A review by astoriareader
Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

SYNOPSIS:
  • Billie & Cassie were childhood best friends. Through glimpses of the past, we learn about their secrets, their traumas, and their friendship.
  • In the present day, they aren’t as close, and we slowly learn why.
  • Cassie is a micro-influencer, as well as the owner of an upscale boutique. Billie works at an expensive, luxury travel consultancy.

MY THOUGHTS
  • I wouldn’t characterize this as thriller/suspense, but rather, a well-written drama about toxic, one-sided friendships.
  • Multiple POVs (Billie & Cassie) with both present & the past. 
  • Fast-paced.
  • Set mostly in NYC (at least the present). I live in NYC, so I love reading books with this setting.
  • Lovering is an incredible writer, and she expertly creates a familiar, relatable story about old friendships. She crafted and plotted a seamless story that you’ll find yourself breezing through until the very end. 
  • The main characters are both imperfect and flawed. I really liked Billie, and I felt sorry for her throughout the book. The book deals with Billie constantly trying to maintain a friendship with Cassie, instead of letting the friendship run its natural course.
  • Cassie wasn’t a likable character, and I thought she was very shallow & nauseating.
  • Lovering also explores motherhood AND choosing to be a childfree woman.  I loved that she incorporated this, as it isn’t something that many writers acknowledge or incorporate.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Fast-paced + well-written. Drama about toxic friendships.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It will be published on March 5, 2024.
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