Gah I wanted to connect to his book as I love romantic suspense books. I found the MMC's POV sections to be overly cringe worthy and honestly it ruined the book for me. I set it aside and attempted to pick it back up a second time, and just couldn't not stay interested in the mystery or believe in the connection or chemistry of the two main characters. I ended up DNF'ing the book around 46%.

This book gave me similar vibes as the Janet Evanovich series Fox and O'Hare. Two people thrown together by circumstances who learn to respect what each brings to the investigation of a missing young woman. As their investigations move forward, they find that nothing is as simple as it seems.

Thank you to Atria Books for the advanced reader copy and the #GoodreadsGiveaway win. These opinions are my own.

In Sounds Like a Plan, two private investigators are both hired for the same case, but they don't know each other or that the other was hired. The book included Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes in the marketing, but for me, it was a miss. It didn't have the funny banter I anticipated. The dialogue was stilted, and I didn't really feel a connection between the protagonists. I didn't particularly care about the mystery and had to force myself to skim the ending to see how it turned out. Worst, I found it incredibly misogynist. I kept waiting for the reveal that the MMC was just acting, but he really was that awful.

This wasn't for me, as it missed the heart and humor I wanted.

CW: rape (off page), breast cancer, suicide

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a FUN read. Jackson Jones and MacKenzie Cunningham were hands down two of my favorite characters of the summer. And it isn't even over yet! Their chemistry as rival private investigators lit the pages on fire. Also, non-stop action made this book very hard to put down.

Not my typical read BUT I enjoyed every second of it.


Publication Date 09/07/24
Goodreads Review 11/07/24

DNF @10%

Yeah...this sounded fun but the guys perspective is insufferably misogynistic. I went to check other reviews to see if I should just push through, but based on what I'm seeing my issues are not going to improve. Which is unfortunate. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This story follows two PI’s who hate each other but realize they are working on the same case. This was a fun, thrilling book that captured by attention from the beginning. I loved the author’s writing style and how easily the story flowed. I did realize that some of the pov chapters felt repetitious, confusing me often as I wondered if I read the same chapter again. I’m not sure how PI’s lives are in the real world but from the movies, this was completely different. I liked the storyline and the pacing was fast. This book is told from both Mac and Jackson’s pov.

Jackson is a PI who needs a case in order to make due and when he receives an offer he takes it. He’s a great character but compared to Mac, we don’t know much of his background. He does development and I still enjoyed his character. Mac was a fun character and I loved seeing her side of being a PI, especially as a black woman. She’s strong and we learned so much about her. There are side characters who are great and make the story interesting. The romance was okay as it felt like the mystery took the entire story and it’s a slow burn, enemies to lovers.

The ending was well done and overall, I really enjoyed the book. The mystery was fun and I loved following this story. It felt like a movie while I was reading this book. I recommend checking this story out especially if you love investigation themes stories.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Two private investigators are forced to work together and happen to stumble upon a murder mystery.

While this was fast-paced action packed read it needed more. The drama wasn't intense enough. The punchlines and jokes were not connecting.

There was the occasional flirtatious banter. I could see them being really good friends that could possibly lead to a relationship.

This one started off strong for me. I really enjoyed both of the main characters, but around 60% the story line just got too far fetched for me. Overall, I thought it was a fun read. I would like to see this brought to the big screen.

2.5 stars.

At first sight, I knew Sounds Like a Plan would be a great read. Sadly there were some elements that made this less enjoyable.

The story is action packed with good twists and turns in the missing persons case. It is the dialogue and inner thoughts of our characters that were not so great.
My biggest gripes were:
- A joke claiming someone had to be on the spectrum because they “look” stupid
- Weird stereotypes about Black women from the MMC Jackson
- Mention of perceived Blackness in the workplace, classism.
- Objectifying women from MMC
-Multiple paragraphs about using Chatgpt and how it works???

The budding romantic relationship between Mackenzie and Jackson is slowly and very lightly sprinkled in throughout the chapters.

Overall I could not put this down but the end results left a lot to be desired.

Note: there are mentions of sexual abuse, domestic violence, racism from other characters, and Cancer

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own!

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for the arc of Sounds like a Plan, I was so excited to start. Unfortunately the book included things I was not comfortable seeing portrayed so nonchalantly like fat phobia, misogyny, and the belittlement of people on the spectrum. I loved the idea of the story, but the way it was written out, decreased that excitement.

This book had a really interesting premise two PIs who have to work together to solve a mystery. I was thinking Stephanie Plum type mystery but unfortunately Jackson very unlikeable almost insufferable so I struggled through this one.

Ok I will not be leaving this review online. Mainly because as a Caucasian woman raised in the south in the 80s and 90s I worked very hard not to be like my grandparents and even my parents generation.
This book made me intensely uncomfortable with some of its wording and references. I think I would have been able to get past most of them if the relationship building would have worked. As it was, it felt like this book was trying to hard. I think it would make a great movie. And as I know that one of the authors is a screenplay writer that makes sense. His chapters in the book are very dialogue forward. No Cushioning it with descriptions. I went into it expecting a corny style PI mystery romance but
Honestly, just an all around train wreck for me.

This book was so cute! I love the idea of "dueling" private investigators. Having to work with your rival? Recipe for disaster...or is it? The book was really cute and I loved the competition aspect between the main characters.

I can't understand why this book doesn't have better reviews. Did it seem predictable at one point? Yes. But did it completely flip the script and pick up on the action? Absolutely, and I loved every moment of it.

Featuring two Black private investigators, with a Black woman who is a total bad a$$, this book is a refreshing and thrilling read. The story starts with Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham being competitive and not liking each other, leading to plenty of witty banter. As the plot unfolds, they realize they're better off working together as friends and dive into the mission of finding Ashley Cross.
This is the first book I've read by these authors, and it won't be the last. Their ability to blend action, suspense, and character development is impressive. I’m definitely checking out their other works.

Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): YES! This was a fast, fun read, and I can easily see it being adapted into a show or movie. I need a book 2 with even more action and some romance! If you’re looking for a swoon-worthy, action-packed mystery, this is the book for you.

Troupes & Warnings:
BIPOC
Dual POV
Rivals
Private Investigators
There is some violence but I didn’t find it too bad but if violence and g*ns isn’t your thing then this may not be for you.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

This was a super cute read! I love anything with mystery and romance! The ultimate and perfect combination for any page turner! Mac and Jackson had me laughing here and there and waiting for their heat and chemistry to keep building up! All in all the ingredients in this book are very addicting in a bit by bit manner! The whole time I was reading this book I kept imaging rock and roll songs playing in the background depicting when they would debate with each other and when things would get crazy LOL

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

My apologies for being so blunt, but it’s a no from me. I had to DNF fairly quickly into this book. The writing was so rudimentary that I couldn’t believe this was a published book. The character descriptions were basic and there was way too much telling instead of showing. I did not finish this book.

This was a twisting turning novel with a little bit of thriller.
This duo kept my interest as they sexual chemistry developed. Will they or Won’t they??!!! Then, before they express it...bullets fly past. It was a fun read. I could see another book coming out.

This fast paced story is a light hearted thriller with a enemies to friends twist that is full of banter and sassy comebacks. The book is written with alternating chapters, from the point of point of view of each character. The two characters are wach written by a different author, thus ensuring a unique voice. This quick read is just the fare for a fun diversion.

This was a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns and it was a lot of fun. Mac and Jackson were both hired to find the same person, but it all went off the rails and they have to fight together to figure out the truth. They are on the run and sparks are flying. Jackson and Mac clash at first but then he sees the real her and he is absolutely enthralled and can't get enough and will do anything to protect her. Even though they are dueling PIs, they have to work together this time and it's new for both of them.
I thought this read was such a fun time and the book flew by. There were parts that I was confused about but I just kept going and ultimately just liked how fast paced it was and it didn't drag out. Twists kept coming and things kept changing and I liked that they were on an adventure of sorts. 3.5 stars.
Thatnks to Atria, Netgalley and the authors for an early copy.

Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels Young; Dwayne Alexander Smith was a fun and exciting romance/mystery.
The characters are entertaining and the storytelling was engaging.
I enjoyed the dynamics of the relationship and seeing them from all perspectives.
A compelling read that I really enjoyed.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!