The Shelf: 'Utter PERFECTION' Marian Keyes, perfect for fans of 'Love is Blind'

· Bonnier Zaffre Ltd.
4.0
1 review
Ebook
416
Pages
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About this ebook

***A Radio 2 Book Club Pick***

'Utter PERFECTION!' Marian Keyes
'Fun, fresh and thought-provoking' Lindsey Kelk
'A witty, life-affirming page-turner' Woman & Home
'Fun, thought-provoking and unapologetically feminist' Daisy Edgar-Jones
'This brilliant novel is a really fun read. Very entertaining!' Jo Whiley

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'?

***Includes an exclusive extract of Helly Acton's next novel, The Couple, out May 2021. Search 9781838773847***

Ratings and reviews

4.0
1 review
Grace J. Reviewerlady
July 9, 2020
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.
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About the author

Helly Acton is a copywriter from London with past lives in Zimbabwe, the Middle East and Australia. She studied Law at King's College London before working in advertising. She is the author of The Shelf (2020) which was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick and The Couple (2021). Her latest novel is Begin Again. Helly currently lives in Berkshire with her husband, Chris, their two young boys, Arlo and Jack and their little dog, Milo.

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