𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 (𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰/𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰)⁣⁣
⭐⭐⭐⭐⁣

"𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞."⁣
⁣
I loved this so much! Alex and King’s banter throughout the book is everything! They're both so stubborn and competitive and totally hot for each other! And the angst in this story was so spectacular!⁣
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My only complaint is that with the audiobook version the jumping back and forth with dual timelines was harder to keep track of then it was reading the physical book. There were times when I had to go back and re-listen to things just to understand where I was (past or present).⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦:⁣
⁣
✈𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘛𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶⁣
✨𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
✈𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘰𝘷⁣
✨𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴⁣
✈𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘤𝘰𝘮⁣
✨𝘏𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 & 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳⁣
✈𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦⁣
✨ 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴⁣
✈𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥⁣
✨𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘥⁣
✈𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯⁣
✨𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴!⁣
⁣
A huge thank you to @avonbooks @netgalley and @harpercollins for providing me with an ALC copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own.

I didn’t read these in order, but the flashbacks were done so well that I never felt lost. In fact, this book actually made me want to go back and read the first one to get the full experience. The angst in this story was absolutely top tier—it kept me hooked the whole way through! I saw other readers mention that the first book had more language, but I honestly don’t recall any in this one. If there was cussing, it was very minimal and definitely didn’t affect my enjoyment.

What I loved: the characters, the story arc

What I didn’t love: The jumping timelines.

I don’t know how it could have been told better because at its hearts, it a fun, heartfelt story, but the jumping around just took me out of it and confused me at times. I absolutely loved the characters, Sterling is sarcastic and smart. The absolute foil to King, who is too serious (baby duke) but a goner from the beginning for her. Overall it’s a good time.

3.5 STARS!

Micheal Kingsley and Alexandra Sterling are both CIA operatives who have a storied past over their time in the agency. The fast-paced story told across multiple timeline jumps has a consistent theme - King and Alex have a tension between them that is undeniable ... and a history that only becomes more clear as things unfold.

I loved that the story begins with immediate action. It drew me in right away! I enjoyed the banter between King and Alex and it was fun to read a spy novel that had both mystery and a cozy feel. Ally creates this feel in her books so well!

The hardest part for me was the timeline jumps ... I had trouble following what year we were in and what had just happened because of the way they were written. I had to rewind the audio quite a bit to make sure I was clear on where we were in the story.

This is also book 2 in a series and I did not read the first book ... I was able to follow well enough, but I do think it would have helped if I would have had more backstory from what happened in book 1. If I could do it again, I would start with book 1.

Finally, I listened on audio and enjoyed it! Overall, I loved the premise and enjoyed the spy adventures. I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the audio for this book in exchange for an honest review!

Spice: Fade to black
Content: death, mild violence, language

I read this book and then listened to it in audio. Listening to this book was just as amazing! The narrators Andrew Eiden (also goes by Teddy Hamilton) and Emily Ellet did a fantastic job bringing this enemies to lovers spy book to life. Ally Carter did a wonderful job. The characters jumped off the page and the emotion was deep and satisfying. I adored these characters. The connection between Alex and Michael was volatile, real, raw and emotional. The character growth and journey are exactly what I needed. The time line was a little confusing at times, but I trusted the author and she did not disappoint. The wonderful conflict made me listen to this all in one sitting! I couldn’t stop! Ally Carter is the queen of spy romances. I hope we get more! I received this book from HarperAudio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Blonde Who Came in from the Cold by Ally Carter is a thrilling and highly entertaining spy novel that immediately pulled me in. I loved the way the story flips between the past and present, a clever technique that creates a sense of intrigue and suspense perfectly suited for the genre. Even though I read this as a standalone, I never felt lost, as the plot is self-contained and full of surprises. The characters are a major highlight of the book; their witty banter and complex relationships bring a lot of fun and emotion to the story. Filled with academic rivalry, "who-did-this-to-you" moments, and a satisfying amount of plot twists and drama, this book delivers all the spy vibes you could want.

The audiobook for Blonde Who Came in from the Cold is a fantastic listening experience, elevated by the dynamic narration of Andrew Eiden and Emily Lawrence. They do an excellent job of bringing the main characters, Alex and Michael, to life, expertly capturing their personalities and creating a palpable chemistry between them. Their performances make the witty banter and tension feel incredibly real. The dual narration helps to ground the listener in the story, especially with the time-hopping narrative. This audiobook is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a well-voiced spy thriller with engaging characters and a great story.

This book was very hard to follow. I don’t know if it’s because I listened to the audiobook, but half the time I couldn’t tell where the characters were or whether the story was in the present day or eight years ago. Honestly, I probably should have DNF’ed it. I also didn’t feel any real chemistry between the two main characters, which made it tough to stay invested.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | Avon for the ARC audiobook.

Snappy second book in a series that brings rival CIA agents Alex and Michael together as they awaken in a dungeon handcuffed together. Enjoy the adventure and the banter. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and HarperCollins/Voyager for an advanced copy for a honest review.

Such a fun read! I did not know this was a sequel or second in a series and I love that when that happens. Needless to say this book feels like a standalone that clearly has moments that might mean more having read the first one but can still be enjoyed on its’ own.

This is a fast paced second chance romance that feels like lovers to enemies back to lovers. The author does a fantastic job tying in flashbacks to their romance from before with the mystery of their current situation. There were so many moments that this book made me gasp or question what was happening and rooting for the main couple. This was a fantastic book that kept me on my toes and wanting to continue reading nonstop.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced romance with a hint of a mystery. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this story!

Ally's new book is a thrilling, action-packed rom-com that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It has all my favorite tropes including second-chance romance with a twist, following two rival spies who wake up bloody, bruised, and handcuffed together in the dark. They don't know who is after them or how they got there, but they do know one thing: they must work together to stay alive.

It reminds me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith the movie. The story is a race against time, with high stakes, undeniable chemistry, and a whole lot of questions. As the two spies navigate a world of secrets and lies, they are forced to confront their past and their feelings for each other. This is their greatest mission yet, and they must rely on their skills and each other to survive. If they don't kill each other first, that is.

For me, I couldn't put it down! It's truly is a true page-turner that will keep you up way past your bedtime. With its relatable characters and it feels like I went on an adventure with Alex!

This was such a fun fast paced adventure romance with spies. I loved the audiobook with dual narrators and the twists were abundant and the romance was swoony. It was a lot of time hopping, so you really need to be paying attention while listening to see what timeline you are in.

Ten years of secrets. Five years of love. One year of betrayal. And now two spies wake up handcuffed together, bloody and bruised, with no clue who’s hunting them or why.
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Ally Carter delivers a fast paced, banter filled ride with equal parts danger, romance, and spy chaos. The tension between these rival turned lovers crackles on every page. Are they going to save each other or kill each other first?
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The dual narration works perfectly for this story. The banter was sharp and you can feel the chemistry and the tension in every exchange.
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If you like thrillers with a dash of romance, or romance with a dose of danger, this one’s a blast.

A book outside my typical genre that blew me away. It's a unique mixture of action packed spy thriller and rom-com! The narrator was excellent!

I'm a big fan of spy romances, and this one really delivered! The dynamic between Alex and King was a highlight—she’s fierce, determined, and a total badass. I also appreciated the fun cameo from The Blonde Identity. This book was such a fun, action-packed read, with fantastic banter between the main characters. The enemies-to-lovers angle added even more excitement. I loved the first book, and this sequel definitely lived up to my expectations. I really hope we get more stories in this universe!

Ally Carter delivers another fast and flirty action-packed adventure in The Blonde That Came in from the Cold. With espionage and banter this rivals to lovers book hits all the marks for a lighthearted spy rom-com.

I loved the blend of danger and humor, and the FMC is such a fun, capable lead who keeps the story moving with wit and charm. Our MMC starts the rivalry then promptly falls first and falls fast!

If you’re looking for a spy story that leans more toward fun than serious, with just enough intrigue to keep you hooked (and maybe a fun twist or two) this duology is absolutely worth the ride.

I received this book as an advanced review copy and offer my honest opinion voluntarily.

4.5 Star audiobook!

The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold is book 2 from the Blonde Identity series, a adult spy rom-com from Ally Carter—and let me just say, I devoured this audiobook! If you're a fan of twists, tension, and a broody spy who secretly pines like it’s his full-time job, then buckle up because this one delivers in spades.

Let’s start with the narration: Teddy Hamilton is a magician! I don't think he can not crush any narration, but I especially loved him as a broody CIA agent who's cold heart is thawed by his early nemesis, turned secret obsession.

This book is full of sharp turns, secrets, and just the right level of danger to keep you guessing. I loved the spy angle, and the layered world Ally Carter created here is equal parts slick, smart, and surprisingly emotional. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was chef’s kiss. The banter, the tension, and that slow, smoldering unraveling of hidden feelings—yes please!

When you listen to The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold, you can expect:
🕵️‍♀️ Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Secret Pining
💔 Second Chances
🕶️ Spy Games and High Stakes
🎧 Incredible Narration
📈 Character Growth
😲 Jaw-Dropping Plot Twist (that ending with the sister... WHAT?!)

I was hooked from the start, but the ending? I did not see that coming. That twist had me staring at my phone like, “Excuse me, what just happened!?”

If you love a romantic suspense with banter, betrayal, and big feelings, plus an unforgettable hero who has clearly been in love for years but won’t say a word about it until the world’s on fire…this is your book. Ally Carter absolutely nailed it, and the audiobook version is a top-tier way to experience it.

Spies? Forced proximity? A little bit of rivals to lovers? SIGN ME UP!

As a child, I was an avid Gallagher Girls reader. I eagerly awaited the release of each book and read them multiple times. I even started my own spy “novel” (novel is a loose term, I wrote maybe 10,000 words) because of those books. I don’t know why it took me so long to get to her adult books now that I’m also an adult. I think a part of me was worried it would take away from the nostalgia. But fear not!!!

I recently read The Blonde Identity, the first book in the series, and realized my fear was misplaced. And this one was no different. It had all the classic elements I loved as a kid and the characters were witty and sarcastic and SPIES!

This one follows Alex (the sister of Zoe from the first book) and her old partner, Michael Kingsley (or King for short). It jumps from their current situation to their first meeting and you get to follow them in both past and present as the two timelines interweave and the mystery is uncovered.

It was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the chemistry between the two characters and learning about their past as we went. The timeline jumping was a bit funky at times, but it wasn’t something that deterred me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

As a girl who grew up loving Aly Carter’s particular flavor of Bad-ass-girl-spy-romances this series had been an absolute god send in my world. The Blonde identity was a non-stop silly wild ride, Blonde Who Came In From The Cold, is the serious sister we needed to have. There’s still a heavy dose of humor but the mystery aspect follows many more threads between the multiple timelines we follow Alex through. Alex’s romance with King is also bantery and tension filled but with a bit more will they won’t they/second chance angst.

TLDR; Same writing, slightly more serious (or at least more detailed) plot. Balances out super well with the first and does a great job tying up the remaining looses ends

I’ve happily recommended the first and will absolutely the second now too

Thank you Harper Audio and Avon for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

The Blonde Identity is an all time favorite so I’ve been super excited for this book! Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden did a fabulous job with the narration.

I was thoroughly sucked into this story from the moment Alex and King meet at a bar before officially joining the CIA. I absolutely love spy romances and this was so good! I really enjoyed the relationship between Alex and King. She was such a badass and so determined to be strong. I love the cameo from the Blonde Identity as well. This was such an entertaining book and I hope for more books like this/in this universe!

This was one of my anticipated releases for August. I absolutely loved the first book, and this one did not disappoint. It was action packed. Hilarious banter between the FMC and MMC. Its enemies to lovers.