I had to take a step back when I initially picked up this book and remind myself while this is labeled "thriller/mystery" it should really be categorized as psychological as we gaze into the minds of two childhood friends and how their relationship has changed over the years. Neither character is likeable, one being super shallow and concerned more about her Instagram following than her family and the other not understanding that the past is the past and people don't always owe you the same friendship they had with you when you were a teenager. Granted, these two characters are bonded by a traumatic event, that shouldn't necessarily chain you to one another for the rest of your lives.

While switching up the POV was nice, the story itself tended to drag its feet and made for a longer reading experience than hoped for. Half the time I internally rolled my eyes at the toxicity of this friendship and hoped I would act much differently than these two did. You definitely walk away from this book with the lesson rooted in your brain that some friendships are only here for a season and not the long haul... and that's certainly okay. Especially if you gained something from it for your own personal growth.

This story is not a mystery or thriller like I assumed. It is a story of female friendship and how it can evolve and erode Neither of the characters are without major flaws so they are hard to root for. But the writing is enough to keep reading to see what happens. Soap operaesque drama and too many plot points detract from the novel it could have been. Still a decent read with some thoughtful themes.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

The story is told between dueling perspectives of Cassie and Billie. Besties since the age of 12, and slightly estranged now that Cassie is a micro-influencer and a new mother. Billie works full time and has a new relationship on the horizons. They’ve drifted apart, but a dark secret from their past ties them together.

Chefs kiss to the timeline jumps - they were so masterfully placed, and really hooked me. The perfect backstory reveals coinciding with what was happening in present day. (God, to be a fly on the wall in drafting for this one!!!!) I got excited every time I swiped my kindle over to an italicized chapter!

I’m actually an instagram influencer (with more followers than Cassie 💅🏻 😂😉) and generally roll my eyes the entire time I’m reading a book that involves an influencer. (The Beach Trap is another great example of an influencer-approved instagram book!) Carola did SUCH a great job with the vapidness of Cassie (just the right amount 😉), and then how humbled she was. There were some moments when Cassie was getting introspective, and I was like, “excuse me 🥵what do I owe you for this therapy session?!” It was SO well done. And the characters had so much depth.

The ending was well done, believable, and I have no complaints (which is a lot from me 😉)

A must this spring!

2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I really just did not enjoy this book. It's not the author's fault, it wasn't her writing or anything specific to do with her; I just didn't like the story at all. I went into this book assuming it was going to be about a kidnapping, and that it was going to be super tense and thrilling and...it wasn't. That part was super disappointing for me. I did enjoy Billie and her story, but I HATED Cassie. She had no redeeming qualities and she didn't grow at all as a person which I can't stand. She honestly ruined the story for me as I was constantly rolling my eyes at her and Grant. It was slow paced for me and repetitive at times, and so much of it was focused on Cassie being a mom, and being around other moms, and what they were doing with their babies at all times...of course I expected that to be part of the story, just not so much of the story.

I can see how others may enjoy this book, and that's wonderful for them! I've read other books by this author and really liked them. This one just missed the mark for me.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering is 2 parts drama 1 part thriller. The characters were well developed and relatable. The story is interesting with duo timelines that shares the stories of 2 best friends and how their friendship has changed over the years. Growing up together and growing apart as they lead very different lives in adulthood. Overall the book was enjoyable. I was hoping for a bit more thriller/suspense. I'd rate the book as 3½ stars. Thank you netgalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is a gripping and emotionally charged psychological thriller that explores the complexities of love, obsession, and betrayal. Lovering, known for her ability to craft compelling narratives with deep psychological insights, delivers yet another mesmerizing tale that captivates readers from the first page to the last.

The novel unfolds through the alternating perspectives of its two main characters, Blythe and Ted, whose passionate and whirlwind romance takes dark and unexpected turns. Blythe, a young and ambitious woman, falls deeply in love with Ted, a charming and charismatic man. However, as their relationship progresses, the facade of their perfect love story begins to crack, revealing secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything they have built together.

Lovering's skillful storytelling and nuanced character development are on full display in "Bye, Baby." Blythe's character is particularly well-crafted, with her inner thoughts and struggles portrayed with a raw honesty that makes her both relatable and deeply sympathetic. As readers follow Blythe's journey, they are drawn into her increasingly complex world, feeling her love, her pain, and her growing sense of unease.

Ted, on the other hand, is a character shrouded in mystery. Lovering masterfully peels back the layers of Ted's personality, revealing a man far more complex and troubled than he first appears. This gradual unveiling keeps readers on edge, eager to understand the true nature of the man behind the charm.

The narrative is further enriched by Lovering's exquisite prose, which captures the intensity of Blythe and Ted's relationship and the psychological tension that underpins the story. The author's ability to convey the emotional states of her characters with such clarity and depth adds a visceral quality to the reading experience, making "Bye, Baby" a truly immersive novel.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its exploration of the themes of trust, manipulation, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. Lovering does not shy away from delving into the darker aspects of human nature, challenging readers to question their assumptions about love and loyalty.

As the story unfolds, the twists and turns of the plot keep readers guessing, building to a climax that is both shocking and thought-provoking. "Bye, Baby" is not just a thriller; it is a nuanced examination of the human condition, a meditation on the power of love, and the scars it can leave behind.

In conclusion, "Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is a masterfully written psychological thriller that offers an unflinching look at the complexities of relationships and the human psyche. With its compelling characters, evocative prose, and a plot that keeps readers on their toes, it is a novel that lingers long after the final page is turned. For fans of the genre and newcomers alike, "Bye, Baby" is a must-read, a testament to Lovering's talent as a storyteller and her insight into the depths of the heart and mind.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

4 stars!

"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is an excellent, dramatic, thrilling piece of fiction about toxic friendships, motherhood, our internet-obsessed culture, obsession in general, and trying to erase your past. I really, really dug this story! I couldn't stop reading - I *had* to finish it sooner rather than later. I was totally immersed in this story and these characters! I think this book is very well written, even when it switches between past and present timelines. I found this to be twisty, turn-y, suspenseful, and sort of sad. It is a thoroughly laid-out novel about the dissolution of a friend pairing that was once thought to be indestructible. Though Lovering divulges a big part of what happens in chapter one, that's only a small portion of the puzzle that is Cassie and Billie's decades-long friendship. The book also has an interesting subplot about Cassie being an influencer and how that fuels her paranoia after her baby is kidnapped. She is addicted to her phone, addicted to the praise random strangers give her, addicted to sharing even the most insignificant details of her life for even a modicum of praise. Stories like this make me think twice about what I post about myself, my life, and my people online... you never really know who is watching! So many secrets, so many lies, so much drama - you really can't go wrong with this story! I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Carola Loverling, and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s not a mystery because you learn in the opening chapter that Billie takes Cassie’s baby. It is suspenseful though, as you find out about their past, how it shaped their current relationships, and wonder just how it will all turn out (which I will not give away here). I will say, Billie and Cassie’s relationship is a toxic one – Cassie wants to be the center of attention and Billie just wants to be loved. And neither character is really likable. As for the storyline, I found it to be pretty far-fetched. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it – it is a work of fiction, after all.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary copy of this book. As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.

In *Bye, Baby*, Carola Lovering weaves a gripping domestic thriller that delves into dark secrets, toxic friendships, childhood traumas, and the choices that shape our lives. The novel explores the complexities of female friendships and the lingering echoes of past events.

The story begins on a brisk fall night in a New York apartment. Billie West, now 35 years old, hears terrified screams from her lifelong best friend, Cassie Barnwell, who lives one floor above. Cassie has just realized that her infant daughter is missing. Billie, looking down into her own arms, realizes with fear that she is responsible for the kidnapping that has shattered Cassie’s world.

Told in alternating perspectives, *Bye, Baby* confronts the ways friendships evolve over time, from childhood to adulthood. Carola’s suspenseful style keeps readers hooked as they explore the battling forces of toxicity and love that define so many female friendships.

*Bye, Baby* is a knockout—a character-driven, powerful, and suspenseful novel that will keep you turning the pages. If you enjoy domestic thrillers that delve into the complexities of human relationships, this book is a must-read!

ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ: Two childhood best friends (Cassie and Billie) begin to grow apart until one does something unhinged that brings them back together.

ᴍʏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴄᴇɴᴛs: I read this over a week ago now and I still don’t know how I feel about it. One the one hand, I really enjoyed it and related to a lot of it. On the other hand, I didn’t like either Cassie or Bille and they both seemed incredibly immature for their 30s.

I may have totally understood Cassie’s perspective as a new mom who loses touch with non-mom friends, but she was just so false and entitled that it was hard to feel sympathy for her.

On the flip side, I really related to Billie discovering that no matter how loyal she is to Cassie, at the end of the day her bff is not going to reciprocate the loyalty and Cassie’s other friends will always come first. I have been there with a childhood best friend who betrayed me over and over, so perhaps that’s why I didn’t understand Billie’s obsession. At some point, when too many things have happened, you have to wonder if the bff from when you were 10 is really still your bff or if you just don’t know how or want to let go. After giving too many chances, I am a fan of letting go of the people who take and take without being there when you need them.

The backstory of the girls was also really long and felt like it could’ve been told in a chapter or two without the constant flipping between past and present. Overall, it was a quick read and it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my favorite by this author.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮:
👯‍♀️ love stories about childhood bffs growing apart
👯‍♀️ enjoy books set in NY
👯‍♀️ need a reminder that it’s okay to let go and move on from people

Lovering is a master in writing about drama and toxic relationships and we get all of that and so much more in Bye, Baby.

Told in dual timelines and multiple POV’s, this book is really a slow burn domestic suspense that is a character study in human behavior and the role social media plays in our society.

I love the premise of the story and thought Billie and Cassie’s characters were well developed and It was great getting glimpses into their past to understand how their friendship was formed and evolved. What I had a hard time getting over though was how unlikable they both were😬 - I wanted someone to root for and didn’t get it. Having these two in my ears for 9+ hours with their narcissism and frustrating decisions was maybe a little too much and I wonder if I would have had a different experience reading a physical copy.

In the end I did enjoy the exploration of female friendships and motherhood and if you are a fan of character-driven stories with complex personalities, this may be a book you will want to pick up!

I loved this book. By the end of the story there was so much tension that my anxiety was on high alert and I felt like I was waiting for a murderer to jump into my bedroom with a bloody knife.

Billie and Cassie were best friends growing up. They went to different colleges, but spent weekends together and shared apartments in NYC after graduation. And then Cassie got married to a rich Wall Street guy, had a baby and basically kicked Billie to the curb. Cassie is now a lifestyle influencer and Billie is addicted to Cassie's Instagram account. Bye Baby follows a friendship that turns toxic, and the things that happen as a result.

This book reminded me so much of Ashley Audrain's The Whispers. It elicited those same, nightmarish feelings for me. Normal people caught up in circumstances that could actually occur in real life and that turn out to scary shit shows. I went into this one blind so I didn't really know what was coming, and wow was this a ride. Carola Lovering continues to hit it out of the park and I am a devotee.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering is one of my favorite mystery/thriller books of the year so far! Lovering did an excellent job of keeping this book suspenseful at every turn. The sequencing and pacing were very perfection. I couldn't put it down! I enjoyed reading about these characters, their ascent/descent into madness as well as the cat and mouse/mysterious elements that were consistent from the first page. I need to dig into this author's backlist immediately!

Bye, Baby is the highly anticipated new novel by Carola Lovering. This is the first book I've read of hers, so I didn't know what to expect. What I got was a character-driven story about two friends who have drifted apart. I'm giving this 3 stars because I personally needed more plot, but I know there are a lot of people who will really enjoy this.

Billie and Cassie have been friends since they were teeneagers, with Cassie being the more dominant personality. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to do what she needs to to get it. They've been through a lot together but now that they're grown ups, their lives have gone different directions. Billie is desperate for Cassie to let her back into her life, but Cassie just wants to move on. Then, Cassie's baby, Ella, is taken from their apartment during her 35th birthday party. Who would do such a thing, especially with so many people around? And what is Billie doing with a baby? How did she get here and how can she fix it?

Told from the perspective of both Billie and Cassie in the present and the past, I feel like some of the past was unnecessary. The chapters in the past featuring Billie and her ex, Remy, didn't seem relevant to the story. There was a romance storyline in the present, but her relationship with Remy seemed extraneous. For all of Billie's flaws, she was well-written. Cassie was rich and kind of obnoxious, so she wasn't really a character you could root for. The rest of the characters were pretty much side characters with not a lot of backstory and development. A definite slow burn focusing on just Billie and Cassie, the ending kind of left a little to be desired.

All in all, if you've enjoyed Carola Lovering's other books or like a character study, then you might enjoy this. I think since I like more plot-driven novels, I was maybe not the target audience for this. Check it out if it sounds like your type of story.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

By far my favorite book that I’ve read so far this year. Bye, Baby is fast paced and thought provoking, it had me on the edge of my seat, constantly learning something new at every chapter.

The uniqueness of each character and their past journeys is full of complexity and trauma that as hard as they try not to allow it, bleeds heavily into their current lives. The appeal of doing whatever it takes at a whim, unconsciously is so relatable that at times I found myself emotional for Billie and could see myself in her.

Cassie and Billie are two best friends that are so genuine that I’m sure we could all read about them and pick out someone in our lives that are just like them. As much as I loved Billie’s character and her fight through her inner demons, I did admire Cassie and her fierce love for her child and the urgency to always make her life better.

This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read and I am so glad i did because WOW I could not put it down.

Carola Lovering's 'Bye Baby' is a multifaceted exploration of friendship, trauma, and the complexities of modern womanhood. Through alternating perspectives and timelines, Lovering skillfully unravels the bond between protagonists Billie and Cassie, showcasing the evolution of their relationship from childhood to adulthood. While the novel touches on poignant themes such as trauma, motherhood, and social media influence, the inclusion of multiple subplots and themes occasionally leads to a lack of focus and cohesion. Additionally, some readers may find certain character motivations and actions frustrating or unrealistic. However, Lovering's adept storytelling and vivid characterizations ensure that the narrative remains engaging and thought-provoking throughout. Overall, 'Bye Baby' offers a compelling examination of female friendship and the enduring impact of past traumas, making it a worthwhile read despite its flaws.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars.

A life long friendship turns ugly after one of the friends becomes someone she’s not. Cassie and Billie have been friends their whole lives. They’ve been through so many ups and downs. Through high school, college, and young adulthood they have helped each other navigate everything. Once Cassie is married and has her first child, Ella, Billie isn’t sure where she fits in Cassie’s life.

One night when Billie isn’t invited to a party she takes Ella. She returns her very soon afterwards and wants to forget it ever happens. Cassie can’t forget about it and wants to find out who took her daughter.

Throughout the book I loved the flashbacks: you get to see Cassie and billie’s relationship really build and see where it went wrong. I felt so bad for Billie the whole time. she had a bad childhood and her childhood best friend just leaves her in the dust once Cassie became rich and somewhat famous.

I did like how everything wrapped up in the end. But I still felt so bad for Billie! I wanted Billie to have a happy ending like Cassie did!

I found this book extremely interesting. What really drew me in was the dual perspective, complicated history, female friendship dynamic.

I didn't really like this book, the toxic friendship was too uncomfortable and Cassie really needs help, but I guess having that strong of feelings means the book was actually pretty good I just didn't like it. I'm glad things worked out for Billie thought

Wow I really enjoyed this. I felt strongly about both Billie and Cassidy. Who hasn’t been the friend who feels left behind but who also hasn’t felt like the friend who has outgrown the friendship? I was excited to see how this one ended and the ending felt satisfactory and didn’t leave me wanting more. I will read more from this author. 4.5 overall