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All You Have To Do Is Call
A dramatic and inspiring novel based on the true story of the Jane Collective and the brave women who fought for the right to choose, from the national bestselling author of The Paris Bookseller.
Chicago, early 1970s: Who does a girl call when she needs help? Jane.
The best-known secret in the city, Jane is a women’s health organization composed entirely of women helping women, freeing them from the expectations of society and family. Veronica, Jane’s founder, prides herself on the services she has provided to thousands of women, yet the price of others� freedom is that she leads a double life—when she’s not at Jane, Veronica plays the role of a conventional housewife—which becomes even more difficult during her own high-risk pregnancy.
Two more women in Veronica’s neighborhood are grappling with similar disconnects. Margaret, a young professor at the University of Chicago, secretly volunteers at Jane as she falls in love with a man whose attitude toward his ex-wife increasingly disturbs her. Patty, who’s long been content as a devoted wife and mother, has begun to sense that something essential is missing from her life.ÌýWhen her runaway younger sister Eliza shows up unexpectedly, Patty is forced to come to terms with what it really means to love and support a sister.
In this historic moment when the personal was nothing if not political,Ìýwhen television, movies, and commercials told women they’d “come a long way, baby,â€� Veronica, Margaret, and Patty must make choices that will change the course of their lives forever.
Chicago, early 1970s: Who does a girl call when she needs help? Jane.
The best-known secret in the city, Jane is a women’s health organization composed entirely of women helping women, freeing them from the expectations of society and family. Veronica, Jane’s founder, prides herself on the services she has provided to thousands of women, yet the price of others� freedom is that she leads a double life—when she’s not at Jane, Veronica plays the role of a conventional housewife—which becomes even more difficult during her own high-risk pregnancy.
Two more women in Veronica’s neighborhood are grappling with similar disconnects. Margaret, a young professor at the University of Chicago, secretly volunteers at Jane as she falls in love with a man whose attitude toward his ex-wife increasingly disturbs her. Patty, who’s long been content as a devoted wife and mother, has begun to sense that something essential is missing from her life.ÌýWhen her runaway younger sister Eliza shows up unexpectedly, Patty is forced to come to terms with what it really means to love and support a sister.
In this historic moment when the personal was nothing if not political,Ìýwhen television, movies, and commercials told women they’d “come a long way, baby,â€� Veronica, Margaret, and Patty must make choices that will change the course of their lives forever.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2023
624 people are currently reading
25048 people want to read
About the author
Kerri Maher
5Ìýbooks965ÌýfollowersHi! So great to see you on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ - it's such an amazing place for readers and authors to connect.
I live outside of Boston, MA, with my daughter and labradoodle (whose adventures I sometimes post on Instagram, along with many other writing themed posts).
I am the author of THE KENNEDY DEBUTANTE and THE GIRL IN WHITE GLOVES, both of which you can see here. I am working on a novel called THE PARIS BOOKSELLER, about Sylvia Beach's bookstore Shakespeare & Company, which was *the* Paris bookshop and meeting spot for the American Lost Generation. Beach was also the first to publish James Joyce's ULYSSES, after it and been banned in New York in 1921 - it's a great story!
I'm also the author of THIS IS NOT A WRITING MANUAL, under the name Kerri Majors - it's an advice-y memoir for young people who might want to be writers, or live a creative life and it's full of commiseration and practical tips.
What seems like another lifetime ago, I was a professor of writing, and the founder of the award-winning literary journal YARN. I also have an MFA from Columbia University.
Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to see you here and on Instagram. --Kerri
I live outside of Boston, MA, with my daughter and labradoodle (whose adventures I sometimes post on Instagram, along with many other writing themed posts).
I am the author of THE KENNEDY DEBUTANTE and THE GIRL IN WHITE GLOVES, both of which you can see here. I am working on a novel called THE PARIS BOOKSELLER, about Sylvia Beach's bookstore Shakespeare & Company, which was *the* Paris bookshop and meeting spot for the American Lost Generation. Beach was also the first to publish James Joyce's ULYSSES, after it and been banned in New York in 1921 - it's a great story!
I'm also the author of THIS IS NOT A WRITING MANUAL, under the name Kerri Majors - it's an advice-y memoir for young people who might want to be writers, or live a creative life and it's full of commiseration and practical tips.
What seems like another lifetime ago, I was a professor of writing, and the founder of the award-winning literary journal YARN. I also have an MFA from Columbia University.
Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to see you here and on Instagram. --Kerri
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 810 reviews
September 5, 2023
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“The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman's life, to her dignity � When the government controls that decision for women, women are being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.� - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I liked the different points of view in this book, it gave an inside look to both sides of the abortion debate, although the book is more pro-choice than pro-life. I liked that it took a side and explained the reasons why very clearly. The book explores the problems of patriarchy throughout women's history, especially in the United States. Imagine having to ask permission from your husband to get birth control!? Or not being able to get the pill because you are not married or engaged because "good girls" don't need it. I found the information and characters' stories so interesting that the 368 pages just flew by.
Although the book is fiction it is impeccably researched and the emotions the story evokes blew me away. I loved how one of the women is pregnant while doing abortions, showing the contrast that women who are pro-choice can be mothers and love children as well...There are even women with fertility issues and those who have had miscarriages that still believe in freedom of choice in this book and in real life.
This book is very timely and topical with Roe vs. Wade being recently overturned in the United States. How sad is it that history is repeating itself? I am so glad I live in Canada where women are treated as human beings and not incubators and abortion is considered healthcare and is government funded.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
and
“The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman's life, to her dignity � When the government controls that decision for women, women are being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.� - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I liked the different points of view in this book, it gave an inside look to both sides of the abortion debate, although the book is more pro-choice than pro-life. I liked that it took a side and explained the reasons why very clearly. The book explores the problems of patriarchy throughout women's history, especially in the United States. Imagine having to ask permission from your husband to get birth control!? Or not being able to get the pill because you are not married or engaged because "good girls" don't need it. I found the information and characters' stories so interesting that the 368 pages just flew by.
Although the book is fiction it is impeccably researched and the emotions the story evokes blew me away. I loved how one of the women is pregnant while doing abortions, showing the contrast that women who are pro-choice can be mothers and love children as well...There are even women with fertility issues and those who have had miscarriages that still believe in freedom of choice in this book and in real life.
This book is very timely and topical with Roe vs. Wade being recently overturned in the United States. How sad is it that history is repeating itself? I am so glad I live in Canada where women are treated as human beings and not incubators and abortion is considered healthcare and is government funded.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
July 30, 2023
All You Have to Do Is Call has ended up being a very timely historical fiction, being published a year after Roe v. Wade was knocked down by the Supreme Court. It’s a reminder that before then, women had few options - have your baby or have an illegal abortion. But in the early 1970s, a group of women in Chicago took matters into their own hands. They formed the Jane Collective, a women’s health organization devoted to providing clean and safe abortions to those that wanted them.
The story follows multiple women, espousing different opinions, choices and lifestyles. Maher truly brought a realistic feel to the time and place. It’s sad to think that many of the issues facing those women, like childcare, are still so much an issue today.
Those of us who lived through these years remember the division between the women looking for more independence and those still happy to be the happy homemaker. The different storylines are each handled sensitively. I especially appreciated that Maher created a Catholic Father who was understanding of the need not to cast stones.
As always, the Author’s Note was especially inspiring .
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
The story follows multiple women, espousing different opinions, choices and lifestyles. Maher truly brought a realistic feel to the time and place. It’s sad to think that many of the issues facing those women, like childcare, are still so much an issue today.
Those of us who lived through these years remember the division between the women looking for more independence and those still happy to be the happy homemaker. The different storylines are each handled sensitively. I especially appreciated that Maher created a Catholic Father who was understanding of the need not to cast stones.
As always, the Author’s Note was especially inspiring .
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
September 20, 2023
Read this one for a cover quote, and loved it. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL honors the heroines of the Jane collective who provided safe, clandestine health services in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. Maher sketches all three women with compassion and sensitivity as they come to rely on each other in the absence of the law, and their journey is profoundly moving. A novel both powerful and timely.
September 18, 2023
Based on true events, this is the story of women of the 1970s looking for their underground railroad to safe reproductive health care. It was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking at times, but in the end, gave me such a powerful reminder of the strength of women's friendships and doing what's right when it matters.
Imagine not being able to live a fulfilling life without becoming a social pariah.. That's essentially the lives of these women from Maher's latest, All You Have To Do Is Call. Beyond the main plot, something I immensely enjoyed was seeing women who work from home take back a little of themselves, whether that be in political ambitions etc. - that just wasn't commonly done!
Also interesting to note that even highly educated women were still not completely free to do as they pleased!! The men in this book who supported women's reproductive rights - I always wonder if those are based on true stories too? Somewhere along the line, I'm sure they were, but were they really integral to this group? After reading, I immediately wanted to jump online and do all sorts of research!
NOTES:
- CWs: Women's healthcare / reproductive rights etc.
**Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. � SLR 🖤
||
Imagine not being able to live a fulfilling life without becoming a social pariah.. That's essentially the lives of these women from Maher's latest, All You Have To Do Is Call. Beyond the main plot, something I immensely enjoyed was seeing women who work from home take back a little of themselves, whether that be in political ambitions etc. - that just wasn't commonly done!
Also interesting to note that even highly educated women were still not completely free to do as they pleased!! The men in this book who supported women's reproductive rights - I always wonder if those are based on true stories too? Somewhere along the line, I'm sure they were, but were they really integral to this group? After reading, I immediately wanted to jump online and do all sorts of research!
NOTES:
- CWs: Women's healthcare / reproductive rights etc.
**Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. � SLR 🖤
||
April 10, 2023
A work of historical fiction has never been as timely or relevant as Kerri Maher’s All You Have to Do is Call. Such a courageous undertaking, Maher handles this delicate subject matter with great wisdom and a self-assured hand. Her meticulous research brings 1970s Chicago to life and reminds us of how far we’ve come and what’s at stake for us now.
November 27, 2023
All You Have to do is Call by Kerri Maher is a novel similar to Looking for Jane and House of Eve. Set in the 1970s Chicago. Find yourself in “trouble?� Call Jane. Jane is a network set up confidentially to assist you to get out of trouble for a mere $100. This was a safe, secure network set up to assist women who needed it. The police are always a threat. Especially one officer in particular. This offered a safe alternative so women who were in trouble could find a safe alternative to back alleys and coat hangers, greasy old men. When it becomes personal it enlightens and educates why this is a necessary procedure.
July 2, 2023
I’m surprised and saddened that this book just didn’t work for me.
The research and information pertaining to the Jane Collective is fascinating and well presented. The topic is one we desperately need to see more of, both in fiction and nonfiction, which makes writing this review even harder.
We have multiple female narrating characters. Each chapter is labeled with the character’s name. Following along should have been simple, but I kept getting the women confused. Despite having vastly different life circumstances, they all sort of blended together.
Pacing is slow, with quite a bit of repetition. Not a whole lot actually happens.
Something was missing for me. I felt outraged on an intellectual level, but I didn’t feel anything emotionally. None of the characters made me care, and I won’t remember them.
*I received an eARC from Berkley, via NetGalley.*
The research and information pertaining to the Jane Collective is fascinating and well presented. The topic is one we desperately need to see more of, both in fiction and nonfiction, which makes writing this review even harder.
We have multiple female narrating characters. Each chapter is labeled with the character’s name. Following along should have been simple, but I kept getting the women confused. Despite having vastly different life circumstances, they all sort of blended together.
Pacing is slow, with quite a bit of repetition. Not a whole lot actually happens.
Something was missing for me. I felt outraged on an intellectual level, but I didn’t feel anything emotionally. None of the characters made me care, and I won’t remember them.
*I received an eARC from Berkley, via NetGalley.*
April 24, 2024
Una novela de ficción basada en un hecho real como fue el colectivo Jane. Jane es una organización de salud, compuesta por mujeres para apoyar a otras que buscan el acceso a tener un aborto seguro, o para mi gusto mas bien el poder elegir lo que realmente quieren.
Ambientada a principios de la década de los 70, el aborto sigue siendo ilegal en Chicago, lugar donde se ambienta la historia. Y ya no solo el aborto, sino los anticonceptivos son difÃciles de conseguir para una mujer si no estás casada o si no tienes el permiso de tu marido.
Historia que esta contada desde diferentes puntos de vista, con tres personajes principales, conoceremos a Verónica, fundado de Jane, Margaret una joven profesora de la Universidad que trabaja como voluntaria en Jane, y Patty que se conforma con ser una esposa y una madre devota�
Cada una de ellas tiene su historia, y ha encantado como todas las mujeres se apoyan unas a otras, luchando contra barreras raciales, étnicas y sociales, todas nuestras protagonistas son muy reales, con historias del dÃa a dÃa, cada una con sus creencias, además hay que añadir que también aparecen varios hombres en la novela que apoyarons a este Colectivo y participaron de cierta manera, mención especial al párroco.
Y aunque es una historia de ficción la documentación por parte de la autora es magnÃfica, y una de las partes que mas me ha gustado de la novela.
Una novela que me ha gustado mucho y muy recomendable para darse cuenta de muchas cosas, y sobretodo saber que aún en muchos sitios esto sigue siendo asÃ.
Ambientada a principios de la década de los 70, el aborto sigue siendo ilegal en Chicago, lugar donde se ambienta la historia. Y ya no solo el aborto, sino los anticonceptivos son difÃciles de conseguir para una mujer si no estás casada o si no tienes el permiso de tu marido.
Historia que esta contada desde diferentes puntos de vista, con tres personajes principales, conoceremos a Verónica, fundado de Jane, Margaret una joven profesora de la Universidad que trabaja como voluntaria en Jane, y Patty que se conforma con ser una esposa y una madre devota�
Cada una de ellas tiene su historia, y ha encantado como todas las mujeres se apoyan unas a otras, luchando contra barreras raciales, étnicas y sociales, todas nuestras protagonistas son muy reales, con historias del dÃa a dÃa, cada una con sus creencias, además hay que añadir que también aparecen varios hombres en la novela que apoyarons a este Colectivo y participaron de cierta manera, mención especial al párroco.
Y aunque es una historia de ficción la documentación por parte de la autora es magnÃfica, y una de las partes que mas me ha gustado de la novela.
Una novela que me ha gustado mucho y muy recomendable para darse cuenta de muchas cosas, y sobretodo saber que aún en muchos sitios esto sigue siendo asÃ.
August 31, 2024
Abortion has been a hot topic in the USA (to say the least) since the fall of Roe v. Wade last year. It seems that the Supreme Court believes that women are better off w/o the right to reproductive health care, but what was that like, before Roe passed in 1973? "All You Have to Do Is Call" takes us back to the early 1970's, opening in a tense scene w/ Veronica escorting Siobhan from one safe house to another in order for her to have an illegal termination of her pregnancy. It turns out that Veronica is a volunteer for the Jane Network, a group of women in Chicago who helps women like Siobhan get safe abortions. There are multiple layers of protection in the Network, beginning w/ all the volunteers being known as Jane. Counseling spots, waiting rooms, and the actual locations where the abortions are performed are all separate, and rotated often, all staffed by well-trained Janes. Other layers of protection include some sympathetic ER doctors, police officers, and lawyers.
In all other ways besides being a Jane, Veronica leads a normal life w/ a husband and a daughter. Veronica's best friend, Patty, is the consummate 50's housewife - even if it is the 70's! - w/ 3 kids who cannot imagine anyone committing the sin of "killing a baby." But what happens when Patty's runaway sister returns home? It turns out that Elise is "in trouble" and finds out about the Jane Network, to whom she turns for help. Does Elise blow Veronica's cover to Patty when they see each other at a Network location? Will the cop who wants to end the Network find out and arrest all of them? Can Veronica balance her home life (w/ a new pregnancy) w/ her increasing devotion to the Network? How will Patty react when she not only finds out that Elise wants an abortion, but that one of the providers of illegal abortions in Chicago is her best friend?
The tension really builds as Veronica gets deeper into her pregnancy, and the denouement is really nail-biting. 4 full stars for an interesting look at volunteers providing abortion services similar to those that actually existed before abortion was a legal procedure.
In all other ways besides being a Jane, Veronica leads a normal life w/ a husband and a daughter. Veronica's best friend, Patty, is the consummate 50's housewife - even if it is the 70's! - w/ 3 kids who cannot imagine anyone committing the sin of "killing a baby." But what happens when Patty's runaway sister returns home? It turns out that Elise is "in trouble" and finds out about the Jane Network, to whom she turns for help. Does Elise blow Veronica's cover to Patty when they see each other at a Network location? Will the cop who wants to end the Network find out and arrest all of them? Can Veronica balance her home life (w/ a new pregnancy) w/ her increasing devotion to the Network? How will Patty react when she not only finds out that Elise wants an abortion, but that one of the providers of illegal abortions in Chicago is her best friend?
The tension really builds as Veronica gets deeper into her pregnancy, and the denouement is really nail-biting. 4 full stars for an interesting look at volunteers providing abortion services similar to those that actually existed before abortion was a legal procedure.
January 16, 2024
This book does such a disservice to the important topics it discusses and the history it’s based on. It screams second wave feminism with a few half-assed nods to intersectionality to try and make it seem inclusive. The characters are flat and unlikeable and the plot is lackluster. Writing is all telling, no showing. No discussion of the challenges of getting an abortion clinic up and running, the legal battle is glazed over, medical research is lacking, and the language the characters and author use doesn’t fit the time period. So many of the complexities that make this time period and history compelling and interesting are simplified or not considered at all. A huge disappointment, especially considering the importance and timeliness of discussing abortion rights.
August 13, 2023
I liked this book a lot and think it would make a good movie or television short series adaptation. It could also be a good choice for bookclubs, keeping in mind that sometimes there are people who do not even want to read a fiction or historical fiction book with characters whose life decisions vary in the slightest from their own strict beliefs. This book is about women's reproductive rights;the story is told from the POV of the lay women who run a network of support and help - called the Jane Collective- to aid women "in trouble," and the effect the loss of such rights has on lives. I was impressed with all of the research the author did in order to set the stage for Chicago, 1969. A pharmacist does not want to fill a birth control pill prescription for a PhD. female college professor without a wedding ring on her hand. There are interesting time-capsule references to Supreme Court nominees, Nixon, LBJ, the Vietnam War, songs playing on the radio (Janis Joplin "Me and Bobby McGee"), popular feminist books and on and on.
The female characters are primarily strong women; some of them are the ones who are willing to work for change in society, even as their efforts cut into their own family and relationship time and also endanger themselves emotionally and sometimes legally. Some of them begin to wonder "if perhaps love was antithetical to meaningful work." I found myself thinking of Elizabeth Zott the female chemist in Bonnie Garmus's book Lessons in Chemistry combined with frightening gynecological situations in the book Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and a dash of those 1960's black and white evening television news.
This book was a strong 4.25 read for me. I did not round it up to a 5 because there were times where the backstories of characters were so detailed that I lost track of the current action. Rounding it down to a 4 does not seem fair either.
The female characters are primarily strong women; some of them are the ones who are willing to work for change in society, even as their efforts cut into their own family and relationship time and also endanger themselves emotionally and sometimes legally. Some of them begin to wonder "if perhaps love was antithetical to meaningful work." I found myself thinking of Elizabeth Zott the female chemist in Bonnie Garmus's book Lessons in Chemistry combined with frightening gynecological situations in the book Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and a dash of those 1960's black and white evening television news.
This book was a strong 4.25 read for me. I did not round it up to a 5 because there were times where the backstories of characters were so detailed that I lost track of the current action. Rounding it down to a 4 does not seem fair either.
September 10, 2023
Talk about a book that meets the cultural moment! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL is a timely read that is loosely based on Jane, an underground illegal abortion clinic in 1970s Chicago. Kerri Maher shines a light on women from all walks of life seeking abortions and the women willing to sacrifice their own freedoms and livelihood to provide safe abortion options.
Through her characters, the author explores the various reasons why women may have found themselves in this situation and subtly challenges readers on their current thoughts of who seeks out abortions and why.
I always enjoy stories of fierce women standing up for what they believe in and leaving their mark on history. I’m eager to hear from Kerri Maher in a pre-publication author chat with the Thoughts From A Page Early Readers program.
Many thanks to Berkley and Thoughts From A Page Patreon Group for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Through her characters, the author explores the various reasons why women may have found themselves in this situation and subtly challenges readers on their current thoughts of who seeks out abortions and why.
I always enjoy stories of fierce women standing up for what they believe in and leaving their mark on history. I’m eager to hear from Kerri Maher in a pre-publication author chat with the Thoughts From A Page Early Readers program.
Many thanks to Berkley and Thoughts From A Page Patreon Group for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2024
Oof this book made me feel so many different emotions. It mostly made me angry but also sad, defeated, hopeful and proud.
March 21, 2023
A brave tour de force that captures the tension and drama of a pivotal moment in women’s history. Maher’s novel is a powerful and inspiring tribute, a story of sisterhood, resilience, and courage that will stay with readers long after they finish reading. I only wish these stories could be in the deep past rather than resurfacing in our present. I loved it.
April 14, 2023
A powerful and compelling novel that pays tribute to the brave women of our past who fought for a woman’s right to choose. Brilliantly woven together, All You Have to Do to Call is an inspiring opus of courage, sisterhood, friendship and the incredible things women can do when they work together to make change. Kerri Maher has penned a masterpiece that women of all ages should read!
June 22, 2024
Me ha parecido una historia maravillosa, una reivindicación de la lucha por el derecho a decidir previo a la sentencia de Roe contra Wade, en Estados Unidos. El elenco de mujeres protagonistas es la clave de esta historia, con tintes reales, pero muy bien llevada a la ficción. Una lectura instructiva pero también muy fácil de disfrutar.
February 3, 2024
I was really disappointed by this book. While I can commend the author’s intentions, I would have preferred to read one of the nonfiction books on the subject that she touts in the author’s note at the end.
This doesn’t read like a book that takes place in 1971. The language the characters use is not reflective of the time period at all. Structurally, I was surprised at what plot elements were focused on and repeated ad nauseam versus what was glossed over.
The characters felt more like mouthpieces for glib, basic feminist quotes than real people. Conversations between them would rapidly devolve into non-sequiturs about then-current events and largely anachronistic concerns about intersectional feminism that were very unnaturally worded, but would make good if generic highlighted quotes out of context.
One of the women who spends most of the book against abortion comes around to it in the end, and that was handled very quickly and clumsily in my opinion. In my experience, calmly correcting misinformation with personal testimony is not enough to change the hearts and minds of women who fervently believe abortion is a sin. I was disappointed but not surprised that plot thread was wrapped up so rapidly and neatly without any further conflict or nuance.
I rolled my eyes a lot and sighed “Oh boy� many many times and steamrolled through the end in a mad dash to finally be done with it. I’d already forgotten some of the characters who reappear at the end and did not care to flip back to remind myself of who they were. All telling and no showing, preaching to the choir, everything about the writing style of this book was just not for me.
This doesn’t read like a book that takes place in 1971. The language the characters use is not reflective of the time period at all. Structurally, I was surprised at what plot elements were focused on and repeated ad nauseam versus what was glossed over.
The characters felt more like mouthpieces for glib, basic feminist quotes than real people. Conversations between them would rapidly devolve into non-sequiturs about then-current events and largely anachronistic concerns about intersectional feminism that were very unnaturally worded, but would make good if generic highlighted quotes out of context.
One of the women who spends most of the book against abortion comes around to it in the end, and that was handled very quickly and clumsily in my opinion. In my experience, calmly correcting misinformation with personal testimony is not enough to change the hearts and minds of women who fervently believe abortion is a sin. I was disappointed but not surprised that plot thread was wrapped up so rapidly and neatly without any further conflict or nuance.
I rolled my eyes a lot and sighed “Oh boy� many many times and steamrolled through the end in a mad dash to finally be done with it. I’d already forgotten some of the characters who reappear at the end and did not care to flip back to remind myself of who they were. All telling and no showing, preaching to the choir, everything about the writing style of this book was just not for me.
November 4, 2023
3.5/5 I loved the plot of this book and the storylines of fictional women involved in a historically real underground women’s reproductive health organization in Chicago in the 1970s - nothing not to love about this premise. Unfortunately for me the writing was dry and I missed the connection of feeling absorbed in the characters, which I feel like the premise of this book should have you doing in spades. Really cool idea for historical fiction and it did make me want to read more accounts of Jane and dive deeper into that world. I just wish this one captured me a little bit more. I would still recommend it even because I feel like not clicking with the writing style could be a me thing and pretty sad and scary to say that the subject matter of illegal abortions is now incredibly timely so in theory a great read
January 8, 2024
Reading a novel set in "pre" Roe v Wade while currently living in a "post" Roe v Wade America really hurt my heart and reminded me how much work there still is to do when it comes to women's rights and reproductive justice.The story itself was written well and I enjoyed having multiple POVs, I'm always a huge fan of women supporting women and this book had a lot of that!
September 18, 2023
Review to come
September 19, 2023
Set in 1970s Chicago, this is loosely based on the Jane network of underground abortions performed illegally by women in a time before Roe v. Wade. If you love learning about important aspects of modern women's 'herstory', female friendship and are angry about the state of America today, this is the book for you!
I loved how well researched this book was and yet at the core its a story about female empowerment, friendship and taking control of their own bodies. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of books like We, Jane, Looking for Jane or Mercy Street. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
I loved how well researched this book was and yet at the core its a story about female empowerment, friendship and taking control of their own bodies. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of books like We, Jane, Looking for Jane or Mercy Street. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
September 18, 2023
Maher knocked it out of the park with this fictionalized story about the Jane Collective. Jane is a women's health organization composed entirely of women to support women seeking access to safe abortions.
In All You Have to Do is Call, it's the early 1970s, and although the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a landmark case, Roe vs. Wade, abortion remains illegal in Chicago and across the country. Even birth control pills are difficult to obtain. Told through multiple POVs, we meet Veronica, the Jane Collective's founder; Margaret, a young professor at the University of Chicago who secretly volunteers at Jane; and Patty, Veronica's friend who is content to be a devoted wife and mother unaware of her friend's new mission.
This was such an eye-opening story and one that is extremely relevant a year after the Supreme Court knocked down Roe vs. Wade and, like the 1970s, women are scrambling to find appropriate care in many states. I was not familiar with Jane Collective or its work, and I loved how the women supported one another, breaking down racial, ethnic and social barriers along the way.
The main characters all felt real and each struggled in their own way to balance their actions, desires and beliefs. Each highlighted a different past and unique pathway to understanding. Although this is a work of fiction, it is so well researched and the emotions the story evokes kept me turning the pages. I also appreciated several of the men in the story who supported the Jane Collective in varying measures, especially the Catholic priest who was understanding of the need not to cast stones.
There does tend to be some info dumping along the way but I found it interesting and engaging and could not stop turning the pages until the end. Highly recommend this timely and important story. I would round this up to 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC.
In All You Have to Do is Call, it's the early 1970s, and although the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a landmark case, Roe vs. Wade, abortion remains illegal in Chicago and across the country. Even birth control pills are difficult to obtain. Told through multiple POVs, we meet Veronica, the Jane Collective's founder; Margaret, a young professor at the University of Chicago who secretly volunteers at Jane; and Patty, Veronica's friend who is content to be a devoted wife and mother unaware of her friend's new mission.
This was such an eye-opening story and one that is extremely relevant a year after the Supreme Court knocked down Roe vs. Wade and, like the 1970s, women are scrambling to find appropriate care in many states. I was not familiar with Jane Collective or its work, and I loved how the women supported one another, breaking down racial, ethnic and social barriers along the way.
The main characters all felt real and each struggled in their own way to balance their actions, desires and beliefs. Each highlighted a different past and unique pathway to understanding. Although this is a work of fiction, it is so well researched and the emotions the story evokes kept me turning the pages. I also appreciated several of the men in the story who supported the Jane Collective in varying measures, especially the Catholic priest who was understanding of the need not to cast stones.
There does tend to be some info dumping along the way but I found it interesting and engaging and could not stop turning the pages until the end. Highly recommend this timely and important story. I would round this up to 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC.
February 28, 2024
Superb.
It felt a little too long by the end but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters. I applaud the author for not only writing historical fiction on the Jane network, thereby making it more well known, but covering the varying aspects so delicately and honestly. I felt, with every page, this was accurate. The timing of the one birth was a little too “Lifetime� but that is my only complaint.
I encourage everyone to read this book especially with what is currently happening with women’s rights in so many countries right now.
4.5 stars
It felt a little too long by the end but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters. I applaud the author for not only writing historical fiction on the Jane network, thereby making it more well known, but covering the varying aspects so delicately and honestly. I felt, with every page, this was accurate. The timing of the one birth was a little too “Lifetime� but that is my only complaint.
I encourage everyone to read this book especially with what is currently happening with women’s rights in so many countries right now.
4.5 stars
March 30, 2024
This was good, but super preachy. Even as someone who agrees with the author’s argument, I found myself rolling my eyes sometimes at the heavy-handed way some of the justification was thrown into the book. Still, overall worth the read.
June 2, 2024
This is a powerful and timely novel based on true events in early 1970’s Chicago, prior to the legalization of abortion with the passage of Roe v Wade. The Jane Collective was an underground group, founded by women, to provide health care services to women in need. Maher writes with an intensity that places the reader right there, where events are happening. I highly recommend this novel.
April 1, 2024
4.5 stars. Women friendship and women getting shit done
December 9, 2023
I was immediately attracted to this novel, because it tackled a very important part of HERSTORY. I came of age during this time period and lived in Boston, where OUR BODIES AND OURSELVES was being written and participated in feminist groups where we were given small personal speculums in order to take control of our own bodies and learn about our own reproductive system hands on. In 1972 a few of my college friends found a Dr. willing to write prescriptions for the birth control pill. One friend flew abroad to obtain an abortion. Then in 1973, Roe v. Wade was finally passed legalizing abortion in all 50 states.
The Janes were a courageous collective of young women who provided an age old service that dates back to unrecorded times when wise women, healers, midwives were the natural providers for women’s reproductive health. Many were tried and convicted of witchcraft because the patriarchy feared their power.
And here we are in the 2020’s and history repeats itself with the Dobb’s debacle. Same reason, take agency away from all but the few who want to control the many.
Since this novel is classified as historical fiction, I do take exception to little details such as mention of plastic water bottles (didn’t exist yet), people doing the twist (�60s, not �70’s), use of terms such as ‘default� (has to do with computer-speak), Women’s Lib (derogatory term used to ridicule Feminism and/or The Women’s Movement), calling women ‘girls�, etc.
A lack of research and authenticity then hangs over the reading experience and it is clear the writer is not of the Boomer generation, which is fine. However, she cut corners and the editor(s) missed the opportunity to publish a meaningful historical novel instead of mishmash in need of correction.
This novelist creates interesting characters with Intertwining stories but they all become a messy blur. However, now I feel obsessed with the fact checking because there are so many glaring errors. “Jane Austen was important to the 19th century is Queen Victoria.� Jane Austen was born in 1775 and died in 1825. I would call that the 18th century. It’s at this point that I quit reading the novel.
It is not even a second rate novel. And the shame of it is it is about a very important topic, women’s right to choose.
I am now reading the nonfiction book THE STORY OF JANE written by one of the women who founded and was active in the Jane Collective. It was suggested by another GR reviewer who also gave ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL a low rating.
Although this is an exaggeration as well as an over- simplification, it seems as if this author, made up a bunch of characters who are loosely related, took a bunch of facts from the Internet, shake them up in a bottle and throw them out onto the page.
The Janes were a courageous collective of young women who provided an age old service that dates back to unrecorded times when wise women, healers, midwives were the natural providers for women’s reproductive health. Many were tried and convicted of witchcraft because the patriarchy feared their power.
And here we are in the 2020’s and history repeats itself with the Dobb’s debacle. Same reason, take agency away from all but the few who want to control the many.
Since this novel is classified as historical fiction, I do take exception to little details such as mention of plastic water bottles (didn’t exist yet), people doing the twist (�60s, not �70’s), use of terms such as ‘default� (has to do with computer-speak), Women’s Lib (derogatory term used to ridicule Feminism and/or The Women’s Movement), calling women ‘girls�, etc.
A lack of research and authenticity then hangs over the reading experience and it is clear the writer is not of the Boomer generation, which is fine. However, she cut corners and the editor(s) missed the opportunity to publish a meaningful historical novel instead of mishmash in need of correction.
This novelist creates interesting characters with Intertwining stories but they all become a messy blur. However, now I feel obsessed with the fact checking because there are so many glaring errors. “Jane Austen was important to the 19th century is Queen Victoria.� Jane Austen was born in 1775 and died in 1825. I would call that the 18th century. It’s at this point that I quit reading the novel.
It is not even a second rate novel. And the shame of it is it is about a very important topic, women’s right to choose.
I am now reading the nonfiction book THE STORY OF JANE written by one of the women who founded and was active in the Jane Collective. It was suggested by another GR reviewer who also gave ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL a low rating.
Although this is an exaggeration as well as an over- simplification, it seems as if this author, made up a bunch of characters who are loosely related, took a bunch of facts from the Internet, shake them up in a bottle and throw them out onto the page.
October 13, 2023
This was a great historical fiction read about the Jane movement in Chicago in the early 70s. Which is crazy to me because 50 years later we’re still dealing with Roe v Wade 🙃
I enjoyed every characters POV, but I was a little confused about Margaret’s. I feel like she didn’t need to be there because I thought it was going to explain more about Gabe but it didn’t. Maybe Siobhan’s would’ve been nice or I wish I got to read Phyllis� POV.
Either way I do love some strong women!
I enjoyed every characters POV, but I was a little confused about Margaret’s. I feel like she didn’t need to be there because I thought it was going to explain more about Gabe but it didn’t. Maybe Siobhan’s would’ve been nice or I wish I got to read Phyllis� POV.
Either way I do love some strong women!
June 29, 2024
This is going to be a challenging review to write. There are quite a few things about All You Have to Do is Call, by Kerri Maher, that annoy me very much. These things annoy me so much that I’m not sure I’ll be fair to the book’s virtues. This book isn’t all bad; I’ve certainly read worse. And I think there are readers who will enjoy this whirlwind dip into the last months of the Jane Collective, before their arrest the year before the monumental Roe v. Wade decision was handed down...
Read the rest of my review at . I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at . I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
December 3, 2023
2.5-3â� This book was objectively fine. The characters were interesting enough and developed, and the stories of the abortion network were interesting. But for all this, the story just wasn't gripping. This book didn't have as much movement in its plot as other books and I actually love a "just existing and living their lives" plot, but for that to work I think the writing has to really elevate the material and touch you. Maybe I'm grumpy lol, but I thought it was just okay.
Highly random personal gripe: to use a lyric from you've got a friend as the title, from Tapestry which was released literally THE YEAR OF the events of this novel, while making MULTIPLE references in the novel to other pop culture of the time, particularly music, and never once mention Carole King??!! Heresy.
Highly random personal gripe: to use a lyric from you've got a friend as the title, from Tapestry which was released literally THE YEAR OF the events of this novel, while making MULTIPLE references in the novel to other pop culture of the time, particularly music, and never once mention Carole King??!! Heresy.
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