The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold doesn't have any of the main characters from the first book in this series (The Blonde Identity) or at least it doesn't as far as I can recall. And I'm happy to report that it is better than the first book as well. In fact, the first half of the book is downright, super entertaining as we bounce back and forth between the past and present, learning more about our two main characters Alex and King.

Unfortunately, the second half leans way too heavy on cheesy/slightly cringe romance that just didn't work for me personally. It wasn't awful but it wasn't my favorite. The other issue I had was there are two bad guys with Russian names and I kept on getting them mixed up while at the same time not fully understanding the story surrounding each of them. It was cleared up at the very end but I honestly wished that the book focused on only one of them. I also wished that there were more flashbacks, more depth shown in regards to Alex and King's relationship. I won't go as far as to say that it felt like insta-love but I wish we had just history (the flashbacks) to help make the present chapters more believable.

All in all, it was a very fast read and for the most part it was pretty entertaining and definitely an improvement upon the last (first) book in the series. If you enjoyed The Blonde Identity then you will likely enjoy this one as well.

I have loved all of all Carter’s books and this is no exception. It’s so well written I set it down and then was doing my dishes and thought “oh what was I watching?” And remembered it was actually reading but it was so good I could fully imagine exactly how the author wrote each scene. I very much recommend to anyone

If Mr. & Mrs. Smith had a baby with The Bourne Identity and then sent that baby to spy school with a side of unresolved feelings and sizzling banter… you’d have The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold. Ally Carter delivers a rom-com that’s equal parts high-stakes espionage and second-chance swoon, and I was so here for it.

Our two leads—ex-CIA rivals with a shared romantic past—wake up battered, handcuffed, and with no idea what fresh chaos they’ve landed in. What follows is a globe-trotting game of cat-and-mouse (but make it sexy), filled with snappy dialogue, genuine emotional stakes, and just enough double-crossing to keep you guessing who to trust. The chemistry? Off the charts. The action? Blockbuster-worthy. The backstory? Packed with just enough angst to make every lingering glance feel earned.

Carter strikes that rare balance between witty and heartfelt. One minute I was laughing at a perfectly timed one-liner, the next I was clutching the metaphorical pearls because feelings. This isn’t just a romance set against a spy backdrop—it’s a love story forged in danger, deception, and one very complicated shared history.

I docked a star only because the plot occasionally zigzagged so fast I needed a mental seatbelt, and I wanted just a bit more resolution in the final chapters. But honestly? I’d follow these two into any mission, and I hope there’s more to come in their chaotic, covert universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this action-packed delight early! You had me at “handcuffed together in the dark.”

Alex and King have known each other since Spy School. They don't like each other. Now they are on a mission together because someone is after them. Will they be able to work together? Trust each other? Find out in this exciting sequel to The Blonde Identity.

Loved this one! So much excitement. So much banter between characters. So much restrained romance! I truly enjoyed this one a bit more than the first one. I will admit that I got lost sometimes with the changing of timeframes, but no worries as it all wrapped up beautifully. I swear I heard action hero music playing throughout the story as I read! Author Ally Carter is known for her strong female characters and Alex did not disappoint! If you enjoy adventures, things that go boom and a bit of romance you definitely need to check this out! It won't disappoint!

I love this series! This sequel was more series than its predecessor, but the romance was more swoon worthy in my opinion. That ending though…you can’t leave me hanging! I need a third book with all 4. Characters, stat 😂

Ally Carter has done it again! This book is a fun and exciting read that had me hooked from the start. The main character is smart and fun of surprises, making the story so entertaining. I loved how the plot was full of twists. If you love adventure, cleaver characters and suspense, then you will love this!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter

Such a fun sequel! I loved the further character development and the plot kept me engaged throughout.

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for this year. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Harper and Voyager for for the ARC. And a big shoutout to the wonderful Ally Carter, whose name will always be on my bookshelf.

The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold serves as the direct prequel to The Blonde Identity and allows us to see the other side of the story. The story focuses on Zoe's sister, Alex, the spy that she is mistaken for in The Blonde Identity. It's how she became a spy, the missions she's gone on and the hot annoying colleague she's worked with on and off throughout the years.

The overarching story transitions from past to present and catches up to all the things Zoe went through with Sawyer in book one.

This book's strength was the characterization and while I was trying not to compare, this is where it beats out The Blonde Identity. For the most part, connecting to Zoe and Sawyer was a little difficult because one person had amnesia and didn't know who they were and the other one was a bit paranoid and non-trusting for a huge chunk of the book.

Alex knows who she is for the most part and she also acknowledges that she has faults. Same thing with King, who is burdened with who he is and the expectations people have of him. I think it was such a pairing was beautiful because they were both able to help each other grow as people. They are able to truly see and understand one another, which helps the synergy of their missions together.

I have also missed this leveling of pining in a romance. That was top tier. The tension, and the buildup of affection between them on missions was so good.

And so I come to this point, which may sway people if they weren't entirely satisfied with book one. This filled the void that the Gallagher Girls series left more than the The Blonde Identity did. I felt like there was overall more espionage, more action and a better relationship dynamic.

If there ends up being a third book, I will be front row and center for it.

The way Ally Carter weaved this book perfectly around the plot of Blonde Identity is amazing and wonderfully written. It gives an extra layer to the plot of Blonde Identity. Once again Ally Carter writes another dreamy male lead. King had some amazing lines that had me grinning and swooning as I read. It’s another hit from Ally Carter!

Thank you so much for the ARC!!

Ally Carter is now a strong favorite repeat author. I was so happy to receive this after loving The Blonde Identity and this sequel/part of the series did not disappoint! I loved Alex and King, their banter and chemistry is amazing. And it’s also a bit in the Most Wonderful Crime of the Year universe as well!

Definitely recommend this if you want a mix of romance and adventure

As I’ve come to expect from Ally Carter, I had so much fun reading this!! The perfect read for anyone looking for lots of shenanigans, some spy action, and a little romance.

What readers can look forward to:
- Good banter and humorous situations.
- Shifting timelines to help bring to life their current predicament while also giving depth to their relationship as there are flashbacks to how their lives have intertwined over the last 10years.
- Lovable characters! Alex kicks a** (an amazing spy, fearless, strong, quick to go off script). King is more serious but so full of heart he tries to keep hidden.

Side note - I liked the tie in to The Blonde Identity, it was nice to bring the stories to a close together. That said, you don’t need to have read The Blonde Identity to enjoy this book.

Thank you to Ally Carter, Avon, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive this!!! I'm so glad the author stayed in this spy world. it was so fun and the banter was everything. I was eating every moment up, it was perfectly balanced with romance, comedy and mystery! I need more books centered in this world!!!!!

Absolutely loved this book! Reminded me of the GGs and really brought me back. I wasn't the biggest fan of The Blonde Identity but Ally really did something with The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold. The time jumps and overall pacing was perfect for this kind of story and I was obsessed with the banter. Don't want to spoil anything by accident but I promise it is worth the read!!!

OMG!!! I absolutely loved reading this ARC! I love all of Ally Carter’s books. She is one of my favorite authors and every book she publishes, I automatically buy.

This book…. Lemme tell you. I was so excited to be able to read ARC. The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold is an amazing enemies to lovers story. I was happy, excited, even a little sad in some parts. This book is all of my spy dreams come true.

I loved reading about Alex and Michael’s story. From the very beginning I was hooked. The writing was beautiful. I was flying through these chapters. When I got to the end, I was sad it’s over. However, I can just read it again when the book comes out. 😁

The story is told in 2 POV’s. The present and the past. I loved the going back and forth between the past and present timelines, even tho I got lost sometimes on when I was. But it was very cool to see their life over the course of 10 years of their careers and relationship.

Overall, it was an amazing book and I highly recommend reading it!

4.25 stars ARC book review
This book was pure fun from the first page. Having read and absolutely loved the first book, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one which tells Alex’s story. This book was the best combination of romance, action and mystery as we follow Alex and King from present day to their past, and back again as they try to unravel who is trying kill them.

I really love the author’s quick and witty writing style. The banter is top notch, truly something Ally Carter does so well. The settings from Vegas to Portugal to Scotland and more were fun. The only thing I really struggled with was the multi-timelines, jumping back and forth from present day to the past, often in the same setting, was at times hard to keep track of.

Thank you to the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, author Ally Carter, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

An action-packed story with the perfect balance of romance. This is the first book that I have read from this author and it won't be the last. Based on that, I believe that this can be read as a standalone if you haven't read Ally Carter's The Blonde Identity.

The character development and plot was well written. I like the flashbacks between the two characters, along with the humour, banter and mystery.

No one writes banter better than Ally Carter! I’m ok that she writes fade to black romance because her banter and sexual tension are second to none. I love Alex and King! I love that he falls first. And the mystery within a mystery wrapped in an enigma is superb! Nothing would be better than if both Blonde books were made into a movie or tv show, so I could experience the joys of these books again.

This book was action-packed and was the perfect balance of story and romance. Such a fun read! If you enjoy fast-paced rom-coms then this book is for you. This was the first book to read by this author but definitely won't be my last!

This book wasn’t quite as off the wall and bananas as The Blonde Identity, but was still a really good time. The way Ally Carter writes spies and spying is so engaging and nostalgic and fun. I LOVE second chance romance and this definitely delivered. Alex and King were both super interesting characters and I really liked their dynamic. I persinally don’t vibe with dual-timeline very much, and I definitely didn’t love it here, but I did like how much we got to know the characters. Something about it didn’t quite sink in for me as much as I wanted it to, so I’m very excited to reread and listen to the audiobook when it comes out later this summer.

Oh my goodness, I am so thankful that I got an advanced review copy of this book. Because it is pure delight.

Think Jason Bourne meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets Murder Mystery. It had me wanting to keep reading. I love reparte between protagonists. Yes, I knew that Alex and Michael didn't hate each other; it was so obvious that these two CIA agents had a history, had fallen in love and had a misunderstanding.....and of course things were going to come to a head. I enjoyed BOTH male and female leads a lot. Both had baggage and yet it was legitimate baggage. It wasn't forced and it wasn't implausible.

For those who have read The Blond Identity, you will enjoy characters making an appearance once again. Zoe and Sawyer absolutely do and it does answer the question: why were people after Zoe in the first place? Well, when your twin is wanted.....it explains a lot. It had been a while since I had read the first book so I could have used a refresher had I known.

I have so loved these books for also having sexual tension and yet not pages and pages of explicit sex. That has its place in others but here the spy part actually gets to take a front seat!!!

Definitely worth a read! Thanks Netgalley!!!