How to Plot a Payback is a dual perspective romantic comedy that follows Finn and Lavender. Finn, a workaholic screen writer, has a bone to pick with Lavender. She’s easy going and an actress for Finn’s current show.

I have a love/hate relationship with romcoms. It’s rare that I find more than a couple a year that I truly have fun reading. This is that kind of book. I was entertained from page one.

Our characters’ points of view were written in a way that I could tell who I was following without struggling. The plot is creative, and I laughed a lot. I didn’t want to stop reading. The content is clean and realistic.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Who knew plotting a payback could be so witty, clever and romantic? Melissa Ferguson has taken us on a journey of Finn and Lavender’s life from childhood chums to working together on Lavender’s sitcom. High jinx ensue and feelings grow as these friends discover feelings for each other that are more than either expected. With a supporting cast of adopted grandparents, Finn’s writer friend Paula and Lavender’s bff/coworker Sonya you have a complete cast for meddling to rom-com love.
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
"How to Plot a Payback" by Melisa Ferguson is a delightful and humorous exploration of love, revenge, and the unpredictable twists life can throw our way. As a first-time reader of Ferguson's work, I found this book to be a pleasant surprise that combines wit, romance, and unexpected turns.

The title itself is intriguing and sets the stage for a narrative that promises a unique take on the familiar theme of plotting revenge. Drawing parallels to the charm of 'How I Met Your Mother,' Ferguson weaves a narrative that cleverly blends humor with the complexities of relationships. Ferguson's writing style is engaging, filled with witty dialogue and comedic situations that keep the reader entertained. The characters are well-developed, each contributing to the overall humor and charm of the story.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to infuse humor without compromising on the emotional depth of the characters. The balance between funny anecdotes and heartfelt moments creates a well-rounded reading experience. The pacing is well-maintained, ensuring that the plot unfolds at a comfortable speed, keeping the reader invested throughout.

The central theme of the story, emphasizing how even the most carefully plotted revenge can be derailed by the unexpected, adds a layer of intrigue and unpredictability. It's a reminder that life, much like a good story, is full of surprises.

While the book follows a familiar romantic comedy formula, it manages to inject freshness into the genre through its well-crafted characters and the author's witty narrative style. "How to Plot a Payback" is a lighthearted and entertaining read that delivers on its promises, leaving readers with a smile on their faces. "How to Plot a Payback" is a humorous and enjoyable novel that successfully captures the essence of unexpected encounters and the twists that love can bring. I look forward to exploring more of Melisa Ferguson's work in the future.

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson was such a delightful read! Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson imprint for letting me read the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Finn Masters has had his life turned inside-out by Lavender Rhodes numerous times, so much so that when he joins the writing team of her show, he declares payback on her. I thought the dynamic between outwardly-seeming grumpy, ne’er do well Finn and do-gooder, highly optimistic Lavender was so strong. Her unawareness made Finn’s exasperation that much more compelling, along with the hilarity that ensues because of it. The side characters are intriguing as well, from Sonya to Kye to Paula, and it all comes together to tell a great story. I felt the switch of Finn’s feelings may have snapped too quickly, and the romance felt a little rushed for me at the end. I think their communication was such a strong point of this book where miscommunication tropes could have easily disturbed their dynamic. The failed attempts at payback and the one-sided hatred was such a fun plot to read, and I applaud Ferguson for a great novel!

I was provided an early copy of this book by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Paperback in exchange for my honest review.

Finn is a tv scriptwriter with a long list of grievances caused by the beautiful Hollywood sweetheart Lavender. He now has the opportunity of his career to work on the hit sitcoms Neighbors, which of course Lavender stars in. Can he get past these decades longs slights to maintain his dream job or will she ruin it all for him yet again?

SPOILERS AHEAD
~~~~~
While the concept of this payback situation drew me in initially the book just fell apart and began annoying me barely 20% in. Throughout the story the chapters alternate between both Finn’s and Lavender’s perspectives offering inner insight into both of their experiences. I like this style of writing but I hated both of these characters. Finn came across as too whiney and honestly lacking a spine and Lavender was just too perfectly sweet to be real. The payback concept was dropped pretty quickly and their “romance” just felt so phony. I wanted to DNF a few times but pushed through which I now regret.

really cute and fun romance that had some really wacky tricks. something I'd say would def fit a nice summer romance.

It took me a rather long time to disassociate the Neighbours in this book with the beloved Australian soap opera. That was a huge struggle for me in the beginning.

Overall the book didn't work for me, I found the characters rather difficult to like. Lavender was incredibly annoying, and there was little to no explanation for her LONG STANDING grudge against Finn which made that difficult to see why.

I was excited to get my Netgally approval for How to Plot a Payback since the plot seemed like it would be a fun, light romcom. The main male character Finn, is a television writer who gets his dream job writing for a television show whose star is his nemesis Lavender Rhodes. Finn blames Lavender for every major bad thing in his life to date, and Lavender goes through her charmed life trying to be altruistic and "improve" people's lives in any way she can - whether they want her to or not. See...fun.... I didnt find How to Plot a Payback to be a smooth read. Lavender was too clueless about the impact of her altruism and Finn was just not likable. I would however, love a dog like Bernie!

3.5 ⭐ A revenge book but in reverse. I would say also a grumpy/sunshine, but he's only pretend grumpy lol. I really did enjoy it for the most part but something was missing for me. Maybe more of the background on why Finn held such a grudge for so long besides the list he made. I liked Lavendar a lot too but no one could be as oblivious as her, it was wild haha. Overall, it was cute! Heads up, there is no spice!

This story really starts out with a bang. I liked murder mystery writer Finn and the twist that he had grown up with mega popular TV show superstar Lavender Rhodes. Finn's dry humor is endearing and I felt invested in seeing where his storyline went. There was so much potential for some fun enemies to lovers action here, but a big road block stands in the way to that: Lavender herself. She was completely clueless to any animosity between her and Finn, or even the possibility that there could be anyone on the planet that didn't like her, creating a very awkward, half-hearted revenge storyline for Finn that fizzles out quickly.

The middle of the story wanders rather aimlessly, from odd dog park scenes to Finn's unsuccessful attempts at revenge followed by way too much guilt for these failed efforts. Lavender's flighty, one dimensional character doesn't really add anything to the story and she doesn't show any growth until the very end of the book - and even then it is minimal and fully due to Finn taking matters into his own hands and doing what Lavender should've been able to do for herself. I kept waiting to feel any tension or attraction between them, but it never really happens. Then, suddenly they're together and the story ends.

4.5 Stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and funny romantic comedy! Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job on a highly successful sitcom. The problem is he will be working with Lavender Rhodes, the adored star of said sitcom, who has unknowingly ruined his life, so many times in fact, he has a list. "Transgressions Against Finn Masters."

I loved the creative writing, the laugh out loud humor, and the lessons the characters learned along the way. I highly recommend How to Plot a Payback for lovers of romantic comedy.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I’ve had a number of friends recommend Melissa Ferguson’s work to me, but How to Plot a Payback is my first time reading her work. All I can say is why did I wait so long?

Finn Masters just got his dream job of writing for a highly successful sitcom. There’s just one problem. Lavender Rhodes, the the delightfully upbeat actress on the show. It just so happens that Finn can’t stand her. He, of course, has his reasons, misguided as they are. And now he plots his revenge, but things don’t go as he planned. Enemies-to-lovers is a classic romcom trope and definitely works well here, even though the ‘enemy’ angle is really only one sided. This is a really fun story, with some seriously funny moments. In fact the comedy definitely outpaces the romance angle in this romcom, but I was perfectly fine with that. I’d like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of How to Plot a Payback.

I absolutely loved Meet Me in the Margins so I was excited about this book but unfortunately it feels like a huge step back for the author. It’s just an ok Rom Com. I wasn’t moved and there’s very little romance. If anything there is a well written male character whose perspective will hold your interest which is refreshing but the female character is too perfect. She’s so perfect and good she lacks any substance. She is impossible to believe, as is the ending to this book. If you love lighthearted this might be for you, even though it tries to be different with the name there is no payback here. Frankly there’s no Com either. It’s a very clean novel so there is nothing objectionable here for sensitive readers. Most of the novel takes place on the set of a Friends like show but it manages to have a plot that does not feel industry centered despite the background.

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

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book and for the most part it was incredibly cute. It brought me loads of smiles (especially the doggo scenes) and provided insight on the importance of growth and perspectives. If you love a one-sided enemy to lovers, this is a great cozy book.

I loved Lavender! She was a sweet ray of sunshine who wanted nothing more than to make the people around her happy. I really connected with her tendency to people please and always see the best in everyone. Finn, on the other hand, isn't necessarily grumpy, but he is resistant to falling for Lavender because of their history and his grievances against her. I really didn't connect with Finn too much to begin with. I'm not a huge crime fan so writing for crime tv was a little out of my personal comfort zone. I think there was a little too much reference to ways to murder people for my preferences, but I know a lot of people would love those little scenes since they are comedic. His list was so petty in some places. I can understand being upset about the stage accident, but it was just that, an accident. The other stuff just seemed like he was fishing for more reasons to hate her.

I honestly really hated that there wasn't much romance and/or drama in this book though. Everything that happened had a mature resolution which is so different from every romance out there. I enjoyed it, but it felt like I was just waiting for something to come that never did. Same with the romance, they hung out a lot at work, happened to meet up in other places and then boom they are just together. Nothing crazy, no falling in love, just there. That was a miss for me, I need to feel the emotions of our characters falling in love. Even when Lavender found the grievance list, nothing. She just considered it and then like a mature adult, handled it. Not even a loud outburst!

Overall, I still think this was a good book and would recommend it to others. It was cute and definitely a quick read once you get into it.

This was a fun book to read and I loved the behind-the-scenes look into the writing and production of a sitcom. Also, I would like to live in the building with Finn and his lovable neighbors!

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, it did not go very well. For the most part, it was actually okay and I was enjoying my reading experience. But I ended up not liking Lavender, who was way too clingy and annoying for me. Also, I did not like the trajectory of the plot towards its end. Something happened in a way I did not like at all. But I did like the Hollywood setting and the absence of sexual scenes. As a hater of this kind of scene, I really liked that.

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

This book was by no means bad, but it just didn't land with me. Yes the format on Kindle was screwy, which made it difficult to read, but the writing itself was fairly bland and generic. I would try more titles by this author, though.

Pros: Grumpy/sunshine trope, Hollywood setting
Cons: Underdeveloped scenes, overly dramatic dialogue

I was so excited to get the opportunity to read and review this book! This is one of my favorites by Melissa Ferguson. I loved the plot. It wasn’t like every other book. Something new, funny and cute!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for this ARC.

Disclaimer: was lucky to receive an ARC of this, however all opinions are my own.

You know when you're feeling sad or having a bad day, and you turn on your comfort show and everything just feels a bit better and brighter - at least for a while? That's the feeling I got, reading this book.

It is such a cozy, sweet and funny read with loveable characters that have wonderful character development. And there was no drama for the sake of drama, or creating these wild and unnecessary obstacles for the characters to get through - just for the hell of it, which always ruins a romance book for me. In Swedish, we have a saying called "lagom" which basically translates to "not too little, not too much, just the right amount", and that's how I felt about the way this story progressed. It was just right.

I felt warm and joyful and comforted through every single page and I truly want to recommend this to every single person who just wants to feel good for a while. Cannot wait to read more from this author.

(I will say, though. This book deserved a better cover!)

This was a fun and light read. I liked the quick paced nature of the book, the characters were charming.