Each of us brings to a relationship some baggage and hopefully a few sparkling advantages. In Nic Stone’s new young adult novel Chaos Theory (Crown Books, 2023), Shelbi and Andy (aka Walter) are attracted to each other but also wary of how their relationship might be affected by Shelbi’s mental illness and Andy’s alcoholism. These self-imposed relationship boundaries are established in clever but brave dialogue delivered both in person and through appealing text-message bubbles.

High school readers will be immediately drawn into this story that begins when Shelbi responds to a wrong-number text message sent by Andy who is drunk at a party. From this fragile beginning, Shelbi and Andy navigate what it means to be honest while knowing that their perceptions are sometimes affected by abnormal brain chemistry. As they cautiously reveal their conditions and back stories to each other, Nic Stone artfully portrays not just two individuals living with struggles but how those struggles intensify in complexity when they intersect.

Chaos Theory is rich with interesting parents and other secondary characters. For example, Andy’s mother is a politician whose lead staffer is the father of Andy’s ex-girlfriend. Awkward. Shelbi’s father is a neurosurgeon and her mother is the best-selling author of a steamy book series that includes Andy among its fans. Isn’t it refreshing to have stories centering Black characters in upper middle-class families?

Nic Stone is more than a gifted author of young adult novels. Stone’s work isn’t finished until her story makes a difference in the lives of its readers. No spoilers here, but Stone breaks the fourth wall in a couple of creative ways to ensure that readers agree to respect those dealing with mental health issues.

Chaos Theory is not at all a niche read. As with other Nic Stone titles like Dear Martin, Dear Justyce, and Odd One Out, Chaos Theory can be recommended to a wide audience of young readers who will then recommend it to others.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an early look at this title.

The characterization in this book was really well done. I also enjoyed the respect with which it tackled mental illness.

Nic Stone is an absolute master of her craft. This was her 13th published book and I simply fell in love with Shelbi and Walter (Andy). I think this book explores the challenges that exist for young adults in the world and the time between high school graduation and college. There are 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. Nic had an honest approach to this book and she opens up about her own mental health issues and I believe this book will provide a great way for teens to explore how different individuals approach the world through their own lived experiences. This is a five star read and I cannot wait to have it in my library and recommend to teens!

When a misdirected text pulls together two teens struggling with mental health issues, strangers worlds’ collide, and Shelbi and Andy end up with a chance to help each other. As Shelbi helps Andy to deal with his alcoholism, and Andy learns more about the mental illness that Shelbi fights, they are drawn closer and closer to each other. But, just as in real life, things don’t always go as planned. With the brilliance that Nic Stone is known for, she creates characters and settings that feel like ones that anyone could know. Readers will be unable to put this book down as they get to know the characters as friends. Fans of Angie Thomas and of Nic Stone’s other beautiful novels will not be disappointed when they read “Chaos Theory”. This book should get 6 out of 5 stars!

The writing here was very good, as per usual with Nic Stone. This wasn't my favorite of her books, however, as I thought the characterizations were off sometimes. (The texting often seemed childish and unrealistic). Also, I wish the mental health issues had been dug into a bit further.

5 stars

This is the second book I've read by the author and I am blown away by her writing style and her skill with characterization. The story is alternately told from Shelbi and Andrew/Walter's point-of-view, and while this is also a love story, it's much more a story about their mental health struggles, bipolar disorder for her, and alcoholism for him.

The story opens with a letter from the author that talks about mental illness, and the stigma that is associated with it. While this story is written for those who struggle with having neurotransmitter atypicality (yes, this is her term), it is addressed to those of us who probably don't "get" how mental illness works and make assumptions or statements about it without really understanding it. When the story begins, it starts out as texting between Shelbi and Andy, but it's an accidental dial. The conversation drew me in right away and I loved that the author continued to have them talk this way throughout the rest of the book when things needed to be said. I also liked that although they didn't initially know who each other were, as soon as Shelbi figured it out, she didn't let too much time pass before she told him. Too many authors take this opportunity to milk the whole misunderstanding thing. I like that Stone didn't create unnecessary drama. She focused on the story of their mental health struggles and I really appreciated that.

As for the story, once I started, I didn't want to stop. She really hit this one out of the park. After reading this book, I have only just an inkling of how exhausting it must be to live with this kind of illness. Physical illnesses are one thing (and yes, I know it's awful living with physical illnesses), but with all the misinformation about mental illness that is out there, there is serious stigma attached to being labeled mentally ill, and as such, many folks struggle in secret.

I loved Shelbi and Andy's characters, and I loved finding out who their real people were. Shelbi's parents, her Bibi, and her cousin were awesome, and I loved Andy's father as well, even if he made his own mistakes. I will be recommending this book to many folks, although I will include the same trigger warning the author did--this book confronts Shelbi's struggles with bipolar disorder and Andy's struggles with alcoholism, and it talks about self-harm and suicide, so just be aware if these are triggers for you.

As a heads up, the book seems to "end" and then there's an author note, which absolutely made me tear up (but I was already crying before that, so...), but then there's a wonderful epilogue after.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've never read anything from Stone, but I've heard good things, so I was interested in checking this one out. It contains an important, and timely, message about the stigmatization of mental health issues, and it was done in a tactful manner. Characters are well-crafted and relatable. Shelbi and Andy's relationship develops in a realistic manner, and thankfully, it's not an overpowering aspect of the story. Like the characters, this book is emotional, raw, and downright messy (as is life!). The parents come across as a bit too perfect, but that is one of the only negatives to the book. The banter, told in alternating voices (and often through text messages), is a bit much at times, but it will probably hit the mark with the target audience. I enjoyed the author's note regarding mental illness.

Shelbi and Andy have a cute friendship that blossoms into a romance in this YA story, which tackles mental health issues. I found it to drag in parts, but I love a good friends to lovers storyline,. Mental health issues were discussed often throughout the book. Be sure to read through the author's note at the end.

Shelbi and Andy are teenagers with adult problems and they find each other when they need each other most, through a random text. Both characters are flawed in their own rights, and the author does a great job with their character and relationship development.

Andy is suffering from grief, guilt and addiction. He seeks approval from his politician mother who is also dealing with grief. She is selfish and puts her campaign and personal interests before her family.

Shelbi suffers from mental illness. She has tremendous support from her family, but she doesn't have a lot of friends and certainly no friends of the male persuasion. It's hard for her to open up about her past and show others her demons. As her relationship with Andy progresses, she feels more comfortable opening up to him, but she still puts up walls and she makes Andy make a pact of friendship.

This book is heart wrenching at times, yet also inspirational to see young adults overcome obstacles that grown adults have trouble facing. I will recommend this book to some of my mature teenage students.

Special thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nic Stone writing is perfect in this book. She speaks about how it hints on her journey, and does not represent everyone's journey, which is an important perspective. Will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.

Shelbi and Andy (Walter) are high school seniors and attend the same school, but they don't really know each other. That is, until Shelbi returns Walter's wallet that she found at the scene of the accident where he drunkenly wrapped his car around a tree. With the wallet's return, and some words of advice and understanding, Shelbi and Walter embark on a friendship that starts to feel like more, in spite of the agreement ensuring that it wouldn't. Shelbi is Bipolar, and uses many techniques to manage it, including therapy and medication. Walter denies that he has a drinking problem, but uses alcohol to escape some rough things that have happened and are happening in his life. As each helps the other, they begin to understand each other better, and new and deeper feelings begin to develop. But what will happen when Walter's issues come to a head and collide with Shelbi's situation? Can they come through and out the other side as friends? Or will it be too difficult to make a connection that will stand the test of time and distance with college and after-high-school life looming in the near future?

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters were very real to me. As a neurodivergent person, I related to them, even though my divergence is different from theirs. This book covered a lot of issues with care and honesty, from Bipolarity to alcoholism, abortion to infidelity, self harm to death, all from the perspective of teenagers. These are difficult issues for anyone to handle, let alone people who are just learning to navigate the world independently.

The author includes a note at the beginning and end of the story, thoughts and ideas that help inform and support the things that happen with Shelbi and Walter. There are also some cute text sessions between the two of them that had me giggling and smiling. It is a fun, emotional coming-of-age story, filled with personal growth for each of the main characters. I would definitely recommend this book, for both teens and adults; it's never to late to gain a new perspective and learn new things.

Thank you to NetGalley for this fantastic ARC of Chaos Theory. I have read other books by Nic Stone but this one is by far my favorite. In her author's note at the beginning, the author takes the time to explain why this book is so important and the need of our society to accept mental health like we accept physical health. I could not agree more! This book is flips from one main character's points of view to the other. I felt like this allowed me to really get lost in the book and delve into the minds of the characters. Chaos Theory is about mental health, dealing with the loss of a loved one, using alcohol to cope with pain and alcoholism, and toxic relationships including friends and family. The author uses the characters to explore these difficult topics and to help us feel their pain. There is a bit of teen romance in this story but it's not over the top and is realistic.
I highly recommend this book for any young adult or adult reader.

This is a great story about what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and substance abuse. I really liked the way the characters were able to talk about mental health and describe what what going on inside their neurodivergent brain. Not only is it a good story, but it would be great for someone interested in brain differences and it's a good example of how to approach someone with different brain chemistry than you, It touches on substance abuse, self harm, and disordered families. I recommend that libraries add this to the teen collection.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the description but I really enjoyed this romance that honors people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It gave me new insights into what life is like for people living with this. Note that there are many triggering aspects of this book if you've dealt with grief, loss of loved one, or alcoholism. For fans of 'sad' books with romance and high school drama that make you think and feel, read this book!

Powerful character-driven novel about two teens dealing with trauma and mental health concerns in the form of bipolar disorder and alcoholism.

If you struggle with mental health or self harm, this book may be tough to read, but I really enjoyed it. It's not at all graphic and the self harm is only mentioned, never depicted. Nothing graphic.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy.

Two individuals, both fighting their own mental battles, meet and become each others strength. When one of them messes up, it could be enough to break them both.
Opinion
I knew going in that this would be a powerful book. Nic Stone is one of my favorite young adult authors for a reason. She knows how to tell a story that will have you so involved with the characters emotions that you will weep with them.
I highly recommend this book. However, understand that this book does cover mental health and alcoholism. If these are triggers for you, you may want to pass on this book.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Children's for providing me with an ARC of this fabulous book.

Normally Nic Stone is everything I could ask for. She's one of my favorite authors. But in this one the addiction storyline was too much. Normally I'm ok with alcohol, but it was the addiction that got me. As someone who had a family member who battled addiction for most of his life, this was too hard to read. I was able to get about halfway through, but I think after reading 2 other books back to back that also talked about addiction or drugs, I just couldn't do it. It's not a bad book, it's just not the book for me.

This book is EVERYTHING!! I can already think of several students to recommend this book to when it comes out.
The characters are raw and authentic. Their connection is palpable. Nic Stone is a GENIUS!!

Review provided via Booktube on Youtube. Please review the link below to access the review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mowrU-GxmBw&t=943s

Scars exist to remind us of what we've survived.

This book is amazing! I love that the author prefaced that this book discusses mental health but it's also for those who don't have it so they can be fully immersed in it so they can understand it a bit more. Like any other part of your body your mind is not exempt from getting sick occasionally and lying to you. I get hormonal bouts of downers but it's nothing compared to the real thing.
I think its really smart of Shelbi to create a friendship agreement but she had to be vulnerable and put everything out there she also detailed what she would not accept and setting boundaries for herself is so important. She had been hurt really bad and had a hard time getting close to people so this was her way of getting ahead of anything.
The friendship between her and Walter was so organic when the both needed someone to talk to. This addressed a lot of the innocent and tough situations that young adults can face. When they are at the age where they feel like adults but still need the proper support to process.
Sidenote: I need more space metaphors in my life.

Thank you randomhousekids for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.