Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Author: Kerri Maher
Genre: Historical Fiction / Feminist Fiction / Women’s Literature
Ideal For: Fans of untold histories, feminist movements, and fiction that makes you want to take action
If you’re looking for a novel that’s as emotionally resonant as it is historically significant, All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher is the book to reach for. Set in 1970s Chicago and inspired by the true story of the Jane Collective—an underground abortion network that operated before Roe v. Wade—this novel shines a powerful light on female resilience, friendship, and quiet heroism.
This isn’t just a novel, though. It’s a conversation starter, a history lesson, and a celebration of women who chose to fight back, not with loud rebellion, but with quiet, deliberate acts of compassion.
Why I Picked Up All You Have to Do Is Call
I first heard about the Jane Collective in a podcast episode years ago and was instantly fascinated. When I learned that Kerri Maher—a master of crafting compelling narratives around real women in history (The Paris Bookseller, The Kennedy Debutante)—had written a novelised account, it was an instant must-read. And let me tell you: it’s one of those rare books that manages to be both heart-wrenching and empowering in equal measure.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Set in 1972 Chicago, the novel follows three women whose lives intersect in the heart of the women’s liberation movement.
Veronica is a well-respected doctor’s wife living a picture-perfect suburban life—but under the surface, she’s organising an underground abortion network known only as “Jane.” Patty is a fiercely intelligent housewife with a law degree and a secret longing to be more than just someone’s mother. Margaret is a single, Catholic woman in crisis who finds herself unexpectedly at the mercy of the very group she’s morally conflicted about.
As the narrative unfolds, each woman is forced to confront her own beliefs, fears, and limitations—while the stakes continue to rise, both politically and personally.
Through acts of bravery both large and small, All You Have to Do Is Call paints a vivid portrait of women reclaiming power in a world designed to deny them autonomy.
Why It Works So Well
1. A Feminist Story That Centers Compassion Over Politics
While the subject matter is undeniably political, Maher’s genius lies in how she brings it down to a deeply personal level. This isn’t a lecture but a story about women looking out for each other in the quiet, radical way that changes lives. Each character’s motivations feel authentic, layered, and reflective of the broader tensions of the time.
There’s no black-and-white morality here—just a moving exploration of choice, fear, and love in a world that doesn’t always make space for any of it.
2. Fully Realised Characters You’ll Root For
What makes this novel soar is the emotional complexity of its characters. Veronica, Patty, and Margaret aren’t caricatures of activism or resistance—they’re flawed, funny, brave, and deeply relatable. Their internal struggles mirror those still felt by women today: balancing motherhood and ambition, choosing between comfort and conscience, or reconciling faith with bodily autonomy.
By the final chapter, I wasn’t just invested in their fates. I felt like I knew them.
3. Historical Fiction That Feels Urgently Relevant
Despite being set in the early ’70s, the themes in this novel—reproductive rights, female solidarity, healthcare access—feel incredibly current. Maher deftly ties the past to the present, without ever feeling heavy-handed. It’s a testament to the cyclical nature of history, and a sobering reminder of how fragile progress can be.
Reading this in a post-Roe world hits especially hard but it also reaffirms the enduring power of collective action and grassroots care.
You’ll Love All You Have to Do Is Call If You Enjoy…
- The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd – for its deeply personal feminist storytelling
- The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo – for multi-perspective narratives about womanhood
- The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott – for historical fiction with resistance and romance
- Women Talking by Miriam Toews – for its quiet power and moral weight
- The Book of Lost Names – for historical fiction with strong heroines mixed with moral complexity
Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Every Generation of Women
All You Have to Do Is Call is one of those rare novels that manages to be both a page-turner and a call to action. It doesn’t quite shout, but it resonates. Through its beautifully drawn characters and poignant storytelling, it honours the legacy of women who fought for choice—not just legally, but emotionally and communally.
Kerri Maher reminds us that bravery doesn’t always come with headlines. Sometimes, it looks like answering the phone. Sometimes, it sounds like someone quietly asking, “How can I help?”
