The Escort

Altom’s third Shamed erotic contemporary (after Possess) is hamstrung by a weak, unappealing hero who’s mired in insecurity over being unable to support his girlfriend financially. The splendid wedding of previous protagonists Ella and Liam is an unhappy occasion for Nathan, Ella’s best friend, who still has a crush on her, and Carol, Liam’s ex-wife and current employee. Nathan and Carol soothe their pain by sneaking off for a quickie, and soon their connection grows. Nathan feels inadequate with his meager salary, so he becomes a high-end companion to wealthy women at charity events in the hopes of making some quick cash and getting out. But when Carol discovers his side job and demands that he abandon it, he realizes he can’t escape so easily. Despite a title that hints at a variety of erotic adventures, the sex scenes are strictly between the main couple. Carol and Nathan never take control over their own lives and their emotions never run deeper than lust, protectiveness, or culturally approved jealousy. Altom fails to show how their connection progresses beyond a second-choice rebound. Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency. (Aug.)