Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I enjoy this author and was thrilled to be approved to read this before all my friends and family could get their hands on it. I found this to be an engaging read that kept me guessing until the very last page. Lots of twists and turns.

One of my favorite reads of 2024! This story had me completely hooked and I finished it in 2 days. I've since recommended this book to many friends and readers in my bookstagram community. Billie and Cassie were both so unlikeable yet I loved them. I really enjoyed the scene being around 'influencers' and haven't read many books with influencer main characters.

As someone raised in NYC, I loved the descriptions of these Gramercy moms and it was very realistic!

I've come to learn i just am not a fan of this author. Her stories do not captivate me like I hope they do and I was rather bored during this one.

Really enjoyed this one! The pacing was excellent and I loved the twists. Will be picking up more by this author!

Y'all - what is wrong with Carola Lovering? I swear she writes the most demented characters. There are two perspectives/MCs in this book - Billie and Cassie. Billie is more relatable - flawed, wanting to cling to her best friend of the past, afraid to get close to new people - but honestly, she steals a baby, so can we really like her? As a mother myself, I want to like Cassie. There are moments when I really connected with her love for her daughter. But she's just cruel and cares more about money and status that true friendship.

The pacing was great with this book. It opens hectic, chaotic, and deep into the story, but evens out as we get to know both characters better. Maybe the bias towards Billie is because we really get to know her past better in flashbacks to her teen years. Cassie's in those flashbacks too, but they seem to focus more on Billie's traumatic experiences and give a better understanding of what led her to be who she is. We get some snippets of Cassie but if feels like it's from Billie's perspective as her best friend and biggest fan.

Lovering is really good about creating morally corrupt characters and then navigating between current day and the past, seeing how their relationships in pivotal years shape their human connections as an adult. It shows how hard it is to separate your needs from the people you were closest to as a teen, and how sometimes you want someone in your life so badly, you're willing to do basically anything to keep them there.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book!! Its written in 2 timelines, you follow the friendship. Of Cassie and Billie. Best friends from childhood, but things change as they age. Billie doesnt know what to do to fix things, and then a tragedy happens. Billie is there to help Cassie, but Oh! The drama that unfolds!! I couldnt put this book down and read it in no time! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

Backstabbing and betrayal galore! Some of my favorite things to read about. So many secrets between Billie and Cassie. Their relationship is toxic. I couldn‘t turn away.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering is a thrilling, fast-paced psychological drama about love, obsession, and the consequences of secrets. The story centers on a woman named Violet, whose life spirals out of control after a traumatic event tied to her past resurfaces. Lovering’s writing is suspenseful and emotionally charged, capturing the intensity of Violet’s internal struggles while revealing unexpected twists. The narrative keeps readers on edge, blending mystery with a deep exploration of relationships and trust. Bye, Baby is a compelling, addictive read, perfect for fans of gripping psychological thrillers and complex characters.

BYE, BABY REVIEW💙
rating: 4⭐️
genre: suspense (not a thriller!!!)
read if you liked: Only If You’re Lucky

Billie and Cassie have been friends for over twenty years and secrets they have kept have bonded them for decades. But in recent years, they have drifted apart - and their lives couldn’t be more different now. Cassie is married to a wealthy man and has recently become a mom, meanwhile Billie is single, childless and no longer fits into Cassie’s life. Billie will do anything to restore their friendship - but at what cost? When Cassie’s daughter goes missing and ends up with Billie, Billie is left pondering if the truth would completely shatter their friendship or will it somehow help to mend them back together?

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Carola Lovering’s books I have read. She tends to write characters that you love to hate, and this rings true with Bye, Baby as well! This book is told in alternating perspectives and offers a mix of drama amongst the two main characters and a few bits of suspense along the way. It’s really easy to become invested in the dynamic between Cassie and Billie. I enjoyed how the author explored their friendship and the complexities that typically come with female friendships, especially long-term friendships!

I did a mix of reading and listening and equally enjoyed both! 🎧📕The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker and Helen Laser and they did a great job of creating these characters and telling the story in an engaging way! I don’t think you could go wrong with physical or audiobook for this one! #byebaby #suspensebook #popularbook #carolalovering #bookreview

I will not be reviewing any St. Martin's Press titles until they address the racist comments one of their employees made in October. See @readersforaccountability on IThis was my first Carola Lovering book and I wasn't a fan. It was fine. But who would do this?! What friend would "accidentally" kidnap another friend's baby?! No one. C'mon. That's ridiculous. I was a mother for less than a month when I read this. lol. This got really slow when it should've been picking up speed. I read this book in February 2024 while boycotting SMP.nstagram.

Carola Lovering’s Bye, Baby is a tense, addictive thriller that dives deep into the messy realities of female friendship. Billie and Cassie were once inseparable, but adulthood has pushed them apart—Cassie now has a wealthy husband, a baby, and a picture-perfect influencer life, while Billie feels left behind. But when Cassie’s infant daughter goes missing, and Billie is the one holding her, their fractured relationship takes a dark, twisted turn.

Told in alternating perspectives, the novel explores obsession, loyalty, and the secrets that bind us. Lovering nails the complicated dynamics of long-term friendships—the love, the resentment, and the desperation to hold on to the past. The tension is razor-sharp, and as the story unfolds, it’s impossible to look away.

If you love slow-burning psychological thrillers with complex, flawed characters (think The Push or Little Secrets), this one’s for you. It’s not just a mystery—it’s a deep dive into how friendships evolve, how childhood trauma lingers, and how far someone might go to reclaim what they’ve lost. Chilling, emotional, and impossible to put down.

I absolutely loved this book and @carolatlovering is one of my favorite authors.

I actually read this one months ago as soon as I got it I had to read it. It’s an addictive book that will keep you turning the pages while shaking your head. I promise you will love every minute of it. This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.

Thank you so much @stmartinspress for this amazing box and I LOVE the Baird College sweat shirt. Tell me Lies is one of my favorite shows I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to wear this. Also, if you haven’t seen that show yet definitely check it out on Hulu and pick up the book too!

I have read another book by Carola Lovering so I was very excited to receive this ARC. There is so much drama packed into this novel. A novel about friendships and decisions that lead to other decisions. It is full of domestic drama and at first you don't like Billie but come to realize why she makes the decisions she does.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering is a domestic thriller that hooks you early with its dark secrets and complicated friendships but ultimately doesn’t fully deliver on its promising premise. The story centers around the toxic dynamic between two lifelong friends, exploring themes of envy, betrayal, and the blurred lines between love and obsession. Lovering is skilled at digging into messy, emotional relationships, and that’s where the novel shines.

The pacing is solid, with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, and the exploration of female friendship—especially the jealousy and competition that can sometimes lurk beneath the surface—feels raw and authentic. However, where Bye, Baby stumbles is in its character development. Both protagonists are deeply flawed, which can make for an interesting read, but at times their actions feel more driven by plot convenience than genuine motivation.

The ending, while unexpected, felt a bit rushed and left some threads hanging, which might leave some readers unsatisfied. Still, Lovering’s writing is engaging, and if you enjoy thrillers about complex friendships with a dark edge, this one might be worth a try.

Not perfect, but a quick, bingeable read for fans of domestic suspense.

This one kept me reading for two days straight. It's a tale of obsessive friendship and secrets from the past.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for providing me am ARC of this novel.

This wasn't as much a thriller book as it was a book about a very toxic relationship. Still, I wasn't sure how the story would go so I was on my seat the entire time. It was a very interesting read though, and I really liked the book, even if I didn't like the characters as much. LOL

I am no sure why i requested this one, if I did, but it was not my cup of tea. I know many love books like this but I am not one of them. Thansk to Netgalley and the publisher

If you love books with toxic friendships then Bye, Baby is for you.

I was really looking forward to this book as it is marketed as a thriller which I think was not the right genre to classify this novel. While there was a bit of mystery/suspense in Bye, Baby it was very mild and slightly boring. While overall, I enjoyed the premise of the book, I did not love it like I wanted to.

This book presents an intriguing exploration of friendship and the significant consequences of seemingly small decisions. It delves deeply into the nuances of relationships, illustrating how even the smallest choices can have profound ripple effects on the lives of the characters.

I anticipated a more intriguing outcome, expecting dramatic twists or high-stakes scenarios. However, the narrative took a different approach, focusing on the quiet yet meaningful moments that shape the characters' lives. While this subtle storytelling style was satisfying in its own way, it left me with a sense of flatness. The lack of dramatic tension or climactic resolution may not appeal to everyone, but the story's strength lies in its portrayal of the beauty of ordinary moments.

Overall, this book offers a thoughtful and relatable narrative, highlighting the depth of friendships and the impact of our everyday choices. It may not deliver the grandiose excitement some readers seek, but it excels in its exploration of the human experience through understated and profound storytelling.

I actually had an advance readers copy from NetGalley for this book, but forgot about it. What a huge regret.

Bye, Baby follows two best friends Cassidy and Billie. There childhood, venture into adulthood, and an estranged friendship.

It’s a dual point of view and timelines from the past to present day.

The story was realistic, definitely for leaving people who belong in the past where they’re supposed to be.

I was so nervous wondering what was going to happen next. The author did a great job weaving all the characters, their dynamics and friendships in this book.

I can’t wait to read more by Carola Lovering.