Review: Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen

About the Book

A quirky photographer. A handsome doctor. And one hilariously wrong photo shoot.

Dating has never exactly come easy for me.

I like soft things, quiet spaces, and routines that make sense. I do not like sand, aluminum foil, or people who snap their gum in public.

So when Dr. Thomas Culpepper, a ridiculously handsome doctor from New York, moves to my tiny Wisconsin town, romance is the last thing on my mind.

Then he walks into my studio for a simple professional headshot…

And somehow leaves with pirate portraits instead.

It should have been a one-time embarrassment.
Instead, it becomes the start of something neither of us expected.

Because the more time I spend with Thomas, the harder he is to ignore.

He’s patient when I need steadiness.
Kind when my world feels too loud.
And far too easy to trust.

Which would be a lot less terrifying…
if I wasn’t already starting to fall for him.

Pity Prank is a feel-good small-town romantic comedy featuring a quirky heroine, a swoony doctor, awkward chemistry, a touch of fake dating, and all the fuzzy sweaters, charm, and heart of a happily ever after.

Review

Pity Prank is a charming small town romance filled with humor, heartfelt moments and characters that are relatably real.

Out of all the books in the Pity Series, this one was different, special. What really made this story shine was not only the chemistry between Thomas and Finley but also bringing awareness to a subject that put it in a very respectable and charming light. What makes this stand out is how thoughtfully Finley is written. When the subject of autism is brought out, it tends to be characterized with a broad brush with a limited spectrum of levels and functionality. What I love about Finley is that as we experience the nuances of what some might think as flaws, the beauty and person of Finley, deserving of love rather than the focus of her disability is what stands out. We get to experience this wonderful person rather than her disability.

What I love about this story is how this beautiful, talented woman just radiates joy. She is lovable, kind, relatable and impossible not to root for. Her love of routines, quiet comfort and sensory preferences adds authenticity to her character. Thomas’s patience and kindness makes him the perfect match for her as their adorable love story unfolds. Their laugh out loud moments and chemistry develops organically built on understanding, trust and feeling safe puts you into an insight of curiosity and captivity.

Beyond the cozy small town vibe that Elk Lake gives, the entire setting puts you in a fuzzy place with all the feel good cozy charm. Sprinkled with that fake dating trope, awkward moments and their blossoming sweet romance, this charming, emotional journey about vulnerability, connection and learning to trust yourself and others will make you smile. If you love sweet romcoms with heart, humor and lovable characters, you should not only check this one out but the series because you won’t be disappointed. Look out for the last book in the series coming this fall. Pity Ploy.

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Review: King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories by Eleanor Lerman

About the Book

For readers who loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, a literary short story collection set in contemporary New York that surrounds a group of aging, lonely people who experience the unexpected healing power of pets.

Lost souls come in all forms—some walk on two legs, others on four.

Navigating loneliness and loss is a natural part of growing older, but it’s never easy. In King the Wonder Dog, this journey becomes more bearable for a group of men and women when their interactions with the dogs and cats that share their lives help them discover a deeper understanding of themselves.

A woman whose dog is stolen from her meets a surprising ally who helps get him back. An artist who survives a drive-by shooting is brought a mysterious trinket by the cat he saved from a lonely life. A man in a troubled marriage begins drawing a graphic novel starring his dog as his fierce protector, and it consoles him.

A poignant collection filled with warmth, heart, and quiet moments of reflection, King the Wonder Dog explores the nuances of companionship, the beauty of second chances, and the ways we rescue each other when we least expect it. For anyone who has ever found comfort in the presence of a loyal pet, these stories are a reminder that love—no matter where it comes from—has the power to change everything.

Review

King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories is a beautifully written collection that captures the quiet ache of loneliness and the unexpected ways healing can find us. These stories explore the emotional bond between people and their pets with warmth and compassion.

The collection introduces aging men and women struggling with grief, isolation, regret, and fractured relationships. We are shown how a transformative role animals play in their lives. The dogs and cats in these stories are not just companions, they are protectors, confidants and sometimes even lifelines.

There’s a beauty in the depth of these stories that despite the emotional weight of their individual experiences, we aren’t burdened by the heaviness of them, rather we are moved by their experience. There’s an authenticity that is deeply humane in how she writes. The buildup of the small details and quiet revelations that explores what it means to search for connection in a world that can feel lonely is tender with emotional clarity.

With the understanding of connection, in these stories lies the unexpected. These stories remind us that love and comfort often arrive in unexpected forms, and that sometimes the beings who save us most completely are the ones who ask for nothing more than our presence in return.

Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and full of compassion, King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories is a touching tribute of companionship, resilience, and second chances. Animal lovers and readers of literary fiction will appreciate this one.

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Review: Mirabelle by Ki Stephens

About the Book

Saving the orchard was always the plan. Falling for her fake husband was not.

When Isla Winslow takes over her family’s failing plum orchard, Mirabelle, she’s sure of only one thing: she’ll save it alone or lose it on her own terms. But grants come with strings, debt collectors don’t care about sentiment, and the land that raised her is running out of time.

To keep Mirabelle out of a developer’s hands, Isla agrees to the most ridiculous solution she can think of: a practical marriage to the man who’s been arguing with her since the day he moved to Blue Willow.

Jack Rhodes only meant to stay in town for a job. Years later, he has a renovation business, a life he loves, and one rule he keeps breaking: he can’t stop showing up when Isla calls. Their marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, nothing more than signatures and shared bills.

But as spring settles over the orchard and the fight for Mirabelle turns into a fight for their future, Isla and Jack have to decide what they’re really willing to risk for the land that holds their history and the love that might finally feel like home.

Review

Once again, Ki Stephens has completely blown me away. Like the previous installment, Mirabelle, felt comforting, magical, and full of heart. Very quickly, I fell in love with Isla, Jack, and their love story. They mean the world to me. Through actions and words, Isla has done everything she could to protect Mirabelle. When Jack offers to marry her so she can obtain a grant, she is hesitant. She wasn’t someone who easily let someone in or asked for help. That emotional guardedness added so much depth to her character.

Jack was incredible. He wasn’t originally from Blue Willow; however, since arriving, he has planted roots. For years, he has been crushing on Isla and has been willing to drop everything to help her out. They had a beautiful understanding of each other through their many years of friendship. Them falling in love wasn’t instant; it was a beautiful journey of two people who complemented each other well.

I really must applaud Ki Stephens for the magic she has woven into this series. Even when the magical elements are subtle, they can still be felt throughout the town, the atmosphere, and the characters themselves. The entire series feels whimsical and enchanting in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to fall in love with.

My only criticism is that the conflict involving Roland Stein felt wrapped up a little too quickly. I wanted to spend more time as they worked through a resolution, rather than have Beau solve it. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I adored the story overall. Though I will say, I am interested to see if Beau will be getting a book. I’m very intrigued by him.

I’m incredibly invested in this series now and cannot wait to continue it. I’m excited to see where the story goes next and how the magic within this world continues to expand.

Final Thoughts

Mirabelle was a wonderful read. It was warm, whimsical, magical, and full of so much heart. I’m already impatient for the next installment in this enchanting series. Thank you to Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for providing this arc! Mirabelle will be released on May 15, 2026.

Review: Everybody’s Favorite Guy by Katherina Center

About the Book

He’s the last man she ever wanted to see again—or get snowed in with. It’s going to be a rocky reunion in this bittersweet romantic comedy by a New York Times bestselling author.

For Lily, falling in love with her childhood friend Walker was the easiest thing to do back in high school. His sudden rejection was unforgettably crushing. Seven years later, their families have conspired to bring them back together at a cabin in the Rockies when a sudden snowstorm traps them overnight with no power. Thanks to a cozy fire, a prowling bear, and a little forced time in an open-air gondola, they confront their unresolved feelings—and a past more complicated than Lily knows.

Review

I did not enjoy Everybody’s Favorite Guy. Truthfully, I was confused why Walker would even be considered anyone’s favorite person. He had a nasty spirit. He explained his reasoning; however, what he said to Lily was very icky and off-putting. He didn’t grovel for her forgiveness and certainly didn’t want to earn it. And Lily accepted Walker’s apology too quickly. As a result, the relationship between Lily and Walker lacked depth. Their connection didn’t feel as strong or believable as it needed to. I question if they actually wanted to be together or if they were convinced they liked each other because of how badly their moms wanted them together. Additionally, I feel like the majority of this book was characters sitting around and having conversations. Nothing interesting happened.

Final Thoughts

Everybody’s Favorite Guy missed the mark for me. This was not a relationship that I rooted for. It lacked depth and genuine connection. As for the overall story, it felt flat and unengaging.

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Review: The Close-Up by Kennedy Ryan

About the Book

Set in the dynamic worlds of professional basketball and entertainment, two of Kennedy Ryan's most critically-acclaimed series-Hollywood Renaissance and HOOPs-collide in this tale of forbidden romance.

I met Nazareth Armstrong when I was eighteen years old. From the beginning, my brother warned me to stay away from him. Told Naz to stay away from me.

Our hearts didn't listen.

I shared one magical night under the stars with my brother's rival, thinking it was the start of a once-in-a-lifetime something.

But one awful moment ended it all.

Years later when we meet again, we've both pursued our dreams, lived a little, found success...but never found love. What began as a tiny flame when we were young now threatens to consume us. I'm more drawn to Naz than ever, but his complicated history with my brother makes whatever this could be...nearly impossible.

But Naz accepts impossible as a dare.

Through his clever maneuvering and dogged determination, I find myself on a yacht with him and his friends cruising through the Mediterranean. It's a whirlwind set ablaze. Away from reality, surrendering to the tender heat of his touch, I forget that everything could burn.

Review

The Close-Up is a beautiful and emotional second-chance romance. Takira’s always wanted this great, epic love story. When she meets Naz when she is a teenager, everything clicks, and they have an amazing night together. Their connection felt effortless and intense, but before they got a chance to fully explore it, everything blew up, and they were ripped apart for twelve years. Even after that time, their bond remained undeniable.

Everything was nicely constructed in this novella. Nothing felt rushed. The pacing allowed for their history and lingering feelings to unfold naturally. I completely believed in Naz and Takira’s romance.

Naz had dreams of taking care of his mother and believed that a professional athletic career was the best path. As a teenager, he lived in the shadow of Cliff— Takira’s brother, who was so talented that Naz rarely had the opportunity to play. However, after Cliff poorly acted during a game, Naz was given the chance and played like his family’s life depended on it because it did. Meanwhile, Cliff mourned his almost professional career with drugs and alcohol.

Takira’s conflict was especially interesting because she wanted to remain loyal to her older brother and protect his sobriety, yet Naz still had an undeniable pull on her heart. That tension gave the story extra emotional weight.

Final Thoughts

The Close-Up was a beautifully written and emotional second-chance romance with strong chemistry and believable depth. The novella features a heartfelt tension, smooth pacing, and a moving love story.

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Review: Level Up for Love by Lenora Woods

Level Up for Love was a strong follow-up to Roll for Romance. In fact, I think this is the stronger of the two books. One criticism I had of Roll for Romance was that it leaned far too heavily on Dungeons and Dragons. I felt that the D&D chapters were the weakest parts. I didn’t find the game storyline to hold my interest nearly as much. That was not the case with Level Up for Love. I could see myself picking up a fantasy centered on Sindra and the gang. Additionally, the creation of Sindra revealed so much about Reagan. Sindra was created with the purpose of being the perfect adventuring companion for her younger sister’s character.

Reagan was such a great character. Reagan was a great main character. An accident involving her younger sister, Mona, and their father had a huge impact on her. She blames herself for Mona's injury, and even though Mona has recovered and is healthy, Reagan cannot move on. She is terrified of becoming like her father and leaving the people she loves behind. The accident haunts her and weighs heavily on every decision she makes. Reagan has a satisfying character arc as she learns that it is okay to put herself first and that loving someone does not always mean staying.

She has not played D&D since the “Cataclysm” and only agreed to join a new campaign because she wanted to be there to make sure Mona is safe. Unbeknownst to her, Wesley is the Dungeon Master.

Years earlier, Wesley and Reagan had a moment, but when she woke up, he was gone. For years, she carried bitterness and a sense of betrayal because of it. When she joined his D&D campaign, they were forced to work together and be nice. It’s hard at first. Reagan has never been able to hide who she is around Wesley. He constantly pushes her to be better and knows exactly how to get under her skin.

Wesley and Reagan had such an interesting understanding of one another and knew how the other person’s mind worked. They complemented each other nicely. My favorite scenes were the ones where they worked on their games together. They gave each other pointers and encouragement. Those moments highlighted their relationship the best and made their connection feel believable and genuine. Wesley was lovely, and I appreciated the backstory that was provided for him. Though overall, Reagan was the standout of the book.

I’d also like to shout out Reagan’s relationship with Mona. Their bond felt deeply authentic, and it was clear how much Reagan cared and worried about her younger sister. Even if Reagan’s protectiveness could be overbearing at times, it came from a place of love, guilt, and fear. It was never about control. Mona brought out a softer side of Reagan and was one of her biggest cheerleaders.

Final Thoughts

Level Up for Love was a great read. It improved on everything I struggled with in Roll for Romance and left me even more invested in this world. Reagan was easily the standout of the book, and her growth, along with her relationships with Wesley and Mona, gave the story so much emotional weight. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Level Up For Love will be released on September 8, 2026.

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