Review – Girl on the Loose by Kerry Cohen
Website design By BotEap.comDesperate for the attention of “boys” to give her life some meaning, Kerry Cohen turned to sex at a young age as a way to feel worthwhile. Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity is about Cohen’s addiction to sex and male attention.
Website design By BotEap.comI wanted to care about someone (anyone). Abandoned by a mother who left to follow her own dreams of becoming a doctor, Kerry and her sister (both teenagers) are left behind to live with her pot-smoking father. Dad tries to be cool in front of the girls’ friends, smoking pot with them and acting inappropriate with his girlfriend. Without supervision most of the time and without parental guidance, some children may start drinking, some may turn to drugs. Kerry only wanted boys.
Website design By BotEap.comThe book is full of sex, sex, sex, but it’s by no means sexy. It’s one empty encounter after another. The girl was not ashamed; she would sleep with anyone. She contracted crabs, genital warts, and had countless pregnancy scares. None of it really mattered, because the sex allowed Kerry to feel in control momentarily. Unfortunately, the feeling didn’t last long. Believing that she was unworthy and incapable of a real relationship, she constantly and unsuccessfully tried to fill a bottomless pit of need.
Website design By BotEap.comEventually, in college, she found that she cared about writing and enrolled in a few workshops and programs that kept her engaged. She was still on the lookout for the children, but at least there was something more to her life. Her journey continued until she finally found the love, trust and acceptance of a man. Trusting herself was harder.
Website design By BotEap.comLoose Girl will resonate with many readers. Many will feel compassion for Cohen. Many will recognize themselves or someone close to Cohen’s story and perhaps learn from his experiences.
Website design By BotEap.comLoose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity is out June 3, 2008.
Website design By BotEap.comCohen is also the author of the YA novel, Easy.