
The Invitation
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.
Add to Cart failed.
Please try again later
Add to Wish List failed.
Please try again later
Remove from wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Adding to library failed
Please try again
Follow podcast failed
Please try again
Unfollow podcast failed
Please try again
LIMITED TIME OFFER
3 months free
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Buy for $19.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
-
Narrated by:
-
Caroline Lee
Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
'A heady mix of Dangerous Liasions, The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (a century ago) and Cinderella, The Invitation is a wildly entertaining and absorbing read that leaves you with a lot to think about.' (Better Reading)
'Reading her novels is like going on holiday for a longtime. You don't want to come back.' (The West Australian)
People who viewed this also viewed...


I thought The Invitation was slow to gain steam. Between it nearly losing me in interest, content and pace for about the first 1/3,I almost stopped listening and returned it because of the narration. With this book, I could barely stand Ms Lee’s reading: her interpretation of French words and phrases made me cringe every time. I found her verbal contortions of these French attempts to be painful distractions. Unfortunately, these occasions happened many times in every chapter and it was like nails on the chalkboard for me, every time.
The Invitation did have some interesting descriptions and factoids of the many preposterous aspects of the Gilded Age woven throughout, and, this aspect became a greater proportion as the story progressed. One can tell that Belinda Alexander always does a good job of researching her books. I appreciate that.
Some Audible selections I listen to more than once. I can’t imagine I would do so with The Invitation.
A mixed bag for this reader, this time!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fabulous story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Mispronunciations abound
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narration was a big problem for me. Overall, it sounded labored and heavy. The voice of Emma, a Parisian, had no French accent while other French characters did. Emma’s accent drifted between British and American, while other American characters had southern accents - in New York! It was distracting.
Also, some words were pronounced in the less common usage, particularly debut, a word in the central theme. While saying “deboo” is acceptable, it’s not the commonly use “Dey-byoo” that was used. It was also distracting, as were others.
Disappointed
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fake accents.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Narrator needs help
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
So good!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautifully Written
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As soon as a book is finished I usually skip the acknowledgments and move on , not here I want to listen to every last word .
The story takes place during the Gilded Age of New York when great fortunes were made . Like Dickens the writer also reveals the darker side and the plight of those less fortunate.
Plus I wish there was a category at the Grammy’s for best narration because Caroline Lee would get it ,.
I highly recommend!
“A Must Listen “
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Another compelling and well performed story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.