My Name is MacKenzie Bly: A hilarious coming-of-age novel from the bestselling author of Old Baggage

by Lissa Evans

I am fourteen years old and I’m called MacKenzie Bly. It’s a good name, isn’t it? Unfortunately, I just made it up, I’m actually called Philip Stephens which, if there was ever a competition for the world’s most boring name, would be a clear winner. ‘We didn’t want to call you something that would mean you’d get teased’ is what Mum B says.

But given that I’m the size of a vending machine, hate sport, live with my Mums, one of whom teaches biology at my school, and don’t live with my Dad who plays air guitar, has ginger plaits down to his waist and writes random notes on Rizlas instead of using a diary, they might as well have called me ‘Fattus Butticus’ for all the difference it would have made….

Oh, and my best friend Sy has just moved to New Zealand.

Life is terrible.

I hope you enjoy reading this.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 27, 2026

About the author

After a brief career in medicine, and an even briefer one in stand-up, Lissa Evans became a comedy producer, first in radio and then in television. Her first novel, Spencer's List, was published in 2002, and since then she has written three more books for adults (two of them longlisted for the Orange/Baileys Prize) and two for children (the first of them shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal). Her two most recent books for adults were set in London during the Second World War; one of them, 'Their Finest Hour and a Half' has now been made into a film entitled 'Their Finest', starring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy

Reviews

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* My Name is MacKenzie Bly - Lissa Evans. The heartwarming and comical diary of a teenager which is a little reminiscent of Adrian Mole.

Philip Stephen’s, a tall teenager whose best pal has been dragged off to New Zealand with his family, whose mum teaches at his school, who rarely sees his hippy dad, who is trailed round school by an annoying boy.

Not a lot happens to MacKenzie Bly but the insight into his world by way of his diary gives a heartwarming snapshot into his life. As ever, Lissa Evans delivers whipsmart prose and the reader cannot help but root for our main character. A slim volume, this was a real treat which I read in one sitting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny indeed at times.

In full.
MacKenzie Bly is actually Philip Stephens but he made the name up because his real name would win a world's most boring name competition… At the start of this he becomes world famous as he built a cat scarer with his friend Sy. The video they uploaded got loads of hits though possibly not for the right reasons. Philip is 14 and very tall for his age (!!). He lives with his two Mums, one of whom is a teacher at his school (!!). He has a guineapig and the family has a slightly unpleasant dog called Boiler. Sy, his best friend, has now gone to New Zealand with his family. It's fair to say that he is not particularly happy and so starts this story of his life (well a small part of it anyway).

I found myself easily caught up in this amusing insight into life as a 14 year old. It's quite hard to review this without really giving away at least some of the many laughs here. A variety of things go on (and wrong) in the course of Philip's story. There is a work experience day from school, another class D & T project and stories about people around him. His father actually lives nearby but might be considered less than reliable for example. You get views on food, life, hobbies and family. Humour is a strange thing - sometimes it works for some and not others. Personally I found this entertaining and at times extremely funny but maybe that's just me! I had had two of my grandsons with me just after I read this and so I decided to see what they thought of it. My 12 year old liked it and would definitely read it - my 10 year old loved it and laughed (possibly that says something about my mental age…).

Anyway - I really enjoyed it, it was very amusing at times and a fan read but I guess it might not suit everyone.

My thanks to the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

It's quite hard to review this without giving away a lot of the plot so it will be a shorter review than I normally do.

I have seen this everywhere and I was very intrigued about it.

The start of it instantly grabbbed me. Narrated by a 14-year-old, there's always teh chance I wouldn't relate to it. But even so, MacKenzie's voice is so real that you're immediately sucked in.

I don't find books funny, generally, but this one had me giggling early on.

I mean, it is a big random and haphazard and I wasn't entirely sure that was going on at all points. But it's more of an inner monologue or stream of consciousness, so I suppose it was never going to be crystal clear, and yet I still enjoyed reading it.

It shows the chaotic nature of being a teenager today. And maybe that's why it doesn't fit into the "normal" novel form.

I believe this is an adult book from what I can gather online, but having read it, whilst I enjoyed it and I agree that it will appeal to adults, I think it is more ideal for young adults - but on the older side. It would be more relevant and familiar to them and I think they'd get more enjoyment out of it than older readers.

It isn't an overly short book, nor is it long, but the short, snappy chapters made it quick and easy to read.

It's not the best book I've read and I can't say it completely lived up to my expectations, but it was enjoyable and humorous, with a well-written protagonist. I would recommend it to older young adults (if that makes sense).

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Lissa Evans and her latest, My Name is MacKenzie Bly, is an absolute treasure.

MacKenzie (real name Philip Stephens but he wants to sound more interesting) is 14 years old, exceptionally tall and largely built and uncomfortable in his own skin. He lives with his two mums (obviously extremely cool in the 90s but now a total embarrassment to him), occasionally sees his wayward father and is struggling to adapt to life without his best friend, recently emigrated to New Zealand. His story has no major events as such but is more the story of how it feels to be a teenager, lonely at times, uncomfortable with yourself, easily embarrassed and sure that everyone else finds it much easier.

It’s also very, very funny. Lissa Evans has such a wonderful understanding of what makes people tick and her characters are always believable and empathetic and the scenarios they find themselves in manage to be both true to life and hilarious. Her writing is as effortless as ever, and this book is perfect for both young readers and adults. MacKenzie himself is a wonderful character, a modern Adrian Mole, and I hope he’s back soon with more of his everyday adventures. Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[CPE]

I spent the first half of My Name is MacKenzie Bly trying to ascertain the point of the book. Lissa Evans wrote the wonderful Small Bomb in Dimperley and I expected another novel, written in a similar vein. Reader, it didn’t happen. MacKenzie Bly is very reminiscent of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. It’s a set of reflections (not structured as a set of diary entries, as there are no dates) by Philip Stephens, apparently aged 13-14, who makes up the name MacKenzie Bly for himself at the start of the book. However, that name is never used after Philip tells us in Chapter One he made it up.

There is a mild first-love romance between Philip and Emmeline; Philip notes various childish behaviour by classmates and (often embarrassing) events that happen to him. That’s it, really.

#MyNameisMacKenzieBly #NetGalley

[histeriker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Adrian Mole and I am happy I was reminded of him through this book. I really liked the family of the main character and the way he navigates the school and his friendships. It’s great to see that problems teenagers face are not that different from the problems nearly 40 years ago, even though they have some other possibilities (like mobiles and other devices). Feeling in touch with somebody doesn’t depend solely upon possibilities, it is also an inner connection that is necessary.
I can recommend this book and I will certainly buy it as an actual book.

[Francis Pellow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when an advance copy of Lissa Evan’s new book was sent to the bookshop I work at. I love Lissa’s eye for the comedy in everyday people/occurrences. It was a quick read with short chapters that felt very authentic in capturing the narrators voice and thoughts.
although this book is aimed at a younger age I enjoyed it very much and hope there are going to be more.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delicious. Funny, smart and at times really touching. It's got Evan's trademark ability to handle some of the trickier of life's relationships with a lightness that never mocks or undermines the seriousness of what is going on. I absolutely loved this.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 2026 take on Adrian Mole, a teenage diarist confiding his embarrassments and mishaps with a well-drawn and instantly recognisable set of supporting characters. It’s quite sweet and very funny, and I would not be averse to further installments.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun.

Told through diary entries by fourteen year old MacKensie Bly (not his real name) as he navigates school after his best friend moves to New Zealand.

His home life was sweet and a bit chaotic and I liked the new friendships he made.

Very short and funny, I enjoyed this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the arc