This book was so original. Loved the story and concept. Haven’t read any others stories similar to this lately so that was a breathe of fresh air!

This is a psychological thriller that dives into the complexities of friendship and how it grows and changes over time.

I found the friendship aspect of this story very compelling in how it all played out. There was also a way in which the story twisted in on itself and made sense in a warped way.

I wouldn't say this is a thrilling read but is a read that will create an edge of anxiety and may elicit questionable emotions from the reader.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to respond to this book with my honest opinions.

Toxic Friendship, Missing Baby

: Bye, Baby centers around the complex and ultimately toxic friendship between Billie West and Cassie Barnwell. The story begins with a dramatic event: Cassie's infant daughter has gone missing, and Billie, who lives one floor below Cassie in their New York apartment building, hears Cassie's terrified screams. The novel delves into the intertwined lives of these two women, unravelling their friendship from childhood to adulthood and exploring the dark undercurrents of jealousy, betrayal, and the drastic actions one might take under emotional duress.

Bye, Baby is a compelling exploration of friendship, jealousy, and the lengths to which people will go to preserve their relationships. Lovering's skillful writing and deep character insights make this novel a worthwhile read for those interested in psychological thrillers and domestic dramas. Its strengths lie in its character development and the emotional depth of its narrative, though some may find the plot twists somewhat foreseeable. Nevertheless, it is a captivating story that will keep readers engaged until the very end.

This book was so real to me as I could easily identify with the FMC. Now I wouldn't go and do what she did, but I understand the feeling of being left behind by a friend and wanting a way to connect with them again. I do also appreicate that the FMC was given the possibility of having a happy ending. That was important for me.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

The book does a good job of showing the dark side of friendships. When Billie is phased out of Cassie’s life, she tries to fight tooth and nail to get back in her good graces. She checks Cassie’s Instagram posts and stories daily, she tries calling her or sending texts to let her know she’s “thinking of her!” At first you think Cassie just “outgrew” her friendship with Billie, but throughout the book more and more is revealed about what happened when they were younger and how it changed their friendship forever.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't work out for me. I was not a fan of either of the main characters.

Lovering’s writing is always a delight. However, this one Had a little too much going on at times and the plot left me wanting more - it felt like there were holes in the story.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Published: March 5, 2024
St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Psychological Fiction
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free and leave my review voluntarily.

This was a different-style read for me, but the use of emotions and the alternating perspectives were powerful.

This was the first novel I’ve read by Carola, and her style intrigues me. It is not a fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, yet I was unable to stop reading. I had to know how and why. I had to get to the end.

This would be an excellent book club or buddy read. Having someone to discuss chapters with as you go. There are a lot of things to analyze and debate.

I found this book well placed within its genre, and I would definitely recommend giving it a read.

I didn't know a lot about this book when I picked it to review and read. It is an excellent read and you don't wanna pass this one up. Take the time pick this one up.

Carola Lovering’s writing pulls you in, making it easy to fly through the pages. This book focuses more on character and friendship dynamics than suspense, yet it's still engaging. I enjoyed the exploration of toxic friendships and the influence of social media. While not all characters are likable, they are well-developed, and I was invested in the outcome.

My only critique is that the book is marketed as a thriller due to the “missing baby” plot, but it’s more of a slow-burn, character-driven domestic suspense.

Although it seems to be marketed as a thriller or suspense book, this book is more about female friendships. It's a story about what happens when we carry teenage friendships into adulthood even as we change and mature and become different people. That part of the story was interesting and had some relatable elements. The mystery isn't tough to decipher early, and there is no suspense. I enjoyed the character development and switches in the timeline. I wish there had been more revealed or twists, but that may have just been a matter of adjusting my expectations. The writing was emotional and well-developed. This is a book that is tough to explain to someone because there isn't a lot of action. It's more of an emotional character exploration.

I expected this book to be a thriller about a stolen baby, and that was part of the story, but it was so much more than that. More than a thriller, it was a tense and slow-burn story of female friendship and coming of age. I really enjoyed the whole story and I thought the author did such a good job of developing the two main characters that even when they made objectively horrible decisions, I could still understand and feel for them.

This book is not a story of likeable characters, but still, they felt relatable and real to me. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a character-driven and complicated story of female friendship with a dark twist. This was the first book I’ve read of Lovering’s and I’ll definitely be reading more.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering revolves around the relationship of Billie and Cassie, who have been the closest of friends since middle school. But, even though their friendship has cooled since Cassie married and had a baby, Billie still has hope they can restart their relationship.

At its most basic level, this book is about toxic female friendships. Even though Billie was often disdainful of Cassie’s obsession with college acquaintances she wanted to befriend, Billie doesn’t seem to recognize that she has the same kind of obsession with Cassie. As a result, Billie just seems pathetic while Cassie, who has married into wealth, is distasteful and shallow.

I’m not even sure how to describe this book. It certainly didn’t seem like a thriller and it wasn’t very suspenseful either. Instead, it’s a cast of characters that I couldn’t sympathize or connect with. Initially, I thought it had great promise and it’s three stars for me because it’s a well-written book – just not a book that I greatly enjoyed. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

I didn't find this book to be a thriller suspenseful but definitely not a thriller. That being said I really enjoyed the book. This book takes you into the lives of two childhood best friends with a toxic relationship, that drift apart and are reunited through a tragedy. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC! Carola Lovering is an auto read for me and this book was no exception. I love her strong grasp on character and context - this story explores the relationship between two childhood friends and the deception and trust in their past and present. Entertaining and highly readable!

I am a big fan of Lovering's work and this is no exception. What I enjoy about her writing is that her books are not all the same. This book explores friendship and motherhood, especially the early days of motherhood. The book follows childhood friends as they grow into adults and the shifts in life changes the contours of their friendship. One has a child and is an internet influencer while the other clings to their earlier friendship, she can't help feel like she has been left behind a little bit. All of this changes when Cassie's baby disappears one night and Billie is the only friend that she wants. Billis is excited to be back in Cassie's orbit once again. This story of friendship is interesting and thoughtful. While suspenseful at times I would categorize this more as a novel of friendship.

Loved this book. Bye, Baby has relatable characters written with great depth. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. Great twists and turns. I read this book in two days. The authors attention to detail and command of story telling has me looking forward to reading Carola’s other books. Intense, relatable , thriller resulting in the ultimate page turner! This book would be great for a book club.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering was a book I could not put down!

The synopsis:
On a brisk fall night in a New York apartment, 35-year-old 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 is shaken as she 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.

I love the dual POV of Billie and Cassie and their toxic relationship. It fit really well with Bye, Baby. If you're looking for a women's fiction/suspense, then I'd highly recommend this book!

I love literally everything from Carola Lovering, so I was so excited to get to this book. She has an ability to meld so many different genres to make really unique books. I really loved the mystery and liked how we knew the main event early on and spent a lot of time seeing how it would play out. I truly had no idea and it kept me guessing!

Carola Lovering’s Bye, Baby is a potent and introspective novel that skillfully navigates the intricacies of personal relationships and self-discovery. Lovering, known for her keen observations of human behavior, delivers a narrative that is both engrossing and thought-provoking.

The novel centers on the life of its protagonist, whose journey through emotional turmoil and self-realization unfolds with remarkable depth. Lovering excels in capturing the internal conflicts and vulnerabilities of her characters, offering readers a raw and authentic portrayal of their struggles.

The story’s plot is rich with tension and drama, driven by a series of events that challenge the characters’ perceptions of themselves and each other. Lovering’s storytelling is precise and engaging, maintaining a steady rhythm that keeps readers invested in the unfolding drama. Her ability to weave suspense into the narrative without losing sight of the emotional core is particularly commendable.

Lovering’s characters are multidimensional, each grappling with their own set of challenges and insecurities. The protagonist’s journey is marked by moments of profound introspection, as she confronts past traumas and seeks to forge a path toward healing. Lovering’s exploration of themes such as trust, forgiveness, and personal growth is handled with sensitivity and nuance.