Chaos Theory

Written by Nic Stone

Narrated by Nic Stone and Dion Graham

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental 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 health, 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9780593609415

Nic Stone

Nic Stone is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the William C. Morris Award finalist Dear Martin, NAACP Image Award finalist Dear Justyce, Dear Manny, Chaos Theory, and Clean Getaway and the Shuri novel series with Marvel Comics. You can find her online at nicstone.info.

Reviews for Chaos Theory

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Walter Andy Crittle is drunk and in a car wreck at the onset of the book. Shelby sees his car and approaches him in school to return his keys the next week. This kicks off their relationship. Both of them are dealing with a range of problems, but their connection allows them to be open and vulnerable with each other. There are heartbreaks, uncertainty and issues with mental health that each of them must navigate through. It is poignant, painful and hopeful with human connection and self awareness & healing.

[shirfire218_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chaos Theory is a YA romance novel that is a great read for older adults too. This book gets into some very serious topics including mental health illnesses and diagnoses, alcoholism and suicide. They are handled deftly, sensitively and informatively.

The reader is drawn into Shelbi and Andy's tumultuos lives and experience the highs and the lows with both of them. All of the characters are extremely well developed and you will be sorry to leave them behind as you turn the last page. Chaos Theory is a very well written novel. I hadn't been entirely sure what to expect when reading a YA novel, and I was very favorably impressed. I think everyone who reads this book will end up with a better understanding of mental health and how imperative empathy is to all of us. A quick glance at current affairs should highlight the importance of this. A better understanding of mental health issues and diagnoses as well as substance abuse, such as Andy's alcoholism, are key to a better functioning society where we can all co-exist. This book really helps in providing an introduction to that understandin