WHAT MATTERS MOST - Gwynne Forster Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque 0-37383-106-4 October 2008

SYNOPSIS:  Melanie Sparks' job at Dr. Jack Ferguson's clinic is an opportunity to make her dream of nursing a reality--but only if she can keep her mind off trying to seduce the dreamy doc.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4+| Jennifer Copeland

REVIEW:  WHAT MATTERS MOST by Gwynne Forster is a must read for those of us that love true romance even with its ups and downs and the various obstacles that try to keep the couple apart. This book has a lot of twists and turns before the couple can truly be together and be happy.

Ms. Forster’s newest release, part of the Novels of Love & Hope that is supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, focuses on Melanie Sparks and Dr. Jack Ferguson. They come from different backgrounds and have several things in common; among which is a desire to help the less fortunate who cannot afford health care. The attraction they have is hot and steamy.

The characters are very believable because their lives mirror real life situations. Jack is from a prominent family and Melanie from a working class family. Melanie had made a promise to her mother that she would finish nursing school so she could be a RN and take care of her father, who was mentally abusive to her. Jack is a well-known cardiologist from a prominent family, whose father does everything in his power to keep them apart because he does not think that Melanie is a suitable girlfriend for Jack.

WHAT MATTERS MOST takes place in Maryland and Tennessee, where St. Jude is located. It works well as a location because Melanie gets a chance to visit the children’s hospital to learn how to take care of the children who are sick with different ailments and also learn the different treatments so that they can help the community where Jack’s clinic is located. The plot moves along at a moderate pace. It kept me engrossed as to what was going to happen next. Ms. Forster’s realistic dialogue compliments the plot and the characters whose lives reflect those of the people living each day.

WHAT MATTERS MOST is a wonderful book and I would recommend it to every reader. It took me less than a day to read it and I could not put the book down. I had to make myself get up to go grocery shopping because it was a wonderful read. I have always loved reading books by Ms. Forster because she delves into a person’s emotions, while making the reading experience a wonderful one. Make sure you pick up a copy of WHAT MATTERS MOST; not only is it a good book, you will be supporting St. Jude and the amazing work the hospital does.

reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 22nd October 2008