What do you think?
Rate this book
By Any Other Name
Jordan Marlowe needs a plan.
Fresh out of her MFA program, she's bombed an interview at Columbia, collected a stack of rejections from agents and publishers, and stalled out in a spiral of writer's block. Meanwhile, her best friend is thriving in a PhD program, and her boyfriend is climbing the tech ladder.
Then a delayed flight pushes Jordan into an airport bookstore, and everything changes. On the shelf, she finds a debut novel: The Unbearable Weight of Secrets by Beatrice Mitchell. Just a few paragraphs in, her exhaustion turns to shock. The book isn't just familiar. It's hers: a manuscript she drafted, revised, and workshopped years earlier, but never published.
Stunned, Jordan launches a desperate search for answers. Who stole her work, and why? A critique partner who read an early draft? An ambitious classmate eager for a leg up? Her mentor, with the most access to her writing but the most to lose by risking her own, successful career? Or someone else entirely, a stranger who inexplicably knows Jordan's voice as well as she does?
To reclaim her story, Jordan must be willing to risk everything: her relationship, her future career, and her already fragile belief in herself. Because unmasking Beatrice Mitchell isn't just about justice. It's about proving, once and for all, that Jordan Marlowe isn't just chasing the dream of being a writer.
She already is one.
Fresh out of her MFA program, she's bombed an interview at Columbia, collected a stack of rejections from agents and publishers, and stalled out in a spiral of writer's block. Meanwhile, her best friend is thriving in a PhD program, and her boyfriend is climbing the tech ladder.
Then a delayed flight pushes Jordan into an airport bookstore, and everything changes. On the shelf, she finds a debut novel: The Unbearable Weight of Secrets by Beatrice Mitchell. Just a few paragraphs in, her exhaustion turns to shock. The book isn't just familiar. It's hers: a manuscript she drafted, revised, and workshopped years earlier, but never published.
Stunned, Jordan launches a desperate search for answers. Who stole her work, and why? A critique partner who read an early draft? An ambitious classmate eager for a leg up? Her mentor, with the most access to her writing but the most to lose by risking her own, successful career? Or someone else entirely, a stranger who inexplicably knows Jordan's voice as well as she does?
To reclaim her story, Jordan must be willing to risk everything: her relationship, her future career, and her already fragile belief in herself. Because unmasking Beatrice Mitchell isn't just about justice. It's about proving, once and for all, that Jordan Marlowe isn't just chasing the dream of being a writer.
She already is one.
318 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2026
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"To lose control of your own story is a uniquely disorienting kind of grief. But to reclaim it, clear-eyed and on your own terms, is a kind of redemption."
Kate Laack will delight women's fiction lovers with the riveting page-turner, By Any Other Name. This story is sure to spark healthy debates, particularly around the topics of AI use and authorship; book clubs, I've found your next pick! And yet, what Laack does so well is weave universal, timeless themes into a contemporary conversation. Even years from now, readers will be able to relate to the fear of missing one's big shot, and the bitter sting of betrayal.
By Any Other Name demonstrates Laack's expertise for building tension and character. The protagonist Jordan Marlowe is relatable as a fledgling author, fresh out of an MFA program. Jordan (or "Jo" to her friends) is talented, passionate, and has something meaningful to say. But like so many of us, Jordan's storytelling confidence has been put through the test after facing rejection. This is a story not only a cautionary tale about modern technology, but a keen character study in which a woman must learn to ground herself in her own voice.
I found myself biting my nails as I read, eager to see how Laack would wrap up Jordan's story. I did not predict the ending! It was quite literally beautiful and unexpected enough to inspire goosebumps.
Thank you, Kate Laack and Lucky Heron Publishing, for affording me the opportunity of reading an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Kate Laack will delight women's fiction lovers with the riveting page-turner, By Any Other Name. This story is sure to spark healthy debates, particularly around the topics of AI use and authorship; book clubs, I've found your next pick! And yet, what Laack does so well is weave universal, timeless themes into a contemporary conversation. Even years from now, readers will be able to relate to the fear of missing one's big shot, and the bitter sting of betrayal.
By Any Other Name demonstrates Laack's expertise for building tension and character. The protagonist Jordan Marlowe is relatable as a fledgling author, fresh out of an MFA program. Jordan (or "Jo" to her friends) is talented, passionate, and has something meaningful to say. But like so many of us, Jordan's storytelling confidence has been put through the test after facing rejection. This is a story not only a cautionary tale about modern technology, but a keen character study in which a woman must learn to ground herself in her own voice.
I found myself biting my nails as I read, eager to see how Laack would wrap up Jordan's story. I did not predict the ending! It was quite literally beautiful and unexpected enough to inspire goosebumps.
Thank you, Kate Laack and Lucky Heron Publishing, for affording me the opportunity of reading an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“By Any Other Name” by Kate Laack is a book I just couldn’t put down. The story begins when Jordan Marlowe, on her way home from a not-so-successful interview at Columbia University, picks up The Unbearable Weight of Secrets by Beatrice Mitchell at the airport. Upon reading the book, she is immediately taken with the feeling that she has seen it before. A closer examination makes her realize that the story is hers. The similar plot line, the identical characters, and the dialog had all come from her—from a project she had workshopped earlier. To complicate matters, the book soars to the top of the best seller list. Everyone is talking about it. Who stole her manuscript? Jordan needs to know. But in the process of trying to uncover the truth with her best friend and her best friend’s boyfriend, her own relationship with her boyfriend begins to suffer. When the truth comes out, will their relationship survive?
I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this incredible book, and my opinion is my own. If I could give ten stars, I would! Well done!!
I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this incredible book, and my opinion is my own. If I could give ten stars, I would! Well done!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
By Any Other Name pulls you in from the first page. It is a mystery that builds and a relevant conversation about creativity and authorship that unfolds through the eyes of MFA graduate Jordon Marlowe's personal experiences.
Traveling back from an interview at Columbia, Jordon picks up a novel in the airport. As she begins to read, she is shocked to realize that this book is almost an exact copy of the book she submitted for her application to her MFA program.
How did this happen? Who stole her manuscript? And who is this unknown author, Beatrice Mitchell, who has managed to self-publish her book that has become an overnight success?
As Jordon becomes obsessed with discovering these answers, it affects her relationships, her sleep, and her work. As she gets closer to the truth, it turns out to be worse than she ever imagined.
By Any Other Name is riveting, smart, and scary relevant.
By Any Other Name pulls you in from the first page. It is a mystery that builds and a relevant conversation about creativity and authorship that unfolds through the eyes of MFA graduate Jordon Marlowe's personal experiences.
Traveling back from an interview at Columbia, Jordon picks up a novel in the airport. As she begins to read, she is shocked to realize that this book is almost an exact copy of the book she submitted for her application to her MFA program.
How did this happen? Who stole her manuscript? And who is this unknown author, Beatrice Mitchell, who has managed to self-publish her book that has become an overnight success?
As Jordon becomes obsessed with discovering these answers, it affects her relationships, her sleep, and her work. As she gets closer to the truth, it turns out to be worse than she ever imagined.
By Any Other Name is riveting, smart, and scary relevant.
May 4, 2026
By Any Other Name by Kate Laack surprised me, in the best way possible. There is an honesty and integrity in her writing that I am drawn to that it feels grounding and real. I appreciate the way she takes on complex topics and clearly pulls the reader along for the ride. Her storytelling is incredibly engaging and this wasn’t just a book I enjoyed. It was one I couldn’t put down. Even with subtle clues and “Easter eggs” throughout I could not solve the mystery, which made it even more satisfying. If you are looking for something thoughtful, engaging and skillfully written, this is it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Laack does a great job of creating realistic characters that draw you in. There's so much authenticity in Jordan's reaction to finding her stolen idea, her search for answers while trying to navigate her next career and life decisions, and her closest relationships. The tension of the mystery builds at a good pace. A very enjoyable and relevant read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given an ARC by the author/publisher.
This is Laack's best work yet! I was pulled in from the very beginning and felt invested in both the mystery and the characters. Her subject matter is applicable and relevant in today's world and left me questioning the creative world around me. The mystery oscillated between fun and gut-wrenching and left me surprised at the end. By Any Other Name was a fun and interesting read and I loved the little English Literature easter eggs thrown in!
This is Laack's best work yet! I was pulled in from the very beginning and felt invested in both the mystery and the characters. Her subject matter is applicable and relevant in today's world and left me questioning the creative world around me. The mystery oscillated between fun and gut-wrenching and left me surprised at the end. By Any Other Name was a fun and interesting read and I loved the little English Literature easter eggs thrown in!
Review of advance copy received from Author
By Any Other Name is an intelligent, captivating, and timely book that will keep readers and writers alike on the edge of their seats, yearning for more answers. The pages flew by in this literary mystery, where not only was plagiarism suspected, but the protagonist's story also became an instant bestseller. A genuinely thought-provoking, must-read pick for any book club with a totally unexpected ending. Highly recommend.
May 8, 2026
This book is extremely relevant in today’s AI world. You will get a great look at what it takes to be a creative writer, and you will be forced to examine your own beliefs about where AI belongs, or does not belong, in society. It has a lovable cast of characters and the mystery of who stole the manuscript will have you turning pages quickly!
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this novel.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was awesome! I loved the writing and the characters I loved the way it made me think about how we use AI. I also thought it was interesting to learn about the publishing world. Thinking about how I choose many books that I read and how many books I just never see.
May 1, 2026
"By Any Other Name" is so well written, so smart, so relevant and such an interesting reflection on unintended consequences. I couldn't put it down and never saw the ending coming. Kate has knocked it out of the park with another must read winner.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews