Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!

""You know, my favorite thing about the [book] is that it feels like a movie" - harry styles" - me about this book

BUT ACTUALLY. I cannot stress enough how fun and cinematic this felt. Sometimes you get in a rut of reading books that, while beautifully crafted, are really heavy and difficult to get through, and you just need a palette cleanser. THIS is that palette cleanser in every way. It's refreshingly fun, more than a little bit silly, and surprisingly action-packed for a book that's essentially a full fledged romcom.

The settings throughout this book are just excellent, with action scenes on moving boats, mountaintops, crowded city streets, and fancy agency safehouses, this entire story felt like it was actively playing in my head the entire time. I have never in my LIFE been so desperate for someone to buy the film rights of a book, Netflix please if you're listening we need you!!!

The most impressive feat of this book to me is Ally Carter's ability to craft these sweeping, page-turning action sequences while perfectly balancing that action with a main plot romance. I don't think I've ever read a book that managed to commit so well to both sides, without either side of the story feeling like a subplot. And (without spoiling anything, I swear!) the setup for a sequel...chef's kiss. Give me like 20 more of these minimum, thank youuuuu.

THE BLONDE IDENTITY by Ally Carter comes out August 8th and is an absolute delight!! Shout out to @avonbooks for making the correct and good choice of approving my request on NetGalley.

I did not want this book to end, and yet I HAD to get to the ending. I inhaled it in a single evening. It is funny and exciting and swoony! Those of us of a certain age might have fond Alias feels about it, including a certain red wig.

It has action, mystery, romance. It has "good girl" and "touch her and die" and only one bed and (lol) literally closed door. Something for everyone! Not to be missed! Way under-buzzed!!

Are you ready to buckle up for a heart-throbbing, action-packed espionage adventure that will leave you breathless? If so, prepare yourself for the exhilarating ride that is "Blonde Identity." This novel surpasses all expectations and delivers a thrilling narrative that is as addictive as it is entertaining. Forget what you thought you knew about spy novels because this book takes the genre to a whole new level.

While I have yet to dive into the author's Gallagher Girls series, "Blonde Identity" has convinced me that I've been missing out. The writing is smart, engaging, and infused with a healthy dose of sarcasm that had me chuckling throughout. I can already sense my to-be-read pile teetering under the weight of the author's previous works, but it's a risk I'm willing to take for the sake of literary enjoyment.

From the very first page, you're thrust into a gender-reversed version of the Bourne Identity storyline. Our protagonist, an injured woman, awakens on the streets of Paris with no memory of who she is or why she's being pursued. Enter the brooding and undeniably attractive Mr. Hot Guy, who urges her to run for her life. As she flees from menacing motorcyclists reminiscent of the Sons of Anarchy, the pulse-pounding action kicks into high gear. It turns out that she is not the notorious spy the intelligence agencies and dangerous Russian gang leaders are after. No, she's caught up in a case of mistaken identity caused by her twin sister, who has created a dangerous mess that she now must untangle. To evade her pursuers and uncover the truth, she reluctantly teams up with Mr. Hot Guy on a high-stakes adventure that will take them across Europe.

What makes this book truly exceptional is its ability to blend heart-racing action with an unexpected romance. The enemies-to-lovers trope adds an electrifying dynamic between our protagonist and her enigmatic partner. Their banter crackles with tension, and as the story unfolds, you can't help but root for them. Their chemistry leaps off the page, making the romance a satisfying and integral part of the narrative.

As the plot hurtles forward, taking us from one breathtaking location to another, the author's vivid descriptions transport you to the heart of Europe. Whether they're evading danger in the charming streets of Paris or unraveling secrets in the bustling markets of Istanbul, you'll feel like a passenger on this whirlwind adventure. The author's attention to detail and ability to create a vivid sense of place immerse you fully in the story.

Prepare to be swept away by this laugh-out-loud, fast-paced, and utterly wild ride. "Blonde Identity" will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping through the pages at a rapid pace. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of intense action, heartwarming connections, and unexpected twists that will leave you gasping for breath. This book is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and is a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers and exhilarating romance.

I extend my sincerest gratitude to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for granting me the opportunity to experience this electrifying adventure through a digital review copy. My honest opinions are a testament to the sheer brilliance of "Blonde Identity" and the captivating world the author has crafted.

What a rollercoaster this read was. I fell in love with Ally Carter’s world building with the Gallagher Girl series and when I read she was releasing a new spy novel with more adult themes, I scoured for more details.

The Blonde Identity immediately pulls you into the hectic and turbulent world of spies, fake relationships, twins, and never-ending car chases. It doesn’t give you the time to breathe, it just starts and doesn’t stop till the final page. Every single page turn had me chomping at the bit for more.

I especially loved the character of Zoe. Her no filter, quirky, quick thinking attitude is something I find so endearing in book characters. She reminds me in many ways of a smattering of characters from Gallagher Girls. I also can’t help but swoon over Sawyer 👀.

This is the (hopefully) beginning of a new romance/action series for me to hyper-fixate on. Thanks NetGalley for the early copy!

I was immediately drawn in by this cover and the reference to The Bourne Identity and it definitely lived up to both for me. I loved the premise here - a woman wakes up injured, bloody, and with no memory on the streets of Paris, where she's immediately targeted by a bunch of dudes on motorcycles with guns who think she has some kind of drive that they want. She gets away, only to see herself on TV and realize that she's a badass spy who is on the run. A partner/ally catches up with her and they run together, figuring out soon that she's actually not the spy in question but is her twin sister. The bad guys don't know that, so they're still being trailed and are in constant danger as they travel all over Europe trying to avoid a major Russian criminal organization and also various members of various international intelligence agencies. This was fast-paced and funny and had lots of adventure with a little romance, and I really enjoyed it. It definitely seemed like the end was teasing a sequel and I'm here for it.

Gallagher Girls for grownups, and I'm not mad about it.

A woman wakes up in Paris with a head wound, no idea how she got to Paris or got the head wound, and there's a man chasing after her. She has no idea why, or why she's even in Paris, so she runs. Turns out she also doesn't remember an identical twin sister, and that sister is a spy in some deep trouble.

A little cheesy, a little hard to follow, a little over the top, but I also couldn't stop pretending this was Zach and Cammie from the GG series, so there's that.

Another incredible ally carter book!!! Ally Carter is an incredible writer and I hope to be a fraction as good of a writer as Ally is one day. The Blonde Identity is an incredible thriller.

This is it. This is THE book of the year for me. The book of the decade, maybe even. I can't remember the last time I gobbled something up so quickly. Laugh-out-loud funny and heart-wrenching and action-packed, this is the book of my dreams. I will simply never be shutting up about it.

This book was just SO MUCH FUN!!! I laughed out loud in places (I couldn't help myself), and it was just so delightful. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the romance, the intrigue. This book has it all, and I am now off to read it again! TEN STARS!!

Many years ago I read Ally Carter's Middle Grade/YA series, The Galagher Girls. Since then I have not read more of Ally Carter's books, but I did very much enjoy the film she wrote. So, when I saw she had an upcoming Adult Romance/Mystery/Thriller, I was curious. This is not the type of book I generally read, but it was a lot of fun. The premise was interesting and there was just enough Mystery to keep you reading. This was also one of the few books where I was okay with a character that had amnesia, usually I won't even pick up a book with that trope. But, it was handled well. Will be recommending this one to fans of Carter but also anyone who wants something fun to read. (Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC)

In a return to her adult roots, Ally Carter has delivered an exciting, swoony, and funny spy rom-com in a way only she could pull off. The readers who grew up with the Gallagher Girls will love Carter's newest spy series (myself included!).

I loved her YA spy books and was hoping this would have the same appeal, but for adults. I found myself skimming the book just to see if the sister showed up again, because that was actually the most interesting part to me. I found all of the characters to be pretty annoying and it didn’t feel anything like spy books she’s written in the past. This was almost more YA feeling in the behavior of the characters than her YA novels. This one was just not for me.

If you were a fan of the tv show Alias or the Gallagher Girls book series then this is the book for you. It's another excellent Ally Carter spy novel. The Ally Carter writing that we all know and love, but now it's for adults. The Blonde Identity has everything I loved about Ally Carter's books as a teenager and everything I currently love about books as an adult all rolled into one amazing book.

As a long-time fan of Ally Carter, the dedication of the book alone was worth the price of the book let alone the amazing story that followed. This was the best book I've read in years and that started with the very first line. I normally don't see the first lines and think I really want to read this book, but this one grabbed my attention and never let go. I'm also not the type of reader who annotates books, but I've preordered multiple copies of this book so that I can annotate one. Every interaction between the two main characters is *chef's kiss*. The main character points out tropes as they came up, and that made my favorite tropes even more enjoyable. I loved everything about this book, and I can't wait to reread the story again and again when I have physical copies of the book.

A woman wakes up on the Paris streets with no memory of who she is. But immediately a handsome stranger protects her from a gang of people trying to kill her... he claims that he knows her twin sister. He's worked undercover with her in the past, and they need to get away before they are both killed. A wild goose of an adventure then takes place.

Why I started this book: I love I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and was thrilled to learn that Carter was writing a grown up spy story.

Why I finished it: Struggled with this book for personal reasons, and when I was in a better frame of mind, I came back and loved the zany comedic elements of this light spy romance. And I'll admit there were places that I laughed out loud. This is a breezy romp, and you must be in the right mindset to fully enjoy it.

Thank you to Ally Carter and NetGalley for this ARC.

I have been a massive Ally Carter fan my entire life, and was unbelievably excited to see that she was releasing an adult spy book, as the Gallagher Girls had been such an important part of my formative years. This novel follows a woman with amnesia who gets thrust into the world of spies and villains with no idea how she got there or who anyone is, let alone herself. Somehow, she ends up on the run with a grumpy operative, who makes her new life even more complicated and confusing than expected.

The premise is fun, the banter had Ally's signature comedic, fast-paced, and catchy style, but it fell short to me as a whole. I would consider this book solidly middle of the pack in terms of rom-coms and spy novels. I loved the idea and some of the elements of the characters, but they felt a bit flat. These characters, especially the (unnamed) female lead came off as very young, a bit more fitting for a teen story than an adult one, which makes sense given Ally's background in YA stories. It was an entertaining read, but lacked some depth that could have made it stand out. As someone who has read (and loved) every other Ally Carter book, I can't wait to follow along as she continues on this path of adult novels.

3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance copy of The Blonde Identity. I was excited to read an adult book from Ally Carter and I enjoyed it as much as her previous books that I have read.

I was thrilled to see an adult novel from Ally Carter and was not disappointed! As a previous reader of the Gallagher Girls series, I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

Grown ups version of Gallagher Girls. Wherever Carter leads me, I'll go. Loved it, couldn't get enough of it and can't wait for the sequel. There better be a sequel!

Amazing! I had a great time reading this book. The chemistry between the two characters are off the chart.

"So obviously, we’re in an only one bed situation.”
"Yes?”
"So this is a classic only one bed scenario…”
"I’m confused.”
"There’s only one bed.”
"Yeah. I can see the bed. It’s right there. And…oh.”

OMG I did not know what to expect from this book! I had loved the author’s Gallagher girls series so when I heard that she was making an adult spy romance, I got excited because I thought we’d get some spicy scenes! Unfortunately we don’t get any spicy scenes like that, but that did not take away from this spy romance! This book is what would it be for a random person to wake up and have no memory and a hot spy telling you to run with bad guys chasing you! I cracked up so much with how Zoe would react to things dealing with amnesia. The professions and lives she thought could be hers were hilarious. If you have amnesia there’s a chance that you could be a ring fighter lol! I loved Sawyer! As a spy you don’t get a happily ever after, but I loved how Zoe made him want one! He is so swoony and I’d love to have him rescue me! While this book doesn’t have spicy scenes it does have steamy kisses, and is a closed-door romance! There are times that Zoe and Sawyer had to fake being married and I loved that! This book does leave off that it could be part of a series and I really hope we get Zoe’s sister’s romance!

Read if you like:
Third person dual POVs
Spy romance
Heroine with amnesia
Swoony spy hero
Protective hero
Closed door romance
Fake marriage
Forced proximity
Only one bed