*****3.5*****
This book is lighthearted, fun, and engaging. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the narration is really funny. I found myself smiling a lot and chuckling as I read. I do wish the "payback" part of the story was developed further, but I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and the setting was really interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it to people looking for a quick, light read that will make them smile and maybe swoon a little bit.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-copy of the book.

🎬 How to Plot a Payback ARC Review 🎬

Release Day: April 2nd, 2024

I was given an ARC of this book from @thomasnelson @ourfriendlyfarmhouse and @netgalley and I am SO glad I requested this book. I am adding Melissa Ferguson to my list of authors to keep an eye out for! 🥰

What does this book have? 👇🏻

🎥 Show biz story in a non-spicy setting
🎥 writer MMC *cough, he’s British, cough*
🎥 actress FMC
🎥 NA aged characters
🎥 🐶🐶🐶 cuteeee pups
🎥 clever dialogue
🎥 funny mishaps
🎥 real feelings

One of my favorite silly parts is Finn’s school being called Welling. I picture him singing the Welling school song just like Ryan sings the Wellington school song in @officialnewgirl 🤭🤣

If you like clean romance, witty dialogue, and NA aged characters, this story might be right for you! 😍💕🧡💛💜

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Content: 🍓🍓🍓🍓

Touchy Topics: revenge, payback, dishonesty, fear

#bookreview #advancedreaderscopy #arcreview #arcreviewer #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #writersofbookstagram #authorsofbookstagram #release #releaseday #pubday #publication #newbook

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Rating Scale:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: PERFECT. Probably cried
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Wonderful, just not top 10
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Good! Most books fit here
⭐️⭐️: Not really my cup of tea
⭐️: Basically DNF

Content Scale:

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓: Squeaky clean!
🍓🍓🍓🍓: Appropriate for most readers
🍓🍓🍓: Heavy topics, likely 18+
🍓🍓: Intense scenes about heavy topics
🍓: Tread lightly

🦇 How to Plot a Payback Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite sitcom? ❓

🦇 Even after adjusting career paths and crossing an ocean, screenwriter Finn Masters just can't manage to escape his childhood nemesis. Now he has to work with her on the set of Neighbors, one of Hollywood's longest-running, highest-rated sitcoms. Shining star Lavender Rhodes is completely unaware that she ruined his relationship and destroyed his acting career, though there is something about Finn that keeps pulling her into his orbit. As Finn plots his payback, will he recognize why Lavender is so universally adored...and even fall a little himself?

💜 Melissa Ferguson's prose is sharp, witty, playful, and engaging all in one go. Once you fall into the story, there's no getting out until the end. What seems like a fun little romcom is actually brimming with important messages. As his plot to get payback fails over and OVER, Finn starts to see Lavender in a new light. This story is a prime example of how someone can play the villain in our stories, only for us to appear as a background character. The ending (pre-epilogue) was brilliant and sweet; proof of how much Finn has learned about Lavender once he truly got dragged into her orbit.

💙 While this is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, we don't actually FEEL the emotions bubble and boil over. It's difficult to develop any emotional connection with either main character. Maybe seeing every moment Lavender unintentionally ruined Finn's life as a flashback, instead of as a brief account from Finn, would have added that emotional depth. While this was a slow burn, the actual falling is so sudden that it feels out of place, only for readers to get whisked into a happily-ever-after epilogue. My biggest problem (you've heard this before) was everything related to the sitcom. My gf works in film and the inaccuracies pulled me out of the story every time (no set can survive with so FEW PAs).

🦇 Recommended for fans of Falon Ballard and Ava Wilder.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🎬 (One-Sided) Enemies to Lovers
⭐️ Hollywood/Workplace Romance
🎬 Forced Proximity
⭐️ Slowburn
🎬 Grumpy/Sunshine
⭐️ Hijinks

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

💬 Quotes
❝ Still, that’s how a story grows: from mistakes that cause consequences that cause realizations. And from digging out of holes. ❞
❝ Because people can admire the sketch of a perfect person on paper, but they relate to, they love, they hate, they weep for, they root for three-dimensional people with both virtues and vices who grow out of the page. Ashley Krane was too perfect. She needed to become alive. ❞
❝ She’s so good at ruining my life that of course I should’ve suspected she could ruin my payback. ❞
❝ “Here’s the thing, Lavender. If there’s one thing I’ve learned of late, it’s that dreams can shift, can change. They grow and evolve into new and different dreams— sometimes fashioned by outside forces, sometimes by change of heart. I’ve learned, from you actually, how my dreams could change due to external forces. And it’s not a bad thing. But this time, it’s a mix. I saw an opportunity, and I reached for it. Sure, I’m going back to a detective series. But I’d do it again in a minute. Because you are my bigger dream now. I don’t care what I’m writing, so long as I get to share my days with you.” ❞

Screenwriter Finn Masters lands a job on hit sitcom Neighbors, which happens to be the series Lavander Rhodes, whom he hates, stars in. As Lavander has been inadvertently ruining his life ever since they were in school, Finn has done his best to avoid her, but then decides to use his new position to get a little payback by messing around with her character.

This book genuinely was so much fun, and such an incredibly fast read; the story flowed so perfectly and I couldn't put it down. As someone with a deep fascination for the writing process in shows and movies, I found the setting so interesting and it definitely helped hooking me into the story.

I absolutely adored Lavander as a character and her development through the book. She is such a bubbly, sweet person, and it was fun watching Finn realize how wrong he was about her as the story develops. Now, when it comes to Finn, he did take a while to grow on me: at first, I found him annoying and quite childish, but as the story progressed and we got to know more of him, it got clearer how "out of character" his hatred for Lavander was. The cast of supporting characters was generally great, they had their fun moments and added a lot of comedy to the plot.

The story definitely is heavier on the comedy rather than the romance, which properly kicks off the last 30% or so of the book, but I didn't really mind that, even though I will say the switch felt pretty sudden, especially on Finn's part, but it wasn't too bad for me. I really loved the way the story wrapped up, it just made sense, and it was a great way to conclude everyone's story.

Reading this felt like watching one of those comfort romcoms on a rainy day, and I would definitely recommend it if that is what you're looking for. Lovable characters, silly attempts at "revenge", and enjoyable characters all around. Truly couldn't ask for anything more.

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

This was a cute romcom! A little enemies to lovers where only Finn knew they were enemies. The main theme of animals made my heart very happy! I did really love Lavender but Finn got on my nerves a little holding a grudge which felt a little childish. I do enjoy a book set in Hollywood whether it be on a movie set or a tv show. This one was definitely a slow burn and took a little to pick up pace but I did enjoy the story. Also keep in mind this is a closed door romcom!

Thank you to everyone for this early gifted copy of How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson!

What can I say? Melissa does it again with her wonderful, fun romantic comedies. I can't get enough. Please keep them coming.

This story was a quick read, with fun characters that had me laughing and giggling at times, rooting for them and their relationship, and living for the happily ever after that you just know is to come.

If you love enemies to lovers, Hollywood, animals, sitcoms and genuinely good people, you'll love this book.

This book wasn’t for me. I found it quite messy and confusing most of the time. The characters were really shallow. Based on the premies and the titel I expected that it focused a lot more on the payback plans, but I felt like they were barely there.
The main characters falling for each other felt forced and unrealistic.
It took me the longest time getting through it and I almost didn’t finish it. It’s not a book I would recommend.

Melissa Ferguson has done it again. I adored Lavender and Finn, not to mention the amazing side characters. How to Plot a Payback is all about love, grumpy-misguided grudges, and laughter! With the coziness of an episode of Friends, an actress heroine like a Disney Princess, and a bookish grump screenwriter, this book is a great clean rom-com read!

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

I normally really enjoy Ferguson's work, but I didn't finish this one. The characters weren't as nuanced as hers usually are, and I felt like they were unrealistic. They seemed like sitcom characters themselves. Because of the characters, I couldn't connect to the story in any way, though the dogs were cute. I might try this one again later, but it's not for me right now.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I did like it overall.

I always love an enemies to lovers type of book, and this was definitely that.

I did find it a little wordy at times, and while I did not love it, I liked it, and I could see others liking it too.

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book and now I can't wait to go back and read more.  
She really brought the COM in rom-com!!  I was giggling most of the way through.  The characters were hilarious and loveable with a little grumpy sunshine theme going on.  And all the dogs...swoooon!!
Imagine getting offered your dream job only to find out that you're working alongside the common denominator of all things that went wrong in your life.  Plotting a payback is Finn's only viable solution, right?  Until it backfires!!  Maybe there is more to Lavender that meets the eye.
This was a slower burn, flirty romance with sweet banter and hilarious situations.  #thechickens

Read if You Like:
-Hollywood Relationships
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Dogs
-Laughing Out Loud
-Clever Rom-Com's

Easy read. I personally didn’t connect to the characters well but the overall story was good. I liked that the MMC was a writer. I think the biggest reason I struggled with this book was the chapter lengths, especially in the beginning.

Overall, just a really fun rom-com! I love Melissa Ferguson's style and this novel was no different. Classically funny, delightful characters, and some shockingly mature and healthy communication. And a bonus for precious pups and the sweetest older neighbors.

This book is so light and fun, with genuinely little tension, no frustrating miscommunication tropes, and a sprinkle of grumpy x sunshine goodness. I sped through it in a day and it was the perfect cheerful story for my soul. A reminder of why I read every Ferguso book that comes out. :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

“I’m a happily married forty-year-old mother with sixteen years of sleep deprivation who peeled dried macaroni off my hair on the way to work this morning. I need a good story. I need to feel the drama.”
If you also need a good story & need to feel the drama, pick up this absolutely delightful book! Settle in for a clever, clean, & comedic love story with a unique plot. Who doesn’t love a dual pov romcom, with a BRITISH male lead no less!

As I read I felt little nods to well-loved stories like You’ve Got Mail with the slow-fall & enemies-to-lovers themes. It’s the classic dilemma of “I wanted to hate her, and yet I fell in love with her” that sucks us in (i.e. Pride & Prejudice).

The plot is quick and moves along nicely, the dialogue is clever & witty, and the characters are developed well! Through the two POVs, you’ll fall in love with both Lavender and Finn / and see how they then fall for each other!

Fans of Katherine Center would enjoy this squeaky clean alternative!
😇 Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson); no references whatsoever to faith or spirituality
🤐 No language
😍 A couple sweet kisses

Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

dnf at 30% i am genuinely sorry but the writing style just isn’t for me and the format was really hard for me to separate the chapters.

**THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

Talk about grumpy x sunshine- Lavender is sunshine personified. I loved this one! I love almost anything that is entertainment industry adjacent, so this was right up my alley. One of my favorite parts of a good enemies to lovers is the character growth that comes with their falling in love, and the MCs had such great communication! This was also laugh-out-loud funny. Loved this!

Reading this book was like binge watching your favorite sitcom - entertaining, funny, adorable, and engaging.
This is my second Melissa Ferguson book and I really, really loved it.
Release date - 04/02/2024

Recap -
Finn Masters is a screenwriter for a very successful murder drama in Hollywood - and now he has the opportunity to move up and write for the most popular sitcom on the air, Neighbors. It is the perfect job for him - except for the star, Lavender Rhodes, is his sworn enemy. Growing up in the same school in London, their lives have been connected since, even if Lavender does not recall the MANY times she ruined things for Finn. But now, as the new producer of Neighbors, he has the chance to ruin Lavender's life, one plot line at a time. Through accidents, frustrations, and unexpected turns, Finn and Lavender may end up being in each other's life, in an unexpected way.

Review -
Honestly, this book read like a sitcom. It was quick, witty, funny, and engaging. I can see the dual POV chapters as a sitcom episode and it made for an easy, enjoyable read. The characters were likable, the side characters were endearing, and who doesn't love dogs, cats, and the occasional duckling in a story? This was one of the best ARCs I have read this year and I know you will all enjoy it.

Read if you like:
Grumpy /Sunshine
Sitcoms Behind the scenes
Dual POV
Celebrity Romance
Enemies to Lovers

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of this author and all of her books, so I promise I’m not just fangirling when I say this novel is everything! "How to Plot a Payback" by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful blend of wit and warmth, taking readers on a humorous adventure through the tangled webs of Hollywood. With a dash of revenge and a sprinkle of unexpected romance, this novel delivers the freshest take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.

Meet Finn Masters: He’s a successful screenwriter who lands his dream job writing for a beloved sitcom. There’s a slight catch, though. He'll be working closely with the show's star. The same star who derailed his acting career. He can remain professional and not seek payback, right?

Meet Lavender Rhodes. She’s the star actress on a beloved sitcom. Everything is great until she finds out who the new writer is. You don’t think he remembers when she destroyed his relationship with the love of his life during their school days in England, do you?

Readers join Finn as he seizes the opportunity for payback. His plan? I’m not telling, you have to read and find out for yourself. What will happen as Finn's maybe-not-so-brilliant plot unfolds? Will he finally triumph over his nemesis?

I adored the witty banter and moments of vulnerability. Ferguson is able to pen tender moments infused with humour, causing her characters to leap off of the page. Thats one of the things I love about Ferguson's writing: her humour. It shines through, making this novel (and every novel she writes) the perfect escape for readers wanting some laughter, heart, and charm.

I found this novel to be a delightfully enjoyable read that doesn't shy away from deeper themes. Ferguson uses magic to create a story full of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. She reminds us readers that sometimes the best revenge is the unexpected twist of fate.

Pre-Order your copy today because it won’t be on shelves for long when it’s released, 02 April 2024! Another great novel from Ferguson that is sure to have book clubs talking all spring and summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first time reading a Melissa Ferguson novel.

Plot: In this book, two Brits who grew up together end up working on the same t.v. show in Hollywood. The male MC (Finn) has had some perceived wrongs done to him in the past by the female MC (Lavender) and he'd like a little dose of payback.



Review: This is a slow burn, closed door romance. Maybe add in a dash of enemies to lovers. Heavy on the com, light on the rom and I am just fine with that. I like Finn and Lavender's characters and the fact that their childhood ties them together. The first half of the book found me wanting to dislike Lavender but entirely unable to. Finn's character is reserved/nerdy yet has a great sense of humor. Their interactions I'd say are best described as "hijinks". The side characters are a great mix of endearing and irritating. The majority of them are quite memorable, especially Finn's neighbor. Due to this being a slow burn romcom, the ending could potentially be perceived as rushed but I felt that it was written well enough that I didn't get that vibe whatsoever. I thought that this book was very funny, very light-hearted, and something I'd like to see in a movie theater.

3.5/5 - When I started this book, I felt like Finn was just too grumpy. I know a grumpy guy/sunshine girl is a big trope that people like, but I felt like it might have been too extreme in this case and would be too much to overcome. But by the end, I was won over.

Are there some details from the plot and things about the characters that I found unrealistic? Of course. Lavender is just too much sunshine and forgiveness. And while that made for good communication moments, it made her feel a little bit flat. I also found everything about the show to be kind of unbelievable. I didn’t see the depth to the show that I would assume should exist for it to have won multiple Emmys. Also, do they really film year round, no breaks? Because that’s not normal or necessary. I also would have liked to see at least one of Finn’s plans come to fruition.

Overall, I feel like this book has some glaring issues. With that being said, it was still a very enjoyable read to me once I got past the first few chapters.

Note: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.