Review: Pity Parade by Whitney Dineen

The Pity Parade, the latest book in the Pity series by Whitney Dineen, follows Trina Blackwell. If you’ve been following the series, then you know Trina is a tv show host for a matchmaker show that brought Tim and Paige together in the last book.

For those new to the series, Trina has been a matchmaker on a hit tv show for awhile but most importantly for everyone but herself. Almost lucky, she met a guy at a charity event that had great potential but to her disappointment, he didn’t want a relationship.

Due to the circumstances that led to her show being canceled, she was given an ultimatum for redemption by putting herself out there to be the center of attention of a new upcoming show for eligible men to potentially date her. The idea has her running for the hills. Trying to find a way to get out of this situation, she comes up with a plan to find a guy but little did she know that someone from her past would come back showing the hand of fate that would give them the second chance they both needed.

I honestly couldn’t stand Trina before but found myself keeping an open mind going into this book. Getting to know her and her journey kept me engaged and wanted to see what was to come with her potential love interest. This had some really fun moments, heartwarming reflections and she became someone to root for. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces that added to the charm and the importance of friendship and love that made the book wonderful.

The series will conclude this fall with the upcoming, Pity Present. There aren’t any details yet but from what I read, we can assume from the ending someone else will get their hea in this sweet town, Elk Lake. Another wonderful book in this series and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the next.

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Review: Pity Pact by Whitney Dineen

Returning to the Pity Series, Pity Pact is the third book featuring Paige Holland. I was really curious from the last book when things didn't work out between Missy and Tim. Would the chemistry between Paige and him go anywhere? Well, as I anticipated how her journey would go, it was so worth the wait. Paige was fun, sassy and made this quite the page turner. The banter between her and Tim had me laughing out loud the whole book.

For those who don't know, Paige Holland is a teacher in their local town. After making a pact between her and best friend Missy, if love didn't find them, they would take their chances on a dating realty show. Since Missy found her love, Paige followed through and things quickly had her thinking this was the biggest mistake.

Things got complicated when Tim was asked to be a participant. Despite her being friends, there had been this unexplored what if. Tim wanting to stay far away from reality dating shows, saw an opportunity to make his ex jealous, didn't realize that he'd find himself facing unexplored feelings of his own towards Paige. Will these two find their way to their destined hea?

Even though I enjoyed reading the first two books, this one really got me hooked. Considering what happened in this book, I have some strong feelings with what happened and are opened to seeing Trina get her hea. She don't deserve it but I will be open minded. This was definitely a slow burn romance that when it happened was worth all the agony. These characters were meant to be with each other. These were two broken hearts that mended each other.

Overall, this is now my favorite of the series. We'll, have to find out what happens to Trina in the concluding book, Pity Parade.

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Review: Pity Party by Whitney Dineen

As we return to the wonderful small town of Elk Lake in the second book of the Pity series, Pity Party by Whitney Dineen, we dive into the life of Melissa Corner. A small bridal shop owner trying to navigate life and maintain her optimism against the pressures of meeting someone and the influences of her mother and the all surrounding soon to be brides that remind her of how out of reach that seems to be. With her track record of potential relationships not working out, her optimism seems dim until a spunky twelve year old crosses her path with her gorgeous dad that ignites a little spark.

After some unfortunate events that affected his daughter’s life, they decide to make a new start and get settled into the town that captured their interest from their previous summer. Offering the new start they both anticipated, Sammy Riordan decides to explore the town and meets an unexpected friend whom she instantly hits it off with. As their day closes with anticipation to share the wonderful news with her dad, Jamie Riordan, comes to the bridal shop and gets a surprise of his own. Not expecting her first friend to be Melissa, despite their initial sparks, he leaves an unfavorable impression that has her forgetting his initial swoon.

His daughter on the other hand, leaving such a great impression on Melissa, was surprised when she got the ok to work in the shop. As time goes on, and Jamie and Melissa get to know each other, they find a growing attraction that seems hard to resist but gets suppressed under their friendship label. With both of them having broken pasts, unwilling or unable to take a chance, they find themselves at a crossroads that forces them to face their undeniable connection or lose out on what could’ve been everything they ever wanted.

I’ve never wanted two people to run to each other as much as Melissa and Jamie. Likable and relatable, they both bring some heartache from their pasts but seeing them finding their way made this such an engaging read. There is so much to love about this book. Besides, their own story being unfolded, what a special experience was the bond that developed between Melissa and Sammy. Her not having a mother in her life, Melissa coming in at her most impressionable age, giving her that motherly and older sister vibe brought some special moments in the book. Like the preceding book, I love the female friendships involving the characters. Their fun banter and supportive relationships want you to be part of the group. What I loved about Jamie is that you rarely get the pov from a single dad who has experienced what he has. Raising his daughter as both parents with unconditional love at the beginning of those teenage years brought some special moments.

Their story told itself in the pace and time it was meant to be. I will admit being impatient wanting them to be sooner but they had to go through and experience some things that made it worth sticking around for in the end.

Another wonderful book in the series. If you have been following the series, then you can wait impatiently with me for the third book, Pity Pact. That book will center around Paige. The release date is set for early next year.

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Review: Pity Date by Whitney Dineen

Pity Date is the first book in Whitney Dineen’s Pity series. A fun rom com that gives you all that you need to keep flipping those pages. It’s got the small town romance, a cute friends to lovers trope and a slow burn that is worth every minute.

It all started in a little town in Wisconsin. Faith, a small town baker has just got her life flipped upside down. Preparing for her upcoming best friend’s wedding, anticipating one of her own, gets the biggest surprise when she learns that her fiance decided to dump her at the worst possible awkward moment. While trying to pick up the pieces of her relationship and find the strength to move on, she encounters what seems too good to be true walk into her bakery and what a welcomed surprise.

Teddy Helms, a Hollywood actor is going through his own situation currently. After being dumped by his girlfriend who saw another up and comer’s coat tail to ride on, decided to get off the grid and spend some time with his grandfather in Wisconsin. When he sees a nervous wreck Faith trying to get through her day, he decides to pitch in to ease her mind. As they chat and enjoy each other’s company, there seems to be a little spark that ignites but just one problem. With all that just happened to Faith, this little misunderstanding, Teddy doesn’t want to ruin a chance at a beautiful friendship. So, he will just not clarify and see what happens. Just an fyi, I don’t want to ruin the fun so I’m not going to spoil what happened.

As they grow their budding friendship, things seem to be what each other could’ve hoped for. The more time they spend together and grow closer, a secret is revealed that opens the door to everything they ever wanted. As the wedding approaches and the awkward anticipation of having to come in contact with her ex, Teddy offers to attend to give her ex something to regret. Unfortunately, this Hallmark journey seemed to turn into a Lifetime movie when Teddy’s ex comes crashing into what was supposed to be a special day turns out to be a nightmare. Will Teddy and Faith get their happy ever after?

What I loved is how Faith and Teddy are so relatable and lovable that after their broken hearts, you want so desperately for them to have their hea. Despite the wrenches thrown in the journey, it was a story that was worth the read. The other characters add some fun, especially Teddy’s grandpa and Faith’s grandma who brings a great sense of humor that will keep you laughing.

This was an amazing start to what seems like to be a fun series. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book in the series, The Pity Party.

The series will continue with Missy’s journey. She’s got a story to tell so it should be interesting how everything unfolds for her.

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