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Pandora's Box
Ambition, desperation, and redemption abound in nationally bestselling author Allison Hobbs's unforgettable novel about a woman forced to sink to the darkest depths of morality—and her quest to fight her way back.
Victoria Carlton invested everything into her dream of becoming a singer—her hopes, her time, her life savings—only to fall victim to the harsh realities of the recording industry. Her dreams are getting further and further from her grasp when a last chance record deal falls through. Crushed, Victoria sinks into a deep depression until an eviction notice galvanizes her. In her desperate, hasty job search she notices an ad for employment at Pandora's Box, a seedy massage parlor located in downtown Philadelphia.
This establishment is opened twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Victoria is appalled by the behavior of both the clientele and the women that ruthlessly compete with one another for the clients’ business. Men come to Pandora’s Box to satisfy their kinky sexual desires. Compromising her morals and her dignity, Victoria repeats to herself that this is temporary.
When a handsome, immaculately attired young man shows up one day as a client, her luck seems to change. He is immediately drawn to Victoria and a steamy love affair quickly ensues. But her job at Pandora’s Box complicates their affair.
Sinking further into this sordid world, Victoria finds it difficult to climb out. That is, until crime is committed and someone ends up dead. Victoria is forced to confront her lifestyle and remember her dreams and values.
Victoria Carlton invested everything into her dream of becoming a singer—her hopes, her time, her life savings—only to fall victim to the harsh realities of the recording industry. Her dreams are getting further and further from her grasp when a last chance record deal falls through. Crushed, Victoria sinks into a deep depression until an eviction notice galvanizes her. In her desperate, hasty job search she notices an ad for employment at Pandora's Box, a seedy massage parlor located in downtown Philadelphia.
This establishment is opened twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Victoria is appalled by the behavior of both the clientele and the women that ruthlessly compete with one another for the clients’ business. Men come to Pandora’s Box to satisfy their kinky sexual desires. Compromising her morals and her dignity, Victoria repeats to herself that this is temporary.
When a handsome, immaculately attired young man shows up one day as a client, her luck seems to change. He is immediately drawn to Victoria and a steamy love affair quickly ensues. But her job at Pandora’s Box complicates their affair.
Sinking further into this sordid world, Victoria finds it difficult to climb out. That is, until crime is committed and someone ends up dead. Victoria is forced to confront her lifestyle and remember her dreams and values.
- GenresEroticaAfrican American
283 pages, Hardback
First published August 1, 2002
15 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 14, 2013
Out of all of the Allison Hobbs books that I have read, I have to say that this one was my least favorite. The characters didn't really have any depth. The main character, Victoria, is a recording artist who finds herself in a bind financially and takes a job at Pandora's Box, a brothel disguised as a massage parlor. The ladies that work at Pandora's all have some sort of problem whether is has to do with men, sex, the law, or drugs. The story jumped around a lot and the relationship between Pleasure (Victoria) and one of the men who paid for her services was really awkward and not well thought out. I'm upset that we never got to know what happened with Victoria and her singing career. I'm also upset that we never really got to know the other characters instead of their names just being thrown around and being placed in different parts of the book. The story could have been much better if the time had been taken to really develop the idea. I'm glad that I've read other books by her before I read this one or I may have never picked up another one of her books again.
August 7, 2020
Not Bad!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Allison Hobbs' first story has its moments, but the book is kinda pollyannaish, IMHO. We all want there to be a HEA, but I'm not sure it works for EVERY tale. I could see it happening, but with much more angst and heartache being involved. The content of this book was dark, and if you wanna climb towards the light it's gonna take hard work and perseverance. Everyone doesn't get the Pretty Woman treatment, yanno.
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
Allison Hobbs' first story has its moments, but the book is kinda pollyannaish, IMHO. We all want there to be a HEA, but I'm not sure it works for EVERY tale. I could see it happening, but with much more angst and heartache being involved. The content of this book was dark, and if you wanna climb towards the light it's gonna take hard work and perseverance. Everyone doesn't get the Pretty Woman treatment, yanno.
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
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February 18, 2009Pandora’s Box
Pandora’s Box is a book of hard times for a young single mother. There are so many emotions in this book. As I was reading this book I felt very sad. I felt sorry for the people in this story. The reason I kept reading this book because, it was very unreal to me that all this women at the Pandora’ s Box sold their bodies for money and some did it for drugs. But the main character, she did it for her son. Even though it sounded like a good reason to work there it turned out to be not that good for her. Because the money got to her head, so she stayed.
My favorite character in this book was Victoria. She was the new comer at the Pandora’s Box. She was a single mother that had no job, and no way out. So she went to go get a job as a prostitute in a building. Since she wasn’t on the streets she thought that it would be a little better. But she was wrong. It was the worst time of her life. But she stayed because of the money; she stayed just a little too long.
My least favorite character in this book was the owner of the Pandora’s Box. I really didn’t like him because he was the one that was running the whole thing. And he seemed to not care about the girls that worked for him. He harassed young girls and tried to talk them in to working for him even though they really didn’t want to.
There was one part out of this book that really captivated my attention was when Victoria was at work and she had a customer in her room, getting ready to do her job. Then the mad got out of hand and stated to take control of her by raping her. And poor Victoria just let it happen; she really didn’t care as long as she got paid. And this helps me get to my point why I think the author wrote this book. I think he wrote it to let people see what money can do to you. And how it can hurt you and make you weak, to the point where you would do anything for money.
My favorite line for this book was when Victoria was getting raped, and she yelled at him “Do you now know how to Respect a Women?” and he said back “Honey you deserve no Respect in a place like this.” And I really liked this line because it was so true. I thought she was setting herself up and disrespecting herself for lying to her family and son on where she was going at night. So I think she deserves no type of respect. I recommend this book to my teacher Miss. Trice. I think that it would be a good book for him because I know she likes a good book that has drama and passion though out the whole thing.
I was not able to predict the book because at the beginning of the book you think she might get sick of working at Pandora’s Box, but she doesn’t. She stays there and she dies there to. Right in there bed where she done her “work”. If this book was made in to a movie then I would want to be Victories mother. Because she seemed like a very nice loving person that cared for her daughter and only wanted the best for her.
Pandora’s Box is a book of hard times for a young single mother. There are so many emotions in this book. As I was reading this book I felt very sad. I felt sorry for the people in this story. The reason I kept reading this book because, it was very unreal to me that all this women at the Pandora’ s Box sold their bodies for money and some did it for drugs. But the main character, she did it for her son. Even though it sounded like a good reason to work there it turned out to be not that good for her. Because the money got to her head, so she stayed.
My favorite character in this book was Victoria. She was the new comer at the Pandora’s Box. She was a single mother that had no job, and no way out. So she went to go get a job as a prostitute in a building. Since she wasn’t on the streets she thought that it would be a little better. But she was wrong. It was the worst time of her life. But she stayed because of the money; she stayed just a little too long.
My least favorite character in this book was the owner of the Pandora’s Box. I really didn’t like him because he was the one that was running the whole thing. And he seemed to not care about the girls that worked for him. He harassed young girls and tried to talk them in to working for him even though they really didn’t want to.
There was one part out of this book that really captivated my attention was when Victoria was at work and she had a customer in her room, getting ready to do her job. Then the mad got out of hand and stated to take control of her by raping her. And poor Victoria just let it happen; she really didn’t care as long as she got paid. And this helps me get to my point why I think the author wrote this book. I think he wrote it to let people see what money can do to you. And how it can hurt you and make you weak, to the point where you would do anything for money.
My favorite line for this book was when Victoria was getting raped, and she yelled at him “Do you now know how to Respect a Women?” and he said back “Honey you deserve no Respect in a place like this.” And I really liked this line because it was so true. I thought she was setting herself up and disrespecting herself for lying to her family and son on where she was going at night. So I think she deserves no type of respect. I recommend this book to my teacher Miss. Trice. I think that it would be a good book for him because I know she likes a good book that has drama and passion though out the whole thing.
I was not able to predict the book because at the beginning of the book you think she might get sick of working at Pandora’s Box, but she doesn’t. She stays there and she dies there to. Right in there bed where she done her “work”. If this book was made in to a movie then I would want to be Victories mother. Because she seemed like a very nice loving person that cared for her daughter and only wanted the best for her.
March 26, 2017
Pandora's Box was a quick read. Allison Hobbs is an author whom I had never heard of and for the most part, if not for the online Book Club, would have never read this book. The main character, Victoria Carlton, was ambitious and talented. Her desire was to be a recording artist. She utilized her inheritance to foot that dream.
The dream did not materialize. After losing all of her money, her job and the possibility of being evicted, she made a choice to answer an advertisement at Pandora's Box, a Philadelphia brothel. She made the necessary money to ensure that she and her young son sustained. Along the way she would meet several individuals. Rover and Kareem would prove to be significan:
Rover informed her to watch her back and not to get comfortable with making quick money. He saw something in her and didn't't want her to get sucked in to that lifestyle longer than necessary. Kareem, who would end up falling in love with her and she with him, helped her to remember that "people forget the great power they hold within-the power to shape their own life."
Allison Hobbs did not glorify the life of the women who make the choice to work in a brothel. She simply illustrated that life is shaped by the choices that people make. Through the many close calls with danger and the death of an individual who also worked at Pandora's and later opened her own business, Hobbs further illustrated that learning what to choose, and how to choose, may be the most important education any person will ever receive.
Pandora's Box pounds home the message that there is no such thing as the perfect human. It is the imperfections that make us human. Victoria knew what she was running from....she had no idea what she was running towards. Throughout the reading it was stated she "didn't want to compromise her principles." I suggest that they became compromised when she encountered her first payment.
In the end, she was able to leave the life behind her. She was also able to rekindle singing and ensured that her son had the best. Her singing career was obtainable because of a genuine love by Kareem and his many connections in the industry. He never judged her...he made himself available to her. He also served as the caveat for her to want to heal the relationship that she had with her mother.
Note: If nothing else was revealed from reading...it was....mistakes can teach us and don't have to rule us.
The dream did not materialize. After losing all of her money, her job and the possibility of being evicted, she made a choice to answer an advertisement at Pandora's Box, a Philadelphia brothel. She made the necessary money to ensure that she and her young son sustained. Along the way she would meet several individuals. Rover and Kareem would prove to be significan:
Rover informed her to watch her back and not to get comfortable with making quick money. He saw something in her and didn't't want her to get sucked in to that lifestyle longer than necessary. Kareem, who would end up falling in love with her and she with him, helped her to remember that "people forget the great power they hold within-the power to shape their own life."
Allison Hobbs did not glorify the life of the women who make the choice to work in a brothel. She simply illustrated that life is shaped by the choices that people make. Through the many close calls with danger and the death of an individual who also worked at Pandora's and later opened her own business, Hobbs further illustrated that learning what to choose, and how to choose, may be the most important education any person will ever receive.
Pandora's Box pounds home the message that there is no such thing as the perfect human. It is the imperfections that make us human. Victoria knew what she was running from....she had no idea what she was running towards. Throughout the reading it was stated she "didn't want to compromise her principles." I suggest that they became compromised when she encountered her first payment.
In the end, she was able to leave the life behind her. She was also able to rekindle singing and ensured that her son had the best. Her singing career was obtainable because of a genuine love by Kareem and his many connections in the industry. He never judged her...he made himself available to her. He also served as the caveat for her to want to heal the relationship that she had with her mother.
Note: If nothing else was revealed from reading...it was....mistakes can teach us and don't have to rule us.
May 3, 2009
I finished this last night, sooner than I expected actually. Hobbs did a great job with this in my opinion.
When I first started reading it I got the impression it might be a little slow and that wasn't the case at all I'm happy to say. I also thought it might be too detail oriented back in the beginning which is wasn't.
Hobbs gives a decently detailed look into what it's like to be a woman working a "normal" job, raising a son by herself, having her dreams crushed by someone else, and then having to do things she'd never dreamed of doing. Victoria is the main character and she is/does the things I mentioned above. She also is about to get evicted and needs money asap. She finds a ad in the paper for a "full-service" massage parlor and despite her misgiving, applies and gets hired.
Most of the book deals with the day to day goings-on in the parlor, the other women, the tricks, etc. It gives the air of being brutally honest and quite realistic for being fiction.
The reasons I didn't give this four stars have to due with the ending. It was a little too happily tied up for my taste. It was one of those books where you already know, right from the beginning, that there will be a happily ever after. With a book that's so realistic in every other aspect, that doesn't sit well with me. Another thing was a side story sort of thing that happened at the end. A girl that worked at Pandora's Box opened her own shop, although it was somewhat different than Pandora's. She, of course, meets and does a session with a lunatic and ends up murdered. That's another thing I felt sure was going to happen eventually- I just didn't know to who.
I do have to admit this- as much as I didn't like those two aspects of the book, Hobbs did handle them well still. She couldn't have made the book any better, in my opinion, without taking those situations out or drastically altering them.
Overall, I'd love to give this more than a 3 star rating but the two complaints I have keep me from giving it 4 stars. Definitely 3.5 though! :)
When I first started reading it I got the impression it might be a little slow and that wasn't the case at all I'm happy to say. I also thought it might be too detail oriented back in the beginning which is wasn't.
Hobbs gives a decently detailed look into what it's like to be a woman working a "normal" job, raising a son by herself, having her dreams crushed by someone else, and then having to do things she'd never dreamed of doing. Victoria is the main character and she is/does the things I mentioned above. She also is about to get evicted and needs money asap. She finds a ad in the paper for a "full-service" massage parlor and despite her misgiving, applies and gets hired.
Most of the book deals with the day to day goings-on in the parlor, the other women, the tricks, etc. It gives the air of being brutally honest and quite realistic for being fiction.
The reasons I didn't give this four stars have to due with the ending. It was a little too happily tied up for my taste. It was one of those books where you already know, right from the beginning, that there will be a happily ever after. With a book that's so realistic in every other aspect, that doesn't sit well with me. Another thing was a side story sort of thing that happened at the end. A girl that worked at Pandora's Box opened her own shop, although it was somewhat different than Pandora's. She, of course, meets and does a session with a lunatic and ends up murdered. That's another thing I felt sure was going to happen eventually- I just didn't know to who.
I do have to admit this- as much as I didn't like those two aspects of the book, Hobbs did handle them well still. She couldn't have made the book any better, in my opinion, without taking those situations out or drastically altering them.
Overall, I'd love to give this more than a 3 star rating but the two complaints I have keep me from giving it 4 stars. Definitely 3.5 though! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2008
Pandora's Box was such a big example on how many young women's suffer everyday in life to support themselves and their families. As you read in this novel of Pandora's Box, it demonstrated how Victoria was in a situation in trying to find a job and could not find what to do with her. It concluded in which she had to think of getting money fast and easy.
Victoria is he main character of the story in which talks how she use to be a devoted singer or wanted to be but it never worked out. Victoria turns into a brothel as money was not enough for her to supply for herself and son until she found out about Pandora's Box. She had to think about her only son and think on his life and getting her money all together. She one day went and tried to work at Pandora's to see if it would work out. It worked out and she was suddenly working at Pandora's Box. Pandora's Box was a Prostitute House where girls went and worked to get easy money.
As she starts working at Pandora’s Box she starts dealing with difficulties with her other co-workers and she does not like her job. Though she receives customers on daily basis and she see the money coming in real good. She deciding now to stay and make even more money. Customers who come for her service pay for her on things she usually does at work.
There was one customer in which fulfilled her very much and changed her life. His name was Kareem. She felt very comfortable with him and basically he changed her life in thinking of living Pandora’s Box and being with him.
The story and book was real good. I enjoyed it very much. Just to see how many young mothers suffer to get money to provide for there kids and families took my attention very much. I recommend this book to many people to read.
Victoria is he main character of the story in which talks how she use to be a devoted singer or wanted to be but it never worked out. Victoria turns into a brothel as money was not enough for her to supply for herself and son until she found out about Pandora's Box. She had to think about her only son and think on his life and getting her money all together. She one day went and tried to work at Pandora's to see if it would work out. It worked out and she was suddenly working at Pandora's Box. Pandora's Box was a Prostitute House where girls went and worked to get easy money.
As she starts working at Pandora’s Box she starts dealing with difficulties with her other co-workers and she does not like her job. Though she receives customers on daily basis and she see the money coming in real good. She deciding now to stay and make even more money. Customers who come for her service pay for her on things she usually does at work.
There was one customer in which fulfilled her very much and changed her life. His name was Kareem. She felt very comfortable with him and basically he changed her life in thinking of living Pandora’s Box and being with him.
The story and book was real good. I enjoyed it very much. Just to see how many young mothers suffer to get money to provide for there kids and families took my attention very much. I recommend this book to many people to read.
July 14, 2010
Use the following link to watch the video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WamuFu...
Allison Hobbs came to my attention when Amazon.com began offering her book Insatiable with mine. Curious, I then picked up Pandora's Box to become familiar with her writing style and finished reading it on a round trip flight to Portland, Oregon.
I expected Pandora's Box to be a raunchy romp of sex, money, sex, drugs, and more sex since the book revolves around a prostitute who works in a modern day whore house. However, I was surprised to find that the book is an intense drama that illustrates how women from all walks of life (I.e., white, black, educated, welfare recipient, sanctified and heathen) can get caught up, chewed up, and spit out by the prostitution game.
My only regret reading this book is that Allison leaves far to much to the imagination with the sex scenes for my tastes (ya'll know I'm nasty...). Therefore, if you are looking for a volcanic erotic read...Pandora's Box...is not it.
However, if you are looking for a riveting story that will make you think. This is the book for you. It will force you to look at yourself and ask the question, "...what would I do...if I hit rock bottom." Excellent read!
Euftis Emery
Author of Off the Chain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WamuFu...
Allison Hobbs came to my attention when Amazon.com began offering her book Insatiable with mine. Curious, I then picked up Pandora's Box to become familiar with her writing style and finished reading it on a round trip flight to Portland, Oregon.
I expected Pandora's Box to be a raunchy romp of sex, money, sex, drugs, and more sex since the book revolves around a prostitute who works in a modern day whore house. However, I was surprised to find that the book is an intense drama that illustrates how women from all walks of life (I.e., white, black, educated, welfare recipient, sanctified and heathen) can get caught up, chewed up, and spit out by the prostitution game.
My only regret reading this book is that Allison leaves far to much to the imagination with the sex scenes for my tastes (ya'll know I'm nasty...). Therefore, if you are looking for a volcanic erotic read...Pandora's Box...is not it.
However, if you are looking for a riveting story that will make you think. This is the book for you. It will force you to look at yourself and ask the question, "...what would I do...if I hit rock bottom." Excellent read!
Euftis Emery
Author of Off the Chain
March 24, 2019
It was....okay
Allison Hobbs is one of my favorite authors; however, this is not her best work. The story was too rushed at times and didn't flow as it should have flowed. She tried to cram too much and it took away from the story. It was an okay read.
Allison Hobbs is one of my favorite authors; however, this is not her best work. The story was too rushed at times and didn't flow as it should have flowed. She tried to cram too much and it took away from the story. It was an okay read.
October 22, 2025
The first 75% of this book was interesting, funny and showed potential. Unfortunately after that it went downhill for me. It became cringey, “picture perfect”, and quite ridiculous. The characters became annoying and unlikable and it tried to give a perfect happy ever after ending.
September 6, 2019
This is my first reading by this author and after reading this book, I probably wouldn't read her works again. It was a predictable, quick read.
January 16, 2016
A Good Read
I have to say it was definitely a good read...a little
"off-the-chain" than I usually read, but I enjoyed it
none the less. I was glad to see that Victoria was
able to find love in this drama filled novel. Kareem
was definitely mature and well-grounded for his age,
not to mention quite unique to be able to handle this
relationship considering the way he met Victoria...not
too many men would want to be involved, or at least
not seriously commit to a woman working in Pandora's
Box. Kareem was able to see that there had to be
more to this woman (Pleasure) and something had to
have gone terribly wrong for her to be working at
Pandora's Box, it's like he took that second look and
saw beyond the surface...it was a little unrealistic,
but hey what's wrong with a little fantasy.
I have to say thanks to Allison for sharing
all the heads up information regarding her
novel...and keep up the good work...looking
forward to reading more of your work.
I have to say it was definitely a good read...a little
"off-the-chain" than I usually read, but I enjoyed it
none the less. I was glad to see that Victoria was
able to find love in this drama filled novel. Kareem
was definitely mature and well-grounded for his age,
not to mention quite unique to be able to handle this
relationship considering the way he met Victoria...not
too many men would want to be involved, or at least
not seriously commit to a woman working in Pandora's
Box. Kareem was able to see that there had to be
more to this woman (Pleasure) and something had to
have gone terribly wrong for her to be working at
Pandora's Box, it's like he took that second look and
saw beyond the surface...it was a little unrealistic,
but hey what's wrong with a little fantasy.
I have to say thanks to Allison for sharing
all the heads up information regarding her
novel...and keep up the good work...looking
forward to reading more of your work.
December 22, 2022
If you're looking for raw and edgy this is not the book for you. If you're looking for fairytale endings, h** to housewife then this is the book for you. Based on the novels description and author's description I was expecting something more graphic and erotic. I feel that the description for this story isn't really accurate. It leads you to believe the focus is on one main character, Victoria. But there was no character development on the MC. There is a huge focus on a group of women who work as prostitutes at Pandora's Box. The majority of the story does focus is on Victoria with a lot of general information on about 5 other characters. This didn't add depth to the book, but made it all over the place. There is no real plot and the climax is pretty flat. The writing was ok, and since this was my first read from Allison Hobbs I do plan to give her one more shot.
December 7, 2013
This book had sat on my bookshelf for 10+ years and I now understand why. Frankly, I haven't any idea why I purchased it. I was tempted to toss it after reading the first 10 pages, but I continued to turn the pages hoping to find something redeeming. NOPE! I skimmed until the end and found nothing but a disappointing story that I describe as Greek Mythology a la Alfred Hitchcock.
March 11, 2014
I had pretty high expectations into reading this book and it didn't really meet them. A friend of mine was raving about how its so good but ...I think it was all right. I liked it because I could relate to what was happening in it.
August 1, 2013
This book is my least fav out of the ones I have read by Allison Hobbs... It is just plan boring and not alot of depth...Hoping it will pick up but it's been over a week since I have been trying to read this book and I'm a fast reader I woulda been finish reading this but it's just plain boring...
June 5, 2016
This book definitely kept things lively. The characters were very well developed. It as an interesting story overall. I rooted for the main character and was even shocked by the ending. I definitely would read the book again
July 22, 2019
Needing money desperately for her and her son, Victoria finds herself in the world of prostitution, and then she meets more than a client.
But the book doesn't go into any depth about her romance. The story is mostly about Victoria's troubles.
But the book doesn't go into any depth about her romance. The story is mostly about Victoria's troubles.
November 7, 2011
Sudden unclear resolution to all problems happens in between last and second to last chapters. For real?
August 4, 2012
This book ended like I hoped it would, with Victoria and Kareem getting together. Love this book just like the rest of Allison Hobbs books I have read.
January 8, 2013
A really great quick easy read. Very sobering.
February 9, 2015
this was very good too
January 17, 2016
I believe this is her first book and compared to her other books this is rated "G". Still not bad.
March 28, 2016
loved it
October 16, 2009
This was interesting to see what a mother would do for her child
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews