Volatile

by Caroline E. Nickell

Cora Holloway finds herself trying to couch-surf her way through life when the sudden death of her mother sends her to California where full custody of her is granted to an absent and abusive father she knows very little about. Her life is a mess of temporary friends, partying, and just trying to survive when she meets a golden-eyed boy with a haunting past named Noah Avett.

At the ripe age of only 19, Noah is a recovered drug addict. Forced out of his family's lavish Pasadena home and into the flatland of Sacramento after a fatal overdose took the life of his former girlfriend Paige. Being no stranger to unexpected deaths and unfair parental abandonment, Cora is immediately drawn to Noah, feeling a strong sense of understanding towards him.

But as time goes on, she's forced to face the fact that there's always more than just one side to a story...

418 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2022

Reviews

[bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW. just wow!!! i’m so so beyond impressed with this book. i had no idea what i was expecting when the author reached out to me to review her book, and i am so amazed. this is absolutely incredible for a debut novel. i will forever purchase more books from this author is she creates more. i connected with the characters so well. Cora and her dad had a rough relationship, which reminded me of my own relationship with my dad. i don’t want to spoil the book, so i suggest you go and read it for yourself. it is really, really good. i loved it so much. thank you caroline for sending me this to review!!! this is a 100% honest review :)

[Sum · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I just mean that death is hard to deal with - but it’s necessary. In a way - I think it’s forgiving because it creates an ending, you know?”

This is a heart-wrenching story that is told with a beautiful pace, intricately written characters, and it’s something you’re not going to want to put down once you get into it. This is an easy read in the best ways possible. The author somehow aced her pacing and kept her writing solid and on the plot; all while making sure her characters (and readers!) held their depth and felt their feelings. The beginning, the build-up, the peak, the resolution and the ending is so… fantastically executed and unexpected.

I didn’t expect to connect to the characters and feel their feelings, but I did. I also didn’t expect to connect to them personally, but I did. Previous to receiving the book, I got a small run-down of it and that was it before reading. But once I cracked it open, I devoured it in three short days.

I saw many of my personal demons in Cora, our MC, and related to her specific battles. One of the main reasons I loved this book was because my hometown is Sacramento. So I was successfully able to grip the surrounding areas - picture the settings - and it made it so much easier to immerse myself in the book.

I don’t like giving any spoilers in reviews, so I’ll just leave it at this: If you had a rough and lonely childhood, have daddy issues, some trauma, and need a comfy read to not feel alone; this is for you. <3

Big thanks to the author for sending me a copy of her book- my reviews are always 100% honest no matter how the book fell into my lap.

[Katie Rhinehart-Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! The author sets the perfect dark romantic thriller vibe and rides it the whole way through. The characters will stay with you long after reading it and the story line is more unique than you’re average girl meets boy. If you are even thinking about reading this book PLEASE JUST DO IT. You will not be disappointed!

[Mimi Khreliats · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book is about a 17 year old girl who tries to fight agains all the obsticles in her life. After the death of her mother she is forced to live alone with her abusive father. "Her life is a mess of temporary friends, partying and just trying to survive when she meets a golden-eyed boy with a haunting past named Noah Avett."

This book was full of surprices and good plot twists I was not expecting! It's a heartbreaking story and I can honestly say that I was sobbing ALOT.

[Jennifer Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

I'm not going to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything for my friends, but wow. What an emotional rollercoaster.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Tate and Violet vibes this books for you 💞

It hurt but it was so good I'm not gonna lie I threw my phone at the end... Would I read it again? Absolutely 😭🥺❤️

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG OBSESSED! I literally went through so many emotions and am still in shock. This book will hold a special place in my heart and I will constantly keep recommending this!!!

[Jennifer Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly gut-wrenching. I laughed and I cried and I cursed and I feared and I cheered them all on and felt every single emotion in-between.

[Tara Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this as a present for Christmas was expecting something cute and sweet which don’t get me wrong it was but also such a major plot twist. I love this book so much such a good read.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. Nice pacing, good story. Plot twists were crazyyy. I was blown away and impressed with the ending! Although I’m not a big fan of the writing (I felt like there was a lot of telling rather than showing), this was still an interesting and relatively quick read.

[Katie Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful debut novel! With a compelling plot and easy to love main characters, this book will keep you drawn in and excited to read what happens next.

[Jakob Greeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this being Caroline's debut novel I was truly impressed. The beautiful way it was written really grabs ahold of your attention and begs for more. I've read this novel 3 times now and continue to find myself picking it back up. Anyone looking for a new read, this is it. I look forward to more work from her and will definitely be keeping my eyes and ears out for anything she publishes!

You'll love this novel.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is wow! This is definitely a must read! Cora’s story had me on a journey. Just when I thought I could predict what was going to happen Caroline said, “nope, think again!”The revelations throughout this book did not me prepared for the final realization even thought it was laid out for me. In my opinion, smart story crafting. Volatile, gave what it was supposed to give, periodt!

[Chandra Kelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up! It was for sure Tate and Violet from AHS vibes. I can’t wait to read more from Caroline, this was one of the better books I’ve read recently. I didn’t see the ending and I’m still processing it. That’s when you know a book is really good. It was beautifully written, easy to read, and an incredible story over all.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book……
From the first page to the last page !
I absolutely love this book and can’t wait for more from this writer! This book had me hooked the entire time. The up and down from the family and the the friends and the boyfriend. So many turns and plot twists 🖤
Top book of the year

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty, nostalgic, and suspenseful with characters that feel all too familiar growing up in a small Midwest town myself. It took me about three days to read it and another three days to process the ending. Very well written.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst the end of both the character's story was unbelievably sad, it was written in a such a beautiful way that you felt content with how it ended. This book was beautiful.

[Ava · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would’ve loved reading this on Wattpad when I was 14.