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The Price: My Rise and Fall As Natalia, New York's #1 Escort
In this sexy, darkly funny, and suprisingly poignant memoir, famed New York call girl Natalie "Natalia" Mclennan tells her full story for the first time. A cautionary tale about a bright, confident young woman who sells her future for easy money and glamour, "The Price" takes readers inside the world of the twenty-five-year-old-girl "New York" magazine labeled "The $2,000-An-Hour Hooker."
324 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 19, 2015
This is by far the best book I have ever read written by a former escort about the business. All of the books I have read by prostitutes up to this point seem to have been written by mentally unstable ones. Although Natalie has her own psychological problems she's intelligent, and not psycho like most of the others I have read about.
Natalie is a really likable person even though her actions might not be admirable. I don't always agree with her on things, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. She felt that she was saving marriages by doing what she did. Her belief is that with an escort a man can cheat, and not have to worry about it getting back to his wife. He can pay for his service, and safely go back home to the family without any of the emotional baggage that makes having affairs so complicated.
Natalie blames her dad for her actions, and I also don't agree with that. I feel that she should take responsibility for her own actions, and not try to make it seem like the fault of someone who was never even around her. My dad wasn't around while I was growing up, and I didn't turn to prostitution so to me this is no excuse.
This book was very interesting no matter what our different opinions are. I simply could not put this book down once I started reading it! I would love to see this book made into a movie!
Natalie is a really likable person even though her actions might not be admirable. I don't always agree with her on things, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. She felt that she was saving marriages by doing what she did. Her belief is that with an escort a man can cheat, and not have to worry about it getting back to his wife. He can pay for his service, and safely go back home to the family without any of the emotional baggage that makes having affairs so complicated.
Natalie blames her dad for her actions, and I also don't agree with that. I feel that she should take responsibility for her own actions, and not try to make it seem like the fault of someone who was never even around her. My dad wasn't around while I was growing up, and I didn't turn to prostitution so to me this is no excuse.
This book was very interesting no matter what our different opinions are. I simply could not put this book down once I started reading it! I would love to see this book made into a movie!
December 2, 2008
First of all let's get it out of the way, if you are interested in this book because you think it's the girl that got the New York Governor busted. It is not. However the author did work for the same agency and helped recruit her into the business.
Second of all, no it does not name names of her clients. Yes, she talks in general terms about a retired NFL QB and a Republican family man that wants to get into senatorial politics, but no she doesn't give you names or even enough details to draw out who it is. It would have been a lot more interesting reading had she did this though.
The book is good, but she doesn't go into too much detail about her childhood or her want to be actress life before she starts escorting. I think it's a little confusing with her timelines. You are never sure until the end how long she's been doing this. Sometimes it seems like a part of her experiences goes on for years and then you find out it's months. If you don't know much about escorting then I guess this would be a decent book to explore. She does go into some detail about how it is set up and what happens. However, I didn't like how important she tried to make herself look. Like she was the one that came up with everything that the company did and how she ran a lot of the business. Maybe she did but I just find it hard to believe. Jason Itlzer was a millionaire several times in several different businesses before Ms. McLennan came on the scene. I did enjoy how she broke down the parts of her life after she got busted and was in jail. Again she makes it sound like forever when it was only 23 days and she probably deserved way more. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in what goes on with the escort business or that is just plain curious about it since the political scandals.
Second of all, no it does not name names of her clients. Yes, she talks in general terms about a retired NFL QB and a Republican family man that wants to get into senatorial politics, but no she doesn't give you names or even enough details to draw out who it is. It would have been a lot more interesting reading had she did this though.
The book is good, but she doesn't go into too much detail about her childhood or her want to be actress life before she starts escorting. I think it's a little confusing with her timelines. You are never sure until the end how long she's been doing this. Sometimes it seems like a part of her experiences goes on for years and then you find out it's months. If you don't know much about escorting then I guess this would be a decent book to explore. She does go into some detail about how it is set up and what happens. However, I didn't like how important she tried to make herself look. Like she was the one that came up with everything that the company did and how she ran a lot of the business. Maybe she did but I just find it hard to believe. Jason Itlzer was a millionaire several times in several different businesses before Ms. McLennan came on the scene. I did enjoy how she broke down the parts of her life after she got busted and was in jail. Again she makes it sound like forever when it was only 23 days and she probably deserved way more. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in what goes on with the escort business or that is just plain curious about it since the political scandals.
February 15, 2011
Natalie McLennan is the self-professed most expensive lay in town. She claims that she isn't beautiful, but that her personality and hard body win over the hot, rich Johns of New York. Apparently every wealthy man in New York cannot spare effort to pick up a girl at the bar, and would prefer to wine and dine a whore. Regardless, McLennan is refreshingly candid about her illegal lifestyle. ( It almost makes one wonder why she did not continue in Canada, where it is legal?) She takes us on her cocaine-fueled shopping sprees and cocaine-fueled dates and cocaine-fueled parties and it almost makes you wish you were there, too. Until she ends up in prison. And penniless. And a heroin addict.
A fun escapist book. Better than most drug-addled memoirs.
A fun escapist book. Better than most drug-addled memoirs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2015
You are free to make whatever choice you want but you are not free from the consequences of the choice.
That's the hard lesson that "Natalia" one of New York's most celebrated escorts learned during her time at the infamous NY Confidential escort agency that gave rise to the likes of another famous call girl...Ashley Dupre.
Known as the "$2400 an hour woman" Natalie McLennan chronicles her rise from humble roots in Canada to her epic fall from "grace" in a very public takedown of one of the country's top sex for hire agencies. The reader gets an insider's view as to how the whole thing went down.
Definitely a great read that makes it hard to put down. Another book to add to your summer reading list.
That's the hard lesson that "Natalia" one of New York's most celebrated escorts learned during her time at the infamous NY Confidential escort agency that gave rise to the likes of another famous call girl...Ashley Dupre.
Known as the "$2400 an hour woman" Natalie McLennan chronicles her rise from humble roots in Canada to her epic fall from "grace" in a very public takedown of one of the country's top sex for hire agencies. The reader gets an insider's view as to how the whole thing went down.
Definitely a great read that makes it hard to put down. Another book to add to your summer reading list.
April 3, 2019
The book was candid but very repetitive. She seems nostalgic for her times as a heavy cocaine user and escort and looks back on the memories positively (for the most part) as part of her "star" life. It reads like she's bragging about how much money men are willing to part with to spend a couple hours with her, bragging about her clothes and lifestyle and bragging about her drug use.
In the end the book isn't very well written. It's different, as both a memoir and autobiography, but it feels like McLennan didn't learn anything from the experience other than what she lost. Most of the book is forgettable as a whole.
In the end the book isn't very well written. It's different, as both a memoir and autobiography, but it feels like McLennan didn't learn anything from the experience other than what she lost. Most of the book is forgettable as a whole.
June 19, 2012
Natalie Mclennan offers a crash course into the crazy world of escorts. From the business side to the emotionally damaging. Natalie went through it all on her way to becoming 1 of the most sought after escorts in New York commanding a cool $2000/hour rate.
While reading this book it was hard to not to feel some kind of emotion for Natalie. Underneath it all and behind the make up and the smile she is a human being and her story is certainly 1 worth telling. I wouldn't necessarily say its a book I would recommend to everyone because the content is a little taboo, but its not one I would put down if you were to ask me "how was it".
Natalie's writing style is as though she is sitting write next to you with a drink in her hand having a smoke and regaling you with tales of the life she left behind, and all you wanna do is buy her another round so she can answer the one question you will ask over and over again, "and then what happened?".
While reading this book it was hard to not to feel some kind of emotion for Natalie. Underneath it all and behind the make up and the smile she is a human being and her story is certainly 1 worth telling. I wouldn't necessarily say its a book I would recommend to everyone because the content is a little taboo, but its not one I would put down if you were to ask me "how was it".
Natalie's writing style is as though she is sitting write next to you with a drink in her hand having a smoke and regaling you with tales of the life she left behind, and all you wanna do is buy her another round so she can answer the one question you will ask over and over again, "and then what happened?".
April 17, 2021
J'hésite entre un 2 et un 3 étoiles, donc je vais mettre 2.5*. J'ai apprécié les trois quarts du livre, mais ouf vers la fin, c'était long avant d'aboutir. Bien, mais sans plus.
February 3, 2013
Ich wollte unbedingt mal wieder eine spannende Autobiographie lesen und begann bei "amazon" zu stöbern. Dabei bin ich auf das vorliegende Buch gestoßen. Es klang total interessant und die Kritiken waren super. Aufstieg und Fall eines Escort-Girls. Klingt doch interessant.
Jedoch konnte das Buch nicht das halten, was es versprach. Schnell stellte sich Langeweile ein. Natalia kokst, hat Sex - vielleicht noch ein paar Nebengeschichten über die Agentur, aber das ist es auch. Dann der tiefe Fall. Diese Schilderung ist da schon interessanter, jedoch kommt das auch nicht kurzweilig rüber.
Das Buch war okay, aber wirklich nicht mehr.
Jedoch konnte das Buch nicht das halten, was es versprach. Schnell stellte sich Langeweile ein. Natalia kokst, hat Sex - vielleicht noch ein paar Nebengeschichten über die Agentur, aber das ist es auch. Dann der tiefe Fall. Diese Schilderung ist da schon interessanter, jedoch kommt das auch nicht kurzweilig rüber.
Das Buch war okay, aber wirklich nicht mehr.
February 12, 2015
The Price is the best I've read on the subject of someone's life in the sex selling world. It's fast, glamorous, insightful, hard-assed and a little heart touching. The only thing I would like more of is a scope on the time and events passing.
September 11, 2017
This book can get quite sexually explicit but it is an honest portrayal of the downward spiralling of an aspiring actress cum high class escort into a life of parties, drugs and sex. Suffice to say when the money and drugs dry up, it's a cold, lonely place to find yourself. Great read
March 21, 2015
For some reason far below my expectations, thought that would be smth eye-opening rather than just plain description of escort daily routine.
September 19, 2015
Loved this! Addictive point of view biography!
I couldn't put this down, became very engrossed with the different characters and highs and lows that came with what she did.
I couldn't put this down, became very engrossed with the different characters and highs and lows that came with what she did.
October 15, 2017
I enjoyed the book very much. A lot of it was repetitive, but it was still very interesting. I kept thinking to myself, "Get the cash, don't let it build up in an account where you have no access". But perhaps that was due to trusting the wrong people (most noticeably that self-centered braggart, worthless boyfriend). Natalie described very well about the jealously amongst the ranks for other women, which could be in any profession. The abuse of drugs and alcohol was a shame, but if you had to have the amount of sex with strangers, I suppose it was a numbing way to get through it. I hope she is doing better with her life. Google her name on the Internet, and watch her Ted Talk. You could tell she was very nervous, and her laughter was covering how awkward she felt up there.
January 11, 2022
- Drug use is a common theme in the escort business, while people who want to pursue this career "for longer typically don't do drugs"
- While the arthur do no ask for client's life, it's oftentimes the client who want to tell arthur his lives - he feels better to feel worshiped
- Escort are often being taken to trips elsewhere as part of the gig. Otherwise the going rate is based on hours
- The arthur admits that she doesn't consider herself the prettiest, while commanding the most expensive price tag for escort
- Many famous/wealthy people frequent the arthur's agency
- While the arthur do no ask for client's life, it's oftentimes the client who want to tell arthur his lives - he feels better to feel worshiped
- Escort are often being taken to trips elsewhere as part of the gig. Otherwise the going rate is based on hours
- The arthur admits that she doesn't consider herself the prettiest, while commanding the most expensive price tag for escort
- Many famous/wealthy people frequent the arthur's agency
December 25, 2022
My third or fourth book by a woman in this occupation or similar. Always interesting to read the experiences of the most successful in their field. I remember Elliot Spitzer and his scandal vaguely. Funny how hypocritical people can be. It was also highly amusing to see my high school classmate
Jeremy Piven name checked in an unflattering manner. He was never nice to me and has a reputation for being the type of person who would do what she suggested he did.
Jeremy Piven name checked in an unflattering manner. He was never nice to me and has a reputation for being the type of person who would do what she suggested he did.
December 1, 2020
Excellent and Fast Read
Quite a interesting story of the quick rise to the fast and furious life that Natalie lived. It reminds me of another young lady in a different profession(Molly's Story) that traveled a similar path with a similar ending. It is great that both of these young women got back on track and are using their experiences to help others now.
Quite a interesting story of the quick rise to the fast and furious life that Natalie lived. It reminds me of another young lady in a different profession(Molly's Story) that traveled a similar path with a similar ending. It is great that both of these young women got back on track and are using their experiences to help others now.
November 26, 2018
This book was extremely entertaining! Reading about Natalie's sexscapades was addicting and such fun. The writing is not very complex but glimpsing inside of the NYC escort scene did not require it. If you're looking for a break from heavy non-fiction this is definitely worth a read.
June 25, 2020
Entertaining not much of anything else!
August 1, 2021
Interest read
Interesting read into the escort world and about drug addiction and the impact it has on everyone around you. .
Interesting read into the escort world and about drug addiction and the impact it has on everyone around you. .
February 17, 2024
Gutes Buch für Zwischendurch. Gibt interessante Einblicke in den Aufstieg und Fall eines New Yorker Callgirls oder eher gesagt DES New Yorker Callgirls schlecht hin. Natalie ist jung, gutaussehend und braucht das Geld. Ihre Schauspielkarriere in New York gestaltet sich als holprig, deshalb tritt sie in die Welt des Nachtlebens ein und erstellt zusammen mit ihrem Freund ein Imperium. Wie sie sich dabei fühlt, ob sie aussteigen möchte oder den bald erlangten Ruhm genießt? In all das bekommt man als Leser einen Einblick und vor allem: was passiert, wenn das Imperium zusammenbricht?
April 21, 2025
J’ai beaucoup aimé, ça te sort de ton quotidien
March 15, 2017
Incapable d'entrée dans l'histoire.. peux être trop glocke pour moi.. j'ai abandonnée au 4e chapitres
July 9, 2010
Pretty interesting, really fast read. It was really fun reading about the life of an escort. I really had no idea what they did before this. Although she isn't the best writer, it had me hooked the whole time. A really great summer read.
July 15, 2009
One of my fave's.
December 1, 2009
A good memoir of a drug-addicted, high-end escort. She's compelling, sexy, and always busy, but some of her mini-stories don't actually have any kind of conclusion, and you're left wondering.
May 3, 2012
Can't even begin to imagine. Natalie is an amazing woman and it's incredible to see how a life can be turned around. You're an inspiration, Nat!
March 30, 2013
A candid memoir. Not sure what else I can say about it. You do get a feeling for the character of the author, though she glosses over some things.
January 18, 2015
A look into the business side of this particular high end escort service. Everything in place for a smooth running business but greed and drugs were their downfall.
June 13, 2016
Sex in the City-- Redux
October 25, 2016
Great book
The book was brutally honest and kept me engaged from beginning to end. It showed the ups and downs of Natalia's. Highly recommend this book.
The book was brutally honest and kept me engaged from beginning to end. It showed the ups and downs of Natalia's. Highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews