Even though there are some really well written sections of this book i just felt it was all about too much.... Charlotte Shane's life is just so far removed from mine, the people around her, the relationships she has and her experiences are just things i cant relate to in anyway so i cant say i really enjoyed this.

I haven't read anything similar to this before in terms of the topic as a memoir. It was very interesting at times.

Was an interesting book, but I didn’t really connect with it as well I had hoped I would and wasn’t that keen on the style.

I felt about mixed about Prostitute Laundry, but I stuck with it for Shane's writing. It was honest, insightful, and captivating throughout. Her ability to articulate her thoughts and emotions is truly remarkable. Some portions of the book hit hard, while others made me laugh, others just made me stop and really think about things.

Although I breezed through the audio, so parts did lag. I think it being a compilation of smaller stories/tiny letters meant the story wasn't always sequential or concise. There were moments where I pondered if I made the right decision to read it, and whether it would leave me feeling unfulfilled or unimpressed. It was erratic and so were my feelings about it.
No spoilers here, but I have to say I was impressed with the ending. It wasn't a neat conclusion, which I appreciated. It was introspective, thought-provoking, and added value to the story.

This is one of those books that leaves you thinking long after you finished it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook in return for a fair and honest review

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from this but it wasn’t this. I found the book equally captivating and disturbing in an odd sort of combination. It was a really interesting listen and the narration was very good

3.5 Stars
Title: An Insightful Glimpse into Unconventional Relationships

I recently finished listening to the audiobook "Prostitute Laundry" by Charlotte Shane and I must say, it was quite an interesting experience. The introduction by Katherine Angel initially set my expectations high, hinting at a feminist memoir delving into the intricate connections between women, sexuality, and prostitution. However, the book took a different path.

Rather than a straightforward feminist exploration, "Prostitute Laundry" felt more like a series of intimate journal entries. The author, Charlotte Shane, takes us on a journey through her life and relationships, sharing fragments of her experiences in a letter-like format. The narrative revolves around three main relationships, each providing a distinct perspective on love, sex, and intimacy.

Charlotte's long-term relationship with her boyfriend, whom she met while working as an erotic masseuse, unfolds as a unique arrangement that challenges conventional norms. Their open view on monogamy allows them to explore their desires beyond the boundaries of traditional commitment. The introduction of George, an unconventional love interest, adds complexity to Charlotte's dynamic, leading to a delicate balance of emotions and relationships.

The core of the narrative, however, revolves around her profound connection with Max, whom she considers the love of her life. The complexities of Max's struggle to accept Charlotte's past as an escort and her persistent desire to return to that lifestyle form a significant part of the book's emotional landscape.

Charlotte's writing is undeniably beautiful and eloquent. Her command over words shines through, and her ability to convey emotions and experiences is commendable. I found her reflections on monogamy and rediscovering her own desires thought-provoking. While I personally couldn't relate to all of her choices, I appreciated her honesty and willingness to share her unconventional experiences.

Throughout the book, I couldn't help but feel conflicted about Charlotte's expectations of Max. Her desire for him to understand and accept her past seemed self-serving, especially considering the discomfort it caused him. While I admired her openness, I found it challenging to fully empathize with her perspective in this regard.

"Prostitute Laundry" wasn't quite what I anticipated from an escort memoir. I expected more tales from her encounters with clients, but instead, it delved into her personal growth, sexual exploration, and unconventional relationships. Despite this, I found it to be a worthwhile read, though it did take me some time to get through. The narrator's performance was engaging, capturing the essence of Charlotte's letters, even if some of the voice choices were a bit peculiar.

In closing, "Prostitute Laundry" offers a glimpse into a world that challenges societal norms surrounding relationships and intimacy. Charlotte Shane's candid storytelling and eloquent prose make it an intriguing read for those open to exploring unconventional narratives. Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

This was undoubtedly an incredibly interesting, candid and perceptive memoir and reflection on a career in sex work - and is an equally interesting one for me to gather thoughts on in order to be able to review. Prostitute Laundry was born from a series of intimate and insightful letters that the author penned and sent to a small mailing list, detailing her innermost thoughts and considerations about her life as a sex worker, the complexities of relationships, and the experience of falling in and out of love. Over the coming months she continued to write these letters, as her mailing list grew in thousands and eventually caught the attention of news and media outlets such as The Washington Post.

This memoir was fantastically honest (and really outlined how many horrifically entitled and callous people - particularly men) there are in the world - and it neither glamorized nor condemned escorting or sex work as a career path, simply provided an honest window into the author’s encounters and experiences; good, bad, beautiful and on occasion, fairly ugly.

For me there were parts of this in which the pacing was off - but I can’t work out whether that’s because I wish some of the letters hadn’t been included, or whether I think there is scope for them to be lengthened and strengthened and turned into something more like an essay (or collection of!) I appreciated the in depth insight into one woman’s journey of sex work (and ultimately the decision to leave it and settle down with one man), but aside from the fact that to me this felt too loosely meandering in places, I think I was searching for more insight, more opinion and more topics for thoughtful discussion. I realise now that this is not what this book was geared to do, so maybe at least part of the issue is mine, not the book’s.

It feels ridiculous to admit this, given the subject matter, but I just wasn’t prepared for how explicit and graphic the language would be. I just found it jarring. I’m going to blame my prudish ways on my repressed Catholic background, and it’s entirely me at fault here and not the writer.