SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE, dually written by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith, is a high stakes mystery filled with action, humor and witty banter between two of the best private investigators in Los Angeles, Mackenzie “Mac” Cunningham and Jackson Jones. These two partners blur the lines between romance and rivalry while solving their biggest case yet, one involving an infamous mobster that they quite literally can’t refuse.

Reading dual narrative novels add to the reading experience because they allow the audience to share in the exact same situations from a different perspective. Because of the tangled history between Mac and Jackson, the alternating chapters written by @pam and @dway add layers of vulnerability and comedy to the story line.

Los Angeles is the quintessential setting for this storyline and the authors wrote the city as if it were a secondary character. If you are in the mood for some LA scenery, sexy characters, and sabotage, make sure to add SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE to your bookshelves, available on July 8, 2025!!

This is the second book in the sounds like a plan series. The first book gave me moonlighting vibes, and this book just continues with the banter and nonstop shenanigans while crimes are trying to be solved. Jackson and Mac have decided to work together, but the beginning of their office doesn’t start out the greatest when they have to deal with some mobsters. It’s really fun to see the interactions and the banter. I really liked the sub plot where it seemed like Mac was getting close to one of the detectives, but romance is not a main part of the story. It’s more about the connections between the characters and the wonderful crazy plot. It’s really fun and keeps you guessing until the end.

3.5/5 - Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a totally bingeable book that gets straight to the action. if you love romance and mystery intertwined in one story, this is a great book for you. After receiving this ARC, I grabbed a library copy of Sounds Like A Plan so that I could prepare for this book. I definitely liked this book better! Jackson's character had some growth and development since the first book (there were a lot less misogynistic comments), but there were still some moments where I wanted to give him the side eye.

Short, fast moving and absolutely hilarious. This love/hate team of private investigators is ordered to fulfill an assignment by a coalition of gangsters. They want our team to locate the very hidden information held by a blackmailer that will ruin every one in the coalition. The time stamp on it is that said blackmailer is in a coma at UCLA MedCenter and the info will be broadcast when he dies. Now it's like Mission Impossible for them to find it while unknown persons try to beat them to it by any means possible. Good adrenaline fix with a side order of laugh-your-sox-off.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital egalley from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you! Available 08 Jul 2025 *****review #SoundsLikeTrouble by Pamela Samuels Young @authorpsy and Dwayne Alexander Smith @theamazin @atriabooks#contemporary, #excop, #exjournalist, #investigations, #black, #mystery, #dualnarrators, #rivalry, #ethnic, #mobsters #culturaldifferences #privateinvestigators #snarky #Blackauthors #laughyoursoxoff

I was so happy to get an early copy of this book. The first one was a five star read so getting to see what Mac and Jackson was up to now wasn’t something I could pass up. I enjoyed this book a lot. It was fun seeing these characters together again. The chemistry was still there and it was funny. The case was interesting it I guessed a lot of what happened. I truly hope there are more books in this series and if so, I can’t wait to read them!

This book was wonderful! Very well written and interesting. Great character development! I would definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy.

After so enjoying the first book in this series, I was excited to spend more time with the two MCs in SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE. Unfortunately, the second time around didn't work as well. The book felt flat, like it was leaning on the one long joke of two characters who are attracted to one another but can't stop bickering for too long.

This was a great book! It is the perfect mix of romance and suspense! The book was so good! I could not put it down. The plot twists in this book are crazy!

Our team from Sounds like a Plan is back and in more trouble than before. This combination of a romantic story and PI suspense works for an amusing read. The POV in each chapter changes from McKenzie to Jackson giving us a glimpse of the problems from both sides. Although the story is somewhat predictable, it is a fun and enjoyable read.

✨ Book Review ✨

Sounds like Trouble by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mr. Jackson Jones and Ms. Mackenzie Cunningham are back at it again! This ACTION packed sequel to Sounds like a Plan is the perfect read for the summer!

Y’all I binged this book in a day! This book is a nonstop action-packed, banter and tension filled ride! This book I fell a little bit more in love with Mac and Jackson, audibly gasped at multiple points and felt the surge of hot rage at the betrayal in this one. I have a feeling if you pick this one up, you won’t be able to put it down 😉

✨OUT 7/08 ✨

💕 Thank you Atria Books for the gifted copy! 💕


This review will be posted a week before publication day and then will be reshared on pub day

I throughly enjoyed this mystery caper with two likeable detectives who clearly want and need to be together.

Mackenzie Cunningham and Jackson Jones are back at it again! The PI duo have opened up an agency together but can't even agree on how to furnish the office. What else could go wrong? When they get an offer they can't refuse, of course, murder is involved. They try to outrun a collection of crooks, hoods and thugs and try and stay alive, all while fighting their ongoing attraction to one another. They ramble around greater Los Angeles trying to solve their case with humor and intrigue and a suave new police detective thrown in the mix. Will Mackenzie fall for Detective Good Looking, or will Jackson let her know how he feels? Will they escape this case unscathed enough to act on their attraction? I have grown to love these characters and am happy to see them again. This feels like a series now, so I'm rooting for Mackenzie and Jackson to get it together and get together. Four enthusiastic starts for humor, action and great characters.

If you are looking for a debut fun rom com with all the tropes, look no more. This one is filled with:
- Disastrous meet cute
- Forced proximity
- Enemies (sort of) to lovers
- Only one bed

Margot flees to Alaska after a leaked document of her un-HEA to her well loved romance books. She meets Forrest, the inn owner's son who is there to help with running the place as well as take care of his dad.

They are total oil and water and Margot drove me nuts in the beginning. She was in an Alaska and not prepared and didn't ask for help. Forrest was a total grump but I appreciate how he took care of Margot. I liked that this was a slow burn and both held back.

The romance was fun but what I really loved was Margot's relationship with Savannah, her sister. They were best friends and the letters really showcased their relationship.

I look forward in reading what Lavine writes next. Thank you @atariabooks for a copy of the book.

Mac and Jackson each owned their own private eye firms. They decide that it would be a good idea to open a firm together. When three mafia bosses hijack them, the duo are forced to work for them to track down documents that they are being blackmailed with. With a small group of mercenaries determined to kill them and a killer on the loose, can the duo solve their most dangerous case yet?

The plot is a high stakes adventure that is well developed and engaging. The characters are likable, authentic, and easy to root for. The character dynamics are well developed and draw the reader into the story. Readers who like mystery, adventure, and mafia mysteries will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most public library collections. 5 stars, ADULT

I was excited to read Sounds Like Trouble, the second in the series, as I really enjoyed the first book. This book did not disappoint. Quick paced, witty banter, a mix of romance and suspense, it was a great fast read. My only drawback is every time the scene shifted to action, it read as if it was a script for a movie. And while I know one of the authors was a screenwriter, and the book probably would be a great movie...I needed less "BAM BAM BAM!" and more description of the action. But all in all, a fun read, and I'd be excited to see where the characters go next!

I received a free copy of, Sounds Like Trouble, by Pamela Samuels Young; Dwayne Alexander Smith, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Mackenzie "Mac" Cunningham and Jackson Jones are private investigators in LA. They do not get along most of the time, which was a little annoying reading about it. I thought this was an okay read.

“Sounds Like Trouble” is a fun, quick, and easy read. The book is filled with witty banter and an enjoyable mystery that Mackenzie and Jackson are hired to solve. Hopefully this series continues.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

A fun & quick read with likable characters and a story that keeps you on your toes. I can't wait to see what they get up to next.

This was such a cute quick read, Jackson and Mac are hilarious. I mean life or death these guys have a joke ready, The mystery was fun and I was so deep in the story that I forgot everyone else so I was also caught off guard in the end. I hope Jackson's little war with the lieutenant never ends, he comes up with the best nicknames for that man. Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc.

I simply adore Mac & Jackson as they slink around the greater Los Angeles
area. Jackson cannot help being hot for Mac, and Mac is wrapped a bit
tight, but they make a great team. The things that they are drawn into
could get them killed, but along the way we meet some good people~
you know, good crooks are they most fun!
This story takes us right to the end before it gets cleaned up. For fans
of this series, this story is fast paced, well structured and leaves the
reader eager to read the next installment of these fun characters.