The Name Game

by Beth O'Leary

10 hours

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, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Forced Proximity

Audible Audio

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

[Sarah]

OMG STOP! I just got approved to read this book from Berkley Publishing Group and they NEVER, and I mean never, approve my requests 😱🫶🏼 I am literally screaming right now! I’m so grateful, shocked, and super excited to read my first Beth O’Leary novel! 😆🤭🥹💝 Okay, I’ll shut up now, sorry, bye! 😂😘💗

[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 |

[cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did I read the same book??? LOL because I swear I had a completely different experience than almost everyone SIGHHHHHHHHHH 😔😔

I really wanted to enjoy this one. New town, fresh start, maybe a little swoony chaos… but it just didn’t land for me. The writing style threw me off more than I expected. Usually I’m a sucker for letters, diary entries, emails, but here it felt a bit jumbled, uneven, and hard to fully settle into.

The romance didn’t quite spark either. I kept hoping for moments that would make me care, laugh, or swoon, but they never fully clicked. Part of this is on me. I didn’t realize which author this was when I grabbed the ARC, and looking back, I remember why: I’d read another of her books before, and that one hadn’t worked for me either. 😭 This one just fell a little flat for my taste, leaving me more confused and bored than invested.

The biggest thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Beth O’Leary for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

[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.💚💚💚

[Tiffany]

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley, for sending me this ARC. Love a good romcom. Fingers crossed.

"A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job."

Pub Date Apr 07 2026

As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫🖤

[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.

[ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes a twist like Beth O’Leary.

[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!

[bloomgirl_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Last year Swept Away was one of my favorite reads of the year, and has become one of my favorite contemporary romance novels of all time. With one exception, I have loved all of Beth O’Leary’s books. So, The Name Game was a very highly anticipated release this year, and a 5-star prediction. Unfortunately, it did not end up being a 5-star read for me. I think the reader needs to suspend disbelief when reading pretty much any romance book, but this one really asked the reader to believe a storyline that was very implausible, and honestly felt kind of forced. Without getting into spoiler territory, I didn’t buy the twist. And that, along with trying to follow the confusing narrative, knocked my enjoyment of this book down some.

So how did this book merit a 4-star rating? Simply put, Beth O’Leary could write a phone book and I’d fly through it. Her characters are always so likable. Even if I didn’t really understand/buy the full picture of how two Charlie Jones’s happened to apply for and get offered the same job on the same tiny island, I still loved getting to know them and love watching the two of them get to know each other. I also loved the antics that went on with the other members of this close knit island. There’s something so charming about a small community of people who know everything about everybody, and are determined to have their nose in the business of anyone new that happens across their path. Chaos is always likely to ensue, and it’s always going to be hilarious. I also loved the island of Ormer, with its natural beauty and feeling of being disconnected from the wider world, and found myself wanting to go there. Even though I don’t think that this was O’Leary’s strongest plot, or even strongest character building, I still enjoyed the experience and would definitely read this book again in the future.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

That moment where it all came together in my brain and I finally understood the story... That felt absolutely incredible. Like gasp-out-loud incredible. Really, it's the work of a mastermind storyteller. I had so many theories and I wasn't even close to figuring it out. I still can't believe it (and may have to read it again to fully get it).

[Kenna Lowrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book took me forever to read since it was incredibly boring until the last 20%, which was incredibly confusing. all came together in the end, but just a miss for me.

[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.

[Chenoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
At no point did I guess what happened was going to happen. The reason this book is not getting a higher rating is because I had difficult time trying to figure out what Charlie Jones point of view you were in for a while into the book. And then when what happened happened, I was even more confused and spent a few minutes rethinking everything I had read to figure out what was going on.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the characters and this book was very fast paced.

[Kimmy]

DNF at 14% I’m bored

[Chelsea Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. When I saw there was a Beth O'Leary ARC available I signed up immediately. "The Flatshare" was one of my favorite books of the last few years and one I've recommended and loaned out multiple times. I also enjoyed "The Wake-Up Call". This was written in her expected dual POV--one Charlie as a journal and the other Charlie as self-emails.

Without any spoilers, I have to say that upon encountering this book's "twist" (it's not a mystery but that's the best description) I want to read it all over again to find the new layers. That's fun writing!

This story is set on a fictionalized Channel island. I've visited the Isle of Man and Innismor so I appreciated the quirky British island culture, even if I haven't LIVED on one.

Each of our Charlies has some dark-ish past they're trying to escape on the island and start over. These histories are peeled back in third-person flashback. We also get lots of quirky island locals (and their animals) a la small town romance (Lucy Score, Claire Kingsley) but nicely British, of course.

There's a slow burn romance with some heat but a lot more emotional talk and yearning. Discussions on single motherhood, alcoholism, grief, and finding your purpose.

There's an excellent epilogue so stick around until the final pages!

[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

[Joy| joyluck.bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. I was not expecting any of that.

Beth O’Leary and I have an interesting history. She has written books I’ve loathed with my entire soul… and this one- this I loved (new fave alert!)

I didn’t know what to expect, but I love a romance that has deep themes- and boy did this have that. It was very character driven, which I also love, and I was along for the ride- happily!

I actually really liked the ending, though I was confused there for a sec!! But we ended up where we needed to be.

Author ranked
The Name Game ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Flatshare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The No Show ⭐️⭐️.5
The Road Trip ⭐️

[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?

[Gosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, baby, couldn’t put it down!

Highly recommend going into this book blindly but if you want some info about it (I will try to go with zero spoilers), please enjoy my review below.

Romance* with plot twists and unreliable narrator vibe? That was a first for me and I loved it!!
(Although now that I think about it in the No-Show there was an element of a plot twist too)

*I would call this book as combination of genres: contemporary romance/women’s fiction/chick lit, as it’s not the usual contemporary romance type. The romance is there but it’s not exactly the main-main focus of the story.

Beth O’Leary took small town trope to another level and set the action of this book on a small ISLAND. The premise of this book is super interesting and highly entertaining.
It’s fun and funny and overall lighthearted while at the same time covering pretty heavy themes (grief, alcoholism, wanting/not wanting kids/wanting to have kids as single parent).
I loved the writing (no shocker, it was my 4th read by the author) and I especially loved mixing the type of narration and dual timeline (let’s call it that). There are diary entries (giving a bit of Bridget Jones vibes) and emails written in 1st person narration, but the backdated chapters are told by a narrator.

I liked both main characters and their backstory. There were quite a lot of funny moments and the overall vibes remained light through the whole book but they were mixed with heavier themes and some emotional moments and/or lines that could be thought provoking for some. (While still being a light romcom after all!)
Although the first kiss happens somewhere around 30% mark, I would call it a slow burn. The romance part was cute and wholesome. Actually, the whole story was wholesome by the end.

I absolutely loved the plot twists and I love how it all wrapped up.
The alcoholism and anxiety rep are both very well handled. They are there but not in overwhelming way.
This is a book that can easily be read at least twice. 2nd read will be a new experience as you will take some of the chapters in differently, after knowing the plot twists that happen at the end.

Full 5 stars and a book I will be recommending to everyone!

Big thank you to Quercus books and NetGalley for eARC.


~~
I added quite a lot of reading updates with some of my highlights so enjoy if you like checking out quotes ;)

[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.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from NetGalley & Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️ & 0/5🌶️

O’Leary always creates such thought out, intricate stories, and this was no exception. She has written some of my favourite books (the flatshare, the switch) and some books I did not enjoy as much. However, this one had a very similar writing style to the flatshare (with a slightly similar premise), and worked very well for me. As always, I warn this is more of a contemporary/chick-lit novel than a romance, our MCs don’t even make it to the bedroom with each other in the book.

I would largely suggest going in blind, this novel covers two Charlie Jones’ who show up to a small island for the same job. You follow both Charlie’s present day on the island through general entries, and their lives before arrival. I can honestly say I did not see where this book was going, and while it was a bit confusing at first, I thought it worked well.

This novel covers a lot of topics such as alcoholism, pregnancy, grief, adoption, and more. Again, while the romance was a nice aspect to this book, it was very much a subplot to these characters figuring out their lives.

The actual main drawback for me was the large chapters (average of 40 pages), but it would be easy enough to stop in between at the POV changes.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story I did not see coming and that turned out to be everything opposite of what I thought it would be.

I will say I went into this very blindly (as I normally do because I hate fully knowing a story from a synopsis) and well I’m glad I did because I enjoyed the overall conclusion of the non romantic storyline. It fully caught me off guard, had me VERY confused for a good 20 minutes because there was one too many Charlie Jones’ but overall enjoyed that aspect very much. If this book had more added depth to that storyline and no romance, I would have probably rated it higher.

Which brings me to the romance of the two MAIN characters because I’m trying to find more of it. It feels very insta love and the format of the book has a huge chunk of the development of their relationship missing. I just couldn’t believe in it and probably won’t LOLOL. This is closed door for anyone who wants little to no spice of a read.

I did love the small town island vibes and enjoyed the little glimpses we got of the other town people. This story does deal with death, grief, and alcoholism so proceed with caution of this can be triggering. Thank you so much NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Beth O’ Leary for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[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.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Beth O’Leary never fails to surprise me with her twists!

This was a beautiful romance that I could not put down. I adored the Charlies and their gentle romance as it progressed throughout the book. The pig scene, the lighthouse 🫦, and the chamomile tea scenes really showcased these characters and made me root for their romance. I do love a slow burn and a man who yearns 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️. Told in an epistolary style through letters and emails to themselves, this format made it easier to connect with these characters and learn more about their past and root for their growth.

As much as the twist was fun, it was also a bit confusing but that was probably due to me having trouble remembering who everyone was lol. I’ve always been a fan of this authors romances and this was no exception! Can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

[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.

[Karyn Silverman]

Enjoyed this! Has a bit of sleight of hand, which I expected, and a great setting that I wish was real and want to visit (a channel island) and a very silly plot set up that is not treated as silly. Typically for the author, there’s a lovely romance and characters with a lot of baggage that makes this feel very nearly not a romance novel at times, and it doesn’t spend a lot of time in genre staple tropes (like, there is only one bed, so they just put another bed in another room and it’s not actually treated as a one-bed trope at all), which made for a pleasant change.

[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.

[Chloe Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I’ve made so many mistakes, but if they led me here, maybe they weren’t mistakes after all.’

I genuinely am in awe of Beth O’Leary’s mind. How does she manage to throw such huge plot twists in her novels that I never see coming but end up making so much sense. Such a lovely book that has made me want to move to a remote island and re-invent myself.

[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!!!