I really enjoyed reading this book. The author weaves suspense with an alternating heart-breaking backstory. A story about friendship, secrets, and lies.

The beginning of this book was so well-paced, and I was engrossed in both the present-day and flashback timelines. The psychological consequences of the kidnapping were well-explored, and I enjoyed understanding the POVs of both of the main characters. However, the last fourth of the book or so just sort of dropped off for me. I thought there would be more drama or a third act incident that would leave me shocked. I feel like the suspense was building up to the reveal, but it was actually relatively anticlimatic. Overall, I still really enjoyed the story though and would like to read more from this author.

The characters in Bye, Baby were so toxically addicting. Lovering wrote these characters so well that you aren't sure if you're supposed to love them, relate to them, hate them, or all of the above. She wrote the influencer trope in a way that wasn't cringe, which is rare to find.

This one kept my interest throughout - it was very cat and mousey. This was my first book of Carola Lovering and I plan to read more!

Carola Lovering’s Bye Baby is an intense psychological thriller that explores the complexities of female friendships. With plenty of twists and emotional depth, Bye Baby keeps readers hooked from beginning to end, offering a look at how friendships can evolve in dark, unexpected ways.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

Do not go into this book expecting an edge of your seats thriller. I know the cover and blurb sort of hint at it, but I felt like it was so much more.

Yes, there is a thriller aspect. There is a missing baby for crying out loud! But the heart of the story lies in its main characters Cassie and Billie and their relationship which started neither 30 years ago. It reminded me of most friendships as they grow older...one decides to remain childless and all while the other has a family and friends that she has more in common with than her old one. That sums up Cassie and Billie.

But there is more. The girls have gone through a lot together which will sort of explain or at least make you somewhat understand her behavior, especially in the beginning.

Again, go in to this book blind! Don't have any expectations.

A great, fast-paced thriller. I couldn’t put this book down! While I didn’t love how shallow the friendship between Cassie and Billie felt at times, by the end, I could see how their pasts shaped who they were. I really appreciate when an author gives an unlikeable character a bit of redemption.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance digital copy!

Lovering's Bye, Baby is a captivating psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of female friendships and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. The novel's alternating perspectives provided a rich and nuanced exploration of Billie and Cassie's relationship, and I really appreciated both perspectives.

I thought that the plot was very suspenseful, and the twists and turns in the story were well-executed.

The focus on character development and psychological depth makes made this a very rewarding read. Fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven stories will like this one I think!

A thrilling page turner for sure. I enjoyed this one and waiting to see what would happen next. I look forward to more titles by this author.

I love books about toxic friendships, and Bye Baby was crazily addictive. While I would not classify this book as a thriller, it definitely had some suspenseful moments. It was very intense and over the top, but I couldn't put it down. I think the book could have been a bit shorter, but overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about female friendships, secrets, and trauma.

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.