I LOVED this book! The thriller aspect was intriguing and I didn't want to stop listening. Carola Lovering does it again!

I really liked the characters in this story. For once, I felt like I was able to sympathize and understand unlikeable characters, and they were pretty complex. However, literally nothing happens in this book. I don’t even know what genre to call this book, but the plot isn’t very moving but at the same time it went by quickly.

Oh my gosh - this book was amazing!!! I’m so mad at myself for putting this one off. I listened to it in one sitting - it’s one of those kind of books. I can’t wait to recommend this to friends and social media followers.

Taut, emotional, and deeply absorbing, Bye, Baby explores the complexities of female friendship with a sharp psychological edge. Carola Lovering dives into themes of jealousy, motherhood, and betrayal through a twisty, suspenseful plot that keeps readers on their toes. The shifting perspectives add tension and depth, building toward a gripping finale. A thought-provoking thriller that lingers long after you finish.

This book was so cringey good. Fueled by obsession and toxic friendships you are not going to look away from this car crash.

There are a lot of themes in the book so that might feel like a lot, but it all comes together.

To top it off the production team hit a grand slam with dual narration by Helen Laser and Karissa Vacker, (Chef’s kiss)

Thank you so very much for the opportunity to review this audio book production.

Ohhh this was my kind of toxic friendship story! I loved how it was written, and the narrator did a FANTASTIC job. Highly recommend this one!

What I really found interesting about this book is that it's not a thriller or suspense, because the reader knows what happened right from the beginning. It's more of a matter of having second hand anxiety about when will the shoe drop. It's more of a dramatic examination of a friendship over time, how it's changed, how people change, power dynamics in relationships, and how one impulsive decision could change your life.

I enjoyed the audiobook narration - both female narrators have great voices and really help capture you within the story.

Great read! First read from this author. This book makes me want to read more from this author. Kept my attention and interest until the end.

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

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.

Bye, Baby is a whodunit, yet we know exactly from the beginning. The “how we got to this point” was much better than everything that happened once the truth was out there.

This is my first read from Carola Lovering. Its told in alternating perspectives, Bye, Baby 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.

Many thanks to Netgalley for introducing my to a new author. This book captures the complicated nature of women's relationships and choices.

I absolutely love this book. It brings the current life into a book. A lot of books you read nowadays are ones that are a little dated, but this one talks about real life things happening right now and how social media is I loved it.

Billie and Cassie are childhood friends who support one another through trials and trauma. However, after college, Cassie slowly pulls away from her friendship with Billie as she finds wealthier, more connected friends. At the beginning of the book, Cassie’s four-month-old baby goes missing at a party. The book explains this mystery but mainly focuses on Cassie and Billie’s relationship over time and how it evolved. Major themes include friendship, loyalty, and trauma. This is a book you can't put down and unlike anything I have read in a long time. Thank you for the advanced copy!

Toxic female friendships is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes as you never know who to cheer for! This situation was HARROWING! I hated everyone and it was a fantastic time!

I felt like I was sitting and waiting alongside with Billie waiting to see when she’ll get caught. Once realizing why Billie was so trauma bonded to Cassie made me understand Billie as a character more. I like an alternating POV and flipping from past to present and this book did it well.

Carola Lovering doesn't miss. I loved Tell Me Lies and this was no different. Told in alternating voices, viewpoints, we go back and forward in time to find out how this friendship became so toxic. A well done story about facing life’s challenges and finding one’s own way.

Although I enjoyed this narration, this story just wasn’t for me. I didn’t really connect with the characters and that made it difficult to enjoy.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

I love a good thriller audiobook. The plot line of this story was extremely captivating and I found myself putting in my airpods and listening to the story as I completed my housework/folded laundry. As a new(ish) mother myself, the story hooked me instantly (no spoilers!) and I just needed to find out what would happen next.

I will read everything Carola Lovering writes! This was great - loved the narration and the story. It was eery and surprising. While I don't think it was her most successful book, it was still entertaining and a quick and compelling listen. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

This book is so unique in that it’s a thriller but it’s central theme is friendship. It was fascinating to read, but there is a lot of childhood trauma told in flashbacks, so I would recommend checking content warnings on the StoryGraph app, which include sexual exploitation and rape of a minor.