Loved this book, a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness 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

This is a difficult book to review because on the one hand I really liked the premise and I was really interested in the characters and the journey but ultimately the writing style, pace and execution made the story really difficult to enjoy.

Firstly, the story was so fast paced that we didn’t really sit with the characters for any length of time. The scene would start and then after some dialogue the scene would end before the ‘moment’ had finished. It was like a highlight reel of a book or a summary where you get the most important moments without feeling like you’re in the story with the characters.

This made it hard to get into the characters head and really feel the emotions they were going through instead I felt like I was catching glimpses through a window. For example, we’re told a few times that the main character is a nerd but we don’t actually get to see that character trait in person. It also meant that a lot of the interactions between characters were told through the characters remembering moments rather than getting to experience it with them. As a result, I felt like I didn’t get to see the romance develop between them.

Overall, I liked the book and found the portrayal of mental health disorders interesting but the pacing of the book made it hard to fully engage with and enjoy.

shelbi and andy are brought together after one terrible decision, and their friendship goes from strength to strength. this book is all about mental health, not as a sub-plot, but as the central theme of the book and that’s so incredibly refreshing. it’s one of those books that i’m so happy is out there for younger readers!

for me i just wanted more, it felt quite predictable and i wanted to learn more about the characters.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so well written and is a great book for both the young adult and adult market, I didn’t feel like this had to be exclusively marketed at young adults. The writing was great and I really liked the setting and the story idea.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Chaos theory is not only a YA romance. It’s so much more! Honestly, the mental health representation is one of the most relatable I’ve seen in YA.

The opening of this book is so unique! I’m used to nic stone works but this one is really a standout!
The two main characters of this dual POV story meet in original circumstances. They both have to face heavy issues like mental health, alcoholism etc.
It’s really well represented and described, honestly I was pleasantly surprised.

"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. Do you have any idea what it's like to feel like you're the queen of the universe one minute, and a waste of molecules the next?"

Nic Stone chose to show the reader how, overcoming the obstacles of mind creates that runs on it’s own isn’t the only way to understand and live with mental health.

I loved how our two characters get to know each other and learn more about themselves, one another, their family and so much more.
I believe this book is the kind that shouldn »t be described but felt and discovered word after word.

Even though I didn’t enjoyed this book as much as expected, this book really hit home, especially the author’s note.

Stone's writing is powerful and insightful, tackling important issues such as police brutality, systemic racism, and activism with nuance and sensitivity. The characters are complex and relatable protagonist, struggling with grief, guilt, and the weight of her own intelligence.

Chaos Theory is the story of two very different young people who randomly meet, and who find themselves irrevocably changed by the encounter.
Andy has a drink problem. As a top student and son of a woman running for Congress, image is everything. But what people don’t know is what is hidden behind closed doors. As the story progresses we learn about Andy and what has led him to be driving drunk and crashing into a tree.
Shelbi knows of Andy but has few friends in school and keeps herself to herself, for good reason. When she lets people close, she gets hurt.
In spite of the barriers between these two, Andy and Shelbi get to know one another. Their friendship is something of a lifeline for each of them, and it was touching to see the way they tried to control things that were hard to control.
I don’t want to say more, as learning about these two and their situations as we progress through the story was instrumental in my enjoyment of the book. There were strands of the story that felt rather limited, though I can see how they filled their purpose. The insight into what both these teens experience is important, and it certainly encourages you to consider your own stance on how we treat people who are having issues with their mental health
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.

This book is so beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-warming, tragic and hopeful. I adored it so much. I loved it especially because of Nic Stones words in the beginning and and the end of the book, the reason she wrote it and wanting people to understand mental-health from a perspective that was personal for her. I truly love Shelbi with all my heart, and Andy too! I loved them together and as individuals. I enjoyed it because its real life. Shelbi comes from a wealthy family but suffers with bi-polar disorder which has been debilitating for her and has made it difficult for her to make and maintain friendships. Andy comes from a more modest family and his mum is running to be a congresswoman, however there is a lot of strain in his family life and his nurses his pain with alcohol. But between all of this blooms a beautiful friendship between them, they truly have the best time together and it made me so happy. Obviously, it wasn't all good times but even then, the characters learn a lot. The pacing and length of the book is perfect, the characters as i've said are amazing and I have nothing negative to say!

Nic Stone has gotten writing about somewhat sensitive issues down to a fine art within YA literature. In her newest work, no stone is left unturned as mental health, grief and alcoholism (to name a few) are highlighted and discussed in such a supportive manner.

A powerful read that does not shy away from tackling some difficult topics including mental health, self-harm, suicide, alcoholism, grief… to name a few. Shelbi and Walter are so well written and fully fleshed out that it would be impossible not to root for and empathise with them. A real rollercoaster of emotions with some truly heart-wrenching and sad moments but plenty of moments to make you smile and chuckle too. Their relationship is complex but honest and I would love to know what happens next!

Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.

A teen love story with protagonists with mental health issues, written by an author who understands mental health. In this book, MH is not a side plot, it is front and centre, and informs EVERYthing about who Andy and Shelbi are and the decisions they make. The way that Shelbi discloses and discusses her bipolar reminds me of the way I talk about my burnout, depression, and even about being autistic—these are things that are a constant in my life and cannot be separated from who I am. It's hard to put into words exactly what works in the book, though if I were to guess, I'd say it was the directness, with no explanations, no judgement.

Without giving it way, I also loved that little extra something that the author added at the end of the book. I'd advise everyone to read this; meanwhile, I'm off to find Nic Stone's other books.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Chaos Theory' by Nic Stone.

'Chaos Theory' was such a short read with so much insight and beauty packed into its gritty and realistic story. Andy's story dealt with topics such as cheating, alcoholism and overall mental health and the way Nic Stone took care of Andy overall felt right to me. Both characters in this story went through a lot in a small period of time but they also learned more about themselves and how to look after themselves. I feel as if the story behind this - the motto you could say - is that physical health, mental health and your life is a priority and although other things can and will take a higher priority at certain times, you are a constant in your life and you deserve to be happy and progress in your journey when you are able to.

First off, I would like to say that this book could need a trigger warning due to the content it covers (loss of family members - including a younger sibling, suicide, self-harm, teen pregnancy and abortion). I wouldn't choose to use it in my school due to the ages of the children I teach, but I think it could be thoughtfully used by year 10+ pupils. It deals sensitively with issues around mental health and the vulnerabilities that making friends or having relationships while also managing conditions like alcoholism and bipolar depression can bring up. Once Shebli trusts Walter/Andy, she is very open about her condition and how it makes her feel and she brings a lot of self-awareness. Whereas Walter is still very much in the denial phase. In some ways Shelbi and her family act as mentors to support Walter to face up to his own problems.

I really enjoyed the book and I think it is refreshing to have a book that doesn't just deal with the stigma around mental health but talks more about navigating relationships and the difficulties around trusting others.
Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Children's UK and Nic Stone for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Amazingly written. And it is a very powerful read. I do however think yoh have to be in the right frame if mind before reading this one.

Clearly beautifully written and an important read but I couldn’t read it. Didn’t realise it featured suicide and it is a bit too close to home for me to read

This is a book about a pair of teenagers who meet and promise not to fall for each other. The boy has a drinking problem and issues at home and the girl has a history of mental health problems. Both are understanding and supportive and its really important to see 'scary' issues portrayed in a healthy way.

'Chaos Theory' is an incredibly powerful new novel from Nic Stone. I am pleased to continue my trend of awarding everything I read from Stone 5 stars as I was taken in by the pacey, heavy and important narrative, brought to life by a well-drawn cast of characters. 'Chaos Theory' primarily delves into the stigma which continues to surround diagnosis with a mental illness and how this can impact one's self-worth and journey through life.

Shelbi has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. After being forced to transfer schools following unpleasant previous experiences linked to 'friendships' and her diagnosis, she meets and has an instant connection with Andy (or Walter). She sees some of her own grapple with emotions in Andy as he is shown to regularly turn to alcohol, haunted by events in his past.

Despite moments of humour, you can probably tell that the novel does not hold back on a truthful portrayal of trauma and its effects on families, but particularly the lives and minds of the central teenagers. Their dual narrative perspective is broken up by a free-form string of text messages between the two. We see the blossoming link between Shelbi and Andy whilst they are also allowed to have their own distinctive voice. Their growing connection and trust in each other is beautiful to read as they realise that understanding and insight can indeed come from a close peer or perhaps even a romantic relationship. Mental illness by no means means broken and Stone draws this out so tenderly through the narrative arc and character development.

Overall, this is an important read I will be recommending to my students and school libraries. Stone's writing never fails to hit the mark. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable older middle grade or younger adult book. I liked the portrayal of friendship that was shown.

I love this

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

We all have them and I cannot wait to delve into Shelbis and Andy’s story. I think not only will this make a great book for our YA section, but will make people of all ages relate to it as well. Will be sharing full thoughts very soon. Hopefully this will adapt into a movie or series as I think it would be great.

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.

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.