Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering was like a backwards domestic suspense novel, and I enjoyed it. What does that mean? Check out my review and I’ll explain all. This Review of Bye, Baby also includes spoilers and the ending explained!
Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering
To be published on March 5, 2024 by St Martins Press. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review. I read Bye, Baby in February 2024.
Jen’s Quick Take on Bye, Baby
- I’d call it women’s fiction with a suspense element, like Liane Moriarty
- Very readable
- A Book of the Month Club pick for March 2024
- Toxic female friendship element
- If you want to avoid titles about abusive relationships, check out the spoilers and feel free to contact me for more details.
- I liked this more than the other Carola Lovering books I’ve read, Too Good to Be True and Can’t Look Away.
Synopsis for Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering
One night, Billie West hears terrified screams. It’s her lifelong friend Cassie Barnwell, in an apartment one floor above. Cassie just discovered her infant daughter is missing. Billie looks down into her own arms and sees the baby. She is responsible for the kidnapping.
Bonded by traumatic secrets in their pasts, Cassie and Billie have drifted apart in adulthood. Desperate to leave her past behind, Cassie married a wealthy man, became a mother, and opened a Soho boutique. Hurt and rejected by Cassie’s new priorities, Billie will go to any lengths to restore their friendship.
Review of Bye, Baby
I have a category of suspense and mystery books I call a why-dunnit. That means (to me) that the reader knows the what and the who of the mystery, but needs to understand the why of things: the motive.
I find these books interesting, because to work they need a certain amount of psychological development in the characters
There’s no question that Billie took Cassie’s baby daughter. It’s right in the synopsis. But why?
Cassie and Billie had been the best of friends growing up, bonded by a terrible secret they shared. Both are now successful in life: Cassie as a mom and entrepreneur and Billie as she builds a career.
I found this book very readable, loved the New York City setting, and found the psychological grounding of their friendship interesting.
With its “women taking different paths in life,” its unflinching look at the perils of female friendship, and its questions about morality and loyalty, I think Bye, Baby could make a great book club book!
I also think it could be a good audiobook, so let me know if you’ve listened!
Interested in book club questions for Bye, Baby? Drop me a comment and I will be glad to add them to this post!
Spoilers for Bye, Baby
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Please leave any questions, comments and requests in the comments! I’d love to know what you thought of this one! And if you liked this, check out Too Good To Be True and join our Spoiler Discussion for Too Good to Be True!