“Jim Crow don’t live in New York!”

That’s what did it, the magic words Cheryl Wilson’s best friend, Bettie, said to convince her to leave her family and a good teaching job behind. Determined to snag secretarial jobs at a new publishing company and open the door to a world of opportunities closed to them back home, the two young women board a train bound for the Big Apple. They soon discover, however, that career prospects for most Negroes were as limited in 1951 New York as in the segregated south. Then things take a turn when Cheryl is offered a position with real advancement potential—but only if she can keep the truth about her background a secret. As she learns to manage the constant anxiety and complications of living a lie, things get even more challenging when she falls for a passionate young editor with a hair-trigger temper. Will she succeed at living a double life? Or will she lose everything in the process?

PRAISE FOR PASSING NOTES

•

PRAISE FOR PASSING NOTES •

  • “ Rich in language and entertaining in a ‘I feel like I am watching a movie kinda way,’ you won’t be able to put it down. Debut author Courtney Duke Foster and her very real characters will take hold of you until you land on the final page satisfied.”

    – TRACY CHILES MCGHEE, AUTHOR OF MELTING THE BLUES

  • “ Passing Notes is such a delightful read. This romantic story about race, ambition, colorism, and civil rights in Northern cities would make an excellent weekend quickie or a deeper book club exploration.”

    – LESLEY YOUNGE, AUTHOR OF NEARER MY FREEDOM: THE INTERESTING LIFE OF OLAUDAH EQUIANO BY HIMSELF

  • “ Passing Notes kept me up all night — turning pages, captivated to see what would happen in each new chapter. This tender love story enlightens and entertains. It reminds us of the era of racial and gender separation yet shows the fortitude and brilliance of people who were not expected to be so. The ending will surprise you.”

    – WANDA S. LLOYD, AUTHOR OF COMING FULL CIRCLE: FROM JIM CROW TO JOURNALISM

  • “ Passing Notes is a clever love story about life’s unexpected detours. Tackling race, class and skin color in 1950s New York City, Courtney Duke Foster takes us on a journey filled with wit, drama and history.”

    – ALEXIS CLARK, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR OF ENEMIES IN LOVE: A GERMAN POW, A BLACK NURSE, AND AN UNLIKELY ROMANCE

  • “ You won’t easily forget Passing Notes, thanks to the author’s sharp and authentic observations… Perfectly paced, it grips you from the beginning and holds you in suspense.”

    – ALICE OSBORN, AUTHOR OF HEROES WITHOUT CAPES

REVIEWS

REVIEWS

“Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It has a phenomenal storyline with a great momentum that keeps you turning the pages. It is very well-written with references to places and people that keep you engaged. And just when you think you have figured it all out, it gets even better!”

“If you are looking for a page turning, expertly and intricately woven love story that explores friendship, family, race, gender, and colorism this is a MUST read! Courtney Duke Foster nails it in Passing Notes. I felt so connected to the book and the characters, that I could see story play out in my head from beginning to end, and didn’t want it to end! So very well done!”

“This was such a surprise ending I can’t wait until the next book comes out for me to enjoy that one as well!”