Shockingly this is my first Nic Stone book (I know, I know I really need to get on those other ones). But I think this was such a special one for my first book by her and I'm so glad it was. Chaos Theory is everything. It's a love story, it deals with mental health, grief, so many important things. And what I loved most was, Nic didn't just throw those topics in there at hopes of adding rep or anything, she really developed them and wasn't afraid to go there. Because of that, the characters were real and multi-dimensional and you just wanted to hug them. Also, you MUST READ the author's note. I know sometimes people skip over those but trust me, this is not the time to do that. I give five stars here for a phenomenal story and I hope you find it as immensely enthralling as I did. Nic Stone is one-of-a-kind.

Nic Stone writes some of the most striking novels, even with relatively small page count. This book explores issues like alcoholism and bipolar disorder, as well as what it feels like to lose yourself entirely in a friendship. I loved Shelbi and Andy's text exchanges, especially as they were narrated by Nic herself and Dion Graham. Literally 2 of my favorite narrators on the planet. And while we explore their respective traumas, we also gain insight into those of their parents. I also loved how we get a letter from the author before we see the epilogue, especially since it staunchly defends destigmatizing mental health issues. All hail Nic Stone, queen of hard hitting YA that gives you a little cuddle after.

*Thank you to Crown Books and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC, both in exchange for my honest review*

This novel was everything I have come to expect from the amazing Nic Stone. I fell in love with these characters at first "text". It was endearing to see two kids from such different family backgrounds find their way to each other. The open discussion of mental illness was bold and comforting. So many students will not only be able to see themselves in these characters but also know that they are not weird or strange because of how their brain works. Their differences do not make them less than. Students will also learn that what you want right now is not always the best thing for you in the moment. Healing takes time and your well being trumps everything. Such a funny, heartfelt, raw novel. Unlike anything I have read before. Loved it!

When the description says "Don't miss this gut punch of a novel about mental health, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love," take that to heart. It is a gut and heart punch. While this book is YA, it has some heavier topics surrounding mental illness, alcoholism and underage drinking, grieving after loss, and self harm.

Shelbi: extremely smart and very wise beyond her years and gives excellent support to Andy when he opens up to her. I think the mental illness rep was done so well.
Andy: smart but hurting really bad after a breakup then the loss of his younger sister. His mom is quite busy being a politician and (later revealed that she) is struggling with her own issues.

I've never wanted to hug a fictional character more than I do these two. The writing was great and I think the mental illness rep was done very well. As someone who has struggled for a very long time with mental illness, I related to these characters a lot. I felt like I was reading something specifically FOR me and the author includes some incredible reminders - the agonizing pain of having a brain tell you that you aren't worth anything one minute then making you feel on top of the world; people aren't on this earth to meet our expectations; and that it's okay to not be okay all of the time.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. I can't wait to have my own physical copy for my shelves. Absolutely beautiful.

Interspersing a text relationship with traditional prose, Nic Stone writes about two teens finding each other while dealing with their own demons.

Andy drinks too much. But there's a reason. He's dealing with a tragedy and he's doing it on his own.

Shelbi is bipolar. While she has things under control most of the time, she's still triggered and her lows go low.

The explanation of mental health issues is worth the read of the book. Bringing light to mental health issues is long overdue, and Nic Stone is really great about highlighting this when she writes and on her instagram.

Though it's too mature for our middle school readers, I do recommend for grades 9 and up.

This author did it again, I love her books, I love the way she writes, I also love the topics she brings into her books. This book is HEAVY on mental health illnesses and addiction. A book about those topics and it’s a YA? These two main characters are going through it in teen bodies, and it’s amazing how it was delivered in this book. Shelby and Andy were AWESOME! This author never disappoints.

We have Angie, who is the son of a politician, call drinks, and we start to find out in the book, that there is more to this young man, story, and the reason as to why he does what he does. Then we also have Shelbi, she’s actually suffering from a mental health disorder, and it’s so heartbreaking to know the things that she has gone through, and how she tends to control what goes on around her to protect herself, and also how the black community is not very understanding about mental health disorders, which is so true. We see a love story unfold between these two. Listen this book is worth the journey, it has to be read by everyone.

Nic Stone is one of the strongest MG and YA writers of our time, with every novel instantly drawing you in and attaching you to characters that feel like they stepped out of real life. Chaos Theory is no exception. I picked it up to read a few pages and rapidly found myself half-way through the story. There is a little bit of instant attraction that may be a turn off for some readers, but works really well for anyone interested in romance. She thoughtfully handles grief and mental health in a way that really connects to any reader who has struggled, as well as being a window for those who haven't. Highly recommend for high school and public libraries.

Another knockout hit from Nic Stone! I truly don’t think she can write anything that I’ll dislike. I loved the dual perspectives of this story. The plot kept it real and was easy to follow but hard to put down. The mental health representation is exactly what we need in books right now! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
“People aren’t put on this earth to meet your expectations”
~~~~
I absolutely loved the mental health representation in this book, and how right away the author lays everything out in detail. I adored the characters and their backstories; along with how each one is struggling with something. (Obviously I won’t give too many spoilers. Ya'll have to find out on your own.)
It was a really good plot line and had me turning the pages; I had a hard time putting this one down. It even made me a little emotional at the end, that was a great way to end with that scenario. Again I ain’t going to spoil it, you’re going to have to read it when it comes out on Feb. 28th. Thank you Nic Stone, Penguin Random House, and Netgalley for this eARC.

I very much enjoyed this book. An accidental text exchange connects to characters that end up becoming a lifeline for one another. Told in dual-POVs you gain insight into the struggles of Shelbi and Andy/Walty-Wal :-). Both navigating difficult struggles and circumstances.

This is an extremely needed and yet approachable way to give young people insight into mental health. Whether a teen needs this story to feel seen and understood or to foster empathy and understanding - it's lovely.

Nic Stone, as always, brings character to life in complex and nuanced ways through wonderful dialogue and inner thinking.

Would recommend to my 8th graders!

Note: I received an advance copy courtesy of NetGalley

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

Chaos Theory follows the growing friendship and romance between Shelby and Andy who are both dealing with their own unique mental illnesses.

This book has such an important message surrounding the stigmatization of mental health issues. I think the mental health representation was written really well. Each character was portrayed very realistically and it was interesting to see how the way their brains function impacted who they were and the people they cared about it. This story was a good way to learn about how different people navigate through life differently. The author does a great job of depicting the reality of mental illness while also not making it a big scary thing that’s sets people apart. I loved seeing Shelbi and Andy’s relationship grow slowly over time and how they were able to find themselves together.

One text message while intoxicated brings two together who thrive from each other’s friendship! The topics discussed including alcohol abuse and mental health bring awareness and bring a realness to the characters.

Reading this book in the beginning of February, is it too soon to say it’ll be one of my favorites of 2023 and definitely an all time favorite?

Nic Stone has this way of writing that is so fast paced but yet you feel like you missed nothing. Her stories feel like they’re gone in the blink of an eye, but I’m so satisfied when I finish them. This story. This book right here? This is my favorite of hers by far. I don’t think I need to get into the details of the plot, boy and girl meet because of an absurd event and they are thrust into a whirlwind relationship. This book felt like a tornado in the way that I was swept up and so in love with Shelbi and Andy. Their flaws, their relationship, their everything. Two beautiful characters in a beautifully chaotic story. I can’t say anything other than this book is top shelf and everybody needs to read it.

Wow!! This book had it all! I appreciated the author's note at the beginning and right before the epilogue. I love how authors are starting this and I think it is so helpful for readers. By letting them know what they will be coming across as they read and letting them know it's ok to stop reading if it becomes too much. I enjoyed the realness between Shelbi and Andy. They let each other feel deeply about the many areas in the life, the good and the bad.

Chaos Theory is gritty, emotional, raw, and messy- just like its characters and their lives. Nic Stone does a great job portraying teens who just want to be loved and appreciated as they are; quirky personalities and all.

Stone begins the book by sharing her own mental health struggles. This makes the story seem very real and poignant. Both main characters are well-developed and the issues in their lives are examples of many common teen issues. Andy is an alcoholic who is hiding the pain of a breakup and the death of his sister. Compounding his problems is a demanding, distant mom who is running for Senate and expects perfection from him to help her campaign. Shelbi is a genius AP Physics student who hides her propensity for depression and self-harm. The two meet by chance and tentatively begin a relationship in which they help each other navigate their lives.

Parents are portrayed realistically, although somewhat stereotypically . Shelbi's Black mom ( a romance novelist ) and her professor dad seem to always know the perfect right things to say and do to support their daughter through her struggles. In contrast, Andy's mom is politically conservative and is portrayed as controlling, distant, and ultimately as an adulteress. In a book that seemingly seeks to reduce stigmatization and stereotypes, she was a stereotype of a Black conservative.

The story is presented in alternating voices, often in texts. There is a lot of "cute" banter that I eventually found tiresome. However, I think many teen readers will love this aspect of the book.

I predict Stone has written another book that will appeal to a wide audience.



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These characters, this story, and the writing itself are all perfect.

I loved how Nic wrote of the way vulnerability and strength coexist in those living with a chemical imbalance. The way she writes about the lack of control you feel during an episode is raw, emotional, and spot on.

The acceptance and understanding Walter shows toward toward Shelbi was truly refreshing. As someone who personally lives with chemical imbalance of the brain, I have to admit that a friendship like theirs is all any of us can ask or wish for in our own stories.

I'm going to round up to four because it's definitely a solid 3.5 for two reasons-- the utter honesty of the story and the sweet banter (especially over text) between Shelbi and Andy.

Life is complicated and then when you add the complications of the adults in teens lives, it's even more complex. Shelbi's mental illness makes paying attention to her well being a priority in her relationships. Honesty is best. She text meets and then discovers the mistaken text was from Andy, a boy in her school that crashes his car driving drunk. But Andy's in crisis too. His little sister is dead. And his mom is a famous politician (Shelbi's is a famous urban romance writer).

Their connection is as sweet as it is important for the two of them to know who they are with and without each other while they still work through their experiences- again, together and separately.

It's short. It's complex. It's thoughtfully approached but oh so much like teenagers operate (as an adult who reads YA and recommends it to actual teens!) This is the kind of Nic Stone that I know and love.

Thank you to Random House Children's, Crown Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-ARC or this title, and thank you to Nic Stone, the author, as well.

Personally, I do not have any mental health problems that I am aware of nor any sort of phsyicial or mental disability or disorder. Reading a book that features a character like Shelbi who has bipolar depression is eye-opening. Learning about a disability or disorder does not compare to actually having one or supporting someone who does. I truly appreciate how Nic Stone wrote notes about mental health at the beginning and toward the end of the novel as a way to communicate directly with the reader concerning the heavy topics broached in the story.

Shelbi lives with bipolar depression and is open about it with Walter (Andy) soon after meeting him. I like getting inside Shelbi's head in regards to how she functions with it. After dealing with multiple heartbreaks, Walter exhibits clear alcoholic tendencies but hides those from others as much as possible. Watching two people who are coming to terms with who they are and be vulnerable with each other when they have every reason not to be is an experience I won't soon forget. The text message conversations provide extra nuance into their growing relationship, and I looked forward to each of those. Stone creates characters who by some would appear broken and shows every reason how they are not broken nor are victims but actually whole survivors. I love the messages she puts forth through them and their stories. Knowing why someone goes to the dark places Shelbi and Walter do is hard to grasp, and the bouncing back seems mountainous, but Stone does a wonderful job with crafting their journeys - both individually and together. Beautiful, empowering book that I highly recommend.

Wow this book was incredibly good. If work and real-life responsibilities weren’t a thing, I would have read this book in one day. Instead, it took me just two days to read. This book has such a good balance between light-hearted and funny moments while also dealing with heavy topics regarding the main characters’ mental illnesses. Specifically, Shelbi has bipolar disorder and Andy deals with alcoholism and grief regarding the death of a loved one. You can tell that Nic Stone put a lot of thought and care into crafting this story and these characters. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it with the trigger warnings mentioned in this review. Additional trigger warnings for self-harm, cheating, and discussions of abortion and miscarriage.

An amazing story of two teens with their personal struggles trying to help each other survive life. An intense and real look at what life is like for bipolar individuals, and the effects that parental drama with no discussion can have on a teen. The discussion of alcoholism, perfectionism, mental health, self harm, all of it - flawless.