Red flags aren’t always bad, Right?

This is the second book in Jodi’s Arlington Hall series. We pick up right where Jodi left off in book 1, when Amelia finds out everything she thought was true was a lie. But is it really?

This book has Amelia questioning everything, as she should because Jude just keeps waving red flag after red flag. But still the connection she feels with him has to mean something, right?

I won’t lie to you there were places in this book that I wished I could reach in and shake some sense into both of these two. And I definitely didn’t see some of these plot twists coming. All in all this book did its job, it gave us that HEA we always wish for, it just made us work for it.

I could not wait for this book and it did not disappoint. The passive aggressive possessive Jude Harrison has a lot to make up for and Amelia can be stubborn and resist him unless it’s fade to face, then it’s their hotter than the surface of the sun attraction that calls the shots! Their relationship is crazy beautiful, crazy mad and crazy overwhelming. Then add to that the secrets, the exes, the friends, the brothers, the family, the surprises and you have a gripping, spicy, fast paced, can’t-step-away-from book. This has been a great duet and I hope we hear more from the Harrison brothers.

I thought we got the surprises out of the way but wowza that was a good one! The story coming full circle in the way that it did was also fabulous!

After we got our feet swept out from under us at the end of book 1, I was very curious to see what Amelia was going to do! She’s a badass in her own right and I didn’t want to see her wallow too much, but I did want her to embrace her feelings! I absolutely loved the fierce friendships she has at her side and that those girls never let her down. I also really liked that it felt real in that the girls didn’t just “forgive” Jude straight off. He had to apologize and to really take it for a bit, which I think was deserved. I was also really glad to see Amelia stand up to her dad when the time came. She deserved to be treated so much better by the men of her life and to see her put him off his high horse a bit was an “atta girl” moment for me.

I have to admit, I did not see the twist coming as far as the who the “bad guy” was! How the author was able to lay the breadcrumbs in book 1 and then bring us back to them here in book 2 was beautifully done! It seems so possible now, but it never crossed my mind in my first read!

I’d like to extend a big thank you to the author, Jodi Ellen Malpas and the team at VPR for the opportunity to read this ahead of the general release! I cannot wait to see who will bring us back to Arlington Hall, especially after two of our dinner guests realized they know each other…intimately. 👀

Book 2 of the Arlington Hall duet begins where book 1 left off. If you haven’t read 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐼𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 I highly recommend you do to get to know the characters and the drama that unfolded in that book because it definitely continues in this one. Buckle up. This book is a rollercoaster of epic proportions.

As the story opens, Jude is trying to win back Amelia and is persistent to say the least. He won’t give up trying to explain his actions and why. Amelia is a strong, smart heroine and has amazing best friends who offer unending support. She’s in no rush to speak to Jude again, let alone forgive him. But Jude wants her back. He pursues her until she finally relents and, well, things start to move forward and yea, lots of steamy scenes (you may not look at a Rolls Royce the same way again) but. . . this story is a rollercoaster, remember?

Now, anyone who has read JEM’s books knows that she is a genius when writing secondary characters. Every book. Every time. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝓢𝓾𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻 is no exception. Besides Amelia’s besties, there are villains (oh yes, more than one) we meet Jude’s brothers, Amelia’s brother returns and Amelia’s parents are very involved in this story and they are an absolute delight.

But back to Jude and Amelia. Just as things seem to be going well, I mean even her parents begin to accept Jude, particularly her father who still really likes her EX, everything goes to. . . Let’s just say ROLLERCOASTER.

There are challenges upon challenges piled onto this couple, secrets exposed, big ones, and I dare you to put this book down. Once you’re in, you’re WAY IN. Especially reading the last 1/3 of this story because there’s so much uncovered and a dramatic conclusion that, well, hold onto your heart.

Will you fall for Jude in spite of. . .well, everything? I did. I think you will too. He’ll take you on a wild journey for sure. But in the end? He’s worth it all.

Oh and the epilogue? JEM never disappoints and this one is no exception. I couldn’t stop smiling.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. I can’t stop thinking about these characters and ALL that they went thru. JEM didn’t pull any punches, she made them suffer for sure, and isn’t that why a HEA means so much in the end?

Five. Huge. Stars.

Jude is so toxic and so is this relationship but I was seated for all of it. They just can't stay away from each other.

I'm very interested in a book about her friend and his brother..

I received an arc from valentine pr.

4.9 Stars

Amelia + Jude #2

We're back with Amelia about a week after her break-up with Jude. After she found out that she was just a bet to him and his married 'bed friend'.
Today she's celebrating her brother's wedding and she should be happy and dancing and drinking. Which she is doing - but she's also trying to avoid Jude. He's everywhere. Again. He showed up at all her friends' places. At her brother's place. And now he's obviously here in front of the wedding venue.
He says he wants to apologize. But what's there to apologize for. There's nothing he can say or do. Or is there? Or does he just have to look at her in his Jude way for her to jump into his limo?

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This was the perfect finale for Amelia and Jude.
It was again lots of back and forth. I want him. I hate him. I am not getting back with him. Whoops - how did I end up naked in the back of his limousine again?
Which I kind of hated, but also loved. Because it's just so sweet how they can't stay away from each other. He's so ridiculously and adorably and jessewardily crazy jealous and possessive!
But it's not only sexy times in cars! We get lots of family and friends and exes and work. We get mysteries and suspense and excitement and danger and so much more.
I loved reading this and now I really need the book about Abbie and her mystery man!

► THE SURRENDER was the perfect final book for Amelia + Jude's love story.
Beautiful locations. Amazing cast.
Erotic. Funny. Frustrating. Adorable. Mysterious. Dangerous. And so much more. Read it!

We are back in Amelia and Jude’s world and it is one I enjoyed so much. She is trying to put her heart back together after the betrayal of Jude when he pops back up. He is saying all the right things and she is finding it harder to resist his charm. Just has she starts to let him back in, his ex reappears to start trouble. Her own ex shows up knowing more about Jude than I was expecting. There were plenty of secrets revealed and revelations I wasn’t expecting.

Jodi really tried my patience with this one, but in a great way! I was loving Jude getting his redemption but then he kept screwing it up! If he would just tell everything already, Amelia would be all in! But of course, that wouldn't make for much of a compelling story to keep you intrigued so I loved every second of her emotional turns.

After reading The Invitation I was so ready to see Jude get his comeback after deceiving Amelia. Even through all of the secrets, he truly did love her and just wanted to give her everything. I loved how strong Amelia was in general. She knew what she wanted for her life and even though she felt like she had given her heart up too easily, she wasn't afraid to also pick up the pieces of said broken heart when she found out each new secret. Jude was his pushy yet romantic self. He was also so lost without her. I really enjoyed Amelia and her dad hashing things out and seeing their relationship get to a good place. The rest of the family and friends had me cracking up just as they did in the first book. I was glad Nick finally got what he deserved too but I did NOT see that twist coming. Nor the twist with Amelia's best friend... but I won't spoil things. Just know that there are many twists in this one and even though Jodi makes you really not like Jude a lot, his reasonings will break your heart and make you love him so much!

I was also approved for an ALC of this one which was done by Shakira Shute. Her accent made the story so amazing. She really had me picturing everything from the story and I adore when a narrator can do that, especially for books that are based somewhere else where they speak with a different accent. It just adds a great touch to the book.

Thank you so much Netgalley, ValentinePR, and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest review!

Jude and Amelia’s story just gets better in The Surrender. 🔥 Full of passion, secrets, and unexpected twists, this book had me hooked from start to finish. Jude is every bit as mysterious and possessive as before, and Amelia has to decide if loving him is worth the risk. Steamy, suspenseful, and impossible to put down—I devoured it!

Out of control. This is the main thought I had while reading this book. But I loved it! Everything felt so urgent and intense. Plus, in this book, you get a lot of answers. Lots of mic drop moments. Lots of drama. Amelia and Jude's story feels like a given, inevitable. Nothing was going to stop it. Or him to be more precise. I'm excited about the next one.

Holy crap!!! I could not put this book down. I completely devoured this book. Jude is an extremely screwed up individual. HIs emotions are all over the place and I can't help but still love his character. This book is like watching a train wreck. You just can't look away.

Picking back up where The Invitation left off, Amelia is heartbroken over Jude's betrayal. But Jude is not just going to go away. He is desperate and will stop at nothing to consume her. It doesn't just stop there with him. Her entire life implodes in this book and she is constantly trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Her character is weak in some ways and strong in others. She is resilient, I can give her that much.

This book shows some sides of the characters that really bring a light to the ins and outs of the story. There are many big reveals and lots of devastation. There are so many big emotions in this book you will need a whole box of tissues to get through it. The ending...well let's just say it is an opener for the next book.

You must read book one The Invitation to really understand the dynamics of this book. It is not a standalone romance, but a series of events. It is a stalker type romance, with a very "passive-aggressive possessive" lead male character. To be loved by him is to be consumed, owned by him. The book is full of deceit and pain. But yet love conquers all.

The continuation of Arlington Hall was an absolute rollercoaster! The scandal, the drama, the delicious toxicity... I will devour it every single time, especially when it’s written by JEM. She has such a gift for capturing these tropes and spinning them into stories that feel addictive and unforgettable.
And Jude… my groveling king. Watching his edges soften, his walls crumble, and his relentless pursuit of Amelia had me hooked from the very start. The game of chase, the push and pull, the constant back and forth... it could feel exhausting in the wrong hands, but JEM makes it electric. She builds tension so perfectly that you can’t stop turning the pages, bracing for the inevitable drop.
The chemistry between Jude and Amelia is off the charts, igniting every scene. And those sweet, unexpected one-liners from Jude? They had me swooning, teary-eyed, and falling just as hard and just as fast for Jude Harrison as Amelia did.