ASU Professor Details Experience as ‘Sugar Baby’ in New Memoir
A new memoir released today, October 8, 2025, details one woman’s experience navigating financial hardship through a “sugar baby” arrangement, sparking conversation about the complexities of modern relationships and economic pressures.
Michelle Gurule, now a writing instructor at Arizona State University, chronicles her time as a young college student struggling with tuition, living expenses, and a recent breakup in her book, “Thank You, John.” While working at a grocery store, Gurule explored sex work as a potential solution to her financial difficulties and ultimately entered into an arrangement with an older man named John, who offered to cover her expenses in exchange for companionship and sexual encounters.
Gurule’s memoir recounts the initial meeting and first night with John, describing the proposition as a “simple, seemingly uncomplicated arrangement.” She details how the financial security offered by John alleviated immediate pressures but also introduced new concerns. The practice of “sugar dating” has become increasingly prevalent, with sites like Seeking.com facilitating such arrangements, raising ethical and legal questions.
The book has already generated discussion about the power dynamics inherent in these relationships and the vulnerabilities faced by individuals experiencing financial instability. Gurule’s story offers a personal perspective on a growing trend, and she hopes her work will encourage open dialogue about financial precarity and the choices people make to survive. You can learn more about the challenges faced by college students here.
Gurule is currently promoting “Thank You, John” through book signings and speaking engagements, and plans to continue teaching at Arizona State University.
