Sounds Like A Plan Archives

Sounds Like Trouble is the second book in a fun contemporary mystery series co-written by Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith. Jackson and Mackenzie are back at it, this time officially partners in a joint PI firm, and there is just as much drama this time around.

Their last case caught the attention of some very intimidating crime lords, who “ask” Jackson and Mackenzie for some help with a little problem they have. There’s a package they need tracked down – discreetly.

This pair is electric. They’re sassy, capable, and oh-so-compatible. The level of action and danger is just as high as it was in book one. It’s a breakneck pace that will keep you flying through the pages!

I hope this is just the latest in a looong list of installments in this series, because it is such a breath of fresh air. If you’re looking for a fun and refreshing read this summer, please don’t sleep on this series!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Sounds Like Trouble (Sounds Like A Plan #2)
Author:: Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Genre:: Contemporary Mystery/Thriller
Publisher:: Atria Books
Length:: 256 pages
Audio Length:: 6h
Audiobook Narrator:: Jaime Lincoln Smith & Angel Pean
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Sounds Like A Plan | Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It | Elle Cosimano
All the Missing Pieces | Catherine Cowles

Sometimes a bookworm has to do some retail therapy, am I right? I picked this book up on a whim on one of those such occasions because it looks compelling and fun rejuvenating and man, I was not disappointed!

Sounds Like A Plan by Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith Book Cover

Jackson and Mackenzie are both PIs in their own struggling firms. Jackson specializes in high profile (read: rich AF) clients, and Mackenzie’s offices are figuratively on the other side of the tracks and actually falling apart. Both of them are in dire need of some cash flow, and what do you know, some random lawyer steps into both their offices, separately, offering a boatload of it if they drop everything to find a missing girl. They both think the case is theirs alone (why wouldn’t they) until they bump into each other while chasing leads (a few times). Turns out, the guy hired a few people and whoever finds the mark first gets the payday. The third PI in the bunch is a sleezebag who runs a stripclub so Jackson and Mac team up and will split the cash.

This book is exactly what it looks like. Fast paced, action-packed, filled with sexual tension – chef’s kiss! It was one thing after another for this dynamic duo, and I was screaming for them to get together the whole time. It was the perfect balance of thriller, comedy, and romance, and I flew through it!

I loved the way the characters played off one another. Jackson has a taste for the finer things and Mackenzie dabbles in Krav Maga. She’s tough as nails and Jackson is constantly surprised and delighted by her. I am so excited this is a series, because I think there is so much to dig into with their backstories, and I can’t wait to see what else might develop between them. *waggles eyebrows*

I really wavered giving this book 5 stars, and really, maybe I should. The part that bothered me was at the beginning their two narratives (dual POV) were almost an exact mirror of them taking the exact same steps, going to the exact same places, getting the exact same information in the exact same order. Eh. I thought that wasn’t necessary. It would have been more interesting if there was SOME variation there. Luckily that part only lasts maybe 15% of the book (?), and it’s not a deal breaker.

If you’re looking for a fun and flirty new thriller mystery series, I can’t recommend this one highly enough. Book two comes out later this summer!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Sounds Like A Plan (Sounds Like A Plan #1)
Author:: Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Genre:: Crime Thriller
Publisher:: Atria Books
Length:: 320 pages
Audio Length:: 7h 21m
Audiobook Narrator:: Jaime Lincoln Smith & Angel Pean
Published:: July 9th, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars