Ten years ago, they joined the CIA.

Six years ago, he left the game.

Five years ago, they fell in love.

One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.

And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark.

They don’t know where they are. They don’t know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants.
The only thing that’s clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they’re going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don’t kill each other first.)

My thoughts:

The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold, the second installment in Ally Carter’s Blonde Identity series, is an absolute delight. Fans of Carter’s beloved YA Gallagher Girls series will find themselves thoroughly enchanted by this more mature yet equally captivating offering, which masterfully blends romance, intrigue, and playful mischief.

Although it’s part of a series, this novel stands firmly on its own. While I’d recommend starting with the first book, The Blonde Identity, for its own quick, enjoyable pace and solid foundation, this sequel deftly incorporates brief summaries of prior events—a blessing for readers like me who can’t recall every detail from a book read over a year ago.

The protagonists, Alex Sterling and Michael Kingsley, are perfectly matched in wit, intelligence, and sheer stubbornness. Their “rivals-to-lovers” dynamic is executed to perfection. Alex is an unstoppable force once she sets her mind to something—a lesson King learns the hard way. Witnessing her fiercely independent character gradually learn to trust and rely on King is incredibly rewarding. Conversely, King’s deepest desire is to be needed by Alex. Despite his own ambitions, he never hesitates to prioritize her, even during times when he professed to ‘hate’ her.

While the secondary characters aren’t as deeply developed as the leads, Merritt deserves a special mention. I couldn’t help but picture a Julie Andrews (Princess Diaries style) whenever she appeared, thanks to her constant poise and calm demeanor. I adored her and her subtle machinations concerning Alex and King’s relationship.

The narrative is told through a dual point-of-view, alternating between past and present timelines. My primary critique lies here; the switches between perspectives and times could occasionally be confusing. There were moments I had to double-check when and where a specific chapter was taking place, especially since the characters were often in the same location but at different times.

The plot itself is breakneck fast, packed with mystery and twists. Just when you think you’ve unraveled the puzzle, Carter throws you for a loop. As with any stellar spy novel, you’re never quite sure who to trust.

Overall, The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold is a supremely entertaining read, filled with badass characters, hilarious banter, and a heartwarming romance. I sincerely hope Ally Carter continues this series, as the world and characters hold immense potential for more stories.

By taking the best elements of her Gallagher Girls series, Carter has crafted the perfect spy romance series for her adult readers. The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold is pure, heartfelt fun, brimming with mischief, intrigue, and romance—making the second Blonde Identity book utterly unputdownable.