When I saw this book staring at me at the International Spy Museum gift shop, I knew I had to get it. As someone who enjoys action and thrilling adventure books, The Blonde Identity was one of those books that immediately made you want to buy it. So, I did, anxiously awaiting the chance to open it. Lying down on my hotel bed, with a popcorn bowl next to me, I had high hopes for the book, dubbed “a delightful, delicious joyride of a romp;” I was not disappointed. The Blonde Identity was frankly one of the most action-packed and funniest books I have ever read.
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter follows the story of a woman who wakes up in the middle of a cold night in Paris, with a bruise on the back of her head and no clue as to who she is, or why she is even in Paris in the first place. Almost immediately after she wakes up, a mob tries to kill her. A handsome man keeps shouting at her to run away and addresses her by the name, “Alex.” Later, she discovers that her name is not Alex and that this is the name of her identical twin sister who is a spy. The attractive man, Sawyer, explains that he and the real Alex work for the CIA, and that Alex is a spy gone rogue. Alex’s twin has no time to process this information, as she is being hunted down by criminal organizations and Alex’s bosses at the CIA. Furthermore, the story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader a window into the thoughts of each character and understanding their emotions throughout the rollercoaster that is The Blonde Identity.
To stay alive, Alex’s twin and Sawyer pose as a newlywed couple on a river cruise. She even gives herself a fake accent to keep up the act, which I found hilarious. As she slowly starts to get her memory back, moments from her past are revealed. This gives the reader an insight into who she was before and helps her character development greatly. I also loved the dynamic between Alex’s twin and Sawyer, where she is the adorable sunshine character, and he is the grump who is annoyed by her in an endearing way. The brewing romance felt natural and not forced or rushed, and they are the type of couple one would be rooting for from the moment they first meet in the book.
There are many gasp-worthy moments throughout the book, and since I love plot twists, I feel that this book was a very fun read. The Blonde Identity is a spy rom-com that will make you laugh, cry, and root for an adorable couple. I found myself laughing with my mom over every funny moment and trying to predict what would happen next (which I found impossible to do). Though I do have my critiques, I am the kind of person who loves it when a story is finished completely and I do not have to keep guessing. For instance, I was slightly disappointed in the cliffhanger ending. And while I did appreciate the third-person omniscient point of view, I wish the book was told in first-person instead, as first-person makes each character feel more realistic as their story is not being told by a narrator.
Ultimately, this was an incredible book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys rom-coms and action. The Blonde Identity is fast-paced and is worth a read. Overall, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, I would rate it a 9.5. (Yes, Ally Carter, I’m still disappointed in the ending!) If you enjoy this book when you read it, its sequel is scheduled to come out this June.
