Hooked

by Samantha X.

Samantha X is not your typical hooker. She's the wrong side of 35, has two kids and counts a wild night out dining at her local pizzeria. Career-wise, she had it all; writing for Australia's top selling woman's magazines; appearing as a media expert on television and travelling the world for the sake of a good story. Yet, after her marriage break down and two kids later, she turned her back on the media, and decided to dust off her stilettos and work at Sydney's most infamous brothel, where she soon became one of their best and most in-demand girls. Not only was she making great cash, but she was privy to the real life stories of her clients - irresistible to the journalist in her. How could she not keep a record of their salacious stories? Hooked is a fly-on-the-wall sexy, juicy, page-turner of what really goes on behind the walls of a brothel; from police raids to tearful married men confessing their secrets; lesbian threesomes and having to service the odd married couple trying to reignite their relationship. But while whoring can be lucrative and fun, it also comes with a hefty price, as Samantha soon finds out. The only problem is, can Samantha kick her addiction to what she believes to be the best job in the world?

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Book Club, Biography, Relationships, Sexuality, Autobiography

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2014

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Compelling and brutally honest, an almost 40-year-old Australian woman goes against any kind of social norm by telling us of her unlikely career. Being a mother is what you would not expect from a high class prostitute.

Samantha tells us of the beginning of her career (which is not so high class) leading up to running her own show at the higher end of Sydney town. Alana is the made up name she has for herself, who is actually the ‘mum’ of the story. Two young children, and a ‘nice’ and ‘lovely’ ex-husband, and a career that she loves. She knows this isn’t what everyone would expect of her, but she is completely honest all the way through this. Alana loves being Alana; woman, mum, ex wife and canteen lady, but alas, the pull of a job Samantha just loves too much ends up winning.

Samantha surprised me by assuring us kids still want sleepovers, her house is still the social place that it always was… and that the parents really don’t care about what she does for a living. I wasn’t sure of this statement.

She uses the word ‘darling’ way too much for my liking, her writing is nowhere near polished. This surprised me as she was a journalist, but did say she was more of a hack. I’d agree.

Samantha is empowered by her job, but has been sexually abused doing it. She has learned from this, and grown stronger. She tells us of the voice that we all have (her included) in our heads that say we aren’t good enough, skinny enough, parent well enough, or simply we aren’t good enough. She’s honest that’s for sure, kudos to her. We shouldn’t judge others, we may not think it’s the best choice, but Samantha is explaining why she loves her job, and she does a good job of sticking up for herself (which she realises given the nature of the world, that she needs to).

Samantha is hooked on her life, and she tells us why. Surprisingly, I quite liked this. Good on her for her honest voice, just not overly polished!

[Cathleen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest account of what it is like to work in the sex industry with all the funny, the sad and the violent things that happen. I was "hooked" until the end. The author is a journalist and it shows in the writing. A very enjoyable read and yet it left me feeling sad too.

[Tony Garay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting perspective of a wrongfully viewed profession, you will laugh, you will cry and you will applaud what this girl achieves and has to do to make unhappy and unfortunate men and in some circumstances woman, smile again.

[Natalie Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

As interesting as it was to read about the truths of working women, for someone (Amanda/Samantha x) who was all about female empowerment & having control, I felt this book degraded women. In the way that ALL men go to see her or to see working girls because us women dont meet the mens' needs.

I have no issue with her line of work, I don't judge people in that way. I just feel she contradicted herself alot. I don't know, she also repeated herself alot in the book, almost to beef it up a bit, like her family life and schooling and that was repeated about 3 times with the same.

I somewhat enjoyed the book... but mostly because I was getting a kick at being angry with this woman.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!!

[Mary-jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose to read this book after I saw her getting beat up by the media, thinking it was unfair for a woman to be bullied because of her choice of profession. After reading the book, I’m now thinking she’s just another money-hungry, attention-seeking idiot. I thought most of the story was fiction with the only truth being her constant need to justify why she chose this profession. She’s not a likeable woman, her views are very one-sided and she spent a good part of this book bringing herself up by putting other women down by insinuating that the reason their partners cheat is because they don’t get attention at home...

Have to admit to skimming the last few chapters as the story was getting repetitive. Not a recommended read

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and gave me a very new perspective into the world of sex workers. However, I found it to be a little repetitive with her often justifying her reasons why and her thoughts on her work and her love life. Apart from this, I really enjoyed it.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of weirdly problematic and misogynistic statements (e.g. It's a woman's duty to sleep with her husband.) Stopped reading after that.

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I intend to buy the sequel. Just a fun, smutty autobiography about a hooker who has empathy. Nothing too deep about this book.

Juicy way to pass the time.

[Kylie Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight. The shaming and blaming innocent wives for men visiting brothels pissed me off though. Albeit probably true, men need to take more responsibility for their part in relationships. The whole “it’s a woman’s duty to sleep with her husband” misogynistic crap was a turn off. There is professional help available to couples other than seeking other women. This is just what douche bags do, not what good men do. If it wasn’t for that strong opinion, I’d say I might have like it more. It was an interesting and honest insight regardless

[Kimberley Scriven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough book and stories about clients. The major thing that bugged me is that the book is very poorly edited. There are linking words missing or mistyped and I found a spelling mistake. She also repeats the same themes over and over which really annoyed me. I get it, you have a perspective, but it felt like it was shoved down the readers throat. An easy summer read-by-the-beach type book, but don’t pick this one if you want something intellectually stimulating.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a trip!

I was immediately 'Hooked' as it were! Very well written and put together. At times it felt like you were in it with her. I could really appreciate the moral turmoil she went through in trying to remain there for her kids, and yet loving what she was doing.

[Julie Berzins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really wanting to read this one as similar stories by other authors were really thrilling and exciting, however this one took a bit to get into. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I didn't love it. I'll try and continue to read her next ones as I got them all on kindle so hopefully they're better. Amanda is an unhappy journalist, struggling to reconcile the time spent working and away from her children after her divorce, looking for a new lifestyle. Growing up in a strict household, her introduction to sex was more accurately described as a sexual assault. Amanda married, had 2 children and then feeling like her situation wasn't for her, divorced amicably. The lure of the sex industry was just an interest to begin with, but then on finding the establishment of her obsession she tries it. Her alter-ego Samantha was created and she was open about her new job with those important to her. She enjoys the work and finds the attention from the men fulfills her needs while allowing her time at home with her family and a good income. She seemingly only had one horrible experience which she was right to take time off to process, but it does seem like the trauma may come back to her in the future. Her writing was a bit rambling at times and she did state over and over how much she enjoyed the work & was so great at it, which while admirable, does give the element of at times trying to convince herself of it all being great and not just for the money. She seems honest in her thoughts and writing, but as a trauma victim who also made life seem always great, I do have to wonder if there's a part of her that won't (or can't) admit its not all amazing.

[India Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to read but Samantha is really very annoying. She constantly justifies her choice of profession and it's problematic how she tries to glamorise and normalise it. She skims over the fact that this is potentially a very physically and emotionally damaging job by reiterating how much she loves sex so she might as well get paid for it. She has a lot of issues with women and is insistent that most men visit prostitutes because their wives don't put out. Altogether shes a disagreeable and dysfunctional woman who has a poor relationship with her parents and thinks she doesn't deserve to be loved.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- It would be wrong to judge call girls as people who have no alternatives: in fact, many of them are highly educated and truly enjoy the thrill of sex and wouldn't mind making money out of it. While many girls guard sex as a treasury, there are indeed girls who want to give sex constantly. People are different

- Some of the sex work Samantha encountered are not sex work: some people are just lonely and want someone to talk to. She even saw clients that didn't want sex whatsoever just so he can have the "girlfriend experience"

- Older people - ones who are above 90 - can still be overly sexual

[Thatcherrywitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was somewhat of a mixed bag for me. Samantha comes across as a bit of a “pick me” and like she’s writing fantasy not reality.

But she has some really good perspectives on what drives clients to seek out providers. And her experience resonated with me as a dancer. I also really love my job. I love men. I love the flirtation and the tease and the therapy. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

And yes, sometimes that in itself is scary. Because I can’t do this forever and idk what to do next. I had kinda hoped she had answers for me in that regard…but she’s just as addicted and lost as I am.

Overall compelling but maybe a bit glamorized.

Book 13 of 2023.

[Kaitlyn Jackson (Masters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself nodding in agreement a lot, laughing and almost crying. This book had be hooked from the beginning!

I think most people forget that men need to feel love and acceptance just the same as every other human in this world.

Samantha/Amanda sound like something you could be friends with. She's down to earth and didn't sugar coat her job, her life and the aftermath of outing herself to the whole world.

It was a great read and got me out of my reading slump, looking forward to reading her other books.

[Joanne Georgiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, felt like I was sitting having coffee with Samantha while she tells me all her stories! Yes, I am married and no, I didn't take offence to all the references to married men. This book shone a gentle light on the world of sex workers and all I can say is 'rather her than me! Entertaining and easy read!

[Roger Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish

It’s a terrible book, waste of time , written very bad way, , don’t waste your money , I just needed a book to read sitting in airport for 1 hour , read half it in 15 minutes and went and brought a news paper

[Rachel Holton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. Such an inspirational woman! If only we could all be as empowered as she and no I don’t mean we should all be sex workers. But empowered enough to own who we are, what we enjoy and what we want and to be proud of it. Highly recommended.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book It was an honest perspective the of the escort world.
There were some repetitions and grammar faults but nevertheless a rolling coaster read.

[Karren321 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Samantha

I like her voice

I didnt perhaps agree with everything she said but she was nice and entertaining to read

[chuck r · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good read. tremendous story of a young woman coming to gribs with who she is. intelligent, confident, with her priorities in order.

[Jason Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, interesting read.
I liked how she wrote as both Samantha and Amanda, telling both sides of her story.

[T Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this hilarious and fact based book. I dont come across people with a different story to mine so i found it fasinating.

2 friends recommended it to me and i would recommend it to others.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this! So interesting to hear a perspective from Ausi escort. Funny and informative!

[Steve Howells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read, would have given 4.5 but the scale here is too narrow.

[Raine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candid, warm and utterly human.

[Diccon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure titillation, with equal lapping's of embellishment all the way.
Nevertheless a great read and Amanda/Samantha can sure tell a good story.

[Rae Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶🌶
The life of a hooked then call girl based in Sydney.
A bit jumpy on the stories
But otherwise, a good read