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smileyjayna's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
* “ghosts” generally, not like 👻
I do not love the narrative voice (if that’s the right term for it, how it’s always “I give a strained smile” or “I jolt up in bed”) but I haven’t read anything else by Lovering so I’m guessing it was it was a choice for a thriller.
I DO like the way choices are dissected and discussed, how they do or do not belong to their characters, if that makes sense.
I like the pacing of the book overall, but I have not decided my opinion on the moments in which two characters experience the same event.
I think it was a sloppy choice to use weight as shorthand for virtue/virtue (wade, ava (to a lesser extent)).
Graphic: Abandonment, Dementia, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Rape, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Classism, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Eating disorder, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Lesbophobia
sierra_liv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️
Brief synopsis: Bye, Baby follows Cassie and Billie, two childhood BFFs who have grown apart as adults, but are tied together by traumatic events from their childhood. These events are slowly revealed and help explain their incomprehensible, obsessive “friendship”. The pair is later brought back together as adults when Cassie’s baby is suddenly kidnapped.
This was my first book by Lovering and it won’t be my last! A bingeable book with an interesting set of characters. Honestly, I didn’t really love any of the characters, but sometimes I enjoy reading books with unlikeable characters! This was definitely a character-driven plot. Personally, I wouldn’t classify this a “thriller”, leans more towards domestic drama/suspense. I loved the short chapters, dual POVs, and alternating timelines (past/present). The influencer plot was little annoying, but seemed realistic 🤣🤷🏼♀️
A couple small issues with this book…Billie’s obsession with Cassie drove me crazy (especially at first). After learning about their secrets though, I could understand Billie’s reasoning a little more. She was almost toxically “bonded” to Cassie. Also, then ending UGH. I had to suspend disbelief a little too much and it tied up a little too nicely for my personal preferences. However, this was a well-paced and intriguing story about friendship, secrets, and lies. Definitely recommend for a binge worthy, drama-filled read!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Carola Lovering for providing me with a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Dementia
Moderate: Abortion
cassiereadsbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Death, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abortion and Rape