Lavender Rhodes has singlehandedly ruined Finn Masters's life, only she doesn't know it. Finn can't pass up the chance of a lifetime to work for the hit sitcom, Neighbors, but dreads having to put up with Lavender. Lavender on the other hand doesn't understand why the new guy's name sounds familiar. One thing leads to another and Finn is determined to get Lavender back for all the things she has done to wrong him, but his payback seems to not work and if anything, makes him feel for Lavender more. Throw in a rambunctious puppy, some baby chicks, a crazy ex-boyfriend, and a very demanding boss and Finn's life is just getting more difficult. Will Finn be able to get payback on Lavender? Will Lavender finally figure out who Finn is? Will Neighbors continue on or will it not survive all the changes this season? How to Plot a Payback is a great rom-com filled with angst, drama, and hilarity. I highly recommend this book for lovers of contemporary rom-coms.

Karma is a bitch. Isn't it just like her that when you think she is finally working on your side she turns around and smacks you upside the head. This book is hilarious, and I love the plot of Finn deliberately trying to take revenge on his evil nemesis (in his mind at least) and it boomerangs on him. Despite the rather obvious homage to Jennifer Annison and Friends I loved this wonderful little Rom-Com, but I thought the ending was a tad rushed.

Finn Masters has suffered agony and defeat, and he lays it all at the feet of America's latest sweetheart, Lavender Rhoades. Now - it's time for a little payback. He has landed his dream job of writing for television's top Rom-Com and he is not going to let his Lavender hex curse it for him. Famous last words. The curse is alive and well and causing Finn more trouble.

Lavender Rhoades is the star of "Neighbors". In its tenth year it is still going strong, but in need of some fresh ideas and that is where Finn comes in. He has some ideas, all right, ideas on how to serve up the perfect payback. But the lovely Lavender is exactly the same wonderful, adored, sweet, optimistic and caring person off the screen as she is on it. Drat, exacting payback is going to be like kicking a puppy.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

Sometimes you know a book just isn’t for you. Sometimes the book is poorly written or poorly paced. Sometimes you just don’t jive with the characters. Sometimes you are tricked into believing it’s smutty, but it’s actually closed door. Sometimes, like in this case, the first 15% of the book is full of dogs. Dogs galore. Big dogs, little dogs, brown dogs, white dogs. Dogs urinating everywhere. Dogs in the workplace, barking like they run the place. Dogs were literally being handed out for free and the heroine of the book took all the leftovers only to try to foist them on her unsuspecting co-workers. I can’t support this. One dog in a book is enough (and sometimes too much), but a gaggle of dogs. No thanks. So while I’m sure this is a great story, I’m gonna have to pass on this one on account of being cockblocked by a pack of canines.

I wish the best for everyone involved in the creation and publishing of this book. I didn’t read enough of it to give it any specific rating other than…

Dogs featured prominently in romance books- neg 9.23 stars
Dog packs featured prominently in romance books- neg 59.87 stars

I just finished and quite enjoyed How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson. Finn and Lavender have known each other since childhood in England and are reunited on a TV sitcom set in LA. Unbeknownst to Lavender, she is responsible for some of the toughest moments in Finn's life (he keeps a list of them). As he tries to get payback for her transgressions, he actually comes to realize that maybe, she isn't the villain after all.

This book is for you if you love a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, no spice romance! Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC to review.

3.5 Stars thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for the E-Book. This is not my first rodeo with books by Melissa Ferguson and just like the others it did not disappoint. I need to say this awwww I found myself saying this so often towards the end of the book.

“He crossed an ocean, and it still wasn’t enough to escape his lifelong nemesis. Now he has to work with her.

Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood’s highest-rated, longest-running sitcoms. The only downside? It will put him back in proximity of the show’s universally adored, optimistic, altruistic star, Lavender Rhodes, who has been inadvertently ruining his life since they were school chums in England. But she doesn’t even know she destroyed his acting career and wrecked his relationship with the love of his life.

He’s not about to let this woman yank yet another dream out from under his feet. In fact, he realizes he’s been given the ideal opportunity to plot his payback: spinning her character in shocking new directions. What could go wrong? Only everything. As Finn’s not-so-brilliant plot backfires one scene after the next, catching him in the blasts, he’s forced to think about this impossible, infuriating…and maybe even lovable woman in an entirely new light.”

**What I enjoyed about this book:
I loved the humor in this story as well as the slow burn between Lavender and Finn! And I also really loved how there was more to the main characters than what was present on the surface!

Read if you like:
*slow burn
*great humor
*opposites attract
*grumpy/sunshine

This was a quick read but didn’t totally hit the mark for me. I love an enemies to lover tale… but I never truly believed that they were enemies. Some of the “payback” came off as really childish and made me want to roll my eyes.

It did pick up towards the end, but I’ve enjoyed some of her other books better (especially Famous for a Living).

This book is an extremely slow burn and it was too much for me. I didn't like either character and at 50% I dnf. I have liked the author's previous books but this one was not for me.

If you enjoy an enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, slow burn book with lots of Witt and humour you definitely need to add this to your tbr.

The plot and characters immediately draw you into the story and even though it is a slow burn the writing is able to keep you engaged and turning the pages. The male main character, Finn sets out to get payback on the female main character Lavender who he thinks has done several wins towards him. They get paired to work together Finn as the head writer/ producer and Lavender as an actress. Where Finn discovers maybe she isn’t as awful as he thought. The characters are lovable the storyline is one that you don’t always see. The perfect book to read on a rainy day or bring shopping with you to the beach.

A fun read, the story of Finn and Lavender. He has had things ruined by her too many times, so now he is plotting payback. I liked how it was told from both points of view.

You know when you read literally one sentence into a new book, and just know you’re going to be instantaneously hooked. That was this book without any hesitation. “Murder is just so tedious.” I mean, COME ON! How can you not get hooked with that opener of a ROMANCE?!

Finn Masters, aka my new crush, is not actually a murderer, but thanks to his screenwriting on a hit drama series, he certainly knows enough. And as much as he has loved the working for show, he wants out. So, when a new opportunity is given, Finn jumps at the chance to write for Neighbors, a hit comedy show. The only downside? The show stars Lavender Rhodes aka Finn’s nemesis… only she doesn’t actually know that they are enemies. So, while Finn decides to sneakily ruin Lavender’s life, he doesn’t account for her charming him. It is such an amazing grumpy and sunshine mix that my smile never left my face!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC because although I had already read Meet Me in the Margins, How to Plot a Payback has solidified that Melissa Ferguson is someone to obsess over!

How can two people impact each other so much yet one be absolutely oblivious? Melissa explains in this book how. Poor Finn has been impacted regularly through his life to date by Lavender, all the way back to highschool. This is a funny story about almost soul mates, like opposite ends of a magnet - frequently attracted and then repelled by each other. Well, only Finn is repelled. The funniest part is that Finn starts to plan paybacks that go horribly wrong and Lavender always comes out smelling like roses - "Not only did I realise just how crippled my own bitterness made me, but I realised how wonderful she is. Wonderful". Great, almost grumpy and sunshine - "I grumble, she cheers. I grimace, she smiles with eyes as bright as the sun." This dual POV book was a lovely read with no spice.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Melissa Ferguson for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review

I am thankful for the gift of an early copy of How to Plot a Payback from NetGalley. This was a fun, light read focused on the world of Lavender and Finn. When the two reconnect after a fateful high school drama debacle….one finds themselves in a perfect place to plot a payback. Time has changed perspective, though, and the grievances and frustrations of high school give way to different feelings as adults. This was a sweet, fun and light book, and I especially loved the character development and relationships Finn mastered with his apartment mates/octogenarians. Such a lovely story!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

The story itself was cute if not predictable and the ending felt rushed but completely accurate for the characters so I'm not sure what to do with that. I loved the characters and their flaws and generally good intentions while having absolutely disastrous results. It was funny and quirky and the side characters were great ways to elevate the main characters and show them for who the were.

#arc
#netgalley
#howtoplotapayback

"How to Plot a Playback" by Melissa Fergeson is a charming rom-com perfect for readers looking for a lighthearted escape. Finn Masters, a screenwriter, lands his dream job writing for a popular sitcom. However, his excitement is dampened when he discovers the show's star is Lavender Rhodes, his childhood nemesis who he believes ruined his acting career and personal life.

The book shines in its portrayal of Finn and Lavender's dynamic. Finn initially seeks revenge, plotting to sabotage Lavender's character on the show. The humor stems from the one-sided animosity, as Lavender remains blissfully unaware of Finn's grudge. This "enemies to lovers" twist keeps the story engaging, with readers rooting for Finn to overcome his misconceptions.

I would have enjoyed more interaction and playful banter between the protagonists. We were almost 25% through the book before they were even in the same room. For readers seeking a clean romance, this book delivers, focusing on character development and emotional connection rather than explicit content.

The setting in Hollywood adds another layer of intrigue. I enjoyed Finn and his living conditions and friends; they added a nice touch. I also enjoyed the ending. Actually I think I enjoyed the last 25% of the book more than the first. So if you think it starts out slow; I would recommend handing in there to finish it.

Recommendation: A delightful choice for fans of lighthearted rom-coms with a touch of revenge fantasy.

I didn’t care of this at all. I was literally 62% through the book when I realized it was supposed to be a romance and not some kind of revenge story. Finn is such an unlikable baby. And Lavender is an oblivious doormat. It became a chore to get through this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Uplit reads for my e-arc of this one.

Unfortunately I did not love this one like I did Famous for a Living.

How to Plot a Payback is a slow burn rom-com. Enemies to lovers follow Finn and Lavendar. Finn, now a successful screenwriter, has held a grudge against Lavendar for years. Now, they are forced to work together again.

For some reason Finn annoyed me so bad. The fact that he blames Lavendar for everything and was so whiny just drove me crazy. Lavendar was not likeable at all and was so self centered. At the end, I just didn’t find myself invested in this story at all

2.5⭐️ (rounded up) I hate giving books less than 3 stars, but ultimately, this book was just not for me. It was very slow and boring in all honesty. I found myself skimming the last few chapters and really had to push through, which is so unfortunate because I have liked previous books by this author.

The characters and plot were bland. Lavender had her head in the clouds and never showed any other emotion other than naivety (if that's even an emotion lol. Perkiness | guess. That’s not an emotion either) And Finn was so petty in his hatred towards Lavendar, if you can call it hatred. It was kind of half baked, and that was supposed to be the whole plot! He made one "payback". And it didn't even go well. So there's that.

In all honesty, I would have liked Lavender to end up with Kye instead of Finn. The story about two celebrities casted as leading actors in the same show would have been a lot more fun for me to read. Cliché maybe, but more interesting for me.

All in all, the best thing about this book was the puppy, and the ending actually wrapped up nicely. This was just my experience, so you may like it if you give it a chance!

Read this if you enjoy:
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Dual POV
- Workplace romance
- British MCs
- Celebrity Romance

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Finn Masters is a screenwriter who gets a job writing for one of TVs biggest sitcoms. The downside is that his lifelong nemesis, Lavender Rhodes stars on the show, but she doesn’t even know she destroyed his acting career and ruined his relationship with the love of his life. Now that they’re working together, Finn finally has the chance to plot his payback and ruin Lavender’s character on the show.

I love books set in Hollywood so I was really excited to read this one. Finn was the perfect grumpy to Lavender’s sunshine, and I loved the dynamic between these two. It was fun reading an enemies to lovers plot when one of the characters didn’t realize they’re the enemy and honestly respected the other one. The banter between these two was funny and sweet, and I loved reading their relationship grow. Both characters were fully developed and well written and experienced growth throughout.

Don’t go into this book expecting a lot of spice. It’s not a steamy romcom. Instead it focused on the relationship between the two protagonists outside of the bedroom. I enjoyed how it was written and how character development was the focus of the author.

I was able to listen along to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Fiona Hardingham and Steve West were cast perfectly and brought Lavender and Finn to life. There were so many laugh out loud moments in this book, and they did an amazing job with the humor as well as the romantic storyline.

This was my first book by Ferguson but it certainly won’t be my last!

Read this is you like:
- Enemies to lovers
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Hollywood settings
- Adorable dogs

Thank you Uplit Reads, Melissa Ferguson, and Thomas Nelson for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.