Mending Fences

By Sherryl Woods

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778324575
• ISBN13: 9780778324577
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

A great read

MENDING FENCES by Sherryl Woods September 4, 2008 Rating: 4/5 Stars I'm a relatively new fan of Sherryl Woods but so far I have enjoyed each of the books I've read. In MENDING FENCES, two families who have been neighbors for many years find their lives are torn apart when the son of one family is accused of rape. Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter are the two mothers that become friends, and the two families unite as the children grow up together and the families spend a lot of time in each other's company. While the husbands don't quite get along, the mothers are best friends and try to keep the friendship going. But, when Evan Carter, a college student, is accused of raping another student, the friendships are tested. Marcie expects her loyal friend to back her son up, but there are reasons why Emily begins to doubt the sincerity of the star athlete. Despite knowing him most of his life, a boy who was such a star student and all around good guy, Emily at first doesn't believe the accusations, until her daughter begins to act in a bizarre manner. Emily is now wondering if her daughter may have been a victim as well. The book could have used some editing, MENDING FENCES was still a good read. The ending should have been different (things were resolved too quickly) but other than that I'm recommending the book.

Mending Fences

Ken and Marcie Carter and their children ,Evan and Caitlyn, move into a quiet Miami neighborhood and become fast friends with the Dobbs family; Derek and Emily and their kids, Dani and Josh. The kids grow up together and Marcie and Emily become best friends. They've been there for each other through many ups and downs including divorce and troublesome teens, but now their friendship will be tested when Evan is accused of date rape. Grady Rodriguez is the detective assigned to Evan's case. Emily is caught between spending time with Grady and betraying her friend. Then a secret threatens to destroy the last fiber holding the families together. Mending Fences is packed with drama, emotion and fantastic characterization. I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish. Ms. Woods keeps the plot thick and the emotions running high on every page. Mending Fences is my first Sherryl Woods novel but definitely not my last! Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Realisitc emotion-packed story

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.

Woods writes characters we all know

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.

Friendship tested

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.