this was a decent read but it wasnt really a afvrity. if youre looking for a fast paced read with some twists this might be the fit for you.

A fun enjoyable read. Two detectives falling in love. First time reading these authors. Thanks for my copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to read this because it sounded like it could have the same fun, fast-paced energy as the Finlay Donovan series—mixing mystery, romance, action, and humor. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

One of the things I found interesting was the fact that two authors were working together, which meant the characters' voices felt distinct. However, I ended up liking Mackenzie’s chapters far more than Jackson’s. Jackson’s chapters had a lot of misogynistic undertones that made it really hard to enjoy his character. I kept getting frustrated by his behavior, especially when he insulted someone’s intelligence by suggesting they must be “on the spectrum” as an insult. This felt harmful and wrong, and it was at that point that I completely lost interest in his character and any potential for him to be redeemed.

The plot itself moves quickly, which kept me hooked. It’s an interesting setup with two private investigators who clearly don’t get along but have to work together. It was fun watching them clash, even though it felt a little over the top at times.

There’s supposed to be a slow-burn romance between Mackenzie and Jackson, and while it’s clear they’re meant to end up together, I didn’t really feel the connection. Mackenzie seemed like she deserved someone better than Jackson, especially considering his casual misogyny and a tendency to drop brand names constantly. He couldn’t mention his car without bringing up the make and model, and it got really old really quickly.

Overall, the book was okay, but it wasn’t a favorite. It worked as a light read between heavier books, but there were enough issues—misogyny, ableism, and an underwhelming romance—that I didn’t love it. If you're looking for something quick with a few twists and don’t mind some darker themes like murder and violence, this might work for you. But just know, Jackson’s attitude can be tough to handle.

Could not stand the voices of the characters! Not a fan of this. It was hard for me to push through to finish the story.

Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith is a dynamic and engaging romantic comedy that explores the power of friendship, love, and taking risks. The story follows two characters who, despite their differences, form a partnership that leads to unexpected romantic sparks and personal growth. The authors’ writing style is witty, humorous, and relatable, filled with sharp dialogue and well-developed characters. Themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and trusting in others are woven throughout, making for a compelling and uplifting read. With its fun, fast-paced plot and emotional depth, Sounds Like a Plan is a delightful story for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with a touch of humor.

Mackenzie and Jackson are two private eyes that join forces after both are hired to find the same missing person. Their chemistry is, at first, like oil and water but after they are both set up to take the fall of a murder, they get over it to solve the case.

Their witty banter amidst arguments and attraction was engaging. I think the romance aspect was more of a slow burn than I was expecting. I wanted more of the fire early on. The secondary characters added depth to Mackenzie and Jackson.

The mystery was a bit formulaic and the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly. I think this is more of a mystery with a side of (enemies to lovers) romance - which I didn’t mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books or this eARC. Sounds Like a Plan is out now.

Jackson Jones, a driven private investigator, exudes respect by dressing in a suit and tie. However, as a Black man, he would be perceived differently if he showed up in a t-shirt and jeans. Mackenzie Cunningham, equally professional and successful, faces similar challenges due to her race.

Despite being hired by different individuals, Jackson and Mackenzie find themselves on the same side, searching for the same missing person. Their shared goal brings them together, despite their immediate differences.

While they are both equally successful, their competitive nature often leads to clashes. However, despite their attraction to each other, they remain focused on their mission. Unexpected twists and turns in the case reveal that joining forces might be mutually beneficial.

This intriguing start to a thrilling series leaves me eager to read the next book. I find it refreshing that they choose friendship over rivalry, especially in the face of danger.

Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This story initially reminded me of the Finlay Donovan series—fast-paced, witty, and genre-blending. While the two perspectives were distinct, I preferred Mackenzie’s chapters to Jackson’s, as his misogynistic tone and ableist remarks made him hard to like. His constant name-dropping, especially about his Mercedes, added to the frustration.

The plot moves quickly, with entertaining twists and a rivals-to-lovers dynamic between the protagonists. However, the romance felt underwhelming, and Jackson’s abrasive personality made it hard to root for them as a couple. Overall, it’s a decent, fast-paced read with some flaws, best suited for those who can handle darker themes like violence and murder.

I struggled to get into this one. I like most dual narrated novels but the voices felt disjointed for me, which took away from the story.

This is more of an action story than a romance. Closed door-ish. Trigger warning for guns and suicide.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria Books for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

No thanks. I didn't love this. The plot sounded promising, but it just didn't work for me.

Mackenzie and Jackson are both private investigators in Los Angeles. When they are both hired by a mysterious lawyer to find a missing daughter of a wealthy client, they initially don’t know they are both after the same person. Eventually they find out not two, but THREE PI’s have all be hired to find the mysterious Ashley. Using their individual talents as investigators they often end up at the same place in their investigation. With each interaction, they both start to admire each other’s individual talents. When things go awry, they need to depend on each other and form a defecto team to stay ahead of the threat and keep each other alive.

This was a super cute suspense novel. Light on steam but heavy on chemistry between the two main characters. I have to admit that the twist kept me guessing and interested in speed reading to find out how it all ends. I love a book with a kick a$$ main female character and Mackenzie is that in spades. She is intelligent, insightful, and doesn’t back down. Her counterpart Jackson, is attractive, smart, and he has a sense of morality, even when it the past it caused the downfall of his career in the LAPD. I loved their banter and interactions. If you are looking for a fun read that will make you chuckle and has mystery until the end, you should definitely grab this book.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. Dual POV's trip me up sometimes and this was no different. I was excited for the 2 main black characters but I could not finish this book. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book>

This book is such a pleasant surprise! Unlike many books that use a mix of genres, the authors here know how to use a perfect blend of thriller and romance while developing well-rounded characters. The plotting could've used some more work and I felt that the pacing was inconsistent at times, but the writing was engaging and kept me going.

The plot sounded so promising. I was so excited for black private investigators, romance, drama and excitement. All I got was a boring and whiny male character and a female main character I wanted more from. This book felt like it was trying too hard to be hip and relevant. Everything about this book felt so unrealistic even though the plot was extremely relatable. I felt like I had more fun reading the back of the book than the actual book. I will try again with this author because the writing did keep me afloat. I wanted to finish just to see how things would end and it was pretty predictable for me.

MANNNN this book was crazy good! I loved the feels that this book gave me. It felt like I was watching a high action film like "smokin aces" it was such a thrill. I def enjoyed the build up of the chemistry between the characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Reading this book felt like watching a movie! This was such a fun, exciting, and entertaining read. I loved that there was suspense, humor, rivalry, and some sexual tension. And Mackenzie was such a badass! I absolutely love a strong, black female lead and I found Mackenzie's character to be so loveable. She was intelligent, a risk-taker, and her personality was everything!

I also thought Mackenzie and Jackson had amazing chemistry. Their love/hate relationship was very entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed their banter. I am still rooting for them!

I liked this book. I loved how it was a mystery, yet had elements of comedy and romance. I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to see how the investigation played out and see if our main characters fall in love! This book had me hooked, and I hope these authors release another novel like this!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Sounds Like a Plan was a light-hearted mystery with a little sizzle between the two main characters.

I loved this cover and premise, but found the start of the book to be a bit bumpy. Read some of the other reviews and yikes this isn't for me as a lot of people described the MMC as a creep and misogynist.