French Trysts by KIRSTEN LOBE (2007, Paperback)

Alexandra is 25, living in Paris working on her PhD in some sort of art history. Her beloved boyfriend, Laurent, up and leaves her, devastating her to the core.

She stumbles upon a life she wasn't expecting: a courtesan in the rich aristocratic society. She begins with a Bill-Gates-like "zillionaire" and also services his arch-nemesis (who relies on Viagra to service her back); she actually has an opportunity to become a marquise and marry a Billy Zane lookalike, but he turns out to be a complete nightmare. She also has a bit of a lesbotronic fling with her mentor, Marie-Helene. She's like a hooker, but not; like a mistress, but not. Don't worry, she'll explain. Everything. Sometimes in excruciating detail.

Alexandra finds herself in the year she courtesans. She discovers who she is, what her strengths are, and what she wants.

I found the writing to be charming and engaging. Unfortunately, by about page 250, the editor must have fallen asleep because the typos are numerous (on simple words like "appropriate" as "aproppriate" etc). That is kind of annoying and distracting.

I also found the culmination of her courtesan career to be a bit of a disappointment, though I'm not sure why ... maybe I just wanted her to keep going!

If you liked Paris Hangover, you'll like this. I think I did like this one a little better--Alexandra is very real and witty and honest.