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citymouse's review against another edition
4.0
As always, Ally Carter knows how to write a fun engaging story that's about spies and adventure, but is actually just about people
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
natashaleighton_'s review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ally Carter’s adult debut was a hilariously fast paced, spy filled Rom-com that reads like the love child of Argylle, Atomic Blonde and The Bourne Identity— if you love your Rom-Coms heart-poundingly swift and full of danger, then you’re sure to be as utterly addicted as I was!
With a plot that plays up to all the conventions of a classic spy caper (think mistaken identities, amnesia and plenty of gun toting bad guys.) Carter allows the delightfully witty banter and swoon-worthy chemistry of protagonists,Sawyer and Zoe (and their adorable Grumpy/Sunshine dynamics) to take centre stage.
I loved Zoe, our sunshiny, amnesiac MC —whose (rogue spy) identical twin,Alex has her fending off operatives from every government intelligence agency-in the most chaotic and entertainingly endearing way possible.
Like a Blonde Jessica Day (from New Girl) she stumbles into one dangerous situation after the next without a care in the world— something that would usually annoy me. But thanks to her unrelenting selflessness and optimistically quirky outlook on life, I couldn’t help but root for her every step of the way. Starting from the moment we first meet her: laying on a snowy Parisian street, intending to take a nap.
Sawyer, the Nick Miller to Zoe’s Jess was also an enjoyable character to get to know. As the second POV character in this Dual POV Rom-com, I loved getting to explore his perspective on the increasingly dire situations they have got themselves tangled up in. As Zoe’s only lifeline to her sister (whom he worked beside before she ran off with a very important flash drive), Sawyer knows that he can’t let her out of his sight. For selfish reasons of course (he needs to find that drive asap) but also for less tangible reasons too.
His attraction and slow realisation to his developing feelings for Zoe, (and his initial reluctance) was quite interesting to explore and, along with some rather stellar comedic timing—made for quite a lighthearted juxtaposition to the more life threatening events around them. This is definitely a story that would be marvellous on the big screen, I’m already mentally compiling my dream cast (so please whoever’s in charge of such decisions, can you please adapt this immediately.)
Overall, a fun and fabulously addictive read that adventure seeking Rom-Com lovers should definitely consider checking out.
Also a massive thank you for Chloe over at Pan MacMillan for the finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing and Death of parent
renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Ugh...I really hate to rate a book 1 or 2 stars, but when the story failed to grab you in more than 50% marks but you insist to finish reading then you don't have no one to blame but yourself.
I have read Ally Carter's YA title and only one, though I think "Not If I Save You First" was better written than The Blonde Identity. I don't get the "adult" part. What make The Blonde Identity as an adult book different than Carter's YA titles? The fade to black almost not existent sex scene? The not that sizzling sexual tension? The angst? The sappy declaration of love between our amnesiac heroine, Zoe; with the spy that maybe lying through his teeth as easy as he's breathing, Sawyer? Or the fact that they already falling in love in TWO days? I didn't mind insta-lust or insta-love but somehow I find it ridiculous in this book.
The amnesiac part kinda remind me of Argylle movie that I watch this early 2024 although The Blonde Identity was published back then in 2023. I keep waiting for a twist, but eh..the twist is not what I thought at first although it's enough to keep me want to read to know if Zoe really Alex's twin sister or maybe there's no twin. The twist behind Sawyer identity just make me go "Ooh. Yeah. That." Like, I just pretty much tired and just kinda accept it.
The actions parts were well written and maybe a plus point of this book. But, I feel like the way Zoe written is too juvenile for my taste. She just all over the place and I really doubt if she really in her twenties rather than still in her young adult phase. I also don't get why suddenly she's so badass if Carter always write that Zoe is weaker compared to Alex? I just...OMG, I can't even! Some of tropes in this book like, grumpy x sunshine, fake dating (or marriage), there's only one bed, "touch her and I will kill you", and "I'm a bad guy so I didn't deserve your love, Zoe"; are just like Carter try to write and mix them all in one book but the result is over the top. I also don't get why use "Her" and "Him" for each chapter that pretty clearly written in 3rd PoV. I can differentiate the PoVs, thank you so much!
The good things beside the action sequences and the part when Zoe and Sawyer have their fake honeymoon as part of the undercover, is I bought the e-book when it was on sale. With the way Carter write a bait in the epilogue that will lead to the sequel, nah, nope. I think maybe I'll try her Gallagher series that I know is a YA, rather than this book t
I have read Ally Carter's YA title and only one, though I think "Not If I Save You First" was better written than The Blonde Identity. I don't get the "adult" part. What make The Blonde Identity as an adult book different than Carter's YA titles? The fade to black almost not existent sex scene? The not that sizzling sexual tension? The angst? The sappy declaration of love between our amnesiac heroine, Zoe; with the spy that maybe lying through his teeth as easy as he's breathing, Sawyer? Or the fact that they already falling in love in TWO days? I didn't mind insta-lust or insta-love but somehow I find it ridiculous in this book.
The amnesiac part kinda remind me of Argylle movie that I watch this early 2024 although The Blonde Identity was published back then in 2023. I keep waiting for a twist, but eh..the twist is not what I thought at first although it's enough to keep me want to read to know if Zoe really Alex's twin sister or maybe there's no twin. The twist behind Sawyer identity just make me go "Ooh. Yeah. That." Like, I just pretty much tired and just kinda accept it.
The actions parts were well written and maybe a plus point of this book. But, I feel like the way Zoe written is too juvenile for my taste. She just all over the place and I really doubt if she really in her twenties rather than still in her young adult phase. I also don't get why suddenly she's so badass if Carter always write that Zoe is weaker compared to Alex? I just...OMG, I can't even! Some of tropes in this book like, grumpy x sunshine, fake dating (or marriage), there's only one bed, "touch her and I will kill you", and "I'm a bad guy so I didn't deserve your love, Zoe"; are just like Carter try to write and mix them all in one book but the result is over the top. I also don't get why use "Her" and "Him" for each chapter that pretty clearly written in 3rd PoV. I can differentiate the PoVs, thank you so much!
The good things beside the action sequences and the part when Zoe and Sawyer have their fake honeymoon as part of the undercover, is I bought the e-book when it was on sale. With the way Carter write a bait in the epilogue that will lead to the sequel, nah, nope. I think maybe I'll try her Gallagher series that I know is a YA, rather than this book t
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
ladythana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
jaydoe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My first ally carter “adult” book! I loved her as a kid and this one is just as good. Great plot, keeps you on your toes. The FMC was very love able and relatable. Overall great read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
morgsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Minus like .25 just for Sawyer calling her “lady” all the time but aside from that what a cute fun quick lil spy romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Medical content
edietz22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Chronic illness, Cursing, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kerosenelit's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
samanthasshelf_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"for the GGs. I'm so proud of you."
grown up gallagher girls, and there's gonna be a book two 🥹 🥹 I've been waiting for Carter's adult debut since my preteen years, and it did not dissappoint! a fun, twisty closed-door romantic mystery for Finlay Donovan lovers that wish we got more of the hot cop. the pet named weren't my fav and "lady" was not my jam, but i love a good grumpy-sunshine and the twists had me on edge until the end!
grown up gallagher girls, and there's gonna be a book two 🥹 🥹 I've been waiting for Carter's adult debut since my preteen years, and it did not dissappoint! a fun, twisty closed-door romantic mystery for Finlay Donovan lovers that wish we got more of the hot cop. the pet named weren't my fav and "lady" was not my jam, but i love a good grumpy-sunshine and the twists had me on edge until the end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
11m's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Gun violence, and Blood