Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering this ARC for review.

As a high school librarian, I'm always on the lookout for a variety of books to fit different needs for our school community. Many students are interested in reading books featuring characters that live with mental illness and other struggles. I'm excited to add this title to our collection because of the two main characters, Shelbie and Andy (Walter).

This story touches on mental illness and addiction. The author includes notes to help prepare folks for what they will read so they can make an informed decision.

The two main characters are drawn to each other, but worried about each other and the problems that a relationship could cause. It is a sweet love story. Teens will understand the flutters and the worries of this burgeoning relationship. They will likely also appreciate the ways that the teens cope with their issues.

This is an important addition to a teen library. Will buy!

This is one powerful book, but reader beware…

Growing up can be difficult in the teen years especially if you have issues of your own and tricky circumstances that surround you.

Thus is the troubled story of Shelby and Andy… Sweet, bittersweet and at times tragic. Shelbi Augustine has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is trying to deal with her life at school by not getting close to anyone. She had disclosed her diagnosis before only to be bullied and humiliated.
Andy Criddle is dealing with a lot after the death of his baby sister, of which he feels himself is to blame, thst feeling sadly reinforced by his own mother. With fights happening at home daily between his parents and a recent breakup, Andy starts to self medicate by turning to alcohol and a lot of it!
The story begins as Andy randomly drunk texts Shelbi one night and that same night he wrecks his car earning himself a DUI and a suspended driver’s license. Thus begins a relationship. As the two get to know one another, Shelbi and Andy make a friendship pact to always just be friends, but as their friendship progresses their mutual desire is to be more than friends.

This was a great read that touched on so many issues and troubles people face. Nic Stone’s opening message sets the stage for this revealing and at times raw account of two struggling teens even though on the outside they appear to have everything in life folks want and more. Carefully read the authors note that begins… “Dear beloved reader.” This note is important as it will ground you before you start reading since some of the subject matter is pretty tough. Stone goes on to confide that the events are based on personal experiences
You will find characters you will adore, Shelbi’s parents, grandma, and cousin. I predict you will absolutely loathe Andy’s mother.
What an excellent writer you Nic Stone.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy. I generally love Nic Stone’s YA novels and this one was no exception. It was an honest, unflinching, messy, and beautiful glimpse into the world of two teens dealing with mental illnesses. I loved both Shelbi and Walter/Andy and most of the other characters (except Andy’s awful mother!) were also a delight. Stone is truly gifted at developing characters the reader falls in love with within in the first couple of chapters. I will definitely be purchasing this one for my daughter when it comes out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a DRC of this title. All opinions are my own.

I loved this one. Nic Stone has some other books that I have really enjoyed and this topped those. She has a very informative (and engaging) author's note at the beginning and the end, and these are super important to the overall story. So, if there is anyone out there who usually skips those, don't on this one. Trust me.

Stone takes the issues of mental health and disorders and writes a sweet, raw, and complex look at two teens living with those issues. Shelbi struggles with being Bi-Polar and Andy is an alcoholic, even if he doesn't want to admit to himself. Their worlds collide after Shelbi finds his wallet at a the site of a car accident and they become friends. Even if Andy does want it to be something more, Shelbi isn't sure that is a good idea. As they get to know each other, and learn more about themselves, family issues and challenges also come to light.

I highly recommend this one. It tackles some very important issues and does so in a graceful way. The characters are charming and ones you want to root for. There is lots of representation (Black main characters, bisexual references, lesbian secondary characters) and the story line is good. First purchase for collections serving readers in grades 9 and up.

THIS BOOK. I can't say enough about it. I loved Andy (Walter!) and Shelbi and couldn't read their story fast enough. My favorite thing about it was the positive tone surrounding the discussions of mental health and the hope that emanates from the book.

First of all, thanks to NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts. I loved this book from the start. The characters are well rounded individuals that deal with diverse and unique issues, whether it be friendships, school, family, romance/falling in love or out of love, and especially mental health. The characters popped from the pages and felt like real life people and I cared for them immediately. Their situations brought out all the emotions in me as I laughed, gasped, sighed, and cried my way through the chapters.

The book deals with mental health in ways that felt authentic and helped me grow in my understanding and compassion for all people. The story reminded me that everyone is dealing with something, some way more than others. I especially enjoyed the author's agreement and how it was presented to the reader. Definitely a list I'd like to keep posted near by as a life-lesson reminder.

A beautifully written novel about first loves and picking up the pieces after it all falls apart. The ending was endearing and completely unexpected.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book follows Shelbi Augustine and Andrew Criddle. Shelbi has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is trying to deal with her life at school by not getting close to anyone. She had disclosed her diagnosis before only to be bullied and humiliated. Andy is dealing with a lot after the death of his sister. With fights happening at home daily between his parents and a recent breakup he starts to self medicate by turning to alcohol. He ends up drunk texting Shelbi one night. That night he crashes his car and gets a DUI and his license suspended. Shelbi and Andy make a friendship pact but as their friendship progresses their feelings seem to as well. Both want to be more than friends.

This was a great read that touched on so many issues and some of the troubles people go through while dealing with certain diagnoses and trauma.I love Nic Stone’s opening message to the readers. It really helped to ground me before I started reading this book since some of the topics were triggering. I loved Shelbi’s parents, grandma, and cousin. Absolutely loathed Andy’s mother.

Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I have always loved the way Nic Stone tackles tough topics with a healthy does of humor and lots of love. Shelbi and Andy (Walter) have no shortage of issues between the two of them. Shelbi has been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, and Andy blames himself for his younger sister’s death. He drinks too much and she sometimes commits self-harm. And still they find each other, are kind to each other, and build a beautiful friendship. The way these two teens struggle feels very realistic to me as someone who has worked with teenagers for over twenty years. They mess up. They try again. They aren’t that different from adults. They feel some feelings really deeply and for the first time (hello, love), and Nic Stone portrays it all with such generosity.

I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

This is a beautiful coming of age love story between two High School teenagers that are both dealing with mental health and addiction disorders.
On her way home Shelbi sees an car accident that looks like a boy in her class is involved in. Andy has had to much to drink while at a friends house and now sits in the back of a police cruiser being charged with a DWI.
Before the accident Shelbi receive a text from a stranger and they wind up in a text conversation.
The next school day Shelbi approaches Andy because she found his wallet at the accident scene and returns it to him. That is the beginning of their friendship.
The characters are well developed especially when they both have secrets, mental health, addictions, family issues, guilt that they both have to live with everyday. Also when your family doesn’t want to admit that something mentally is wrong with a family member. It’s supposed to be hush hush, no one outside of the immediate family is to know.
I love how the author showed in the storyline that mental health and addiction is real, the explanation of some of the diagnosis with the cause and effect. Also that there is help out there and you don’t have to feel alone and ashamed to get the help you need.
I highly recommend this book to read especially teenagers, young adults and even parents to understand a family member and/or friend is going through.
Cassandra H.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

tone does an excellent job of not-so-gently talking about mental health and how we must all do better when it comes to destigmatizing mental illness. Teen realistic fiction readers will love this book about two Black high school students from well-off families who have both experienced a lot of trauma and are trying to cope with it in unhealthy and healthy ways.

This is a wonderful story about two young people who are trying to make their way through difficult circumstances. Shelbi is struggling with mental health issues and Andrew is struggling with alcoholism as well as the breakup of his parents' marriage. They find each other in a funny way and pursue a relationship that develops into romance but not without its pitfalls. The depictions of dealing with mental illness and alcoholism are very realistic and the characters are wonderfully well developed. I was really sorry when the story was over.

*Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another brilliantly written story by Nic Stone. I finished the book in 2 days. I'm only giving it four stars because I hate books written in 3rd person. I know it's important especially for this book to know what each character is thinking, but I would've liked an alternating 1st person view instead. I also didn't like Andy/Walter had 2 names that were used interchangeably through the whole book; it was very confusing. On the other hand, I loved how Nic Stone told a beautiful story of 2 high school students dealing with mental illness and addiction in such an adolescent way. It's hard to navigate your feelings at such a young age and find love at the same time. Books like this are so important to let young adults know they aren't alone. I will definitely be adding this book to my website and suggesting it for high school students.

Nic Stone nails it again! I am a fan of Nic Stone's books and this is the best one yet. The characters jump off the page with their intensity and humor, and the plot sails along educating about mental health as we turn the pages. A truly worthwhile and engaging read. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown books for an advanced reader copy.

4 stars

Wow. I've enjoyed this author's previous works, but for me, this is a real standout. This YA contemporary is succinct but packs a punch, and SO MANY READERS will benefit from encountering it.

Shelbi and Andy share perspectives and a lot of their personal pain with readers and each other. Shelbi reveals details about her mental health throughout as well as some of the consequences she has experienced. Andy is clearly (from the outside!) struggling with alcoholism and has some other very serious life circumstances to tackle. When Shelbi and Andy find each other, their problems don't disappear. That noted, the characters' care for each other helps them both process their feelings, share their experiences, and find meaning in their deep connection.

Stone brings in THE ISSUES here, but this never feels didactic. The representation of these issues also feels very realistic, though both characters have a parent who is in a somewhat unusual, high-profile situation, and I did find that a little distracting at times. I expect that because of the profusion of topics, most readers will find both windows and mirrors here, and that is just one of the many reasons I'm looking forward to recommending it wholeheartedly to students.

This book made me an even bigger fan of an author I already really enjoy!

Chaos Theory follows Shelbi, a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness and Andi, a politician’s son who is running from his own grief and addiction. After a traumatic incident at her old school, Shelbi is determined not to let anyone too close to her. Andy, meanwhile, is drowning his grief at the bottom of a barrel. When an accidentally sent text brings the two of them together, they recognise their own struggles and fears in each other. But what starts as a beautiful friendship turns rocky as their respective lives begin to unravel.

What a powerful novel. From the author’s note all the way to the final pages of Chaos Theory, you can tell how much care Nic Stone put into Shelbi and Andy’s story. The discussions surrounding mental health and learning how to create boundaries in your life and with the people you spend your time with are sure to hit the mark with both individuals who have experienced mental health issues themselves and those who are tired of seeing overdramatised depictions in the media landscape.

The stigma associated with mental illness (side note: though the author prefers other times and explains why in the author’s note, I choose here to use the ones readers may already be familiar with) is constantly perpetuated in media and it’s incredible to think that we’ve taken such strides to challenge stereotypes, yet they still continue to shape minds all over the world. Stone gives voice to those who cannot articulate what they’re feeling and what goes on in their heads in a way that feels both inviting and normalising which I would love to see more of in the future.

I really enjoyed how balanced Andy and Shelbi’s individual stories were. Though one of the biggest draws of Chaos Theory is of course their unlikely yet wholesome friendship, their individual inner conflicts are what create such an easily readable narrative. Stone has that kind of writing style that makes you fly through the pages and Chaos Theory was no different—I couldn’t believe how fast the story was moving yet it perfectly fit the turmoil that both Andy and Shelbi go through. While Andy struggles with accepting his drinking problem, Shelbi is slow to open up to others, especially Andy. Burned by friendly faces once before, she thinks people are destined to betray her. Watching both of them blossom through their friendship was a lovely thing to experience. A personal highlight is how, when push comes to shove, both Andy and Shelbi realise that their own worth is not dependent on never making mistakes, which is a reminder we could all use sometimes.

Overall, Chaos Theory is a moving story of what it means to live—and love—with mental health struggles, facing your demons and discovering you’ve been worthy of love, especially self-love, all along.

Shelbi and Andy's love story is a YA romance unlike anything I've read. Though they both struggle with their mental health, those struggles don't come anywhere close to defining their characters or relationship. I think many young people will identify with (and love) this novel because they will see parts of themselves within its pages.

Also, I'd like to remind readers to actually read (and absorb) the fabulous Author's Note at the end of the story. You will be rewarded with the very satisfying epilogue that follows.

* A special thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Crown Books for Young Readers for an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review*

Nic Stone has gifted us ALL with this book. I was a complete puddle finishing this book and it hit so close to home. I would hardly call this a YA book, it deals with some pretty heavy topics. But id you are comfortable with the content warnings, this book is 100% worth reading. It’s much more than a Black romance, it’s an experience. I love the way Nic has encouraged us to care for our mental health and to love one another more deeply through this story. I wish my younger self could have read this, but I’m glad the person I am today came across these pages. The complexities of these characters lives was written in a very human way. I found myself really giddy with all the cheesy banter and rooting for the main characters. I loved that the ending wasn’t perfect, it made the book more real.

Yes, yes, yes!!!

I loved how the author approached this subject with delicacy and gentleness while still revealing the truths of living with these illnesses. I loved the characters and the story. Definitely recommend

I will read anything Nic Stone writes because she just kills it every time. I flew through this book even though I tried to pace myself. I just could not put it down! Shelbi and Walter Andy's story was truly beautiful and it felt so real and so vulnerable.

Shelbi only started attending Andy's high school her senior year and didn't bother making any friends. Her bipolar diagnosis and her struggles at her last school really did a number on her so she doesn't bother. That is until her "fun" hobby and the random wrong-number situation lead her to Andy (by the way, I'm so glad the anonymous text deal wasn't dragged out). Andy is having the worst year of his life and he's not coping well. I loved their friendship throughout the summer and how they were both able to open up. I just wanted to give them both the biggest hugs and I'm not even the hugging type, so that's saying something. Andy's mom is the worst but Shelbi's parents and Andy's dad were amazing!

Don't skip the Author's letter at the beginning. Or the Author's Note at the end (that was truly amazing, by the way). I feel like Stone did a great job at discussing the mental health aspects of this story and she states that she used some of her own personal experiences. Do check the content warnings though! This book says, "Don't miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love" and it's not lying. Nic Stone did it again!

“People aren’t put on this earth to meet your expectations.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.