Source: Book Lover
Date: 1/24/11

Checkered Fences is a heartwarming story about two people, from different ethnic backgrounds, who fall in love. Diane Jones, a high school honor's student, grows up in a low-income family, but she studies hard and gets a scholarship to college. Diane's old fashion father decides it's time for her to marry. He himself married Diane's mother when she was just thirteen years old. Torn between her family values and goals, Diane has other plans and getting married isn't one of them.
Then Diane meets David, the affluent and handsome son of her employer. She is drawn to him as he is to her. They fall deeply in love. Diane fears her family won't accept David and that she will never fit into his lifestyle. Can love survive after they make their relationship public?

Source: Readers Favorite
Date: 08/23/11

Reviewed by Geri R. for Readers Favorite

Checkered Fences by Alma Hudson is the story of Diane Jones, a young black girl growing up in California during the 1970's. Her life has not been easy. After seeing her mother suffer so much at the hands of her father, Diane is determined to not make those same mistakes. She is determined to never have to depend on a man for anything. When Diane meets David Shaw, the eldest son of the couple for whom she nannies, she is bothered by the fact that she feels an instant attraction for him. Not only is he a male, but he is a white male and the son of her employer. She is determined to do everything to not fall for him; however, David makes it very difficult when all of his attention is focused on her.

This story was very poignant, and while it dealt with such themes as abuse and discrimination, which I have never dealt with, I was still able to relate to Diane. I was able to relate to her humble upbringing, her desire to finish college and her drive to work hard. Ms. Hudson developed characters that were believable, and showed raw emotions through small snippets of the days. I was pleased to see the transformation take place in Diane. She realizes that not all men are abusers like her father, and that David only has her best interests in mind with the attention he gives to her. She is used to being invisible, but with David she is invisible no more. This book was a delight to read, and one that I had a very hard time putting down. A short novella great for an afternoon read!