"Their reasons are numerous and varied and hardly any two are exactly the same."
As a retired Medical Social Worker and a retired Pastor, those could be my words. Heather Marshall has woven together the stories of women in multiple generations to beautifully tell the story of a shameful period of history in Canada (and America and other countries). Having lived these experiences with girls and women over the past 30 years, the stories Marshall tells were compelling and heartbreaking for me to read. However, books such as these are absolutely necessary, especially in the U.S., to insure that we never forget this history of women's struggle. Thanks #NetGalley #Simon&Schuster #HeatherMarshall

Wow! Looking for Jane, by Heather Marshall, is a heart wrenching novel that had my attention, and my heart, from the very first word. It's apparent that the author dedicated herself to the research for this important historical novel. I want to say that the atrocities that many of these 'homes for unwed mothers' committed is unbelievable, but knowing human nature, they're sadly not. If you enjoy history and/or medical drama, this book is for you!
One morning Angela Creighton finds an odd letter. It's obviously been hidden away for many years, in a beautiful antique box, in the antiques shop that she manages. Opening it, she concludes that this letter must find its way to the person it was meant for.
She finds herself traHer search takes her back to the 1970s when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network in Toronto known only by its whispered code name: Jane
When Dr. Evelyn Taylor was a young woman, she was forced to live in a home for unwed mothers where they forced her to give her baby girl away. She has never forgotten the traumatic experience that her and so many other young women went through. So, she's dedicated her life to being part of the Jane Network and providing safe, medical abortions, in hopes that no other woman will ever have to experience the trauma that she did.
When Nancy Mitchell secretly discovers that she was adopted she starts to wonder what else her parents have been keeping from her. Later, when she finds herself pregnant, she knows she can't go through with the pregnancy. Thanks to a kind doctor, she knows what to do. Soon after she's gotten the help that she needs from the 'Jane Network', she begins volunteering with these brave women.

Really a masterpiece of writing style and storytelling. I was completely immersed from the beginning and loved it from beginning to end. A story of generational women, motherhood and choice. So pertinent with the recent reversal of Roe and women protesting in the street again. Doing it again and again. All for motherhood and choice.

This was set in 3 different years about three different women. It was delightful and mysterious. It is definitely worth the read.

I can’t believe this was a debut. you can tell the author did extensive research for this book. Historical fiction is my favorite. I wasn’t a huge fan of the topics but it’s history and we need to talk about the hard things.

A timely debut novel that advocates for women and the freedom to choose. Looking for Jane takes place from the 60's to the present and covers the changes in women's access to safe abortions. Starting in the 60s where wayward mothers were forced into giving up their children for adoption, through the years of a cover network of doctors providing safe abortions, up to the 80s when Canada legalized abortion. The story is told through the women who took part in this effort, either by performing the abortions or being a volunteer to help women connect with resources, and it really focused on giving women safe options and how important it is to be able to decide what is right for one's body and life. Overall, the narrative was really well done and showed multiple viewpoints with characters who were realistic in their actions.

Wow! A powerful debut by Heather Marshall.
As the story line progresses through different times, a complete story unfolds . Exploring themes of motherhood, abortion, and miscarriage, Looking for Jane hooked me within the first chapter. This was the perfect embodiment of a “cannot put it down” book me I finished it in less than 24 hours!
Highly recommended!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for my honest review

- DNF
- Written In First Person Present Tense
- Pet Peeve

This is an unfair review.



I cannot stand First Person present-tense books. I am fully aware that this is a personal pet peeve and completely my own bias. My dislike for this writing style has NOTHING to do with the story or the ability of the author to communicate and write effectively, therefore I will not be posting this review on any other platform.

I cannot express enough how important this book is, especially right now after the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. I never thought that right would be revoked in my lifetime and we would be headed back to the start of it all. The bringing back the unsafe practices of back-alley abortions. Women who are not ready to be a mother, who already have too many mouths to feed, women who are raped, molested, or their birth control just failed. All of these women should have the right to choose what is best for them at that particular moment. Looking for Jane brings forth the never-ending battle that women strive for, the right to choose their lives and what happens to their bodies. Not your parents, priest, nun, or doctor forcing you or coercing you into something you do not want to do. There are so many important topics touched on in this book. Abortion, adoption, IVF, same sex marriage, and race. Heather Marshall brings this book to life with her phenomenal cast of characters, vivid details, and the research that she put into this book is astounding.

It all starts with a lost letter that triggers an avalanche of emotions and truths in three woman's lives spanning through the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 2017. It will explore two young women who were dropped off at St. Agnes' Home for Wayward Girls, after finding themselves in the family way. Unable to leave, coerced and threatened to give up their babies. They are left a tangle of despair and grief. How will they set their course and find their way through this dark tunnel? Evelyn becomes a doctor and helps provide safe abortions to any woman that needs one, even though she could be arrested and lose her medical license. This is her calling, to work for the underground abortion network in Toronto. Nancy is a young woman who has witnessed her cousin's own botched back-alley abortion and decides to join the Jane Network. Angela is adopted herself and is the one who discovers the lost letter. That leads her to finding the women in the letter. Tying all of the loose ends together for an astonishing, jaw dropping ending, that will leave you gasping, while tears drip down your face.

I cannot say it enough, read this book, it is so important. It is not just about abortion and adoptions. It is about motherhood and the choices a woman needs to be able to make to start this journey. Marshall shows you the terror behind finding out you are in fact pregnant and not ready. To the exact opposite, you cannot become pregnant no matter how hard you try. Both strike you cold with fear and both are very real, very hard emotions to overcome. Thank you to Heather Marshall and Atria Books for my gifted copy of this fantastic, eye-opening read.

I really enjoyed Heather Marshall's debut novel, Looking for Jane. This book was about abortion, yes, but it was about so much more - motherhood, secrets, personal growth, and friendship, just to name a few things. As a Christian, I value life and when I was younger, was certainly anti-choice. But my views have become more nuanced with age and life circumstances, including a miscarriage that necessitated a D&C. So for some people in my life - my liking this book is problematic. But to others, it is probably surprising. I suppose that is why I liked this book so much. The characters are authentic. They are flawed, and likable. They make good choices and poor ones. They are affected by the politics and prevailing thoughts of their time on things like abortion, adoption, same sex relationships, fertility treatments, gender roles, and more.

To me, this book is an opportunity for us to examine issues in a gentle way, with characters in a book rather than real people walking around in the world. Though this book was set in Canada and deals with Canadian history/politics, it could be very easily set in the United States. As a woman it is horrifying to read about illegal abortions and "maternity homes" that doubled as forced adoption facilities. This book gave me much to think about and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others in my life, regardless of their beliefs and politics. I connected with all the women's stories in different ways.

I do have to say that the twist at the end was a little bizarre and left some gaps in the plot, but that did not detract from my overall feelings about the book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a story of motherhood and choice that is incredibly relevant to today. This is part history and part mystery and the true story of how women were there for each other through a secret network. The story has a dual timeline (my fave) with the present being the mystery and the past being the history that is the reason behind the letter. It was a book that captivated me as I learned about challenges (that are relevant once more) and also wanted to know how the stories connected. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early look at this timely February 2023 release.

Looking for Jane is an honest look at the impact of unlawful abortions on women’s lives. This book is a reminder of how far women’s rights had come and how much has been lost in the US.

Told in multiple timelines, Heather Marshall weaves a meaningful story of a botched illegal abortion, safe illegal abortions, forced sacrifice of infants at birth to adoptive parents, and the search both for the lost babies and the birth mothers. This book reminds us of all the reasons why a woman should be able to have control of the choices she makes regarding her body.

This is a timely book due to the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. Marshall's story weaves together three POV's spanning sixty years. At times, the storyline seems to jump around, which makes it a bit confusing to follow and keep track of who's who. There were are some lulls in the story, particularly around the middle of the book. The pace picked up a bit after that. There was a bit of a horror story feel to a couple parts, which was unexpected and odd. The ending left some unresolved issues.

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for providing me this ARC. Looking For Jane is being released in the United States on February 7, 2023.

Looking for Jane is set in Canada following three women along in three different time periods. Through their stories we learn about Canada's journey to reproductive freedom for women.

We meet Evelyn in the early 70s, pregnant and at a home for 'fallen' women where she is required to give up her baby for adoption. Later she becomes a Doctor who provides safe abortions before legally available.

Nancy, who in the early 80s finds herself pregnant and seeks out an illegal abortion which motivates her to join the movement.

Angela, who discovers a letter of confession that leads her to seek out the stories of these women to delver the news to the intended recipient.

I was not as familiar with Canada's pathway to reproductive freedom and this is the perfect historical fiction to guide you through that process. In the US with the fall of Roe, the story is timely and relevant to the ongoing struggle for women to choose their futures.

I adored all of the characters and felt deeply for the pain and fights they had to endure. I teared up a few times as their story unfolded.

This book is amazing, and I am so glad a booksta friend told me to read it. This book is already available in Canada; US pub day is 2/7/23!

Why should you read it?
💙Multiple timelines/perspectives centered on motherhood - the choice to be a mother or to not be a mother
💙Women supporting women through the toughest times in their lives
💙The chance to learn about a piece of history that is so relevant today
💙Love, loss, and redemption

Have I intrigued you?

Thank you @heathermarshallauthor for this amazing book, and thank you to @atriabooks for my e-ARC!

Looking for Jane is follows three women in different generations in Toranto. This story weaves these women together piece by piece. The major theme throughout is abortion and access to it. It was difficult to read as a pro-life person. The juxtaposition between women who wanted to get pregnant, wanted to not be pregnant, and who wanted to keep their babies was hard to comprehend. There’s so many contradicting ideas in the abortion movement that are just ignored in order to support the pro-choice movement. Overall, the story was well told and interesting.

5 ⭐️

This book was truly one of a kind! A new favorite, definitely in one of my top 10 books of the year. This book is incredibly relevant for today's dialogue regarding the multitude of gray areas surrounding choice and the critical importance of bodily autonomy. This book is about motherhood: wanting to be a mother, not wanting to become a mother, and the lengths women go to get pregnant or end a pregnancy. Above all, it's about supporting women and their decisions.

Inspired by true stories, Looking for Jane centers on three females, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela, navigating sociopolitical spheres surrounding pregnancy and motherhood. The book begins with Angela's POV in 2017, finding an old note tucked away at the antique store she works at addressed to the apartment upstairs. Upon opening the note, Angela discovers that this note was sent in 2010 unraveling a mystery about a mother and her long-lost child. In 1971, Evelyn is sent to a home to carry out her unwed pregnancy at a communal home where women are forced to give their children up for adoption. Nancy discovers a family secret, changing how she forever sees her family. There is so much to this book! It also covers the "underground" abortion services and the history of abortions in Canada (Toronto).

Note: This book is by a debut author - I cannot wait to see what this author will create next. DEFINITELY read the Author's Note at the end: it's concise, well-researched, and the perfect conclusion to this timely topic.

Thank you Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Pub date: February 7, 2023

What a way to start the new year. It is going to be hard to top this as my favourite read for 2023.
A fascinating look at abortion rights during the 70’s and 80’s and very relavent to what is currently happening in the U.S.
Marshall has a wonderful way of weaving 3 womens lives together. From the atrocities of life in an unwed mothers home to a network of underground abortion clinics (The Jane Movement) this novel gives us an important look at Canadian history and how far women’s rights have progressed.
There is so much more to this book than I could ever write about. No matter what side of the coin you are on just pick it up and read. I guarantee you won’t want to put it down.

What a wonderful debut novel. I am excited to read more from this author.🇨🇦
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for the advanced copy.

Wow! What a great read. An intriguing story told by multiple POV’s that explores many facets of motherhood, including adoption, infertility, and abortion. The author paints a believable and compassionate picture of women in all these situations and much more.

This book was a page turner as well. The primary characters are Dr Evelyn Taylor. We follow her from her when she is forced to give up her baby in an unwed home for mothers in the 60’s, to her dedication to providing underground safe abortions for women via the Jane network to today. The other primary character is Angela, who in 2017 finds an old letter with a deathbed confession and tirelessly tries to find its intended recipient. It’s amazing that a book with this many layers, and characters doesn’t get bogged down.

I highly recommend this book, and think it was one of the best reads of the year. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with this eARC to read and review.

Good read. Author gave a rather heart breaking description of the homes for unwed mothers. Wove together multiple story lines. Excellent history of the abortion movement in Canada.