I loved this so much! Getting the backstory of how they got into the situation in Paris in the first book had me hooked from the first chapter. I also loved the dual timeline for this story. It kept key things hidden as the mystery unfurled while revealing the right things at the right times! The ending was not what I expected, though it was so fitting and looking back there were definitely some clues dropped all throughout the book.

The narrators did great. These two are some of my go to narrators for their previous works, and they did not disappoint! Thank you to Harper Audio Adult for an early copy!

A very fun sequel to The Blonde Identity. Alex and King were delightful and their backstory was fun to learn.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of "The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold" by Ally Carter. All opinions are my own.

I listened to this book on audiobook. I really liked the narrators and that dual POV. At times it was hard to keep up with the dual timeline but I think that was because I was reading via audiobook versus reading a physical copy. I loved the banter and relationship between the two main characters. Very fun spy book!

This series is so fun! I hope there will be more books. I love the banter! The dual narration was fantastic.

This is so good on audio! Andrew Eiden is my favorite narrator in general, but Emily Ellet was great too! I finished this audiobook in less than 24 hours with sleep!

I LOVED the reference to Veronica Mars at the beginning! And absolutely hilarious that there’s a character named an old @capitals player’s name! #ViktorKozlov

The beginning reminded me of the show Quantico, where in the past they trained to be a spy. And the last third or so reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith 😂

I liked it better than the first one! If you liked The Blonde Identity, go read the follow up about Zoe’s twin sister, Alex (the actual spy)!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley @harperaudio @williammorrowbooks for the ALC!

Out August 5!!

Im still trying to comprehend the last 50 pages OH MY GOD this was a wild ride i had such a great time with this one!! The whole story went at 100 mph! There was never a dull moment in this one! it was 3rd person POV which usually isnt my favorite but i actually thought it worked really well with this story and these characters, especially the way the timeline progressed with timejumps which also kept me on my toes the while time!

"𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙭𝙮𝙜𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚"

The tension (and pining) between these two was DELICIOUS I was totally slackjawed and squealing more then a few times!!

"𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲?"

"𝗬𝗲𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻"

Usually I am a "the spicier the better" kind of girl but i dont think the lack of spice took away from the romance at all! The tension was still off the charts and when they finally realized they were meant to be a team i almost sobbed with relief 😅

“𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗰𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.”

The audiobook was fantastic! Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden are two of my favorites and they compliment eachother so well and they both voice the side characters so distinctly its so easy to follow. They both brought so much emotion to the story it was so easy to become emotionally invested! They had me gasping, laughing, crying and all of the above!

Tropes
* enemies to lovers
* Espionage
* forced proximity
* "You came?" "You called"
* who hurt you

Going back to read book 1 ASAP!!!

Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC 🎧

The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold is a fast paced romcom full of “espionage and also kissing”!

I grew up reading the Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter, and The Blonde Identity came out as I got back into reading as an adult which made it feel like her books grew up with me. After finishing The Blonde Identity, I was really hoping for another book in the series following Zoe’s sister, Alex. I am so excited that we finally get to see Alex in action in the Blonde Who Came in From the cold!

Alex meets King the night before they start spy school, and they instantly spark a rivalry and an attraction that follows them for a decade. They continue being forced together in school, on missions, and now as they wake up injured and in the dark with no memory of how they got there. Despite not having seen each other since a major fallout a year ago, they have to work together to figure out who is after them and why if they want to have a chance at surviving this.

The story is told through split POVs and takes place across multiple timelines which allows the reader to better understand Alex, King, and their complicated relationship. The chemistry between the two is so good, and their banter is absolutely hilarious. Of the supporting cast, there were no characters that I felt a strong connection to, but there are some delightful cameos from familiar faces from The Blonde Identity.

The plot was really exciting, but I felt like the mystery Alex and King were solving was a little all over the place which made the big reveal at the end lose some of its potential impact. Overall, I still think I might have enjoyed this one even more than The Blonde Identity which I also loved. This action packed book is full of humor and heart, and I had so much fun reading it!

This audiobook features dual narrators. Andrew Eiden is one of my favorite narrators, and I was excited to see that he is paired up with Emily Ellet again because they were both amazing together in The Blonde Identity.

Thank you to HarperAudio for providing this advance listening copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Spies, Enemies to lovers, Handcuffed to each other, waking up in Vegas, secret identities, fake marriage, and of course... secrets!

This book was so much fun, had all the action spy adventures we loved from book 1, but also dived into the past of Alex and her spy adventures prior to book 1. I loved the romance and tension with the enemies-to-lovers between Alex and Michael. This story was funny, action-packed, and so unique!

Quotes:
“Why did you take it?” -Alex
“Because it made you smile.” -Michael

“Who did this to you?” -Michael

“He’s not my epilogue, he’s my novel.”

I first met Alex in book one of this series when her identical twin sister, Zoe, was running for her life after being mistaken for CIA operative Alex. This time it’s her story and the stakes are just as high. THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD can easily be read as a stand-alone, but is way more fun after reading THE BLONDE IDENTITY.

Alex Sterling and Michael Kingsley (aka King) first met ten years ago in spy school as brand new CIA recruits. Instant rivals, their relationship has always been, well, complicated. Often paired together as partners, they have taken down the bad guys and grudgingly managed to fall in love at the same time. It’s a messy situation in the most glorious way.

King has it bad for Alex. B-A-D and she’s fighting it (and him) every step of the way. They’ve both been off the grid for a while and are surprised (not in a good way) to find themselves handcuffed together in an unknown location with no recollection of how they got there. And so begins this high energy, often hilarious espionage themed romantic comedy that entertains from page one.

There’s plenty of tension on both the spy and romance elements. Will they? Won’t they? Catch the bad guys? Save the world? Stay alive? Realize they are perfect for each other and live happily ever after? Ally Carter keeps you guessing till the very end.

I paired the eARC with the audio and it was perfection. The narration from Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet captured both the action packed and tender parts of the story. The digital copy was helpful in differentiating the multiple timelines.

This book is a sure winner for a fun, escapist read. It has just the right mix of stress, swoon, and comedic relief.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.

The second book in the Blonde Identity series, I enjoyed this but not as much at the first. No fault to the story, I just loved Zoey a lot and she only made a few appearances in this novel.

I liked the back and forth with the past and present day. I might have got a tad confused a couple times while listening to the audio but I was busy while listening.

I did speed the audio up to 1.75 with no issues and I'm normally a 1.5 person. I liked both the narrators and would listen to more of what they have done.

Thank you Netgalley for my ALC. I've already suggest this series to a friend!

Delightful. Read it in a day. Narrators were PERFECTION. Dual POV books with dual narration are my jam. Had a few moments where the time jumps got a little confusing, but this is such a fun romp in the spirit of the first book. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a very fun adventure. It also didn’t feel too similar to the Blonde Identity which was nice given the connection between the books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and ALC copies of this book!

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧
📚The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter
🎤Emily Ellet & Andrew Eiden

DUAL NARRATION
(Blonde Identity #2)
4.25⭐

I was so excited to read this book after the The Blonde Identity which I loved. Ally Carter totally delivers when it comes to a good time. The FIRST book in this series is about Zoe Sterling, who wakes up in Paris with amnesia, only to discover that she has a twin sister, Alex. THIS book is about Alex. We get to learn about her backstory, her journey as a CIA agent & how the heck she ended up in Paris!! The vibes this is givin' off.....Mr. & Mrs. Smith meet 007. Yes, a spy romcom & it's such a fun ride. It's fast paced, entertaining & full of snarky, snappy banter. We also meet Michael "King" Kingsley & these two are nothing but total rivals. Adversaries that get under each others skin! It's enemies to lovers, second chance & a fake marriage, all thrown into the pot!

This story has a dual timeline. It takes place over 10 years & we get to see Alex & King as they go through CIA training together & how they end up in a fake relationship & move from an enemies to lovers situation. There's so much tension & angst between these two. The story takes a turn & they find themselves kidnapped & handcuffed together. What are two CIA agents gonna do? 🤷‍♀️

Alex is so sarcastic & very guarded but I honestly loved her character. King makes her so uncomfortable.😂 He's totally down bad for this woman & they are constantly pushing each others buttons which leads to some crazy & fun chemistry. Alex likes to live on the edge. King is protective & a bit broody but somehow they fit together!

This story is just a good time. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It's filled with hilarious, outrageous situations, spyish escapades & witty banter that's absolutely so fun to listen to.

🎧Let's talk audio: Emily Ellet & Andrew Eiden really are the stars of this story. Their narration is what makes this such a fun & entertaining listen. Ally's fun & unique writing, along with their vocal & comedic talents, definitely make this one to add to your audio library. Emily is PERFECT at delivering all of Alex's sarcastic one-liners & humor. Andrew is fantastic at voicing King, conveying his somewhat broodish exterior. But when the "Who did this to you?" moment happens, Eiden literally makes you melt. King's character is everything, all soft & gooey inside. Wonderful narrator pairing!👌

This is considered an inter-connected standalone but honestly, I think it's best to read The Blonde Identity first then move onto this.

Overall, this audio is perfect when you want something for pure escapist joy! It's fun, fast & clever! I've decided we need more spy romcoms!🙌

Thank you Ally Carter, HarperAudio & NetGalley for a #gifted copy of the ALC. All thoughts are my own. The audio releases on August 5, 2025.

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold
is the second installment in the The Blonde Identity Series is a ln action-packed, second-chance rom-com about two rival spies who must join forces to stay alive (If they don’t kill each other first).

After years in the CIA, Alex and King’s partnership—and romance—ended when she walked away for good. Now, they wake up bloody, bruised, and handcuffed together with no idea how they got there or who’s behind it. Forced to work together, they must survive danger, betrayal, and simmering unresolved feelings.

Alex is witty, sarcastic, and seemingly all sharp edges, but with a secret marshmallow center. She has big “Legally Blonde but lethal” energy, balancing charm with lethal competence. King is broody, fiercely protective, and absolutely gone for her, even when he’s trying to pretend otherwise. He’s got a dry sense of humor and flashes of unexpected silliness that make him even more endearing. Together, they’re button-pushing pros with chemistry that crackles in every scene.

This book was such a fun ride, packed with action, banter, and just the right amount of absurdity. The dual POV and dual timeline added depth, showing both their begrudging partnership and growing friendship in the past, alongside their tense, danger-filled present. Definitely a must add to TBR!

The audiobook narration by Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet in 3rd person POV, dual style was spot-on, bringing the banter, tension, and emotional beats to life perfectly.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced listening copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this ALC!

This was such a fun romp! The chemistry between King and Alex was sparking from the jump and we got the same humor and hijinks that we saw in The Blonde Identity!

The epilogue was so sweet and I really like how it nicely wrapped up the series.

Rating: 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC Audiobook!

I absolutely ate this enemies to lovers, spy rom-com UP and was left wanting even more. Alex is such a strong FMC who was unapologetically herself. And Michael? My god, Ally read that girlies wanted men who yearn and she delivered. Such a fun plot, I wish there were certain points that were more expanded on/explored versus just mentioned, but overall I was laughing, smiling, and WORRYING. The narrators of the audiobook also did an amazing job, and I was locked into the story and the world that they were creating. Can't recommend enough!

Incredibly action packed love story of two spies who wake up one day after not seeing each other for a year, handcuffed to one another and now embark on this whole journey to fill in the space of the last 24 hours that neither of them seem to have any recollection of, taking them down one winding path after another, forced to face their shared past and decide if they want to move into their future together, or alone.

Alex and King are two incredibly strong willed and strong minded people. King living in the shadow of his father and grandfather, two legendary spies, and Alex living her life trying to prove to herself that she's perfectly competent, that she is capable and strong and doesn't need to rely on anyone else after growing up with a twin sister that needed everyone, that was weak and incompetent and incapable of living on her own.

Jumping back and forth through time, past to present, first meeting to reconnecting, learning about the love they found in each other and what led to it being torn apart and how they manage to find their way back to each other and that Scottish Castle in the countryside.

This audiobook has to be one of the most fun, audiobooks that I have probably every listened to. Equal parts romance and thriller and mystery. listening to King and Alex defy death, kicking ass and taking names, had me sitting with my jaw on the floor in a near constant state of disbelief.
Safe to say I loved absolutely everything about it.

A sequel. A prequel. A mystery. An epic love story.
The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold has it all.

I love a good spy novel. The blonde identity was very good, but this is above and beyond! Definitely my favorite work Ally Carter has produced and I have read them all! More than that though, this is one of my favorite spy novels I have ever read!

I have never felt more seen than in every line I read about Alexandra Sterling. Underestimated or a threat. Never taken seriously. A big, fun personality, but utterly competent and capable. “She didn’t know who the woman was, but she knew she wanted to BE her.” It’s me, I am “she.”
King. The ultimate spy legacy. The ever ahead man on a mission turned into that time that Captain America went rogue and grew a beard.” I have so much to say, but don’t want to spoil it. So I will leave it at: “…like it or not, you’re safe with me.”

I know that she is new to the adult novel scene but I so appreciate that this story is not solely romance driven. There is just enough to keep the reader (listener) fighting for them.

The blonde who came in from the cold by Ally Carter
⭐️ 4.25
| 🌎 4 | 📖 4| 🖋️ 4 |👫 4.5 | ❤️ 4.5
| 🌶️ -0 (closed door) | 🎧 4

I really enjoyed the audible performance and would recommend to any audible lovers

After finishing the Blonde Identity I was thrilled to receive the audio and digital arcs for the sequel- The blonde who came in from the cold.

It’s not often I say the sequel is better than the original but this one knocked it out of the park. This book started with a Veronica Mars quote and I knew I was hooked.

In this book we follow the twin sister, Alex. She wakes up handcuffed to her “nemesis”, Kingsley with neither knowing who captured them nor how they got there. Told in dual timelines with flashbacks of Alex’s 10 yrs of a spy and her and Kingsley’s complicated past.
This book again adds the “spy” twist on the classic romcom only this one adds the enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn to the mix and I loved it. The batter amazing and Kingsley is absolutely swoon worthy!

If you enjoyed The Blonde Identity or a fun enemies to lovers this is a must read!

The twists and turns had me on my toes reading this one. I would definitely recommend reading the first book in the series The Blonde Identity so you can keep up with the plot. The narrators are awesome and bring the whole story to life, not to mention the sexiness they add to this spy novel. Who hasn’t woken up in Vegas handcuffed to someone? Love a story about a kickbutt heroine who can put a man in their place. And when said man falls for her, chefs kiss! Great enemies to lovers troupe. I am positive I will be re-reading both books to pick up on any nuances I missed the first go around.

I loved The Blonde Identity so much that I slid into Ally Carter’s DMs begging her to tell me there would be a sequel, and I was thrilled when she said yes! The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold is everything I hoped for and more. It gives Alex her much deserved moment in the spotlight, filled with all the espionage, sizzling chemistry, and slow burn yearning I crave in a romantic spy book.

This book has it all: the romance, the pining, the “will they or won’t they,” and the aching tension of two people who want each other but keep fighting it. Alex and Michael's story spans years, masterfully weaving between past and present, starting from the electric moment they first meet to their emotionally charged reunion years later. I loved the banter, the respect, the mutual admiration, and, of course, the wild spy antics.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators absolutely nailed it. They brought the emotion, the heat, and the humor to life in such a vivid way, it made the twists and turns even more intense and the emotional beats land even harder.

Ally Carter once again delivers a fun, twisty, high stakes ride with just the right amount of angst and heart. And the cameos from the first book? Chef’s kiss. If you're looking for something that blends swoony romance with smart, sharp spy drama, this is the one. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.