ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Molly’s job curating hotel gift-shops takes her all over the country. So when she books a job in Elk Lake, Wisconsin (right before Christmas) she doesn’t bat an eye. However, she is shocked to discover her latest job is the site of a singles event. Still reeling from a nasty breakup, Molly plans to steer clear at all costs. But when her boss insists she participate, she finds herself in precarious situations.

I first discovered Whitney Dineen’s writing last year when I read the multi-author series, Love on Thin Ice. After reading and falling in love with her writing in, Breaking the Ice, I knew I had to get my hands on more of her work. So when I saw Pity Present, a holiday romcom, I jumped on the opportunity to read it.

Pity Present is the fifth book in Dineen’s Pity Series. Despite not having read the first four books, I was able to dive right in and enjoy this story. I love that the series, while interconnected, can be read and enjoyed both individually as standalone novels or as a whole.

There was so much to love about this book, I don’t know where to even begin.

1. The cover. How stinking adorable is it? The cover art reminded me of a retro, pinup comic.

2. The love story. Molly and Blake were one of my favorite couples. I love how they oscillated between enemies and friends. The tension made for the most delicious banter.

3. The character development. The secondary plot line ( featuring Ben and his parents) drove home how incredibly sweet and caring both Molly and Blake are. While they each endured pain in their past, they channeled it into helping others.

Be sure to read this book if you enjoy:
-hidden identity
-friend zoned
-small town
-laugh out loud dialogue
-heartwarming plot line

Special thanks to Netgalley and Whitney Dineen for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I cannot wait to read the rest of the Pity Series!!!

I was attracted to this books' pop art cover and thought it would be whimsical and fun. It certainly was whimsical. If you are a fan of a lifetime Christmas movie this book is for you. If you prefer situations and dialogue that are realistic instead of sepia toned fluff, this book is not for you. I liked the characters and wanted more from this book. 2 stars. Thanks to Net Galley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fab read, the story of Holly and Blake. I like how the characters from other books in this series also made an appearance.

Pity Present is the fifth story in Whitney Dineen’s Pity romantic comedies set in Elk Lake, Wisconsin. Pity Present will be better understood and enjoyed if read after Pity Parade. This is a clean holiday romance that doesn’t contain any sex or profanities.
Molly is focusing on her career after being dumped by her boyfriend. She has just accepted a new job as a hotel gift shop designer at a lodge. She’s surprised when management invites her to join the singles’ event that is being held at the lodge due to a cancellation. Molly’s overbearing sister has very firm ideas about Molly’s love life.
Blake is a sports journalist from Los Angeles who has just relocated to Chicago. He’s unhappy about being sent on an assignment to Elk Lake, Wisconsin, to cover the Midwestern Matchmaker’s new venture to set up Chicagoland singles. He meets Molly right away in a hilarious and awkward encounter on the train. Unfortunately he can’t reveal his identity to Molly and lies to her because of his job.
Molly and Blake are attracted to one another but it’s bad timing for them to get involved romantically. Molly’s sister interferes in their relationship until Molly develops a backbone and puts her in her place. Blake’s lies sabotage their burgeoning romance, so he makes an over-the-top gesture to win her back.
I enjoyed the continuation of the storyline and seeing the earlier characters’ relationships develop more. I’m a sucker for Christmas rom-coms and Pity Present is a fun escapist weekend read. I really liked that the madcap romance plotline is balanced by the heartbreak in young Ben’s life. I truly hope that this author writes more books in this Pity series.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another great addition to Whitney Dineen's Pity series. While on the way to the Elk Lodge, Molly to redesign their gift shop and Blake to cover a matchmaking event, Molly trips over Blake's foot while getting off the train. After their meet cute, Molly and Blake both resist the idea of dating each other but keep getting pushed together by meddling family and resort guests. A cute, small town, holiday romance.

I loved this one! Pity Present is a story about people with low self-esteem, job oriented, who were left by the other in a relationship, and are afraid of getting hurt again. You'll read it easily, it's full of laughable and romantic situations that are just perfect for this holiday time. Highly recommended!
I thank Ms. Dineen and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

Pity Present is a very entertaining holiday read that is easy to get through in one sitting! Molly's sister is insufferable but I do love Molly's character.

This book is fun and just the perfect read for the holiday season. Really enjoyed this one and loved the main character.

Solid "Secret Identity" Romance Where Side Character Nearly Steals Show. This is one of those romances where there are a lot of instances of "oh, you happen to be here and look who else happens to be here" bits, particularly in the setup. Which leads to a lot of miscommunications and assumptions, and you know what they say about "assume". Still, it totally works in the usual Hallmarkie and zany way, and if you're down for that kind of story, you're going to enjoy this one. If the secret identity/ happenstance/ assumption setup isn't your bag... eh, you probably won't enjoy this one as much.

And then... one particular side character. Not going into this character at all other than to note that this character does in fact nearly steal the entire damn book, and indeed, it almost feels like there are more "real" emotions as our main characters interact with this character than with each other. Which is probably not the best thing in a romance book, but hey, at least there are "real" and touching moments *somewhere*, right?

As to spice level... this one is far closer to a warm glass of milk than a Carolina Reaper. So there again, know that up front and read (or not) according to your own tastes there. For those that *must* have sex of some form (open door/ closed door) in their romance books... eh, I think that speaks more to you than the author, but just know that this is NOT present in this book.

Overall I think the book worked well as a continuation of its series, including having a few characters from earlier books come back and play pivotal roles (and, for those that despise spoilers of any form, absolutely read the earlier books in the series before getting to this one).

Very much recommended.

What a fun book!

Molly hasn't been on a date since her ex left her for another girl. She hasn't been interested, until she runs into Blake at a single's retreat. Molly is hired by the lodge hosting the event to help revamp their gift store. What she doesn't know is her sister paid her admission for the 2 week event, hope to help Molly find a new love. Blake is a new reporter on the scene and his boss assigns him the event to cover. It's a fun story about them meeting and sweet holiday romance. Whitney's writing is so entertaining and these characters are great!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Whitney Dineen does it again. Her latest book, Pity Present, is a fantastic holiday romance that is sure to warm your heart. Still not over her last relationship disaster, Molly has pretty much sworn off dating for a while. At least that’s what she’s told herself. However during her latest job as a hotel gift shop designer, she gets invited to partake in a singles matchmaking event and is intrigued enough to give it a go. Blake, a successful journalist, has moved from LA back Chicago thinking he’d being covering sports. Unfortunately the last reporter is still on the job and until Blake is able to take over his editor has a different kind of assignment lined up for him, going undercover and reporting on the a two-week long matchmaking event for area singles.

Can you guess what happens next? I knew you could, lol. Yep, Blake and Molly meet up. Blake is less than thrilled at his latest assignment and doesn’t make the best first impression. And things don’t change too quickly on that front. While Blake can’t deny he’s attracted to Molly, he has to keep the truth of why he is there a secret, and that unfortunately means lying not only to her but the others at the event. This is a wonderful heart warming story. And as always Whitney has created some wonderful characters. Not only are Blake and Molly fantastic, easily lovable main characters, but more than that the rest of the supporting cast is fantastic, from Molly’s ex-boyfriend, to a more than slightly crazed pet psychic, to the family dealing with their sick child. I can easily recommend this to all romcom lovers. I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Pity Present.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3KHSUCTMW621G/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pity-present-whitney-dineen/1146449233?ean=9798991232845&bvnotificationId=0bdb6392-ab08-11ef-b73e-120ab96b9009&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/326058403

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

I LOVED this book! It was a bit slow in the beginning but then boom I was hooked!! I finished it in one sitting! My first by this author but will not be my last!!

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.

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

This book is an entertaining romance set at christmas time. The FMC Molly was very relatable and the story was charming and funny. I couldn't always relate to Blake and his behaviour and I thought Molly's sister was the worst but it didn't deter me from savoring the book. It's a perfectly enjoyable christmas romance.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Pity Present is a cute and quick romance read. It focuses on Molly and Blake. They end up running into each other at a singles retreat. But Blake doesn't tell Molly exactly who he is! I do like the idea of a singles retreat! Kind of cute! I loved the author adding Ben into this story. It was the highlight of the story for me!

Cute and short but dear god this sister might be the most meddling and narcissistic person alive. Imagine how much you hated Snape until ‘always’ that’s how I feel about her.

I loved the idea of a single retreat that is focused on finding love and NOT just a hook up the way most actually are(never been to one but I have it on good authority it’s the case)

The best part of the book is definitely the side plot with Ben, you’ll see! If anything the feelings around helping him are deeper than the romance

This is kissing only as far as spice.

The having a secret identity is right up there with the miscommunication trope for me, really not my bag.