How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson has quickly become one of my top picks from her, and I can’t recommend it enough! If you’re a fan of grumpy/sunshine dynamics, slow-burn romances, and hilarious enemies-to-lovers tropes, this one’s for you.

The book has a fantastic one-sided enemies-to-lovers vibe, with Finn’s feelings toward Lavender being both comical and relatable. You can’t help but feel for him as he navigates his frustration with her—until you, just like Finn, start to really get to know the real Lavender. And then, of course, you fall just as hard for her as he does!

Lavender was such a refreshing character. I loved how self-aware she was and how she never took herself too seriously. Her mission to help everyone, whether human or animal, was so endearing. And I can’t forget about the dogs—Bernie and Miles were the absolute cutest! Lavender and Finn’s chemistry and banter were spot on, and while there were plenty of moments for misunderstandings, their communication really made everything work. And the grand gesture? Perfection.

This book had everything I love—wit, heart, and adorable pups. What more could you ask for?

Book 049 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I enjoyed this and as always because there is 0 spice. I don't need to be told how to picture love scenes if at all thank you very much.

If I had read this before her latest, it would have been an instant five-star. Easy to read, good flow, but I felt that her writing grows with each book.

Having read almost all of @ourfriendlyfarmhouse books, you will know what I mean. Can't wait for the next one!

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
A story of rivalry, revenge, and unexpected twists
Melissa Ferguson's "How to Plot a Payback" is a fun and heartwarming story about rivalry, redemption, and the ups and downs of human relationships. Through Finn and Lavender's wild ride, Ferguson explores themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and the power of empathy. The novel reminds us that sometimes, the people we see as our enemies might help us heal. As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a mix of humor, heart, and relatable characters.
"How to Plot a Payback" is a delightful and heartwarming read that showcases Melissa Ferguson's talent for creating engaging stories. Through Finn and Lavender's journey, Ferguson shows us that life's unexpected turns can lead to personal growth and that sometimes, the best revenge is finding peace within ourselves.

How to Plot a Payback is such a cute and funny story. I love Melissa Ferguson books, and this one is no different. This is a book I've read and listened to (the audio) several times because it's so lighthearted, feel-good, and is just like visiting with an old friend. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to read and listen to it through NetGalley, in addition to listening to it through my local library.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

It was a good plot but I couldn't get through it. Really liked the first 50% of the book. Wish the pace was maintained and the story went somewhere. Anyways, on to next.

This is the first time I have read a book of Melissa Ferguson’s, but it will not be my last one! Melissa writes very witty and funny stories that have a little bit of romance mixed in. This book is centered around two characters. The first one is Finn Masters. He has just landed his dream job of writing for a sitcom. Until he finds out who the Lead actress is. That would be Lavender Rhodes, his nemesis. She has ruined his life without even knowing that. He is not going to let her ruin his life again. So he plots a payback! Everything that could go wrong does and it’s written in such a very funny dialogue. You will be thoroughly captivated reading this story. I am now a dedicated Melissa Ferguson book fan!

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish, and I found it incredibly accessible. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

this book was really confused but I think this one's on me bcs i'm a bit stupid and couldn’t connect with the characters
thank you netgalley for the arc

*How to Plot a Payback* by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful rom-com that blends humour, charm, and a touch of mischief. Finn Masters, a successful screenwriter, lands his dream job on a beloved sitcom, only to discover he’ll be working with Lavender Rhodes, the ever-optimistic star who, in his eyes, has been ruining his life since their school days. What follows is a hilariously misguided attempt at revenge that, unsurprisingly, doesn’t go as planned.

The story excels in its lighthearted tone and quirky characters. Finn’s grumpy scepticism pairs wonderfully with Lavender’s sunny disposition, creating a fun dynamic full of banter and unexpected depth. The supporting characters, including some mischievous dogs and sassy neighbours, add warmth and laughter to the narrative. The writing flows easily, and there are plenty of moments that will make you chuckle or even laugh out loud.

However, the book isn’t without its flaws. Finn’s vendetta against Lavender sometimes feels overly petty, especially given how much time has passed since their school days. While his reasons are explained, they might have resonated more strongly if shown through flashbacks rather than described in a list. Additionally, the romance, though sweet, takes a backseat to the revenge plot, which might disappoint readers expecting a more traditional love story.

Despite these minor issues, *How to Plot a Payback* is an entertaining and heartwarming read. It’s perfect for fans of slow-burn romances, laugh-out-loud antics, and stories about learning not to judge a book by its cover. If you’re looking for a cosy, uplifting rom-com with just the right amount of chaos, this one’s worth picking up!

I love all of Melissa's books and this one is so cute!!

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful and witty rom-com that’s impossible to put down. The story centers on Finn Masters, a successful screenwriter who lands his dream job on the beloved sitcom Neighbors. But there's a catch—he's now working with Lavender Rhodes, the cheerful, altruistic star who has unintentionally ruined his life for years. From sabotaging his acting career to wrecking his previous relationship, Lavender is Finn's long-time nemesis, and he's not about to let her ruin yet another opportunity.

Determined to get payback, Finn starts to plot ways to rewrite Lavender's character in increasingly ridiculous and shocking directions. However, his plan quickly unravels in hilarious ways, forcing him to reassess his feelings toward her. As their rivalry plays out on set, the chemistry between Finn and Lavender becomes undeniable, leading to a heartwarming journey from enemies to lovers.

Ferguson's writing is sharp, humorous, and full of heart, making this a perfect read for fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes, witty banter, and slow-burn romance. The chemistry between Finn and Lavender is electric, and their growing connection provides both laugh-out-loud moments and genuine emotional depth. If you love rom-coms with memorable characters and unexpected twists, How to Plot a Payback is sure to be a hit.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How to Plot a Payback is the second book I’ve read by Melissa Ferguson.

The trope of grumpy X sunshine in the blurb is what hooked me.

At first, I was so annoyed by Lavender did not find her apparent lack of self-awareness to be charming. I mean, what kind of monster doesn’t like baby chicks? (Yes, I know the backstory was traumatic).

Finn is definitely not perfect either. His creepy list of Lavender’s past misdeeds is indeed creepy. Who obsesses this much about events that happened so long ago that arguably were coincidental?

His revenge/justice plot is even creepier. After he finally starts to realize he may actually like Lavender, he commences another phase of his revenge plan. Which fails of course.

But the thing about good storytelling is little by little characters change and evolve, enchanting you with all the little whimsical things about themselves that they each start to fall for each other in the story.

This was a slow read for me but it picked up pace toward the end of the story and I finally got the romance the author was going for.

I’m not sure this was for me, but another reader might enjoy it.

Cute and simple! I think it was very lovely and sweet, but also forgettable and I wouldn't reread it

Very light and a bit naive book. For my personal taste not enough angst and passion. Both characters are likable.

I was so excited for this one when I read the synopsis. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into it because I didn't like the main characters, and based on their dialogue I couldn't find myself rooting for them to get together, they seemed too different and not in a good way - Finn came off as a little mean sometimes. I stopped reading around 20% in. The writing was decent overall, so I'd definitely be willing to try more works from Melissa Ferguson in the future.

Witty, adorable, wonderful. Melissa Ferguson at her finest! A must for fans of Friends and five-star clean romcoms!

While I didn't love this rom com between a tv writer and sitcom star, I did find a quick and entertaining read.

Melissa is an auto buy author for me. I wanted to LOVE this new release, but I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood or what. This one was good, not great for me.

The premise is that Finn Masters has landed his dream job as a writer on the TV Show, Neighbors. However, it means working with his arch nemesis, Lavender Rodes who has ruined his life before and appears to be possibly doing it again. Although to be fair, she doesn't remember Finn.

Despite his years-long grudge working together seems to be breaking down those walls and building a friendship between the two.

This is a cute RomCom set against the backdrop of Hollywood with a childhood/adolescents history. Super fast read.

This book is super cozy. The characters are hilarious and the banter between them is great. I would have liked for them to focus more on the romance rather than the comedy but I still would recommend.

I had high hopes this for book based on the blurb and set up but I just didn't like the male lead and I didn't want them to get together.