It's been a long time since a book as affected me this much. Everything from the story to the characters sliced right through me. The Problem with Crazy is about hope as much as it is heartbreak and I think that's what sets it apart from other books in the genre that it will inevitably be compared to. An Australian The Fault in Our Stars, except not really. Inside of a week, Kate's father shows up drunk at her graduation and embarrasses her, she discovers he has a fatal, incurable disease that affects his behavior, and her boyfriend of two years dumps her, leaving her with no post-graduation plans, since she was supposed to go on tour with him and his band. Oh yeah, and that fatal disease her father has? Yeah, that's genetic.

Plot
The plot centers around Kate coming to terms with her father's illness and the potential that she's inherited the disease, the end of her relationship, and what, if any future she has. How do you plan your life when you may not have long to live? When she runs into a strange yet adorable boy, Lachlan, who believes in doing everything once just to try it, she begins to see her world in different terms than just now and later. To let go of the uncertainty of the future and live in the moment.

The interactions with Lachlan are where the story soars into the stratosphere. These are the moments when Kate lets down her guard and just lives. Where she thinks about the world outside herself rather than being caged inside her own mind. Where she can forget for a small moment in time that life is uncertain.

World Building
The small Australian beach town where Kate lives comes alive with all five senses as Lauren McKellar weaves in enough detail to put us squarely in the middle of the scene. I've never been to Australia, but I almost feel as if I have. I started this book a few days after our Australian exchange student went back home, not even realizing the setting. But it was like having a little piece of Gaby still here with us as I read the familiar Australian expressions and the mention of Tim Tams (which are just as good as you've heard, by the way.)

Characters
The book is largely character driven and the characters are...just, wow. Lachlan is the boy by which all other boys will be judged in young adult/new adult novels. And I can tell you now, no one will ever come close, and this makes me both happy and sad, because the world needs more Lachlans, but also because he's one of a kind which makes him eternally exceptional.

Top Five Things I Loved About The Problem with Crazy
1. The first time Kate meets Lachlan. Their initial meeting is as adorable as it gets and it showcases Lachlan in all his Lachlan-ness, sealing him in my heart forever.

2. Lachlan's art. The way he memorializes every one of his "firsts" in black and white is just another thing that makes him remarkable.

3. The way Lachlan stands up to Dave in the restaurant. Dave is a complete douche. How Kate never knew this in two years of dating is beyond me, but Lachlan figures it out in about two seconds and his response is awesome.

4. Michael. Just because I don't want this to be all about Lachlan (even though it really is). His loyalty to Kate and Stacey, at the expense of his position in the band, makes him one of the really good guys.

5. Lachlan. Because really, he's just that amazing.

Bottom Line
The Problem with Crazy is heartbreakingly beautiful. It ripped my heart out, shredded it, and left me bereft, before slowly rebuilding it, piece by agonizing piece, leaving me hopeful.

Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )

First, I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.

The plot in The Problem with Crazy is basically the same as The Fault in Our Stars with some minor differences. The difference is Kate isn’t sick, but she could inherit Huntington’s disease: A disease that ultimately destroys your brain beginning with your nervous system.

After a year’s absence, Kate’s father shows up out of the blue to explain why he left his family. He has Huntington’s disease. He didn’t want to burden them, but he ran out of money for the treatments and also wanted to be with his family. Kate reacts badly and selfishly. She is embarrassed about her dad and tries to hide his condition. It is because of Kate, that the first third of the book was hard for me to get through. I just thought she was petty and selfish. Luckily, she realizes that she is too and ultimately changes as a person for the better.

Pros: Kate meets Lachlan. He’s a boy who has a lot of tragedy in his life. He has lost both parents and has battled a disease of his own. He teaches Kate to enjoy the small moments in life and not worry about missing out on the big ones. She grows up because of him and ultimately treats her father better because of him.

Cons: Kate’s ex-boyfriend is a douche. Yes I used that word. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe him. The fact that people like him exist is the greatest flaw in evolution. If you read this, you will see what I am talking about. He seems to exist just to ruin Kate’s happiness. In fact, I found it a little odd that someone who supposedly cares so little about her goes out of his way to make her miserable. He ruined some important small moments for Kate and Lachlan and I am most angry at her for letting him. She should have just turned off the radio and let something special happen instead. You’ll see what I mean.

I recommend this to 13 and above. I think it teaches a valuable life lesson. If you have already read The Fault in Our Stars, you will still like this book. You won’t want to, but you can’t help it. ( )