This book was a really fun read! The chemistry between Sawyer and Zoe was really believable and I found myself unable to put the book down. I feel like it's tough sometimes to read a really compelling romance without there being a lot of intimate scenes, but this one seemed to transcend that with intimate conversation and time together. The book kept me guessing from one page to the next about what was going to happen and the continuous plot twists really reward the reader. 5/5 stars would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I just reviewed The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter. #TheBlondeIdentity #NetGalley
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"Blonde Identity" by Ally Carter is a thrilling and entertaining read that will keep you hooked until the very end. This adult mystery novel is the perfect blend of suspense, humor, and hot romance, with a well-crafted plot and relatable characters.

Carter's writing is fast-paced and engaging, drawing the reader in with witty dialogue and clever plot twists. The characters are well-developed and likable, with unique personalities and backstories that add depth and complexity to the story.

Carter's masterful storytelling and relatable characters make this novel a joy to read, and the blend of mystery, humor, and steamy romance will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Highly recommended!

Imagine reading a very zany Sandra Bullock rom com (specifically Miss Congeniality) and that's this book! I would have absolutely said "no, I don't need to read a Sandra Bullock book", but you know what? I would've been wrong. This was absolutely delightful.

If by some miracle a publisher is reading this, someone should definitely do a find and replace for the word sweetheart - it's infantilizing (plus, like the "lady" as a term of affection was HILARIOUS).

Anyway, if you are looking for a very silly but deeply entertaining read, look no further. This screams to be read on vacation, and I imagine that's why it has a summer pub date.. Anyway, 5 stars, I loved it!

A woman wakes up in the middle of Paris with no memory and no idea who she is. All she knows is that people keep chasing her: men with guns who are trying to kill her and a hot guy who claims to know who she is.

Ally Carter has never let me down. As someone who grew up reading Gallagher Girls and has reread them so many times they are now falling apart, I was thrilled to find out she was releasing a book for adults.

With a combination of vibes from Gallagher Girls, Heist Society, Embassy Row and Not If I Save You First, along with the comfort of Ally Carter's writing style, this was not only an easy read but a truly enjoyable one too.

The main characters, who I will call Female Character and Male Character since they don't get named for a while, are fantastic. Female Character goes through every range of emotions while trying to figure out who she is. She's brave but vulnerable and Male Character understands that even though some of her jokes go over his head. Male Character is grumpy and mysterious but he and Female Character are able to form a great bond despite this. Even the side characters that we barely see were fun to read about.

I like to pride myself on being able to guess the twists of books and whilst I did guess one of them, I was surprised by others and that is a feat (although Ally has been able to make me literally gasp at twists in some of her books).

Overall, I don't think I could recommend this book enough. It's spies and adventure and romance a thoroughly fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an arc in return for an honest review. And thank you to Ally Carter for continuing to write books that I can't put down.

No one does a spy novel like Ally Carter, of this I am certain. My favorite author of all time is back with a grown up spy romance that has filled my Gallagher Girl loving heart. This new adventure has so much action, a dash of romance, a bout of amnesia, and Carter's trademark sisterly love woven throughout. You should undoubtedly read this book.

This is a fun and fast grumpy/sunshine read about what happens when a spy runs into someone with amnesia, thinking she's another spy... However, the woman Sawyer bumps into on a snowy Paris night isn't Alex, but rather her twin sister who has no memory of who she is or how she got there. The two end up on the run as every government agency and nefarious villain imaginable are after the real Alex and have no idea that her twin isn't her.

This was a very fun read! I absolutely loved it, though it brought nothing new to the genre. My only qualm was the whole stereotype that men look good with graying hair and women don’t. Yeesh, Zoe.

The Blonde Identity is a unique romance novel that comes out of the gate with a heroine stricken by amnesia and a spy who mistakes her for someone else. It’s tough to summarize without revealing spoilers, but romance readers who enjoy action, thrills, and twists will be fans of this novel. The pacing, chemistry between characters, humor, and breadcrumbs sprinkled up to a neatly tied-up storyline offer an engaging read. The chemistry and sexual tension between the two main characters picks up quickly in the beginning. The intimate moments could have been steamier, but when the stakes are high, it makes sense to focus attentions elsewhere.

I was never a Gallagher Girl, so I came into this novel with pretty fresh (and excited) eyes. Overall, I really enjoyed The Blonde Identity! It was fun, the characters were enjoyable, and the premise was captivating. However, as is the forever issue with amnesia plotlines, after a while it became repetitive.

I absolutely adored The Blonde Identity. It was a perfect mix of character and plot driven, and I never found a moment dull. Ally Carter is the best at intertwining commentary about every day life within extreme plotlines, and it makes her books so relatable even if you aren't on the run from every spy agency on the map. In middle school, I used to read Ally's book by flashlight under the covers after bed. Now I'm adjusting the brightness on my screen so that I don't bother my sleeping fiance while I read into the wee hours of the morning.
There were so many quips that I highlighted, and I loved Zoe and Sawyer's dynamic. I never knew I needed a spy falling in love with his rogue partner's amnesiac twin until I read this book, and now I want more. I liked having to figure out if Zoe's amnesia made her an unreliable narrator, but her sincere nature is so refreshing in a book. I'm glad we are able to see vulnerability and sincerity be regarded as a strength. Having a character who was new to a spy world made it easy to relate to the MC, and as an amateur writer myself, I loved Zoe's fanfiction background. It also made me cackle with glee every time a book trope went straight over Sawyer's head. I loved the balance between these two love interests and how they brought out the best in one another. I appreciate that the twins were never pinned as rivals and that they were allowed to be exactly who they are with minimal comparison. When there were comparisons, it was paired with growth and the characters were able to move forward.
Overall, I loved the ride that is The Blonde Identity, and I'm desperately hoping for a Strawberry Blonde Identity to get Alex's story that was alluded to in the last pages. I haven't wanted to write fanfiction for a while, but this book is making me want to once more.

I grew up reading Ally's Gallagher Girls series, so I was super excited when she announced a more adult novel in the same vein. I was not disappointed! What I have always loved about Ally's books is how well she can balance the action and drama with comedy and romance, and The Blonde Identity is no exception. One moment, you're at the edge of your seat, then you're laughing, and then your heart is pounding for reasons that have nothing to with running from gunmen. It is a wild and fun ride, and I was so sad when it ended!

My only criticism might be that some of the points are a tad predictable. It kind of falls into a pattern of: 1. The characters get out of danger 2. They have a cute bonding moment, then 3. things are going too well, so you know that 4. gunmen show up. Also, a couple of the twists were a little too abrupt/confusing, but neither of those detracts too much from my enjoyment of the book.

That said, Ally's warnings for the content of this book are well founded: The Blonde Identity has adult language and themes, and is not intended for the same audience as her earlier works. That's not to say it's bad, just don't buy this for your 6th grader!

TL;DR: Great book, albeit a tad predictable or confusing at points. Still loved every minute of it!

I am so grateful to Avon for allowing me to read an ARC of The Blonde Identity.

This novel was everything I could have wanted from an adult Ally Carter rom-com. It was extremely fast-paced and full of drama, mystery, and romance. It is everything I expected and more.

The story holds your attention easily and makes it difficult to put it down. It’s different from the other rom coms on the market and I think that’s what makes it so enjoyable; the added spy factor makes it!

The Blonde Identity is super cute and I’m hoping for a sequel

**thank you Avon for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Rounded Up:

this book comes out two days before my birthday and I could not think of a better gift from Ally or the romance book goddesses. Ally dedicated this book to all the GGs and I could not think of a more honorable and accurate way to start and sum up this book. The definition of a love letter to everyone who grew up reading the Gallagher Girl's series and all the books in the Ally Carter Spy Universe (hereafter know as the ACSU). Okay now about the actual book.

I will not lie, I was incredibly excited and ready for this book but also very apprehensive being such an Ally Fan *tm* and also such a picky reader when it comes to my romcoms. But I should've known better. Him and Her (they will remain unnamed for reasons) had such intense chemistry right off the bat that I knew their story was gonna be such a whirlwind. To fill *ONE* book with well worn and well loved tropes such as grumpy/sunshine, only one bed, amnesia, and FAKE MARRIAGE, especially for an adult romance debut is no small undertaking but not only did Ally pull it off in the most entertaining, chaotic, I-can't-stop-reading way but she did it with all the heart, comedy, and action of a book from the ACSU. Actually you cannot convince me this book doesn't take place in the ACSU. For readers who have always wanted to read an ACSU book but wasn't sure if you wanted to go the YA route, this book will give you all the vibes with just a bit more swooniness and f-bombs.

This book is one of the most iconic adult debuts I have ever read and I am so excited to see where Ally takes my favorite amnesiatic spy people next.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book.

First off, I'm a little biased. I love Ally Carter. I am a high school librarian and I have been reading her YA for years.
Secondly, this isn't YA and I am loving it. It reminds me of a Mission Impossible or James Bond movie with a female lead.

I could not put this book down, there were so many twists and turns and who were the good and bad guys. It totally kept me on my toes and who doesn't love a little love story to go along with trying to stay alive while you are fighting the bad guy and your identical twin is there to help you?

Ally C must love spy-type stories, because between this new Adult and her Gallagher Girl series YA she is crushing it in the spy novels.

Great read.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
Fans of Ally, Carter will find her similar style in this book. Protagonist Zoe (whose name we learn several pages in due to her experiencing amnesia) is being chased and is under attack due to be in the twin sister of a spy named Alex. Alex‘s partner Sawyer takes Zoe along with him as they try to survive and figure out what happened to Alex. There are some sweet, and sexy, moments between them as the storyline progresses, with Carter’s signature humor throughout.

This book was SO. MUCH. FUN. I've always loved Ally Carter's writing because it's simple and fun and engaging and just really relatable! And I loved the whole bourne identity based thrilling adventure! It gave me the vibes of the one arc in gallagher girls (iykyk) and also gave me ADULTS with heart racing tension while also being mostly close door romance! The characters were so fun to read and I enjoyed both POVs! This was easily a one sitting read because it's fast paced and lighthearted while also feeling like a spy thriller all at once. Truly the complete package mixed with the BEST tropes!

I mean... one bed... fake married... SPIES. THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL and I hope Ally keeps making more adult rom com esque fun things like this!

I have been an Ally Carter superfan for over a decade and lost my mind when she announced her upcoming adult spy rom com. I knew going in that this book was going to feel like it was written exactly for me, and "written exactly for me" it was.

Some books are beach reads: zippy, funny, breezy, and unpretentious. (You could totally read this on the beach.)

Some books are fireplace reads: cozy, reflective, comforting, and personal. (You could totally read this by a fireplace.)

Some books are coffee shop reads: witty, sophisticated, worldly, and fresh. (You could totally read this in a coffee shop.)

The Blonde Identity, however, became a "treadmill read" for me. I read the entire book while running, sweating, gasping for air. The fast-paced spies-on-the-run theme is executed so well that I was able to shut out my own physical experience and zero in on our amnesiac heroine and her reluctant rescuer and their breathtaking journey.

The "closed-door romance" is steamy enough to get your heart beating a little faster, but not smutty at all; it's the sort of thing you could safely recommend to most people without it getting weird. The banter is particularly golden; every joke landed perfectly and I laughed out loud (in public! on the treadmill!) several times per chapter.

This is a cliche of the five-star rating system, but it's the truth: if I could give The Blonde Identity a million stars, I would. Ally Carter has done it, and outdone herself, again.

WOW this book filled a hole in my heart that I didn’t realize was there. First of all, I grew up as an Ally Carter mega fan. I remember my Mom bringing me home a copy of one of the first Gallagher Girl books that she found in a free book basket when I was in elementary school, and the rest was history. My best friends and I all had code GG names, my treehouse was our headquarters…. it truly was a whole thing. I think that I only read the first Embassy Row book but I very much kept up with the majority of Ally Carter’s repertoire.

When I saw Ally was writing an adult spy book, I just about lost my shit. Reading this was extremely nostalgic for me because there are SO MANY little Easter eggs throughout the book that tie back to the GG world. I also just haven’t read an action/romance like this since probably high school.

The Blonde Identity bounces back and forth from Zoe’s POV to Sawyer’s POV. I really enjoy both main characters and enjoyed their relationship and character development. It was all just pretty surface-level and more action-packed, which I think is just the name of Ally Carter’s game. No shame in that. If there’s a second book, I will definitely read it!

I’m going with a 3-star rating for this book. It was good and very entertaining, don’t get me wrong. But DAMN a lot of it was so cringy. The most acute example of this is the fact that throughout the entire book, Sawyer refers to Zoe as: “lady”. You can’t genuinely tell me that’s not the most unsexy thing you've ever heard.

Anyways, Ally, I love you. Thank you for writing this new book. The worlds your books create are incredibly special and I really don’t know who I would be today without them.

This book was just what I needed at the moment.
It gives grown-up Gallagher Girls, which is amazing as it feels like a natural continuation of a series I loved when I was younger. And I love the campy writing style of this book.

This book started out really great for me. Don't get me wrong the plot is strong and kept my interest! The juvenile dialogue/romance of grown adults is what disappointed me. (I'll refer to them as Hero/Heroine, because I don't want to spoil finding out their names for anyone.) I know this is this author's first adult novel and I felt that her characters had a great relationship but they did not act their age at all, especially the Heroine. She felt verryyy immature to me and I found myself skimming past her dialogue just to find what happened next in the plot instead of really enjoying the relationship that slowly built between the two. The story was enjoyable, but was way more in the vein of YA for me. Sadly I couldn't get into it as much I would have hoped!

Spy/Espionage books have always been my favorite genre of books. The hard part about that is it's so hard to find a good espionage book. Ally Carter has ways been my go-to espionage author. From the moment she opens her eyes all the way to the last page I devoured this book. It's filled with many different tropes like grumpy/ sunshine characters, one-bed trope, amnesia, fake marriage, and mistaken identity. While the ending wasn't exactly what I thought it would be it made more sense for the situation they were in.

*Thank you to Ally Carter and her publishing team for a ARC copy of this book*