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The Invite
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
IT WAS AN INVITE TO DIE FOR…
When the anonymous invite arrived, we knew exactly who it was from.
Elle Romero, the beautiful, charismatic Texan who burst into our lives when we were teenagers.
We’d gone our separate ways and lost touch. Until now.
Elle, the legendary prankster, is back.
She’s invited us all - me, Claire, Lizzie and Megan - to a swanky country house for a reunion.
We arrive excited for a weekend of reminiscing and reconnecting. A chance to step out of our uneventful lives for a while.
But when Elle fails to show up at her own party, we begin to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks.
And when a body turns up in the cellar, it seems this time the joke might just be on us…
The Invite is the twisty, addictive new thriller by A J McDine, the author of No One I Knew.
IT WAS AN INVITE TO DIE FOR…
When the anonymous invite arrived, we knew exactly who it was from.
Elle Romero, the beautiful, charismatic Texan who burst into our lives when we were teenagers.
We’d gone our separate ways and lost touch. Until now.
Elle, the legendary prankster, is back.
She’s invited us all - me, Claire, Lizzie and Megan - to a swanky country house for a reunion.
We arrive excited for a weekend of reminiscing and reconnecting. A chance to step out of our uneventful lives for a while.
But when Elle fails to show up at her own party, we begin to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks.
And when a body turns up in the cellar, it seems this time the joke might just be on us…
The Invite is the twisty, addictive new thriller by A J McDine, the author of No One I Knew.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 17, 2022
460 people are currently reading
2512 people want to read
About the author
A.J. McDine
15 books401 followersA J McDine is the author of twisty, character-driven psychological thrillers that explore secrets, lies and the dark side of relationships.
Before turning to fiction, she worked as a journalist and police press officer in Kent, where she lives with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, attempting a 5K, or gazing out of the window thinking up new ways to get her characters into (and out of) trouble.
Her books are all standalone reads. They are (in no particular order):
The Baby
The Husband Before You
The Photo
Everyone Has Secrets
The Invite
Should Have Known Better
No One I Knew
The Promise You Made
When She Finds You
Before turning to fiction, she worked as a journalist and police press officer in Kent, where she lives with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, attempting a 5K, or gazing out of the window thinking up new ways to get her characters into (and out of) trouble.
Her books are all standalone reads. They are (in no particular order):
The Baby
The Husband Before You
The Photo
Everyone Has Secrets
The Invite
Should Have Known Better
No One I Knew
The Promise You Made
When She Finds You
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
January 1, 2023
Atmospheric, emotional, and completely twisted, THE INVITE is a page turner you won’t soon forget. A layered thriller about friendship, secrets, and moving on from the past, McDine had me guessing every step of the way. Get this and clear your schedule—you won’t want to stop until you’ve discovered the terrifying truth!
February 24, 2024
It was an invitation to die for.....
Five friends receive an invite to a swanky country house for a 20th reunion and one of them ends up dead.
Sound familiar?
It should!
Yes, there have been sooooo many of these "group outings, one friend turns up dead" thrillers released recently.
Kudos to author A.J. McDine for putting a fresh new spin on a very, very, very overdone trope and taking it to the next level.
IMHO, this twisty, character-driven thriller was fast-paced and unputdownable.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by many of my favorite narrators: Antonia Beamish, Deirdra Whelan, Helen Phillips, and Andy Cresswell.
All of the narrators gave superb performances.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
November 2, 2024
Best friends deemed "Elle's Bells" each receive an invite for a reunion twenty years after they graduated.
Elle Romero, the ring leader of the group, was a notorious prankster, so the other girls (Claire, Lizzie, Megan, and Tara) all assumed the invite was from her.
When the girls arrive at a beautiful estate, Elle is nowhere to be found. The house is fully stocked with food and provisions. As the days go by and Elle fails to show up to her own party, the group begins to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks.
Stange things begin to happen. The girls wake up one morning, and all the food is gone. On their way to town, they are run into a ditch, and their car is totaled.They also keep getting glimpses of a shadow lurking in the house.
When a body is discovered in the wine cellar, the girls know that someone has set up this whole reunion with deadly intentions in mind.
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This was a great thriller. It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked! listened to the audiobook version narrated by Deidra Whelan, Helen Phillips, and Andy Cresswell. It is free through Audible.
Elle Romero, the ring leader of the group, was a notorious prankster, so the other girls (Claire, Lizzie, Megan, and Tara) all assumed the invite was from her.
When the girls arrive at a beautiful estate, Elle is nowhere to be found. The house is fully stocked with food and provisions. As the days go by and Elle fails to show up to her own party, the group begins to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks.
Stange things begin to happen. The girls wake up one morning, and all the food is gone. On their way to town, they are run into a ditch, and their car is totaled.They also keep getting glimpses of a shadow lurking in the house.
When a body is discovered in the wine cellar, the girls know that someone has set up this whole reunion with deadly intentions in mind.
---‐-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a great thriller. It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked! listened to the audiobook version narrated by Deidra Whelan, Helen Phillips, and Andy Cresswell. It is free through Audible.
October 29, 2024
واحدة من أسوأ وأضعف روايات الجريمة التي قرأتها في السنوات القليلة الماضية-وصدقوني قرأت الكثير، الرواية لا حبكة ولا عقدة أو كتابة ولا حتى قصة ولا يوجد أيّ جانب إيجابي في هذه الرواية، كل ما أرجوه ألا تكون صدرت ككتاب ورقي، سينفطر قلبي إن ماتت أشجار لأجل رواية كهذه.
December 22, 2022
Congratulation AJ McDine on yet another great book. As usual with your stories, I sped through this one.
The Invite is a deliciously twisty, well-written story that will keep you turning the pages. And that ending. Oh, that ending!
The Invite is a deliciously twisty, well-written story that will keep you turning the pages. And that ending. Oh, that ending!
November 28, 2022
My first read by this author and wow what a read it’s been. This book has delivered on so many levels, I’ve been kept awake far too late at night because I’ve been so unwilling to put this down.
The book introduces us to an interesting group of friends. I have to add they have been so well portrayed, I felt as though I’ve known them. One by one, they each receive an invitation to a reunion.
Instantly McDine had me hooked, I was racing through page after page completely unable to predict where this might go. At one point, I was convinced I had it worked out. I was then speechless as more twists unraveled.
This is written so well, the reader is transported. You feel you know the characters and the setting. There have been moments, I have been speechless. McDine has definitely managed to pull the rug from under me.
This is such an interesting take on a reunion story. McDine has really shown how trauma can affect a person. There is so much packed in the pages of this one. Claire is a character who has a difficult job and that alone has been enough to make me emotional.
The Invite is a brilliant read, I wish I could experience this as a first read all over again. I highly recommend this book. I will be adding more books by this author to the TBR. A definite recommendation from me.
The book introduces us to an interesting group of friends. I have to add they have been so well portrayed, I felt as though I’ve known them. One by one, they each receive an invitation to a reunion.
Instantly McDine had me hooked, I was racing through page after page completely unable to predict where this might go. At one point, I was convinced I had it worked out. I was then speechless as more twists unraveled.
This is written so well, the reader is transported. You feel you know the characters and the setting. There have been moments, I have been speechless. McDine has definitely managed to pull the rug from under me.
This is such an interesting take on a reunion story. McDine has really shown how trauma can affect a person. There is so much packed in the pages of this one. Claire is a character who has a difficult job and that alone has been enough to make me emotional.
The Invite is a brilliant read, I wish I could experience this as a first read all over again. I highly recommend this book. I will be adding more books by this author to the TBR. A definite recommendation from me.
November 29, 2022
Another great book from this author, Really enjoyed it lost of twists , kept me hooked all the way through 😍
December 18, 2022
Tara, Lizzie, Megan and Claire are all invited to a 20th reunion by their former classmate and friend, Elle. They are all going to go for a weekend to a nice country house. Elle was known to be a prankster and they are excited to see her, since its been a long time. Once they arrive for the weekend mysterious things happen and Elle never shows up. Was it really Elle that sent these invites?
This is the second novel I have read by A.J. McDine and it was fabulous. I really enjoyed the premise of THE INVITE and loved the fast pace. Be prepared for the unexpected! I loved the final twist and I would recommend reading this one to my friends and all thriller genre lovers.
Thank you, A.J. McDine for my gifted copy.
This book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
This review will be posted to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This is the second novel I have read by A.J. McDine and it was fabulous. I really enjoyed the premise of THE INVITE and loved the fast pace. Be prepared for the unexpected! I loved the final twist and I would recommend reading this one to my friends and all thriller genre lovers.
Thank you, A.J. McDine for my gifted copy.
This book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
This review will be posted to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
August 1, 2025
Release date: 06-01-23
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
Narrated by: Deirdra Whelan, Helen Phillips and Andy Cresswell
This is the first book I've read by A.J. McDine. This story managed to hook me from the very beginning but when story started to switch between different characters, my interest started to wane.
There were 4 main characters: Tara, Megan, Lizzie and Claire and there's also Elle who supposedly sent the invite for the reunion. It took me some time to remember who was who and some of the characters weren't very likeable (. I found it odd that they all thought that the invite was sent by someone they had no contact for the past 20 years and that they were all ready to go. The ending left things a bit open but I guess it was author's purpose to make reader wonder how things will unfold during their next weekend away.
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
Narrated by: Deirdra Whelan, Helen Phillips and Andy Cresswell
Five friends. One murder. And a weekend they’ll never forget…
This is the first book I've read by A.J. McDine. This story managed to hook me from the very beginning but when story started to switch between different characters, my interest started to wane.
There were 4 main characters: Tara, Megan, Lizzie and Claire and there's also Elle who supposedly sent the invite for the reunion. It took me some time to remember who was who and some of the characters weren't very likeable (. I found it odd that they all thought that the invite was sent by someone they had no contact for the past 20 years and that they were all ready to go. The ending left things a bit open but I guess it was author's purpose to make reader wonder how things will unfold during their next weekend away.
December 19, 2022
My second read from this author, and I'll definitely be stalking her backlist first thing in 2023! Thriller fans will recognize the premise...four adult women are looking to reconnect and reminisce about their high school glory days, BUT this author adds fresh twists to this trope that make it a truly engaging read.
When the first invitation arrives anonymously, Claire, Lizzie, and Megan know instantly the sender has to be Elle, their charismatic Texan friend. The thought of leaving their lives behind for a long weekend is exciting, so the trio head to a sprawling country estate for a long-awaited reunion. Curiously, Elle isn't there, but there is a note explaining that she's been delayed. But as the day goes on and Elle is still a no-show, the women wonder if she is up to her old teenage tricks, especially when odd things start happening around the estate. Has Elle summoned the group to this remote location for a sinister reason, or has someone been harboring a grudge against the group for all of these years?
This was a fun, immersive read that reminded me of just how catty women can be and how anyone, even the closest of friends, is capable of keeping secrets. Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy, and you can now read THE INVITE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription or purchase a paperback copy for your collection.
When the first invitation arrives anonymously, Claire, Lizzie, and Megan know instantly the sender has to be Elle, their charismatic Texan friend. The thought of leaving their lives behind for a long weekend is exciting, so the trio head to a sprawling country estate for a long-awaited reunion. Curiously, Elle isn't there, but there is a note explaining that she's been delayed. But as the day goes on and Elle is still a no-show, the women wonder if she is up to her old teenage tricks, especially when odd things start happening around the estate. Has Elle summoned the group to this remote location for a sinister reason, or has someone been harboring a grudge against the group for all of these years?
This was a fun, immersive read that reminded me of just how catty women can be and how anyone, even the closest of friends, is capable of keeping secrets. Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy, and you can now read THE INVITE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription or purchase a paperback copy for your collection.
Currently reading
November 28, 2022Someone once said writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and it certainly feels that way sometimes!
I began writing The Invite, my fifth thriller, back in May and had a few thousand words in hand when I realised my original plot just wasn’t working.
Taking the decision to ditch those words and start all over again was a tough one, but I am so glad I did!
I did take three of the main characters with me though, as they slotted perfectly into the new story.
I’m glad to say that everything fell into place after that, and The Invite was one of those books that almost wrote itself.
Who am I trying to kid?! Much sweating, pen-chewing, soul-searching and gazing blankly out of the window went into this book, as it has with all my thrillers.
But this is my personal favourite out of the five, and I can't wait to see what you all think.
If you like the sound of it, I'd love you to add The Invite to your shelf.
I'll keep you posted on the publication date in my updates.
I began writing The Invite, my fifth thriller, back in May and had a few thousand words in hand when I realised my original plot just wasn’t working.
Taking the decision to ditch those words and start all over again was a tough one, but I am so glad I did!
I did take three of the main characters with me though, as they slotted perfectly into the new story.
I’m glad to say that everything fell into place after that, and The Invite was one of those books that almost wrote itself.
Who am I trying to kid?! Much sweating, pen-chewing, soul-searching and gazing blankly out of the window went into this book, as it has with all my thrillers.
But this is my personal favourite out of the five, and I can't wait to see what you all think.
If you like the sound of it, I'd love you to add The Invite to your shelf.
I'll keep you posted on the publication date in my updates.
August 17, 2023
In the minority—again! Sorry, but this was laughable. Implausible, ridiculous, and just plain bad. Extremely unlikable, TSTL MCs, teenage horror-type plot, painfully slow, anticlimactic, silly ending. Two stars instead of one bc the writing itself wasn’t horrible.
November 19, 2024
Yet another absolutely brilliant psychological thriller by A J McDine.
The Invite kept me guessing right until the very last words.
Most importantly I always find that the author leaves us with bigger questions, I love that.
Fraught. Tense and chilling. I absolutely loved it.
It seems that I’ve now listened to all of the authors titles, I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
The narration on this was fantastic by each individual.
Currently included with audible 🎧
The Invite kept me guessing right until the very last words.
Most importantly I always find that the author leaves us with bigger questions, I love that.
Fraught. Tense and chilling. I absolutely loved it.
It seems that I’ve now listened to all of the authors titles, I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
The narration on this was fantastic by each individual.
Currently included with audible 🎧
August 24, 2023
This book was so exhausting that I don't even have the energy to roast it. Getting through it was laborious and I must have been reading a different book than everyone else.
For whatever reason, the main twist in the book was put out in the open as the synopsis. I struggled for over 220 pages to read what I thought was going to happen quickly. Ya know, because it's the synopsis of the entire book. I wanted to DNF but I kept waiting for that damn body to be found. Then by that point, I'm over 2/3 done with the book I might as well finish.
I'm frustrated and bored. Why do I keep reading AJ McDine? There's no way to know.
Trigger warning: infant death is mentioned constantly throughout the book.
For whatever reason, the main twist in the book was put out in the open as the synopsis. I struggled for over 220 pages to read what I thought was going to happen quickly. Ya know, because it's the synopsis of the entire book. I wanted to DNF but I kept waiting for that damn body to be found. Then by that point, I'm over 2/3 done with the book I might as well finish.
I'm frustrated and bored. Why do I keep reading AJ McDine? There's no way to know.
Trigger warning: infant death is mentioned constantly throughout the book.
December 27, 2022
“It was an invite to die for...
When the anonymous invite arrived, we knew exactly who it was from. Elle Romero, the beautiful, charismatic Texan who burst into our lives when we were teenagers. We’d gone our separate ways and lost touch. Until now. Elle, the legendary prankster, has invited us all to a swanky country house for a reunion.
But when she fails to turn up to her own party, we begin to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks. And when a body turns up in the cellar, it seems this time the joke might just be on us...”
I really enjoyed The Invite, it was such a quick read as I just wanted to get through it to find out what was happening and who was responsible. Which I suppose is a very good thing for this type of thriller.
We get pov chapters from each of the main players in the book (Tara, Lizzie, Claire & Megan) which gives a good insight into each of their lives throughout the years as a group..this also helps with the perceived weaknesses each one has in the deadly game they have become part of.
There’s the few standard twist that you get in most thrillers, but even if you can feel some of them coming they don’t disappoint as it this case it just leads to more questions.
The thing that set this apart a bit was the ending, normally you have the standard happy-ish ending then cut to black...but this carries on, we find out the after affects and then a final twist that brilliantly sets up a potential sequel!
When the anonymous invite arrived, we knew exactly who it was from. Elle Romero, the beautiful, charismatic Texan who burst into our lives when we were teenagers. We’d gone our separate ways and lost touch. Until now. Elle, the legendary prankster, has invited us all to a swanky country house for a reunion.
But when she fails to turn up to her own party, we begin to wonder if she’s up to her old tricks. And when a body turns up in the cellar, it seems this time the joke might just be on us...”
I really enjoyed The Invite, it was such a quick read as I just wanted to get through it to find out what was happening and who was responsible. Which I suppose is a very good thing for this type of thriller.
We get pov chapters from each of the main players in the book (Tara, Lizzie, Claire & Megan) which gives a good insight into each of their lives throughout the years as a group..this also helps with the perceived weaknesses each one has in the deadly game they have become part of.
There’s the few standard twist that you get in most thrillers, but even if you can feel some of them coming they don’t disappoint as it this case it just leads to more questions.
The thing that set this apart a bit was the ending, normally you have the standard happy-ish ending then cut to black...but this carries on, we find out the after affects and then a final twist that brilliantly sets up a potential sequel!
January 6, 2023
5⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
Such a clever and captivating read! 🔥
McDine has crafted a superb read which begins with subtle twists that lead to bigger and more shocking revelations as the plot progresses. The twists made this read incredibly gripping and unputdownable. 😍
The characters were fleshed out brilliantly and I found that I knew a lot more about each protagonist compared to other books I have read. Each character felt very real and it allowed for the topics on IVF, Autism, Epilepsy, healthcare and childcare to really shine through during the multiple POVs. 😊
I had no idea where this read was taking me throughout, and I loved every single page. I really enjoyed the mysterious aspect of Elle and her motive behind the spontaneous get together. 🔥
I was very impressed with the revelations and how everything intertwined together to make it even more thrilling and impactful. 😍
All I can say is that ending! I really hope we get a sequel for this captivating read! 😱
Many thanks A.J. McDine for gifting me this ARC and happy publication day! 🥰
The Invite is available today and highly recommend you go check it out! 😍🔥
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
Such a clever and captivating read! 🔥
McDine has crafted a superb read which begins with subtle twists that lead to bigger and more shocking revelations as the plot progresses. The twists made this read incredibly gripping and unputdownable. 😍
The characters were fleshed out brilliantly and I found that I knew a lot more about each protagonist compared to other books I have read. Each character felt very real and it allowed for the topics on IVF, Autism, Epilepsy, healthcare and childcare to really shine through during the multiple POVs. 😊
I had no idea where this read was taking me throughout, and I loved every single page. I really enjoyed the mysterious aspect of Elle and her motive behind the spontaneous get together. 🔥
I was very impressed with the revelations and how everything intertwined together to make it even more thrilling and impactful. 😍
All I can say is that ending! I really hope we get a sequel for this captivating read! 😱
Many thanks A.J. McDine for gifting me this ARC and happy publication day! 🥰
The Invite is available today and highly recommend you go check it out! 😍🔥
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
December 8, 2022
A psychological drama centred around Elle’s Belles; Elle Romero and four close school friends, Tara, Lizzie, Megan and Claire. At school the girls were part of Elle’s circle of friends and by association were part of her, often hurtful, pranks. After school Elle returned to America and they lost contact but now they are all about to meet up again. This is a well written and enjoyable story, quite slow paced in the first third as we met the characters but things heat up as the reunion weekend arrives.
Briefly, the four women arrive at The Millhouse in the Cotswolds expecting to see Elle waiting for them, well it was her idea! Carrying on with their celebrations things soon start to go wrong - a locked door to a sauna, the car run off the road, unpleasant comments on social media - is Elle up to her old tricks? But there is worse to come…
A good twisty tale that had me wrong footed more than once. Plenty of suspense and intrigue. A good story of friendship and retribution, be sure your past will catch up with you one day! 4.5⭐️
Briefly, the four women arrive at The Millhouse in the Cotswolds expecting to see Elle waiting for them, well it was her idea! Carrying on with their celebrations things soon start to go wrong - a locked door to a sauna, the car run off the road, unpleasant comments on social media - is Elle up to her old tricks? But there is worse to come…
A good twisty tale that had me wrong footed more than once. Plenty of suspense and intrigue. A good story of friendship and retribution, be sure your past will catch up with you one day! 4.5⭐️
March 19, 2023
No likeable characters
Clearly I’m in the minority, maybe it was just me, I kept asking myself if I was reading the same book! None of the characters were likeable and that makes it hard to care what happens to them. They were constantly bickering and acting like they were still in high school. I also found it slow, I mean the blurb says the friends go on a weekend away and find a body in the basement. They don’t find the body until you’re more than 70% through the book. I also figured out the plot in the first couple of chapters and was hoping for a unique ending,but sadly there was not one. If you are an avid mystery reader, I suspect you will agree with me and might want to pass on this one.
Clearly I’m in the minority, maybe it was just me, I kept asking myself if I was reading the same book! None of the characters were likeable and that makes it hard to care what happens to them. They were constantly bickering and acting like they were still in high school. I also found it slow, I mean the blurb says the friends go on a weekend away and find a body in the basement. They don’t find the body until you’re more than 70% through the book. I also figured out the plot in the first couple of chapters and was hoping for a unique ending,but sadly there was not one. If you are an avid mystery reader, I suspect you will agree with me and might want to pass on this one.
August 20, 2023
When four friends are invited for a luxury weekend away in the Cotswold by a friend they haven’t seen for 20 years from sixth form they are all excited to be free of their mundane lives. Elle is the one who has sent the invites and she has spent the last 20 years in America. Excitement turns sour soon after when the friends are involved in one “accident” after another and it becomes a race against time to save themselves and each other
November 19, 2024
Well, this was, at the same time, nice and silly. Come on, if I’d receive an invite, not signed, it’s not reasonable to think it comes from a friend from 20 years back, with whom I had no contact during this time. Then, when strange things started happening at the house, wouldn’t you go away? Then, the culprit of it all and that person’s reasons for doing all that and how it ended? It’s all quite far fetching.
However, I admit it was a fluid reading, I felt engaged.
However, I admit it was a fluid reading, I felt engaged.
January 21, 2023
5 friends meet up at a secluded country estate for a girls only weekend getaway. This is definitely the kind of story I enjoy! With all the creepy dangerous events that take place I am surprised the characters didnt just call the police! Although it isnt hard to figure out the person responsible the last twist took me by surprise!
April 15, 2023
Ok
The story is ok. The friendships and how they've changed are very believable and the characters read true. The house seemed amazing. It just fell flat for me. Not a thriller, not a lot of suspense. Just a nice story about a group of friends with a little mystery thrown in. I wasn't glued to the book.
The story is ok. The friendships and how they've changed are very believable and the characters read true. The house seemed amazing. It just fell flat for me. Not a thriller, not a lot of suspense. Just a nice story about a group of friends with a little mystery thrown in. I wasn't glued to the book.
March 9, 2023
beyond unbelievable
I did manage to get through the whole book and that’s only because I finish what I start. This book was not worth the read. If I were one of these girls, after one issue in that house, I would have left but instead they stayed. Silly book
I did manage to get through the whole book and that’s only because I finish what I start. This book was not worth the read. If I were one of these girls, after one issue in that house, I would have left but instead they stayed. Silly book
May 16, 2025
4.25 ⭐ A group of old friends get an anonymous invite for a weekend away, a reunion for old times sake and they know it was their friend Elle that planned it all. But what they think it will be a fun and casual time reunion and a weekend of reconnecting turns into something else. This was such a fun one! I love a good isolated group trope in thrillers and this was one! It's intense, their personalities are very different and each one of the women had a not so easy backstory or relationship(s). It was thrilling and twisty and even tho I saw some things coming, they always came in a different way or with a twist! I love when books keep some suspense going until the end and I really liked the ending!
January 17, 2023
The ladies of Elle's Belles are both excited and confused by the invite they receive for a reunion at a remote location. They haven't seen Elle in twenty years. When they think back on their high school friend, they remember her as a prankster, but her pranks were actually quite mean. Is this girls' weekend a prank? Or has Elle finally grown up? They'll have to RSVP to see!
This novel had me from the first sentence. I was instantly absorbed in the characters and their stories. I'm not always a big fan of locked-in mysteries, but this one is told through multiple POVs and gives glimpses into the lives of the girls in school, so it gives the reader small breaks from the resort home setting, which I really enjoyed.
I had some guesses throughout as to what was going on, and every few chapters, my guess changed. At no point was I 100% sure. I was satisfied with the reveal at the end & I loved the very last chapter! A nail biter, for sure!
This was my first AJ McDine read (and the first book this year that I finished in less than 24 hours!), and she has a BACKLOG! 😱 What could be better than that?
Thank you to the author for my review copy!
This novel had me from the first sentence. I was instantly absorbed in the characters and their stories. I'm not always a big fan of locked-in mysteries, but this one is told through multiple POVs and gives glimpses into the lives of the girls in school, so it gives the reader small breaks from the resort home setting, which I really enjoyed.
I had some guesses throughout as to what was going on, and every few chapters, my guess changed. At no point was I 100% sure. I was satisfied with the reveal at the end & I loved the very last chapter! A nail biter, for sure!
This was my first AJ McDine read (and the first book this year that I finished in less than 24 hours!), and she has a BACKLOG! 😱 What could be better than that?
Thank you to the author for my review copy!
December 16, 2022
The Invite by AJ Mcdine has sneaked in as one of my favourite reads of 2022. When four school friends receive an anonymous invitation to a twenty-year reunion at a fabulous country house in the Cotswolds, they’re sure it’s been sent by their American friend, Elle. As we get to know the key characters all with their captivating back stories, the tension rises, and the threads of the stories interweave resulting in a heart-stopping ending with a mega twist. I read this book in two sessions as I simply couldn’t put it down. If you like beautifully written, fast-paced stories that grab you and don’t let you go, then The Invite is a must-read!
January 17, 2023
While I felt this book was a little slow at times, it really did go into character development. You will read multiple viewpoints as you navigate between each of the protagonists’ struggles and analysis of their friends. You feel the emotions of each one such as their irritations concerning the friend who always pranked and bullied. There are many little twists in this book that keeps you reading for more. The main twist is a good one. My only complaint is that the author should have left out the final chapter. It just aggravated me. But all in all, it’s a pretty solid read and I recommend it.
October 12, 2023
Did I finish it? Yes.
Would I read it again? No.
Allegedly smart women ignoring every horror movie red flag, to the point where I’m like… I literally don’t care what happens to y’all because you’re dumb AF. Not a single ounce of common sense between them, which made it incredibly difficult to relate/care. My first and probably last book from this author.
Would I read it again? No.
Allegedly smart women ignoring every horror movie red flag, to the point where I’m like… I literally don’t care what happens to y’all because you’re dumb AF. Not a single ounce of common sense between them, which made it incredibly difficult to relate/care. My first and probably last book from this author.
March 17, 2023
Disappointed
Unbelievable that these educated, successful women can be this naive and just plain clueless. Very disappointed that I took ages hours of my time thinking it would get better.
Unbelievable that these educated, successful women can be this naive and just plain clueless. Very disappointed that I took ages hours of my time thinking it would get better.
July 28, 2023
“If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all”.
This is me saying nothing.
This is me saying nothing.
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