What happens when the anonymous stranger who texts you one night in need of friend ends up becoming more?
Chaos Theory by Nic Stone follows two teenagers who are struggling with their own forms of mental illness and struggles within their lives.
Shelbi has moved to Georgia after having a hard time in her old school and life in California.
Andy, or Walter, has a drinking problem and finds it easier to cover his problems with alcohol then seek help.
That is until he sends a text to what he thinks is his ex-girlfriend, but he had a number off and ended up texting a complete stranger. That stranger? Shelbi, who knows of Andy but has never really spoken to him at school. Now, they find themselves interacting with each other in anonymous comfort, until Shelbi confesses who she is after seeing Andy while volunteering outside of school.
Shelbi and Andy continue their friendship with a strict 'don't fall in love with me' pact from Shelbi, after telling Andy her bi-polar diagnosis. Shelbi begins to compare their friendship and time together with the theory of the formation of stars and soon they break their pact.
This book is a heavy hitter, but in the best way possible. Both characters have dark pasts, and sometimes even dark presents. There is a mix of supportive parents and friends, and honestly this book is one of the best I've read about the variety within mental illness. The reactions to trauma, the codependence after a certain point of the story. -chef's kiss- It also shows that no matter what you are going through you are worthy of love and I think that message needs to be portrayed more.
A solid 5/5 stars for me and so early in the year too! I really did enjoy this book, but I feel like I need to remind everyone that it will not be for everyone. The author's note at the beginning of the book does a great job with explaining that that book is about trauma and mental illness, and the understanding that some people won't be able to read it.
This book hits shelves Feb 28, 2023.
More info at at the Goodreads link below:
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