6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
What Matters Least, October 11, 2008
This review is from: What Matters Most (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
OMG, I hate this book! As I write this review I've decided not to even try to finish it. Once again Gwynne Forster has done a disservice to readers. This book is supposed to be inspirational but, the only thing it will inspire me to do is to not read another story she writes.
We are given a 34 year-old hero, Dr. Jack Ferguson who is supposed to be a wealthy, educated, noted and respected cardiologist acting like a spoiled child and a spineless 31 year-old heroine, soon to be registered nurse, Melanie Sparks who placates him. I could not relate to either of them and found the dialog between them dated and immature.
It's the same old story, he's a have and she's a have not. After a medical ephiphany he decides to come down to the hood and mingle with the have-nots by opening a clinic and subsequently finds a kindred spirit in Melanie who just happens to need a job while she's getting her nursing degree. Oh and don't forget that after meeting her he then starts to have thoughts about his future meaning a family of his own.
I think Forster was trying as usual to make her hero a sexy alpha-male but once again she only made him come off as needing to be constantly reassured, paranoid, overbearing and annoying. At any time I expected Dr. Jack Ferguson to stomp his foot and hold his breath if he didn't get what he wanted.
Jack and Melanie are totally UNREALISTIC and the author puts them in unrealistic situations. For instance, why would Jack agree to spend the weekend at his architect's house after just meeting him and his family and then expect Melanie to agree to accompany him which of course she did and she didn't ask one pertinent question as to why and he (Jack) only wanted to do it because he was taken with the architect's precocious six year old daughter? This is just an example of why I found no empathy or support for them or their silly story.
The premise from Forster is always the same, big, handsome, accomplished, strong-willed man has to bend the will of the loyal, unassuming, low self-esteemed, do-gooder woman into doing what he wants. I was just insulted that a publisher would greenlight this mess for publication and shame on Forster for underestimating the reader by once again offering superficial characters with a re-hashed story. Just a real disappointment with two of the most unappealing characters put on paper. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
(RAW Rating: 3.5) Hope and healing, November 12, 2008
This review is from: What Matters Most (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
Melanie Sparks wanted to be a Registered Nurse since she was seven-years- old. Finally at thirty-one, her dream will reach full fruition; in a few weeks she will be a licensed RN. The months of typing students' term papers and studying during the day, of attending evening classes at the university two-hours away and ignoring a social life are almost over; a change is imminent.
Dr. Jack Ferguson, compassionate and strong-willed, has a lucrative practice in a very affluent part of Baltimore. But he remembers his late mother's wish for him to help those less fortunate. Jack opens a second office in an impoverished area of Baltimore. He hires Melanie to help run the clinic, with the guarantee of full-time employment when she receives her degree.
Jack is everything Melanie wants in a man, but he's her boss. She cannot jeopardize her dream for one tempting seduction; she must stay focused. Jack is the son of a prominent Baltimore doctor, and is expected to choose a society wife. Melanie is not the kind of woman his powerful father will accept. But he and Melanie are kindred spirits; they both want to help those most in need. In spite of family pulls, Jack soon realizes what he truly wants is this sassy woman who works beside him. Will they realize what's most important and figure out they are just what the doctor ordered?
WHAT MATTERS MOST highlights that too often we allow others to control, dictate or direct our lives. When the right thing to do is remember what matters most is that which makes us happy. Although the story is not driven by dramatic issues, Ms. Forster candidly shares an age old story of economic disparities and of staying true to one's self.
Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I was looking for More, October 27, 2008
This review is from: What Matters Most (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
I was a little disappointed how this story turned out. Although the sparks between Jack & Melanie were instantaneous, the whole process was drawn out a little too long being that the book was over 300 pages. This also could've been a great story if the secondary characters were utilized appropiately. I felt like I was left hanging and wanting more.
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