Chaos Theory was a cool YA romance that deals thoughtfully and compassionately with mental illness and alcoholism. Nic Stone says in the very beginning that this book was informed by her own diagnoses and struggles, which obviously adds a layer of authenticity to the representation presented in these pages.

Shelbi is bi-polar, and trusting people with that knowledge is difficult. Andy (aka Walter) is the son of a rising conservative politician, dealing with grief and anger, numbing himself with alcohol.

Their friendship starts with a wrong number text, and gradually grows into something real and beautiful. But Andy's complicated relationship with alcohol and Shelbi's insecurities lead to a massive misunderstanding and a mental health crisis, but the ending is hopeful and full of healing.

I really appreciated how both of their issues were taken seriously and presented with the gravity they both deserve. Neither one was miraculously healed or fixed; they both put in effort to grow and gain tools to handle life and all its complications better.

Nic Stone writes winners every time, and Chaos Theory was no exception.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-ARC.

Another great book by Nic Stone. Two teens struggle with major life trauma while dealing with a new love. An honest account of a teen with bipolar disorder and another teen who is an alcoholic. Various family tragedies send each of them spiraling. At the same time, there's lots of helpful advice and modeling from most of the adults in the novel.

Chaos Theory tells the story of two teenagers facing very adult scenarios. Shelbi has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Andy is facing alcoholism after the death of his young sister. They find each other by accident and immediately form a connection. All of the characters in this book are very nuanced and get moments to have three dimensions, which is a nice change from most YA where parents with negative traits are villains. I think seeing the characters in therapy would have added to the story of their growth, since it is integral to their progress, but is never on the page.

Chaos Theory is one of the most realistic YA books I have read in awhile. The two main characters, Shelbi and Andy are dealing with so much, especially for their age. The author did a wonderful job portraying mental illness as well. I think this is a very approachable book for teens to help understand what they are going through, or even others around them.

When Shelbi first receives a text from Andy, it’s a wrong number, but they become friends after Andy has a drunk driving accident. Shelbi also has trouble with alcohol in her past, and she thinks maybe she could relate to this cute boy when she has too often felt like no one understands. Told in alternating perspectives, their story deals with family issues, mental health, alcoholism, self-harm, and love. Both characters feel real as they learn about themselves and who they want to be. Teens who are introspective and care about social/emotional connections will relate to Shelbi and Andy. Nic Stone’s introduction is honest and heartfelt with a fantastic explanation of how to address and discuss mental health.

I adored the story, the world building was amazing. I love meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it. The writing was also really nice. I couldn't put the book down and I can't wait for others to read and enjoy this story as well.

A poignant contemporary YA romance novel that deals with some pretty heavy topics in the perfect way. At the start of the story, Shelbi has basically shut herself off from her peers due to negative experiences at her previous school. She's seems to be handling her bipolar disorder well, but is afraid to really let herself be seen. Enter Andy (Walter), an attractive classmate who is struggling with an addiction to alcohol that he uses to cope with his demons. An accidental text message starts this friendship, but where will it lead?

This novel is great in terms of destigmatizing mental "illness". You can really see that the author wrote her own truth in these characters. They are fully developed and human. The romance is sweet, like first love should be. There are a lot of difficult topics depicted here, all dealt with tactfully. I raced through this novel, teared up a few times, and would absolutely recommend it.

Nic Stone is amazing. I will read anything she writes. The author’s letter at the beginning was everything & the author’s note at the end was the perfect finish to another great read. I loved the audiobook and didn’t want to stop listening. It was a quick read that did a great job covering the topic of mental health. The story was vulnerable and beautiful in every possible way. I highly recommend this one.

A heartbreaking and beautiful love story about two teens struggling with personal trauma while trying to navigate friendship and love. Nic Stone writes relatable teen characters and she hits it out of the park with character development for both Shelbi and Andy.

Shelbi struggles with bipolar disorder and Andy struggles with a secret alcohol addiction that stems from the accidental death of his little sister.

Kudos to Stone for incorporating loving, attentive, and wise parents in Shelbi's case, but not choosing an easy route when it comes to Andy's ambitious and deeply flawed mother.

Even though I found some of the dialogue unrealistic and rolled my eyes at Shelbi's nicknames for Andy, I think teens will thoroughly enjoy this sweet and charming couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC fo this book. This is my honest review.

Nic Stone has done it again. She has taken the voices of our youth and weaved them into a realistic story of teens struggling with unique brain stimuli. She takes the opportunity to shine a light on mental health. This topic is so important right now. The main characters will surely resonate with many teens. The family dynamics are vibrant and raw. The plot was not predictable which made it ever so compelling. I would recommend this to teens 14 and older.

Nic can do no wrong!! She is my absolute favorite author. I love that she wrote a book so personal and relevant to her experiences, and something that will show teens, especially teens of color, that it’s okay to have a brain that “works differently” and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. I think this is something that will help a lot of people. And naturally it had all of Nic’s magic, her voice, her humor, her charm and likability. I loved these characters and the story so much! I also love how Nic often makes her characters multiracial in ways that might not immediately be obvious (like having a grandparent of a different race/culture) and it’s not made to be a big deal.

The book kicks off with a foreword from the author that is vulnerable and honest. Dual points of view from the two friends detail their struggles and commonalities. This is a terrific classroom discussion or book club pick to share/learn insights about mental health.

Nic Stone is one of those authors whose books will ALWAYS grace my personal (and classroom) bookshelves. Chaos Theory focuses on the "friendship" between Shelbi and Walter. Both experience trauma and disorders that affect the chemistry of the brain. *Side Note: I LOVE how Stone addressed mental health in this book. So many people are ostracised and made to feel like its somehow THEIR FAULT that they have to work harder with their mental wellness than others.* This is a book written for those who battle to be the best person they can be, despite the obstacles they have to endure in life. Not only was this a message that was pertinent to me (in my mental health journey), but I know it will be impactful for the teenage students I teach. This gets a full 20/10 for me.

Wow...what a read and what a journey. I had no idea what to expected when reading this, as this was a first by this author for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved the rawness and discussion around mental health and the overall journey of self-discovery. Definitely recommend and look forward to reading more by Nic Stone!

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone is a touching and beautifully written young adult novel that explores the complicated lives of two high school students, Shelbi and Andy, as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal struggles.

Stone’s storytelling is both gripping and thought-provoking, and this story is not exception. The novel is unique in its portrayal of two flawed characters who find solace in each other’s company. Shelbi’s reluctance to make friends is understandable given her past experiences, but when she sees Andy struggling with alcoholism, she can’t help but reach out to him. The two form a bond that is both genuine and heartwarming, and it’s impossible not to root for them as they face their demons together.

One of the strengths of this book is the way Stone weaves in complex themes like addiction, trauma, and mental health without being heavy-handed or preachy. She allows the characters to speak for themselves and lets readers draw their own conclusions. The result is a powerful and nuanced portrayal of the challenges that many young people face today. In addition, Stone makes a point to give a warning at the beginning of the book that the themes in the story are hard to read and her own connection with mental health struggles.

Stone does such a great job in telling a realistic story of young people dealing with different mental health struggles and the impact their struggles have on their families and friends. It also explores how easy it is for a teenager to fall into a path of despair and self-harming behaviors when the adults around them are not paying enough attention. It truly made me appreciate how involved parenting can make a difference. Overall, this book is compelling and emotionally resonant story, and while a difficult read at times, I find it to be an important story to be told.

I love everything Nic Stone writes and this was no exception. The story between Shelbie and Andy/Walter was so well written and I think explains mental health is an accessible way for young adults. I want all my students to read this because I know it will easily be relatable or at a minimum create empathy for others.

This book was sooooo good. One thing I love about Nic Stone, her books are short and to the point, with powerful storylines and messages.

This book focuses on mental health and alcoholism, and the author does not at ALL shy away from the topics. There is honesty, and vulnerability in the two main characters, and the relationship development was well done.

I want to make sure to note that before reading, check the content warnings and take them seriously. This book covers a lot of important issues, but they could potentially be triggering.

This was an excellent read, and a perfect end to the month ❤️📚.

This book offers such insight to mental illness and the struggles that go with it. It also allows us to see the relationship of 2 young kids maneuvering through the obstacles. This was a great book!!

Nic Stone does it again. This story has an adorable romance, and spectacular mental health rep. This is definitely a book I want to get into the hands of kids.

I always look forward to reading Nic Stone stories and this one was a great read! This is a story that involves characters with mental health issues and how they came to know one another. The author starts the book with a letter to the reader which describes the connection she has to the theme presented in the story. The scenarios are believable and many teens will relate to the times of distress experienced by the characters. There are many topics in the story - depression, alcohol addiction, loss of a sibling, grief, bipolar disorder, family dysfunction, and so much more all in a well written story. My hope is that we will maybe see more of the characters presented here - maybe another story of how their story evolves in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.