The Invitation (The Marriage Diaries #5) by Erika Wilde
Can stand alone (but why?) Erotic Novella Series
The Invitation by Erika Wilde is the fifth book in the Marriage Diaries series. Though it can absolutely stand alone, I highly recommend you buy The Marriage Diaries 1-4 first. They come as a box set and were 5 star, 5+ heat reads for me. See my review for the first four here. The first four books average less than 50 pages each, but The Invitation doubles that, and let me tell you, it is a very full book for the amount of pages.
Dean and Jillian are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. This is what I love about this series; they are a still-young couple with a recently empty nest and they are spicing up their marriage, big time. While the first 4 installments were more sex than story (I was not complaining), The Invitation has a lot more character and story development while still being hot as fuck.
Dean, a former SEAL who now has a very successful security company, has a number of co-worker/friends who are members of the exclusive sex club, The Players Club. In the past, his friend Mac had offered him an invite, but he didn’t think Jillian was into it. Now though, things have changed. Their relationship has gotten way spicier. So Dean thinks he found the perfect 20th anniversary gift, an exclusive invite to The Players Club.
Jillian was also shopping for an anniversary gift, in her favorite upscale sex store. She has become friendly with the women who work there, and as she talks about her history with Dean, she realizes she is starting to feel the need for something more in her life.
“Her entire world had revolved around her husband and boys for nearly twenty years, and now that she had too much time on her hands she was beginning to crave something for herself.”
Dean is a total alpha. It was very important to him to be the sole provider for his wife, a man that would take care of his wife. And due to issues he had growing up, Jillian knew he would have issues with her going back to work.
So…back to the good stuff. Their anniversary–I loved this part: Jillian not only bought herself something special to wear, she bought Dean a pair of black silk lounging pants.
“Which were so not his thing and a little too metro-sexual for his taste”
(I loved this line…my husband wouldn’t wear them either unless it was something I really wanted, one time.)
After changing, Dean went back in the living room and saw his wife:
“She’d managed to transform herself into what he could only describe as a sensual, gorgeous, goddess”
Dean loves her so much! And his reaction to the boudoir photos she gets him for their anniversary is priceless. Jillian accepts his gift to The Player’s Club with a bit of trepidation until they agree that there will be no sharing.
Aaah….The Players Club. I’d love to go to one of these places (if I had more body confidence). A totally upscale, classy sex club where you can indulge in any private or public fantasy. The night begins with a remote control, and watching some of the acts in the viewing rooms.
“Do you like watching those two men having their way with that woman?” he murmured huskily, clearly just as turned on by the sight….
“Keep watching,” he demanded in a rough whisper as his fingers brushed over her pulsing clit…”
Then he blindfolds her.
“Tonight is going to test that trust in ways that will shock you” …”And I need you to remember that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or us.”
Sigh…I love the alpha, confident and commanding Dean. And I love the strength and depth of their trust for each other. And…damn, I’m reading over that part again and…See ya. I’ll finish this review tomorrow. I gotta go find Mr. Ana.
I’m back, and let me tell you…I’m keeping this one on my kindle for frequent bedtime re-reads.
Where the other stories in this series would end here, there was so much more to this story, including Jillian’s new group, The Cocktails and Cocks Club (loved this!). When one of the ladies in the club offers Jillian a job, some angst begins.
Dean doesn’t want her working. Jillian wants this job…and let me tell you, Erika got me really nervous about my favorite married couple in this book!
Likes:
- A very full read for about 100 pages.
- More of my favorite long-time married couple.
- Dean ~swoon~
- I really loved Jillian’s friends in The Cocktails and Cocks Club, and Dean’s friends (especially Mac) are pretty hot too! I can’t wait to see more of them all in The Player’s Club spin-off series.
- I love Dean and Jillian’s relationship.
- Some of the hottest sex ever without going over-the top.
- I think their relationship is very realistic, though many people might doubt that people married so long could still be that into each other. My parents are married 55 years and are, I’m married 23 and still think my guy is hot as fuck.
- We finally got a lot of back story.
- There was some angst in this that made it way more than the ladyporn (albeit awesome ladyporn) of the 4 previous installments.
Dislikes:
- I had a dislike…and I was ready to curse out Erika (though my body said otherwise) but thank goodness it was a short-lived dislike.
Rating: 5 novella stars 5+++ Heat
It’s so rare to find a book with a mature, happily married, relatable couple. I mean, there is rarely much of a story beyond the initial falling in love, unless there is some kind of action or mystery. That’s what I love about the Marriage Diaries. We have a long-term, happily married couple, who trust each other and love each other implicitly. They have excellent communication, and find a way to get over the bumps that can happen in a marriage. Dean is a total alpha, and Jillian has been happy to be a good little stay at home wife for years, but as she gains confidence in the bedroom, at translates to the rest of her as well. I really enjoyed seeing Dean come to terms with that and how Jillian stood her ground.
The Invitation by Erika Wilde really showed a healthy, sexy marriage, and how they work through major problems. I really hope that The Marriage Diaries don’t end when The Player’s Club begins, because I love reading about a relatable, sexy, long-time married couple.
Purchase The Marriage Diaries 1-4 by Erika Wilde Box Set
Amazon | BN.com
Purchase The Invitation (The Marriage Diaries #5) by Erika Wilde
Amazon | BN.com
3 WINNERS: A $10 Amazon Gift Certificate and an ebook copy of THE MARRIAGE DIARIES, Volumes #1-#4. (If you have already read The Marriage Diaries, she can send an author Swag Pack instead, US Only for that)
Joanne Christenson says
These books sound like just what I’ve been looking for….awesome review
Tracy says
Thanks for the review and chance to win!
Jill P says
Sounds like a good series! Thanks for the giveaway!
Dacia B says
Awesome! Thanks for the chance!
Maria Malaveci says
Thanks so much for the giveaway!!! Can’t wait to read it. Another on my TBR
Jan Murphree says
Thank you for the cool giveaway! Can’t wait to read next in series! Hugs
Rita Luken says
Big fan..love the blog. Erika is the bomb!
kp says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Gina H says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Susan T. says
Thanks for the book rec.
Karen j says
I LOVE this series!! I haven’t had a chance to read The Invitation but I know it will be fantastic!
becky wise says
Thank you!
jodi marinich says
book sounds really good….
Tracey Kruger says
This series looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.
Karen G. says
Thanks for the post and the great review, I am excited to check these out!
Marcy Meyer says
Would love to read these books! Thanks for the chance!
Cassie says
I would love to read these…Have a GREAT weekend 🙂
Debbie Jensen says
This book sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway.
Stephanie F. says
Great reviews. I am definitely hoping to have to add to my TBR.
Natalie Gerber says
Love to win this book or the gift card.
Nikki Jones says
Thanks for the giveaway…definitely will checkout the book.
Mary Bilowus says
Thanks for the review and giveaway! Sounds good.
Sue Pfannenstiel says
Thanks!
Kim says
Sounds intriguing. Look forward to reading. Thank you for the giveaway.
Vicki Clevinger says
Thanks so much for a chance to win in yhis wonderful giveaway
Kathy Osborn says
Excellent review, thanks for the chance on the giveaway.
Carrie J says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sharon Chalk says
I read books 1-4 and totally loved them so I had to order this right away and will probably read it this weekend ,though it will mess up my tbr list but at 100 pages or so I can finish it in less than 2 hours,so it may not mess up my list too much,but I can’t wait to put it at the bottom of the list because I really really liked 1-4!! And what a great giveaway,there are actually choices for people like me who could not wait and had to buy, the book asap, but wining the gift card will allow me to buy a book that I didn’t because I bought this one first!!@ LOL
Shandra Torbett says
Thank you for the review! I’ve seen this series, but haven’t read it myself.
ajw says
Sold! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sammy's Book Obsession says
Thanks for the AWESOME giveaway!!
Samantha Cerff says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Donna Newman says
I have one of the Marriage Diaries on my Kindle just can’t remember which book it is , I think #5 but I’m not positive. I really need to snag the others.
Tina M says
Love this series and Dean and Jillian. I hope there will be more books in this series. Erika is awesome! Cant wait for the Players Club series.
pam e says
Thank you for the giveaway, going to check out these books now
Robin the Book Nerd says
Love Erik’s books.
Juli Huber Hall says
Sweet giveaway, thanks for it
Denita kee says
Great giveaway
izzy l. says
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Rachelle says
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Dana Fiore Stusse says
Sounds great, thanks for the chance to win~
Lisa W says
Oh– I NEED to read this series!
Carrie Stevens says
thanks for the giveaway!! book sounds awesome
Karen says
Thanks! It looks really good!
Laina G says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Debra Diaz says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Mary Mooney says
I am adding these to my TBR list now, sounds good. great giveaway!
Kerry Brown says
Thanks for the chance, like the reviews.
Rachel Brown says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Erika says
ooh looks steamy! Thanks for the great review and chance to win! Adding to my list now!
Lola Figueroa says
Thank you for the chance to win!
Nicole says
Thanks for the chance!
Tammy Faris says
AWESOME Review! I WANT this book!!! Thanks for the giveaway! Your blog is freakin’ fantastic!
Tammy
tammyfaris1966@gmail.com
Ana's Attic says
Thanks!
Dawn Ruchel says
thank you for all the work you put into your bog and for the giveaways. happy reading.
Jenn says
Sounds great….
Gina says
love love! this series yum.
sandy murphy says
sound good
Christina says
Sounds hot!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pris Poore says
Sounds amazing
Christy Bedsole says
Sounds like a great series, going to check it out. Thanks
Kelley says
I love this series!
Lisa carta-gates says
I always your reviews and book release info!
Mick Murphy says
Thanks for the giveaway!
LesleyG says
Love your blog & this looks like a book I’d love too!
Tammy Choate says
I really love your reviews of the books thank you so much for the giveaway
ButtonsMom2003 says
Love this series of books!
Marcy Shuler says
I love this series. Especially that the couple has been married for 20 years.
Pam says
I’ve been wanting to read this series for awhile! Thanks for the giveaway!
Feifei Le says
Great review!! I’ve read the first 2 🙂
Reada says
Read the first one, can’t wait to get to the rest of them!
Kimberly Mayberry says
I love Erika’s books! Thank you for the giveaway!
Sherry S. says
Read and loved all of them in this series! Thank you for the giveaway!
Jennifer Jones says
Thanks for the giveaway!!this series looks really good
Janice U. says
Great review. Thanks for the giveaway!
Nancy M says
Can hardly wait to read this.
Peta says
Looks like an amazing series, hope to read them soon 🙂
Amy Jo says
I LOVE this series and only have 1-4 so far!! Can’t wait to read this one too!! 🙂
Colleen says
These books sound great! would love to read for an honest review
DJ Sakata says
I would love to read these
Sandra says
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Michelle Lee says
Thank you for this amazing giveaway! 🙂
Kelly Scroggins says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Denice says
I need to read this! Thank for the giveaway!
Warinda says
Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Genia Rahmlow says
Thanks for the chance
adrienne samson says
thank for this review,I have to get this,book looks awesome and thanks for giveaway also.
Heather says
This series looks good. Thank you for the review & giveaway.
Kristy says
This will be added to my wish list. Thanks
Jeannette says
Your review sold me on reading these books. Thanks for the giveaway!
Diana Doan says
Thank you for the giveaway!
Jenn Oldaker says
This is an author I have yet to read but have heard wonderful things about! Thanks for the great review 🙂
Natasha says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great series!!
donna harris says
I would love to read Erika’s book “The Marriage Diaries”! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
Jessie L says
Enjoyed reading the post. Thanks for the giveaway!
Holly says
Awesome! Thx
Jenn McElroy says
Looks great!! Thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
Heather S says
Ty for the chance.
Ann Waters says
awesome giveaway
Christina says
I’d love to read these!
Julie K says
Another awesome giveaway!!
Bethany Mac says
Great review. I added this entire series to my TBR list.
Raquel Perez says
Great review and giveaway!!! Thank you 🙂
Lisa Zetouna says
Thanks for this awesome chance!!
Becky says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Melanie Cannizzaro says
Thanks for the giveaway