4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of The Forgotten One.

Max is just a normal guy until one day he is told he has half siblings and a father who was very wealthy. Max was told that his parents had been dead since he was little. But he soon finds out that his father just recently died and his mother abandoned him when he was little. His life changes in an instant and one day he meets Sarah who he finds out is a reporter digging for dirt on him. He initially wants nothing to do with her but later decides he has a chance to control the narrative. He tries to learn to let his family in and accept his new found fortune. He also grows closer to Sarah and they go on a search to find his mother.

This is the second book in this series and I recommend reading the first book before you read this one. I really enjoyed this book and the storyline. It was easy to connect with the characters the story kept me engaged. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to find out what happens!

💰Loved the male lead and his rocky backstory!👍

4-4.5 🌟stars
This second story in Bybee's The Heirs series introduces Max, a blue collar everyman with a difference. He's a product of the foster and social care system, abandoned by his mother while a toddler and unacknowledged by his wealthy as Croesus dad, yet thanks to a mentor he takes the hard-working and just path. Suddenly, he finds he's got siblings and a huge fortune, plus paparazzi who are ready to follow his every move. From a forgotten child who aged out of the system to a sought after billionaire in the blink of an eye. Yet he remains fundamentally unchanged. What an appealing premise for a story!

I liked everything about Max, and how he handles himself through all the upheaval, and especially through the search for his mother. Sarah, the journalist who catches his eye, was a character that I thought could have had more development, more depth. Their scenes together were good. There's some steam, but I liked that it wasn't the focus of the plot or their romantic relationship.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you will probably be happy to see those characters return as Max's newfound family. The way they brought him into the fold of the family both business wise and emotionally, giving Max the close family life he's never had and Max's reaction: touching.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee is the first book that I have read by her and it won't be my last. I just loved this story. This had me on the edge of my seat from the first page. This is a wonderful heartwarming and delightful story. I just love all of the characters. Catherine is just a wonderful story teller and I will be reading more of her books. Catherine keeps you wanting to read more and not wanting to put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Catherine Bybee and Montlake for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book hooked me from the first paragraph! I LOVED the story of Max finding out about his birth family and seeing his transformation from a guy living paycheck to paycheck to a billionaire with a huge heart! This book was just so good!!!

Another winner from Bybee! I was excited to read the next book in The Heirs series and this did not disappoint. The story picks back up with Chase and Alex trying to find their long lost brother Maximillian Smith. Along the way their group gets entangled with reporter Sarah McNeilly who is looking to surface the truth about Stone family rumors. While Max learns about his past, gets to know his family and acclimatizes to being rich overnight- a romance blossoms! This was another great read and I am ready for the next one.

The Forgotten One is the second book in The Heirs series. While it can be read as a standalone, reading the first book in the series will definitely help any reader understand the interpersonal relationships more easily.

Max wakes up one day as a blue-collar worker who is minding his business and living his life. The next day, he learns that he may very likely have a half-brother and half-sister, which is the shock of his life given how he grew up. Max spent much of his childhood in the foster care system, so the idea of family is foreign to him. Oh, and not just any family, one that is very prominent and worth a lot of money.

Sarah has aspirations of working at a reputable publication, but right now she's working at a tabloid. Even though she's in a job she doesn't love, she still has standards and won't write what isn't true. In order to keep her job, her boss tells her she has to get the dirt on who "Maximillian Smith" is.

Max and Sarah have an interesting beginning, which I really liked. Sarah's background helps Max learn how to navigate the press and their connection grows from that. I also enjoyed the relationships that Max had with his siblings. It was great to see how they evolved and I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow.

This series has been so entertaining so far, and I look forward to the next book!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Wow! Amazing. I enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to reading about Max, the brother they never knew about.

I loved Max’s reaction to Alex and Chase giving him the news, and watching him navigate his world being turned upside down and trying to find a new purpose. His interactions with Sarah were touching, he was attracted to her before he knew who she was, as was she to him. I really enjoyed Sarah’s integrity and pride in her reporting and how even before she knew the facts, or who Max truly was she supported him and put him first, I liked her standing up to her boss.

Learning about Max’s back story was heartbreaking, and Sarah’s reaction to her learning it was touching, she really wanted to help Max make his life better and help other kids in his position. Seeing Max get a family who love him for himself and no other reason was nice, family doesn’t have to be blood, just people who love and care for you.

Beautiful and heart warming from the start, I couldn’t put it down.

Sarah and Max meet when she is sent after a story by her boss. Max had suddenly discovered he had a family he knew nothing about (and a lot of money).

Sarah is looking for the truth behind the story, but her boss is looking to sell copies. She likes Max when they meet and wants to help him navigate this new world he is now part of.

Max grew up in foster care, Sarah grew up in a traditional, happy family, so their childhoods were very different. Max is closed off due to always being let down. Sarah is positive and tries to make the best of everything.

It was really nIce watching their attraction grew in to so much more. She calmed him and he gave her the confidence to do what she really wanted.

The characters from the previous book bring a lot to the story and I loved how their relationship with Max grew.

This was an enjoyable read with a nice heat level.

An engaging, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story. I did not read the first one in this series. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their backgrounds. The intimate scenes were skipped. Not a fan of the "f" word either, but that did not stop me from continuing. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Max is living his ordinary life when out of know where he gets to know that he is an heir to multibillion fortune and has siblings he didn’t know of.
As if that wasn’t enough an adorable and sexy woman is after him to write his story. Sarah works in tabloid but her career is in jeopardy because she refuses to write anything else besides the truth.
Together Sarah and Max uncover his story and how his mother abandoned him. Though working together their attraction builds and we get a beautiful love story.

Sarah and Max are not your typical reporter trying to get the scoop on the previously unknown heir to a fortune. Max knew almost immediately who and what Sarah was and that provided a sort of balance to the relationship they started. They made a great team that developed into something more, which was beautifully developed. Having his siblings appear as a substantial part of this book instead of being relegated to the background, was also refreshing and added to the continuity of their overall saga. I can't wait for Alex's story to bring it all together. Highly recommended.
#netgalley

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Max had a rough life and learns some news that has him reeling. He finds he does have a family but due to his background he isn’t too thrilled by them and feels like they are intruding.

Sarah is told to write a story about the Stones and their new found brother but she gets more than just a story after meeting Max and spending more time with him.

Lots of conflict and scenes of Max finding his family and learning to love in that capacity. Nice read.
3.5 stars

Amazing story. The characters are realistic as is the storyline. Max a boy who went through the Foster Care system is an honorable man. Sarah is a reporter at a tabloid newspaper but refuses to lie to get a story. There is drama, angst, family ties, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading future books by Ms Bybee.

The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee is an emotional romance centered on Maximilian “Max” Smith, a rugged, self-made man from a foster background who discovers he’s the heir to a billionaire business empire. Max’s strong, alpha personality and rough edges make him a memorable and complex character, while his protective and occasionally vulnerable sides add depth to his appeal. Sarah, a journalist with a warm, sassy personality, enters his life by chance and quickly becomes his steady support amid media chaos and corporate intrigue.

When Max’s half-siblings reveal his true parentage, he struggles to reconcile his past as a foster child with his newfound identity as a wealthy heir. Though initially skeptical, Max leans on Sarah, who is both his confidante and emotional anchor as he navigates the pressures of wealth and family. Their chemistry is electric, and Sarah’s kindness and moral integrity balance Max’s intense nature, creating a touching connection. Through love, trust, and resilience, Max and his new family find healing together in this heartfelt and beautifully written romance.

I loved book one in this series and couldn’t wait for this book. Siblings, Chase and Alex Stone’s father, Aaron, dies and leaves his multibillion dollar business to his children. One catch—there’s a sibling they didn’t know about…Max Smith.

This is his story.

When Max learns and finally accepts that Aaron Stone was his father, it didn’t change him at all. He wants to find his mother that took Aaron’s child support, but abandoned him.

Sarah McNeilly is a reporter working at a tabloid. She is told by her boss to get the story on Max Smith and Aaron Stone or lose her job. I love her integrity. She won’t tell lies to get the story. Max and Sarah’s meet was memorable and their banter was so fun. And boy did they have chemistry!

I can’t wait for Alex’s story next!

Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another winner!

This book is the second in The Heirs series, and focuses on Max. Max grew up in foster homes after his mother died (at least that's what he was told). He is used to surviving on his own, finding his own way and making do with his life. When two strangers show up at his door claiming to be his half-siblings, he doesn't believe them.

Sarah is a tabloid reporter who has been assigned to track down Max Smith and find out what his relationship is to Aaron Stone, recently dead billionaire. An unexpected meeting puts her into Max's orbit, and discoveries await.

I really enjoyed watching their relationship move from distrust to more. The couples in Ms. Bybee's books are responsible, honest, hardworking individuals who truly care for and support their partners. Really good lessons.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

<b>Oh I fell hard and fast for Max! He brings the best of book boyfriend club here. He went from being the blue collar worker coming from foster system to being the forgotten heir of a business empire worthy of billions. His alpha personality, his rugged vibes, his sexy possessiveness and protectiveness, his broken sides..everything came together to create an irresistible and unforgettable hero. Sarah's sweet and heartfelt personality with a hidden but strong sassy side made her a perfect contradiction to and a perfect match for Max. The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee is a beautifully written heartfelt and emotional romance that will win you easily.</b>

Maximilian Smith thought it's a joke when his half siblings from a billionaire father appear at his humble home's doorstep. It's a mix of extremely confusing feels for him. He thought his parents are dead, he suffered through the foster system for years and he brought back himself from the edge of getting lost in the system all by his will power. The money didn't really faze him. He has this commanding presence and bossy alpha attitude that didn't depend on his bank status.

Sarah entered his life by pure fate as she was caught snooping around for her story. She may work for a tabloid but she has her own moral standard and honesty. She could have exploited the trust Max showed but she became his support system instead. Max appears to be emotionally unavailable but Sarah got under his skin and deep in his heart. It was pure chaos and mayhem with media circus and corporate games. Sarah was a place of calm and comfort in middle of this. Their chemistry was insane and Max is pretty demanding in bed too! My heart was aching for all the pain he went through and I was amazed how he still turned out to be the best man possible. I love how the family came together and healed so many wounds.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫. Pub Date is November 12.

This reminds me of a cross between a Hallmark movie and (a more saccharine) Dynasty. Second in the series, I haven’t read the first one and had no problem following this and figuring out what happened. Characters are likable with morals, a little drama but I would have liked a little more. Found family, rags to riches. The ending definitely sets up the reader for Book 3. This is a lighter drama than I’m use to, but I found it enjoyable enough. Little spice, quick read, nice distraction from heavier books. Might just be tempted to read Book 1 and continue with the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I absolutely adore Catherine Bybee’s books! And I’m loving this series so far. And I really hope there is more to come in this world.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee is a contemporary romance that skillfully weaves in profound themes of adoption, foster care, and abandonment. Though light-hearted in tone, the story offers readers a glimpse into how childhood trauma can affect individuals as they grow.

This is the second book in the series and picks up right where the last left off. While avoiding spoilers, I’d suggest reading the series in order for full context. Max, a blue-collar worker, and Sarah, a magazine reporter, are brought together under unique circumstances that draw them closer.

I immensely enjoyed this book! The author’s foreword thoughtfully sets the book's tone, and the theme of found family is truly heartwarming. I also appreciated the inclusion of Alex, Chase, and Piper in the story. I’m especially looking forward to seeing Alex’s story arc unfold in the next book.

Thank you to the author, over the river pr and netgalley for the egalley of this book!