Unfortunately, I made it through until the premise was revealed (chapter 5) but couldn't stop being angry so had to stop reading. Fairly well written. I imagine I'd probably have enjoyed it if I could force myself to read further.

As someone who loves a bit of reality tv, and who watched all the early series of Big Brother, I was intrigued by the concept of The Shelf.  The main character Amy finds herself dumped on live tv and on a reality tv show in a "Big Brother" type house where she and five other women compete in a series of challenges to work on themselves, with the winner getting £1m.

A fun, easy read, this also deals with some topical issues - reality tv and the power of social media - from an interestingly feminist perspective.  Over the course of the book the very different woman form strong bonds whilst learning about themselves and ultimately the message is all about acceptance, learning to love yourself and not to succumb to external pressures. As a book it is both funny and clever and well worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Amy thinks her boyfriend is going to propose when he tells her to pack a suitcase. She doesn't realise that he's putting her on a reality show called The Shelf to publicly dump her. Very different book and didn't know whether I would like it but you soon get engrossed in all the participants.

This book is a triumph in the Women's Fiction genre! Lighthearted, fast paced and easy to read, yet explores some very important, close to home topics. Very timely look into our television habits, attitudes towards women and dating. I look forward to reading more from Helly Acton!

Okay, that book touched way too many close-to-home subjects and I loved it. It was funny and smart and I am so glad I requested this read.

A light hearted, fast paced and funny read that was thought provoking at the same time. It really highlights the problems in society today especially in regards to reality tv, social media and the expectations on women. This would make a great book club read.

What a fun read! I flew through this book, it was exactly what I needed. Fun, silly, special and really highlighting some relevant dilemmas women face day-to-day. What makes you the perfect woman? Are you what men want? Are you a 'keeper'?

I might be biased because I completely relate to the main character and her struggle with a toxic relationship. Her journey to finding fulfillment outside of a partner is an important message for any young woman right now.

With a group of fun and outspoken female characters, this book was about friendship, self-love and learning how to stand up for yourself! Would definitely recommend for someone who acknowledges how important these issues are but also looking for something fun and lighthearted.

Thank you #Netgalley and Zaffre books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A very light-hearted and humorous read, covering many of the issues of today, especially the rise of reality tv and the power of social media.  An original and thought-provoking storyline leads to some wise and witty comments, whilst the book is gripping and engaging.  Highly recommended for a little light reading, but from  a feminist and original perspective.

A lighthearted and fast-paced read, that also manages to explore feminism, friendship and self discovery. The reality show concept is really clever and relatable to anyone who grew up watching Big Brother. The Shelf will definitely appeal to readers who are fans of Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare.

I'll be perfectly honest, when I first started reading The Shelf, I was convinced I would hate it and would have to stop reading. Amy frustrated me pretty instantly and I was practically screaming at her to kick Jamie to the curb as he was so repulsive. I also found the concept of the TV Show 'The Shelf' to have so many ethical issues that I couldn't see working in real life. But then I remembered some of the TV shows we currently have in the UK and admittedly I'm probably wrong on that front.

As soon as Amy entered The Shelf, I really warmed to her. I enjoyed watching her slowly unravel the effect Jamie had had on her and come to terms with what she really wanted from her life. The rest of the housemates were also really strong and easy to distinguish between because of their varying characteristics, something I was initially concerned about. I liked finding out more about their different lives and experiences and thought this was done really well. There were obviously a couple of villains in the story and I found myself finding disliking the therapist as he himself held some really outdated views which I struggled to believe someone like him would admit to.

The tv show is quite blatantly a mash-up of the likes of Love Island and Big Brother but it doesn't hide from this fact either. Overall it's a really entertaining ready which I flew through and really enjoyed. Sure, there's an element of cheesiness to the whole thing but it highlights some really important themes and messages which sometimes we could all do with a reminder of from time to time.

Dream Holiday, Appalling Reality.....
Dream holiday becomes holiday hell for Amy when she finds herself on an appalling reality television show. Witty, amusing, satirical, thought provoking and entertaining in equal measure.

My review has featured as part of my What I Read in July video https://youtu.be/ylUnrAUV1qA


It has also featured in a Book Haul video https://youtu.be/qfHiiOeGHwQ

Well written and amusing.  A nice easy read on a hot summers day.  Relatable and relevant in today’s world of reality tv shows.  Very much based on a Big Brother style programme.

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick and easy read with a few good "YESSSS, GO ON MATE" moments. But overall I just couldn't understand why any of the women stayed on the show and why the only one actively sabotaging all the tasks was Jackie. I wanted them to band together and start completely rejecting the premise.

That said, genuinely, a great beach read you don't need to think about too much.

Amy is 32, watching 'everyone' in her life get married and have babies- or so Instagram leads her to believe. She's been in a dull relationship for 2 years and when her boyfriend claims to be whisking her away on a surprise holiday, she is sure he will pop the question. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, he dumps her on a T.V show-in both forms of the word "dump"! Thus begins her time on the reality show "The Shelf" to teach women how to be a "keeper" in the nation's eyes as well as for future partners.
•
Once you get beyond the seething anger of why a wonderfully diverse, intelligent group of women would agree to take part in this misogynistic, belittling debacle ( which ia seemingly set up and lead by narrow-minded men) you can appreciate it for what it stands for. A fantastic, satirical interpretation on: 
》gender stereotypes and an outdated view on women's "wifey" roles
》the impact of social media on mental health, relationships, life "milestones" and the keeping up with the Jones' mentality
》general healthy and unhealthy relationships, the unattainable expectations or pressure we put upon ourselves and or partner to make things work 
and last but not least 
》reality TV, the way people react within those circumstances, their emotional and mental wellbeing as well as outsider influences, especially keyboard warriors.
 
On top of that it is SO funny, laugh out loud, snort snigger kind of funny. I loved every character and found myself rooting for these women (even Flick!) They stood up for themselves, supported and lifted each other and basically are a voice for feminism! It was brilliant and I couldn't recommend it enough. Just bear in mind, it will aggravate you (hopefully) and the sheer disgraceful, distasteful, chauvinism that is demonstrated may get you ready to launch it out of the window in a blind rage. BUT I urge you stay C.A.L.M (that will make sense when you read it) and remind yourself it is intentionally engaging our inner chimps.

If you want one feel good book of the year, it's going to be The Shelf!  I felt that the beginning was very slow paced but actually it was in keeping with the way the main characters life was feeling to her.  All the women in the "game show" were relatable and I could definitely pick out a few of my friends as some of these girls.  Helly Acton is one I will definitely look forward to more now, especially as a good summer read.

I had mixed feelings about this book. When I first started reading I was horrified by the sexist language and had to wonder if it was satire? the sarcasm was off at times so I did find it confusing. 

The reality tv element was interesting. As a fan of love island myself it did make me wonder whether the entertainment was worth the cruel way the contestants are treated. 

Overall I enjoyed it but did find myself raging at times.

This book was so much better than I anticipated. I requested to read this book as I was so intrigued by seeing other peoples raving reviews about it but it is not my normal sort of read. Stupidly, I went in with low expectations. But I really did love this book! It was absolutely brilliant. I had an instant hate for Jamie which made me root for Amy from the very beginning. I like that the author gives us a good background to their relationship before Amy is taken on the shelf, it made me so much more invested in Amys character. Ugh, talking about Jamie just makes me so angry. Getting into 'the shelf' element of the book, I loved it. I hated the producers dont get me wrong but it just made me love the contestants even more. I loved each and every one of them for their personalities and I love that they were all so different that they became very memorable for me and didn't just roll into one character. I really felt like I was watching love island/big brother which is a guilty pleasure of mine. I just really enjoyed all of the emotions in this book, and the depiction of strong women overcoming the stigmas attached to them in their everyday life. Feminism at its finest. The Shelf was such an easy and enjoyable read, one which I devoured within one sitting; I just could not put it down. 

I would honestly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Amy is dumped publicly by her boyfriend of 2 years when he enters her into a reality TV show, "The Shelf". A really good read with a totally different theme, showing the relationship between the contestants and the way they coped with living in the public eye after public humiliation.

hings than being ‘left on the shelf’?Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy on netgalley .Wow what a debut! I absolutely loved this book and everything it represents. Its funny,genuine,real,warm and completely empowering.Its a fantastic concept and i cant wait to read more from helly.Reading this as a single woman it ticked so many boxes , its about finding yourself in the places you least expect. A tale of friendship,love, and self discovery. Published 18th june and cant recommend enough .