I LOVED this debut. So incredibly smart, funny, feminist and totally full of stuff I could see myself saying! It was a super quick read that for me is the only book that has tackled the Love Island/reality love show trend in a genuinely successful way. 

Totally an author to add to my 'must-read' list!

Blooming loved this book, exactly what I needed. 
This is the story of Amy as she is expecting certain things from her relationship, only to get the complete opposite and end up on a reality TV show called The Shelf along with some other newly single ladies.
The way the author deliberately makes the show cringy and sexist was brilliant and it only highlighted how amazing the other characters were as each one helped in some way to make Amy a better person (not that she was bad before, just lost).
The feminist values running through this were fabulous and I love the positive messages that came through.
Let's not get me started on how much I hated Jamie & Adam the host...
I could have kept on reading about these characters for more than the 380 page we got and I am already wondering if we can have some spin offs???

I really enjoyed this book. Amy feels that she is being left behind in the marriage and baby stakes, so when her boyfriend Jamie announces that they are going on a mystery holiday, she is convinced that he is going to pop the question. However, instead, she finds herself a contestant on a Big Brother type reality show, 'The Shelf'. Jamie dumps her in front of the audience, and she and her fellow contestants have to go through various challenges in order to make them more 'relationship friendly'!! I loved all the characters and the way they developed during the course of the book. This a great story about self belief and having the self confidence to do your own thing. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

When I first started reading, my first thought was 'oh god another sexist rom-com'. I then realised this has to be a satire for the incredible amount of sexism.

As a satire, this book did very well to comment on the issues surrounding reality TV and how it affects the well being of the contestants. I'm a huge fan of Love Island, but this book really made me think if my enjoyment, along with millions of others, of the show is worth the cruel and disgusting treatment contestants go through. I would argue not. Obviously they benefit too, the contestants of The Shelf certainly benefited, but at the expense of their dignity and privacy.

The Shelf focused on the affects of reality TV on seven women, Amy, the protagonist, was pretty bland as a main character, but perhaps this was on brand for her TV persona as 'boring' Amy (and am I falling into a trap by calling her bland?). Although I appreciated the comments on sexism in the reality TV industry, I found a lot of it very hard to stomach, especially the comments and actions of the staff and host of The Shelf. It really pushed the boundaries of 'too much' for me.
The reason I've given this book three stars, is because the book seemed to being really pushing a connection with the protagonist and the other contestants, and I just couldn't emotionally connect with any of them. 

Overall, this book is definitely necessary now, in an age where we (me included) excuse subtle sexism and other bigotries so we can enjoy trashy TV without guilt.

32-year-old Amy thinks she’s happy in her relationship with her long-term partner Jamie, so happy in fact she believes he’s about to whisk her away on a lavish holiday and finally pop the question. Jamie, however, has very different ideas, his surprise for Amy is taking her to the set of a new reality TV show The Shelf. There, he unceremoniously dumps her leaving Amy confused and heartbroken. Amy then discovers there is 1 million pounds on the line if she wins the show, offering her the chance to fulfil her dream of traveling and starting her own blog. She throws caution to the wind and decides to stick the show out. She then finds herself living with 6 other dumped ladies and competing in tasks in order to be declared ‘the keeper’, the perfect women that men would want to marry. 

This book immediately appealed to me when I read the synopsis and saw our main character would be appearing on a Big Brother style reality show. I am a self-confused reality TV fan, having watched every series of Big Brother from when it started to the final series in 2018. I had a moment of realisation a week or so ago when I realised that nearly all the shows on my backed-up SKY box are some form of reality show. I, however, have never read a book with a reality show concept so I thought it could be very interesting. 

From the first meeting with our main character Amy I immediately liked her and felt for her. She is in a relationship with Jamie who we find out rather quickly is a pretty shocking person and not very nice to her. As a reader we also know it’s likely no proposal is coming, and my heart was hurting for her. She is then very quickly thrust into the TV show The Shelf. I wondered why she would stay and take part after being dumped but there is a hefty cash prize on offer and Amy is aware it may be good for her to stay and help with the process of getting over Jamie.

We are introduced to a whole host of fellow contestants. When I read books where lots of characters are introduced at once I always make notes to remember who is who. I did find in this book though that all the characters were quite distinct and individual in their own ways which meant I felt I knew them really well really quickly. All the girls had their own reasons for staying and for most of them their experience on the show, no matter how long they were part of it led to them becoming a stronger version of themselves. 

The show itself is pretty awful, awful in the sense that it is completely sexist and some of the tasks the ladies have to do to show they are ‘a keeper’ are pretty horrid. However, I found myself questioning if this show was real would I watch it? And the answer is yes, I would. I found myself completely invested in the show, I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know the outcome of the tasks and who would be evicted. I feel Helly really captured the essence of reality TV in that the story evoked feelings of investment from me, it felt very plausible and real. 

One thing I loved about this story was the relationships and friendships that develop between the women. I found myself questioning at the start how I would feel if I was in Amy’s position and I think being in the house with a group of fellow dumped women would be quite appealing as they would know exactly what your going through. As mentioned, all the ladies come to the show under different circumstances, but I loved the bond they immediately shared. They then spent their time building each other up and supporting each other which I loved. I think the friendships formed were fantastic and I felt this tapped into a side of reality TV shows that aren’t always well know. Shows like the one portrayed in this book often get bad wrap, but I have watched so many shows where the biggest thing contestants take from them are new friendships. This was definitely my favourite part of the story. 

All the girls go on their own journeys and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome for everyone of them. I didn’t feel any of them changed who they were because of their time on the show but rather they remembered something’s about themselves that life and relationships had taken out of them. I loved seeing how this group of women who didn’t know each other at the start of the month were instrumental in building each other confidence. They all became so important to each other as a result. The end for me was just spot on and I would love to catch up with Amy one day. As I write this, I am already wondering what she is up to!
 
This was the first book I read by this author and I would be keen to read more in the future. I found this book so uplifting and funny and just wanted I needed. I loved that it had the reality TV element and showed the good side of them, not just the bad. I thought all the characters were great, particularly Amy. I enjoyed watching her journey and would like to leave this review with a quote from her that totally tapped into how 25 year felt a few years back. “I’m thinking I want to have it all. But I know that having it all is impossible. I want to settle down, but I also want to travel. I want children, but I also want my freedom. The truth is when I see babies, I don’t feel broody, I feel anxious. They’re like anchors. But I shouldn’t feel like that at my age, should I? how can I want a home and want to sleep in a tent on the edge of a ravine? Its like I’m two Amy’s” I felt this summed up Amy’s character and I identified so much with this. I really hope other readers pick up this book and see a little of Amy in themselves because she was s pretty great character.

Thank you to Netgalley, Helly Acton and Bonnier Zaffre for my arc of The Shelf in exchange for an honest review. 
Synopsis  Amy Wright thinks she's got it all worked out. When boyfriend Jamie plans to whisk her away on an exotic holiday and starts acting shifty, she's certain he's planning on proposing. So nobody's more surprised than her when she finds her self at the end of an impromptu dumping on new reality tv show The Shelf. Stuck in a house big brother style with 5 other women what will Amy learn from her experience on The Shelf?
I really enjoyed this light hearted, fun, feminist read. Amy and the other girls all had great and different personality traits, that really shone through and showed how individual women are. I thought the feminist perspective was done really well to with the comments and systems in place that lets face it are common place and brushed under the carpet I think The Shelf highlighted this and gave it the 'shock' value. Really excellent book I would highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this. It had similar vibes to the flat share. Easy read, nice characters & the storyline was so powerful & uplifting to women. Definitely read it ladies. Would have loved to have been in the house with these ladies. Amy thinks she is going on holiday with her boyfriend who is going to propose to her but ends up in a big brother style house with 5 other women & left on the shelf, you can only imagine the drama that will unfold from it

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Shelf!

This was such a fun read! I loved reading this in my breaks at work and when I got home. It was light, charming and entertained me with ease. 

The Shelf is the name of a reality television show, think Big Brother, The Circle and Love Island all merged in one. The premise of this program is horrendous and all the women in the show are aware. They are against everything it stands for. The Shelf shows how sexist reality television is, how strong women are and what they are capable of. It follows their self-development, self-reflection and their relationship with each other. 

This is an accessible read which is entertaining and takes your mind off everything around you. A perfect read to ‘switch off’ to and relax.

Imagine a brand new reality TV show, six women have just been dumped and left in a house together to learn about where they're going wrong in relationships, would you watch it? With the world seemingly hooked to the next reality TV trend and programs like Love Island and Netflix's Too Hot to Handle springing up all over the place I couldn't decide if the premise of this show was believable or not, unfortunately it probably is and if someone did make it we'd probably all be hooked.

Amy has been with Jamie for two years, all her friends are settled with children and she's sure that a proposal will happen on their next holiday, however Jamie's got other ideas and quite literally leaves Amy on The Shelf with five other unsuspected women.  I hate Jamie with all of my being, he embodies so many toxic traits and treats Amy appalling, because of this I think this book might be a bit triggering to some people. His 'petname' for her is Piglet, he's given her a key to his flat but she has to give him notice when arriving, he once got angry when she got foundation on his pillowcase; he was awful - if anything this is a credit to Helly Action's writing as I'm actually getting a bit angry describing a fictional character to you!

After being dropped off at the TV set all the women are given completely free choice on whether they stay and participate, their month on the show will have them take part in a series of challenges, therapy sessions and have 24/7 access to 'The Wall' a screen showing  a live stream of tweets about the show.

I was quite addicted to this, I had to keep reading to see what hideous outdated idea/challenge the producers of the show would throw at the ladies next, I loved that the contestants were different so often when you watch reality TV the contestants are a bit copy/paste, young and Instagram-worthy but these women were different ages, races and seemed like actual people that you might know in real life.

My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K. Zaffre for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Shelf’ by Helly Acton in exchange for an honest review.

The cover quote from Marian Keyes reads “utter perfection” and I am inclined to agree. It has a serious message and yet is very funny. 

I was able to borrow its audiobook edition, narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones, from my local online library and listened alongside reading the eARC.

Amy is 32 years old and everyone she knows seems to be settling down. Jamie, her boyfriend of two years, surprises her with a holiday to a mystery destination. She is very excited and wonders if he is going to pop the Big Question. Instead, she finds herself left on the set of a Big Brother-style reality show entitled The Shelf!

She along with five other women have been dumped by their partners on live TV and left there for four weeks. In order to be crowned ‘The Keeper’ and win a million pounds prize and other goodies they must compete in a series of humiliating tasks. These are slanted towards their demonstrating submissive qualities. As one internet commenter quips: “Another small step for man. Another giant leap backward for womankind.”

To be fair the Amy and the original five are pretty feisty but then are joined by a seventh contestant, Flick, who seems in appearance and behaviour to be the embodiment of a ‘Keeper’. 

Although ‘The Shelf’ pokes fun at this kind of reality tv with some scenes leaving me weak with laughter, the novel does address questions about gender roles, self esteem, gaslighting, and the importance of being true to yourself.

This is a fun debut and I certainly will be eagerly awaiting news of her future projects.

I'm very grateful that I was given the chance to read this book, I thought the premise was interesting and I was definitely intrigued to read more.

Unfortunately, I could not get into the writing style of the author and had to DNF this book. This is my own personal and honest preference and I'm positive others will both enjoy and love reading this book.

I'd like to believe that a show like this could never happen in real life, but I'm pretty sure some TV exec somewhere is already filing the serial numbers off, ready to present this idea for filming. After all, who wouldn't watch to watch women dumped live on air, forced through challenges and relentlessly subjected to other people's thoughts about them via the Wall, a huge screen broadcasting their Twitter handles day and night?

I'm being sarcastic, by the way. I can't think of a worse idea for a show. But, brilliantly, it works in this book. Helly skewers toxic masculinity beautifully; although there are a couple of decent male characters, given the premise here, most of them are awful. I was most angry at the men who came on to teach women what men want; don't let yourself go, you'll look lazy and his friends will laugh at him, but don't wear too much make up, you'll look easy and his friends will laugh at him. Don't date too many men, you're a slut, but if your man strays, you probably weren't experienced enough to give him what he needs. Don't complain, moan or nag, but don't be a doormat. It went on and on and the men genuinely couldn't see what they were doing.

I liked most of the women. I agree with Flick that if a woman chooses to stay home and be a house wife, that should be respected just as much as choosing any other career. I liked Jackie's strength and courage to be herself. I loved Amy's realisation near the end.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was the Wall. Even on a show like this, would the producers allow a completely unmonitored, unsantized stream of all the darkest parts of the internet into the living room, 24/7? Surely that's bad for the contestant's mental health? Especially considering some of the tweets we read.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed this clever, witty read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Helly comes up with.

A Fresh, funny and modern novel perfect for the time’s we’re living in. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the message from this novel and wish so much that it was around when I was in my 20’s, when being ‘left on the shelf’ was something very much to be feared! 

The novel is set in a reality show and Helly brilliantly explores and rebuffs the ideals of what a woman needs to be and how she should behave in order to be ‘a keeper’. It tackles outdated stereotypes face on and sends the perfect message out to women of all ages. 
Thank you so much for writing this novel! And also to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read it.

OH MY GOD. 

THIS is FANTASTIC.

A whip-smart tale of female empowerment, loving yourself and realising your worth set against a hellish backdrop of a reality TV show where men dump their partners live on air and the women have to prove they are worthy of being in a relationship. 

SO many times throughout this book I thought 'YES, THIS IS WHY WOMEN ARE EXCELLENT'. And I love novels that illustrate how flawed but simply perfect women are. That motherhood, the ability to keep a house and pander to a husband no longer prove that you are 'worthy' of being a woman. 

I LOVED IT.

Ulimately 'female bonding' story of a horrible reality TV show wherein 6 women are initially 'dumped' live on TV by their respective partners, who trick them into arriving at the studio - some led to believe they're going on holiday/being proposed to etc, when the terrible truth emerges. The stakes are high - there's a prize of £1 million for the winner and £10,000 for others - Where's the harm in staying?- They're dumped anyway, and life outside will be irrevoccably changed...

The women are set tasks and challenges (quite weak ones, but par for the course for reality programmes)  for the public's entertainment and votes - and to become the 'perfect partner'. Each tackle these in their individual ways - overcoming the sexist manipulation at differing levels. They also have access to a psychologist. The strength of this book is the personalities and interactions of the women. OK, a bit stereotyped in places, but also pleasantly entertaining. 

Amusing and unexpectedly posiitive. A good beach read. I hope one day we'll look back at reality shows and think 'Did we really treat people like that, for entertainment?

Such a hilarious break up, feel good story! There’s not a character in this book that you can’t relate to on some level and absolutely love!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. 
This was an easy read but with lots of important conversations and thoughts around the topic of being yourself, accepting and loving yourself, that you’re enough and you shouldn’t change yourself for a partner etc. 

Imagine Big Brother, but where the housemates haven’t applied, their partners have applied on their behalf for various reasons. And they’re all competing to be the winner of £1 million for being marriage material. 

The main character, Amy, is dumped by her boyfriend Jamie as she is taken into the house. And we see her, and the other women in the house, work with a therapist to understand themselves, grow and develop friendships with each other. I appreciated that this wasn’t all solved in a nice little bow with insta love or a new relationship. 
However, there was a lack of LGBTQ+ representation. It wouldn’t have been difficult to introduce a couple or individual that wasn’t hetero. I think that could have added much more depth and interest. 

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley and the Publishers in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

When we first meet Amy she is someone who might, if I’m being really honest, be infuriating. She is thirty-two, and has been in a relationship with Jamie for nearly two years. From the little details she gives us, he sounds awful. So, why does she remain with him?
The Shelf is an attempt to explore some of our attitudes to relationships and how we define ourselves. How it chooses to do this is through a rather off-putting setting...where Amy and five other women are signed up to a new reality TV show called The Shelf. The prize up for grabs is a million pounds, so we can understand why having been dumped live on air, these women decide to stay.
The day to day account of the show and the horrors inflicted on these women highlights so much of what is wrong with the messages being given to everyone. The host and manipulations of the show emphasise some pretty outdated attitudes, and yet I found myself chuckling at times.
The mix of female characters offers a pretty broad spectrum of views, some of which you may find yourself agreeing with. The overall message is about self-love and coming to terms with your own hopes/expectations/ambitions before thinking about managing to live with those of someone else. Ultimately the format of the show itself seems dated, but the message is a positive one.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the chance to read this prior to publication.

Amy and Jamie have been in a relationship for two years  and Amy feels her body clock ticking.  When Jamie asks her to pack for a surprise holiday destination, Amy thinks diamond ring and romantic sunset dinners. Instead, Amy is dumped on a reality television  show with six other female contestants who have had their relationships[ broken off by their partners.  The prize for the winner.....one million pounds

Although not a new concept, a reality show and behind the scenes with the contestants, this book goes further and explores the relationship both between the contestants themselves and between the contestants and their ex partners. This story showcases emotions, moods, controlling behaviour and the power of friendship and girl power.  Not to be taken too seriously but a fun read with an underlying message.

It was very much a book based on a reality tv such as Big Brother. Became bored halfway through, really wasn’t my book of choice