desertcart.com: The Invitation (Audible Audio Edition): Vi Keeland, Sebastian York, Andi Arndt, C. Scott Publishing Corp.: Audible Books & Originals Review: I LOVED IT! - This is a fantastic standalone romance story that I absolutely loved. I not only enjoyed the main characters Hudson and Stella, but I also enjoyed the side characters as well. Stella and Fisher's friendship was one that I appreciated. Their friendship was easy, honest and believable with no strings attached. They were easy to love. The chemistry between Hudson and Stellas was undeniable from the very beginning. Throughout the story I was either laughing or smiling at one or both of them and their antics. They kept the story interesting and to have them fall in love was the icing on the cake. This story had fantastic characters, friendships, betrayal, secrets, steamy scenes, romance, laughs and more. The ending of this story was sweet and left me with a smile on my face. This is the type of story that I can read over and over and I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author. This book did not disappoint. Review: It was cute but predictable...... - “The truth was, I was afraid to take a chance. But I realized now that by not taking a chance, I might miss out on something really beautiful.” The Invitation is an all new standalone featuring the kismet/office/single dad romance of Hudson Rothschild & Stella Bardot. She crashed his sisters wedding but definitely made an impression, and it wasn’t because of the bottles of Dom she took with her as she escaped. She thought she was in the clear, until she realized that her cell phone was left behind and the only way to get it back is face the guy she ran from. And when he becomes the one person who can make her dreams of getting her custom perfume service off the ground, she knows she can’t cross that line begging to be crossed no matter how hot the attraction is. But Hunter is a patient man, and he’s got his sights set on Stella. The only problem? She doesn’t even realize she has the ability to shatter everything before it ever has a chance to begin. “Hold that thought, Stella. Your whisper is getting almost loud enough that I can hear it.” This is my 8th or 9th book of Vi’s, of those only the Rush duet was able to secure 5 stars from me.....I’ve had some I absolutely hated (looking at you Dirty Letters) and others that were solid 4 star enjoyments (hey there The Rivals).....I find I tend to like books of her own more than those she co-writes with Penelope (the same with Penelope as well). I was hoping The Invitation would be her first 5 star on her own but alas it wasn’t meant to be. There were a few good things that came from this story BUT there were two rather “big” elements that made 5 stars impossible for me..... My Thoughts: The Good: I loved Stella, she was written perfectly. But there was something about Hudson I felt a little something “extra” for. The way he “saw” Stella for everything she was, how he lifted her up and made sure she knew what a rarity she was..... “You’re not a woman who needs a man. You’re a woman a man needs. I’m not sure I even recognized the difference years ago. But you make it impossible to forget now.” .....how he was honored to be chosen by her. I love me an a-hole antihero, but every now and again I’m a sucker for an amazingly written good guy. Now I’m not saying he isn’t without fault, but that made him more authentic. And the way he calls her sweetheart.... “You know, I think we should probably give in. We don’t stand a chance if the whole world is conspiring.” “Sweetheart, I didn’t stand a chance from the moment I looked at you.” ....it could’ve gone all wrong, yet nothing felt more right. Reading as much as I do, it’s hard to find something truly unique and never before seen for me when reading....so when I do I have to give credit where it’s due. From Stella’s incredibly odd yet fascinating “talent”.... “An enhanced ability to smell odors, an increased olfactory acuity.” “So you’re good at smelling s**t?” I laughed. “Exactly.” ....that added such a fun little element to the story that I have never before seen (so I learned something new). I also found her little hobby to be interesting and a cool little “twist” to the plot..... “Okay! Wow. This is turning out to be a great day. I might have to celebrate by reading two entries from Marco tonight.” “You’re a real wild woman.” She shrugged. “I might not be, but sometimes the people in my diary are.” ....I mean how did I not know there was this world of buying and reading other people’s diaries out there? It’s like the ultimate reading material. I laughed, quite a bit....which is usually something I know I can expect from Vi. Stella brought me the most laughs, from the office kitchen incident that had me in tears.... “You were flailing your arms around—I thought you were choking.” Stella frowned. “I was conducting.” “Conducting?” “Yeah, you know, pretending to be the conductor in a symphony.” I stared at her like she had two heads. “No, I don’t know. It isn’t often that I conduct a symphony in the kitchen at the office.” “Well, that’s a shame. You should try it. It’s good for the soul.” ....to her little “secret” revelation involving the turtle.... I raised a brow. “You smuggled an animal into SeaWorld?” Stella nodded. “I like to think of it as helping him get asylum, but yes.” .....there were many other funny moments, one of my fave things about her writing! There is no shortage of great support characters in this book, but Fisher & Charlie took the cake in that dept. Fisher is the kind of best friend we should all have.... “It didn’t look like you were too lonely. Who was that Adonis, anyway? You know I don’t like it when you have men in your life better-looking than me.” ....he’s the perfect mix of arrogant and playful AND supportive and loving. But then there is little Charlie, with her obsession with making ice cream an essential food group.... “There’s always room for ice cream, Daddy. It melts once it’s in your belly, so it’s not even really food.” ....and her love for Dolly Parton and having no filter around adults. Another place Vi excels at, writing kids that I want to adopt as my own! The Bad: I have yet to read a book by Vi (or one she co-authors with Penelope) that I haven’t been able to figure out the big “bomb” fairly early on. No matter if I love the book or hate it, they all have one thing in common....they are ridiculously predictable which takes away from the overall suspense and excitement of the story. This one was no exception, there wasn’t an element of surprise bc it was all right there in your face. The Ugly: This is the definition of a slooowwww burnnnnn, which is fine with me except once it got to their first time between the sheets, she totally SKIPS OVER IT! Imagine waiting til the 70% mark for them to get it on, getting some foreplay and expecting to turn to the next chapter for it to continue, only to get this instead..... “How many times had Hudson and I had sex? Three? Four?” ....like hold the f up? I had to wait that long for the action only to be locked out the bedroom? Nope, not a fan....I want at least some action here. The Verdict: I may not have loved everything about this book, but overall it’s a really sweet and unique story that I absolutely enjoyed reading. Will it be a fave of 2021? Not exactly, but it is a solid 4 star read that I think other readers might love even more than I did. Stella & Hudson are both phenomenally written characters and I definitely recommend everyone getting to know them as well....I promise they are worth the disappointment of the sexy time “skip”. “Stella Rose Bardot, let me give you your happily ever after. Be my wife, and I promise to try my hardest to make your life better than anything you’ve ever read in a book.”
C**Y
I LOVED IT!
This is a fantastic standalone romance story that I absolutely loved. I not only enjoyed the main characters Hudson and Stella, but I also enjoyed the side characters as well. Stella and Fisher's friendship was one that I appreciated. Their friendship was easy, honest and believable with no strings attached. They were easy to love. The chemistry between Hudson and Stellas was undeniable from the very beginning. Throughout the story I was either laughing or smiling at one or both of them and their antics. They kept the story interesting and to have them fall in love was the icing on the cake. This story had fantastic characters, friendships, betrayal, secrets, steamy scenes, romance, laughs and more. The ending of this story was sweet and left me with a smile on my face. This is the type of story that I can read over and over and I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author. This book did not disappoint.
J**N
It was cute but predictable......
“The truth was, I was afraid to take a chance. But I realized now that by not taking a chance, I might miss out on something really beautiful.” The Invitation is an all new standalone featuring the kismet/office/single dad romance of Hudson Rothschild & Stella Bardot. She crashed his sisters wedding but definitely made an impression, and it wasn’t because of the bottles of Dom she took with her as she escaped. She thought she was in the clear, until she realized that her cell phone was left behind and the only way to get it back is face the guy she ran from. And when he becomes the one person who can make her dreams of getting her custom perfume service off the ground, she knows she can’t cross that line begging to be crossed no matter how hot the attraction is. But Hunter is a patient man, and he’s got his sights set on Stella. The only problem? She doesn’t even realize she has the ability to shatter everything before it ever has a chance to begin. “Hold that thought, Stella. Your whisper is getting almost loud enough that I can hear it.” This is my 8th or 9th book of Vi’s, of those only the Rush duet was able to secure 5 stars from me.....I’ve had some I absolutely hated (looking at you Dirty Letters) and others that were solid 4 star enjoyments (hey there The Rivals).....I find I tend to like books of her own more than those she co-writes with Penelope (the same with Penelope as well). I was hoping The Invitation would be her first 5 star on her own but alas it wasn’t meant to be. There were a few good things that came from this story BUT there were two rather “big” elements that made 5 stars impossible for me..... My Thoughts: The Good: I loved Stella, she was written perfectly. But there was something about Hudson I felt a little something “extra” for. The way he “saw” Stella for everything she was, how he lifted her up and made sure she knew what a rarity she was..... “You’re not a woman who needs a man. You’re a woman a man needs. I’m not sure I even recognized the difference years ago. But you make it impossible to forget now.” .....how he was honored to be chosen by her. I love me an a-hole antihero, but every now and again I’m a sucker for an amazingly written good guy. Now I’m not saying he isn’t without fault, but that made him more authentic. And the way he calls her sweetheart.... “You know, I think we should probably give in. We don’t stand a chance if the whole world is conspiring.” “Sweetheart, I didn’t stand a chance from the moment I looked at you.” ....it could’ve gone all wrong, yet nothing felt more right. Reading as much as I do, it’s hard to find something truly unique and never before seen for me when reading....so when I do I have to give credit where it’s due. From Stella’s incredibly odd yet fascinating “talent”.... “An enhanced ability to smell odors, an increased olfactory acuity.” “So you’re good at smelling s**t?” I laughed. “Exactly.” ....that added such a fun little element to the story that I have never before seen (so I learned something new). I also found her little hobby to be interesting and a cool little “twist” to the plot..... “Okay! Wow. This is turning out to be a great day. I might have to celebrate by reading two entries from Marco tonight.” “You’re a real wild woman.” She shrugged. “I might not be, but sometimes the people in my diary are.” ....I mean how did I not know there was this world of buying and reading other people’s diaries out there? It’s like the ultimate reading material. I laughed, quite a bit....which is usually something I know I can expect from Vi. Stella brought me the most laughs, from the office kitchen incident that had me in tears.... “You were flailing your arms around—I thought you were choking.” Stella frowned. “I was conducting.” “Conducting?” “Yeah, you know, pretending to be the conductor in a symphony.” I stared at her like she had two heads. “No, I don’t know. It isn’t often that I conduct a symphony in the kitchen at the office.” “Well, that’s a shame. You should try it. It’s good for the soul.” ....to her little “secret” revelation involving the turtle.... I raised a brow. “You smuggled an animal into SeaWorld?” Stella nodded. “I like to think of it as helping him get asylum, but yes.” .....there were many other funny moments, one of my fave things about her writing! There is no shortage of great support characters in this book, but Fisher & Charlie took the cake in that dept. Fisher is the kind of best friend we should all have.... “It didn’t look like you were too lonely. Who was that Adonis, anyway? You know I don’t like it when you have men in your life better-looking than me.” ....he’s the perfect mix of arrogant and playful AND supportive and loving. But then there is little Charlie, with her obsession with making ice cream an essential food group.... “There’s always room for ice cream, Daddy. It melts once it’s in your belly, so it’s not even really food.” ....and her love for Dolly Parton and having no filter around adults. Another place Vi excels at, writing kids that I want to adopt as my own! The Bad: I have yet to read a book by Vi (or one she co-authors with Penelope) that I haven’t been able to figure out the big “bomb” fairly early on. No matter if I love the book or hate it, they all have one thing in common....they are ridiculously predictable which takes away from the overall suspense and excitement of the story. This one was no exception, there wasn’t an element of surprise bc it was all right there in your face. The Ugly: This is the definition of a slooowwww burnnnnn, which is fine with me except once it got to their first time between the sheets, she totally SKIPS OVER IT! Imagine waiting til the 70% mark for them to get it on, getting some foreplay and expecting to turn to the next chapter for it to continue, only to get this instead..... “How many times had Hudson and I had sex? Three? Four?” ....like hold the f up? I had to wait that long for the action only to be locked out the bedroom? Nope, not a fan....I want at least some action here. The Verdict: I may not have loved everything about this book, but overall it’s a really sweet and unique story that I absolutely enjoyed reading. Will it be a fave of 2021? Not exactly, but it is a solid 4 star read that I think other readers might love even more than I did. Stella & Hudson are both phenomenally written characters and I definitely recommend everyone getting to know them as well....I promise they are worth the disappointment of the sexy time “skip”. “Stella Rose Bardot, let me give you your happily ever after. Be my wife, and I promise to try my hardest to make your life better than anything you’ve ever read in a book.”
V**N
quirky, beautiful love story
When Stella opens the fancy invitation her ex-roommate received in the mail, she has no idea she's going to be sent on the ride of her life with the man who will change her life. Ending up leaving the wedding she crashed like Cinderella leaving the ball before midnight, she leaves her phone behind for the bride's gorgeous brother Hudson to find, unable to get the woman who smelled so good, who seemed to have the sniffer of a bloodhound, and the body of a goddess, off his mind. He isn't Prince Charming, though, because the things he wants to do to the woman he only knows as Evelyn are far more dirty than that fairy tale. By a quirk of fate, Stella ends up pitching her signature perfume company to Hudson's VC, so now they're colleagues, and neither wants to mix business with pleasure. Well, Hudson's willing but Stella's afraid of ruining her business AND getting her heart broken. Her ex fiancé's betrayal left a lasting impression on her, and she's not gung ho about opening herself up to more possible pain. Will she ever give into the smoldering attraction that's obvious to everyone around them? The ball's in her court because Hudson refuses to ask her out twice. Now she has to choose to take a chance or stick to the safety of her comfort zone. Will things end in a Cinderella fairy tale for Stella and Hudson, or will something come up out of the blue and tilt both their worlds, especially Hudson's, off their axis, never to be righted again? I loved this beautifully told story. From the very first page, Stella had me hooked - she's so whimsical and fun, and she has such a unique way of looking at the world, but has the largest capacity for love and compassion, that I just knew her soulmate would have to be as wonderful a person as she. Thank God Hudson turned out to be a sweetheart (after he got over his grumpster phase 😋) who could see the beautiful person inside Stella that she couldn't see about herself. And, lest I forget, the most adorable little scene stealer, ever, Charlie. She was probably the best part of this quirky, beautiful love story. I don't think I'll ever forget Stella the perfumist, Hudson the investor, and Charlie the precocious little girl, and the meant to be family they created for themselves.
N**E
Unforgettable romance!!! Be ready to swoon!!!
The Invitation is a breathtaking romance that had me captivated from the very beginning to long after “the end”. This book had everything I want in a romance read – heart, passion, humor, and emotion. An unforgettable masterpiece delivered with so much heart and soul. The storyline was powerfully moving, emotionally raw, and breathtakingly romantic. With each turn of the page I fell deeper in love with the characters and their story. Hudson and Stella stole my heart; they are magical together. Their connection was intense and undeniable, chemistry electric, and passion explosive. I was rooting for these two to find their happily ever after. The story was relatable and the emotions radiated from the pages -- I felt the butterflies, every ounce of heartbreak and all the joy. Oh, and those swoon-worthy moments stole my breath. A poignant and heartfelt story of taking chances and finding love when you least expect it. I loved every second and didn’t want this book to end. This is one book you want to read!
M**S
Beautiful Story ♥️
Oh, how I loved The Invitation by Vi Keeland. The story was sexy, sweet, flirty, and fun. But then you get to that point in the story, and you're like, “No, not that.” God, I couldn't put the book down. In the book, we meet Stella and Hudson, and oh man, I love these characters. Stella was sweet and kind. Hudson was or tried to be this hard person, but he was a sweet and caring person. Stella and Hudson had chemistry from the very beginning. And how they met, oh my goodness, that was so funny. I loved their journey to love. Gosh, that ending. You never know how crashing a wedding can change your life. “We’re only afraid of the things that mean the most to us.” “I’m hoping that when she writes that new story, I get to be part of it.” “That wasn’t an ending, sweetheart. It was only our beginning. Because a true love story like ours never ends.” This story wasn't just about finding love. It was also about friendships and having that person who's always there when you need them the most. Stella’s and Fisher’s friendship was just that. He was so good to Stella and always by her side when she needed him. I also liked the friendship that Stella and Olivia formed. “To my smarty pants girl. You worked through the rain for years and finally got your rainbow.” “Life is messy. You know the only time it’s not? When you’re not living it—when you’re just going through the motions.” The story was beautiful, and it's a must read.
J**.
Enjoy
Enjoyed this read while flying cross-country. A nice, funny escape during a 6hr flight.
K**S
Fated Dreams Come To Life
5 SEXY ~ STEAMY ~ FATED STARS! The perfect amount of emotion and turmoil! The author sealed the deal with this office romance to remember. Hudson and Stella were couple goals!!! A new all-time favorite from this automatic one-click author. Hudson has his own successful business. He's all alpha maleness and totally HOT! His little sister is getting married and he is giving her away. When he meets a sexy siren at the reception, he never expects her to change his life. The only problem is, she's not who she says she is. He's about to call her out and you are going to love every minute of their meet cute. Stella is a single, independent woman trying to get her idea to become a reality. She has a new start up company and all she needs is capital. Every option has been exhausted until her crazy escapade leads her to the solution she needs. It may just be the first step to living out her dream. Get ready for this sizzling work place romance when Hudson offers Stella the chance of a lifetime. Life often gives you hints. In this case, it dropped them all over the place wanting Hudson and Stella's paths to cross. The universe has spoken and it will be next to impossible to resist. This story was absolute perfection. Hudson was sharp as a tack with his quick wit. He gave as good as he got. Stella was yin to his yang. A quirky, brilliant woman that had the drive to succeed. She chased her happiness even after being betrayed by those closest to her. She believed in the fairy tale. Hudson wanted to be part of her dreams. Her pursued and she held him at arms length. Fear of a broken heart can make you awfully lonely. Good thing Hudson is persistent. I was in love with this story from the first page to the last. From the tears brought on by laughter to the ultimate heart break, I was glued to the pages. The author took this office romance to the next level with their fated connection. The romance was on point from diaries to bananas peels, the author definitely stole my heart with this poignant love story. A Must Read!
J**E
Kinda boring
Well, this was a bit of a snoozefest, honestly. The beginning was GREAT, with a unique meet cute and all kinds of chemistry. It was on track to be one of my favorites from the author (who is incredibly talented), and then it all became so... sedate. I was bored. Somewhere along the way, this became very, very easy to set down and forget about. I actually started and finished three other books while I was reading this one, which is not a good sign, lol. But I was still holding out hope that some of the chemistry would reappear, and that didn't really happen. The story follows Stella and Hudson, two people who meet at a wedding. After Stella's former roommate treats her poorly, she decides to accept an invitation to a swanky wedding in her place. Stella and Hudson meet at the reception, and sparks fly immediately - even after Hudson figures out that Stella has crashed the wedding. After a series of run-ins, they end up becoming business partners and that complicates things even further. While neither one denies their attraction, Stella is hesitant to mix business with pleasure. I always look forward to this author's work because she is such a skilled writer. I've read some stellar romances from her before, and this was on track to be one of them. But it's more slow than slow burn, with a middle that is just so boring. There's a distinct lack of romance throughout - it's got an awesome meet cute, then transitions into business mode before focusing on other drama. We don't even experience the first time they sleep together - it fades to black! Not that I needed this to be steamy, but there was so little heat or chemistry that I needed SOMETHING to feel the love. Even the twist felt pretty "meh" to me, and it sidelined the romance further. Parts of this were excellent, but my enjoyment had fizzled out by the end.
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4 days ago
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