An Honest Woman

Author: Charlotte Shane

Charlotte Shane is at the very high end of the Sex Work business. In this memoir she offers an intimate look at love, sex work and the complexities of human relationships. She delves into her relationships with clients, friends, and her husband, examining how these connections are influenced by her work as a sex worker. 

As the perpetual “other woman”, she has a unique perspective on conventional narratives on fidelity and desire. She reflects that she “thought about marriage, sort of abstractly, as a concept, because [she] was a satellite of so many others – indirectly, but sometimes directly, too.”

A central part of the narrative is her relationship with Roger, a married client 26 years her senior. He is a regular customer for nearly a decade and they form a complex emotional bond that transcends the typical client-escort dynamic. Her prose is engaging and introspective, combining personal anecdotes with broader reflections on cultural norms. This book will challenge your notions about sex workers and make you reconsider your perceptions of intimacy and fidelity.