Teddy's a movie star visiting his much-loved grieving grandfather in West Elk. His path colides with Faith, a baker whose just found out her boyfriend of nearly a year has been cheating on her the past month. Worst still, they're best friends are marrying each other so she will have to face him at the wedding. Teddy then offers to be her date for the wedding, and thinking he's gay Faith accepts.

This book is sweet and fun and easy to read. I liked it however the reason why its a like and not a really liked is the pace. I think it took too long to get to the wedding and move the story along, especially with the gay misunderstanding. Which brings me to my next point. While the thinking he's gay thing was a bit funny (and intrigued me enough to want to read this book). I still wish this storyline was resolved a lot earlier in the same way she finds out he's famous, as I feel a bit icky about the premise that he's assumed gay because he's groomed, hot and has good manners. I mean it's 2023, this seems like the sort of misunderstanding premise from the 90s.

Then we had drama with the ex-girlfriend, especially THAT trope (I really freaking hate it). I'm also for moving the story along (see comment above about the wedding), I could've done without this and more about how his celebrity would change Faith's life/anonymity, etc.

I did like the characters though and the humour. I would happily read another Whitney Dineen book.

Thanks to 33 Partners and NetGalley for the ARC.

I had two major thoughts while reading Pity Date. The first one was that this read like a debut novel written in the early 2010s. Now, it is not a debut novel. The author actually has written many books, which surprised me because this was not well-crafted at all. I'll expand on that point later on because my biggest issue had to do with the topics covered and the way they were handled. The reason why I say this reads like a novel from ten years ago is because a major plot point is the love interest pretending that he's gay, or okay, not pretending, but the main character assumes he's gay and he says nothing to contradict her. That's bad. That shouldn't be a plot point in a novel published in 2023. We also have a main character who has issues with emotional eating, and so her best friend keeps commenting on how that might affect her weight and her size because, you know, she cares about her friend. Towards the end we also get a pregnant woman who lies about who the father of her baby is, so that was super tasteful.

I'm not giving this book one star because I don't care enough about it. I finished it a few minutes ago, and I'm already starting to forget it, but considering there are so many amazing romance novels out there (see my previous reviews), you shouldn't waste your time with this. Now, my second thought had to do with the plot. Years ago in a review I wrote that it seemed like the author was rolling dice or spinning a roulette to determine the way in which their story would continue. This is what I felt reading Pity Date, like every few pages the author would go "but wait, there's more" and dump an absurd and completely unbelievable situation that added nothing to the plot or to the relationship between the main character and the love interest.

I wanted to love this book. Really I did. For the most part I enjoyed the interactions between Teddy and Faith. I just felt so weird about him hiding the fact that he was straight for as long as he did. I also really didn’t like any of the story that involved Lindsey. Like at all. I just feel like there was a lot of lying by so many people in this book and it just made me uncomfortable.

Sweet and innocent romance about a celebrity and a baker. I really enjoyed this story and I don’t usually like celebrity romances. This book had just enough mild drama to keep it interesting and lots of sweet moments. It’s nice to see the characters develop as friends before starting a relationship. This is a closed door romance with some kissing.

A few things that bothered me about this book, constant discussion of weight and fat shaming in relation to food. I feel like this topic could have been handled differently to make this book appeal to a wider audience.

The links to the bonus recipes was a great idea and the ginger snap cookies are the best!!!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fun, light-hearted read. I keep thinking I've read from her before because I see this author's name come up fairly frequently. Surprised this was my first from her and I'd be ok reading from her again. 2.5 - 3 stars-ish.

Whitney Dineen has been an author on my to-be-read list for quite a while so I loved the opportunity to read this. Such a fun quick read.

Whitney Dineen is one of those authors that i get SO excited to read. I have read a handful of her titles and have loved them all. Her stories are funny and quirky and romantic! This was no exception! I just find myself lost in her stories and wondering what crazy antics the characters will get up to next. A must read (author) for any rom-com fans!

Faith’s life is not going as planned. To add to her pain, Astor Hill, the man she thought would soon propose, breaks up with her less than two weeks before they have to stand up for the best friends at their wedding. So, when Teddy, a kind-hearted stranger offers to be her partner, she can’t refuse. Plus, she has just burnt him with scalding tea and told all her problems to when he visited her bakery. When Teddy lets Faith believe that he is gay, Faith feels that this means they can just be friends. Yet, when the tabloids discover that he is hiding out, life changes very quickly.
I really enjoyed these two characters who seem from the very first time they meet, to care for each other. They gradual development of their relationship was well delivered and overall, this was a sweet romance, with many funny moments.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was full of surprises for me. So many romance novels follow a formula and it was fun seeing this story breaking the mold. Things I was expecting to happen never came and other scenarios that weren't even on my mind/imagination took place. It was fun, fast paced, and exciting. I liked the plot, and the misunderstanding over Theo's sexuality had me chuckling. Enjoyed their relationship and that they were able to get to know each other and be friends first. Favorite part was the epilogue and the way it was done. Now that is what I call an HEA. If you are looking for a funny read, this is a good one!

Faith is a small town girl and Teddy is a up and coming new movie star. They are fresh out of bad <b>cheating</b> break ups. Teddy is in Faith's small town visiting his grandfather. He meets Faith at the bakery that she owns. He happens to run into her post breakup stuffing her face with cookies (relatable) and she spills his hot tea on him. What a way to meet! He learns that she could use a date to her best friends wedding and offers to take her so she doesn't have to go with her cheating ex. Also, they figure it's the perfect chance to show him what he's missing. Did I mention that Faith interprets something that Teddy says wrong and infers that he's gay?! He goes along with it for awhile because Faith really needs a friend right now. He doesn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability and he hasn't even dated since his breakup either. Then they both start to have feelings for each other and he has to figure out a way to tell her he's not really gay so they can have the chance to move forward in their relationship.

This books was such a sweet, delightful, funny and feel good read. I found myself racing to the end to find out how Faith's and Teddy's love story played out.

The only thing I would say that it needed more of is <i>SPICE</i>. That is a personal preference of mine though. I always like my romance books to be served with a healthy side of spice.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Whitney Dineen, and the publisher for the ARC of this book. :)

First of all: thank you, thank you, thank you Whitney Dineen for this amazing book. I loved it so much.

As a romance fan, this author is one of my must reads and Pity Date has to be my favorite so far.

You will love Faith and Teddy, they are cute, down to earth, believable characters and W.Dineen has created such a sweet world for them that I would love to live in Elk Lake, Wisconsin, too.

Please make a movie of this 5 star story: two lovable main characters (a movie star and a baker), so many great secondary characters and three insufferable ones, a small town with a real community ... You have it all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start off by thanking Whitney Dineen, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC read!!

I actually really enjoyed this book from start to finish! We follow Faith along who is known to have horrible luck with men but thinks her luck changed around with Astor only to find out he is a no good piece of crap who's been cheating on her for a month. Of course Faith is a mess after finding this out and here comes Teddy to the rescue... only Faith thinks he's gay and Teddy is confused on why the heck she thinks that!

Side note, I wish it was written a little differently when it comes to why Faith thought Teddy was gay as she only came to that assumption because he was helpful, which is an odd thing to jump to. But anyways...

Teddy is an indie actor who was broken up with because he was not a big enough star, only to have a big break on a movie, bet his ex is kicking herself now! Teddy decides to head to Elk Lake as his Grandpa Theo is having a really rough time after losing his wife, Teddy wants to help him fix up his house and see how his Grandpa truly is doing.

I really enjoyed the main characters' friends in this book, we love supportive queens and kings!

I won't say too much about this book because I don't want to give anything away, I think it was very cute overall!! There were moments in this book that actually made me laugh out loud! I really loved the Gilmore Girls references and I found the characters were likeable, the only thing I would change is adding some spice in this book. I suggest checking out more from this author and I will do so as well! :)

This was my first book with this author and I hate to say that it was a bit of a letdown. Faith is trying to move on from her ex and comes across actor Teddy and concludes that he’s gay based on a conversation they have. Teddy doesn’t correct her, and he plans to accompany her to her bff’s wedding where her ex will be. Faith tries not to have feelings for him while she is under the assumption that he’s gay. It just seemed like such a silly obstacle for them in the book and then in the last bit, his ex comes back in a truly soapy way that I’m glad at least resolved easily.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Indeed, a cozy and funny book. With ~ thankfully ~ the male main character being a bit clumsy (why is it often the female characters?). Yet, for me personally, it was a bit much on the revenge-part of the pity date (the dancing... seriously?).

When it comes to the best developed characters in this story Pity Date I can't help but think that Missy and Lindsey were actually by far the most interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Faith has just found out her boyfriend of ten months - Astor - has been cheating on her. The timing could not be worse, he is the best man of her best friend's soon-to-be-husband and she is the Maid of Honour. She needs a revenge date to the wedding and Hollywood star Teddy - who is in town to visit his grandpa - jumps in. Even though Faith thinks he is gay at first, she develops feelings for him and he for her. But his ex-girlfriend is set to ruin everything...

This is a cute little small town romance with a sprinkle of Hollywood. The lovable characters (except for Lindsey and Astor) and the wonderful setting make this an easy to read, cute romance story. And when Faith finally learns to stand up for herself and put herself first. she finds her HEA.

Definitely a case is not the right trope for me…

the major plot point involves lying…
the lying just make me anxious and itchy.

It took waaaaay too long for the miscommunication turned out right lie to be rectified. And I didn’t feel like the sexual tension was built enough to feel believable.

That being said I really liked the side characters and the book had some really great one liners throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.

This was a slow burn for me, it took too long for them to admit their feelings and there was not a enough spice or sexual tension. Ovreall an ok romance

thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book!

Faith has always had bad luck when it comes to men. When she meets Astor it seems like things are finally looking up. Until asshole Astor cheats on her. While mourning her relationship she meets Teddy, down to earth Hollywood actor who's there for her when she needs him. Faith's perfect man, if only he weren't gay. But is he?

cute premise but not very well written, kind of boring in some parts (definitely skimmed huge chunks of this), and cringe
didn't particulary enjoy this unfortunately

So cute and fun! I was hooked from the get go. :)
The MCs were so likable and the side characters were fun.
Loved the Gilmore Girls references :)

This is my first book from Whitney Dineen. I'm always a sucker for small-town romance and the cover and the blurb attracted me into reading this book.

This story revolves around Faith Reynolds and Teddy Helms- a baker and a Hollywood actor.

Located in Elk Lake, WI.
Faith is a local baker and Teddy is visiting his grandpa who lives there.
Both got cheated on by their exes.
Faith thought Teddy was gay (and this plot went on forever).
Both of their exes make an appearance, and Lindsey (Teddy's) tried to trap him with a baby (conflict at the end of the book).
Epilogued HEA.

Overall, it was an OK read for me. I was enjoying it but I was just not a fan of the pretending to be gay plotline and definitely not a fan of the whole Lindsey arc. But the epilogue was really cute.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.