Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this novel. This is a historical fiction story set in Canada telling the story of the fight for abortion rights from the POV of 3 women at different points in time. Their stories eventually intersect in a beautiful way. This was a moving and important story and I felt connected to the struggles these women faced and continue to face. Definitely recommend.

This historical fiction about abortion rights in Canada hits home with the rights being questioned in America at thus time. Thanks to the Champions that forged the way to help women in need in Canada. this is a well written novel that opened my eyes to the fight in Canada that was ongoing.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This is a powerful historical fiction novel set in 1960s-2017 Ontario and focusing on issues surrounding reproductive rights. Evelyn becomes pregnant in the 70s and is sent to a home for wayward girls where she suffers abuse before her child is taken away. She later becomes a doctor working for an underground network providing safe abortions. Nancy is pregnant in the 80s and has an illegal abortion in a doctor's office and works for the network to help women not to have to resort to dangerous back alley abortions. Finally in the present day, Angela receives a letter that sets her on a path uncovering a history of forced adoptions. Many thought-provoking ideas are presented and explored and the characters are fully fleshed out and real. I had no idea abortion wasn't legalized in Canada until 1988, and this novel presents many different issues surrounding the fight for reproductive freedom.

Looking for Jane, Heather Marshall
I really loved this book. I am fairly conservative, and although this novel could have been overshadowed by the political nature of its message, regarding not only abortion, but same sex relationships, not only the church and religious intolerance, but equal access to appropriate and safe services for unwed mothers, not only unwanted pregnancies for whatever reason, but also the abuses in the business of adoption, because each of the author’s characters seemed so authentic, so did their message. Those of us of a certain age, know that the ugly reactions of the family to a child that was pregnant outside of marriage were very realistic. Therefore, a book that could have seemed contrived in every way, was not in any way contrived, but felt genuine and heartfelt.
Why the author chose to include the effort of a same sex couple to conceive a child through in vitro, rather than a heterosexual couple, is not given. However, I assume it was to show how those involved in same sex relationships were also scandalized and abused by the ignorance and nature of the times in which this novel takes place. I do remember a couple that lived around the corner from me, that married for convenience, in the same way Dr. Evelyn Taylor and Tom did. He was a hairdresser and a homosexual, and she was a lesbian. Their relationship worked exceedingly well, and they were not ostracized, but they were discussed in whispered conversations that I overheard as a child. Perhaps the author’s reason for using Angela and Tina as the couple seeking pregnancy is actually one reflecting the author’s politics, but in this book, it still seemed to be a reasonable approach, and did not feel artificially created to promote any one political view.
This is an amazing book because it examines not only the reasons making the right to an abortion a necessary part of a woman’s life, but it also shows how meaningful the desire is to become a mother, and how it can become all consuming, especially when it does not happen naturally. It highlights the benefits of adoption, but also the consequences. As a teenager, I had a friend who was told at age 16 that she was adopted. She was devastated by the news. I know she ran away from home, but remember little else. She felt betrayed. I also know of someone who found his birth mother and preferred her to the mother who raised him. That was a sad consequence. On the other hand, I have a close relative who is perfectly content with the knowledge of his adoption and has no desire to find his birth mother. Since I grew up at the time this novel addresses, I also had a friend who left high school and disappeared for about a year, presumably to have her baby, and another whose sister suffered the consequences of a rape. Shaming these people seemed to be the order of the day. Perhaps how we treat those who disagree with us today, with our cancel culture, mirrors this same behavior in another way, and is not recognized as such. Perhaps it also needs to be examined more fully. Cruelty needs to be removed from all avenues of life.
Mention should be made that without the technology of modern science, same sex couples would be unable to have children, even partly of their own genetic makeup, and would, of necessity be forced to adopt. That option, however, was unavailable to them for many years, but is an option today. This book superbly details the trauma that an unwanted pregnancy can cause at any age, and for any reason, as well as the absolute joy a sought after pregnancy can bring.
Because the novel relies on the extensive research of the author into the very real cold-hearted behavior of families and friends, nuns and priests, the book is not only interesting, it is very credible. One could easily imagine any of the circumstances created by the author to propel the story forward. Heather Marshall has written a wonderful treatise on the reasons for the existence of birth control, abortion and choices for adoption, but, she has also subtly presented the argument for legalizing the marriages of devoted same sex couples and for compassionate adoption. All the themes in this novel are deserving of attention, however, there are other opinions about these issues that do have a right to be heard, as well.
I do believe that there is an argument as to whether or not abortion should be on demand whenever and for whatever reason. I don’t believe the original intent was for abortion to be used as a means of birth control, but rather as a means of controlling one’s access to the life one wants and the lives one brings into the world. However, it should not be a conduit to infanticide, which is what an abortion at any time one chooses, signifies. Also, there is an argument for the idea that the union between two people of the same sex should have its own terminology, just as there are other types of unions between men and woman, like common law marriages, etc., but still all unions should be afforded the same rights, regardless of what they are called, since it is the loving relationship that is important, not the name the relationship is given. My brother had a legal union with his partner in New York City, so that she could visit him in the hospital and participate in all his decisions. Their relationship was a durable, loving relationship without the marriage license. They mutually agreed not to marry.
In this novel, secrets, lies, criminal behavior and supercilious virtue are very real issues in the lives of the characters. They are also issues in our real lives. Excuses do not justify behavior, but perhaps doing the wrong thing for the right reason can be forgiven. The existence of networks like the Janes, saved many lives. However, the author acknowledges, having an abortion is an experience that stays with you and leaves its mark forever. Some feel relief and some remorse, but all are saved, in the end, from the uncertain future that would have awaited them without the safe access to the procedure.
Although this book takes place in Canada, in light of today’s politics in the United States, it needs to be aired in the light of day so that women’s rights will not be set back when abortion rights are returned to the states. Whether or not it is a right guaranteed by the Constitution is a moot point. It is a human right and each state, regardless of whether or not they agree with the idea of abortion, should find a way to provide the service elsewhere, if at all possible, and those that avail themselves of the procedure should not be criminalized in any way.
None of the characters in this novel are one-dimensional stick figures or one size fits all. They are very well developed and become real. They are diverse in all ways, but united in their need to help others. It is good that society has moved forward and now accepts diversity more openly, but we need reasonable guidelines to insure we are all treated with respect.

While I enjoyed this novel, I found the ending totally unsatisfying and improbable. The sudden twist to the relationship all readers will probably see coming felt rushed and unnecessary. At times the vook was a little too preachy (and I am firmly on the side of choice), and a little simplistic.

4.5stars! This book!!!! Oh my gosh. It was so well written. At times it was a hard read, but it was so relevant and informative. I loved all of the characters and how they tied together.

I don't have much to say as there are so many rave reviews on this book, but I highly recommend reading this, especially if you're a Canadian reader!

Huge thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for Jane is set in Canada, with a timespan of 1961- 2017, and is told from the perspectives of three women:

*Angela, manager of Thompson’s Antiques & Used books. In 2017, she discovers a misdelivered letter, and is determined to see it delivered to its rightful recipient after reading its contents.

*Evelyn, a 1961 resident of the St. Agnes’s Home for Unwed Mothers.

*Nancy, a Toronto college student. A terrifying experience in 1979, and the discovery of a long-kept secret a year later, sets her on a path that will affect her life in ways she never imagined.

I had to keep reminding myself that this was Marshall’s debut novel, because it certainly doesn’t feel like one. (If I had to compare it to another debut novel that I was equally impressed by, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander is the first that comes to mind. Outlander remains a beloved favorite of mine, so this is a huge compliment, coming from me.)

Jane reads like the work of a well-seasoned author. The historical aspects are very well researched, the characters are vivid and nuanced to perfection. St. Agnes’s was the defining setting of the book for me. Its cruel, forbidding presence was constantly lurking in the back of my mind, and each time the story returned to it, a sense of dread would wash over me, and it wasn’t long before I began to hesitate for a moment before I resumed reading those portions. (And this is where I pause to applaud the author, because more often than not, I tend to read even faster when a book returns to something/someone that creates that feeling of dread within me.)

The underlying mystery of the story is the letter—Who was it intended for? Will Angela be able to find them? What about the other person the letter mentions?—but it’s not the only mystery we encounter. At a certain point in the story, a devastating event is revealed, only to be revisited and turned on its head later on.

I thought for sure that would be the ultimate shocker of the story. Even more so, I was sure I had everything else all figured out, too. Ha! Little did I know, there was more to come that would leave me frantically re-reading select portions of the story, trying to figure out how I’d gotten it so wrong. I’m glad I did, though, because it led to an even more satisfying ending that I’d originally hoped for!

I can’t wait to read Marshall’s next book. If Looking for Jane is any indication, I’m sure to enjoy her next novel as much I enjoyed this one!

Highly recommended.

I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Atria Books via Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this debut novel. I loved that it was well-researched, educational, and so timely in our world right now. This is the first I have read about Canada in regards to women's rights in history and found it to be very similar to how our situation was handled in the US, The characters were well balanced and came from different walks of life. I think the most compelling part of this book is how well it tied in how important the issue of fertility and the choice of whether to procreate is in a woman's very existence. I thought that this book needed to be edited down a bit as it did become a bit repetitive and didn't get to the point in reuniting the women in a timely manner. I really want to read more from this author in the future. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Looking for Jane. I think this was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I learned a bit about the history of the maternity homes and more about the Jane movement. The characters were well developed and truly grabbed my attention from the beginning. And just when you thought you knew what was happening you were surprised by a big twist. I loved this novel and look forward to more by this new author.

What I could have done without:
- quite a bit of the plot felt too forced
- The ending was not for me, book 2?
- Overtop emotionally


What I enjoyed:
- The heavy topic of abortion, especially at this moment when wome are being stripped from their healthcare needs
- The showing of women in different times
- The characters are indivduals and not trope-driven
- Evelyn

Three stars because I truly applaud Heather Marshall for writing a novel on such a taboo subject even though this was not my favorite, I can recognize it as a good book.

So, I definitely have a fickle relationship with historical fiction novels...often a lot of the storylines kind of blend together for me. But I do love when historical fiction connects with the present day, especially on an issue I feel passionately about. And #LookingForJane is just that! ⁣
⁣
It is about "three women whose lives are bound together by a long-lost letter, a mother’s love, and a secret network of women fighting for the right to choose—inspired by true stories." ⁣
⁣
Looking for Jane emcompasses the powerful reminder of the women who have walked before us, and the message that motherhood comes in all forms but should also always remain a personal choice. It celebrates not only the right to choose, but also honors the women who helped support other women, when abortion was not only illegal, but also even deadly. ⁣
⁣
It's rich & absolutely engrossing, and I couldn't believe this is a debut novel because it was just so masterfully weaved together by Canadian author Heather Marshall. It is available now in CA and will be hitting US shelves on February 7th, 2023!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for my gifted review copies.

5 sparkling stars for Looking for Jane. This book, although technically historical fiction, could not be more timely.

Told through 3 different POVs and timelines, Looking for Jane is about an underground network of medical professionals and volunteers who performed safe, but illegal, abortions. While this book centers around abortions and reproductive rights, this book is really about motherhood and empowering women to make deliberate choices to become one (or not). Ultimately, it is about the power of women supporting women in their individual choices, a sentiment that is particularly important right now. The way in which Marshall writes Evelyn, Angela, and Nancy is absolutely incredible. How is this her debut novel?! She uses these women's stories to capture your attention, and you won't be able to put this book down. This book is a true master class of how to weave together three storylines into one. I truly cannot say enough good things about this book--do yourself a favor and READ IT!

Read if you like:
-Women's fiction
-Historical fiction
-Stories about resistance
-Diane Chamberlain & Kristen Harmel
-The Alice Network, Angels of Resistance, and Code Name Sapphire

Looking for Jane
by Heather Marshall
Pub Date: Feb.7, 2023
ATria Books
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This “powerful debut” (Hello! Canada) for fans of Kristin Hannah and Jennifer Chiaverini is about three women whose lives are bound together by a long-lost letter, a mother’s love, and a secret network of women fighting for the right to choose—inspired by true stories.
What a great book! The author Heather Marshall lives with her family near Toronto. She completed master’s degrees in Canadian history and political science and worked in politics and communications before turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling. Looking for Jane is her debut novel.
If you are new to historical fiction, I recommend this one as a don't miss.
5 stars

Okay WOW. This book is a stunning debut, if historical fiction isn’t your thing, I beg you to read this. This is a story about women’s rights, motherhood, abortion, unfairness, cruelty, but also about love.

Three women in Canada all tell their stories. One, who’s had several miscarriages, finds a letter that leads her to learning about a strong group of women who operated an underground illegal abortion network in Toronto & what the code name Jane has to do with it.

One, who was got pregnant from her now-deceased fiancé, was dropped off at a church sponsored home for “fallen” woman, where she was forced to give up her baby for adoption, and finds out the church was SELLING children. She later becomes a doctor who helps this underground initiative so that she can provide women with choices she never had.

One, who finds out a family secret. Who experiences her cousins under-the-table life-threatening abortion which is where she learns about Jane. She works alongside other strong women taking a stand so that females can have choices.

I was one chapter into this book and I already knew it was going to break me. I also knew it was going to be five stars. This book is about strong women fighting for their rights. It’s also more bittersweet now with the overturning of Roe v Wade, which unfortunately quite literally brings us right back to the 1960s. I truly truly believe that every single person needs to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evelyn is forced to go to a home for unwed mothers when she realizes she's pregnant and her fiance dies suddenly. While there, she becomes friends with Margaret. Neither wants to give up their babies, but they are forced to. This book also tells the story of Nancy and Angela, with three different timelines that ultimately intersect. It's an excellent book and very much needed for this time in the US.

A wonderful debut a novel that is so timely so relevant.I was immediately drawn into the story line the characters.A book I will be recommending a story that reminds us as woman how important it is to have power control of our own bodies destiny,#netgalley#atriabooks

My review is also posted on Goodreads.com

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is a deeply moving debut novel and is unfortunately very timely with the current war in the United States on women's rights to make decisions about their own bodies. Parts of this novel were difficult to read, but it really put you in the shoes of women in the United States and Canada in the 1960's, and unfortunately, some women in some states in the United States today. This quote is from the Author's Note at the end of the book:
"It is my belief that people inherently own the rights to their own bodies. Period. Full stop. I believe anyone should be able to access safe medical care to terminate a pregnancy at any time, for any reason at all. No conditions, no questions asked. Because when abortion access comes with conditions and is limited to specific- and often horrific- circumstances like rape or incest, it suggests that a woman does not inherently own the rights to her own body, as men do, but that something horrific must happen to her in order for her to gain access to their rights". Note: to her was italicized in the quote but I wasn't able to italicize it in this review.

I think everyone should read this book. Unfortunately, the people who most need to read it probably won't. Looking forward to the next book by this author.

This is a story that needs to be told and a story that needs to be read. The things that women had to endure when abortion was illegal is ghastly. The women in this story who worked for the Jane network should be honored and cheered for their true heroism. They allowed women and girls to make autonomous decisions and not only volunteered their time but risked arrest and criminal charges to do it.

Looking for Jane is told from the perspective of three different women and the lengths women will go to for their children. Each of the women have compelling stories about pregnancy, motherhood and choices. This book is very timely given the fight for reproductive rights going on right now, but no matter how you feel about this subject, this book tackles the hard questions and you have no choice but to set the book down and really think. We should all be appalled at how women and girls were treated, and sometimes still are, and this story tackles the subject brilliantly.

This debut novel is amazing and will become a must read for everyone, men and women alike. It easily deserves 5 stars and more if I could. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Abortion, suicide and rape

This is a very relatable book especially since the overturning of Roe v Wade. Covers so many different scenarios and so many disturbing situations women are put in without personal choices. At many times I had to put the book down and pause to breathe and just think about not having control over my own body.

In 2017, Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession, and she is determined to find the intended recipient. Her 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. In 1971, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was sent to a maternity home where she was forced to give up her baby for adoption—a trauma she has never recovered from. Despite harrowing police raids and the constant threat of arrest, she joins the Jane Network as an abortion provider, determined to give other women the choice she never had. In 1980, , twenty-year-old Nancy Mitchell discovers a family secret and begins to question everything she has ever known. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she feels like she has no one to turn to for help. Grappling with her decision, she locates “Jane” and finds a place of her own alongside Dr. Taylor within the network’s ranks, but she can never escape the lies that haunt her.

A very well researched and written books about a very controversial subject--the rights of women over their own bodies. This also reminds us of the earlier time when abortion was illegal and the lengths women went to--often deadly-- to be able to make the decisions about their own bodies. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me the privilege to read this book that is a a description of a time not too long ago and the consequences of the decisions women made.