What Matters Most by Kellie Coates Gilbert is the fourth book in the Texas Gold Collection. The other three books in the series are not related other than the setting being Texas. No need to read the previous novels in order to follow the story.
Leta is the main female character and she has experienced a lot of struggles in her life which make her feel insecure. Her mother suffers from dementia and this relationship is quite touching and poignant. Anyone who has had a similar experience will feel empathy for Leta’s situation. Leta’s employment challenges also lend one to feel compassion, but she comes across as a weak person and so it is ultimately not endearing.
The leading male, Nathan, has challenges of his own. He meets Leta a few times and then it is enough to have him ditching his girl and potentially sacrificing his own career for Leta. This part of the story did not seem strong enough to justify the sacrifices made. The author needed a bit more strength in the relationship. The premise of the situation was good, but fell a bit short in the execution. It felt as though Nathan Emerson was a near perfect person and too good to be true.
There is a bit of intrigue here and certainly some romance. Readers might enjoy learning more about the behind the scenes of politics.
Review of an Advance Reader Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Report of nursing home workers pinching and physically harming residents; suggestion that a man might have committed suicide; a note threatens to cause someone harm.
Sex/Nudity: Person sees an old man’s bare bum, because he forgot to don pants (non-sexual); woman nibbles her husband’s ear and then drops her robe, sexual activity implied, but not described; non-married characters kiss and embrace; a person says his relationship with someone is not about sex.
Mature Subject Matter:
Alzheimer’s disease, death of a parent.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Woman works at a bar and serves inebriated customers; rumor that a person drowns after drinking too much tequila; drinking in bars and at social events includes wine, champagne and beer.
