I really loved the inner monologue of the main character. The angst. The story-telling. The behind-the-scenes reasoning for his thoughts and actions. It was a great title and I laughed all the way through it!

⭐⭐💫 2.5 starts. This was a silly revenge-filled but lighthearted romance about an actress and a sitcom writer who's paths have crossed for decades. It was a little slow for me, I think I would have liked to get to know the characters a little deeper. I would recommend it for anyone who wants a gentle quirky romance.

🧼 squeaky clean romance

Read if you like:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Second Chance
•Sunny vs grumpy
•Office romance

What a delightful, heartwarming, witty story! I loved reading this book and loved even more listening to it! This was so entertaining! The two actors enhanced this already delightful story with their portrayal of Finn and Lavender (along with the supporting cast).

What I loved most was Finn and Lavender's realization of what their shortcomings were and their willingness to change for the better. Of course, the revenge story with a twist was great as was the snarky dialogue, the great supporting cast (including adorable dogs), and a heartwarming love story. Finn is now officially one of my favorite leading men. What a sweetie! And the ending is so, SO perfectly satisfying and brilliant!

Rated PG. No profanity and no sex.

Finn Masters has just landed the job of lifetime as a screenwriter for the hit show Neighbors. The only downside, the star of the show is the girl who has ruined his life in many ways since high school. Now in close proximity Finn has the chance to get his payback against Lavender Rhodes. But when plans don't go as expected, Finn learns that getting revenge is harder than it looks.

This book was really cute and I enjoyed this storyline. The paybacks that Finn tried to make happen were comical and I found myself laughing out loud. I did find the beginning of this story a little slow but it did pick up about halfway through. Overall this was a cute read and I really liked the dual POV and dual narration on the audiobook

I enjoyed this book and it kept me entertained, however when I finished it, I also felt like nothing extremely remarkable happened in it. It just was. That being said I like the enemies to lovers trope and ever since 30 Rock came out I like a behind the scenes look at television writers. So that storyline kept me interested through the book. And sadly that is about all I have to say for it. There were about 2 chapters in the middle that I truly enjoyed where the main characters watch the Tv show they are on/write for with some elderly neighbors, but those interactions just didn’t last long enough for me.

How to Plot a Payback follows a couple who have been crossing paths repeatedly, despite one of them not realizing. They both find themselves working on a show which is reminiscent of 'Friends.' It's a fun, opposite's attract story, where Lavender Rhodes does not realize she has been repeatedly derailing Finn Master's life.

There are many assumptions made by both of the main characters about how the other moves through life, and the fun of the book is unraveling those assumptions and seeing things from alternate perspectives. The scenarios the protagonists find themselves in, while likely not relatable to the average person, are highly amusing.

I was lucky enough to review this book in audiobook format. The narration, by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West, alternates based on the point of view. I found both narrators to be clear and engaging.

Thank you to Melissa Ferguson and HaperCollins Christian Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of How to Plot a Payback.

Unfortunately this just didn’t keep my attention. I found myself zoning out and not knowing (or caring) what was going on. I’m so bummed but it is what it is! Thank you for this ARC.

This book was a "No" for me. I listened to it on audio and I hated the narrator. I couldn't get past how winey he made the MMC. I didn't love the plot either. It was rather boring.

This was a very funny, cute, fluffy read. Ultimately it felt a little light on the romance front, but it was still engaging end entertaining and I loved the characters! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good, low stakes comedy with a side of romance,

“Of course darkness cannot mix up with the light.”

How to plot a payback is a story about plotting revenge when you are a golden retriever… You’ll understand quickly that nothing can happen as expected!
I listened to the audio version of that book and it was such a great experience! Since the very first sentence, I was hooked by the acting, the accent (both British) and the dynamism coming from the narrators. I do really believe their performance helps the story to be even better.
The book was very lovely, and funny. I laughed so much during the listening, as hilarious disasters piled one over the other, and nothing made it to the plan. I loved the setting, about a sitcom’s behind the scenes (OMG the Friends’ references –or, at least, I took them as such!) and what happens between the show’s star and the new writer (who already have an history, though she isn’t truly aware of that). The situations were hilarious, and I was thrilled that dogs and writing took such a central place.
Fynn is sarcastic, often grumpy, while remaining a golden retriever and the contrast was delightful. I liked the “evolution” of Lavender too, though it’s more about Fynn discovering her than a true development. All the side characters were a great addition, with a special mention for Fynn ‘neighbours esquad’. If I’m being honest the book is more about that evolving relationship, with a lot of humour, than a “classical” romance, which worked wonderfully fine for me. In that, the title summarizes the story perfectly.
It was a very funny audio and I liked every minute of it, without ever being bored.

Thank you NetGalley, Melissa Fergusson & Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rate 4.5/5

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC Audiobook!

This was a super cute book that leans more towards comedy then romance, which is refreshing an fun. I love the dual point of view aspect - and the characters were fun and appealing. I did not love the audiobook but I think that is just a personal preference. Overall great vacation read especially with summer coming.

Melissa Ferguson has delivered another delightful Rom/Com. It's an enemies-to-lovers trope, sort of...only part of the couple knows about the enemy part, so it's half of the troph. Ferguson works the characters so that the two protagonists, Lavender and Finn, are on the same page at the end and fulfill the whole trope!! You love Lavender just because she's Lavender, and everyone loves her. And you love Finn because he is a sweetheart, but he tries his hardest to plot revenge, a "payback," for past indiscretions thrust upon him. Poor Finn, all his plotting and planning does nothing but bites him in the butt every time, thus causing him great guilt. Ferguson also created great secondary characters both in his found family, "neighbors" in Finn's apartment building, and his colleagues, "neighbors" at work....in short "Neighbors," where Lavender and Finn finally come together. Protagonists and secondary characters aside, the dogs steal the show, and are the best part of the book....you will fall in love with Bernie and Miles!

4 Stars

This was a cute rom-com book that had me laughing out loud several times. Super cute story line about a writer that just starting working on a hit TV show where his arch nemesis is the star of the show. He plans to get her back for all the times she "ruined" his life. Of course nothing goes like he wants it to. I liked this story and would recommend it to friends. The narrators were really good. I love when there is more than one narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for the opportunity to read this book.

after reading a lot of little rom-com type books, a lot of them can begin to feel the same but the plot of this one was something different, and definitely leaned more on the 'com' part of rom-com. although the enemies to lovers trope was mostly one-sided in this, it still felt so rewarding to see the the fmc and the mmc grow closer over the course of the book. i would have loved an ending where finn didn't have to go back to writing the genre he had grown tired of, just to say it's worth it to work with lavender, but overall, it was a fun, light read.

thank you to netgalley and thomas nelson and zondervan fiction audio for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson is a chick-lit, contemporary romance about two nemeses: one is a screenwriter, and the other is a show star or actor. Now, Finn Masters and Lavender Rhodes have to work together. But Finn thinks this is the best time to plot his payback and develop her character in the most embarrassing ways possible.

I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the characters, but I felt the execution and the whole plot could have been developed better. This is my second book by the author; the first one was 'Meet Me in the Margins'. While reading this book, I did occasionally find myself laughing out loud.

But as usual, as Finn gets to know more about Lavender, he realizes maybe she isn't that bad at all. Slowly, the feelings start to develop. I loved how, at the majority times, his payback uses backfires in the most hilarious ways possible. And if you are a dog lover, the female MC here tries to foster 10 stray dogs, and that part was the most adorable and favorite of all.

Apart from all the good things, I am still missing something in this plot, which makes it very average for me and not the perfect chick-lit book for me. The romance definitely needs more work, so I do not even consider this one a merely romance book. Pick it up if you're looking for an adult guy who does stupid things and is a total no-brainer. Expect giggles all the way through the book.

How to Plot a Payback
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A super & funny story that I totally enjoyed. This book will keep you smiling. The characters personality are really great. I enjoyed the pace of the book in the cool location & style. Very hilarious!!
Thank you NetGalley!!

The story between a screen writer and actress was really fun. I enjoyed the comedy in this book. The banter between the main characters was really funny and cute.

I was completely captivated by this delightful audiobook! It was my first experience with author Melissa Ferguson's work, and I can't wait to add more of her titles to my never-ending TBR list. The audio format featured dual narration, and I found both the male and female narrators to be engaging and enjoyable. Listening to the story come to life through their voices added an extra layer of enjoyment for me. Though it started off a bit slow, the pace quickly picked up and kept me hooked until the end. The narrators skillfully brought the characters and their emotions to life, making it easy for me to get lost in the storyline. This book may not have had any "spice," as some would say, but that didn't take away from its charm or ability to draw me in. As a fan of romantic comedies, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers who enjoy this genre. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the ALC copy!

🎥 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🎥
I absolutely adored this hilarious romcom sitcom based book. The plot setting was unique and fun, and it’s what drew me to the book. Having a book setting on a tv show set seems to always intrigue me! And this story is mixed with some failed attempts at revenge and a blossoming love story.

Finn was a funny MMC to read. He is a screenwriter and in the past has always had unfortunate situations happen to him around Lavender. It’s been going on for decades and now they work together. From day one on set, Finn has bad luck and Lavender has no idea… she’s just so cheery and upbeat. Everyone loves her. Finn wants so badly to exact a small revenge as her shows screenwriter, but again things never work out.

Lavender always wants to do the best for everyone around her, even at the cost of her own happiness. Finn continuously runs into Lavender and learns all the wonderful things about her along the way. Each situation they get into is cute and funny.

The side characters in this book are so fun as well. I love a good side character because they just add so much to the story’s dynamic and this one has plenty of them!!

I both read and listened to this on audio, and both were fantastic! This is a sweet, fun read that will leave you feeling good at the end!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Fiona Hardingham and Steve West both did an amazing job bringing the characters of Lavender and Finn to life! Fiona brought a lighthearted, bright vibrancy to her narration of Lavender. Steve brought out the hilariously frustrated side of Finn, dealing with Lavender and all the funny situations that he would go through at work.

🎬 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🧡 Screenwriter / Actress
🩷 Sitcom TV Show Setting
🧡 Grumpy Sunshine
🩷 Dual POV
🧡 Closed Door Romance

I was approved for this book in audio and print and I didn't care of it either. Written in a third person tone set it just didn't do the story justice. It was a little over the top and not for me. I was hoping it was going to be light and airy like her other books, but it was too quirky/dramatic for me.