Shelbi is starting at a new school for her senior year, so she figures there's not a lot of point in getting attached to anyone. After all, in a year, they're all going to go their separate ways. The less they know about her, the better. On the other side, Andy Criddle has seen better days. He's wasted. Again. And things are about to get really bad for him. Perhaps even something that he can't come back from.

When Shelbi ends up helping Andy as he's on the brink of devastation, the two quickly form a bond. She knows what it's like to hit rock bottom, and just wants to help. But as the two start to get closer, their past threatens to break them apart. Will their newfound connection be able to adapt? Or will their histories ending up pulling them apart?

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of Chaos Theory by Nic Stone to review! Of course, Nic Stone is always on my to-read list when she has a new book coming out, and I think this one might be one of her best ones yet.

One of the ways the story is told in this book is through text exchanges between Shelbi and Andy. They both have impeccable chemistry, even from the first time they interact. They're both dealing with heavy stuff, Andy with alcoholism and grief, Shelbi with bipolar disorder, and they find solace in each other. This entire book speaks to prioritizing mental health, and getting help when you need it. We honestly need more books like this one!

Outside of Shelbi and Andy, we have a well-fleshed out cast of characters. From both of their parents to their friends, you'll find a fully vibrant cast here. I especially loved Shelbi's parents; they were so supportive of her and worked to get her the help that she needed. And the way they bring Andy into the fold! Just lovely.

This is quite a heavy book, but in a way, it didn't feel that way? It's about two people finding each other in a time of need, and growing together and helping each other. It'll hit you right in the feels at a number of points, and in an entirely good way.

Overall, this is a powerful book that I hope makes it into the hands of those that need it!

Stone has done a wonderful job showing the reality of young people living with a mental illness and trauma. The romance between the two main characters as they travel life's ups and downs will connect with teens and young adults. The dialogue is modern and believable and not at all patronizing to young people, which is refreshing and greatly appreciated. Make no mistake, this is no fairy tale love story. Instead it is a realistic, sometimes somber, coming-of-age tale for the modern world.

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone is a brilliant, compassionate young adult romance story about two teenagers on the cusp of adulthood navigating what it means to fall in love while navigating mental illness and addiction struggles. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Nic Stone approached telling this story: the letter to readers at the introduction as she reminds us that mental illness is alive and well and we need to do more to combat the stigma and have honest conversations about the different ways these struggles can present; the narrative told via text between Shelby and Andy as they seek connection with each other and navigate the teenage angst of getting to know someone over time while carefully unraveling the parts of yourself you're terrified to show; the mental health ally agreements presented in the narrative and at the end of the story; and even the author's own mental health struggles shared in vulnerability in the introduction and afterword.

I am so grateful that YA writers like Nic Stone exist and use their talents to speak to the painful truths of life that we all must learn to manage and will all be touched by at some point on our journeys.

I loved that the story line was honest about the challenges mental health can present and that the story didn't end perfectly. The epilogue provided the reader with hope and a realistic picture of what it means to foster meaningful connections, even romantic ones, when we are still healing from our trauma.

Bravo! Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

Shelbi and Andy live in two separate worlds until a wrong number text creates a surprising bond. Both fighting their own battles, the two forge an unexpected friendship in their support of each other.

I loved the author's note about mental illness, and the topics in the book were handled with care. I also liked the character development and growth. I think the short length and important topics will be of high interest to students.

Let me begin by saying I’ve never been more excited to receive an ARC, yet my review will remain unbiased.

Nic Stone earned ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars before I read the first line of the book. The transparency of her author’s note (I never read those, but read this one) and content warning was so endearing and a testament to who I imagine she is in her everyday life. Yes, she wants you to read her work but the reality of her acknowledging and ensuring you know this may be a mirror riddled with triggers was so-selfless.

After swooning for a few moments, and taking the time to send a few “omg, I got it…you need to preorder this…the content warning was OMG” messages I dove head first into Shelbi and Walter (can I call him that or will I get some random email that says “Andy to you”). I always love Stone’s use of text messages in her books - puts you fully in your YA mind and becomes a subtle reminder that in this day and age that is the bulk of many peoples communication style. The characters were amazing, fully developed, with tons of Life happening. They’ve been through a lot, we’re going through a lot and survived A LOT. More of a mirror than I wanted at times but absolutely what I needed to remind me that we’re all TRYING. Mental health status not factored in, the world is a place of “chaos theory” requiring that we adjust and cope with the unexpected - now add in some chemical imbalances and it’s a whole other balancing act. Nic Stone touched on so much - interracial relationships, class, hiding from your past, perception versus reality, woman’s rights, grief, death, consequences. Sometimes it was overt, other times it was so subtle- yet through it all I was forced to think and reminisce. I’ll be preordering my hardback copy and I’d absolutely love a sequel to this. There’s so much of Shelbi’s growth I still need to witness…how does she take her awareness until the terrifying “adult world”? Admittedly this desire is both bookish rooted and the realization that I learned from this book…*looks at my ice pack* I think need to purchase an extra one.

What an inspirational opening! This heart wrenching, honest letter of Nic Stone hooked up me to this book unconditionally.
First of all: the best thing about this book is characterization!

Oh Shelbi! She’s getting through a lot at young age, suffering from bipolar, trying to adjust her life in school by avoiding to get close with anyone else!

She’s burned before by opening her heart, sharing her mental condition. But honesty didn’t earn anything to her. She’s got bullied, humiliated, opening her eyes in the hospital. She’s quirky as hell. So smart, so passionate about science! She’s fast thinker, looking for unique aspect to the things out of ordinary. I loved her nerd brain!

I also fell in love with her parents. His mischievous, down to earth dad , her coolest urban romance author mom Shonda , her tough, protective, sarcastic cousin Beck ( who is her only friend), her sweetest, joyful bibi ( Grandma)! They are always supportive. They give Shelbi enough freedom to come out from her shell. They don’t treat her with kid gloves. They know she’s vulnerable but they don’t push her hard. They just let her know they will be always be there for her when she needs their help!

And Walter Andy Criddle! That boy earns ten thousand hugs. I hated her politician mother from the beginning ( she also earned ten thousand slap points) He lost his three years old sister. He is suffering from really bad breakup ( that’s more than breakup)! His parents are having fights day and night. Alcohol become best solution for numbing the pain which resulted with totaled car, DUI, six months of driving suspension, false texting to stranger.

That ominous night he had an accident, his patch crosses with the girl from his class. She finds his wallet and gives him a speech about self worth he mostly needed. She might be the same person he accidentally texted.

That’s how Shelbi and Walter ( a.k.a Andy) make a pact of friendship. They hold each other when one of them is about to fall. But what if they want more than friendship? Shelbi is afraid of burning again and Walter deals with so many things at the same time: grief, alcoholism, verbal abuse of his mother. How long they can hold each other’s hand when two of them are about to hit the rock bottom?

Overall: there are so many sensitive and triggering issues bravely and honestly discussed in this book including mental health, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, abortion, parental abuse, suicidal tendencies, self harm. I loved the author’s realistic approach, honesty to open up about her own mental health issues, informing us brain’s different functioning, help centers, what kind of action should be taken to help the people suffer from same mental illnesses.
It’s absolutely inspirational, thought provoking, educational reading for me earned my five blazing stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Crown Books for Young Readers for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Andy sends a text while drunk and it is received by a stranger. He decides a stranger will do and they text back and forth. When he is at school a few days later, his wallet is returned by the new girl, Shelbi. She tells him she found it at the crash site and wanted to return it. Shelbi has a few secrets. One, she has episodes of depression, and two, she is the stranger Andy has been texting. When these truths are discovered, a friendship is established … with rules. Will these two teens with their own problems help or hinder each other?

Chaos Theory is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that hits some hard topics with grace. There is a trigger warning at the beginning for those who may suffer from a psychological disorder and as someone who doesn’t deal with these issues, I can’t say much on that aspect. Both teens are running away from things, even if they don’t want to admit it to others and readers may see themselves or people they love in the characters portrayed. A very serious read that is worth the time spent.

"Chaos Theory" by Nic Stone
Loved this book! Once again Stone has knocked it out of the park! Great read!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the advance copy of this book. Shelbi and Andy/Walter's story was powerful and a read that will garner empathy and hopefully give readers language to model in their own lives. I was initially concerned that the content would be a lot for me to handle based on the trigger warning and introductory material, but it wasn't too much for me. However, I appreciate the warning for readers who may be struggling with similar issues and who may have a lower threshold for the content than I do. Overall, a great read that will be popular in my library.

“But that’s the thing; getting rid of the mental illness stigma means getting rid of the idea that what people experience based on their brain chemistry can make them socially unacceptable. Like we all want people to think we’re so strong and invincible. But…we’re not… we’re human.”

Like .. we started there ? Nic Stone destroying me in the authors note is new. I just. I don’t even know.

That feeling. When you see a version of your own “brain stuff” reflected back in not only a character in a book but in an immensely successful authors words. Her words of her own experience. I can’t describe the feeling well enough. I can’t put it into words. I sure as hell am successful at putting it into tears as I write this.

What a truly beautifully written depiction of living with mental illness. There were so so many moments where I wanted to reach through the page pull Shelbi out and give her the biggest hug. I also wanted to thank her. Many times. For putting into words ways I have felt - that I’ve never been able to describe.

“To have your own mind tell you you’re not worth the air you breathe. Do you have any idea what it’s like to feel like you’re the queen of the universe one minute, and a waste of molecules the next?”

The beauty of the character development and the relationship built between Walty Walt and Shelbi was just pure perfection. I loved every second of it. My only complaint - Is I didn’t want to let them go. I didn’t want it to end. I guess that goes to show how if you truly wish you could rip the characters out of the book and plop them down in your life as your confidantes - well.. the author certainly did their job well.

Thank you Nic. Thank you Penguin teen for my Arc.

“I consider this my rendezvous point with the universe”

Boy, where do you even start. I'm so glad this book is out in the world. With this book Nic Stone has managed to weave a fictional story about two people who could be anyone. They could be a family member, a close friend, ourselves. I sure as heck saw a version of me in there.

I feel like this is the type of book that
people just need to read. So all I'll say is read the foreward and read the authors note.

Mental health deserves more of our attention then we give it, and I'm so grateful to have read this book. There are a lot of lessons I'm going to work hard to keep in the front of my mind in 2023.

There are so many things I like about this book! First, I love the clear message that mental health is as important as physical health. Our teens cannot hear this enough. Second, I love the main characters, Shelbi and Walter. They are both kind, caring souls trying to help each other as they cope with their own issues as best they can. And third, they share a sweet romance.

The book seems more issue-driven than character-driven or plot-driven, and I would have liked to have known the secondary characters a little bit better. For instance, three of the four parents bordered on perfect, but surely they were struggling, wondering how best to help their children. I would have liked to have a seen a little bit of that struggle. The fourth parent, Walter's mom, was truly awful; a little more explanation of how she got that way would have been interesting.

Nevertheless, Nic Stone does a great job of addressing difficult topics through two likeable characters that readers will relate to. This book is sure to be a hit.

Another great book from Nic Stone - I like the authenticity of her characters. In particular with this book, I like how realistically she painted mental illness. I loved the main character girl's set of rules and that she was unapologetic about not being okay. I was cheering for them as a couple. :-)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first Nic Stone novel and while I loved the writing style and the usage of “unconventional” text communication, there were just SO MANY TROPES.

The mental health destigmatization and conversation surrounding personality disorders and alcoholism was important and special on its own.

The teen pregnancy, abortion, Black republican political parent, bullying + side character suicide, cheating scandal felt like a lot for me. But I also understand that life is messy and chaotic, and with all that messiness, people still have to learn to navigate life while protecting their own mental health.

So while I didn’t love this book, the big picture message still added something to an important conversation.

I really appreciated the premise of this book, and I've loved Nic Stone's writing style in other books. While I applaud and celebrate the subject matter and worthy messages in this book, I have to admit that I didn't always feel connected to or engaged with the characters. At times it felt a little more like telling rather than showing. That being said, however, I will be sharing this with readers!

I look forward to sharing this book with students that also struggle with these mental health issues. This quick read is approachable to all students and provides them an understanding of what their peers are going through. The characters main and secondary are drawn well and are believable.

This book is a must read. Its real portrayal of grief, neurodiversity and substance abuse does not sugar coat or romanticize anything.

This is a must read. In CHAOS THEORY, Nic Stone opens the door wide to mental health, addiction, friendship, and family. The characters are so authentic and unflinchingly share their stories. Preorder it now for your library and any YA readers in your life. It will make a difference.

Such an important story! I know many of my students will connect with this book and the characters. “Walter” and Shelbi’s stories will stick with me. I also loved how quick of a read this story is.

This book, focusing on two black teens in Georgia dealing with mental issues who start a relationship, is an intimate look into the challenges of those dealing with the normal challenges of being a teen coupled with the much larger difficulties of articulating for themselves and others the problems they’re facing and the support they need along their respective journeys. It’s beautifully written and a must-read for teens.