Pity (Dineen)

A week ago, if you told me my boyfriend was cheating on me, I would have called you a liar. If you said a movie star would walk into my bakery and offer to help make my ex jealous, I would have thought you'd eaten one too many of my grandmother's special brownies. And if you had the audacity to suggest my fake date would turn into the love of my life? I would have told you to stop toying with me. I've been through enough disappointment lately. There's no way a movie star is going to fall in love with a bakery owner from Wisconsin. This isn't a Hallmark movie. But I'm starting to wish it was...

She's a bridal shop owner looking for love. He's a grumpy single dad who doesn't want to fall in love again. I should have used my college degree to become a lawyer, politician, or heck, even a Time Lord-hey, it worked for Dr. Who. But no, I had to own a bridal boutique. Turns out that's a terrible idea for someone with my lousy dating history. Every day, I'm surrounded by the trappings of the perfect wedding, and I'm starting to resent all the smug almost-marrieds. I shouldn't want to throat punch the brides, right? Then Jamie Riordan moves to Elk Lake with his twelve-year-old daughter. He's everything I've ever wanted in a guy-tall, gorgeous, successful, and clearly devoted to his kid. Too bad his grumpy highness wants nothing to do with me. I may not be his dream girl, but does he have to be so insulting about letting me know?

Who in the world would go on a dating show to find love? Turns out, I'm that person. Paige Holland, lifetime resident of Elk Lake, Wisconsin, and dedicated seventh-grade math teacher. I love my charming town, but there's seriously no single action here. Unless of course I want to date the painfully boring mailman or the kid at the Quick Mart. Hard pass to both. So, what's a girl to do? Apparently, apply to Midwestern Matchmaker and hope the reality show gods will smile on me. Enter the lawyer from Chicago, the vegan Pho chef, and Tim Ferris-my childhood crush. As luck would have it, the lawyer is a narcissist, I love bacon, and Tim is still hung up on his cheating ex-wife. When one disaster after another, starring me, gets broadcast around the world, I seriously start questioning what I was thinking...

Trina Rockwell here. You know, your favorite TV host from Midwestern Matchmaker? While I've been setting up Midwestern singles for seven years, I've not had any luck finding myself a guy. My last great encounter was a year ago when I bid on a date with billionaire Heath Fox at a charity auction. But then, after a great date and an even better good night kiss, Heath told me he wasn't looking for a relationship. Super. Now that Midwestern Matchmaker has been cancelled, my producer has got it into his head to do a new show where I'm the one who finds love. He wants to set me up with a bunch of B-List celebrities, the likes of which have me considering joining a convent. There's only one thing I can think of doing and that's finding a boyfriend for real. The last thing I expected was for Heath to come back into my life and cause trouble.

Molly I haven't been interested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I've thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn't what I expected, there's truth to that old saying, "Once bitten, twice shy." And the bite of a cheater stays with you. Christmas can be a particularly vulnerable time, which is why I accepted a job right before the holidays. I had no idea the lodge that hired me was also hosting a singles' event. Imagine my surprise when they had a last-minute cancellation and asked me if I wanted to join them. Blake When I left LA for my dream job in Chicago, I never dreamed by first assignment would be spending two weeks in Elk Lake, Wisconsin, covering the Midwestern Matchmaker's new venture to set up Chicagoland singles. I'm a sports journalist for Pete's sake, not some airheaded twit who writes about the lovelorn. Unfortunately, the job I transferred for isn't open yet, so here I am. In Wisconsin. Living my worst nightmare. There is no way anybody is going to find love at this thing. No way. So, imagine my surprise when the most awkward woman in the world trips over me . . .

I've loved my brother's best friend for as long as I can remember. Newsflash, he doesn't see me that way. But now that Luke Phillips is coming to town and needs a place to stay . . . could this be my big chance? It's not like I've sat around for the last twenty-eight years waiting for Luke. Not really. But ever since I moved back to Elk Lake, I can't help but hope I'll run into him. Enter my big brother calling and asking if his bestie can bunk with me. My younger self is doing backflips at the possibilities. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Luke is looking for a long-term situation. He's made it clear he's got some business to take care of and then he's on the first train back to Chicago. But then he kisses me. And everything changes. At least, I hope it has . . . Pity Play is a brother's best friend, close proximity, small town rom-com that takes place in the resort town of Elk Lake, Wisconsin.