Looking for Jane: A Novel

By Heather Marshall

For readers of Joanna Goodman and Genevieve Graham comes a masterful debut novel 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.

Tell them you’re looking for Jane.

2017

When Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession in a stack of forgotten mail, 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...

1971

As a teenager, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was sent to a home for “fallen” women 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.

1980

After discovering a shocking secret about her family history, twenty-year-old Nancy Mitchell 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.

Weaving together the lives of three women, Looking for Jane is an unforgettable debut about the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice—and the enduring power of a mother’s love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781982170240

Heather Marshall

Heather Marshall is the instant #1 bestselling author of Looking for Jane. She worked in politics and communications before turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling. Heather lives with her family near Toronto. Visit her website at HeatherMarshallAuthor.com or connect with her on Instagram @HeatherMarshallAuthor.

Reviews for Looking for Jane

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. I think some things were left hanging but nice twists.

[muddyboy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you are into adoption, abortion, changed identities and missing relatives this book is for you. The novel is over three hundred pages and is relentless its unwavering focus. The cast is virtually all women with men being barely characters at all -most simply there to impregnate the women in the book. This novel takes place in Canada so some of the adoption and abortion laws are tad different than America's over the years. It is what it is.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just put this following review in Amazon, and it works here, too!!!!Heather Marshall has written an historical novel that has become incredibly newsworthy now in light of the Roe decision reversal in 2022. Her personal notes at the end of the book are so heartfelt as a new mother who understands what any woman can face in a wanted OR unwanted pregnancy. The book is a page turner, following the overlapping lives of several women but especially of three who become the most closely related in the story telling. Just a remarkable book, with so much emotional depth. Women in the United States have begun the battle again for the rights to their bodies but there is so much power in the world primarily in the hands of men....no wonder it really has to be described as a war....that can still happen anywhere. This is a book that should be read by every woman in the United States right now.

[ladyharris · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Oh my gosh!#1 this book deserves more than just a 5 star rating.#2 could not believe it was a debut! Heather you totally captivated me from beginning to end. I love stories that touch me emotionally and this one hits the mark and then some. Heather, please keep writing.#3 what timing to be published just when Roe vs Wade was overturned pushing the rights of women in the United States back to the dark ages. Due to this, Looking for Jane, sadly may again become a reality.

[thewanderingjew_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Looking for Jane, Heather MarshallI 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.

[tinkerbellkk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be a great read. A disturbing time period of when women didn't have any rights to make choices pertaining to whether they wanted to be pregnant or not. Interesting to think that this wasn't really that long ago and how things are unfortunately being mirrored again in certain parts of the world. The author takes this time frame and the circumstances of the situation and weaves a great story around it - creating realistic characters who you wanted to applaud. I thought it was well written and would highly recommend.

[pomo58 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall is an intriguing multi-timeline novel that is also very topically relevant to our current society, especially in the US.The novel itself is of the "found item brings people together" variety. A letter in this case. We are introduced to the women at in different years and at different points in their lives. This, along with the chapters being titled with the character's name, make the transitions easy to follow. Like almost every novel, there are coincidences. Without them there would be far fewer novels written. Whether a reader finds them too convenient is a statement about that reader's preferences and less about the novel. As a novel with multiple timelines, I found this one worked quite well. Of course, part of it has to be the characters, and I found them to be believable, women I could pull for and invest my feelings in. I found their reactions to be reasonable based on what we learn of them and, more important, fitting for the time period they were in.With the attacks on women's autonomy that have been ongoing and unfortunately more successful than I would have expected in a civilized society, this book also serves to highlight the struggles that surround motherhood, both the choice to become a mother as well as the choice to not become a mother. This goes beyond abortion rights and to what has been termed reproductive justice, which is far broader in scope and seeks empowerment and safe conditions for decisions about whether to become a mother and, for those choosing motherhood, the ability to raise a child in a stable environment (healthcare, food, shelter, basically all the things that we should all have as humans).While this is inspired by true stories and touches on real events and people, this is a work of fiction. No reason to get butthurt if the groups you participated in aren't mentioned. And don't even get me started about people with the limited vocabulary that need to keep saying "don't get me started." Recommended for those who enjoy multiple timeline stories that speak to women's lives and rights.Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[maggieflo_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Looking for JaneThis is a well done story told over several time periods about unmarried pregnant teenagers being placed in homes to deliver and give up their babies, young women seeking abortions and adopted children seeking their mothers and vice versa.The main characters are Evelyn Taylor who is sent to St Agnes Home for u we’d mothers in 1960. The conditions are horrible, the girls are treated like sinners/prisoners and it seems that their babies are sold to childless couples. Her baby is adopted by a couple who call her Nancy Mitchell. The story also explores the underground network of women seeking abortions and those helping them find doctors to perform a D and C before the procedure became legal in Canada.It’s a good story, well written.

[smits_52 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A novel expanding from early 60s forward and about a woman's right to her own body. It is an intertwined story of women who were adopted, their mother's and those that were unwed and pregnant. It takes place in Toronto and in a ( fictional) maternity home that is run by nuns. These places existed and the treatment of these young pregnant women was horrific. It is a story of underground abortion clinics and the doctor's that bravely helped women in need. This was during a time when abortion was illegal.This novel is very timely as the US is looking to overturn the Roe vs Wade decision. It is unbelievable to think that a civilized country like the USA could think of taking away a woman's right s like this. I hope this never happens here in Canada."Looking for Jane" has a very important message and theme. However, the story itself was a bit stilted to me. Some coincidences were hard for me to accept. The interweaving of characters did not ring true.

[carole888fort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall takes the reader through the history of abortion in Canada during the twentieth century. This is a work of fiction and it is the author’s debut novel. This is a story well- told because of the author’s skill in introducing one young woman for each era of the progress of abortion until its legalization in the late eighties. Evelyn represents the early seventies: becoming pregnant in her teens, her parents arrange to have her placed in a “home for wayward girls” in order to hide the shame they feel. Horrible abuse and cruelty are meted out on the young women who are as good as prisoners. Nancy is pregnant in her early twenties in 1971 and has an illegal abortion in the office of a doctor who was risking her freedom and career in order to provide a choice for women. Nancy soon becomes part of the medical yet illegal network to keep girls and women away from back-alley terminations. In 2017, Angela finds a letter that had been misplaced for many years and takes on the investigation of the sender as well as the addressee, which brings about a chapter about forced adoption at a time when there were no other alternatives, often ruining the lives of mother and child. Looking for Jane highlights the courage and hardships of young women in an era of change. Heather Marshall has written a memorable and illuminating novel about a difficult time and a difficult subject. This book will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.

[sjgirl-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From the sixties through to 2017, this looks at three different Canadian women, their experiences with pregnancy and motherhood, including IVF, adoption and abortion. The IVF character’s story wasn’t delved into quite as much as it could have been, Angela’s easy to like so it was a little disappointing that she was more there in service of connecting the two other parts of the plot than truly featuring in her own. The portions of the novel taking place in the home for unwed mothers came off as harrowing and infuriating as the stripping away of rights should feel, and the underground network of mostly women attempting to provide safe yet illegal abortions was a part of history I wasn’t all that familiar with so that made for an interesting read and inserted some suspense into the story as well via police interactions.There were a number of times where characters crossing paths or their connections to one another struck me as a little too convenient/coincidental to be fully believable but at the same time those paths crossing and those connections were ultimately satisfying storywise which for me outweighed the plausibility questions I had about those turns in the story. I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.