“They’re little blips on the screen, these dinners and games and weddings, but all these blips put together are what makes up the video of our life.”

So much fun! Melissa Ferguson has again hit it out of the ballpark with this extremely entertaining and poignant romcom. I absolutely loved Finn’s poetic, sarcastic, and slightly resigned first person voice. His multiple plots for payback as the writer of the sitcom lead him down a path so unexpected. I adored Lavender’s optimistic, hope-filled, and bubbly voice as the star of the hit sitcom show quite reminiscent of Friends. I laughed my way through the entire book but there were also noteworthy moments of sigh-inducing romance and heart-warming human connection. The ending definitely surprised me but in a good way. If you enjoy romcom, this book is a must read!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

How to Plot a Payback” by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful mix of charming, kooky, funny and sweet. Finn Masters was a great character well developed and very lovable. Lavender Rhodes, his nemesis and someone who has been on his transgressions list for many years. He detests the woman who by all accounts is sweet and loving except by Finn who believes she has destroyed his life through her careless choices and actions. In order to achieve his dream job, however, he must go to work as a writer and producer on her successful Emmy Award winning show. He plots a way to get back at her through his writing and his choices as a director/producer, with everyone turning out to be failures.

I mostly really enjoyed this book. I found Lavender to be annoying in her ignorance of her effect on others, but by the end she had won me over. The romance between her and Finn is a slow burn and some of my favorite parts of the book involved their interactions at the dog park as well as in his apartment complex with the senior citizens.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson—Fiction, and Melissa Ferguson for the ARC of this delightful story. “How to Plot a Payback” is available everywhere April 2, 2024. If you want a funny escape, this book is a good choice.

An absolutely underrated story + a good lesson about harboring a grudge for no good reason! My first book from Melissa Ferguson and i can’t wait for more.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I've enjoyed Melissa Ferguson's books in the past, but this is my favorite of hers to date. It was laugh out loud funny in places and the hero is perfect and adorable. If you love a cute rom com that pays homage to You've Got Mail, you'll enjoy this one.

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

I really enjoy Melissa Ferguson’s books. They are lighthearted, quick reads with likable characters who have their own journeys to take.

Finn Rhodes is convinced that every disappointment in his life can be traced back to Lavender Rhodes being involved somehow. When he gets an opportunity to be a screenwriter on her hit television show, he decides it’s finally time to pay her back by making her job a bit more difficult. Things may not always be what they seem, however, and perspective has a way of sneaking up on a person and change minds.

The Swiftie in me cannot help but say Finn was in a Lavender haze for this whole book in some form or another—be it in spiteful feelings or tender hearted as he got to know her genuine nature. Lavender was a good natured, caring person all the way through. Finn for all his revenge bravado was really just a marshmallow inside. His immediate guilt each time a plot backfired told me his heart was never really in the payback.

This was a sweet, slow fall into each other for Finn and Lavender. I wouldn’t say the romance burned, but they were funny and cute as the stumbled their way to it. Add in a cast of entertaining side characters—human and animal both—and this was a fun, warm journey.

so cozy and sweet - safe to recommend to anyone - not sexy or smutty but still gives you butterflies

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've read other titles by this author that I have liked but this one was just okay for me. Finn, a television writer/producer, has a decades long grudge against Lavender who is the main actress on the most popular sitcom in the country. He decides that when gets hired on her show, he will plot a payback. She is blissfully unaware that he is even upset. The story line had a lot of potential but I honestly felt like not a lot happened.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for a review!

This was so cute! I was afraid that, because this book is about ‘hate’ and ‘revenge’ that it would feel icky as it was the man that wanted revenge. Luckily that wasn’t the case. It rather felt simple and silly (which is not a bad thing!)

The characters were also fun to be reading about and seeing their life and at no point did they start to feel like caricatures of what they’re meant to be.

Overall I would recommend this book definitely!

How To Plot A Payback is the second book I’ve read by Melissa Ferguson and once again, I really enjoyed it.
I love how Finn kept trying to get payback for all the inconveniences Lavender had caused him over the years, but he’s such a little teddy bear that it never worked out the way he expected it to. I liked Lavender and it was clear that she was misunderstood by everyone - but she and Finn just worked so well together!

How To Plot A Payback was a sweet read full of some laugh out loud moments, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and Melissa Ferguson for sending me an advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for Review.

Meet Me In The Margins is an all-time fave so I was so excited to get this arc and it was absolutely delightful.

This whimsical romance is a quick easy read. My only wish is that there was more depth to the relationship and background. For instance the ex-girlfriend I thought would play a much more tangible role in providing a landscape for why Finn is so bent on payback. But really she’s barely a name. I’d love to see why Lavender chose to forego Mary for her middle name. Etc. I want more!

✨️Review✨️

After reading Famous for a Living, I was really excited about this book. And let me tell you IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

I found myself laughing out loud multiple times and I just love it when a book delivers those moments.

This books provides a little bit of most of my favorite tropes, so if you enjoy grumpy-sunshine, second chances or enemies to lovers you should definitely give this one a try.

I have to admit at a certain point I was wondering if Finn's behaviour was becoming a tad too toxic, but luckily it only got better for that point on.

The small-towin vibes the book delivered in Finn's building scenes were just 🤌

Also, if you are a lovely-pets-in- books-lover as I am, you are bound to enjoy this one!

I'd love to see a movie or series adaptation of this one.

To sum up if you're looking for a cute and funny rom-com you can't go wrong with this one.

Thank you so much @netgalley, @thomasnelson and @our_friendly_farmhouse for allowing me to read this wonderful book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thought this was an interesting concept for a book. It did take me a while to warm up to it but over all it was a cute story.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

This book wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the writing style, the characters or the story. I really wanted to like it but it didn’t land and I really had to force myself to get through it.

Finn has the opportunity to work on a hit TV show, but it means having to see his nemesis, Lavender Rhodes every day. She's ruined his life on multiple occasions, even causing him to be fired from his new job writing for her show, Neighbors. He manages to get his job back, and decides to use his position to deliver a little payback. But the more time he spends with her, the more he fears he's misjudged her. And is,unfortunately, starting to actually care for her.

This was such a fun read, fast paced and funny. The ending was perfect.

I thought this story was cute and fun. The author spends a lot of time building up the tension between Lavender and Finn, so it’s definitely a slow burn romance. The only thing was it is arguably too slow. By the time they finally kiss there’s only a little time left for the relationship, so their happily ever after feels more rushed. I think Finn writing a show for her was really sweet gesture, one I would’ve loved more time on, and was definitely the highlight of their ending. The one issue I had while reading this was that Lavender’s perpetual optimism about life was a little too unrealistic, and I wish we had got a little more depth from her at times. Overall though this is a sweet, feel good story.

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

"How to Plot a Payback" by Melissa Ferguson is a rollicking and hilarious romantic comedy that takes readers on a wild journey through the unpredictable world of Hollywood, love, and revenge. From the outset, Ferguson crafts a narrative that's both clever and comical, promising an entertaining ride for fans of the genre.

The protagonist, Finn Masters, is a successful screenwriter who finds himself facing his lifelong nemesis, Lavender Rhodes, the star of the sitcom he's just joined. The twist? Lavender is entirely oblivious to the havoc she's wreaked on Finn's life since their school days in England. The premise alone sets the stage for a comedy of errors and a plot that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

As Finn attempts to exact his revenge by reshaping Lavender's character on the show, readers are treated to a cascade of hilarity as his not-so-brilliant plans repeatedly backfire. Ferguson's skillful writing ensures that the comedic elements are well-timed and the characters are endearing, making for a delightful reading experience.

The story isn't just about payback; it's a journey of self-discovery and unexpected connections. Through Finn's misadventures, the narrative invites readers to reflect on the nature of revenge, forgiveness, and the possibility of finding love in the most unexpected places.

Melissa Ferguson's witty prose and clever dialogue showcase her talent for crafting engaging romantic comedies. The Hollywood backdrop adds a layer of glamour and intrigue, providing a fresh angle to the typical rom-com setting. The pacing is brisk, and the comedic timing is spot-on, making this novel a page-turner that keeps readers eagerly anticipating the next twist in Finn and Lavender's tumultuous relationship.

While the plot may follow some familiar rom-com tropes, Ferguson infuses enough originality and charm to keep the story feeling fresh. "How to Plot a Payback" is a laugh-out-loud romp that proves once again why Melissa Ferguson is a bestselling author in the genre. For those seeking a delightful and heartwarming escape, this book earns a well-deserved 4 stars.




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How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson is an absolute riot! This rom-com introduces us to Finn Masters, a screenwriter landing his dream gig on a popular sitcom. The only hitch? His new job throws him back into the orbit of Lavender Rhodes, the bubbly star who's inadvertently messed up Finn's life since their school days.

The twist? Lavender has no clue about Finn's grievances. Determined to settle the score, Finn decides to get even by reshaping Lavender's character on the show. But, of course, things don't go as planned, and his revenge plots end up backfiring spectacularly, leading to hilarious situations that kept me laughing throughout.

What makes this book shine is Melissa Ferguson's knack for humor and her ability to create relatable characters. Finn's journey is not just about payback; it's a messy, funny exploration of forgiveness, self-discovery, and maybe, just maybe, unexpected romance.

The Hollywood setting adds a glamorous touch, and Ferguson's writing is a breeze to follow. It's a rom-com, so yes, you might see some familiar twists, but the charm lies in the execution. The pacing is perfect, and the story is heartwarming without being overly cheesy.

In the end, How to Plot a Payback is a delightful read that blends humor, romance, and a bit of Hollywood sparkle. If you're up for a good laugh and a feel-good story, this one's a solid 4-star pick.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Lavender is a little too happy-go-lucky, and I wish they had introduced more of her background closer to the beginning of the story. Finn's grudge is a little overzealous at times but still a fun and easy read!

Melissa Ferguson's "How to Plot a Payback" is a rom-com gem that sparkles with these favorite tropes: grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, Hollywood star, and a one-sided enemies-to-lovers twist. Ferguson takes us on a hilarious journey with Finn Masters, our delightfully grumpy screenwriter, who's plotting revenge against the ever-sunny Hollywood star, Lavender Rhodes.

Their dynamic is a masterclass in chemistry and comedic timing, making every page a joy. The slow burn of their relationship, peppered with moments of forgiveness and understanding, transforms this story into something genuinely heartwarming. Ferguson's witty writing shines in the Hollywood setting, adding a layer of glamour to this tale of love and letting go.

A huge shoutout to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this delightful book. "How to Plot a Payback" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good laugh with a heartwarming journey of forgiveness and love.

I was really looking forward to reading this book but just could not relate to Lavender at all. Finn fell quite flat for me and although I wanted to love them I just didn't feel invested at all. The book seemed to drag in the middle however it definitely picked up by the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

I loved this book! I loved the plot so much. It was a pretty simple plot but so elevated. I am in love with Finn Masters!!!!! I wanted to read this book partially because he looks like my boyfriend, but he also acts a lot like him too?!?! This book was made for me. I loved it so much and I will definitely be reading more from Melissa Ferguson.