You don’t know you need a book in your life until you’ve read it. I recently saw someone I knew as a kid go through a similar situation to what Izzy goes through in this book and this book really makes me feel for them more on another level but also makes me damn better feminist.

The story is told in a diary form and the story unfolds incredibly well with a diverse range of characters and a touch of reality that makes this story feel like it could happen, maybe somewhere it probably has, but probably not as humorously as this. Izzy’s quick wit and sarcasm flows through this book keeping you pulled in and making for such an awesome read.

I’ve seen all these characters in real life, and it makes this book just too real, and to see a book about it that just delivers this as a story with such brilliance makes for such a good book. Izzy is a great lead character and the plot moves along fantastically. If there is a book you read in 2018, please make it this, you will not be let down by it.

I love this book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves humour, YA contemporary, and a confident, sassy voice!

This is the first book I read this year, and already it’s going to be tough to beat as my favourite of the year! Laura Steven has written an important, timely story and done so superbly.

The subject matter is dealt with really well, and there is plenty of humour throughout. The characters are brilliantly written, and so realistic (you will probably recognise a few people you grew up with!). Some you will love, and some you will hate (really really hate). I definitely shouted out loud at a few of them!

I highly recommend this book to everyone, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for Izzy in the sequel. (Personally I am hoping for more Meg and her badass quotes).

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Ok, so this book wasn't exactly my thing. As much as I tried to like the main character, I just couldn't and that kind of made it difficult for me to like the book as a whole. While there were some good moments, I found that I just wasn't enjoying this book or the message it was sending.
Although it was well written, it just wasn't for me.

This is the most important, powerful YA book I've ever read. Never before have I read a book that so perfectly depicts the hipocrisy of our society which encourages women to be sexual and then unapologetically tries to destroy them if they dare to be proud of their sexuality and own it.

The Exact Opposite of Okay follows orphan and aspiring comic Izzy O'Neill as she becomes the centre of a national scandal after photos of her having sex with a politician's son are maliciously spread across the internet.

Izzy is a fanstastic role model for young women. Strong, hilarious and confident in herself, she is the kind of girl I always wanted to be as a teenager. If I'd had this book when I was 18 I would have completely fallen in love with her and I really think she would have inspired me to react to certain situations in my own life with more tenacity and confidence.

In the same way Louise Rennison's "Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" were the ultimate depiction of young teenage girls in their day (and it makes me feel about 100 to say that, because it was my day too!) Laura Steven has perfectly captured what it's like to be a young woman today. The friendship between Izzy and Ajita reminded me of my own friendships when I was 18. When you're a teenager and get to see your best mates every single day you develop a certain kind of closeness that you don't often get the opportunity to develop in your adult friendships. Izzy and Ajita's friendship reminded me of how much fun I had with my own best friends (and how we still revert back to our teenage selves whenever we're together.)

It's so refreshing to see a YA book not shy away from the topic of casual sex amongst teenagers and more importantly, it's vital for teens to know about revenge porn and learn early that it is not ok for people to try to shame them. I can honestly see this book becoming a classic for teenage girls to read, in the same way reading Forever by Judy Blume is a right of passage.

I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Laura Steven’s YA debut is an absolute wonder, I’m already convinced this will be my favourite read of the year. I loved pretty much everything about this book, and I’m actually a bit sad I’ve finished it, I’m already trying to convince everyone I know to read it upon release as I can’t wait to talk about it!

Izzy O’Neill is quite possibly the funniest main character I’ve ever come across, I can’t even count the amount of times I was laughing out loud while reading. Her sense of humour, darkly sarcastic and self deprecating, is right up my street.
The only criticism that I really have of the book as a whole is the setting of America. Just due to the style of comedy and the way Izzy spoke in general it felt a lot more British to me, I do understand possible comparisons of Izzy and comedian actors such as Anna Kendrick but I personally feel it has more of the dry blunt sense of humour often associated with British comedy.

More political and topical books are on the rise in YA currently and it’s a trend I am 100% behind! I absolutely loved Izzy’s commentary on topics such as slut shaming, feminism, the infamous ‘friend zone’, white privilege and so on. I find gives teens such an easy opening to these topics and helps to try and start a bigger discussion.

I really enjoyed how fleshed out the side characters were in this novel, Izzy’s best friend Ajita and her Grandmother Betty, were the two stand outs for me. I adored both of these characters just as much as Izzy herself! Ajita and Izzy’s friendship is really inspiring, showing both the ups and the downs.
Even characters such as Danny, whom I really didn’t like, were so well detailed it feel completely realistic that the events would have unfolded as they did! Laura’s ability to write characters and dialogue so well is what truly makes this novel so special.

I have no shortage of great things to say about this novel and believe it’s one that should be read by everyone. If you love Holly Bourne’s spinster club series and are looking for hilarious dialogue with a main character who you will fall in love with defiantly pick up this novel!

I gave this book 3.5/4 stars.

I kind of have mixed feelings on this book. The main character, Izzy is a great main character. It’s great to read about a MC who is confident in herself, intelligent and in ways funny. However, she was quite annoying at times and I feel as if sometimes she pushed herself to be funnier than what she is.. I felt like she did things at the start of the book and kind of forced the humour.

The other characters... I liked most of them.

I loved Ajita, she was that kind of friend who you’d want in your life. She never was ashamed of Izzy throughout the book and was a permanent friend and supported her completely. Carson was cool, he wasn’t perfect in any way and he had his faults but overall he was good. Her grandma is literally the one who outshone them all for me. I hated Vaughan, he was a coward and honestly just an idiot who really made me angry throughout the book.

Now... I of course despised a certain character in the book. I don’t think I have ever despised somebody so much in my life. I hated him at the start of the book, never mind the end... I’m not even going to go into the opinions for him... just know that I have never despised a character more.

I will also say that I wasn’t keen on the layout of this book and that it’s set out in times from blog posts. It really put me off reading this book as I just wasn’t a fan of that and that it didn’t have chapters.
In all, it raised some VERY important issues and I would without a doubt recommend people to read this book as it dealt with the issues perfectly. This book will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF OKAY

'Shame. It’s a peculiar beast, especially when it happens in public. It leaves you powerless. It strips you of everything you thought you knew about yourself, forces you to examine the very core of your being."

Where to even begin with this book?! This is one of those where I would honestly want anyone and everyone to read it. It has so many topics that can start a conversation, all of the topics are problems that people may face in day to day life, and they are handled amazingly. We have: Slut Shaming, White Privilege, Feminism, Coming to terms with sexuality that a religion doesn’t agree with, the apparent “friend zone”, Revenge Porn and so much more.

The idea that if a male does something sexual they don’t receive any form of backlash and are often praised for it, whereas if a girl was to do something she would be slut shamed and everyone would turn against her is so true! It’s not fair that things can be so biased towards someone, it is their body and then can do what they choose to do and should not be judged because of how many sexual partners they’ve had. The idea of revenge porn is such a sad thing to hear, because at the end of the day that is someones life you’re ruining… not your own. In regards to this, we also see a sense of victim blaming and that is completely unacceptable. We see one person have her life go to shit, while another person involved gets accepted and as though nothing ever happened.

"Do no harm, but take no shit.”

Characters

Izzy is the main character, I loved her sarcasm, sass and how she handled EVERYTHING. She is un-ashamed of who she is. She’s so quick witted and her love for her grandma is so beautiful. The closeness between the two was so well-done, it reminded me what me and my nana are like and it was nice to see. We see Izzy at her highs and her lows, and I loved how strong she was, even if she wasn’t actually feeling that. She calls out bull shit, and tries to keep her head held high.

Ajita is the best friend anyone could wish for! Her support for Izzy is incredible! For me Ajita played a big part in this book for me, while she was struggling with some of her own life she was still there for Izzy. The support she gave was so lovely, and I like the fact she took no bull shit either, when she KNEW something was wrong she wouldn’t sit there and let her best friend take it all on her own. I just loved her SO much.

For me Danny is a piece of shit. As soon as I met him, I just didn’t like him. He was supposed to be Izzy and Ajitas friend, but you just get the feeling from him that he is entitled to things because he has money. He tries to buy Izzy’s love, he said he forgave her when she did nothing wrong… like COME ON. Danny clearly has issues at home with his family, but that doesn’t excuse how he treats his so called friends.

What I liked?
- We had SO many references to todays culture: Films, Songs, YouTube, Buzzfeed: THEY QUOTED MEAN GIRLS!
- The whole friendship between Izzy and Ajita, everyone needs a friendship like that.
- Betty is the kindest person EVER.
- I loved the detail that was described for Carsons painting
- The characters on most part are so relatable, for instance Izzy explains that it’s not just boys that are horny, I was like FINALLY someone has said it!
- So many different representations!
- It was so honest when it came to talking/describing sex. Not only that, but it’s telling you not to be ashamed if you DO have sex, and if you DO have sex and it’s a one night stand then no one should care other than yourself. You are human, these things can happen.
- The issues on retirement and that people who are older, may work longer because they need more money (I feel like I’ll be working until I’m 90 at this rate)
- EVERYTHING

What I didn’t like?
- Honestly it’s hard to explain because I’m glad they included it in the book, but just how unfair Izzy was treated, it made me feel so angry, and the fact that she received barely any support from her teachers, and they LET it happen. Nope.
- Victim shaming is not okay, and when someone goes to you with an issue you should believe them

Overall, I will not stop saying how much I loved this book. It brings so many issues to light, it is hard hitting, raw and deep. For me this is one of those books that will stay with me for a very very long time.

”Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent”

Izzy O'Neill has been a victim of online shaming. Pictures of her have leaked on the internet and everyone is talking about them. There have been several books in the last couple of years tackling this sort of subject but I feel as though this one is the first to do it with a more positive spin. Although Izzy's life is ruined to a degree, she doesn't really take on the same shame that others do. She tries her best to tackle the situation with dignity. The writing style is enjoyable and easy to read and I think its an important piece of YA fiction.

This book was everything I wanted and needed in a book. It was so, so good. I'm going say now that this review is going to be overwhelmingly positive because I can't think of anything that I didn't like about it. I would normally try to say things that I liked and disliked, but I have no negatives (that never happens). There are so many things I loved about this book.

First of all, the characters were wonderful. The protagonist, Izzy, tells her story through blog posts so you really get to know her and understand her way of thinking and processing the events that are unfolding. Her reputation takes a complete nosedive and the events in the book are nothing short of tragic, but the ways she deals with said events are so inspiring and brave. She makes you laugh hysterically and she makes you want to wrap her up in a warm blanket and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Izzy's voice is just so fresh and honest, you can't help but love her. I related to her on a really deep level and I think so many other girls will too. I think Izzy is the kind of character we NEED in YA. She's inspirational, hilarious, realistic and doesn't take any crap, whilst also being vulnerable and admirable. I loved her character development throughout the story. I just loved her so much.

Another character I loved was Ajita. She is just the perfect YA best friend and was so supportive of Izzy no matter the circumstance. I loved their whole friendship so much. I would read a whole book from Ajita's point of view. I love how outspoken she is about the things she believes in. She stands up for her friend in her time of need. She's just great.

I also loved Betty, a lot. Betty is the grandmother that every girl needs. Laura Steven writes her characters so well, all of them are fully fleshed out, even the minor characters. They definitely feel like real people rather than words on a page. Betty was no exception, she was hilarious and so admirable. She's this old woman, working relentlessly to support her grandchild, being a source of constant love and support during a horrible time in Izzy's life, and she still manages to keep her wild sense of humour. She is a hero in her own right. She also had some amazing one-liners. Some of my favourites being when she referred to the school as a 'godforsaken sanctuary for cretinous goblins' and the principal as 'the twat goblin'. She is an amazing character.

The writing style was a major factor in my loving of this book. It is so informal and personal, you feel like you can really connect with the protagonist. You are basically reading her diary, there is no filter. This made the book equal parts funny and heart-wrenching because you really feel everything that Izzy goes through and you can't do anything about it. You want to scream at some of the characters for being so idiotic and judgmental, but you can't! This book got me to feel real emotion so, in my eyes, that makes it a good book.

I loved the messages of sex positivity and feminism in this book, it's something we don't really see in YA (or any media in general) so I think this book will be a big stepping stone for YA as a genre. It has things that I think every girl needs to hear and not many do. Honestly, I would recommend this book to anyone, girl, boy, feminist, non-feminist... because I believe that everyone will be able to take something from Izzy's story. I loved the comments on sexism and the double standard between men and women's sexuality. Laura writes teenage boys very accurately, with all the self-entitlement. I loved that she managed to write this book without adding to the stereotype that feminists hate all men. I loved that she challenged the whole 'Nice Guy should win the girl solely for being Nice' trope. I just want to thank Laura Steven for writing such a wonderful book. I love everything about it. All through reading the book, I had to keep stopping to make notes because it gave me so many thoughts. I love when a book makes you think about thinks you may not have previously considered, and this is one of those books.

This is definitely going on my list of favourite books. Laura Steven is a refreshing author and I will be reading whatever future books she puts out. So, yeah, in summary: I love this book with a passion. It is amazing, please read it.

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked that it was written as blog posts, instead of the usual narrative or diary. It gave it something that other books don't have. I would love a sequel to this book, to see where she goes and what happens next, as the epilogue leaves it in a perfect place for a sequel to carry on the story. I liked the diversity in the book, and how it was just there, as it is in everyday life, without it really being a main theme in the book.

OMG... OMG... THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!

It deserves all the stars! The Exact Opposite Of Okay is one of the best debuts I've ever read!

This book is empowering and key, it talks about revenge porn, male entitlement, slut shaming, the list goes on. I was angry while reading this book not because it was bad but because it opened my eyes to the fact that some of the stuff Izzy was dealing with I and probably most women deal with on a regular basis. 

I went into this book not knowing much, I din't even know it was written in blog post form! To be honest I think thats why I enjoyed it so much.

Another thing I loved about this book was how funny it was, I was often laughing so hard that I had to put the book down. I had very few characters that I liked but I figure that is a good thing (you'll understand once you read it)

I cannot wait till I read about Izzy's world in the sequel, especially after that powerful ending. 2019 IS TOO FAR AWAY! 

I highly recommend reading this fantastic debut, so you too can experience the amazingness of Laura Steven.

This is such a brilliant book: it's empowering and relevant, dealing with topics such as revenge porn, male entitlement and slut shaming, but also very funny and just a real joy to read. Izzy is a great character - witty, gutsy and smart, but with flaws and insecurities (plus a penchant for your mum jokes) - and you really feel for her as the scandal unfolds around her. It's great to see feminist issues being discussed in a thought-provoking and engaging way in YA, and I hope this is widely read when it's released next year.

'The Exact Opposite of Okey' is a well-written book about sex scandal with an eighteen year old Izzy as the main protagonist. The book is really important as far as the issue of equality of the sexes is concerned. I started reading the book because it was described as 'funny', I coudn't disagree more. Izzy repeats all over again that she is 'so funny' and that her sense of humour is great, but to tell you the truth her sense of humour is nonexistent. She uses her so-called humour as a shield, as the way of coping with bad things. The book is just as Izzy is bold and unapologetic.

TEOOO follows Izzy O'Neil as she brings you a backlog of blog posts documenting her sexploits that lead her face (and naked body) to be plastered all over the news amidst a scandal with a senator's son. This is the official blurb from Goodreads:

Izzy O’Neill is an aspiring comic, an impoverished orphan, and a Slut Extraordinaire. Or at least, that’s what the malicious website flying round the school says. Izzy can try all she wants to laugh it off – after all, her sex life, her terms – but when pictures emerge of her doing the dirty with a politician’s son, her life suddenly becomes the centre of a national scandal. Izzy’s never been ashamed of herself before, and she’s not going to start now. But keeping her head up will take everything she has...

This review will not contain spoilers, as it's not even out yet.

First off, this book is hilarious. Izzy herself if an aspiring comedian/script writer, but Laura conveys her as a sarcastic, quick witted, cheeky thing with a handful of one liners and comebacks that makes this a pleasure to read. She peppers it with the occasional use of 'your face' or 'your mom' jokes because let's be real, they still get used. She's gross, as all teenagers are, and makes jokes about sex and farts and disgusting bodily functions WHICH IS SO REAL and I remember having very similar conversations with my friends at that age. But no one writes about them. For instance, my favourite quote:

'Through sheer nerves and stress, my stomach plummets through my asshole. [I realise this is a hideous thing to say, but you all know exactly what I mean and I shall not apologise for vocalising the sensation.]'

Secondly, let's talk about Izzy herself. Is she going to be my new favourite feminist icon? Quite possibly. From the get go, she knows who she is and what she believes in, but she's wracked with self doubt and confidence issues and uses humour as a defence mechanism, as so many young girls do. But she knows what's right and who's in the wrong, and understandably she has a wobble when she loses all her friends and it seems the whole country is against her and she doesn't feel safe at school. But she comes through! With amazing friends and Betty (who we'll get to soon) and one or two supportive teachers, Izzy takes a stand against her own situation. Which you rarely see. And it's so important that it is seen in media, especially that geared towards young people, because so many of them think the way that the majority of characters in this book do. And that needs to change.

Without saying too much, you know this is about a sex scandal, you know there's Izzy and a guy. And the ways in which they each get treated, from his being high fived and her being ostracised - we see it in the media everyday! Women afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs, men going on to become President. It's abused but it's tackled head on in this book and I'm so grateful for the really blunt way in which it's discussed.

Ajita. What a gorgeous representation of friendship, full of insults and mick taking that is rooted in love and support when it matters. And Betty! What a hilarious little old lady and I loved the relationship between these two - it was so uplifting to see someone from an older generation, who is normally portrayed as prudish or against all things such as swearing, sex, etc - but Betty and Izzy are open about sex and everything in Izzy's life and it's gorgeous to read. I also loved how Laura didn't shy away from talking about the fact that Betty, at however old she is, is still working, not for fun, but because she can't not. That was another side of the story, their financial situation and how Izzy wasn't as well off as all her friends, which Laura wrote really well and delved into the issues and conflicts that can cause between friends, and sometimes between families.

And the language and technology use, I find so grating when authors write about Tumblr, Facebook, texting, as if they've never seen a computer before, but this was authentic and realistic and woven in well with the story. I, too, will often end up speaking a different language when I'm around friends for no reason, but due to my limited vocabulary in said language, it will just be a word or phrase. Her inclusion of 'doth' was believable, who doesn't pretend we're in a Shakespearean tragedy at random points of our lives? Considering it was intending to be written like a blog post, I loved it and believed it.

I have so much more I want to say about this book but I'm terrified of letting a spoiler slip out without noticing it, so I'm going to stop here. I might revisit this book when it comes out officially in March 2018, so I can talk about all my favourite bits, but please know that I think it's an amazing book, I think it's hugely important that people go and read it and see these situations from the victim's perspective, and I'm so thrilled for Laura that it looks like it's going to do well! So well in fact that there's going to be a sequel! (There were a few major differences in the first draft I read on Wattpad and the final version, and I'm hoping that some of those plot points make it through to the sequel - but I'm keeping shtum about them! No spoilers!)

Please go and add this book to your to read lists and then come back when it's out and you've read it and talk to me about every bit of it!