The Name Game

by Beth O'Leary

A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job in this charming new romance by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

Charlie couldn’t be happier to take the job of farm-shop manager on the remote, wild Isle of Ormer. She’s grieving, a little lost, and in desperate need of a fresh start.

Jones has come out of a difficult breakup and is looking forward to some peace away from the noise of his city life. Moving to Ormer couldn’t have come at a better time.

But when Charlie Jones and, ahem, Charlie Jones both turn up at Ormer’s one and only farm shop, claiming to have been offered the role of manager, everyone is baffled. How could this have happened? And just who is the real Charlie Jones?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Adult Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

Beth studied English at university before going into children’s publishing. She lives as close to the countryside as she can get while still being within reach of London, and wrote her first novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from work.
You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT ENDING!? OMFG! 🤯
I didn’t realize this was going to be written in (mostly) diary format when I requested it or I might have skipped it, tbh.

I’m so f-ing glad I didn’t, because this was a wild ride! Despite the format not being my favorite I was still very much enjoying this book and desperately needed to know if my plot reveal guesses were right… They were NOT!

THAT REVEAL!?!?!?!>>> 10/10 would recommend!

I think the choice of diary/epistolary was absolutely prefect. I fear this book may have convinced me to try more written in this format in the future.

Whats to love…
- 10/10 banter
- starting over
- forced proximity
- found family
- romance with a side of trauma
- THEY ARE BOTH CALLED CHARLIE JONES

I definitely think this book is worth a read but there are some heavier topics covered within. I want to include some of them below since the synopsis is rather sparse on details…

No spoilers but SKIP this if you don’t need a heads up…

The MMC is an alcoholic in the very early stages of recovery. Alcoholism and addiction is a heavy reoccurring topic throughout. As is grief and the loss of a loved one. The FMC very much wants a child and again, this is a reoccurring and important element to the narrative. There is no infertility or loss. Adoption/being an adopted child is also a topic of focus. As usual, if you ever need more details don’t hesitate to reach out via comment or DM if you need additional details — DM on IG will probably get you the quickest response

4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |

[hamna · Rating 2 out of 5]

*not really spoiler-y but don’t read if you want to go in completely blind*

still don’t know what to think about this book. let’s see: there’s a lot that genuinely shocked me to my core and also just made me so, appreciative of the sheer creativity involved in cooking up something like this book. i think it’s actually my favorite thing about beth o’leary, the stroke of genius she tends to imbue her books with. that said.. everything else. was so boring😭. i didn’t really care about the main characters or their budding romance, the plot twist had me feeling somehow even more off about them than i originally was, because well it does create a divide, doesn’t it? i don’t think i’m entirely comfortable with how the book ended up progressing in general idk, and the (original?) narrative was kinda clunky and too..plastic for my liking. i had this issue with beth’s last book too, where i ended up rushing the book just to get it over with. the name game is much better in that regard, at least, and the plot alone is i think worth reading the book for. how stunning, lol. but yeah, overall it just didn’t get me which makes me so sad (lmao) but it is what it is i guess. i didn’t know what to rate this, 2? or 3? 2.5? because i’m still so conflicted but sadly it didn’t deliver on the /romance/ part (for me) (highly subjective) which is the main reason i read romance soo.. 2 stars it is.
thank you to berkley for the arc.💚💚💚

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Jones (she goes by “Charlie”) and Charlie Jones (and he goes by “Jones”) end up meeting each other when they both show up to start the same new job on a small island in the English Channel. Obviously, there was some sort of mixup since they have the same name. But how were two acceptance letters inexplicably mailed to two different addresses? Despite the fact that something very fishy is going on, the two Charlie Joneses agree to live in the same farmhouse and work together for 2 months so that the farm store owners can get to know them before deciding which Charlie Jones they’ll officially hire. Both need this job because they need fresh starts, leaving behind all their former troubles.

While not as good as Beth O’Leary’s other novels, it was cute watching two people who have vowed to not deal with other people discover each other. The story unfolds through Charlie’s and Jones’ journaling. While the premise of two Charlies getting the same job offer was an unlikely stretch, the real problem for me was that the reader was not given sufficient information about Charlie’s prior troubles. Very slowly, her experiences emerge through flashbacks but I couldn’t really figure out why she was so delicate and had trouble caring about someone who I didn’t know well. It was frustrating to me. I guess all the unexplained anxiety wasn’t what I was in the mood for over winter break.

And THEN the entire novel went topsy turvy with a giant plot twist I hadn’t seen coming. I can’t say anything at all or I’ll ruin it. But it took effort getting reoriented to the new reality which was presented.

I really feel badly when I get a galley from an author I love but don’t end up loving it as much as the author’s other books. I fear NetGalley, the author, or the publisher won’t grant me any more galleys. But I want to be honest. This one lacked the level of fun I’ve come to expect from O’Leary’s novels. I also didn’t love the characters as much as I normally do.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC!

I've loved a bunch of Beth O'Leary's books, including the No-Show, the book of hers that I think is closest to this one. She's kind of a genius for an interesting set-up and plot. This one, in which 2 Charlie Joneses show up on a small British island for the same job, almost crossed over into too tricky for me. There was a point that I was genuinely confused! BUT, Beth landed the plane, for the most part! This wasn't my favorite of her titles (and for those who want spice, this won't bring it), but I had a great time with the setting (take me there!) and the cast of characters. I'll leave it there so as not to spoil any of the twists the plot takes!

[Ciara Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes a twist like Beth O’Leary.

[Morgan Stoker Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth O'Leary’s The Name Game is a sweet and entertaining read, although a bit slow moving at times. There is a surprising twist and a thread of mystery running through the story that made it feel more like The No-Show than her other books. It was not my favorite of her novels, but it was still a fun and engaging read overall.

🌶️½ — Heated but Harmless: Clear romantic or physical tension. Characters may pine after each other, make out, or have heated moments, but no sex happens on page or off page.

Read if you like:
•Forced Proximity
•Enemies to Lovers
•Sunny vs. Grumpy
•Workplace Romance

I received an advanced eBook copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was maybe the most confusing book I’ve ever read. Also a shocking lack of the word “I”. I really think it could benefitted from some more pronouns even though the format was pretty informal.

Beth must have intelligence on a level higher than anyone else because I can’t even properly explain the plot of this book without getting confused and somehow she came up with it.

Overall I liked the content of the story. I love a slow burn. I love a little something to think about (this was a lot to think about). And I love fun side characters. Super good book just honestly kinda difficult to read. Partly because of the weird sentence structure, partly because of all the British-isms, and partly because at about 70% I had to pause after every page just to spend some time trying to figure out what the hell was going on

arc from NetGalley and Berkley

[Sonia B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you enjoy stories set in quirky British island communities, filled with eccentric side characters, a low-steam romance, heavier emotional themes, and a twisty plot, this one is worth picking up. Overall, I found it engaging and enjoyed being kept on my toes as the mysteries slowly unraveled.
The story takes place on the fictional Channel Island of Ormer ... a tiny, charming setting where there are no cars and everyone knows everyone. The sense of community and place is vivid and incredibly well done.
The premise begins when two strangers arrive at the same time to start a new job at the community farm shop ... both named Charlie Jones, both convinced the job is rightfully theirs, and both carrying emotional baggage we don’t fully understand at first. They’re forced to co-manage the shop on a trial basis and share living quarters, setting the stage for tension, curiosity, and connection. That said, the identical names did get a bit confusing at times, and I found myself needing to slow down and really pay attention to keep track of whose perspective I was in. As the story progresses, we’re also given glimpses into their pasts through alternating POV chapters, gradually revealing who they are and what led them to this remote island in search of a fresh start.
What stood out most to me was the setting and the strong characterization. Both Charlies are flawed, layered, and very easy to root for. While the romance was enjoyable, it felt more like a supporting element rather than the central focus of the story. I appreciated the emotional depth here. Heads up, the book explores heavier topics such as addiction, grief, loss, and trauma, but all handled thoughtfully and with care. However, with so many weighty storylines at play, the ending did feel a bit too neatly wrapped up considering the emotional complexity involved.

[Ashley W · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Name Game is the perfect title because it genuinely felt like that’s what I was playing while reading. The book begins with two characters who share the exact same name. There is Charlie Jones (female) and Charlie Jones (male, who goes by Jones). They both end up on the same island for the same job. Only one person was supposed to be hired, but somehow they both arrive for the position, which immediately sets the story in motion.

The narrative shifts between the present and each Charlie’s past. The pacing is a bit slow at times, but it didn’t bother me because I stayed interested. At first, it took a moment to keep track of everything, but it wasn’t too difficult. Then, about two-thirds of the way through, there’s a huge plot twist. From that point on, I had to use every brain cell I had just to keep up and honestly, I’m still not sure I fully did.

I enjoyed the book and really liked the premise, even though I walked away feeling a bit confused. I would still recommend it, but just be prepared to lock in and pay close attention while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Name Game by Beth O’Leary published by @hachetteaus @thebookishtype_hau and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 7 April 2026
⭐️⭐️💫
What happens when Charlie Jones shows up to the Isle of Ormer to start her new role as Farm Store Manager only to meet Charlie Jones who states he is there to start is new role as the Farm Store Manager? You get a lot of confusion, both from the locals and me the reader.
Unfortunately this book was just not for me and that’s so upsetting as I love so many of Beth’s books. I almost DNF’d this one due to the style of writing with female Charlie writing in a diary and male Charlie writing emails. The language of the diary entry gave me Bridget Jones vibes and I had her voiceover stuck in my head.
The book had good mental health rep regarding anxiety and depression while also tackling big issues like alcoholism and grief. The storyline confusion definitely kicks in at the 70% mark when the plot twists begin to happen and you have to untangle timelines and POVs.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

As a romance reader this was a doozy, in a good way!

The premise was so interesting! Even I was caught up on how the mix up happened. The beginning took me a bit to get into, mostly because I wanted more answers than their daily routines being established. But honestly I was very invested quickly.

Charlie and Jones each had their hang ups from their past so it was interesting to see them work through it and having the small flashbacks to clue us in on what’s going on. The ending really did it for me though. It was fun! And the people in the town were so interesting! They each added to the story in fun/funny ways. I honestly want more on each of them and their stories.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Beth O’Leary books, and how they are always surprising. The premise of The Name Game is so clever, but the twist in this one really threw me for a loop. It came on so suddenly that I had to totally reframe my understanding of the story. Once I wrapped my brain back around it, I was on board. But it took me a minute. So I’ll give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I love Beth O’Leary so much. Thanks to Berkley for the ARC.

[Bethany Gorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute banger - I didn't love the first half but then it really, really got me at the end!!!

[Sophie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delight!! The Name Game is perfect for anyone after a cosy, spice free, small town/ island romcom!

i did cry at one scene, which is rare for me these days. There are several fleshed out side characters that have established roles within the story, that as a reader were easy to become fond of them

The plot twist, however, i found so confusing! I'm still not totally sure i understand the characters/whos who, despite searching their names in my ePub copy (to re read their character intro to remind me who they are)

[Rohan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️, maybe?

the plot twist was actually so confusing - i could not keep the characters straight with all the same names and changing POVs. once the plot twist hit around 75% I just wanted to be done with the book.

[Giovanna Tufano · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️

I don't know how I feel after finishing this book. I wouldn't call it a romance—no spice, also not much chemistry between the main characters. I was expecting something else, an enemy to lovers, grumpy vs sunshine, a bit of lightness. I found an absurd heaviness here, and the protagonists either have alcohol problems or are grieving. Apparently, if there's no ongoing trauma, you can't be a character in these books.
Ok. I said it. For me this is not a romance.
These days, it seems impossible to find a good, well-written romance. It's anything but a rom-com. At a certain point, there's so much confusion in this book that it bored me a bit, and I was about to give it up because it seemed a bit ridiculous.
Also, why do the inhabitants of this island all seem like jerks?

[Lemurkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of Beth O'Leary's books, and every one of them has delighted me. This is the second one of hers that has a "rug pull" moment - and it's a real doozy. I was expecting something - it seemed like it was heading in that sort of direction - but it definitely surprised me.

The Name Game has an interesting narrative structure, which obviously makes it ripe for a bit of literary tomfoolery. We have the two Charlie Jones's of the title, both of whom apparently have been employed to fulfill the same position.. Both of whom are, for various reasons, trying to start afresh on Isle of Ormer. The first Charlie Jones's passages are headed up as diary entries, and the second Charlie Jones is written as emails to himself. Thankfully, this makes it quite easy to tell the two Charlies apart, especially since man Charlie is generally referred to as Jones. Interspersed with these are flashbacks, giving more depth into the pasts that they are both running from.

The Isle of Ormer is a township trapped in time. There are no vehicles permitted on the island, except tractors, and most folks get around on foot, bicycle, or by horse and carriage. Even the local ambulance is pulled behind a tractor. It's quite a magical setting, but its the townsfolk that help bring the story to life. There's sweet Rosie and her strict, no nonsense wife, Marly, the couple that run the B&B, and the employers of Charlie Jones (plural); Galoshes, the intimidating shop assistant who neither trusts the situation, nor welcomes the changes they bring; and many more. It's going to be enough of a challenge for Charlie and Jones to get themselves accepted here, let alone determine which of them gets to stay... And whilst there is romance in it, it's more a story of personal growth, of self awareness and becoming more authentically you.

I devoured this book, breaking from reading only to Google the Channel Islands and learn about Sark (the inspiration for Ormer) and to have a rant and flick back and forth through the book at the 70%-ish mark. If I had one complaint about this story, it would be that the epilogue felt a little sappy and a little too neatly-tied-up-with-a-bow, but that's okay. Overall, it made me smile and kept me reading, and I'll definitely go on to read anything else that Beth O'Leary produces.

[Leighann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary will be released in the United States on April 7, 2026.
Charlie Jones is ready for a fresh start in life, working at a cute farm store on the gloriously rustic, refreshing island of Ormer (kind of like Guernsey, but smaller). She desperately needs a new opportunity, but her plans are almost ruined when someone else who ALSO claims to be named Charlie Jones turns up at the farm shop on the same day, at the same time, claiming he was offered the same job. And also, why is he so brooding and handsome? The farm owner, Rosie, says they can split the job for a trial period—and share a cottage…and here we go with a forced proximity trope?
This is the intriguing set-up for a contemporary romance that was often light-hearted and humorous but also had deeper themes related to sobriety and grief, as the book progressed. Any reader who enjoys basking in the fresh air of a beautiful setting and the small town dramas of island life will find this book to be a fun read. If you liked other books by Beth O’Leary, such as The Flatshare or my personal favorite, Swept Away, you will enjoy this slow-burn romance.
The Name Game had a few surprising twists that I did not see coming. At first, I was like, what? Does this make sense? I kind of didn’t care, because I was invested with most of the characters, like sweet Rosie who runs the farm, and Charlie Jones, the woman, who just wants a fresh start and to become a mom. The tension and banter between Jones also had me invested, wondering when will they confess their love!!!??
My Thoughts on the Writing Style
I will say, at first, I was not sure about the writing style for Charlie Jones #1, the woman, because it was meant to be journal entries and a lot of pronouns were left out, and sentences were shortened, but then I got used to it and didn’t care. The other POV is Charlie Jones #2, the guy, who goes by Jones; his POV is in the form of writing emails to himself (or someone else named Charlie Jones) as a way to cope with his new attempt at sobriety. There were also some flashbacks to characters’ pasts, which are important to pay attention to.
If I were you, I would go ahead and pre-order The Name Game and then read Swept Away by Beth O’Leary while you’re waiting.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up for GR

If you like stories with a quirky British isle setting, a whimsical cast of characters, non-steamy romance infused with lots of heavier topics and a TWISTY plot line, this one is for you! Ultimately I enjoyed it and it kept me guessing as the mysteries unfolded.

The setting: the (fictional) charming and very small Channel Island of Ormer, where there are no cars, everyone knows everyone and a charming cast of characters with nicknames like “Galoshes” run a committee for just about everything.

The start: two people show up at the same time to start a new job at the community farm shop - both named Charlie Jones, both claiming they are the one who was offered the job, and both carrying their fair share of emotional baggage…we just aren’t quite sure what that is. Forced to co-manage the shop on a trial basis and share a living space, what will happen with and between these two?

We catch up on what is going on through (woman) Charlie’s dairy, written in a hilarious Bridget Jones-ish style and (man) Charlie’s emails to himself. As the book progresses we are also treated to alternating past POV chapters and we start to put the pieces together on who these two are and what led them to this remote island to start a new-ish life.

My thoughts: I absolutely loved the setting and thought O’Leary did such a great job describing it and giving us a delightful cast of characters. Both Charlies are complex, imperfect people who are easy to root for. While I enjoyed the romance, it felt like a smaller part of the story than the other plot points. I really appreciate when a romance has depth and this book is no exception - without spoiling there are some major traumas and plot points including addiction, grief & loss, and more. I thought O’Leary dealt with each topic with care, but it did feel they all perhaps were tied up a bit too neatly in the end for SO many different heavier storylines. As always, I love that O’Leary writes with an unapologetic British voice - as an American Anglophile, I love all the fun words and phrases!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sharlene N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welp, I can definitely understand where this book gets its name!

Charlie Jones (she) and Charlie Jones (he goes by “Jones”) both show up to start the same new job on a teeny island in England, both a little heartbroken and looking for a new start. Through some sort of mix-up, they both inexplicably have the same job offer letter, but sent to two different people. Despite the fact that something very fishy is going on, the two Charlie Joneses agree to basically compete for the job for two months while the owners can evaluate their performance. Of course, there's only one place to stay, so they have to stay together in the *very* small farmhouse.

There was a wholesome sweetness to this one as the two Charlies start to get to know each other and slowly (very slowly) develop feelings for each other. The side characters and the setting are also nice additions to round out the whole story. There's a bit of a mystery as to what's going on with this fishy situation that is rolled out in flashbacks.

The whole then went completely bonkers about 2/3s in with a big twist that I did NOT see coming at all. I don't want to ruin it all, but it took me a little more mental firepower than I'd like to figure out what the heck had just happened. And while it was definitely creative, it was also over-the-top ridiculous.

Overall, this was a cute slow-burn, closed-door romance. It wasn't my favorite from Beth O'Leary but I will still read what she puts out next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for access to this eARC.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ This book was unexpected, and it was PHENOMENAL. At its core it’s a tale of grief, and longing to be someone untouched by it, disguised as a very creative mystery, then disguised once more as a cartoon cover romcom!! Who’d’ve thunk!!!! Not me, clearly, as I was SCREAMING at my kindle at 11pm last night. Apologies to my neighbors.

I felt my heart BREAK for these charlies over and over, and then, when I thought I had pieced the plot together and it could no longer hurt me, I was PUNCHED IN THE FACE. Until about 65% of this book, I was set on giving it 3 stars, maybe 2.5, for the confusing secret keeping, and slow pacing, and the diary-vignette + flashbacks narrative structure, but they’re SO worth it. I was tricked!!! And I’m so delighted about it!!! And I don’t think it’s because I’m a little dumb and/or very willing to be immersed in a story. Beth O’Leary created the most intricate, complex, detailed, sophisticated jenga tower of a story, and then pulled out the one piece at the bottom holding it all up within a few chapters, so I think she deserves all of these flowers here.

And when you read the synopsis of this book and ask “Hannah, I like romance and romcoms but it seems like just a kitschy play on forced proximity, how could there be more here?” I would politely respond with “please, I cannot say more, but do yourself a favor and take a leap of faith.” Or idk, just get on the jenga tower and let Beth push you off it <3<3<3

Thank you to netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc!

[Maddison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the deal. I have really enjoyed any other Beth O' Leary books that I've read, and this book does have some of her trademark writing that I like. I ran into a few problems with this story, though, that really impacted my ability to get through it.

When Charlie writes in her diary, she frequently drops the word "I". You'll have a paragraph that reads something along the lines of, "I went to the store. Saw the neighbors there with their kids. Said hello then found a bag of cherries. Passed them again. Pointed to the cherries and asked if they'd like some." This is NOT an example from the book, just an example of how the "I" gets dropped from Charlie's POV. I would give an example from the text, but I don't have the book sitting in front of me.

And while I fully understand that this was done on purpose and it does, indeed, help keep her voice distinct from Jones's voice, it was a hangup for me. Unfortunately.

And because I was struggling with Charlie's POV, I found myself 30% of the way into the book struggling to connect with Charlie, and honestly, Jones too.

I kept reading Goodreads reviews where people were raving about the "plot twist" and that was the single thing that pushed me through the book. Even knowing what I was reading for, the pacing was a bit of a struggle.

All that being said, there were lots of interesting layers to Charlie and Jones, and it's a book I might come back to at a later time to see if my reading experience changes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ and .5 🌶️

I was given a digital ARC of this book by NetGalley but the review is all my own opinion.

This is the second Beth book that I have read and I really enjoyed it even if it did start out a little slow. Basically 2 people named Charlie Jones show up on this island with 500 people both claiming that they were offered a job at the island Farm shop. After some arguing, it is decided that they will get 2 months to work together as co managers and then the owners will choose who gets the job. They also have to share the small accommodations. So it is a lot of forced proximity.

I really enjoyed the relationship they were building with each other and with all the other islanders. I think the characters on the island made it a great read.

There were little mysteries that showed up as the story progressed and they added to the overall mystery of why there are 2 Charlie Jones on this island.

The twist at the end I did not see coming. I knew there was a twist since I read some reviews before I started, and it was nothing that I thought it was going to be.

I do think that the reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating was because when the twist came I had to reread parts because I was a bit confused. That being said, I really loved the twist. I enjoyed how Beth twisted all the loose ends together.

Beth O’Leary is for sure an auto read author at this point, just love how she writes people and the slow burn to love.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Charlie Joneses, one island, and two plans to take their lives back. With an entire community watching them stumble, fall, and compete for a single job at the general store - all while sharing a space and trying very hard not to fall in love- what unfolds is heartfelt, messy, and deeply human.

Beth O’Leary returns with stellar imagery and dual perspectives, partly told through letters that pull the reader into the murky self-reflection of two people desperate to reclaim themselves. Their need to evolve is intoxicating and real. O’Leary excels at writing characters with layered, complicated interiors, and this book is no exception. But the climax and its surprising fallout? Completely bonkers. Weird, disorienting, and honestly leaves you wondering what on earth you’ve been reading up to that point. I found myself asking, “What even is this novel? A romance? A mystery? Does it even work?” And honestly, I still don’t know.

What I do know is that I love Beth O’Leary, and I appreciate the risks she takes here. I may not know exactly how I feel at the end, but I smiled, I shook my head, and I’ll absolutely buy her next book, because she’s good at what she does. Always.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Name Game – Beth O’Leary

My first read of 2026 and Beth O’Leary absolutely did it again. I love her writing, and somehow—every single time—I never see the twist coming- This one got me GOOD! Like full stop, stare at the page, “wait… WAIT… WHAT?!”

What starts as a cozy, quirky mix-up (told through journal entries and emails) turns into a slow-burn, character-driven story with a subtle mystery and a plot twist that is completely bonkers in the best way. I was a little confused at times… which, in hindsight, feels VERY intentional because once the reveal hits, everything clicks and I couldn’t stop reading

I loved the dynamic between these two unlikely rivals competing for the same opportunity—watching them shift from tension to friendship and maybe something more was such a joy. At its core, this is a story about starting over—about leaving everything behind to reclaim who you are. If you’re going in expecting a romance-heavy book, this may surprise you. But if you love character growth, layered emotions, and a plot twist? Yeah, it’s this one

Also- rude that this island isn’t real, because I’m fully ready to change my name to Charlie Jones and move there immediately ♥️

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC

[Stella Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Tropes: Strangers to Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Addiction/Trauma, Dual POV, Dual Timeline, Plot Twist

I am a huge fan of Beth O’Leary, and this book did not disappoint. It is written in a diary-entry format with a dual POV, which was interesting since I have not read something like that before. We follow two people named Charlie Jones who are both looking to start a new life on a remote island. The issue is that there is only supposed to be one of them. It is such a genuinely creative plot that she came up with.

I am not usually a fan of a dual timeline, and it still was not my favorite aspect of this book. However, the twist at the end really throws you for a loop, and it makes you think back on the entire story with a completely new perspective. It was honestly wild and something I did not see coming at all.

This book includes a lot of trauma and addiction elements. There is a recovering alcoholic and a character who desperately wants a child. Themes of grief and loss are also present. Overall, the story was much heavier than I expected, and the romance took a bit of a backseat to those themes, although it was still there. There were so many great enemies to lovers moments where you just know they are going to end up falling for each other. The main characters are sweet and lovable while also dealing with their own struggles, and they ultimately come together in the end.

Overall, this was a very interesting read with a major plot twist that I did not see coming. The romance took a bit of a backseat, but the story and plot as a whole were excellent.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the ARC of this book. Beth O'Leary always delivers a fantastic plot with wonderful characters and just enough spice to keep the temperature up! The Name Game is both creatively written and has a surprise that kept me guessing. Told mostly through journal entries and emails, what starts out looking like a cozy mix-up becomes a fantastic love story.

When Charlie Jones arrives on the island to take the job as farm store manager, she doesn't expect another Charlie Jones to be arriving, ready to take the same job. Even more oddly, they both seem to have received the same letter offering the job. But the quirky and (mostly) delightful residents of the island are willing to roll with the mix up based on a long standing belief that people end up on the island because that's where they need to be. What Charlie didn't expect - neither of them - was how much attraction would grow between them. When the truth is revealed, it could make or break the charming lives they have found on the island.

This is a wonderful beach read or summery escapist read. It kept me up way past my bedtime several nights because I didn't want to leave the island either!

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Charlie Jones (Charlie) is thrilled to start fresh on the Isle of Ormer. Charlie Jones (Jones) feels the same way. What are the chances? The problem is they both got hired for the same job and there’s only enough money for one of them to stay on as farm manager long term. The odds of this mix-up happening are very low but here they are and they have agreed to both stay for two months for one of them to earn the right to keep the job. They’re about to find out what's really in a name…

The Name Game has an absolutely adorable rom com premise but layered within is a story of two individuals yearning for a new life and courageous enough to seek it out. Beth O’Leary delivers a journey through both Charlie Jones’s pasts and the circumstances that brought them to this tiny little island of hope. We might not all be able to uproot and find our peace in the Channel Islands, but this story is a note of encouragement to spark your own quest. The Name Game is here to not so subtly remind us it’s not always a straight and easy path but it’s always worth it to find the true joy and authentic connections.

[Olivia Pilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I’m recovering from major whiplash which is truly the Beth O’Leary way. Her mind works in mysterious ways & to include plot twists in romance books is so truly genius even when it leaves me so confused about 60% of the way through. I should have known better than to assume that the premise of two Charlie Jones’ was just cute & fun and not a tell of what was to come. I also should not have assumed that the people in the exposition parts were the same as the people in the diary parts. Classic rookie mistake. I forgot about Beth’s game. My b.

Such a fun book! I love the small town, slightly insane vibes. There’s something innately special about a cast of characters connected in this way and I always enjoy it. I loved watching Oliver and Aspen (sorry the Charlie’s) fall in love. I loved seeing Aspen’s journey with anxiety and finally being true to herself. And I REALLY loved that the conflict was pregnancy but not really but also miscommunication but not really?? It was just so well thought out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

[Kat Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I was very intrigued by this premise: two Charlie Joneses show up for one open position on a tiny island. How did the mix up happen? How will they coexist?

I had such a difficult time connecting with these characters for about 80% of the book. Female Charlie tells her story through (somewhat annoying) journal entries and male Charlie tells his through emails. The only time we get traditional writing is through brief flashbacks. This writing style just fell a bit flat for me. I know it can be done well, but this one slightly missed the mark.

However later in the book, we find some fun surprises and then the characters all became so much more relatable. The last 20% of the book was really enjoyable. All Charlie Joneses really grew as people and it was satisfying to see it unfold.

This one also had some great found family. All the islanders were quirky and fun to get to know.

Recommend this one for fans of:
—> workplace rivals
—> personal growth arcs
—> found family
—> closed door romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This one releases on April 7, 2026.