Sounds Like a Plan is the action-packed story of two Black private investigators thrown together on a missing persons case and then get framed for murder.

The book is written by two co-authors and uses a dual POV style, where both main characters, Mackenzie and Jackson, get to share their perspectives on each crazy event that unfolds. (I can only imagine how fun it must have been to write this way!)

The story features an enemies-to-lovers trope but turned out to be very light on steam. I would have preferred more, but if you aren’t into that then this is a good choice for you.

Overall, I give this book a solid 3/5 stars. The premise is fun and the pacing is good. I can see this book becoming a series (like Janet Evanovitch’s bounty-hunting Stephanie Plum novels), and I’d be interested to see what other crazy scenarios this PI duo comes up against.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Thank you to Atria for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham are two intelligent, skilled Los Angeles Private Investigators from different backgrounds and with very different approaches. When they find themselves working the same case for the same client, at first they seem to be stuck in competition and running in circles. But when things take a disturbing turn, they find themselves working together and running from a shadow force intent on destroying them. They need each other more than ever if they are going to get to the heart of the lies and expose the truth before it's too late.

This was just what I needed! There is a hard-boiled and snappy vibe peeking through (especially at the beginning), but it's a modern, not-noir, sex-positive (open-door) work of detective fiction with clever, snappy dialogue and realistic protagonists you want to root for from the start. The dual-perspective absolutely crushes it and drives both the plot and character development forward, providing realistic backstories and insight into their growth as individuals and as a team. An added bonus was that not only does it deliver on the romance and mystery, but also on the action scenes! I love that the two, different detectives slowly grow to respect and then trust each other as the investigation progresses. Los Angeles and its environs are portrayed by experts, so much so that I felt like I was home again. This has got to be a series-starter, and I cannot wait for the next one!

Triggers: cheating, rape, sexism, racism, domestic abuse, sexual assault

I loved this book. The action is good, the slow burn is even better. I enjoyed the banter! I didn't like some of the jokes that were made and that's why I gave this book 4 stars

There was a lot of problematic language, especially towards women. There were also a lot of coincidences. It was a fun romantic mystery besides that, and I think these writers could create something great with the right editor. There was some witty banter that I enjoyed that kept getting overshadowed.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

In this fast-paced romantic thriller, rival Black private investigators Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham reluctantly team up on a missing person case in LA. Despite their initial animosity, sparks fly as they bicker their way through danger, dodging killers and navigating their growing attraction. Written in alternating perspectives, the story is action packed.
There is a (ableist) “joke” that detracted from the overall vibe. While it wasn't quite my cup of tea, it proved to be an entertaining read overall.

This story did not work for me and will probably be suited for another audience. I did not finish and will not be giving feedback. I found myself getting confused with plot points and did not care for the MMCs POV

I was enjoying the first half of the book and the way the plot was unfolding, but I honestly got confused and lost interest towards the second half. I hated the sexist and misogynistic comments that Jackson kept making about Mackenzie. Also, as the story began to climax things got chaotic and unrealistic for me.

It is official - I am in my mystery/romance era. I have read a few of them this year - and I just can't get enough. So I was thrilled to get an advanced Copy of Sounds Like a Plan, which is out on July 9.

Jackson and Mackenzie are private investigators, and their paths have never crossed. They have very different approaches - Jackson is flashy, with fancy suits and cars. Mackenzie keeps a much lower profile. When they find themselves on the same missing persons case, hired by the same client, they could not get along less. But a common enemy brings them together, and their chemistry jumps off the page.

When one missing person spirals into several murders, it becomes clear that Jackson and Mackenzie are the next targets. So of course they find themselves at a hidden cabin in the middle of the woods!

This was SO fun. The twists, the turns and the fire chemistry. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives, and the mystery was fast paced and kept me guessing. Big thanks to NetGalley and Atria for letting me read this one early!

I hate to give books less than 3 stars but I just couldn't justify 3 stars. I disliked this book. The writing wasn't great and the male's pov was abhorrent. Ugh. Not a great book. The premise sounded promising. I usually enjoy the private investigator trope. This book was not for me.

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN sounded so promising. It sounded like a book I would really enjoy. However, it definitely did not meet expectations. I have never read a book that has so casually thrown in sexual assault as a plotline so many times. This approach not only felt insensitive but also undermined the gravity of some really serious issues.

Also, the male main character and love interest is supposed to be a 'good guy' and 'a nice guy' and 'not terrible like other men', but whenever it's his POV, he was literally just ogling the woman. Did he ever treat her with any respect? No, not really, but that is supposedly because they are 'rivals'. Eye roll! Also, we're supposed to believe he treats all women like they're his equals solely because he's nice to his daughter. Boooo, overdone. Lots of men have wives and daughters that they're nice to –– that doesn't mean they respect women. If I couldn't throw this e-galley across the room, I would've.

Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith is an interesting suspenseful romance with the setup of two private investigators being hired for the same case & one big cash reward. The adventure that follows is quite the wild ride with a lot going on

Sounds Like a Plan is great for fans of…
🖤 Romantic Suspense
🖤 Private Investigators
🖤 Action Adventure

This is an easy to get lost in story of action, intrigue & adventure with a fascinating couple. If you don’t take things too seriously, it is a light-hearted enjoyable suspenseful romance. My ADHD got the best of me in the last third of the book but I still enjoyed it. I could see this being made into a fun TV movie.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.


Because I gave it 3 stars, I will not be sharing my review anywhere else.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy! The premise of this book is unique and I can see this being developed into an ongoing series, or even a tv show. I started reading this expecting it to be a romance with a little bit of action, but it was the total opposite. The romance, or tension, between Mackenzie and Jackson was secondary to the plot. I didn’t predict the twists and turns in this book, which I appreciated. However, the male characters in this book are very misogynistic. And the dialogue seemed to be a bit outdated even though the book is supposed to be set in present day. Overall, I recommend reading if you’re looking for something a bit different than a traditional romance novel.

Thank you for this copy and I was very excited for the book, however it just fell flat for me. I couldn’t get into the story and there were some good parts and some not so good ones.

I was really excited for this one. I thought the concept was interesting and the pacing was good. I think the issue I had were the characters using ChatGPT was an ick. There were a couple of parts that where men were super gross against her. I mean, this was a flop for me.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't usually enjoy books where each chapter is narrated by different characters, 1 reason being I forget to look at the chapter headings. However, as this book is written by a woman and a man, I liked seeing the action from the point of view of Jackson and MacKenzie.
Jackson Jones was a cop who exposed his partners crime, so he had to quit. He is a PI hired to find a missing woman.
MacKenzie is also a PI, and she is also hired to find the missing woman.
I enjoyed their banter and watching the attraction grow.
We learn their backstories , which are quite interesting. They both bring various skills to the search as they end up working together. There is quite an unexpected twist at the end.
If you like mysteries with PI's, witty banter, clever detective work and two really likeable characters who you don't want to punch in the nose for some of their actions, this is the book for you.
If you would like to read a book with POC characters, Jackson and MacKenzie fit the bill. This is just a fun book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest opinion.

DNR - I could not get through Jackson Jones' chapters - felt like an andrew tate follower. I would be interested to check out other books by Pamela Samuels Young;.

3.5 stars, actually.

It's sappy, predictable, too often plays into stereotypes and is reminiscent of the old "Moonlighting" TV show except with constantly bickering PIs who are black instead of white. Despite all that, it's a fun story that's a perfect beach read for those who can weather this year's awful heat. But for me, the back-and-forths got tiring after a short while, and if this is the first in a planned sequel - and the ending suggests that may be the case - I'm not exactly chomping at the bit to read another one.

The plot, though, is not bad - and if private investigators Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham could only figure out whether it's best to knock each other senseless or get hook up, I'd be fully on board. It begins with both characters - working from their own offices in different but nearby areas of California - are approached by a lawyer named Raymond Patterson. For a substantial retainer and a big reward for success, he wants both to drop whatever else they're doing and concentrate on finding a woman named Ashley, whose mother is dying and desperate to reunite with her daughter. Problem is, Patterson doesn't tell Jackson or Mac that he's hired the other - which means the turf war begins shortly after they begin their investigations and realize they're both vying for the same financial payout.

As the investigation (and the tension between Jackson and Mac) heats up, readers learn about their backgrounds and personal peccadilloes. Both come from different backgrounds - Jackson a former police officer - and both are clearly skilled at their current jobs. Working independently, they constantly intrude on each other's turf, where sparks are inevitable. Being highly competitive certainly isn't unexpected - and for the sake of the story, neither is their obvious attraction to each other (but for the love of heaven, either get it on or get on with it already).

Their investigations take them to some seedy, dangerous places, and both Mac and Jackson put their considerable self-preservations skills to the test - a must after a dual murder that changes everything . They realize they've both been had - and if they both want to come out of the whole thing alive, they'd better start working together. From there it's just following the clues and trying to get the bad guys before the bad guys get them. All in all, it's a good romp - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

This was a lot of fun. Not a perfect book (there was a small amount of dialogue I found offensive), but high stakes, energy and action. If this is the start of a series, I’m totally here for it.

Two private investigators are hired to find the same missing woman whose mother is dying so time is of the essence. The investigators then find out there's another investigator that was also hired to find the missing woman, and he finds her, and then they are both found dead.

**Review of "Sounds Like a Plan" by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith**

Rating: 3/5

Grab your detective hat and buckle up for a rollercoaster of mystery, sexual tension, and humor in "Sounds Like a Plan," a collaborative novel by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, this novel delivers a thrilling tale told through alternating "he said/she said" perspectives that keep the pages turning.

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham are both talented private investigators running their own firms in LA. They share a knack for solving cases but clash like magnets whenever they cross paths. When they find themselves reluctantly teaming up to solve a high-stakes missing persons case that quickly turns deadly, their rivalry takes a backseat to survival.

Young and Smith skillfully weave together a plot filled with twists and turns, leading Jackson and Mackenzie on a chase from Century City to Malibu while evading mercenaries and unraveling a murder mystery. The authors inject the narrative with witty banter and sizzling chemistry between the protagonists, making their journey not only suspenseful but also surprisingly romantic.

The alternating perspectives provide insight into both Jackson's and Mackenzie's minds, highlighting their individual strengths and vulnerabilities. This narrative technique adds depth to their characters and enhances the reader's engagement with their evolving relationship.

While "Sounds Like a Plan" excels in delivering an entertaining blend of mystery and romance, some readers may find the pacing uneven, particularly in balancing the plot's thrilling elements with the development of the central relationship. Additionally, the resolution of certain plot points may feel rushed, leaving a few loose ends.

Overall, "Sounds Like a Plan" is a fun and engaging read that will appeal to fans of romantic thrillers and detective fiction. Young and Smith's collaborative effort brings a fresh perspective to the genre, offering a story filled with humor, suspense, and enough sparks to light up the streets of LA.