A Wager too Wicked

Wagers and Wallflowers #13

by Alyssa Clarke

Love becomes the ultimate gamble when a wager turns into a passionate affair.

Lady Victoria Knightly is determined to prevent her cousin from being trapped in a loveless marriage. To achieve this, she decides to spy on Ethan Darlington, the formidable Earl of Townsend, hoping to uncover secrets to thwart his courtship intentions.

But Ethan, ever the strategist, counters with an audacious wager that promises high stakes and risks she hadn't anticipated. As their daring games intensify, Victoria realizes she's not just battling for her cousin's future but also wrestling with her burgeoning feelings for a man who may never take her as his bride.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Romance, Fiction

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2023

About the author

Alyssa 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.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 20th book by Alyssa Clarke and I just started reading her in April, 2021. She has quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love her writing and stories. She also writes great sex scenes. This has been a great series.

I loved Ethan and Victoria. I loved their personalities and their chemistry. I loved how daring she was and how wonderful he was. Such a great read. Sex was freakin' hot. I loved this book. An August favorite.

[Lou Ambrose’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

How dare these stories make me feel so much in such a short time? I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want it to end. It was short but it felt like it said all it wanted to say. It was sensual but playful and that’s all I can ask for.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been almost 3 weeks since I've written. It's good to be back to my favorite pastime; reading. This book was a delightful surprise! I found myself completely captivated by the distant and aloof hero. His mysterious aura was simply irresistible. The heroine was a perfect match for him, and their dynamic was both intriguing and heartwarming.

The plot was filled with angst, which I absolutely adored. It kept me on the edge of my seat and made the eventual happy ending all the more satisfying. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all heard the say 'Love you to the moon and back' and get all the warm fuzzies, but it doesn't even come close to Victoria and Ethan HEA and the reached up to grab the stars. I expected to love this book, as I knew I would - Alyssa Clarke always hits the right notes - but I really loved-loved it! Well developed characters, the right amount of details for the setting, and scenes that will make you smile - and others that will have you Fanning your heated cheeks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Lady Victoria Knightly is determined to prevent her cousin Elaine from being trapped in a loveless marriage. To achieve this, she enters into an audacious wager with Ethan Darlington, the formidable Earl of Townsend. As their daring games intensify, Victoria realizes she's not just battling for her cousin's future but also wrestling with her burgeoning feelings for a man who may never take her as his bride.
The thirteenth book in this lovely series, which centres around the members of a ladies club in Berkeley Square. Another well written quick read – well the pages certainly flew by for me. I loved both Ethan & Victoria he’s a enigmatic earl who enjoys placing & winning wagers, Victoria is twenty three & a wallflower. I loved the chemistry between them which grew hotter & hotter especially after they played chess. But can she win the wager to divert his attention from Elaine? Well that would be telling!
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

...put your chest to mine...

Aww, this was a let down for me! After the high of the last book, I was really hoping for another magical story. Unfortunately, the romance between Victoria and Ethan didn't hit for me at all. I did not get any chemistry from them and the connection seemed awfully forced. I didn't enjoy their romance.

I still gave this 2 stars, because I do like Alyssa Clarke's writing and I think when the books in this series hit, they hit hard. She has had some gems in her Wagers and Wallflowers series. But, there have also been some books that haven't worked for me either.

I think there's a 14th book coming out, so I hope we get another great story. I just needed more here.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Victoria Knightly is on a mission to save her cousin from marrying the Earl of Townsend, a notorious rake who has a reputation for breaking hearts. She decides to spy on him and find out his secrets, hoping to expose him as a scoundrel. But she doesn’t expect to be caught by the earl himself, who challenges her to a wager that will test her loyalty and her desire.

Ethan Darlington, the Earl of Townsend, is intrigued by the feisty Lady Victoria, who dares to meddle in his affairs. He decides to teach her a lesson by making her his pawn in a bet that involves his courtship of her cousin. But he soon realizes that he has met his match in Victoria, who is not afraid to stand up to him and tempt him with her wit and charm.

As the wager escalates, so does the attraction between Victoria and Ethan. They find themselves drawn to each other despite their differences and their conflicting goals. But can they trust each other enough to risk their hearts? Or will they lose everything in the gamble of love? This is a delightful and captivating romance that will keep you hooked until the end. The characters are likable with great chemistry and their banter is witty and funny. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A LOVE STORY BETWEEN 2 LONELY PEOPLE

5 STARS, but would give it 10 STARS with an extra 2 STARS as a bonus of excellence.
Oh my this is lucky 13 for the series in my opinion & one of the most beautiful love stories between 2 people who both somewhere deep in their souls left unsaid, out loud wanted love. However they both were realistic enough to believe it didn't exist or if it did only for awhile & then just the relationship is left. Kinda sad. Great informative Blurb as with all of Alyssa.Clarke's Series Wagers and
Wallflowers. This book is well written as are all of Alyssa's books I have read & is interesting and is filled with excitement. The author has reached new heights in places our handsome Lord gets intimate with our wallflower. What an adventure that I would even like to experience, love the night sky. Hahaha! The usual secondary characters with some names from the earlier books in the series & just good surrounding characters in general.
It does get RED HOT & FLAMES ARE BRIGHT plus ATTENTION: SEXUAL EXPLICIT MATERIAL INSIDE! .. ...I highly recommend this book because it is in my top 10 of the best love stories between 2 people in the urgency era and the sexual content is done with very good taste. RECOMMEND

[JenReviews4U · Rating 4 out of 5]

What originally was a mission to help her cousin avoid being engaged to Ethan Darlington, the rake Earl of Townsend, ends in a way wallflower Lady Victoria never expected. But Lord Ethan is just so handsome and so not what she expected, can she cope with her feelings towards him knowing he'll never take her as his bride?

Another great story from the Wagers and Wallflowers group at 48 Berkeley Square secret ladies club. Readers know they will have a very romantic and steamy story from author Alyssa Clarke. This was an entertaining read but for me, but I felt there wasn't enough to get to know the characters well. Lady Victoria for me was wishy washy, starting off meek but then strong in some areas and then when around the club members seemed immature and quiet, never speaking her mind. I could never get a true read on her. And Ethan didn't wow me either, he was just ok.
Despite this, it was still a good storyline and I do recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, I think this is one of my favorites so far in the whole series. I did not want to put it down and finished it in one sitting. It is about Victoria and Ethan who I believe were perfect together. To prevent her cousin from marrying Ethan who she did not want to marry, Victor proposed a wager with Ethan. I don’t want to get too much into this, because it is all part of the story. I will say, I felt their chemistry from the moment they met. I always enjoy Alyssa Clarke’s books and am excited every time one comes out.
I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and I am leaving my honest opinion.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was even better than book 12. Such a lovely story of love. Loved everything about this. A perfect rogue with a beautiful lady, with such a wonderful ending. Great characters and storyline once again in this series. Brilliant! 5☆

[Hayleigh Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

🃏A Wager too Wicked 🎲
Wagers and Wallflowers Book 13
✒️ Alyssa Clarke
https://www.facebook.com/alyssaclarke...
Release Date 08/18/2023
Publisher Darkan Press Inc.
➪ https://a.co/d/2f8E1q7

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

Love becomes the ultimate gamble when a wager turns into a passionate affair.

Lady Victoria Knightly is determined to prevent her cousin from being trapped in a loveless marriage. To achieve this, she decides to spy on Ethan Darlington, the formidable Earl of Townsend, hoping to uncover secrets to thwart his courtship intentions.

But Ethan, ever the strategist, counters with an audacious wager that promises high stakes and risks she hadn't anticipated. As their daring games intensify, Victoria realizes she's not just battling for her cousin's future but also wrestling with her burgeoning feelings for a man who may never take her as his bride.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

I have falling down a sort of rabbit hole these last weeks and since I struggle to go back to read as I did before.
Yet when I saw this new offer, I decided to try once more, after all, this is an author I have read without expectations of a review for my sole pleasure, so here I am.
Ethan is a man who has tested everything but he has reached a time in his life when pleasures and gamblings do not fulfill him anymore. He feels as much empty as his now deserted family tree, with no real goal outside his usual duties as these pursuits leave him now cold.
Victoria would love to have more from life but after a few years on the marriage mart, it is mostly as a soon to be spinster she is seen instead of the vibrant lively young woman i habit if her core. So while she has few hopes for herself, if she can help her rather spoiled relative to get what she wants instead of what duty she must follow, she will do it, even more if it allows her a bit of an adventure.
Both are much lovable being, and Victoria is fun to follow around as she does not hide who she is nor how she is perceived by others.
Thus why she intrigues him, she does seek to seduced him just hold his interest long enough to free her cousin through their wager.
A fast paced entertaining romance with two misunderstood kind people.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 ����𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...

#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2023read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #alyssaclarke #romancestagram #readersofinstagram

[LainieLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

Every historical romance I've read in the last year had some sort of play on dares/wagers, which is just random and I'm not sure why that's so common.

Alright - this was another win from Alyssa Clarke. A super easy read with a nice mix of spice and a fun little storyline. Lady Victoria Knightly decides to help her cousin fight off a suitor she is uninterested in, Ethan Darlington, the Earl of Townsend. He's super hot and rich, but her cousin is in love with a random solicitor for some reason. Victoria breaks into his home, in an attempt to get some intel on him, but finds herself caught and making a wager with the Earl. His life has felt lackluster, so their wager is that Victoria will basically bring some excitement to the Earl's life over the course of a month. If his interest is held, he will stay away from Victoria's cousin. If Victoria is unsuccessful, she will help the Earl get into her cousin's good graces. Of course, Victoria does her job a little too well and the Earl finds himself enamored by her, and she also falls for him.

The scenes are really cute, I love Victoria and Ethan's little interactions. One issue I have with this book, and honestly this series, is how quickly the girls are giving up their virtue. It's a historical romance and Victoria is an unmarried noble - it makes no sense that she would lose her virginity to Ethan all of a sudden in a hot air balloon ride. This keeps happening in this series, the girls are super quick to ruin themselves with 0 concern for their futures, and the guys are find with it. It's a complete non-issue? Very Strange.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mistakenly thought the stories would be diluted in intensity by Book 13. Yet Clarke entertains us once again with a whimsical tale about another member of the ladies club at 48 Berkeley Square, Lady Victoria Knightly. Her cousin Elaine has received an unwanted offer for courtship by Lord Townsend; she want to marry her uncle’s solicitor. She’s in love 😍. “Ah, true love…a terrible bond” [spoken by Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End] 😜. To help her cousin out of this predicament, Torie proposes a wager with Ethan Dorchester, Lord Townsend. I am unwilling to spoil the exciting events that transpire in this delightful story. Read this lovely romance between a lovely young woman, unnoticed by the ton’s marriageable bachelors, whose talents do not include embroidery, singing, nor daring to wish for the unattainable and a bored, unstimulated, lonely young man who wants to grant her wish.
If I only had enough funds to purchase the other 9 books, that I do not own…oh, well. 😩. This review is late, because I read it again!
5 ✨ I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan Darlington, Earl of Townsend, is showing interest in Lady Victoria Knightly’s cousin Elaine. Elaine is distraught with his attention. She does not want to be courted by the earl. Torie is a member of the secret Ladies’ Club in Berkeley Square. She decides the way to help Elaine is to make a wager with the earl to convince him to drop the courtship. He does her one better, and what happens from there is a romp and adventure. The wager brings Ethan and Torie together a lot, chess games, picnics, balloon rides, all kinds of fun. The chemistry between them sizzles, but will it be enough for Ethan to drop his suit of Elaine? Maybe. There is a happy ending, but whose? Well-written, fast-paced, and entertaining. Characters that are likable and interesting. A delightfully daring addition to the series.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Shelley-Ann Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a feel-good read. Actually, all Alyssa Clarke's books are a pleasure to read. She writes well, adds the perfect steam and tells a good tale with strong woman leads and likeable gentlemen. I have enjoyed all 13 books in the Wagers and Wallflowers series. I loved the idea that the more downtrodden ladies of the ton had a group to join that gave them purpose. They can fight, fence, drink, pick locks and wager giving them a more rounded and readable character. Victoria is someone I would befriend and enjoy spending time with and Ethan is not only HOT but has depth.
There is also the emotional side in this story with Ethan being alone in the world and Victoria thinking she is not special enough to be noticed. It pulled at my heartstrings and made the HEA even more romantic. Really enjoyed this book.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Ethan, the Earl of Townsend, had a reputation for being cold, calculating and a man who would wager on just about anything and rarely ever lost. When he decided to court Elaine, she begged her cousin Victoria to help her find a way out of the courtship. After an unusual encounter, Victoria and Ethan made a wager. If she won, he would give up his courtship of Elaine. If he won, Victoria would have to help him gain Elaine’s hand. What follows of an enchanting story of outrageous actions, steamy encounters and a delicate balancing act between propriety and scandal. This story will have you smiling one minute and sniffling the next. It is emotionally engaging, full of surprises and the ending is simply delightful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story moved along at a good pace and had engaging characters. Lady Victoria was quite brave but sometimes in a reckless way. She is unaware of her own qualities.She belong to the ladies’ club that encouraged wagers. Victoria is attempting to help her cousin, who to my mind seemed very fickle and immature. Her wager involves Ethan Dorchester, Earl of Townsend. Ethan portrays an arrogant persona and enjoys a wager, and he is usually successful. How ever, there is more to him as Victoria discovers. They do have an attraction but could it lead to something more. This was an entertaining read with some humour and plenty of passion. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ms. Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t like romance books where there is OW/OM drama, and we see the MMC behaving the rake and at the start of the book I thought I’m not going to like Ethan for that reason. His self-professed activities are ‘good liquor, tupping, and gambling’. Victoria is a good character in the style of the ladies of 48 Berkeley Square but towards the end of the book behaves in a way that does not make sense (prepared to give up Ethan to her cousin). However, by the end it does work out and when the first time you have sex (Victoria) is in a hot air balloon flying the mile high club that tells you how steamy this gets.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Ethan and Victoria are wonderfully rich characters. Victoria is super intelligent and witty, but has insecurities from not finding a match in the 3 years she has been out in society. Ethan wears his persona as armor: women, drinking, and gambling -- and he never loses. Both characters are lonely and find a spark in each other. The unfolding of their relationship is lovely, and the HEA is exceptional. And the heat? Alyssa Clarke brings the heat with this book. So good!
Very highly recommended and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CATHERINE BURHANS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading these stories of the unconventional, spunky ladies belonging to the 48 Berkeley Square club. Ethan and Victoria’s story is wonderful, loaded with romance and passion. Ethan is an Earl, alone and bored to death of life, deciding it was time to take a wife. He chooses Victoria’s cousin, who loves another, so Victoria steps up to save her from this unwanted union. Ethan and Victoria enter into a wager that has him anything but bored. Their dialogue is delightful as are their secret rendezvouses! As Ethan put it, Victoria is “Reckless and Wonderful “!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caligirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the read

I have very much enjoyed this entire series to this point.. I love the club, the dares and the women members… this is the story of Ethan and Victoria and their journey to love. It doesn’t come about as the regular dares, but as a means to distract Ethan away from her cousin who is interested in another…. Victoria makes a wager with Ethan when she beats him in chess.

I loved the way they came together and how Ethan truly saw Victoria and her uniqueness… the fact the he was super inventive when they finally came together was maybe was of the best creative reads I’ve come across..

Excellent series and book… a true recommend.

[Richard Burlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I enjoyed this book, but there are too many issues for me to find total enjoyment.

Firstly there are a number of stupid editing errors which should have been corrected. In one instance "where" is used instead of "were" and the worst was "other's man" when it should have been "other man's".

It is also hard to accept that a pretty, charming daughter of an Earl would be overlooked by society and fail to receive a single marriage offer after 3 seasons.

Ethan acts like a fool taking an inordinate time to realise the inevitable ending when he has developed strong feelings towards Victoria and the little bit of drama at the end seemed unnecessary.

[Tiffany P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This was a really good read. I loved the characters and their interactions. You could see that they were instantly connected even though it took them a minute to figure it out. They were both fun and smart, and they complemented one another. I didn’t like the cousin Elaine. She was too fickle and manipulative. I was so happy that the storyline didn’t involve her causing any real problems for them. Mostly because they were so open and honest with one another and were not going to let anyone stand in the way of their happiness together.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria and Ethan meet when her cousin who thinks Ethan wants to marry her so she ask Vitoria to turn his attentions from her. Victoria being a member of the 48 Berkeley Square womens club who go against the common rule that women should be demure but Victoria is brave so she wagers that she can turn Ethan’s mind against his plans to marry her cousin. What happens is Victoria who has no luck capturing the attentions in three seasons has fallen in love with Ethan and can only hope he feels the same way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dianne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daring Lord Townsend

Lady Victoria was a wallflower. At 23 yrs, old she had three seasons and no marriage proposal. Ethan was going to court Victoria's cousin Elaine who was in love with another man. Victoria tried to help Elaine br daring Ethan to call off his interest in Elaine. Instead they fall in love and marry. All the women in this series are strong, smart, and adventurous.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

In order to help her cousin with an unwanted attention from a suitor, Victoria made a wager with him. Ethan has been bored and lonely with his life with no family to speak of. As they days go by as they fulfill their wager, they slowly fall in love. It was another adorable story to add to the series. This series has not failed to entertain!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria’s cousin Elaine was upset that Ethan was courting her so she wagers with him that she can capture his interest within a month or help him win Elaine. Victoria was bold with their interactions starting with breaking into his townhouse and disguising herself to beat him in a chess match. They go much further than he should with a single lady. Victoria was a fool to step aside for her fickle cousin. Her family also shouldn’t have thought so little of her.

[Silke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wager too Wicked is another delightful novella in the Wagers and Wallflowers series. Victoria is a wonderful heroine, witty, passionate and daring but also insecure and a bit sad. I loved how she drew Ethan out and made him realize what he was really looking for. Full of passioante encounters, witty repartee and sentimental moments, this is an absolutely lovely read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.