Mending Fences [Mass Market Paperback]

Sherryl Woods (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

Two families--bound by friendship-- devastated by secrets

For ten years Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter have been the closest of friends. They've raised their kids together, shared joy and heartache, exchanged neighborhood gossip over tea. But when Marcie's son, now a college freshman sports star, is arrested for date rape, the bond between the families could be shattered forever.

As the Carters try to deal with the unthinkable, Emily discovers her daughter has been hiding a terrible secret--a secret that threatens the futures of both families. Recently divorced, Emily struggles to keep it all together--to support her terrified daughter, to maintain her friendship with Evan's mother and to have faith in the detective who could change all of their lives.

When things seem darkest, both she and Marcie discover that sometimes the first step toward a better future is mending fences with the past.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Compulsively readable, the latest romantic drama from bestselling author Woods (Feels Like Family) traces beautifully and honestly two suburban Miami families' emotional crises, as they face their worst fears with help from friends. When her best friend's son, Evan, is accused of date rape, recently divorced teacher Emily Dobbs immediately stands by the young man who's become like a second son to her. The boy's mother, Marcie Carter, is grateful for the support, as her domineering husband, Ken, seems more interested in destroying the reputation of the accuser than in taking care of his family. The longtime friendship between the two women is pushed to its limits, however, when disturbing suspicions emerge that victims may not be limited to one girl—and as the investigation proceeds, Emily finds her own son and daughter getting pulled into the maelstrom. Moreover, Emily's unexpected attraction to a police detective on the case further tests her loyalty and conviction. Though the serious issues raised (date rape, verbal abuse) are handled with honesty and integrity, Woods's novel easily rises above hot-button topics to tell a universal tale of friendship's redemptive power. (Oct.)
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Review

"Strong supporting characters, a vivid sense of place, and a strong appreciation for the past add to the appeal of Woods' contemporary romance." -- Booklist on The Backup Plan

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Mira (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778324575
• ISBN-13: 978-0778324577
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much-adored South Carolina. She's also especially partial to small towns wherever they may be. In Amazing Gracie, as in her later Trinity Harbor series, Woods creates a fictional version of the town where she spends summers on the shores of the Potomac River. "This town just lends itself to fascinating characters and a charming locale," she says.

A member of Novelists Inc., Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, Sherryl divides her time between her childhood summer home overlooking the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and her oceanfront home with its lighthouse view, in Key Biscayne, Florida. "Wherever I am, if there's no water in sight, I get a little antsy," she says.

Sherryl also loves hearing from readers. You can join her at her blog, www.justbetweenfriendsblog.com, visit her Web site at www.sherrylwoods.com or contact her directly at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Friendship tested, October 3, 2007

By 

Amy Leemon (North Fond du Lac, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mending Fences (Mass Market Paperback)

Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter have been friends for many years. Their yards adjoin and they've even made a pathway so they can visit easier. They each have a son and a daughter - all close in age. Unfortunately, their husbands don't like each other very well but still their friendship endures.

When Marcie's son, Evan is accused of rape, Emily is the first to offer her support. After all, Evan practically grew up in her house. She refuses to believe he could be guilty of such a crime. And when police office Grady Rodriguez comes around asking questions, she staunchly defends Evan.

But what happens when she slowly begins to realize that Evan may not be all that she thinks he is? And when it starts to involve her own family, will the friendship survive?

This is a little more serious than some of Sherryl Woods's books but well worth the read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Realisitc emotion-packed story, October 5, 2007

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mending Fences (Mass Market Paperback)

High school teacher Emily Dobbs has been best friends with perfect homemaker Marcie Carter since the Carters moved into their suburban Miami neighborhood ten years earlier. Even their kids are close. Together they have weathered just about every storm, including Emily's painful split with her absentee husband Derek. But their relationship is put to the ultimate test when Marcie's son Evan is charged with date rape. At first rallying to his side in support of Marcie, Emily soon sees chinks in Evan's armor, noticing that he is more like his verbally abusive father than she realized, and questions whether this might not be the first time Evan has forced himself on a girl. Adding complications is Emily's emerging feelings for the detective in charge of the investigation. Detective Grady Rodriguez, convinced of Evan's guilt finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he too is attracted to Emily, and that attraction could have an impact on his case.

Woods' forte is writing about families - she has painted an incredible picture of each family (including the Rodriguez clan) and how the interact with each other. The successes, the failures, the everyday activities that they enjoy, and the deep pain that they can cause to each other. She breathes life into them, making them realistic, as they just flow off the pages. While the flashback chapters in the beginning were a little awkward and the romance is pretty light, the story is a compelling and captivating tale of friendship.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Woods writes characters we all know, October 4, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mending Fences (Mass Market Paperback)

After the Carter family moves into the neighborhood, they become exceptionally close friends with the Dobbs family-so close that their children cut a pathway in the hedges dividing the properties in order to gain faster access to their friends. Their relationships are followed for an approximate ten-year time span during which there is marital strife and the natural angst that occurs as the children become teenagers.

When one of the children is accused of a serious crime, the families struggle to stick together through the difficulties to uncover the truth and to decide how to best rectify the situation. In the process, family secrets are revealed, which leads to even greater hardships in trying to maintain a once seemingly unbreakable bond between friends.

Sherryl Woods does an excellent job of developing the characters. I was able to feel their pain and understand their dilemmas fully. Woods uses the themes of strength and honesty prevalently in this book. I enjoyed watching Marcie's transformation from a subservient housewife into a woman who finally was honest with herself about how she was being treated and took a stand toward making drastic changes in her life. Emily had to accept what she knew in her heart was true in order to save her family. Dani had to muster the courage to admit her secret so she could forgive and move on with her life.

Mending Fences contains elements of romance, friendship and suspense and will thus appeal mainly to females. For the most part, the characters are likable and realistic which makes it easy for the reader to connect with them and empathize with their situations.

I could not wait to find out how this story would end because it could have gone in several directions.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.