Why they matter in any particular context, or just in general?
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Okay. Basic disambiguation: do you mean emotions as in complex aggregations, e.g. a thought with valence attached, or down to the level of body sensations like those you get when you're sad?
Because those serve fairly different functions.
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There is no theory of emotions that isn't profoundly esoteric and probably also full of holes, AFAIK. The science is still too immature.
No Darwin of psychology, yet. Just stacks and stacks of theories and findings.
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Since I'm tired and likely to forget something, I'll get back to this in the morning. But I suggest an oblique approach.
Read around emotions to understand what they touch.
Stress, negative emotions: Why Zebras Don't Have Ulcers is great. Shows some severe failure modes.
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The Body Keeps The Score does a good job of getting you started on concepts like embodiment and dissociation and what role those play.
Read something more recent than anything I have read on antisocial personality spectrum disorders. It's wild what altered emotionality does.
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I'll see if I can remember anything else tomorrow. Some stuff about personality psychology and more about abnormal psychology would be useful.
Also, do read some microsociology. E.g. Randall Collins is great on interpersonal functions of emotions.
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Last one before bed: look into Gabor Mate for more trauma and stress (and implicitly emotions).
I haven't actually read his books yet, but his talks and interviews make them look very promising, and are worth a watch in their own right.