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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Shakira Shute delivers a performance perfectly matching the emotional tone of this romance novel.... Shute's portrayal of Amelia combines strength and vulnerability, while her interpretation of Jude radiates control, intensity, and a sense of mystery. Shute's pacing, vocal nuances, and ability to convey both tension and passion make this audiobook a captivating listen. The depth and intensity of her narration linger well beyond the final chapter."—AudioFile Magazine

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!

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!!

This story shouldn’t be a series.

Story: It was a bit of a miscommunication trope, which I hate. I wanted to like the story, but the mystery of how Jude knew Amelia dragged on way too long, and there is no reason for this book to be a series, it should’ve wrapped up in one book. I won’t be finishing the series, it’s just not interesting enough and I’m not invested in Jude or Amelia.

Their fight-makeup-fight-makeup “relationship” was childish and annoying. I wish writers would stop writing that lust, attraction, and good sex made people fall in love. Just call it what it is, lust and attraction.

I liked the relationship Amelia has with her friends.

I like a grumpy MMC, but Jude’s jealousy and hot temper was a red flag.

Character’s Ages (because I like to know these things going into books): Jude is 35 and Amelia is 30.

Spice level: the spice was good and there was a lot of it. There were a few scenes with champagne and wax that were just too cliche though. Oh, and they don’t use protection or even discuss birth control, unless I just missed that part. For the most part the writer used tolerable words for our sexy bits, except for the times the lady parts were referred to as “flesh.” BARF!!!

Performance: I thought the narrator did a good job of creating different voices for each character, though it would’ve been a lot better if Jude was voiced by a male.

I did not however like how the narrator voiced Amelia, they made her sound so whiny and anxious and nervous.

Phenomenal

These series had a little bit of everything. Funny side characters, great family dynamics, other woman drama, suspense, unexpected twists, but most of all the chemistry between the MMC and FMC was off the charts. I will admit that one third of the book painted Amelia as annoying, but you just knew that something was going on with Jude early on, just listen to it. I don’t regret doing so for one bit.