A good rom-com that made me smile. Not a favourite but one I woul recommend as the characters are interesting and fleshed out
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Many thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley, and Pamela Young & Dwayne Smith for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review💚

Overall, this second installment in what I’m dubbing the “Safe and Sound” or “Sounds Like” series (I wonder what the authors will ultimately choose) is good. The plot was engaging, and the cat and mouse of this particular case made for an interesting ride that I was willing to go on with Jackson and Mackenzie. We also got to see more of the chemistry between our MCs build up and be acknowledged by each other; #JMac is following in the footsteps on countless other slow burn detective pairings many of us are familiar with on page and screen.

I was happy to see if there was improvement with Jackson as a character. The attitude and I’m becoming behaviors he displayed in the first book were completely gone from this one and it made for a much more enjoyable Jackson.

What ultimately puts this at a three star, ehhhh rating for me is the fact that our dynamic duo seem off their A game. There were a few moments throughout the book where I wondered why they weren’t catching onto certain things as quickly as they should or why they made certain decisions. For the MCs to be experienced PIs, they were making rookie mistakes a little too often for my liking.

I also wasn’t a fan of how the book was structured. Many of the chapters were ridiculously short and could have been combined with one or two other chapters to ensure a better flow of the story. Young and Smith have set flow of these books to go back and forth between the MCs’ POV, but I’d personally be okay with a POV switch in the middle of the chapter as long as there’s something signaling the shift.

It seems like Young and Smith are starting to find a nice groove with this series, and with a bit more work, they may be able to pull together a strong showing for Jackson and Mackenzie on their next adventure.

Before even starting: very exciting about this because I loved Sounds Like a Plan. Quick moving. A mix of romance and suspense. Always love the dual POV. A great adventure and satisfying ending. Book 3 maybe??

Thank you to NetGalley, Pamela Samuels Young, Dwayne Alexander Smith and Atria Books for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fun series and as a romance reader, I'm loving the clubbing of the romance and mystery genres. Thrillers and suspense novels don't usually give the reader time to get to know the detectives, just fit them into some stereotypical archetype, but I'm loving the effort and time poured in by the authors to get us to know Jackson and Mac. To me, the balance between the fast and slow pacing is perfect, paired with the slow burn romance tease. The ending hints at another book in the series and I can't wait!

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham opened a private investigation business as partners. When they receive
a job offer from three mob bosses, they have no choice but to accept. However, there is a limited amount of time they'
have to complete the job without informing the authorities. Stakes are raised when it appears there is another
party who seems to be one step ahead of them Their lives are at stake if they don't complete the job.
Fun read with two main characters who are total opposites in their approach to the job. And lots of action.
#SoundsLikeaPlan #Atria #NetGalley

A Sizzling Mystery with Undeniable Chemistry
"Sounds Like Trouble" is a thrilling and humorous mystery that combines the best of the genre with witty banter and undeniable chemistry between its leads. Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham, two of LA's top private investigators, are forced to work together to solve a high-stakes case involving the mob.

Writing Style;
The authors' writing is engaging, with a perfect balance of action, suspense, and humor. The dialogue between Jackson and Mac is particularly well-done, showcasing their contrasting personalities and growing attraction.

Characters:
Jackson and Mac are well-developed characters with distinct voices and motivations. Their banter and interactions are authentic and entertaining, making their partnership both compelling and believable.

Plot:
The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The authors expertly weave together elements of mystery, suspense, and romance, creating a thrilling narrative.

Themes:
The novel explores themes of partnership, trust, and vulnerability, all set against the backdrop of a high-pressure investigation.

Overall:
"Sounds Like Trouble" is a fun and exciting read, perfect for fans of mystery, suspense, and romance. With its witty dialogue, engaging characters, and thrilling plot, this book is sure to entertain and captivate.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Recommendation: If you enjoy books like "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" by Ally Carter, "The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman, or "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett, you'll love "Sounds Like Trouble".

Absolutely loved this fast-paced mystery! I didn’t realize this was book 2 in the series but wasn’t lost without reading book 1 - which I plan to do asap!

What to expect:
- Dual POV
- Whodunnit
- High-stakes investigation
- Witty Banter

Thank you Atria for granting me an ARC! All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher.

I was glad it was a fast book. Laughed a lot at the back and forth between the investigators. I am not crazy about romance books but this one kept my attention.

So far, this series has been structured like a television show. The first book was the pilot: it introduced us to the two PIs and the world they inhabit. In this book, I consider this episode one, where we learn more about our duo and they with each other-how will they work together? Will they give in to their mutual attraction or will they annoy each other out of it? With a new case for them to work and an office to decorate, our private I's continue to banter and entertain. If you liked the pacing and dynamic of book one, you'll find it here. While I do think of this story as part of a series, I do think that you can read this book without feeling too lost. Because this book is frothy, I would recommend this book as a buddy read and not for a full reading group.

For readers who like contemporary Black lit, "Moonlightling" vibes, detective stories, strong world building

Love, Lies, and LA's Most Wanted

Two of crime fiction's heavyweights, NAACP Image Award winners Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith, have teamed up to create pure dynamite. Their new romantic thriller, Sounds Like Trouble, hits harder than a double shot of espresso, and trust me - you won't be sleeping until you finish it.

Meet Mackenzie Cunningham and Jackson Jones, rival PIs who'd rather eat glass than work together. She's brilliant, ruthless, and never misses a lead. He's charming, resourceful, and always gets his mark. They're the best in LA's private eye game - and they absolutely hate each other's guts.
At least, that's how it starts.

When a routine missing person case explodes into something deadly, these two find themselves forced together, running from shadows while trying not to kill each other (or kiss each other) in the process. The chemistry between them crackles like a live wire, their banter sharp enough to cut glass.

Young and Smith write LA like locals, turning the city into their personal playground of danger and desire. From sun-bleached Venice Beach to the neon-lit streets of K-town, every scene pulses with authenticity. The plot twists come fast and furious, each one hitting harder than the last.

The authors nail that sweet spot between heart-racing action and heart-stopping romance. Their protagonists circle each other like skilled fighters in a ring, trading verbal jabs and heated looks with equal intensity. The dual perspective lets us ride shotgun in both their minds, making their eventual collision course feel both inevitable and explosive.

Sure, sometimes the romance threatens to steal the show from the mystery. But when the chemistry's this good, who's complaining? Besides, the authors stick the landing with a finale that'll leave both thriller fans and romance readers thoroughly satisfied.

Sounds Like Trouble is what happens when Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Moonlighting, but with a modern edge that cuts deep. It's smart, sexy, and sophisticated - a perfect storm of suspense and sizzle that'll keep you up way past your bedtime.

4.5/5 stars - For anyone who likes their romance with a side of danger, or their thrillers with a shot of heat. Just don't blame me when you can't put it down.

Comparable Titles
• Rules of Engagement by Selena Montgomery
• Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams
• Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels
• The Bounty by Janet Evanovich

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