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alongreader's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing read. I didn't think Laura could top [b:The Exact Opposite of Okay|35817737|The Exact Opposite of Okay|Laura Steven|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500888227s/35817737.jpg|57317990] but this is fantastic. It touches on a lot of very deep issues and does them all lightly and without preaching. Izzy's friends are a mixture of genders, ethnicities and sexualities, and none of it ever feels like box ticking. Just brilliant. I would read twenty more novels set in this universe.
(Parents be aware, Izzy swears a lot. It all fits beautifully into her speech patterns and this book wouldn't be half as good as it is without it, but it is there. Also, given the subject matter, there is a lot of discussion of sex and bodies.)
I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
My friends are awesome. They knew what I needed before I did.
When I finally emerge, like a butterfly from a cocoon [or something that makes me sound like less of a d***head], Ajita and Meg are working on a giant protest sign shaped like a pair of boobs. As I walk down the stairs the squeal girlishly and clap their hands together like performing monkeys. And I'll give it to them...I feel awesome.
What's more, I feel normal. Like a normal teenage girl, having a normal night in with her pals. Coloring our hair, gossiping about boys, watching TV. As great as all the Bitches Bite Back stuff is, and as passionately as I feel about it, just being a regular eighteen year old instead of an inadvertent political figure is super refreshing.
And it's selfish, so selfish, but part of me prays neither of them go away to college. Because if they do? I'll be left in this town alone, knowing the world is moving on without me.
(Parents be aware, Izzy swears a lot. It all fits beautifully into her speech patterns and this book wouldn't be half as good as it is without it, but it is there. Also, given the subject matter, there is a lot of discussion of sex and bodies.)
I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
My friends are awesome. They knew what I needed before I did.
When I finally emerge, like a butterfly from a cocoon [or something that makes me sound like less of a d***head], Ajita and Meg are working on a giant protest sign shaped like a pair of boobs. As I walk down the stairs the squeal girlishly and clap their hands together like performing monkeys. And I'll give it to them...I feel awesome.
What's more, I feel normal. Like a normal teenage girl, having a normal night in with her pals. Coloring our hair, gossiping about boys, watching TV. As great as all the Bitches Bite Back stuff is, and as passionately as I feel about it, just being a regular eighteen year old instead of an inadvertent political figure is super refreshing.
And it's selfish, so selfish, but part of me prays neither of them go away to college. Because if they do? I'll be left in this town alone, knowing the world is moving on without me.
aimeesbookishlife's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't quite live up to the first book, but enjoyable all the same.
sophiagabiiii's review against another edition
5.0
A book that made me tear up a little is getting 5 stars I don’t care. Izzy O’Neill is one of my favorite characters right now and I just love everything that comes out of her mouth. As a teenage girl, I can very much relate to her and the BBB cause, and I think every teenager reading this can too, so I massively recommend it!
albilla_'s review against another edition
5.0
Un buen libro que no sólo es gracioso sino que también da un enfoque crítico y feminista sobre el slut-shaming y el revenge porn (como su predecesor, The Exact Opposite Of Okay). La historia de Izzy es la historia de varias chicas que confiaron en el chico equivocado y vivieron un infierno en el que eran juzgadas por la medida de sus cuerpos. Creo que cualquiera que quiera iniciarse en el tema puede y debe leerlo. El slut-shaming es algo que puede pasarle a cualquiera de nosotras, y es importante que libros como éste sean leídos para poder entender lo mucho que puede afectarnos.
patty_creatively_bookish's review against another edition
4.0
story 4/5
characters 4/5
writing 4/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? I probably will. Would also enjoy a third book...
characters 4/5
writing 4/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? I probably will. Would also enjoy a third book...
aminaelisa's review against another edition
3.0
No major spoilers but read at your own risk
Only three stars because it kind of feels like the author made a few edits before the final hand in and nobody noticed that some characters like the manager and the agent were never introduced by name and only through jokes and nicknames, so when the time came and their name was mentioned we didn’t immediately know who Izzy was talking about and had to figure it out on our own.
Furthermore, I feel like I would have preferred a better insight into several character’s personality, for example Meg. What is she up to? What are her hobbies? Why does Ajita like her? Can we please get more information about Zachary Vaughn’s life? Also, what’s up with Hazel? After they had one scene together where they talked about their shared pain that was it. It seemed like she was only here to further the plot, but in a way that made it hard for the reader to connect with her throughout the book.
But in general: It was absolutely hilarious and the book was great entertainment! The epilogue also answered a question from book one and certain characters didn’t get redemption arcs, but we were given the opportunity to understand them and their actions better in the grand scheme of things.
Only three stars because it kind of feels like the author made a few edits before the final hand in and nobody noticed that some characters like the manager and the agent were never introduced by name and only through jokes and nicknames, so when the time came and their name was mentioned we didn’t immediately know who Izzy was talking about and had to figure it out on our own.
Furthermore, I feel like I would have preferred a better insight into several character’s personality, for example Meg. What is she up to? What are her hobbies? Why does Ajita like her? Can we please get more information about Zachary Vaughn’s life? Also, what’s up with Hazel? After they had one scene together where they talked about their shared pain that was it. It seemed like she was only here to further the plot, but in a way that made it hard for the reader to connect with her throughout the book.
But in general: It was absolutely hilarious and the book was great entertainment! The epilogue also answered a question from book one and certain characters didn’t get redemption arcs, but we were given the opportunity to understand them and their actions better in the grand scheme of things.
krstwlhs's review against another edition
4.0
After I finished The Exact Opposite of Okay, that same Y12 asked if I wanted to borrow the sequel too. Of course I did!
So this story follows Izzy two months after the leaked photo. The Bitches Bite Back movement is gaining speed and it is a good place for people to vent their frustrations, especially when another girl at Izzy’s school has something leaked. After this, the Bitches Bite Back group fight for legislation against revenge porn.
I really liked this. It dealt with issues like slut shaming, revenge porn, racism, sexuality, and more. And it did it in a really good way. The story was good and I liked the characters. I think the message was important.
Read it!
So this story follows Izzy two months after the leaked photo. The Bitches Bite Back movement is gaining speed and it is a good place for people to vent their frustrations, especially when another girl at Izzy’s school has something leaked. After this, the Bitches Bite Back group fight for legislation against revenge porn.
I really liked this. It dealt with issues like slut shaming, revenge porn, racism, sexuality, and more. And it did it in a really good way. The story was good and I liked the characters. I think the message was important.
Read it!
booksandlemonsquash's review
5.0
I don’t know if it’s possible, but I think I loved A Girl Called Shameless more than The Exact Opposite Of Okay. Izzy the feminist who is trying to change the world for the better spoke directly to my tired heart.
I want the world to be a better place, for people to be held accountable. I want women to be able to go through life without being afraid or belittled or sidelined. I want men to be able to talk about their feelings or indulge in more “girly” pastimes. I want so much it hurts some days, and it’s all things that seem so small that need to change.
Feminist fangirling aside, this book continues to highlight the after effects of what Izzy goes through, and I love how human she is. She is fierce but also terrified. She still struggles. But she has amazing support in Ajita, Meg and Carson. All of whom I loved. And Betty. Oh Betty. You are so wonderful and badass and glorious. You are everything a parent or grandparent should be. 💙💙💙 (I may or may not have an old lady crush on Betty!)
I also loved the look at how the politics system can work for and against. And how fruitless it can feel to fight against it, but also it showed that it is possible to do so even if you are just three high school friends.
All flailing over, this book is still as funny as it’s predecessor and it still is meaningful in a very deep way. But I feel the punch this book packed was even more powerful. And it is inspiring me to look into what causes I can support, as there’s a lot about this country I would change if I could.
I want the world to be a better place, for people to be held accountable. I want women to be able to go through life without being afraid or belittled or sidelined. I want men to be able to talk about their feelings or indulge in more “girly” pastimes. I want so much it hurts some days, and it’s all things that seem so small that need to change.
Feminist fangirling aside, this book continues to highlight the after effects of what Izzy goes through, and I love how human she is. She is fierce but also terrified. She still struggles. But she has amazing support in Ajita, Meg and Carson. All of whom I loved. And Betty. Oh Betty. You are so wonderful and badass and glorious. You are everything a parent or grandparent should be. 💙💙💙 (I may or may not have an old lady crush on Betty!)
I also loved the look at how the politics system can work for and against. And how fruitless it can feel to fight against it, but also it showed that it is possible to do so even if you are just three high school friends.
All flailing over, this book is still as funny as it’s predecessor and it still is meaningful in a very deep way. But I feel the punch this book packed was even more powerful. And it is inspiring me to look into what causes I can support, as there’s a lot about this country I would change if I could.
caughtbetweenpages's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I'm right down the middle for this book. On one hand, I feel a conclusion to TOOO is necessary, and exploring the fallout of the events that happened there was important, and I enjoyed the activism bent that Izzy et. al. took to. Having blatant sexism and revenge porn continue on with a new victim, and having Izzy's coping mechanism break because of her trauma was very much a kick to the chest in the best possible way. I also liked that Carson had his opinions and problems addressed on page, and that he had his own shit to work through(though I had lots of trouble with how his dialogue on-page demonstrated his accent... but only sometimes) (if I ever have to see the word "aight" written out again I will scream) (I also did not love how their relationship problems would appear with very little provocation or lead up and only stay around for as long as The Plot demanded that Izzy be having a little bit of a harder time, since if we wanted to see her struggling, we could've focused on 1. her trauma or 2. complications with her activism, the central plot points of this story) (I guess what I'm really upset about is that Carson is a throwaway character again).
However, many of the problems I had with book 1 (underdeveloped side characters + focus on attempted humor to the detriment of, like, character and plot development + the Britishisms making it increasingly incredible that this takes place in Midwest USA) continued through this book as well. I think it was necessary, but the more I look at the series as a whole, I think I feel that way because book one felt incomplete, like we ended around the end of Act 2 and were just looking for a way to wrap things up. I think I'll give Steven's standalones a go, especially now that she has a few more books under her belt.
However, many of the problems I had with book 1 (underdeveloped side characters + focus on attempted humor to the detriment of, like, character and plot development + the Britishisms making it increasingly incredible that this takes place in Midwest USA) continued through this book as well. I think it was necessary, but the more I look at the series as a whole, I think I feel that way because book one felt incomplete, like we ended around the end of Act 2 and were just looking for a way to wrap things up. I think I'll give Steven's standalones a go, especially now that she has a few more books under her belt.