3.5★ There is just something about Carola Lovering’s writing style that hooks you in and makes you fly through the pages. While this one was more character/friendship study and less suspense, I was still equally engaged throughout. I love the exploration of toxic friendships and the role social media plays in shaping our lives. While the characters are not all likable, they *are* very well developed and I found myself invested in the outcome.

My only criticism is that this book seems to be marketed more as a thriller with the inclusion of the “missing baby” teaser, however, this is not at all a thriller and going in with that expectation may lead to disappointment. It is more of a slow burn domestic suspense that is more character driven than plot driven. All in all thought, this is still one heck of an entertaining read, as her books always are, and I cannot wait for her next one.

‼️There are views on motherhood that may be triggering to some. DM for info.

Read if you like:
•literary suspense
•domestic drama
•character driven stories
•dual timeline and pov
•bingy reads

Thank you {partners} St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies.

**4.5 stars!**

I finished this book within the span of a couple hours last night! Learning about the twisted, toxic friendship between our two main characters was like watching a train wreck: I wanted to look away but I couldn't. Both characters were incredibly fleshed out, and I found myself waffling over who to "support" as the plot built up to its climax. The only thing I wish I got more of was, well....the story! The ending seemed to wrap itself up neatly and I found myself slightly disappointed that the conflict resolved just like that. I will definitely be looking forward to more works from this author, though!!

This was a slow building, drama filled with semi-satisfying events kind of book. We get to experience the past and present friendship/lives of the two main characters (Billie and Cassie). Billie tugged on my heart strings one minute…the next I wanted to bang my head against a wall. She was exhausting!

Overall, there were surprises from start to finish. Each character had so much going on (dare I say they were complex) and co-mingled with offset perceptions of each other.

I’d recommend and would re-read with audio narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ARC…as all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book as I have with all of Carola's other ones. This book shows the test of friendship when other are pushed to the limits.

This book is billed as a thriller, but I absolutely wouldn't call it that. It's not even a mystery. There's nothing mysterious to be found in this book. Instead, we get two women who are connected through their childhood friendship and childhood trauma. They've grown into different people and grown apart. The story switches between their perspectives and each chapter begins by telling you which of the two women's POV it is. Unfortunately, even with the audiobook reader trying to switch voices to differentiate them, these two both sounded the same. They're whiny, self-absorbed, and, frankly, they're kind of boring stereotypes: one is a gold-digger trying to get back to the wealth her family once had and the other is the unfortunate result of unprocessed childhood trauma in varying forms.

Notable trigger warning: on-page sexual assault of a minor.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I was bored most of this book. Nothing super exciting happened. I liked the dual POVs but that’s about it.

Bye, Baby was addictive, engrossing, and profound. I liked so many things about it: the well-drawn characters, the angst of childhood and motherhood, friendship, growing up, letting go… I immediately picked up another book by this author and am currently engrossed in it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a great treat!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC of Bye, Baby! This book about toxic friendships mixed with motherhood elements gripped me from the beginning. I couldn’t decide if I was rooting for the repair or demise of their friendship throughout this story.

There are definitely some disturbing elements sprinkled throughout the book, but overall I was thoroughly entertained. I also can appreciate that the story wrapped up in a nice bow as well. Definitely one to check out!

Cassie and Billie have been friends since they were in grade school. Told in alternating past/present chapters, we hear of the abuse heaped on Billie by her stepfather and how Cassie helped her in that situation, something they will not speak of with anyone else.

Cassie wants a guy with a trust fund and is willing to be friends with friends like that in order to attract the right kind of guy, but it pushes Billie aside, against her wishes, after all, Cassie belongs to her alone.

Billie's life is very different now that she is on the outer fringes of Cassie's life and a situation arises where she does something that will remain unsaid here. The rest of the story is how they both dealt with the aftermath of that action, along with Alex, a love interest for Billie, who is also part of the aftermath.

A good story and worth reading. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

I was really into this book as soon as I started it. This is my first book by Carola Lovering and I really enjoyed it. This book is told in the point of view of 2 long time friends who were drawn together by a secret. As life happens they drift apart. A child goes missing and the identity of abductor is kept a secret from the child's family. This book gets you thinking and I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more of Carola's books!

This is the kind of book I need a little time to think about. At times I was all in and attached to the story but other times I was bored. The multiple perspectives was great because it added a level of suspense but I did not enjoy all the flashbacks to the character’s childhood. A lot of the information seemed to interrupt the flow of the book. Regardless, I love Billie and I’m happy Jane and Alex have stuck around for her.

Another great book from Carola Lovering! Not necessarily a thriller in my opinion, but rather a suspenseful read full of juicy secrets and a few good reveals.

The only reason this book is a like (and not a love) is because some of the subject matter was not enjoyable for me personally. Definitely check TW!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this for the right reader who is looking for an entertaining story that dives into themes of toxic friendships, motherhood, and the “perfect” image a person creates of their life online.

I needed this!! I was on the verge of a reading slump and then was approved from NetGalley for this ARC. This is not a mystery/thriller like it’s marketed. If you read Tell Me Lies then this is similar in genre to that. You’ll read about the toxic relationships mainly between friends Cass and Billie as well as other dark relationships the girls are harboring.

I love the way Carola builds up her charcters- the details and personalities are so fun. I like other books of hers better but this was still a fun read. Would be a great book club read. Thanks for the advanced copy!

I had high hopes for this book thinking it was a suspense/thriller. Maybe it was my lack of education about this book prior to reading it so I won’t hold it against the author, but it definitely did affect my reading experience! It reads more like a women’s fiction/slightly suspenseful which was enjoyable at times & highly character driven throughout. This would definitely be a great book club pick because I can see so many good discussions starting from this!
3.5 ⭐️

Lovering has mastered toxic relationships. Nothing will ever live up to Tell Me Lies but in this story we examine the deep rooted desire to be needed. This is shown not only in real life relationships between Cassie and Billie but also related to social media. I really liked this insight from the author.

I kind of keep hoping the author will return with a little suspense so that’s probably a me problem. The story also plays out a little predictable and characters are not exactly likable.

Overall I do think Lovering has a way of portraying very authentic complicated relationships.

very compelling read and i liked it way better than i liked tell me lies. this deals with more friendship based feelings and the trials and tribulations of that. i enjoyed it and was very intrigued.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I was a little nervous to read this as a mom of a young baby thinking it would scare me, but I'm here to report I was never scared, so if that's your worry, you'll be fine! LOL

This definitely was less of an edge-of-your-seat thriller and more of a slow-burn friendship drama. It revolves around two adult women who have had a (toxic) friendship since they were in highschool. The story is told in present tense and past tense from both of their perspectives. The past tense definitely sucked me in more than the current day drama with it's higher level of intensity!

While it held my attention and kept me entertained, I did find the ending to be a little lackluster. Overall, a good read that I think will be a hit!

3.5 stars

This will be available for purchase on March 5, 2024.

I have seen this one on SO MANY 2024 Anticipated Reads lists and now I know why! I could hardly put this one down and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. Cassie and Billie are childhood best friends who have grown apart after college. Cassie’s infant daughter goes missing and Billie is responsible. This is a story about how relationships change and can even become toxic. Even though there are two main characters there were so many storylines to follow, which kept me very engrossed and turning pages. Typically this is too much for me, but @carolatlovering does this so well. Every storyline is pertinent to the overall tale, I can’t imagine deleting any part of it. Grab this when it comes out March 5th! Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up

The whole premise is pretty far fetch and shallow for me. We are clearly dealing with insecure people, but where do we draw the line between insecure and insane? Until what point can our actions be explained by our past and not our conscious decisions?
The book has some very heavy parts, explicit sexual abuse of teens ...

Not my favourite book by Carola Lovering but it was a decent one nevertheless.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book!