Pity Present by Whitney Dineen: Book Review

 **ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Molly

I haven’t been interested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn’t what I expected, there’s truth to that old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” And the bite of a cheater stays with you.

Christmas can be a particularly vulnerable time, which is why I accepted a job right before the holidays. I had no idea the lodge that hired me was also hosting a singles' event. Imagine my surprise when they had a last-minute cancellation and asked me if I wanted to join them.

Blake

When I left LA for my dream job in Chicago, I never dreamed by first assignment would be spending two weeks in Elk Lake, Wisconsin, covering the Midwestern Matchmaker’s new venture to set up Chicagoland singles. I’m a sports journalist for Pete's sake, not some airheaded twit who writes about the lovelorn.

Unfortunately, the job I transferred for isn’t open yet, so here I am. In Wisconsin. Living my worst nightmare. There is no way anybody is going to find love at this thing. No way.

So, imagine my surprise when the most awkward woman in the world trips over me …

The Author

USA Today Bestselling author Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to play with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing flossing abilities), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who "get" her. She thinks french fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal.

***Super fans, please check out my reading group Eat, Laugh, Love on Facebook for early announcements and other good stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145541502567944

***If you're the average run of the mill fan, go here--where you will still have plenty of fun: https://www.facebook.com/Whitney-Dineen-Author-11687019412

First Place at the Top Shelf Book Awards, 2020

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

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016, 2018, 2019.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Book Review

Pity Present is the fifth book in the Pity Series. I have not personally read the previous books in the series and found that this one could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well. 

This was a really fun holiday read! The last thing either Blake or Molly expected for their holiday season was to find themselves at a singles event... yet that's just where they find themselves. He is a sports reporter who has been tasked to write about the event despite his protests. She is at the lodge for her job as a gift shop designer but is asked to join in when there is a cancellation. The two already had an awkward meeting and their chemistry is obvious right away... but because he can't be honest about why he's there, he doesn't want to start a relationship built on a lie. There is certainly a lot for these two to work out, but it was fun watching them figure it all out! I enjoyed the holiday vibes and their sweet romance, but I also really loved the addition of Ben and his family into the story... it added so much heart to the story! If you're looking for a fun holiday romance, this is definitely one you'll want to check out!

Pity Present is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/40YdfHx