Don't Forget About Me

Kane Ridge Ranch #2

by Bailey Johnson

She’s never had a family. He thought he’d never need one.

Brooks Kane wants two things: to continue his Pa’s legacy by running Kane Ridge Ranch, and some goddamn peace and quiet. But when his ex shows up and leaves him with a baby girl he never knew existed, Brooks’s quiet life is thrown into chaos.

Desperate and in over his head, he hires a live-in nanny.

Pepper Basil has nothing tying her down and nowhere else to go. She’s not exactly qualified to care for a child, but she can’t afford to say no to the grumpy cowboy offering her a job and a place to stay.

Hiring someone like Pepper—sunshine in human form, too tempting for his own good—was never part of the plan. And Pepper didn’t set out to want a life that was never meant to be hers.

But somewhere between late nights, shared responsibilities and a baby who needs them both, lines begin to blur.

Building a family was never part of the plan…but sometimes, the best family, isn’t the one you’re given, but the one you choose.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 10, 2026

About the author

Bailey Johnson has been writing stories since she learned to write. Filling composition books up front to back in high school. Now, as a stay at home Mama, she’s pursuing her dream to become a full time author. She lives on a farm in North Dakota, with her husband and son, and a boatload of animals. Getting inspiration from ranching, rodeo, and music. Infusing her characters with personal hardships, Bailey writes heartfelt romance books that will leave you wanting more.

Reviews

[Susan]

Don’t Forget About Me: Kane Ridge Ranch, Book 2 by Bailey Johnson

This was definitely a single dad with a twist right from the beginning with not his baby.
Pepper I immediately wanted to be her bestie, she is fun, feisty and full of abandonment or unloved concerns. She just wasn’t having Boss Daddy Brooks answer of no and was determined to be the nanny. Brooks was the grumpy cowboy who also had some left over concerns from his past relationship but can’t help falling for his nanny with her big heart.
This was a slow burn worth the wait. A nasty piece of work ex and the drama that she brings. A big family full of banter, love and expectance and Tessa one sweet adorable baby girl that brings these two together to find all the love and healing they needed.

Single Dad x Nanny • Found Family
Cowboy Hat Rule • Sisters Best Friend • Ranch Vibes • Grumpy x Sunshine • Age Gap • Not His Baby • Comes in his pants


Thank you Olive Press Publishing for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Holly Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not be more in love with two characters!! Brooks and Pepper are the perfect couple without being too perfect.
The last thing on Brooks Kane’s bingo card was finding a baby on his doorstep. Pepper Basil may be a kindergarten teacher, but she does not know anything about babies. Faith throws them together and the chemistry between these two is a slow burn that bubbles at the surface until it explodes. Pepper and Brooks love story is so sweet and loving with just the right amount of spice. They are the true example of family is not always something you are born into but who you choose to love.
Don’t Forget About Me is book two in the Kane Ridge Ranch series and the first of the series that I have read. I will go back and read the first book and absolutely cannot wait to continue this series. I am so excited to see whose story we get to read next.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advanced copy.

[K.P · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

This story pulled the heart strings from the very beginning. As I had not read book 1, I made sure to read it before starting book 2, and I am so glad I did. I absolutely love this series!

There are so many things I loved, starting with Brooks, how he is so kind, gentle and giving, and protective. He gives off this grumpy persona, but you can feel deep down he has high walls. Peppa is chaotic but gives so much and is such a lost soul searching for love.

Brooks and Peppa looking at them alone you wouldn’t think they would work together but they absolutely do. And the way they both take in baby girl and love her like their own is swoon worthy and absolutely beautiful.

I cant wait to read the rest of the family’s stories… have my suspicions regarding the next couple. Will be waiting!!!!

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey Johnson did it again!!!

Honest ARC review.
This is the third book I’ve ARC’d for Bailey and I just love her stories. That Kane family is just the best.

Don’t Forget About Me had some similarities to Elsie Silver’s Heartless (Chestnut Springs series) in regards to single daddy, boss/nanny, and sister’s best friend, BUT the differences were a breath of fresh air. I just love Daddy Brooks’s openness (not gonna spoil it). You don’t find much of that, this day and age. Pepper Cinnamon Basil (spicy girl) was a hoot! And the text chats…. What a chuckle… love them.

I loved Brooks and Pepper’s story and that epilogue 🥹🥹🥹 (if I had tear ducts lol)…

10/10 would recommend

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulled on my heart strings from the beginning. This is Brooks and Peppers story. Brooks is the grumpy single dad cowboy and Pepper his sister’s best friend who becomes his nanny. These two have their ups and downs while trying to learn to trust each other when life tries to knock them down. It is a slow burn but so worth the wait. There is some OWD, his ex who won’t stay in the past but there is no cheating. Tropes include Grumpy/Sunshine, Boss/Nanny, age gap he’s 35 she’s 25 and of course a possessive MMC.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review

She did it again! I’m loving this series! I can’t wait to read the next one. I absolutely loved Brooks and Pepper. Pepper has endured so much throughout her life only to find love and a family.

Brooks was so patient with her and enjoyed her chaotic personality. She pulled him out of his shell and made him a different man. This was such a great story. All the twists and turns that popped up pushed me to read it in a day.

Can’t wait for the next on in this series. Loved it!!

[T || · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Forget About Me by Bailey Johnston

Thanks to Olive Press for this ARC!
I've now read both books in the series & damn.

It is constantly an emotional rollercoaster with this books (in the best way)

I love the story, for me (and again I dunno what it is) there was just something missing - and I again cant put my finger on it to give it a full 5 starts.

I love bailey & her writing & her stories but there was just something.

I will be buying the physicals!!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was amazing. Absolutely love everything about Kane Ranch and these wonderful characters. Brooks and Pepper are absolutely perfect for each other and their romance is top tier.

It’s cute, it’s funny, it’s hot and spicy.

I read this out of order - gonna immediately read book one and have a hangover til I get book three.

[Molly Riforgiato · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC: This was such a cute cowboy romance! Brooks and Pepper have great chemistry and I loved reading as their relationship grew! Overall, it was an enjoyable read with many funny and connectable characters from the Kane family, and I'd definitely recommend it to fans of cowboy romances. Thanks for the opportunity to read ahead of time!

[April Kelly- McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC and was swooning right away! love an age gap, I love a grumpy MMC and a sassy MFC and this book does not disappoint! I do suggest reading book one first but it isn’t 100% necessary, you just get a better vibe for the awesome family dynamic and friends vibe from all of the characters. 100% Bailey Johnson, waiting for book three!