Finding Nicole

A True Story of Love, Loss, Betrayal, Fear and Hope

Non-Fiction - Memoir
200 Pages
Reviewed on 01/18/2021
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Author Biography

Nicole Beverly is a Clinical Social Worker, Advocate and Mother of two amazing sons. She is also a survivor of domestic violence, stalking and multiple attempts by her ex-husband to hire people to kill her from prison. After Nicole left her abusive ex-husband, he began to stalk and threaten to kill her and she found herself facing new challenges within the legal system that was meant to protect her. After years of abuse and stalking by her ex-husband Nicole found herself in yet another battle for her life.

Nicole and her story of survival have been featured on Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo: Until Death Do Us Part, Huffington Post Live, NPR, The Detroit Free Press and many other outlets. Nicole is the Founder of The ENOUGH Initiative Domestic Violence Prevention Organization. The ENOUGH Initiative focuses on ending domestic violence before it starts by providing Education, Non-Violence Alternatives, Opportunity, Understanding, Growth and Hope to young adults and victims of domestic violence.

Nicole is excited to share that her story is being adapted into a feature film by Screen Writer Geoffrey Calhoun, Film Director Harley Wallen and Painted Creek Productions. The film FINDING NICOLE, will be an amazing opportunity to reach a broader audience and shed a brighter light on the epidemic of Domestic Violence and the many obstacles that victim's face. The film will feature actresses Kaiti Wallen, Blanca Blanco and actors John Savage, Brandon Quintin Adams and Yan Birch among others and is scheduled to be released in 2021.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

Nicole Beverly’s abusive ex-husband offered fellow prisoners payment to murder her. Finding Nicole is a graphic memoir recording the author’s experiences as a victim, and survivor, of shocking domestic violence and her battle for justice and safety. It includes, at the end, a brief guidebook for victims of domestic violence and their loved ones. I began reading Finding Nicole intending only to read a few chapters before going to sleep, but the open, honest, and vulnerable manner in which Nicole Beverly told her horrific story pulled me in. I ended up reading the entire book in a single sitting, and I found myself walking in her shoes. I felt her fear and frustrations. I cheered her wins and her courage, and I grieved over her deep disappointments. I raged at the authorities who let her, and society, down again and again and again. And, eventually, I praised and profusely thanked those who helped to ensure her abuser was incarcerated for long enough to allow her and her sons to enjoy the freedom and safety so many of us take for granted.

If I could award this book six stars, or more, I would do so. It’s not a story to read for pleasure. It’s an educational read: a story that begged to be told and one that has the potential to save many of those who find themselves in abusive relationships. It also has the potential, if only the right people will read it and pay careful attention, to drive urgently needed reforms in the legal system; to educate police, lawyers, judges, and bureaucrats to understand domestic violence and to listen to and believe the victims and find effective and just ways to protect them from perpetrators.

Graphic language and reports of physical violence may disturb some readers, but while telling her story honestly, Nicole Beverly has shown admirable discretion and respect for readers' sensitivities, quoting police reports to tell what needed to be told objectively and factually. While revealing her abuser’s personality and character flaws, she has avoided expressing hatred or showing bitterness, focusing instead on her journey of self-healing. Even when reporting the shocking failures of law enforcement professionals, she has spoken of them respectfully and avoided condemnation. I commend Nicole both for the manner in which she has told her story, and for the courage and determination she has shown in her journey of healing and her mission to help others. Finding Nicole is a story that screams to be read, and the warnings it shouts heeded.

Lesley Jones

Finding Nicole by Nicole Beverly is the true story of one woman's fight to survive and escape a brutally violent marriage. Even when her when ex-husband was incarcerated, Nicole's nightmare was about to become far more dangerous, when he tried to convince fellow inmates in prison to kill her and their children for $50,000. Although Nicole had been raised to hold her own opinions and be an assertive woman, when she met her future husband Kevin at university she could never foresee what was to come. Gradually Kevin's controlling ways turned to abuse and over the next few years escalated to violence. From that day, Nicole battled to stay alive. Follow her heroic journey as she shares her deepest fears, hopes, and challenges of surviving a violent marriage and how she managed to escape, survive, and thrive. Included are detailed police reports and witness statements. Nicole also provides an invaluable guidebook filled with tips for surviving an abusive relationship, planning your escape safely, and the red flags of abuse that many are not aware of. Nicole is a true advocate of the battle against domestic violence which affects 20 women every minute.

Finding Nicole by Nicole Beverly has affected me deeply. Nicole's strength, inner beauty, and courage are so touching and inspiring. The events are chilling, brutal, and described so vividly, you feel her pain, helplessness, and fear. Nicole's story highlights the truth of the violence that happens behind closed doors for so many women. I thought the idea to disguise the book's cover ingenious and it is going to help many women read the book without fear of detection by their partners. The safety tips and red flag section was incredible and so informative. There are many heart-wrenching scenes that will send shivers down your spine; the destruction of the bird's nest and his deplorable threat to her in the garage were the most emotional for me. The content in police reports and witness statements was shocking and I feel police departments should work as a whole unit, not singular states. I believe everyone who reads this should pass it to friends or family so as many women as possible are aware of the warning behaviors. This sentence from the book was breathtaking as it explains how strong, independent women can become victims of abuse: 'I was the perfect victim because while I was a strong young woman, I was also an empathic young woman who wanted to help, understand and fix people who were hurting.' This book is one that I will not forget. Highly recommended.

Mamta Madhavan

Finding Nicole: A True Story of Love, Loss, Betrayal, Fear, and Hope by Nicole Beverly is a heartrending memoir that gives glimpses of the author's survival story from that of being a victim of domestic violence to that of being a survivor. Her story is unbelievable and she shares the abuse faced at the hands of the legal system that is actually supposed to protect the victims of domestic violence and stalking. The memoir also discusses how intimate partners abuse their victims and shares the options available to survivors. She speaks intimately about her abuse and how it affected her psyche and also her family.

Finding Nicole will strike a chord with readers because of the author's transparency, authenticity, intellect, and determination while sharing her story. The Guidebook section at the end provides guidance and hope to anyone who is leaving or recovering from an abusive partner. There is also a Tips and Tools section to make readers aware of the warning signs of domestic violence and understand the red flags. It also offers safety tips, recovery tools, and a pathway to hope. This memoir will definitely make readers question the legal system and fight against domestic violence. Nicole Beverly's story is raw and the memoir will guide victims to leave their abusers safely. The author's fight for justice is remarkable and her story is one of courage, strength, determination, and hope. The memoir is inspirational and will encourage many readers who are in similar situations to find support and peace in life as they overcome trauma and abuse.

Christine

I have read many books on domestic violence. Never a book as powerfully touching as this one. I would read several pages, put the book aside and return when my heart could handle the power of her words. Is this an easy story to read? No! Is it a story every woman should read? YES! As a mother of two daughters I found the “Red Flag” section very valuable. I strive to teach my girls to love themselves enough to accept only pure, honest love . After reading this book we learn the warning signs of the young man who APPEARS to love you so much that he only wants you for himself and even says “I can’t believe your mine!” It would seem that would be everyone’s happily ever after. It is not. As Nicole says it takes time to FIND yourself. It is a process. Nicole’s story brings such strength and vulnerability. A must read!

Bianca Waller

High review: have passed this book along to others (sadly) who seemed to need a bit of warning, or getting to the point of needing the resources and contacts Nicole included in this book. It is an emotional read, reeling you in, and sobering because it is a true story. Thankful for the resources section included.