Chaos Theory

A fluffy ya romance acts as the scaffold for mental health issues. This was different from Nic Stone's other works as its more tell-y and feels very much like it was written during the pandemic, with its scant character count and focus on psych matters.

This was a beautiful, at times difficult story of two teenagers' struggles with mental health, how they find each other, help each other and themselves. TIt's about healing, and all the winding messy roads that lead towards and away from it. Despite the heavier topics, it is also a cute and fun read at many turns. I couldn't put it down, read it in a day. I couldn't put it down, read it in a day.

While the romance is a big chunk of the story, the main focus of the book is both of them trying to find healthier ways of dealing with their brain chemistry imbalance. At the beginning of the book, Shelbi is further along in her journey to mental health. While Walter is still in denial about his problems, Shelbi is very aware hers, but is dealing with them by avoiding most things in life, even friends.

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: sibling death (pre-book events) and guilt related to that, alcoholism, bipolar, depression, self-harm, abortion 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.