Book Review: The Name Game

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary will be released in the United States on April 7, 2026.

On a small windswept island off the coast of France, Charlie Jones is ready to start her new life as a farm store manager, until she meets…a man who says he is also Charlie Jones? Will he be the love of her life or the bane of her existence?

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.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.