Classic Carola Lovering. Was overjoyed to get my hands on this and it lived up to my expectations. Toxic female friendships that somehow felt all too relatable, plus influencers was a winning combination.

This was my first book of this author's and I was really impressed. I was hooked immediately and was constantly battling if Billie was going to tell Cassie the truth. I thought the way that it played out in the end was really well done. I thought it was plausible and was really happy with how it ended. I read the whole thing today and just loved it! 5 stars for me!

For reasons that I can't explain, I simply could not put this book down. It's listed in the category of mystery and thriller, but deals more with toxic female friendships. The POV alternates between two friends, Billie and Cassie. It also alternates between the present and the past. The past gives us a glimpse into their childhood and a secret that binds them together. Present day Billie is basically obsessed with Cassie. Cassie married into money and is trying to separate herself from Billie and her past. Plus she has new friends to impress. Bye, Baby had me intrigued from the prologue. I needed to find out what happened and why. This one is definitely a page turner and I would recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story pulled me in from the beginning. Loved the history behind Billy and Cassie’s relationship. This was a page turner for me that I couldn’t put down. After it was over I was still thinking about this story and characters!

Bye, Baby seemed to be a thriller but it reads more like a suspense/mystery. I hated all the characters but they did make an interesting story.

I was hooked immediately on page 1 which is why this author a favorite of mine. The story takes place in NYC about two best friends who are from the same small town. Cassie starts to outgrow Billie but they are connected forever because of an incident from high school. The chapters are told from the different points of view of Cassie and Billie which is probably why the characters are so well developed. This is one of those stories that stay with you long after you're finished. I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity for an early copy.

One thing about Carola Lovering's books, you are guaranteed to have a character that's unlikeable, some toxic relationships, and a story that is a complete mindf*ck. This book had all three.

Told in dual POV, with flashbacks thrown in, the story follows two friends, Billie and Cassie. I found myself going back and forth between the characters trying to decide which side to be on. As the story progressed, I found myself not liking how superficial and shallow Cassie was, and how much of a doormat Billie was. You come to understand the reasoning behind Billie's behavior towards Cassie, but I just wanted her to stand up for herself and call Cassie out on her BS.

Overall I would give the book a 3.5 -- it did hold my interest for a bit and I had anxiety trying to figure out how everything was going to unfold. However, towards the end I felt like it dragged a bit and was a lot of the same dialogue surrounding Cassie's trauma. I would suggest ignoring the blurb, as it does give some clues away. Just go in blind, knowing drama will ensue.

Thanks to NetGalley and SMP for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Billie and Cassie met in the 7th grade and became best friends, claiming their friendship would last forever. This friendship grew stronger through many years, but 23 years later, they were estranged. Cassie was married, had a baby and was moving on with her life. Billie was single and clinging to her memory of their past. Cassie’s daughter was kidnapped for a few hours and she turned to Billie in her grief and fears, renewing their previous bond. Some things aren’t destined to last forever.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press

Bye, Baby melted my heart. I absolutely loved this story. The narration is rich, enhancing an incredible plot. Billie and Cassie have been through it! I loved getting the backstory on their relationship and the events that framed their future. The character development and pace are on point. There is so much to love about this story of female relationships.


I highly recommend you read or listen to this book. Both are unmissable experiences.

This book is a great read - different than I expected, but in a great way. Really unpacks the complex dynamics of a (toxic) friendship. Beautifully written!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 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.

I’ve read one book from this author before and thought it was fine, I did go into this a little bit hesitant, but I actually really enjoyed it.

I went into this knowing as little as possible. I honestly enjoyed the writing style in this. I did a mix of the physical book and audio, both were solid choices.

In this, we follow Cassie and Billie, who are both such interesting characters. Cassie was much more unlikable, but Billie was a great character you just wanted the best for. I loved the alternating perspectives between the two and how the story had flashbacks every now and then.

The story kind of took a disturbing route in regards to Billie’s past, it was traumatic and sad (I would check up trigger warnings). Honestly, Cassie was not the greatest friend and it was so emotional seeing how Billie felt.

This does touch on themes like friendships, loneliness, feeling left out, grieving, secrets, and lies. The triggers can be intense for some.

I was completely invested in the story from the very beginning. It was thought-provoking and well-written. It did drag a bit and this was more of a character-driven story, don’t expect it to be as thrilling. Overall, this was a gripping, engaging, and unputdownable story between two so-called friends.

Thank you so much NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the physical copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars
I had to adjust a bit when reading this as it is less thriller-y than I was expecting, but once I just let the story be what it is I liked it better. The most interesting thing about this book was tracking the friendship between Billie and Cassie. It's hard to say much without being spoiler-y though. It is interesting to see how the two friends process a traumatic event differently.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book.

Wow, I really enjoyed this one! Based on the description, I thought I was reading a thriller, but this book is not. It is a book on friendship, growing up, growing apart, loyalties, and how to deal with being left behind. This book was raw, very real, and captivating. I was drawn into the saga of Cassie and Billie, and the pages kept turning. It was a book I wanted to drop everything else and just read for hours.

I felt all characters were very realistic, the situations relatable, and the emotions could be felt. I was frustrated with Cassie's obsession with social media, and the person that turned her into, with her overwhelming desire to fit in. My heart ached for Billie for being the girl left behind. But yet, we all have those childhood friend who we are bound to forever, no matter how much the future and actions of those we love hurt us. I felt every part of this book. I will be looking for more books by this author. Recommended.

I feel this book is not being marketed properly- it is not a thriller, but it is much more intense than a typical woman's fiction or fluff.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering. I love the alternating perspectives. This book was full of suspense, and it's hard to even explain without giving anything away. I was curious throughout how it would end. I would highly recommend this!

Have you ever been that friend that was left out or left behind when someone's life changed...? Then you might know a little something about how Billie West feels.... when I picked up 'Bye, Baby' I was absolutely NOT expecting to be so sucked into the toxic friendship spiral that is Billie and Cassie.

What I loved most about Bye, Baby is the theoretically/phsychological reckoing we're forced into: We all deserve to forge new paths and become the best versions of ourselves.. but what if someone feels left out? Do you feel bad? Do you need to metaphorically save yourself before you save others?

and on the flip side...

Are you a person that wants the best for others, or do you obsessively watch them and their life changes? Do you want that happiness for yourself?

Friendships change but some people never should've gotten so close!! **Even though I feel like 'Bye, Baby' is a fantastic insight into female friendships in this day and age - I truly think anyone will love this suspenseful, alternating POV thriller!

**Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Overall story rating:
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Audiobook rating: 5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hello new auto-buy author! 👋🏼 Carola Lovering’s writing style is fantastic. I had read her other book Too Good To Be True and really enjoyed that, but I like this one even more!

This book was so good! I had the pleasure of reading and listening to this one and it was such a great experience. The audiobook was amazing! I absolutely loved the narration and how the characters emotions and personalities came through the audio. It was perfection!

I would not call this one much of a thriller, maybe a domestic thriller but one that makes you conflicted as you feel for both the main characters.

I really enjoyed the ending of this one but I wish there was a little bit more! I was so sad it was over.

I would absolutely recommend this one if you love a story about evolving friendships and how life can change at any moment.

I am rounding up to five stars for my review because I had an emotional connection to this story and felt so intrigued on where it would go, even when the main plot is revealed so early in the book!

Thank you St. Martin’s press for the ARC! This will be published in March of 2024!

Wow. This book drew me in immediately and would not let me go until the very last page. A relatable friendship going through the twists and turns of life, the characters responses to their situation and each other were loving, fierce, toxic and tragic. Cassie and Billie will stick with you long after you close the book.

“And isn’t that a requisite of loving someone—to grow complacent to their most fatal flaw? To suppress the urge to change them until it all but disappears? The practice resembles acceptance, but the process is more painful. It’s more like sacrifice.”

On a brisk night in a New York apartment, 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 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.

This is a pulse pounding, stay up past your bedtime, skip life’s responsibilities to figure out what is going to happen type of thriller!
The type of book that you want to fly through but that you don’t want to end. A book hangover book. The best type of book. 👏🏻👏🏻

This story is told from dual pov, Billie and Cassie, and with dual narrators for the audiobook (one of which is Karissa Vacker so you already know, the other is Helen Laser who was also great). It’s written as a countdown with each chapter noting the amount of days before the “incident”. And during flashback chapters it’s written in a different font. Loved that touch!

Bye, Baby was just fabulous! Every time I start a book I hope that it will take me on a ride like this one did. Wow. Thank you thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, @carolatlovering, and St Martin’s Press for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. Bye, Baby is a suspense novel about two long-time friends who have drifted apart. They carry a secret between them about an incident when they were teens. Cassie has moved on to a more upscale life with a husband, penthouse apartment, a baby and her own brand name store. Billie has achieved success but is unmarried and doesn't want children. As the friends grow further apart, Billie can't let go and it culminates in an act that she will regret. Carola Lovering's story is faced paced and tense. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the suspense/drama genre.

As the book begins Cassie discovers that her baby Ella is missing. We know that narrator Billie has taken Ella, but we don’t know why. We weave through the friendship between the two women to see what brings them to this crisis point.

A just OK novel. I really couldn’t relate to Billie at all. In fact, everyone in this novel seemed pretty terrible. I thought I would like this more.