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bloomingbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Lighthearted spy romance novel which I enjoyed. A quick read and the audiobook was great. At times a bit cheesy, but still fun overall.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
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, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Cursing
morgsreads's review
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: Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Medical content
samanthasshelf_'s review
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: Blood, Vomit, Gore, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
cbee22's review
funny
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
haleykuuleilani'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
3.5
I loved Ally Carter’s Heist Society books and this one gave me a lot of nostalgia! It reads easily, and is a fun time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Blood
drtx_bwt's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Sexual content
Minor: Death
ksykes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Medical trauma and Death
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lindsayerin's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
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? No
4.25
Ally Carter wrote books that made me squeal at 15 and it appears she can do it at 25. She can blend spy thriller with heartfelt romcom like no other. I really liked REDACTED and Alex, even though she's only in like a quarter of the book if that. I am a sucker for a romantic lead that is just a bit of a freak. I even liked Sawyer, if he is a bit of a genre stereotype. I also stand by my theory that YA authors can write sexual tension better than anyone since they can't jump straight into it. Though I will warn you it is fade to black. I had a hell of a time and I'm looked forward to the presumable next book. Banger hilarious ending line also.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Blood