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Chaos Theory
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin, delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with bipolar disorder and a politician's son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don't miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.
Scars exist to remind us of what we've survived.
DETACHED
Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won't be there very long, she hasn't bothered making friends. What her classmates don't know about her can't be used to hurt her--you know, like it did at her last school.
WASTED
Andy Criddle is not okay. At all.
He's had far too much to drink.
Again. Which is bad.
And things are about to get worse.
When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn't resist reaching out. And there's no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars . . . but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a tour de force about living with grief, prioritizing mental health, and finding love amid the chaos.
Scars exist to remind us of what we've survived.
DETACHED
Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won't be there very long, she hasn't bothered making friends. What her classmates don't know about her can't be used to hurt her--you know, like it did at her last school.
WASTED
Andy Criddle is not okay. At all.
He's had far too much to drink.
Again. Which is bad.
And things are about to get worse.
When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn't resist reaching out. And there's no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars . . . but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a tour de force about living with grief, prioritizing mental health, and finding love amid the chaos.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
135 people are currently reading
8243 people want to read
About the author
Nic Stone
43 books4,564 followersNic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @getnicced or on her website nicstone.info.
Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @getnicced or on her website nicstone.info.
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February 9, 2024
Their fingers brush and they go silent. So Shelbi turns her palm up. Walter slips his hand into hers, and their fingers fit together like puzzle pieces. The sky sparkles above their heads as the waves crash near their feet, and as corny as it would sound were she to say it aloud, Shelbi knows for a fact that this is the closest to natural bliss she's ever been.
To say I don’t enjoy many of the books I read would be an understatement. I love reading; it is my form of coping, my escapism, and my preferred hobby over socialization. My average rating speaks for myself that sometimes, I think I need to give up on reading. I’m a harsh rater and seasoned hater; I’ve seen and heard it all and have grown to not care about not enjoying a book besides stating why or simply moving on. However, despite what it may seem like, I’m here for a good time, not a long time. While many factors go into deciding how I enjoy a story, especially a romance, it’s easy to get attached to characters and invested in a story as long as enough of the ingredients are there to make it sufficient and enjoyable.
And sometimes, many stories come into my life unexpectedly and grip my heart right from the beginning. Chaos Theory is one of those hidden gems. It is a perfect example of why I still read YA stories, especially with characters close to young adulthood. Dealing with themes of mental health rep, grief, first experiences, teen angst, teen love, different family dynamics and support systems, friendships, bad decisions, and consequences—I adored this. Nic Stone did a phenomenal job encompassing all these themes with a perfect balance, never making one more important than the other. While there’s a big focus on bipolar depression and alcohol addiction, there’s that small spark of love and romance as well, but it doesn’t take away the burdens of the demons the characters face. There is always a sense of hope and optimism that helps, but the story never loses its tone of misery and darkness.
Shelbi and Andy grow into a close friendship that develops into more, despite that not being what the two wanted. There are so many moments between them that show their growing feelings. The romance felt very accurate to them being in their senior year of high school and close to graduation (Shelbi is 16 because she skipped a grade, so she’ll be turning 17 in a few weeks, and Andy is 18). Texting, watching movies, their time at the mountain, spending time with Shelbi’s family, dinner—a lot of cute moments between the two to develop the relationship and feelings between them. It may feel like it happens fast because of the time they spend together (mostly summer), but I thought the author did a fantastic job showing and describing the chemistry between the two and the growing love. It was messy and complicated sometimes while being hopeful and tender other times.
He's absorbing the epicness of the scene when he hears Shelbi's lyrical laughter and his head turns . . .
And now he can't breathe because she looks too amazing.
The romance is very much teenager-like—teen angst, first experiences, teen love, lousy decision-making, confusion, certain feelings, denial and acceptance, jealousy, and pettiness. It’s not weird, sexualized, or uncomfortable in any way. It worked extensively in my favor, and I’m only grieving the loss of teenage love I didn’t experience. It’s evident in my emotions at close to three in the morning how affected I was by this story, and not for ‘common’ reasons other than the romance itself. It made me sad for myself, for teenage me—for never having experienced teenage love and for believing I’ll never experience love in my 20s. I am not trying to come off as someone looking for pity here, but this is why I love and hate romance, no matter the targeted audience. I read romance to deal with the void because it seems impossible for me now, in this generation, especially with how I’m wired. No matter, this book felt like a saving grace, an absolute gem to the young adult world. It’s adorable, authentic, and genuine, but it's positive.
The mental health representation is pretty close to the author, as Shelbi is inspired by her own experience. I loved the personal note she added in the beginning, describing how experiences differ for everyone and not sticking to a specific formula for mental health. I found it interesting how the author started off saying she hates the term mental illness, and honestly, I’m right there with her. Shelbi’s bipolar depression is a part of her, but it doesn’t make her. She doesn’t like to let it make her and control her, although she can’t always control it. I loved this approach, as it shows, once again, that while mental illnesses make life more challenging, it doesn’t stop us. However, it also demonstrates the difficulties of taking control if it has won you over. It shows the brutality of the challenges of being with someone who has bipolar depression but also how the cost of life can rely on our mental illness. It’s complex, agonizing, and harrowing. We see Shelbi fight with herself when it gets too much. While we don’t actively see an episode be detailed, we know how it can become, and it’s an oppressive feeling.
Andy is a person with alcohol use disorder, which he fights with quite daily and uses as a way to cope. His development is different, as it is something he can work on himself to get better and, eventually, get sober actively. Regardless, his extremities are hard-hitting. He’s vulnerable and tired, but he’s unsure who to turn to and what to do, so when the bottle is his only option, he turns to it. While his experience isn’t anything like Shelbi’s, Andy’s isn’t always better. His dad feels a little out of touch, and his mother is so focused on her political career that it’s as if she’s forgotten she has a son starting college soon. It felt impossible to hate Andy—selfless, vulnerable, strong, and needing a better family support system. Kudos to the author for writing about a teen on the brink of adulthood addicted to alcohol while keeping it realistic for a teenager. It reminded me of a classmate I had in high school who would go to parties and drink a lot, like too much for a 17-year-old teen. It was concerning. But to be fair, I am also from the U.S. and, fortunately, did not grow up with alcoholic parents, so anyone young and old who drinks an excessive amount makes me concerned—your poor kidneys.
I wish more people would take the time to consider what it might be like to live with a brain that works like mine. To have your own mind tell you you're not worth the air you breathe.
The ending gutted me, and for no good reason other than that I cried for two teenagers who fell in love but didn’t know how to express their feelings better. The good thing is that the author does give us HFN in the end, and the epilogue is one of the absolute sweetest things I’ve read. It’s realistic in every sense, but fortunately, it is a happy ending for the time being, showing us a potential blooming second chance romance between Shelbi and Andy. I would read if this author wrote a sequel for these two growing together and making it work.
No matter what anyone says, I will never be too old for YA. The issue isn’t longer being able to relate to the characters anymore (you simply can’t relate to all characters you read about because there will always be differences you can’t change, especially differences related to race, childhood, social backgrounds, etc). I can see and understand why YA isn’t for everyone, as I think this might have some of those reasons. The characters have teenage angst that can make it either annoying for you or, quite possibly, relatable. It was a mix of both for me, yet it all worked out. I loved the angst here, the emotional pull of strings the author pulled to make me emotionally and mentally invested in the story. Both characters are flawed but favored greatly. I never found them to be annoying, whiny, or stuck up on who they were. Instead, both characters were quite mature for their age, surprising me more than some of the “adult” characters I read about. They communicated, consented, and provided different and necessary dialogue to make sure there weren’t any misunderstandings between them. The communication between Shelbi and Andy was gorgeous to read and very unfortunate, as you would think adults would be communicating and doing better than teenagers experiencing these emotions for the first time. Just when you think communication avoidance is about to happen (I’m too paranoid), the characters prove us wrong.
You are, truly, the best thing to ever happen to me. And I know this will be the case for any human being lucky enough to get to call you a friend. I wish you the absolute best, Shelbi. And please know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m just a phone call away.
Despite my enjoyment, I did have some issues. For starters, the overuse of italicized words was aggravating. It reminded me of Wren Martin Ruins It All, where many words were italicized for no reason other than to be there. I get that sometimes the author wanted to emphasize the words and statements, but it became too much, too fast. I’m the type of reader who reads the dialogue and monologue as it’s written, so if one paragraph of five sentences has over ten italicized words, I will emphasize them every single time. One of my other issues was the lack of support Andy had, especially from his father, who was aware of his drinking problem. His mother isn’t someone I’d like to acknowledge, but his father could’ve (and should’ve) done better. He knew Andy drank to oblivion sometimes but would only hide the liquor and not do anything about it. I wish we had a scene, or something remotely close, between the two talking, where Andy’s father acted like an actual father figure and lectured him. Instead, Andy’s father isn’t in the picture, much like his mother. They’re both quite shitty parents, if you ask me, even if the mother is a little worse. Lastly, I thought the relationship between Shelbi and Andy was adorable all on its own, but I did have an issue with how fast the ‘I-love-yous’ happened. I’m not saying it’s because they’re teenagers, but I don’t think either were at the stage of feeling that deep about each other. Their feelings were still developing and growing, and they were both still figuring out how they felt. But once they were secured and acknowledged, they turned into “I love you” mode. I didn’t see it this way; I just noticed the relationship growing and developing with strong feelings getting involved, but nothing as big as I love you.
All in all, this was another fantastic YA story of real-life situations and problems, real families, friendships, fundamental dynamics, and natural feelings. While this story may be personal to the author, it is still the unique experience of two characters dealing with different things.
To say I don’t enjoy many of the books I read would be an understatement. I love reading; it is my form of coping, my escapism, and my preferred hobby over socialization. My average rating speaks for myself that sometimes, I think I need to give up on reading. I’m a harsh rater and seasoned hater; I’ve seen and heard it all and have grown to not care about not enjoying a book besides stating why or simply moving on. However, despite what it may seem like, I’m here for a good time, not a long time. While many factors go into deciding how I enjoy a story, especially a romance, it’s easy to get attached to characters and invested in a story as long as enough of the ingredients are there to make it sufficient and enjoyable.
And sometimes, many stories come into my life unexpectedly and grip my heart right from the beginning. Chaos Theory is one of those hidden gems. It is a perfect example of why I still read YA stories, especially with characters close to young adulthood. Dealing with themes of mental health rep, grief, first experiences, teen angst, teen love, different family dynamics and support systems, friendships, bad decisions, and consequences—I adored this. Nic Stone did a phenomenal job encompassing all these themes with a perfect balance, never making one more important than the other. While there’s a big focus on bipolar depression and alcohol addiction, there’s that small spark of love and romance as well, but it doesn’t take away the burdens of the demons the characters face. There is always a sense of hope and optimism that helps, but the story never loses its tone of misery and darkness.
Shelbi and Andy grow into a close friendship that develops into more, despite that not being what the two wanted. There are so many moments between them that show their growing feelings. The romance felt very accurate to them being in their senior year of high school and close to graduation (Shelbi is 16 because she skipped a grade, so she’ll be turning 17 in a few weeks, and Andy is 18). Texting, watching movies, their time at the mountain, spending time with Shelbi’s family, dinner—a lot of cute moments between the two to develop the relationship and feelings between them. It may feel like it happens fast because of the time they spend together (mostly summer), but I thought the author did a fantastic job showing and describing the chemistry between the two and the growing love. It was messy and complicated sometimes while being hopeful and tender other times.
He's absorbing the epicness of the scene when he hears Shelbi's lyrical laughter and his head turns . . .
And now he can't breathe because she looks too amazing.
The romance is very much teenager-like—teen angst, first experiences, teen love, lousy decision-making, confusion, certain feelings, denial and acceptance, jealousy, and pettiness. It’s not weird, sexualized, or uncomfortable in any way. It worked extensively in my favor, and I’m only grieving the loss of teenage love I didn’t experience. It’s evident in my emotions at close to three in the morning how affected I was by this story, and not for ‘common’ reasons other than the romance itself. It made me sad for myself, for teenage me—for never having experienced teenage love and for believing I’ll never experience love in my 20s. I am not trying to come off as someone looking for pity here, but this is why I love and hate romance, no matter the targeted audience. I read romance to deal with the void because it seems impossible for me now, in this generation, especially with how I’m wired. No matter, this book felt like a saving grace, an absolute gem to the young adult world. It’s adorable, authentic, and genuine, but it's positive.
The mental health representation is pretty close to the author, as Shelbi is inspired by her own experience. I loved the personal note she added in the beginning, describing how experiences differ for everyone and not sticking to a specific formula for mental health. I found it interesting how the author started off saying she hates the term mental illness, and honestly, I’m right there with her. Shelbi’s bipolar depression is a part of her, but it doesn’t make her. She doesn’t like to let it make her and control her, although she can’t always control it. I loved this approach, as it shows, once again, that while mental illnesses make life more challenging, it doesn’t stop us. However, it also demonstrates the difficulties of taking control if it has won you over. It shows the brutality of the challenges of being with someone who has bipolar depression but also how the cost of life can rely on our mental illness. It’s complex, agonizing, and harrowing. We see Shelbi fight with herself when it gets too much. While we don’t actively see an episode be detailed, we know how it can become, and it’s an oppressive feeling.
Andy is a person with alcohol use disorder, which he fights with quite daily and uses as a way to cope. His development is different, as it is something he can work on himself to get better and, eventually, get sober actively. Regardless, his extremities are hard-hitting. He’s vulnerable and tired, but he’s unsure who to turn to and what to do, so when the bottle is his only option, he turns to it. While his experience isn’t anything like Shelbi’s, Andy’s isn’t always better. His dad feels a little out of touch, and his mother is so focused on her political career that it’s as if she’s forgotten she has a son starting college soon. It felt impossible to hate Andy—selfless, vulnerable, strong, and needing a better family support system. Kudos to the author for writing about a teen on the brink of adulthood addicted to alcohol while keeping it realistic for a teenager. It reminded me of a classmate I had in high school who would go to parties and drink a lot, like too much for a 17-year-old teen. It was concerning. But to be fair, I am also from the U.S. and, fortunately, did not grow up with alcoholic parents, so anyone young and old who drinks an excessive amount makes me concerned—your poor kidneys.
I wish more people would take the time to consider what it might be like to live with a brain that works like mine. To have your own mind tell you you're not worth the air you breathe.
The ending gutted me, and for no good reason other than that I cried for two teenagers who fell in love but didn’t know how to express their feelings better. The good thing is that the author does give us HFN in the end, and the epilogue is one of the absolute sweetest things I’ve read. It’s realistic in every sense, but fortunately, it is a happy ending for the time being, showing us a potential blooming second chance romance between Shelbi and Andy. I would read if this author wrote a sequel for these two growing together and making it work.
No matter what anyone says, I will never be too old for YA. The issue isn’t longer being able to relate to the characters anymore (you simply can’t relate to all characters you read about because there will always be differences you can’t change, especially differences related to race, childhood, social backgrounds, etc). I can see and understand why YA isn’t for everyone, as I think this might have some of those reasons. The characters have teenage angst that can make it either annoying for you or, quite possibly, relatable. It was a mix of both for me, yet it all worked out. I loved the angst here, the emotional pull of strings the author pulled to make me emotionally and mentally invested in the story. Both characters are flawed but favored greatly. I never found them to be annoying, whiny, or stuck up on who they were. Instead, both characters were quite mature for their age, surprising me more than some of the “adult” characters I read about. They communicated, consented, and provided different and necessary dialogue to make sure there weren’t any misunderstandings between them. The communication between Shelbi and Andy was gorgeous to read and very unfortunate, as you would think adults would be communicating and doing better than teenagers experiencing these emotions for the first time. Just when you think communication avoidance is about to happen (I’m too paranoid), the characters prove us wrong.
You are, truly, the best thing to ever happen to me. And I know this will be the case for any human being lucky enough to get to call you a friend. I wish you the absolute best, Shelbi. And please know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m just a phone call away.
Despite my enjoyment, I did have some issues. For starters, the overuse of italicized words was aggravating. It reminded me of Wren Martin Ruins It All, where many words were italicized for no reason other than to be there. I get that sometimes the author wanted to emphasize the words and statements, but it became too much, too fast. I’m the type of reader who reads the dialogue and monologue as it’s written, so if one paragraph of five sentences has over ten italicized words, I will emphasize them every single time. One of my other issues was the lack of support Andy had, especially from his father, who was aware of his drinking problem. His mother isn’t someone I’d like to acknowledge, but his father could’ve (and should’ve) done better. He knew Andy drank to oblivion sometimes but would only hide the liquor and not do anything about it. I wish we had a scene, or something remotely close, between the two talking, where Andy’s father acted like an actual father figure and lectured him. Instead, Andy’s father isn’t in the picture, much like his mother. They’re both quite shitty parents, if you ask me, even if the mother is a little worse. Lastly, I thought the relationship between Shelbi and Andy was adorable all on its own, but I did have an issue with how fast the ‘I-love-yous’ happened. I’m not saying it’s because they’re teenagers, but I don’t think either were at the stage of feeling that deep about each other. Their feelings were still developing and growing, and they were both still figuring out how they felt. But once they were secured and acknowledged, they turned into “I love you” mode. I didn’t see it this way; I just noticed the relationship growing and developing with strong feelings getting involved, but nothing as big as I love you.
All in all, this was another fantastic YA story of real-life situations and problems, real families, friendships, fundamental dynamics, and natural feelings. While this story may be personal to the author, it is still the unique experience of two characters dealing with different things.
June 6, 2023
What an inspirational opening! This heart wrenching, honest letter of Nic Stone hooked up me to this book unconditionally.
First of all: the best thing about this book is characterization!
Oh Shelbi! She’s getting through a lot at young age, suffering from bipolar, trying to adjust her life in school by avoiding to get close with anyone else!
She’s burned before by opening her heart, sharing her mental condition. But honesty didn’t earn anything to her. She’s got bullied, humiliated, opening her eyes in the hospital. She’s quirky as hell. So smart, so passionate about science! She’s fast thinker, looking for unique aspect to the things out of ordinary. I loved her nerd brain!
I also fell in love with her parents. His mischievous, down to earth dad , her coolest urban romance author mom Shonda , her tough, protective, sarcastic cousin Beck ( who is her only friend), her sweetest, joyful bibi ( Grandma)! They are always supportive. They give Shelbi enough freedom to come out from her shell. They don’t treat her with kid gloves. They know she’s vulnerable but they don’t push her hard. They just let her know they will be always be there for her when she needs their help!
And Walter Andy Criddle! That boy earns ten thousand hugs. I hated her politician mother from the beginning ( she also earned ten thousand slap points) He lost his three years old sister. He is suffering from really bad breakup ( that’s more than breakup)! His parents are having fights day and night. Alcohol become best solution for numbing the pain which resulted with totaled car, DUI, six months of driving suspension, false texting to stranger.
That ominous night he had an accident, his patch crosses with the girl from his class. She finds his wallet and gives him a speech about self worth he mostly needed. She might be the same person he accidentally texted.
That’s how Shelbi and Walter ( a.k.a Andy) make a pact of friendship. They hold each other when one of them is about to fall. But what if they want more than friendship? Shelbi is afraid of burning again and Walter deals with so many things at the same time: grief, alcoholism, verbal abuse of his mother. How long they can hold each other’s hand when two of them are about to hit the rock bottom?
Overall: there are so 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. I loved the author’s realistic approach, honesty to open up about her own mental health issues, informing us brain’s different functioning, help centers, what kind of action should be taken to help the people suffer from same mental illnesses.
It’s absolutely inspirational, thought provoking, educational reading for me earned my five blazing stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Crown Books for Young Readers for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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First of all: the best thing about this book is characterization!
Oh Shelbi! She’s getting through a lot at young age, suffering from bipolar, trying to adjust her life in school by avoiding to get close with anyone else!
She’s burned before by opening her heart, sharing her mental condition. But honesty didn’t earn anything to her. She’s got bullied, humiliated, opening her eyes in the hospital. She’s quirky as hell. So smart, so passionate about science! She’s fast thinker, looking for unique aspect to the things out of ordinary. I loved her nerd brain!
I also fell in love with her parents. His mischievous, down to earth dad , her coolest urban romance author mom Shonda , her tough, protective, sarcastic cousin Beck ( who is her only friend), her sweetest, joyful bibi ( Grandma)! They are always supportive. They give Shelbi enough freedom to come out from her shell. They don’t treat her with kid gloves. They know she’s vulnerable but they don’t push her hard. They just let her know they will be always be there for her when she needs their help!
And Walter Andy Criddle! That boy earns ten thousand hugs. I hated her politician mother from the beginning ( she also earned ten thousand slap points) He lost his three years old sister. He is suffering from really bad breakup ( that’s more than breakup)! His parents are having fights day and night. Alcohol become best solution for numbing the pain which resulted with totaled car, DUI, six months of driving suspension, false texting to stranger.
That ominous night he had an accident, his patch crosses with the girl from his class. She finds his wallet and gives him a speech about self worth he mostly needed. She might be the same person he accidentally texted.
That’s how Shelbi and Walter ( a.k.a Andy) make a pact of friendship. They hold each other when one of them is about to fall. But what if they want more than friendship? Shelbi is afraid of burning again and Walter deals with so many things at the same time: grief, alcoholism, verbal abuse of his mother. How long they can hold each other’s hand when two of them are about to hit the rock bottom?
Overall: there are so 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. I loved the author’s realistic approach, honesty to open up about her own mental health issues, informing us brain’s different functioning, help centers, what kind of action should be taken to help the people suffer from same mental illnesses.
It’s absolutely inspirational, thought provoking, educational reading for me earned my five blazing stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Crown Books for Young Readers for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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October 22, 2024
Nic Stone knows her audience. She never disappoints us.
In CHAOS THEORY, a spot-on YA story, Shelbi is sure that she has successfully built a wall around herself. Walter, however, worms his way in. In a minute, Shelbi's life is once again in shambles.
CHAOS THEORY covers topics that are tough to talk about. While I absolutely recommend this book, please do read Ms. Stone's note to the reader regarding the content.
My copy was donated to one of my favorite high-school classroom libraries.
In CHAOS THEORY, a spot-on YA story, Shelbi is sure that she has successfully built a wall around herself. Walter, however, worms his way in. In a minute, Shelbi's life is once again in shambles.
CHAOS THEORY covers topics that are tough to talk about. While I absolutely recommend this book, please do read Ms. Stone's note to the reader regarding the content.
My copy was donated to one of my favorite high-school classroom libraries.
June 14, 2023
Mental health is indeed something that affects so many aspects of our lives and everyone around us, and it should be taken seriously. Thank you, Stone for illustrating this in the lives of Shelbi and Andy, two teenagers who found each other during a time when they needed someone.
It is clear that they have both been through a lot, especially with seeing their harmful coping strategies. Their family dynamics were a big factor and we get to understand more of the kind of support they have available, which I’m glad Stone brings attention to. I liked seeing them slowly open up to each other even though with subjects like this I usually would prefer something not as fast-paced. Still, I could tell that it took effort for them to open up to each other and I loved the growth by the end!
It is clear that they have both been through a lot, especially with seeing their harmful coping strategies. Their family dynamics were a big factor and we get to understand more of the kind of support they have available, which I’m glad Stone brings attention to. I liked seeing them slowly open up to each other even though with subjects like this I usually would prefer something not as fast-paced. Still, I could tell that it took effort for them to open up to each other and I loved the growth by the end!
January 14, 2023
A shiver ran down my spine when I read the author’s note at the beginning of Chaos Theory. Nic Stone says she loathes the term ‘mental illness’, and I can relate so much to that. Because I hate the word ‘disorder’, according to Google: a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind (or body). Nic says the idea of there being a right (normal) way for a brain to function is so annoying, and I couldn’t agree more.
Chaos Theory is about mental health issues, grief, parental abuse, and using alcohol to numb the pain and, therefore, can feel like a punch to the gut, but it’s so important at the same time. Nic doesn’t shy away from those difficult topics and lets us see Shelby and Andy (Walter) at their lowest. When a teen drives drunk, we usually knit our brows together and say it’s so stupid and reckless. I do too. But I wanted to hug Andy so many times. Of course, I also wanted to scream at him to put that bottle down, but OMG, his mom, I simply hated her. And my heart broke when he told Shelby about Emma. Feeling you’re responsible for something terrible that happened can mess you up so much. I loved the passage about how the fault train never ceases.
After reading the author’s note, the book felt immensely personal, and I believe Nic put a lot of her experiences into Shelby’s characterization. Shelby and Walter felt fully fleshed out, making me want to read on and on and on. Sometimes a lump blocked my throat, and at other times, especially when I was reading the texting, I suddenly laughed out loud. Chaos Theory is a beautiful and heartfelt story that I highly recommend.
I received an ARC from Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Chaos Theory is about mental health issues, grief, parental abuse, and using alcohol to numb the pain and, therefore, can feel like a punch to the gut, but it’s so important at the same time. Nic doesn’t shy away from those difficult topics and lets us see Shelby and Andy (Walter) at their lowest. When a teen drives drunk, we usually knit our brows together and say it’s so stupid and reckless. I do too. But I wanted to hug Andy so many times. Of course, I also wanted to scream at him to put that bottle down, but OMG, his mom, I simply hated her. And my heart broke when he told Shelby about Emma. Feeling you’re responsible for something terrible that happened can mess you up so much. I loved the passage about how the fault train never ceases.
After reading the author’s note, the book felt immensely personal, and I believe Nic put a lot of her experiences into Shelby’s characterization. Shelby and Walter felt fully fleshed out, making me want to read on and on and on. Sometimes a lump blocked my throat, and at other times, especially when I was reading the texting, I suddenly laughed out loud. Chaos Theory is a beautiful and heartfelt story that I highly recommend.
I received an ARC from Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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January 18, 2023
2023 reads: 23/350
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating.
Content warnings (please note I may have missed some): suicidal ideation, toxic friendships and family members, alcoholism, depression, abortion, child death, grief
This is a love story between two recent high school graduates: Shelbi, who didn’t bother making friends at her new school due to past bad experiences and transferring so late into her high school career, and Andy, a politician’s son struggling with his past and alcoholism.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love smart girls! And the fact that Shelbi skipped a grade and graduated high school at sixteen all while dealing with “neurotransmittal atypicality” (as the author puts it) just like me is so special.
The main characters were so lovable and three-dimensional. Their story was so interesting and my only complaint is I wish certain things were explored more.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating.
Content warnings (please note I may have missed some): suicidal ideation, toxic friendships and family members, alcoholism, depression, abortion, child death, grief
This is a love story between two recent high school graduates: Shelbi, who didn’t bother making friends at her new school due to past bad experiences and transferring so late into her high school career, and Andy, a politician’s son struggling with his past and alcoholism.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love smart girls! And the fact that Shelbi skipped a grade and graduated high school at sixteen all while dealing with “neurotransmittal atypicality” (as the author puts it) just like me is so special.
The main characters were so lovable and three-dimensional. Their story was so interesting and my only complaint is I wish certain things were explored more.
February 3, 2023
This was an incredible dual POV YA romance with some of the best mental health rep I've ever read. The two main characters are dealing with heavy issues but an accidental text exchange leads to a deeply meaningful friendship that turns into something more. Highly recommended and great on audio. The biopolar and alcoholism rep is top notch and the author's notes are also must-reads for anyone whose brain is at all considered outside the 'norm'. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!
July 30, 2023
DNF - After reading the summary and seeing all the amazing reviews about this book, I’m left extremely disappointed :/
So like most people have been saying, the author’s note is what sealed the deal for me. It was funny, relatable, and real. I just sorta fell completely in love with Nic Stone after like 3 pages. And I’m thinking to myself oh yeah this is gonna be a good one.
But then almost immediately, I’m getting into this story and realizing how much of a let down it was for me.
WHAT I LOVED -
• voice/humor of Nic Stone
• the message and awareness brought to mental health issues
• black love <33
WHAT I DIDNT LOVE -
• the characters !!
I’m sorry but. Shelbi. I had to keep myself from physically throwing my book literally anytime she spoke. At first she left me rlly confused, and I couldn’t quite figure her out. Even now, if you were to ask me to summarize her character I would say “Um… awkward nerd. Bipolar.” That’s it! She often went on tangents about science and the universe and I just rlly felt like the whole nerd arch was super forced… She didn’t feel 3D and there were various parts where I felt like she comes off as super unrealistic.
** MINOR SPOILER ** The scene where Shelbi gives “Walter” the friendship agreement thing + all the resources felt soo forced and unrealistic. And during that entire scene And/Walter’s kinda just like “k.” ???? We don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling even though it’s literally in HIS POV.
Which brings me to my next point…
Andy/Walter. This guy… I will admit, I found his POVs to be more interesting than Shelbi’s, but he also felt very flat. At the end of the book it didn’t rlly feel like he changed all that much. The book TOLD me but I didn’t SEE it, if that makes sense. His whole thing is that he’s attracted to Shelbi. And he’s got a tragic backstory and a sucky mom. That’s it.
I wish we could have seen more of other characters bc these two rlly didn’t do it for me…
(Kinda obsessed with Andy/Walter’s dad tho :p)
• the pacing
I don’t know about anyone else, but the pacing felt rlly off to me. A lot of scenes were brushed over and the romance aspect just sorta evaporated before it rlly even began. The story felt very flat to me and I often felt like we’re were TOLD as an audience how to feel and when to feel it. I wanted more build up. More thoughts and feelings. More show and less tell. I wanted to feel like I was there. Instead it felt like I was listening to my friend skip all the juicy parts of her first date.
•••••
Honestly though, I think a part of why I didn’t like this book is bc maybe I’m perhaps growing up and out of the YA target market. This book felt very vague and cliche. I felt like I was gonna pull my eyes out of its sockets every time Shelbi started talking abt the universe and super novas or whatever and forcing it to relate to the plot and title of the book.
To each his own! This is most certainly not for me tho.
So like most people have been saying, the author’s note is what sealed the deal for me. It was funny, relatable, and real. I just sorta fell completely in love with Nic Stone after like 3 pages. And I’m thinking to myself oh yeah this is gonna be a good one.
But then almost immediately, I’m getting into this story and realizing how much of a let down it was for me.
WHAT I LOVED -
• voice/humor of Nic Stone
• the message and awareness brought to mental health issues
• black love <33
WHAT I DIDNT LOVE -
• the characters !!
I’m sorry but. Shelbi. I had to keep myself from physically throwing my book literally anytime she spoke. At first she left me rlly confused, and I couldn’t quite figure her out. Even now, if you were to ask me to summarize her character I would say “Um… awkward nerd. Bipolar.” That’s it! She often went on tangents about science and the universe and I just rlly felt like the whole nerd arch was super forced… She didn’t feel 3D and there were various parts where I felt like she comes off as super unrealistic.
** MINOR SPOILER ** The scene where Shelbi gives “Walter” the friendship agreement thing + all the resources felt soo forced and unrealistic. And during that entire scene And/Walter’s kinda just like “k.” ???? We don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling even though it’s literally in HIS POV.
Which brings me to my next point…
Andy/Walter. This guy… I will admit, I found his POVs to be more interesting than Shelbi’s, but he also felt very flat. At the end of the book it didn’t rlly feel like he changed all that much. The book TOLD me but I didn’t SEE it, if that makes sense. His whole thing is that he’s attracted to Shelbi. And he’s got a tragic backstory and a sucky mom. That’s it.
I wish we could have seen more of other characters bc these two rlly didn’t do it for me…
(Kinda obsessed with Andy/Walter’s dad tho :p)
• the pacing
I don’t know about anyone else, but the pacing felt rlly off to me. A lot of scenes were brushed over and the romance aspect just sorta evaporated before it rlly even began. The story felt very flat to me and I often felt like we’re were TOLD as an audience how to feel and when to feel it. I wanted more build up. More thoughts and feelings. More show and less tell. I wanted to feel like I was there. Instead it felt like I was listening to my friend skip all the juicy parts of her first date.
•••••
Honestly though, I think a part of why I didn’t like this book is bc maybe I’m perhaps growing up and out of the YA target market. This book felt very vague and cliche. I felt like I was gonna pull my eyes out of its sockets every time Shelbi started talking abt the universe and super novas or whatever and forcing it to relate to the plot and title of the book.
To each his own! This is most certainly not for me tho.
August 8, 2024
The author's note by Nic Stone, in the beginning, got me in the feels. However, I was also expecting some worse incidents. It's okay that there weren't, but my mind conjured worse outcomes.
Shelbi has trauma-developed hyper-independence around peers her age and has learned to withdraw into herself.
Andy has learned to hide from reality and the fake face he must always present at the bottom of a bottle.
While the wrong number was interesting, it seemed like a weird plot device when Shelbi could have just found his wallet. I guess Stone was providing a bit of a comfort buffer to help show Shelbi's social anxiety.
The romance was done delicately, and it turned out well. I enjoyed both characters overall, although sometimes I wanted more from the parents. Books like this make me look at myself as a parent and how I can better be present for my son in the way he may need me to be.
4-4.5 Stars. Another well-done Nic Stone novel.
Shelbi has trauma-developed hyper-independence around peers her age and has learned to withdraw into herself.
Andy has learned to hide from reality and the fake face he must always present at the bottom of a bottle.
While the wrong number was interesting, it seemed like a weird plot device when Shelbi could have just found his wallet. I guess Stone was providing a bit of a comfort buffer to help show Shelbi's social anxiety.
The romance was done delicately, and it turned out well. I enjoyed both characters overall, although sometimes I wanted more from the parents. Books like this make me look at myself as a parent and how I can better be present for my son in the way he may need me to be.
4-4.5 Stars. Another well-done Nic Stone novel.
March 11, 2023
As someone who has what Nic Stone refers to as "neurotransmittal atypicality," I have a great love and appreciation for this book. Walter and Shelbi are characters whose personalities I've encountered through other people which makes their story very relatable for me. Mental health does have a negative stigma attached to it. The author does a wonderful job of bringing awareness to the issue. Both her letter to the readers at the beginning and her author's note at the end were very touching. To say I love this book would be an understatement.
July 8, 2022
this was magnificent. destigmatizing mental health and discussions around that is SO important and Nic does this wonderfully. This is probably my favorite Nic book yet.
March 10, 2025
I usually don't do heartbreaking heartwarming books but I had to read this for school and it was absolutely amazing!! these two are perfect for eachother ❤💗
"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, its yours. If it doesn't, it wasn't."
"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, its yours. If it doesn't, it wasn't."
April 18, 2023
A moving contemporary romance highlighting mental illness in its rawest, messiest and most honest form.
I really appreciated the way Nic Stone didn’t shy away from her portrayal of mental illness and the effects it has on both the sufferer and those around them. I also really enjoyed her approach to navigating relationships, especially romantic relationships, whilst living with a mental illness. All in all, this was a powerful read and one that will be just as beneficial to those who’ve dealt with mental illness and those who haven’t. Would also highly recommend read the authors notes which are 10/10!
TW: self harm, depression, alcoholism
I really appreciated the way Nic Stone didn’t shy away from her portrayal of mental illness and the effects it has on both the sufferer and those around them. I also really enjoyed her approach to navigating relationships, especially romantic relationships, whilst living with a mental illness. All in all, this was a powerful read and one that will be just as beneficial to those who’ve dealt with mental illness and those who haven’t. Would also highly recommend read the authors notes which are 10/10!
TW: self harm, depression, alcoholism
March 30, 2024
3.5 stars
Andy and Shelbi meet during a chance encounter. Shelbi, upon seeing a car crash, finds a wallet that happens to be Andy's. At the same time, a random number has started messaging her. After she returns Andy's wallet, she's shocked to find out that the random drunk stranger who she's been messaging is in fact Andy. I personally love the start of this novel. It's cute and unique. From here, Shelbi sets ground rules with Andy for their friendship, with rule number six being "don't fall in love with me." However, this rule ends up being harder to keep unbroken by not only Andy, but by Shelbi herself.
My favorite thing about this book is the characterization. Shelbi and Andy (and even the side characters) are so well-rounded and developed. Shelbi's nerdy characteristic was charming and relatable for me since I also love space and had always wanted to be an astrophysicist (I am not good at math.) Chaos Theory tackles a lot of serious subject matter such as suicide, self-harm, grief, abuse, alcoholism and more. These darker themes blended quite well with the lighter, cutesy romance that developed between Shelbi and Andy. Both had to learn and grow in order for them to reach a positive conclusion with each other. I also really appreciate the author- Nic Stone's- devotedness to ending mental health stigma and to writing realistic character's with different mental health issues. I find that many disorders such as OCD, BPD, ADHD, and more, are still heavily stigmatized which is unfortunate. I love that she wrote realistic characters who were not defined or demonized for their ailments.
However, I do think that perhaps too many serious themes were included in this book. For the length of it (around 271 pages), I don't think a lot of these themes were explored within the characters' arcs as much as they could have been. They felt thrown in and then subsequently glossed over. I think they should have been explored more; It would have left me feeling more satisfied by the end.
Overall, as I get older, I find myself unable to connect with contemporary Y/A as much as I used to (to be expected), so I can't say I loved this book. If you want a cute romance, with heavy subject matter that is covered in a respectable and digestible manner, then this is the perfect book for you.
Andy and Shelbi meet during a chance encounter. Shelbi, upon seeing a car crash, finds a wallet that happens to be Andy's. At the same time, a random number has started messaging her. After she returns Andy's wallet, she's shocked to find out that the random drunk stranger who she's been messaging is in fact Andy. I personally love the start of this novel. It's cute and unique. From here, Shelbi sets ground rules with Andy for their friendship, with rule number six being "don't fall in love with me." However, this rule ends up being harder to keep unbroken by not only Andy, but by Shelbi herself.
My favorite thing about this book is the characterization. Shelbi and Andy (and even the side characters) are so well-rounded and developed. Shelbi's nerdy characteristic was charming and relatable for me since I also love space and had always wanted to be an astrophysicist (I am not good at math.) Chaos Theory tackles a lot of serious subject matter such as suicide, self-harm, grief, abuse, alcoholism and more. These darker themes blended quite well with the lighter, cutesy romance that developed between Shelbi and Andy. Both had to learn and grow in order for them to reach a positive conclusion with each other. I also really appreciate the author- Nic Stone's- devotedness to ending mental health stigma and to writing realistic character's with different mental health issues. I find that many disorders such as OCD, BPD, ADHD, and more, are still heavily stigmatized which is unfortunate. I love that she wrote realistic characters who were not defined or demonized for their ailments.
However, I do think that perhaps too many serious themes were included in this book. For the length of it (around 271 pages), I don't think a lot of these themes were explored within the characters' arcs as much as they could have been. They felt thrown in and then subsequently glossed over. I think they should have been explored more; It would have left me feeling more satisfied by the end.
Overall, as I get older, I find myself unable to connect with contemporary Y/A as much as I used to (to be expected), so I can't say I loved this book. If you want a cute romance, with heavy subject matter that is covered in a respectable and digestible manner, then this is the perfect book for you.
December 28, 2022
I look forward to sharing this book with students that also struggle with these mental health issues. This quick read is approachable to all students and provides them an understanding of what their peers are going through. The characters main and secondary are drawn well and are believable.
June 8, 2023
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4.5* rounded up to 5
Nic Stone knows how to write a good book, and Chaos Theory is no exception. She doesn’t shy away from the tough topics like mental health and expresses it in a realistic light – if you’ve never read a Nic Stone book, do yourself a favor and pick up any of her many books – they’re all so good.
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.
Audiobook Thoughts
I appreciate that this book told in dual perspectives has two narrators – and the narrator for Shelbie is Nic Stone herself! Andy is narrated by Dion Graham, who I have listened to many times before as well and really enjoy. This story has parts that are text messages so they felt a little odd to listen to but overall I loved listening to this book and would highly recommend it!
Recommend?
I’m giving this 4.5 stars and rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. Nic Stone is one of my favorite authors, always telling the important story that need to be told. If you’re looking for a story about Black teens in love but who are struggling with their own inner thoughts, I highly recommend checking this one out. It handles mental health with care and you might learn something new.
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4.5* rounded up to 5
Nic Stone knows how to write a good book, and Chaos Theory is no exception. She doesn’t shy away from the tough topics like mental health and expresses it in a realistic light – if you’ve never read a Nic Stone book, do yourself a favor and pick up any of her many books – they’re all so good.
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.
Audiobook Thoughts
I appreciate that this book told in dual perspectives has two narrators – and the narrator for Shelbie is Nic Stone herself! Andy is narrated by Dion Graham, who I have listened to many times before as well and really enjoy. This story has parts that are text messages so they felt a little odd to listen to but overall I loved listening to this book and would highly recommend it!
Recommend?
I’m giving this 4.5 stars and rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. Nic Stone is one of my favorite authors, always telling the important story that need to be told. If you’re looking for a story about Black teens in love but who are struggling with their own inner thoughts, I highly recommend checking this one out. It handles mental health with care and you might learn something new.
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April 12, 2023
*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This book was brilliant, but unfortunately, it was not for me.
I loved Dear Martin. It was one of my top reads of 2020.
I love Nic Stone. Her Instagram is at the top of algorithm and I wish I could pull off her 'fashion-forward, chic nerd' look.
Sadly, the nicknames and juvenile personalities of the characters in this book just didn't click right with the serious topics tackled. I know that's the Nic Stone signature- and what made Dear Martin so amazing- but it didn't work for me this time.
This is a very real case of "it's not you, it's me" as I can see why other readers would've fallen in love with this book. I wish I had, too.
This book was brilliant, but unfortunately, it was not for me.
I loved Dear Martin. It was one of my top reads of 2020.
I love Nic Stone. Her Instagram is at the top of algorithm and I wish I could pull off her 'fashion-forward, chic nerd' look.
Sadly, the nicknames and juvenile personalities of the characters in this book just didn't click right with the serious topics tackled. I know that's the Nic Stone signature- and what made Dear Martin so amazing- but it didn't work for me this time.
This is a very real case of "it's not you, it's me" as I can see why other readers would've fallen in love with this book. I wish I had, too.
March 12, 2023
"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!
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!
May 5, 2025
“But that’s the thing: 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. Like we all want people to think we’re so strong and tough and invincible. But…we’re not. We’re human.”-Nic Stone, epilogue
TW: self harm, depression, alcoholism
Chaos Theory is a heartbreaking and powerful story about two Black Teens that is dealing with heavy mental health issues. Shelbi struggling with bipolar disorder and Walter has a problem with his alcoholism. Shelbi is relatively new at this school, where she has run away from her past and hopes it won't catch up to her. Andy is the son of a senate candidate who has some ghosts haunting him. Andy and Shelbi, they decide to form a friendship and hesitantly work towards being comfortable with each other. Very important Mental health representation. Shoutout to both Nic Stone and Dion Graham for narrating the audiobook.
TW: self harm, depression, alcoholism
Chaos Theory is a heartbreaking and powerful story about two Black Teens that is dealing with heavy mental health issues. Shelbi struggling with bipolar disorder and Walter has a problem with his alcoholism. Shelbi is relatively new at this school, where she has run away from her past and hopes it won't catch up to her. Andy is the son of a senate candidate who has some ghosts haunting him. Andy and Shelbi, they decide to form a friendship and hesitantly work towards being comfortable with each other. Very important Mental health representation. Shoutout to both Nic Stone and Dion Graham for narrating the audiobook.
March 22, 2023
Contemporary is rarely my genre anymore, but I could still recognize how important this story was. Loved its approach on mental health.
March 26, 2024
Just finished this book and immediately started tearing up. It is such a damn good book. All my emotions are trying to flow through my tears.
This book deals with some heavy stuff (content warning: and I'm probably missing some) and it deals with it so well, so realistically. But you really feel for the characters as they try to stay steady and keep their heads above water.
The romance is absolutely adorable and I love them. I love the respect, I love them owning up to their mistakes, and giving space when it is needed. They are each other's rock-- but they are young and make mistakes. The book ends though in a way that they will learn and do better going forward and-- gotta stop because I am tearing up again.
100% recommend if you're looking for something sweet, real, that also delivers a good kick to the heart.
This book deals with some heavy stuff (content warning: and I'm probably missing some) and it deals with it so well, so realistically. But you really feel for the characters as they try to stay steady and keep their heads above water.
The romance is absolutely adorable and I love them. I love the respect, I love them owning up to their mistakes, and giving space when it is needed. They are each other's rock-- but they are young and make mistakes. The book ends though in a way that they will learn and do better going forward and-- gotta stop because I am tearing up again.
100% recommend if you're looking for something sweet, real, that also delivers a good kick to the heart.
February 20, 2023
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!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Crown Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
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!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Crown Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
November 14, 2023
Nic Stone sure is a great writer! I tore through her Dear Martin and Dear Justyce books and pre-ordered this one. Then I let it linger on my shelf a bit cause I knew it would be emotional and I wasn't sure it was the best time for an emotional read. But I finally picked it up yesterday and, big surprise, tore through it. I almost finished this in one day too.
The author covers some majorly serious, and also sad, issues. There are content warnings galore. I won’t spoil the storyline by going into them but please check the content warnings to make sure you feel like reading this when you do. But I also want to say that despite my own hesitation because I worried that it would be sad and heavy, I found this to be incredibly readable. It felt hopeful. At the end, I was happy with the way the epilogue wrapped up the story,
Sure, this is a love story but it’s a love story between two young individuals dealing with some major stuff. I felt like this was more about their support of each other, and their connection, than anything else. They could pour out their hearts to each other and not feel judged. For Shelbi especially, that’s something she never thought she’d feel again outside her family.
I think I’ll leave my review at that. Because if I keep talking I’m going to wind up talking about Shelbi and Andy’s backstories and they’re not on the book jacket so they’re probably spoilers. So I’m just going to say that I really enjoyed this book and really respect this author’s skill. Can’t wait to see what she’s got lined up next.
The author covers some majorly serious, and also sad, issues. There are content warnings galore. I won’t spoil the storyline by going into them but please check the content warnings to make sure you feel like reading this when you do. But I also want to say that despite my own hesitation because I worried that it would be sad and heavy, I found this to be incredibly readable. It felt hopeful. At the end, I was happy with the way the epilogue wrapped up the story,
Sure, this is a love story but it’s a love story between two young individuals dealing with some major stuff. I felt like this was more about their support of each other, and their connection, than anything else. They could pour out their hearts to each other and not feel judged. For Shelbi especially, that’s something she never thought she’d feel again outside her family.
I think I’ll leave my review at that. Because if I keep talking I’m going to wind up talking about Shelbi and Andy’s backstories and they’re not on the book jacket so they’re probably spoilers. So I’m just going to say that I really enjoyed this book and really respect this author’s skill. Can’t wait to see what she’s got lined up next.
July 4, 2023
This was one of the best books I have read about the reality of being a teen with mental illness. Everyone's experience of being neurodivergent is different and personal, and Shelbi and Andy/Walter's experiences is certainly unique to them. And yet I still felt seen by this book and its characters as someone who was also diagnosed and hospitalized for depression when I was a young teen. The book was written with a kind of warmth and love for its protagonists, who also were learning what it means to love each other. Somehow that managed to make it a hopeful and uplifting read, even though it dealt with heavy and painful stuff. The overall message seemed to be: Yes, this sucks. Yes, this is unfair that you must deal with this, especially as a young person who is still figuring out your basic self. But also: you are wise, you are supported, you are loved, you are valuable. So many books about mental illness seem to focus on how a person can overcome it or succumb to it completely, but this one is more about the coping with it in the everyday. It's part of who you are, and that's okay. I loved that.
April 24, 2023
2,5 ⭐️
I appreciate the message so much and it’s much needed. The author definitely had a very respectful and good approach to the topic and I quite liked the authors notes…
I liked the story but it wasn’t anything new. Don’t get me wrong , not every story has to be a new idea and new plot that we’ve never seen before. But I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, which could have made up for the storyline.
I just felt like there was something missing. The book felt rather rushed and it was like I was reading a synopsis the whole time rather than a story. Even at the most dramatic polt points it was more like… „wait it’s already over? What actually happened?“
I just feel like this could’ve been way more impactful for such serious topics :(
I appreciate the message so much and it’s much needed. The author definitely had a very respectful and good approach to the topic and I quite liked the authors notes…
I liked the story but it wasn’t anything new. Don’t get me wrong , not every story has to be a new idea and new plot that we’ve never seen before. But I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, which could have made up for the storyline.
I just felt like there was something missing. The book felt rather rushed and it was like I was reading a synopsis the whole time rather than a story. Even at the most dramatic polt points it was more like… „wait it’s already over? What actually happened?“
I just feel like this could’ve been way more impactful for such serious topics :(
April 1, 2023
Um....I don't know what happened here. Of the three other Nic Stone books I've read, I've given them all 4 or 5 stars and Chaos Theory easily could have joined those ranks but it was half-baked.
This read as more of a draft than a finished novel. The plot moves along at a clip and we barely get to see the characters in any other environment than with each other so they practically exist as a couple instead of two individuals. The nicknames were cheesy and unnatural and it just felt like it was trying to stick to a word count rather than being the wonderfully written (and plotted) stories that Nic writes.
This read as more of a draft than a finished novel. The plot moves along at a clip and we barely get to see the characters in any other environment than with each other so they practically exist as a couple instead of two individuals. The nicknames were cheesy and unnatural and it just felt like it was trying to stick to a word count rather than being the wonderfully written (and plotted) stories that Nic writes.
August 30, 2023
I am very impressed by this novel. Granted, it's very YA, but the topics were original and I've never read a novel about this issue. Mental health issues are such an important topic. Then, to include the teen (relationship) drama and all the other issues these kids experience...The audiobook was done well, but I think the (written) book might have been a better format (in my personal opinion--I just don't like the characters talking about themselves by name.) But I will definitely look for more from Nic Stone!
March 3, 2023
Nic Stone has done it yet again, folks - a stellar story that hits home in every way filled with characters so full they could be sitting right next to you. And that dialogue though!
Carries important messages about mental health, acceptance, and respect. Loved every minute of this book but as always…it ends too soon!
Carries important messages about mental health, acceptance, and respect. Loved every minute of this book but as always…it ends too soon!
May 20, 2023
I am nearly convinced I'd liked it better if Shelbi and Andy wouldn't have ended up as a couple but as friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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