Not gonna lie, it's been a hot minute since I had the opportunity to read Ms. Malpas, and boy am I kicking myself now!

This new series, Arlington Hall, is going to grab you and not let you go until the end! (And gahhhhh! What an ending!)

This is the introduction to the dynamic relationship between Jude and Amelia.

I had to admire the fortitude of Amelia, even when it seems like the deck is stacked against her, she perseveres. When faced with the white-hot chemistry between her and Jude, she tries hard to deny it, but essentially, the heart wants what the heart wants, and it's telling her it's Jude.

Oh Jude, you mystery, wrapped in an enigma. The ultimate alpha, with a touch of stalker thrown in for good measure. What has he done to ensure that Amelia is in his orbit?

The mystery slowly reveals itself through the pages, and boy, the final two chapters are going to leave you breathless! I know I am going to be waiting, not so patiently, for the next installment in what is going to be an amazing series of books!

Thank you to NetGalley and @Montlake for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Invitation by Jodi Ellen Malpas is exactly the kind of steamy, addictive romance that’s hard to put down. If you’re into intense chemistry, high-stakes tension, and characters who are both frustrating and irresistible, this one delivers.

Amelia is smart, ambitious, and in serious need of a reset when she crosses paths with Jude Harrison, a mysterious, gorgeous man who exudes power and charm. Their connection is instant and electric, and the steam room scene sets the tone for a story that’s full of heat and drama. Jude is every bit the brooding billionaire, but there’s more to him than meets the eye, and watching Amelia try to unravel his secrets makes for a compelling read.

There’s a lot of emotional push and pull, with twists that keep the story moving at a good pace. The possessiveness and intensity in Jude might not be for everyone, but if you enjoy a bit of that alpha energy, it totally fits the vibe. Amelia holds her own though, which keeps the dynamic balanced and interesting.

Some moments stretch believability a bit, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. This book knows exactly what it is and leans into the fantasy in all the best ways.

If you love steamy romance with a hint of suspense and characters who practically set the page on fire, The Invitation is the book for you!

4 Stars!

#NetGalley, #Montlake, #TheInvitation, #JodiEllenMalpas, #SteamyBooks

JEM just gets it. Her characters are always so relatable, even when they’re doing things I’d never put up with in real life, and yet, I’m falling for them by chapter five. No one writes chemistry quite like her. It's like she reaches into our collective daydreams and brings them to life on the page.

The writing, as always, is easy to read yet engaging. She has this magic way of making us swoon over alpha males we’d probably run a mile from if we met them in real life - and Jude Harrison is no exception. That said, I’m at the age now where insta-love doesn’t quite hit the same. I was sceptical of Jude, and even more so of how quickly Amelia fell for him - they’d barely had a proper conversation beyond a few flirty encounters, and suddenly she’s head over heels. As an adult, that’s a bit of a stretch. But still, by the end, I was halfway in love myself. Maybe not Amelia-level in love, but definitely invested.

The story gave me strong Jesse and Ava vibes - whom I adored - so parts of the plot felt slightly predictable in terms of pacing and structure. But the details were fresh enough to keep me turning the pages. And let me just say: I read this in one sitting. It was that addictive.

I really appreciated the twist in family dynamics: Jude’s relationship with his family was solid (a rarity in romance), while Amelia’s, though it seemed fine on the surface, was far more complicated - and that hit home. For those of us gals nearly 30 and still figuring things out, that felt painfully relatable.

And that ending - classic teen drama-style heartbreak. I say that lovingly. It still got me, even at my ripe age 😂

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the chemistry, the characters - even with its predictability. If I’ve taken away one key thing, it’s that I must have a spa day with the girls for my 30th. Please tell me Arlington Hall exists in real life, because I’m ready to pack a bag 🤭

This one fell flat for me I felt like nothing was solved I gave it a 3.5 stars rating because it felt like there wasn’t a plot really? I’m not sure

Jenn is one that I watch for usually. It just wasn’t for me. That’s okay because you can’t like every book.

Thank you the author and NETGALLEY for this arc

Overall I quite enjoyed this story. The main characters were interesting, the female characters friends were quite fun! I picked up on the first twist early on but I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with the final twist ( i.e. the why ) as I have read this premise before in another series.

The Invitation is the first book in the Arlington Hall series by Jodi Ellen Malpas.

Amelia Lazenby is a driven career woman who ends up going to Arlington Hall, a luxury hotel, for a spa day with her two closest friends to celebrate her birthday. She has an interesting encounter with a gorgeous and intriguing man named Jude Harrison. There is no question there is attraction between them, however there are also a number of red flags that Amelia continues to see, yet can't seem to focus on due to the overwhelming attraction.

While Amelia wants to focus solely on her career, the pull of what is happening with Jude is too much for her to deny. Her focus ends up straying a bit as the possessive and arrogant Jude continues to make himself front and center in her life. When Amelia learns a big secret, will that end what is just getting started?

This is the first book in a duet, so there is much more of the story to come. I enjoyed Amelia's friends and how they played into the story. I have a feeling that there is much more to learn about Jude too. While he comes off one way in the book, I have a feeling things he has been dealing with in his life have created much of that. It will be interesting to see how it plays out when we get the second half of the story.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**

4,5 stars!

When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it would be more spice than plot heavy, but luckily I was wrong. Our mmc is a rich and very persistent man, I’m talking about a walking red flag how he’s trying to persuade our fmc.

I hated him at times, for being so controlling, possessive and for really having a hard time taking ‘no’ as an answer. He seriously gave off mr. Grey vibes, just as troubled and confusing at times while dealing with his own battles.

In the beginning, I could really empathize with the fmc — how it feels to catch feelings for someone so intensely that it consumes you and you can’t think rationally anymore. I thought she was strong, and she even tried to regain control, although unsuccessfully on her own. But in the last 30%, I found her a bit annoying — the push and pull, the whining, and the face slapping. Girl, just... no.

The writing and pacing of the book were done really well, it kept me entertained and on glued to the pages. Some things were a little predictable but that didn’t stop me from binging it and that ending? OMG I need the next book right now!

Highly recommend this if you like 50 shades of grey and your mmc rude, troubled, possessive and hot AF.

Instead of a Hey Jude there should be a Why Jude!

Many moons ago I loved Cruel Intentions & The Invitation reminds me of the adult version. I’m mad, I’m hurt & I need more asap!

I’m Brandy & apparently I’m a sucker for a bad boy & his wicked ways.

⭐️ 3,25 /5

I really wanted to give this 4 stars because I was lowkey invested in the story but I just couldn’t 😕

Jude? He was too much and too soon. His possessiveness and aggression were borderline toxic. I LOVE boy obsessed but this didn’t feel like love or romance...it felt like control.

The attraction made sense but the jump to intense feelings was rushed and didn’t feel believable. Plus there wasn’t much plot or character growth.

Honestly that ending has me hooked. I can’t wait for book 2.

🌹 Billionaire
🌹 Boy Obsessed
🌹 British Playboy
🌹 Cliffhanger

💌 Thanks for the ARC!

Wowza was that an ending. I did not see THAT coming. I thought we were just dealing with a jealousy thing! Now I am counting down the days till book 2, The Surrender.

I love a billionaire book where the guy sees what he wants and goes after it. Jude 100% fits this bill even if there might be a couple red flags along with it. I also love when the girl in the story is on (somewhat) even footing with the guy. Amelia is a woman who knows what she wants and is focusing on her career and herself for a time when she meets Jude at Arlington Hall (which sounds like a glorious place to visit.

It’s clear from the start that there is tension, heat and finally passion between Amelia and Jude from the moment they meet. The possessiveness they both feel almost immediately is like catnip to me and I loved seeing Amelia’s inner monologue trying to reason with herself. I knew we were moving towards a high point at the end, but I actually didn’t realize this is the first in a series, so the cliffy caught me a little off guard! Very much looking forward to seeing the level of grovel that will need to take place for the one in the wrong to set it right.

I loved it! From the first page, I was hooked. This book is supercharged. Jude is extra intense and could communicate a lot better. For some reason, he still pulls at my heartstrings. But Amelia needs some work too. Both characters have their flaws. The story is steamy, and it also has a clear villain. Plus, what a way to end it! I gasped. I felt disappointed and hurt. Now things are gonna get even more difficult. I'm desperate for the next book!

OMG!!!! I am a wreck. An absolute mess. This book has turned me inside out and I am floored with the ending. I need more. It can't end like this.

Amelia is a financial guru who is struggling to prove herself in a mans world. She is smart, beautiful and ahead of the game with her clients and on track to become partner at her firm. But the constant badgering from her father and boyfriend weighs on her heavily. It on worsens when she breaks up with her boyfriend. Her dad undermines her at every turn and her ex harasses her constantly. Everything in her life changings the day she meets a pair of green bluish grey eyes across a bar.

This was the most intense book I have read lately. Jude is a twisted man. He is dominating, stalkerish and insanely hot. He doesn't take no for an answer. Amelia is turned inside out by this man. Over and over again. It is a battle of the wills and can be devastating to her world. The twist at the end will throw readers over the edge. It was not what I thought was going on, even though there are hints here and there that something isn't quite right and adding up.

The emotion is this book is explosive. I felt the angst and devastation. I felt the love and the heat. I felt the anger and sadness. It was a lot of emotion to handle. I am not sure that Amelia is going to survive. Jude has this hold on her and her trying to push him away doesn't work.

I love her best friends Anna and Charley. They are the best. ying and yang friends, whom have her back no matter what. They are the comedy club of friends who will fight for you one minute and have you laughing and forgetting your worries the next. I don't know how they pick up Amelia's pieces over and over as she navigates the people who constantly tear her down.

I am looking forward to another book in this series. Because it cannot end like this. It just can't. Also I need to throat punch that bitch Katherine. Can I pleaseeeeee????

When Amelia Lazen goes to a country spa called Arlington Hall for her birthday and to recoup after a breakup she never thought she would find more than some rest and relaxation. That was until she meets mysterious stunner of a man named Jude Harrison there. They have an attraction towards one another but is there more than just that? When her job hosts a convention at the same location she discovers that man is none other than the owner! They may have an instant connection but when she finds he might not be telling her the full truth can this truly be anything more than a good time? Sadly, this felt like it was trying to meet the mark with how the “This Man” series did but I felt it was missing something. They have a similar dynamic with “one look and he can’t stay away” but I did not find the same pull Mr. Ward had. I am still Interested in seeing what happens next and continuing as this does ends on a cliffhanger. Told in first person and Amelia’s POV.

This book is very fun for what it is. Jude is full of red flags but it worked for me. I need Amelia to forgive him simply because I need them together. He's absolutely crazy but that's working for me and it's clearly what she needs.

I received an arc from valentine pr.

Jodi Ellen Malpas is my queen. If she writes it, I’m reading it. And this book has been no exception. It was fun, it was spicy and it had a great plot! I couldn’t put this down. I’ve loved Jodi’s writing for over a decade and I just cannot get enough of her stuff. Highly, highly recommend!

3.75 OK.. I freaking devoured this in two days.

At first I was like yeah you know same same old, but we get toward the end and I did not see that coming.

Fricking Jude man, he can suck a 🤬.

And Amelia bless her fucking heart.

I am so mad and now I can’t wait for a book 2..

This is my first book by this author and I do enjoy her MMC’s. I like the possessive doesn’t take no for an answer type of dude so this resonates with me well, it might not with everybody.:

I do like the older characters 30-year-old.. I kinda wanna figure out what’s going on with Jude and the pills and how he says he’s an F up. I’m not feeling sorry for him at all right now. He’s on my freaking 💩list:

I’m kind of feeling really bad for Nick.

And it’s kind of refreshing to see zero miscommunication between the friends. They just tell each other everything…

this book was actually one of my choices for Amazon first reads so I did read this earlier. and then I got the arc approval after.

Exactly what I was expecting from JEM! I haven't read much from her recently and it was so fun being back in her world.

I'm kind of stuck between a 3.5 and 4 so rounding up. There was just something missing for me that didn't give me the big WOW I usually get with her books. But with that said, I was still hooked and the suspense aspect that went along with the romantic chase in this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Warning that it is a cliffhanger and the next one doesn't come out for months which is going to kill me! Jude is a total alpha and goes after what he wants with no shame. Amelia is trying to prove her worth in a mans world and it was so nice that Jude was supportive of that, even when he could be overbearing about other stuff. I loved how this felt kind of like a suspenseful romance in a sense which is where the cliffhanger comes in at the end. You are led to think something behind the scenes is going on the whole time and boy was it a doozy!

I can't wait to see how/if Jude can redeem himself.

Thank you to ValentinePR, Netgalley, and Jodi Ellen Malpas for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!