I really really wanted to like How To Plot a Payback because I’ve really enjoyed all of Melissa Ferguson’s other books especially Meet Me in the Margins but it wasn’t my favorite. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was about the book or the characters but it didn’t have the same magic as her previous works. I don’t think I warmed up to Finn or Lavender and felt like their relationship happened way too fast and there really wasn’t much resolution or much plotting of revenge based off the previous transgressions Finn felt. I did enjoy the community Finn built with his elderly neighbors and the antics of Bernie.



Thank you publishers and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

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.

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

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson is probably one of my favorite rom-coms she has written. Finn Masters is thrilled to be writing for the hit show Neighbors the highest rated, longest-running sitcom in Hollywood. The only problem is that the star Lavender Rhodes from his home town in England is the star. He considers her the woman who has wreaked havoc on his life. Lavender Rhodes is truly a delightful person. She is kind to everyone and liked by all. So why does Finn feel the need to plot a Payback with her?

This was all things sparkly and fun. I found myself wanting to make Lavender my best friend, and Finn endeared himself to me as I got to know him. I loved the character development and the dual point of views. The story reminded me that we really only know people on the surface most of the time, and what a joy it is know get to know someone better. I enjoyed visiting the world of sit-coms, Hollywood, and the work of screen writers. I laughed out loud so many times.

The story had me laughing, sighing, and remembering the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt. I highly recommend Hot to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Thank you for the ARC Melissa Ferguson and NetGalley😊
Read from 20 April - 21 April

This was quite a cute story about Finn and Lavender. The flow and writing was good. It was an easy and enjoyable read.
With some of my favorite tropes as grumpyxsunshine with a slowburn romance. Finn was my favorite Character of those two, since he seemed a tad more realistic than Lavender did.

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. He giggles all the way through the through the book.

Thank you UpLit Reads and Thomas Nelson for the ARC copy!

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!!

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

Be careful what you wish for, it sometimes comes back to haunt you. Finn Masters has been plotting his revenge on Lavender Rhodes since the first incident back in school. Everything bad that has happened in his life he blames her for it. Now he has the perfect opportunity to get payback. Only Lavender is one of the nicest people you want to know. She has two friends and they would do anything to protect her. Finn is the head writer now on the series she stars in and he his plotting his revenge. Only nothing is going to plan. It seems that the feelings he's had all this time for her have surface. What's a man supposed to do. Write his way out of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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.

Melissa Ferguson has done it again! This rom com has a nice mix of fun, shenanigans, sweetness, and whimsy. The LA backdrop is interesting and a nice change of scenery while still clean. Pacing was on point. The characters are well-developed, including supporting ones! I feel like a follow-up is made possible due to a new chapter - er, script♥️ - that opens up. I certainly loved the characters and story enough that I would read more. I love being able to read a romcom that is enjoyable for adult readers all the way down to my youngest preteen students.

Melissa Ferguson's newest romcom How to Plot a Payback is a fun read and great for light summer reading. I always have a hard time getting into her novels but enjoy theme once I am about 25% into the book and this followed this pattern. I listened to part of the book on audiobook and the English accents added even more to the story.
The novel is a story of two classmates with one holding a grudge against the other, who is clueless that she is his enemy. Finn is a tv writer and holds many grudges against Violet, a tv star who is American's sweethearts. Finn starts changing Violet's storyline and it becomes even a bigger hit and along the way he finds out she isn't as bad as he thought.
I found the story original in the crowded romcom market with the story of a tv writer and star. It was the perfect companion on a recent trip to the beach.
I received a complimentary copy of How to Plot a Payback, all opinions are my own.

Is revenge as sweet as it seems?

This book pulled back the curtain in the world of Hollywood and TV shows in particular. It got me thinking about what goes into making my favorite shows. It was a fascinating premise that was well-executed.

It was interesting to see the dynamic of one-sided enemies/rivals. Lavender was so sweet and likeable and Finn felt he had been so wronged.

This was a fascinating story. I enjoyed the ending and how everything tied up. This was a sweet romance, I'd rate it PG for kissing.

A slow burn sweet and clean romance. Everything we've come to expect form Melissa Ferguson. It's so refreshing to be able to recommend books to my friends that want closed=door romances. I bought this in paperback to add to my collection because I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This was a super fun read. I enjoyed the inner thoughts of each of the main characters. I loved getting to know their flaws. I felt their feelings and could easily visualize what was happening. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romcom.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did - this was such a fun romp. Was it a little over the top? Sure. Did I care? Nope! I feel like this is a perfect summer beach read - light, fun, and so entertaining.

How to Plot a Payback has an original premise that hooks you from the start. As an enemies to lovers trope, this one is unique because the feelings of animosity are one sided as Lavender does not know that Finn has been holding a grudge for years. Grumpy meets Sunshine as he Finn plots some petty revenge, and Lavender blithely unaware of what is happening, continues to spread cheer and sunshine wherever she goes. Billed as a romcom, it is high on the comedy, genuinely laugh out loud funny in places. The romance portion was slow burn and feel good, kept at a wholesome level. This was my first book from this author and it did not disappoint. Looking forward to my next read by this author.

Finn is convinced Lavender has ruined his life several times, so now he is a writer on the show she is in he thinks this is the perfect time for revenge. Will he get more than he bargained for? A fun read.

Such a cute, fun read.

This was a fun novel, cute idea, and kept me entertained the whole time.

Take Friends, mixed with Only Murders in the Building (cast dynamic), and then a little bit of Modern Family, and boom.

Such a fun, light rom-com

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well thi really was not book for me. I must say I was bought with cutesy cover, but the story line wasn't made me stick.

I read it, but I just could not connect with MCs.

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

DNF Sadly this title was not for me. I tried reading multiple times to no avail.

I am so sorry, but I really didn't like this at all and gave up at fifty percent. So a DNF for me.

It started off so well. I loved the first chapter and found the MMC really interesting. I was fully invested in the story. But then chapter two happened and the introduction of dogs and I lost all interest.

I also didn't think. this read as a love story.

This just wasn't for me.