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!

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**