Haven't started on the -09 season yet, but Nicole (and Roman) become of my new favorites on very, very short time. I really like her bubbly personality, some of her remarks, her look and that she kan be sassy. I also really liked that she can be really girly, but also that she can be a tomboy, as for example Martha. (In the long run I prefer the tomboys, and not the ones who are so girly, but I thinks that a show should have both types.)
Don't like her and Melody together, and I doon't like the storyline with her mother either, but I really liked her storylines with Aden, Elliott, and some of the storylines she had with Geoff. It seems like she has become more mature now, and that sounds promising.