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The Shelf

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

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The Shelf

By: Helly Acton
Narrated by: Daisy Edgar-Jones
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'One of those delicious books you just can't put down. Utter PERFECTION!' Marian Keyes

Selected for the Radio 2 summer book club.

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.

Narrated by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People, Gentleman Jack, Cold Feet, War of the Worlds)

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'? Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Comedy Funny Feel-Good Witty Heartfelt Dream
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Critic reviews

I absolutely LOVED The Shelf. One of those delicious books you just can't put down. So many gorgeous witty one-liners. Utter PERFECTION!
Fun, fresh and thought-provoking
I haven't been so immediately sucked in by a novel IN YEARS. Not only is the idea brilliant and original, but Helly's writing is also compelling and hilarious. The Shelf is a must-read and I cannot recommend it highly enough
[One of] the hottest summer reads ... a plot that shouldn't work on paper, but really does.
The Shelf is just as addictive as reality TV but twice as juicy! Shocking and hilarious, I devoured it and I just want more
Fun, thought-provoking and unapologetically feminist . . . the perfect antidote to lockdown life
Couldn't put it down once I started! Fell in love with the characters and how they each challenge the idea of what a "perfect" woman should be!
I really loved it! Subversive, feminist and a real breath of fresh air. I inhaled this!
I absolutely loved it - such a clever concept, so well executed and with a perfect ending! Such a clever, brilliant book!
You know when you put your whole life on hold, because you're so absorbed in a book? That. So original and sparkly, the freshest, funniest book, I adored it!! It made me feel strong and empowered and wonderful
As addictive as they come ... a witty, life-affirming page-turner. A breath of fresh air.
Will keep you laughing page after page - Helly's sharp, funny and fast-paced prose is a delight to read.
The Shelf is honestly such a delight. The concept in itself is genius, but the execution is even better - both laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart. I loved it!
This is the kind of book that can be swallowed in a day. It is an astute and entertaining analysis of the ways in which women live under society's microscope and a moving depiction of the sisterhood. It made me laugh and made my blood boil - definitely the signs of a successful book!
On the surface, this book has massive appeal for anyone who loves reality shows and dreams of their fifteen minutes of fame, but it goes much further than that ... an uplifting book which flips the tables and shows the women in an empowering way
Fascinating, funny, gut wrenching and not just a rollicking read but belongs on the school curriculum
A fabulous romp of a novel
An all-too-relatable feminist novel about accepting ourselves and not leading a life we THINK we should based on what society is telling us
Fun, light-hearted and genuinely warming read . . . an ideal summer lockdown read
Really entertaining read ... a feminist takedown of reality TV
Fascinating!
A story of friendship, feminism and solidarity
All stars
Most relevant
There are numerous "sound effects" like phone alerts etc that will wake you up if you are someone who likes to listen to audiobooks when falling asleep. Clearly you can enjoy this book at other times, but I thought it was worth mentioning as I intentionally choose some just for sleeping and found that this really irritating and kept jolting me awake !

Not good for those who sleep to them

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The red flags set my heart racing as I realised I've been living a slow inner death at the hands of my indifferent husband over 4 yrs or more. This book made me decide at 60 i can go it alone and be good & kind to myself. I wont look back in my quest to find some happiness on my own.. Thank you.

Applies just as much to me at 60

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kept looking forward to any time i could snatch to read the next instalment. brill.

loved it

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Uplifting and entertaining. An original idea. I was gripped until the end. Loved the story and characters.

Wonderful Book

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I had a vested interest in this read, however fiction can be tricky to please.
Although unimpressed by the start, the twist caught me unexpected and I was hooked, line sinker into this story after chp. 2. I read it (audio, great narrator) in 3 days!
I will look out for what Helly has up and coming, now this fiction writer has my following. Highly recommend!

Unexpected

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