Scan barcode
A review by danyels_denouements
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A big thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this opportunity to read the eARC of Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall.
Looking for Jane follows three women during the 1970s, 1980s, and 2010s. These stories intertwine in heartfelt and heartbreaking ways. Told from several different points of view, the reader is taken into the story immediately with one of our main character's finding a letter where a mother confesses to her daughter that she was adopted and her mother's dying wish was for her daughter to find her birth mother. Our main character dives into research looking for both the letter's recipient and her birth mother. While researching she stumbles upon the St. Agnes' Home for Unwed Mothers and our story takes off from there bouncing between the timelines where our main characters are unwed mother's at the St. Agnes' House, earning medical degrees, participating in the Jane Network, and so much more.
Like mentioned above, this story is both heartbreaking and heartfelt. I found myself gasping, tearing up, and tearing through this book very quickly. I am so impressed that this is Heather's debut novel! This was quickly a 5/5 star for me and I cannot wait for the opportunity to purchase the physical book and reread it.
Looking for Jane will be available for purchase February 07, 2023.
Please note the book content warnings as the author does not sugar coat details - this book at times can be a heavy read. While this story is fiction, the research that inspired her writings were real lived experiences from hundreds if not thousands of individuals.
Looking for Jane follows three women during the 1970s, 1980s, and 2010s. These stories intertwine in heartfelt and heartbreaking ways. Told from several different points of view, the reader is taken into the story immediately with one of our main character's finding a letter where a mother confesses to her daughter that she was adopted and her mother's dying wish was for her daughter to find her birth mother. Our main character dives into research looking for both the letter's recipient and her birth mother. While researching she stumbles upon the St. Agnes' Home for Unwed Mothers and our story takes off from there bouncing between the timelines where our main characters are unwed mother's at the St. Agnes' House, earning medical degrees, participating in the Jane Network, and so much more.
Like mentioned above, this story is both heartbreaking and heartfelt. I found myself gasping, tearing up, and tearing through this book very quickly. I am so impressed that this is Heather's debut novel! This was quickly a 5/5 star for me and I cannot wait for the opportunity to purchase the physical book and reread it.
Looking for Jane will be available for purchase February 07, 2023.
Please note the book content warnings as the author does not sugar coat details - this book at times can be a heavy read. While this story is fiction, the research that inspired her writings were real lived experiences from hundreds if not thousands of individuals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer