I’m very sorry but I really did not enjoy this book one little bit.

From the cover and the blurb, I was expecting something light-hearted and quite fun to read but it was nothing like that at all. None of the characters ever seemed to interact so there was really no plot. There were lots of times when I had no idea what was going on or even who was narrating - I still don’t know who narrated the chink about being at university with Beadle and didn’t work out who Beadle was either until much later when it said Ruth’s full name. I don’t know what the point of the stream of consciousness sections was.

I am a very optimistic person and I usually try to find at least something positive to say but I’m afraid this really wasn’t one for me.

It's great to be in a position to recommend much more diverse books to our young people at school. Building the senior school library as a place where students actually come and find books that they want to read as opposed to books that teachers think they ought to read is an important responsibility and one we take really seriously.
Books like this are such a positive move as they will appeal to a broader set of readers than we are usually attracting. Dealing with modern issues in a clear and captivating way with a strong narrative voice and characters that the students can relate to is critical as we move forwards. This book is both an intelligent and compelling read that will hold even the most reluctant reader's attention and keep them turning the pages long into the night. It keeps the reader on their toes and ensures that you give it your full attention too. I found myself thinking about its characters and events even when I wasn't reading it and looking forward to snatching kore time with it and I hope that my students feel the same. An accessible, gripping and engrossing read that I can't recommend highly enough. Will absolutely be buying a copy for the library and heartily recommending it to both staff and students.

I had high hopes for this book from the blurb but unfortunately I found it difficult to get into and it wasn't for me.

Shelf Life is the story of Ruth, a woman in her thirties who has just been dumped by her fiancee. All he left behind was a shopping list and the novel uses this list to explore Ruth's life.

Told in varies formats (stream-of-consciousness in the present, a series of text messages in the past, mixing more straight forward narrations with vague ones) and from different perspectives (mainly Ruth’s perspective in first person, but also parts narrated from Neil’s perspectives, parts in second person, parts in first person plural), this book is a portrait of a woman who was very much broken before she met the awful man and became more so during the course of a fairly horrible relationship.

The book is interesting from a structural point of view but suffers a little from a lack of real insight into Ruth and her reasonings. Definitely interesting though and an author to watch.

I highly recommend this unique story of a ruined relationship and the rebuilding of the life of Ruth.
Using ingredients as signposts for a journey, the reader is taken through an emotional period of growth which is often heartbreaking, funny, and exceptionally real.

Thank you, but not one for me didn't even get half way through found this boring and didn't like the writing style so gave up.

This was a good read; well-written and moving. Unexpectedly good; the slow start builds up and I couldn't put it down. Would recommend.

Shelf Life is a fascinating novel that follows Ruth who is coming to terms with her fiance breaking up with her. She finds a shopping list that is the only thing left of him in their home and the novel then is told in chapters headed by each item on the list. Shelf Life really captures life, and it does it in all its glory – there is humour and heartbreak all mixed in together.

A great book from Livia Franchini. I’ve never read a book by this author before and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The characters were well thought out and the story was well paced.

This was a strange one. It sounds brilliant, starts interestingly but just nothing after that? It's clearly not my cup of tea so I didn't finish it unfortunately.

I read half of this book and then gave up, I skim read most of what I did read! Not for me unfortunately, sorry!

I loved the sound of this book from the description, but found it hard to get into and couldn't relate to the main character. Sorry to say even though I loved the books others claim its like, I struggled to like thiis one.

Some books, no matter how novel or quirky or innovative in style, just don't peak your interest. I was taken in by the description, but quickly realised that with the little time I have to read fiction, I should stick to what I know I enjoy intensely, psychological thrillers. This is not a bad review of the author or the book, but a realisation that I shouldn't venture out of my comfort zone of what pleases me when I have a few hours to spare and can be swept into an alternative reality. This simply didn't do it for me. If the first line of my review is a description that draws you in, then you should most definitely read this book.

Wanted to enjoy it but found it slightly boring, sorry! I read the blurb and thought it sounded great but it just wasn’t for me ☹️

A story about a young woman suffering from the breakup of her long term relationship. I found the characters dislikeable and lacking in depth and the ending was unsatisfactory.

just couldn't get 100% on board with this one. Even though it was cleverly written it just felt lacking throughout and I found it really hard to get through. The actual layout and font of each section fuddled my brain, nothing seemed to flow properly but hopefully all that will be ironed out before print. The actual premise of the book really intrigued me but once I started reading I found it quite boring, my mind ended up wandering and thinking if my own shopping list! It was just confusing, disjointed and there were parts, like Neil's emails, that dudmt actually add anything to the book what do ever. The idea if the book was brilliant but on paper it just didnt work for me.

Shelf Life is a beautifully written novel that talks about a breakup, and its consequences in the protagonists life.
It seems like a simple and light read, but it isn't anything like that, especially the ending, which really surprised me.
Although there is no definite ending to this book, the breakup is just the event that puts the whole novel in motion: it deeply affects the protagonist, but this book is about so much more.

I did not love when the author talks about Ruth's dreams, I found it pretty pointless.
Nonetheless, it was a really good novel, which I would've definitely bought or I would gift.

Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really wanted to enjoy this novel, and could definitely see shades of Sally Rooney's Normal People in both the narrator and the plot. Unfortunately, for me the novel was missing something. I couldn't easily relate to the characters, nor did I really see a clear plot arc to make this a satisfying, engaging read

A woman goes through a break-up via the shopping list pinned to her fridge. Unusual concept.
The title of each chapter is one of the items on the list. Mainly food but always something ordinary and mundane. The connection is equally ordinary and mundane.

Narrated by the woman in the majority of chapters, interspersed with a couple from the ex-boyfriend, friend and a bunch of people referred to as the 'Girls', the story flits from schooldays internet banter to the early days of the relationship to the aftermath of the break-up. What we learn from this is that the woman is passive and prepared to go along with the wishes of everyone else. Aspects of her personality are selected as needed, like taking from a shelf. In effect, this is the story of identity and how the protagonist attempts to forge one when she finds herself alone.

There is nothing dramatic or even slightly significant in this story to demonstrate how an identity is being formed or reclaimed. Page after page of dull shopping trips and emptying bedpans strain to hold the attention. Francini writes well but the content is way too drab.
#NetGalley #ShelfLife

This book will delight Sally Rooney fans. Shelf Life, a story of a woman trying to rebuild her life after a break up from her boyfriend. Ruth is left behind in the flat, her boyfriend taking all of his belongings. She no longer feels like herself, she is alone, abandoned - he anchored her to life and all he left was a shopping list. Using that shopping list as chapter headings, she slowly starts to build her life - trying to be more present at her care home job, making an effort with the complicated friendships she has, trying to overcome an eating disorder. We see a passive character trying to take back control. The book is broken up with text messages, emails, stream of consciousness, a change in perspective from her boyfriend - all showing how she is broken inside and not being able to focus on one narrative. There are also descriptions of strange dreams which didn't really work for me. Yet, I liked the rest of the book, and I liked that the ending wasn't usual for this type of story - she isn't rescued by another, more improved man.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book.