I gave this book 4 stars - It is very different than anything else I have read lately and at the end kept me up wanting to finish. Bye, Baby is a book about 2 women, childhood friends up until the time one of them, Cassie, meets her rich husband. Cassie becomes an influencer on the internet. Billie has had a rough childhood and although she has a good job she does not compare to Cassie's new found wealth. Each chapter alternates between Billie and Cassie going back and forth between the past and the present. When Cassie has a baby the rift becomes even more pronounced. Billie mourns the loss of Cassie's friendship. The climax occurs when Cassie has a birthday party and does not invite Billie. Although this may sound petty, it is not as the two shared some very disturbing experiences.
Their story is told in alternating chapters going back in time, but is easy to follow. I look forward to reading more by Carola Lovering. Thank you to to NetGalley for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Absolutely mesmerizing! This book delves into the intricate tapestry of friendship, taking unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. The evolution of the friendships portrayed was a fascinating journey, and the way it all unfolded defied every prediction I had. The author's ability to craft such authentic characters and their relationships is truly commendable. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story took an astonishing direction, leaving me in awe of the author's storytelling prowess. A must-read for anyone seeking a deep and unpredictable exploration of friendship's complexities.

Carola Lovering writes a certain kind of book - in which wealthy (or those who want to be wealthy/are jealous of the wealthy) get into trouble and some sort of lie and trouble ensues. And every time I pick one up, I know what I'm getting in a good way and I'm here for it. I pick up Carola's books because she can repeat her mold differently every time. I consistently found myself wondering whether Billie or Cassidy was the villain, and I found my feelings totally torn when each one of them acted unpredictably (but also could be considered predictably).

Strange story about a baby that is taken while there's a party going on in the apartment. Then, the back story is told about 2 friends, one of whom now lives in the same building but was not invited to the party.

Bye, Baby is an addicting suspense novel (binged it in one sitting) that examines the toxic friendship between between Cassie, a NYC influencer, and her childhood best friend, Billie. Told in dual POVs and timelines, you will get a glimpse of their friendship throughout the years, learn bout the deepest secrets that bonded them together, and the events that pulled them apart in the present. I think the author did a great job writing two morally gray characters. There were times when I loved Billie and despised Cassie and others where I liked Cassie and could not stand Billie’s actions. While they both made mistakes, I was shocked when I finished the book emphasizing with Billie and really did love the side romance storyline Lovering added. Along with that, I think the social media angle was realistic and powerful. Also, being a NYC resident myself, I loved the setting and found it easy to connect with all the places and landmarks mentioned.

Read if you like:
-Suspense novels
-Toxic friendships
-Social media influencers
-Dual and alternating timeliens
-Unlikeable characters
-NYC setting

Thank you SMP for the ARC! Pub date 3/5/24

I really liked this book. This was the first book by Carola Lovering I've read, but it will sure not be the last one. This book pulled me in from the start. The relationship between the two women was so believable . I think readers will definitely be able to relate to one of them. I hated to put it down. Going forward I will look for more books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. The trauma definitely made me uncomfortable and it was heartbreakingly sad, but very important to the characters. Carola Lovering writes young adult like no other and I loved the progression of these characters into their mid thirties. The influencer angle also brought a lot to the book because that is so our culture right now. I really enjoyed learning about Cassie and Billie's stories and how they came to be essentially strangers in the city they call home.

4/5

I totally devoured this book. I don't really know how to classify it - it wasn't quite mystery or thriller, but more suspense.

Synopsis: A missing baby. A fraught friendship. A secret that can never be told.

Things I liked:
• alternating perspectives
• character development
• back and forth in timelines
• I like/dislike both the main characters. I still don't know who I liked
• It's both heavy and light at the same time

Things I didn't like:
• Not much to say, but there was some unnecessary language

CW:
• language, abuse

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This story had me so conflicted so many times. I enjoyed it. I thought of it even after completing it. The characters made me feel. All those are traits for a 4 and 5 star easily... but they're was so much and yet so much more than could have been explored and the characters were a bit much for my personal taste. I liked them, loved them, hated them... all in the character of Billie. The rest I didn't care for too much either way. I am glad I read it and it was a quick read but not what I would call a mystery or one that I would read again

I liked the dual perspectives this book offered, and the general plot. It was somewhat predictable but I was left with an awful knot in my stomach waiting to see how the baby being stolen would ultimately play out between Billie and Cassie. The characters are not very likeable, however Billie has some redeeming qualities that make you root for her anyway. Overall, I felt there were some redundancies in phrasing, descriptions, etc. that made the book longer than it really needed to be.

Special thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for an early release copy of this novel.

This is a thriller about lost friendship, loneliness, and romance.

I found the book to be interesting, it had good character development and was very enjoyable to read

Cassie and Billie have been friends since childhood. But recently, Billie has been on the outside looking in at Cassie’s life. That is, until Cassie calls on her after her 4 month old daughter is “kidnapped” and then returned that same night. Only thing? Billie is the one who did it.

Overall, I so enjoyed reading this book! The trials and tribulations of motherhood and how much can change in your life once that baby is in your arms. Lifelong friendships included. I think Cassie was a hard to like character (intentional? maybe!) but I also found her relatable in the aftermath of Ella going missing. I was sad to see her return to her unlikable self at the end. I think we’ve all felt like Billie in one way or another at some point in our life (not kidnapping a baby, but you know what i mean!) so it was refreshing to read her viewpoint and also watch her develop and grow! The writing was absolutely wonderful and painted such a vivid picture and has quotes about motherhood and friendship that I will keep with me. I don’t necessarily think it’s a “mystery” but it definitely kept me wondering how it was all going to unfold and end.

It was easy to become enthralled with Billie and Cassie’s relationship, past and present! Forged as friends at a young age, they cemented their life long friendship when Cassie did what was needed to keep Billie safe. It’s been their secret ever since, and used to keep them close. But lately, Cassie has traded out Billie’s friendship for a new upper class life. As Billie is pushed out, you discover the secret that keeps them together, and when Cassie’s baby is taken, everything changes.

What a great book! Two best friends that have drifted apart over the years as they grew up are brought back together by the disappearance of a baby. This story is told going back and forth from past to present. As the story unfolds, my heart goes out to Billy and while she did something stupid I don't think I could condemn her for it.

Cassie and Billy are best friends but it is always Cassie pulling the strings and acting like a spoiled child. You can tell early on in this book that she is only after someone with money and if you don't have it, then you aren't worthy. Billie is a good kid that is going through a lot of family issues and I think she latched on to Cassie as a lifeline.

This is a must read by this author and I cannot wait to see what else she has written. Thank you NetGally and St.Martin Press for an ARC copy in return for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this one!! It was great for a binge on the beach. The toxic friendship at the center of this story was so fascinating and ultimately relatable. While I wouldn’t call this one suspenseful or thrilling, I was dying to know more and see how it all played out.

"Bye, Baby" follows childhood best friends as their lives change. Bille struggles with not wanting children and the changes in her friendship with Cassie. Cassie is a social media influencer who lives perfectly with her husband and baby girl. Her world is flipped upside down once Cassie's baby, Ella, goes missing.

I loved how Carola Lovering used both Cassie's and Billie's perspectives from the past and present to tell this story. I was on my toes throughout the entire book to see how it would unfold. This book perfectly covers how difficult it can be when navigating friendships that have become distant. A great for those who love thrillers!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review. The Publication is date March 5, 2024!

What a great book!
4.5 stars for sure.

Childhood best friends, a twisted backstory, a killer start to it all, and... a baby?

Let me start off by saying that the connection to the title and the book is *chiefs kiss*. I have hardley read books that bring the title into the plot line so well. That really made this book stand out to me.

Second- the characters are VERY well developed. The background info tying perfectly into the story line had me hooked. Not only did I want to know what happened next, I wanted to know WHY the main characters acted the way they did. It was almost like I was watching a movie.

Third- I'm a bit sad how it ended, I won't lie. I was expecting more, but at the same time not as much? It was a good wrap up, but I knocked off a half a star since it seemed like it was trying too hard to give a good ending.

Don't judge Bye, Baby on the title. While part of the plot involves a missing infant, the novel mostly explores the deep bonds of friendship, and what happens when the lives of Billie and Cassie move in vastly different directions. Friends since they were kids, Cassie and Billie both grew up in dysfunctional households-although in Billie's case her circumstances were more despicable than dysfunctional. Going to college at different schools in the same city, Cassie and Billie lean on each other through multiple trials with their friendship intact. Until Cassie starts hanging out with a wealthy crowd and eventually marries Grant- his trust fund makes Cassie overlook the fact that Grant is a cad, while Billie struggles to pay her bills. It's really hard to like Cassie-she is pretentious and selfish-and you instantly side with Billie as Cassie and her friends exclude Billie from their lives. But when things take a very dark turn it's Cassie you'll cry for. An exploratory tale about the "haves and have nots," Bye, Baby is gripping and intense, with a series of extremely poor choices at the center. The writing is edgy in the best way, and while all the characters (except for Billie's new boyfriend Alex) are deficient in empathy while overflowing with greed, you'll get sucked into their orbit quickly. Bye, baby explores an age old conundrum..is the opposite of love hate or apathy, and really which is worse? Even more, you'll forever ponder another eternal question...do two wrongs ever make a right?

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!

4/5 stars! Sometimes the stories that keep us hooked are the ones where we DESPISE the characters. The unlikable characters (minus poor Baby Ella) don’t drag the story down, but instead, keep the reader moving along and wondering, “gosh, what will they do next?”

The story is split into two unique parts: Part 1 gives essential background information, specifically building the personas of the main characters. Part 2 answers the burning questions. The ending did not completely satisfy me. I was hoping for more character development or “lessons learned” for Cassie and Billy.

Many thrillers lose readers along the way with sub plots and flashbacks. While past and present events coexisted in Bye, Baby, the author moved the story along in a way that doesn’t confuse the reader.

Quick beach read for the
influencer age. Murder,
kidnapping, Insta.
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

I give haiku reviews but am happy to provide more feedback.