Overall, what did you think of When No One Else Will? To what audience would you recommend the novel? (No spoilers, please!)
I enjoyed the book especially the last half. I think the book would appeal to adult women and anyone interested in the history of illegal abortions, especially in the larger cities in the previous decades before Roe versus Wade legalized abortions.
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Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I enjoyed the book, especially as the discussion for women’s rights is a current topic and it is helpful to reflect on the past.
I would think this would be a good book club selection, as there is a lot to discuss.
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I had trouble putting this book down. Mimi and the women who worked in the clinic were providing a much needed service to women who were desperate. I would recommend this book to any woman who would appreciate the story. Many women now-days would be appalled how men had control of what a women choose to do with her life and body.
I thought this book was excellent. It was 1939 and the early 1940’s I had no idea that there were responsible good abortion clinics. Everyone that worked there were wonderful. All doing their jobs to save women, working for women’s rights. A very timely book considering America today.
I enjoy this author’s style and I was impressed with the way she was able to weave a compelling story while still staying true to the events and people involved in this scandal.
I almost didn’t read this book because of the abortion theme. If I hadn’t received the book with the agreement to discuss it, I definitely wouldn’t have read it. I had sympathy for many of the characters, especially Mimi and her sister, Ginny. I was a teenager in that timeframe so I understood the actions of many of the characters in the book. I’m not sure I’d say I liked it, but I didn’t dislike it either. I’d probably give it three stars of five stars. Mimi’s story compelled me to keep reading and that was a positive.
I couldn’t put it down. I thought the character of Mimi was exceptionally well developed, and that made the book for me.
I enjoyed the book but found it a little slow at times. I absolutely loved the character of Mimi and agree with many of the readers above that her character was well developed.
I enjoyed this book immensely. I will recommend it to my bookclub and other friends that enjoy historical fiction, especially as it relates to women. I thought the author did a good job with developing the characters and the story was very interesting. And the history of abortions during that time frame was mind opening.
I thought that the book was excellent. The author did a great deal of research and wrote an emotional story that was very though provoking. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction about women’s struggle for equality would enjoy this book.
I loved this book! Just finished it this afternoon and read for two days straight. I thought the author did a great job in putting a new light on the subject of abortion. There were a few things I saw coming but other things that surprised me, especially Officer Moriarty. Very well done and will recommend this book.
I devoured this book and now want to read more from this author. The book is very well-researched, the story is compelling, and the main character who is fictional is empathetic and relatable. I rated this book 4.75 out of 5 stars.
As a retired nurse, the story when Mimi is working in the hospital reminds me of my first job on a medical-surgical unit in the 1970’s. There was never enough help to care for the patients properly. I imagine the author had a similar experience.
I can understand why Mimi continued to work at the office job to support her family. I don’t know if I could have continued to do so when she had no support from her family at home. I would have tried to find another job after the first raid on the clinic.
The book provides an important discussion about legal abortion that is under attack now in our country. Sad that her colleagues chose suicide over a legal trial.
Generally well written and shows the many facets about unwanted pregnancy for the time.
I thought the author did a good job of of describing what it was like for women in that time period who needed assistance with illegal aboritions. Also the author gave a realistic picture of what it was like for the Doctors, Nurses, and other staff who worked in those offices at that time. I think she spent a little too much time at the beginning with Mimi’s relationship with her family.
I loved this book, felt it was insightful and well researched. Given today’s world, it was also very timely. I learned so much about abortion in that time period, and I was particularly appreciative of the author not only portraying the conflicted women seeking abortions, but also those who provided them.
Considering how Roe versus Wade is being attacked lately, this book needs to be read by everyone, both female and male. It will be an excellent book club selection, providing much food for thought and discussion. I, like many of you, could not put it down. Read it in two days and was very drawn to Mimi’s character. She had chutzpah. I liked how she thought, felt and conducted herself. As for her husband, Stan, he was a selfish, very spoiled man and needed a backbone. I was grateful that in the end he was finally redeeming himself, to a point. With the discovery that there is a nephew out there and Mimi final words. . . ”And she won’t give up until she finds him,” I feel perhaps a sequel may be in our future.
I highly recommend this book to others. This is a powerful, captivating, emotional, and intriguing book.
I stayed up way too late a couple nights to finish this book. It really had me transfixed. Such an unusual topic in history to explore and one all women should read about.
I found the book to be both well written and emotionally heavy. It felt deeply grounded in the realities of women’s vulnerability and the limited control they often had over their own lives. Rather than romanticizing the past, it honestly portrayed how poverty, gender expectations, social judgment, and a lack of personal power shaped people’s choices and futures.
The novel did an excellent job of showing how women were expected to shoulder impossible burdens in silence while society often ignored the larger forces causing their suffering. What struck me most was how relevant many of its themes still feel today, despite being set nearly a century ago. This would be a good book for any bookgroup especially those interested in women’s issues.