Customer Reviews

Open Invitation

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you have not read Jasmine Haynes, go buy her book now. Stop. Do not pass go. Instead, take a moment to press that buy button. Then when you get her book, curl up in your favorite chair and get ready for a sizzling hot, delicious read. The words that go through my mind when reading her anthologies (Twin Peaks with Susan Johnson, Somebody's lover, or this book) are believable characters, sexy, and total satisfaction. Jasmine Haynes effectively motivates the characters to the point that even if that character or the hero doesn't have the exact physical characteristics I'm typically attracted to, I'm still seduced along with her heroine. I completely buy into the motivations and reactions she gives her characters. Plus, she sets up the stories wonderfully so that her novellas have intertwining story lines and have heroines who are sexy women I can identify with; not just twenty-something ingénues. It's rare that I read a book with an older character (a real woman; not just someone in their late teens as in historical romances or in their twenties or early thirties at the most) who I can identify with, is well motivated, and I still think is sexy. Authors seem to forget that pre-menopausal over 35 are still interesting protagonists.

In Open Invitation, the first story follows the sexual awakening of a Debbie Carter, who's been in a sex-less, passion-less marriage. She and her two friends go to a sex club with the superficial purpose of celebrating her one friend's impending fourth time down the aisle. She comes to learn that she deserves love, passion, respect, and someone who is committed to her happiness - that mediocrity and "oh, well" attitude is not enough. She's worth more.

The second story follows the adventures of Debbie's friend, Virginia, who, after 3 marriages, wants nothing more than a business partnership type of marriage; a relationship based on mutual respect and meeting each other's needs. She desires a stable, even-keeled relationship with no hint of jealousy, possessiveness, or in-depth investment in the other person. A nice superficial relationship with an occasional ok tumble in bed, is all she's looking for in this marriage. Needless to say, Virginia deserves much more than that and her fourth husband helps Virginia and him achieve a combustible, healthy, passionate, loving relationship.

The last story focuses on the sexually jaded friend, Stacy, who is built like a bombshell and has gotten used to directing all of the action with her young bucks. Little does she realize that hotter things are to come and her sexual satisfaction is just beginning with an older, more experienced man.

Bottomline. Fantastic read. I devoured it all in one setting. Did I mention that this book is HOT in addition to well plotted? Jasmine Hayne's latest offering is like premium truffle: delicious, in-depth flavoring, satisfying. Enjoy!

Many people say that 40 is now the new 30. Well in Open Invitation, it is true. This novel is definitely HOT and SPICY. It starts with a Bachelorette Party between forty-something friends and then moves on to the romantic and sexy adventures that happen after. Jasmine Haynes, who is also Jennifer Skully, has done it again with another anthology of steamy contemporaries. I definitely recommend having a cold Aquafina on hand when you read this anthology, it's fun and it sizzles.

In what I think is probably Jasmine Haynes best, and hottest, title yet, "Open Invitation" will thrill women everywhere.

In these three stories, tied together by their experience at "The Sex Club", excitement, real living and spontaneity don't begin until after turning forty. With failed marriages, turning forty, lack of self confidence, sexual hunger, Jasmine Haynes brings real life issues to the forefront that many women today face. With realism, identifiable characters, as well as hot, steamy love scenes, Open Invitation delivers ten-fold.

There was no one particular favorite for me in this anthology. Debbie, Virginia and Stacy are all women I could identify with-even though I haven't hit forty myself-but they all wanted the same thing that most women want - the one man to settle down with (finally!), have a healthy, loving and active sex life, be accepted for who they are and the chance to enjoy life. These are all things that Ms. Haynes consistently and wonderfully pens in this anthology. It comes through loud and clear.

Open Invitation is a memorable read. Bravo to Ms. Haynes for writing a story women can really identify with.

I normally don't pick up novella compilations, but I couldn't be more glad that I did. I enjoyed the fact that the three stories were linked via the three main characters and the sex club. These are extremely likeable characters...I could admire and relate to...and with each story, really want to be.

Debbie's restlessness (Invitation to Seduction) is something a lot of us can relate to, along with the guilt she feels when trying to alleviate it. Her husband is good man but willing to wallow in the sexless rut their lives have become. Debbie, at her sexual peak not only needs fulfillment but passion. She finds that passion in a stranger at the club. She becomes torn between guilt and the discovery of intense passion she's never experienced. An unexpected twist forces her to evaluate her life and what she wants out of it. Ultimately, she finds her strength and stays true to herself and her ultimate happiness.

People marry for a lot of reasons, and being gun shy of passion dictates Virginia's choice of 4th husband (Invitation to Pleasure). Rather than allowing her heart to lead her, she, like many of us, gives in to fear and picks what she believes is the safe choice. Thankfully, she is pleasurably surprised by her new husband! The two of the start out leading dual lives as a couple--pleasant but dull at home, hot and sexy at the club. The discovery of jealously, a new sensation in what they both thought was a 'business arrangement of a marriage, sparks a steamy breakthrough that melds their two lives into one.

Stacy is resistant to monogamy (Invitation to Passion) believing it will always lead to the ultimate in dull and predictable. Again, something many can relate to, unfortunately. She chooses instead to pick random lovers, sometimes two at a time, rather that risk monogamous boredom. What she soon discovers is that with age comes experience, delicious and inventive creativeness, and intensity that random young studs can't provide.

The club isn't a 100% original idea, but there are a few new twists. The sex scenes are very hot, without being over-the-top to the point where it's unrelatable...you'll be tempted to read all three stories in one sitting but, if you can, draw it out and savor the experience! I will definitely be keeping this for future reads!

Open Invitation tells the story of three friends - all older (Thank you Jasmine Haynes for having heroines 39 and older!) and their "adventure" at The Sex Club. Each story is wonderful and I think each story gets progressively hotter.

Invitation to Seduction tells Debbie's story. She's in a passionless marriage. Her husband is not interested in having sex with her anymore and she's feeling more and more frustrated which is affecting her self-worth - doesn't she deserve passion? She's not quite sure about going to The Sex Club for her friend Virginia's bachelorette party, but decides to go for it. When she gets there, she discovers that there is someone in the world who's very passionate about her....This was my favorite of the three stories - I loved the emotion between the two characters. This is one story that I just kept rereading - and not just the "good" parts!

Invitation to Pleasure tells Virginia's story. She's the one who had her bachelorette party at The Sex Club. She's on marriage number 4 and is determined to marry someone safe - Mr. Nice Guy. Who cares if there are no sparks? She's had sparks before and ended up with a broken heart. Little does she know that her husband Brett is determined to provide sparks - massive amount of sparks. Another hot read - I think hotter than Debbie's story. I loved Brett's manuevering of getting Virginia to admit that theirs was a passion-filled marriage.

Invitation to Passion tells Stacy's story. She's the oldest in the bunch (46) and a regular at The Sex Club. No relationships for her - she just wants to have sex with younger men. But Jud, the owner of The Sex Club, has been watching Stacy and is determined to win her over. Wow. Probably the raciest of the three stories. I found Stacy a little harder to relate to - but frankly, who cares? I still loved reading about her and Jud.

All in all, another Jasmine Haynes winner. I've read all of her novels and there's isn't one that I found to be less than a 5 star book. Read, enjoy, and please Jasmine - write some more!

I absolutley loved this book. I am just in my 30s, but I so can relate to this book. These 3 women wanted a man to treat them like they were needed and wanted sexually. Every woman wants a man to make her feel like she is the only one he desires and these men do what they have to do to make that known. I couldn't put this book down and it made my heart beat and blood run hot. It is just that good. This was my first book I have read by Jasmine Haynes, but I am definitley going to be buying her other books.

Three stories about 3 friends. Each story stars one women as the lead character. Each one as hot as the last. This is erotica at its best. Highly recommended. Great fun fast read. Enjoy!

"Invitation to Seduction". The three ladies attend the bachelorette party at The Sex Club; none of these three want to be there as each feels like a fish out of water. Especially out of her element is unhappily married Debbie, who wanders around like a deer in headlights with the sights she sees. That is until she meets Stephen, who takes her to heights of passion she never felt before and wants to continue to see her long after the party ends.

"Invitation to Pleasure". Three marriages, three failures. So Virginia wonders why she is a glutton for punishment especially since the man she marries tomorrow Brett is a nice guy with no magnetism. Still at the Sex Club she decides to be sexy Regina but never suspected that her Brett would euphorically join her.

"Invitation to Passion". One year has passed since the party for her friend Virginia at the Sex Club, forty-six year old Stacy enjoys sexually outlasting much younger men; she even can put two twentyish studs to shame at the same time with her libido. However, Brett's friend Judson, who is older, proves her equal as he takes her on sexually encounters like no one has ever done before.

These are three torrid erotic romances that run much of the sub-genre gamut. The novellas star women in their forties, who want passion in their lives and have found their male equal in the Sex Club.

Harriet Klausner

Honestly - you can't go wrong with this author. This is a fun story & hot hot hot! If you're looking for a fun, fast, sexy read - this is the book for you! You'll love it!

Loved the fact the heroines and heros were all older than 35. Loved the spice and the sexual tension. This is the first book I had come across by this author. I will keep her on my buy list because she managed to engage me and draw me into the charecters and their situations which I don't always find with the 'steamier' romances. Great job.