Pity Pact

Elk Lake + reality TV = hilarity ensues!

After Pity Date and Pity Party, this was my third visit to the charming quirkiness that is Elk Lake. Having met Paige and Tim before in the previous books, I was looking forward to seeing these two get their HEA.

This romance is a super-slow burn, and for some time the story was more “com” than “rom” - which is not necessarily a bad thing since Whitney Dineen has a knack for putting her characters through the most hilarious wringer. And of course, like the couples in the first two books, Paige and Tim need some “help“ (read: meddling) as well as some tough love by their friends and family before they realize that they are truly a perfect match.

Solid Romantic Comedy Builds On Characters From Prior Book. This was a solid romantic comedy - yes, in the Hallmarkie type vein - where two people in Small Town USA suddenly find themselves on the same reality dating show that is being shot not only in their small town, but actually in the country club one of them owns. Both of the main characters here played fairly heavily into the prior book, Pity Party, and it was nice to see some strong character growth from the male lead in particular between the two books. Otherwise, there are yet again some fairly hefty subjects broached here, including high school bullying. There are a few laugh out loud moments - always great in something billed as a comedy ;) - and I enjoyed that this book was much more directly about our lead couple and the people surrounding them. Yes, including the couple from the prior book. One scene in particular may give the clean/ sweet romance crowd a case of "the vapors", but to be clear even that scene isn't actually a sex scene. Overall a fun romance that at least somewhat sets up the next book as well, which I'm very much looking forward to reading. Very much recommended.