DNF
Clever premise but the execution left much to be desired. The writing style was too simplistic and the characters felt one dimensional.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-book ARC in exchange for my review.

I've been enjoying PI investigation books lately, and I was excited to start on this one. But I was so disappointed. I really struggled to get to know the characters and keep details straight. I'm not sure why this one didn't work for me, but it didn't. I was surprised to see the author has several other books out - this reads more like a first novel.

This wasn't the book for me, but I'm sure others will enjoy it.

2 of 5 stars for "it was ok"

Mackenzie and Jackson are private investigators hired to investigate a missing person case. The first person to find the missing woman gets the reward. The two end up working together, a partnership with tension and plenty of sparks.

The book alternates between Jackson’s and Mackenzie’s point of view, allowing us to know how each is thinking and feeling about the case and about each other. Jackson is determined and can be charming, but is a bit sexist. He also makes at least one offensive joke, if nor more. A joke that could have been left out without any harming the plot or character development at all. Mackenzie is smart and headstrong. They make a good team.

The plot is a little over the top. We’ve got top-notch hackers, hired killers and a kidnapper, but it’s fun in an action movie kind of way. The wrap-up to the mystery is a bit quick, but I honestly didn’t see it coming.

my feelings on this were constantly conflicting. I absolutely hated Jackson. I think he’s misogynistic and super obnoxious.

This was a fun book. I liked the spy stuff and it was just a quick read even though it dealt with some very heavy topics.

My only issues was the MCs and how they just talked bad about people for no reason. I thought we were past that.

Jackson and MacKenzie both work for separate firms as private investigator. I like that the book had 2 people working on case that were from different agencies.

This book was exciting and thrilling! With just the right mix of spy novel excitement and tension and romance, you definitely don't regret picking up this book! It's not my typical read, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Clever, witty, and full of fun banter, Sounds Like A Plan is the perfect book for anyone looking for a light-hearted mystery romp.

While I LOVED the beginning and middle of this book, with Mac and Jackson making the CUTEST couple. the ending was the main thing that pissed me off. So, I'll start with the things I liked.
A)
Roxanne.
Roxy was such a sweetheart, I couldn't help but love her! She had a major crush on Jackson, but when meeting Mac, she didn't get jealous or anything like that. Instead, she fought for her and accepted her within their first few moments.
YAY to hacker girls with self-confidence on the moon!
B)
Jackson's relationship with his daughter.
Most books with single dads have them with strained relationships with their daughters, kids insisting their parents should be back together, But Nicole understood her parent's relationship was irrevocably ruined, and while she didn't let that affect her relationships with either of them, she didn't try to force onto them that kind of selfishness. ❤️
C)
The representation.
The representation in this book was great! With Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+, it was something I could truly envision. I only wish they'd also added Muslim or Middle-Eastern representation, something SEVERELY lacking in today's literature.

Now, the end. The ending was rushed and horrible. The twist for the end of the case was great, and I was looking forward to a deeper dive into their relationship now that the heat was off. But instead of that happening, instead, they don't see each other for three weeks, and the end is them making a plan to meet for dinner, with no sign of their future romance. Excuse me? What happened to the ENTIRE BOOK being the build-up to their relationship? Ugh. Jackson's relationship with his ex-wife was also a loose end I couldn't help but get annoyed over. They built up a great case for a confrontation where Jackson and her settle their differences and agree to cool the passive-aggressiveness, but instead, that's just left hanging. Also, Jackson calling Mac a "bitch," was WAY out of line when she was just trying to save his life.
No.
Just...no.

While I adored most of this book, the ending was a major ruiner and made me take off two stars. Not the best book I've ever read, but something I'll be re-reading over a long vacay. For fans of Tessa Bailey's "My Killer Vacation," this book is for you!

I really wanted to love this one more than I did. The concept is so good! Two competing PIs brought in to find a missing woman end up being suspected in a murder and have to go on the run. The book really fell flat for me. I was extremely disappointed by the misogyny and ableism that was in the book. Why in 2024 are "jokes" being made about people on the spectrum being stupid? Especially by one of the main characters. DNF at 85%. I had no interest in moving on after that point.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I chose to DNF at about the 20% mark. I really liked the premise of the book, with two PIs being assigned the same missing persons case. I could not get past the long, at times rambling, internal monologues (the one about ChatGPT just felt like strange product placement), or the sexist remarks constantly made by the mmc. This book just wasn’t for me.

contemporary, thriller, romantic, snarky, situational-humor, verbal-humor, private-investigators, ex-cop, ex-journalist, missing-persons, investigations, siblings, Black, mystery, dual-narrators, unputdownable, rivalry, California, ethnic, cultural-differences*****

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham are each Black private investigators hired by the same high end white lawyer to find a missing adopted young woman before her mother dies in hospice care. But it's not a snooty story nor a high testosterone vehicle, it's great fun for all and perfect as a pick me up after a rotten day at work. I thought it was great and hope that this team will cooperate again in other books!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 09 Jul 2024

I enjoyed this Mr and Mrs. Smith-themed thriller. While the two leads were a bit hard-edged, the action and mystery were entertaining and unique. I could see this book becoming a series or film (and I'd watch it rather than the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith series)

Thank you Atria Books for this entertaining review copy.

I received a NetGalley copy for an honest review.

For starters, Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith is one of my all time favorite books. As a result, this book was something I automatically wanted to read. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was a mystery with Black PIs. I used to love both the Easy Rawlings and Tamara Hayle series by Walter Mosley and Valerie Wesley Wilson respectively so this is something that is filling a void in Black literature. While I thought some of the timing of the coincidences were not realistic given the size of LA and traffic to get from point A to point B, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I rarely figure out the twist or solve a mystery but I was able to assume a little of the ending. I think because I have been reading a lot of romance lately, I wanted more of a spark between them or maybe for something to happen. But I also think it was a good idea to limit it because it could be an unnecessary distraction for true mystery fans.

I believe that this would be a good television series with each episode being a different case to solve. I would watch it!

Reluctantly joining forces after discovering they’ve both been hired on the same missing person case, two rival Black private investigators find their mutual dislike evolves into an undeniable attraction in this rollicking, romantic thrill ride told in alternate perspectives from award-winning authors Dwayne Alexander Smith and Pamela Samuels Young.

I wanted to love this more than I did. It felt a little hollow and I didn't really dig the writing style. It was fine, I guess?

I enjoyed this! It felt like an action movie that I could see Netflix picking up. Jackson was annoying at times (I felt like he was trying too hard) but he had a good heart. Mackenzie is Wonder Woman. I loved everything about her character.

I enjoyed the chapters from each of their alternating perspectives, especially as they put the pieces of the case together. I was rooting for them the entire time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, Pamela Samuels Young, and Dwayne Alexander Smith for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mark your calendars, because this is one thrilling ride you won't want to miss! “Sounds Like a Plan" by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith is a riveting blend of mystery, romance, and witty banter. Young and Smith have masterfully woven a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the very first page. Readers are treated to a delightful concoction of mystery, romance, and sharp-witted banter that leaves you craving more.

Meet Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham. Both are hardworking, fiercely independent, and unapologetically good at what they do. Their shared profession and unwavering commitment to justice are where their similarities end. When fate throws them together on a missing persons case, their mutual dislike ignites sparks that sizzle off the pages.

Young and Smith deftly alternate perspectives between Jackson and Mackenzie, allowing us to delve into their minds and hearts. Jackson, with his rugged charm and unwavering determination, is a force to be reckoned with. Mackenzie, equally brilliant and headstrong, refuses to back down. Their verbal sparring is as entertaining as it is electric, and their chemistry leaps off the page.

The missing person case they're working on promises a hefty reward: $50 thousand to the first investigator who cracks it. But as the layers of deception peel away, they realize they've been set up. Suddenly, their rivalry takes a backseat to survival. With a small army of killers hot on their trail, Jackson and Mackenzie must put aside their differences and work together. The tension between them escalates, and the line between animosity and attraction blurs.

The authors' writing style is crisp, engaging, and infused with humour. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the pacing keeps you flipping pages long into the night. As the investigation unfolds, we're treated to glimpses of the glitzy streets of Century City to the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu. The vivid descriptions immerse us in the city's pulse, making it a character in its own right.

“Sounds Like a Plan” isn't just about solving a mystery; it's about unraveling the complexities of human emotions. Jackson and Mackenzie's journey is peppered with vulnerability, unexpected tenderness, and heart-pounding action. The romance blooms organically, fuelled by shared danger and undeniable attraction. Their banter evolves from barbs to stolen glances, leaving readers rooting for their happily-ever-after.

The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative. From quirky informants to menacing adversaries, each character serves a purpose. In a genre often dominated by male protagonists, Young and Smith break the mold. Mackenzie is a refreshing heroine: smart, resilient, and unafraid to take risks. Jackson's vulnerability beneath his tough exterior makes him equally endearing. Their partnership transcends clichés, and their dynamic leaps off the page.

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of suspense, passion, and unexpected twists. It's a book that lingers in your thoughts even after you've turned the last page. Young and Smith have crafted a thrilling mystery wrapped in the warmth of romance. Dive into this irresistible adventure, trust me, it is a plan you won't regret.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sounds Like a Plan is exactly what it sounds like - a story about a plan that doesn't turn out as expected. It was a fun, light read with romance thrown in. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my opinions.

A quick read. In the search for Ashley, the love interests work through car crashes and mistaken identity and more in this fun meet cute. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more.

This promised to be a fun romp by two authors starring two rival Black PIs, Mackenzie (a woman) and Jackson (a man); the first few chapters had a very noir feel and were enjoyable enough. I was reading along and kind of enjoying this although Jackson’s near-constant sexism wasn’t particularly fun - I can read past a lot - when Chapter 5 hit me with a wallop: our cynical intrepid PI (Jackson, not Mackenzie) uses ChatGPT as an investigative tool. My friend, it does not give you actual data. It is a predictive text tool. It cannot give you investigative leads (which is what the author said it did). It is guessing at what word comes next in the sentence. The idea that an experienced and expert private investigator would make use of ChatGPT to perform his investigative work beggars belief. I kept reading for a bit after that (the editing is good and the plot moved swiftly), but I wasn’t enjoying the experience and I DNF’d at 20%.

3/5

This was a fun read, but it wasn't my favorite. I am typically an enthusiast for enemies to lovers, but this one was all enemies with very little love. I also was uncomfortable with the way Jackson talked to Mackenzie sometimes and belittled her abilities.

The PI plot did have a lot of twists that were entertaining and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed some of the secondary characters.

If you like murder/thriller books with some romance-ish on the side, this one is for you!