Customer Reviews

What Matters Most (Arabesque)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!!!

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

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.

Melanie Sparks has always wanted to be a nurse. She was not going to let anyone or anything stand in her way. Her less than favorable upbringing caused her not to expect anything from anyone either. So when s Melanie answered an ad for a nursing job in a South Baltimore clinic, she did not expect the doctor to be so breath-taking. Dr. Jack Ferguson is a renown cardiologist who started a clinic in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Baltimore. His father is also a prominent doctor in Baltimore who wants his son to marry well. After Jack meets Melanie, he only has eyes for her. Jack and Melanie have several odds against them: both of their fathers, their different backgrounds, and Melanie not thinking that Jack could possibly want her. Jack has got to convince everyone, including Melanie, that she is the one for him.

What Matters Most is like a version of the movie Pretty Woman. Rich doctor meets poor nurse, introduces her to the finer things in life, and regardless of what others think, he is going to be with her. It has that very classic romantic element about it. The story also flows well, and Forster does a good job with the feel good element that has you rooting for the hero and heroine to win.

Reviewed by Tenecia
for Urban Reviews

I was so made at Jack's dad for all the meddling he did in this story. Being a parent I can understand wanting the best for your children but he went too far almost losing his son. Melanie was a woman of good heart and possessed a strength that was undeniable. So what she came from, and still would be considered from the wrong side of the tracks. What she did for the people that came to the clinic was a blessing. Oh and her father, he is another sad, pitiful excuse for a human being. If you're going to drown, doing on your own don't take your children with you.

This was a great read. I believed in the foundations of love that showed effortlessly through the characters. It even made me think of how I can help where help is needed. It's so easy to forget those that need you. Follow your heart and your dreams, truly encouraging.

I thought it refreshing, that Forster created a female character that showed such great restraint, especially with man of such great influence! I thought it was great and I'd love a sequel.

Ok I can understand the bad review this got, I was bordering on the same but once I finished the book I decided it was not all that bad, not great or fantastic considering Ms Forster is an experienced romance writer, just ok. This was more like a Cinderella story more than a Pretty woman one (that heroine had sass), this heroine is a bit more timid. Instead of wicked stepmother, we have a wicked father and a snobbish boyfriend's daddy. Class issues arise when poor girl from the ghetto meets rich doctor, despite the strength to obtain a better life for herself she finds herself intimidated by rich folks (I take it a lot of rich black folks forget all our ancestors came over by ship and not voluntarily?).
Read this in one day, so if you want to borrow something from the library thats more like a fairytale this book is for you.

Melanie Sparks is a young woman who is determined to succeed at making her childhood dream a reality by becoming a RN even though her Father thinks its a waste of time. She works hard to make money to pay her tuition by doing student papers. One of her friends at school tells her to check the help wanted board at school and check out the job listed for a LPN job at a clinic that opens up in her neighborhood. She would be making more money working part time than she does with her former job plus she will be working with patients which she loves. She applies and interviews with Dr. Jack Ferguson. She feels instant attraction for him but knows that she is not in his league. They work well together and the attaction is mutual. The problem is his father thinks Jack should have a mate with the same status as himself and does everything he can to keep them apart. This is a great story and Gwynne has added characters from her former books with the Harrington brothers and their families and ET and Michaela Landry from the book "For All We Know' by Sandra Kitt in this series called Novels of Love & Hope. This is a great and inspirational story.