This book is everything I love about feminist fiction.
Okay, so the story goes... Izzy likes sex. One night she 'helps out a friend' who wants to rid himself of his V plates, probably before his politician father books it in for him. Unfortunately for Izzy this news, and more, get round quickly and its not long before she is today's news. While at the same time trying to juggle a romance with a boy she actually does like, her male best friend potentially having a somewhat overpowering crush on her, and a passion for comedy writing seeing her enter a rather large competition which could help her and her Grandma out of financial difficulty, all spells disaster right.
This is where Laura is a genius. Naturally the story follows Izzy as her world quite literally falls around her, she is ridiculed, called all the names women are called for enjoying themselves, all the while Mr Politician Son over here is the victim/hero while also throwing Izzy under the bus.
Throughout the book I found myself feeling empowered by Izzy. Yes she likes sex and yes she is allowed to enjoy it. Why should sex effect her school work, her writing or even the guy she likes? Quite indeed! And yet here we find ourselves in a world where women are criticised for being perhaps a little cheeky with her texts and who she decides to open her own legs to. It is clear that this book shows the parallel between this story and the one all women live. The constant fear of if I do this will I be labelled a slut, or worse... a prude!
Without giving too much away there are some great girl power moments we all have/want in our circles, while also highlighting the many ways society has it out for women and why we should give them the finger. Luckily we have some really strong female characters who you root for from the start.
The one thing I wasn't too sure on was the actual incident that happens, and the follow on events from it. It feels to me exaggerated and very unrealistic, much like my thoughts on The Cows by Dawn O'Porter, while at times I feel Izzy would have, and should have, reacted differently considering she is meant to be a human being with real feelings. However, I am not in the limelight and have never been (or want to!) so my understanding on unrealistic and exaggerated is potentially quite low. Given the circumstances maybe I would have felt even more heartbroken for Izzy should her reactions have been different. That being said the overall message was not missed and I loved how Laura showed her strength and the strength of the women around her in these dark times.
One thing that is completely undisputed is Laura's wit. Even with the ups and downs Laura never fails to provide us with some great one liners, and even shed some light over situations, much how people might do in life, or if your name is Chandler Bing. Either way I love how even though this has a strong feminist message it can still show that not all men are bad, not all women are sluts, and above all equality in each situation.
The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
Pages - 337
Goodreads rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
