“Laura Steven simultaneously destroyed the patriarchy and made me laugh so hard I choked. I will protect Izzy O'Neill with my life.” —Becky Albertalli, author of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA
Bitingly funny and shockingly relevant, The Exact Opposite of Okay is a bold, brave, and necessary read for fans of Louise O’Neill and Jennifer Mathieu.
Eighteen-year-old Izzy O’Neill knows exactly who she is—a loyal friend, an aspiring comedian, and a person who believes that milk shakes and Reese’s peanut butter cups are major food groups. But after she’s caught in a compromising position with the son of a politician, it seems like everyone around her is eager to give her a new label: slut.
Izzy is certain that the whole thing will blow over and she can get back to worrying about how she doesn’t reciprocate her best friend Danny’s feelings for her and wondering how she is ever going to find a way out of their small town. Only it doesn’t.
And while she’s used to laughing her way out of any situation, as she finds herself first the center of high school gossip and then in the middle of a national scandal, it’s hard even for her to find humor in the situation.
Izzy may be determined not to let anyone else define who she is, but that proves easier said than done when it seems like everyone has something to say about her.
What happens when the whole world is laughing at you, but you’re not in on the joke?
- Slut Shaming: After a private moment with a politician’s son goes public, Izzy becomes the target of a vicious online campaign designed to label and destroy her.
- Unrequited Love: As if a national scandal isn’t enough, Izzy has to navigate the fact that her best friend, Danny, is in love with her—and she definitely doesn’t feel the same.
- Witty Banter: An aspiring comedian who uses snark as a shield, Izzy’s hilarious and unflinching narration is perfect for readers who love authentic, funny, and unforgettable voices.
- Feminist Fiction: A bold, brave, and unflinching look at the double standards teenage girls face every day, perfect for fans of Jennifer Mathieu and Louise O’Neill.
