjoyed the continuation of the storyline and seeing the characters’ relationships develop more. I really liked that Tim wasn’t portrayed as a “player” or “heartbreaker”, just a lonely man trying to move past a failed marriage. Paige had her act together and was a wonderful, engaging character. The behind-the-scenes look at a reality show is fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading the final book in the series, Pity Parade, featuring Midwestern Matchmakers host Trina Rockwell.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pity Pact is the third installment of the Pity Series and my first read by Whitney Dineen. The setting is Wisconsin, and two characters are participating in a dating reality show, one is searching for love and the other not so much.

The story takes place in Wisconsin, and it revolves around two characters who are participating in a dating reality show. Paige Holland is a quirky 7th-grade math teacher who has little experience with dating. She's lonely and looking for love, so she decides to give Midwestern Matchmaker, a dating reality show being taped in her own hometown, a try. Tim manages his family's country club. He's charming, supportive, and also lonely, but he never plans to get married again. However, he finds himself roped into being a contestant on the same show after his ex-girlfriend dumped him for another man. Good thing he's got Paige to help him through it.

Paige and Tim are two broken people who become friends first and slowly fall for each other between jealousy and misunderstandings. Their relationship evolves from being opposites to friends and much more. There are many laugh-out-loud moments with Paige's kooky antics on and off the show and her unfiltered idioms. Tim, who is serious, has lost his confidence due to his ex, but Paige has opened his eyes to what unselfishness is all about. He comes through as a friend and more and his grand gesture is sweet and noble.

I adore Paige's best friend Missy who calls Paige out on her insecurities and her childish jealousy about her friends' happiness. Missy and Paige's close friendship is Paige's lifeline as Paige navigates the ups and downs of the show and Paige's relationship with Tim.

If you are a fan of sweet romance novels with a touch of humor and a happy ending, I recommend you check out this book.

Thank you to Ms. Dineen for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pity Pact, a captivating novel by Whitney Dineen, delves into the tumultuous world of reality dating shows through the experiences of Paige Holland, a seventh-grade math teacher from a small town. Intrigued by the allure of finding love on television, Paige takes a leap of faith and embarks on a journey that challenges her perceptions and tests her limits. Dineen's writing is both relatable and humorous as she chronicles Paige's misadventures on the show. From awkward dates to public meltdowns, Paige faces a barrage of setbacks that question her initial decision. The author cleverly explores the complexities of human relationships, particularly the dynamics between Paige and the two potential suitors vying for her affection. While Tim, a wounded divorcé, seems like a promising candidate, his guarded nature and ulterior motives create a sense of unease. On the other hand, the substitute teacher, despite Paige's initial aversion, emerges as a potential match. Dineen skillfully weaves together these contrasting characters, creating a love triangle that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Through Paige's journey, the novel sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of reality television. Dineen exposes the calculated manipulations behind the scenes and the emotional toll it takes on the participants. The reader is left to ponder the ethics of such shows and the lengths people are willing to go in the pursuit of love and fame. Overall, Pity Pact is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the world of reality dating. Whitney Dineen's witty writing and relatable characters create a compelling story that will resonate with readers long after they finish the last page.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙊Cute, sweet delve into reality dating🎥

4.5🌟 stars
Part comedy, part miscommunication and slow burn romance, author Whitney Dineen delighted me with her characters and their situational dilemmas.

I loved the two principal characters, math teacher Paige and country club owner Tim, in their adventure in finding the perfect partner on a regional reality dating show. Tim's reason for joining the show's cast at the last minute is revenge on his ex rather than a desire for romance; Paige, on the other hand, is really hoping to find her perfect guy (something that's escaped her, living in a small town and suffering from insecurities originating in her teens).

Paige can be clutzy and get into embarrassing situations leading to some fun. I especially got a kick out of the story of her wicked moves back in school attacking a pinata😄. But she's earnest about her search for love, especially after her two best friends found their HEAs and left her a bit lonely as the only remaining single gal pal, and jealous. And she is a heroine comfortable with outeating her date: no lettuce leaves for her.

I liked that the reality show, at least initially, honestly seemed focused on promoting love connections. As the experience progressed, though, ....😕. The drama and conniving were just like and as I expected.

There's a heartwarming twist at the end thanks to Tim's parents, and an epilogue that spreads the happiness around. It left me totally satisfied and looking forward to Dineen's next venture into small-town Elk Lake.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read one other book set in this world. It was only when I started reading this one I realised there must have been more since more couples appeared in this volume. The previous book I read did not rely too heavily on previously established couples, but this picks up the emotions of being a single friend where everyone else is paired off.
Our leading lady is Paige, a math teacher who loves her subject. She does not go into any particular details about the subject, but it is often mentioned enough that it is a foundational part of her style. She and her best friend spent a lot of time together until the latter found her forever partner. Now Paige is the nth wheel on their outings among another couple who sometimes join in.
Opposite Paige is the local single man who decided to come home to take over from his father and nurse a semi-broken heart. He was one of the popular kids at school growing up, and Paige carries that distinction with her even now.
When Paige decides to join a reality show that was supposed to be a nice, clean version of where couples actually find happily-ever-afters, she does not know what to expect. Things at the show do not go according to plan either. This was a surprising addition, but it made sense once I saw how things ended!
I like the author’s style and the way the romance builds. There is just enough detail to keep the book interesting without me having to skip a few paragraphs of content.

I recommend this to others who like this genre, and will like to read the next if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love picking up one of Ms. Dineen's rom-coms. She delivers such a fun, quality read every time, and this latest one also did not disappoint. This is the third book of the series, and although I loved the first two, this one just might be my favorite. When it comes to the dating scene, Elk Lake has pretty slim pickings, especially for a sweet and single girl like Paige. So she does what any single, young, and available girl would do in her position - she signs up for a reality show. But boy is she in for a surprise when she realizes how the whole thing is nothing but an orchestrated performance. She's not at all happy with how the show plans to portray her as a stereotypical small town girl looking for a rich husband. Another hurdle in the show is that one of the contestants is her childhood crush, Tim, who is still a little hung up on his ex-wife. But although Tim may not have come on the show looking for love, he just may have found the real thing with Paige.
With the premise being a reality show, there were plenty of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, but enjoyed every moment of them. The story was filled with fun and humor and had me laughing and smiling all the way through. It was well-written and very entertaining and I had a fun time reading it. I hope there is more of this series to come!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[☾ ⋆*･ﾟEmily (e.clairepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖ARC Review📖

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my first time reading a novel by Whitney Dineen, and I must say her writing is so charming and funny. As a slow-burn romance, the author truly won me over with her adorable characters. I truly enjoy her jokes and pop culture references. The book was a teeny tiny slow at first– but that's what a slow burn is right? ;) Slow & steady wins the race!

Tim & Paige's friendship naturally evolved in the novel, and their banter is refreshing. Paige can be clutzy, yet she learns to be positive and go with the flow– I can learn a lot from her. Tim is handsome, honest, and all-around a great male lead.

Synopsis: Pity Pact is the third installment from the Pity Series & tells the story of Paige and Tim as they participate as contestants in a matchmaking television show. With most of her close friends having found love, Paige has become jealous and desperate to find hers. Meanwhile, Tim has just went through a stinky divorce, finding that joining the show is a great opportunity to stick it to her when he finds love.

If you're looking for an refreshing and humorous story, check out the Pity Pact series.

#dualPOV #friendstolovers #sweetromcom #smalltown #slowburn


Thank you @whitneydineenauthor for an early copy of Pity Pact. Truly enjoyed it. I read a complimentary ADC, this is my voluntary & honest opinion.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality dating show anyone? After all her girlfriends find their true loves (you can read their stories in Pity Date & Pity Party,) Paige is feeling a little lonely being the only single one in their group. Always being the third wheel. So she decides to participate in a dating show in hopes of finding her true love. Before the show even starts, she runs into Tim, a former classmate who has recently moved back to town and runs the Country Club where the show is filming. He's pretty fresh off a divorce, where his wife left him for an NBA star. When he gets pulled in to be a participant of the show at last minute, the two make a Pity Pact to help each other get over their pasts and allow themselves to be open to find love. Tim is a good guy and does what he can to help Paige. Paige is a firecracker. She can be awkward at times, nervous about being in the spotlight, knows how to give the stink eye, and doesn't put up with any BS. The two would be a great match, but all the 'help' they are doing for each other is pushing them apart instead of bringing them closer together. Its a fun read, yet you feel the characters frustrations at times. Overall it's a light-hearted read, but there is a little heartache. This is a quick and easy read that alternates between POVs. It's a clean read and safe for teens and up.

[Curtis E Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready for something different, well here ya go!

Whitney Dineen brings a new light to the love lives of all the friends in Elk Lodge,
Pity Pact is Book 3 in the Pity Series, and she takes us on a journey of fun, frustration, and unexpected enjoyment.

Paige is independent, self-driven, smart and loved by all. Her life has not been the easiest, but she has been successful with everything she has ever ventured into. But even the best can find life lonely sometimes.

Tim is the boy next door that left home but has returned as a man. Of course, he does come with baggage that troubles him daily. While success is easy for him, sometimes his ability to see the forest thru the trees and his caring heart blinds him to what is around. And in this story, it is that lacking that gets him sucked into things he was not prepared for.

Circumstances find our two heroes thrown together, and the Pity Pact becomes a part of their adventure. Thanks to friends and family, they really didn’t have a chance not to succeed. But you are going to have to read this one to see how all the pieces fall together.

Whitney always brings the humor with the hot. Slow burn may come to mind, but it is well worth it in the end. These two deserve their story, and I am glad they got the ending of their challenges right. Well done Whitney Dineen and I am ready for the last in the series.

[AJ's Book ReMarks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pity Pact is about a television reality dating show called Midwestern Matchmaker with the host Trina Rockwell. Paige Holland, 32, a lifelong resident of Elk Lake and seventh-grade math teacher, is looking for someone special, especially since her best friend Melissa Corner, Missy, is coupled up with Jamie Riordan. However, who finds love on one of those shows?

Tim Ferris is also from Elk Lake but moved to Los Angeles ten years ago, only returning when his wife Eva left him for a professional basketball player. His parents, Ellen and Gregg, own the Elk Lake Country Club, and now Tim is running the business, and the show will be filming. Upon Tim's return home, his mission was to date as many women as possible until Missy told him that he needed time to forgive the loss of his life with Eva and that he took the time to work through his feelings. Would he join the show and find love?

"Our first trip is over Valentine's Day; we're going to Paris." "To be guillotined!"

Whitney Dineen has a way of writing romantic comedy that makes the reader feel they are part of the story. While I wouldn't say I like reality TV and don't watch dating shows, I know of all the fake drama to raise the viewing numbers. I'm so happy to read about it rather than watch it unfold on television.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige has lived in Elk Lake her whole life and doesn't see herself living anywhere else. Except for the fact that she wants to find love, and Elk Lake doesn't have many single men in her age range. So she decides to take part in a reality show to gind her perfect match. Not having much self esteem after her childhood problems wearing a body brace, she's used to staying in the background and blending in. When she finds out that Tim the Co owner of the country club where filming is taking place is also one of the contestants, she far from happy. Tim is still trying to get over the betrayal he went through with his ex, leaving him for another man after only knowing him for a week. Maybe taking part in this reality show will show her he's moved on and enjoying life without her, when in reality he's not ready to move on yet. This is a really heartwarming story of trying to overcome hurt and moving on, even when you don't at first realise your ready. It's nice reading how previous characters are doing and bringing new characters as well. I loved this book and had a few belly laughs at the comings and goings. I received this as an ARC copy and this is my own personal and honest opinion and review of the book

[Mandiisbooked08 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
The premise of the book is our main guy and girl characters grew up together in a small town.One signs up for a dating show looking for true love; the other fell into it by chance (chance being one of the bachelors breaking both his legs). Our male lead lives with his meddling parents. I am still baffled by this. He is supposed to be successfully managing a country club. He is fresh off a divorce, so there is that. His mother is always asking him to give her gandbabies. Sorry lady, but that isn't happening with you're sharing a wall with your ADULT son. The female lead is a bit judgemental, and she is called out for it by her best friend. Win for strong female friendships. The characters are one-dimensional, and the story is a very linear, one note book. The characters didn't seem to know what they were looking for in a SO. I suppose that is the reality of a dating show. Throw out your net and see what you catch. That recipe just doesn't work to manifest chemistry between characters. The lack of conflict, of desire, of any stakes at all is what caused the story to fall flat. I will give The Pity pact credit in that it knows what it is. It is simple, easy, and cute.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pity Pact is Whitney Dineen’s third installment in the Pity Series. If you are reading the books in order as you should be for continuity purposes, you are already familiar with the story’s protagonist and love interest. The first two books followed the love stories of Faith and Melissa, now it’s Paige’s turn.

Schoolteacher Paige Holland is hoping her journey to finding love happens the 21st century way…on a television show. Childhood experiences manifest as adult insecurities, but Paige eventually realizes that some of her memories might not be as bad as she first thought.

Her love interest is clear from the start but as usual, Dineen gives you more than enough twists and turns before delivering the book’s happy ending.

If you love trashy reality tv shows, you will also enjoy all the antics on the Midwestern Matchmaker. As much as I hate to imagine them being true in real life, the truth is contestants probably endure far worse.

Either way, Pity Pact is an enjoyable, quick read that perfectly sets up the next book in the series. If you haven’t read books one and two, do yourself a favor and check those out first. While Pity Pact can certainly be read as a standalone, there’s no point in missing out on the first two love stories. You won’t be disappointed!