Joshua Morrow’s 7 Romances as Nick Newman on The Young and the Restless, Ranked from Worst to Best

When it comes to love in Genoa City, few men have lived through as much heartache, passion, and scandal as Nicholas Newman. Played by the ever-charismatic Joshua Morrow for nearly three decades, Nick’s journey has been a rollercoaster of affairs, betrayals, second chances, and heartbreaks that continue to define the legacy of The Young and the Restless.

Born into power as the son of Victor and Nikki Newman, Nick has always been the quintessential leading man — handsome, good-hearted, but constantly torn between duty, desire, and destiny. His romances have often mirrored the battles of his family empire: high stakes, deeply personal, and never without consequences.

While some relationships were fleeting or ill-fated, others left scars that still shape his present. And then there are the epic love stories — the ones that fans can never forget, no matter how many years or plot twists pass. With whispers of Nick and Sharon’s history possibly being rekindled, now is the perfect time to look back at his most defining romances, ranked from weakest to strongest.

So, let’s count down the loves of Nick Newman — from forgettable flings to soul-shattering passions that shook Genoa City to its core.

7. Nick & Diane

At the very bottom lies Nick’s short-lived connection with Diane Jenkins, played at the time by Maura West. To call it a “romance” almost feels like an exaggeration. Their involvement was brief, shallow, and lacked the spark that Nick typically brings to his relationships.

There was no real emotional investment, and the story line came and went so quickly that many viewers barely remember it. Unlike Diane’s more infamous entanglements in Genoa City, her time with Nick left no lasting impact on either of their legacies. It was less a love story and more a passing distraction — a rare miss in Nick’s otherwise stormy romantic history.

6. Nick & Sage

Nick’s relationship with Sage Warner (Kelly Sullivan) carried enormous potential but ultimately unraveled in tragedy. Their union started with hope, as Sage’s nurturing spirit seemed to ground Nick after years of heartbreak. They married, shared dreams of family, and tried to build a stable life.

But fate was cruel. Their son, Christian, became the center of one of the most devastating revelations in Nick’s life. Sage died tragically in a car accident in 2016, just moments after learning that Christian was alive and being raised by Sharon under the name “Sully.”

The timing of that discovery — and Sage’s inability to share it with Nick before her death — sealed their romance as one of the most heartbreaking chapters in Y&R history. Instead of blossoming into a defining love story, Sage’s time with Nick became a tragic “what could have been,” forever marked by grief and loss.

5. Nick & Sally

Nick’s involvement with Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) remains one of the most divisive romances among fans. On paper, their pairing seemed intriguing — Sally’s fiery ambition meeting Nick’s steady charm. Yet, in execution, their connection often felt forced, more plot-driven than emotionally authentic.

Their romance also ignited yet another love triangle with Nick’s brother, Adam — a dynamic that, while familiar in Genoa City, frustrated viewers who longed for fresher storytelling. Instead of elevating Sally, the relationship seemed to diminish her spark, leaving her torn between two Newman brothers in a way that felt recycled.

Nick and Sally shared some tender moments, but their pairing lacked the firepower that defines Nick’s most memorable romances.

4. Nick & Chelsea

Nick and Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) were a pairing that offered moments of genuine sweetness, yet their love always felt like it existed in the shadow of Chelsea’s true passion: Adam.

To their credit, Nick and Chelsea had undeniable chemistry, and their time together provided Nick with a semblance of family stability. They raised Christian together for a time, and there were glimpses of real happiness. But as the story unfolded, it became increasingly clear that Chelsea’s heart belonged to another, and Nick was more a safe harbor than her soulmate.

Their romance lacked the intensity and permanence of Nick’s greatest loves. Though enjoyable to watch, it was never destined to define his heart.

3. Nick & Avery

When Avery Clark (Jessica Collins) entered Nick’s orbit, it was like a breath of fresh air. Strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent, Avery balanced Nick’s sometimes impulsive tendencies. She represented a chance for Nick to step into a more grounded, mature love — one rooted in mutual respect and shared values.

Avery’s presence also stirred intriguing dynamics with the other women in Nick’s life, blending Sharon’s warmth with Phyllis’ fire. For a time, Nick and Avery felt like the perfect pairing, a relationship that allowed him to be both vulnerable and steady.

While their romance ultimately didn’t endure, it remains one of Nick’s most underrated. Avery’s influence helped reshape Nick’s emotional journey, showing fans that he could thrive outside the chaos of his more famous love triangles.

2. Nick & Phyllis

No romance better captures the scandalous, fiery side of Nick Newman than his affair with Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). Their connection was born in betrayal — a shocking affair that shattered his marriage to Sharon and sent shockwaves through Genoa City.

From the very first moment, Nick and Phyllis burned with passion. Joshua Morrow and Michelle Stafford’s chemistry was undeniable, turning every scene into must-watch television. Their relationship was as thrilling as it was destructive, fueled by lust, defiance, and raw emotion.

Though fans were divided — some enthralled, others appalled — there was no denying that Nick and Phyllis delivered some of the most explosive drama in Y&R history. Their love was never destined to last forever, but as a soap opera romance, it was unforgettable. Even today, their bond remains a complicated mix of affection, respect, and history.

1. Nick & Sharon

And finally, at number one, the love story that defines not just Nick, but The Young and the Restless itself: Nick and Sharon (Sharon Case).

From the moment they first fell in love as young adults, Nick and Sharon captured the hearts of fans. They were first loves, soulmates, and a couple written in the stars. Their journey has spanned decades, marked by triumphs and tragedies — the loss of their daughter Cassie, betrayals, separations, and reunions.

No matter how many obstacles they face, Nick and Sharon’s bond endures. Even apart, they remain tethered by an unbreakable connection, an invisible thread that always pulls them back together. When Nick and Sharon share the screen, Y&R feels at its most iconic — reminding viewers why soap operas are about more than just romance, but about love that withstands the test of time.

For many fans, Nick and Sharon are the true “endgame.” Every detour Nick takes, every fling or failed relationship, ultimately circles back to Sharon. Together, they embody the heart and soul of Genoa City.

The Legacy of Nick’s Loves

Nick Newman’s romantic history is more than a collection of relationships — it’s a roadmap of his character’s evolution. From fleeting distractions to epic soulmates, his romances have shaped not only his identity but also the fabric of Genoa City itself.

Whether fans rooted for the scandal of Phyllis, the stability of Avery, or the eternal pull of Sharon, one thing is certain: Joshua Morrow’s Nick Newman has given audiences decades of passion, heartbreak, and drama. And in the world of The Young and the Restless, the question remains — has Nick already found his forever love, or is the greatest chapter of his romantic saga still waiting to unfold?