I loved this book, it was a whirlwind of a story picking the reader up and whizzing them through the chapters much as a reality show does with the viewer and it’s episodes. A fabulous debut, it was addictive, quick-witted and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I loved how the sisterhood of these women shone through as they bonded over their shared experiences regardless of their very different personalities. The book challenged the sexist tropes frequently perpetuated on social media and reality tv and reflected in society today with a clear and necessary message to both our younger and our older selves.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and am really looking forward to this author’s next book.

Whilst I enjoyed the concept and enjoyed the ending, I wasn't a huge fan of the men in this book. Their views and words really grated on me and unfortunately that lead to me not being a major fan of this book. 

The shelf is about a new reality TV show where 6 men dump their girlfriends/wives on live TV and leave them on 'the shelf'. The women must then compete against each other to become 'the keeper' and win £1m. 

I started off reading this book thinking wow this is a unique concept and was very excited. However like above I just wasn't a fan of the men and their cliche thoughts. 

Whilst I enjoyed the fact that Acton wanted to take a different approach to feminism and wanted to highlight that women can be who they want to be, I just wasn't a major fan of how the show itself came across. I can totally see it becoming an actual show though! I think in my mind I read the show differently and then the opinionated host of the show along with the tasks they had to do just felt a bit odd. 

Honestly though, this is just my opinion, so please do give it a read if you like reality TV! 
Thanks to netgalley for a free copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Is our penchant for reality tv still going strong? Do we still delight in watching people humiliate themselves on national television  just for their five minutes of fame? If the answer is yes, then what should TV producers think up next in a bid to keep the nation glued to their screens? 

Well, for the purposes of this brilliantly funny novel the author has created the fictional Real TV company who believe they have come up with the goods in the form of The Shelf. Who wouldn’t want to watch a group of women get unceremoniously dumped by their partners on live TV and then be subjected to a month long stay in a big brother type house, facing challenges and therapy sessions in a bid to be crowned the Keeper? I can think of plenty of people for whom this show would be highly addictive and although its premise is so very very wrong,if these type of shows are your guilty pleasure then I think The Shelf would be a sure fire winner in the tv stakes as it is in the reading experience stakes. In fact I’m surprised it hasn’t already been pitched to the tv companies!! 

Amy, unassuming star of the show is the first woman to suffer the undignified moment of being dumped thanks to boyfriend Jamie. At thirty two she is stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere with a self centred boyfriend who treats Amy like a toy he can easily discard or pick up depending on his mood. With friends settling down into marriage and motherhood, Amy feels hoodwinked by society into believing this is what she should aspire to, rather than following her gut instinct to kick Jamie out of touch and travel instead, writing her blog along the way. Why she decides to stay and be a part of this show is anyone’s guess but it may have something to do with having no more dignity to lose and the opportunity to win £1million. Let the fun begin!!

The aim for the eclectic group of women that end up (un)willingly participating in this latest tv show is that their time on the show will be a period for reflection, introspection and self improvement, gradually turning them into marriageable material. Initially, this would have many of us reaching for the power off button since the premise for the show, presumably the brainchild of a man, sounds outdated, distinctly chauvinistic and a way to gain cheap laughs at the expense of these women. BUT instead, thanks to this wonderful cast of characters, this becomes a hilarious exercise in which female solidarity, friendship and feminism wins hands down.

The author is either a huge fan of reality tv or else this is very well researched since she has captured the essence of this imaginary show perfectly. Her observations on the layout of the house, through to the bizarre challenges and the D list celebrity fronting the whole shenanigans are spot on to the extent I could see all those past Big Brother episodes flashing through my mind. Using The Wall as a means of communication with the outside world makes the whole narrative bang up to date. It’s virtually impossible to escape the effects of social media these days, certainly for the younger generation who blog and vlog and influence often to the exclusion of all else so even without the crutch of their phones this group of women are faced with a barrage of tweets, either nasty, vitriolic or thankfully on occasion supportive. With a leader board tracking their progress, charting the ups and downs in each woman’s popularity, the stakes are high but I loved how this group remained cohesive and loyal.

Amy is one of those characters you immediately warm to and I was silently cheering for her all the way through, despite having visions of Fat Amy from the film Bridesmaids firmly lodged in my head!! This is her opportunity to shine and as she progresses through her journey of self discovery I was championing her metamorphosis from low self esteem Amy to a woman full of confidence, resolute in the direction her life should take, with or without a man by her side. Although the author has given her the starring role, I loved all of these women, from gym bunny Gemma, DJ Lauren, chef Hattie, feisty Jackie, mum of two Kathy and former paediatrician turned homemaker Flick. It was impossible to pick a favourite as they all had something different to offer, making me wish I was a fly on the wall, able to witness their antics and their meltdowns first hand. They are probably all women I would love to have a gossip with, setting the world to rights over a glass of Prosecco or a cup of tea, which in my opinion makes them very relatable. The ridiculous challenges had me laughing out loud,particularly the baby one and the way these women bonded in the face of such intense pressure and scrutiny was delightful and a masterclass in female solidarity.  

Regardless of all the hilarity I think some of the lessons Amy et al learned whilst going through the process are so vitally important and how they discover their true selves makes them ideal role models for all those young girls/women embarking on the dating game. Our paths in life may take many different turns but we should celebrate what we love about ourselves rather than focusing on our negative aspects or allowing our partners to dictate the terms of our happiness. Easier said than done I know!

The Shelf was a pure joy to read. The narrative flowed easily and the sentiment of the novel is empowering and uplifting. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to friends and fellow book lovers and look forward to more from this author in the future. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

This book is laugh out loud funny. The Shelf is a really sexist reality show. The women in it are strong characters and each have their own journey. I could have kept reading. I would definitely recommend this book and I will be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Fantastic book!
Really took my mind off of the way of the world at the moment. 
Fast paced and grabbed me. I highly recommend this t anyone who likes a bit of contemporary fiction / chick lit. Also for fans of reality tv. 
I would have totally watched this if it was a TV show!!

I loved this book and the story will stay with me for ages. It's so different, relatable, raises important issues that need to be heard and is also just very entertaining!
Amy is convinced her boyfriend, Jamie, is going to propose to her on the surprise holiday he's booked. But instead she ends up getting dumped on TV and then reluctantly becomes part of the reality TV show, The Shelf. 
The Shelf is about teaching the girls in the house how to be "a keeper". The TV show is sooooo sexist - the author does such a good job describing the tasks, that it made my blood boil at times...!
I saw the ending coming quite early on but the part that follows, was unexpected and very heart warming. 
I will definitely look out for more books from Helly Acton.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book was described as a feminist read but, after reading it, I'm not sure if I agree fully. I understand what Acton is trying to do by interrogating the stereotypes of how women are expected to be 'marriage material' but it comes across as quite cliched and the characters are very cipher-like. The overall message is positive - you are enough without a man and you shouldn't settle or compromise what you want just to be in a relationship - but I couldn't completely get on with the writing and I felt the entire premise of the TV show made me very uncomfortable. Having said that, I can totally see it happening... a book with its heart in the right place.

This was a really fun read which got me thinking about the various conflicts and contradictions we have to negotiate as women in contemporary society.
Using the idea of a "self-help" reality show for women straight after being dumped by their partners was a really interesting medium through which the author explores feminism, gender and relationships.
At first, I found the use of third-person a bit jarring for some reason and I think that Amy would have been a great narrator but the writing gets stronger as the book progresses.
The group of women in the book who have to share the house and go through the tasks together were strong, funny, uplifting, beautiful and fleshed out really well. From Jackie and her relationship with her Dad, to Kathy and her going through the grief of her marriage ending after decades, the women are portrayed in a real and believable way.
I think that Flick's journey was the most interesting and I found myself wanting to know how her story ends as well as the mystery to be revealed around her partner as I read on. 
An enjoyable read and I particularly liked the lack of cattiness between the "contestants" as well as the constant push back against the producers and show format and content by them. This made the hoops they had to jump through (or not) for the show understandably more bearable.

I really enjoyed this one. I started off feeling raging my angry at the show premise and the people behind it, but loved the women in it and the friendships and the take-home message! :-)

This book surprised me immediately. I had expected a twee women’s fiction full of metaphors and relationship drama and instead found myself tuning into each chapter as if ‘The Shelf’ actually was the newest reality TV series. I really appreciated how quickly the book gets into the narrative and as a twenty-something female, the themes of the novel (sexism, feminism and modern media) definitely resonate.

Although Amy’s character does seem like a prime stereotype for this kind of story, I’m glad we see a variety of women portrayed alongside her, each with their own interesting background and perspective. It’s a fun read and overall, I hugely enjoyed it.

The only negative I could give is how often I wanted to reach into the book and do something indiscernible to a male character, however I feel this is exactly the reaction Acton may have been hoping for!

I went into this book thinking it was romance and i stayed for the show. I loved reading about all the girls on the shelf and how they changed the entire show to prove their point. This was a great read! It was very love island-y/big brother and i would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.
On starting to read this book I thought I wasn't going to like it as I'm not a fan of most reality shows.
However, as I continued to read I became gripped by the storyline. The message if the book is to believe in yourself and be proud if who you are.
I would recommend this book.

A funny, feminist and all-too-relatable novel about our obsession with coupling up, settling down and the battle we all have with accepting ourselves, The Shelf introduces the freshest new voice in women's fiction.

Ever feel like you're losing a race you never signed up for?

Everyone in Amy's life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she's falling behind.

So, when her long-term boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday, she thinks he's going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when, instead, she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.

Along with five other women, Amy is brutally dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned 'The Keeper'.

While inside the house, will Amy learn that there are worse things than being 'left on the shelf'?

Wow is all I can say to this book! For somebody of my age who was in the ideal tv viewing age for the first ever series of Big Brother I completely bought the concept of this book and loved it straight from the start.

Amy was the perfect main character for this book. She learns and teaches others including the reader that what other people think of you doesn't matter, it's what you think of yourself that does. She ends up in the Big Brother house with various types of females, and learns about all of them and their different ways. The presenter of the show was someone I could totally believe in, struck me as an Olly Murs type?!

Without giving too much away I also loved the very ending of this book, not at all what I was expecting!

I will be heartily recommending this book to others, most definitely a 5-star review from me!

Missing out on Love Island this year, this book was the perfect fit for the reality TV whole in my life! The Shelf was charming, funny and definitely easy to read.

Amy, and a group of other women, are all dumped and signed up for a reality TV show, The Shelf, by their exes. Over the course of the show, and book, the women learn what it is men supposedly really want...

Hilarious, refreshing & original!

This novel is like a breath of fresh air, its real, authentic, and relatable. Acton perfectly captures friendship the strength, the support, and the way it anchors you. 

Individually the contestants aren't perfect they are flawed, they are insecure and they all have their struggles, but together they are a force to be reckoned with and are all lovable. I felt the women had very distinctive voices and all stood out from each other. 

I loved the empowerment in is novel, learn to love yourself, follow your head and your heart to do what makes you happy. Yes, the message at its core about finding 'the one' but never ignore those red flags and know the sometimes 'the one' is you. Be confident. Be strong. Be you. 

Overall this story is brimming with laugh-out-loud moments and a few heart-wrenching ones there is never a dull moment. It's a must-read!

A huge thanks to Clare Kelly & Bonnier Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. If you're a fan of Lindsey Kelk, Lucy Diamond or Beth O'Leary, you'll absolutely love this, Amy Wright is a 32 year old in a very one sided relationship with a self centred gentleman who are on very different paths; she wants marriage and kids, he's given her a key to his place but told her to ask for permission before turning up....Amy thinks they're going on a wonderful holiday adventure together where he is ABSOLUTELY going to propose.. but in a crazy plot twist, she finds herself dumped by him (quite literally) onto a reality tv show.

Think big brother meets love island, but with some chauvinistic anti feminist challenges which seek to teach a woman that she should be back in the kitchen, breeding children and doing everything to keep her husband happy, at the expense of herself. What absolutely made this book for me is the characters, what an amazing group of women. Feminist, head strong, funny, a laugh a minute, but the therapy sessions pulled on my heart strings - I'm sure many can relate to the topics discussed in the chat room. Some moments I was half laughing and half crying.

It's a show that is designed to make a woman conform to 1950s housewife standards, but what actually happens is rebellion, sisterhood, and the learning that they are each their own soul mate and need to live life on their terms. I loved this book and will absolutely be recommending to all of my friends and followers.

Thank you so much to the lovely people at Bonnier Books and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This isn't the usual sort of book I would pick but I requested it on a whim because the blurb sounded interesting.

Amy is 32 years old, her boyfriend Jamie is alright but since she's being "left behind" as all her friends are getting married and having babies she's willing to settle down with him. When he books a surprise holiday she's excited because she thinks he's going to propose. In reality he's dumping her on tv and entering her in a big brother style show where she and other ladies who have just been dumped live in a house together and complete tasks to become better at relationships and "the keeper". 

The writing is fast paced and easy to read, the different characters are believable and likeable.  It's a good concept and satire of these types of shows and how they can be damaging to people and the sexism that can exist where women can be seen as objects for men to rate.  Although it does have a strong message, it doesn't lose any enjoyability.  I found much of the book funny and laughed out loud at some of the statements/situations. 

Before I had even finished it, I was recommending it to people and I think I will probably buy a couple of copies for my friends birthdays because I think they'll really enjoy it.  Brilliant!

(Shared on Goodreads but I can't find a link)

Mixed feelings about this one; I actively avoid 'reality' tv, but if that's your thing then you'll love The Shelf.

Amy feels all her friends have left her behind; while they are settled with children she is still living the single life but with a key to her boyfriend's flat. Surely that's a sign that he's ready to settle down and, as the date of their holiday approaches, Amy convinces herself that he's about to pop the question - surely? How wrong could she be?

I really struggled with the idea of this one to begin with, failing to understand why Amy just didn't turn tail and run (as I would have, at speed!) but as I got to know the characters I began to relax and enjoy the story. With a good mix of characters, this is definitely one for the women to enjoy - and show how much more we can all do for ourselves! It is a book for all the feminists to relish and I nodded my head so often I'm surprised it hasn't come loose! It's a good read, despite the fact that this kind of tv show becoming 'must not miss' viewing says an awful lot about current society. I shuddered at the very thought of it, but overall - and in a strange kind of way - it was enjoyable. For me, this is a four star read.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

💔The shelf- Helly Acton 💔

Oh. My. Goodness. This needs to be a thing, get on to ITV producers right now. This book is Love island meets big brother meets dinner date and I’m all for it! 

   I devoured this absolute gem of a book. It was lovely to read an all women empowering book for a change. I loved that this book had underlying feminism roots and I just love that all these women (who were ‘shelved’ in their relationships) were on their own individual journeys (and boy were they different) to find themselves. I don’t have a bad thing to say about this book only why isn’t it on my tv already, it’s the best idea for a show I have ever read. 

  This book is out in July and trust me you gotta put it on your TBR now! 

I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I just love how uplifting it was so it’s 5 stars from me. I truly recommend.

I received an ARC of this book via Bonnier Books UK (Zaffre) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description

Everyone in Amy’s life seems to be getting married (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she’s falling behind.

So, when her boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday to a mystery destination, she thinks this is it – he’s going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.

Along with five other women, Amy is dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned ‘The Keeper’. Will Amy’s time on the show make her realise there are worse things in life than being left on the shelf?

My thoughts

Though I’m only 22, my social media (at least the non blog related social media) is full of people settling down, getting engaged and starting (or adding to) a family and – as much as I try not to be bothered by it – I can’t help but feel like I’m behind everyone. The main character of Helly Acton’s The Shelf feels the same and then – just as she thinks she might be heading down the aisle – things take a strange, but entertaining turn.

Even though they are incredibly problematic, and I’d much rather watch something on Disney+, there’s no denying that reality TV is an interesting form of escapism. The reality TV format made an equally interesting premise for a book, in the form of a Big Brother-Love Island hybrid show called – what do you reckon ? – The Shelf! Amy starts the book thinking her boyfriend, Jamie (I couldn’t get over the fact their names rhymed), will ask her the Big Question but – as the show goes on – the book asks important questions about gender, relationships and what makes the perfect partner.

I’m glad that the book wasn’t just focused on the reality TV aspect. Though there were tasks, dramas and traditional reality TV cliches throughout, Amy and the other female character’s time on the show opens up very real debates and questions that were funny but they definitely had me a bit angry at times.

The book doesn’t just follow Amy but five other women who are exciting, captivating and all carrying their own baggage. I liked that Acton didn’t just make several other carbon copies of Amy – each character had their quirks, their flaws and their own voices which was refreshing to read.

Though I enjoyed the book, I felt like my interest waned towards the end. The ending wasn’t unexpected (I definitely had a feeling it’d end in a similar way), but I just didn’t feel as satisfied as I thought I would.

Even so, The Shelf is an enjoyable, easy read – perfect if we get a summer holiday this year (I’m crossing my fingers!).

The Shelf will be published on 9th July 2020.