This book started strongly with 'slim but squidgy' brunette Amy Wright being convinced her wasteman boyfriend was about to propose and shying away from her old friends' baby-related content on the socials. So far, so relatable. When Amy was dumped in a reality TV show instead of Soho Farmhouse or Lime Wood, I wasn't sure what to think at first, but the author won me round again in a few pages with the introduction of more lovable characters - bouncy lawyer Jackie, Geordie DJ Lauren and perfect housewife Flick. Like a comedy version of Only Ever Yours mashed up with Big Brother and Love Island, The Shelf is fizzier and more original than I was expecting and does itself a lot of favours by going for extreme scenarios rather than the middle ground, and prioritising self-growth and female friendship over romance. Hurrah for The Shelf!

I've just finished reading this laugh out loud, shout at the book (in the way you would the TV) fantastic read in just under 3 days and when I wasn't reading it I wanted to be.

This is a book about the bond women have with each other and how they can empower each other. It is a warm and funny book about learning to love yourself.
Can’t wait for more from this author!

I initially thought this might be a bit too light for me, but I was wrong. The Shelf has a firm overarching message - you are enough, love yourself. You are the most expensive and beautiful thing you will ever own.

Out of the blue, Amy finds herself faced with a difficult decision after her ex-boyfriend Jamie cruelly nominates her for a reality television show that a) publicly dumps her for him and b) aims to teach her how to be a "keeper".
The woman crowned "The Keeper" wins £1,000,000. For participating alone, she gets £10,000. For that, Amy could travel, explore, write...do whatever she wants. So she stays.

I could relate to a lot of what Amy feels, and I could picture all the cast of the show really clearly thanks to Helly Acton's writing. I loved the witty, wry commentary on how the media STILL speaks of/portrays women and a great context for a novel about self-acceptance, the importance of female friendship and self-development and love.

I would definitely read more from Helly Acton.

The Shelf by Helly Acton is a book with a message; you don't need to follow social norms to be happy, learn to love yourself and go from there.

It is a truly relatable story. I'm sure everyone has at least once felt like they weren't meeting the expectations of their family, friends and/or colleagues. Amy the main character is at this stage in her life, where she feels she should be getting married and having babies because her friends are. At the start of this book, Amy is convinced her boyfriend of two years is about to propose to her on holiday, when in actual fact she's been taken to a tv set and dumped live on TV, and asked to participate in a new reality TV show called The Shelf.

Amy decides to stay and continues with the TV show. Where other contestants arrive and a variety of challenges are set, meant to help contestants learn how to be desirable to men. I think Amy and the contestants each learnt something important whilst filming The Shelf, from each other and the in house therapist.

This book was really enjoyable, reading about someone who steadily grows emotionally is a real positive experience. I look forward to reading books from this author in the future,

A lovely story that kept me on my toes the whole time. The storyline was exceptional and the characters engaging and believable.

I’d been hearing great things about this book on social media and now that I’ve gobbled it up in one day I can see why!

The Shelf is a reality tv show that Amy ends up in after being dumped- the idea is to learn and grow into the best versions of themselves and win some money in the process. Unfortunately the whole game is constantly peppered with putting women down, belittling them and generally the host being an absolute knob.

This is a book about female friendship, a laugh out loud, warm and funny book about learning to love yourself. It’s exactly the kind of book I’ve been wanting to read for ages and Acton has done an amazing job. Superb!
Can’t wait for more from this author!