The Life I Stole is a super story of two friends, Isobel McIntyre and Agnes Crawford. They come from very different backgrounds yet their friendship is solid. When tragedy strikes, Agnes takes on her friends’ identity changing her life completely. Lies grow day by day as she tries to maintain her secret and fit in and she fears that lasting love can never be found.
Set in the early 1950’s in the infant years of the National Health Service, this story also tells of the struggles female medical students had to endure as they entered a predominantly male environment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book that held my attention throughout with its interesting characters and captivating storyline.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Headline for the advanced digital copy .3 s Emma Hardy1,139 68

This set me up in post war Britain immediately. I got the sense of place and time from the off and felt immersed into that world with ease. I must admit that I hadn't really considered that structural buildings would still be at risk and this made me for not only interesting reading but a great plot point to move on this story.

Initially I was worried that this may seem a tad too far fetched, but the author makes this believable and convincing. I d Agnes' guilt throughout which made her more personable as the main character.

A good storyline that was well paced and I did wonder how all of this may get to its resolution. Fascinating and sharp.3 s Karen932 549

Full review to follow but a really enjoyable read2 s Susan Haggard1 review1 follower

Excellent!

I could not put this book down. I hated to get to the end because I would've enjoyed reading this story for days. Beautifully written; I am a new fan!2 s Elaine C.302 7

Set in England during the 1950s, this is the story of Agnes Crawford. At age 10, during WWII, Agnes was sent out of London to the safety of the country to live with the McIntyre family. After the war, she stayed on as their maid, but when tragedy struck, Agnes was faced with a crossroads! It wasn’t easy, but once she made her choice, she worked hard to achieve her dreams … until that fateful day when another crossroads was put into her path! As the tension mounts, Agnes begins to question who she really is and what life she really wants to live. How will she choose? Will she carry on as before, or will she put everything she has worked so hard for at risk? This story is one of discrimination, changing times, determination and hard work, alongside young love, heartache, loss, grief and redemption!!!1 Sue Rouse134 5

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I wasn’t disappointed. Agnes is a maid but best friends with Isobel. As they go to a bank an explosion occurs Isobel is killed. Her final words to Agnes is that she takes her place at uni and medical training. Can Agnes carry this off especially as she starts to have feelings for someone close. A fantastic storyline and characters. Thanks to Nikola. 1 Nicola Smith1,003 36

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 d 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. Patricia Williams165 6

An interesting read dealing with women's roles in the post second world war years. Especially in the new NHS. Agnes a maid has the chance to become a doctor when her friend and mistress is killed. She takes her identity and her university place and works her way through the prejudices facing women medical students in the early 1950s. Along the way she makes discoveries about her personal life that rock her world and everything she thought she knew. Ultimately she has to decide if she can continue to live a lie in light of what she finds out or if she needs to come clean and revert to her true identity with all the ensuing consequences.
An easy read. Well researched. I would happily recommend this book. 4*
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Sanford Cohn50

Great read a real page turner

Great read a real page turner, lot a twists and turns. it was hard to A down at times. . The aurhor is a great story teller, has a way with words and paints a picture so well you think your write there living with them. It had an amazing number twist and turns that I just didn't see coming, it was frustrating at times , but it had a satisfying ending. I really kept looking forward to the next reading section of it. Agnes finally realized "the true would set her free". Robin Ofsonka192 3

Women's Rights

I didn't think I would enjoy this story, but the more I read the better it became.
The story of a little girl lost and the woman she had become. Searching for answers and the lies she hid behind to find them. The truth revealed that destroyed the lives of the mom she barely knew and the father she never knew. This being done by her mom's friend.
Will she be able to forgive her and will she be forgiven for the lie she was living. Carole A Murano1 review

Kept my interest,

That's very interesting Always kept me wondering what was going to happen next Give me knowledge of things that did happen so close To home And how women had to struggle to get where we are today not that that is good but it's not bad either and thankful that I have the opportunity to read it and will tell others about how good it really was and I just thank you and hope that you have more successful books this Mss Carole Maryellen Andersen14

This very fast moving novel highlighted the views of the health care system with regards to female doctors. A wonderful story of love, acceptance of others,breaking down the gender barriors, and economic status not only of this book settibg, but even now a day beliefs. Agnes (Isobel) not only fulfilled her friend 's dreams, but also was able to unravel thr unanswered questions about her own status in society. Teresa Burrows2

Gripping

I loved this book ! The author brings the characters to life as you follow the life of Agnes. The book is not predictable thus keeping my interest. It could have gone soft but stayed true to the times. It was tough and inspiring and heartbreaking - then heartwarming. I love historical fiction and I will read more of this author's books - she does a wonderful job of putting you in the era. Sally Spoelstra325 1 follower

The Life I Stole

The novel started slowly and I put it aside for a time. Coming back to it, I really gave it time reading several chapters. I got exciting and I couldn’t put it down.
I recommend it. The story is told well and the author obviously did much research. It feels real. Dawn Jolin13

Just ok

Took a long time for it to get interesting and hold my attention. The beginning hooked me but the middle was dull and boring for me. Could have skipped to last few chapters for it to hold my attention again. Michelle Irwin250 5

Deceiving

The book starts out with a bang and then settles into boring day to day life of students in a hospital, but do hang on, because once she dares to take chances with her new identity it gets really good. Faith152

Was an enjoyable read. I got a little muddled with the characters but that didn’t stop me enjoying reading it. Collette Mcgaahan888 5

I enjoyed this more than I thought when I started reading it. There’s nothing very troubling in it probably because it’s set not long after the Second World War but enough drama to hold your interest Nichola Theobald180

A really enjoyable read about post war britain; tackling social injustice, love, secrets and thr early years of the NHS Candace Field23 2

Enjoyable but predictable Savannah English41

Lovely little read. Can’t fault it. Kathryn261 4

Fascinating book. I enjoyed every minute. Jackie776 9

I found it very long winded and boring. The storyline was not consistent with a timeline. Kathryn Curran156 2

Enjoyable read. Kris Mac6

Great read! Easy and quick. I got emotionally invested in this one! Diane Uihlein15

interesting scenario

To leave yourself behind & enter an unknown world with restrictions & failures. You must be determined to succeed and no fear of failure. Stephanie H.2

Wonderfully Crafted Read

Loved the historical details embedded in the intertwined story of the respective characters! Kept a good pace up through the whole book. Jessica Vesey2

A surprisingly complex plot for a historical fiction romance novel. Highly recommend! Sheelagh23

Lovely story

This was a wonderful story...I wish it had continued on further as I wasn't ready for it to end yet. Megan11

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