The Shelf cover art

The Shelf

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

The Shelf

By: Helly Acton
Narrated by: Daisy Edgar-Jones
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £12.97

Buy Now for £12.97

About this listen

 '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'?©2020 Helly Acton (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Comedy Funny Feel-Good Witty Heartfelt Dream

Critic reviews

"Just as addictive as reality TV but twice as juicy! Shocking and hilarious, I devoured it and I just want more.” (Carry Hope Fletcher)

“I really loved it! Subversive, feminist and a real breath of fresh air. I inhaled this!” (Laura Jane Williams)

All stars
Most relevant
Lots of fun & lol moments in this book. Next gen Bridget Jones. Brilliant narration and although I’d recommend it to my young adult daughters, I really enjoyed the story and recognised many similar scenarios we’ve all been through.

Good fun listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Such a fun book I couldn't stop smiling,thought provoking,well written and great narrator highly recommend. I will certainly be reading more of Helly Acton.

Addictive

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well, where to start. Amy is in a 2 year relationship with Jamie, she wants to get married but one minute Jamie is non committal the next he gives her a key to his home on the proviso that she lets him know in advance that she is coming.

Then out of the blue a limousine turns up and he has a surprise for her. Well this is a surprise and a half. His motives are that he can get clientele and money for his new business that he wants to get off the ground.

When they arrive they are separated and she can hear his voice but can’t see him. Until on a tv screen not only is he is dumping her but it’s a reality show, I will leave it there……

*A Harsh Reality*

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great narrator, loved all the sound effects which made it the story feel so much more exciting.
Easy follow, relatable characters and a great story

love it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
When I first heard 'The shelf' it seemed boring (In fact I fell asleep) I do like to listen in bed. Anyway I persistent by starting it again & I'm very glad I did, as I really enjoyed it, in fact I've talked my teenage granddaughter into listening to it. I think Helly really got it spot on about men & women because most of us can't live with each others little differents (you find this out over time) the phrase "you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find Mr right" comes to mind, but then again sometimes you don't find him. I'm 69 now & I'm happy living with my dogs my boys have grown up & I life half the year in my caravan just walking, swimming & I'm content.
This book was brilliant & I would highly recommend it Daisy Edgar Jones was very good at narrating it as well. I will certainly look out for more books by Helly Acton. I certainly don't agree with some reviews that it was boring.

Pleasantly surprised

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews