Ok, here’s the thing.

I tried really hard with this one. I really did. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. It would be rude and a disservice to rate this as I know several others really enjoyed it.

It is not for me and I had to DNF (did not finish) for reading reasons. I could not connect with the plot of the characters at all. I did not and could not force myself to read it as I picked it up and put it down several times, but could not get into the book.

I appreciate the opportunity, but it is not going to be one I will recommend going forward.

Thank you again for my gifted copy.

I tend to hate domestic thrillers but had heard good things about this one, and indeed, I was pleasantly surprised.

This is a solid slow burn and an excellent character study, looking at all the ways we grow apart in friendships as we age and make different choices, yet at the same time often can’t let go of the people who were once an important part of our past.

The dual POV was well-rendered here, and it’s tough to know who to side with (if it actually makes sense to take sides at all, which is debatable), as two former best friends lived’ diverge and their friendship suffers as a result.

This book was absent a lot of the pettiness that usually puts me off books in this genre (or at least puts said pettiness in its proper place), though I should mention a trigger warning for sexual assault of an underage girl that takes place on page, albeit in flashback. I wasn’t especially bothered by it, mostly because it results in some satisfying justice and is also very important to the plot throughout the story.

There aren’t a lot of big twists in this one, which I appreciated because too many books in this genre use them to cover up a lack of quality plot and writing. This one doesn’t do that and doesn’t need to, and the ending was satisfying and well-executed.

I really enjoyed Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering! This was my first book by this author, but definitely not my last. I loved the suspense and getting sucked into the toxic friendship between the main characters. This is a great book to recommend to patrons. Thank you to the publisher, the author and Net Galley for the ARC.

5🌟 - I loved it!

Expectations are everything, and I went in knowing Carola's style of writing. I think that set me up for success for loving this one! Character-driven with poignant commentary on female friendships, influencers, jealously, loss, and full of buried down secrets from the past.

I was eating this up when I was reading! I was so obsessed and sucked into the story that I NEEDED to know where it was going! I love the way she writes her characters, full of complexity and depth. Being dual timeline and POV made this story so much more dynamic and built the tension throughout the book. There was so much going on with the characters beyond the shocking plot, and that was masterfully done 👏.

I am a fan of Carola Lovering! I am caught up on her backlist, and truly have enjoyed all of her books! Here is my current list of her books!

1. Bye, Baby (5🌟)
2. Can't Look Away (4.5🌟)
3. Tell Me Lies (4.25🌟)
4. Too Good to Be True (4🌟)

WOW. If there is one thing Carola Lovering knows how to do (as evidenced in her previous book, Tell Me Lies) it's how to depict extremely realistic but toxic characters. I loved this. I'm not sure I would classify it as a thriller, maybe contemporary fiction with some domestic suspense. More than anything, it is a character study and a look inside the relationship of two women who trauma-bonded as teens and are now struggling to find a place for each other in their lives as 30 something year olds who have their own separate journeys/family situations/set of core values and beliefs.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the audiobook, the narration was wonderful!

I enjoyed this one more than I honestly thought I would! Bye, Baby is a slower burn, but it held my attention from start to finish. I don't know whether I would call it a thriller so much as a book of suspense that touched upon a number of relevant issues in today's culture. Looking forward to reading more by this author in the future!

This haunting story of motherhood, values, friends, family, and the cost of it all. We open to the chilling loss of a mother whose baby has been taken. What we slowly unravel is the back story behind it all, the fallout after, and the friendships in between.

Social media, fame, and money can dilute even the strongest of relationships, but what about when that relationship holds a dark secret. Always one drawn to the finer things, Billie and Cassie couldn't be less alike. This story was emotional and yet sparked an awareness and thought-provoking chord.

This was really good! It definitely sucks you in down the rabbit hole of the toxic friendship of Maddie and Billie. MY heart broke for Billie with her mother's story and how Wade took advantage of the situation. It was so sad. Maddie i was glad ended her friendship with Billie in the end because I think Billie would be better off in the long run. Love this story

I loved this suspense novel! Carola always keeps me on my toes and it's no different with this book. Well written.

I enjoyed this book. I thought some parts of it were a little long, but towards the end you know those slower parts were needed to wrap up the story nicely. None of the characters in the book were on my nerves so that's always a plus in my book. I would recommend this book to my Instagram followers!

I absolutely love Karissa Vacker as a narrator. She was paired up nicely with Helen Laser, as they both did a great job with this book!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This drew me right in with all the drama & trauma! Sometimes fell a little flat but was an interesting read over all. The narrators did a good job. I would read more by this author.

Sometimes friends grow apart… That was exactly the case of Cassie & Billie our FMCs. Growing up as childhood besties, these two were inseparable and promised to be there for each other always. However, now that Cassie is married and a new mother, she wants nothing to do with her past nor Billie.

It’s not until Emma, Cassie’s 4 month old is suspiciously taken that this Cassie wants to reconnect with Billie but it won’t be enough to “get that old thing back”. Billie’s rash decision was definitely the end to a friendship rekindled but at least Cassie and Billie are now even.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book, I do feel that a few pieces were flat and drawn out but it all comes together in the end. This book reminds us that it’s okay for friendships to grow apart over time

This is a cleverly crafted literary fiction psychological thriller. From the blurb we know that Billie and Cassie have been life long friends. Why then does Billie kidnap her friends daughter? I love character driven stories and Bye, Baby delivers this to perfection.

Friendship, motherhood and deep dark secrets will keep you turning the pages with this addictive book.
🙏 @macmillan 🎧 @carolalovering

I have tried in print and audio several times each and neither format is working for me. Too much of an ick factor for me to spend more time with these characters and I have no desire to see where the story goes. DNF at 17%.

Friendships are fragile and that’s a lesson that Billie is learning well about her’s with her bestie, Cassie. Time has severed the friendship these two once had as they grow into adults with different motivations and social circles. It’s a reality that we can all relate to either from ourselves or observing in those we know, which makes this book very relatable.

Perhaps not as relatable are the actions that Billie and Cassie take. There are certainly some cringeworthy situations and interactions, but that’s what makes this book a fantastic popcorn thriller! You just can’t look away even though you know things are going to come crashing down at some point.

While that dynamic is fun and entertaining, Lovering also manages to weave in some heavy and trigger warning worthy topics into this story that really elevated it in my opinion.

I’d say this story is a mix of contemporary fiction and thriller/mystery genres.

🎧: I went the audiobook route with this book and I think it’s the perfect format choice for anyone looking to listen to something that they can escape into while doing mundane tasks. The narrators do a fantastic job of bringing both Billie and Cassie to life through their alternating perspectives.

I really liked most of the story even though I did not like any of the main characters. That was my biggest flaw with the book. I need a character that I can root for even if its the 'villain' of the story, but everyone was so unlikable that it almost turned me away from the book. I stuck with it and the concept and story was very well done otherwise.

"Bye, Baby" by Caroline Lovering presents a powerful and relatable narrative that delves deep into the complexities of female friendships. The story follows 35-year-old Billie West, who is shaken to the core when she realizes she is responsible for the kidnapping of her best friend Cassie Barnwell's infant daughter. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the novel skillfully weaves together themes of toxicity and love that define many relationships among women. While the story is filled with suspense, it does not reach the heightened danger typically associated with traditional thrillers.

The friendship between Cassie and Billie is portrayed with remarkable depth and authenticity. Having known each other since their teenage years, they have been through the best and worst of times together, harboring secrets that create palpable tension between them. This tension is a result of their contrasting desires; while Billie seeks to preserve their bond, Cassie feels she has outgrown it, leading to a compelling exploration of evolving friendships and the impact of unresolved secrets.

The audio version of "Bye, Baby" benefits greatly from the use of different narrators, each skillfully bringing their respective characters to life. This approach not only allows for instant recognition of the character speaking but also provides a multi-dimensional view of the story, offering insights from various angles. The distinct voices and perspectives add depth to the narrative, enabling the personalities of Cassie and Billie to shine through with authenticity and clarity.

"Bye, Baby" proved to be a surprising and utterly engrossing experience, akin to watching a train wreck unfold. Despite knowing that the journey might not end well, the narrative held an irresistible allure that kept me captivated throughout. The audio version effectively brought the story to life, allowing for a seamless immersion into the complexities of Cassie and Billie's friendship. Moreover, the satisfying redemption arc for Billie added a poignant touch to the conclusion, leaving a lasting impression long after the final chapter.

I don't know if its the book or me, but I didn't like this book. Not one bit. I just felt like it was going around and around and around. I did love the narrator thought!

In this suspenseful novel, lifelong best friends Billie and Cassie find their bond tested when Cassie’s infant daughter goes missing. The story alternates between their recent interactions and their shared history, including a traumatic incident from high school. As adults, their friendship has frayed, with Cassie focused on her superficial lifestyle as a fashion influencer. Billie, single and childless, desperately seeks to restore their connection, even as she harbors a dark secret about the baby’s disappearance. “Bye, Baby” delves into evolving friendships, childhood trauma, and the impact of women’s choices on lifelong relationships.
This book kept me entirely invested in the story, even though I didn't particularly care for either main character, which is quite a fete!

I loved the audiobook so much. The narrator did a phenomenal job bringing this story and characters to life. It was a binge-worthy read that had be glued from the moment I pushed play.