Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter is the second Gallagher Girls novel. It is second semester of sophomore year of spy school for Cameron, Liz, Macey and Bex. The girls overhear Cammie's mom, the headmistress of Gallagher Academy, talking about "Blackthorne" and instantly go into covert operations mode, trying to figure out what Blackthorne is and why no one is allowed in the East Wing of the mansion. It turns out that Gallagher Academy has opened its doors to a secret spy school for BOYS! Fifteen boys from Blackthorne Institute begin taking classes with the girls. Cammie and her suitemates believe something must be wrong, and spend most of the semester spying on their new classmates, trying to uncover some evil plot against Gallagher Academy.

I actually began reading this book before realizing it was the second in the series. I had read to chapter 5 when I figured out that I should have read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You first. So, I read that one and returned to this one later! It was just as fun as the first. I liked that the story took place immediately after the first book ended - the same semester in high school. It didn't take any time to get right back into the story.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter is about Cameron Morgan, a sophomore at the Gallagher Academy - a school for spies. Cameron meets her very first boyfriend while on a mission for one of her classes at the local carnival. Just to rule out Josh being a spy himself, Cameron and her suitemates decide to spy on him. This leads to some dumpster diving at his house and some recon missions where one of the girls ends up hanging from his roof! It also leads to Cameron dating Josh. She has to do this secretly, as it is against the rules to leave the school grounds and Cameron's mother just happens to be the headmistress of Gallagher. Everything comes to a crashing halt, however, when it comes time for the girls' final exam in their covert operations class. Unfortunately, Josh doesn't realize the truth and believes he needs to rescue Cameron!

I liked this book a lot. It was a really fun read. The author uses a lot of cute "side notes" to explain some of the spy lingo. I think this is a book all teenage girls will like. It's nice to see girls in a tough and smart role! This is one of the 2009-2010 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.