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Those Very Bad Fairbanks #6
My Fair Rakess
Miss Ester Fairbanks is in want of an adventure to offset the boredom of London society. So, when her cousin loses his estate at the Glendevons’ Gambling Den, she commits to stealing back the IOU. The last thing she expected was to run into the vile but astonishingly handsome club owner, Edmond Glendevon. To secure her escape, she daringly flirts, igniting a spark her heart had never known, starting a head-first tumble into a desperate, breathless passion to which no happy ending is guaranteed.
Edmond is focused on building success for his family and has no time for distractions, even if that maddening distraction comes in the form of a tempting hellion. Ester is not like any lady he knows—she far too sensually mischievous and daring. Knowing he has no intention to marry, Edmond is determined to resist her charms until he allows them to succumbs to a passion that could no longer be denied.
Edmond is focused on building success for his family and has no time for distractions, even if that maddening distraction comes in the form of a tempting hellion. Ester is not like any lady he knows—she far too sensually mischievous and daring. Knowing he has no intention to marry, Edmond is determined to resist her charms until he allows them to succumbs to a passion that could no longer be denied.
165 pages, ebook
First published July 12, 2022
217 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Clarke
155 books319 followersAlyssa Clarke writes steamy Regency Historical Romances featuring swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, sometimes unconventional heroines! Her debut novel, Love Me, If You Dare, came to her in a dream as a hot, fun enemy to lover romance where she played the leading lady who fell in love with a duke who looked remarkably like Henry Cavill.
When not writing, Alyssa enjoys hiking, games/movie night, with her husband and two beautiful children, and her Siberian Husky, Cronus. She is a lover of wine, cheesecake, and more wine.
When not writing, Alyssa enjoys hiking, games/movie night, with her husband and two beautiful children, and her Siberian Husky, Cronus. She is a lover of wine, cheesecake, and more wine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 16, 2023
It was quite entertaining; I laughed a lot with them negotiating the debt at the beginning.I also liked the end! 🏄♂️
A story with an underworld "bad boy" is always good to read, but don't ask me the names of the MCs because I've forgotten already: she's one of the triplets of the Fairbanks family (yes, that family with 12 siblings), and he's the oldest of 4 (Lucien, from book #3 Wicked Slightly is his brother!).
In this romance, the main ingredients are the same as always: the drama is always H's aversion to marriage. That's why I wish I wasn't reading this series in a row, but it is also impossible for me to remember all the brothers and their characteristics to intersperse with other books, so I will continue with the series.
A story with an underworld "bad boy" is always good to read, but don't ask me the names of the MCs because I've forgotten already: she's one of the triplets of the Fairbanks family (yes, that family with 12 siblings), and he's the oldest of 4 (Lucien, from book #3 Wicked Slightly is his brother!).
In this romance, the main ingredients are the same as always: the drama is always H's aversion to marriage. That's why I wish I wasn't reading this series in a row, but it is also impossible for me to remember all the brothers and their characteristics to intersperse with other books, so I will continue with the series.
January 6, 2024
Ester is the sister who likes adventure. This was a humorous story. Ester decided to take her cousins IOU from her brother in law’s gambling club. Only to get caught by his older dangerous brother.
July 19, 2022
Miss Ester Fairbanks is in want of an adventure to offset the boredom of London society. So, when her cousin Samuel loses his estate at the Glendevons’ Gambling Den, she commits to stealing back the IOU. The last thing she expected was to run into the vile but astonishingly handsome club owner, Edmond Glendevon. To secure her escape, she daringly flirts, igniting a spark her heart had never known. Edmond is focused on building success for his family as he wants their futures to be secure with no money worries. Ester is not like any lady he knows & he is determined to resist her charms until he allows them to succumbs to a passion that could no longer be denied.
I love the Fairbanks siblings, Ester is a delight & certainly knew her mind. I also loved Edmond who was totally focused on taking care of his siblings, I loved how both of them fell in lust & then in love. His actions following the realisation of his feelings were touching. A quick read which I read in a sitting & loved every page
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I love the Fairbanks siblings, Ester is a delight & certainly knew her mind. I also loved Edmond who was totally focused on taking care of his siblings, I loved how both of them fell in lust & then in love. His actions following the realisation of his feelings were touching. A quick read which I read in a sitting & loved every page
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 27, 2022
I'm loving this author's work. The Fairbanks family make good reading. Funny and sexy characters and good storyline. I find myself waiting for the next installment. 5☆
July 14, 2022
Edmond, swoon! I have an affinity for gambling den owners and they never disappoint nor does Edmond, If you like a grumpy, I will never love or marry, hero and the woman who is his salvation, this is the book for you. It is a quick read but packs a powerful punch about love and sacrifice. I wish it was a lot longer as I could kept reading about these two lovely people.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
January 3, 2023
I borrowed My Fair Rakess ~ Those Very Bad Fairbanks ~ Book 6 from the Kindle Unlimited Program.
Miss Ester Fairbanks is bored with London society's season and is seeking adventure. She has been watching one of her brother-in-law's brother, Edmond Glendevon, part owner of a gambling den. The dragon, as her grandaunt would not approve, which makes visiting the gaming den a great adventure. She steals IOU's from the her brother-in-laws desk, is caught, and returns to the den to see Edmond again, a trip to Edmond's country home with her sisters and the adventure continues. Edmond is planning to go to New York to set up another gaming establishment and he will be gone for several years. The surprise ending was great.
Miss Ester Fairbanks is bored with London society's season and is seeking adventure. She has been watching one of her brother-in-law's brother, Edmond Glendevon, part owner of a gambling den. The dragon, as her grandaunt would not approve, which makes visiting the gaming den a great adventure. She steals IOU's from the her brother-in-laws desk, is caught, and returns to the den to see Edmond again, a trip to Edmond's country home with her sisters and the adventure continues. Edmond is planning to go to New York to set up another gaming establishment and he will be gone for several years. The surprise ending was great.
August 13, 2022
An Unconventional Love
Miss Ester Fairbanks is bold, wild, and beautiful. She stole her cousins gambling IOU from Edmond Glendevon's Gambling business. Their banter was fun and their romance scenes, steamy. Story was short, sweet, and swooning. Looking forward to Book 7.
Miss Ester Fairbanks is bold, wild, and beautiful. She stole her cousins gambling IOU from Edmond Glendevon's Gambling business. Their banter was fun and their romance scenes, steamy. Story was short, sweet, and swooning. Looking forward to Book 7.
July 23, 2022
Love, love, love Alyssa Clarke.
Even though this series has shorter reads I always feel she gets great depth of characters.
I loved this couple.
Great read!!!
Even though this series has shorter reads I always feel she gets great depth of characters.
I loved this couple.
Great read!!!
September 1, 2022
Edmond & Ester. One of the triplets, her cousin comes to her and tell her that her brother gambled and lost 10K lbs and his family estate at the Glendevon gaming hall. Ester decides to dress up as her sister Ellie (Lucian's wife and youngest Glendevon) so she can enter the gaming hell and move freely up to the business office and steal back the IOU. She easily finds the IOU but on the way out, she runs into the eldest Edmond (the serious brooding brother tasked with taking care of his siblings from a young age). Act as Ellie she flirts with Edmond, making him super uncomfortable as he's attracted to his brother's wife. As she's leaving a gentleman stops her and she quickly disposes of him. Edmond was coming to her rescue not realizing she had dealt with him. He holds her while looking for her husband (he's at the theater with his wife) so he can protect her. But he sees his brother and his real wife enter the hell and realizes Ester isn't who she pretended to be and they find out that she had stolen the IOUs. Edmond vows to handle the retrieval of the notes but Ester manages a great game of cat and mouse until he intrudes into her bedroom so she can't escape him and they can discuss the notes she stole. She's been feeling a crazy attraction to Edmond and being a hellion wants to act on it. She informs him that she burned the notes she stole (feeling like the authors of the notes were duped into losing their family estates and money) but offers kisses in return for the value of the notes but he declines the offer. They end up in the garden passionately kissing anyways. Having no desire to marry and needing to get away from her, he tells her that he will forgive her cousin's note and that she is to stay away from his place of business. Again being a hellion, she shows up (thinking his order was a challenge). They end up walking and chatting about how she knows what she wants (him) and she will have no regrets and no expectations of him. He gives in to his lust (in the garden on the ground; very classy). They end up at a family event at his family's estate not realizing each other would be there (he wanted to escape town/her; and she was spending time with her sisters). They end up together all week but have to end their "friendship" because he was leaving for NY for a couple of years to open a new gambling hell. She asks him if she should wait for him and he tells her "no". Very sad moment. As he's on the ship on his way to NY he realizes that he didn't want to be without her and since the boat can't return to dock, he jumps overboard and swims back to shore (almost drowning). He intrudes on their family breakfast and tells her in front of everyone that he loves her and wants to marry her. They marry and go off to NY together. Another great story that kept me engaged and unable to put the book down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2022
2 1/2 stars because I have a soft spot for bad-bay gaming hell owners. I generally have been liking Alyssa Clarke's other series, Wagers and Wallflowers, but this series always falls short for me. I suspect she simply churns these out too fast. This entry is probably my least favorite overall, even though I liked the MMC.
IMO "the rakess" is a Regency romance trend that has already started overstaying its welcome. Unless you can avoid making the MFC TSTL just avoid it. Also, if you're going to use a plotline that has been executed memorably by other authors (Kathleen Ayers, Sophie Jordan, and especially Scarlett Scott, among others), you need to put in a decent amount of effort. The rakess of the title, Ester, has a cousin who has gambled foolishly and is in big-time debt to a gaming hell owner; in this case, it happens to be Ester's brother-in-law, Edmond. She has tasked herself with stealing the IOU's from Edmond's gaming hell. Instead of talking the issue through with her sister and her sister's husband, Edmond's brother--as any rational person would do--Ester pesters her sister for information, lies, and then impersonates her (she is identical triplets with this sister and another) without a second thought.
Up to this point, the book just seems like a silly but fast-paced 3-star read. But the scene when Ester encounters Edmond in the gaming hell made me super uncomfortable. Ester, still pretending to be her married sister, flirts and makes a not-subtle sexual proposition to Edmund for no reason other than it's funny to her. She revels in making Edmond uncomfortable, without considering the fact that she could ruin her sister's reputation and marriage. What if there had been witnesses? What if Edmond hadn't been moral and intelligent and her sister hadn't showed up with the husband? I know this is supposed to be played for humor, and I don't mind a female character letting loose, but Ester's come-on to a man who thinks she's married to his brother is a major turn-off and I really couldn't respect her the rest of the book.
Another issue is poor editing, with choppy, confusing scenes. Timelines and setting details seem wonky and I finally gave up on taking anything in the plot seriously. It reads like the author wrote a full length book first, then edited out parts to make it novella length without re-reading for continuity before publication. This in an ongoing problem in this series.
I'll stick with Wagers and Wallflowers.
Steam level: 3.
IMO "the rakess" is a Regency romance trend that has already started overstaying its welcome. Unless you can avoid making the MFC TSTL just avoid it. Also, if you're going to use a plotline that has been executed memorably by other authors (Kathleen Ayers, Sophie Jordan, and especially Scarlett Scott, among others), you need to put in a decent amount of effort. The rakess of the title, Ester, has a cousin who has gambled foolishly and is in big-time debt to a gaming hell owner; in this case, it happens to be Ester's brother-in-law, Edmond. She has tasked herself with stealing the IOU's from Edmond's gaming hell. Instead of talking the issue through with her sister and her sister's husband, Edmond's brother--as any rational person would do--Ester pesters her sister for information, lies, and then impersonates her (she is identical triplets with this sister and another) without a second thought.
Up to this point, the book just seems like a silly but fast-paced 3-star read. But the scene when Ester encounters Edmond in the gaming hell made me super uncomfortable. Ester, still pretending to be her married sister, flirts and makes a not-subtle sexual proposition to Edmund for no reason other than it's funny to her. She revels in making Edmond uncomfortable, without considering the fact that she could ruin her sister's reputation and marriage. What if there had been witnesses? What if Edmond hadn't been moral and intelligent and her sister hadn't showed up with the husband? I know this is supposed to be played for humor, and I don't mind a female character letting loose, but Ester's come-on to a man who thinks she's married to his brother is a major turn-off and I really couldn't respect her the rest of the book.
Another issue is poor editing, with choppy, confusing scenes. Timelines and setting details seem wonky and I finally gave up on taking anything in the plot seriously. It reads like the author wrote a full length book first, then edited out parts to make it novella length without re-reading for continuity before publication. This in an ongoing problem in this series.
I'll stick with Wagers and Wallflowers.
Steam level: 3.
Read
July 29, 2022Miss Ester Fairbanks is in want of an adventure to offset the boredom of London society. So, when her cousin loses his estate at the Glendevons’ Gambling Den, she commits to stealing back the IOU. The last thing she expected was to run into the vile but astonishingly handsome club owner, Edmond Glendevon. To secure her escape, she daringly flirts, igniting a spark her heart had never known, starting a head-first tumble into a desperate, breathless passion to which no happy ending is guaranteed.
Edmond is focused on building success for his family and has no time for distractions, even if that maddening distraction comes in the form of a tempting hellion. Ester is not like any lady he knows—she far too sensually mischievous and daring. Knowing he has no intention to marry, Edmond is determined to resist her charms until he allows them to succumbs to a passion that could no longer be denied.
Review to follow.
Edmond is focused on building success for his family and has no time for distractions, even if that maddening distraction comes in the form of a tempting hellion. Ester is not like any lady he knows—she far too sensually mischievous and daring. Knowing he has no intention to marry, Edmond is determined to resist her charms until he allows them to succumbs to a passion that could no longer be denied.
Review to follow.
September 9, 2022
Short and sweet. Another great read from Alyssa Clarke (I have not read any other in this series - this one just caught my attention) and I’m so glad I read it. Their magnetic pull to each other was so insane that they basically ignore anyone who tries to intervene or just try to have a say in their relationship. I do feel like they got intimate a wee bit too fast. Especially for her being a virgin. With that aside, Esters character was really… interesting. She’s bold and opinionated and not afraid to speak her mind. That helped moved the story along. Their interactions and banter with each other the first few times they met was funny and enjoyable. It was really only Edmond that held back until the very end. Even then! I feel like he didn’t hold back too much. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2022
This is the sixth book in the series Those Very Bad Fairbanks, I have not read all the books in the series, but I am planning to. This book is about Ester Fairbanks, who wants to help her cousin out of a gambling debt, and to do that she goes to the establishment to steal his IOU. At the gambling club Ester runs into Edmond, the owner of the club. Edmond thinks Ester is her identical sister who is married to his brother, so he does not understand why he feels an attraction to her, but he does. This is how it starts. I really like Edmond who is perfect for Ester. This is a nice story and I read it in one afternoon sitting by the pool.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my honest opinion.
July 27, 2022
EDMUND AND ESTER - ANOTHER GREAT LOVE STORY
Edmund - off to America to open up businesses there - he is very much in love with Ester Fairbanks one of the triplets.
Ester Fairbanks tries to trick Edmund into believing she is her sister, who is married to his brother, confused and annoyed at himself as he finds her attractive ( knowing she is his brothers wife).
LOVED the interaction between these two characters - he refuses to give parcel into love.
Great read.
Edmund - off to America to open up businesses there - he is very much in love with Ester Fairbanks one of the triplets.
Ester Fairbanks tries to trick Edmund into believing she is her sister, who is married to his brother, confused and annoyed at himself as he finds her attractive ( knowing she is his brothers wife).
LOVED the interaction between these two characters - he refuses to give parcel into love.
Great read.
November 16, 2022
enjoyable read about one saucy triplet
Esther finds herself courting impropriety with every step she takes, falling dangerously in love with a man who would never marry her.
Edmond owns and runs a gambling den with his siblings and doesn’t have time for a true relationship with Esther. Enjoyable fast read with another happy ending
Esther finds herself courting impropriety with every step she takes, falling dangerously in love with a man who would never marry her.
Edmond owns and runs a gambling den with his siblings and doesn’t have time for a true relationship with Esther. Enjoyable fast read with another happy ending
August 31, 2024
We love a woman who stands up for herself and is not a doormat. It’s a good thing I read these out of order. I read the mother’s book first and liked it. I don’t like the mother at all in the earlier books. Such milquetoast. They don’t really have to do everything the old dragon says and I don’t understand why they think they should.
June 7, 2025
Great fun with two powerful main characters sparring off against each other. The is pace to the plot and humour along the way.
The only thing that really seemed wrong was right at the start when the cousin accepts that his gambling debt of honour can simply be ignored after the theft and destruction of the IOU he signed.
The only thing that really seemed wrong was right at the start when the cousin accepts that his gambling debt of honour can simply be ignored after the theft and destruction of the IOU he signed.
October 5, 2022
Another great romance by Alyssa Clarke
I love Alyssa Clarke's sweet romances. The are a quick read and have just enough conflict to keep them interesting. And enough sexual tension to keep them scintillating.
I love Alyssa Clarke's sweet romances. The are a quick read and have just enough conflict to keep them interesting. And enough sexual tension to keep them scintillating.
June 15, 2023
The wiles of a Rakess
Like her sister Ellie, Ester is drawn to a Glendevon. Posing as Ellie, though, has consequences when she goes to the den. Their attraction can't be denied nor do they wish to.
Like her sister Ellie, Ester is drawn to a Glendevon. Posing as Ellie, though, has consequences when she goes to the den. Their attraction can't be denied nor do they wish to.
July 16, 2022
I love this family and the love and humour in each of their stories. This one didn’t draw me in emotionally like the others in the series but was still a great book.
July 18, 2022
Worth
It was really worth the wait. The love and characters made it a great read. Hope that the author is feeling better soon.📚😍📚
Love the Fairbanks!!!!!!!
It was really worth the wait. The love and characters made it a great read. Hope that the author is feeling better soon.📚😍📚
Love the Fairbanks!!!!!!!
August 9, 2022
lovely romance
I’m really appreciative of this shorter stories. Ester and Edmund’s romance was sweet and pretty much to be he point without a lot of fill-in drama.
I’m really appreciative of this shorter stories. Ester and Edmund’s romance was sweet and pretty much to be he point without a lot of fill-in drama.
August 17, 2022
Liked it easy read
I like this book it was quite refreshing in the fact he wasn't an Earl or a Duke. I like the "bad Fairbanks"
I like this book it was quite refreshing in the fact he wasn't an Earl or a Duke. I like the "bad Fairbanks"
October 12, 2022
This is actually book 6, not book 7.
It's cute. I don't know why their mother keeps trying to set them up with people. It's like she doesn't know her own children.
It's cute. I don't know why their mother keeps trying to set them up with people. It's like she doesn't know her own children.
December 7, 2022
Series just keeps getting better.
Wow and Wow! On to book 7. Sorry short review need to start 7 immediately. Love all the characters even old Dragon what's her name.
Wow and Wow! On to book 7. Sorry short review need to start 7 immediately. Love all the characters even old Dragon what's her name.
March 3, 2023
In LOVE 💕
October 12, 2023
Ester totally a stupid , immature and irrational person more like a child than an adult of 22.
January 11, 2024
Wasn’t a fan of the heroine in the beginning, but she grew on me. Edmund was just as great as I expected him to be.
April 5, 2024
So much fun!
This story fits right into the series, but stands on its own also. The way the characters are defined make it very logical as to how they fit and belong to each other.
This story fits right into the series, but stands on its own also. The way the characters are defined make it very logical as to how they fit and belong to each other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews