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shannonoliviaax's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cosmo_junk's review against another edition
4.0
tw rape culture, misogyny
the writing is hilarious and the premise is spectacular, the plot and characters are well thought out, and generally i just adore this book.
the writing is hilarious and the premise is spectacular, the plot and characters are well thought out, and generally i just adore this book.
rainbowdragonz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did but wow was this good! I love the way it was laid out in blog posts, and I love how the character actually felt real as opposed to being overdone for the plot. And you've got to love a book that calls out problematic behaviour! I also enjoyed the side plot of being gay and coming out and how that was handled. Definitely recommended picking this up if you like YA
kirstyreadsblog's review against another edition
4.0
Content warnings: Slut shaming, sex, nude leaks, sex tape leaks, poverty, outing, bullying, parental death (pre book)
Izzy is just trying to get through life, living with her grandmother after her parents died. She wants to be a comedic screenwriter and hands in a script for a competition. But then someone in her school sets up a website leaking pictures of her having sex with the son of a senator at a party and suddenly everyone in the country is talking about her and her body.
This book really surprised me. It's one of those ones that haven't been read by a huge amount of people but the people who have read it loved it so I was intrigued. And then I saw a panel at YALC which featured Steven and I just thought she was really funny and well-spoken and had some good points so I immediately put a hold on it at my library.
Continue review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/the-exact-opposite-of-okay-by-laura-steven
Izzy is just trying to get through life, living with her grandmother after her parents died. She wants to be a comedic screenwriter and hands in a script for a competition. But then someone in her school sets up a website leaking pictures of her having sex with the son of a senator at a party and suddenly everyone in the country is talking about her and her body.
This book really surprised me. It's one of those ones that haven't been read by a huge amount of people but the people who have read it loved it so I was intrigued. And then I saw a panel at YALC which featured Steven and I just thought she was really funny and well-spoken and had some good points so I immediately put a hold on it at my library.
Continue review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/the-exact-opposite-of-okay-by-laura-steven
nhdk's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious, sarcastic, unapologetically feminist. This is one of the best contemporary YA books I’ve read. I loved the humour and banter, the only thing I’d have changed was the culprit, it was a little too predictable for me, but that didn’t change how much I loved this book, how many times I laughed and how it’s stuck with me long after I finished it.
psychotherabee's review against another edition
4.0
(A copy of this review can also be found here: https://beautifulilies.wordpress.com/2018/05/27/the-exact-opposite-of-okay-by-laura-steven/)
Basically, this is the most quotable book I’ve ever read. Izzy O’Neill is the funniest protagonist I have ever read, although it’s borderline annoying how she constantly uses humour as a coping mechanism instead of facing up to her problems, but dealing with emotions is a journey, one that we all must make (slightly paraphrasing Gandalf here).
So, Izzy’s struggles aren’t limited to being broke and brought up by her grandmother who has to work some 60 hours a week in a diner just to pay bills and rent. No, little does Izzy know when she attends a party one Saturday evening, she’s about to find out just how cruel the world can be…
When someone sets up a website targeting Izzy and her sexploits, Izzy tries to ride the waves. She laughs along with her classmates, but when Izzy’s nudes surface, it gets a little harder to breathe, let alone laugh. Izzy finds herself more alone than ever, although constantly surrounded by swarms of photographers and journalists, because, you guessed it, this particular teenager’s sexploits become a national scandal when a politician’s son gets caught up in it.
This novel should be required reading for everyone who doesn’t understand why slut-shaming is wrong. The ultimate take-away message from this story is if men can take nudes and have sex without it becoming a national scandal… why can’t women? (Hint: the answer is misogyny.)
Something that slightly irked me about this book was just how much of an adult Izzy seemed – I was only reminded she was a teenager whenever she talked about school. But perhaps this is a reflection on how teenage girls are tried as adults, whereas “boys will be boys”. Really though, Izzy’s sharp wit and humour are well beyond her years.
This novel included an absolute boat-load of diversity: we had explicit ethnically-diverse characters, characters of varying sexualities, explicit mention of a student in a wheelchair (although it is just a mention). Kudos to Steven for trying to include as many social issues as possible (including anti-black racism and mild pro-Palestinian propaganda). But one tip for if you’re trying to write a socially-conscious book – don’t make the Maths teacher Asian.
Basically, this is the most quotable book I’ve ever read. Izzy O’Neill is the funniest protagonist I have ever read, although it’s borderline annoying how she constantly uses humour as a coping mechanism instead of facing up to her problems, but dealing with emotions is a journey, one that we all must make (slightly paraphrasing Gandalf here).
So, Izzy’s struggles aren’t limited to being broke and brought up by her grandmother who has to work some 60 hours a week in a diner just to pay bills and rent. No, little does Izzy know when she attends a party one Saturday evening, she’s about to find out just how cruel the world can be…
When someone sets up a website targeting Izzy and her sexploits, Izzy tries to ride the waves. She laughs along with her classmates, but when Izzy’s nudes surface, it gets a little harder to breathe, let alone laugh. Izzy finds herself more alone than ever, although constantly surrounded by swarms of photographers and journalists, because, you guessed it, this particular teenager’s sexploits become a national scandal when a politician’s son gets caught up in it.
This novel should be required reading for everyone who doesn’t understand why slut-shaming is wrong. The ultimate take-away message from this story is if men can take nudes and have sex without it becoming a national scandal… why can’t women? (Hint: the answer is misogyny.)
Something that slightly irked me about this book was just how much of an adult Izzy seemed – I was only reminded she was a teenager whenever she talked about school. But perhaps this is a reflection on how teenage girls are tried as adults, whereas “boys will be boys”. Really though, Izzy’s sharp wit and humour are well beyond her years.
This novel included an absolute boat-load of diversity: we had explicit ethnically-diverse characters, characters of varying sexualities, explicit mention of a student in a wheelchair (although it is just a mention). Kudos to Steven for trying to include as many social issues as possible (including anti-black racism and mild pro-Palestinian propaganda). But one tip for if you’re trying to write a socially-conscious book – don’t make the Maths teacher Asian.
amberl3af's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“The Exact Oppostite of Okay” is the type of book I think every teenage girl should read. It’s strong, empowering and unapologetic.
It tells the story of Izzy O’Neill, an average highschooler. She has dreams, plans, hopes for the future. Until all that is crushed by one person, who leaks a photo of her having sex.
I expected a moving story, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster I was about to board.
Every character felt important to the plot in some way, even the side characters like Mags and the Drama Teacher.
To conclude, this book was beautifully written. Possibly the best book I’ve read this year.
It tells the story of Izzy O’Neill, an average highschooler. She has dreams, plans, hopes for the future. Until all that is crushed by one person, who leaks a photo of her having sex.
I expected a moving story, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster I was about to board.
Every character felt important to the plot in some way, even the side characters like Mags and the Drama Teacher.
To conclude, this book was beautifully written. Possibly the best book I’ve read this year.
ali_w15's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in one sitting. Incredibly powerful and empowering. A must read for any young adult growing up in the millennial age. One of the best books I have read this year.
thebooklovingpanda's review against another edition
4.0
Full RTC!
You really get sucked into the lives of these characters and they feel like real people, whether it's ones I love like Ajita or hate with the fire of a thousand suns like - well, it would be a spoiler, so
Spoiler
Danny, UGH, and that incredibly creepy teacherlucyhoad's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75