The Name Game
By: Beth O’Leary
Published Year: 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 384
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): 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?
First Impressions
O’Leary is one of my go-to authors. I have really enjoyed every book of hers that she has written. I didn’t know she was coming out with another new one, so when I received the opportunity to review this one I was very excited! The premise felt a little silly and I honestly don’t know if between that and the summary I would’ve picked this one up if I wasn’t already a fan.
What I thought
This book was a little confusing but ultimately a fun ride.
Charlie Jones shows up on the tiny island of Ormer for a job on a farm as a fresh start to her life only to find, Charlie Jones is in the shop for the job that he received. Rosie, the owner of the shop doesn’t know how this happened. Charlie and Jones (as he decides to go by to lessen confusion) decide to each work the job until October in hopes they can increase profit enough that Rosie could justify keeping both of them on.
This novel is written in journal entries by Charlie, emails by Jones, and then flashback to each of their past lives before moving to Ormer. Ormer sort of reminds me of Mackinac island. It’s a small island of about 500 residents, lots of tourists, and no cars allowed. Charlie is struggling to start over and wants to move to the island and eventually become a single mom. Jones is starting his journey of sobriety and wants to start over on the island to assist with that. Because the job was only intended for one person, Jones and Charlie have to share the living space above the farmhouse.
Honestly, if I hadn’t been a fan of O’Leary, I don’t know if I would’ve given this book the chance it deserved. I found the early premise to be confusing and a little silly. How in the world do two people with the same name end up at the same small job on an island with no one claiming responsibility? However, the payoff is worth it. It took me a little while to get into this book, but it crawled up on me slowly and I ended up really enjoying the characters and the island.
The first maybe 25% of the book I was kind of meh. Then all o fa sudden I found myself wondering about the characters and not wanting to put the book down. I always love how O’Leary tackles hard hitting issues and this book is no different. She deals with alcoholism, anxiety, depression, and grief. She always does a wonderful job balancing romance with real life issues.
This book is wonderful if you’re looking for a quirky story with a small town feel and a twist you won’t see coming. I don’t think I would recommend it as your first into to O’Leary, but if you have read her other books I think this one holds up. I do want someone I know to read it because of the twist so we can talk about it, so it might be a fun book club pick!