💔💔💔1/2
BYE, BABY
Carola Lovering
St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: March 5th, 2024
352 Pages
Goodreads | Amazon
This is my third book by Carola Lovering and it was a pretty satisfying read. It was in my favourite format of different points of view and past and present timelines. This wasn’t so much a thriller as a social commentary on women’s friendship and motherhood. When the friends grow up they grow apart and become two very different women. The reason for their continued toxic friendship is slowly revealed and peeled away layer by layer like an onion. And just like an onion, it will make you want to cry.
There are many issues in this one sexual abuse, classism, Alzheimer’s disease and of course the downside of being an influencer. I think the author tried to throw too much into the mix so some parts felt a little watered down, especially Billie’s mom and her sickness. I did love how the story showed the relationship is one-sided and why it faltered. Lovering knows how to write an engrossing story. I understand how the social media aspect was needed for the plot but it bored me to tears.
Even though there is a lot going on in the plot itself this is definitely a character-driven story and I really liked that about it. These were some pretty messed up women, one of whom has every right to be that way. I really felt for Billie and could empathize with what she was going through, but it is not an excuse for what she did and I was really happy when she finally got herself together. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time so for that reason I am rounding up to four stars and that is saying something because I rarely round up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
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