This gifted ARC came my way on Monday morning and I sat down with my iced coffee in my fun new travel mug and started reading it, switching between the audiobook and the physical copy, and finished it by the afternoon - yay summer vacation reading! Thank you to Avon Books, HarperAudio Adult, and NetGalley for access in exchange for my honest opinion.
I listened to The Blonde Identity last November, after reading The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year last October, and I was so excited to be offered the chance to read this book, along with the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.
This is a fast paced, time-hopping, dual POV mystery romance packed full of adventure and excitement. I was immediately drawn into the storyline, wanting to find out more of the backstory, which is woven into the book at what felt like perfect times. Getting to know the female main character Alex after hearing about her in The Blonde Identity was fun. I recommend reading that one first, as some of the characters reappear in this book without much introduction. The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold is now available and I recommend checking it out, especially via audiobook - Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden do a great job with the narration!

(4.25 stars)
Ally Carter’s latest book, The Blonde Who Came In From The Cold, is just as much fun as her previous book, The Blonde Identity. It’s a great mixture of spy adventure and romance, with plenty of tense moments as well as funny ones.

The only issue I had was keeping the timeline straight because it bounces around a lot. It starts off 10 years ago, when Alex Sterling and “King” (Michael Kingsley) meet each other as CIA spy trainees. There’s an instant attraction but they become rivals. Over the years, they are paired together on missions many times, and the book follows a number of these. The chapters are clearly labeled, but I still needed to pay close attention to remember what year we were in! Gradually, we get to where The Blonde Identity left off in the present day. (You can read this one as a standalone but I was happy that I went back and read/listened to The Blonde Identity first; your reading/listening experience will be richer if you’ve read Identity first.) So you gradually get their history together and understand what led up to the events in Identity and to the situation in the present day that they are dealing with.

I loved gradually learning about King’s family history and I adored Merritt, the wise older female spy who was their mentor.

I bounced between reading and listening for this one and the two narrators did a wonderful job: Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and HarperAdult Audio for giving me an early copy of The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold.
I was really excited to dive into The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold after loving Blonde Identity last year, it was such a fun ride, and I couldn’t wait to return to that world. The narrators, Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden, were absolutely fantastic, so charismatic and perfectly matched to their characters! Emily especially brought Alex’s wit and personality to life in such a fun and natural way. The dual narration added so much depth to the story and really helped me fully immerse myself in the world. It felt like I was right there with Alex and King every step of the way!
This time, we follow Alex and King through a dual timeline filled with flashbacks that trace their journey from their first meeting to the present day. The back-and-forth storytelling added a fun dynamic, even if I got a little confused at times. I especially enjoyed experiencing both of their perspectives, it made their enemies-to-lovers story feel even more layered and satisfying. Watching them deny their feelings over the years while navigating their careers made their connection feel really earned.
I've been a fan of Ally Carter since my teen years, and I’m so glad I still get to enjoy her signature blend of spies and romance as an adult!

When their enemies resurface, Zoe is dragged again back into the spy world. She finds herself involved in danger and fake dating schemes that bring up unresolved feelings with Sawyer. The books is the best mix of humor, action and romance. They're fast paced, witty and action packed! I really enjoyed listening to the audio of this one, following along the adventure that Zoe is taken on! The audio was well done, easy to follow, and absolutely enjoyable!

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden & Emily Ellet

I immerse read this (listened + read) and it was a damn good time! Action-packed and witty, this spy rom-com felt like Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets second-chance romance. The dual timelines worked seamlessly, flashing back to when Alex and King first met before spy academy.
The banter was bantering, the yearning was top tier, and who doesn’t love a “he falls first” trope?
✨ Tropes you’ll find inside:
"Who did this to you?"
Rivals-to-lovers (but they trust each other with their lives)
He falls first (and harder)
One bed
He takes care of her
Second chance romance
Dual POV + multiple timelines
Banter for days
The audiobook narration elevated this one: Emily Ellet nailed Alex’s wit and smarts, while Andrew Eiden made King swoon-worthy in a way that might not have landed as hard on paper. Truly a perfect match for the story.
If you’re in the mood for something light, fast-paced, swoony, and action-packed (with closed-door romance), add this to your list.
Fun, fast-paced, romantic, and packed with spy-action—definitely recommend for fans of swoony rom-com thrillers.

✨ Thank you HarperAudio for the audiobook, Avon for the physical copy, and NetGalley for the ALC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC, and all opinions are my own.

Alex joined the CIA 10 years ago, meeting her nemesis King. Now, she wakes up next to him neither remembering how they got there.

My thoughts: I loved the continuation of this story and getting Alex’s history. She was such a badass and King had it bad for her. I loved the chemistry and getting snippets of their backstory together. Highly recommend the audio, the dual narrators really brought the tension and connection to life.

Read if you love: Forced Proximity • Nemesis to lovers • Let’s kiss to hide • Dual Timelines

Ally Carter knows rom-coms and delivers a spy rom-com with a side of thriller. The “will they or won’t they” romance was angsty and filled with never ending banter.

I loved the premise of this book. Spies? Hell yeah. Hate to love to hate to love? Hell yeah. The dual time line wasn’t bad but I think some parts could have been done better, it was confusing at times. Sarcasm as a love language is real but sometimes they were just a tad bit mean & toxic so the romance fell flat for me. The missions were cool as heck! I wanna see more spy romance pls & thanks!

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Audio Adult for the ALC! Review & opinions are honest and my own!

I was so excited when I heard this book was coming out! I loved the first in this series (The Blonde Identity) and I think it complimented it very well. This was a fun, fast-paced read. The characters were very likeable and the storyline was unique. Even though there is a lot of jumping between timelines and point-of-view, it was not confusing at all. Easy to keep up with. The balance between romance and action is perfect. I am so sad the book is over already. I want more!

The audiobook specifically really added to my reading experience. The narrators did a great job of bringing the story to life and increased my enjoyment immensely. They were deeply engaging and personal. The pacing of their narration was perfect as well. I would recommend this to both romance and action readers!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author or gifting me the audio version. I was so excited to read this novel. I have been hearing about it and I was attracted to the cover. I don't know I feel like this was just a disappointment for me. I didn't like either character and I felt like their "romance" was forced. The MFC was just annoying and I didn't find any of her banter funny. It was just a pass for me.

I have fond memories of reading Ally Carter as a teen, but this new series missed the mark for me. There were some plot holes that I think a teenage brain would jump over, but the biggest thing that bothered me about this read was the time jumps. It was very hard to follow what escapade was happening and when in relation to other things.

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter is a thrilling, tongue-in-cheek spy-rom-com audio adventure that had me grinning from start to finish. I absolutely adored Alex’s fearless wit paired with King’s brooding charm as they navigate flashbacks, dangerous missions, and undeniable chemistry—waking up handcuffed together and piecing together the chaos of their past in tandem. The dual timelines kept me hooked (even if the shifts occasionally felt a bit dizzying), and the blend of forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers tropes within a globe-trotting espionage caper made for addictive listening. Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden brought their personalities to vivid life—her voice grounding Alex’s badass energy beautifully, and his keeping King enigmatic and compelling—making the story all the more immersive. If you’re in the mood for smart, fast-paced spy romance with plenty of heart and humor, this audiobook is an absolute blast. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the narration and the ending, but my brain struggled trying to follow the back and forth of the time lines. That may have just been because of it being an audio instead of a physical book. I found myself having to force myself to come back to this book and it was a struggle.. I just kind of wanted more.

I LOVED this book. The narrators do an amazing job telling the story of Alex and King. I, in particular, enjoyed the distinguishing between Alex and Zoey. It was so clear that they were sister who came from the same place but were their own distinct women.

The book itself, while maybe not everyones cup of team, made me so so happy. I have been a huge fan of Ally Carter since reading the Gallagher Girls in middle and high school. Being able to hear her voice and story telling in an adult setting give me more joy than I can convey. The story is funny, fast paced, and heart warming. Who doesnt love a second chance enemies to lovers with two killer main characters who take turns saving each other?! Plus spies are cool as hell.

The Sting! OMG I love this book! How long do I have to wait for another one??? If you like fast paced suspense and spies, this is the book and series for you. The duo narration of Emily Ellet and Andrew Eiden added so much to this spy tale. They were wonderful and I hope they do many, many more performances because this one was superb. My only problem was with the constantly shifting scenes and times, but once I figured it out the book came alive for me.

From the moment they crossed paths waiting for the bus to "The Farm" Alex and Michael are destined for great things, if they don't kill each other first. Fast forward ten years and they are tied up somewhere in the desert. What happens in between is a fast-paced Rom-Com and one of the best adventure escapes I've read in a long time, well since earlier this month when I read the first book in this series anyway.

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

I loved reading this and cannot wait to chat about it with bookclub. As ever, I appreciate my buddies for reading it with me!
Alex wakes up disoriented and sharing space from the one who let her get away. Reluctantly, she teams up with "King" again to figure out what the heck happened and who they need to knock some sense into.
Ally must have the most fun writing because I have the most fun reading with her wit and charm, banter and high stakes, twists and fast pace. The romance isn't really written as a show me and within the bounds of the plot, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Something that stood out to me was how Ally wrapped it within and shared the timeline of book one without me feeling confused. It was fun to see part of the previous set of shenanigans play out from another viewpoint. Alex and "King" were a great MC duo and the ending was the best way to leave a smile on my face.
I tandem read this (thanks to Avon for all of the copies!) and couldn't have been more delighted to have both Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet reading this to me. I think they both perfectly suited the characters and would happily listen to this duo again.
Thanks @avonbooks for the gifted copy! All thoughts are my own.

This book was such a delight from start to finish! 😂💛 I laughed out loud so many times, but I also found myself holding my breath as the tension and secrets unfolded.

Between the hilarious banter, the fake marriage setup (my new favorite trope!), and the delicious mix of romance + espionage, Ally Carter absolutely nailed it. The chemistry between the characters had me grinning, swooning, and flipping pages way past bedtime.

It’s equal parts adorable and adrenaline-pumping, a romcom with high stakes, sharp wit, and so much charm. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year! 🕶️💍💘

Thank you to HarperAudio Adult | Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a gifted copy of this book.

Genuinely enjoyed this book! I loved the enemies to lovers spies and the comedic elements. This book kept me on my toes and laughing start to finish. I also really liked both of the narrators

This was such a fun and thrilling audiobook! From the very first chapter, I felt like I’d been dropped into the middle of a James Bond movie 😊. The plot moves fast, it is full of twists, secrets, espionage, and just the right amount of humor. It was hard to hit pause. This is a perfect binge by the pool, doing laundry, and other house chores.
The narrators were perfect for this story. I loved their voices - sexy, raspy, and intriguing. They made me connect to the story even more than just reading the book.

The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold was such a fun listen—witty, fast-paced, and full of clever twists that kept me engaged the whole way through. The blend of espionage intrigue with a light, playful tone made it feel refreshing compared to heavier spy novels, and the characters had just the right mix of charm and sharpness. The audiobook narration brought out the humor and sly energy in the story, making it extra enjoyable. A smart, entertaining read that kept me smiling—I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a spy caper with flair.