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Screwed
Marsha is a 14-year-old who sleeps around. Then she meets Rich. Rich is different. Unsure, and from a loving family, he finds Marsha a bit too full on. But being with Rich is like being with a friend - one who listens to her and asks her opinion.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
247 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2008
1 person is currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Kenrick
9 books15 followersJoanna Kenrick also writes under the name Jo Cotterill.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 20, 2009
15-year-old Marsha is wild, rebellious, and has gone off the rails. She goes out clubbing until very late, gets incredibly drunk, and sleeps around. A lot. When her best friend Faith bets her fifty pounds she won’t be able to get Rich, a boy in their year, to sleep with her, she agrees. Boys are all the same, and Marsha knows what they like, why would this one be any different? Except Rich is different, he’d rather a relationship than a one-night stand. What Marsha doesn’t realise is, is that so would she.
I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this book was. It was just so incredible; so powerful and unbelievably moving. Once I finished, I had to go up to my room just to sort my head out and have a bit of a cry, because I couldn’t help but get so wrapped up in Marsha’s story. This book is just... wow. I’m a bit lost for words, and can’t describe just how good it is.
At first, I didn’t like Marsha much, or her friend Faith – in fact, I can’t stand Faith. I didn’t like her complete lack of caring or thought about what she did. It didn’t faze her, she didn’t even think about it, she just did. Well, she had to, didn’t she? She couldn’t let Faith beat her when it came to how many people she’d slept with, could she? It was disturbing, and made me feel quite sick, this complete lack of respect for herself.
Then new girl Beth arrives at the school, and she’s shy and reserved and asks Marsha and Faith if she can hang out with them, not knowing about their lifestyle. How Faith treats her in the beginning is just disgusting, and Marsha trying to turn her into a mini-me, when Beth is so naive and innocent, was just awful to watch. Sorry, read. As the story progressed though, they got to know each other a bit better; Beth still tried to fit in, and Marsha seemed to feel a bit sorry for her, and came to like her. It was great to see this surprising friendship grow, and how they helped each other in some ways.
Beneath the surface, though, you discover Marsha has some serious issues. I can’t really go into it much without spoiling the story, but you come to understand Marsha’s way of life, and sympathise. The only one who can help her figure things out is Rich; sweet, caring, shy, adorable Rich, the only one who can really get where she’s coming from.
Joanna Kenrick deals with the sex scenes in this novel in a great way. The novel is entirely first person from Marsha’s point of view, until it gets to the sec scenes. They have their own italicised paragraph in third person. Kenrick separates the sex scenes from the rest of the novel, a style device used to show Marsha separating herself from what’s happening. When she’s having sex, Marsha isn’t really there; it’s happening to her, but she’s kind of numb, looking about and thinking of other things. She disconnects herself from what’s happening.
The scenes aren’t overly detailed, either. They are quite graphic, but so emotionless that the acts don’t seem that bad. It’s pretty much “He does this. She does that. Then he says this. He moans, and it’s done.” You don’t get much insight into what’s going on inside Marsha’s head at these points, because more often than not, nothing is. Names are never mentioned, nor are speech marks. In some of the earlier scenes, proper punctuation is left out. It’s almost like it’s not real, or it’s a dream. It’s such a fantastic way of understanding Marsha better, her way of coping with things.
The topic of virginity and first time sex is covered through Marsha’s conversations with Beth. When Beth gets a boyfriend, she starts worrying about having sex with him, and asks Marsha to talk to her about her own first time. Although Marsha tries to make it clear to Beth that it’s her own choice to sleep with her boyfriend or not, she’s not completely truthful about her own experience, she gets too frustrated with Beth and her opinion that Beth should sleep with him comes through. There’s a bit of peer pressure too in that Marsha and Faith laugh at Beth’s complete innocence, and Beth feels she needs to be more like them.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases are also covered in Screwed, and it is dealt with by Kenrick brilliantly, through Marsha’s worry when Faith tells her that she caught something off a boy they both slept with.
“Of course I knew about sexually transmitted diseases – well, sort of. I knew there were things you could catch from having sex, like AIDS, but I never really thought it could be applied to me. It hadn’t occurred to me that I could actually catch something from the boys I slept with.”
P. 126.
We get to see Marsha go to the doctors and see a nurse, and read the actual conversation they have, which I think is just brilliant. We don’t see Marsha having a swab taken, but she talks about it afterwards, and it’s all explained and easy to understand. I really think this is just superb, as I think it could really hit home to some teenage readers that it can happen to anyone, and it’s helpful to show what would happen when at the doctors.
Overall, Screwed was such a fantastic and heartbreaking novel that is about so much more than just casual sex. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it ended. It was brilliant, and I would recommend it to everyone. It might have just become one of my favourite novels.
I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this book was. It was just so incredible; so powerful and unbelievably moving. Once I finished, I had to go up to my room just to sort my head out and have a bit of a cry, because I couldn’t help but get so wrapped up in Marsha’s story. This book is just... wow. I’m a bit lost for words, and can’t describe just how good it is.
At first, I didn’t like Marsha much, or her friend Faith – in fact, I can’t stand Faith. I didn’t like her complete lack of caring or thought about what she did. It didn’t faze her, she didn’t even think about it, she just did. Well, she had to, didn’t she? She couldn’t let Faith beat her when it came to how many people she’d slept with, could she? It was disturbing, and made me feel quite sick, this complete lack of respect for herself.
Then new girl Beth arrives at the school, and she’s shy and reserved and asks Marsha and Faith if she can hang out with them, not knowing about their lifestyle. How Faith treats her in the beginning is just disgusting, and Marsha trying to turn her into a mini-me, when Beth is so naive and innocent, was just awful to watch. Sorry, read. As the story progressed though, they got to know each other a bit better; Beth still tried to fit in, and Marsha seemed to feel a bit sorry for her, and came to like her. It was great to see this surprising friendship grow, and how they helped each other in some ways.
Beneath the surface, though, you discover Marsha has some serious issues. I can’t really go into it much without spoiling the story, but you come to understand Marsha’s way of life, and sympathise. The only one who can help her figure things out is Rich; sweet, caring, shy, adorable Rich, the only one who can really get where she’s coming from.
Joanna Kenrick deals with the sex scenes in this novel in a great way. The novel is entirely first person from Marsha’s point of view, until it gets to the sec scenes. They have their own italicised paragraph in third person. Kenrick separates the sex scenes from the rest of the novel, a style device used to show Marsha separating herself from what’s happening. When she’s having sex, Marsha isn’t really there; it’s happening to her, but she’s kind of numb, looking about and thinking of other things. She disconnects herself from what’s happening.
The scenes aren’t overly detailed, either. They are quite graphic, but so emotionless that the acts don’t seem that bad. It’s pretty much “He does this. She does that. Then he says this. He moans, and it’s done.” You don’t get much insight into what’s going on inside Marsha’s head at these points, because more often than not, nothing is. Names are never mentioned, nor are speech marks. In some of the earlier scenes, proper punctuation is left out. It’s almost like it’s not real, or it’s a dream. It’s such a fantastic way of understanding Marsha better, her way of coping with things.
The topic of virginity and first time sex is covered through Marsha’s conversations with Beth. When Beth gets a boyfriend, she starts worrying about having sex with him, and asks Marsha to talk to her about her own first time. Although Marsha tries to make it clear to Beth that it’s her own choice to sleep with her boyfriend or not, she’s not completely truthful about her own experience, she gets too frustrated with Beth and her opinion that Beth should sleep with him comes through. There’s a bit of peer pressure too in that Marsha and Faith laugh at Beth’s complete innocence, and Beth feels she needs to be more like them.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases are also covered in Screwed, and it is dealt with by Kenrick brilliantly, through Marsha’s worry when Faith tells her that she caught something off a boy they both slept with.
“Of course I knew about sexually transmitted diseases – well, sort of. I knew there were things you could catch from having sex, like AIDS, but I never really thought it could be applied to me. It hadn’t occurred to me that I could actually catch something from the boys I slept with.”
P. 126.
We get to see Marsha go to the doctors and see a nurse, and read the actual conversation they have, which I think is just brilliant. We don’t see Marsha having a swab taken, but she talks about it afterwards, and it’s all explained and easy to understand. I really think this is just superb, as I think it could really hit home to some teenage readers that it can happen to anyone, and it’s helpful to show what would happen when at the doctors.
Overall, Screwed was such a fantastic and heartbreaking novel that is about so much more than just casual sex. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it ended. It was brilliant, and I would recommend it to everyone. It might have just become one of my favourite novels.
June 27, 2020
It was a light fun read. Nothing too serious or engaging in the story. I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read this when I was a pre teen. But now as I am 19, this book was mediocre at best.
March 2, 2021
Well this time it's British youth story about this and that. It's about the going ons in the life of few teenagers. This one was also another of the books which didn't click with me probably for someone else. Why did I pick it then?
My dream of being a writer is realized and I am now a Goodreads Author. People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
My dream of being a writer is realized and I am now a Goodreads Author. People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
April 3, 2024
It was a... I was going to say a beautiful book, but that's maybe not the right word. I don't think you can call a book filled with mindless sex and drinking beautiful. But a girl who meets a boy and realises there's more to life, that love is possible and everyone deserves happiness, that the right person can turn your life around, that's beautiful. Joanna Kenrick is fast becoming my favourite author.
November 27, 2010
I was introduced by a friend. She showed me the first PARAGRAPH and immediately I was hooked ! Main character, Marsha is a little wild && carefree. She and her also wild & carefree mate make bets to see who can 'score' more. 1 day, the friend bet Marsha to hook up with a very cute, very innocent guy. Suddenly, Marsha feels something she has never felt before. A real friendship? Love? :)
May 27, 2012
I enjoyed this book I bought it while I was on holiday with my family as I needed something to read on the journey back home. I read it fairly quickly and liked it. I loaned it to my sister and she told me she enjoyed it too. One thing I will say is it might not be suitable for some younger readers as it does contain mature content meant for older teens or young adults.
October 15, 2010
It just wasn't all that interesting, I gave up halfway through, picked it back up and read it again, but the relationship storyline was unlikely, and honestly, who'd want to read about a teen slag?
July 14, 2014
In all honesty I wasn't sure about the book from the start but I gave it a go and I'm so happy that I did it, there is just something about this story that is miserable yet beautiful. And I'm not gonna lie I got emotional in the end of the book, to me it's defiantly worth reading! Love it
January 5, 2012
It was ok, not my favorit!
November 12, 2012
I enjoyed reading this very much. Love the theme of the story!
November 14, 2013
Its a shame i cant get/find it for my kindle but a great read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews