This book is fantastic. It was one of those reads that I found both thrilling and engaging. I loved that it was written in true Holmes style, which is a story with well paced suspense, well drawn out characters and a story that is not to be missed because it was so original. I loved that I was unable to figure out what was going to happen because there were perfectly placed twists and turns. I had a hard time putting this book down because I felt driven to know what was going to happen and how it would conclude. I don't want to give too much away, but I do want you to all know that you need to read it! But after you read this 5 star book come back and tell me how much you loved it!!!

What an amazing thrilling book; it kept me gripped till the end. Just 3 main characters, their memories and secrets with one granddaughter caught in the center of it all, wanting to know the truth. But what is truth?

A grandfather David who is dying, his version of the past, his view of the truth?

A mother Marie, an artist with mental health problems, identity disorder, paints from her traumatised past, unwilling to reveal her childhood, her color of the truth?

A helper/friend of family Grace who knows it all, yet does not appear to know, her allusions of truth?

David, dying from cancer, wants to meet his daughter, Marie, to apologize and to make amends, meets his granddaughter Elle who is a nurse in the same hospital and the story of the past starts from David's point. Now it is up to Elle to decipher the truth from illusion. Trace the murky past, retrieve the thread of reality, and hopefully find a closure.

I have always loved Steena Holmes, but this book is just far superior, according to me. I loved every line from this book. The characters had so many grey colors weaved into their tapestry that traversing through it all, is the most fun I have had in a thriller in a long, long time. The suspense and intrigue starts from the get go. I was confused by the events and stories which unfurled in front of me. Everytime I thought I guessed the truth, the author would leave statements which would make me doubt myself. Have I guessed or haven't I? And I loved this guessing game which went through practically all the way to the end.

Steena Holmes usually writes emotional books, at least the ones I have read are. To see her writing this kind of book, a swirling vortex of truth and lies and illusions was simply awe inspiring. Every beat of the heart raised with the turn of the pages. The thrum of my pulse, hitch in my breath, and my constant need to be connected with this story —Isn't this what a book supposed to do?

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes that I read and reviewed.
I could not put this book down. I read this book in one sitting. I thought I had it all figured out but by the end I really did not have a clue what was going and I loved every second of it. This was one of those books that Steena Holmes takes the reader on an emotional journey with her on and you fall in love with the people in the book and feel like they are part of your family and when the book is over you feel like you lost your friends.
I loved the Elle and her mother and even her grandfather. Each person in this book played a special part that made this book excellent. If you are looking for a book that will keep you guessing from start to finish and will take your breath away The Forgotten Ones is the one you are looking for.
I give The Forgotten Ones five out of five stars.

David is lying in a hospital bed dying with many regrets about his life - he has been trying to contact his daughter but she has not replied to any of his letters and then he meets his granddaughter Elle. Elle's mother has tried to protect her from the past and she always believed her grandfather was dead but as David talks to her and tells her the stories of the past it becomes clear why she did this but for Elle it seems that her whole life has been a lie

This is a great book written at a good pace that keeps you guessing and then when you think you have it sussed more bomb are dropped - I definitely recommend it

We meet David, an 80 year old man in a hospital dying from cancer. His wife, Gertie passed away from cancer. David is awaiting death because he’s hiding some secrets that a psychic supposedly knew who he and his wife were. David and Gertie’s daughter, Marie hasn’t answered any of her father’s letters. David is now going to have the nurse write a letter to his granddaughter. The pain from the cancer has crippled David so much so that the nurse has to write his letters for him.
We meet Elle, a pediatric nurse who lose a patient ( newborn baby) and stayed with the family. Brennley is Elle’s roommate who is helping David write one last letter to his daughter to try and get her to see him one last time. Elle is told by Brennley that the man, David she’s caring for is her grandfather. Elle is mindblown.
Elle meets her grandfather, David without her mother knowing. David starts to tell Elle stories of his past. We meet David as a young father running a truck company carrying livestock. He picks up a young woman named Judy and her daughter, Bella who were on the side of the road brings them home to spend the night at his house, with his wife, Gertie where they can get a hot meal, a shower and a good night’s sleep.

This was by far my favorite Steena book. I loved all the
characters especially Elle, Grace, Marie and David.

A family story with long hidden secrets which all come tumbling out in a rush. It is almost too much for Elle to handle. Having being brought up to believe that her mother and she and her long estranged father were the only survivors in her family, it comes as a bolt from the blue to know that there is a grandfather who is alive though barely so and a grand aunt as well

That there is a long complicated history fraught with memories, mental illness, murder and accidents are also part of this convoluted story. That her mother obviously was ill and though allowance should be made for this, that disclosure was not made when Elle was adult was also questionable. The need to protect Elle's mother seemed far too important, at the risk and to the detriment of everyone else.
That secrets eventually have a habit of coming out despite all efforts to the contrary is also clearly seen.

Elle was eventually able to get closure before her grandfather died and for this I was grateful!

Goodreads and Amazon reviews posted on 2/4/2018. Review on my blog mid May 2018.

Wow! This novel was emotional and mysterious! I enjoyed the intense, mysterious air to the whole story. Steena spins a story that starts out loud and reels you in throughout to the very end. She writes scenes, some you can’t imagine living through, and others where you find yourself nodding as you can relate to them. Elle doesn’t remember everything from her childhood. She knows her mother has kept secrets from her. By a twist of fate, Elle finds her grandfather who is dying. He tells her his own tales of what really happened in the past. Elle must piece together the secrets to figure out what the truth is and what is make believe. This novel is about family and love. It is about the relationship between fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters. It is also about mental illness and the relationships this creates, along with the pain and hurt it causes.

This story has so many twists and turns! Mental illness and secrets destroys the family until the grandfather becomes terminally ill and then the secrets begin to spill out and life is turned upside down for everyone. What is true? Emotionally charged that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes

You know that big ball of yarn all rolled up from odds and ends but you don’t know its odds and ends until the ball starts to unwind? This story reminds me a bit of that big ball of yarn. Some bits are longer or shorter, softer or rougher, shimmery or dull, barely holding together needing support, colorful or flat, tangled or smooth…the list could go on awhile.

An old man is dying and tries one more time to get through to his daughter and granddaughter by sending a letter. Little does he realize that the person he is dictating his words to actually knows his granddaughter. And, little does the granddaughter know that visiting with and listening to the stories her grandfather tells will shake not only her perceptions but perhaps those of her mother and the woman that is as close to or closer to her than her biological mother.

This is a story of family, love, mental illness, choices, survival, life, death and truth… Truth is not necessarily the same for all who experience an event or a period of time but with the threads that unwind a greater truth is revealed that impacts many in the story. This was not an easy read just as it was not an easy life to be lived for more than one character in this book. I do not think I would have made the choices more than one character made BUT it did make a fascinating read for me today.

When I finished the story I wondered how Elle, Grace and Marie would move forward with the new information they had…would their lives be better knowing what they learned or would it remain much the same… It is a book that made me think and feel and also made me glad I am me and not any of the characters in this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

I really thought I had some books that were my best of this author........
until this one.

I have sat on this review for a couple of days, I needed to come clear with my thoughts.

This hit home to me, this brought out emotions in me that I didn't expect. I had someone say "don't you think some of what happened with David a bit far fetched?"

NO.

Have you ever loved someone so much that you would keep they're secrets? I have heard and read in newspapers and on media and its even been on past live news where someone would kill for love. So why not what happened within this book be just as 100% honest.

David had an impact on me. He loved strongly, he loved fast, he loved his wife so much he couldn't 'man up' to the fact as in her past there was mental health issues.

We are very good at seeing what we want to see and pushing aside what we don't want to accept, no more than David did.

His little girl was the apple of his eye.

He spent days on the road with his 'load' and when he saw a young girl with a small child he gave them a lift, except, she really had nowhere to go.
He offered to take them back where his wife could at least feed them.

They ended up remaining.

So now his little girl had another little girl to play with and share her room with.

That's all they ever wanted was a family but his wife had several miscarriages which must have been awful, devastating.

The dark side in this book was excellent, I don't want to give spoilers, you have to read this, this has shot into my top reads shelf for 2018 for when I sort them at the end of this year.

Its based on David in hospital, hes in severe pain, but as he says, if he was pain free there is no telling of hes alive or not, so he chooses to feel pain. No one can touch him without him in agony.

Davids daughter was no longer Daddy's little girl.
David's best friend was no longer in the picture.
David's granddaughter was the only connection made.

What happened? and why?

You need to read this.
I can't emphasis it enough, its an outstanding read.

Lake Union Publishing via net galley allowed me a copy which I am most grateful for.

Are secrets in books ever not interesting?! If a blurb even alludes to secrets from the past I’m adding it to Mount TBR and from the very first chapter I had a feeling that I would like The Forgotten Ones. Spoiler alert, I was right! This was a super addictive, engaging read from an author who really knows how to draw the reader in, pulling you in closer and closer until you aren’t putting the book down until the truth is revealed.

This is told from dual perspectives, Elle and David. Elle’s chapters are in the present day and David’s are a mix between the fifties and today. Poor Elle, she just wants answers and everyone in her life is SO evasive, it frustrated the hell out of me, I can’t imagine being her! When she finds out her grandfather that she thought was already dead years ago is actually on his deathbed now, she figures she may finally get some answers about her mother’s past. It’s not that easy, even though he wants to speak with her his relationship with the truth is tenuous at best. Or is it? So many questions, no answers and who is reliable? This one most definitely kept me on my toes and had me making guesses only to change my mind within pages, I just love when a book makes me do that!

This is an emotional read and Holmes managed to drag a variety of feelings out of me, I ranged from being angry and frustrated to heartbroken and sad. Anytime an author can make me feel something I’m ecstatic and she surely did that a few times over. Mental health issues play a huge role in the storyline and she handled it with grace and care all written in a beautifully fluid manner. I do think the ending may be polarizing but I loved it and found it to be a breath of fresh air. If you’ve read it and want to chat about this ending please let me know, I’m dying to know what everyone else thinks!

The Forgotten Ones in three words: Evocative, Engaging and Haunting.

This was a really good read. It was also sad, eerie and mysterious. A story that dealt heavily with mental health issues and what it can do to a family. The circumstances this family went through because of some of those issues is very sad and intriguing.

My eyes bulged and my jaw dropped at times, it was just so crazy unbelievable, yet you know it could happen. The author did a great job with this.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I so enjoyed every moment spent in the pages of this book. Getting to know Elle, as she gets to know a grandfather she thought was long dead, was fascinating as were the stories he tells her and the family secrets that are about to be uncovered. This is a fast paced book, and one that kept me spellbound until it’s last page.

I recommend this book to lovers of family drama with such well written characters that you come to care deeply about. I enjoyed this one very much.

I received an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes is a compelling contemporary story with a touch of mystery to it. The book is mainly told from the point of view of two of the characters Elle and David. There are also flashes back into the past that are done by the stories that David tells of those days.

The only family that Elle had ever known was her mother who is struggling with her mental health. With the help of a caregiver Elle has been able to go to school and get a job working at the hospital which happens to be the same hospital that the elderly David lies while waiting for his disease to take him.

David’s nurse has helped him write letters to his daughter and granddaughter in hopes that the poor man will not have to die alone. When Elle receives the letter from David she’s quite taken aback finding that her grandfather has been alive her whole life but yet she’s never known. Wanting to find out more about her family Elle decides to visit David when he requests to tell her the story in which Elle hopes to find the answers she’s always wanted.

The Forgotten Ones is a story for those that just love peeling back the layers to a family drama and searching for the answers while sorting through the secrets and lies. With wonderful writing and a completely engaging story I found this one incredibly hard to put down as I waited to find the answers to the mystery of the past that David slowly unveiled. The only reason I marked this down to 4.5 stars was I had a sneaking suspicion about a certain detail but overall this was a wonderful story that I think readers will be sure to be captivated by.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 rounded up.

First of all, can I just mention how beautiful the cover of this book is?! And let me tell you, it is even prettier in person!

The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes is mainly told from 2 perspectives, Elle and a man named David. Elle is working as a nurse when she finds out her grandfather is on his deathbed and wishes to meet her. A grandfather she thought was dead. Cue the crazy! Her grandfather has a big secret to tell about their family, and he wants to tell the story to Elle before he dies. So many secrets are uncovered in this book, and not just from her grandfather.

The story about this family is a heartbreaking one, and while I didn't find myself relating to any of the characters, I was very frustrated for Elle's sake. It takes her a VERY long time to get answers, and even I was annoyed that no one was being straight with her.

The mystery is S.T.R.O.N.G. with The Forgotten Ones, and the big secret had me devouring it exceptionally fast. I don't know if fast-paced is the correct term for this book, but the story sure kept me turning those pages.

I found myself swearing at characters and calling them names, so Holmes definitely knows how to evoke a bunch of emotions! I teared up, wanted to pull my hair out, and laughed all in the 337 pages this book offered.

My biggest issue with this book was the ending. I know it will wow a lot of people, but it felt rather anticlimactic to me and I have no idea why. It apparently just wasn't the kind of big reveal I was hoping for. And I was very irritated at times with many of the characters, but that may have been intentional.

Final Thought: Steena Holmes definitely knows how to write, and obviously has a lot of talent. Just because the ending wasn't quite what I was hoping for, I still highly recommend reading this one. I would say it would be good for someone that likes a good mystery and some intense (slightly creepy) family secrets. I will also definitely be reading more of Holmes' books!

The Forgotten Ones in 3-ish words: Meaningful, Beautifully-Written & Mysterious

"There is never enough time. Never"

The Forgotten Ones is a compelling and heart-breaking novel that will suck your heart up into a million little pieces.

Oh my goodness Steena Holmes thanks to you I was glued to this on my couch all day on Sunday in my pajamas. Warning everyone... once you pick this up... forget all the plans you have for the day!!

Steena Holmes explores a novel about love, loss, and the heart-ache that mental illness can endure on a family.

Elle is a nurse who works at a hospital with her best friend Brennely. Bren has told many stories to Elle about her patient David, who is cranky old man that is dying of cancer. Bren has been consistently helping David with writing letters to his daughter and granddaughter. One day, Bren figures out that her patient is actually her best friend Elle's grandfather.

Elle has never met this grandfather and was always told by her mother Marie that her grandparents were both dead. Elle of course is mystified and wants to meet her grandfather. Elle starts to go see David on a regular basis and he starts telling her stories of her past about her mother Marie. Marie is not happy at all about Elle seeing her grandfather and repeatedly tells Elle that the stories are all lies.

Is David telling the truth about these stories? Elle is heart-broken and just wants to find out about her history....

Can, I just tell you this story was beautiful! Oh my gosh... this story is haunting and full of unexpected turns and surprises that will break your heart.

I absolutely fell in love with the characters and could not stop turning these pages. Highly recommend!!

4.5 stars for this one <3.

"Love isn't always pretty or clear cut. It can't be wrapped in a nice little box and presented with a bow. Sometimes it's ugly and hurtful and does more damage than good."

Loved this quote... so powerful and so unbelievably true!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc.
Publication date: 4/1/18
Published to GR: 3/26/18

This story held me so tightly in its grip, I was reeling when it ended and released me. A story of family, love, secrets, and mental illness, it unfolds via strong, well-developed characters and a wonderfully written storyline. It makes you wonder if it is possible to love too much. Elle spent so m uch of her life looking for … something. I could feel her frustration, resignation, and hope. Both she and David are such complex characters, and their lives are so strongly influenced by the ones they love, despite the hardships of living with them.
This was an amazing story, and it’s definitely one not to miss!

Reviewed on Goodreads Great book that starts with a man dying in a hospital estranged from his family.
A nurse writes a letter for him and by doing so discovers his connection to her roommate and best friend who turns out to be related to the patient. Lies told to her unravel and she learns her family's secrets and some surprising facts that may or may not be true.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Steena Holmes for the opportunity to read her latest work - loved it!

This is a slowly drawn out tale of loyalty, family secrets, mental illness, and survival. Ella grew up with her mentally-unstable mother believing that her grandparents were dead. Until the day that she learns that her grandfather is a dying patient in the hospital where she works. He starts unburdening himself and telling her of the past but it is in direct contradiction of everything she has believed to be true. Who to believe?

This is one of those books that I don't want to give much away - I couldn't put down until all the truths were learned - highly recommended!

Wow, this book had me on the edge of my seat with many questions going through my mind, trying to figure out the answers before they were revealed, but it just kept me guessing until the end! It was truly a page turner about a family with many secrets. I enjoyed how the book would go back and forth between the present and the past to learn more about the family involved. I enjoyed it immensely and would highly recommend it.
Congratulations on another awesome read Steena Holmes, I always look forward to reading your books.