The Exact Opposite of Okay, by Laura Steven

Izzy O'Neil has a pretty good life. She is beginning her career as a screenwriter and a comedian, she has a great trio of friends, and a supportive grandmother. However, when one bad decision at a party leads to a school-wide smear campaign that threatens to go viral, Izzy must grapple with her life as everything she loves begins to slip away. The author presents themes of mental health, women’s safety, and sexuality that will make you laugh, cry, and rethink your own life.

I loved The Exact Opposite of Okay, by Laura Steven because Izzy is so honest. She never once backs down from her beliefs, and she presents this whole new idea of a victim. Izzy doesn't just roll over when things get tough, and she is willing to risk a lot in order to maintain the support she does have. I love how the author takes a very serious issue and presents it from a different outlook. I think modern feminists and girls who just want to learn a little confidence would enjoy Izzy's ferocious personality and her dedication to being wholly herself, even when the entire nation seems to be turned against her

Reviewed by AL, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library