Amidst the turmoil of Occupied Paris, 25-year-old teacher Jane Smith is tested as she discovers that sometimes doing the right thing requires breaking rules when her Aunt Mathilde draws her into the dangerous task of smuggling Jewish girls out of France. Adding another layer of danger, the school's doctor seeks Jane's help in providing abortions, thrusting her into a clandestine world.

Jane embarks on a mission to provide care for those marginalized by society, from migrant workers in California, to women in post-war Japan. When she enlists in the Navy, Jane falls in love with an admiral's daughter, adding another secret and another rule broken.

In this first book of a trilogy that spans decades and continents, Jane's journey paints a vivid portrait of essential care given without permission, without authority, and without apology. Without Permission is a poignant tale of love, the power and peril of secrets, and the emotional and spiritual essence of abortion care. Jane's enduring quest for justice offers a window into the resilience and courage of women who live outside of the laws of men.