The Life I Stole is set in 1953 and follows a young woman named Isobel who is training to be a doctor. Not only is this a challenge due to the expectation that women should not really progress to the higher ranks of medicine, but also because Isobel is living a lie. She's not who she says she is, having grabbed an opportunity to live another woman's life, and in turn take that woman's place to study to be a doctor. I realise that this doesn't portray Isobel in a particularly good light but, without giving any spoilers, the opportunity doesn't hurt anybody and it gives her a chance to break away from a life that had far fewer prospects.

I always enjoy Nikola Scott's books and I enjoyed The Life I Stole very much indeed. The story is narrated by Isobel and I liked seeing it unfold from her point of view. I especially relished the interesting scenes at the hospital following a consultant on his rounds, or those where she was out helping to save lives in the community. I loved Isobel's feisty nature that couldn't help but present itself, even when she knew she should be quiet and fade into the background.

Add some family intrigue, a potential love interest and some fascinating more minor characters and it makes for a really lovely and absorbing work of historical fiction. The early 1953s were an exciting time for medicine in Britain as the NHS, in its infancy, offered treatment to those for whom it had previously been unobtainable or too expensive. Scott has clearly done plenty of research and reading to get the facts right. A storyline packed with secrets, a spirited protagonist and a fascinating medical backdrop made this an excellent read for me. ( )