I welcomed the opportunity to become reacquainted with these characters again. The back and forth perspectives of each detective made the book enjoyable as we were able to same the same scenarios from their own perspectives. It was nice to see their adjustment to each other and growth they are navigate their new relationship as partners.

Can't wait for the next installment!

This dynamic duo was cute! This installment of Jackson and Mackenzie was enjoyable. Classic opposites attract. I could see more books centering this pair.

Sounds Like Trouble was a quick read and a fun one at that. I did not read the first book, but I did enjoy the banter between Mackenzie and Jackson. It was funny and mysterious at the same time. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read the early release of this book.

This was a quick enjoyable read I expected some Mystery going in with a touch of romance possibly, but little if any romance appeared in this story. If your a fan of mysteries this might be a hit! Mystery angle intrigued me though I was hoping for more sexual tension between Jackson and McKenzie I sat wondering what would happen. I believe I understood it faster than main characters did. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this Advanced copy for my honest review.

The second installment of the <i>Sounds Like A Plan<i> series is a great caper. The connection between the newly minted partner duo is soldifying nicely. Although this investigation got them on the radar of some dangerous crime bosses, they definitely used their heads while making their way through this mess. They worked well together to make sure this wasn't just a fluff PI story filled with blunders and miscommunication just to make a good story. This was really well done.

Super fun and fast-paced continuation of Mackenzie and Jackson's adventures. This book was even funnier than the first, and there was no dull moments; I was constantly on my toes and wondering what was going to happen next. The banter between Mackenzie and Jackson is still top tier and seeing them operate as business partners versus adversaries was refreshing. Looking forward to their next adventure.

When I requested this book, I wasn't aware that it was part of a series. It took me until about half way through to realize there was actually another book. Because of this, I don't think my review is the most fair. Most of my issues were because the relationship between the two MC's wasn't fully developed. However, I know how this could be because I missed a book in the series. However, for it to be a "thriller" book, it was not very thrilling. It felt like some of the issues the characters faced were wrapped up in convenient ways when they likely would not in real life. And for some books that's okay, but this one wasn't one of those.

Sounds Like Trouble by Pamela Samuels Young and DeWayne Alexander-Smith is a fast-paced, twisty ride that kept me hooked from start to finish. 5 out of 5 stars.

This is our second time riding along with private investigators McKenzie and Jackson, who are now officially partners and have launched their own agency. Things escalate quickly when they’re ambushed on the street by one of L.A.’s top drug kingpins and are strongly encouraged to take on a job they didn’t exactly sign up for.

They’re pulled into a high-stakes situation involving the heads of multiple crime families—Black, Mexican, and white—who are uniting against a common enemy: a lawyer who has dangerous information on all of them. McKenzie and Jackson are tasked with recovering that intel, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

What I loved:
The action is nonstop—burglary, explosions, secret deals, and a literal ticking clock. There’s also great emotional depth. The tension between McKenzie and Jackson is still thick with unspoken attraction, but now there’s a third party in the mix: a police lieutenant who’s also vying for McKenzie’s attention. The romance subplot is juicy without overpowering the case.

And let’s not forget Roxanna—the ultimate data nerd and hacker supreme—who continues to be a standout side character, cracking the case behind the scenes like only she can.

I also really love the dual POV narration style, with Pamela writing McKenzie’s voice and DeWayne writing Jackson’s. It adds dimension and authenticity, making the back-and-forth feel natural while still propelling the plot forward.

This was a wild ride with high stakes, compelling characters, and a hint of romance that leaves you wanting more. If you liked the first book, this one delivers even more.

Thank you to the authors for this thrilling read. This is my honest review.

You said:

Algospeak
Adam Aleksic

review I'm writing a review for AlgoSpeak. This was a really interesting book that really detailed how the algorithm has impacted the dialect and how people speak and engage online. Pieces that I thought that really provided some perspective of some of the trends that we're seeing is that there has been a lot of discussion around TikTok specifically, not monitoring language, but restricting certain types of language on the platform. Sometimes that's for the best, right? So language around extreme violence, eating disorders, et cetera, have been often flagged or suppressing the platform. But what it has also done is create an environment where when it's news or fact-based related situations that have happened, that content is also being flagged on the platform as not being compliant. And so to address that shift, creators on the platform have begun to change the words they are using to get around the platform. So using words like unalive, for example, to be a reference to some violence that takes place with people losing their lives. And that language is making its way into the larger lexicon day to day. The harms, though, is that it creates a level of desensitization to the seriousness of these things in our everyday life. And there is now a whole generation of young people, children, teenagers, who as they are growing up are becoming more desensitized to this language. And that's troubling and problematic. But I think this is a good book for anybody who, people who are creators, people who are anthropologists, people who study dialects and languages, and how they change and transition, and also how social media impacts this. So I would definitely say I would give this book a 4 out of 5.
ChatGPT said:

Here’s your Goodreads-style review of Algospeak by Adam Aleksic, edited for clarity while keeping your original points intact:

Algospeak by Adam Aleksic is a fascinating deep dive into how algorithms—especially on social media platforms like TikTok—are actively reshaping the way we speak, write, and engage online. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

This book provides sharp insight into how language evolves not just culturally, but also in direct response to platform moderation and content filtering. One of the standout sections explores how TikTok users have developed alternative vocabularies—like saying “unalive” instead of “die”—to avoid having their videos suppressed. While this kind of coded speech can be a necessary workaround to talk about serious issues, it also leads to a concerning level of desensitization, especially among younger users who are growing up fluent in this softened language.

What stood out:
The book does a great job of highlighting the tension between safety and censorship—how platforms that try to curb harmful content (e.g. violence, eating disorders) often end up suppressing fact-based or news-related posts too. It really shows how creators are adapting their language in real time, and how those shifts are bleeding into our broader, everyday vocabulary.

Who this book is for:
Creators, digital strategists, linguists, anthropologists—anyone interested in the intersection of technology, language, and culture will find value here.

Final take:
A smart, relevant read that makes you think twice about the way we communicate online—and who’s influencing that language behind the scenes.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC. This is my honest review.

really enjoyed this book and the journey of the main character and all that they went through. It kept me on my toes and what would happen in the story.

This was a fun installment in what looks to be a series on par with Stephanie Plum. I really enjoyed the investigating Jackson and Mackenzie undertook and the twists and turns this book took.

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

My favourite LA P.I.s, Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham, are back in the second instalment of this series. This time around, they are hired by three very dangerous mobsters while also trying to juggle their feelings towards each other. The banter and the tension are still as good as the first book, and I hope that the two authors do not let their characters give in too soon. Make us( your reading fans) work for it a bit. This book had action; no slow pacing to be found here, and what was 40+ chapters felt like nothing more than a few pages. I just couldn't tear myself away from a great story.

Crossing my fingers that there will be a book #3!!




Publication Date 08/07/25
Goodreads Review 12/08/25

Thank you to the author, Atria Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This is the second book in a series, and the first I've read. There are some references to events from the first book, but it can easily be read as a standalone. The chemistry and banter between the two main characters is fun and this duo has a great dynamic. The mystery is not overly complicated, but keeps the reader engaged and the open ending makes me curious for the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Sounds Like Trouble!
I was hooked within the first few pages—this turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining and action-packed read that I didn’t want to put down. The story grabbed my attention right away with its fast pacing and vivid, engaging writing. The action sequences were well-written and grounded, giving it the feel of a classic '90s action film (in the best way)—exciting, high-energy, and full of personality. The pacing was tight, the stakes were high, and the action never felt over-the-top or unrealistic.

The plot was engaging from start to finish, and I appreciated how naturally the characters fit into the story. Those introduced along the way added depth without ever slowing the momentum. One of the standout elements for me was the banter between the two main characters. It was clever, funny, and never overdone—a refreshing change from the often forced or repetitive exchanges you sometimes see in similar stories. It felt natural and sharp, with just the right amount of tension and charm to keep me smiling throughout.

Even though I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series, the authors provided enough background that I never felt lost or confused. The descriptive writing brought the scenes vividly to life, immersing me in the world without bogging things down with excessive exposition.

I enjoyed Sounds Like Trouble so much that before I even finished it, I picked up the first book (Sounds Like a Plan)—and I can’t wait to dive in. If you're in the mood for a lighthearted, witty, and action-packed read that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers solid storytelling, I’d absolutely recommend this one. It’s the kind of story that keeps you smiling and turning pages.

The idea is good, the execution is missing a cohesive editor. The book is way more tell than show and there’s no connection to the characters. In a first person, dual POV, book I want to feel more of what the characters are experiencing but both POVs felt at arms length. Even the one bed trope for example was underdeveloped and felt forced.

good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book. good book.

📍Los Angeles, CA
• Private Investigators
• Dual POV
• Chemistry and banter
• Will they/won't they vibes
• Crime mobs united

TW: Gruesome crime scenes

⚠️ Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead ⚠️

What I liked

Crime solving chemistry
• Mackenzie and Jackson are back at it again with their witty banter and will they/won't they relationship. I love crime solving duos that have an amazing dynamic. Bonus when there's a potential for a little romance.

Entertainment, quick read
• I love a story that judge grabs you and keeps zoned in. This one was no exception. It's perfect for those who love comedic crime and mysteries. It's not meant to be an overly complicated mystery or overtly serious plot and I loved it.

Opens it up to future stories
• When I read book one, I didn't expect to get hooked. Now that we're in book, my feelings are 💯 the same. I love how they opened up the ending for this to become a continuous series. I hope Mackenzie and Jackson will continue to have clients in the future and I hope they get to use Keane's services. I also want more Nadine!

PI's Jackson and Mackenzie have decided to officially team up and have just rented their new office space. While bickering over how to beat decorate the office they are given an offer they literally can't refuse.

Mob boss Big Ced is looking for a package and has decided Jackson and Mac are perfect for the job, if they refuse they'll likely pay with their lives, if they fail they will definitely pay with their lives. If they succeed the payout will be enough for them to furnish their office however they please and then some.

As the search begins Lieutenant Gooden inserts himself in Mac's life. They go on a date, but it feels like he's half interested and half fishing for information. Although Jackson and Mac have agreed to keep things platonic, Gooden brings out his jealous streak.

Will they be able to find the package in time? And if they do, will they be able to get away with our being implicated in a police takedown?

I really enjoy this series and the banter between Jackson and Mac. It's the slowest of slowburns, but I'm hoping maybe in the next one things will heat up!

Thanks NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital copy of this in exchange for my honest review!

Loved the opposite attracts vibes of this romance. *Sounds Like Trouble* puts a fresh spin on the great investigative duos with an intoxicating blend of mystery, humor, and witty banter that you won’t want to miss. The characters are engaging, and the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense!

This is the second book in a series centered around PIs Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham. They have once again teamed up to solve a case with a large prize.

I found the second book in the series to be more entertaining than the first even though it was still as unbelievable. I think part of that is this one was much shorter so there were less antics. I also think the two characters and their romance are growing on me!!!

I found this book to be fun if a little ridiculous. Loved the cliff hanger and looking forward to the next one!

Many thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley, and authors Pamela Young & Dwayne Smith for providing an ARC.

This is the second book in the series, and I enjoy it for what it is—fast-paced with modern-day Mr. & Mrs. Smith energy. The action is fun, and the dynamic between the leads keeps things interesting.

That said, the romance girlie in me is getting impatient—like, when are y’all finally going to kiss and get together?! I need the tension to pay off soon.

I listened to the first book on audio and loved the narrators, so I know this one will shine in that format too. Overall, a solid read with great potential, especially if the romance arc gets moving.