🖤 Billionaire Romance
🖤 British Alpha Hero
🖤 Boy Obsessed
🖤 Revenge
🖤 Tortured lead
🖤 Accidental Pregnancy

Bloody Fucking Hell! I can’t even describe the way I felt when I finished the book. Way too many emotions, shocked, disappointed, angry, heartbroken and lots of WTF!!!

This is my first read by Jodi and let me tell you she does not disappoint. I literally could not put this book down. Stayed way past my bedtime to finish it in one sitting. Fair warning, this book does end in a cliffhanger and I am counting the days to read book 2.

Jude is an over possessive British billionaire, touch her and die alpha that is obsessed with making Amelia his. Jude and Amelia have this insane chemistry that they can’t take their eyes off of each other. When they finally give into their desires, they are explosive together. They are both fighting their feelings for each other. There's so much build up in their character's story and I can’t wait to read how it ends.

✨I received this book as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review✨
Thank you Jodi Ellen Malpas and Valentine PR for this ARC!

It’s Amelia’s 30th birthday and her best friends since childhood, Charley and Abbie, treat her to a fancy spa in Oxfordshire. Abbie got an offer for the day package for a steal which seems somewhat mysterious when they arrive at the ultra luxurious Arlington Hall. And when Amelia meets the most gorgeous stranger first in the Library Bar and later in a steam room it’s even more unsettling when he calls her by her name and asks for a date.

But Amelia just ended her long term relationship a week earlier when Nick continued talking marriage and babies. Amelia wants to focus on her career and her chances to become partner in her firm are high. The guilt she feels over her decision weighs heavily, even if she suspects Nick’s proposal was partly quelled by the fact that she was starting to overtake him career wise. How can the feelings the encounter with this handsome stranger ignites, are feelings she can’t recall in her five-year-relationship? At all?

Jude Harrison wants a date with Amelia and he’s bold and relentless. Amelia refuses call after call, ignores text message after text message. But when the pull gets too much, she finally gives in and accepts his invitation to a first date. At Arlington Hall. As it turns out Jude is the owner of the prestigious hotel and spa.

They both fall fast and hard. Their time together is buzzing, electric, obsessed. While Jude easily accepts how important her career is for Amelia, he is otherwise over the top possessive, controlling and has a very short temper. And what role does his ex-lover, vicious Katherine play?

This ends on a dramatic cliffhanger. September 2nd’s The Surrender can’t come fast enough to find answers…

Wow, I just devoured this book, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! I can’t believe I’ve been meaning to read this author for so long, and I wish I had dove in sooner. I’m still reeling from the seduction, the foreplay, the angst, the secrets, and the betrayal. It’s unbelievably good!

Can we take a moment to appreciate Amelia? This girl knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to stick to her guns! It’s so refreshing to see a strong character hold off a certain someone like Jude for as long as she did. She’s reliable and sensible, but that pull towards him scares her. Lust at first sight? You bet! When these two finally give in, it’s like fireworks. But my heart was in my throat when I started picking up on his red flags like that volatile jealous temper and those oh-so-casual remarks that felt way too loaded. Honestly, I was screaming at the pages for her to push for answers harder. When everything blew up, all I could think was, “Oh man, not this!”

Jude is a complex guy. He’s mysterious and wrestling with his own demons. You can just feel his vulnerability hiding behind that charm, and it’s clear he’s falling hard for Amelia. But, let’s be real, something is definitely off. His possessiveness? Yikes. The seductive dance he does is both delectable and torturous, especially when his messy past starts to unravel, putting their entire relationship in jeopardy. Seriously, what the hell, dude?

And as for Amelia’s career aspirations, no wonder she’s fighting to prove herself! It’s hard to shine when the men in your life, especially her manipulative father, seem determined to overshadow her. I felt for her when her achievements were ignored by her family. Thankfully, her friends Abbie and Charley are a total riot, giving her just the support and reality checks she needs to navigate her life.

Ms. Malpas absolutely knows how to make that sexual chemistry burn. I was captivated by the characters and felt the secrecy hanging thick in the air. But let me tell you, the cliffhanger at the end? Exasperating! I need book two, like, yesterday!

Thank you to Ms. Malpas for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

I love Jodi Ellen Malpas books, huge fan! This book did not disappoint. Full review copied below! Thank you!

Magnetic! The pull between Jude and Amelia was mesmerizing. You could feel their all-consuming attraction to each other through the pages! I didn't want the book to end. Thankfully, there is another one to come! Ms. Malpas has a writing style that grabs your attention and sucks you in!

I read and reviewed a copy of this book.

t was a very up and down high emotion level romance, I am intrigued by the MMC as this book reveals little about him. Jude is a mystery for Amelia who had just left a relationship and is nervous about going into another as she wants to focus on her career in this point in her life. Jude Harrison is not what she expected.
As you read on, you feel uneasy about him and how they met, but their romance is irresistible. Amelia is a hardworking businesswoman, and Jude is a possessive man with lots of secrets. Unfortunately, the story ended on a cliffhanger ( grrrr ), and there isn’t much romance between them. He often acts in a controlling way I am uncomfortable with. While it’s not my cup of tea kind of romance, I did get sucked into the story quickly.
Thank you to @netgalley , and the author for this arc.

I loved This Man and the accompanying books. I loved JEM's other books as well. However, this wasn't my favorite of hers. There was something missing. Jude is very similar to Jesse but as I mentioned, there was a spark missing between the two MCs. I will still read what JEM puts out because I know not every book is going to make every one happy.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 rounded up

JEM has been one of my favorite authors for many years. If she writes it, I'll be reading it. Being chosen as an arc reader for this book was a dream come true.

I went into this book blind, not even bothering to read the blurb or tropes because I wanted to be surprised and not form any ideas of what the story would be. Very early on in the book, I started to get This Man vibes and they continued throughout the book. There are so many similarities between the characters and storylines that I struggled to enjoy the story because I was constantly comparing it to my beloved This Man series. 

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Outside of the characters feeling like replicas of Jesse and Ava, I didn't particularly like or connect with them. Jude was obsessive, aggressive, and a walking red flag and while normally I can really enjoy that in a mmc I didn't feel the same pull and connection to him as I did with Jesse and other characters with a similar personality. Instead, I'm left wondering if I like him or not. Amelia left me rather confused as well. She seemed so put together and career driven in the beginning then became an absolute mess when she met Jude. She seemed to lose all ability to think rationally and be herself.

In true JEM fashion, the book ends on a cliffhanger with the story will be picked back up between these characters in book 2. Will I be reading book 2? Of course, because I'm a diehard JEM fan. While this particular book was not my favorite I still enjoyed her writing and I'm hoping that maybe this just wasn’t the right time for me for this book. I hope I feel more of a connection to the characters as the series progresses (with Miller I really didn’t like him till book 3). I also hope that they get more of their own unique storyline because right now it all feels too familiar.

Thank you to Jodi Ellen Malpas and Valentine PR for the opportunity to receive an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m looking forward to The Surrender in September!

I enjoyed reading this. I am happy that they spice didn't get in the way of the plot. When I read the blurb, I was worried that this would have more spice than plot, and im happy to see that it didn't...

Thank you!

I don't know what Jodi Ellen Malpas puts in her stories or what magic she infuses into her characters but YES PLEASE inject it straight into my veins.
When I need dramatic, tension filled romances with both pain and humor, I turn straight to JEM. And The Invitation did not disappoint. I loved the FMC and her no-nonsense, determined attitude. There are at least four different characters that I need back stories for now, and I can't believe Arlington Hall isn't real because I need to go stay there for a day or sixteen.

The ending. Just. Jaw, dropped. Screams, scrumpt. I need book two yesterday please!!

Thank you to Valentine PR and JEM for the e-arc of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s as thrilling as it is steamy, look no further than The Invitation by Jodi Ellen Malpas. This #1 New York Times bestselling author, known for the This Man series, brings us an exhilarating tale of unexpected desire and tangled emotions.

Meet Amelia Lazenby—an ambitious career woman who desperately needs a break from the pressures of work and the aftermath of a recent breakup. Thanks to her best friends, she’s treated to a relaxing day at the luxurious Arlington Hall spa. But what was supposed to be a day of pampering takes a scandalous turn when she catches the eye of Jude Harrison—an enigmatic billionaire whose mere presence sets her heart racing.

Their instant chemistry ignites during a chance encounter in the steam room, thrusting Amelia into a whirlwind of passion she never saw coming. But their fiery connection isn’t without complications. Jude’s possessiveness and temper add a thrilling edge to their relationship, wrapping Amelia in a mystery as complex as Jude himself.

What unfolds is a tale that is as much about desire as it is about the secrets that lurk beneath the surface. And yes, the cliffhanger at the end? Just when you think you know what’s coming, Malpas throws in a twist that leaves you breathless. You’ll be left screaming, “What just happened?!” and craving more.
One thing to note is that this isn’t your typical romance. It leans heavily into instalust, diving straight into passionate encounters that will leave you flipping pages long into the night. The lack of the usual "getting to know you" phase adds a delicious tension; Amelia and Jude dance around their true feelings, creating an enemies-to-lovers vibe that is both captivating and loveably chaotic.

As readers, we often find ourselves torn between our hearts and our heads. Amelia’s struggle with her attraction to Jude raises that age-old question: will she heed the warning signs, or will she surrender to the heat of the moment? The Invitation invites you to join Amelia on this rollercoaster ride of emotions and desires, asking—what would you risk for a love that ignites your very soul?

Thank you JEM and Valentine PR for the arc!

This book immediately sucked me in. This billionaire romance was a page turner with a lot of angst, forced proximity, and spice! With that ending I am definitely looking forward to
Book 2!

The Invitation is the epitome of Jodi Ellen Malpas..... Alpha male mmc and and fmc that has no chance of resisting his advances.. Absolutely charming and steamy . 🤎🔥

This is Book 1 in the Arlington Hall Duet by this author. It is the beginning of the heartfelt romance between Amelia and Jude. These flawed but likeable characters, the strong connection, the sizzling chemistry, and the unique plot make for an entertaining read. It is a love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, mystery and suspense, humor and charm, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters. An engaging page turner with a cliffhanger ending.

Jodi Ellen Malpas always gives us a great read and definitely has all the feels in Amelia and Jude's story.

Amelia is on a journey of proving herself and Fresh out of a relationship with no strings attached brings her to Arlington Hall with her friends for a day of relaxation. While there she met Jude and instantly wanted more. She was drawn to the unknown of a man who her friends knew she wanted and planned something that really set things in the right direction but also was upsetting.

Jude is an alpha businessman who stops at nothing to get what he wants and Amelia is at the top of his list. He was happy to be apart of Amelia's friends plans to assure they would be together but things didn't go as planned.

I loved the dynamic between the two characters. The push and pull, the drama between them made this story a great read. There was romance, suspense, laughs, tears and so much more in their story. I loved how possessive Jude is and building of the story.

Oh man oh man! I really have a love/hate relationship with Jude especially at the beginning. As I got to understand him more, my heart wasn't as hardened towards him. Amelia on the other hand, I love. She knows what she wants and is firm in her beliefs, most of the time. Jude is just irresistible and the pull to him is too much.

The ending though, OMG! How will we survive on that cliffhanger?! I know Jodi Ellen Malpas will make it worth it though. She always does!

This book, much like Jude, is one that wouldn’t let go. It just kept coming back - thus the reason I am writing my review at 2:24am.

Jude “Fu€kb@y” Harrison - surprise (IFKYK) - I didn’t see that coming. Work, family, something from the past is what I was relating it too BUT that I didn’t see.

Amelia Lazenby - Has just ended her relationship with her boyfriend. After being passed over to run the family company because she is a female, all she wants to do is prove herself in a man’s world.

One of Amelia’s friends receives a discount for a spa day from Arlington Hall, so they all take advantage of it and treat themselves. That’s where Amelia first sees Jude, mesmerized, but has no clue who he is.

Jude had some major red flags, a temper, possessive, and secrets. He starts his pursuit for a certain reason, but I truly believe things changed for him along the way.

Jodi has a way of drawing you in to her stories and captivating you. Even though these characters didn’t do it for me at times, I still wanted to see what happened and kept hanging on.

Now, we hold on to September and the release of The Surrender.

ARC provided by the author, Netgalley, and Valentine PR for an honest review.

Hey Jude, I think you may have de-throned The Lord!

This was hands down one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and Jodi did not disappoint. From the very first page, I was hooked—completely swept up in the world of Jude and Amelia. Honestly, they’re my newest obsession. The chemistry between them is so off-the-charts, I swear the pages were practically sizzling.

Amelia has just turned 30, she’s freshly single and laser-focused on her career in finance. The last thing she’s looking for is a fling. But then she crosses paths with Jude—gorgeous, blue-green ocean eyes, dark blonde hair, and that broody, commanding energy Jodi writes so well—and it’s game over. From the moment they lock eyes at the day spa, the tension is undeniable.

The universe clearly has other plans because Jude keeps turning up in her orbit. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. When she discovers Arlington Hall is actually his, the stakes only get higher, and the push-pull between them ramps up to delicious levels of intensity. While Jude comes across as a perfect green flag, there are definitely some red ones waving in the background, and Amelia feels it all—conflicted, thrilled, and unable to stay away.

The work function that gets moved to Arlington Hall? Absolute fate. And when Jude gives her an ultimatum she can’t ignore, it all culminates in a weekend together that is the stuff of fantasies. Let’s just say that first massage? Ooft! #IYKYK
I don’t want to give away too much, but this is book one of a duet, and it ends with a cliffhanger you will not see coming. I’m still reeling. September can’t come soon enough—I need The Surrender in my hands immediately.

This is signature Jodi Ellen Malpas at her finest: scorching chemistry, perfectly paced tension, and that blend of spice and emotion that makes her books impossible to put down. If you’ve been missing her obsessed, broody, British alphas (she’s the OG for a reason), Jude Harrison will fill that void in spectacular style.

✨ You absolutely need this on your TBR—pause whatever you’re doing and grab a copy.
✨ If this story were a meal, I’d be going back for seconds, thirds, and licking the plate clean.
✨ Five stars? Nah this deserves it's own galaxy!

Thank you, Jodi, for giving us another unforgettable alpha to swoon over. You’ve knocked it for six again.

This story grabbed my attention immediately. The description of Arlington Hall. Amelia first seeing Jude and no clue who he was. Jude’s slow seduction of Amelia. All of it was a page turner.

And let me say, JEM writes some of the BEST secondary characters, especially girlfriend besties like Abbie and Charley. They play perfectly off each other in support of Amelia. Oh and the female villain? Priceless.

Now for those of you JEM fans like me, yes, Jude will give you Jesse Ward vibes and Amelia will remind you a bit of Ava, but not entirely. The more you read, you’ll discover the differences. Because here? At Arlington Hall? Nothing is by chance or a coincidence. Warning: You may want to toss your reader across the room at the “holy crap” ending. It’s deliciously unhinged.

And you’ll never look at champagne the same way again.

Bring on The Surrender. Quickly!

I truly hate to do this, but I was not able to finish (insert book name). I found it extremely difficult to get through and stopped making progress at 25%. I didn't see a spark or connection between the main characters, which also made it difficult for me to root for them. Instead, their meeting seemed rather abrupt, and there were a lot of red flags that, for me, could not be overlooked. Regardless, I look forward to Jodi's next book and remain a fan of her writing. Thank you also for the opportunity!