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Blackberries On The Fence
The early 90s in Southern Louisiana is no place for a dark-skinned, nappy-headed, chubby girl, but Jasmine is determined to defy the odds. Despite being forced to survive living house to house, suffering multiple sexual assaults, and not recognizing love because she's never experienced it, she is determined to find peace. She refuses to allow her environment to mold her or break her. Although picking blackberries with her grandfather, Paw Paw Wallace, is something she loathes, ironically, it will become the one thing that saves her life; she just has to face scrutiny, rumors, tragedy, and loss first. Will she fold in the face of uncertainty, or will she look it in its face and make it behave?
- GenresRomance
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2023
38 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 10, 2023
Whew 😮💨
Chile, after reading this, I'm surprised I still have hair on my head. This book had me SKRESSED! I stopped several times and almost dnf, not because the book wasn't good but because it was so heavy.
I'm glad I kept going though because it did reach a point where I couldn't put it down. The main character went through hell at the hands of adults and peers, but I was beyond satisfied with the conclusion of the story.
Chile, after reading this, I'm surprised I still have hair on my head. This book had me SKRESSED! I stopped several times and almost dnf, not because the book wasn't good but because it was so heavy.
I'm glad I kept going though because it did reach a point where I couldn't put it down. The main character went through hell at the hands of adults and peers, but I was beyond satisfied with the conclusion of the story.
November 13, 2023
Every once in a while I read a book that hurts my feelings and makes me mad. Makes me......feel. Blackberries on the Fence definitely made me feel. Jasmine, A young woman almost out of high school has two strikes against her: she's dark skinned, and female. Add to that a horrible family (aside from her Paw Paw and little sisters) and horrible secrets and you've got a young woman going through hell. All throughout this book Jasmine was preyed upon and unprotected. She never broke. She never stopped going to school because her goals meant the world to her. I was happy that John entered her life and tried his hardest to be there for her and stand up for her. Sometimes vengeance doesn't wait on the Lord, and Paw Paw needed that fertilizer....... This was a good read for sure.
September 28, 2025
4.25⭐️
I am at a complete loss on how to approach this book review. "Blackberries On The Fence" was profoundly unsettling and disturbing. It follows Jasmine and her utterly twisted family, and it’s genuinely unsettling to think this could be someone’s reality. I found myself despising practically every character except Paw Paw Wallace, John, Jasmine, and her sisters. It's infuriating that everyone else in this story was either a pedophile or an accomplice to those crimes. This book angered me because it seemed as if Jasmine had absolutely no love or fight for herself while her life continued on a downward spiral. I also detested that some of the characters promoted that troubling notion that faith in God equates to passivity, suggesting that one should endure suffering in silence with the promise of a future reward.
Even though I was a bit frustrated, this book hit me hard in all the right ways! And let me tell you, Paw Paw Wallace is an absolute legend—he totally restored my faith in humanity! This experience was unforgettable!
I am at a complete loss on how to approach this book review. "Blackberries On The Fence" was profoundly unsettling and disturbing. It follows Jasmine and her utterly twisted family, and it’s genuinely unsettling to think this could be someone’s reality. I found myself despising practically every character except Paw Paw Wallace, John, Jasmine, and her sisters. It's infuriating that everyone else in this story was either a pedophile or an accomplice to those crimes. This book angered me because it seemed as if Jasmine had absolutely no love or fight for herself while her life continued on a downward spiral. I also detested that some of the characters promoted that troubling notion that faith in God equates to passivity, suggesting that one should endure suffering in silence with the promise of a future reward.
Even though I was a bit frustrated, this book hit me hard in all the right ways! And let me tell you, Paw Paw Wallace is an absolute legend—he totally restored my faith in humanity! This experience was unforgettable!
January 1, 2026
Wow… just wow!!! 🤯 so many emotions .. anger, sadness, hope, etc. just wow
November 14, 2024
This was not an easy read. While the story is very moving, the content in the book is triggering and should have come with a trigger or content warning.
To save you some time, some of the topics discussed in this book include miscarriage, sexual assault, rape, abortion, racism and colorism, not to mention the graphic depictions to go along with these topics.
With that being said, I really felt for the main character Jasmine. She suffered a lot of abuse and was somehow able to maintain and survive despite the odds against her. All of the adults in her life constantly failed her, except her grandparents. As a reader, I was grateful for the relationship she had with her grandparents and was glad they stood in her corner when no one else seemed to. Also, kudos to Paw Paw for getting that fertilizer for his blackberries 😊
To save you some time, some of the topics discussed in this book include miscarriage, sexual assault, rape, abortion, racism and colorism, not to mention the graphic depictions to go along with these topics.
With that being said, I really felt for the main character Jasmine. She suffered a lot of abuse and was somehow able to maintain and survive despite the odds against her. All of the adults in her life constantly failed her, except her grandparents. As a reader, I was grateful for the relationship she had with her grandparents and was glad they stood in her corner when no one else seemed to. Also, kudos to Paw Paw for getting that fertilizer for his blackberries 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
A must read !!!!
If I could give this book a million stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I would. Ashleigh B if you see this review just know that I LOVE YOU deep💜. I found this book rec on Pinterest downloaded it on my kindle and thought I'm going to read it later... but I started and couldn't put it down.. from beginning to end it was an emotional roller coaster but the ending made it well worth it..This book was so well written . From the beginning she showed just how complex the thought process of a SA victim can be... wanting to tell but not wanting to not be believed, feeling shame, feeling like damaged goods, being labeled as "fast" because boys/men (criminals) can't control themselves, and the list goes on... Every Black needs a Papa Wallace out here in this chaotic world...I pray he gets rich off his blackberries.
If I could give this book a million stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I would. Ashleigh B if you see this review just know that I LOVE YOU deep💜. I found this book rec on Pinterest downloaded it on my kindle and thought I'm going to read it later... but I started and couldn't put it down.. from beginning to end it was an emotional roller coaster but the ending made it well worth it..This book was so well written . From the beginning she showed just how complex the thought process of a SA victim can be... wanting to tell but not wanting to not be believed, feeling shame, feeling like damaged goods, being labeled as "fast" because boys/men (criminals) can't control themselves, and the list goes on... Every Black needs a Papa Wallace out here in this chaotic world...I pray he gets rich off his blackberries.
January 4, 2026
This book had me sitting straight up in bed. No more threats of “what goes on in my house stays in my house.” Although fictional, this story reflects everyday trauma for so many people. Each chapter left me wide-eyed saying WTH more times than I can count. I was literally on an emotional rollercoaster, and yes, I remember that Vivian Green song.
Anywho, Ashleigh, I truly feel your readers need a Part 2. We need to see Jasmine WIN. 📚
P.S.Where can I submit my answers to bookclub discussion questions?
Anywho, Ashleigh, I truly feel your readers need a Part 2. We need to see Jasmine WIN. 📚
P.S.Where can I submit my answers to bookclub discussion questions?
October 13, 2023
Highly recommended read
I loved this book so much!!! From the first page, I was captivated by the characters and story. The writing was great; the characters were realistic; and the story was relevant. I could identify with this story in so many ways. Hopefully this book will serve as a conversation starter in the AA community. There are too many secrets that are kept, which perpetuate the cycle of abuse. Silence is not golden. Healing begins when silence ends.
I loved this book so much!!! From the first page, I was captivated by the characters and story. The writing was great; the characters were realistic; and the story was relevant. I could identify with this story in so many ways. Hopefully this book will serve as a conversation starter in the AA community. There are too many secrets that are kept, which perpetuate the cycle of abuse. Silence is not golden. Healing begins when silence ends.
December 29, 2023
Ummmm, this whole book was a traumatic. I think it should come with a trigger warning in the beginning.
Within the first 10 chapters the main character had already been the hell and back and I was ready to DNF. It was a short read though, so I finished it.
I just don’t thing all the trauma was necessary for the story. It was never ending. Not my cup of tea anymore. 2.5 stars overall.
I would’ve loved this more when i was younger, not so much now though.
Within the first 10 chapters the main character had already been the hell and back and I was ready to DNF. It was a short read though, so I finished it.
I just don’t thing all the trauma was necessary for the story. It was never ending. Not my cup of tea anymore. 2.5 stars overall.
I would’ve loved this more when i was younger, not so much now though.
January 1, 2025
Emotional rollercoaster
Whoa, this was a real “journey”. My heart went out to Jasmine but then I kept saying… say something!! She stood ten toes for her sisters but not for herself. Shout out to PawPaw for always speaking life and beauty into Jasmine and handling his business in the end. He played no games when it came to Black. Great book but very sad and disturbing family story. I wish every woman that had to endure this horror had a John help mend their broken pieces
Whoa, this was a real “journey”. My heart went out to Jasmine but then I kept saying… say something!! She stood ten toes for her sisters but not for herself. Shout out to PawPaw for always speaking life and beauty into Jasmine and handling his business in the end. He played no games when it came to Black. Great book but very sad and disturbing family story. I wish every woman that had to endure this horror had a John help mend their broken pieces
December 1, 2025
5⭐️
This book was a hard read but it was so POWERFUL!! This read was very important for my healing as a survivor of SA. I know this book isn’t for everyone as that situation can be a trigger for people. It was so good to read a powerful story of a survivor especially one that looks like me. This book made me cry, smile, laugh, anxious I felt all the things and I enjoyed the writers writing style and the characters were easy to get attached to
This book was a hard read but it was so POWERFUL!! This read was very important for my healing as a survivor of SA. I know this book isn’t for everyone as that situation can be a trigger for people. It was so good to read a powerful story of a survivor especially one that looks like me. This book made me cry, smile, laugh, anxious I felt all the things and I enjoyed the writers writing style and the characters were easy to get attached to
February 5, 2024
Ever read a book and think, "My God, how much more can this character take??"
That's Blackberries on the Fence.
“You may be trash to the world, but you are my treasure."
It is such a heartbreaking take of a teen girl growing up in Southern Louisiana. I'm rooting for Jasmine, and I'd love to make some blackberry pie for Paw Paw.
TW:
R@pe
Child R@pe
Abu$e
That's Blackberries on the Fence.
“You may be trash to the world, but you are my treasure."
It is such a heartbreaking take of a teen girl growing up in Southern Louisiana. I'm rooting for Jasmine, and I'd love to make some blackberry pie for Paw Paw.
TW:
R@pe
Child R@pe
Abu$e
November 18, 2025
A Good Read
This book had me in tears. Just trauma after trauma after trauma. It was more of an emotional Rollercoaster if anything. You go from crying, to angry, to happy, then sad, then happy again. The writing style was different for me but I appreciated that there weren't any unnecessarily large words to confuse you. Will definitely read more from this author
This book had me in tears. Just trauma after trauma after trauma. It was more of an emotional Rollercoaster if anything. You go from crying, to angry, to happy, then sad, then happy again. The writing style was different for me but I appreciated that there weren't any unnecessarily large words to confuse you. Will definitely read more from this author
December 10, 2025
soooo… this was INSANE. definitely proceed with caution because my face was all screwed up, heart rate high, from page 1 to the end. twas traumatic and you will in fact feel SO so bad for the main character.
although it was disturbing, it touched on topics that are pretty relevant and the writing style used definitely gave insight to those issues/thoughts as well.
although it was disturbing, it touched on topics that are pretty relevant and the writing style used definitely gave insight to those issues/thoughts as well.
November 29, 2025
So Good!
I am so glad the black reader's appreciation event allowed me to come across this book and author. This took me through all the emotions for Jasmine and she just tried to survive. I loved it.
I am so glad the black reader's appreciation event allowed me to come across this book and author. This took me through all the emotions for Jasmine and she just tried to survive. I loved it.
April 6, 2025
This was a good book but it had me stressed!! All the adults let little blackberry down except paw paw and John, when paw paw started calling little journey baby travel I just about lost it 😂
January 15, 2026
📱
This was a very sad and emotional read. I had to pause and take breaks because it was heavy. EVERY adult failed Jasmine and her siblings but except her PaPa. Loved him ❤️
This was a very sad and emotional read. I had to pause and take breaks because it was heavy. EVERY adult failed Jasmine and her siblings but except her PaPa. Loved him ❤️
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews