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The Baby Saga #2

Bye-Bye Baby

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Love has no expiration.

The morning Beth packed her bags and walked out of Cole’s life was the day he swore the only girl for him would be the six year old who called him daddy. He didn’t have time for love, not between raising his baby girl and trying to figure out what the hell he was going to do with his life. But fate has a funny way of coming around and kicking you when you least expect it. Cole’s new life was no exception.

As a product of a severely broken home, Beth Doan knew better than to ever get married. She’d seen what that commitment did to people and she loved Cole McClain too much to let marriage destroy them. But the minute she boards that bus she knew she was making the biggest mistake of her life. Only maybe she wasn’t, not when she goes running back home to the only man she ever loved and finds him in the arms of another woman.

When an unexpected accident throws them together four years later, the last thing either anticipated was to become responsible for a little person who needs them a whole lot more than they need their bitterness and hurt feelings. Can Cole and Beth forgive and forget long enough to save the life of a child neither one of them predicted falling in love with?

Or are some wounds just too deep to heal?

This book is NA and intended for a mature audience.

Other books in this series:

Forever His Baby (Sloan & Lily) - Book #1
Now available in ebook & paperback!

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

26 people are currently reading
477 people want to read

About the author

Airicka Phoenix

64 books1,835 followers
Airicka Phoenix is a multi genre author of dark contemporary & dangerous paranormal romance starring sassy female leads and sexy alpha heroes.

For more on Airicka visit: www.airickaphoenix.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
639 reviews38 followers
February 17, 2015
Overall rating: 4 stars

Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:

HEA:

My review:

Beth Doan was a great place in her life 4 years ago. She had a wonderful job, a wonderful group of friends that she considered her family and a wonderful boyfriend. But the minute he proposes to her, all of her past comes flying back at her. Bringing with it, all of her insecurities and doubts to the point where she feels like she can't breathe. So what does she do? She runs. Several hours later, she realizes that she made the biggest mistake of her life, but when she walks in to find Cole in the arms of another woman, she starts to think maybe she wasn't so crazy thinking things were a little too perfect....

Cole McCalin had his heart ripped out 4 years ago and has not been able to move on sense. He has not dated or got close to any woman since Beth thinking one day, maybe she will come back to him. Then one day he gets a phone call that brings Beth back into his life.

I have to say after meeting Cole in the first book, Forever His Baby, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at all. I really didn't care for him in book 1 and his attitude towards Beth. I felt like when he found out about Lily being pregnant with his baby and decides to step up to the plate and actually be a father to his child, he just decides everything without even considering Beth's feelings about everything. With that being said, I wasn't crazy about him, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Even though this book wasn't a favorite of mine, I still enjoyed it. I felt like the fact that he stayed true to Beth for all those years after she left him is a testament to his love for her, which I am happy to report that I was definitely able to FEEL in this book, unlike the last book. I felt like he more than made up for not going after her 4 years ago .. even finding out about what happened when she came back to him right after she left.

I enjoyed the aspect with little Damon. He was cute and his story was heartbreaking.

Why not 5 stars? I felt like this story was missing something. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I will say that I could have used more of an epilogue. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,565 reviews407 followers
February 4, 2015
*I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review*


Honesty with this author is always sooooo easy. Amazing read.
Morgana Phoenix has done it again. For those who have read Forever His Baby, then you know the McClain brothers. Those of you who haven’t, then no problem. This can be read as a standalone.
This is the story of Cole and Beth. This has to be one of the greatest second chance stories I’ve ever read.
Our two main heroes have been in love for a long time, but their own demons have kept them apart for the last few years. Beth is working as a nurse, but after an accident she is in need of help. This is where Cole comes in.
Cole is trying to make a living working as a lawyer at the small town of Willow Creek; his hometown. He has long ago decided to stay there in order to raise his daughter with the help of her mother, Lily. Lily is married to his brother Sloan and has been Cole’s best friend since a very young age, but the three of them are a big loving family.
When he learns about Beth’s accident he doesn’t hesitate to help her. She moves in with him in his house at Willow Creek and the passion resumes. Beth and Cole are destined to be together and in this book they learn to overcome the fears that have kept them apart.
The author deals with the sensitive matter of abuse with such great care and that alone is proof of her immense writing skills. This story will make you cry, laugh and believe in humans again. The book is filled with amazing storyline, strong passion and never-ending love. A must read for all the romantic hearts out there.
5+ Stars from me. Excellent work.
Profile Image for Alexis.
756 reviews84 followers
March 29, 2015
I read the first book in the series, Forever His Baby in one sitting and was SO pumped to see that there was a second book in the series…oh and now a third one!

I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason. I think this book is a prime example of that exact sentiment.

You will remember Cole from the first book. He is the father to Calla, he and Lily’s daughter. While Lily was pregnant, Cole dated throughout college and even stayed together afterwards. After college, they move back to Cole’s hometown to be near his daughter. When Cole proposed to Beth, she freaked out and left town. Years later, a twist of fate brings them back together and shows them that things happen for a reason.

As Beth’s emergency contact, they are thrown back together with Cole being the person to take care of Beth when she needs him the most.

I really liked Cole and Beth from the first book. Cole is such an upstanding person with a strong head on his shoulders and always seems to do the right thing. Beth is the girl who never felt likes she was worth anyone’s love, especially someone like Cole. But she also has this huge heart and is so selfless in every which way. I think her childhood scarred her enough that it’s why she up and ran away from Cole’s first proposal 4 years ago.

Throughout the entire book, you feel the love that these two shared for each other. There is a HUGE storyline that I will not be sharing in my review but it is what ultimately brings them back together and it was fab. There was also some insane chemistry whizzing around in this book. Holy wow..does this author know how to write some Skokie scenes!

It was also fun to see what was happening with Lily and Sloan from the first book and how they are still so incredibly in love with each other.

Airicka’s books are like gummy bears to me. I can’t stop eating or in this case reading them because they are so sweet and addictive. There is mild angst but it’s wrapped up in a syrupy (sugary) coating that keeps me wanting more. I can’t wait for the third book which happens to be about Cole and Lily’s daughter.
Profile Image for Vfc.
1,543 reviews
May 4, 2020
Lily McClain is Cole’s sister-in-law, the mother of his baby and his best friend. Calla is their daughter, shared by Cole and Lily, courtesy of a pact six years ago involving an old condom and their virginities. Finding out they had a daughter hadn’t changed the dynamics of their friendship. Lily, who had been in love with Cole’s brother, Sloan, her entire life, had gotten married to the man of her dreams and Cole had gotten a beautiful daughter.

His daughter tells him she doesn’t want to return to school because she’s being called a freak and her classmates said their relationship was unnatural. “They think it’s weird that you and mommy had me and then mommy and Uncle Sloan had Willa. They said it wasn’t right and that it was instuous.” “Incestuous!”

Which four year old understands the word incestuous much less can use itin a sentence, only someone with an accelerated vocabulary. Calla was not well written, her character was far too adult.

Cole’s explanation to Calla
“She and I don’t share the same blood like you and I do, or Uncle Sloan and I do. Uncle Sloan and I are related. He’s my brother. There is nothing wrong with you, or with our family. We’re not like most, that’s true, but remember that talk we had a while back about all the different kinds of people that make a family? Now, go get your things. I’ll take you to school.”

Telling a four year old “he’s clearly not the brightest tool in the shed...”

Four years ago they would have been twenty-one and nineteen. Beth left four years ago after he proposed, panicked. Returning hours later she found him in a lip lock convincing her she’d made the right decision.

The incident with Cora was never a secret but the moment he had pushed her off him, it hadn’t mattered. It hadn’t filled him with relief or passion. If anything, it had left him feeling empty and cold. “You kissed Cora?” Lily blurted in outrage. “I was drunk, I was pissed and I was hurt, okay? I didn’t set out to do it. Also, she kissed me.”
“What the hell were you thinking, Cole? No wonder Beth’s furious with you.”
“I wasn’t thinking, I was drunk, remember? I love Beth. You know that.”
“Then why didn’t you go after her? Stop her from leaving?”
He felt rejected. Truth be told, if she hadn’t left, he might have.
“Cole…” He shook his head. “But I never hated her. Not even then. When I went to Billy’s, all I wanted was to forget the whole thing. Cora asked me why I was drowning my sorrows at three in the afternoon. I think she kissed me out of pity. How the hell was I supposed to know Beth would come back?”

Beth and Cole weren’t realistic, neither had anyone else in four years and had no outside relationships.

Beth’s untrusting, her dad repeatedly cheated on her Mum and she refused to leave him. Instead, when Beth was ten, she turned to prescription drugs. She was fifteen when her father left. Left to fend for herself, she met a boy at school, James. He promised her the one thing she never had … love. Only the minute he got what he wanted, he pretended she didn’t exist anymore.

That was the same year her mom OD’d. She came home from school to find her dead on the kitchen floor. She was taken into foster care for the next three years until she met Cole. “I swore that I would never hurt her like that. That I would never leave her. I wouldn’t even sleep with her for the first seven months, determined to show her that that wasn’t all I wanted. Then I went and did exactly what I promised never to do”.

She tries to save her neighbour’s daughter and the child’s grandmother and gets burnt in the process. Cole is listed as her emergency contact, after a few skirmishes, he takes her home with him since she is unable to use her bandaged hands and care for herself.

The plural of reindeer is reindeer NOT reindeers. These two were rather insipid characters.
Profile Image for Anaïs.
436 reviews35 followers
March 22, 2015
This review was originally posted on Fifty Shades of Books

1 out of 5 Stars

Beth Doan and Cole McClain have been an item four years ago, but that was before Beth decided to leave Cole the morning after he proposed to her. Cole has been heartbroken ever since and trying to get over Beth, but in vain. But a phone call from a hospital prompts him to make the three-hour drive to see Beth, who suffered severe injuries from a fire in her apartment complex.

Unable to use her hands or care for herself, and with noone around to help her out, Cole offers to bring her back to his place in Willow Creek until he gets better. For lack of better options, Beth agrees, alhough she knows plain well that this will be a very challenging situation. There is an akward sexual tension between the two, and it's making things difficult for both of them.

But as they are both set on recueing a little boy who has suffered from child abuse for several years, both show a strength they never though they had.

What I loved about this book:

Sorry, but I will have to draw a blank here...

What I felt needed improvement:

The horrendously ridiculous plot
The cliché'd hearts and flowers scenarios
The unrealistic characters


I picked up Bye-Bye Baby because it's part 2 of the Baby Saga, and I had already read (and liked) Forever His Baby, which is part 1 of the saga. However, I have been truly disappointed by this release, as the story really just didn't feel or sound realistic.

I really couldn't stand Beth and how mistrusting she was of Cole, when all he did was be a perfect book boyfriend. I don't even know why he put up with her, or even agreed to take care of her when she was so set against the idea of him looking after her. After all, the worst part was that she left him (not the other way around), so she should be thankful that he still wants anything to do with her. Yet, after all those years, when she sees that Cole has moved into a new apartment, she is angry because he replaced all the furniture they bought together and got rid of whatever reminded him of her.
"He didn't know how to apologize when he didn't know what he was apologizing for. It was becoming impossible to remember she had left him. Didn't he have a right to move on?"

And can you believe that both of them were heartbroken over their "break-up" four years ago, and haven't had sex with another person ever since? Yeah, right! Oh, and did I mention that even though the two of them broke up, Beth always stayed in close contact with Cole's BFF Lilly, and Cole had no idea about that? So many things are just too unrealistic here.

Then, when Beth's accident happens, they move in together (even though Cole has no obligation to take her in), and just like that, they do everything in their power to rescue an abused child from his father and take the kid into Cole's home. Sure, I mean it sounds like something more or less believeable since no-one should let an abused child suffer and Cole has had a violent father himself, so he certainly could relate, but... Cole and Beth take this decision together, when at that point of the story, they aren't even an item. Even worse: their interactions are completely awkward. Cole is dying to win Beth back, and Beth is her insecure self, ready to run at the slightest incident. And Cole and Beth are in ther early twenties - how can they possibly make such a decision when there's another human being involved?
"There is nothing we're doing for that boy that we would ever take back. He's a McClain. This is his family for as long as he needs us."

Oh well... And to ride on the wave of unicorns, rainbows and fairytales, let's talk about the fact that it's really no biggie for nurse Beth to move all her belongings to Willow Creek, and for Cole to build himself another existent that make shim oh so much happier. Cole always wanted to be a lawyer (and studied hard to get there), but needed to stay in the small town of Willow Creek to look after his daughter (that's the one he had with his best friend...) But there's nothing going on in that town business-wise, and he apparently was fine with that in the last four years. But suddenly, now that he lives with Beth, he becomes a computer technician - just like that.

Also, I really felt like the kids in this book acted really weird. Not so much Calla and Willa, but Damon - a six year old - speaks as if he was a teenager. This is so very awkward. But read for yourself:
"Why didn't you let me die?"
"I shouldn't have been born."
"Beth's the only person who doesn't think I'm a worthless little fuck."

Yes, those words are supposed to come out of the mouth of a six-year-old. Absolutely believeable. Not.

The whole storyline was totally ridiculous and I can't remember having rolled my eyes as much when reading a book. Now the writing was okay, it was a 3rd person style with alternative POVs and was a good as in the first book, despite a few typos and mistakes here and there. But I can live with that. Now what I couldn't live was the ridiculous rainbows-and-unicorns story, where everything just works out, and the unrealistic characters and behaviours. Sure, the book held some depth due to the very important subject of child abuse, but everything around this subject was just too ridiculous to really have an impact.

So yes, this is the first disappointment in 2015, and while I actually liked the first part of the series, Bye-Bye Baby just didn't cut it for me. Not sure I will be picking up the next two books which are scheduled in the Baby Saga , especially since I have no idea whose story they will be picking up on. Because it's it's going to be the continuation of Damon and Willa, I'm saying no. But we'll see...

   



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Profile Image for Sara.
1,809 reviews14 followers
May 11, 2021
This one started and I was intrigued on how they would get back together until it started to wane and I didn’t find their reasoning for separation strong enough to keep going. I contemplated dnfing but then the plot change and I got interested again. It played on my emotions for a while but I do really think this book did not live up to its full potential. Wished we got a better epilogue
Profile Image for Nanette Bradford.
237 reviews19 followers
February 4, 2015
Well, it's no surprise I'm one of Morgana's biggest fans. There isn't a book of hers I don't love. This second book of the baby series was just as great as the first. There is never enough time in the day to read when it comes to her books.

This book through me for a loop. Here I thought it was just going to be a love story about Cole and Beth and the hard times they went through causing their 4 year separation. No, there was this adorable little boy that was thrown in the mix. The things that this poor little 6 year old went threw tore open my heart but to read about all the firsts that Beth and Cole gave him warmed me to my toes. I about believed in Santa again when he got to spend his first Christmas ever with presents.

Cole and Beth were awesome as adults. I loved them in the first book but to read more about them as adults answered a lot of questions. I love them together and though they have issues, mainly Beth's, they do it in a way I could totally see a normal couple with their issues do.

Yes, Sloan and Lily are back with their daughters Calla and Willa. I liked how their blended family was so close. The issue with whom Callas parents are came up and it was dealt with perfectly. Not all families are exactly alike and this family is so strong it makes me feel envious of it.

This book was so sweet and loving i wanted to cry. Of course there were the hard parts where the book went into detail about how they found Damon. I swear I wanted to jump in and run his father over with my car just like Lily did.
I love these characters. They are just all so likable and relatable it makes the whole story fall into place and easy to read you don't want it to ever end.

I'm curious to know who the third book is about so hopefully it will come out soon.
Grab this book, sit down, read it. You will love it just like me.
Profile Image for Kimberly Schaaf.
126 reviews23 followers
January 31, 2015
I loved Forever His Baby. I mean, love love loved it. I honestly thought that Sloan was the new, absolutely amazing book man in my life. Morgana was just tricking me...getting me hooked on the McClain boys....

Then, she re-introduced me to the wonderfully, beautifully, broken, sexy-as-all-hell, Cole McClain. In Forever His Baby, even though Cole played a huge role in the plot of the story, he wasn't "there" much. In my opinion, a whole lot less in comparison in every way to his brother Sloan. In a word, immature.

Fast forward - several years later - and OMG...we have COLE! Broken as Beth left him, trying to just make it through the day. Leave it to Morgana to painfully throw two souls, destined to be together (maybe), back in to full swing with each other. No choice but to 'man-up' and face the music. Beth and Cole have to figure it out - make it work - see if they can fix and put the past 4 years behind them.

As much as this story was about Cole and Beth and their fate together, the much bigger message concerns a little boy that's accidentally thrust into their lives. The pain and hardship that the McClain clan goes through for Damon Comb...seriously, people, get out your tissues!!

I can't even elaborate a little as I feel it might give way too much away. This was another "I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN" awesomesauce piece of amazingness from Phoenix...

Oh - and by the way - she still writes the steam like no one I've ever read....

Profile Image for Jennifer Treviño.
555 reviews5 followers
March 5, 2015
I didn't think it was possible to love these characters any more than I already did....but I was wrong! I was just reminded why Phoenix's stories always have me coming back for more. If you have not read Forever His Baby then you are missing out! That is after all where it all began.
Bye-Bye Baby went back & gave us a lil' of their pasts & slammed us right back where we wanted to be without missing a beat. Must. Have. More. NOW!
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,615 reviews36 followers
June 12, 2020
It has been years since I read the first book in this series but when I saw it in KU I decided to grab it. I loved it and the way the story evolved. From the blurb, I thought a character we meet early in the story was going to come into play but I was wrong and happy about it. I understood the hesitancy of both characters and felt it went at a pace it needed. Loved the characters.
Profile Image for Lori Walsh, Guaresimo.
1,029 reviews10 followers
September 18, 2017
What a turn of events.'
Cole you can do this, and he did.
Surprises here and there maybe some twisting in the wind.
Read the book.
Profile Image for Emma Chris.
295 reviews
July 13, 2024
I thought this was a good read, but not as good as the first book. We get to see lots of Sloan and Lily in this book, the first book had a lot going on, so this book seemed not quite as exciting.
Profile Image for Mignon Mykel.
Author 87 books686 followers
June 17, 2015
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a review copy in exchange for an honest review; original posting can be found at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...

This series, oh my, this series…

My first look into this baby saga was the latest book, ALWAYS YOUR BABY. While reading other reviews, the general theme was that everyone was so excited to finally see Damon’s book and after reading BYE-BYE BABY, I can see why.

This book belongs to Beth and Cole, two people who have loved one another for years but didn’t trust the ground they were building on and went separate ways. Now, four years later, they get a chance at trying again.

The emotion in this book will grip you. An accident may force Beth and Cole back together, but it’s the underlying emotion between the two that keeps them together. They have to learn to trust one another (and Beth has to learn to not fear certain things), but eventually they get there.

Honestly, part of the reason why I chose this story was the synopsis – immediately you understand that Cole’s been in love with Beth for years and has fought to try and forget her, but she’s always on his mind. The story lived up with it’s expectations. The other reason why I picked it up was because I wanted to catch glimpses of little Damon, and oh my goodness, did I love him then as much as I do ‘now’. As I read the last book first, it was fun to see the adults of “my” world as the children they were in the first two books (gosh, can I say again how much I love that the first two books were the parents and the second two, as well as the next title, belong to their kids?!)

Storylines that could have been awkward were well played out. Relationships that could have been awkward, the same. I very much enjoyed the comradery that this group of people (Lily, Sloan, Cole, Beth) go through – because the Cole-Lily-Sloan thing could have been way awkward, but they make it work.


Still super pumped to read TOBY’s book, but am equally excited to get my hands on the other two books in this series. This is one that can just be devoured!This series, oh my, this series…

My first look into this baby saga was the latest book, ALWAYS YOUR BABY. While reading other reviews, the general theme was that everyone was so excited to finally see Damon’s book and after reading BYE-BYE BABY, I can see why.

This book belongs to Beth and Cole, two people who have loved one another for years but didn’t trust the ground they were building on and went separate ways. Now, four years later, they get a chance at trying again.

The emotion in this book will grip you. An accident may force Beth and Cole back together, but it’s the underlying emotion between the two that keeps them together. They have to learn to trust one another (and Beth has to learn to not fear certain things), but eventually they get there.

Honestly, part of the reason why I chose this story was the synopsis – immediately you understand that Cole’s been in love with Beth for years and has fought to try and forget her, but she’s always on his mind. The story lived up with it’s expectations. The other reason why I picked it up was because I wanted to catch glimpses of little Damon, and oh my goodness, did I love him then as much as I do ‘now’. As I read the last book first, it was fun to see the adults of “my” world as the children they were in the first two books (gosh, can I say again how much I love that the first two books were the parents and the second two, as well as the next title, belong to their kids?!)

Storylines that could have been awkward were well played out. Relationships that could have been awkward, the same. I very much enjoyed the comradery that this group of people (Lily, Sloan, Cole, Beth) go through – because the Cole-Lily-Sloan thing could have been way awkward, but they make it work.

Still super pumped to read TOBY’s book, but am equally excited to get my hands on the other two books in this series. This is one that can just be devoured!
Profile Image for Aura.
66 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2015
I fell in love with this story! The feeling you have when you finish reading
“Bye-Bye Baby” is hope. Hope for a better life, based on the most wonderful
feeling in the world: love, pure love.
“Bye-Bye Baby” is the second book in the Baby Saga series. It is about
Cole and his love, Beth.
They were perfect together, they loved each other, but something
happened and their relationship fell apart. But life has a way of going on
anyway…who knows what will come next?
The book begins with action and I like that. The author shows us how the
characters live after their abrupt break up, four years ago.
Cole is heartbroken even after all their time apart. He hates his life with the
exception of the reason he came back home: his daughter Calla. Having her is
the only happiness he has at the moment.
Beth tried to forget everything she has been through, the pain she suffered,
the love she felt, and the betrayal. She goes on living: empty and alone. She only
has her work to accompany her.
One day their lives collide again, but neither one of them is ready to face
the past. What do you think they will do?
I, for one, thought this would be a classic romance novel, but I’m very
happy I was wrong.
I was impressed by Cole. I was impressed with his devotion and persistence
in making her see the truth: the way he fought for her, he never let go, never got
angry at her blindness, and he was so patient. He has earned all my respect for
that. The author designed an amazing character, with many qualities I believe
every person should have. He is nice, warm, protective, and strong.
Beth is strong too considering she had a childhood few of us could survive
~ 36 ~

and she grew up as a beautiful, mature woman, with very important principles.
Aside from her great body, she has a big heart that will make you love her
instantly.
The children are amazing, innocent, and kind. It will fill your heart with
happiness.
I’ve said I was wrong about this being a classic romance because another
character made an appearance in this story, which helped Cole and Beth’s
relationship grow stronger and assisted it in evolving to what they have now…that
character was Damon.
I will let you discover on your own what that means. It is too good to give it
away or describe it with my words. So, go ahead, dig in!!!
I loved reading this book. I’m sorry I didn’t do it earlier. It allowed my
heart to fill of various feelings. I’ve learned that the most important thing in life is
family. I also realized you can lose the ones you love every day, there’s no
guarantee that you will see them tomorrow, and you can’t let a day pass without
showing them how you feel…you need to let them know that you want and need
them to be happy.
It also left me with the desire to have a big family with many children:
brothers, sisters, and to have many good friends.
I love the friendship between Cole and Lily. The kind of relationship they
have is so rare, you barely see it these days. What else can I say? I would
recommend this series to anyone!!! There is no way to stop yourself from liking
this book, once you begin reading it! So, read it and you will see I am right.
Profile Image for James.
467 reviews
February 9, 2015
Another good read in this series but I think I liked the first book better.

This story follows Cole and Beth several years after the events of Forever His Baby. Beth left Cole after he proposed and she got scared. A big misunderstanding has kept them apart for the past four years and it is only an unlikely accident that temporarily reunites them. Neither of them have gotten over each other and it isn’t long before old feelings resurface. Just as they seem to be figuring things out, a whole new level of stress is added to their relationship when a young abused boy becomes a part of their lives. The rest of the story is pretty much them learning to forgive each other and learning how to love someone unconditionally when they need it.

I liked the overall story and getting to see characters from the first book again. However, I didn’t really buy the reason for Cole and Beth’s long separation. I understood Beth’s fears and Cole’s hurt over her running away, but I can’t believe they were both stubborn enough to stay away from each other without a word for four years – not if they loved each other as much as they did by the end of the book. I also felt like the story lost a bit of direction towards the end as for the first half all the focus was on Beth and Cole’s relationship while the second half was mostly about Damon, the young abused boy who ended up in their lives. There was some crossover but to me they felt almost like separate stories. It was kind of like when the first book in a series covers the main characters getting together, breaking up, and coming back together again to live happily ever after - while the second book will usually pick up their story several years down the track when kids or something else equally significant is happening. This book felt like both of those stories in one – which was good, but wasn’t really what I was expecting.

Overall this was a good read that I’d recommend if you’ve read the first book in the series and enjoyed it. You can read it as a standalone but you’d know a lot more about the main characters and the context of their lives if you’ve read the first book.
Profile Image for Julie Kirby.
920 reviews13 followers
April 7, 2015
A really lovely storyabout hope, love, friendship and second chances.

Just loved catching up with Sloan and Lily, Calla sounds like a lovely well adjusted little girl, with 3 parents who simply adore her. We also get to meet Willa, Calla's little sister, very quiet and reserved but also an all seeing all thinking little girl. She has all their hearts.

We find out that Beth; Cole's girlfriend since College, who followed him back to Willow Creek once they worked out Calla was his biological child; left Cole. We also find out why Beth always seemed a little distant. The pair of them struggled n for 4 years after Beth took off; thinking that she was not worthy of someone like Cole.

I felt sorry for both of them, anyone could see how well they fit, although they had both grown in the time they were apart, neither of them had moved on.

Cole gets a phone call, and whilst he is definitely torn about what the right thing to do is, he does the only thing he could. He is there for Beth when she needs him, even though she tried to deny this.

He managed to get her to move back to Willow Creek, whilst she recovers and heals from the burns she got from the fire that opened this story.

These two were great together and I was rooting for them to work through their problems.

Then we meet Damon, a 6 year old little boy, who is at school with Calla, we learn that he is picking on her and Cole; who has taken to parenthood admirably, want to help Calla. Only to discover as soon as he sees Damon with his dad, what's been happening to Damon.

The welfare of Damon, soon becomes apparent and Beth a straight honest to goodness hero, is very worried that she discovers Damon hurt, and all hell breaks loose.

This story had lots of twists and turns but the thing that stood out was the compassion Cole and Beth had throughout, whether it was for each other or the sweet little girls, even Lily and Sloan and then for Damon,

There were heart stopping moments, laugh out loud moments and some very sexy hot moments. The wait was inscrutiating and I totally loved the epilogue, glad that HEA's work out they way they are supposed to.
Profile Image for Carra.
1,733 reviews31 followers
June 19, 2015
Second chance romance? I'm a sucker for it every time. Second chance romance written by Airicka Phoenix? You couldn't keep me away. There's a reason she's an auto-buy author for me, and this emotion-filled story is just one more example of her fantastic writing. Featuring characters with depth, a plot that snatches you up from page one and doesn't let go, and enough drama and angst to have you frantically flipping pages, Bye-Bye Baby will tug at your heart not only for Cole and Beth, but even more so for Damon.

One thing I love about the Baby Saga-the characters really make you feel like you've stepped in the middle of one big family, no matter which book you're reading. The way they interact feels so comfortable that picking up any book in the saga feels like coming home.

For our main characters in Bye-Bye Baby, Cole is my favorite-never wavering in his love and devotion to Beth, even after she left him (before the story starts). Fiercely loyal and protective of those he loves, he'll shoot straight to the top of your book boyfriends list. Beth I was a little wary of at first since she did leave Cole, but the more of her family story I learned, the more I understood her reasons-even if I didn't necessarily agree with her. But the character who stole the entire story was little Damon. He will capture your heart even as he helps Beth and Cole heal.

Second chance romance lovers, you will swoon with Beth and Cole's story. It was a clear 5-star read for me, and a very strong reason this series is a top recommendation series for me.
Profile Image for Brandi .
1,682 reviews4 followers
February 12, 2015
A little underwhelmed with this one...

I was super excited to get back to Willow Creek and read more about Cole & Beth (as well as Sloan & Lily) but the build up to them "coming together" was killer... I wanted to press the fast forward button a couple of times because I felt like it dragged in places.

I liked Cole & Beth, liked what they did for Damon but... things seemed to fall into place a little too easily for me where he was concerned. Yes, they had to put up with the jerk-face dad and the social worker but I just didn't really feel it... or maybe it was just the three of them together, they mega-instant-we're-a-family-vibe? I don't really know. Something was a little off for me... I just can't quite put my finger on it.

Part of my "meh" attitude can probably be attributed to Beth's reason for leaving Cole in the first place. It was weak and disappointing. If she'd REALLY been passionately and madly in love with him, wouldn't she have stopped at nothing to get him back? And even if he was hurt, wouldn't Cole have eventually contacted Beth? Something that sparked as brightly as they did shouldn't have died outwardly that fast...

BUT... they did get their HEA and that was great! Even better was getting so many Lily and Sloan moments!!

Curious to find out who's starring in books three and four in this series.
Profile Image for Sienna Logan (Lost to Books).
1,063 reviews20 followers
February 14, 2015
I think I preferred this to book 1. I'm not usually one to buy ebooks, however I took a gamble on Forever His Baby and after loving it I couldn't wait to read this follow up.

It definitely didn't disappoint.

This book was full of heart, emotion, and loveable characters. I fell in love with Cole in book one so I'm glad we got to see him in his own book, and got to know him better. Just like Sloan, he is a good, respectable guy who has a big heart and you can't help but love him. His actions are great and he's a moralistic character.

Similarly Beth was a great match for him. Their relationship was sweet when it worked and I liked the growth in it. I thought bringing them back together through Daemon was interesting and that the author dealt with the situations well. At times it was a tough read, but the author clearly focused on the love and rehabilitating actions of Cole ... Watching Daemon grow was touching.

The only thing I wasn't keen on once again was the sex scenes and random references to handcuffs. I have no issues with these types of subjects but I don't feel they're necessary in these stories. They don't seem to fit with the characters and like with the first book seemed out of place.

Overall though this was a touching, sweet read. It broke my heart and brought a smile to my face so is definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Tanja Brewer.
49 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2015
You know you are reading a good book when your emotions are on a hormonal rollercoaster. I went from feeling sorry for Cole and Beth to wanting to smack them both then crying and wanting to smack them again. At one point I had to try and explain to a male co worker how I went from being into reading to bawling my eyes out in .5 seconds. This book was a great addition to Forever his Baby. Lily and Slone are happy in their home with Calla and Willa. Cole has his own place doing his lawyer thing Beth is living elsewhere.... things take off right from the beginning and stays pretty fast paced. A young boy named Damon becomes to be a HUGE part of what Cole and Beth might become. But that road is long and quite rocky for everyone involved. I have to say as much as I love all the wild and raw romance between Lily and Slone and Beth and Cole I am in love with Calla and Willa. Without those two the story would be odd. Airika did an amazing job as always and I cannot wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
Profile Image for Jocelyn Sanchez.
672 reviews56 followers
May 3, 2016
I read the first book in this series and was seriously blown away, so I was anxious and excited to start this book to find out what happened to Cole and Beth, two characters who were introduced in the first book. I was worried the book wouldn't be as good as the first, because there's always something so magical about the first book in the series, but I didn't have to worry about that because this book was absolutely stunning!! Beautiful and heartfelt. I give it two thumbs up!

It's no surprise Airicka Phoenix is one of my all time favorite authors. One of the reasons why is because, no matter what book of hers I'm reading, I'm always engaged into the story to a point where I don't want the book to end! Every character and plot is unique and I just can't get enough of her books!

She's an author I recommend others when they ask for a good book and I can't wait to see what other books the author will write in the future. I'm a huge fan!

This is a great book and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!
Profile Image for Romancing Susan (Monti).
193 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2015
I loved Forever His Baby that's why when Bye-Bye Baby came out! I just had to read it too!

And I am happy to report that this book is as good as Forever His Baby! I caught myself several times trying to hold off my tears! This is one emotional book. What's good about this book is that not everything is focused on Cole and Beth. I mean, I love Cole and Beth even if there are time I just want to knock their heads for being stubborn, but the little man which plays a very big factor why Cole and Beth's relationship grew stronger, making them the solid unit, makes us believe than blood relations is not what family is all about.

I also love that Sloan, Lily, Calla and Willa are present all throughout the story. Their family may seem dysfunctional to others, but this family I love. 5 Stars for Morgana Phoenix!
Profile Image for reading the sheets.
267 reviews8 followers
February 8, 2015
Beth walked out on cole four years ago, shes now a nurse but after an accident Beth is in need of help.Cole lives in Willow Creek still,raising is daughter and works as a lawyer when hehears about her problem he takes her into his home…lets the fun begin!!! Passion re ignites between these two but so do old fears can they both put their past behind them and be together?Then a little boy in need of their love and help comes into the story and Beth find their love growing stronger through him.Can they all be together as a solid family unit they all so desperately want?
I loved this book it was heartbreaking and emotional,a story of misunderstandings and second chances but ultimately the feeling only love can bring!!
Cant wait till the next book!!
Profile Image for Katherine.
173 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2015
Bye Bye Baby by Airicka Phoenix is the 2nd book in the Baby Saga. It takes place 6 years after the first book and it focuses on Cole and Beth. The story begins with Cole and Beth broken up and not even talking. Until Cole gets a call that Beth is in the hospital. Cole rushes to her and convinces her that she needs his help. Both of them are afraid of getting hurt again and they have to learn how to trust each other again.
The story was well written and really drew me in. I likes Forever His Baby (book 1) but I absolutely loved Bye Bye Baby. This book had so much emotion - it made me laugh and cry.
The characters felt very real to me. They each had a distinct personality and their interactions were great.
Profile Image for Crystal.
266 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2015
I personally loved this one much more than Forever His Baby. Bye-Bye Baby has more emotions to deal with and the story is much more complex than FHB. BBB deals with troubled pasts, child abuse, bullying, and healing all rolled into one incredible read. Cole has grown as a character and Beth has matured emotionally as well. Out of all of the characters that are in this book, I would have to say that I love Willa and Damon. The way they were introduced to one another and how it was written was genius. Kudos to Ms. Phoenix on creating a masterpiece sequel. I wonder what she will do as an encore??
Profile Image for Amanda.
Author 1 book32 followers
February 4, 2015
I really enjoy all the books I have read by Morgana Phoenix, which is basically all of her books. They are well written, sexy, and amazing. Bye-Bye Baby was one of those books that I could not set down until I finished it. I loved the conflicts that were there from the beginning and the ones that were introduced. I loved the characters as well, and how they developed from the beginning. The ending was amazing and happy, but it did leave me hanging just a little. I can't wait to read the rest of the books that come out in this series. If only the wait wasn't so long. :) Oh well, I can deal with it. :)
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