Thank you to the publisher for sending an eARC of the book for me to read and review.

Tropes/Themes: Private Investigators, ex-Cop, Forced Proximity

This book was so much fun- this is a sequel but I feel like it can be read as a standalone without much confusion.

I love that the story continued after the two MCs start their joint PI Firm. I really hope that they do end up falling for each other because there is some very good tension between them... and I thought it was going to happen this book... but dang that slow burn is BURNING.

Jackson and Mackenzie are the opposite in like every way but work together - which makes the story just 10 outta 10. So it's really the best forced proximity.

This book is focused on them helping the mob track down information that is being used to blackmail them. There are some twists and turns, some close calls with their lives, and a detective that really wants to know Mac outside of work. I enjoyed the story and am excited to read the next one!

This book was a lot more mystery than romance than I originally thought it would be

While I did enjoy the mystery aspect of the book, and all of the characters that were involved, pretty much the entire book consisted of that. While the blurb suggested a type of love triangle and an opposites attract romance, the lack of romance left much to be desired. While the dynamic between the two main characters was enjoyable, and I could tell they had chemistry, there was no romance plot advancement, and their dynamic by the end of the book was the exact same as the beginning.

The plot twists were decent, but I guessed quite a few of them. I think there is a little too much foreshadowing, and that makes it very easy for readers to guess plot twists.

Some of the decisions that these private investigators make are very questionable. I'm not going to include spoilers, but some problems that they face are 100% they're own fault in my opinion. The mystery aspect was very repetitive as well, and I found that many plot points were similar, and didn’t provide much to the story in terms of advancement or reader enjoyment in my reading experience.

Overall, I would be hesitant to recommend this book, unless a reader wanted a book that read more low stakes despite the stakes actually being very high and life or death. If you want a mystery that has enjoyable characters and fun character dynamics, this one is for you.

A huge thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just finished Sounds like Trouble and I thought it was just okay! 3 stars. Didn’t love it but also didn’t hate! It’s the 2nd book in a series but I’d say you can read it as a stand-alone. I didn’t feel lost without reading the first book :)

This was a fast-paced cozy mystery with a touch of romance. Under 300 pages too. It took me a minute to root for the romance, but their chemistry as PI partners really stood out and that’s when I started to see the romantic vibes! I also love that they have the same job/understand the work each other does :) I love characters who are passionate and respectful about their jobs.

Overall it was a cute story with good humor and a fun plot!

Thank you Atria books for the arc!

Mac and Jackson, our two favorite PIs, are back at it again. But this time their services were needed by a really bad mobster; one can only imagine the shenanigans that take place!
Although I enjoyed this one also, something was missing from the story. I didn’t feel the same connection to Mac and Jackson as I did in the first book. It felt flat. Mac and Jackson’s chemistry wasn’t there. It just felt off, but it still was a fun, cozy, mystery read!

Thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, Pamela Samuels Young, and Dwayne Alexander Smith, for a copy of the ARC of this book!

This one was a pretty quick read. I didn’t realize it was the second book in the series until I already started reading it; however, I feel like it can definitely be read out of order!

The plot was a little bit too predictable to me. I guessed what was going to happen early on. It also held a bit too many stereotypes for my liking. But I did enjoy the dual pov, and the humor in the book. It has quite a few action scenes, which was also fun.

This book would be perfect for fans of cozy mysteries. While it was not my favorite, it was still enjoyable! Thank you so much to Atria and the authors for a copy of this book.

Synopsis: Private investigator duo Mac and Jackson are hired by infamous criminals to solve a case and immediately get in over their heads.

Thoughts: In this follow up to Sounds Like a Plan, Mac and Jackson are back and into more shenanigans than ever. This is a quick, bingeable mystery read with a fun will they/won’t they romance element. Some of the decisions the characters made drove me a little crazy, but it was overall a fun time.

Read this if you like:
🔎 private investigators
🔎 workplace romance
🔎 opposites attract
🔎 mystery
🔎 will they won’t they

The story was fun and lighthearted and I had a good time reading it.
This was a wonderfully written romantic comedy.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, funny and heartwarming read!

"Sounds Like Trouble is a smart, fast-paced mystery that blends humor, heart, and suspense into a thoroughly entertaining read. Co-authors Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith deliver a lively and engaging story that feels like a modern cozy mystery—with a twist.

The dynamic between the lead characters is a standout feature, offering both charm and chemistry as they navigate big problems with wit and determination. The mystery itself is well-constructed, full of intriguing turns and just enough danger to keep the stakes high without ever losing its fun, accessible tone.

Though the plot touches on serious issues, the overall feel remains light and addictive, making it a perfect pick for readers who enjoy crime-solving duos, quirky side characters, and just a hint of chaos along the way. The writing flows effortlessly, and the pacing ensures there’s never a dull moment.

Sounds Like Trouble is a promising start to what feels like the beginning of a series worth following. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with lively characters and plenty of twists, this one should be at the top of your list."

Sounds Like Trouble (Sounds like a Plan #2)
By Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith

In this delightful sequel, we have Mac and Jackson, our favorite private investigator duo back. If you haven’t already read Sounds like a Plan- read that first! It’s a great story of two PIs hired by the same person, who end up teaming up. There are constant will they won’t they vibes, which I love.

Book 2 our duo has officially joined teams and started a PI firm together. However, before they can even buy furniture, they are summoned by basically the three most infamous criminals in the country to help solve a case. What could possibly go wrong?

This is equal parts funny and badass. The action is intense but the switch in narration always adds some levity and each character is really becoming more
flushed out as the series goes on. I read an eARC for this one- (thanks NetGalley, Atria books, and authors!) but I listened to the audiobook of Sounds Like a Plan, which was an awesome experience especially with two
Narrators.

All in all 5 stars, I would read a million books in this series based on Jackson and Mackenzie banter alone.

4.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley , Atria books , and the authors for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in an interconnected standalone series. It’s fast-paced and told in the first person from both Jackson and Mackenzie.

This book is an action-packed mystery with a comedic vibe at times. The two leads remind me of Archer and Lana from the show Archer and Michael and Fiona from Burn Notice.

The two have underlying romantic chemistry, but it’s not the main focus of the book, though I hope one day they end up together. The jealousy and their chemistry and banter was a good time. They’re both jokesters and the running joke amused me throughout the story.

Although they’re in a dangerous situation, it’s pretty lighthearted as a story because they’re both a little unserious in the best way. One of the twists I guessed, the other I didn’t.

Read for:
💸 Private Investigator Duo
💸 A Mystery Solved
💸 Action Packed
💸 Banter and Chemistry
💸 Jealous MMC
💸 Fast-Paced

OVERALL
Overall, I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I want to go back and read the first and can’t wait for what else is in store.

First thank you to atria books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

Synopsis: Jackson and Mac are partners in a detective firm and have agreed to no personal business for the business. They have a huge case involving 3 mob families as their first case.

What I liked: this is the second book in a series but I read it as a stand-alone and had no problem. Jackson and mac have good chemistry and their banter was fun. This is more of a cozy mystery which I enjoyed. The mystery was interesting but the relationship is the best part of the book.

This sequel is just as much fun as the first book. This is an alternating point of view chapters, and I presume the authors write the chapters of their sex. They do it seamlessly. Mackenzie and Jackson are hired by some gangsters to find some notebooks that would get them in trouble.
What I love about this series is the LA feel and the witty banter. I also love the will they or won't they, which is fast becoming when will they.
This is a good, fast paced mystery that will keep you wondering until the very end.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie “Mac” Cunningham are a private investigator team that can’t agree on anything. Jackson is the flashy one, but Mackenzie is a little more practical. Their latest case involves tracking down a package for the infamous gangster Big Ced and two of his mafia don associates. A police investigator is following them, and Mackenzie flirts with him, sparking Jackson’s jealousy. The two run through LA dodging bullets, bad guys, and their feelings for each other.

Jackson and Mackenzie are separately brought in to work for Big Ced and two other major mafiosos, as they were blackmailed for a long time, and the man in question is in the hospital. He has a failsafe to reveal his blackmail material if anything happens to him, so it's now a race to get to this data. The LAPD is fully aware of the meeting, and someone else is after the same information. We have a ticking clock and competition, increasing the stakes before we even hit the first quarter of the book. Everywhere the pair turns, they're dogged by a masked figure who keeps trying to kill them. It adds more danger to their search, and the police interaction increases the tension and risk of mobsters getting to them.

The feeling between the partners is one of frustrated affection that might become more, though they're very careful not to push that. Some personality traits are directly opposite each other, but at the end of the day, they're both proud people who have a strong work ethic. It was a fun balancing act, and I was concerned for their safety as the novel progressed. The pair has a great professional future, which will be fun to read about.

📖 Title: Sounds Like Trouble-Sounds Like a Plan #2

✍🏾 Author: Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith-new to me authors

📅Publication date: 7/8/25 | Read: 7/8/25

📃 Format: eBook 256 pgs.

Genre:
*AA Interests
*Mystery/Thriller
*Romance

Tropes:
*rivals to lovers
*private investigators
*opposites attract
*mafia
*slow burn romance
*whodunnit

👆🏾POV: dual

⚠️TW: murder, blackmail, car accident

🌎 Setting: LA

Summary: Jackson and Mackenzie are reluctant partners at their new joint PI firm as they take on a missing's person case. The PIs get an offer they have no choice but to accept. Infamous crime lords want them to track down a package or face death. Jackson and Mac find the sensitive information for the mobsters, while a police investigator is following them. Sparks fly as they compete with time travelling through LA as they try to stay alive, get the bad guys, and explore their feelings for each other.


👩🏾 Heroine: Mackenzie "'Mac" Cunningham

👨🏾 Hero: Jackson Jones


🤔 My Thoughts: I didn't read Sounds Like a Plan but didn't feel lost. This was pure action with a slow-build romance between the two PIs who don't get along. When the mafia threatened them, they bonded together and went on a great adventure through LA. I also loved the AA representation even though this reminds me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I would read more in the series, but I need more romance!

Rating: 3.5/5 ✨

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Atria, Pamela Samuels Young, and Dwayne Alexander Smith for this ARC🌴! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

“Sounds Like Trouble” was a fun second instalment of a mystery with a dash of Romance. Mackenzie and Jackson are now partners and they can’t agree on much as they start to set up their office. They get forced into working for three mob bosses to recover incriminating evidence that someone has gathered on them over the years. Their slow burn continues but they are hesitant to act on their attraction as they are partners now. A good looking lieutenant has also expressed interest in Mackenzie.

I liked the mystery element to this book, the plot line was interesting and hooked me right from the start. I also liked the banter between Mackenzie and Jackson, their partnership is a fun addition to the storyline. I found the writing style a bit choppy at times and I didn’t always love the way the story moved from one event to the other, it felt a bit fragmented for me some of the time. It would also be nice to see Mackenzie and Jackson’s relationship progress a bit more quickly. Overall a good read but one I probably won’t pick up to read a second time.

Going into this without the first book was perfectly fine for me and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. This book follows Jackson and Mac as they work a case that involves mobsters and gets them in a host of trouble. The plot was quick, fast-paced, and kept you on your toes. There was tons of banter between the two characters. It was so fun to see the back and forth between the two of them since Jackson was smitten and Mac was hesitant and adamant at keeping their relationship professional. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC and physical ARC. All opinions are my own.

Instagram post will be live week of 07-Jul-2025

This one just didn’t work for me. I love the premise of this book but I just felt that it was a little cliche. About 20% into the book, things felt very boring and I wasn’t invested.

This book is the second in the series, but you could easily read it as a standalone book.

Jackson and Mackenzie’s banter and chemistry is entertaining. As with the first book, there is a strong sense of place.

From the first pages, the adventures and mystery solving start right away. The story is told from alternating perspectives.

If you are looking for a good mystery with a cat and mouse plot line, add this book to your TBR.

Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced reader copy.

Action packed! If I ever need a PI I know I want to hire a team like Jackson and Mack! I loved their chemistry and banter. I really want more of these two because as a romance girly at heart I need to know how their chemistry will end up! Even if that romance does take a while I do enjoy the action and mystery the author writes into these stories I was on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen with this duo!

This novel is a well-written, engaging cat-and-mouse tale with likeable characters and a good pace that keep you turning the pages. The protagonists are easy to relate to, and the villains, while familiar, add a certain level of tension. The plot follows a relatively predictable path, making it fairly easy to see the twists coming from early on. The story is entertaining and well-executed, making for a pleasant, if not particularly original, experience. Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy.