⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I have read a few Melissa Ferguson books and they are all super enjoyable.

Finn Masters, a successful screenwriter, lands his dream job writing for the hit sitcom "Neighbors." The catch? He must work closely with Lavender Rhodes, the show's beloved star who has unknowingly ruined his life since their school days in England. Determined to exact revenge for his lost acting career and failed relationship, Finn plans to sabotage her character. However, as his schemes repeatedly backfire, he starts seeing Lavender in a new, unexpectedly endearing light.

This was a good time although both MCs were insufferable at points 😂 Both characters have good development throughout the book and become quite likeable. They have some very relatable qualities.

What you'll find in How to plot payback:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Hollywood
Revenge Plot
Romcom
Screenwriter and Actress

I really liked Famous for a Living by this author, but this was unfortunately not for me. I just couldn’t get into the characters or the plot. I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn’t.

I enjoyed this book the enemies to lovers trope was well done. But I wish this book had characters of the Christian faith. This book was a clean romance which I was grateful for but it was clearly missing something. I also thought the audiobook narrators did a good job. I appreciated there were two voices one for each of the main characters.

*How to Plot a Payback* by Melissa Ferguson is a charming rom-com set in Hollywood, focusing on Finn Masters, a producer, and Lavender Rhodes, an actress. The twist? They were childhood friends, and Finn secretly blames Lavender for an accident in theater class that he believes derailed his acting career. Now, fate throws them back together on the set of Lavender’s sitcom.

The book leans heavily into comedy, delivering plenty of laughs through witty dialogue and funny situations. The audiobook narrators do a great job bringing the humor to life, making the story enjoyable to listen to.

However, the romance takes a backseat. The slow-burn relationship between Finn and Lavender develops very gradually, almost overshadowed by the comedic elements. This might disappoint readers looking for a more pronounced romantic storyline.

Connecting with the characters can be tough at times. Finn’s grudge feels a bit overblown for what happened, making it hard to empathize with him. Lavender is likable but almost too perfect, which can make her hard to relate to. A bit more depth and development in their relationship would have enhanced the story.

Despite these points, *How to Plot a Payback* is a cute and fun read. It’s perfect for those wanting a light-hearted story with a Hollywood twist. While it may not satisfy hardcore romance fans, it offers a pleasant escape with its humor and charm.

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. The narrators, Fiona Hardingham and Steve West, did an amazing job. They have prefect voice variation that matched character distinction. The flow and pitch were perfect and I had no issues listening at 2x and was able to keep up. 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.

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.

My Rating 3.5 stars

This book was super cute and funny! This sweet, slow-burn romance begins with the MC plotting his revenge against the woman he blames for ruining his life. I chuckled and giggled my way through the entire book in 2 sittings!

thank you to Harper Collin’s and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Lavender Rose is the star of a sitcom…and the arch nemesis of Finn Masters. When he gets the opportunity of a lifetime, Finn must learn to play nice with Lavender - or learn to plot a payback. I really enjoyed this book! It dragged for me a bit in the beginning (mainly because the “I hate lavender because x” got a bit old quite quick). Once I hit 50% though, I blew through the rest of the book quickly. That halfway mark felt like an entirely new book and I ADORED it. In terms of audio production, the mix (audio levels) of the male’s POV was off at times. Especially earlier on, I felt I was constantly adjusting my volume because it would be a whisper one second and a shout the next (not always the actors fault - it felt like a mixing problem). I really enjoyed the audio from the female POV, though, and I would definitely listen to another book read by her. I think the audio format took away from the impact of the book a bit for me just because of the mix. I likely would’ve rated it higher had I read the book physically

The limited back story on the rationale behind the list of grudges makes this book feel shallow / lacking depth. I had a hard time connecting with either main character.

The audiobook narrators, however, were engaging!

This book was so much fun to read! I listened to the audiobook and could not get enough! Starting a book with an even giving out free puppies!? Um, yes please!! (It's fiction, people! We can dream that we live in a world where nobody/no puppies are harmed when they are given out for free as party favors.)

I was pulling for both Finn and Lavender the entire time. I felt like the author did a great job giving us reasons to pull for each of them even though one was a true Mr. Grumpy Pants and the other was Ms. Can Do No Wrong.

Seeing this book play out in my mind kept me giggling (especially Finn's community!) and on the edge of my seat for how it would end.

This book is an easy read and automatic recommendation for the pool/beach bag!

What a fun and light hearted read.
This is a cheeky story about a friend’s to enemies (one sided) affair. this will have you laughing out-loud with all the back and forth! I think this is Ferguson best book yet.

I did really struggle with the audio narrators tho. Steve West and Fioana Hardingham were brilliant, but I felt like one of them should have had a British accent since they were both from England.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Neilson Publishing and Melissa Ferguson for the opportunity to listen to this audio book production.

Finn Masters, a successful screenwriter lands his dream job writing for the hit sitcom Neighbors. But there's a catch—he'll have to work alongside Lavender Rhodes, the show's beloved star who unknowingly ruined Finn's acting career and love life back when they were schoolmates in England. Determined to exact revenge, Finn sees an opportunity to sabotage Lavender's character on the show. However, as his plan backfires and unexpected twists arise, Finn begins to see Lavender in a new light, forcing him to confront his feelings and reconsider his vendetta.

**Review:**
Melissa Ferguson delivers a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy with "How to Plot a Payback." Filled with humour, wit, and charming characters, this novel is a delightful romp through the world of Hollywood and second chances.

Finn Masters is a relatable and endearing protagonist whose journey of self-discovery is both entertaining and heartfelt. Ferguson deftly explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of love to heal old wounds. As Finn navigates his complicated relationship with Lavender Rhodes, readers will find themselves rooting for him to find happiness and closure.

The dynamic between Finn and Lavender is the heart of the story, and Ferguson crafts their interactions with humour and warmth. The banter between the two characters crackles with chemistry, and their journey from adversaries to allies is a joy to witness. As Finn's plan to exact revenge on Lavender unravels, the novel takes unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Beyond the romance, "How to Plot a Payback" also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of television production, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Ferguson's sharp wit and clever dialogue bring the setting to life, creating a vivid backdrop for Finn and Lavender's antics.

Overall, "How to Plot a Payback" is a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that will leave readers laughing, swooning, and cheering for Finn and Lavender's happily ever after. With its lovable characters, witty humor, and feel-good storyline, this book is sure to delight fans of the genre.

Tropes
-Enemies to Lovers
-Second Chance
-Workplace Romance
-Sweet Romantic Comedy
-Redemption and Forgiveness

Overall, "How to Plot a Payback" combines classic romantic comedy tropes with a fresh and engaging storyline, making it a compelling read for fans of humorous and heartwarming romance novels.

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🙂)

As for the audiobook, it was a good experience, well narrated and with dual POV. I recommend it!

Have you ever wanted revenge or payback? Most people aren’t given one chance not alone more than once to plot AND execute said plans.
✍️
Maybe you don’t want payback. But Finn does. 😠 In fact he has a list of grievances from Lavender going all the back to school days. And what are the chances that he finds himself as a writer for her hit tv show she stars in? Pretty slim and he takes advantage! I saw the show “Neighbors” to be like “Friends” which I’m currently rewatching 🤩
✍️
I love Melissa’s books with witty prose and great one liners. This was a fun book to listen to and the narrators with their British accents are 👌🏼 especially when they say aluminum 😍
I loved the side characters, Finn’s life as an “old man” and how Lavender inserts herself. The behind the scenes drama of the tv show was fun too. I do wish there was more romance than at the end - in fact I want a sequel! With the fun epilogue, I want to read that book 😁
✍️
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the alc. this book released last month and is available everywhere! these are my own thoughts and opinions.

Oh wow, this audiobook was everything! I went into it not knowing what to expect and it blew me away. First off, I absolutely loved the narrators. They were perfect for the main characters and told the story so well that it was hard to put it down. The story also surprised me though! It was fun and hilarious, the writing style super enjoyable, and I had a BLAST with this book. ♥

Unfortunately I am not feeling How to Plot a Payback. It might have more to do with the narrators than the book, but at 21% I am DNFing.

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.

* Thank you @uplitreads @thomasnelson @ourfriendlyfarmhouse @librofm #gifted and Netgalley

I missed listening to all of this book before it was archived so I ended up reading it.

This was a cute quick read. I loved the plot of this book and I think it was excellent! Finn was giving Goob from Meet the Robinsons and I am so here for it! This was is enemies to lovers, only one of them knows they are enemies and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Overall a light and fun book.


Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.

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.*

This was such a cute story! I feel like fans of Friends or similar sitcoms would especially appreciate this plot. The pacing felt a bit off, since we went from plotting payback to deeply in love, and it took a while for me to get invested in the story. The first chapter is 36 minutes, and it really just lays the groundwork for the plot. Once you hit chapter three, though, it is really engaging!