<b>Marshall's debut historical fiction centers around women's searches for body autonomy in three timelines of interconnected characters and their stories.</b>

<b><blockquote>It all comes down to having the right to make the choice. Every child a wanted child, every mother a willing mother.</b></blockquote>

<i>Looking for Jane</i> is a story of women living in three timelines who are linked through decades by a mysterious letter--and by enormously important, recurring dilemmas for women through the ages: unexpected pregnancies; searches (and fights) for bodily autonomy and securing their health; and weighty choices with repercussions that reverberate.

In this historical fiction, Marshall explores the goings-on at 1960s unwed mothers' homes in Canada--based upon actual first-person accounts of practices, cruelties, and secrets and lies at such homes in the U.S. and Canada.

The female characters' stories are deeply intertwined; I saw some of the events coming but not others, and I didn't mind predicting portions of where the story was going.

But the broader story here is about body autonomy, women's rights, dangerously powerful social perceptions, men's lack of equivalent responsibility for the activities of their sperm as compared to women and their eggs', and females' age-old, often fearful, sometimes deadly searches for freedom of choice and self-determination.

The three timelines allow Marshall to showcase how situations have changed through the decades for women seeking options after pregnancy, while her author's note references recent rollbacks in US women's legal abilities to control what happens to their bodies.

Through it all, Marshall sets up realistic emotional barriers for characters who have had to hide parts of themselves away; she doesn't shy away from sharing the sometimes-tragic outcomes of pregnant women's desperate searches for a say-so in their fates; and she places each story within the events and details of its timeline.

I received a prepublication edition of this book, published February 7, courtesy of NetGalley and Atria Books.

This is a work of fiction and it is the author’s debut novel, but a debut novel it is and one that definitely needs to be a must read and/or book club for discussion. Following the lives of three women in different decades of 20th century Canada, Looking for Jane is about the power of a mother's love. It is also about a woman's right to choice over her body and having the support of other women. Looking For Jane follows three women - Angela, Evelyn and Nancy - who live in Toronto in the 1970's, 1980's and 2010's. It is through the experiences, struggles and complex family lives of these three women that Marshall humanizes the issue of reproductive choice. I loved the characters, each and every one a powerful depiction of female bravery. From backstreet abortions, post-war church-run maternity homes, adoption, and birth to the often horrifying and long-lasting consequences when governments, society, and the church deny women the right to choose. Men making decisions for women's rights without making men accountable as well. Limiting women's rights - limits women's ability to achieve whatever she chooses. Looking For Jane is a well-researched, thought-provoking, and powerful fictional story that weaves a dark part of women's history in Canada (although easily reaches across borders); a time when women had no choice, no voice, and no rights when it came to their own reproductive decisions. This is a must-read story that honors the women who have come before us, those who showed strength and tenacity so that we may now have the right to choose. Really related with this book and here in the US it is relevant again today with men again voting to take away women's rights.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

Thank you, Netgally for the ARC. Wow, what a powerful story!! The story is told from different point of views and different timelines spanning the 60s through present time. A hard topic of abortion, but also motherhood and choices. Historical fiction at its finest. I will definitely recommend this book!!

This an excellent Historical Fiction book based on the Jane Collective, a group of women performing illegal abortions in the 1960’s.

The story follows three women from 1960 through 2017. It starts with a pregnant teen who is sent to a group home to have the baby. There are some interesting twists and turns along the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and learned about the history of the Jane network, which is based on fact.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Looking for Jane is a powerful, wonderfully written. novel about three women whose lives intersect around the choice of whether to be a mother or not. The novel takes place in three different times. Frances is a young woman sent to a maternity home to have her baby taken away immediately and places for adoption. In the 1980's Nancy Mitchell discovers her family's secret, which leads her down a path of keeping many toxic secrets about herself. In 2017, Angela discovers a mis-delivered letter that will change the lives of all of these women and take her on an exploration of a network of women helping others with illegal abortions. Exploring the world of illegal abortion and forced adoption, the book the importance of giving a woman the ability to chose what to do with her own body. This is a can't put down read and perfect for book clubs.

Friends, if you are looking for a historical fiction novel that isn’t set during/about WW2, can I suggest picking up LOOKING FOR JANE by @heathermarshallauthor ?! It publishes last year in Canada, and is set to publish in U.S on Feb 7!

I am kicking myself for taking so long to read this phenomenal book by a debut Canadian author! If yo are a fan of historical fiction, women’s rights, then make sure you grab this book and read it ASAP!

This book touches on a dark part of Canadian history that I didn’t know much about, because it wasn’t discussed or talked about much when I was in highschool and university. I firmly believe this book should be required reading for grades 9 and up and in college/university.

I want to also mention that this book also heavily features a home for unwed mothers-and how badly young women were treated there. While these kinds of homes no longer exist, it’s important that they be featured in books!

All you have to do is read the synopsis of this book to understand the content of this book, and how triggering it can be. So while I urge everyone to read this book, please proceed with caution if you are at all struggling.

Despite the hard topics this book touches on, it is also primarily about the strength of women. The courage and bravery it takes to change the path of history and the rights of women. It’s about what it means to be a mother- whether you desperately want a child, had a child by accident, or don’t want kids at all. All women should be given the choice of what they want, and should not be punished for the choices they do make.

The author does an exceptional job of showing the hardships women faced in the 70s and 80s, and while we have come a long way, there is still more work that can and needs to be done. The author expertly weaves the stories of three women (Evelyn, Maggie and Angela), and how they come to be interconnected. I loved each POV, and felt all the emotions while reading this book. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time, and one that I will be recommending to everyone!

Wow, this was one of the most difficult, but incredible books that I have ever read. And for a huge fan of historical fiction, that is saying something. The women in this book were realistic, strong and flawed and just unbelievable. Their lives and stories were awe-inspiring and frustrating. The amount of research that Marshall did for this book was clear from page one. That being said, the topic is not easy. Abortions, adoptions, fertility issues and how they not only have an impact on the person experiencing this things, but the people around them and the people in their future. An incredibly well written book, just be prepared with lots of tissues. I cried through 85% of the book.

Told by three women, during three different periods of time, yet all connected by a secret network that is fighting for the right to choose. 2017 - Angela discovers an old letter with a life-shattering confession. Her search for the recipient takes her back to the 70's and an illegal underground abortion network called Jane. 1971, pregnant Evelyn was sent to a home and forced to give her baby up for adoption.
Despite the risks involved, she finds herself a part of the Jane Network, giving women the right to a choice she did not have. 1980 - Nancy Mitchell discovers a secret about her family, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant (and turning to the Jane network for help) and then joins Dr. Taylor's network. The lives of these three women are connected by more than the Jane Network, but how?

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Quick and Dirty⁣
-historical fiction ⁣
-triple POV/timelines⁣
-highly triggering (DM me for more info)⁣
-feminist fiction at its finest ⁣
⁣
Synopsis⁣
Evelyn has found herself in the predicament every unmarried girl in the 60s fears. She’s pregnant, and her family want nothing to do with her or her baby. Now she’s standing outside the door of an imposing home for fallen girls fearful of stepping forward into her now uncertain future. ⁣
Nancy’s life is just getting started, so seeing the positive pregnancy test is jarring to say the least. There’ve been many advances in women’s rights in the 70s, but reproductive rights in Canada are still not guaranteed. Will she take the same risk she saw her cousin take years ago in a back alley? ⁣
Angela and her wife have been trying desperately to get and stay pregnant. Thankfully in 2017 there are many medical miracles which means they have options to pursue. Her adoptive mother didn’t have those same options she knows, so she’s not taking anything for granted no matter how much it hurts her heart. ⁣
⁣
Musings⁣
Shut. The. Front. Door. This book is absolutely incredible!!! I cannot stress this enough: THIS BOOK IS ESSENTIAL READING. It’s full of triggering content, some of which will ruffle feathers, but the point the author makes with the story of these three women is powerful and very relevant considering last year’s attack on women’s rights. I implore anyone who believes in a woman’s right to choose to read this. And anyone who isn’t sure what to think about women’s rights should probably read this. Folks who disagree with a woman’s right to make decisions about her body should definitely read this. As I said in my Booktok review, the content/themes in this book is why we march.

a Debut with Power!!
From the moment I read the preview- I had to read this book.
places a spotlight on Women's Choices in history!!


All beginning with a letter not delivered correctly nor promptly, the ripple effect from there.

EVERYone should read this book!!!

An impressive debut novel by author Heather Marshall, and one whose release couldn't be more timely.

"Looking for Jane" is told across three women's alternating perspectives across separate periods of time in Canada during the 20th century. In present day Toronto in 2017, Angela Creighton discovers a dated letter in her routine work in an antique shop, sent over a decade earlier. The contents inspire her to search for the intended recipient despite the difficulty of such a task, and we follow her as she and her wife make the next steps in trying to grow their family.

The second perspective jumps back to decades earlier when young Evelyn Taylor is forced into St. Agnes's Home for Unwed Mothers, an institution that takes in single pregnant women and arranges for the future adoption of their children. She's deemed a shame to society, despite the fact that her fiancee passed away unexpectedly, but she's able to find support and friendship in the other women in the home. Afterwards, Evelyn is able to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor, but uncovers a secret group known as the Jane Network, dedicated to helping women get access to abortions despite the procedure's illegal status.

The third and final perspective is told from Nancy Mitchell, who uncovers a jarring family secret that changes her life. She's inspired to begin working at the Jane Network despite the risks and comes to discover even more than she expected as time goes on.

Even from a firmly objective viewpoint, "Looking for Jane" is a well-written and researched novel. Marshall's afterward notes the sources and inspiration for characters and plotline, in addition to the real-to-life characters she included as well. Her prose is descriptive and developed, and she's able to take on different voices and characterizations across all three perspectives and voices. Even though there is a lot to keep track of across each of these plotlines, I never felt lost or confused, and she did a great job of tying the story together at the end, albeit a little too coincidental.

Factoring in my subjective views: this is an incredibly important book, given the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year and the implications for women and society as a whole - not just within the US but in neighboring nations and areas. The extent of injustice women faced just a few decades ago and the lengths they had to go to in order to have a choice about their own bodies is highlighted over and over again in this novel, and for good reason. It's an infuriating and eye-opening look back at the history we thought we left behind - and the work it took to make steps forward on such a polarizing issue (that shouldn't be). As Marshall herself states, this is not a book about abortion, but a book about choice.

A highly, highly recommended as read in 2023 and beyond.

Looking for Jane is an emotional and masterfully written debut novel from Heather Marshall.

Looking for Jane is one of those books I struggle to write a review for, not because it isn’t good, but because it is so well written that I am afraid my review won’t do it justice. One of the great things about this book is that it is relevant to many issues women and society still face today. Now I do realize the topics of abortion and forced adoption are highly politically charged right now. However, I still encourage anyone to read this book because these women’s stories are worth hearing.

There are many things that I love about this book. It was great to read something set in Toronto, Ontario (not too far from where I live) because I could make this personal connection with the setting and learn more about this area’s history. The Jane Collective was a group of women who helped create this underground network that provided abortions for women during the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s. It was interesting learning about this collective, especially when I read news stories of similar things happening in the States today. This book also deals with the topic of forced adoptions. Women who were unwed were often sent to these homes to have their babies, and they would be forcefully taken from them after the baby was born.

This story is challenging because it deals with tough topics and sheds light on a very dark time for women’s rights. It’s going to tug on those heartstrings, and it’s going to have you feeling those big emotions. I applaud Heather for finding a way to talk about these issues intelligently and compassionately. I can tell she has done her research and put a lot of thought and heart into this story.

Thank you, Atria Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an extremely powerful novel that couldn't be more timely. It revolves around the issue of abortion. In the 1970s, Evelyn Taylor is unwillingly sent to an abusive home for unwed mothers and forced to give up her child. In the 1980s, in the midst of finding out life-changing news about her family, Nancy Taylor finds herself unexpectedly pregnant so she searches out the mysterious Jane network to help her and finds herself more involved than she expected to be. In the 2010s, Angela discovers a misdirected letter containing some earth-shattering news for someone, and she is determined to reunite the letter with its rightful owner. The way these three stories come together makes for a quite affecting deeply gripping novel.

No matter which side of the abortion debate you are on, in some ways this book will stir your wrath. You are more likely to like to enjoy, it, however. if you believe in a woman's right to choose.

Although the book takes place in Canada, it is relatable no matter where you are from. Ultimately, it provides a sense of hope that things can always change and get better. It may be hard to believe right now, but we can only live and hope and work toward that better world we want to see where all human rights are respected in every way.

Happy Pub Day and what a fantastic debut! Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, Atria Books, and Heather Marshall for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Looking for Jane for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this read! This will definitely be a top contender for my Best of 2023 selections. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

You’ll find that Looking for Jane is based on true stories and events that still present issues for women today.

The storyline follows three brave women faced with unique challenges during three different decades — 1971, 1980, and 2017. These women are all tied together by one single letter.

Angela, owner of an antique store, finds a misplaced letter hidden in a piece of furniture. Angela is curious about the letter, partially because of her own past, and wants to find the intended recipient. She begins narrowing down who the letter should have been delivered to. Through her research, she learns about a pro-choice organization called The Jane Network. The Jane Network’s mission was to offer safe, although illegal, abortions to women free of charge.

In the early 70’s, Evelyn finds herself pregnant and alone. Her father awkwardly drops her off at a home for fallen/wayward women where she was forced to give her baby up for adoption. Her experience at St. Agne’s Home for Unwed Mother’s is a trauma that will haunt her forever. Evelyn takes a huge risk and responsibility when she decides to join The Jane Network.

In 1980, Nancy searches for “Jane” and finds a contact to perform a safe abortion. For that, she is so very grateful. She witnessed her cousin having an unsafe abortion years earlier in a strangers home located near a back alley. Nancy joins forces with The Jane Network to help women have a choice and a voice.

This book inspires you, encourages you to think about what choices you would make if you found yourself in the shoes of these young women, and allows for you to process how grateful you are for the advancement shown for women’s rights over time.

Heather Marshall's debut LOOKING FOR JANE, is superb! Timely, powerful, beautifully written, and researched, a haunting look at the state of Canada and its history regarding women's rights inspired by true stories.

There are three intriguing interwoven timelines of three women whose lives are bound by a long-lost letter. A mother's love and a secret network of women fighting for the right to choose.

2017: Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession. She is determined to find the intended recipient, returning to the 1970s.

1971: Dr. Evelyn Taylor as a teen, was forced to give up her baby for adoption. Later, she joins the Jane Network as an abortion provider determined to give other women a choice she never had.

1980: Nancy Mitchell discovers a shocking family secret that she was adopted. When she becomes pregnant, she has nowhere to turn. She discovers Jane and Dr. Taylor.

Meticulously researched, the characters jump off the page. This is a powerful and moving debut that deals with emotionally charged topics. From adoption, abortion, miscarriage, suicide, and abuse. The author handles these issues with compassion and sensitivity.

A critical and timely book when we are faced with rights today. A story of motherhood and choices. The author dives deep into the laws and resources to support this cause.

Today many women are forced to look for "a Jane" to help. Every woman should be able to make decisions (or options) about her own body instead of being forced into something that goes against their will. We all have to join in the fight for justice.

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the Author's Note and more about The Maternity Home System, The Jane Network, The Fall of Roe, and more.

Deeply compelling, from shocking secrets of a buried past, a maternity home, and a secret network of healthcare workers for the rights to choose with two rules:

Rule # 1 Call hospitals and ask for Jane.
Rule #2 Never use your real name.

Three generations of women linked: mothers and daughters —supporting one another —this one will steal your heart. Highly recommend. For fans of Kristin Hannah and Patti Callahan Henry. Top Books of 2023.

Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Feb 7, 2023
Feb 2023 Must-ReadBooks
Top Books of 2023

Wow. I’m truly struggling to write a review for this one, friends. I loved it so much, and have so many thoughts, but really can’t say too much without revealing spoilers. I seriously can’t believe that it’s a debut. I’m absolutely floored. This novel really packs a punch, and explores SO many topics and themes. The main focus is on motherhood, and the multiple aspects and complexities of that term. I do want to point out that this novel touches on some sensitive subjects like homes for unwed mothers, the evolution of reproductive rights, and abortion. Underground abortion networks that existed prior to the legalization in Canada are discussed at length. Yes, this is a heavy story, but also a very important one.

READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ENJOY:

- Historical fiction
- Feminist stories
- Women’s history & rights
- Multiple perspectives & timelines
- Toronto settings
- Controversial topics
- Themes of pregnancy and motherhood
- Mother/daughter relationships

Also, please, please, PLEASE do not skip the author’s note at the end. There’s so many crucial tidbits in there that will give the reader a greater understanding of the author’s intentions in writing this book. Marshall crafted a magnificent piece of historical fiction from the 1960s that explores a very powerful and controversial time in women’s history. 5/5 phenomenal stars for Looking for Jane!

This is a piece of historical fiction that every woman should read. This debut by a Canadian author is a fictitious account of three women seeking abortions, is based on reality.
The writing is a bit disjointed with three stories being told at once and I found myself getting a bit bored. I loved the three women and their different stories all connected to their right to choose and I appreciate the author's effort.
I would recommend this title to anyone who cares about women. Thanks to netgalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Looking for Jane 👶🏼💕

A MUST READ ✨
Sometimes you read a book and you sit there pondering, how will my review ever do this one justice. I absolutely ADORED this book even though I cried through the entire thing.

Multiple POV, female driven, different timelines for the POVs. All centering around women’s right issue of “legal abortion.” One timeline follows when it was completely illegal, back-ally abortions & wedlock homes existed- the other early 2000s after legalization- and then again present day. The historical timelines are seamless and breathtaking. The characters you will want to rip your heart out for. Primarily focused on white woman’s experience and I believe the author gives good historical context to why she choose this.

I will say if I read this book before becoming a mother I would have loved it, but after I have such a deep gratitude to the author for writing such a politically sensitive topic so wonderfully. I cried the entire time while I read on my kindle feeding my daughter. I can’t imagine a world where I didn’t have a choice- I can’t imagine a world where she won’t.

“Every mother a willing mother. Every child a wanted child.”

Ty

5⭐️

Wow. What an incredible book! One of the best historical fiction books I have read in a long time. While the aspects of the book were tough to read/hear about, it all came together in the end. There were even a couple surprising twists that I did not see coming. I would recommend this book to anyone! & I’ll definitely be looking into other books from this author asap. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

In the past, being a woman was exceptionally difficult. Everything was fully restricted, including the ability to talk, select, and vote. Everything was chosen by someone else, including what would happen to their bodies.
The fight for independence was not only vital but also extremely difficult. This book explicitly illustrates this.
Although the plot is fiction, it is based on historical events, and you can see that the author dug far enough into the past.
Because the author skillfully introduces one young lady for each decade of the development of abortion up until its legality in the late 1980s, this is a well-told narrative.

Evelyn is a perfect example of the early 1970s: once she became pregnant while still in her adolescent years, her parents made arrangements for her to be placed in a "house for wayward girls" to cover up their humiliation. The young ladies, who are treated as though they were captives, endure horrific torture and violence.

In 1980, Nancy, who is in her early 20s, becomes pregnant and gets an illegal abortion in the office of a doctor who was willing to jeopardize her freedom and profession to give women a choice. Nancy quickly joins the medically-based, illegal network to prevent girls and women from having abortions in dark alleys.

When Angela discovers a letter in 2017 that had been lost for many years, she decides to look into both the sender and the recipient. This leads to a discovery concerning forced adoption at a period when there were no other options, which frequently destroyed the lives of both mother and child. The bravery and struggles of young women during a time of change are shown in Looking for Jane.

Regardless of your position on the abortion issue, this will be a book that will linger in your mind long after you have finished reading it.
If you're a mother or just a woman in general, Marshall's story and characters will immediately strike an emotional chord with you.

A novel that will give you the freshness and uniqueness that will thrill every reader, especially any historical fiction reader.

This historical fiction is based on real stories. It follows three timelines: 1971 - a home for unwed mothers who are forced to give up their child, 1980 - Nancy Mitchell’s story that begins when she finds out she is adopted and was never told, and 2017 Angela Creighton finds a mis-delivered letter in an her antique shop. Following the stories you learn about the systems in place decades ago with no rights given to the young mothers. It follows through the underground abortion network in Toronto and the risk of arrest and prosecution by those helping. The story is Canadian but the author notes that she researched stories from that country and the USA.

I thought this would be more heart wrenching and it does have dramatic moments. Nancy and Dr. Evelyn Taylor, two of the main characters, are both aloof emotionally. Their actions are described but they their feelings seem to be pushed deep inside. This is a personal read for me as well. My spouse's parents had unwed mothers live with them in the 1960s while they waited to give birth and have their child adopted. I know it was a program run through a church and doesn’t fit the forced narrative in the story. But I’ve thought about what options were there for those mothers. Also two of my sister’s in-law and four of my first cousins are adopted and it is fascinating how differently each has dealt with the issue. Only one looked for and found her birth mother.

I found the book compelling reading and I cared about the women in the story. I like that the focus is on motherhood in its many forms. This isn’t a book on the politics of abortion although but there is a message of body autonomy and the importance of safe access to medical health. And of course with the recent court rulings the story is all the more timely. I never thought my 28 year old daughter would have less rights over her body than I did at her age.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for this important and compelling read. I received an ARC in exchange for a review. (4.5 Stars)