The Forgotten One

About

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee spins a dazzling tale of long-lost relatives, overnight riches, and unexpected romance in the dramatic second book of The Heirs series.

Sarah McNeilly is a rare find in the tabloid industry. She won’t ignite gossip. She finds the truth. And for once, that’s what her boss wants. With her job on the line, Sarah’s latest assignment is to identify the elusive “Maximillian Smith,” unearth his connection to the billionaire Stone family, and dig up some dirt.

Yesterday Max was an ordinary workingman, concerned with little more than the price of gas. Now he suddenly has a family, jaw-dropping wealth, and an avid (if clumsy) reporter on his trail. With the press threatening to destroy his new life, he needs to release his real story strategically, and Sarah is the key—not to mention an adorable yet invaluable resource for finding his mother.

As Max and Sarah team up to peel back the ugly layers of Max’s past, they stumble heart-first into their fiery attraction. But when their research threatens their newly built trust, it’s their future that is on the line.

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Author's Note

Once upon a time, this author was five years old and, together with my eight-year-old brother, was placed into the foster care system when our mother was removed as our guardian. At five, you would expect that my memory of that time would be very limited . . . but that’s the thing with trauma—you never can predict what soaks in and what doesn’t. I have very vivid memories of being tossed from one group home to another, and an attempt at a proper foster. Not to mention a short time when my brother and I ran away and were loose on the streets of Seattle. As soon as my mother was “fit,” we were given back.

Fast-forward to a time, not so long ago, when, during a late shift in the emergency room, a seven-year-old boy who was running across the street and was hit by two cars back to back was rushed to our door.

I was new to trauma and requested that I be the one to help guide the parents when they showed up since our chaplain wasn’t available.

While the doctors and nurses desperately tried to save this boy’s life, I waited for the family to show.

And waited.

As the doctors sadly called out the time of this young child’s passing, I was in a room with an emotionless group-home foster parent, delivering the horrible news. A foster parent who, when asked if they wanted to see the boy, said, “No. I don’t even know him.”

This boy was new to a group home. One parent was in jail, the other dead.

And this child was being chased by the older kids in the group home—they were trying to fight him—when he ran into traffic and was killed.

The thing that stuck with me for a very long time after that shift was that there was no one to mourn this boy’s death. No one to cry over his lifeless body.

But I did. I did for much longer than any nurse should. And I have thought of that boy so many times over the years.

This should never have happened.

We need to do better.

Excerpt

Damn, he was tired.

Dirty, tired, and in need of a beer in the worst way.

He turned down the crappy street he lived on and pressed the remote for his garage door two houses away from his place.

The single-story tract home that looked exactly like the one next door was a rental. It was a piece of crap, but it was home.

He pulled into his garage and caught sight of three people jumping out of a truck parked across the street from the house.

One man, two women. One of them pregnant.

He avoided eye contact as he cut the engine of his bike and pulled the helmet from his head.

“Max Smith?”

Hearing his name snapped his gaze toward the man who’d spoken as Max swung off his bike.

The two women jogged up the drive and stopped.

The pregnant one offered a soft smile.

The drop-dead gorgeous brunette met his eyes head-on.

Max turned to the man and dismissed them. They looked like the kind of people that walked the neighborhood peddling Jesus or vacuums. Neither of which he was interested in. “I don’t want whatever you’re selling.”

The pregnant woman laughed and looked between the others. “Miss Abigale all over again.”

Max hesitated. That soft smile was replaced with amusement.

The name Abigale rang a distant memory he’d long forgotten.

“We’re not here to sell you anything,” the man said as he took a step closer.

Max didn’t buy it. He also didn’t like that they had his name. They reminded him of social workers . . . only better dressed.

“Still not interested.” Max turned to walk away.

Then the words he never expected to hear in his life tumbled out of the man’s mouth. “We know who your father is.”

Max froze. The hair on his arms prickled, and his guard slammed up around him like an iron fence. What the hell kind of shit was this?

“I don’t have one of those.” His words were calculated and cold.

The soft smile returned to the pregnant woman’s face as she moved to the man’s side and placed a hand on his arm. “We know who your sperm donor is.”

Max clenched his jaw and drew on every skill he’d ever perfected to hide what he was feeling inside. He had no idea what kind of game these people were playing, but he didn’t want to be involved. If they did know who his father was, it was too fucking late to have anything to do with the man now. “Not interested in knowing him.”

“That’s a good thing,” the brunette told him with a snort. “He died in April.”

The Book

The Forgotten One
The Heirs Book Two
November 2024 First Edition,
eBook & Print

Reviews

“With Bybee’s signature blend of humour, heart, and a touch of intrigue, this book is perfect for anyone who loves a romance where the stakes are high, the banter is sharp, and the chemistry is off the charts.”
~ NESSA’S BOOK REVIEWS

“Catherine Bybee is one of my favorite authors and I am loving this new “The Heirs” series. It is full of drama and family secrets with some romance thrown in. I’m hooked.”
~ LYNDSEY BOOKISH NATURE

“The Heirs is becoming my new favorite series by Catherine Bybee. Just like the first book, this one held me captive from start to finish. I loved Max’s story. I rooted for him. I wanted him to learn to love and let people in. This is a family I would have loved to have known and become a part of. What more can you ask from a book? I’m even more excited for Alex’s book next!”
~ MINDY LOU’S BOOK REVIEW

“So many sweet moments; THE FORGOTTEN ONE was such a funny + cute + heartbreaking + just beautiful romance – I loved it! Can’t wait to get Alex’s story next!”
~ BIANCA & BJ’S BOOK BLOG

“What I enjoyed so much about this particular story was the great character, Max, and the way he interacted with other people—especially his love interest. He was so sweet and charming. A little bit grumpy but a kind, hard-working person. It was really refreshing to see him develop and grow in this story. Bybee writes with style and magic weaving through her words. You become one with the story and you won’t forget it. The Forgotten One is definitely a five-star read for me and I truly cannot wait to read the next installment.”
~ A MIDLIFE WIFE

“Reading the author’s note at the beginning of the book sets the tone and intention in exploring The Forgotten One – the abandoned or orphaned children that put into “the system,” often until they age out and are left with few resources to begin their adult lives. This was a well-paced, engaging novel that I read straight through. Max’s journey was heart-felt and his relationship with Sarah, while rocky at times, was understandable given his history. This was an interesting read and provided insight into the ramifications of childhood trauma through loss of a stable family environment.”
~ KAREN A. ON GOODREADS

“I love all of Catherine Bybee’s books but I especially loved this one….If you want to read a book that pulls at your heartstrings, I highly recommend you read ‘The Forgotten One.'”
~ GINNY ON GOODREADS

“I will be the first to tell you, I do not like billionaire romances, but The Heirs series has proven that wrong….A little suspense, a little drama, and family made this tale heartwarming. The characters feel genuine and I became caught up in their stories.”
~CAFFEINATED REVIEWER

“I was hooked from the first page and had a hard time putting this book down! It’s an emotional story, a heartbreaking and heartwarming tale, but also an entertaining and uplifting story of this growing family finding their way in a world of privilege, and the responsibilities and perks that come with it. I loved the first book in the series, loved this one, and now will impatiently wait for Alex’s story.”
~ KRISTEN ON GOODREADS

“So much more than just a romance story.”
~ AMANDA R. ON GOODREADS

“‘The Forgotten One’ is a wonderful addition to The Heirs series. As a fan of Bybee’s books, I found this to be a delightful continuation filled with my favorite characters with the additional of some new ones and a story that keeps you wanting more and more.”
~ WORDS WE LOVE BY

“This book has so much heart, emotion, struggles, heartache, and love….I couldn’t put either book down and didn’t want them to end! I cannot wait to read Alex’s story!”
~ KAREN ON GOODREADS

“I was hooked from the beginning and gobbled this story up!….I’m definitely looking forward to the next in this series!”
~ KIM ON GOODREADS

“‘The Forgotten One’ is your next must-read for lovers of intrigue, slow-burn tension, and stories that balance sizzling romance with high-stakes drama. So grab a cup of tea or something stronger, settle in, and let Sarah and Max take you on a journey filled with scandal, secrets, and swoon-worthy suspense.”
~ ROMANCEAHOLIC

“I absolutely adore this family, their dynamic together, and their sense of humor….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!”
~ BOOKS LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

“This was an absolutely beautiful story, full of emotions and a strong social message….I can’t begin to express enough what a fantastic page turner and how riveting this book is!”
~ LUISA RIVAS ON GOODREADS

“Another winner! I couldn’t wait to read the follow up to the first book and it didn’t disappoint. Loved it!”
~AMBER’S PASSION FOR BOOKS

“Kept me up reading late into the night not wanting to put my book down. I’m now completely addicted to this author and working my way through her back list while I wait for Alex’s book.”
~BOOKS AND TEQUILA

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