Book ~ "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem" (2010) Jillian Lauren

From Amazon ~ At the age of 19, Lauren was trying to get a fledgling acting career off the ground while working as a stripper and call girl. When the opportunity arises for several girls to travel to the island of Borneo to be a part of the harem of the Sultan of Brunei’s youngest brother, Prince Jefri, for a few weeks, Lauren jumps at the opportunity. Telling her family she’s headed overseas for an acting job, she travels to Brunei for what she thinks will be a diverting and exciting two weeks. Once she arrives at the expansive estate, Lauren finds her only duty is to attend lavish parties each night and hope that she will be the one chosen to steal away from the party with the prince. Two weeks turns into a year, and Lauren finds herself increasingly involved in the vicious competition for the prince’s attention. While the surprising and exotic subject matter is sure to pique interest, Lauren’s graceful, introspective prose lifts her unusual memoir far above the level of mere titillation.

I can't say I ever warmed up to Jillian. She spends a lot of time in the beginning telling us about her upbringing (she was adopted, her dad was abusive and her mother let it happen). She was a college drop-out who became a stripper and then an escort ... all by the age of 19. Then off she went to Brunei to join a harem for easy money and gifts.

It was interesting to read how it was to live in a harem. I found it surprising how much she loved and wanted Prince Jefri (aka Robin) considering she knew going in that it was just a job and she was one of many.

She eventually searches for and finds her birth mother. There wasn't excitement with this considering how much she talked about being adopted.

It sounds like she has found herself today, though it doesn't give a lot of details as to where she is and what she is doing (not a big surprise).

If you are looking for something different to read and experience, this could be it.