"Allie
I never planned to live in Elk Lake again, but here I am. I was going to get married, have a great family and career, and then I'd get my happily-ever-after stamped on the passport of my life. But Brett cheated and got his mistress pregnant with quadruplets. Karma was my consolation and I couldn't have been more satisfied by the outcome.
Just as I was busy with my fresh start, Noah Riley walked back into my life. I've always worshiped my best friend's older brother, but he never noticed me. Until that one day . . .
Noah
What coach gets demoted after taking their high school basketball team all the way to third in the state? Me, that's who. I could have gotten any other job in Chicago, but my anger and hurt pride caused me to accept a position at my alma mater. That's right, I'm the new basketball coach of the Elk Lake Crappies.
My goal is to make a splash with my new team, and then have my old school beg to hire me back. Of course, I won't accept until there's an appropriate amount of groveling, along with a substantial pay raise.
When I moved to Elk Lake, I never expected to run into my sister's best friend. Who knew Allie Rogers would make me reconsider my dream?"
"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."
"What do an entitled billionaire and small-town ice-skating coach have in common?
Ellie: My life is not turning out like I thought it would.
My mom’s arthritis has gotten so bad that I had to move in with her. I’m making ends meet by giving ice skating lessons at the arena in Maple Falls. I’d be in serious trouble had the Harts not given me that job.
Which makes it impossible to say no when they ask me to let Troy’s obnoxious billionaire brother stay in the cabin on my mom’s property during the charity hockey event they’re running.
Zach: First the tabloids call me out for being a cheapskate and then Yolanda Simms takes to national television to tell everyone what a vicious heartbreaker I am? Yeah, my life has been better.
My brother thinks I can fix my bad press by coming to Maple Falls and donating big to his new charity endeavor. Too bad he didn’t mention the woman who owns the cottage I’ll be staying at hates me with a passion.
He also didn’t mention she’s everything I’ve ever looked for in a woman…"
"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 . . ."
"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."
"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 . . ."
"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?"
"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 . . ."
"Queen Charlotte of Malquar has a talent. She's already helped two of her children find mates, and now she's convinced her daughter's new secretary would be a perfect partner for her remaining single son.
Agnes Dupuis has a plan. She's going to work for the royal family for a couple of years before opening her own upscale employment agency. When she starts her job with Princess Aubrey, she knows everything is on track. After a short time, she gets transferred to the crown prince's staff, and she couldn't be more ecstatic.
At thirty-five, Prince Andrew knows it's past time for him to find a bride. Unfortunately, it's a nearly impossible task. While he would like to marry for love, it doesn't look like that will be an option. His future wife will be queen one day and she must have all the necessary skill sets to thrive in that role.
Sparks fly when Agnes and Drew start to work together. Drew fights his attraction for his new secretary as hard as he can. Meanwhile, Agnes doesn't know what she's doing wrong. She can't seem to do anything to make the prince happy.
Will Queen Charlotte be responsible for another match? Or are Agnes and Drew destined to forever butt heads?"
"Queen Charlotte of Malquar has been hard at work setting up all her children, but so far, she's been unable to find someone for Sophie.
Princess Sophie was supposed to be the second royal sibling to marry, but she broke her engagement when she found out her fiancé was cheating on her.
Sophie has all but given up hope of finding her own fairytale ending. That is, until a mystery bouquet of roses shows up at the palace. The note says they're from Arlo Hammond. After years of pining for the man she thought was her everlasting love, Sophie finally released all thoughts of Arlo, only to have him show up again thirteen years later. Why?
Will Arlo's explanation win Sophie's forgiveness? Will she give him another chance and find her own happy ending at last? Or will the heartache of the past be too much to forgive?"
"Princess Aubrey of Malquar has loved Grady Basset since they were kids. She followed him and her brother around wherever they went; she wrote his name in her diary repeatedly; and she even practiced saying her name with his last name—for years.
There's only one problem. Grady has never shown any romantic interest in her.
As the son of the king's secretary, Grady grew up playing with the royal children. His best friend is Prince Alistair, the second in line for the throne. While he's drawn to Princess Bree, he knows that there's no way they can be together. Bree's station is too far above his.
As the captain of the royal yacht, Grady sees Bree often, but in recent months the princess has been rude, belligerent, and an all-around pain in the butt. When unforeseen circumstances have Grady taking Bree on a cruise in the Mediterranean—alone—things really start to heat up.
Will Grady finally give Bree a chance? Will it be too late?"
"Maisy Moore is not looking forward to the holiday season. As owner of the only hair salon in Gamble, Alaska, she'll be run off her feet helping her clients get dolled up for parties. Parties she'll never be invited to.
But that's not the worst of it. As a single mom, she knows she still won't be able to give her seven-year-old son, Jack, the kind of magical Christmas his classmates get. If only she could give him what he really wants—to know who his dad is.
The last thing Maisy needs is for NHL star Chase Evans to come waltzing back into town like he's God’s gift to women. But that's exactly what Chase does.
After a taking a crosscheck from behind, Chase's season is over. Instead of scoring goals, he's recovering from shoulder surgery, and according to his mother, there's no better place to recover than home.
The last thing Chase expects is to find Maisy Moore still single. He decides to see if maybe they could rekindle their brief romance. But when he tries to talk to her, he discovers Maisy's feelings of lust have turned to loathing.
Will Maisy manage to keep the identity of her son a secret? Will there be a holiday miracle that will reunite two hard-headed lovers?"
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