This was hilariously good and witty and easy to get into. I just struggled a little with the characters.
3.5 overall and thank you for providing me with an arc :)

I’ve read other books by Melissa Ferguson and really enjoyed them. This one was harder for me to get into and I can’t quite put my finger on why. The characters were fun, but I just didn’t connect to them at all. I think some will definitely enjoy it, and maybe it just was a wrong book, wrong time for me. I’ll definitely still give the author a try on future books.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

How to Plot a Payback
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Melissa Ferguson

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Thomas Neilson and Harper Collins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 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.

My Thoughts: Finn Masters just landed the perfect job as a screenwriter for Neighbors, a sitcom that has been running for over a decade that is highly successful. However, it will put him working with his nemesis, Lavender Rhodes. She has been ruining his life since school, unbeknownst to her. She didn’t even know that she caused a trail of destruction for his life, making him stop acting and his love life. Becoming screenwriter for this series has given him an excellent opportunity to release payback by writing her character into different scenarios that he knows would be uncomfortable for her. What could possibly go wrong? This follows the tropes of grumpy/sunshine and enemies to lovers.

The story is narrated in a dual narration by both Finn and Lavender, in their respective perspectives. Finn is skeptical, stubborn, and is set in his ways, or what he perceives is his ways. Lavender is a people-pleaser, optimistic, sunshine, and kind. The characters were well developed, fleshed out, had witty banter, chemistry, and intriguing. When the payback backfires, it opens up this lovely interaction between our MCs. The storyline had its funny moments, teaching moments, and even very tender sweet moments that touched my heart. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, sweet, thought-provoking, and engaging. One of my favorite things from the book is the transgression book, that was original. I also loved the dogs and sassy eighty-year olds.

I had the pleasure of having the digital and audio ARC of this story. I love the message of this storyline: To not judge a book by its cover. This storyline made me smile, laugh, sometimes sad, and sometimes even a tear, I really enjoyed this story. I highly recommend picking up this book today.

2.5 stars rounded up

Finn is starting his dream job as a writer for the biggest show on television. But the star is his nemesis, Lavender, and he has a list of ways she’s wronged him over the years. On the flip side, Lavender has no idea of all the wrongs she’s committed. But Finn is determined to get payback for his list, if only Lavender wasn’t so darn likeable.

For a book titled How to Plot a Payback, I didn’t really feel Finn’s sense of wanting payback until close to halfway thru the block. Even then, his payback methods were weak, and his attempts seemed easily given up. In general I found it to be somewhat boring.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy of this book.

Today, I finally finished HOW TO PLOT A PAYBACK by Melissa Ferguson! I had put it on the back burner for a bit because I just wasn't in the mood for the ebook, but I read the second half on audio, and I really enjoyed it.

In this celebrity romance, TV writer Finn Masters gets a job on a popular sit-com where the star is his old schoolmate and long-time rival, Lavender Rhodes. Determined not to let her sabotage this career milestone as she has others, he plots a little payback, using his role as a writer to put Lavender in situations she doesn't especially like. When his little revenge plots continually backfire, however, he begins to see Lavender in an entirely new light that challenges everything he has thought about her all these years.

As she did in last year's FAMOUS FOR A LIVING, Melissa Ferguson has created another set of characters who are down-to-earth and relatable despite their fame, and she has given us not just a fun rom-com, but also a neat peek behind the scenes of TV writing and acting. I'm not always a huge fan of celebrity romance, but I am a big fan of Ferguson's writing and could not pass up the opportunity to read another of her books.

If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers and the world of show business, this will the perfect beach or pool read for you this summer. And if you like audiobooks, the narration for this one is also really well done, and helps bring the characters even more fully to life.

Three stars! I did like this book - I enjoyed the slow burn romance aspect and the wholesomeness throughout. However, Finn came across as really petty and the ending was rather rushed.

I would recommend this as a cute, quick palette cleanser.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is the perfect read for enemies to lovers fans. The book follows Finn who is a successful screenwriter and happens to land this dream job of writing for a popular sitcom. Picture you landing a job on Grey's anatomy *singing sigh*. Unfortunately for him his job comes with the world's most loved actress Lavender Rhodes .There is a thin line between hate and love and these two blur it. I absolutely enjoyed this read and felt it started a little slow.
Rating: 3.5/5

This book was not my favorite. It wasn't very clear in the beginning to follow along with who and what was going on. I didn't love the characters or how Lavender doesn't know who Finn is. I wanted to love this. I have loved Melissa's other books but this one wasn't for me. It wasn't terrible it just wasn't great. I would give it 2.5 stars.

I wasn't expecting to read this one practically in one sitting, but that's what happened! While I definitely enjoyed it and laughed out loud a lot, the last 25% perplexed me because it veered from the typical romance plot-line. That made me bump it down a star, but I did enjoy it overall!

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

Lavender and Finn have their lives interconnected.
Through time, Lavender has impacted Finn's life in too many instances, and always for the worse. And he blames her for every single one of them.
Even crossing the Atlantic, their paths keep crossing. Until the day Finn has the perfect opportunity to get his long-awaited revenge. But how? Manipulating the plot of their series against Lavender.

Interesting and funny. It is a marvelous way to spend your time!
What did I enjoy the most? The main characters, the community where Finn lives, and the dogs.
What did I enjoy less? The rhythm of the story - although it has a nice pace, some parts are of slow progress.

This is another good book from Melissa Ferguson, just like she made us expect.
(My favorite keeps being Famous for a Living🙂)

Sadly this one didn’t live up to the hype for me. I was all excited about a Hollywood romance but it just dragged on for me

This was a charming enemies to lovers romance with all the humor, a glimpse into the Hollywood scene, and getting revenge.

When Finn Masters gets his screen-writing dream job of writing for the sitcom “Neighbors”, the only catch is no other than frenemy Lavender Rhodes, the star actress for the show, and thorn in his side since their childhood. Once friends, until Lavender ruined Finn’s chance at stardom, and what he feels is his life, and now Finn wants revenge.

Now forced to work together, the shenanigans kept coming, and I loved the banter between each other.

🎧I paired the book with the audio and thought the narration was great! It really brought the antics and dialogue to life and was so entertaining.

*many thanks to Thomas Nelson and librofm for the gifted copy for review

It seems I'm becoming a bit of a Melissa Ferguson fan. This is the fourth book of hers (not counting an anthology she was also in) that I've read, and I've enjoyed her characters and storyline in each of them.

In "How to Plot a Payback," Finn has blamed someone else for missed opportunities in his life and so has staunchly avoided anything remotely connected to her. But now he's been offered the opportunity of a lifetime, and he can't pass it up. The problem is, Lavender, his nemesis, is part of the deal. He's going to have to deal with her on a daily basis. But he figures, he'll do his best to avoid her and all will be well.

But instead of being this black-hearted opportunist that he's been harboring a grudge against all these years, he begins to realize she's one of the nicest people you could ever meet.

It's really hard to hold a grudge against someone who's nice all the time! But that doesn't stop Finn from seeking to get his revenge on Lavender for her past misdeeds. The question is, why does he feel so guilty when his plans accomplish more than he'd even hoped for?

Maybe revenge isn't all it's cracked up to be? Especially once you start harboring a bit of a soft spot for the intended victim?

I really enjoyed the characters and storyline of this book. It's sweet, funny and, at times, thought-provoking.

Thank you to Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I originally really enjoyed being a fly on the wall in the Writer's Room on a sitcom (think Friends!) but the antics quickly took over. I lost interest. There is no romance - this isn't necessarily an issue, BUT if you're advertising as a romance there should be a glimmer of something before the 70% mark (and even at that point is pushing it...) I've read this author before which is what originally sparked my interest in this ARC. After reading and enjoying Meet Me in the Margins and seeing how the author could entertain while the romance was built so organically and innocently, I was excited to see what she could do with this really fun premise and set... but it lacked greatly for me.

I also do not recommend the audio. Even with the audio to help me get through this book, it took me an entire month to finish. If this weren't for a NetGalley review, I would have DNF'd.

How to Plot a Payback released April 2nd, 2024.

Melissa Ferguson returns with an irresistible rom-com that will have you laughing out loud!

2024 is the year of romantic comedies, and How to Plot a Payback is a standout addition to the genre! Hilarious, addictive, and utterly charming, this novel encompasses your favorite sitcoms and rom-coms while bringing its unique flair. With flawless execution, Melissa Ferguson delivers her best work, crafting characters that are impossible not to adore!

"Whereas I’ve clung to every rotten moment, she lets trespasses slip through her fingers like sand. Whereas I’ve spent countless nights staring down at my journal, writing down my woes, she spends her nights looking up, counting the stars. I grumble, she cheers. I grimace, she smiles with eyes as bright as the sun. Somehow I have become darkness, and she is light. And of course, darkness cannot mix with the light." ~ Melissa Ferguson

I don’t know why, but I’ve always read Melissa Ferguson’s characters with a British accent, so discovering that the protagonists in How to Plot a Payback were British was an exciting surprise. Finn and Lavender shine as the show's stars, their character arcs expertly penned to the point where they practically leaped off the page. Every story has two sides, so the dual POV provided more hilarity as their lives collided.

How to Plot a Payback? More like How to Plot the Worst Revenge, haha! Finn’s antics to "get back" at Lavender were both comical and endearing. As the saying goes, “He who seeks revenge better dig two graves.” Poor Finn could not catch a break. I could feel his frustration and conflicting emotions seep between the lines as he wrestled with the transgressions made against him and his growing admiration for his lifelong nemesis. Nevertheless, through his plotting and Lavender’s kindness, readers will learn that sometimes the worst things that happen to us actually move us in a better direction. It may seem like your life is over at the time, but overall, our “worst” moments can become blessings in disguise.

"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. 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.” ~ Melissa Ferguson

Finn was a brilliant leading man, but Lavender stole the spotlight with her unexpected complexity and heart. From the minute I met her with ten dogs wrapped around her legs, I knew I couldn't hate Lavender. She was the opposite of your typical Hollywood Starlet and, as Finn finds out, impossible not to fall in love with. The culmination of Finn and Lavender’s journey is nothing short of brilliant. And let’s not forget Bernie and Miles, the canine companions who bound into each scene with tails wagging, ready to take the attention off their owners.

If you enjoy a good laugh and a silly sitcom or rom-com, How to Plot a Payback must be at the top of your to-read list!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

☕ Paula’s eyes are shooting at me as if to say, “Hey, sweetie, we’re nodding but you sound a bit manic.”

📚 WHAT’S TO LOVE? Oh, the laughs! I purposely read this to cope with some stress/grief and to take a little break from the marathon of clean Regency-era books I’ve been reviewing like candy.

It was the perfect distraction.

The writing is hilarious. My sarcastic brain felt right at home in the head of the male, screenwriter main character. Not his plotting, but his overall sarcasm. We get into the head of our main female character too, but Finn’s dry British sarcasm was the best. It was like hanging out with a great old friend.

I enjoyed the fresh storyline and the brilliant, snappy inner thoughts of both POVs.

Reading the ebook was fun. But a couple chapters in, I added the audio reading… it was a busy time and I wanted to hear the story as I got things done. I couldn’t stop laughing. I couldn’t stop listening and reading either.

True story:
I started the book yesterday afternoon. By the time I was ready to settle into bed last night, I was invested. I didn’t want to stop reading. So I quietly dimmed the light on my e-reader and popped an airpod in my ear beside my sleeping hubs. When I say I had to cover my mouth several times to not wake the bear with my uncontrollable laughter, it’s an understatement.
I stayed up way too late!

Best of all, the entire novel is free from foul language and the romance is squeaky clean - thank you! 💕

This book contains no Christian elements. The word “God” was used once, capitalized reverently, but wasn’t used religiously. There was such a hopeful vibe throughout though that I had an inkling that the author must be a Christian. For instance, there is a mention of two people moving in together “after” they got married. The way it was worded, I felt those details were purposeful and it made me smile.

📚CAUSE FOR PAUSE? I gathered from the start the plot was going to be a bit all over the place. Near the middle of the plot, following the female lead felt like I was trying to keep up with a pinball machine ball [haha]. Lavender Rhodes is reading lines as an actress one minute, wrangling stray dogs another, interacting with a male actor yet another, etc, etc. But it settled down after a bit.

📚 CONSIDER READING IF… you want a light-hearted, wholesome contemporary romantic comedy quick read - full of goodness, hope, and laughter. 😀

🌟🌟🌟🌟 This novel was newly released on April 2, 2024.

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

How to Plot a Payback is such a great read. It was an amazing read with all the tv and murder references.

Thank you to NetGalley for this read.

Cute rom-com book. Finn and Lavender knew each other back in school, but they have taken different paths in life. Now those paths are crossing, and Finn must decide if his resentment toward Lavender of wrongs done should merit him paying her back.

Very clean, sweet romance with funny moments, especially if you love dogs.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel #sponsored

Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

While I really appreciated the set up for this book and found some of the side characters interesting, I had a hard time with plot and pacing of this book. I felt like the plot was a little unrealistic without being interesting enough to make up for it. I also really didn’t love the main characters!