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

good mystery about a couple and staying in a house and the other couple there. kept me on my toes . good mystery and figuring stuff out.

T**The Heirs #2: The Forgotten One**

**Author: Catherine Bybee**

Catherine Bybee is an extraordinary storyteller who captivates readers with her vivid narratives. From the very first page, I felt completely immersed in the story, which was hard to put down! This novel presents the compelling journey of a lost brother, focusing on the tale of a blue-collar worker named Maximilian Smith who finds himself thrust into the world of wealth and privilege almost overnight.

In this novel, Bybee expertly crafts depth in her characters by providing them with rich backgrounds that shape their motivations and personal growth. The story revolves around two central characters: Sarah and Max. Sarah McNeilly, an ambitious journalist, is assigned to investigate Max Stone, the newly discovered heir to a billion-dollar fortune. As they interact, they uncover not just facts about Max's newfound wealth but also the intricate family relationships within the Stone dynasty.

Set against the backdrop of Stone Enterprises, the book unfolds with layers of family drama, closely guarded secrets, and the inevitable complexities that accompany newfound wealth. Sarah’s character is particularly refreshing; she is not the typical tabloid journalist eager for sensational gossip. Instead, she is committed to uncovering the truth. This dedication becomes more challenging when her boss demands she expose the hidden details of Max's life, putting her career at risk.

Initially, Max is just an ordinary man, wrestling with everyday concerns like paying for gas. His life takes a dramatic turn when his half-siblings, the products of a billionaire father, unexpectedly show up at his front door. This shocking revelation forces Max to confront his past, his heritage, and the responsibilities that come with his sudden wealth. With paparazzi and tabloids eager to exploit his story, Max realizes that he needs to manage his public image carefully, and Sarah becomes an essential ally in this endeavour.

As Max and Sarah work together, a palpable chemistry develops between them. They embark on a journey not only to unveil the truth about Max’s lineage but also to navigate the emotional turmoil that comes with their growing feelings for each other. Their collaboration leads them to unearth bitter family secrets, but it also complicates their relationship. Tensions rise when their investigative efforts threaten to erode the foundation of trust they’ve built.

The stakes are high as they confront the dark echoes of Max's past, leading to a gripping exploration of love, trust, and the cost of ambition. This book offers a rich tapestry of emotions and events, leaving readers eager for the next instalment in "The Heirs" series. I wholeheartedly recommend **The Forgotten One**; it’s a compelling read that will keep you engaged until the very last page!

This was a good book. It had interesting characters, and an interesting storyline.

That said, I was bored at many points. You knew what was going to happen, which took away the mystery needed to pull off the crux of the story, in my opinion.

Max should've been a little harder to crack, considering his upbringing. Sarah was hilarious. I enjoyed her the most.

It was slightly confusing that chapters were told from differently viewpoints without notifying the reader the narrator was changing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Catherine Bybee does it again! This book gave me ALL THE FEELS!

This is book two in the Forgotten Heirs series. While it can be read as a stand alone, the whole series is so good, you don't want to miss it.
Catherine Bybee's characters are perfectly written. She makes you fall in love immediately and you'll find yourself both anticipating the next page while dreading the last one you know is coming.
The storyline is great. It leaves you with just enough questions to make the whole love story not completely predictable. It's a HEA that leaves you wanting book three, wanting to seek your own journalist or billionaire, wanting your own HEA if you don't currently have one.

Man wakes up one morning and realizes that he's not an orphan, he's got a family and it's an incredibly wealthy one. The publicity on this family is always large and overwhelming. There needs to be a press release and there's no one better to give it than the cute women Max noticed.

This book is fantastic. Once you read a Bybee book you'll want to deep dive into them all, so prepare for some time, but you won't be disappointed. Ever.

4.5 Stars

What a fantastic addition to what is quickly becoming one of my favorite series from Catherine Bybee. Honestly, there is something so comforting about returning to her world and stories. I know I'm always going to have a good time while I'm immersed in the pages of her books. I seriously never get tired of them.

Max and Sarah were great characters and I loved their connection. I loved how their relationship developed over the course of the book and I loved the growth we got to see from Max. I loved that the relationship between Max and his newly discovered siblings was a big focus of this story while still spending plenty of time on the romance. There seriously wasn't a single thing I didn't enjoy about this book.

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I'm already very ready and eager for Alex's book. I'm so intrigued by her and I can't wait to see who her match is.

✔️ Billionaire MMC
✔️ Jounalist FMC
✔️ Unexpected Inheritance
✔️ Third Person Dual POV

Catherine Bybee's, "The Forgotten One", is a gripping tale that seamlessly blends romance with suspense. Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town, Bybee weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Olivia Kingsley past keeps coming back to haunt her in unexpected ways and making her struggles or triumphs feel palpably real.

Bybee's prose is crisp and engaging, the book pacing is well-managed, alternating between heart-pounding action sequences and quieter moments of introspection and romance, with a good dialogue crackle of tension and wit.

"The Forgotten One" is a solid novel where it offers readers a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and small-town charm. It's an ideal read for those seeking an escape into a world of intrigue and passion.

Max thought that he knew everything about his family that he was ever going to know until he finds out that not only does he have two brothers that he knew nothing about, but he is one of the heirs to his father’s estate. Trying to adjust to all the changes is challenging especially with the publicity he is trying to avoid but Sarah might be able to give him the one thing he really wants which is answers concerning his mother.

Sarah is working towards her goals of being a respected reporter and isn’t about to push aside her values even if she is working for a less than stellar publication. The chance to tell Max’s story might be the boost her career need however the lines between personal and professional become very blurry.

After being alone for most of his life I enjoyed seeing Max become part of the family he was always meant to be with and the relationship that he shared with Sarah is filled with romance, chemistry and so much emotion.

This is the second book in The Heir’s series and follows, ‘All Our Tomorrows’ (Jun 2024). It can be read as stand alone as the author recaps who the main characters are. But I would suggest starting with the first book. The premise is a multimillionaire dies leaving his business empire to his estranged children. He has two legitimate heirs, Chase the MC in book one, sister Alex and an unknown illegitimate son Max. This is Max’s book and begins with his siblings making contact with him.

Max goes from a boy who grew up in foster care to having a family with unlimited wealth. He meets Sarah McNeilly, a journalist. She is supposed to get a tabloid expose on him but they connect personally. I don’t seek out billionaire romances as a genre but I’ve read a previous series by the author and she can weave a good story. I instantly remembered the first book and was quickly caught up in this storyline as well. The characters have depth and good back stories. Now I’m going to have to wait till next year to see who is going to catch Alex’s eye.

I have read most of Catherine Bybee's works and she does not disappoint. She has an excellent writing style, great plots, some drama, humor and romance all rolled into her books. I would definitely recommend her books and this one especially. This is a second in series book and it is helpful to have read the first one for the background information but I guess you don't need to.

This book follows Max, the long lost brother and heir to billions. He is your typical blue collar worker with a bit of a chip on his shoulder having been abandoned at age two and bouncing around foster homes. He does not believe he has half siblings when they first find him and struggles a bit with his new reality. He doesn't realize how much his life is going to change. Enter Sara who is a journalist for a rag mag but yet she has scruples. She won't print untruths even though her magazine sensationalizes things. This is a stepping stone for her to bigger and better jobs. When she is the first to uncover the secret of the Stone family, that the deceased father was a cheater and has another kid, Max decides to give her a chance and give her an exclusive. As things start to heat up with the news, Max and Sara grow closer...until an article is published outing Max's sealed records from his teenage years from information Sara uncovered. Their trust is shaky at best after that especially for Max. But hopefully they can overcome.

Overall a great read with excellent characters. I love the Stone kids and how they all interact today. Definitely would recommend the entire series.

In the second books of the Heirs
Series by Catherine Bybee, we meet Max, long lost brother to Chase and Alex. When the two finally track him down-with help from Piper, the Stone siblings receive a less than welcoming greeting.

Raised in the system, max has no reason to trust that these strangers and heirs to the Stone empire are being straight with him. He grudgingly agrees to DNA testing, and learns that the unfathomable is fact, and these two strangers are his half siblings.

He soon finds himself altering everything about his life to avoid the media-trusting his newfound family and unexpected ally, reporter Sarah, to guide him through the firestorm that follows the announcement of his existence.

As Sarah help Max dig into the trail in the search for his birth mother, the two become close, and are unable to deny their attraction. The two are both sweet and caring, with a fire simmering under the surface of their interactions.

The Forgotten One is a can’t miss read, with everything you could want in a romance, including cameos from past characters we know and love.

This was a very cute book! Nothing crazy plot wise but just a cute smooth read.

I liked how Sarah stuck to her morals despite being a tabloid journalist. I absolutely loved how things ended with her job. Like we can all predict that outcome, HOWEVER, I absolutely love the lengths she went to to stand by her morals even then. To make sure they couldn’t steal her stuff again.

I absolutely cherish how Alex, Piper, and Chase stood by Max’s side full heartedly from the beginning. They really gave him the family that he never had. Despite their dad being an a**hole and not knowing what a family was, his kids sure knew how to support each other as a family.

Piper and Chase’s wedding was golden. I thought that was a funny addition to the book!

I can’t wait for the third book to come out! It will be fun to see who it follows (Alex???) and how the families love keeps unfolding as the family continues to grow! I am rooting for Max to continue focusing on his family now that he has experienced familial love and am eager to see how they continue to help foster kids in need!

A great addition to The Heirs Books. Max is a blue collar worker with a chip on his shoulder. When his unknown to him siblings show up to his door and tell him of his inheritance he is shaken. Everything he thought about his parentage was a lie. Navigating through this new posh lifestyle he meets Sarah, a bumbling news reporter. She is sent to get dirt in this new unknown billionaire heir for the sleazy tabloid she works for. This doesn’t sit right with her so she throws her coworkers off course. Nothing can ever be kept secret for long. I liked Max and Sarah’s love story. I’m guessing Alex’s book is next! Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

4.5 Stars
Max Smith finds out that he’s the illegitimate son of billionaire Alex Stone, who’s died and left him part heir to his empire. This comes as a shock since he was told his parents were dead and he was shuffled from one foster home to another. He’s also gained two half-siblings. There’s already some strife within the family’s corporation, and so they want to control how the news is released to the board, and the public. This is where reporter Sarah McNeilly comes in.

Sarah and Max form a connection right away even though she was sent to dig up dirt on him. It’s quickly apparent that Sarah is a principled journalist. Sarah also helps Max find information on his mother, a difficult journey for Max.

I was thrilled that Max and his siblings found each other! Max needed someone in his corner, never having had a stable family in the past. Max and Sarah had instant chemistry, but their relationship felt like it progressed naturally and believably. No ridiculous, contrived third act breakup!

The Forgotten One was an engrossing romance, but also a feel-good story with Max initially leading a lonely, monotonous existence and having all that change into a life full of love, prosperity and family! It put a warm glow in my heart.

The author’s note touched on her own personal experiences with foster care. It was emotional and made the story even more moving!

Where has Catherine Bybee been on all my life? Oh my gosh I am obsessed with her books. My only problem with them is receiving them early and then having to wait soooooo long to get the next won. The Forgotten One is number 2 in the billionaire series and this happens to be my new favorite series. Cannot wait to see what is coming next!

I couldn’t wait for this second book of the series to come out. I loved seeing how Max found out about his new family & fortune. I loved getting to see Max grow a lot more since he is now a part of the Stone family. I thought it was a cute twist having Sarah be a journalist who happens to get lucky and be on the inside with the family. I hope this won’t be the last of the Stone family.

The mystery of the Stone family and their dead patriarch continues with The Forgotten One where we meet Max, the brother the stone siblings never knew about. His life story is as different from theirs as could be, but from the moment they lay eyes on him, they know he’s their brother. Max was abandoned by both parents and grew up in the foster care system until he aged out. Now a construction worker, Max has found his place in the world until his siblings walk into his life and upend his life. Sarah on the other hand is a reporter who wants to make a career telling real stories and not gossip. They share a meet-cute after her boss tasks her with covering Max’s story, and as the story progresses, they become friends which becomes more. Their love story is sweet. In audio, this story is masterfully narrated by Meg Sylvan. She does an impeccable job of giving each character a unique voice, but also carries over nuances of her performance in the previous book. I really hope she is able to continue narrating this entire series.

This story is a family saga with a sweet love story that is mostly closed door. I really enjoyed the dynamic and eventual love story between Max and Sarah. Overall, Max was a character that was so easy to love. He is a good guy and I adored how Chase and Alex worked to bring their brother into the family and passed on what he deserved as their brother. I also adored Sarah’s drive to write real stories, her dedication to only telling the truth, and her willingness to help Max uncover the mysteries of his past. At one point toward the end of the story, I was cheering for her when she took a stand for her beliefs. What a moment. This book was a great story to cozy up with and enjoy from start to finish. While I usually prefer steamy romance, I didn’t miss the heat at all in this book. The twists and turns of the plot kept me engaged from start to finish and I can’t wait for Alex’s story to be told.

Author Catherine Bybee continues to be quite a remarkable storyteller. The Forgotten One, the second book from The Heirs series, is an awesome rags to riches novel. I read it from cover to cover in just a couple of days, because I could not put it down.

Sarah McNeilly is a journalist for a tabloid magazine. Her job is on the chopping block because she only writes truthful stories and abhors gossip. She should be working for a reputable publication, but in order to do that she needs experience. Her latest assignment, the unknown Maximilian Smith, turns out to be more than she could have ever imagined.

Max lives paycheck to paycheck as a concrete laborer. His mother abandoned him as a toddler and as a result, he spent his childhood in the foster care system. Then one day he finds out that he is the illegitimate son of a billionaire. Max now has two half siblings, a ton of cash and one third of a corporate conglomerate. He is very leery of his new found wealth and family, but overtime learns to trust.

Sarah pens Max's story with honesty, and overtime they develop a relationship, which evolves into love.

Overall, this is a well-written story with engaging characters, manipulating board members, and a sexy couple that is hot both in and out of the bedroom. Rachel and TJ are smart, easy to identify with, and their connection is sizzling. Their happily ever after will leave a huge smile on your face.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

When I opened this book I was won over by the letter that was at the front. From there on I was totally immersed in the story.

Yes it's light and easy to read, a lovely story of found family and romance. And it doesn't hurt that Max wakes up one day to find he is a member of a family and a billionaire. I really liked Max as a character, he has come through the foster system after being abandoned by his mother. He never knew who his father was. However Max has grown into someone who is good, hard working and caring of others. And he is ready to grow into his new role.

Sarah is a journalist who doesn't sacrifice her values for the sensationalism that her boss is looking for. It all points to the press and their underhand ways. I really liked Max's message to the journalists one Christmas Day.

This is #2 in what looks like might be a trilogy. It can easily be read alone, I had not read #1. However I went over to Amazon and picked it up to read. I wanted to read through Alex and Piper's story and I look forward to #3 which will probably explore Alex Stone, Max's half sister. And I am hoping we'll see how Max and Sarah's next steps go.

This book was a winner for me.

I fell in love with this series with the first book, and with the ending, I knew I had to read the rest of the series featuring the Stone family. This book did not disappoint!

At the end of the first book, Alex and Chase have found their brother, Max. It is a rocky start for these siblings since Max has walls up from childhood. He was one of those children that got lost in the system after his mother abandoned him. However, this new family is just what he needs; he just doesn't know it yet.

Sarah is an ethical tabloid reporter. That seems contradictory, but she writes stories that keep the magazine out of court. When she finds Max, she lucks into an exclusive that will make or break her career...if her boss will do what he is supposed to do. He is one of those bottom feeders who seems to thrive on ugly gossip. 

I enjoyed picking up where I left off with the first book and delving into Max's world. I am sure it was hard to determine where he fit now that he was an heir to a fortune. There are some touching and tender moments regarding a kid from the street, his relationship with Sarah, and even the journey to find his mother and those he ran into along the way. 

I had a hard time putting the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. And, of course, I was a bit envious of the trips on the private jet! Max and Sarah grow and become better people by the end of the book. There are many chuckle-worthy moments, too. 

I can't wait for the last book, which I am sure is Alex's story. She doesn't think she will find love, but I wonder if there is a potential hint at the end of this book. I could be wrong! I will have to wait for the next book to uncover her story and secrets.

We give this book 5 paws up.