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The Fairer Sex #3
Alicia
An aspiring artist gets a seven-figure offer that could change her life forever in this provocative and surprising short story of a woman torn between saying yes and saying no.
Alicia could do a lot with a million dollars. But what’s she willing to do for it? Her top client, a billionaire hedge fund manager, has made a very intimate business proposal. In the world of finance, it’s just another transaction, right? An efficient supply-demand exchange. At least that’s what Alicia tries to tell herself. But as the deadline for her decision closes in, it becomes clear that things are a lot more complicated than that.
Alicia could do a lot with a million dollars. But what’s she willing to do for it? Her top client, a billionaire hedge fund manager, has made a very intimate business proposal. In the world of finance, it’s just another transaction, right? An efficient supply-demand exchange. At least that’s what Alicia tries to tell herself. But as the deadline for her decision closes in, it becomes clear that things are a lot more complicated than that.
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2019
221 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Miller
20 books103 followersMichelle Miller wrote pseudonymously until the publication of her debut novel, The Underwriting, which she initially released as an online serial before publishing with Penguin in 2015. It was subsequently translated into 16 languages and developed for television with Fox. Her short story collection The Fairer Sex was an Amazon bestseller, whose TV adaptation she’s currently writing with Amazon Studios.
She holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University and, in a past life, worked at JP Morgan, Bain & Co. and dabbled in the start-up scene.
Michelle lives between London and Asheville, North Carolina, where she was born and raised.
She holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University and, in a past life, worked at JP Morgan, Bain & Co. and dabbled in the start-up scene.
Michelle lives between London and Asheville, North Carolina, where she was born and raised.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 30, 2019
Short, quick read. I enjoyed it.
March 15, 2022
Alicia is offered a massive sum of money to sleep with David but it doesn't work out quite as she expected.
I didn't understand the point of this one therefore so far its my least favorite of the series.
This short story is part of The Fairer Sex, a collection of sexy, satirical, and sometimes harrowing short stories that explore the question: “What do women want?” The answer is different for every woman, but each can be read or listened to in a single sitting.
At time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
I didn't understand the point of this one therefore so far its my least favorite of the series.
This short story is part of The Fairer Sex, a collection of sexy, satirical, and sometimes harrowing short stories that explore the question: “What do women want?” The answer is different for every woman, but each can be read or listened to in a single sitting.
At time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
July 25, 2021
This is a short story from Amazon Originals’ THE FAIRER SEX collection. It was quick and enjoyable.
July 1, 2024
Different!
This was so much fun to read. Alicia is offered a million dollars in exchange for a romp in the sack with an ultra wealthy man. They were to meet at a lavish hotel. What will happen? Will she show? Will he?
This was so much fun to read. Alicia is offered a million dollars in exchange for a romp in the sack with an ultra wealthy man. They were to meet at a lavish hotel. What will happen? Will she show? Will he?
July 21, 2022
i think the anxiety representation in this was well done and very relatable for me personally. overall, the story was okay.
March 2, 2019
Alicia by Michelle Miller can be found as one of the Amazon Original Stories (AOS) in a collection titled The Fairer Sex. This is Book Three of an eight-book series. All can be read one at a time for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or the collection can be purchased as a set (not for free). All the short stories emphasize “short.” Alicia, the third story in the series is only twenty pages. Grab a mug of your favorite brew. Not a large mug, you won’t be able to finish it before you finish the story.
Alicia worked for a private bank, L. Cecil. One client of the bank, billionaire David Merced had chosen Alicia as his personal banker. The Merced contract was lucrative financially and had other benefits. She attended specially organized bank events for their wealthiest clients, where she had met David. They had a pleasant social, platonic relationship even though she didn’t like David’s sometimes cruel behavior in his business acquisitions practice. Out of the blue, David offers Alice a million dollars to sleep with him. This offer comes on page one of this short story. The entire rest of the story can be characterized in one word, anticipation.
Will she, or won’t she? For either answer, there is the further question, why? Alicia does not want to be an investment banker. She wants to live in Paris and practice her art. She loves drawing. But drawing doesn’t pay off the student loan, high commissions do. David just points out that she is wasting her time. David will deposit one million dollars in a Cayman Islands bank if Alicia agrees. And if Alicia does not agree, will David take his money to another bank? Alicia will not like herself if she agrees. Any subsequent success in the world of Art will be tainted. On the other hand, she may lose her job if she doesn’t agree.
There is anticipation as readers join her thoughts as they progress to a decision. Once the decision is made, there is the anticipation of all possible consequences. This is my fourth short story I have read by Michelle Miller. I will read more but up to now, this is the best.
I give this short story five Amazon stars. And … it is completely safe to read at work (during your fifteen-minute break).
Alicia worked for a private bank, L. Cecil. One client of the bank, billionaire David Merced had chosen Alicia as his personal banker. The Merced contract was lucrative financially and had other benefits. She attended specially organized bank events for their wealthiest clients, where she had met David. They had a pleasant social, platonic relationship even though she didn’t like David’s sometimes cruel behavior in his business acquisitions practice. Out of the blue, David offers Alice a million dollars to sleep with him. This offer comes on page one of this short story. The entire rest of the story can be characterized in one word, anticipation.
Will she, or won’t she? For either answer, there is the further question, why? Alicia does not want to be an investment banker. She wants to live in Paris and practice her art. She loves drawing. But drawing doesn’t pay off the student loan, high commissions do. David just points out that she is wasting her time. David will deposit one million dollars in a Cayman Islands bank if Alicia agrees. And if Alicia does not agree, will David take his money to another bank? Alicia will not like herself if she agrees. Any subsequent success in the world of Art will be tainted. On the other hand, she may lose her job if she doesn’t agree.
There is anticipation as readers join her thoughts as they progress to a decision. Once the decision is made, there is the anticipation of all possible consequences. This is my fourth short story I have read by Michelle Miller. I will read more but up to now, this is the best.
I give this short story five Amazon stars. And … it is completely safe to read at work (during your fifteen-minute break).
November 25, 2019
Alicia is offered $1 million to have sex with her boss what could go wrong? So when she initially says no but then after much consideration says yes she is pissed when he is late. He set the time and place and he doesn’t even have the decency to show up even though she’s dreading every single second of it. So the majority of this story is in the hotel room in her waiting anxiously antagonizing me waiting for him so she can get her million dollars.
November 27, 2025
4⭐️
What would you do for a million dollars? A super fast portrait of a woman who has a choice to make
What would you do for a million dollars? A super fast portrait of a woman who has a choice to make
January 31, 2023
Wow. The last line is the best part of the story. 3.5/5
January 8, 2025
It’s all about the ending for me.. I like the mental back and forth of the FMC in the story.. just help me understand how we all do that mental back and forth with our selves everyday.. How we can distort our perceptions to form in to craziness sometimes without and facts to base them off of..
Great short story…. I’m Really enjoying the author..
Great short story…. I’m Really enjoying the author..
February 17, 2019
Michelle Miller has written 8 short stories about relationships from a female perspective. They look at the choices women make and questions their ability to think and behave independently or if all that is done is a reflection of the male dominated world the USA perpetuates.
This is my eighth review now of this collection of works and I have not been disappointed in any of them. All have been different and original in part and some are inter-connected being part of a specific world.
Alicia is a hard working financial associate where relationships are as important as product knowledge and presentation. She does not kid herself about being part of a corporate hive but delights in her special clients and nurturing their goodwill.
Imagine her bank’s star account, a 48 year old executive and entrepreneur, David Merced who is having lunch with her to sign off some paperwork.
Over time they have become close and have some mutual respect between themselves and a strong plutonic relationship, being still a young woman.
Many judge him unfairly in her eyes as he has 3 normal children and a long standing partner. Alicia has always given him this benefit of doubt and got in with him well.
Imagine David then making her an ‘Indecent Proposal’ and suggesting she wants it as much as he does on one level and leaving her own thoughts to tell her she can ill afford to say no. Loss of their prestigious account, her job and dreams to be an artist.
How the author works through the pros and cons and shows both Alicia’s entrapment and lack of financial independence is clearly disseminated. If she agrees how she will behave and distance herself from victim or slut. Her guilt and also her dreams swelled by the thought he chose me.
Fascinating read and the full package of stars for this engaging tale of personal jeopardy and the series as a whole.
This is my eighth review now of this collection of works and I have not been disappointed in any of them. All have been different and original in part and some are inter-connected being part of a specific world.
Alicia is a hard working financial associate where relationships are as important as product knowledge and presentation. She does not kid herself about being part of a corporate hive but delights in her special clients and nurturing their goodwill.
Imagine her bank’s star account, a 48 year old executive and entrepreneur, David Merced who is having lunch with her to sign off some paperwork.
Over time they have become close and have some mutual respect between themselves and a strong plutonic relationship, being still a young woman.
Many judge him unfairly in her eyes as he has 3 normal children and a long standing partner. Alicia has always given him this benefit of doubt and got in with him well.
Imagine David then making her an ‘Indecent Proposal’ and suggesting she wants it as much as he does on one level and leaving her own thoughts to tell her she can ill afford to say no. Loss of their prestigious account, her job and dreams to be an artist.
How the author works through the pros and cons and shows both Alicia’s entrapment and lack of financial independence is clearly disseminated. If she agrees how she will behave and distance herself from victim or slut. Her guilt and also her dreams swelled by the thought he chose me.
Fascinating read and the full package of stars for this engaging tale of personal jeopardy and the series as a whole.
February 20, 2019
not shocked by this topic ...u r an adult ... make your own decisions but know the possible end results. how it will affect ur mind, life, future emotional issues, etc. I think my fave 2 are Heidi and Clara ... they others not that i did enjoy them but i prefer those others more??! interesting take, i guess for me i wonder why in 2019 we are still saying FAIRER sex? i mean ... we are ladies, hear us ROAR ... not saying beat all men down. so not the case. just change the wording. I love finding these collections by Amazon ... this one is all by Michelle Miller ... i thought they usually were different authors not the same? I am still trying to figure how they are related - usually it is just the lady part? newbie to Michelle's writing??! was curious. they are easily listened to. not long at all.
April 17, 2019
I dug this one. It starts from a questionable premise, but soon quickly moves into Alicia's inner life and there's a lot of drama to be mined there. I enjoyed spending most of the story where she was the only character, and you were waiting for the conflict to resolve itself. Miller build suspense well, although I wouldn't say this is a suspense story. Unlike some of the other stories in the collection, the sex here is compelling and incorporated seamlessly into the narrative. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it left me laughing in delight, surprised and yet not at all. A highlight.
April 16, 2022
That was interesting. A satisfying example of the mental gymnastics women (in general) are prone to complete when navigating feelings - wants, fears, desires - particularly in the realm of romance, love, and affection.
December 19, 2019
Happy for another quick read, entertaining but not...like...good.
July 12, 2024
I’m super confused by this one. She’s offered all this money and doesn’t complete the task. I’m not understanding why she received it. Very weird.
September 18, 2019
...
This one wasnt so bad in the sense that, well I dont know to be honest.
When I started this series, I was just thinking whatever about them but I guess now, with a book left, I can see that they're so much more than just that.
But this one is probably, hmmm iduno. The only one where....even though a woman couldn't be free because the wolf was everywhere, Alicia was free.
I mean, she had to go thru something and realize her real feelings just to get away, scott free.
She got what she wanted without having to do anything.
Maybe her theory was right in that he no longer wanted her because he had attained what he wanted and he was over it but either way, shes probably had the best in this series financially instead of emotionally.
This one wasnt so bad in the sense that, well I dont know to be honest.
When I started this series, I was just thinking whatever about them but I guess now, with a book left, I can see that they're so much more than just that.
But this one is probably, hmmm iduno. The only one where....even though a woman couldn't be free because the wolf was everywhere, Alicia was free.
I mean, she had to go thru something and realize her real feelings just to get away, scott free.
She got what she wanted without having to do anything.
Maybe her theory was right in that he no longer wanted her because he had attained what he wanted and he was over it but either way, shes probably had the best in this series financially instead of emotionally.
February 22, 2019
According to Michelle Miller, the fairer sex are all bitterly disappointed that they’re not special snowflakes and don’t get fairytale lives, are perpetually neurotic about hiding how badly they want men’s approval but not appear to, and blow situations way out of proportion. An afternoon reading four of these books and I’m done.
February 20, 2023
Overall, the collection of short stories in The Fairer Sex by Michelle Miller are either amazing or not worth the time. I like that the cover has each woman's name in a different font. As for reading a novel by Michelle, I think I'd pass as she has some toxic blind spots that I don't want to endure.
Candace: A strong start to the series. If I wasn't married and dating, I'd create my own list. 5 stars
Meredith: I was initially laughing, imagining myself in the Whole Foods with Meredith. Then it took a turn that I couldn't decide if it was real or fantasy, which took me out of the story as it was so unrealistic. 2 stars.
Alicia: I hate-listened to this story and enjoyed it. The whole time I kept thinking, "Karma...". The end was really good, I just personally don't think it's fair, for a multitude of reasons. 4 stars.
Heidi: The beginning is hilarious. However, I found it boring (this coming from someone with a degree in accounting; different from finance, but not by much.) I did like when Heidi stopped writing her story and it became about her and Paul. 2 stars.
Clara: I really enjoyed this book. Clara's relationship with Michael, Lawrence, the intimacy, the twist...a lot was packed into this story. 5 stars.
Lauren: I was immediately put off by Lauren, describing her growing up in wealth and in the next breath taking about living in a cutting-edge place that was "far enough from Chinatown that [visitors] weren't put off by the stench." So unnecessarily offensive and filled with privilege, making it hard for me to have any sympathy for her.
I was intensely physically triggered with the description of her bulimia episode, which I hated. If you've never had an ED, then it will definitely give readers/listeners insight as to what it's like. However, I lived it and didn't need to live it again in such detail. 1 star.
Eleanor: this was as good as Clara. I loved how Eleanor dealt with her husband, except for the "we just did" line. 5 stars.
Keridee: I didn't see the point of this book and couldn't get into it. I understand she's pretty, but having other characters in the book who are only described as fat and their occupation is ridiculous. 1 star.
Samara Naeymi was a good narrator, embodying each woman and her story.
Candace: A strong start to the series. If I wasn't married and dating, I'd create my own list. 5 stars
Meredith: I was initially laughing, imagining myself in the Whole Foods with Meredith. Then it took a turn that I couldn't decide if it was real or fantasy, which took me out of the story as it was so unrealistic. 2 stars.
Alicia: I hate-listened to this story and enjoyed it. The whole time I kept thinking, "Karma...". The end was really good, I just personally don't think it's fair, for a multitude of reasons. 4 stars.
Heidi: The beginning is hilarious. However, I found it boring (this coming from someone with a degree in accounting; different from finance, but not by much.) I did like when Heidi stopped writing her story and it became about her and Paul. 2 stars.
Clara: I really enjoyed this book. Clara's relationship with Michael, Lawrence, the intimacy, the twist...a lot was packed into this story. 5 stars.
Lauren: I was immediately put off by Lauren, describing her growing up in wealth and in the next breath taking about living in a cutting-edge place that was "far enough from Chinatown that [visitors] weren't put off by the stench." So unnecessarily offensive and filled with privilege, making it hard for me to have any sympathy for her.
I was intensely physically triggered with the description of her bulimia episode, which I hated. If you've never had an ED, then it will definitely give readers/listeners insight as to what it's like. However, I lived it and didn't need to live it again in such detail. 1 star.
Eleanor: this was as good as Clara. I loved how Eleanor dealt with her husband, except for the "we just did" line. 5 stars.
Keridee: I didn't see the point of this book and couldn't get into it. I understand she's pretty, but having other characters in the book who are only described as fat and their occupation is ridiculous. 1 star.
Samara Naeymi was a good narrator, embodying each woman and her story.
September 5, 2021
Stumbled upon this short story series while I was prepping to get my butt outside to start staining our deck. I downloaded all 8 of these short stories from Audible. What is fun about these is that you can read or listen to them all out of order. They don't tie into each other. These are about 8 different women.
Now we have Alicia. She is an aspiring artist who is given a seven-figure offer that could change her life and let her dreams come true. However....can she get herself to do it? Her top client, a good-looking billionaire hedge manager, has offered to pay for sex one time.
We mainly get to see Alicia struggling with this decision and waiting at the hotel.
I found this one really intriguing. Easy answer....heck yes. BUT the ramifications can be bad. And that guy doesn't seem bad...even though what a creepy offer.
This short really showed that people and situations are never black and white. I'll give this one a 5 as well.
Now we have Alicia. She is an aspiring artist who is given a seven-figure offer that could change her life and let her dreams come true. However....can she get herself to do it? Her top client, a good-looking billionaire hedge manager, has offered to pay for sex one time.
We mainly get to see Alicia struggling with this decision and waiting at the hotel.
I found this one really intriguing. Easy answer....heck yes. BUT the ramifications can be bad. And that guy doesn't seem bad...even though what a creepy offer.
This short really showed that people and situations are never black and white. I'll give this one a 5 as well.
August 15, 2019
Uhhh......
I’m not sure what I actually feel about this story. I don’t out right hate it, but I don’t really like it either. I’m in the middle, the meh feeling. Like a few other reviewer‘s have mentioned, the first thing I thought about was the film Indecent Proposal. I’m old enough to remember all the hoopla about that movie when it first came out and I don’t even know if it’s relevant anymore to a younger generation. My next thought was that it was going to go sinister, like Harvey Weinstein sinister. In the end it’s a mishmash of both, though a somewhat tamer and safer version if that makes sense. I just felt sad after reading this. It’s humiliating. Maybe that’s the point.
I’m not sure what I actually feel about this story. I don’t out right hate it, but I don’t really like it either. I’m in the middle, the meh feeling. Like a few other reviewer‘s have mentioned, the first thing I thought about was the film Indecent Proposal. I’m old enough to remember all the hoopla about that movie when it first came out and I don’t even know if it’s relevant anymore to a younger generation. My next thought was that it was going to go sinister, like Harvey Weinstein sinister. In the end it’s a mishmash of both, though a somewhat tamer and safer version if that makes sense. I just felt sad after reading this. It’s humiliating. Maybe that’s the point.
August 5, 2020
Does Alicia Have Sex for One Million Dollars?
This book explores the power of money and how it can be used to buy almost anything. Alicia is Manager for a large bank in their Wealth Management in order to pay off her College Loan. She wants to be an artist but she must forgo it for the foreseeable future until one of her clients offers her One Million Dollars to sleep with him. She is torn between her morality and her desire to start perfecting her artist talents. She agrees to the offer and goes to the Elegant Hotel and waits for him in the suite he booked for them. Will she go through with having sexual relations with her bank’s client or will she back out. Read or listen to the audiobook to find out.
This book explores the power of money and how it can be used to buy almost anything. Alicia is Manager for a large bank in their Wealth Management in order to pay off her College Loan. She wants to be an artist but she must forgo it for the foreseeable future until one of her clients offers her One Million Dollars to sleep with him. She is torn between her morality and her desire to start perfecting her artist talents. She agrees to the offer and goes to the Elegant Hotel and waits for him in the suite he booked for them. Will she go through with having sexual relations with her bank’s client or will she back out. Read or listen to the audiobook to find out.
January 28, 2023
I've enjoyed most of the books in this series as a "slice-of-life" about young women in the Big City who have to navigate the shoals and turmoil created by the entitled assholes they meet there.
This particular Mr. AH was the worst. What's his motivation? Ego (obviously), Entitlement (obviously), How can I induce nice, inexperienced young women to do what I want, just because?
Alicia supplies the Cringe Factor for the story. Overthinking, magical thinking, imagination, fear, frantic internal dialogue with somehow making herself the one responsible for apparent failure. It was squeamish, screaming frustration for the whole of her interior monologue and made it a difficult listen.
Not recommended.
This particular Mr. AH was the worst. What's his motivation? Ego (obviously), Entitlement (obviously), How can I induce nice, inexperienced young women to do what I want, just because?
Alicia supplies the Cringe Factor for the story. Overthinking, magical thinking, imagination, fear, frantic internal dialogue with somehow making herself the one responsible for apparent failure. It was squeamish, screaming frustration for the whole of her interior monologue and made it a difficult listen.
Not recommended.
June 1, 2019
Summer 2019 - audiobook;
Finishing out 'The Fairer Sex' set because I lost my way from them a few months ago, feel into Star Wars books, and then out of my audible and back into my Spotify, and have come full circle. I'm still puzzled by this and I like that, since none of the others left me feeling puzzled about their message or scandalously straight forward focus. The middle of this one twists, and the ending twists even harder, and I'm so very baffled exactly how we're supposed to see the opposite side of Alicia's thought process.
Finishing out 'The Fairer Sex' set because I lost my way from them a few months ago, feel into Star Wars books, and then out of my audible and back into my Spotify, and have come full circle. I'm still puzzled by this and I like that, since none of the others left me feeling puzzled about their message or scandalously straight forward focus. The middle of this one twists, and the ending twists even harder, and I'm so very baffled exactly how we're supposed to see the opposite side of Alicia's thought process.
July 13, 2019
Borrowed for free via Amazon Prime membership. At 37 minutes long (including intro & credits) it’s a very short story. Alicia is an aspiring artist at a fund management company. She propositioned by her supervisor, David, to a night of sex for $1 Million.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this as well as how unique the ending was.
I can’t imagine spending money on this or ever listening to it again. Though it was well written, an intriguing concept & perspective, and the narrator was great.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this as well as how unique the ending was.
I can’t imagine spending money on this or ever listening to it again. Though it was well written, an intriguing concept & perspective, and the narrator was great.
May 17, 2021
It begins by immediately introducing the Indecent Proposal constraint which helps focus the short work. The prose highlights the author's rich inner life narrative style as Alicia debates what to do about this offer. While some might complain that not much actually happens here, I am surprised by the generally safe for work portrayal of this material and the realistic reactions of our struggling artist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
David is married but when he offered Alicia a million dollars to have sex with him and on her situation, it was really tempting.
When she finally decided to take his offer and waited all that time at the hotel, all I got was anxiety. Which the author did an excellent job showing how much anxiety we must deal with and men's bullshit sometimes.
At the end, the anxiety was worth it for her... I guess.
When she finally decided to take his offer and waited all that time at the hotel, all I got was anxiety. Which the author did an excellent job showing how much anxiety we must deal with and men's bullshit sometimes.
At the end, the anxiety was worth it for her... I guess.
February 18, 2019
Alicia is a great short story with a twist in the end that, at least for me, was a nice surprise. Alicia is propositioned and she decides to take the money she so desperately needs. While in the hotel room waiting for her "partner" to arrive, Alicia goes through numerous emotions about why she is there and why is thinks she needs to do what she is about to do.
February 28, 2019
Indecent Proposal
When she's offered the chance to leave her mid-level legal job in Manhattan with a 'gift' of $1m so she can pursue her dream of being an artist, all Alicia has to do is sleep with her wealthy benefactor to seal the deal. But is that something she's prepared to do in order to realise her fantasy life - satisfy the fantasy of another?
When she's offered the chance to leave her mid-level legal job in Manhattan with a 'gift' of $1m so she can pursue her dream of being an artist, all Alicia has to do is sleep with her wealthy benefactor to seal the deal. But is that something she's prepared to do in order to realise her fantasy life - satisfy the fantasy of another?
March 1, 2019
This is the 4th book I've listened to in The Fairer Sex collection (out of order, more or less). They all feel different from one another, but this one feels more set apart from the rest thus far. This one was intimate with its protagonist and her wants, desires and struggle. Pretty good work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews