I just adore everything Melissa Ferguson writes… her stories are like happy little hugs in book form and always the perfect combo of sweet, silly, and snarky fun. How to Plot a Payback was the most delightfully charming read!⁣
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When Finn Masters lands his dream job writing for the sitcom Neighbors, there’s only one downside to this job of a lifetime… Lavender Rhodes.⁣
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The star of the beloved show has been wreaking havoc on Finn’s life for years. And although she’s not aware of how she ruined his acting career, relationships, and many other things - he finds himself with a unique opportunity - to get revenge.⁣
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This was such a hilarious comedy of errors as Finn tries to plot his payback on Lavender! I loved all the banter, the angsty tension, and it was such a joyful, witty, and fresh romcom that was snarky and swoony in all the right places! ⁣Plus DOGS! 🐾
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Perfect for dog lovers, Friends fans, and anyone who loves a refreshingly entertaining grumpy/sunshine romance!

i liked this just as much as "nora goes off script" and more recently, "how to end a love story" (both not written by melissa ferguson but good books). authors writing about others writers is always a win for me. i like to see the innerworkings of both minds. i'm still getting used to melissa's writing style because i did NOT like meet me in the margins." i think i'll try some of her backlist to see if there's any consistency.

I really enjoyed the other two books by this author, especially MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE. This cover caught my eye right away and I knew I had to read it!

I’m so bummed that this one didn’t work for me. I didn’t enjoy the story at all — I thought the characters were annoying and I was not rooting for them. I was very close to DNFing this but I pushed through.

I also listened to the audiobook and the male narrator’s voice did not match the character at all.

How to Plot a Payback is a fun and lighthearted romance novel that will have you laughing and rooting for the characters from start to finish. The premise of the story is unique and engaging, with a perfect blend of humor, romance, and revenge.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own flaws and quirks that make them endearing. The chemistry between the main characters sizzles on the page and keeps you turning the pages to see how their relationship will unfold. Melissa Ferguson has a talent for weaving together a captivating storyline that is both heartwarming and entertaining.

Overall, How to Plot a Payback is a delightful read that will leave you with a smile on your face. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a side of sweet revenge.

Fun, fun story! Finn is low-key hilarious, and Lavender is so clueless she's funny.

Finn Masters has been working as a screen-writer for one of the most successful dramas on TV (think "Murder She Wrote" or NCIS) but when he's offered a new job as executive producer of the longest running, most popular IN THE WORLD sit-com, "Neighbors" he's willing to walk out - no notice - and take the job. Everyone needs a new challenge sometimes, right? The worst thing he sees on the horizon is having to tolerate the show's much-loved star, Lavender Rhodes. Lavender has been a thorn in his side ever since she left the stage trapdoor open during their high school production of Midsummer Night's Dream, causing him to fall and shatter his ankle. He was playing Puck, and she was his understudy. He spent the play in the hospital, and she was discovered by a Hollywood agent. Thus began the list of "Lavender's Transgressions Against Finn Masters."

As producer of the show Lavender is starring in, Finn sees an opportunity to pay Lavender back for all of the things she has caused to go haywire in his life. Unfortunately, everything he tries either turns into something good for Lavender, or something so bad that he feels guilty. When she discovers she lives near him, she begins trying to figure out why he's always so cold to her. Everyone else loves her. Why not him?

Can these two find a middle ground between friend and enemy, and if they do, will they see that they have more in common than they thought?

Melissa Ferguson always makes me laugh. I've read other books she's written and enjoyed each one. I listened to this one which was especially great. Hearing those London accents helped me "see" the characters, too.

Readers who enjoy romantic comedies will love this one. I highly recommend the audio version, but the written version is equally fun.

This book was so fun!

Synopsis: Finn Masters lands a dream job producing THE top Hollywood sitcom. The only issue is his biggest rival, Lavender Rose, is the show’s leading lady. Finn and Lavender were school fellows in England until Lavender ruined Finn’s shot at stardom. Since their childhood, she has repeatedly ruined his life. Now Finn wants revenge and he’s going to use his new job as a means to take it.

Review: Hilarity ensues— and I mean it. This book was so funny! The ways Lavender has gotten in Finn’s way are comical and his “payback” is always clever. The romance is written so well, one can’t help but root for them.

A quirky set of side characters round out the book and makes it a quick, easy, enjoyable read!

I loved this book. It's my favorite by this author. Finn believes that famous actress Lavender Rhodes has ruined his life. So when he has to work with her every day, you just know that trouble is coming. And it does. I laughed out loud at some of the ridiculous events. I loved Finn's relationship with his neighbor and the other seniors in his building. I liked that Lavender feels like a normal person, despite her fame. I enjoyed learning about the writing process for a sitcom. What a crazy amount of work. I never knew.

This book was a delight to read. It was funny. The characters were likeable. It includes several key animals. There are quirky characters. I liked the growth in the characters. "Whereas I've clung to every rotten moment, she lets trespasses slip through her fingers like sand" (location 2468). What a great trait. I didn't want the story to end. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I pick up a book written by Melissa Ferguson, I know it will be full of fun dialogue, crazy events, and wonderful romance. This book doesn’t disappoint!
In this story, I was so ready for Finn to finally be able to get his revenge—oh, I mean, justice. I hurt for him and sympathized with him because of the many things that Lavender did to his life.
If an author can make a reader dig deep into their emotions and feel all that the characters are experiencing, then this is a great author and one I want to read.
Melissa Ferguson is that kind of author. Her skills are amazing, and each of her books leaves you wanting to be a part of these characters’ lives. Her characters are relatable and very entertaining. I wonder where she comes up with all the things these two main characters did to each other.
So entertaining! I would love to see this as a movie; I know it would be a hit!
I LOVED the fun dialogue, the quirky characters, and the sweet touch of romance that makes up this book. The whole story moved so smoothly from one moment and crazy event to another. There are also touching moments that will sit in the reader’s mind for a long time.
I know that whenever I hear Melissa Ferguson has a new book written, I’m going to jump right in and get it!
I highly recommend you pick this book up for a fun read!
I was given this book by the publisher and NetGalley, which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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



It's ROUND 2 of Melissa Ferguson for the week!

And this time, it's her NEWEST addition to the book world!

I'll start with 100% honesty, it took me a teensy bit to get in, into this book. But once I did get into it, I really enjoyed it!

I wasn't a huge fan of our MMC towards the middle of the book (I mean, I think that was on purpose) - but he was just taking some of the revenge stuff a bit too far.

And it really made me feel for Lavender. I know what it's like to be a genuinely good person, and still have someone(s) out there not like you for one reason for another. And not even being aware that you're having some kind of effect on someone else's life.

As always, a huge thank you to @thomasnelson and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!
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This was an enjoyable grumpy-sunshine romance. I was looking for a fairly lighthearted book that would make me smile and this was the perfect choice. I liked the heroine and the goofy situations she got herself into that inadvertently caused problems for the hero. I enjoyed seeing some stereotypical personalities from a different viewpoint, which was a great reminder to look past the surface.

Ultimately, this book shows us that there is more to people than meets the eye. It is full of grace and forgiveness and will leave you smiling.

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

This was cute and fun, but the first 75% of the book didn't quite hit for me. The last quarter was so good!

The connection between our characters was not super strong, and I think Finn's list of grievances was too petty for me to care much about. I knew he had them, but I couldn't relate to why he STILL harbored his resentment.

I loved Lavender and I loved the setting and backdrop (Hollywood-esque, the "industry"). Overall I enjoyed it but it wasn't my all time favorite!

I received a digital copy of this from NetGalley. Thanks NetGalley!

Finn Masters is a successful screenwriter. He wanted to be an actor, but back in high school, Lavender Rhodes ruined that opportunity when she left open a trap door during a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and Finn fell through, ruining his chances of playing Puck. Lavender takes his place in the play, and is discovered by a talent scout who happens to be in the audience. When Finn moves to L.A. to work as a writer, Lavender ruins his relationship with his girlfriend, to whom he was going to propose.

Finn vows revenge. When he becomes the screenwriter on the successful show, "Neighbors," in which Lavender is the star, it provides the perfect opportunity to exact that revenge. However, Lavender is more than she seems. She's not the typical self-centered actress, and Finn feels more guilt than satisfaction for trying to sabotage Lavender.

This is a sweet, slow-burn romance. As a reader, you have to buy-into the revenge plot, which is rather ridiculous, but still makes for an enjoyable read.

a fun fluffy quick read that’s perfect to get you out of a slump.
i think i really needed to pick up something lighthearted and entertaining and that’s exactly what i got with this book.
The writing was great and made for an easy read while the dialogue with all of the characters kept me wanting to pick the book back up. i think it can be hard introducing side characters sometimes but the author does a really good job at giving everyone a personality and a fits them in well.

the only thing i would have loved to see is Lavender getting a little angry and standing her ground with Finn as sometimes i felt she was apologising for things that weren’t really her fault.

Thank you to netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the arc. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I've attempted to read this book multiple times, yet I can't seem to get beyond the surface level of this story. The enemies to lovers trope was from holding a grudge for nearly a decade?!?!? The love interests were petty and a bit unlikable. Best bits featured the dog!

Thank you, Thomas Nelson

I loved the cover. I found the premise interesting. I waited until the book's release to listen to the audio. Loved the narrators. The book blurb did say Finn is from England, though, had it not, I wouldn't have known having just read the book until almost a quarter of the way through. I wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. I found the characters to be unlikable, unrelatable, and therefore I just couldn't get invested in this book and ultimately didn't care to finish. There was too much focus on the TV script/show that I didn't find myself drawn into the story at all, rather turned off because I wanted to know the character's and their real lives over the show. I've read this author's previous novels, so I probably should have known better. But as she's grown in popularity, I thought I'd like her more well-developed voice and while I do think her writing has merit, I'm always turned off by the fact that her books are marketed as rom com, but I don't find them particularly funny or romantic. WHERE IS THE ROMANCE?! If it's there, it took too long to see/get to it. I think if her books were marketed as women's fiction or even contemporary fiction, she might find better success with satisfying her readership. As it stands, I think this will be the last book I attempt by this author.

The story was just fine. There were some sweet, cute moments. I struggled to connect with the characters. I didn't feel like they had any depth. Lavender was a bit annoying and very one dimensional.

This book had me laughing out loud. I was intrigued by the title and the actress/writer relationship. Loved the POV of the MMC and his grumpiness. Recommend as a fun romcom!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute romcom with a few funny scenes throughout. I'm not sure what it was but I didn't fall for Finn and Lavender. I would have liked to see a little more "payback" I guess for an enemies to lovers book. It was easy to read, had a good flow, and held up as a romcom.

Enemies to lovers is my fav romance trope and this book didn't disappoint in the delivery!!! Rivals working together when both had a hidden agenda is a plot I can always get behind. The writing was solid, the banter, witty and the way they move from "hate" to not, very well done.

Sophie Kinsella fans are going to love this one! It’s an absolutely unhinged and ridiculous closed door romance that had me laughing out loud. There’s nothing heavy in this one. If you just want a book that’s light as a feather and cute and funny with an apartment complex of 80 year olds with cats to boot, this is your book. The audio was well done, I really enjoyed it.

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