The Invitation

Arlington Hall, Book 1

De: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Narrado por: Shakira Shute

An ambitious career woman. An enigmatic billionaire. There’s more to their affair than meets the eye in this scalding romance by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man series.

Amelia Lazenby deserves a breather—from work and from the stress of a recent breakup. Courtesy of her best friends, she gets a day of pampering at a posh country spa called Arlington Hall. Instead of finding calm, she finds her pulse racing when she sees flawlessly rugged Jude Harrison. Hand on heart, she’s never laid eyes on such a stunner. And an unexpected steam room meet takes their instant attraction to a whole new level.

Amelia wasn’t looking for an intense new affair. But the passion Jude ignites is off the charts. Even if he is a little possessive. Even if his temper can be as formidable as the influence he has on her body. He becomes all the more intriguing when Amelia discovers that Jude not only owns Arlington Hall but that their meeting was no accident. It was planned. But to what end?

That’s a mystery as irresistible as Jude himself. Is he worth the risk? Or is this the man who could break her?

©2025 by Jodi Ellen Malpas Ltd. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Love the narration and non stop chemistry

I absolutely love this story. I cannot wait til the sequel comes out. You must listen to it. It’s worth it. 5 Stars.

Hey Jude <3

A bit of a slow start with this one, but I had faith in Jodi to pull me in as she always does. Jude, the enigmatic, short tempered dom captured the career focused Amelia in his tangled web. The unresolved ending has me wanting more and hopeful that Jude redeems himself.

Caught By Surprise

I selected this book on my Amazon first reads!!! I actually really enjoyed it! Romance and suspense!

Show of hands please….

How many, after completing the book, had to REREAD to understand what they had missed? I did.

Strong FMC

JEM has done it again! This is a must read/listen. Can’t wait for book 2!

Great ending!

You won’t go wrong listening to this story! I was surprised with the ending. Excellent story; 5 starts!

Jude - the hot mystery man - who is he?

The Invitation (Arlington Hall, #1) is most definitely an invitation for readers to get lost in Amelia and Jude’s crazy, suspenseful world. Amelia’s character seems well defined, whereas Jude is a complex mystery man who leaves Amelia wondering what the hell she got herself into. It starts off like a fairytale but Jude is no Prince Charming. I had to listen to the audiobook twice, back to back, because I was in my head too much on the first listen, predicting the unpredictable. Believe me, that was no hardship. The story just naturally drew me in because who doesn’t love a mysterious billionaire with issues that need redeeming and a struggling, but strong and feisty, object of his desire/obsession? A HEA in the making? Maybe.
This is a solo narration by the very talented Shakira Shute. She changes characters fluidly, bringing interesting personalities to each one of them. Amelia has a trio of friends that I’d love to spend more than one night getting to know better. Their antics are hilarious. Jodi must draw on her own nights out with the girls to write such genuine girls’ nights out.
Jodi has been my #1 author since I opened her first book, This Man. If it’s a JEM book, it’s on my most treasured bookshelf! Five big, bright stars for The Invitation. Now bring on book #2, The Surrender!!

Wow! What a start to the series

Wowzers! What did I just read??? Man, the complexity and angst of the storyline and characters made me want to throw my kindle. Malpas always does a good job of giving all the angst, making you feel all the emotions, all while bringing the heat. She definitely keeps you on your toes. Amelia is head strong, career motivated, trying to find herself after a recent failed relationship, move away from the shadow of the family business and her father whom she can never seem to please. Jude is a true JEM alpha. He’s witty, charming, debonair, mysterious, persistent, with a splash of possessiveness. The chemistry and the uninhibited attraction with these two is all consuming. It’s oozing from the pages. A charged chemistry, like a lighting bolt that catches them both off guard and makes it difficult from the to accept what’s in from of them. Of course, we get the push, pull, angst, and lack of communication because of it. They drive each other crazy, while diving me crazy too, haha. As I was reading, I wondered if Jude was related to Jessie Ward. IYKYK. And, just when I thought things were looking up Malpas throws in the biggest plot twist, and cue the kindle throwing.🤣🤣 Can’t wait till September to read The Surrender to see how Amelia and Jude navigate the hurdles that seem to be coming their way.

The audiobook was narrated by Shakira Shute. This was my first narration by her and she was just perfect for this story. The emotions, characterizations were on point and I couldn’t stop listening.

Loved this book

Loved loved loved this book. Loved the twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Wow!

Ok… this book was slow for me at first, but kept my interest and then things started to pick up.
When it ended … BOOK HANGOVERS! Now, I get to wait until 9/1. It was good and truly .. need to listen too.