What Matters Most

A relationship blossoms between a young widow and a former photojournalist in this charming romance from Walsh (Is It Any Wonder). Emma and her young son, CJ, have lived with her in-laws for the five years since her husband, Cam, died in combat while serving overseas in the Army. After some prodding from a friend convinces Emma it’s time to live on her own again, she and CJ move into a Nantucket cottage. She lands a job at a local art gallery and decides to fix up and rent out the studio apartment above the cottage’s garage. When Emma hires Jamie Shaw to help with the renovation, he seems like a godsend: capable, good with CJ, and disconcertingly handsome. However, as Jamie begins work on the apartment, he dreads revealing to Emma that he knew Cam and may have inadvertently caused Cam’s death. Meanwhile, Emma suffers under the weight of her own secret about her relationship with Cam. As the attraction between Emma and Jamie grows, they fear they are unworthy of God’s forgiveness and that revealing their pasts will ruin their chance at a future together. Though the author’s bland treatment of the Nantucket backdrop can feel sterile, she fares better when developing her sympathetic and well-observed leads. This optimistic romance is one to throw in the beach bag. (Apr.)