“[A] powerful, thought-provoking novel… not only important and timely, but deeply humanizing.” —Good Morning America
“Remarkable.” —The Washington Post
“Powerful. Dramatic. Insightful…. It’s not only a timely novel, but storytelling at its finest – a must-read.”—NPR
An NPR Books We Love selection for 2023
A gripping and uplifting novel based on the true story of the Jane Collective and the brave women who worked in the shadows for our right to choose, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Paris Bookseller.
Chicago, early 1970s. Who does a woman call when she needs help? Jane.
The best-known secret in the city, Jane is an underground health clinic composed entirely of women helping women, empowering them to embrace their futures by offering reproductive counseling and safe, illegal abortions. 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—a juggling act that 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. When her runaway younger sister, Eliza, shows up unexpectedly, Patty must 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, Veronica, Margaret, and Patty risk it all to help mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. With an awe-inspiring story and appealing characters, All You Have to Do Is Call celebrates the power of women coming together in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Genre: Historical
“Remarkable.” —The Washington Post
“Powerful. Dramatic. Insightful…. It’s not only a timely novel, but storytelling at its finest – a must-read.”—NPR
An NPR Books We Love selection for 2023
A gripping and uplifting novel based on the true story of the Jane Collective and the brave women who worked in the shadows for our right to choose, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Paris Bookseller.
Chicago, early 1970s. Who does a woman call when she needs help? Jane.
The best-known secret in the city, Jane is an underground health clinic composed entirely of women helping women, empowering them to embrace their futures by offering reproductive counseling and safe, illegal abortions. 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—a juggling act that 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. When her runaway younger sister, Eliza, shows up unexpectedly, Patty must 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, Veronica, Margaret, and Patty risk it all to help mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. With an awe-inspiring story and appealing characters, All You Have to Do Is Call celebrates the power of women coming together in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"A stunning, propulsive novel of friendship and courage... Kerri Maher shows us that love and friendship are complex, and that no woman takes the decision to end a pregnancy lightly. Told with compassion and a chorus of compelling voices, this novel will keep you turning the pages late into the night." - Laurie Lico Albanese
"A gripping novel that illustrates how ordinary people like mothers, housewives, and students can - and have - put their necks on the line for the greater good. This novel comes at the right time to remind us of the power we have on the individual level to make change, sometimes with our own bare hands." - Kaia Alderson
"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 the book. I loved it." - Rachel Barenbaum
"Although the novel captures a provocative, explosive period in the past, it couldn't be more relevant today. With unflinching courage and fierce characters, Maher not only packs a punch but also gives us all the feels in this inspiring, powerhouse novel--exposing the profound choices women made and the risks they took to help other women." - Lisa Barr
"This tautly-written novel will keep you turning the pages with its deeply satisfying portrayal of women negotiating the shoals of friendship and family in 1970s Chicago - and then goes further to show them risking all in extraordinary acts of social justice. A timely, thoughtful exploration of liberation and resistance." - Janie Chang
"Powerful and timely... Maher weaves an absorbing tale of friendship, sisterhood and courage, and illuminates the incredible things that women can accomplish when they band together for a greater good." - Jane Healey
"An important, illuminating story about the dreams, fears, and needs of a group of women grappling with what choice really means in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. Maher provides an intimate view into the complexity of female relationships with each other, with their partners, and with their own bodies." - Elise Hooper
"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!" - Eliza Knight
"All You Have to Do is Call is about the power of women working together, their friendships, their loves, their lives and how, when united, they really can change the world even in the face of seemingly insurmountable barriers. Inspiring, important but also page-turning, Kerri Maher pulls off a remarkable feat in this novel." - Natasha Lester
"Historical fiction at its finest: a riveting story from the past with all the immediacy and urgency of today. Kerri Maher delivers a layered, emotionally resonant novel.... a powerful reminder that in challenging times, the most ordinary among us can step up to do the extraordinary." - Greer Macallister
"Sheds light on the intrepid women who put everything on the line... Inspiring and timely, and an absolute must-read." - Madeline Martin
"A captivating tale of women sacrificing everything in order to support other women. Everyone should read and discuss this book. Everyone." - Dolen Perkins-Valdez
"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!" - Kate Quinn
"Brings to life these courageous women, their complicated relationships, and their efforts with seamless grace, realism, and humor. A bold celebration of female friendship and resilience, All You Have To Do Is Call is immersive, irresistible, and captivating from page one!" - Weina Dai Randel
"A compelling page-turner." - Alix Rickloff
"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." - Renée Rosen
"A timely and poignant depiction of the precarious position of women in pre-Roe America. Maher delivers a compelling insight of the dangers women of all walks of lives had to face to gain access reproductive health care. The characters are rich and keenly developed; the pacing flawless. A worthy reminder of the progress we've made and the progress we stand to lose. A stunning tribute to the strength of women." - Aimie K Runyan
"Gripping and heart-rending...With beautiful writing and a brisk pace, this is Maher's best book to date!" - Heather Webb
"A gripping novel that illustrates how ordinary people like mothers, housewives, and students can - and have - put their necks on the line for the greater good. This novel comes at the right time to remind us of the power we have on the individual level to make change, sometimes with our own bare hands." - Kaia Alderson
"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 the book. I loved it." - Rachel Barenbaum
"Although the novel captures a provocative, explosive period in the past, it couldn't be more relevant today. With unflinching courage and fierce characters, Maher not only packs a punch but also gives us all the feels in this inspiring, powerhouse novel--exposing the profound choices women made and the risks they took to help other women." - Lisa Barr
"This tautly-written novel will keep you turning the pages with its deeply satisfying portrayal of women negotiating the shoals of friendship and family in 1970s Chicago - and then goes further to show them risking all in extraordinary acts of social justice. A timely, thoughtful exploration of liberation and resistance." - Janie Chang
"Powerful and timely... Maher weaves an absorbing tale of friendship, sisterhood and courage, and illuminates the incredible things that women can accomplish when they band together for a greater good." - Jane Healey
"An important, illuminating story about the dreams, fears, and needs of a group of women grappling with what choice really means in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. Maher provides an intimate view into the complexity of female relationships with each other, with their partners, and with their own bodies." - Elise Hooper
"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!" - Eliza Knight
"All You Have to Do is Call is about the power of women working together, their friendships, their loves, their lives and how, when united, they really can change the world even in the face of seemingly insurmountable barriers. Inspiring, important but also page-turning, Kerri Maher pulls off a remarkable feat in this novel." - Natasha Lester
"Historical fiction at its finest: a riveting story from the past with all the immediacy and urgency of today. Kerri Maher delivers a layered, emotionally resonant novel.... a powerful reminder that in challenging times, the most ordinary among us can step up to do the extraordinary." - Greer Macallister
"Sheds light on the intrepid women who put everything on the line... Inspiring and timely, and an absolute must-read." - Madeline Martin
"A captivating tale of women sacrificing everything in order to support other women. Everyone should read and discuss this book. Everyone." - Dolen Perkins-Valdez
"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!" - Kate Quinn
"Brings to life these courageous women, their complicated relationships, and their efforts with seamless grace, realism, and humor. A bold celebration of female friendship and resilience, All You Have To Do Is Call is immersive, irresistible, and captivating from page one!" - Weina Dai Randel
"A compelling page-turner." - Alix Rickloff
"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." - Renée Rosen
"A timely and poignant depiction of the precarious position of women in pre-Roe America. Maher delivers a compelling insight of the dangers women of all walks of lives had to face to gain access reproductive health care. The characters are rich and keenly developed; the pacing flawless. A worthy reminder of the progress we've made and the progress we stand to lose. A stunning tribute to the strength of women." - Aimie K Runyan
"Gripping and heart-rending...With beautiful writing and a brisk pace, this is Maher's best book to date!" - Heather Webb
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