Let me start this review by saying that it has been way too long since I have had the pleasure of reading a book by Jodi Ellen Malpas. This author is one of my OGs. I have read many of her books, been completely addicted to her words and series and characters for so long, and I have truly never read a book quite like the ones that she creates. There is just something so addictive, something so unadulterated, something so passionate about what she creates with her characters and love stories and I truly can’t get enough. I hate that I have let myself get behind on her books, but this book was the PERFECT introduction back to her words.

The Invitation was utterly consuming. I mean that with every fiber of my being. I read this book in a matter of hours and did not come up for air one time while reading it. I literally sat here reading that book cover to cover, devouring everything with Jude and Amelia because I was obsessed. I was hooked. I was addicted. I was in it with them, in the thick of their throws of passions, their ups and downs, and everything in between. I was in it with them and I loved it. I loved it so beyond everything because I could not get enough of what those two shared in this book. Their connection is on a whole different level. It’s raw, it’s layered, it is dynamic and evocative and consuming in a way that will truly steal your breath at times. There is a force to be reckoned with when those two are together. And this book showed every single bit of that.

And I loved every damn word of it and what I got with those two in this incredible book.

I’m sitting here writing this review hours later and I’m still thinking about those two. I am very much chomping at the bit for what comes next for them, and I am already counting down the days because I need everything with this couple. They definitely go through it in this book, but I was here for it. I was here for the passion and connection. I was here for the mystery and the unfolding of things and events. I was here for what these characters share on a true and honest level. I was here for every moment of possessiveness and unadulterated feeling and connection. I was definitely here for all of the fire and heat that these two exude in every single second they’re on the pages of this book. But more than that, I was here for how these characters were utterly consumed with each other and what they made each other feel. You could tell it was unexpected, you could tell it completely turned both of their world upside down, and you could tell it was something unlike anything both of them had ever experienced.

I loved and relished and lived forgetting to be in the thick of that with them over the course of this book and getting to be with them as they tried to figure out what that meant, and what they did with all of that world of feeling.

I thought Amelia‘s character was fantastic. She is a gem. There’s no other way to say it because that girl was the best. I loved that she should on her two feet 10 toes down, willing to fight for what she wanted for her life, and what she wanted for her heart. She wasn’t afraid to take a risk when it really mattered. She wasn’t afraid to put up a fight when it was really needed. And she felt with her whole heart. I loved that girl with my whole heart reading this book and I felt like this author just really allowed me to get everything with her. I felt connected to her, I loved her, and I just rooted for her across this book. I also just loved that Amelia had such strength to her, but that she was also vulnerable and real and honest. That shined across this book and I think that just allows you to see every facet of her character in the best way. And it definitely creates a genuine connection to her character. Amelia is fierce, she is passionate, she is her own force to be reckoned with and I just can’t wait to be back with her character. I need her to get every good thing because that girl deserves it. She deserves it and more.

Now Jude was a little bit of an enigma across this book and I was here for it. I love a little bit of a mysterious man, but more than that. I definitely am here for a male hero who is possessive, who is a forced to be reckoned with, and who is not afraid to push you well past that edge for the right reasons. (I’m also really here for a wealthy man who doesn’t know what to do with his very real feelings. It’s what I was raised on. What can I say?!) But in all seriousness, I loved Jude‘s character. You don’t get his perspective in this book as the story is told from Amelia‘s point of view, but I felt like I still got so much of him. I understood so much of his struggle at times, so much of what he felt for Amelia, and so much of how this was different between them. The fact that I could feel that and practically touch that and experience that in this book is a true testament to what this author creates that I got that and I wasn’t even in his head. I could not get enough of this man. He definitely has some making up to do and I definitely need some answers, but I have no doubt that Jude and his determined self will see it through. Because his feelings for Amelia are very, very real, and I have no doubt about that.

And let me tell you now, grab yourself a fan because the level of chemistry and connection that Jude and Amelia share is off the charts. I mean, I’m pretty sure I was the color of a tomato or something close to that throughout so much of this book. The heat, the passion, the moments that these characters share… It is pure unadulterated FIRE. It is passion and Fourth of July fireworks and so much connection combined in the most explosive way. It is pure heat and tension, but more than that, there is such a layer of feeling and heart and unforgettableness to what they share in every moment, but especially in those moments.

The way this author perfectly balances out that outstanding level of heat and connection and desire these characters have for one another, while also showing that there is such emotion and vulnerability and raw honesty in what they share is everything and just so much more. And that more? That more is perfection.

What Jude and Amelia share in this book definitely throws both of their worlds out of orbit. They were not prepared for each other. They were not prepared to feel everything for one another. You feel that in every part of this story with them. And even through every twist and turn, even through every up and down they have to face, you know that there is something true and real about what they feel and share together. And they might not have been prepared for it, they might not have expected it or even wanted it at first, but it’s there. It’s there and it’s real and it’s tangible and it’s them. So wholeheartedly them. And it cannot be denied. Not one little bit. And you feel that in your soul reading this book. You feel that in every way, in every moment, in every page. And the truth of that might scare these characters out of their ever loving minds in this book, but it’s everything to experience that with them.

All of that so outstandingly combines through this author’s writing to allow you to see the truth and vulnerability and heart and emotion that goes with the two of them as they wade their way through all of that ocean of realness and feeling.

And through it all, you believe in what could be with Jude and Amelia with your whole heart, but more than that you know that the two of them and their messy and complicated and flawed and very real love is worth it. It’s beyond worth it. And I felt that through every second of their story. And I loved it so damn much.

So. Damn. Much.

Jody Ellen Malpas just completely blew me away with this book. I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it. All I knew is that it was written by one of my favorite authors and that’s all I needed to know because I have loved every single book by the author. But I was so totally not prepared for how addicted and obsessed and completely and snared I would become in the story, in this couple, and their passionate love affair that is so layered and just so much more. I just could not get enough of what these characters were sharing.

From the first moments they meet, to their back-and-forth and that glorious and tension filled buildup, to every moment of what comes after. I was hooked. I needed everything with this couple. I could not get enough of what this couple shared, how they made each other feel everything they weren’t prepared for, how they both changed the game, and how they had to figure out what came next. I loved the layers of passion and fire and vulnerability and heart and love and spice and just so many other things that combined to make an incredible and unforgettable love story.

The Invitation throws you heart first into a world of wealth, desire, undeniable connection, and so much heart. This book definitely has some twists and turns to it that will send you reeling at times. It will definitely show you that these characters have something between them that can’t be denied. And it will definitely show you that Jude and Amelia are both in their own ways layered characters who have a lot to figure out, but who fit so perfectly together, and who show the other that nothing was ever right until it was the two of them.

Even in the moments of struggle with this couple, you feel that in your bones that there is something so inherently right and meant to be about them and what they share, and that is a true tell of the talent and connection this author infuses into these characters, into their love story, and into this book that you feel that through every single page.

This world is definitely my new obsession. I already need every single story. I need more of Jude and Amelia. I definitely need more of Abbie and the mysterious man that she met in France a few years ago. And I just want everything. This book is giving me the best feeling, it is leaving me reeling in the best way, but more than that it has me needing more of this world because I need more of this couple, more of their journey, and more of what these two are going to do next after the events of this book. I’m finishing this first book knowing that I care about these characters, that I’m invested in them, and that I love them with my whole heart and desperately need them to find a happily ever after… And it truly doesn’t get better than that.

I cannot say enough, good things about this book and the introduction to this world. I am clearly already hooked, I am invested wholeheartedly in these characters and their love story, and I am truly desperate for the follow up book. I cannot say that enough. I need everything with these characters. I need more of their passion, I need more of their hard moments, I need more of their truthful moments, I need more of their moments where they’re scared out of their minds because they’ve never felt like this before in their lives, I need more of the moments that turn the world upside down because I just love Jude and Amelia and the possibilities that could be for them. Those possibilities shined throughout this first book and I have no doubt they’ll continue in the next. And I am here for all of it!

This is a must read for fans of this author, but also if you are new to her words, jump in heart first into this world. It will show you how addictive, how provocative, and how utterly unforgettable a love story by Jodi Ellen Malpas can be, and you will be hooked. I promise you that! This woman truly knows how to write and create a consuming and all-feeling love story and this one was no different. She is also the queen of the alpha male and strong female heroine dynamic in my opinion, and she definitely delivers on that once again in this book. She delivers it all in The Invitation, and I for one cannot say enough good things about this book.

Simply put, this book is one of my top reads of the year.

It’s another amazing, consuming, and incredible love story from Jodi Ellen Malpas that is dynamic, layered, addictive, messy and raw, but most of all is a story about two complicated hearts and people finding the one person who changes everything. It’s about two people experiencing and finding something they weren’t prepared for. It’s about a love that is built out of the most unadulterated connection that threatens to consume them in every term. It’s about a fiery connection that soon becomes something so much more. But more than that, it’s truly a story of two people finding something in one another that completely turns their worlds upside down in a way that will change them and their hearts forever.

And honestly, that’s just scratching the surface of what I absolutely loved in The Invitation by Jodi Ellen Malpas.

The Invitation is the first book in the Arlington Hall series. It follows Amelia and Jude. Going into this book I was really excited to read it but this just felt really off and I LOVE dark men.

Jude is an extreme Christian Gray without the BDSM aspect. He is possessive, pushy, a bit deranged and way too toxic. Amelia isn’t much better. She is stiff, judgmental, selfish, and determined. While they do have insane chemistry together they were also extremely volatile and downright almost abusive to each other. It just felt so off and didn't sit right with me. They also don’t communicate well at all. I did like the drama aspect in the book with Katherine and those moments were some of the most entertaining parts in the book.

There was a part at the ending that did have me gasping although I knew something was going to happen. Even though I was disappointed with this book, I will still be continuing with the series just because I do want to know what happens next.

Thank you so much, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Montlake and Valentine PR, for the gifted copy!

Wow! This book is fantastic! The suspense of her inner battle was intense! I think I talked to Amelia through the entire book! And the cliffhanger!!! I need more! The chemistry between these characters is expløsive! I am in love with this book and can’t wait for more!
Jude Jude Jude!! I love Jude but that twist at the end has me reeling! Amelia is running, but I think it’s mostly from herself.
Jodi Ellen brings these characters to life through her writing. Whether you love or hãte a character, you are completely captivated by her words and can’t put the book down.

Invitation accepted!

THE INVITATION, book #1 in the Arlington Hall duet, had me captivated from the moment I picked it up. While it is not the best book I have read from Ms. Malpas, I still enjoyed it and found it entertaining, an escape from the real world for a few hours. With a possessive, touch her and die, obsessive MMC and a feisty FMC who falls for his charms how could I not like this book?

Amelia Lazenby is a career orientated woman who has recently broken up with her ex, she's not ready to settle down and have children. Her girlfriends take her to Arlington Hall for a day of pampering, where she meets a man who is as mysterious as he is handsome. Jude Harrison is the billionaire owner of Arlington Hall. He is possessive, obsessive, and ultra bossy and has his sights set on Amelia. He's the type of man who always gets what he wants and won't allow anyone get in his way. Amelia fell quickly for Jude, melting every time she saw him, yet she was strong enough to stand up to him while pushing him to his limits. Their relationship is intense, the chemistry is sizzling, and their heat is red hot, but there is something missing between them that I can't quite put my finger on.

Naturally there is a lot of drama between Amelia and Jude, some of coming from the relationship he has with a woman called Katherine. Now she is one woman who needs to be taught a lesson, she's a nasty piece of work. Amelia is also receiving pressure from her family in regard to her ex, her father really needs to listen to his daughter. I loved Amelia's girlfriends, those two were a riot, they had me laughing out loud many times, they were a great comedic relief.

THE INVITATION is not the end of Amelia and Jude's story, it continues in The Surrender, so yes it ends on a cliffhanger, one which had my jaw dropping. I did enjoy this book, Ms. Malpas's writing always draws me in and keeps me captivated. I can't wait to read what happens next.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

The Invitation is Amelia Lazenby and Jude Harrison’s story and it’s book one in the new Arlington Hall Series. What a great start to the series set in the country resort of Arlington Hall.
When Amelia’s friends treated her to a luxury spa day they had no idea her life was about to change forever…….
Fate works in mysterious ways and even though Amelia is not looking for love it seems Jude has been thrown into her life for a reason.
Jude is a man who likes to be in control and he is used to getting what he wants so what happens when it’s Amelia he wants…..
I loved everything about this book from the characters to the setting and everything in between. I fell hard and fast for Jude and I want Amelia and her friends in my corner. This is a well written, entertaining read that has left me excited for what’s to come.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME JODI!!!!!

I’ve been waiting for the book to release because JEM is an auto-buy author for me, and I would read a dictionary if she wrote it. But the way I inhaled every page of this book ?!? Probably not the healthiest.

As expected, the MMC has some baggage - and I live for finding out what that baggage is going to be. So many green flags mixed with the giant red ones, but I loved him no less. And that combination is explosive and destructive to our FMC, (and me) turning our sensible lead into pure mush. No one writes male leads the way JEM does, and Jude Harrison is every bit dirty and delicious. Totally worth throwing all caution to the wind.

In true JEM fashion though, there’s a bigger picture here - and I flew through the pages with my heart in my throat wondering what was around the corner. I was unprepared. THAT ENDING!!!!!

Now I’m anxiously awaiting September so I can see what comes next for these two!! So dang good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Amelia and Jude played a sexy and delicious game of cat and mouse that will have you entranced from beginning to end. Unfortunately for her, Amelia doesn't realize the prey she is until it's too late...

Jude was a walking, taking red flag, but that seemed to draw Amelia in rather than push her away. They both fall fast and hard despite the jealous possessiveness Jude shows early on. The insane chemistry these two had was as good as it was bad. Their intimacy is next level, nothing less than expected from Jodi Ellen Malpas, but that man is hiding secrets and Amelia is running ahead full force.

While I do believe Jude has it bad for Amelia, the ending and cliffhanger have me wanting to knock that man out as much as I did Katherine. My jaw literally dropped when I realized I was at the end. I'm eagerly awaiting our return to Arlington Hall to see if Jude has a chance at righting his wrongs, and winning Amelia's heart.

📚BOOK REVIEW📚

The Invitation - @jodi_ellen_malpas

Why oh why have I waited so long to read this author? Not only is this book a great read, but the interactions I have had with her have been so lovely too. I cannot believe that this is my first read by her!

I was hooked right from the start as we follow Amelia having a girly day at the spa for her birthday. This has been organised by her friends. But Arlington Spa turns out to be more than she bargained for as she meets the mysterious stranger in Jude Harrison. At the start there isn't much interaction but the chemistry bounces off the page between the two. It's instant, intense and undeniable.

However, Amelia is focusing on her career and she is determined to make partner at the finance firm she works at. But Jude is nothing but persistent as we are along for the ride as he chases and pursues her. It's not long though til she starts to give in and loses all her control when she is around him. This is quite a distraction she does need because she is so focused on her work, it leaves little for anything else. And we'll lets just say that Jude delivers in all the ways.

But Jude is basically a walking red flag but you can't help melt whenever his presence is on the page but still there's something about him that doesn't quite seem true. He's a very complexed character and I think he's meant to be. One minute he is making you swoon and the next you want to punch him. He has a real vulnerable side to him as well and when his possessive side comes out, it's Hot with a capital H!

And we get to experience it all through Amelia's eyes which gives the reader such a fun experience and I couldn't get enough.

The book ends on a major cliffhanger which had me screaming out loud and now I have to wait til the next book for more answers. But what a cracker of a book and I'm so invested in these two that I just don't know what's going to happen next but I can't wait to find out!

Jamie x

I don’t know what to say. I just finished this book and was struck silent with the end. Be warned, this book has a major cliffy.

My heart has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on. I NEED to know what happens with Jude and Amelia right now! These two are so hot it burned up my iPad, but also heartbreaking over and over.

I loved Jude from the start. Very persistent in getting what he wants. Very Jesse vibes, but less psychotic about it. He’s a true alpha with possessive tendencies. His words, oh my, had me melting with every sentence.

Amelia has been the most relatable JEM character to me. She’s a workaholic who’s dealing with the confines of a traditional family and doing a great job of making her life everything she wants. She doesn’t put up with men’s shit and is strong in her convictions, but also knows when to say yes.

I just know the next book will blow my mind. Can’t wait!

When things seem too good to be true…

Jodi has a way of writing that is addictive, compelling, at times a little frustrating, and that’s why I can’t stop reading her books.

In this book we get to meet Amelia, a driven, brilliant woman trying to prove to herself as well as her father that she has purpose and is meant to be more than a reproductive housewife. But with that chip on her shoulder she also questions the validity of pretty much everything. So when she meets Jude, a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is her, she fights her attraction with all she has. His red flags are flying, but he definitely has a way of wearing her down. But this is a JEM book, so nothing is quite like it seems, and maybe, just maybe Amelia is right to question.

This is the first book in this series so don’t look for that HEA quite yet, but I know it’s on its way, it’s just not going to be as obvious as some can be. If you’re new to Jodi this series might be a perfect opportunity to become addicted to her, because trust me it’s easy to do!

Why oh why did you end on such a big cliffhanger I need more, Jude has some very big secrets and it’s all going to come out. Great book couldn’t put it down infact I’ve given myself a headache reading so much.

4.5 ⭐️stars
Jude is a man obsessed. Touch her and (you know what) vibes kind of obsessed. Boy don’t we love a smokin’ hot man obsessed. So, take this book for what it is in the over-the-top possessive male category. He loses all sensibility when around her and is jealous of any male who gets near her. So, with that in mind… I devoured this whole thing up like a cat licking cream.

Amelia gets a surprise spa invitation to Arlington Hall, an exclusive resort, and encounters Jude. Sparks fly and his pursuit of her is nothing short of tenacious. After a recent break-up she wants to concentrate on work and has no time for any man. But Jude doesn’t take no for an answer. And as they come together you get a sense that all is not right in Jude’s world, possibly he’s hiding something. And as the book progresses that feeling of something not all right in the world gets stronger. This ends in a cliffhanger, and what a doozy it is. And it looks like book 2 will give us more about who Jude really is and hopefully we get our happily-ever-after.

I usually don’t care for 1st person only POV. But here it works well to add to the mystery that is Jude Harrison. This romance is the obsessive I-can’t-breathe-without-you kind. So, if that’s your jam, (and honestly, who wouldn’t want that) then The Invitation is for you. Jude is an enigma from page one and that leads to delicious tension and an intense cliffhanger.

I am emotionally unwell, and Jude Harrison is to blame.

The Invitation it’s a full-on emotional rollercoaster with no seatbelt and no warning signs. Jodi Ellen Malpas once again proves why she’s the queen of intense, addictive, soul-wrecking stories. I went in expecting steam. What I didn’t expect? To be shattered, obsessed, and mentally spiraling by the final chapter.

Amelia is fierce, driven, and relatable in all the best ways, but it’s Jude… oh God, JUDE. He is enigmatic, dangerously charming, and so magnetic I felt personally attacked every time he appeared on the page. Their chemistry? Literal flames. But behind that intense desire is a slow-burning unraveling of secrets that blew my mind.

That plot twist? I read it. Re-read it. Screamed. Questioned everything.
I am not okay.

And now, Jodi expects me to just... WAIT for book two?
WAIT?!
Ma’am, I don’t have the emotional stability or the patience for this. I need answers, closure, and more Jude IMMEDIATELY.

DNF. This book was not for me. The writing was very amateur and the storyline didn’t keep me engaged. The characters were immature and hard to connect with. I just didn’t find myself caring for any of it.

Amelia is a financial advisor—just like her father and brother—working a high-paying job. It’s her birthday, and her friends plan a relaxing day for her at a luxurious spa in Arlington Hall, thanks to a steal deal they managed to snag.

There, Amelia meets a handsome stranger. There’s instant attraction, but they didn’t talk much.

The birthday spa day was fun. Later, she gets a message from an unknown number, the stranger from Arlington asking her out on a date. She declines, saying she's not ready for a relationship.

Why?

She recently got out of one and discovered she doesn't want to settle down or have kids.

But the persistent stranger doesn’t give up easily. As their paths keep crossing, like when her work event ends up being double-booked and is shifted to Arlington Hall. She learns his identity as Jude Harrison, the owner of Arlington Hall.

Despite the growing chemistry, Amelia keeps Jude at a distance, not giving in to his advances. His persistence stirs something in her—desire, but also caution.

The story is engaging and captivating. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I've been a fan of Jodi's writing for a long time now devouring what I can. This was no different. I ate this book up!

It was very easy to get swept up in Jude and Amelia's story and from the very beginning the chemistry is sizzling.

He wants her, but how much and why? Well, let's just say there's more than meets the eye when it comes to Jude Harrington. He holds the mystery throughout keeping you guessing about his endgame and Amelia chooses to challenge him at every step.

Amelia is career driven and Jude is nothing but an inconvenience, until he's not 😏. Phew!

I love Amelia's relationship with her friends, it's all very relatable and there are some laugh out loud moments like you get with your own girls.

Amelia's parents got on my nerves with their interfering but I get it, some parents are like that. Just glad it's not mine 😅.

Overall I enjoyed it and it was a quick read. It finishes unresolved, so who knows where it goes from here.

Release date 1st July 2025!

WOW! This book threw me for a loop!!

SO many things I love about it, but most specifically is the twist at the end. Amelia and Jude are a combustible combination and the slow burn leading up to explosion is worth every pound of my heart.

I love the premise of this book. Amelia and her friends Abbie and Charley book a spa day at a posh resort in the country for her 30th. Amelia locks eyes with a gorgeous stranger across the room of a bar. Starts receiving texts from an unknown number.

Jude is shrouded in mystery. He doesnt tell Amelia who he is for quite a while, which adds to his hotness. But you just know there is even more underneath.

Gah, I need book 2 asap because this one does end on quite the cliffhanger. I cant wait to see where she takes these two. This is a fast, easy read because you wont want to put it down.

Jude is intense. When he sets his sights on Amelia she can't get away. He is all alpha and possessive of her. The attraction and pull they have for one another is all consuming. The chemistry between them is super-hot! As your reading you wonder how he came to be with her and at the end of this cliffhanger you get the answer. I will say I am not liking certain people but boy her friends are funny as all get out. I can't wait to read the conclusion.

Wow this is classic JEM. an alpha that’s mysterious and intense. Possessive and demanding . not to compare because each one is individual in their own way but if you love the Original JW, there is no doubt the alluring Jude Harrison will have you hooked, falling in love and wanton!

Amelia is a heroine we admire. Determination, career driven and confident. And she falls under his spell. but how can you not. Their passion is undeniable with a pull that is just too strong. The steam and heat is like an inferno and Champagne is never to be just for celebrations again.

We follow Jude’s pursuit of Amelia and my god does he have your heart racing and pulse pumping! Belly flutters and excitement, he’s will leave you flushed!

The decadence of the spa and hotel is a place you can dream of visiting and experiencing in style with its luxurious and lavish decor and interiors, and who wouldn’t want to sample a hey jude?! in more ways than one ;)

It’s no JEM story without the angst, and The Invitation has you completely captivated, anxious with held breath and then that lead feeling in your stomach as that bombshell is dropped along with your jaw….

It’s one that simply has to be devoured as no way can you put this down, hence me reading it in one sitting!

Hold tight, whilst we await the conclusion of this epic story… and it might just be the best or 2025 so far !

If you loved the this man series you are gonna love this! This is book1 in a brand new series featuring Jude and Amelia, told from her pov. Jude is obsessive, possessive and has a bit of a temper on him. He’s a walking red flag but I can’t help but love him. I spent a long time waiting for Amelia to give into his charms and once she did boy were these two going at it! No one does angry s*x better than these two let me tell you. And what a cliffhanger it ended on! I didn’t see it coming that that would be what happened!