I have enjoyed other books by this author. However, I’m not a fan of British characters. So not quite having understood that I was very confused when both narrators had English accents.

It was a quick read for me. I had amazing time listening to the audiobook ARC and instantly fell in love with the characters of the book.
The author has penned down the characters in such a charming way that the plotline felt more interesting and beautiful. I love the writing style too.

I can totally see this book be turned into a TV show and I would totally watch it and devourer it's completely. It's enemies to Neighbors?.... I love all the characters and can picture them so clearly in my head. I love a good Rom-Com!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In all fairness, I have to say that the narration was amazing. Not only were they both extremely talented but they also happened to have accents that I could listen to read the telephone book and I would most likely enjoy it. They’re talented enough to make it funny too.

Now for the book. Honestly, despite my love for the narration, I believe this book would have worked better for me if I had actually read it. I believe I would have picked up on visual cues that I did not pick up on through listening until much later. These things greatly slowed the pacing down for me so that I honestly didn’t feel as though the plot didn’t begin to find cohesion and the pace didn’t begin to pickup until well after halfway through.

Let’s talk characters. You know those books filled with side characters that make you feel as though you’ve been dropped into a community and you know everyone? This is not that kind of book. I’m not putting it down! Hear me out. It wouldn’t work for this kind of book. It is a book that takes place in a Hollywood setting where people leave their jobs to go elsewhere and it is part of the feel of the book that some characters are established while others aren’t.

Overall, I liked it. It was cute. Funny. Very different from what I’ve seen lately. I would definitely recommend it.

If only the first three-quarters of this book had been as enjoyable to me as the last! Finn is a successful writer at a detective show, lured away to write for the long-running, gigantically successful sitcom Neighbors (if that sounds like a knockoff of something else, I think it’s intended). Problem is, the lead female star of this show, Lavender, grew up with him in the UK and is the subject of a long list of grievances re: things she has supposedly done to ruin his life, from taking his rightful lead in the school play, which launched her acting career and destined him to become a lowly writer, all the way through that time she was responsible for him splitting up with his girlfriend just before he was about to propose. He’s going to pay her back, through a series of poorly thought out, juvenile stunts baked into the scripts of these shows. Really?!

This whole premise was so silly and petty to me that I had a hard time relating much to Finn’s character, or rooting for him. And Lavender was so sunny, lovely (she’s prone to trying to rescue not just one dog in need, but all of them) and blissfully unaware — and when she was, kind and forgiving — that it was a bit hard to relate to her as well. She was very lovable, but it was hard to understand what she could possibly see in grumpy, vindictive Finn until we got to about that three-quarter mark, got to see him a bit more in his home environment, and got a sense of the community he had built and all he had going for him as a person. Up until then, the concept that there was going to be any kind of romance in this rom-com was baffling to me. In that last quarter, I very much enjoyed Finn’s neighbors, how they related to him and Lavender, and the fun ending that sees the leads embarking on a new adventure.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook! #NetGalley #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing #ThomasNelsonFiction #MelissaFerguson

This book was gold. It was hilarious and was a version of the "one person says something offhand, and the other person holds a grudge and hates them for life" trope that I had never seen before. Her accidently causing everything in his life to go wrong so much so that even his revenge plans backfire was adorable and funny. There is no third act breakup (I hate those), and they use the miscommunication trope in a way that actually makes sense. The characters were well rounded and had a lot of chemistry. I listened to this as an audiobook and think the narrators did an amazing job. Their emotion and inflection were perfect, and it was exactly how I think the characters should have sounded. I will not be able to stop thinking about this book for weeks.

I had a hard time connecting to this story. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or maybe the audio version. I loved the British voices but I just couldn't get into the story sadly. I found myself zoning out a lot and having to go back and re-listen to parts. The story premise sounded great great and different than a lot of the other rom-coms. I'm disappointed I didn't love it. I might have to try it again in the written version instead.

I think this book is fun and playful but at some points it was hard to take seriously. Overall, I enjoyed my time reading.

This had a bit of a slow start for me. I liked it enough but ultimately it lacked the oomph. I began to become a tad bitter at the thought of Fin and his list. He was very wishy washy about the whole thing. And that ending, it felt very rushed and didn’t feel believable.
Ultimately, it was entertaining. I mean, I finished it, didn’t I? I just don’t have to own a shelf copy. 🤷🏼‍♀️
I’d give this a 2.75 star rating which doesn’t mean I hated it. Please, pick it up and make up your own mind. 😉

I typically love Melissa Ferguson books, but I had a hard time connecting with this book. Enemies to lovers trope takes you through the lives of Finn Masters, a screen writer and his childhood enemy, Lavender Rhodes, who is a celebrity on a popular TV show. Finn’s reasons for disliking Lavender might have been reasonable at one time, but her first grievance against him happened years prior. Overall, I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. Now, I will say all of the dogs were really cute and Finn’s neighbors were pretty funny!

Overall, How to Plot a Payback is a sweet story that in the end did leave me with a smile.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators both did a great job!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley, for an audiobook ARC in return for my honest review.

I’m going to say the thing no book nerd should say because of course it’s going to jinx me. I am on such an awesome streak with books right now! *immediately lights sage to try to dispel any jinxy vibes* Folks, How to Plot a Payback is adorable. Super sweet enemies to lovers banter and cuteness. Finn, a TV writer, gets the opportunity of a lifetime to produce on the world’s most famous sitcom (basically FRIENDS). Only downfall is the lead actress is his nemesis- not that she knows about that title. Unbeknownst to her Lavender Rhodes has altered Finn’s life on multiple occasions. He blames her for physical injury, job losses, and a breakup with a woman he planned to propose to. Hell bent on revenge Finn decides to use his position as producer and writer to make Lavender’s life miserable. If only she would stop being so likeable and lovely.

I enjoyed this audiobook so much. Not only were the narrators top notch but the story was fantastic. Finn and Lavender had an awesome backstory and organic development. They were funny, charming, flawed, dog people (obviously a bonus), and just super cute.

"How to Plot a Payback" has all the elements to be a perfect rom-com for me. I loved "Meet Me In The Margins", so I was excited to read this one from Melissa Ferguson.

It's a dual point of view, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, Hollywood-based, and lighthearted without being soulless. Unfortunately, all of the elements just didn’t come together to be amazing. I enjoyed the ride, but it just wasn’t the magic that "Meet Me in the Margins" was. Finn and Lavender are appealing characters individually, and there's undeniable chemistry later in the book, but it's lacking in the initial "enemies" phase.

The audiobook production and casting is delightful. Fiona Hardingham and Steve West do a wonderful job.

Overall, it was good, not great for me, but it is certainly worth the listen!

Thanks to Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Net Galley for a copy of the audiobook for me to review.

What a funny and unique story Melissa Ferguson has crafted in How to Plot a Payback! Ferguson is a new author to me and I will definitely be looking for more from them.

I really enjoyed getting this story from both the main characters' point of view. The back and forth is amusing, and to see the way Finn changes as the tale evolves is beautifully constructed.

There's wonderful chemistry between the characters. I enjoyed the insight into the world of TV series. And Melissa Ferguson's writing style is wonderful.

The audio version is flawlessly narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West who have their work cut out for them! There is a vast cast from both the UK and the US, plus there's so much humor in the story - they both provide lovely performances.

Thanks to Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Net Galley for an advanced copy of the audiobook. Below is my honest review.

Do you have a moment in life when you knew an opportunity had slipped through your fingers? Finn Masters has many, and in his mind, dating back to childhood, they are primarily due to one person - Lavender Rhodes. But now he has the career opportunity of a lifetime, leading the writing team on Neighbors, a wildly popular decade-long TV series looking for an infusion of new creative ideas. The only problem? Lavender is the star.

As Finn embarks on his new role, Lavender continues unwittingly creating chaos in Finn's life. He looks for ways to use his newfound writing control to enact a little bit of payback for past and present wrongs. But as he does, he begins to see Lavender in a new light, where she isn't the architect of all bad events in his life. Simultaneously, Lavender starts to see Finn, really SEE him for the first time.

While I wanted a deeper connection between Finn and Lavender in order to root for them, I enjoyed the more minor aspects of this book. The moments where Finn intentionally and Lavender unintentionally disrupted each other's lives added a fun layer of unpredictability. The found-family dynamic within Finn's apartment complex brought a sense of warmth and belonging. And the presence of the dogs, cats, and other animals that wove their lives together.

Super cute is the perfect phrase to describe Melissa Ferguson's "How to Plot a Payback." It's a charming little guide that offers a glimpse into plotting revenge tales with plenty of humor and warmth. If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read to spark some ideas or simply brighten your day this is a fun and entertaining read.

Plot a Playback was a really enjoyable listen. The narrators did an excellent job and it was unique against the many other books I've read over the years. I was intrigued throughout the whole story and found myself smiling and laughing along with both of the main characters. I finished it in one day because it kept me that entertained! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good grumpy/sunshine story where even though one of the parties is famous it felt mostly realistic.

There were a few areas that I think could have been trimmed down, but that's just a personal preference. The ending came together in a way I didn't quite expect and may not have chosen myself. Still enjoyable but a little skeptical. These are the only reasons I didn't give it 5 stars.

I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley, but this did not affect my review.

Perfect Enemies to Lovers.

Burned and jaded Finn feels like Lavender has been the catalyst for everything wrong in his life. Now he has his dream job working directly with her, his plan started as payback for this girl who he believed was an entitled actress until he begins to see maybe his opinion of her is completely wrong.

Very slow burn but the writing is fantastic and the banter between Finn and Lavender is perfect.

The narrators did a wonderful job showing the emotions and held my attention through the entire book.

How To Plot A Comeback

Author:- Melissa Ferguson

Narrators:- Fiona Hardingham & Steve West

Audiobook:- 9 Hours & 11 Minutes

Book:- 317 Pages

Publishers:- Thomas Nelson

He crossed an ocean, and it still wasn’t enough to escape his lifelong nemesis. Now he has to work with her.

Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood’s highest-rated, longest-running sitcoms. The only downside? It will put him back in proximity of the show’s universally adored, optimistic, altruistic star, Lavender Rhodes, who has been inadvertently ruining his life since they were school chums in England. But she doesn’t even know she destroyed his acting career and wrecked his relationship with the love of his life.

Review..

I loved the look of the cover.
When I started this book I knew from the first chapter I was going to love it. I loved the humour and the chemistry that you see in the writing. It was engaging & you wanted the best for both main characters because each of their lives were them trying to make the best of what they had and also follow their dreams (even tho some dreams look perfect on the outs9de but can be a nightmare).

I like how each of them over time see each other beyond the look they give to the world - in life we all put on a frontal to ne seen by others but it's the ones who we let get close who see us more clearly

4.5 stars

I found this to be very easy to listen to and generally delightful. It was lighthearted and I found the characters agreeable. This would make for a great beach or vacation read- something perfect for reading on a lounge chair by the pool or on the beach.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

I recently listened to the audio book "How to Plot a Payback" by Melissa Ferguson and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. While the plot itself was cute and sweet, I found the narration to be lacking and not at all captivating. I thought, the book was supposed to be a romance, but it read more like a work of fiction, to me. I would give it a 3 star rating, as there were definitely some enjoyable moments, but overall it fell short for me.

One of the main issues I had was with the narration. It was not engaging and at times, even made the book difficult to listen to. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy light reads and don't mind a slower pace, but for those looking for an adventurous, gripping or whirlwind romance, this may not be the best choice.

Thank you to Uplift Reads and NetGalley for the ARC.