Book review of The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold

Ally Carter swoops in with the perfect sequel to The Blonde Identity, The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold. It’s fast-paced, adventurous, sexy and fun, a story about two adversarial spies whose lives intersect over the course of a decade before they finally stop running from the inevitable.

Alex Sterling is confident, independent and living life to the fullest. She may even be a little cocky, much to the chagrin of her CIA colleagues, who are all work, all the time. Her blunt, laissez-faire attitude hides her soft heart, however, and after years of sneaking and stealing and saving the day, the weight of Alex’s responsibilities is crushing her.

Michael Kingsley is Alex’s nemesis. He’s been on her last nerve from the moment they met the night before their first day of spy school. King’s cocky facade is a ruse as well, but he’s far less willing to take chances that could reveal his true self.

Carter tells the story in a nonlinear fashion, flashing back and forth over the course of a decade and crafting a holistic view of two people falling in love while holding each other at arm’s length. Each time jump provides a glimpse of professional spycraft, peppered with the secret, personal truths Alex and King are desperate to keep private.

Carter’s world building is thoroughly enjoyable, and her characters are equitable in their flaws and their strengths. Alex and King are the type of people kids dream of being when they grow up—intelligent, proficient and capable. That’s not to say either of their lives has been all sunshine and roses. Both had traumatic experiences that sent them down the clandestine path of international espionage. We cheer for their moments of bravado and mourn their moments of loss. When tough decisions must be made and irreversible actions taken, these are the two you’d want standing between you and certain death. This romance is full of suspense and humor and heart, and it’s so, so satisfying.