I had no preconceived notions of this book other than it’s a vacation romance, it’s opposites attract, forced proximity and it’s second chance, and boy did I enjoy this one. Like, dang, it’s so much fun and was so cute that I literally devoured this ARC while (fittingly) sitting on a plane.

Here, Dylan Coughlan is a magazine writer based in London who, on a whim, dials into a radio contest and wins a trip around the world. The catch? Her travel companion is a contact in her phone selected at random. Dylan is stunned that the contact roulette game selects “Jack the Posho,” who was a hottie she met on a night out months and never texted after exchanging numbers. Jack throws caution to the wind and agrees to travel with her, potentially setting off a sweet second-chance romance, if only he wasn’t so short and gruff every time they interacted. Dylan is also tasked with writing about the journey for work, which could lead to her own column if it does well. While her boss is keen on a loved-up, steamy story, Jack doesn’t want anything to do with the article. Is Dylan willing to embellish the truth of their definitely not romantic trip for the sake of her career, which had stalled after being doxxed over her now-viral opinion piece about abortions?

Wanderlust features so much compelling language and banter in spades, plus Elle Everhart’s characters are so dynamic and authentic. I truly did not want to put this one down, I dug it.

As a journalist who’s been bashed for writing the literal truth (insert eye roll here), protagonist Dylan’s perspective really resonated with me especially with that isolating feeling that comes with it and not wanting to burden anyone with your problems. Like, these people who hide behind their anonymous profiles truly suck. And like, yes, we can block them and act strong but it’s tough as hell to process. It hurts so bad and no one should have to deal with that. I admire Everhart for including this as a poignant message of what to/not to do.

Wanderlust, all in all, was very, very, very cute and fun, and like, Jack is such a melt but in the best way and I’d totally get the ick IRL but on the page, it’s just super sweet and endearing. I just wish I could start from scratch and read for the first time all over again.

I am so beyond hyped about this book, you don’t know the half of it. Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series was my favorite franchise growing up (and my signed copy is still one of my prized possessions), so I couldn’t believe that she was making her adult romance debut with another female-lead spy novel. I literally started tearing up when I downloaded my ARC and again when I read the GG-centered dedication.

The Blonde Identity starts with our unnamed heroine, who has woken up in Paris with amnesia to find a strange (yet very attractive, of course) man standing over her and instructing her to run from dangerous villains after her identical twin sister, who actually is a rogue spy. They then embark on a road trip of sorts to stay safe and clear her sister’s name. Mr. Hot Spy (whose name is eventually revealed, as is hers) reluctantly agrees to help her find safety. They even need to pretend to be newlyweds on a European honeymoon to stay undetected. Love a good fake dating and travel romance!

The Blonde Identity, told in dual point-of-views of “Him” and “Her” because amnesiac, is such a compelling mystery that had drawn me into the story that was written with such intriguing language. It’s really fun, like you are trying to piece together the main character’s pre-amnesia memories along with her. It’s so witty, clever and funny, like, I really love it. This novel is just so much fun to follow along with her and Mr. Hot Spy (a grump, naturally) as they trek around Europe on a secret mission to find her twin sister and stay alive. As a romance, The Blonde Identity had EVERYTHING from banter (in spades!), enemies to lovers (well, more annoyance to lovers), forced proximity, only-one-bed trope, fake dating (and pretend marriage/honeymoon) and such an endearing love story.

All in all, this one is totally unputdownable and an absolute must-read for any fellow Gallagher Girls fangirls. Plus, there’s a subtle joke about “spy school” which had me reminiscing about the Gallagher Academy and Blackthorne (IYKYK).

The Blonde Identity is so witty and funny yet authentic, making it a compelling read. Also, holy f*kkkkkk, there are two major plot twists that even I (who has become a pro at predicting tropes) didn’t see coming. That unpredictability makes this book an instant winner. And that HEA! Oh my, it is EVERYTHING, like I literally got butterflies which means it’s a literal swoon-worthy romance, and I sincerely hope a spinoff/sequel is in the work after that cliffhanger because I just need more to read. F**k it, I’ll give this one five stars, it’s just SO flipping good.