I have read this author's work before and always enjoyed it. This book was another very cute romantic comedy about a man with a nemesis who is completely unaware of this status.

Finn and Lavender have met before in school and then, years later, he becomes a writer on her hit tv show. While Finn is busy plotting revenge and calling it 'justice', Lavender's sunshiney personality worms its way into his heart and scuppers all his plans.

I really loved the way we get to see things from Finn's point of view. He is so grumpy it's hilarious. And Lavender is the perfect foil without being too sickly sweet. She's a human who has made mistakes and learned from them.

While this isn't a very deep book it's thoroughly entertaining and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a few giggles on their way to a HEA.

I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley. All opinions shared in this review are my own.

I hate enemies to lovers. But THIS BOOK makes me get it! This was so good. I loved every detail of this and how it was written. I also loved the TV star/writer dynamic. Finn having his life ruined by Lavender in so many ways was so entertaining, especially after they started working together. I laughed so many times while reading. And I appreciated that they fell in love slowly. The revenge plot made the book fly by and I wasn’t even missing the romance! I think my problem with enemies to lovers is the instalove they seem to have. This was slow and sweet and funny. A true friendship was built and I was rooting for them! I love how this wasn’t a spicy book, with Finn showing his love by fighting to help Lavender accomplish her dreams. And I loved how Bernie and Miles were treated as their kids instead of the epilogue ending with them having lots of babies. The way this ended was much more consistent with the characters and I really liked it. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a quick and fun read! This was a perfect romance in my opinion.

When you’re in the mood for something cute or something that feels like a 30 min sitcom show might I suggest picking up HOW TO PLOT A PAYBACK!

Finn just landed a spot as a TV show writer for the big hit sitcom Neighbors (all the FRIENDS vibes) starring Lavender Rhodes who he’s known since childhood and has a way of ruining Finn’s life. With the opportunity at hand, Finn starts to plot his payback!

The more I sit with my thoughts on this one the more I’m finding my mind wondering to the little details I loved… Finn’s terrible no good very bad first bad day…All the dogs… Lavender’s friendships with her costars…. Mrs Teaberry and her eccentric lifestyle and how Finn fit into it… as well as the rest of the community and descriptions of Finn’s building… Lavender’s down to earth lifestyle and love for living above a bakery to smell baklava each morning… give me an alternating POV and you got me!

I am a Melissa Ferguson completist and I’m excited to see what wholesome read she creates next.

Thank you Thomas Nelson & Uplit Reads
Releases 4/2

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I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am honestly grateful for this opportunity. But I’m sorry I didn’t really like the book.
I had trouble connecting to this story. I didn’t like the writing style; it is often all over the place. For example: one chapter is about Lavender trying to get het co-worker to take a puppy, while this co-worker is doing her own make-up because she sacked her make-up artists because blah blah blah (long story), but she needs a puppy because she is following influencers who organize her entire life, which is why she threw all her books in the bin, followed by an endless list of things that this co-worker re-organized - aaarrggghhhh! I kinda lost track of the storyline here. But it goes on and on. Then on to her other co-worker Kye, whom she tries to take another one of these dogs, but then you get an summary of the different looks on his face and in which episode he showed this look; then onward to the differences in the dressing table, where she can find the lipstick, all the things that happened in this dressing room (divorces, break-ups, everything is mentioned), and back to a list of every item in the room. Then after many years Finn finally got his ultimate dream job, he decided to be more than half an hour late on his first day at the job in order to help a PA handling ten dogs find new owners?! Very unrealistic and again toooooo manyyyy details!!
I tried to trudge on but the book it looks like the author wanted to put as much detail into the story as possible, and to use as much words as possible. It was a overwhelming and slowed down the story.
Finn’s attitude was quite childish. His list of ‘transgressions against Finn Masters’ is quite frankly, ridiculous and petty. He missed or was late for some appointments and a date gone sour or didn’t get picked for a job opportunity, but to blame Lavender for that? And thus calling her a ‘dragon’, <i>knowing full well the plumes of smoke from the distant town are her doing</i> - I think he’s highly immature and overreacting. Lavender wasn’t a dragon, a nasty, horrible woman, but she seemed superficial and shallow.
I think this book had a lot of potential; the idea of a famous tv actress and a script writer was a good idea but the execution wasn’t working for me, unfortunately.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh. My. Word. This book had me laughing out loud. I also had to tell my husband all about this book, which I never do, because he usually is not interested. But, this one had me laughing so much, I had to share it with him. I loved the interaction between Finn and Lavender. Also, the way Finn discovered that he quite possibly was the villain in their story? It was utter perfection. I have never read a Melissa Ferguson book before, but now all of her previous books are on my TBR list. Read this. You will not regret it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy! I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice, lighthearted romcom that had me smiling and eager to see how their romance developed. I thought that all of the characters came across as well-developed and realistic, and although Finn and Lavender did get on my nerves occasionally, they were overall enjoyable to follow. I do wish that the playback was a bit more fleshed out, or that we got more time with Lavender and Finn as a couple (that might just be me being selfish because I loved them as a couple!), but it still was a thoroughly fun, sweet, and lovable romcom. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am so grateful I got a chance to read it before it's publication! I definitely recommend it to people who traditionally enjoy romances or other quick-paced, lighthearted reads!

*****3.5*****
This book is lighthearted, fun, and engaging. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the narration is really funny. I found myself smiling a lot and chuckling as I read. I do wish the "payback" part of the story was developed further, but I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and the setting was really interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I definitely recommend it to people looking for a quick, light read that will make them smile and maybe swoon a little bit.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-copy of the book.

🎬 How to Plot a Payback ARC Review 🎬

Release Day: April 2nd, 2024

I was given an ARC of this book from @thomasnelson @ourfriendlyfarmhouse and @netgalley and I am SO glad I requested this book. I am adding Melissa Ferguson to my list of authors to keep an eye out for! 🥰

What does this book have? 👇🏻

🎥 Show biz story in a non-spicy setting
🎥 writer MMC *cough, he’s British, cough*
🎥 actress FMC
🎥 NA aged characters
🎥 🐶🐶🐶 cuteeee pups
🎥 clever dialogue
🎥 funny mishaps
🎥 real feelings

One of my favorite silly parts is Finn’s school being called Welling. I picture him singing the Welling school song just like Ryan sings the Wellington school song in @officialnewgirl 🤭🤣

If you like clean romance, witty dialogue, and NA aged characters, this story might be right for you! 😍💕🧡💛💜

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Content: 🍓🍓🍓🍓

Touchy Topics: revenge, payback, dishonesty, fear

#bookreview #advancedreaderscopy #arcreview #arcreviewer #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #writersofbookstagram #authorsofbookstagram #release #releaseday #pubday #publication #newbook

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Rating Scale:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: PERFECT. Probably cried
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Wonderful, just not top 10
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Good! Most books fit here
⭐️⭐️: Not really my cup of tea
⭐️: Basically DNF

Content Scale:

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓: Squeaky clean!
🍓🍓🍓🍓: Appropriate for most readers
🍓🍓🍓: Heavy topics, likely 18+
🍓🍓: Intense scenes about heavy topics
🍓: Tread lightly

🦇 How to Plot a Payback Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite sitcom? ❓

🦇 Even after adjusting career paths and crossing an ocean, screenwriter Finn Masters just can't manage to escape his childhood nemesis. Now he has to work with her on the set of Neighbors, one of Hollywood's longest-running, highest-rated sitcoms. Shining star Lavender Rhodes is completely unaware that she ruined his relationship and destroyed his acting career, though there is something about Finn that keeps pulling her into his orbit. As Finn plots his payback, will he recognize why Lavender is so universally adored...and even fall a little himself?

💜 Melissa Ferguson's prose is sharp, witty, playful, and engaging all in one go. Once you fall into the story, there's no getting out until the end. What seems like a fun little romcom is actually brimming with important messages. As his plot to get payback fails over and OVER, Finn starts to see Lavender in a new light. This story is a prime example of how someone can play the villain in our stories, only for us to appear as a background character. The ending (pre-epilogue) was brilliant and sweet; proof of how much Finn has learned about Lavender once he truly got dragged into her orbit.

💙 While this is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, we don't actually FEEL the emotions bubble and boil over. It's difficult to develop any emotional connection with either main character. Maybe seeing every moment Lavender unintentionally ruined Finn's life as a flashback, instead of as a brief account from Finn, would have added that emotional depth. While this was a slow burn, the actual falling is so sudden that it feels out of place, only for readers to get whisked into a happily-ever-after epilogue. My biggest problem (you've heard this before) was everything related to the sitcom. My gf works in film and the inaccuracies pulled me out of the story every time (no set can survive with so FEW PAs).

🦇 Recommended for fans of Falon Ballard and Ava Wilder.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🎬 (One-Sided) Enemies to Lovers
⭐️ Hollywood/Workplace Romance
🎬 Forced Proximity
⭐️ Slowburn
🎬 Grumpy/Sunshine
⭐️ Hijinks

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

💬 Quotes
❝ Still, that’s how a story grows: from mistakes that cause consequences that cause realizations. And from digging out of holes. ❞
❝ Because people can admire the sketch of a perfect person on paper, but they relate to, they love, they hate, they weep for, they root for three-dimensional people with both virtues and vices who grow out of the page. Ashley Krane was too perfect. She needed to become alive. ❞
❝ She’s so good at ruining my life that of course I should’ve suspected she could ruin my payback. ❞
❝ “Here’s the thing, Lavender. 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. I saw an opportunity, and I reached for it. Sure, I’m going back to a detective series. But I’d do it again in a minute. 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.” ❞

Screenwriter Finn Masters lands a job on hit sitcom Neighbors, which happens to be the series Lavander Rhodes, whom he hates, stars in. As Lavander has been inadvertently ruining his life ever since they were in school, Finn has done his best to avoid her, but then decides to use his new position to get a little payback by messing around with her character.

This book genuinely was so much fun, and such an incredibly fast read; the story flowed so perfectly and I couldn't put it down. As someone with a deep fascination for the writing process in shows and movies, I found the setting so interesting and it definitely helped hooking me into the story.

I absolutely adored Lavander as a character and her development through the book. She is such a bubbly, sweet person, and it was fun watching Finn realize how wrong he was about her as the story develops. Now, when it comes to Finn, he did take a while to grow on me: at first, I found him annoying and quite childish, but as the story progressed and we got to know more of him, it got clearer how "out of character" his hatred for Lavander was. The cast of supporting characters was generally great, they had their fun moments and added a lot of comedy to the plot.

The story definitely is heavier on the comedy rather than the romance, which properly kicks off the last 30% or so of the book, but I didn't really mind that, even though I will say the switch felt pretty sudden, especially on Finn's part, but it wasn't too bad for me. I really loved the way the story wrapped up, it just made sense, and it was a great way to conclude everyone's story.

Reading this felt like watching one of those comfort romcoms on a rainy day, and I would definitely recommend it if that is what you're looking for. Lovable characters, silly attempts at "revenge", and enjoyable characters all around. Truly couldn't ask for anything more.

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

This was a cute romcom! A little enemies to lovers where only Finn knew they were enemies. The main theme of animals made my heart very happy! I did really love Lavender but Finn got on my nerves a little holding a grudge which felt a little childish. I do enjoy a book set in Hollywood whether it be on a movie set or a tv show. This one was definitely a slow burn and took a little to pick up pace but I did enjoy the story. Also keep in mind this is a closed door romcom!

Thank you to everyone for this early gifted copy of How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson!

What can I say? Melissa does it again with her wonderful, fun romantic comedies. I can't get enough. Please keep them coming.

This story was a quick read, with fun characters that had me laughing and giggling at times, rooting for them and their relationship, and living for the happily ever after that you just know is to come.

If you love enemies to lovers, Hollywood, animals, sitcoms and genuinely good people, you'll love this book.

This book wasn’t for me. I found it quite messy and confusing most of the time. The characters were really shallow. Based on the premies and the titel I expected that it focused a lot more on the payback plans, but I felt like they were barely there.
The main characters falling for each other felt forced and unrealistic.
It took me the longest time getting through it and I almost didn’t finish it. It’s not a book I would recommend.

Melissa Ferguson has done it again. I adored Lavender and Finn, not to mention the amazing side characters. How to Plot a Payback is all about love, grumpy-misguided grudges, and laughter! With the coziness of an episode of Friends, an actress heroine like a Disney Princess, and a bookish grump screenwriter, this book is a great clean rom-com read!

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

I normally really enjoy Ferguson's work, but I didn't finish this one. The characters weren't as nuanced as hers usually are, and I felt like they were unrealistic. They seemed like sitcom characters themselves. Because of the characters, I couldn't connect to the story in any way, though the dogs were cute. I might try this one again later, but it's not for me right now.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I did like it overall.

I always love an enemies to lovers type of book, and this was definitely that.

I did find it a little wordy at times, and while I did not love it, I liked it, and I could see others liking it too.

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book and now I can't wait to go back and read more.  
She really brought the COM in rom-com!!  I was giggling most of the way through.  The characters were hilarious and loveable with a little grumpy sunshine theme going on.  And all the dogs...swoooon!!
Imagine getting offered your dream job only to find out that you're working alongside the common denominator of all things that went wrong in your life.  Plotting a payback is Finn's only viable solution, right?  Until it backfires!!  Maybe there is more to Lavender that meets the eye.
This was a slower burn, flirty romance with sweet banter and hilarious situations.  #thechickens

Read if You Like:
-Hollywood Relationships
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Dogs
-Laughing Out Loud
-Clever Rom-Com's

Easy read. I personally didn’t connect to the characters well but the overall story was good. I liked that the MMC was a writer. I think the biggest reason I struggled with this book was the chapter lengths, especially in the beginning.

Overall, just a really fun rom-com! I love Melissa Ferguson's style and this novel was no different. Classically funny, delightful characters, and some shockingly mature and healthy communication. And a bonus for precious pups and the sweetest older neighbors.

This book is so light and fun, with genuinely little tension, no frustrating miscommunication tropes, and a sprinkle of grumpy x sunshine goodness. I sped through it in a day and it was the perfect cheerful story for my soul. A reminder of why I read every Ferguso book that comes out. :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

“I’m a happily married forty-year-old mother with sixteen years of sleep deprivation who peeled dried macaroni off my hair on the way to work this morning. I need a good story. I need to feel the drama.”
If you also need a good story & need to feel the drama, pick up this absolutely delightful book! Settle in for a clever, clean, & comedic love story with a unique plot. Who doesn’t love a dual pov romcom, with a BRITISH male lead no less!

As I read I felt little nods to well-loved stories like You’ve Got Mail with the slow-fall & enemies-to-lovers themes. It’s the classic dilemma of “I wanted to hate her, and yet I fell in love with her” that sucks us in (i.e. Pride & Prejudice).

The plot is quick and moves along nicely, the dialogue is clever & witty, and the characters are developed well! Through the two POVs, you’ll fall in love with both Lavender and Finn / and see how they then fall for each other!

Fans of Katherine Center would enjoy this squeaky clean alternative!
😇 Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson); no references whatsoever to faith or spirituality
🤐 No language
😍 A couple sweet kisses

Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.