Pity Please

Pity #7

by Whitney Dineen

Allie and Noah's story is coming soon!

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

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

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great edition to this series! I loved being back in this town!!

If you have followed this storyline, Noah's sister Lorelei just found her HEA, and is studying in Chicago. Unfortunately, that leaves Allie without her best friend, when she returns home after a tough divorce. While her life isn't what she wants right now, she's determined to make the best of it. Noah has also returned to his hometown to reset, after leaving his prestigious coaching position. Coaching his old high school's sub-par basketball team isn't where he wants to be, but he's trying.

The emotions of these characters are easy to relate to, and empathize with, and I found myself really invested in Allie's efforts to heal. It was quite the emotional rollercoaster, for sure. The energies between her and Noah were sizzling and undeniable, even though the complications of acting on the chemistry gave them pause.
My heart was very invested in the way the storyline spun around the drama of Margie and Jordan, and the situation they faced, and I am thrilled with how the situation resolved.

All in all, this story held my attention from the first page to the last, giving me the reading experience that I have come to love from this talented author. I highly recommend this series, and this story. Reading in order will prevent spoilers, but you can grab this one now, and go back and fill in. I cannot WAIT for the next one from this engaging and creative author.

I received an ARC (thank you) and happily leave my thoughts.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Life has a way of taking you places you never thought you’d see.”

While this is Book 7 in the series, each story stands alone, and now I need to go back and read the other six. I loved the cozy, small town setting and the reconnection between Allie and Noah. He is her best friend’s older brother (yes, she crushed on him back in the day) and now they’re teachers and coaches at their old high school.

Noah is dreamy, patient, and an excellent basketball coach. I immediately fell for him, even in all his busyness and distraction. He’s fantastic at cracking the complex hard shell around Allie, and I couldn’t get enough. Watching her blossom in the autumn season in her fresh start, full of lamps and new beginnings, doused with the lingering feelings of her teenage crush is purely magical. Shedding layers of expectations and finding herself gave me life, and it’s the contentment and belonging she discovers in her newfound friendship-to-more with Noah that supplied the butterflies and swoon.

There are some trigger warnings–miscarriage and cheating–that happen before the story begins and teen pregnancy that is tastefully written. Dineen mingles the hardships of life with the beauty of hope in an excellent way, giving me all the feels. I loved this one!

Content: teen pregnancy; adoption; off-page miscarriage and cheating; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Cheryl Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the fact that the book begins with our heroine recovering from a divorce, there were so many laugh out loud moments in this book that I nearly got a stitch.

Allie is licking her wounds back in Elk Lake after losing three babies and a her cheating husband, Brett. There she meets her best friend's brother who she had a tremendous crush on for years.

"I dated two guys in college before I met Brett. The whole time I was with them, I compared them to Noah. Probably because they both kind of looked like him without being quite as luminous. They were both over six feet, with dark wavy hair and blue eyes. They were both athletic and fit."

Noah is also licking his wounds back in Elk Lake after he was demoted from his head coach job when they hired an ex NBAer to coach the team. But he has a plan. Then he meets Allie.

"She’s tall— she seems taller than she was back then; her hair is darker and longer than I remember; and her eyes have a dangerous kind of spark that radiates from them. It’s like she knows something about me that I don’t even know about myself. Which I find totally disconcerting."

Whitney Dineen always brings good humour to the pages, but she also tackles deep subjects such as miscarriage and teenage pregnancy with the utmost sensitivity.

I loved this book and especially the two main characters who are wonderful caring people. The supporting characters are wonderful too, if I had to live in a small town, then it would have to be Elk Lake.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and this book is the perfect addition to it. This book centers around Allie and Noah. Allie is healing from a divorce and personal trauma from that. Back living with her parents, she starts to realize that she is stuck. When her and her best friend Lorialie’s brother Noah cross paths she is given the opportunity to move forward with life.

Noah was laid off from his coaching position in Chicago and has moved back to his parents place to lick his wounds. Now coaching for his alma mater he soon discovers there. Ay be more in life than an elite school coaching career. Of course Allie being back helps with that.

This book is a pg13 read, full of sweet romance and love. It touches on some tough topics of teen pregnancy, infidelity and miscarriages. It is a book about finding oneself and learning to love again. It is a fun loving rom-com and highly entertaining. I loved all the characters and really can’t wait to see who is next. Maybe the new girl Finley.

[Desi Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not your average rom-com. While it does have a HEA for our main character, some serious life events happen first, including miscarriages, divorce, and cheating spouse.

What I loved about Pity Please was the characters and small town setting. Allie is a positive, generous person who deserves the world, and it takes standing up for someone else for her to realize it. Noah is not only swoon worthy handsome, but thoughtful and caring to his students.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“Don’t put limits on your dreams, Margie. Maybe it won’t be next fall, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen someday.”

“…going down a different path than you thought doesn’t mean you can’t get where you want to go.”

This book is #7 in a series by the same author but you don’t have to read the ones prior (I didn’t even know it was part of a series until afterwards). It appears that at least some of them happen in the same town, and #8 will be about a character who appears in this book.

Thank you for the arc Hidden Gems and Whitney Dineen, this is quite an enjoyable read. This review is unpaid and voluntary.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pity Please is book #7 in the Pity Series. It can be read as a standalone and I didn't feel as though I was missing anything by not having read the other stories.

This is a cute story. It’s not so much a romance as it is a redemption story and one that focuses on found family. Though it was predictable in parts it was still a pleasant feel good story.

There are some heavy topics discussed like teen pregnancy, infertility and infidelity and there were times where I felt it was all a bit heavy handed but overall the topics were handled carefully.

This was my first book by this author but I would definitely read others. This book served as a nice change from the thrillers that I have been reading.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual POV
Small town
Close proximity
Best friend’s older brother
Friends to lovers
FMC had major crush on MMC when they were younger
MMC high school basketball coach
Standalone


Allie Rogers is back in Elk Lake after her divorce. The last person she expects to see is her best friend’s older brother, Noah Riley, back in town and coaching the high school basketball team. After an awkward “nice to see you for the first time since high school,” Noah recruits Allie to be the basketball coach so the girls (who are much better than the guys team) can have a team again.

Pity Please is a refreshing surprise from any book I have previously read. There is lots of laughing, tons of swooning, and a delightfully sweet and positive emotional ending. Highly recommend! You don’t need to have read any other book in the series—so start with this one! (You will most likely find yourself reading all of Whitney Dineen’s books though—fair warning!)

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in this impressive series, and this is Allie and Noah’s story.
Allie never she would end up in her hometown for a fresh start, after her fiancé cheated on her, and Noah, is her best friend’s older brother, who is also back home, and he is the new basketball coach.
This is a well written easy to read, emotionally charged story, with family, friendships, friends / lovers, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Sheri P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elk Lake is such a charming small-town. I love revisiting these characters with each installment. I enjoyed Allie and Noah’s story. Even more, this one brought tears to my eyes with the exploration of a difficult situation for the side characters. Dineen explore the situation with care and the writing brought forth so many emotions. If you like a clean romance with a fun small town setting, you’ll love this one.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

PITY PLEASE
(Pity #7)
by: Whitney Bohlen Dineen
@whitneydineenauthor

••I give 4 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Don’t put a limit on your dreams.”

~She had a foolproof plan. He thought his future was sealed. Neither of them imagined life would take them down a different path…

“I’ve never been one to run from a challenge, even though life has dished out some pretty harsh ones lately.”

-PITY PLEASE, is a lighthearted rom com story with layered depth and heart weaved throughout! I enjoyed watching dear characters choose to be brave and decide to not limit themselves to new possibilities while chances to friendships lead to more! I loved the characters’s determination to make the most of their own circumstances while also making a difference and impact on others around them. There is drama along the way but, that doesn’t stop endearing characters from being invested and being supportive! I loved how humor plays a role to keep things lighter with harder topics addressed in a kind way. Also, I should note that while this book 7 in the Pity Series, this is the first one that I have read. Coming in at this point in the series, you can easily read this book as a stand alone and not miss out on the context of the series. Cute story!

“Being with her is the biggest dream I could imagine.”

•Content: some tough topics of teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption, infidelity and miscarriages, divorce, heartbreak, a few biblical swear words used, no violence, or mild peril, a little drinking, strained family relationships, risqué couple photos, kisses only.

“Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it shows good character.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“If you love a person, you don’t abandon them
when they need you the most.”

#pityplease

“Going down a different path than you thought doesn’t
mean you can’t get where you want to go.”

#whitneydineenauthor

“I like you a lot. Not only are you a nice person, but you’re generous and caring. You’re the whole package.”

#pityseries

“And just like that, the life I’ve dreamed of for so long is
finally mine.”

#allaboutthebestreads

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Noah’s paths have crossed once again. While Allie is no longer pining over her best friend‘s older brother, there certainly is an attraction on both of their ends all these years later. This wonderful rom-com hits on very serious and emotional topics that has the reader wondering what their thoughts would be if they were any of the characters in this book. Very well done Whitney!

[Veronica Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong women: be one, read about one (or more!)

The continuing charm of small town midwesterners in this Pity series installment is a delightful read (can also be read as a stand alone, but why not read them all?!) The story includes different generations of families and friends interacting in a tourist town, a wholesome unexpected budding romance, as well as emotional conflicts that feature strong and thoughtful female perspectives.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pity Please is the seventh story in Whitney Dineen’s Pity romantic comedies set in Elk Lake, Wisconsin. Pity Please contains more serious subject matter than earlier stories in the series, but the topics are handled with sensitivity and in a positive manner. Pity Please will be better understood and enjoyed if read after other stories in the Pity series, especially Pity Play, but it can be read as a standalone. This is a closed-door romance that doesn’t contain any sex or profanities.

Noah Riley was introduced in Pity Play as the heroine, Lorelai’s older brother. Allie Rogers was also introduced as Lorelai’s childhood best friend. Both Allie and Noah suffered loss and moved back home to Elk Lake while they tried to re-group and figure out their next steps in life.

28-year-old Allie had an unrequited crush on her best friend’s older brother, Noah, throughout their growing up years, but he basically ignored her because of their three-year age difference. Allie began dating Brett during her senior year of college and followed him to Madison, Wisconsin after graduation. She married, became a successful acquisitions editor at a publishing house, and tried to start a family. After six years of marriage and three miscarriages, Brett left her for a woman who he impregnated with quadruplets. Allie divorced him, took her half of their savings account, and traveled to Europe. Then she moved home to Elk Lake and began working at Rosemary’s Bakery.

Noah Riley had his dream career: head basketball coach at an elite private school in Chicago. He took his team to third in the state, only to be demoted to assistant coach after the school hired a retired NBA player as head coach for the next season. Noah’s pride was hurt and he resigned, returning to his hometown to teach PE and coach basketball at his alma mater. He intends to take the Elk Lake Crappies from next-to-last in state rankings to the top ten. Then he hopes his old school will beg him to return, with him only accepting if he’s offered a five-year contract with his salary doubled. He’s staying in his childhood home while his sister, Lorelai, is living in his Chicago apartment.

Lorelai sends Allie to retrieve her sweater from her childhood bedroom, and Allie surprises Noah as he exits the shower. Allie is hurt when Noah doesn’t even recognize her grown-up self. He’s blown away by her beauty but isn’t interested in any romantic entanglements. He’s focused solely on coaching basketball. He quickly learns that Elk Lake doesn’t have a girls basketball team, but there are eight girls who want to play. He convinces the principal to start a girls’ team and suggests Allie as the coach. An English teacher just resigned due to ger husband’s job transfer, so Allie is hired as a teacher and coach.

Leah Flynn is a stand-out freshman female basketball player, and she challenges the boys’ team to do better. She is very competitive with her older brother, Decan, and motivates the girls. Unfortunately, Margie Flynn, who is a senior, has just discovered that she’s pregnant by her boyfriend, Jordan, also a basketball player. The Flynn parents are understandably upset, to the point where Allie offers for Margie to stay with her while things cool down. This situation forces Allie to confront her fertility issues again, while also letting her consider other paths to motherhood.

I enjoyed all of the Pity stories, and Pity Please is my favorite story by this author! I just love a good childhood crush story, and the chemistry between Allie and Noah is so great. The realistic family dynamics and tension make this story relatable, as does Allie’s fertility struggles. Allie’s parents and their antics remind me of the grandma in Relatively Normal. The best characters, in my opinion, are Leah and Margie. I was blown away by their maturity and the way that they both advocated for themselves in a respectful, articulate way. These young ladies are such role models! I also enjoyed the many cameos of Faith and Teddy from Pity Date. Now I’m looking forward to Finley’s story.

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

[Romcom Queenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me feeling genuinely conflicted, making a definitive rating difficult. The subject matter Whitney addresses is undoubtedly sensitive and one that invites strong opinions. Purely on writing and character connection, I'd easily give this 4.5 stars. The author excels at creating chemistry and building a compelling story.
The opening conversation between Allie and her mother immediately drew me in, making me fully invested in Allie’s happy ending. I enjoyed the reunion scene between Noah and Allie when they first see each other. I particularly appreciated how Noah actively worked to get to know Allie again, allowing them the necessary space to build a friendship first. Coaching the basketball team was a perfect way for bringing them together and giving them shared interest.
However, the central issue of the plot, tied to the difficult subject matter, ultimately caused my hesitation. I was disappointed in the characters having the same opinion on the matter. They themselves wouldn’t do it but everyone has a choice. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy with the outcome for Allie and Noah, but I wished the author had allowed more narrative tension by presenting different viewpoints on the matter, rather than having the characters universally agree. I also felt as though Allie would have been more emotional about the situation with what she went through. With this being said my review is 3.5 stars.
Despite my disappointment with the handling of that specific theme, I'm ultimately glad the story achieved its happy ending. This book has a lot of heart in its romance like all her books. If you like best friend brother’s trope, enjoy small town atmosphere and a happy ending that will have you clapping then this book is for you

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 7 in the Pity Series but the first one that I have read. Coming in at this point in the series, I can tell you for certain that you can read this book as a stand alone and not miss out on the context of the series.

Recently divorced Allie comes to her home town to regroup after the ex-husband dirtbags her. Recently demoted Noah comes home to lick his ego and coach his high schools basketball team. Noah is Allie's best friend's older brother and her high school crush. As they reconnect, they are thrown together to coach basketball and teach in the same school. While coaching and teaching, they have kids in their teams who are dealing with big issues. Allie and Noah step in where they can. This portion deals with strong and sensitive topics, people will have differing opinions on this.

I really liked the basic layout of this book. Two people returning home and reconnecting. I liked the heavy topic of adoption. I wish more people would consider this topic in their lives. I thought this was well written and a good story. It would have been good with a bit more push/pull on the adoption topic. I understand that all authors want to have readers love their characters, but sometimes, you need a real villain.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

[Holly Rife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Noah have both moved back home to Elk Lake for different reasons. However, they didn't expect to find each other back in the same spot. But here they are, figuring out what their true paths are now. Allie is recovering from severe loss and trying hard to get past it. Noah always wanted to be a basketball coach of a top high school and he got it!!! Until it got taken from him… Now he's coaching at the Elk Lake High School sorting out his next step.

Allie and Noah resist the pull at first, but they just can't keep away from each other. As they spend more time together, their chemistry builds up to a crescendo. I love how they compliment one another. They give each other the strength and purpose to give more, to want more in life. I adore Allie and her strength. She is a warrior. Allie and Noah are wonderful together.

‘Pity Please’ is absolutely lovely in every sense of the word. Yes it's a romance, but it's so much more. Hope and inspiration ooze from its pores and we could all use more of that!!


Please know that this story deals with past loss of pregnancy. Please consider this before reading. Your mental health matters. ❤️❤️❤️

This is book 7 of ‘The Pity series’ and it can be read as a standalone. I will say this is my favorite of the series, but they are all fantastic!!

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for lovable chaos and a perfectly swoony romance, then Pity Please is the rom-com you need in your life right now!

Our leading lady, Allie, finds herself in a tough situation after a messy divorce, but her charm, wit, and relatability make her absolutely irresistible. Enter Noah, the guy who seems way too good to be true—and maybe is? He seems a little off-limits as her best friend’s brother, and he is down on his own luck. The banter between them had me grinning from ear to ear, and their chemisty felt so natural.

Whitney Dineen nails that sweet spot between laugh-till-you-snort comedy and heart-fluttering romance. Her storytelling has this cozy, small-town charm that makes you feel like you’re catching up with friends—friends who just happen to be entangled in the middle of hot mess and healing.

The series has that RomCom energy that feels like a Netflix hit waiting to happen, including side characters who deserve their own spin-offs. Our heroine is one you can’t help but root for and sometimes see yourself in, and with the right touch of grittiness, Pity Please has that “feel good” ending that leaves you smiling long after the last page.

Pity Please is the perfect story to snag a cozy blanket, your favorite latte, and no interruptions!

I received a copy of the story from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!😍

I really liked this latest by one of my go-to authors of romance and romcom fiction. It's not filled with the humor that first attracted me to her novels, but it's a great, heartfelt story, with two leads (Allie and Noah), both returned to their hometown from the big city, who are the kind, generous, supportive type people you hope to meet when you are going through tough times. Margie, an unwed pregnant teen, is central to their story and romance as her dilemma brings them closer. They help her and she ends up helping them!

This plot delves into serious issues like infertility, miscarriage and teen pregnancy, even bringing in the question of unequal treatment of girls and boys in high school sports. Dineen's manner of breaching these issues is not preachy. And then there are Allie's parents, who waffle between frustrating and humorous as her mother tries to tell Allie how to run her life and then they proceed to shock her with the way they've been spending their retirement.

For me, it was a more serious than expected but nevertheless thoroughly enjoyable and captivating read. I'd say one of the best books in the series.

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

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good!

I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more and then ... well you get the picture. This book touches upon a number of difficult subjects: miscarriage, divorce, teen pregnancy, and abortion, but I think this author did a wonderful job in treating each of those subjects with sensitivity and compassion for her characters. These characters are very realistic and each individual's actions and/or reactions to the circumstances they found themselves in were also very realistic, whether you liked them or not. This is also a laugh out loud funny rom com about a couple, Allie and Noah, who haven't seen each other for years. They are both back in their hometown of Elk Lake. Allie looking for a fresh start after a nasty divorce, and Noah who is coaching basketball at his high school alma mater. This is a wonderful heartwarming and sometimes heart wrenching romance with unexpected twists in the plot and a happily ever after that I couldn't put down. I recommend this sweet, clean, and laugh out loud funny romance to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Hidden Gems.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie moved back home to mend a broken heart after a divorce. Noah has also moved back home after getting demoted at his job. He is her childhood best friends older brother. He is also the person she had a crush on for so long, even if he never gave her the time of day back then. Now they are both in their small hometown and circumstances bring them together. She may have had a crush on him when she was younger, and still finds him attractive, she's a bit more jaded when it comes to relationships. So even if he might show an interest now, she's quick to put him in the friend zone. Besides, they are both there temporarily, (while they each 'heal') so getting involved would not make sense. Right? This is a quick paced read. It alternates POVs. There is good banter between them. Parents that are hiding a scandalous secret. Karma for the ex. A lamp obsession and more. There are also some sensitive subject matters discussed which may be triggering. Miscarriage, teen pregnancy and abortion. So, there may be laughs, but there are also those heavier topics.

*I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Pity series and is a really sweet, easy-to-read small-town romance.
Allie’s life falls apart pretty fast, and I felt for her right away. Getting cheated on is bad enough, but the whole situation with her ex was just messy. I liked that she didn’t wallow for too long and instead focused on starting over in Elk Lake.
Noah was a great match for her. He’s grumpy, frustrated with how his career turned out, and not thrilled about being back home. The “best friend’s older brother” trope worked well here, especially since they already had history. Their chemistry felt natural, and I liked how their relationship grew slowly instead of feeling rushed.
The small-town setting was cozy, and the basketball storyline gave Noah something meaningful to struggle with besides the romance. Both characters had to rethink what they wanted out of life, which made the story feel grounded and relatable.
This is a great read if you’re in the mood for a simple, heartfelt romance with familiar tropes done well.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Pity Please by Whitney Dineen is book 7 in the Pity series and my first read by this author—and what a beautifully heartfelt journey it was! This story follows two people returning home and reconnecting, blending romance with heavier themes like adoption, loss, and personal growth—handled with care and warmth. The writing is engaging, and the pacing balances emotional depth with hope.

Watching Allie rebuild her life and find inner strength after three miscarriages and a failed marriage is both moving and empowering. Noah’s return adds a slow-burn romance element, and their mutual support—for each other, their basketball players, and the community—makes their connection feel authentic and touching.

While a few plot points felt slightly predictable, the story’s emotional resonance and depth shine through. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to readers who appreciate romance with both depth and heart.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Sensitive topics include miscarriage and infidelity. Please prioritize your mental health.

Thank you, Whitney Dineen and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Samantha Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Whitney Dineen for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

So I went into this book blind, not realizing it was number seven in a series of interconnected standalones, and while I'm sure some things didn't make as much sense as they could have, it did not take away from my overall impression of the book. That being said, I would really like to go back and read the rest of them now!

This was a really engaging and emotional romance that had a lot of different layers. There were parts that elicited emotion that was so easy to relate to. There were parts that had me cackling out loud. There were parts that discussed heavy topics and issues from the past. I think Whitney wrote these with a lot of sensitivity, and made Allie that much more relatable. I loved the chemistry between Allie and Noah from the very beginning, but I really enjoyed watching them navigate the complications of that relationship to ultimately get their HEA. If the other books are as good as this one, then I will definitely be recommending the whole series!

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I liked the subplots better than the main romance plot. I didn't feel any chemistry or spark between Noah and Allie. On Noah's part, it seemed more like Allie was convenient rather than any burning need to be with her. It felt like, "I'm an attractive single aged 25-35.... they're an attractive single aged 25-35.... our options are limited so we might as well get together."

While I appreciated the explanation of the school was able to hire Allie as a substitute teacher, there wasn't any mention of how she was handling things and no mention of her having to, say, prep for class or reading up on the curriculum. There were also a couple of things that seemed to recurring themes in the beginning that just... disappeared as the story progressed. There was also a strong element of magical thinking.

In any case, if you want something on the lighter side, this had a good amount of humour in addition to the drama.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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

"Pity Please" is a story that revolves around a Midwest, small-town romance, second chances, and a best friend's brother, delving into the unexpected twists that life can throw. Since childhood, Allison Marie Rogers, raised in Elk Lake, has had a crush on her best friend Lorelai Riley's older brother, Noah. She holds all other men to Noah's standard and believes none are worthy of her affection. After three miscarriages and a failed marriage, she returns home, determined to start anew. Noah Riley, devastated by a demotion from head coach, also finds himself back home, coaching his high school basketball team, and both characters embark on a journey of new beginnings. Meanwhile, two high schoolers find themselves in a predicament that could end their dreams.

Whitney Dineen is known for writing romantic comedies that are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Pity Please deals with everyday serious issues, such as marriage, divorce, miscarriages, and teen pregnancy.

[Kelli M. Stowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love being back in Elk Lake!

Allie and Noah’s story had so many layers. I felt for Allie as she dealt with a demanding mother and really big feelings surrounding her life circumstances. Noah also had big decisions to make and I appreciated seeing that process play out on the page. This story is so well written that I felt like I was in Elk Lake right there with them as they were going through it all.

This was Margie and Jordan’s story as much as it was Allie and Noah’s and I loved getting seeing how those stories intertwined. I completely understood trying to live up to the expectations of strict parents, only to fail over and over.

This best friend’s brother, workplace romance is full of laughs and tears, life altering moments, and just the right amount of swoon as Allie and Noah find their way into love.

CW: There are major storylines concerning divorce, infertility, abortion, adoption, teen pregnancy, and infidelity.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth 3.75 stars. I received an ARC from both NetGalley and Hidden Gems and I'm willingly leaving a review
If you haven't seen it, there is a TRIGGER warning from the author: Fertility and miscarriage issues are discussed (happened before the book starts), but I would also add: Teen pregnancy and family let-downs.
Some parts are funny - hilarious even (the list of fours!)- but other parts just got on my nerves; those are the ones with Allie. When she and her mother clashed about the cool pictures - twice! It's none of her business. Then with Noah at the restaurant where Allie judges the height of his previous girlfriends; it's so uncalled for. The last drop is where I finally realized that she takes everything wrong; especially when people are right about something (Brett for ex.). It was ironic of Noah to say that "coaching isn't all about money" when he's asking to double his previous pay. I loved Allie's father and I loved the end.

[Curtis E Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is a little different. Pity Please by Whitney Dineen is a change from her normal stories. With this being book 7 in the Pity Series, there is only so much fun you can have.
Or is there?

Allie and Noah are not what I thought would come with this title. Both are hurting, both are determined, and both are alone…some would even say lonely. But what they both are NOT is longing for relationships. Yet with every step they take their worlds fall closer and closer together. Sometimes letting life move you forward really is the best tool.

As I said, this story is different from Whitney’s others. It is more of a slow burn and from time to time I was not sure what direction the characters would take. With the introduction of new additional characters, this made the story have many threads. In the end she brings our main characters to a great conclusion, but I cannot give this one as many stars as I normally would.

[Natasha Bovee · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the Elk Lake stories have depth to them and this was no exception. Noah and Allie find themselves back home when it is the last place they expect to be. Noah longs to be back in Chicago at his prestigious high school, but wants them to grovel to get him back. Allie is piecing herself back together after fertility issues and a cheating ex husband. Noah and Allie reconnect and find themselves working together coaching the Elk Lake basketball teams. I loved seeing them support each other throughout the book, but even better was seeing them support their basketball players. They got them to work hard together and even built the girls team from nothing. When one of the teammates girlfriend is found out to be pregnant the coaches come together to help everyone involved. It’s a tough situation and the way they handle it and their words of wisdom are inspiring.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book which made me laugh and think. Allie and Noah's story has so many sides to it, not least of which are the losses that Allie has suffered. I am going to be controversial and say that I really didn't particularly like Allie's mother. She is someone who hectors others, and her attitudes and responses were, for me, over the top. All that being said, I loved Allie and Noah and the crew of kids that built up around them.Finally, Allie's teenage crush on Noah has a chance of becoming something adult, rich, and fulfilling. Allie's road to motherhood has been filled with heartbreak, and I can understand her reluctance to blithely share her story. The book also bravely takes on other issues while still weaving a fun and entertaining read. No mean feat! I love how the author is building such a fabulous cast of characters in Elk Lake and have enjoyed every visit!💖💖💖💖