Sadly I just could not get into this one. I may retry as a ebook, as I did not enjoy the narrators, but it’s not super high on my list of priorities. I have loved this author in the past but this one just wasn’t working for me.

This was one of those instances where it wasn't the book, it was me. And as much as I wanted to love this one, I DNF'd at about halfway through. I just didn't care for the characters and I couldn't see any chemistry there. Plus - who holds onto multiple grudges for decades...especially when your life has worked out pretty well?

I started reading this one with the audiobook, and while I was really amused by the male narrator, his voice didn't really fit the character? Would listen to him read a grocery list, but could not listen to him read this book. And I KNOW I'm in the minority with that one.

This book might be for others, but it just didn't work for me! All the same - adorable cover and I absolutely can't wait to see what Ferguson comes up with next!

4⭐️

I really enjoyed this audiobook! It was the perfect listen - was light, funny, and entertaining!

I really enjoyed this fun, unique romcom! The characters were three dimensional and I loved the way the reader’s understanding and perception of them changes as the book progresses. The audiobook narrators did an excellent job capturing the voices and personalities of each character!

This book was so funny, with such a wholesome love story. It was filled with slow-burn romance, feel-good story, humor, drama, and more. The only thing that bothered me was Finn's childish payback (But I know it's part of the story), once he got over it, the story was better. The audio narration of the book was done very well.

Finn Masters lands his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood's longest running sitcoms. The only problem with that? The leading lady is Lavender Rhodes. His nemesis. Does she know this? Nope. Now, as they are working on the show together, Finn realizes it's the perfect time for payback. Only every thing Finn tries backfires, and he begins to see Lavender in a new light.

I loved every single moment of this story. From the funny ways Finn tries to inflict payback on Lavender, to the silly things Lavender does thinking she's being altruistic, only to end up needs her friends to help her out. The voices for the characters also made for easy listening! This plot line was new and so fun!

I just love this author. Her books always just bring such joy, and this one is no different. I listened in one sitting. Defiintely recommend.

How to Plot a Payback… what can I say? This book is HILARIOUS. I laughed so hard. And so often. It was very much needed. Told from Finn and Lavender’s perspectives, it is the story of two people with a not so pretty history who end up working together and finding that they can actually have a very pretty future. Well worth the read! You should check it out!

I really liked the audiobook and I don’t think I would’ve finished this book if I read a physical copy. The narrators did a great job.

The story itself was a bit meh. There was no real conflict as the main issue of getting payback was short lived and underwhelming. I honestly can’t believe a grown adult could be holding onto a 15yr grudge from 6th grade. Finn blamed a lot of his shortcomings on Lavender when it was never really her fault.

Both characters were irritating in their own way and I couldn’t really see the chemistry. Finn was a major hater against Lavender and then all of a sudden he’s in love with her. Lavender went from not really knowing him except from her childhood and friendly to being in love with him. It was too sudden for me.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free eARC in exchange for my honest review*

How to Plot a Payback was just okay. If you love dogs you will probably enjoy this romcom. There was no smut, but certainly a lot of pet mishaps. It was cute at first, but then it got old. This was a sweet and very innocent book. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

This is my second Melissa Ferguson book (first being Meet me in the Margins), and I know it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this "read" and got through it in only 2 days since I picked it up whenever I had a chance.

Being in Finn Masters' head for so long as he carries this grudge gets pretty uncomfortable, but as he slowly melts into liking "Lavender" Rhodes, and realizing she is a good person it is so wonderful to see him be her biggest cheerleader. I loved all of the bits in his elderly community (I am a sucker for guys with good relationships with older folks), with the dogs, and of course the slow realization that they actually really care for one another.

I do wish it didn't wrap up so neatly into such a bow (and that Finn talked to Lavender more before making so many decisions for her), but overall I loved the read.

I should also mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fiona Hardingham and Steve West (especially), and anything they read I fall in love with, so that also might explain why I couldn't stop listening ;)

Cute story about revenge and misunderstandings. Preconceived ideas clash with reality. The narrator was very good and the story kept you coming back.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I really didn't care for the male narrator. For whatever reason, the tone and character put me on the wrong foot with the book from the very beginning. I kept listening as sometimes narrators can grow on you if you don't care for them at first and I liked Lavender's chapter better and wished the book had started off with this character first. However, the story just felt kind of vapid and uninteresting to me. It was juvenile how much the MMC didn't like the FMC and I didn't care to continue. I need a little more substance and this was a miss for me.

Melissa Ferguson’s "How to Plot a Payback" is a delightful rom-com rollercoaster that delivers equal doses of laughter and heart. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s glitz and glamor, the story follows Finn Masters, a talented screenwriter with a score to settle with his childhood nemesis turned co-worker, Lavender Rhodes.
Finn’s dream job turns into a nightmare when he realizes he’ll be working alongside Lavender, the woman who unwittingly derailed his acting career and romantic aspirations. Seizing the opportunity for payback, Finn concocts a plan to sabotage Lavender’s character on the hit sitcom they're both involved in. However, as Finn’s schemes unravel in hilarious fashion, he finds himself confronting unexpected truths and reevaluating his feelings towards Lavender.
Ferguson crafts a compelling narrative filled with witty banter, endearing characters, and laugh-out-loud moments. Finn and Lavender’s dynamic is the heart of the story, evolving from mutual animosity to reluctant admiration and, ultimately, to something more complex and genuine.
"What could go wrong?" Finn asks himself, and the answer is everything, but it’s in the chaos that the magic truly happens. Ferguson skillfully navigates the ups and downs of Finn and Lavender’s journey, infusing the narrative with warmth, humor, and a touch of romance.
"How to Plot a Payback" is a charming and feel-good read that will leave readers rooting for love, forgiveness, and second chances. Ferguson’s knack for storytelling shines in this entertaining romp through the highs and lows of Hollywood, making it a must-read for fans of romantic comedies.

This audiobook was made available to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This romance gave me so much to love. It was cute and funny and lighthearted and just what I needed. I was pleasantly surprised there were no explicit scenes, as I feel romances can sometimes lean to heavily on them to fill out the book.

I enjoyed Finn so much and thought he was a really good representation of how you can get really caught up in not blaming yourself and pile it all on a (singular) outside source that snowballs out of control. The found family/community of Finn's neighbors was so heartwarming and I really liked reading about that part of his life and how it fit so perfectly into what Lavender knew (didn't know?) she wanted for herself.

I didn't think I was a fan of enemies to lovers but maybe I'll have to reconsider after this!

4 stars, maybe 4.25

This book was such a surprise!! I enjoyed it a lot, I wasn’t anticipating liking it so much. The audio was great, the story is dual points of view with a different narrator for the FMC and the MMC.

I loved the MMC!! The narrators voice (Steve West) was perfect for him. It was the perfect choice, it channeled all the grumpy, disgruntled and dry humor Finn Masters has. He was also a caring person and I loved the contrast between his kind, caring side and his grumpy side. I enjoyed all the grumpy/sunshine vibes this book had to offer!

The FMC (narrated by Fiona Hardingham) is Finn’s nemesis and they are thrown together again. The forced proximity was fun and is always entertaining!! Also, the dogs in this book are the true stars. I’ll leave it at that so I don’t spoil anything.

No spice, closed door, kissing only with so many laugh out loud moments!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, the author Melissa Ferguson and Net Galley for the advanced copy of the audio book!

3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Melissa Ferguson for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

How to Plot a Payback was a fun read. The plot seemed so ridiculous but I found it entertaining and genuinely fun at times. I truly liked Finn's character and how he, or well, his perspective of Lavender and his treatment of her changes over time. The story's climax wasn't dragged on as it typically is in romcoms which I truly appreciate. Overall this was a cute grumpy/sunshine romcom. The audio was very entertaining as well.

This was overall an enjoyable story, but is lacking a lot of the romance I was promised. The romance was not just slow burn- it pretty much didn't exist until the last third of the story. The book overall was a little too long, and then throw in the missing romance plot and I was a little disappointed in it.

➳ Writing
The writing flows very well not making it difficult at all to get through the book. There were plenty of funny lines and cute scenes that could have been cringy but were super cute!
➳ Plot
Basically this guy named Finn thinks that this girl named Lavender is a terrible person and just wants to ruin everybody's life. But as he get's to know her because of course he is forced to work with her as her producer he starts to realize that maybe she isn't so bad.
➳ Characters
Finn is very skeptical and pretty stubborn but he does have a big soft spot for Lavender.
Lavender super sweet and sunshine but is such a people pleaser to the point where if everyone if happy about something she'll use her tremendous acting skills to make it seem like she's happy.
➳ My thoughts
I thought it was so fun but it's advertised as a romance when it's closer to a fiction of Finn not judging a book by its cover. Overall I had a great time listening to this and I would recommend this if you want something fast and heartwarming!
Thank you Netgalley and Melissa Ferguson for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Melissa Ferguson for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Had a great time with this story! It was easy, quick and honestly funny at times.