Hillary Rodham was plain, studious and determined at college and, when she also displayed leadership qualities, she drew the attention of the dashing, charismatic, high-achieving Bill Clinton. She enjoyed their ensuing romance, but when he asked her to marry him, she said no.

Instead of making a formidable political partnership, then, Hillary goes it alone.

And the author speculates on what that life and career might have looked like.

In doing so, we are treated to a novel centred around an intelligent, single-minded, ambitious woman, without the usual preoccupation with love and relationships. There are liaisons, of course, and the shadow of Bill is ever present, but I thought this an empowering read.

My political knowledge isn't great, so I wasn't aware of the significance of some of the other players in the story, and I did feel rather uncomfortable about reading a fictionalised life of a living person. But overall, I found this an energising, thought-provoking and stimulating read. I very much enjoyed it.