I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I felt for both Cassie and Billie. As messed up as their friendship was, I wanted it to work. However, I found the story repetitive, and there definitely should be a content/trigger warning regarding Billie and her step-father Wade - sexual assault/rape.

In "Bye, Baby," Carola Lovering weaves a gripping tale of friendship, secrets, and the haunting impact of choices. Set against the backdrop of New York City, this novel explores the complexities of lifelong bonds and the fractures that threaten to shatter them.

While marketed as a thriller, and the suspense throughout is palpable, the narrative leans more toward friendship drama. The story kicks off with a shocking revelation: protagonist Billie West realizes she’s responsible for her best friend Cassie Barnwell’s infant daughter going missing. As the story unfolds and incidents in the women's pasts are revealed, tension builds as Billie grapples with guilt and tries to salvage their friendship.

Lovering excels at character-driven storytelling. Billie and Cassie’s relationship, once unbreakable, faces strain in adulthood. Cassie’s newfound priorities clash with Billie’s loyalty, creating a compelling dynamic. The tipping point—the baby’s disappearance—sets the stage for emotional turmoil and self-discovery.

"Bye, Baby" is compulsively readable, delving into themes of forgiveness, trauma, and the enduring echoes of childhood. It’s a novel that lingers, leaving readers pondering the lasting effect of the choices one makes. Lovering’s prose is both evocative and relatable, drawing readers into the heart of the narrative, and gripping you from the first page. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates layered friendships and the complexities of human connection.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bye, Baby is the same author as Tell Me Lies - a crazy thriller and a Hulu show last year!

Bye, Baby was a wild thriller right off the start but it didn’t stay as crazy as I expected. I was enjoying this thriller but it felt super predictable and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop when it never did.

This book ended up being more of a family drama than a murder mystery type book and was still super interesting and had me hooked til the end.

I think Carola Lovering has a way of writing intriguing characters that keep you hooked and interested in these crazy people and their crazy lives.

"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering grips you from the first page and doesn't let go until the very end. This gripping mystery thriller unravels a complex dynamic between the two main characters, Cassie and Billie, whose troubled past and present intertwine in unexpected ways.

Lovering skillfully navigates between past and present, slowly revealing the tumultuous history between Cassie and Billie, making the reader desperate to uncover the truth behind their fractured relationship. The tension builds as we witness the unraveling of their bond against the backdrop of a horrifying kidnapping.

The heart-pounding moment when Billie realizes she's responsible for the abduction of Cassie's infant daughter is just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. The author expertly crafts a narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end, with each revelation adding another layer of complexity to the story.

While the ending may not satisfy everyone's expectations, it's undeniably thought-provoking and leaves room for interpretation. Despite this, "Bye, Baby" is still a must-read for fans of the genre. Lovering's writing is sharp, her characters are flawed yet compelling, and the pacing is relentless.

Overall, "Bye, Baby" is a gripping and intense thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page. Despite its slightly imperfect ending, it's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. I would highly recommend it and rate it four stars.

Billie 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. What is she doing here and how did the baby wind up in her arms? She was just supposed to be checking her bosses apartment while she was away but heard the poor baby crying and no one paying attention so she took matters into her own hand. Her estranged best friend turns to her for comfort but how can she keep the secret that she was the one who took her baby?

Thank you netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC

There was a lot to this one that I found enjoyable! The story started really strong but I thought towards the end some steam was lost. The toxic friendship component and the unlikeable characters made for some great drama too!
Thank you St Martins Press for the ARC.

This is supposed to be a thriller??
I kept waiting for another twist or something else to make it "a thriller". It was however a lot of drama. Also, if you read the blurb it tells you most of the book. So I recommend going in blind. I enjoyed it but definitely expected more.

Thank you for this ARC

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Carola Lovering for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told from two povs: Cassie and Billie. It is told from the present with flashbacks to the past.

The story opens with Billie having just taken her childhood friend, Cassie’s, baby. Cassie unaware of who has taken her baby is screaming for Billie.

Then the story goes back to the events leading up to the kidnapping.

It also flashes back to Cassie and Billie’s blossoming friendship growing up.

Cassie was always determined to marry wealthy and she did. She and her husband, Grant, live it an affluent neighborhood in NY. Cassie is an influencer and shares all aspects of her life with her followers. From her morning smoothie to her yoga classes, nothing is off limits. She flaunts her wealth and brags about brand names. Billie is desperate to maintain her friendship with Cassie. She texts her, but often revives to response. Billie is really a burden to Cassie and her wealthy mommy friends.

Cassie was an unlikable character. She was selfish, entitled, and narcissistic. Billie wasn’t much better. While you felt sorry for what she went through in her past, her obsession with Cassie was annoying.

Overall it was a good story. I kept waiting for there to be some big twist, but that never happened.

3 1/2 stars rounded up

Bye, Baby is the story of two friends who were close when they were young, but grew apart when they grew up. They each had difficult upbringings in their own way, but they shared a secret that bound them forever. Cassie wanted the wealthy lifestyle she enjoyed as a child before her parents fell on hard times and were relegated to the middle class. Billie loses her mother to dementia, then death and suffers horrid abuse at the hands of her lecherous stepfather. Billie tries to remain in Cassie's life, but Cassie wants to leave the past behind. Once she marries well and becomes an influencer, everything is about image and appearance. Billie reminds her too much of the life she quite intentionally left behind. I began reading this book with some trepidation because I don't do well with "child in jeopardy" scenarios. Right in the description it says that Billie kidnapped Cassie's baby, so I was nervous. Those with similar sensibilities should know that it's fine. The kidnapping was more of a misunderstanding, but one that seemed nearly impossible to resolve. The book was well-written, alternating the perspectives of Cassie and Billie. The story moved at a good pace, with enticing bits of evidence doled out along the way, but never became predictable. I definitely intend to seek out other books by this author.

"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. The way Lovering intertwines the lives of her characters is nothing short of masterful. Each chapter revealed new layers of complexity, making predicting what would happen next impossible. The themes of love, loss, and the lengths we go to protect our secrets are beautifully explored. I was particularly struck by the raw and honest portrayal of the character's inner struggles. This novel is a poignant reminder of the fragility of trust and the enduring power of love. Highly recommend! Thanks to Carola Lovering, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering offers a gripping exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the haunting shadows of the past. As lifelong best friends Billie and Cassie confront the aftermath of a chilling abduction, their once unbreakable bond is tested by secrets and guilt. With alternating perspectives and a suspenseful narrative, Lovering delves into the complexities of womanhood, motherhood, and the enduring power of forgiveness. This riveting tale leaves readers pondering the depths of loyalty and the resilience of the human spirit.

"Bye Baby" by Carola Lovering is a mesmerizing and unsettling thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows a young mother, Amanda, who returns to her small hometown after her baby goes missing, only to discover that she's not the only one searching for her child. As the investigation unfolds, Lovering expertly weaves together a complex web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, expertly ratcheting up the tension and suspense. With its unique blend of psychological insight and pulse-pounding plot twists, "Bye Baby" is a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. While I appreciate the concept, it simply wasn't holding my attention.

{Book Review} Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Always a fan of thrillers with either domestic or friendship dynamics, BYE, BABY by Carola Lovering sounded intriguing the minute I read the summary. Thank you @stmartinspress for the review copy!

Billie and Cassie have been friends since 8th grade and when we meet them in present day, Billie knows Cassie has been pulling back and not super interested in her friendship for years. Cassie has indeed been pulling back and acting like Billie is an inconvenience.

We get both women’s POVs and I found them fascinating. I couldn’t put the book down and I loved reading both of their perspectives even if I definitely had my opinion of who I thought was the wronged party in the friendship.

Their friendship was complicated to say the least but honest to goodness so fascinating and such a great book to discuss in a book club setting. The first part of the book builds up to Billie finding herself holding Cassie’s baby who has gone missing. The second half shows the aftermath of what happens next.

This book was addicting and had me filled with a lot of anxiety as to how this was all going to turn out. I liked the ending and even if I thought it felt a little…anti-climactic, I mean that in the best way.

I would highly recommend this book if you want an unputdownable story that will really have you thinking deep thoughts about friendship and the dynamics surrounding a person’s character vs the grace you give to someone you love.

This book was entertaining and I did finish it. This is saying good things since lately several books have left me returning them early or never picking them back up. The story had a lot of different side stories going which I enjoyed. It was also wrapped up nicely at the end. The major plot piece left me scratching my head a bit, but the author worked into the story nicely. Thanks to the publisher and net galley for the advanced read.

A tale of two lifelong friends, filled with secrets, lies, and a toxic relationship that traps you and doesn't let go.

Billie and Cassie have been through a lot together. As kids they were inseparable, but as they start transitioning into adulthood, the dynamic of their friendship shifts and becomes a toxic, co-dependent relationship that leads to betrayal, jealousy, and tragedy.

This book is marketed as a thriller and it is not, but regardless I enjoyed it for what it was - a domestic/friendship drama. I found myself coming back to the audiobook to see what direction their relationship would head to next. Told in alternating views, I enjoyed getting to know each character individually. This is a very character-driven plot and having alternating POV's puts things into perspective nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this book.

Talk about a toxic friendship! Billie and Cassie are friends from childhood but have slowly drifted apart. Billie is single and works in travel and Cassie is married with a baby and is also an influencer with a huge following. The plot revolves around Cassie's baby going missing and the events before and after this event. I went in thinking the plot would be more mystery/thriller but it was actually more of just contemporary fiction. I'm not sure if that's why my expectations weren't met but unfortunately it did fall short for me. Read this if you like books about complicated relationships + and dash of mystery with some twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I loved that this was handled with care for both mothers and non-mothers. I was surprised to feel sympathy for the character who took the baby. I really liked the spotlight on influencer culture as well. I love Carola Lovering’s books and look forward to her next one!

This book is well written. The author brings the characters to life. Lots of twists and turns. This is the kind of book that makes readers buy all the author's other books.

This was a good read. Where it goes back and forth between the past and present. The story of Cassie and Billie’s friendship is complicated and they have so much history and secrets. They’re relationship has been strained until Cassie’s baby is kidnapped and she needs Billie.