I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; it was a lovely way to spend a free weekend! The characters mesh together well and evolve throughout the book, including side characters. The setting gives you a glimpse into the frantic world of sitcom writing as well as acting. The dogs added a bit of extra charm to the book and the ending was perfect!

How to Plot a Payback is a cute and engaging half-enemies-to-lovers/grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy. Finn Masters, a script writer turned executive producer, holds a grudge against famous actress Lavender Rhodes for multiple transgressions she either had no idea she committed or had no idea the impact they had on Finn. When his dream job lands him on the set of Lavender’s hit show, he attempts to “plot a payback,” but his efforts don’t have the effect he intended.

I found this premise to be intriguing, and I overall really enjoyed how it played out! Finn and Lavender were both endearing in their own ways, and I really appreciated how Lavender brought out a lighter side of Finn.

I honestly think the “payback” part could have been fleshed out more thoroughly—there were a couple attempts (primarily around 50-65%, I’d estimate) but the plot progressed beyond them pretty quickly. I also thought that Lavender at times behaved unrealistically, but I suppose that was also just the appeal of her character’s charming personality.

Melissa Ferguson, thank you for writing this book! I loved everything about it! Lavender is such a great leading lady, Finn is so funny and grumpy. The whole story I was laughing or falling in love with the characters.

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

Two complete opposite characters could not be more well suited for each other than Finn and Lavender! This book really explores how one person’s actions can affect such an affect on someone else without the offender even realizing it. I loved the witty inner monologue of Finn and found myself laughing out loud more than once. An added bonus was the dogs! As Bernese Mountain Dog mom in real life, I found Bernie’s hilarious antics spot on with the breed!

It took me awhile to get into but once I did I had a hard time putting it down. Such a different premise and I love that the main character is named lavender, definitely got t swift stuck in my head

DNF’d at 28%. Look I really enjoy the concept, but it just took too long to get going and unfortunately failed to capture my interest. Maybe I’ll give it another go in the future, but I’m leaving it for now.

This story follows Finn, a Hollywood screenwriter, and Lavender, a Hollywood actress and his worst enemy. Only, Lavender didn’t get the memo. When Finn has the opportunity to move up in the screenwriting world and move to a new show, he accepts the offer, despite the fact that Lavender is the lead. He tries his best to enact payback for all her years of inadvertently ruining his life but finds himself falling for her instead.

This premise is so fun, very Gold Rush by Taylor Swift, but I think it started on a weird note. It was all just TOO MUCH. The writing was great, very easy to follow and entertaining, but the plot points were just so crazy or weird that I just couldn’t vibe with it. Like, at the very start, Finn is talking to someone at the party, who drops his cocktail weenies on the floor. Finn picks them up, puts them back on the plate, and the man eats them. To me, this just wasn’t funny and was so in your face about “this man is a doofus.” Maybe some people will enjoy this kind of hyperbole, but I prefer more subtle plot points. There were quite a few moments like this, but I was mostly able to get over it and enjoy Finn and Lavender’s story. It was really interesting and made a lot of sense up until the 80%, which just felt super duper rushed. The ending that Finn manufactured for Lavender felt sooo unrealistic and out of nowhere, it just didn’t fit well with the rest of the story. I also felt super disappointed as a reader when they only kissed twice in the wholeeee story, mostly because this is marketed as a romance, and we didn’t get that in the end. Again, up until the 80% point, the slow burn progression was great, but after all that reading, we get two kisses? I felt like I had wasted all that time, waiting for a great “the couple finally gets together” moment just for it to end abruptly.

Besides all that, I really did enjoy this story, I just think it needs to be finely polished. I can really see this going from a 4-star to a 5-star read. ALSO, the cover is atrocious, why does the hot British guy look like Andrew Glouberman from Big Mouth? It’s really bad.

This was a fun easy read. I enjoyed the different hiccups and twists that came throughout the story. My favorite character was Lavender. She was such an easy person to cheer on and had such a joy that wasn't built on her success but just the world around her. I loved the community that surrounded Finn as he went through the story.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I recently read a cute and enjoyable romantic-comedy that I believe many readers will adore. The book features a grumpy/sunshine trope with a slow-burn romance, and the characters are not what they seem initially, which adds to the intrigue. I particularly enjoyed the subplot regarding the famous actress and the scriptwriter. The characters were likable, and the story was well-crafted. I loved Finn and Lavender - my new favourite couple.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

"’𝙵𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚘𝚛 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙. 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚠𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎, 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚗.’“ ⚔️

📖 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙤𝙣

Finn has been living a series of unfortunate events all stemming from interactions with the one and only Lavender Rhodes his whole life. One problem after another he can trace back to her. Because of this, he has built up quite a bit of animosity towards her. When he is offered a job as a screenwriter for her long running sitcom, Neighbors, he takes it. 🎬

Unfortunately for Finn, Lavender is nothing like how he imagined her to be. Lavender is a happy go lucky person that sees the world through rose colored lenses. Finn has to grapple with the fact that the person he blamed for so many negative experiences in his life, is actually a good person.

This book was really fun. Finn trying to plot revenge was priceless. It was basically like a teddy bear plotting revenge. I adored Finn’s relationship with his elderly neighbors. The canine supporting roles were funny and I cracked up about The Cat Man! 🐈‍⬛🐶

This is a dual POV book, and it was nice to get some chapters from Lavender’s perspective. As far as romantic chemistry between the two leads I’d rate it a 2.5 out of 5 🩶. This is a clean romance with zero spice!

Overall book rating: 4⭐️

Tropes: dual POV, grumpy x sunshine, romcom, bookish MMC, clean romance, teddy bear MMC

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! This book comes out on April 2nd, 2024! Make sure to snag it! 🩶

When Finn, a promising screenwriter, is hired as producer for a popular sitcom, he knows that that job would make or break his career. And it could very well end it, because the leading actress was none other than Lavender Rhodes, his nemesis, the woman who has (unknowingly) ruined so many things in his life. But ... What if working in such close proximity with Lavender wasn't such a bad thing ? What if it was a chance for payback ?

I felt like it was more a comedy than a romance at first, there was no meaningful interaction between the MCs til about 40%, I had a good time reading that first half nonetheless, all thanks to Finn - witty, slightly unhinged Finn Masters, who is now in my top 5 All Time Favorite MMCs List. Lavender was a bit too "Disney-Princess-y" for my liking, I generally prefer stronger FMCs.
But when the romance started, oh boy ! It was relatable, unique, subtle but overwhelmingly cute ... Yes, this is what they call a "slow burn", or a "slow burn masterpiece" as I call it.

The end was a bit too corny for my liking though. I'm all for a happily ever after, but this one felt a bit too perfect, to the point where is wasn't believable at all.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me access to this e-ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

》ARC Review: How to Plot a Payback《

This one one had me in stitches! How to Plot a Payback had me toppling over in big belly laughs, it brought endless smiles to my face and provided great insight into the importance of perspectives and growth. With some sweet romance sprinkled in. 3.5✨

The trope should be enemies-to-lovers, because damn him if Finn isn’t trying his darnest to make Lavender his nemesis as he seeks retribution.

Too bad she missed the memo!

Because there isn’t a single mean bone in her body, Lavender is pure sunshine.

Which makes this tale into a hilarious one-sided enemies-to-lovers. And it excels in this trope.

I have two qualms though: there was not much romancing. Yes, our leads spend the bulk of the book together, but I never gained a sense of falling in love. More so, it was falling into shenanigans. Which definitely had me rolling in laughs, but I wanted to fall in love a bit more.

My second qualm was wishing a bit more drama/angst happened. Lavender is such a sweet, accommodating soul. Ice cream melts all over her dresser (on purpose mind you) and she’s grateful for what she assumed was a kind gesture. Never mind her destroyed makeup. She is always assuming the best in others. Which is why I was salivating for some good drama when it came to Finn’s revenge list! I wanted to see it either being spread around behind the scenes or populated via tabloids. I wanted Lavender to get hurt so I could get me some excellent groveling and making up by a remorseful Finn.

Instead, Lavender stays entirely in character and gives the list a pragmatic look over and communicates all healthily to Finn. It’s far too healthy and mature! I wanted drama 😂 But truly, it was nice to see a character stop and think instead of irrationally act. But I wouldn’t have minded the latter if it meant grovels and angst!

Nevertheless, I did have great laughs whilst reading this one. It was fun being in the POVs of each lead, and while the romance and angst was thinned out, this book still threw a good party. I’m glad to have experienced it! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thought this was great! It was really funny and the characters were likable. I bought into the love story and liked the way that the plot developed. The only thing keeping me back from giving it 5/5 stars is that there are occasional time jumps that get confusing. Or I think more accurately time jumps that feel rushed / like we the reader missed out on an important moment in favor of having our two leads discuss what happened. So a little bit more tell than show at times. But I love a good slow burn romance and how genuine the connection felt. So glad I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley!

Trying to get payback through screenplay writing, this story is takes place on a beloved sitcom set (think HIMYM or Friends). The first chapter grabbed my attention, and I read this well-paced story in one sitting. I laughed out loud several times with the great dialogue. I think this is my new favorite from Melissa Ferguson (though I really love Meet Me in the Margins).

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, Hollywood star, enemies to lovers (one sided), forgiveness

Rating: 4.75/5

Sweet (no spice)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

How To Plot A Payback
by Melissa Ferguson

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh I loved this writing. This book was just such a fun book to read and enjoy. I eat up romcoms and this was one that I sat down to read and I giggled. Grumpy Sunshine is one of my favorites and I love the occasional slow burn romance aspect of romcoms. This book was just overall a fun book to sit down and enjoy with a cold beverage in the sunshine. I will continue to read all the books that Melissa puts out and as always love her writing and her plots/storylines she comes up with. This is a must have on the TBR folks!

I loved this book so much! I devoured it. Everything about it was just perfect. The characters, the story, all of it.

Melissa Ferguson has done it again! This was absolutely delightful! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Finn Alexander grew up in England and is now a well-known writer for a successful TV program, living in Los Angeles. He attends a Hollywood party, for the purpose of networking with the goal of meeting potential employers. Unexpectedly, he does get a fabulous offer of a dream job on a phenomenally successful weekly TV program. He quits his current job with no notice and Monday morning shows up bright and early to his new job, where he has been warmed to “not be late,” by his new boss. Upon arrival, he encounters several crazy circumstances that cause coffee down the front of his shirt, a few tears in his clothing, and finding a home for many dogs. When he finally makes his late appearance to a meeting, in his disheveled state, to his total dismay and shock, he finds that Lavender Rhodes is the much-loved star of the program he will be a writer for.
Finn and Lavender both grew up in the same town in England, however, they were not friends. Finn has a detailed list, beginning at age 17, that goes through his life to age 29, listing the many things the “Transgressor” also known now as Lavender Rhodes, did that ruined much of his life.
Finn is pretty much stuck in the fabulous new job since he quit his old job with no warning, so no chance of returning. When opportunities come up, he plots how he can payback Lavender for all the losses and heartbreak he suffered at her hand.
This is a well-written, creative, fast-paced, delightful story that grabbed my heart and attention right from the start. The characters are creative, loveable, and unforgettable. Often I had to pause to laugh out-loud!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

When Finn Masters is forced to work with Lavendar Rhodes, the unknowing and ultimate "Ruiner of Life." there will be heck to pay! Unfortunately, for him at least, not all goes as planned and he might just find something (or someone) to love! This is a highly anticipated release from Melissa Ferguson and I can't wait to share this romcom with the world in April 2024!

The first time I read this story I really liked it. The second time around I really loved it!

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. The HEA was also fantastic!

I've added it to my audiobook wish list and I also look forward to re-reading this wonderful story again in the future.

Rate G. No profanity and no sex.

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