Bye, Baby

A Novel

By: Carola Lovering

Narrated by: Helen Laser, Karissa Vacker

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

"Powerful, relatable and crazily addictive, Bye, Baby takes an unflinching look at the battling forces of toxicity and love which define so many female friendships. I couldn't put it down."–Rosie Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of Ghosted and The Love of My Life

"Narrators Helen Laser and Karissa Vacker craft an amazing rhythm as the young women confront their toxic friendship. Listeners won't want to miss a word."—AudioFile

Every friendship has its shadow...

On a brisk fall night in a New York apartment, 35-year-old Billie West hears terrified screams. It's her lifelong best friend Cassie Barnwell, one floor above, and she's just realized her infant daughter has gone missing. Billie is shaken as she looks down into her own arms to see the baby, remembering—with a jolt of fear—that she is responsible for the kidnapping that has instantly shattered Cassie’s world.

Once fiercely bonded by their secrets, Cassie and Billie have drifted apart in adulthood, no longer the inseparable pair they used to be in their small Hudson Valley hometown. Cassie is married to a wealthy man, has recently become a mother, and is building a following as a lifestyle influencer. She is desperate to leave her past behind—including Billie, who is single and childless, and no longer fits into her world. But Billie knows the worst thing Cassie has ever done, and she will do whatever it takes to restore their friendship…

Told in alternating perspectives in Lovering’s signature suspenseful style, Bye, Baby confronts the myriad ways friendships change and evolve over time, the lingering echoes of childhood trauma, and the impact of women’s choices on their lifelong relationships.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Carola Lovering (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"The suspense is a shapeshifter until the very last page."–Booklist

"Carola Lovering has hit the ball out of the park, again. Her latest is a gripping novel of suspense that explores the complexities of a female friendship, bound by childhood secrets, that is simultaneously life affirming and toxic. I could not put it down."–Greer Hendricks, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Golden Couple

"A shocking, emotionally-charged look at a dysfunctional friendship and the aftereffects of a split second decision that had me on the edge of my seat. Completely immersive with writing that is propulsive, vivid and rich, Bye, Baby is all-consuming. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. I'm a fan!"–Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

I find the narrators really matter. Both women have such great voices and inflection.

Great story. Wanted more of a deep dive into the trauma Billy experienced. And how it shaped her behavior/ relationships.

Story of relationships

This was an interesting story of characters growing from adolescence to adulthood and yet staying the same. So much to unpack in Billie’s and Cassie’s relationship. I couldn’t quit listening, really enjoyed it and recommend.

Great Narrator!

Loved the story and it was made even better with great narration! Interesting look at female friendship and how they evolve…not always for the better. Loved it!

Great story!

I really liked the character description, the emotions throughout, and the performance by the narrator

On the edge of my seat!

Loved this book! It was a very different type of thriller. It definitely wasn’t a relaxing read since my anxiety was high with anticipation throughout the story but you won’t want to take a break from it!

Mean Girls Grown Up & Glammed Up

Excellent performances, fantastic suspense building and connecting of the dots. I legit felt anxious and cringey with anticipating the impact of bad decisions the characters made. Enjoyed the listen the whole way through. Look forward to more from Carola Lovering.

Chilling realism

Liked how the story developed and showed how it just takes one small decision to change the entire story of a lifetime

Criminals!!

Boundary-less Billie and Clout Chasing Cassie trauma bonded and are now codependent. I only like lil baby Ella

Couldn’t stop listening!

Loved it!Great story, characters and narrators! Loved the details of the clothing and atmospheric descriptions.

Not much.

I listen to a lot of books the ones I like I just get more of the same author, but I’m sharing this review because I feel the character Cassie was so whiny and it came across really poorly in the audio.