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Blonde Identity #2
The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold
Ten years ago, they joined the CIA.
Six years ago, he left the game.
Five years ago, they fell in love.
One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.
And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark.
They don’t know where they are. They don’t know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants.
The only thing that’s clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they’re going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don’t kill each other first.)
Six years ago, he left the game.
Five years ago, they fell in love.
One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.
And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark.
They don’t know where they are. They don’t know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants.
The only thing that’s clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they’re going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don’t kill each other first.)
Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2025
566 people are currently reading
24342 people want to read
About the author
Ally Carter
48 books17.9k followersAlly Carter writes books about sneaky people and movies about Christmas. She is the New York Times Best-selling author of the Gallagher Girls, Heist Society, and Embassy Row series for teens as well as WINTERBORNE HOME FOR VENGEANCE AND VALOR for younger readers. Her books have been published all over the world, in over twenty languages.
She encourages you to visit her online at allycarter.com and embassyrowbooks.com.
She encourages you to visit her online at allycarter.com and embassyrowbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,401 reviews
Currently reading
June 20, 2025- preread 🩵💛🖤 -
forced proximity, second chance, ex-CIA romcom?? count me in!! i love all of the classic spy movies, so i hope this one hits!! 🤞
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! <3
forced proximity, second chance, ex-CIA romcom?? count me in!! i love all of the classic spy movies, so i hope this one hits!! 🤞
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! <3
August 29, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
4.5 stars!
Tropes to look MORE forward to this book:
- ''Who did this to you''
- They “hate” each other but could never stay away
- He falls first and harder
- He calls her Sweetheart
- ''Who hurt you''
- Forehead kisses
- One bed trope
- Takes care of her
- He washes her hair
- Basically Michael mf-ing Kingsley aka King!
Ally Carter’s second entry into her new adult spy-romance series leans much more heavily into espionage than romantic comedy. While The Blonde Identity thrived on its fast-paced hilarity—thanks in part to Zoe being an ordinary woman thrust into spy chaos—this sequel feels darker, moodier, and far more spy-thriller than romcom.
The story frequently shifts between past and present, and while that structure does add layers to the romance and the characters’ history, I personally found the timeline jumps confusing at times. It occasionally pulled me out of the flow of the story, making it harder to settle fully into the narrative.
It also took me longer than expected to really get into the book. Where the first installment hooked me right away with banter, absurdity, and laugh-out-loud moments, this one required more patience. I went in expecting the same level of comedy but was met instead with something more serious, intense, and angsty. That isn’t necessarily bad—it just felt like a shift in tone I wasn’t fully prepared for.
That said, once the momentum built, I couldn’t stop thinking about Alex and King. Their chemistry is undeniable, their shared history is compelling, and their push-and-pull dynamic had me invested to the very end. Despite the slower start and less humor than I hoped for, I found myself missing the characters whenever I had to put the book down—and that, to me, is the mark of a good story.
In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to give it only four stars. Even with its pacing issues, the story stayed with me, and I kept thinking about the characters long after finishing. For readers who enjoyed The Blonde Identity but are open to a more espionage-heavy, emotionally complex follow-up, The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold delivers plenty of danger, tension, and a romance worth rooting for.
—————————
SCREAMING! CRYING! SOBBING! KICKING MY FEET IN THE AIR!!!!x2
FIRST FAINTING BY THE FACT THAT THIS BOOK IS BEING RELEASED AFTER MANIFESTING IT EVER SINCE I READ Blonde Identity THEN FAINTING BECAUSE I JUST GOT APPROVED OF THE ARC?????????????
YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA FOR HOW LONG I HAD WAITED FOR ALEX'S BOOK TO COME OUT!!!
I'm sure I'll update tons more till this book comes out. Till then, bare with me y'all. :D
4.5 stars!
Tropes to look MORE forward to this book:
- ''Who did this to you''
- They “hate” each other but could never stay away
- He falls first and harder
- He calls her Sweetheart
- ''Who hurt you''
- Forehead kisses
- One bed trope
- Takes care of her
- He washes her hair
- Basically Michael mf-ing Kingsley aka King!
Ally Carter’s second entry into her new adult spy-romance series leans much more heavily into espionage than romantic comedy. While The Blonde Identity thrived on its fast-paced hilarity—thanks in part to Zoe being an ordinary woman thrust into spy chaos—this sequel feels darker, moodier, and far more spy-thriller than romcom.
The story frequently shifts between past and present, and while that structure does add layers to the romance and the characters’ history, I personally found the timeline jumps confusing at times. It occasionally pulled me out of the flow of the story, making it harder to settle fully into the narrative.
It also took me longer than expected to really get into the book. Where the first installment hooked me right away with banter, absurdity, and laugh-out-loud moments, this one required more patience. I went in expecting the same level of comedy but was met instead with something more serious, intense, and angsty. That isn’t necessarily bad—it just felt like a shift in tone I wasn’t fully prepared for.
That said, once the momentum built, I couldn’t stop thinking about Alex and King. Their chemistry is undeniable, their shared history is compelling, and their push-and-pull dynamic had me invested to the very end. Despite the slower start and less humor than I hoped for, I found myself missing the characters whenever I had to put the book down—and that, to me, is the mark of a good story.
In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to give it only four stars. Even with its pacing issues, the story stayed with me, and I kept thinking about the characters long after finishing. For readers who enjoyed The Blonde Identity but are open to a more espionage-heavy, emotionally complex follow-up, The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold delivers plenty of danger, tension, and a romance worth rooting for.
—————————
SCREAMING! CRYING! SOBBING! KICKING MY FEET IN THE AIR!!!!x2
FIRST FAINTING BY THE FACT THAT THIS BOOK IS BEING RELEASED AFTER MANIFESTING IT EVER SINCE I READ Blonde Identity THEN FAINTING BECAUSE I JUST GOT APPROVED OF THE ARC?????????????
YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA FOR HOW LONG I HAD WAITED FOR ALEX'S BOOK TO COME OUT!!!
I'm sure I'll update tons more till this book comes out. Till then, bare with me y'all. :D
May 1, 2025
UGHHHH i literally cannot recommend this enough if you're looking for a fun time with great banter and silly moments and bingeable writing. i had a great time with the first book, but i def liked this one better!! my only complaint is that is did occasionally feel like we were kinda jumping around, but honestly it's so easy to overlook that because again, it's just such a good fun unserious time.
thank you to netgalley & avon and harper voyager for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
had to go straight into this after reading the first one 🤭
thank you to netgalley & avon and harper voyager for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
had to go straight into this after reading the first one 🤭
Currently reading
September 3, 2025➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ let's ignore the fact I started, I also got obsessed at 20% and forgot to log this in, this book is hilarious!!!!
August 5, 2025
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
A big thank you to Avon and Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: August 5th, 2025
Check out my review post on my bookstagram!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DM_M3ZERl...
This book is a fun spy romance with excellent banter and a SWOONY love interest. The writing is fast-paced and easy to read, and the characters are very likable.
I absolutely loved the way Ally Carter included popular romance tropes in this book. There are many, mainly forced proximity, fake marriage, and enemies to lovers, but they all fit the context of the spy plot and didn’t feel forced at all. She even managed to organically include the one bed trope.
This is definitely a book that revolves around developing the romance, rather than the actual spy plot line (though I found the spy plot line to be entertaining enough - the twist even shocked me). My main complaint is that the book bounces around a lot. Every 1-2 chapters is a different point in the timeline, which is fine at first because the pattern is consistent, but towards the end of the book, the time jumps become chaotic. I had to double check the beginning of the chapter a couple times to see whether we were in the past or present. It’s not terrible, just a little disorienting, especially with the short chapters.
100% recommend to my romcom-loving girlies - if you liked Mr & Mrs Smith, this is for you!
A big thank you to Avon and Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: August 5th, 2025
Check out my review post on my bookstagram!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DM_M3ZERl...
This book is a fun spy romance with excellent banter and a SWOONY love interest. The writing is fast-paced and easy to read, and the characters are very likable.
I absolutely loved the way Ally Carter included popular romance tropes in this book. There are many, mainly forced proximity, fake marriage, and enemies to lovers, but they all fit the context of the spy plot and didn’t feel forced at all. She even managed to organically include the one bed trope.
This is definitely a book that revolves around developing the romance, rather than the actual spy plot line (though I found the spy plot line to be entertaining enough - the twist even shocked me). My main complaint is that the book bounces around a lot. Every 1-2 chapters is a different point in the timeline, which is fine at first because the pattern is consistent, but towards the end of the book, the time jumps become chaotic. I had to double check the beginning of the chapter a couple times to see whether we were in the past or present. It’s not terrible, just a little disorienting, especially with the short chapters.
100% recommend to my romcom-loving girlies - if you liked Mr & Mrs Smith, this is for you!
August 8, 2025
This was an absolute blast to read! Technically book two in an interconnected series but I read it as a standalone and think it’s safe to skip the first one if you prefer.
What’s to love…
- Grade A banter
- swoony - will-they-wont-they “hurry up and kiss already” romance
- mystery
- multiple timelines and POVs — you’ll never be bored
- so much angst
- second chance romance
- slow burn
- action packed and fast paced
What might not work for some…
- it was a bit predictable for me, but not overly so.
- multiple timelines and POV swaps could get a little confusing at times but I usually do not enjoy this in books and found myself not minding it at all!
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you Avon for the gifted book & HarperAudio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
What’s to love…
- Grade A banter
- swoony - will-they-wont-they “hurry up and kiss already” romance
- mystery
- multiple timelines and POVs — you’ll never be bored
- so much angst
- second chance romance
- slow burn
- action packed and fast paced
What might not work for some…
- it was a bit predictable for me, but not overly so.
- multiple timelines and POV swaps could get a little confusing at times but I usually do not enjoy this in books and found myself not minding it at all!
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you Avon for the gifted book & HarperAudio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2025
ally i bow at your altar thank you for gracing us with your art
July 30, 2025
THE SPY ROMCOM OF MY DREAMS !!!!
oh my god i LOVED this book so much!!! as someone who grew up reading the galgher girls series (and lowkey wanting to be a spy because of it), i have LIVED for every single adult book from ally carter. but this one???? this one is NEXT LEVEL! like truly the most perfect spy romcom !!!!!!
the banter is perfection. the chemistry is on fire. the storyline is unique. i'm so so obsessed with king. like pls that man is actually the best. i love alex so much. she's so fierce & iconic. ugh i'm sad the book is over.
i need this as a movie asap.
thank you Avon Books for the arc! this is my honest review.
oh my god i LOVED this book so much!!! as someone who grew up reading the galgher girls series (and lowkey wanting to be a spy because of it), i have LIVED for every single adult book from ally carter. but this one???? this one is NEXT LEVEL! like truly the most perfect spy romcom !!!!!!
the banter is perfection. the chemistry is on fire. the storyline is unique. i'm so so obsessed with king. like pls that man is actually the best. i love alex so much. she's so fierce & iconic. ugh i'm sad the book is over.
i need this as a movie asap.
thank you Avon Books for the arc! this is my honest review.
August 29, 2025
(4.25 stars)
Ally Carter’s latest book, The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold, is just as much fun as her previous book, The Blonde Identity. It’s a great mixture of spy adventure and romance, with plenty of tense moments as well as funny ones.
The only issue I had was keeping the timeline straight because it bounces around a lot. It starts off 10 years ago, when Alex Sterling and “King” (Michael Kingsley) meet each other as CIA spy trainees. There’s an instant attraction but they become rivals. Over the years, they are paired together on missions many times, and the book follows a number of these. The chapters are clearly labeled, but I still needed to pay close attention to remember what year we were in! Gradually, we get to where The Blonde Identity left off in the present day. (You can read this one as a standalone but I was happy that I went back and read/listened to The Blonde Identity first; your reading/listening experience will be richer if you’ve read Identity first.) So you gradually get their history together and understand what led up to the events in Identity and to the situation in the present day that they are dealing with.
I loved gradually learning about King’s family history and I adored Merritt, the wise older female spy who was their mentor.
I bounced between reading and listening for this one and the two narrators did a wonderful job: Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Ally Carter’s latest book, The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold, is just as much fun as her previous book, The Blonde Identity. It’s a great mixture of spy adventure and romance, with plenty of tense moments as well as funny ones.
The only issue I had was keeping the timeline straight because it bounces around a lot. It starts off 10 years ago, when Alex Sterling and “King” (Michael Kingsley) meet each other as CIA spy trainees. There’s an instant attraction but they become rivals. Over the years, they are paired together on missions many times, and the book follows a number of these. The chapters are clearly labeled, but I still needed to pay close attention to remember what year we were in! Gradually, we get to where The Blonde Identity left off in the present day. (You can read this one as a standalone but I was happy that I went back and read/listened to The Blonde Identity first; your reading/listening experience will be richer if you’ve read Identity first.) So you gradually get their history together and understand what led up to the events in Identity and to the situation in the present day that they are dealing with.
I loved gradually learning about King’s family history and I adored Merritt, the wise older female spy who was their mentor.
I bounced between reading and listening for this one and the two narrators did a wonderful job: Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
August 27, 2025
The Sting! OMG I love this book! How long do I have to wait for another one??? If you like fast paced suspense and spies, this is the book and series for you. The duo narration of Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden added so much to this spy tale. They were wonderful and I hope they do many, many more performances because this one was superb. My only problem was with the constantly shifting scenes and times, but once I figured it out the book came alive for me.
From the moment they crossed paths waiting for the bus to "The Farm" Alex and Michael are destined for great things, if they don't kill each other first. Fast forward ten years and they are tied up somewhere in the desert. What happens in between is a fast-paced Rom-Com and one of the best adventure escapes I've read in a long time, well since earlier this month when I read the first book in this series anyway.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
From the moment they crossed paths waiting for the bus to "The Farm" Alex and Michael are destined for great things, if they don't kill each other first. Fast forward ten years and they are tied up somewhere in the desert. What happens in between is a fast-paced Rom-Com and one of the best adventure escapes I've read in a long time, well since earlier this month when I read the first book in this series anyway.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
June 15, 2025
GIVE IT TO ME NEOW 🫨🫨🫨
6/14/25 a lot of potential here 🙃a little bummed about how this one turned out. the blonde identity was one of my favorites, and i was excited when alex and michael’s relationship got teased at the end. i didn’t even know for sure we were getting a follow up. this one jumps around in time, showing different points in their relationship from meeting at spy school to a rough mission fallout to reconnecting in the present. i really wanted to love it. they both had their moments, and as a couple they had some good scenes, but for me their chemistry just didn’t hit the same level as zoe and sawyer.
i also thought we’d get more of the twins interacting, especially since zoe was new to the spy world. we only got a glimpse of that toward the end, maybe 15 pages or so. honestly, those two and their individual storylines could have carried the book. there were also a lot of moments where the dialogue felt repetitive. i started skimming and didn’t feel like i missed much.
not the experience i was hoping for, but i still really like the world and the characters. i just wish this one landed a little stronger.
6/14/25 a lot of potential here 🙃a little bummed about how this one turned out. the blonde identity was one of my favorites, and i was excited when alex and michael’s relationship got teased at the end. i didn’t even know for sure we were getting a follow up. this one jumps around in time, showing different points in their relationship from meeting at spy school to a rough mission fallout to reconnecting in the present. i really wanted to love it. they both had their moments, and as a couple they had some good scenes, but for me their chemistry just didn’t hit the same level as zoe and sawyer.
i also thought we’d get more of the twins interacting, especially since zoe was new to the spy world. we only got a glimpse of that toward the end, maybe 15 pages or so. honestly, those two and their individual storylines could have carried the book. there were also a lot of moments where the dialogue felt repetitive. i started skimming and didn’t feel like i missed much.
not the experience i was hoping for, but i still really like the world and the characters. i just wish this one landed a little stronger.
September 1, 2025
Ally Carter I don’t know what secret sauce you put in your books but I started this one immediately after finishing THE BLONDE IDENTITY and just like your other books I could not put it down. Compulsively, propulsively readable and unserious and delightful in every way. (Also Michael Kingsley THE MAN THAT YOU ARE 🔥🔥🔥)
August 8, 2025
These books are so silly but so fun
August 6, 2025
Oh this was DELIGHTFUL!
I’ve never read a spy second chance romance before but I think it may be my new favorite microtrope? The plot, the characters, the chapter sequence…it was all so delish!
The highlight of this book BY FAR was Alex’s humor and King’s ability to banter back and forth. They were both so unique it made me: 🥵😍🥰 all the time! I couldn’t stop reading this book to save my life. It truly was unputdownable.
This was a 5 star read but at the end it got a little too time jumpy for me- so a 4 star read it is! The time jumps are written incredibly well, I just thought there were too many back to back in the end. If this is your thing I’m sure you will love this book even more than I did.
Thank you Avon for the gifted copy!
I’ve never read a spy second chance romance before but I think it may be my new favorite microtrope? The plot, the characters, the chapter sequence…it was all so delish!
The highlight of this book BY FAR was Alex’s humor and King’s ability to banter back and forth. They were both so unique it made me: 🥵😍🥰 all the time! I couldn’t stop reading this book to save my life. It truly was unputdownable.
This was a 5 star read but at the end it got a little too time jumpy for me- so a 4 star read it is! The time jumps are written incredibly well, I just thought there were too many back to back in the end. If this is your thing I’m sure you will love this book even more than I did.
Thank you Avon for the gifted copy!
August 28, 2025
I really don't know why but this one didn't work for me. I think the lack of progress on the current mystery and too much flashing back felt out of balance.
A LITTLE SERIES RECAP:
Actually not finished with this one BUT - this is book 2 in the series, and if anyone else is reading and totally forgot what happened in Book 1...
Sawyer and Zoe are thrust together when people mistake Zoe for her super-spy-sister, and she has to work with Sawyer, the spy, to retrieve a flash drive.
This story: Alex (original spy twin) and King (BA family legacy spy) who loves Alex ..
- Lots of back and forth on the timeline so far which if you're listening to it can be a little bit confusing.
- Alex is a lot like her sister in terms of quirky-ness
- Fun sexy banter continues
**Thank you to Avon for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤 || href="https://www.youtube.com/@southernlady... ">Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!
A LITTLE SERIES RECAP:
Actually not finished with this one BUT - this is book 2 in the series, and if anyone else is reading and totally forgot what happened in Book 1...
Sawyer and Zoe are thrust together when people mistake Zoe for her super-spy-sister, and she has to work with Sawyer, the spy, to retrieve a flash drive.
This story: Alex (original spy twin) and King (BA family legacy spy) who loves Alex ..
- Lots of back and forth on the timeline so far which if you're listening to it can be a little bit confusing.
- Alex is a lot like her sister in terms of quirky-ness
- Fun sexy banter continues
**Thank you to Avon for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤 || href="https://www.youtube.com/@southernlady... ">Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!
June 17, 2025
I was so excited to read The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold after reading The Blonde Identity. I loved Alex and King. They were so cute. Alex is diving off Legally Blonde vibes but paired with Spy skills. My only issue was at times the dual pov and timeline was a bit to help up with but the banter and humor in this book was top tier. We get Alex and King's backstory and how in old missions they had to pretend to be a coupleand how their friendship grew. Though presently, they can't stand each other after getting kidnapped and being stuck handcuffed together. This book was one of the most fun and refreshing reads that I've read on the past few months. After reading this one, it reaffirmed his great Ally Carter's writing is and want to go back and read the rest of her books.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review .
Expected publication August 5, 2025
A big thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review .
Expected publication August 5, 2025
August 4, 2025
This book was so fantastic! I could NOT put it down. I loved everything about it! I had read and loved her holiday book last year so was excited to jump into this one. I loved EVERYTHING about this one. The tension. The dual POVs. The dual timeline. The suspense. The angst. The setting. It was just WONDERFUL. I have always been a suspense/mystery girl at heart. So when you mix that with a second chance romance, I don't really know how you could go wrong. I loved the HEART these two characters had. And how much they wanted to hate each other but also when they realized that they actually REALLY cared for each other. I loved how both Alex and King were terrified of their past becoming their future. I also LOVED how they loved each other and how they were able to get over that terrifying fact. I loved the incorporation of book 1- even though I haven't read book 1 and didn't feel like I needed to (though I will)- and those characters aka Alex's sister into this one. I loved the pacing and how I felt like I was on the edge of my seat as to how they were going to go from *loathing* to then loving each other again as well as how this mystery all tied together.
Alex is doing it. She is becoming a spy. She is beyond excited until the night before when she meets him. Michael Kingsley. The guy who basically tells her she won't cut and to go home. Well no sir. She will NOT be doing that. If anything this is more motivation for her to be the best she can be. Fast forward to ten years later, and she has been working with King since the day they met. On one off missions as a couple go figure. She found herself enjoying those excursions because he challenged her like no one had. But now in the present day, they haven't talked for a year. Not since she walked out on him and disappeared. Not since her world blew up on her after she had been under deep cover for 5 years. Not since they fell in love and realized that the life they lived maybe wasn't meant for love. And now she is handcuffed to him. The man who told her to not come back when she left. They have to figure out how they got into this mess so she can leave him again for good this time. But the longer she is with him, the more she remembers what she loved/loves about him. The more she remembers how much fun she had working with him. How he gave her the motivation she needed to prove herself. So the more she realizes how defeated he has been without her. How much he has been looking for. How much he wanted to take back what he said. How much he wants them to be a thing again, the more she realizes that their life CAN make this work. Because even though someone big and bad out there wants them to help find something, she knows her and King will be ok. They just have to solve this mystery so they can get on with their lives.
King has known about the spy world his whole life. His dad was a spy. His grandfather was a spy. He knows what to expect. But then he meets her. Alex Sterling. The one thing he never saw coming. The one woman he never saw coming. The woman who he ends up working with on and off for a few years before having to draw a line to protect himself. The woman who fast forward ten years he finds himself handcuffed to not remembering anything about how they ended up here. Especially since he hasn't spoken with her in a year. Not since he told her to not come back if she left and she listened. Now he finds himself relieved and tempted all at once. She is ALIVE. She is ok but she still hates him. And she still incites this anger in him that he doesn't know how to control. The anger that stems from loving her. From wanting to keep her safe. So now they have to unravel this mystery as to who wants them alive and for what purpose. The whole time tiptoing around the fact that they had the thing people search for- LOVE. They had a foundation they had built together over five years and beyond. They had it and he let his fear get the better of him. Well he decides with this chance he is going to lay it out on the line. He is going to tell her how amazing she is and how much he wants her in his life all the while HOPING that MAYBE she feels it to. And that she wants to try again.
I just can't say enough about how much I loved this book. I loved Alex's snarkiness and how much it was so obviously a front for how much she liked King. I loved how the balanced each other's insecurities eventually. I loved how they tried to stay away from each but then realized that isn't what they really wanted. The pacing was wonderful. The spy factor was original and great. I am REALLY excited to go back and read book 1 and am hoping beyond hope that there will be another book in this world. Go get it- it's on sale tomorrow!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Alex is doing it. She is becoming a spy. She is beyond excited until the night before when she meets him. Michael Kingsley. The guy who basically tells her she won't cut and to go home. Well no sir. She will NOT be doing that. If anything this is more motivation for her to be the best she can be. Fast forward to ten years later, and she has been working with King since the day they met. On one off missions as a couple go figure. She found herself enjoying those excursions because he challenged her like no one had. But now in the present day, they haven't talked for a year. Not since she walked out on him and disappeared. Not since her world blew up on her after she had been under deep cover for 5 years. Not since they fell in love and realized that the life they lived maybe wasn't meant for love. And now she is handcuffed to him. The man who told her to not come back when she left. They have to figure out how they got into this mess so she can leave him again for good this time. But the longer she is with him, the more she remembers what she loved/loves about him. The more she remembers how much fun she had working with him. How he gave her the motivation she needed to prove herself. So the more she realizes how defeated he has been without her. How much he has been looking for. How much he wanted to take back what he said. How much he wants them to be a thing again, the more she realizes that their life CAN make this work. Because even though someone big and bad out there wants them to help find something, she knows her and King will be ok. They just have to solve this mystery so they can get on with their lives.
King has known about the spy world his whole life. His dad was a spy. His grandfather was a spy. He knows what to expect. But then he meets her. Alex Sterling. The one thing he never saw coming. The one woman he never saw coming. The woman who he ends up working with on and off for a few years before having to draw a line to protect himself. The woman who fast forward ten years he finds himself handcuffed to not remembering anything about how they ended up here. Especially since he hasn't spoken with her in a year. Not since he told her to not come back if she left and she listened. Now he finds himself relieved and tempted all at once. She is ALIVE. She is ok but she still hates him. And she still incites this anger in him that he doesn't know how to control. The anger that stems from loving her. From wanting to keep her safe. So now they have to unravel this mystery as to who wants them alive and for what purpose. The whole time tiptoing around the fact that they had the thing people search for- LOVE. They had a foundation they had built together over five years and beyond. They had it and he let his fear get the better of him. Well he decides with this chance he is going to lay it out on the line. He is going to tell her how amazing she is and how much he wants her in his life all the while HOPING that MAYBE she feels it to. And that she wants to try again.
I just can't say enough about how much I loved this book. I loved Alex's snarkiness and how much it was so obviously a front for how much she liked King. I loved how the balanced each other's insecurities eventually. I loved how they tried to stay away from each but then realized that isn't what they really wanted. The pacing was wonderful. The spy factor was original and great. I am REALLY excited to go back and read book 1 and am hoping beyond hope that there will be another book in this world. Go get it- it's on sale tomorrow!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 2, 2025
Book two! In The Blonde Identity, a woman woke up in the life of a spy, with no idea how she got there...but in The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold, we're following that woman's sister, who is, you know, actually a spy. This is something of a then-and-now story: in the now, Alex and King find themselves unexpectedly in danger and on the run. In the then...well, they spend a lot of time finding themselves expectedly in danger and on the run.
It is predictably unlikely. And it is a delight. You have to pay attention to what section you're in, timing-wise, because the now is now but the then moves through the past ten years, and since so many of the scenes focus on the same two characters in the same types of scenarios I sometimes needed a moment to think. But I love this sort of spy-life-as-is-only-seen-in-Hollywood book, and Carter knows what she's doing with it. Think lots of action, high octane, gadgets, jewels...oh, and a will-they-won't-they romance, of course. It's a naturally low-sugar dessert in book form—not all that nutritious, but not too sweet and completely delicious.
It's worth reading The Blonde Identity before The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold; the books are functionally standalone, but there's some significant context that will make more sense if they're read in order. Plus...that's double the fun, no?
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
It is predictably unlikely. And it is a delight. You have to pay attention to what section you're in, timing-wise, because the now is now but the then moves through the past ten years, and since so many of the scenes focus on the same two characters in the same types of scenarios I sometimes needed a moment to think. But I love this sort of spy-life-as-is-only-seen-in-Hollywood book, and Carter knows what she's doing with it. Think lots of action, high octane, gadgets, jewels...oh, and a will-they-won't-they romance, of course. It's a naturally low-sugar dessert in book form—not all that nutritious, but not too sweet and completely delicious.
It's worth reading The Blonde Identity before The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold; the books are functionally standalone, but there's some significant context that will make more sense if they're read in order. Plus...that's double the fun, no?
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
August 28, 2025
DNF’d @ 64%
At first I thought i was lost in the story due to me just not paying close attention to the details but no this is just confusing and makes no sense?!
Im so disappointed, I loved the first book and was so excited to read this book but it majorly fell flat.
Both characters were honestly terrible, Alex was so whiny and in no way would i believe that that girl could be a spy, of all things. And don’t even get me started on the MMC, he was so forgettable i already forgot his name.
I don’t know, maybe if this was a YA book it would be more believable but i honestly had to give up with 3 hours left in the audiobook because the story kept jumping around too much between the past and the present and i lost all hope of the book’s ending making ANY kind of sense.
At first I thought i was lost in the story due to me just not paying close attention to the details but no this is just confusing and makes no sense?!
Im so disappointed, I loved the first book and was so excited to read this book but it majorly fell flat.
Both characters were honestly terrible, Alex was so whiny and in no way would i believe that that girl could be a spy, of all things. And don’t even get me started on the MMC, he was so forgettable i already forgot his name.
I don’t know, maybe if this was a YA book it would be more believable but i honestly had to give up with 3 hours left in the audiobook because the story kept jumping around too much between the past and the present and i lost all hope of the book’s ending making ANY kind of sense.
July 19, 2025
another Ally Carter hit 🙂↕️ i love these two sisters and i really enjoyed the way this story was told. the stakes felt high and i was really rooting for their relationship as it unfolded. so fun!
July 26, 2025
I LOVED IT
This book is fast paced, fun, & exactly what I needed to get me to stop scrolling & read!!!
I love spy romcoms like Killers (Ashton Kutcher, 2010 - you can’t tell me that movie isn’t good!!!!!!) & The Spy Who Dumped Me (it’s hilarious & I cannot believe society let it flop) so I knew immediately I would eat this up.
Going into this one I thought I hadn’t read the first book in this series (interconnected standalones) - but the more I read, the more I realized I HAD read Book One I just don’t know WHEN I read it! Memory is a fickle thing!! (You will understand why that is funny after you read this!!!!!!)
Things to know:
Two hot spies
Banter & a little rivalry
He’s a spy prodigy + She’s wearing a “Future Spy” hoodie
Years of close call missions
He takes care of her when she’s injured
“I’ve got you”
“You came?” “You called.”
HOT PEOPLE BEING BADASS & ALSO FALLING IN LOVE
This book is fast paced, fun, & exactly what I needed to get me to stop scrolling & read!!!
I love spy romcoms like Killers (Ashton Kutcher, 2010 - you can’t tell me that movie isn’t good!!!!!!) & The Spy Who Dumped Me (it’s hilarious & I cannot believe society let it flop) so I knew immediately I would eat this up.
Going into this one I thought I hadn’t read the first book in this series (interconnected standalones) - but the more I read, the more I realized I HAD read Book One I just don’t know WHEN I read it! Memory is a fickle thing!! (You will understand why that is funny after you read this!!!!!!)
Things to know:
Two hot spies
Banter & a little rivalry
He’s a spy prodigy + She’s wearing a “Future Spy” hoodie
Years of close call missions
He takes care of her when she’s injured
“I’ve got you”
“You came?” “You called.”
HOT PEOPLE BEING BADASS & ALSO FALLING IN LOVE
August 29, 2025
4.5
This was GOOD😭
This was GOOD😭
July 28, 2025
I loved the first book and I was so excited to get to Alex's book.
I loved being in Alex's head. She's sarcastic and guarded and secretly a bit of a marshmallow. King is crunchy and absolutely gone for her. Together there's loads of button pushing and chemistry for days.
Plot wise, it's fun. There are past and present chapters and some of those time frames overlap in the same location, so it was easy to get confused as to "when" we were. However, that easy was to overlook when there was so much going on and characters I wanted to root for. Oh, and the last couple of chapters were the best.
Overall, these stories were so fun and I can't wait to binge them back to back.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved being in Alex's head. She's sarcastic and guarded and secretly a bit of a marshmallow. King is crunchy and absolutely gone for her. Together there's loads of button pushing and chemistry for days.
Plot wise, it's fun. There are past and present chapters and some of those time frames overlap in the same location, so it was easy to get confused as to "when" we were. However, that easy was to overlook when there was so much going on and characters I wanted to root for. Oh, and the last couple of chapters were the best.
Overall, these stories were so fun and I can't wait to binge them back to back.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
June 20, 2025
Oh my! I loved this book. It was such a fun read. All the right tones. A spy tries to walk away but can she. Enemies-to-lovers. Does she need the hero? Yes even though she has all the skills she needs to survive on her own. But such a good book — loved it in the best Gallagher Girl way.
Want to read
January 28, 2025prereview part 2:
everytime I think about what book I should read next, I look longingly at this book
prereview:
it literally needs to come out sooner
everytime I think about what book I should read next, I look longingly at this book
prereview:
it literally needs to come out sooner
July 25, 2025
3.25 / 5 Stars
This was such an amazing concept that turned out just okay for me. Alexandra Sterling has been out of the spy game for a year, which is why she is surprised to wake up handcuffed to the man she deeply doesn’t want to see, Michael Kingsley. Alex and King have a decade of history, starting at spy school, and now they are being forced to sort it all out while they try to figure out who is trying to get to them and why.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🕵️♀️ Dual timeline and dual POV
✈️ Hate to love to hate again to love again
🕵️♀️ Sarcasm and insults as a love language
✈️ Uncover operations
🕵️♀️ Oops there’s only one bed
✈️ He washes her hair
🕵️♀️ Touch her and die (which when you’re in the CIA is very doable)
✈️ Closed door romance
The missions and the action were super intriguing and kept the book engaging. I love a dual timeline and this one varied between present day and the past (10 years to 1 year) showing the progression of their relationship. Occasionally, present day would mirror the past in location in a way that was confusing (ex: they get on a plane in the present and then in the next chapter, they get on a plane five years ago but we don’t have enough context as to why they are on the plane so I thought it was a typo in the ARC). The chapters were also pretty short which helped make the book feel fast paced.
My qualms are with Alex and King’s relationship. I love teasing, snarkiness, and tension but these two bordered on insulting and condescending. That was their relationship for the first 50% of the book before they quickly started showing care for each other. The jump felt kind of abrupt, even if you wanted to argue that under the insults, there was something brewing, though I would argue that it was lust, not care brewing under the insults. Their “will they, won’t they” also lasted too long for me (just two avoidants constantly wanting to run). That being said, if you may have a higher tolerance for the sarcasm and contempt, in which case you will eat this up. I also think that I maybe would have enjoyed this book more in audio where I couldn’t add my own conflict avoidance biased lens to their “banter.”
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
_____________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am so EXCITED to read this book. Second chance romance. Forced proximity. Hot CIA spies. I can just taste who delicious this will be and I am ready for it. 😻😻😻
This was such an amazing concept that turned out just okay for me. Alexandra Sterling has been out of the spy game for a year, which is why she is surprised to wake up handcuffed to the man she deeply doesn’t want to see, Michael Kingsley. Alex and King have a decade of history, starting at spy school, and now they are being forced to sort it all out while they try to figure out who is trying to get to them and why.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🕵️♀️ Dual timeline and dual POV
✈️ Hate to love to hate again to love again
🕵️♀️ Sarcasm and insults as a love language
✈️ Uncover operations
🕵️♀️ Oops there’s only one bed
✈️ He washes her hair
🕵️♀️ Touch her and die (which when you’re in the CIA is very doable)
✈️ Closed door romance
The missions and the action were super intriguing and kept the book engaging. I love a dual timeline and this one varied between present day and the past (10 years to 1 year) showing the progression of their relationship. Occasionally, present day would mirror the past in location in a way that was confusing (ex: they get on a plane in the present and then in the next chapter, they get on a plane five years ago but we don’t have enough context as to why they are on the plane so I thought it was a typo in the ARC). The chapters were also pretty short which helped make the book feel fast paced.
My qualms are with Alex and King’s relationship. I love teasing, snarkiness, and tension but these two bordered on insulting and condescending. That was their relationship for the first 50% of the book before they quickly started showing care for each other. The jump felt kind of abrupt, even if you wanted to argue that under the insults, there was something brewing, though I would argue that it was lust, not care brewing under the insults. Their “will they, won’t they” also lasted too long for me (just two avoidants constantly wanting to run). That being said, if you may have a higher tolerance for the sarcasm and contempt, in which case you will eat this up. I also think that I maybe would have enjoyed this book more in audio where I couldn’t add my own conflict avoidance biased lens to their “banter.”
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
_____________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am so EXCITED to read this book. Second chance romance. Forced proximity. Hot CIA spies. I can just taste who delicious this will be and I am ready for it. 😻😻😻
February 16, 2025
I recently “discovered” Ally and her writing this past year after reading The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year for a book club and honestly, I’m mad at myself that I never read any of her YAs when I was younger. Her books are so fun! They’re witty and mysterious and romantic. They’re literally so good!! After reading The Blonde Identity a few months ago, I was so happy to get a copy of The Blonde who Came in from the Cold and it didn’t disappoint. King and Alex were so cute together, I couldn’t handle it!! They had such good banter back and forth and King was such a simp for her, I was kicking my feet every time he said literally ANYTHING to her. I loved how the ending scene of The Blonde Identity tied into this one and I loved loved loved seeing Alex and King in “spy school.” These books are refreshing and FUN! And I want more of them!!!!
Trying to keep the different missions straight in my head when it went back and forth between different places like it did with the flashbacks was a little difficult at times but overall I really enjoyed this!!! And I CANNOT wait to see what Ally comes out with next.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Ally Carter for the e-ARC!!!
Trying to keep the different missions straight in my head when it went back and forth between different places like it did with the flashbacks was a little difficult at times but overall I really enjoyed this!!! And I CANNOT wait to see what Ally comes out with next.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Ally Carter for the e-ARC!!!
May 1, 2025
5 Stars
OMGSH this series..... It continues to be one of my favorite of all time. I will be so sad if there isn't more in this genre for Ally Carter. I never read any of Ally's back list books but I did read the first of this series. I adored it so much. It was over the top, cute, spy romance. This one is the same.
Ally kills it with the humor and characters. Both characters are so enjoyable and loveable. I really appreciate that Alex, is almost this legally blonde type character that 100% kicks so much butt. She is witty, charming and incredibly dangerous. While King broody, protective, but has moments of sillyness. Both characters complement each other so well.
This story is told is dual pov and dual timeline. We get flash back chapters of Alex and King, meeting each other and begrudgingly going on missions together where they have to be fake couples. Over that time we see their friendship grow. In present day, we start off of them now hating each other again but find themselves kidnapped and handcuffed together. Just like the first book, its self aware and understands its silly, fun and intense at a times. It doesn't itself too seriously and does a great job sneaking in snarky/funny dialogue. I love this about this book.
If this is Ally's writing style, I am going to have to go back in time and read all her back list titles. These books are fantastic and some of my favorites. She is now an autobuy author for me :).
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
OMGSH this series..... It continues to be one of my favorite of all time. I will be so sad if there isn't more in this genre for Ally Carter. I never read any of Ally's back list books but I did read the first of this series. I adored it so much. It was over the top, cute, spy romance. This one is the same.
Ally kills it with the humor and characters. Both characters are so enjoyable and loveable. I really appreciate that Alex, is almost this legally blonde type character that 100% kicks so much butt. She is witty, charming and incredibly dangerous. While King broody, protective, but has moments of sillyness. Both characters complement each other so well.
This story is told is dual pov and dual timeline. We get flash back chapters of Alex and King, meeting each other and begrudgingly going on missions together where they have to be fake couples. Over that time we see their friendship grow. In present day, we start off of them now hating each other again but find themselves kidnapped and handcuffed together. Just like the first book, its self aware and understands its silly, fun and intense at a times. It doesn't itself too seriously and does a great job sneaking in snarky/funny dialogue. I love this about this book.
If this is Ally's writing style, I am going to have to go back in time and read all her back list titles. These books are fantastic and some of my favorites. She is now an autobuy author for me :).
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
August 20, 2025
Finished at the gym and it just felt right.
Will update my thoughts later.
Update: Okay I think I’m ready. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THIS. The rivals! The missions! The tension. THE DUAL TIMELINE PERFECTION.
It made me nostalgic thinking about how many times I watched Agent Cody Banks and Spy Kids as a kid. Like why didn’t I read Ally’s YA books as a kid??
This was my second Ally Carter book and this was just as fun as the first! But THE SPY ELEMENT (My first book was The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year).
The only way I can explain my feelings about this book is that I wanted to both binge and savor is at the same time.
And they are undercover spies who just HAPPEN to have to pretend to be together A BUNCH OF TIMES. The forced proximity was *chefs kiss*. At one point I was listening to this book and stopped cause I needed to also read it with my eyeballs and highlight every other sentence.
And yall… MICHAEL KINGSLEY 😮💨. What a simp.
Audiobook review:
Dual narration and both Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job! They narrated the first book in this series (The Blonde Identity) so if you liked that one you will probably love this one too. When I tell you their performance made me want to pause and highlight parts I truly mean it.
The writing along with their performance was stunning and Ally has a forever fan in me!
Thank you to Avon for the gifted arc and alc through HarperAudio and NetGalley!
For those wondering:
-Dual pov
-closed door
-rivals to lovers
-second chance
- SPIES
Will update my thoughts later.
Update: Okay I think I’m ready. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THIS. The rivals! The missions! The tension. THE DUAL TIMELINE PERFECTION.
It made me nostalgic thinking about how many times I watched Agent Cody Banks and Spy Kids as a kid. Like why didn’t I read Ally’s YA books as a kid??
This was my second Ally Carter book and this was just as fun as the first! But THE SPY ELEMENT (My first book was The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year).
The only way I can explain my feelings about this book is that I wanted to both binge and savor is at the same time.
And they are undercover spies who just HAPPEN to have to pretend to be together A BUNCH OF TIMES. The forced proximity was *chefs kiss*. At one point I was listening to this book and stopped cause I needed to also read it with my eyeballs and highlight every other sentence.
And yall… MICHAEL KINGSLEY 😮💨. What a simp.
Audiobook review:
Dual narration and both Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job! They narrated the first book in this series (The Blonde Identity) so if you liked that one you will probably love this one too. When I tell you their performance made me want to pause and highlight parts I truly mean it.
The writing along with their performance was stunning and Ally has a forever fan in me!
Thank you to Avon for the gifted arc and alc through HarperAudio and NetGalley!
For those wondering:
-Dual pov
-closed door
-rivals to lovers
-second chance
- SPIES
September 3, 2025
Very fun sequel about the other twin in this series. I have some nits I could pick, but combining a spycraft plot + romance is HARD, and Ally Carter deserves kudos for doing it so successfully.
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