Looking for Jane: Book Review
Very few books have fired me up as much as Looking for Jane, the debut novel by Heather Marshall. Is it historical fiction or a contemporary view of current events? With everything happening in the world of women's reproductive rights it feels a bit more like a glimpse into the present, which is why this hard-hitting historical fiction is a great reminder of why fighting for our rights as women is SO important. Looking for Jane challenges readers to stop and think about what they might do in a variety of situations. This powerful new novel is on my list of the Best Books Published in 2023, and on the Best Of lists of many of my Bookstagram besties. Don't sleep on this one!
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Quick Look
- historical fiction
- triple POV/timelines
- check trigger warnings
- feminist fiction at its finest
Pub Date: February 7, 2023
Thank you ever so much to @Netgalley and @atriabooks for the gifted copy!
Publisher's Synopsis
2017: When Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession, 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 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, 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.
Looking for Jane is “a searing, important, beautifully written novel about the choices we all make and where they lead us—as well as a wise and timely reminder of the difficult road women had to walk not so long ago” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author).
My Review
Shut. The. Front. Door. This book is absolutely incredible, y’all. I cannot stress this enough: Looking for Jane is essential reading. Yes, it tackles sensitive and potentially triggering content—but that’s what makes it so powerful. Heather Marshall delivers a bold, unflinching story about three women whose lives intersect across decades, all centered around one of the most deeply personal and polarizing issues of our time.
This book isn’t just about reproductive rights—it’s about womanhood, motherhood, and the fierce, unshakable bond of women supporting women. The storytelling is superb, the characters feel real and raw, and the historical lens Marshall uses provides an eye-opening look at how far we've come—and how far we still have to go.
I truly believe every woman, no matter her political stance, should read this novel. Marshall doesn’t shy away from tough topics, but she handles them with grace and nuance, giving space to multiple perspectives while making her message undeniably clear. It’s the kind of book that will shake you, move you, and stay with you long after the final page. Don’t miss this one.
My Rating
Regardless of where you stand on reproductive rights, Looking for Jane is a novel that demands to be read—especially if you have ovaries. Heather Marshall’s powerhouse debut is as timely as it is unforgettable, weaving together the hidden history of women’s fight for bodily autonomy with compassion, courage, and unflinching honesty. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your thoughts long after the final page, sparking reflection, conversation, and—hopefully—action. Marshall’s storytelling is bold, emotionally rich, and deeply human, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. But don’t just read the novel—make sure you read the author’s note at the end. It adds another layer of meaning that hits even harder. Do not sleep on this book. It’s one of the most powerful reads I’ve picked up in years.
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