This has a really interesting premise with two PIs investigating the same missing person case, but I just could not get into it with the writing style.

I enjoyed this missing person mystery. Jackson and Mackenzie are both hired to find the same missing person for a huge pay off. They are both determined to be the one who finds Ashley. Jackson's usual customers pay him well, but he's currently at a loss for clients. Ashley's clients often have to set up payment plans. Throughout the book these polar opposite private investigators develop a unique relationship as they discover that this case isn't what it seems. Although there is sexual chemistry between the characters, this isn't a romance book. However, the ending leaves the story open for a sequel. If you like mysteries with several twists and turns, you'll enjoy this story. Although some of the story is predictable, I was definitely surprised several times. Jackson and Mackenzie are both likeable characters and I highly recommend this book.

2.25 stars

The first half of the book, I was a bit into it but i felt it really started to fall apart once guns were involved. How did these 2 PIs suddenly become superspy killing machines? And how were they not completely traumatized by everything happening? The stakes got too high almost out of nowhere over some very insignificant thing in my opinion. The last 25% moved insanely fast and was all over the place.

The romance also made almost no sense to me. Jackson was mean and immature, the whole thing about drinking black coffee so he didn't seem less masculine was just one of the first red flags for me. I felt it was obvious which parts were written by the male author as well, but I think the female author has potential and I'd be willing to read something of hers alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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

Overall, this was a fun romp through the world of private detectives. The characters were interesting and their dialogue was snappy. The details of the mystery that held the book up felt a bit convoluted and I had to stretch some incredulity to go along for the ride.

Super interesting concept for a story, but the MMC ruined it for me. He was okay until he randomly went on an anti tattoo rant. It was really unnecessary and did nothing to further the story. I almost DNF right then and there.
I liked the FMC, she was the thing that saved the book for me.
I felt like there were moments that felt slow paced, and others that felt super fast. There was a lot of action happening that made me want to keep reading. It also felt like there was a lot of convenience where the “bad guys” always knew where they were going to end up.
Overall this wasn’t the book for me I wouldn’t recommend

From the moment I started this book, I was sucked in! I enjoyed Jackson and Mackenzie a lot. Their banter, chemistry, and bicker was entertaining and made for a great read. The mystery surrounding the missing girl all that happened after she was found was nuts. But it was done so well. This book was fast paced and felt like none stop action in the best of ways. I’d read more books by these authors and I hope there’s more to come for Mac and Jackson. I’d love to see them again!

I received a copy of this for my honest review

I started reading this book and just really didn't get into it. I was immediately turned off when the character described himself as Denzel in the 90's handsome. I understand being confident, but it's just not for me.

Can’t wait to read this.

I love this genre. A little bit of suspense with the romance ❤️❤️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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

Not gonna lie, this pulled me in a lot more than I expected it to. The actual mystery had me hooked. The stakes kept inching higher and higher once everything got real which made me invested because it was realistic. I would’ve liked more concern for Jackson & Mackenzie’s to be mentioned, considering how dangerous this situation quickly became. Based on how it ended, I could see this expanding into a nice thriller romance series and I’d be down to read it.

I appreciated the pacing of the story; nothing moved too fast or too slow, & the tension had a decent build up. Spice level:🌶️🌶️ I personally like a looooot of spice, but I can understand the minimizing of it to focus more on the MCs’ character development (especially Jackson).

Now, what I didn’t like: the unnecessary, rampant misogyny spewed by Jackson in the first half or so of the book. It was so extra and seeing as how when shit hit the fan it significantly diminished, it wasn’t necessary to begin with. There are other ways to paint Jackson as a jerk. There was also a really ugly joke using ASD as the butt of it; it’s 2024, I would think we would’ve moved beyond making ableist jokes by now.

I also would’ve liked to know a bit more about their respective practices, especially the people that work with them. Since they are both running small businesses with one other employee, it wouldn’t hurt to give a little more background on them (take out the misogyny and ableism and put this in instead).

This is a pretty good book. My first read for these authors, and I’m not mad at it.

Mackenzie Cunningham and Jackson Jones are the duo we didn’t know we needed. This unlikely pair of PIs team up to solve a disappearance that quickly turns to murder. Disagreements, arguments, and gunplay ensue, as does a smoldering attraction. I hope this book turns into a series, something Pamela Samuels Young has mastered with her Vernetta Henderson and Angela Evans/Dre Thomas characters. I enjoyed this book, rooted for these characters and hope to see them again soon. 3 and a half stars…

I read the ARC version, and it was so much fun. I devoured it in almost one sitting. The story was amazing, and I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. The plot is fairly typical—two private investigators take on a high-paying case that can save their businesses. Without much hesitation, they agree, but soon they realize something suspicious is going on.

Some plot twists were rather obvious, but the ending was fantastic! It was so good. Overall, I'd rate it around 4.2 or 4.5. Totally recommend!

Sounds Like a Plan is an action-packed mystery romance written by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith. In this book, we are introduced to two African-American Private Investigators named Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham. They both are based in Los Angeles and are hired separately to find the same missing person. The first one to find the missing person earns $50,000! This incentive naturally leads to a rivalry, yet their attraction to one another is evident to them and others. This attraction becomes undeniable as they realize that they are both in danger and must put their differences to the side and work together to not only crack the case but to stay alive!

The authors do a wonderful job of showing the different perspectives and personalities of Jackson and Mackenzie by switching the voice of who is telling the story. This book is filled with intrigue, humor, and surprises. I had to force myself to put the book down each evening because I wanted to not only discover the solution to the mystery but also find out if Jackson and Mackenzie decide to become long lasting partners in more ways than one.

Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is scheduled to be released on July 9, 2024.

This is the book version of an action movie with a bit of romance thrown in.

The two Black protagonists are private investigators who are hired separately to work the same case, a disappearance. The story proceeds with lots of chips on the shoulder and jockeying for position as Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham try to beat each other to the finish and collect a big cash bonus. They are both smart, independent and hot (of course).

But somewhere along the line the story explodes into a series of action scenes with guns, shootouts, ambushes and mysterious men in black clothing battling it out with our heros. And the two main characters are attracted to each other, but ...

There is some fun along the way and a lot of banter, but the plot often feels cartoonish and improbable. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun ride and I especially enjoyed the banter and attraction between Mackenzie and Jackson. The plot seemed to lose focus at times but overall was a good read.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is silly because this is a very well written book but I did not enjoy it. I think the marketing might be a bit of an issue there. I thought this was a romantic suspense, not a suspense with romantic elements. Both those things are very different and sadly this book is the latter. Which, of course, is not bad on it's own but when you have expectations of reading a romance heavy book and then book is not that... You're disappointed. Like I was.

I'm torn on this one. Interesting cover, great sound to the synopsis. But I could definitely tell there were two different voices. I loved one POV but not the other. I struggled with the male POV and I dreaded his parts of the story. It took away from my enjoyment and was distracting.

I wish I'd liked it more.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book was wonderfully written! The characters are so realistic and relatable, and the plot is one you can get lost in. I would definitely recommend!

I didn’t get to finish this, but it also didn’t hook me. Seems fun, but wasn’t my cup of tea. The writing did not grab me and make me want to keep reading.

This was a new-to-me author(s) but I was hooked by the cover and description. I love a good detective story, and I've recently enjoyed hijinks-y books like Partners in Crime, To Have and To Heist, and The Blonde Identity. This did not disappoint! The plot was going full speed ahead for the whole book. The characters were full-fledged adults who held their own with each other. The secondary characters were compelling and entertaining. I think this book flirts with the romance genre; it's heavy on romantic elements, but the complete romantic arc isn't there, though the groundwork is laid for it to continue in future books. This would be great for people who already enjoy romantic suspense or thrillers. I enjoyed this and looking forward to the next one!

Jackson Jones, a 35-year-old private investigator with an office in Century City, California and Mackenzie Cunningham, a 34-year-old private investigator with an office in Inglewood, are each visited by Raymond Patterson. Raymond Patterson needs to find Ashley Cross, the adopted daughter of an ill client.

This book alternates between Jackson and Mackenzie, so these characters are important. Unfortunately, I just didn’t care about them enough to make this an enjoyable read. I still appreciate being given the opportunity to read and review SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN. Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the ARC.