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𝘼 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙢𝙖, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨.

I’ve read one book from this author before and thought it was fine, I did go into this a little bit hesitant, but I actually really enjoyed it.

I went into this knowing as little as possible. I honestly enjoyed the writing style in this. I did a mix of the physical book and audio, both were solid choices.

In this, we follow Cassie and Billie, who are both such interesting characters. Cassie was much more unlikable, but Billie was a great character you just wanted the best for. I loved the alternating perspectives between the two and how the story had flashbacks every now and then.

The story kind of took a disturbing route in regards to Billie’s past, it was traumatic and sad (I would check up trigger warnings). Honestly, Cassie was not the greatest friend and it was so emotional seeing how Billie felt.

This does touch on themes like friendships, loneliness, feeling left out, grieving, secrets, and lies. The triggers can be intense for some.

I was completely invested in the story from the very beginning. It was thought-provoking and well-written. It did drag a bit and this was more of a character-driven story, don’t expect it to be as thrilling. Overall, this was a gripping, engaging, and unputdownable story between two so-called friends.

Thank you so much NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the physical copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars
I had to adjust a bit when reading this as it is less thriller-y than I was expecting, but once I just let the story be what it is I liked it better. The most interesting thing about this book was tracking the friendship between Billie and Cassie. It's hard to say much without being spoiler-y though. It is interesting to see how the two friends process a traumatic event differently.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book.

Wow, I really enjoyed this one! Based on the description, I thought I was reading a thriller, but this book is not. It is a book on friendship, growing up, growing apart, loyalties, and how to deal with being left behind. This book was raw, very real, and captivating. I was drawn into the saga of Cassie and Billie, and the pages kept turning. It was a book I wanted to drop everything else and just read for hours.

I felt all characters were very realistic, the situations relatable, and the emotions could be felt. I was frustrated with Cassie's obsession with social media, and the person that turned her into, with her overwhelming desire to fit in. My heart ached for Billie for being the girl left behind. But yet, we all have those childhood friend who we are bound to forever, no matter how much the future and actions of those we love hurt us. I felt every part of this book. I will be looking for more books by this author. Recommended.

I feel this book is not being marketed properly- it is not a thriller, but it is much more intense than a typical woman's fiction or fluff.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering. I love the alternating perspectives. This book was full of suspense, and it's hard to even explain without giving anything away. I was curious throughout how it would end. I would highly recommend this!

Have you ever been that friend that was left out or left behind when someone's life changed...? Then you might know a little something about how Billie West feels.... when I picked up 'Bye, Baby' I was absolutely NOT expecting to be so sucked into the toxic friendship spiral that is Billie and Cassie.

What I loved most about Bye, Baby is the theoretically/phsychological reckoing we're forced into: We all deserve to forge new paths and become the best versions of ourselves.. but what if someone feels left out? Do you feel bad? Do you need to metaphorically save yourself before you save others?

and on the flip side...

Are you a person that wants the best for others, or do you obsessively watch them and their life changes? Do you want that happiness for yourself?

Friendships change but some people never should've gotten so close!! **Even though I feel like 'Bye, Baby' is a fantastic insight into female friendships in this day and age - I truly think anyone will love this suspenseful, alternating POV thriller!

**Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Overall story rating:
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Audiobook rating: 5/5
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Hello new auto-buy author! 👋🏼 Carola Lovering’s writing style is fantastic. I had read her other book Too Good To Be True and really enjoyed that, but I like this one even more!

This book was so good! I had the pleasure of reading and listening to this one and it was such a great experience. The audiobook was amazing! I absolutely loved the narration and how the characters emotions and personalities came through the audio. It was perfection!

I would not call this one much of a thriller, maybe a domestic thriller but one that makes you conflicted as you feel for both the main characters.

I really enjoyed the ending of this one but I wish there was a little bit more! I was so sad it was over.

I would absolutely recommend this one if you love a story about evolving friendships and how life can change at any moment.

I am rounding up to five stars for my review because I had an emotional connection to this story and felt so intrigued on where it would go, even when the main plot is revealed so early in the book!

Thank you St. Martin’s press for the ARC! This will be published in March of 2024!

Wow. This book drew me in immediately and would not let me go until the very last page. A relatable friendship going through the twists and turns of life, the characters responses to their situation and each other were loving, fierce, toxic and tragic. Cassie and Billie will stick with you long after you close the book.

“And isn’t that a requisite of loving someone—to grow complacent to their most fatal flaw? To suppress the urge to change them until it all but disappears? The practice resembles acceptance, but the process is more painful. It’s more like sacrifice.”

On a brisk night in a New York apartment, Billie West hears terrified screams. It's her lifelong best friend Cassie Barnwell, one floor above, and she's just realized her infant daughter has gone missing. Billie looks down into her own arms to see the baby, remembering—with a jolt of fear—that she is responsible for the kidnapping that has instantly shattered Cassie’s world.

This is a pulse pounding, stay up past your bedtime, skip life’s responsibilities to figure out what is going to happen type of thriller!
The type of book that you want to fly through but that you don’t want to end. A book hangover book. The best type of book. 👏🏻👏🏻

This story is told from dual pov, Billie and Cassie, and with dual narrators for the audiobook (one of which is Karissa Vacker so you already know, the other is Helen Laser who was also great). It’s written as a countdown with each chapter noting the amount of days before the “incident”. And during flashback chapters it’s written in a different font. Loved that touch!

Bye, Baby was just fabulous! Every time I start a book I hope that it will take me on a ride like this one did. Wow. Thank you thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, @carolatlovering, and St Martin’s Press for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. Bye, Baby is a suspense novel about two long-time friends who have drifted apart. They carry a secret between them about an incident when they were teens. Cassie has moved on to a more upscale life with a husband, penthouse apartment, a baby and her own brand name store. Billie has achieved success but is unmarried and doesn't want children. As the friends grow further apart, Billie can't let go and it culminates in an act that she will regret. Carola Lovering's story is faced paced and tense. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the suspense/drama genre.

As the book begins Cassie discovers that her baby Ella is missing. We know that narrator Billie has taken Ella, but we don’t know why. We weave through the friendship between the two women to see what brings them to this crisis point.

A just OK novel. I really couldn’t relate to Billie at all. In fact, everyone in this novel seemed pretty terrible. I thought I would like this more.

I previously read this author’s book Tell Me Lies and thoroughly enjoyed it. There seems to be a theme of feminism or female power in that book and this which I love. The choice to whether or not have children is a hotly debated topic not just in this country but across the globe. While it was a topic throughout the book, I felt like the true overarching subject was friendships and what happens when they run their course or we outgrow friends. This topic hit home for me as it’s something I personally have gone through with friends and I think the author did a good job of exploring that. The added suspense with the baby made it a page-turner that I couldn’t put down!

Trigger warning: Topics of abuse and sexual assault.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to #netgalley for approving my request for Bye,Baby!

I just discovered Carola Lovering’s work via audible over this past summer and needless to say she has yet to disappoint! This latest novel is an excellent and captivating tale! As a woman who hasn’t had a “BFF” in quite sometime post motherhood and relationships/marriages. This book truly resonated with me.

There’s so many takeaways from this book. From Billie’s social media stalking to Cassie’s over sharing on the platform, to the nuances of outgrowing or running from your past life. I think Cassie was very obsessed and obnoxious during those college years and trying to fit in with McCay. I was totally not surprised to see her scale back her friendship with Billie as she no longer fit the “aesthetics” of what Cassie’s new reality had become.
Additionally, I thought it was very in form with Cassie’s character to not accept Billie’s “news” about Grant & his inappropriate behavior towards Jane. Naturally, Cassie was not about to miss out on her “meal ticket” to escape middle class mediocrity (an identity she’s been running from since we were introduced to her in the story). I also think Billie should’ve been smart enough to know that there was no way in hell that Cassie was going to be receptive to the idea of Grant being a JERK whether it was true or not and especially coming from Billie. Truly a sad situation that hinders so many friendships/relationships in fiction and in reality!
However, as a reader it was very difficult to understand Billie’s obsession with Cassie upon reaching adulthood. The stalker vibes were out of this world and so extremely creepy on Billie’s behalf. And to climb up that fire escape like a raging lunatic was so despicable and thrilling at the same time! I mean I couldn’t believe what I was reading!
Wade absolutely got what he deserved!
Lastly, I’d totally recommend this book especially if you’re a fan of the author.

~~A few things that will stick with me after reading this book:
~Be mindful of how much we share personal information on the internet.
~Reminder of how meaningless material things are, when faced with “real” life situations
~Also how so many things are facades, especially the social media realm
~Trauma Bonds are Real and can be very Unhealthy

This was my first Carola Lovering read and it did not disappoint ! I live for complicated and toxic girl friend dynamics and I was constantly torn between yelling at Cassie and Billie to finally figure it out or just stay far far away from each other. While some of the twists weren’t entirely unpredictable, I was still fascinated by how they handled the things that came their way and the fallout from certain incidents. I requested and read this without having any idea what it was about and I strongly encourage everyone to do the same !

Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a Carola Lovering fan so I was pumped to see this in my inbox! I was a little worried about the concept as a mom of two little kids.

The story surrounds two childhood friends, Cassie and Billie. They grew up on Long Island with troubled childhoods and grow apart in adulthood.

Cassie has a four month old daughter named Ella who she is obsessed with. Billie is childless by choice and ends up taking Cassie's baby almost without realizing it.

Carola is the queen of toxic relationships, romantic and platonic, and I enjoyed this one. It delves into Cassie being an influencer and Billie stalking her on Instagram. I thought the ending wrapped up a little too cleanly which is why I only rated it four stars, felt a little anticlimactic and I saw a couple of the plot points coming.

Fabulous book. Not really a thriller and not really a domestic drama but overall just good. I enjoyed the characters and the story surrounding the plot.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3

Bye, Baby is categorized as a Mystery/Thriller but I didn't find that to be the case (hence rounding down to 3 stars).

The book follows Cassie and Billie who have outgrown their childhood/teen/college years friendship and have become extremely toxic to each other. Both characters are unlikeable but I had sympathy for both at different times during the book.

It took me less than a day to read because I wanted to know what would happen next and how everything would be resolved. Would a childhood secret be exposed? Would Billie's act of insanity be uncovered and end the friendship for good?

The ending fell flat for me. Without giving too much away, I hard disagree with how things all came together and the lack of consequences in the end.

Carola Lovering's "Bye, Baby" takes readers on a compelling exploration of complex relationships, seamlessly weaving together various themes such as friendship, motherhood, careers in the age of social media, dementia, and the delicate issue of sexual abuse. The novel showcases Lovering's distinctive writing style, characterized by its accessibility and a captivating narrative that effortlessly guides readers through the intricacies of the storyline.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the skillful development of characters. Lovering introduces a diverse cast, each intricately crafted with depth and nuance. The characters come to life on the pages, allowing readers to form genuine connections with their stories. The author's ability to navigate through the intricacies of friendship, motherhood, and the evolving dynamics of relationships adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

The exploration of themes such as friendship is particularly noteworthy. The evolving relationship between Billie and Cassie reflects the inevitable changes that occur as people grow and mature. The novel beautifully captures the essence of how friendships can transform over time, a poignant reminder that personal growth can reshape the connections we hold dear.

Lovering also delves into the impact of social media on individuals' lives, shedding light on the facade of perfection often presented online. The book serves as a compelling commentary on the curated nature of social media, emphasizing that what is showcased is often a mere highlight reel, masking the complexities and struggles that individuals may be facing behind the screen.

Moreover, "Bye, Baby" addresses sensitive topics such as dementia and sexual abuse with a nuanced approach. The inclusion of these themes adds depth to the narrative, showcasing Lovering's ability to tackle complex subjects with empathy and thoughtfulness.

While the wish for Billie and Cassie's friendship to endure may linger in readers' minds, the novel's portrayal of changing friendships serves as a powerful reflection of the realities of life. Lovering skillfully navigates the complexities of human connections, making the reader ponder the inevitability of change and growth.
In conclusion, "Bye, Baby" is a captivating read that combines a compelling storyline with well-developed characters and a keen exploration of multifaceted themes. Carola Lovering's writing style proves to be both engaging and accessible, making this novel a must-read for those who appreciate thought-provoking contemporary fiction.

Billie was abused by her stepfather until Cassie stepped in. They've kept the secret ever since. Cassie has become an Instagram influencer who seemingly has it all while Billie works for a successful luxury travel company. Unfortunately, Cassie has cut Billie out of her life and in one crazy moment, Billie does something shocking. This was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending felt true to form and the characters were enjoyable. Definitely a cautionary tale about social media and toxic friendships.

I really enjoyed this book and how it wove some suspense into what I'd otherwise consider "women's fiction". I think anyone in their 20s-30s will relate to this book and its social commentary about changes in friendships, particularly friendships from childhood, college, etc that evolve as we mature. We've all been a Billie and we've all been a Cassie (maybe minus the career as an influencer). There's been many books over the last decade or so that feature a narrator who's an influencer or has a sizable social media following and I've found that sometimes that POV can get repetitive, which was the case here towards the end. The characters were intentionally unlikeable at points, but I mostly found myself seething at Cassie's behavior and feeling bad for Billie, even when her behavior was questionable. Overall, this was a definite page turner with plenty of the author's savvy commentary and wit throughout.

This is by far my favorite Carola Lovering book! I loved the social media angle; I think this does a great job shining a light on the superficial/fake nature of influencers. The toxic friendship was also very well written.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.