Chaos Theory

Author Nic Stone

Grades 9 & Up Ages 14 and up

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.

Available Formats

Trade Paperback 9780593307731
Hardcover 9780593307700
eBook 9780593307724
Unabridged Audiobook Download 9780593609415

State Awards

Alabama

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Winner

Florida

2024-2025, Florida Teen Reads, Nominee

Georgia

2024, Georgia Peach Book Award For Teen Readers, Nominee

Illinois

2025, AISLE Readers’ Choice Awards, Selection

Kentucky

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Michigan

2025, Great Lakes Great Books Award, Nominee

Oklahoma

2025, OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist, Nominee

Pennsylvania

2024-2025, Keystone To Reading Elementary Book Award, Nominee

Rhode Island

2025, Rhode Island Teen Book Award, Nominee

Texas

2024, TAYSHAS Reading List, Nominee

Featured In

Nic Stone

author of Dear Manny

Random House Children's Books Teachers and Librarians