The Invite

by Kristi Guthrie

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

Reviews

[Bob Fendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

The invite

Author - Kristi Guthrie

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an incredible debut novel by Kristi Guthrie,
I was blown away by this amazing and suspenseful thriller, an exciting fast-paced short story.

Layla and Cody not long married move into their new apartment in New York, then find a mysterious invitation, a celebration meal at no cost to them.

Gabbie who was jilted and left at the Altar, now hungry for revenge, chooses a man each year on the anniversary, and her daddy goes all out to make sure she's happy whatever it takes.

Layla and Cody are overcome and their hands are bound, and the bloody horror starts to take place.

This is a really impressive debut novel by Kristi, that had me hooked, I couldn't put it down.
Awesome, exciting characters, and a gripping story that has you on the edge of your seat.
This book is that good, I really am looking forward to Kristi Guthrie's next novel.

[Kristina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into The Invite completely blind—and wow, that was a mistake in the best possible way. I don’t usually read short stories, but this one pulled me in fast and didn’t let go. From the first page, it felt like I was stepping into a ritual I didn’t fully understand, holding an invitation I probably should’ve been afraid of.
Kristi Guthrie builds tension in such a subtle, unsettling way that you feel something is coming long before you know what it is. And when it hits? Brutal. Satisfying. Unforgettable. This is revenge done right—dark, deliberate, and deeply personal.
Let this be a warning: don’t underestimate a woman who’s been pushed too far. The Invite is short, sharp, and lingers in your head long after you finish. I’ll never look at an “invitation” the same way again.

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayal, Greed, and Revenge. A couple receives an invite to a no cost dinner where things unravel quickly. Toasts, Torture, and Treachery are on tap in this short thrilling debut! Well written, fast-paced, read with a dark theme and dread.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE INVITE BY KRISTI GUTHRIE.
OUT NOW.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Congratulations on your Debut Thrilling Short Story.
It's absolutely amazing and I'm so very proud of you.
The cover is gorgeous I love it.
I very much look forward to the next one I'll be one of the first in line to download it.
Just brilliant ☺

[Cheyenne Joy Mijdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Invite by Kristi Guthrie

I told myself I’d wait. Finish the other books first. Be responsible. Balanced. In control.
Anyway—here we are. Self-control left the building the second this was released.

This is a fast read, the kind you inhale between heavier books and then sit there afterward like, wow… okay… I need water and maybe a better moral compass. Tension? Check. Hurt? Absolutely. That quiet, simmering urge to punish people who deserve it—or at least feel like they do? Oh, it’s seated right at the table.

At the center is a woman who genuinely believes she has the right to punish cheaters. And honestly? For a while, you might nod along like, mmhmm, go on. She has a method. A very specific one. The how, why, where, and when? I’m not touching that. Spoilers are ugly, and I’m not that kind of monster.

What I will say is this: the book keeps whispering in your ear that love isn’t safety. Soulmates aren’t guarantees. And just because you think you’ve won the relationship lottery doesn’t mean the ticket isn’t cursed. How well do you really know the person sleeping next to you? No—really know them.

There’s also a side dish of parental devotion that made me pause. Apparently, some parents will go to truly unhinged lengths to please their children. Would I? Hard pass. But it adds another uncomfortable layer to the whole mess.

This story drags your mentally stable thoughts, throws them in a chair, and serves them dinner with doubt, revenge, guilt, fear, and a knife you’re not sure should be on the table. It’s dark. It’s twisty. It’s a dinner party you absolutely should not attend—but will anyway.

Four bloody, morally-questionable dinner stars from me. Not because it wasn’t good—it was. Just because I’ve read books that ruined my appetite even more. And yes, that says more about me than the book.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newlyweds Cody and Layla receive a random invitation - they've been 'chosen' and get to have a night out that won't cost them a thing.

Or will it?

Gabbie, who had been left at the altar, is on a brutal path of revenge and chooses someone every year on that anniversary. Her Father enables her and ensures she gets everything she wishes.....

This is the ultimate revenge story, taken to a whole other level, and played out in a horrific manner. Gabbies' actions are savage.

Thanks Kristi, I enjoyed your short story! Your writing is fast-paced and the imagery was spot-on - I really felt like I was in that room!!!

[Ali O · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Invite by Kristi Guthrie
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a fun, suspenseful and thrilling short story!
Layla and Cody are newlyweds who find an invitation left for them asking them to attend a special dinner. They are excited, but definitely get more than they bargained for!!

The imagery in this book is amazing! One of the most vivid & detailed short stories that I’ve read!

I’m excited to read more from this new author!! She’s starting out with a bang!

*Check out this fast and exciting read!*

[John 25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked little short story.

A wicked little short that cuts deep and fast. The blood flows like the champagne as a couple are invited to a dinner with unexpected outcomes.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A newly wed couple got an invite to dinner out of the blue. They were so excited but didn’t know what to expect. It was a surprise they didn’t expect. What a great quick read, I highly recommend it.

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dark debut that explores obsession, revenge, and how far devotion can be pushed after heartbreak. The premise is unsettling and leans fully into its darker themes without holding back.

I love supporting indie authors, especially those brave enough to put their first book into the world. The Invite marks the start of Kristi Guthrie’s writing journey, and I’m always happy to support new voices in the indie community.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a wonderfully written book and I am so excited to read more from this author. She definitely knows how to keep you on your toes

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

unsettling and sinister

“The Invite” by Kristi Guthrie is a tense, fast-paced thriller filled with secrets and an unsettling sense of dread. What starts as a simple invitation quickly turns sinister, pulling you into a twisted situation where nothing feels safe. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down.

[KiKi Garner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This fell very flat for me. No emotions. And very confusing at where it was going at times. Hope to see more improvement from this new author in the future. I try to advocate for indies as much as possible.

[Erika Neece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast read! The tension builds quickly and kept me flipping pages the whole time.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invite delivers a dark, revenge-fueled psychological spiral that is haunting. Taut, unsettling, and deeply disturbing, this thriller lingers long after the final page!

[Tanya Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story blurs all the lines. Just how far should a parent go for their child? Once you travel down the road to vengeance, is it ever enough? Sometimes, a taste of blood might not satisfy the thirst.

This little tale shows just how far the threads can unravel.

[Julie Patten · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely lovely escape!!!! I look forward to reading more from Kristi!!! Keep them coming!

[Jon Naumchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book. a very good book for being Kristi Guthrie first book.