While this isn’t my favorite series by this author, I do really like these characters. They are genuinely good people and the way they interact and treat those around them is a breath of fresh air. I almost feel like the romance here is a little forced and I could use a little more development.

*4.5 stars*

I couldn’t wait to dive into Max’s story!

This is the second story in The Heirs series and though it could work as a stand-alone you definitely want to read “All Our Tomorrows” first. That gives all the background and sets the stage for what’s to come here. Plus, you get all the details on the siblings (and Piper)!

While Max’s siblings hadn’t led the privileged life of a billionaire’s family, his life was many planets removed from it. He was edgy, blue collar and thrived despite his rocky start in life. He thought it was a joke at first but soon realized he was rich now, with all the good and bad that came with it. Sarah should have been part of the bad – being a tabloid reporter and all - but that was far from the truth too. I have to say, I was really happy about that. Instead of a person trying to fake their way in for a story, she was looking for a truthful story and going about it as honestly as she could. Basing a relationship of any kind on lies is a hard pass for me and Sarah’s ability to balance a tabloid (yikes!) and her sense of integrity was admirable. And made for just one of the layers that made this story so good.

Can’t wait for more!

THE FORGOTTEN ONE (The Heirs Book #2) is a captivating and heartwarming installment in The Heirs series. This novel explores the discovery of the long-lost brother, Maximillian, and his romance with a tenacious tabloid writer committed to printing the truth. Although this book can be read as a standalone, with Ms. Bybee providing sufficient backstory to comprehend the dynamics between the three siblings, I highly recommend reading the first book, All Our Tomorrows, as it is an excellent read in its own right. Maximillian Smith, a blue-collar worker living day-to-day, suddenly finds himself thrust into a world of unimaginable wealth and introduced to siblings he never knew existed. He also attracts the attention of a determined red-headed tabloid reporter. Sarah McNeilly, driven to work for a national news organization, finds herself working for a tabloid to gain experience. However, her refusal to compromise her journalistic integrity by lying or exaggerating in her articles creates challenges. When her boss receives a tip about a high-profile story involving a deceased billionaire hotel mogul and a Max Smith, Sarah is assigned to uncover the scoop before anyone else. After literally colliding with Max outside the family mansion compound, Max decides to utilize this charming writer to strategically release his real-life story and assist him in locating the mother who abandoned him to the foster care system. As they collaborate on the investigation, their mutual attraction grows, but trust proves difficult for Max to establish. I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative, as Max and Sarah form a perfect couple. From Chapter One, I was emotionally invested, and their romance felt authentic and engaging. The banter between them was witty and humorous, eliciting laughter on multiple occasions. Furthermore, there were moments when I felt emotionally moved, empathizing with the difficult emotions Max experienced as an abandoned child and his subsequent emotional shutdown as a coping mechanism, despite his inherently caring nature. It was delightful to revisit Max's siblings and other characters from the first book. Ms. Bybee's novels consistently captivate me from start to finish, and she has become an automatic purchase for me. I found this book impossible to put down, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. I highly recommend this emotionally satisfying and heartwarming contemporary romance.

I LOVE this series! Catherine Bybee does it again with another amazing series with great characters and a fantastic story! Can’t wait for more!

I was first introduced to Catherine Bybee with her Richter series. Romantic suspense is my absolute favorite genre, but I enjoyed her writing so much that I decided to try her D'Angelos series. And what an emotional journey that was. And now I find myself fully entrenched in The Heirs series. I think you can classify me as a hardcore fan of hers at this point. Her writing is raw, real, heartwrenching, and heartwarming, all rolled into one excellent romance series after another. I recommend reading this series in order because I feel like you’ll miss too much from the previous book that flows into this one. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the entire series so far, though, and I can’t help but highly recommend all of them.

As usual, Ms. Bybee’s writing and storytelling ability kept me wholly engaged and made me not want to put it down, even when life so rudely intruded.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was an absolutely beautiful story, full of emotions and a strong social message. Max is a product of the Foster system and it’s made painfully clear how the children are treated like parcels, shuffled about, treated in an impersonal manner, like they are burdens instead of precious cargo. What an apt name of the forgotten ones! They fall thru the cracks, their development and happiness not a priority.

While the story gives a strong message, it also gives us a beautiful love story about the boy who grew up in the foster system, believing himself to be an orphan, and all of sudden, he acquires two siblings and an inheritance that took some time to process, it was so mind-boggling. It also brought him Sarah, the reporter tasked with investigating a tip that linked Max Smith with Aaron Stone.

I loved reading about this man, with a rugged face, cement walls around his heart, learn to love and to trust. Even though he was a hardened man, he had a kind and generous heart and we see many moments that just melt your heart.

I loved how the love developed between these two. Max had never before felt seen, understood, and supported like he felt with Sarah. From a one-night stand man, he was now contemplating forever! And Sarah saw beneath the façade to the little boy who wanted love so she gave it freely.

I loved the first book in this series, loved this one just as much and now I can’t wait for Alex’s story. It promises to be a blast, because Alex is such a force of nature. There’s a lot of expectation as you read this book, board room drama and intrigue, investigations and a learning curve for a blue collar man who enters the world of billionaires. I can’t begin to express enough what a fantastic page turner and how riveting this book is!

The Forgotten One is the 2nd book in The Heirs series and centers on Max, the missing sibling. I definitely suggest that you read this series in order and if you haven't read All Our Tomorrows, you might want to stop reading this review. At the end of the last book, Chase, Piper and Alex found Max, their missing sibling, but he was not interested in what they have to say. In this book, they are able to convince him to meet with them and listen to their story. He agreed to be a silent stake holder in the family company and give voting rights to Chase and Alex. The plan is to keep Max a secret until they are ready to reveal him to their board and the world. Meanwhile, a tabloid has been given a tip about Max Smith, and the Stone family. Sarah McNeilly is an honest reporter and has been given the job of finding out who he is and what is his affiliation with the Stones. Max has a sad past, and he has kept it under wraps, but knows that it will all come out eventually. Sarah and Max work together to release information to the public in accordance with Chase and Alex's wishes. The more time they spend together, the more their attraction to one another becomes hard to ignore.

This was another enjoyable addition to The Heirs series. I really liked Max. Considering what his life had been like growing up and in the present, he was level headed, not greedy, honest and ready to do what was needed to support Stone Enterprises. He had a good sense of humour and I liked the banter between him and Sarah. I thought it was a hoot that he nicknamed her "Lois Lane". Their meet cute was well done and when Sarah realized who he was, she was taken aback. Once again, there is corporate shenanigans, family drama, trouble with paparazzi and romance. Sarah is one of a few of the honest reporters involved in tabloid reporting. She keeps her word with the Stones and is able to get the story. The secondary characters in this one were more nasty characters than friendly ones, but they added much to the story. I really like Chase and Alex's mom. Even though she was divorced and estranged from their father, she never spoke badly about him and just wanted to move on with her life. I was happy to see her get her own romance. Overall a story of family, business and romance that I enjoyed. I am looking forward to finally getting Alex's story in the final book of this trilogy coming out in June.

The Forgotten One is book 2 in the Heirs series. We pick up right where we left off in book one with Max's siblings coming to find him and inform him that a. he has siblings and. b. he has a substantial inheritance that he knew nothing about! Sarah is a tabloid reporter with a conscience and the dreams of leaving the tabloid for better opportunities. She gets the inside scoop about Max while researching his fathers death.

These two are absolutely adorable together. The amount of mutual respect, communication and trust all of them have for one another is amazing! I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC.

3/5 Stars
Soap opera vibes with a side of melodrama.

Catherine Bybee’s The Forgotten One is the second installment in The Heirs series, and while it offers plenty of twists and a simmering romance, it leans heavily into the campy and melodramatic, often at the expense of the story’s emotional weight.

Sarah McNeilly is an enjoyable protagonist—competent, determined, and refreshingly grounded despite working in the chaotic tabloid industry. Her integrity and ability to dig for the truth, rather than sensational headlines, make her a standout. On the other hand, Max is… a bit of a whiny manbaby. Yes, he’s been thrown into a whirlwind of sudden wealth, a secret family, and paparazzi chaos, but his constant self-pity and indecision detract from his appeal as a leading man. His chemistry with Sarah has its moments, but it’s often overshadowed by his melodramatic tendencies.

The plot is over the top in a way that’s entertaining if you embrace the soap-opera-style twists—lost family connections, billionaires with skeletons in their closets, and a dash of investigative intrigue. However, the tone teeters dangerously close to absurdity at times, making it hard to take the emotional stakes seriously.

If you’re in the mood for something light and campy, this might hit the spot. But if you’re looking for a romance with depth and a truly swoon-worthy hero, this one may leave you wanting more. Still, Sarah’s strong characterization and some fun banter keep it from completely falling flat. It’s not a bad read—just one that requires a healthy tolerance for melodrama.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a book that I had a hard time putting down and did not want to see end. I want more. Max is the long lost heir to the Stones, just an average hard working single guy and now finds out that he is a billionaire that grew up in the foster system. Sarah writes for a tabloid that needs the story of her life to save her job. Soon they are working together on the past of Max to locate his mother, but soon they can't deny the chemistry that they share.

I'm in love with this series, Max's story was outstanding . The flaws of the foster system just broke my heart, but Max is a success story. Loved the relationship that developed between Sarah and Max, both with trust issues. I highly recommend this book, can't wait for Alex's story!!

The Forgotten One is the second book in "The Heirs" trilogy. And what a continuation of the story it was!
Max was abandoned by his mother and never knew his father. He was brought up in the foster care system and then had a blue collar job that helped him to get by.
Approached by two strangers claiming to be his siblings Max discovers he was mentioned in his father's will.
Sarah, a tabloid reporter, was tasked with the job of uncovering the truth about Max. When they meet there is an instant attraction and the sparks begin to fly. He agrees to give her exclusive stories and she helps him to navigate his relationship with his new family.
There is so much more to this story including bringing to light the broken foster care system, twists and turns and a feel good romance.
Catherine Bybee is a great storyteller and gives us a captivating read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is a new author for me but I’ve enjoyed this taste of her voice. Characters are solid, could use more originality or depth. Plot was promising and intriguing, could be refined a bit more. Romance was a good balance of emotional and realistic!

The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee
The Heirs #2

This book had me up till 2am last night wanting to finish the book but knowing I would probably enjoy and remember it better if I slept a few hours instead of staying up all night. Loved it and found it a wonderful addition to the series. Can’t wait for book three!

What I liked:
* Maximillian “Max” Smith: abandoned by his mother, difficult childhood growing up in foster care and group homes, manual laborer, trust issues, big heart, caring, protective, intriguing, drawn to Sarah, really liked him
* Sarah McNeilly: journalist, researcher, honest, won’t print lies, works for a tabloid, dreams of working for big newspaper, good friend, caring, good people skills, loving family, open, drawn to Max, good with and for him
* Remembering book one with Chase, Alex, and Piper looking for their lost brother and seeing what they are doing in this book
* The way Max reacted when he was approached the first time by his half siblings
* The way Max began to open up over time and how his relationships with those in the book changed through the story
* Supporting characters and what they added to the story: Sarah’s roommate Teri, Alex’s bff Nick, Abigale who knew Max when he was tiny, Max’s workmate Jeff – wonder if he will show up later, and a few others
* The way both Max and Sarah were willing to go for what they wanted, openly and maturely communicate with one another and others, and the points in time where they said enough was enough and moved toward a brighter future in their work
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That I felt a part of the story, would be glad to be friends with more than one and was invested in the characters and outcome
* Eager to find out who Alex will end up with in the next book, how Glenn will participate going forward, and hoping that Melissa, Floyd, and others will be hit by Karma
* All of it except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the “lost children” and how difficult so many of their lives are
* Having to wait for the next book…want to find out what happens next!

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

…..I have to say I love the book covers for The Heirs series.

Oh, my goodness…..I loved this story. I loved the first book in the series and loved this just as much.
The story is about Max….he grew up in the foster system with no family. Then, his life is completely turned upside down when information is shared with him.
We also have a cute reporter, Sarah, who has a big heart and only wants to report the truth and only the truth.
I loved the chemistry between Max and Sarah.
I loved the supporting characters of Chase, Alex and Piper((from the first book)
I loved the found family theme.
The author shows us how growing up in foster care affects individuals.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!!
I highly recommend reading the first book in the series. It’s a beautiful story just like this one is.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Oh, I have been waiting for Max's story as soon as it was revealed there was a missing heir of Aaron Stone, and his siblings were looking for him.

What I was not sure of - Sarah was assigned to find out his secrets and report on them as she is an investigative reporter. Stories with reporters can be pretty hard as they do have a job to report but at who's expense? Do they want to further their career and don't care who they trample on their way to the top? Well, I was glad to read that Sarah was very careful in her reporting and was not going to be pushed into publishing outright falsehoods and was a very conscientious reporter.

Max realizes that his life won't be the same after his story comes out and boy do you find out who true friends are when your world is shaken!

I loved the story as Max grew closer to Sarah and as he navigated the new world of riches as well as having half sister and half brother in his live. There is a great HEA and a moving family conclusion at the end so it was a very emotional and moving ending.

This was cute. It’s second in a series but I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first before reading this one. The characters were great but I wish I felt the chemistry more. They both felt a little too cardboard for me and I was left wanting more but not in a satisfying way.

4 stars! ✨ Okay, The Forgotten One was a fun ride, but I have to admit, I was expecting a bit more with all the buzz I had heard. 😅 That being said, it was still a solid read, and I'm already counting down the days until the next book! Big thanks to Montlake & NetGalley for the ARC! 💕

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Journalist/Celebrity Romance 📸
✧ Unexpected Wealth 💰
✧ Grumpy Billionaire Hero with a Rough Past 💪
✧ Heartfelt Family Dynamics 💕
✧ Hidden Family Secrets 🤫

Now, let’s talk about Max Smith—this guy is a gem! 🙌 He starts off as a hardworking, no-nonsense construction worker, and BOOM, suddenly he's thrust into the billionaire life. It’s such a wild ride! Max had a tough childhood—abandoned and in foster care—but now he’s trying to navigate his newfound wealth, a family he never knew existed, and the adorable reporter Sarah who’s trying to uncover his past.

And speaking of Sarah, I actually liked her character! She’s a journalist with serious integrity who, despite trying to do her job, ends up getting caught up in Max’s chaotic world and… well, falling for him (because duh, it’s a romance, right?). 💁‍♀️

I do wish there was a bit more chemistry between Max and Sarah, though. Don’t get me wrong, I get why they were drawn to each other, but I was hoping for that spark that makes you go wow 😍. Still, the rest of the book was fun! Max trying to adjust to his new billionaire life, with Sarah helping him navigate it, gave me all the family feels that I love. The Stone siblings’ dynamic? Chef’s kiss 😘 I’m so ready for more of them!

📌 Content Warnings (CW):
- Foster care system issues
- Parental abandonment

If you’re into billionaire stories with a good dose of family drama, heartfelt moments, and a touch of romantic tension, this is definitely for you! 🥰 Bring on book 3—Alex’s story, here we come! 💥

I absolutely adore this family, their dynamic together, and their sense of humor. Max is a very welcome addition and I love how Chase and Alex completely accept him and show him what it means to be family. The love story that develops between Max and Sarah takes a lot of trust and I was happy to see it work out. I also enjoyed getting to see Chase and Piper's story continue as they await the birth of their first child together. I listened to the audiobook as I read the physical copy and had a totally immersive experience. The narration is excellent and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

The only thing better than a Catherine Bybee book is one that’s part of a series. And I am thoroughly enjoying The Heirs series!

The Forgotten One picks up where All Our Tomorrows ended - with Max learning he’s the secret love child of the late, uber-rich hotel mogul, Aaron Stone.

Now that Pandora’s Box has opened, the media vultures have started circling, making Max’s life a challenge. One of those reporters is Sarah McNeilly, who unwittingly makes personal contact with Max when her boss gives her an ultimatum: find out who Maximillian Stone is and interview him, or look for a new job. With an agreement from Max to give her ALL the tea - one small teacup at a time - Sarah ends up with the juiciest scoop of her life. Along the way, she ends up helping Max just as much as he helps her.

I devoured this book. I’m a huge fan of this author’s writing. I love her characters, I love the realism of the situations they deal with, I love how they are mature and the relationships develop organically. There's drama and angst, but not of the over-the-top soap opera sytle type. I am thoroughly loving how this series is building on the previous books - these books should not be read as standalones - because it’s always great to get a glimpse of characters you enjoyed in earlier books!

The only downside to The Forgotten One - and I can’t believe I’m saying this - is the book was very Max and Sarah focused. As much as I loved how their relationship developed, I would have liked a lot more of Max and his new siblings going up against the Board of Stone Enterprises (but I think we may get that in the third book, No More Yesterdays), and I would have liked more to the mystery storyline…Max, along with his half-brother Chase and his wife Piper, and half-sister Alexandrea, are all looking for the mother who abandoned Max when he was a toddler. Nonetheless, I really, really enjoyed this book, will probably read it again (which is a big deal for a reader with roughly 200 books already on my Kindle), and will definitely be listening to the audiobook as soon as possible!

And now I just have to cool my jets waiting for book three, which doesn’t release for another seven months…

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

THE FORGOTTEN ONE (HEIRS SERIES, #2)
CATHERINE BYBEE

This author is a USA TODAY and NYT BESTSELLING writer who also works as a nurse. Her heart is in the right place by writing this (The Heirs, #2) series, which I believe this one at least can be read as a standalone. I didn't seem to feel there were any gaps in this novel, as I read it. The writing was compelling which, led me to be able to read this in two sittings. If I was feeling better this would have been read in only one. She says in the beginning that we could do better in the Foster Care system, and due to her job I tend to believe her. She no doubt has witnessed her share of heartbreak in her line of work.

While I enjoyed most of this, there are a couple of scenes in this that were too steamy for my taste even though the romance grows organically from taking the time to get to know one another. Sarah and Max are the main characters who are genuinely likable protagonists and the leading characters. I found this to be a bit Over the Top in the plot, which is why I didn't rate this higher. I applaud the author in her efforts to keep Sarah looking attractive enough, but not perfect for example, having Max fall for the goodness of her character. I'll explain more about that later.

The book begins with Max Smith working on a construction site in California, where the traffic is horrendous on the freeways which is very true. He has just broken a blade with his friend and coworker named Jeff. They cut up concrete or cement and there are no blades on the job site to take its place. Max goes home early along with Jeff, and when he arrives home after work, three people come to visit him that he has no idea who they are. Chase and Alexandrea Stone inform him that they are there to tell him his father Aaron Stone, has just died and they want him to get his share of the money due him which is in the Billions. Chase and Alex tell him they had Chase's fiancee a very pregnant Piper, and private detectives that work for their father's Estate lawyer locate him.

Chase and Alexandrea say that they are his half brother and half sister, and also would like to embrace Max as family and have a close relationship with him. Max doesn't believe anything that's said to him and grabs a baseball bat and tells them to leave. They do, but since they have no ulterior motives than to get to know him, end up having a brand new black truck delivered to him all bought and paid for. Max is happy to receive the new truck and the next time they meet he believes them. They do a rush DNA job with the results showing that they all share the same father. They open up a checking and savings account with millions of dollars for Max.

Max is a flannel shirt with jeans and Steel toe boots, type of guy, and Alex his half sister has a friend of her's take Max shopping to buy him a suit and some silk shirts, slacks and new shoes since they invite him to a shareholders meeting of their father's board meeting. Their father was a Billionaire Hotel Magnate and they want him to vote with them in their combined 60% ownership of the company not to take on buying another boutique hotel chain that the minority want to acquire. Once the word is out that Aaron Stone has another son there is a media frenzy. All three of the two Stone half siblings and Chase's fiancee, a very pregnant Piper invite Max to escape it by staying at their father Aaron's gated mansion that is a mile from the estate. Max looks through the home and can't believe the grandeur. They tell him to pick a bedroom, and he sees his father's closet is still full of clothes. None of his sister and brother want anything and plan on donating it, but Max picks out one of many watches that are a Rolex and he slides it on his wrist.

Meanwhile, Sarah is told by her boss at a tabloid magazine that she is assigned to dig up some dirt on Max and his newfound position as a Billionaire son of the late Aaron Stone Enterprises. Her boss Patrick who is a villain--every story needs one, tells Sarah that she has one foot out the door from being fired, and he tells her she is perfect for the job, since she tells the truth and doesn't sensationalize her articles. Patrick tells Sarah that she can't Google her way out of doing this job. Sarah meets Max as she is parked on the opposite side of the street and he steps on her glasses by accident. He learns she is a reporter and calls her an Uber since she can't see to drive without her glasses. He follows her home to her apartment and she doesn't realize it. She goes to the place where her roommate Teri is a bartender and Max follows her there. Sarah tells Max that he has no social media presence and he tells her he's not a Social Media type of guy.

He promises to give her the story, but he has to wait until the Press conference is over. He takes her phone number and calls her at the crack of dawn waking her up telling her to meet at a coffee shop that she agrees to. A public place is what she told him where they could meet. Max quits his job without giving a two week notice which his boss is a woman, and their next job was to be a two hour commute. While in the coffee shop, Sarah notices that Max is wearing a million dollar Rolex watch. She promises not to print anything about his story, until after the Press conference.

At some point Max finds out that Aaron, Max's father paid child support and his mother abandoned him when he was two years old and still kept accepting the child support and he spent most of his life in Foster Care and they weren't happy years or memories. Sarah and Max end up getting involved.

What I liked about the book: Sarah has frizzy red hair and has a curvy figure wearing glasses with a
nose full of freckles. I loved that the author kept things realistic and
didn't pair off Max with a six foot blond.

There is depth to both Max and Sarah's characterization and he didn't
need the perfect stereotypical perfect looking relationship partner that
he stayed true to his frugal means and didn't act like he could have any
women he chose because of his newfound relationship with being a
billionaire.

There was no instant love affair between Max and Sarah, and that their
relationship between one another developed organically.

That these were all likable, genuinely kind people. The issue of money
wasn't centered or didn't come up other than the truck that his half-
siblings bought Max so that he would know that they weren't conning
him. Other than the Rolex, the truck and their father's home, money was
down played and just background.

That Max, Sarah and his new half siblings were kind & caring people who
were thoughtful and did nice things for each other that came from the
heart.

That realistic feelings were portrayed in conjunction with the situations.

The way they all genuinely cared for one another and everyone looked out
for everybody's best interests.

What could have worked
better for me.: There are just a few scenes that had too much steam for me. It wasn't
a deal breaker for me There was one that was just a little OTT for me and
two small ones.

Publication Date: November 12, 2024! Available to Read Now. It's actually overall a heartwarming story.

Don't worry there is much that I left out so no spoilers here. There is a mystery to be solved and Overall, I think this brand new to me author should be applauded for keeping things real. Overall, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the next one in this wonderful series.

Thank you to Net Galley, Catherine Bybee, and Montlake Publishing, for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is definitely one of the better ones. All opinions are my own.

#TheForgottenOne #CatherineBybee #MontlakePublishing #NetGalley