This was such an adorable read! Andy and Shelbi were just too cute! This is such an important novel that tackles grief, mental health and substance abuse with grace for the target audience its meant to reach!! The lack of toxic masculinity was just the cherry on top bc yes we love vulnerability between men!! The flow, direction and characters were just amazing! Loved the family dynamics between Shelbi and her family! The complexity of Andy and his family! These are all very real things that adolescents experience! Andy ready Shelbi’s novels took me tf out and Shonda is really the GOAT!!! Overall, i highly recommend it! Thank you Net Galley!!!

Nic Stone has a way of telling stories that not only expose the realities of the things that teens go through but give readers an understanding how what it looks like to support someone in need. This story was well written. As a teacher, I learned so much more about mental health and how to support my students. This is a book that I will continue to recommend and I plan to buy a copy for my classroom.

Nic Stone continues to be one of the best YA authors writing today.

Chaos Theory addresses and combats the stereotypes surrounding mental illness (and alcoholism) in a straightforward, non-preachy way. In the author's note at the beginning, she says that the book is written for people with these disorders but the book is primarily meant to help others understand what it's like and to help foster empathy.

But it's also a great love story. (And a great friendship story). It's another of her must-read books. I can't wait to see what her next is about,

Highly recommended.

This may be my favorite Nic Stone novel yet! Through Shelbi, one of the main characters, I was able to gain a better understanding about what it means to be an individual struggling with bipolar disorder. I thought Stone was able to do this in a way that did not feel gratuitous. I also appreciated the conversation about abortion in the novel. Typically you don't necessarily see how an abortion affects the male partner and I appreciated seeing this portrayal in Stone's writing. I also LOVED the author's note. It just felt very real and I thought it was a solid way to give reminders about what people can do to respect those who might be struggling with their mental health.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the opportunity to read Chaos Theory. First of all, let me say that the cover completely drew me in when I saw it. It’s colorful and vibrant, but the emotion on the main characters’ faces compelled me to open it and read their stories. The story tackles so many difficult issues, but it does so with compassion and sincerity. It is obvious as you read it that Nic Stone has dealt with some of these issues throughout her life. Even when you find yourself upset with one of the characters, such as Andy and his drinking problem, you still feel such empathy for that character and find yourself able to give them grace because of all the things they have endured.

For Andy, working through his grief over the loss of his sister, as well as the pain he is feeling watching his parents’ marriage fall apart is gut-wrenching at times. For Shelby, you feel her pain and withdrawal keenly. You understand why she does not want to put herself out there and make friends when she realizes that every day of her life is a crapshoot that can go so many different directions because of the mental health issues that she deals with. I love how supportive her parents are in this book, because it creates such a juxtaposition when compared with Andy’s family. I’m glad that she has people in her life like her cousin who are there for her and show her that she is not alone. I also love that she sees things with such wisdom and takes things step-by-step with her relationship with Andy. It makes this book so much more believable. I am extremely impressed with the story, as I always am with Stones’ work. This will probably be one of the best books I read all year.

Nic Stone has done it again, this time with a love story featuring a great cast of characters. Shelbi and Andy (aka Walter) had great chemistry and felt like real people to me. I really enjoyed their story and the messy but honest choices they made. I would 100% recommend this to my students; I think they would really enjoy this book.

Chaos Theory is a heartfelt book that tackles mental health in a tasteful way. Nic Stone opens the book with a letter to the reader explaining her own battles with mental health, and it immediately connects the reader with her throughout the story. The story follows Shelbi, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and Andy, who has an alcohol addiction and a family that seems to be falling apart. The two of them have an instant connection, and they are able to help each other during their biggest times of need.

The romance in the book is a little unbelievable because of how fast it happens, but the characters are strong, and the plot feels believable. Teens will appreciate the book for its discussion of mental health and subjects that are real to their lives. They will want to keep reading to find out what happens and if Shelbi and Andy can wind up together despite all the things working against them.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my new all time favorite Nic Stone book. I thought nothing would ever top Dear Martin but here we are. She sure knows how to tug on our heart strings.

Nic Stone's storytelling is always so careful, well-executed, and thought-provoking. Chaos Theory was no different.

Reading Andy and Shelbi's story truly felt like an honor. Nic Stone's author's notes at the beginning and end put me in the exact right headspace to exist with them and breathe with them. Mental health representation has been especially present in ya books over the past few years and authors do their best to be sensitive to the subject matter, but Stone takes it one step further to normalize it. I don't really know how to explain my thoughts cohesively here, so that will have to be all.

I really enjoyed this read and can't wait for what Stone has planned for the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s about time that Nic wrote a book for Nic. As a person with mental illness, I feel it is so important to represent it in books for young people navigating the complex world of brain chemicals, therapy, and meds. I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance in this book bc it felt way too quick, but I did love their rapport with each other and the conversations they have. But more important than their relationship, and better handled I think, is how they become a support system as each of them navigates trauma. And how occasionally they each fail at being that support.

This is an honest, thought provoking book that gives you an insight into the lives of those who are suffering inside. It really makes you realize that you never know what someone is going through. This book discusses so many topics that very few are willing to discuss - bipolar disorder, addiction, grief, self-harm, depression, and more. It is story that everyone needs to read and Nic Stone does a wonderful job bringing it all to light. A must read. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

You say Nic Stone has a new book out, I say how soon can I read it – I will gladly consume everything this woman writes and for good reason – she is writing from the heart and from experience. Nic Stone writes in the authors note before this story begins that she herself is living with mental health issues – sometimes your brain doesn’t work right and its not your fault, just like you take care of your physical health, you need to take care of your brain too.

Chaos Theory is told from dual perspectives of Shelbi, who is learning to live with bipolar disorder, and Andy, who is dealing with family issues and an alcohol addiction. Both teenagers are doing the best they can with the circumstances they’re living in until their paths collide.

Shelbi is an actual genius and has immense privilege due to her parents wealth. She never has to worry about money and her parents are very supportive. But her brain doesn’t always work right, and that’s part of why her family had to move and she had to start a new school her senior year. And why she is afraid to make any new friends or get close to anyone.

Andy’s mom is a politician with ideals he doesn’t agree with. His parents look happy for the cameras but home life isn’t so pleasant. He drinks to deal with his problems – and he doesn’t see a problem with that.

Shelbi and Andy’s lives are intertwined before they even know it but once they do become aquatinted, sparks immediately fly. I love how their relationship started out as friendship – Shelbi made it crystal clear she didn’t want a romantic relationship and the two are there for each other at their toughest times as friends. It’s clear Andy has feelings for Shelbi but he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship and I really loved that about this story! Needless to say, it does end up turning into more than friends eventually, but the way it reached that point felt organic.

As with any Nic Stone story, she doesn’t shy away from the reality of any situation. Shelbi makes it clear she has good days and bad days with her bipolar disorder and she has self harmed in the past. Andy uses alcohol to forget his problems and doesn’t want to admit he has a drinking problem at 18. Andy is also a light skinned Black person and there are comments made about that.

I am so glad Nic Stone writes these books for teens so Black teens and those with mental health can see themselves in the story. (I am trying to avoid using the term ‘mental illness’ because that makes it sound like something bad, which it’s not. Just like you would get a broken arm set and healed, you also need to get your brain chemistry in sync.)

This story was everything I expected and I learned a few new things along the way too.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this arc. Once again Nic Stone writes a book with issues that are effecting teens right now. She writes with empathy and authenticity about mental illness, addiction, and family issues. I cannot wait to purchase it for my hs library.

"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."

What I loved about this book was its brutal honesty, not just from the characters, but from Stone herself. In her note preceding the novel, she opens up about the similarities between her own mental illness and that of the main character. I think this is so important for teen readers -- acknowledging that even the most successful of people struggle with their own battles is crucial.

While the representation and message of this text is valuable and holds an important place in the YA canon, I do think this book fell short in a few ways. For this reader, I found the plot a bit too predictable and the minor characters to be stereotypical and one note.

If you are capable of reading about self-harm, alcoholism, domestic abuse, etc. then this is worth the read!

Shelbi has bipolar disorder and knows that falling in love, or having anyone fall in love with her, won't be great for her mental health so as she gets closer to the boy who accidently drunk text her, she puts written boundaries in place. Only they both break the contract as they fall in love.

This is a great YA romance. Both teens have a lot of their plate; Shelbi knows she needs to prioritize her mental health and Andy comes to realize that he has a drinking problem. They both know that they need to work on themselves, and they do, but they also come to realize that they don't need to be perfect to fall in love.

I find that many YA romances can be problematic in their portrayal of a perfect Disney Princess-type love story, but in this book, no one gives up their entire identity to impress anyone and new romance doesn't miraculously fix all of the problems. It has some really great messages that everyone deserves love, that it's okay to approach relationships at your own pace, and that mental health is just as important as physical health.

This book is an extremely moving and powerful portrayal of mental health. The characters are fully developed and readers can see the raw heart Ms. Stone put into this novel. Everything Nic Stone touches in brilliant, and this novel is no different.

This was such a great book and one that I will return to. Both of the main characters brought honesty and introspection to their stories, and the assistance and help this book will provide to kids is invaluable. Lots of real life situations that teenagers face each day.

This book touched me deeply. As a person who deal with mental health issues on a daily basis, I really enjoyed Nic Stone’s honesty and sensibility about the topic. Both main characters were so relatable and amazingly realistic. I felt very close to them.

To me, this book is to YA what Silver Linings Playbook was to New Adult: a fresh, sensitive look on mental illness in a very relatable way. I think everyone who deals with it or loves someone who deals with it needs to read Chaos Theory.

This was such an amazing, honest, moving read. Andy and Shelbi are immediately endearing, and I found the representation of Shelbi's bipolar disorder eye opening. I felt so badly for Andy and the situation with his family. The mental health representation here is so good and at no time feels like a "tool" in order to get readers. Andy and Shelbi feel so real, though this is something that I always find in Stone's writing. The writing is sharp and hits just right, and I can see a lot of my students really enjoying this story. There are so many issues that are discussed so honestly and openly, which is something that I think a lot of my YA readers look for right now. This is definitely something I will have on my shelves for them.

I ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ this book. Shelbi and Wal have my heart. I felt a few plot points were a bitttt rushed, but I loved their friendship and the way mental illness was depicted. Nic Stone writes some truly epic stuff, and I will be recommending this to some of my students, but not all, as it does contain some pretty heavy stuff.