Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Ally Carter for the e-ARC!

So, I thought The Blonde Identity was adventurous, cute and a great concept! After reading, I was so ready for Alex's story, and here it is and I thought it was fantastic! This second book was soooo much better than the first and I really did enjoy the first one. (I also really really really enjoyed The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year). In this everything was just better imo...the banter, the adventure, the mystery and the romance. I LOVED King's character (swoon). So fun and cozy!!! Loved it! Ally is now a go to author for me for sure!

My first NetGalley book!! I love the cover and I love the Gallagher Girl vibes I got.

I thought I’d like the first book better but I liked this one more!! I liked the first one, but Zoe was a bit too childlike with her lack of memory, so it just wasn’t as compelling as slow-burn rivals to lovers.

It was a little tricky to follow the timeline when reading in multiple sessions tho, since it jumped around so much. Would love a schedule of some sort at the beginning or end. Having the ‘one year ago — Russia’, etc in the table of contents with the chapters would be SUPER helpful.

The end felt a little rushed but was so interesting.

Also crossing my fingers they catch that ‘—eel’ that’s supposed to be ‘—feel’

Thank you so much netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an arc
I have a soft spot for books with spies, I just always find them so fun to read about. I just wish this was a little bit shorter cause it lost be a little bit in the middle
I would say I like this one better than the first one. And if you liked the first in this interconnected standalone, I’m sure you will enjoy this very much and the little connections
The epilogue was so sweet as well

This story is amazing!
Ally Carter as usual put us through the gorgeous spy story and I’m irrevocably in love with Michael Kingsley!
When I though that I’ve got the whole picture it was absolutely NOT THAT! I love it!


The book has dual time lines that creates another angle of the story and keep you trying to put all the puzzle pieces together. Also there is a dual POV which I totally adore. Main plot is great but you for sure should read the first book - The blonde identity to get everything and enjoy the story even more.
I love this vibe of international travels, various spots, countries and adventures along the way. It gives the vibes of Knight of the day, MR & Mrs Smith but it is so, so much more!

Love story between two spies was so tender, so heartbreaking, it has got all the feelings and more! I’ve cried several chapters because my heart was breaking for Michael.

The epilogue intrigue!! I hope we’ll see what it will be. And I’m hoping for the next book! I need this story to continue.

So to sum up: I’m totally smitten and hooked by the Blond who came in from the cold and her handsome King.

The only expectation I came into reading The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold was that it would be good and enjoyable. This book was not that. It was EXTRAORDINARY.

As I've been an Ally Carter fan for the past decade now, her books are an automatic read for me. She got me into the contemporary spy romance, with a female lead genre, and I genuinely cannot find any other author who has written this genre or writes in this niche as well as she does. So, when The Blonde Identity came out (the first book in this duology), and I read it, I was slightly disappointed when I realized it was a romantic comedy. Now, did she tell me it would be a romantic comedy? Yes. Did I just think it would be another Ally Carter book that wasn't a romcom? Also yes. Did I still enjoy The Blonde Identity? Absolutely.

But this book, GUYS. This book? IT WAS EVERYTHING, everything I expected and wanted out of an Ally Carter spy romance novel and I loved every inch of. Honestly, as of 2 days ago, as soon as I read the epigraph, I knew that this is my new favorite Ally Carter book. I honestly can't think of one thing I disliked about this book. I spent the entire 5 hours it took me to read this book squealing and kicking my feet.

If you've been a fan and read some of her other works, this book feels like cross between United We Spy and Not If I Save You First with the international aspect of her Embassy Row Series, while also being adult and more mature. The dual timeline gives a backstory into Alex and Michael's romance, while also paralleling their second-chance with one another.. The transitions between timelines were also just *chef's kiss*.The dual POV gives insight into Michael Kingsley's thoughts and actions and how utterly OBSESSED this man is with her. And he hates that he's in love with her and it shows in his actions, basically making me feel like it's an enemies/rivals to lovers, which is one of my absolute favorite tropes, when done well; and Ms. Ally Carter has done it SPECTACULARLY.

I have literally no notes. If you're on the fence about this book, please read it. Even if you haven't read the first one. Truly, this book has made me appreciate The Blonde Identity more than I had previously, and I'll probably reread it again, with the new context that The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold provided for me.

Is there an Ally Carter book that I don't love? No, never. I read this book in less than 24 hours because I didn't want to put it down.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved getting to see Alex's side after reading The Blonde Identity and the enemies to lovers in this book was perfect.

I don't always love dual timeline books as they are sometimes hard to follow but this book did a great job of giving just enough details in the flashbacks to solidify the story without going overboard in explanations.

I have been obsessed with Ally Carter and her spy novels since I was very young, so this series feels like my childhood jumping into adult form. And I am never disappointed! This book was so fun! It had all of the tension, the pining, and the action that I have come to expect from Ally Carter's adult romances. Dual timelines are hard to pull off, so I was a little worried going in, but she pulled it off seamlessly! I loved how the missions from their past fit together to help them figure out what was going on in the present and how it created their failed, almost relationship. The characters were amazing, the romance was adorable, and the action kept me on my toes. I would honestly read a to do list, if Ally Carter wrote it, so I am so sad to be finished with this book and have to wait to read whatever she decides to write next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’m so happy I was approved for this! This is the sequel to her earlier book. This is just as fun and silly and heartfelt as the other. If you liked this author’s previous work then you’ll really like this.

This was fun, but not nearly as fun as the previous book. I really did like that first book!

This book follows Alex, the sister of the main character from the previous book in this series, The Blonde Identity.

The best way I can describe what I wanted from this book (and this is likely very unhelpful information, but whatever, it's how I feel) is that it needed more oomph. I'm sure the proper and helpful way to put that is to say it needed to be fleshed out a bit more, the characters needed more development and chemistry - that sort of thing!

This book does add more context to the previous story and just their story/world as a whole, that was cool!

If you want a fun little spy adventure, I would definitely recommend checking out this series. They're super quick to read too!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Hats off to Ally Carter for another hilarious novel!

I was fortunate enough to get an advanced readers copy of The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter. From start to finish, it was a fantastic read. This novel had everything that makes Ally Carter so amazing - humor, action, intrigue, and romance. It was hard to put down and when I reached the end, I was sad it was over!

Definitely worth the read if you have the opportunity!

No one tops Ally Carter for a thoroughly diverting read! Her books are just so much fun and this series was no exception. It's like watching your favorite spy series on TV, but with even better witty banter! I enjoyed the action and suspense, and loved the character development and depth. I thought this book was a great sequel to the Blonde Identity, but you don't necessarily have to read the first to understand the second (although I think your reading experience is the better for it).

Ally Carter has done it again! With laughs, action, mystery, and romance! Alex and King weave a grand tale that you will not want to put down! I read this book in one sitting! It is well worth waiting for!

This is such a fun series. After reading the first one, I very much needed to read about Alex and I was not disappointed. I loved her from moment one, but the part I didn't expect was the pure depth and growth from Alex (and King) that made my heart ache for them. Carter has managed to cram so many romance AND spy thriller tropes in but with a fun unique take that makes the book even more enjoyable. The writing makes it snappy and so delightful to read with enough layers and nuance to keep from falling into syrupy. Like the first book the formatting isn't what you expect and this book does a fantastic job of using the time jumps and flashbacks to frame the story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, smiling and thrilled the whole time. While I really liked the first one, this one really reminded me of the YA books of Carter's that I read as a child and adored. I very selfishly want many more of these so I hope that there are more on the way *fingers crossed*.

I've had so much fun reading this series! I'm recommending it to all my friends! The back and forth between the present and the past kept the tension building and building. I loved seeing the other side of the twin relationship and King and Alex were a really fun couple to follow. The spycraft scenes were action-packed, exciting, and really well-paced.

i adore every single thing ally carter puts out and this was an absolute romp. i adored the first book and this was somehow even better, you truly fly through it and i think i read it in a solid sitting!! from ya to adult, i’ve always been obsessed with her spy series ✨

If you enjoyed the first one, you'll very likely love this one too. The storytelling is a bit different as it employs a number of flashbacks, but the payoff is worth it for the character development. A fun and entertaining page-turner.

Ally Carter knows how to write a funny, entertaining, slow burn, romantic spy novel! The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold is a brilliant follow-up to 2023's The Blonde Identity and was totally worth the wait. It could reasonably be read as a standalone but I think it'd be super entertaining to read them together. Alex- confident, fearless, troublemaker Alex, pulls is remarkably badass...and human. The formatting (past/present; dual POV) is perfect for this story.

Readers are going to love this!

"The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold" by Ally Carter is a fresh and exhilarating romp that combines thrills, humor, and a dash of espionage in a way that only Carter can achieve. This cleverly crafted novel introduces readers to an intriguing world of spies and secrets, all while showcasing Carter's signature wit and charm.

The story follows a strong and captivating protagonist who finds herself entangled in a web of international intrigue. Carter’s writing shines as she balances fast-paced action with delightful moments of levity, creating an entertaining narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The plot is filled with clever twists and turns that kept me guessing, making it difficult to put the book down.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is the dynamic character development. The protagonist is relatable and complex, navigating her own challenges while facing external threats. Carter excels at crafting secondary characters that add depth and humor to the story, creating a vibrant cast that enhances the overall experience.

Overall, "The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold" is a captivating and engaging read that showcases Ally Carter's exceptional storytelling abilities. This book is perfect for fans of lighthearted espionage and those looking for a delightful escape filled with action and laughter. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

Eeeeee!!!

I woke up today to the news that I got an arc. AMAZING!!!

My plans for the day disappeared. Poof! Because nothing was as important as reading this beauty IMMEDIATELY.

My daughter and I always buddy read Ally's books, sending snapshots of particularly good dialogue. It takes longer, but makes the experience even better.

This might be her best yet. The writing is tight, evocative, and INTENSE. With the trademark humour and sass we expect.

I devoured this book. I stopped reading once to get more tea. That's it!!

It's an amalgam of the spy stories I loved growing up with the romance tropes I love now.

Only one bed.

Enemies to lovers.

SCOTLAND!

I don't want to say too much because this is a journey you need to take for yourself. Read Blonde Identity first or not, because there's connections but you'll be fine either way. Or like me, you will need to read it again right after this so you can put the entire timeline together.

Book 3 Ally. Think about it, okay? 😉

I think I loved the Blonde Identity more but this one yet again continues to prove the Ally Carter is perfect in this genre and in spy series. I loved King and Sterling and their banter throughout. While it did work the multiple time jumps did make me work a little harder to read but they did make the book work spectacularly.
I also love how Zoe and Sawyer weren’t totally forgotten and you got to see them again.