3.5/5

This one was such a fun time!! The Gallagher Girls books were so special to me growing up and the fact that Ally Carter wrote an adult spy romance is everything to me!

I'm not usually a fan of romantic suspense and tbh if this was not an Ally Carter book I would not have picked it up. It is face paced and would make for a great film, but lowkey I had a hard time following what was going on in terms of the action (where were they standing? how could that work? wait what?) which is 100% a me thing bc I find action scenes to be incredibly boring so I skim.

This book feels very young for an adult novel and lowkey if the characters were teens would read YA. The fact that every time Sawyer would swear, Zoe would go "LANGUAGE" really bothered me. Just don't have swearing in the book? I know some adults care about swearing but it was annoying to meeee.

It also is closed door and I prefer more open door, but it was hilarious to me bc when things start happening Zoe says "close the door" and I got a good chuckle out of that.

This book is chockfull of tropes, but it doesn't feel overdone. They have to pretend to be married. There is only one bed. They have to kiss so people don't notice them. The sunniest of sunshines and grumpiest of grumps (for a second dude is gone very quickly). Amnesia. and I'm sure there are more.

Overall, this is a fun lighthearted book that doesn't take itself too seriously. I can't wait to see if Ally writes another adult romance bc her writing is so fun.

*thanks to the publisher for an eARC; all thoughts are my own*

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. On the whole, I found it delightful. There were definitely moments when I laughed out loud or got feels. But it was kind of tedious as well. It felt too long even though narratively speaking no time at all had passed and the plot was seemingly faced-paced. I also found Zoe kind of annoying sometimes.

gallagher girls assemble!!!

this was a purely fun romp that carries the same tone and energy as the original ally carter series did. the romance is super sweet (what a dreamy male lead!!!), the action is fun and easy to follow, and i’m super excited for what i assume is the next book. i absolutely flew through this one as it was super engaging and exactly the kind of fast-paced fun i was craving at this time.

i do think while the lighter, more childish tone worked for me and my nostalgia, it might not have for someone who wasn’t doing book reports on the gallagher girls in elementary school. (also - there’s no on page spice, so if that’s something that’s a deal breaker for you that’s my fyi!)

thank you sm to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced e-arc of this book!!!

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

thank you netgalley for the arc !

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 2/5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚

read if you like:
♡ there is only one bed
♡ 2000s chickflicks and romcoms
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ amnesia
♡ dual pov
♡ spies!!

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ i’m going to preface this by acknowledging that this was not my cup of tea; it’s advertised as an adult work but besides the occasional f-bomb and some very milquetoast implications of sex (which winds up being a fade to black) i’d die on the hill that it is absolutely ya. the blonde identity was very much what i’d call ‘junk food’ literature in that it’s fast-paced, chock full of action and momentum, very light-hearted if not tongue in cheek but not really top-shelf stuff. a cute throwback to early 2000s romcoms, prepare yourself for a tidal wave of nostalgia in this espionage romance between spy and self-professed curmudgeon sawyer and our amnesiac very blithe elle woods coded main character who seems to be suffering from a case of mistaken identity as they both run from myriad enemies. whilst the dynamic between the two main characters at times appealed to me, i more often than not found them to be almost wheedling in how hard carter was trying to streamline their love story in such a compact book. in the end all that we’re really left with is more victims of the virulent insta-love — aka the bane of my existence. when considered as individuals instead, both characters hold up far better under scrutiny and do yield up many redeeming characteristics. it’s just unfortunate that they then are eclipsed in this farcical romance arc. another source of disappointment lies in how the antagonists are pretty opaque re: their dispositions or really anything about them beyond their much accursed roles. we never really glean anything about them beyond their cookie cutter existences; they are nothing more than tracery work of characters rendered on butcher paper and we are exposed to only their outlines. they’ve no substance to the point that they’re essentially immaterial in both the literal and figurative sense.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ conclusion:
all in all, if you’re like me and more of a finicky reader who won’t really suffer fools (no character here appears to be very discerning) nor juvenile language - step aside from this one. be forewarned as well that there’s no real mystery and you will not only be spoon fed but have said spoon forced down your throat till the last. now, if you’re searching for a bubbly pick me up which won’t take itself very seriously? this is just up your alley!

The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

It’s the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory.

She only knows three things for certain:

1. She has a splitting headache.

2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run.

And oh yeah…

3. People keep trying to kill her.

I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I love Ally Carter books. Give me Gallagher Girls and other adventures and I am all in. I was super excited to hear there was gonna be another type of this book but more for an adult. That being said there is no reason a YA age range reader couldn't read this book too. It had all of her greatest hits...spies, humor, mystery, flirting, and good old adventure thrown in. I can't wait to see if there is more of the series. I loved the characters and enjoyed every minute of this book.

Ally Carter is a fun teen author. Her adult book is amazing! I couldn't put it down. It was exciting, exhilarating, romantic, and sexy! I highly recommend it.

Ally Carter does not miss! This is the definition of propulsive, with a fast-paced plot that keeps you turning pages. This felt *so* cinematic, with every action sequence playing out vividly on the page as if you were watching it on a big screen. I hope we get another one!

What a ridiculously fun and entertaining book! I absolutely LOVED "The Blonde Identity" right from the jump. Each character was so well developed and realistic, the storyline was top-notch and exciting, and the novel as a whole was sexy, funny, and kept me turning pages well into the wee hours of the night. I was completely hooked by this story and can't wait to read more by Ally Carter!

Okay, this was an ABSOLUTE BLAST!!!!! From the first page I was hooked! I didn't read the synopsis and went in completely blind and enjoyed the wild ride! It was mistaken identities, a hot spy guy, lots of action, fake marriage! It was just so fun and addictive. It was light hearted and the perfect beach read.

I loved how fast paced and adventurous it felt! There were twists that were so well done I didn't see them coming!!! The romance was absolutely precious too! I feel like the main character was a hoot and reminded me of myself sort of. Sawyer was such a protective babe and I LOVED him!!!! I couldn't get enough! Definitely recommend if you're looking for something fun, fast paced and different! It's like Jason Bourne meets 007 but make it a funny blonde!

"The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she's the identical twin sister of a rogue spy...and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

It's the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory.

She only knows three things for certain:
1. She has a splitting headache.
2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run.
And oh yeah...
3. People keep trying to kill her.

She doesn't know who. Or why. But when she sees footage of herself fighting off a dozen men there's only one explanation: obviously...she's a spy!

Except, according to Mr. Hot Guy, she's not. She's a spy's identical twin sister.

Too bad the only person who knows she's not the woman they're looking for is this very grouchy, very sexy, very secret agent who (reluctantly) agrees to help her disappear.

That's easier said than done when a criminal organization wants you dead and every intelligence service in the world wants you caught. Luckily, no one is looking for a pair of lovesick newlyweds on their honeymoon. And soon they're lying their way across Europe - dodging bullets and faking kisses as they race to unravel a deadly conspiracy and clear her sister's name.

But with every secret they uncover, the truth shifts, until she no longer knows who to trust: the twin she can't remember or the mysterious man she can't let herself forget..."

Because everyone has wanted a rom-com version of The Bourne Identity right? I know I have. Jason and Marie deserved their HEA!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! The Blonde Identity was a super quick read - I was able to read it in one sitting, which I thought was great! This book was also pretty quick-paced and left me wanting to know what happened next. I found myself wanting a little bit more depth throughout the book, but nevertheless, it was a fun, easy read!

I have been waiting YEARS for Ally Carter to publish another book. The Gallagher Girls Academy was (and maybe still is..) a huge part of my identity, so I was really looking forward to the adult version of it and this book delivered. I was concerned this could be a men always save the girl type of book, but I should have never doubted Ally, as the main character is completely relatable but so resourceful. This book is complete with just enough action, romance and comedy. I can't wait for what I think may be a second book in a series based on the ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sure to make you smile, The Blonde Identity is a fun and fast-paced spy rom-com that is perfect for lovers of the grumpy/sunshine trope!

Amnesia, spies, and fake marriage! It all starts with our main character waking up on a snowy street in Paris with no memory of who she is or how she got there. So, of course, my brain started spiraling with all the possibilities of where this story could go. There were plenty of cute and hilarious moments, and I probably looked like a smiling idiot while reading this on the subway. The action scenes were also mixed in well, tying in the “serious spy stuff” with the romance.

Although I wouldn’t call this book “spicy,” I do want to emphasize that this is an adult rom-com (not YA). As someone who first read the Gallagher Girls books years ago, however, I think fans who grew up with Ally Carter’s writing will really enjoy reading about these two lovebirds. Now, if you want to learn more about who this couple really is…you better read for yourself!

Thank you Avon Books for providing me an early NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review! The Blonde Identity is set to pub on Aug. 8 and is currently available for preorder.

I come to you in my official capacity as #1 action/adventure romantic comedy enthusiast to inform you that this was everything I wanted it to be.

Our heroine wakes up in the street in Paris with no idea who she is or how she got there in the first place. What she does know is that an extremely hot guy is calling her Alex and helping her run away from the scary men on motorcycles who seem to want to murder her. It turns out Hot Guy is a spy, and everyone thinks she's a spy too, only they might be confusing her with her identical twin sister???

Listen, if you like realism or even like, plausibility, this is probably not the book for you. I certainly don't care about those things, so I was all the way in the whole time. And I'm of the opinion that there's actually no better way to fall in love than when you're running from assassins with a hot spy who saved your life by ripping the nightgown off your body and strangling someone with it.

This is funny, lighthearted, and action-packed. If you don't enjoy fight scenes or chase scenes, this might not necessarily call to you, but the romance is of the grumpy/sunshine variety, and I really loved them together. The relationship development is really well done (although, it is regrettably fade-to-black). I truly had the best time. The vibes are in the same vein as movies like The Spy Who Dumped Me or Date Night, if that's up your alley.

**eARC provided by NetGalley and Avon

This was so much fun! Ally Carter was one of my favorite authors and getting the chance to read an ARC of her new book was such a dream come true! I absolutely loved the story, characters and premise! I’m always a sucker for a spy story! This was so good and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

My fourteen year old, Gallagher Girl loving self was SCREAMing when I heart Ally Carter was releasing a spy romcom for adults— literally what my dreams are made of! As a young teen I remembered being obsessed with her sassy, likeable characters, brooding love interests and fast paced plots and couldn’t wait to see how that carried forward over a decade later.

The Blonde Identity follows the story of Zoe— identical twin to her spy sister, current amnesia sufferer and presently on the run from multiple intelligence organisations. When she wakes up alone in Paris with a head injury, all she has is a few tissues, some chapstick and a mysterious card that may or may not unlock something valuable. That, and Sawyer: an inconveniently handsome spy who trying to… maybe… help her. Newly armed with the knowledge her twin sister Alex is currently on the run with a stolen hard drive, the two traverse Europe trying to locate said hard drive before their enemies get there first. But everything isn’t as it seems and it looks like Zoe is in for a lot more than just an international goose chase, especially when feelings start to crop up between her and Sawyer.

I really loved the humour in this story and how quickly the plot moved, and especially loved the fake-married interlude around the middle! The chemistry between Zoe & Sawyer was palpable and even if the story didn’t span that long, I found their journey to love to be fairly believable. The spy antics were especially entertaining and definitely reminded me of all the heists, cons, and near-misses of Ally’s Gallagher Girls days.

That being said, I was definitely expecting… more. As it was pitched as an adult romcom I was really hoping for a plot and romance more befitting an adult audience, but overall, the writing style and content (with the exception of a few bits of language and some veiled sex jokes) felt very YA. The characters could have easily been 16-17 and the story could have remained the same, which was a little bit disappointing for me personally. Also, as much as I enjoyed the spy shenanigans, I do wish it would have been a *little* more realistic. I never really got the sense they were in danger or got a feeling for the enemy, which I think is necessary if you’re trying to create a sense of urgency in the plot.

Overall, The Blonde Identity was a quick, entertaining read, and if you go into it expecting a few hours of fun with Ally Carter’s specific type of witty humour, I think you’ll like it!

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this title.

This book was bonkers, and I loved every minute of it! It was so fun, with a nice little emotional twist at the end. I rarely finish a book in less than 7-8 hours because I am a slow reader, but I devoured this book in about 5 hours. I just could not stop reading it. Fun, light, crazy, and sweet with enough adventure and romance to keep everyone happy. Highly recommend.

OMG my middle school heart is SINGING that Ally Carter writes for adults now!!!! This is fast paced and sexy and funny and adventurous. I wish the spy part was lightly less complicated and that it wasn't closed door but this book was so MUCH FUN!!!! Praying there will be a second in the series!

Thanks to author, publisher and netgalley for the ARC