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When No One Else Will
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Expected 26 May 26In the fall of 1939, while Europe grapples with the outbreak of war, Mimi Lukas wages a private battle in her Chicago neighborhood. Her husband, Stan, once a promising White Sox player, has been sidelined by a broken leg. His hopes of returning to baseball are dwindling along with their savings. As Stan sinks into inertia, Mimi resolves to go back to nursing.
When a friend tells her of a women's clinic in need of a nurse, Mimi hesitates. Such places are illegal and at odds with her religious upbringing. But Dr. Gabler’s office isn't the dingy establishment Mimi envisioned. The space is clean, bright, and welcoming, the staff skillful. Patients are treated with dignity and compassion, even as they are sworn to secrecy about what happens within its walls.
The patients, too, are not who Mimi expected. Some are heartbreakingly young. Most are married, and many already have children. Police and state prosecutors are paid handsomely to turn a blind eye. As Mimi finds kinship with her colleagues and with an officer on retainer, she begins her own private reckoning between what is legal and what is necessary, no matter how painful or inconvenient. But Mimi senses the tide turning against them. She knows, too, that soon she must decide how much she will risk to defend the ideals she's come to embrace through hard-won experience . . .
When a friend tells her of a women's clinic in need of a nurse, Mimi hesitates. Such places are illegal and at odds with her religious upbringing. But Dr. Gabler’s office isn't the dingy establishment Mimi envisioned. The space is clean, bright, and welcoming, the staff skillful. Patients are treated with dignity and compassion, even as they are sworn to secrecy about what happens within its walls.
The patients, too, are not who Mimi expected. Some are heartbreakingly young. Most are married, and many already have children. Police and state prosecutors are paid handsomely to turn a blind eye. As Mimi finds kinship with her colleagues and with an officer on retainer, she begins her own private reckoning between what is legal and what is necessary, no matter how painful or inconvenient. But Mimi senses the tide turning against them. She knows, too, that soon she must decide how much she will risk to defend the ideals she's come to embrace through hard-won experience . . .
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
11 people are currently reading
13436 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Skenandore
20 books2,421 followersAmanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction and a registered nurse. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and garnered accolades from the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. She is a 2024 Nevada Arts Council’s literary fellow. Amanda lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their pet turtle, Lenore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
please excuse reviews and comments on my account. hacker is changing all of my original reviews and is using vile comments in friend reviews .
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Review to come.
November 18, 2025
This book punched me right in the chest in the best way. I could feel every bit of the main character’s emotion, the fear, the frustration, the impossible choices, the quiet strength she did not even know she had. It captures that awful time in history when women basically needed a man’s signature just to exist, when society decided our only value was cooking meals and having babies.
The author shows exactly what women were up against, men with egos too big to let their wives work, families and churches telling them to stay small, and a legal system designed to crush them. And through all of that, you see these women trying to help each other, holding onto hope, carrying loss, and still showing up with compassion.
What I loved most is how real Mimi felt. Her inner turmoil is so raw you can almost hear her thinking. She is torn between what is “allowed” and what is actually right, and that battle is the heart of the story. The clinic, the patients, the danger, it all feels alive and incredibly human.
It is emotional, powerful, and honestly important. One of those books that stays with you because it shows how far we have come and how easily those rights could be taken again.
Absolutely worth reading.
#arc review
The author shows exactly what women were up against, men with egos too big to let their wives work, families and churches telling them to stay small, and a legal system designed to crush them. And through all of that, you see these women trying to help each other, holding onto hope, carrying loss, and still showing up with compassion.
What I loved most is how real Mimi felt. Her inner turmoil is so raw you can almost hear her thinking. She is torn between what is “allowed” and what is actually right, and that battle is the heart of the story. The clinic, the patients, the danger, it all feels alive and incredibly human.
It is emotional, powerful, and honestly important. One of those books that stays with you because it shows how far we have come and how easily those rights could be taken again.
Absolutely worth reading.
#arc review
November 19, 2025
An exceptional novel ! Very cleverly written, this novel deals with illegal abortions in the USA in the 1930's and 1940's. Based on the story of a real illegal clinic and the real persons who lead it, the reader gets numerous information about law, cases and the various social contexts in which women sought out the clinic. This is extremely interesting! Only Mimmy and her family are fictional characters.
What I particularly loved and appreciated in this novel, is the fact that nowhere in the book, one guesses the author's own opinion about abortion. The reader makes his/her own opinion. I found this very subtle and cleverly done. This is obviously a thought provoking topic, and the novel offers all kinds of reasons why a woman decides to have an abortion without allowing for any judgement.
There is more in the novel though which makes the story even more worthwhile: women's place in society, in the home hierarchy as well as at work. After years of suffering from the Depression, some women had to find a way to make the home work through work for instance, having fewer children.... A gripping, emotional, interesting and brilliant novel! Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
What I particularly loved and appreciated in this novel, is the fact that nowhere in the book, one guesses the author's own opinion about abortion. The reader makes his/her own opinion. I found this very subtle and cleverly done. This is obviously a thought provoking topic, and the novel offers all kinds of reasons why a woman decides to have an abortion without allowing for any judgement.
There is more in the novel though which makes the story even more worthwhile: women's place in society, in the home hierarchy as well as at work. After years of suffering from the Depression, some women had to find a way to make the home work through work for instance, having fewer children.... A gripping, emotional, interesting and brilliant novel! Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
April 21, 2026
When No One Else Will is compelling historical fiction set in Chicago is 1939. Mimi is a young wife and mother whose husband, a professional baseball player, is unable to work. Desperate to take care of her family, she takes a job as a nurse in a clinic that is not only illegal, it puts her at odds with her own convictions. Mimi was a fascinating character, swept up in a world she never imagined for herself, but always keeping her children at the forefront of her mind. I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher.
November 24, 2025
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read plenty of historical fiction, and I was especially interested in this title because it’s a topic I haven't come across much before. The story centers on Mimi, a nurse, sister, and mother, who is at the heart of the abortion storyline without experiencing it herself. I liked how Skenandore chose a character who learns about the industry so we, the readers, can learn with her. However, I did think the emotions would hit harder if there were a 1st person narrator, rather than a 3rd person omniscient narrator.
As the storyline progresses, the web of characters slowly reveals different perspectives and reasons for assisting these women looking for help. No matter how you feel about abortion, I think the story is engrossing without being overtly political. The author’s note at the end explains how she wanted to provide a story about the pre-Roe v Wade era and the extensive research she put into the novel. I was surprised to learn many of the characters (not Mimi) were based on real people. Near the end, I found some of the events too convenient; too coincidental to be believable. Although most stem from history, Skenandore does admit she adjusted the timeline to benefit the novel. Mimi has a short-term job as a night nurse, and her duties were more detailed than I expected. Then I learned the author is a registered nurse. It’s fun to read about topics you know the writer genuinely knows and cares about.
Overall, I would recommend this title to fans of historical fiction, those with an interest in reproductive rights or sociology, and readers who like strong female characters.
I’ve read plenty of historical fiction, and I was especially interested in this title because it’s a topic I haven't come across much before. The story centers on Mimi, a nurse, sister, and mother, who is at the heart of the abortion storyline without experiencing it herself. I liked how Skenandore chose a character who learns about the industry so we, the readers, can learn with her. However, I did think the emotions would hit harder if there were a 1st person narrator, rather than a 3rd person omniscient narrator.
As the storyline progresses, the web of characters slowly reveals different perspectives and reasons for assisting these women looking for help. No matter how you feel about abortion, I think the story is engrossing without being overtly political. The author’s note at the end explains how she wanted to provide a story about the pre-Roe v Wade era and the extensive research she put into the novel. I was surprised to learn many of the characters (not Mimi) were based on real people. Near the end, I found some of the events too convenient; too coincidental to be believable. Although most stem from history, Skenandore does admit she adjusted the timeline to benefit the novel. Mimi has a short-term job as a night nurse, and her duties were more detailed than I expected. Then I learned the author is a registered nurse. It’s fun to read about topics you know the writer genuinely knows and cares about.
Overall, I would recommend this title to fans of historical fiction, those with an interest in reproductive rights or sociology, and readers who like strong female characters.
March 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: I have read all of Skenandore's books. She is an amazing author no matter the setting of her novels. Her attention to historic facts and details, paired with her deep and realistic characters, make her books fascinating, suspenseful, and educational. This book was no different, although even more suspenseful than some of her others.
Mimi has to go back to working as a nurse in 1930's Chicago when her husband breaks his leg and is cut from the Chicago White Sox. She needs a job that pays well and isn't only night shifts. She is directed by a friend towards an office that seems too good to be true. It's a women's clinic where abortions are done. Mimi is horrified by this but they desperately need the money.
Over time, Mimi realizes the women who come there need help and in that time period help is hard to find. People are not always what they seem, and difficult choices abound. Mimi also creates relationships with the people in the office and those in the area who help them.
I read this book holding my breath at times. Mimi evolved into a brave, fierce woman who did what needed to be done, illegal or not. But it was stressful and illegal.
The majority of this book is based on a true clinic in Chicago in the 1930's and 40's. Many of Mimi's circle were real people and the consequences they faced actually occurred.
Another amazing book by Skenandore. I was immersed in the time period and in Mimi's life. This was a time and place where women were an afterthought but still had to run their families and survive. Having a choice about family, their bodies, and their futures is again a timely topic in this country. What happens when women loose autonomy and agency is devastating. This book spells it all out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance digital copy. These opinions are my own.
Mimi has to go back to working as a nurse in 1930's Chicago when her husband breaks his leg and is cut from the Chicago White Sox. She needs a job that pays well and isn't only night shifts. She is directed by a friend towards an office that seems too good to be true. It's a women's clinic where abortions are done. Mimi is horrified by this but they desperately need the money.
Over time, Mimi realizes the women who come there need help and in that time period help is hard to find. People are not always what they seem, and difficult choices abound. Mimi also creates relationships with the people in the office and those in the area who help them.
I read this book holding my breath at times. Mimi evolved into a brave, fierce woman who did what needed to be done, illegal or not. But it was stressful and illegal.
The majority of this book is based on a true clinic in Chicago in the 1930's and 40's. Many of Mimi's circle were real people and the consequences they faced actually occurred.
Another amazing book by Skenandore. I was immersed in the time period and in Mimi's life. This was a time and place where women were an afterthought but still had to run their families and survive. Having a choice about family, their bodies, and their futures is again a timely topic in this country. What happens when women loose autonomy and agency is devastating. This book spells it all out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance digital copy. These opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amanda Skenandore’s When No One Else Will is a work of historical fiction that reveals itself, almost stealthily, to be rooted in fact—a revelation that arrives only at the novel’s conclusion, and one that retroactively deepens its moral gravity. Had this truth been foregrounded, the reader might enter the narrative with a heightened awareness of its stakes; yet there is also something fitting in Skenandore’s choice. Like the hidden world she depicts, the story’s veracity emerges from the shadows, insisting on recognition only after one has already borne witness.
At the center is Mimi Lucas, initially rendered with almost archetypal precision: a 1930s Chicago housewife, hemmed in by economic hardship, familial obligation, and the quiet suffocations of expectation. Her husband, once a White Sox player, is reduced by injury and inertia, his thwarted masculinity curdling into despondency. Around them press the demands of survival—two children to feed, a critical Polish mother-in-law whose presence sharpens every domestic tension. Skenandore sketches this milieu with a careful eye for both cultural specificity and emotional claustrophobia, making Mimi’s eventual departure from it feel less like rebellion than necessity.
The novel’s moral fulcrum arrives when Mimi, prompted by a friend, seeks employment at what she believes to be a medical clinic, only to discover it is an illegal abortion practice. Here, Skenandore resists simplification. Mimi’s decision to remain is neither impulsive nor ideologically driven; it is instead born of a fraught calculus in which maternal duty, economic desperation, and ethical unease collide. The courage required is not the dramatic heroism of grand gestures, but the quieter, more corrosive kind—the willingness to inhabit ambiguity, to act in ways that may never be publicly defended.
What follows is a gradual, deeply human transformation. Mimi’s initial misgivings yield not to indifference, but to empathy. Skenandore is particularly adept at illuminating the patients who pass through the clinic’s doors: women from disparate circumstances, each carrying her own story of fear, coercion, or necessity. These are not abstractions or symbols, but individuals rendered with dignity and specificity. The clinic, precarious and illicit, becomes paradoxically a site of care—one in which practitioners, themselves vulnerable to legal and social ruin, strive to provide safety where none officially exists.
It is in this tension that the novel finds its greatest power. The practitioners operate under constant threat, their work sustained through bribery and subterfuge, their reputations—and freedom—perpetually at risk. Skenandore does not romanticize this world; rather, she underscores the steep personal cost of participation. To be involved is to live in a state of vigilance, to accept that one’s moral choices may be judged harshly by a society unwilling to acknowledge the conditions that necessitate them. The eventual courtroom drama crystallizes these tensions, bringing into stark relief the dissonance between law and lived reality, between public condemnation and private desperation.
Yet what lingers most is the novel’s profound empathy—not only for the women seeking care, but for those who provide it. Caregivers here are neither saints nor villains; they are individuals navigating an impossible terrain, attempting, however imperfectly, to alleviate suffering. Skenandore invites the reader to consider the emotional toll of such work: the accumulation of stories, the weight of responsibility, the knowledge that compassion itself can be criminalized.
The historical setting inevitably resonates with contemporary debates, though the novel refrains from overt didacticism. Instead, it offers a more enduring insight: that the intersection of medicine, morality, and law has long been fraught, and that those who step into its most contested spaces do so at significant personal risk. The “high price” paid by Mimi and her colleagues is not merely legal or social, but existential—the cost of living with choices that defy easy categorization.
When No One Else Will ultimately succeeds not because it argues a position, but because it enlarges the reader’s capacity for understanding. By the time its true-story origins are revealed, one recognizes that the narrative has already accomplished something rare: it has made visible a hidden history of courage and care, and in doing so, it asks us to reconsider the boundaries of both.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review
At the center is Mimi Lucas, initially rendered with almost archetypal precision: a 1930s Chicago housewife, hemmed in by economic hardship, familial obligation, and the quiet suffocations of expectation. Her husband, once a White Sox player, is reduced by injury and inertia, his thwarted masculinity curdling into despondency. Around them press the demands of survival—two children to feed, a critical Polish mother-in-law whose presence sharpens every domestic tension. Skenandore sketches this milieu with a careful eye for both cultural specificity and emotional claustrophobia, making Mimi’s eventual departure from it feel less like rebellion than necessity.
The novel’s moral fulcrum arrives when Mimi, prompted by a friend, seeks employment at what she believes to be a medical clinic, only to discover it is an illegal abortion practice. Here, Skenandore resists simplification. Mimi’s decision to remain is neither impulsive nor ideologically driven; it is instead born of a fraught calculus in which maternal duty, economic desperation, and ethical unease collide. The courage required is not the dramatic heroism of grand gestures, but the quieter, more corrosive kind—the willingness to inhabit ambiguity, to act in ways that may never be publicly defended.
What follows is a gradual, deeply human transformation. Mimi’s initial misgivings yield not to indifference, but to empathy. Skenandore is particularly adept at illuminating the patients who pass through the clinic’s doors: women from disparate circumstances, each carrying her own story of fear, coercion, or necessity. These are not abstractions or symbols, but individuals rendered with dignity and specificity. The clinic, precarious and illicit, becomes paradoxically a site of care—one in which practitioners, themselves vulnerable to legal and social ruin, strive to provide safety where none officially exists.
It is in this tension that the novel finds its greatest power. The practitioners operate under constant threat, their work sustained through bribery and subterfuge, their reputations—and freedom—perpetually at risk. Skenandore does not romanticize this world; rather, she underscores the steep personal cost of participation. To be involved is to live in a state of vigilance, to accept that one’s moral choices may be judged harshly by a society unwilling to acknowledge the conditions that necessitate them. The eventual courtroom drama crystallizes these tensions, bringing into stark relief the dissonance between law and lived reality, between public condemnation and private desperation.
Yet what lingers most is the novel’s profound empathy—not only for the women seeking care, but for those who provide it. Caregivers here are neither saints nor villains; they are individuals navigating an impossible terrain, attempting, however imperfectly, to alleviate suffering. Skenandore invites the reader to consider the emotional toll of such work: the accumulation of stories, the weight of responsibility, the knowledge that compassion itself can be criminalized.
The historical setting inevitably resonates with contemporary debates, though the novel refrains from overt didacticism. Instead, it offers a more enduring insight: that the intersection of medicine, morality, and law has long been fraught, and that those who step into its most contested spaces do so at significant personal risk. The “high price” paid by Mimi and her colleagues is not merely legal or social, but existential—the cost of living with choices that defy easy categorization.
When No One Else Will ultimately succeeds not because it argues a position, but because it enlarges the reader’s capacity for understanding. By the time its true-story origins are revealed, one recognizes that the narrative has already accomplished something rare: it has made visible a hidden history of courage and care, and in doing so, it asks us to reconsider the boundaries of both.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review
March 2, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up!
A heartbreakingly beautiful look at courage and the "impossible" choices of 1930s women.
This book punched me right in the chest in the best way possible. Set against the backdrop of 1939 Chicago, it captures a suffocating era when a woman’s value was often reduced to her ability to cook meals and bear children—a time when society, the church, and even one’s own husband felt entitled to dictate a woman’s life.
The Story
Mimi Lukas is navigating a private war of her own. With her husband Stan’s baseball career sidelined by injury and their savings vanishing, Mimi decides to return to nursing. However, the job she finds is at Dr. Gabler’s clinic—an illegal women’s health center. Though it clashes with her religious upbringing, Mimi finds a clean, compassionate, and dignified sanctuary where women are finally treated as humans rather than problems to be solved.
What I Loved
The Emotional Depth: Mimi feels incredibly real. Her inner turmoil is raw and palpable; you can almost hear her thinking as she balances the "legal" against the "necessary."
The Historical Atmosphere: The author perfectly illustrates the systemic walls women were up against—the fragile male egos, the legal systems designed to crush autonomy, and the weight of "secrecy."
The Bond of Sisterhood: Amidst the danger and the frustration, the kinship Mimi finds with her colleagues and the quiet strength of the patients is the true heart of the story.
Final Thoughts
This is more than just a historical novel; it’s a timely reminder of how hard-won our rights are and how easily they can be threatened. It is poignant, insightful, and deeply human. Mimi’s journey from "staying small" to embracing her own moral compass stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
Absolutely worth the read. Thank you Netgalley!!!
A heartbreakingly beautiful look at courage and the "impossible" choices of 1930s women.
This book punched me right in the chest in the best way possible. Set against the backdrop of 1939 Chicago, it captures a suffocating era when a woman’s value was often reduced to her ability to cook meals and bear children—a time when society, the church, and even one’s own husband felt entitled to dictate a woman’s life.
The Story
Mimi Lukas is navigating a private war of her own. With her husband Stan’s baseball career sidelined by injury and their savings vanishing, Mimi decides to return to nursing. However, the job she finds is at Dr. Gabler’s clinic—an illegal women’s health center. Though it clashes with her religious upbringing, Mimi finds a clean, compassionate, and dignified sanctuary where women are finally treated as humans rather than problems to be solved.
What I Loved
The Emotional Depth: Mimi feels incredibly real. Her inner turmoil is raw and palpable; you can almost hear her thinking as she balances the "legal" against the "necessary."
The Historical Atmosphere: The author perfectly illustrates the systemic walls women were up against—the fragile male egos, the legal systems designed to crush autonomy, and the weight of "secrecy."
The Bond of Sisterhood: Amidst the danger and the frustration, the kinship Mimi finds with her colleagues and the quiet strength of the patients is the true heart of the story.
Final Thoughts
This is more than just a historical novel; it’s a timely reminder of how hard-won our rights are and how easily they can be threatened. It is poignant, insightful, and deeply human. Mimi’s journey from "staying small" to embracing her own moral compass stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
Absolutely worth the read. Thank you Netgalley!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Have you ever started something only because you had to, only to realize you had built it up into something very different in your mind?
Mimi is a housewife and trained nurse, married to Stan, a baseball player in the 1930s. When Stan breaks his leg, their comfortable life quickly shifts, and Mimi has to return to work. After being out of the field for so long, she struggles to find a job, and when she finally does, she feels out of practice and unsure of her skills.
She ends up being referred to an abortion clinic, something she strongly questions. It is illegal and goes against what she believes. But the need to support her family ultimately outweighs her hesitation.
As Mimi settles into the job, she begins to better understand the women who come through the clinic. What once felt completely outside of her comfort zone becomes more complex. She forms connections, makes friends, gains perspective, and starts to see the reality behind the choices these women are making.
As time goes on, the work becomes more dangerous, and Mimi is faced with difficult decisions that could carry real consequences.
Mimi is a layered character, and her story really highlights what it meant to be a woman in the 1930s and early 1940s. There is the expectation to be a devoted wife and mother, but also the lean towards independence and the satisfaction of being able to provide.
Overall, this was a beautifully done story. It takes on a controversial topic and approaches it in a way that feels honest and filled with emotion. If you enjoy historical fiction that focuses on lesser told stories based on real life struggles, this is one worth picking up.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ability to read and review When No One Else Will as an ARC ebook.
Mimi is a housewife and trained nurse, married to Stan, a baseball player in the 1930s. When Stan breaks his leg, their comfortable life quickly shifts, and Mimi has to return to work. After being out of the field for so long, she struggles to find a job, and when she finally does, she feels out of practice and unsure of her skills.
She ends up being referred to an abortion clinic, something she strongly questions. It is illegal and goes against what she believes. But the need to support her family ultimately outweighs her hesitation.
As Mimi settles into the job, she begins to better understand the women who come through the clinic. What once felt completely outside of her comfort zone becomes more complex. She forms connections, makes friends, gains perspective, and starts to see the reality behind the choices these women are making.
As time goes on, the work becomes more dangerous, and Mimi is faced with difficult decisions that could carry real consequences.
Mimi is a layered character, and her story really highlights what it meant to be a woman in the 1930s and early 1940s. There is the expectation to be a devoted wife and mother, but also the lean towards independence and the satisfaction of being able to provide.
Overall, this was a beautifully done story. It takes on a controversial topic and approaches it in a way that feels honest and filled with emotion. If you enjoy historical fiction that focuses on lesser told stories based on real life struggles, this is one worth picking up.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ability to read and review When No One Else Will as an ARC ebook.
March 10, 2026
When Mimi Lukas’s husband’s baseball career comes to end thanks to his broken leg, she resumes her nursing career to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. But a woman who has been out of the profession for over ten years, it’s hard for Mimi to find a decent job . . . until a friend recommends her for a job at a women’s clinic. At first, Mimi is appalled. It’s 1939, and abortions are illegal. Torn between her beliefs and her obligations to her family, Mimi takes the nursing job. She soon learns that this is not a back-alley operation but a professionally run clinic. Mimi bonds with her coworkers and comes to commiserate with the women who are forced to seek out of the clinic’s services. Despite the bribes that are meant to keep the police away, the police raid the clinic and Mimi
Like all of Skenandore’s novels, WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL is beautifully written. Through Mimi, she shows the typical life of a housewife in the late 1930s. Mimi’s life revolves around her home and the family. Her husband is the family breadwinner. He handles the bills and makes the decisions for the family. After his injury, Stan falls into a deep depression. Mimi has no choice but to fall back on her nursing skills. Her moral opposition to abortion is a war with her need to take care of her family. As the story progresses and Mimi gets to know some of the women she’s helping, her opinion changes. For most of these women, having an abortion is the only option. This is a story about women helping other women survive in a world controlled by men.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Like all of Skenandore’s novels, WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL is beautifully written. Through Mimi, she shows the typical life of a housewife in the late 1930s. Mimi’s life revolves around her home and the family. Her husband is the family breadwinner. He handles the bills and makes the decisions for the family. After his injury, Stan falls into a deep depression. Mimi has no choice but to fall back on her nursing skills. Her moral opposition to abortion is a war with her need to take care of her family. As the story progresses and Mimi gets to know some of the women she’s helping, her opinion changes. For most of these women, having an abortion is the only option. This is a story about women helping other women survive in a world controlled by men.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gosh, I loved this book. Skenandore wrote about such sensitive and controversial topic with compassion and thoughtfulness. As a character, Mimi was well thought out. She faced real life struggles that were incredibly relevant to the time period. Skenandore really illustrated this and made the reader feel like they were right there with Mimi trying to decide between feeding her family, keeping their house, or participating in something she may not have agreed with at first.
I also cannot understate how BRAVE Skenandore’s characters are! They stood up for each other and their patients, even when doing the right thing came with consequences. I can’t imagine how difficult that decision would have been in a time where providing abortions was illegal and also would have come with social shunning as well. These nurses risked their livelihoods, careers, and their freedom to help women in need.
I also liked how the author included the whole sub plot with Stan and Mimi’s relationship. While Stan’s injury and subsequent behavior were the catalyst for Mimi to work at the clinic, I really felt for her as their relationship continued to deteriorate and she had to keep more and more secrets from him.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It really made me think about how far we have come in terms of access to abortion, yet how far we still have to go. It made me question what I would do if I was in Mimi’s shoes. If you’re looking for a thought provoking book based in reality, look no further. Amanda Skenandore has done it again. I love reading her books and this was no exception.
I also cannot understate how BRAVE Skenandore’s characters are! They stood up for each other and their patients, even when doing the right thing came with consequences. I can’t imagine how difficult that decision would have been in a time where providing abortions was illegal and also would have come with social shunning as well. These nurses risked their livelihoods, careers, and their freedom to help women in need.
I also liked how the author included the whole sub plot with Stan and Mimi’s relationship. While Stan’s injury and subsequent behavior were the catalyst for Mimi to work at the clinic, I really felt for her as their relationship continued to deteriorate and she had to keep more and more secrets from him.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It really made me think about how far we have come in terms of access to abortion, yet how far we still have to go. It made me question what I would do if I was in Mimi’s shoes. If you’re looking for a thought provoking book based in reality, look no further. Amanda Skenandore has done it again. I love reading her books and this was no exception.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Based on a true story, this novel, an excellent work of historical fiction, will rock you read it as it’s a thought-provoking novel of courage and the status of women’s health care in this country.
Mimi Lukas is facing deep financial questions for her family. Her husband, Stan, has suffered an injury and his once promising career in baseball could be over. She looks for work and by chance finds it in a clinic that performs illegal abortions - it’s 1939 Chicago. The job is enough to sustain her family and she takes the job though it is antithetical to her religion. She soon learns the women who come are more often than not married and burdened by care for them children they have and financially overwrought. The clinic offers dignity and compassion to these women who grapple with their decisions. Mimi feels invested with these women as she too struggles to care for her family. What follows is a true account of the work of Dr. Gabler’s clinic and the prosecution of the case by the State of Illinois.
The only fictional character in the book of the women who worked at the Dr. Gabler’s clinic is Mimi. As the Author’s Note indicates the names of the other women are the actual names of the women who were prosecuted or worked at the clinic. I liked Mimi. She seemed real and her struggle rang true. This is definitely a character driven novel and perfect for anyone interested in good historical fiction that is poignant and honest.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this book.
Mimi Lukas is facing deep financial questions for her family. Her husband, Stan, has suffered an injury and his once promising career in baseball could be over. She looks for work and by chance finds it in a clinic that performs illegal abortions - it’s 1939 Chicago. The job is enough to sustain her family and she takes the job though it is antithetical to her religion. She soon learns the women who come are more often than not married and burdened by care for them children they have and financially overwrought. The clinic offers dignity and compassion to these women who grapple with their decisions. Mimi feels invested with these women as she too struggles to care for her family. What follows is a true account of the work of Dr. Gabler’s clinic and the prosecution of the case by the State of Illinois.
The only fictional character in the book of the women who worked at the Dr. Gabler’s clinic is Mimi. As the Author’s Note indicates the names of the other women are the actual names of the women who were prosecuted or worked at the clinic. I liked Mimi. She seemed real and her struggle rang true. This is definitely a character driven novel and perfect for anyone interested in good historical fiction that is poignant and honest.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set against the looming shadow of WWII, Mimi Lukas’s journey is a masterclass in character development. What makes this story so gripping isn't just the high stakes of an illegal clinic, it’s the internal transformation of a woman caught between her religious upbringing and the raw, human needs she encounters in the clinic. The depiction of the "clean, bright, and welcoming" space challenges the gritty stereotypes of the era, focusing instead on the dignity and compassion offered to women in their most vulnerable moments.
What I Loved:
The Moral Nuance: Mimi’s struggle felt so authentic. She isn't a radical from page one; she’s a woman of faith and tradition who has her worldview shattered by the reality of women’s lives. Watching her evolve from hesitant to a fierce defender of her patients was deeply moving.
The Atmosphere of Secrecy: The author perfectly captured the tension of 1930s Chicago, the "turned blind eyes," the corruption, and the constant fear that the tide was about to turn. It felt like a ticking time bomb.
The Patients: I appreciated that the book showed the diversity of the women seeking help. It wasn't just a "young girl’s" problem; it was the reality for mothers and wives, which added a layer of systemic truth that is often missing from this genre.
I would like to thank to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this powerful novel.
What I Loved:
The Moral Nuance: Mimi’s struggle felt so authentic. She isn't a radical from page one; she’s a woman of faith and tradition who has her worldview shattered by the reality of women’s lives. Watching her evolve from hesitant to a fierce defender of her patients was deeply moving.
The Atmosphere of Secrecy: The author perfectly captured the tension of 1930s Chicago, the "turned blind eyes," the corruption, and the constant fear that the tide was about to turn. It felt like a ticking time bomb.
The Patients: I appreciated that the book showed the diversity of the women seeking help. It wasn't just a "young girl’s" problem; it was the reality for mothers and wives, which added a layer of systemic truth that is often missing from this genre.
I would like to thank to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this powerful novel.
May 9, 2026
My rating would be closer to four than to three, but I can’t do that here.
This is a historical fiction set in the U.S. when Europe was going through WWII.
It’s written in a third person perspective, and we follow the female main character called Mimi.
No other timelines which is a first for me as too previous historical novels I read.
Mimi is a nurse, yet she’s been the perfect stay at home mother for almost a decade.
She’s married to a sportsman, but due to an injury he can’t play therefore he’s not providing for his family.
As she witnesses their tenure of life drop, she fears they won’t be able to get by if she doesn’t go back to work.
One day she meets an old friend and fellow nurse who offers her an opportunity, which isn’t without risks.
She ends up accepting it as she sees no other choice to care for her family.
Her choice is attached to other women’s choice which is quite ironic.
Despair, fear and the feeling of having no other choice can make you do things you wouldn’t to if circumstances were different.
And women have been taken grave decisions since centuries, feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Yet even now in the twenty-first century the question of a woman’s right to choose is still an open one.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me this opportunity.
This is a historical fiction set in the U.S. when Europe was going through WWII.
It’s written in a third person perspective, and we follow the female main character called Mimi.
No other timelines which is a first for me as too previous historical novels I read.
Mimi is a nurse, yet she’s been the perfect stay at home mother for almost a decade.
She’s married to a sportsman, but due to an injury he can’t play therefore he’s not providing for his family.
As she witnesses their tenure of life drop, she fears they won’t be able to get by if she doesn’t go back to work.
One day she meets an old friend and fellow nurse who offers her an opportunity, which isn’t without risks.
She ends up accepting it as she sees no other choice to care for her family.
Her choice is attached to other women’s choice which is quite ironic.
Despair, fear and the feeling of having no other choice can make you do things you wouldn’t to if circumstances were different.
And women have been taken grave decisions since centuries, feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Yet even now in the twenty-first century the question of a woman’s right to choose is still an open one.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wasn't sure I wanted to start off a new year with a book about a heavy, controversial topic like abortion, but WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL pulled me in and kept me reading. Mimi is a sympathetic character, whose worries and challenges make her relatable. Her compassion and bravery make her admirable. I cared about her plight, and wanted her story to have a happy ending. Although I felt invested in Mimi's tale, the plot of the novel drags a bit, mostly because it's episodic more than driven by a compelling character goal. The author's note at the end mentions that the novel is based on real people and events, which explains some of the plot points, but still, it could have been tighter, which would have made the book more engrossing. On the whole, though, I found WHEN NO ONE ELSE interesting and thought-provoking. As you can imagine, it's not a gentle or cheery read. It deals with big issues that can be uncomfortable, heartbreaking, and triggering. If your book club can handle this kind of read, it would make for a rousing book club discussion. In the end, I found the novel worth the read, even though I can't say I loved it. It's the kind that will stick with me, though.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I rounded up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (1 F-bomb, plus occasional milder invectives), violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I rounded up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (1 F-bomb, plus occasional milder invectives), violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
January 18, 2026
Title: When No One Else Will
Author: Amanda Skenandore
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One woman takes on the financial responsibility for her family in the late 1930s after her baseball playing husband gets injured, ending his career. The catch? Her nursing job is secretive because of the illegal medical procedure the doctor performs.
Takeaways:
1. Trigger warnings: This is a story about abortions being performed on women in Chicago. Suicide is also mentioned in this book.
2. Skenandore did amazing research with this one. Well written and not too graphic given the topic.
3. The heart of this story is Mimi. She has her internal batțles of taking the job or not. She deals with supporting her household in light of her husband’s depression over the end of his career. she struggles with what happened with her older sister years ago and the impact it makes on her decisions regarding the choices she makes regarding the job at the clinic. Ultimate he realizes how she needs to stay true to herself and the life she’s built.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Publishing Corp for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 26, 2026.
#arc #netgalley #bookstagram @kensingtonbooks #whennooneelsewill @amandaskenandore
Author: Amanda Skenandore
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One woman takes on the financial responsibility for her family in the late 1930s after her baseball playing husband gets injured, ending his career. The catch? Her nursing job is secretive because of the illegal medical procedure the doctor performs.
Takeaways:
1. Trigger warnings: This is a story about abortions being performed on women in Chicago. Suicide is also mentioned in this book.
2. Skenandore did amazing research with this one. Well written and not too graphic given the topic.
3. The heart of this story is Mimi. She has her internal batțles of taking the job or not. She deals with supporting her household in light of her husband’s depression over the end of his career. she struggles with what happened with her older sister years ago and the impact it makes on her decisions regarding the choices she makes regarding the job at the clinic. Ultimate he realizes how she needs to stay true to herself and the life she’s built.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Publishing Corp for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 26, 2026.
#arc #netgalley #bookstagram @kensingtonbooks #whennooneelsewill @amandaskenandore
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In late-1930s Chicago, Mimi is a wife and mother and proud of it. Her husband, Stan, was a popular White Sox baseball player until an injury takes him off the field. When money runs low, Mimi is forced to return to work but it’s been ten years since she last worked as a nurse. Jobs are difficult to come by and Mimi’s family is barely scraping by. When an old nursing school classmate tells her about a job opening, Mimi jumps for it so relieved. Until she learns that it's a clinic providing illegal abortions.
In a time when a woman must have her husband's permission to get birth control and her primary duty is raising her family even when her husband is unable to work, Mimi's choices are difficult. Her husband is depressed in a time when depression isn't spoken of. She has to come to terms with her own beliefs and the work she is doing, while keeping home for her family.
I had no idea until the author's note that the novel is based on a true story, which makes it even more powerful. This is a complex novel about an issue that is unfortunately timely once again. An important and fantastic read, and it will be amazing for book club discussions.
In a time when a woman must have her husband's permission to get birth control and her primary duty is raising her family even when her husband is unable to work, Mimi's choices are difficult. Her husband is depressed in a time when depression isn't spoken of. She has to come to terms with her own beliefs and the work she is doing, while keeping home for her family.
I had no idea until the author's note that the novel is based on a true story, which makes it even more powerful. This is a complex novel about an issue that is unfortunately timely once again. An important and fantastic read, and it will be amazing for book club discussions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Pub for this ARC. 1930 - Mimi Lukas has to go back to work after her White Sox baseball player husband is injured and most likely has to retire. As a nurse and being out of the field for more than 10 years, it is almost impossible to find a position. After a particularly grueling day at work where she was subsequently fired from a menial position, she ran into her nursing school friend that handed her an address. She said, if you need a job, this is the place. She goes to the address only to find out it is an illegal abortion clinic. Needing the money more than anything, she decides to take the job. What follows is nothing short of enlightening trouble. No matter your opinion of this subject, the truth and facts are still the same. Really good read as all of Amanda Skenandore's books are. #WhenNoOneElseWill #AmandaSkenandore #KensingtonBooks #May2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel shines a light on an important and lesser-known aspect of medical history, and it’s clear that a great deal of research and care went into the setting and subject matter. The themes of compassion, service, and moral responsibility are handled with sensitivity and respect.
For me, the story moved at a slower pace, and while I appreciated the quiet, reflective tone, I found it difficult to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections felt repetitive, and I wished for more narrative tension or emotional momentum to keep the plot moving.
Overall, When No One Else Will is a thoughtful and well-researched historical novel that will likely resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven, contemplative stories. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I can see it appealing to fans of gentle, introspective historical fiction.
For me, the story moved at a slower pace, and while I appreciated the quiet, reflective tone, I found it difficult to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections felt repetitive, and I wished for more narrative tension or emotional momentum to keep the plot moving.
Overall, When No One Else Will is a thoughtful and well-researched historical novel that will likely resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven, contemplative stories. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I can see it appealing to fans of gentle, introspective historical fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I’m a sucker for any medical story/history/mystery as a retired nurse. This book delves into abortions in the 1930-1940s. A nurse, trying to put food on the table, makes a decision to work for an abortion clinic. Her husband was not able to work and was living in his own world. Mimi was a very strong female character that had really hard decisions to make. She also had a history of living with guilt exposing her own sister’s teenage pregnancy. Life isn’t always fair and as Amanda Skenandore states in the book, “I believe we must know our past to fully understand our present. If you are not familiar with this time in history, women fighting for control of their reproductive rights, I think you’ll find this a good read. Definitely recommended. I really enjoy this author’s style of writing. Thank you for the ARC through Goodreads giveaway. Penguin Random House.
November 19, 2025
This is a very heavy and dark historical fiction about abortion and the clinicians that performed illegal procedures during the 1930s and 1940s. This story is pretty raw and is definitely a topic that is still quite controversial even in today's society. I, myself, found this book very solid and endearing and at times, emotional and heart wrenching. This may not be a read for everyone especially when it comes to the sociologically issue and stances on abortion, I would recommend this story and have the reader make their own judgements and maybe have an unbiased take before reading it.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Riveting story told in a straight forward and strong voice. The storyline is based on a real abortion clinic in 1930s downtown Chicago but features a fictional nurse, Mimi who works there. We read of a broad base of women's struggles, desperation, loyalty, friendshipand most importantlytheir strengths . I started reading this well researched book and couldn't put it down even though way past my bedtime, until I learned the how Mimi fared in the end.
I thank the author for writing this book as the research must have had her reading far too many maddening and sad articles.
I aloo thank the publisher Kensington for the ARC and for publishing this book. They have been in the forefront of finding historical events which need to be brought to light.
I thank the author for writing this book as the research must have had her reading far too many maddening and sad articles.
I aloo thank the publisher Kensington for the ARC and for publishing this book. They have been in the forefront of finding historical events which need to be brought to light.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another amazing historical fiction from Amanda Skenandore! I became hooked on her when I read THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST. She writes engaging and powerful stories of women and their impact on history. She also chooses unique historical events which is always fun to read.
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL takes place in late 1939 into the 1940s where we meet Mimi, a wife, mother, and nurse who must return to the workforce when her baseball player husband becomes injured. Circumstances find her taking a nursing position at an illegal abortion clinic.
As with Amanda's books, I was engaged from the very start. And events escalate about 2/3 of the way into the book. Plus read the author's notes, they are very interesting to the story!
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL takes place in late 1939 into the 1940s where we meet Mimi, a wife, mother, and nurse who must return to the workforce when her baseball player husband becomes injured. Circumstances find her taking a nursing position at an illegal abortion clinic.
As with Amanda's books, I was engaged from the very start. And events escalate about 2/3 of the way into the book. Plus read the author's notes, they are very interesting to the story!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a beautifully written, entertaining, historical fiction novel which is based on actual people and events. It has a likable, courageous female protagonist whose life parallels that of her sister, and vividly describes the heartbreak, suffering and horror surrounding this story, ending with a hopeful conclusion. I especially liked its themes of female empowerment, sisterhood, and the unbreakable bond between sisters, and its secondary theme of professional baseball. The author's note is enlightening and is truly appreciated. I am grateful to Kensington Books, NetGalley, and Amanda Skenandore for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this compelling book. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At first, I thought this was just a good story about a woman down on her luck in 1940's Chicago. As I read, I realized it was so much more. Mimi Lukas is a nurse looking for a way to support her family. She lands a good job, but soon realizes the clinic performs illegal abortions. Despite her misgivings, she becomes one of the best employees at the clinic. Her values and loyalty are tested time and again. She is also facing some hard problems at home-her husband is injured and out of work, and her mother-in-law is very judgmental. I liked the way the character of Mimi grew throughout the book. This story is also based on a real clinic that existed in Chicago. at this time. The author has created an excellent story that pulls at your heart strings. I highly recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance reader copy of this book. An excellent look into the world of abortion providers in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Based on an actual case in the early 1940s it delves into the lack of autonomy and control women had over their bodies and lives in a time where birth control was both frowned upon and difficult to access. The book seems well researched and depicts the issues women face every day. I was pulled into the story from the first chapter. The story follows a reluctant nurse who begins her involvement out of desperation to support her family after her husband’s injury but evolves into her understanding of why choice for women matters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a difficult book to read, which I was expecting, for several reasons. Obviously, the first being the main focus of the story. Although I have my own feelings on the circumstances, I can’t help feeling bad for Mimi. She truly thought she did not have any other job options available, and needed to provide for her family. I do think Daniel took advantage of Mimi, and even of Ada. The writing was good. My only complaint is the ending. It just felt very cut off. I’d love to know if they won their appeal, if Mimi and Stan stayed married, etc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital ARC of this novel from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I found myself connecting with each of the characters right away. I do think this is an important novel to read. The author states in her Author's Note, that the novel is based on true events in a clinic in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s, and a trial that followed. I do wish that this information was shared at the beginning of the novel instead of at the end.
I found myself connecting with each of the characters right away. I do think this is an important novel to read. The author states in her Author's Note, that the novel is based on true events in a clinic in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s, and a trial that followed. I do wish that this information was shared at the beginning of the novel instead of at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A gripping story of a pre-Roe era, where abortion is illegal and bribes are a commodity. When her family falls on tough times, Mimi goes back to work as a nurse at Chicago Memorial hospital, but is soon let go. Struggling to find another position, she’s given the name of a clinic only to find out they perform illegal abortions. Based on a true story, Mimi struggles with regret, hardship, family values and women’s right. Her conviction to help the women in need is a true testament to sisterhood and personal sacrifice for the greater good.
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February 28, 2026I dream by comfort zoon
from zyro point i come now
my battle with illagable and restself
escap from somthing cant solv
to best i fight
for thee i work
its msg to learn surviv
at danger line i dance my chalang
the first fear was chang the page of my life
at unperfct life my dream add more peace to me
belife was gd succes and ecsited
drink my fear and walk to cure who around
go far from minous i walk long road
pray to love
from zyro point i come now
my battle with illagable and restself
escap from somthing cant solv
to best i fight
for thee i work
its msg to learn surviv
at danger line i dance my chalang
the first fear was chang the page of my life
at unperfct life my dream add more peace to me
belife was gd succes and ecsited
drink my fear and walk to cure who around
go far from minous i walk long road
pray to love
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews