In terms of audio, the voice actors were great. Finn’s voice actor was really animated and easily conveyed intense emotions and kept me engaged. The production of this audio was crisp and clear. Usually I struggle to listen to British accents at higher speeds, but that wasn’t the case with this book.

Onto the actual plot, I’m sad that this fell short of expectations. I’m all for holding a grudge, I’ve been there before! However, Finn’s long term frustration with Lavender without ever confronting her about it was so annoying. I’m all for adults working through their communication issues, but it was so clear that Lavender wasn’t a hate worthy character so Finn just seemed absolutely delusional. The HEA was lackluster. It was kind of comedic how Lavender ruined pieces of Finn’s life by simply existing and being a girl boss.

This book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. It’s the kind of audiobook you can listen to while working, cleaning, etc and even if you leave the room, you won’t miss much. It’s like a show that you leave on in the background. Comfortable and enjoyable, but not captivating.

No spice whatsoever fyi! That didn’t hurt the rating.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute romance following Finn and Lavender as they go from enemies (on his part) to friends to lovers. It's closed door and I enjoyed how that put the focus on the sweet little things, like a kind word or a thoughtful gesture, that drew them to each other. The movie nights with the older crowd at Finn's apartment were fantastic and I kinda want to live there too. Well-written with lots of heart this love story will give you all the warm fuzzy feels.

Not even my love of Steve west could make me enjoy this book. I’m sorry; based on the description this should have been for me. However, I couldn’t stand the characters in the slightest bit. They all annoyed me. I had to force myself to listen

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook of “How To Plot a Payback.” All opinions are my own.

Oh this was very funny. Love when a romcom actually remembers to include the comedy part.

The narration was great too. I liked both of the narrators.

Finn Masters absolutely despises Lavender Rhodes. He’s been through the wringer at the hands of Lavender, and she’s none the wiser. He loathes her so much that he has a written record of every transgression she’s ever committed against him since they were in school together. When Finn, now a successful screenwriter, receives the job offer of a lifetime, there’s just one problem: the show’s leading lady is none other than his nemesis. Not about to let Lavender unknowingly take another career opportunity away from him, Finn decides to accept the job and use it as a means of payback for all the ways he’s been wronged by writing Lavender’s character on the show into uncomfortable situations. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Finn can’t catch a break, and as his scheme unravels, he begins to wonder if the endearing Lavender might not be the sinister adversary he thought she was for so many years.

Melissa Ferguson does enemies to lovers right in How to Plot a Payback! This was such an entertaining read! The transgressions Finn has endured at the hands of Lavender, and the ways he tries to get payback, are hilarious! The storyline was a fresh take on a classic trope and had me hooked. I listened to the audiobook, and I couldn’t stop! The narrators were excellent and portrayed Finn and Lavender’s personalities perfectly!

Part of me wished Finn and Lavender could have gotten to the romantic stage a little earlier in the book so there was more of their romantic relationship explored on the page. However, the ending and epilogue were a highly satisfying finale to the saga, and with Finn’s disdain for Lavender being what it was, Ferguson needed the bulk of the book to develop Finn’s waning derision so the two could get to their true feelings for one another. And it was a hysterical ride throughout! Definitely recommend!

Intimacy: Sweet Kisses only

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, as well as NetGalley, for this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

"How to Plot a Payback" had the potential to be a delightfully humorous and charming enemies-to-lovers story, but unfortunately, it falls short in delivering an engaging and satisfying narrative.

The premise of a screenwriter seeking revenge on his childhood nemesis, who happens to be the star of the sitcom he's writing for, is undoubtedly intriguing. However, the execution of this premise feels contrived and lacks the depth necessary to make the characters truly compelling.

Finn, the protagonist, comes across as petty and immature, making it difficult to root for him or his convoluted payback plot. His resentment towards Lavender, the supposed nemesis, feels overblown and unconvincing, diminishing the believability of their supposed lifelong rivalry.

While the author attempts to inject humor into the story, many of the comedic moments fall flat, relying too heavily on clichés and predictable misunderstandings. The dialogue often feels forced, failing to capture the natural banter and chemistry one would expect from a romantic comedy.

On a positive note, the book's pacing is decent, and the author does manage to maintain a level of intrigue as Finn's plan inevitably unravels. However, the predictable outcome and lack of character growth ultimately undermine the story's overall impact.

While "How to Plot a Payback" had the potential to be a lighthearted and enjoyable read, it falls short in delivering a truly memorable or satisfying romantic comedy experience. With its one-dimensional characters and lackluster humor, this book struggles to rise above a mediocre 2-star rating.

So I wanted to see if listening to How to plan a Payback was any more engaging than reading it. I read it, reviewed it and wasn’t thrilled. I figured I would listen to the audiobook to see if listening was able to make a difference and make me feel more invested in the story. Sadly, it did not. The male voice was harsh and I couldn’t connect. Hearing makes such a difference. There are just some books they may not be a great read but are fantastic to listen to. This was not one of them.

Loved this grumpy love troupe!! So cute! Took me a bit to understand the narrators fully but once I did, it was lovely! If you love slow burn books, this one is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

"How to Plot a Payback" gave an in depth look into show writing and producing a sitcom. I loved that this story was told in the dual point of view! Will Finn be successful in his payback? The banter between Finn and Lavender had me laughing out loud at times. The support of the secondary characters was great to read too. I also listened to the audio version with Steve West and Fiona Hardingham who were a great combination! Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced audio copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I have read the last 4 books by this author and have enjoyed each one of them. The books are always Rom-Coms. How to Plot a Payback leans heavy on the Comedy part of the Rom-Com....to the extent that there really is no conflict to resolve in the story. It is more-or-less the story of how two Brits who have become successful in the US Hollywood television scene, one as an actress, the other as a writer, meet (again) . Turns out Finn has been holding a grudge against Lavender since their UK school days. He seems to blame her for negatively changing the trajectory of his life multiple times. Lavender, however, is beloved by all who know her and now that she and Finn are both working on the same show, Finn's old resentments lead to situations of hilarious attempts at retribution that never seem to go the way he intends. Of course, anyone who has read a previous book by Melissa Ferguson will not be shocked to know this is another feel-good book. If you are looking for a book to read that will make you snicker and will not cause the reader to feel any real stress, this is the one. I liked it a lot.

4.25 of 5 stars
Adorable as all get out! Had me giggling and rolling my eyes and hoping for a happy ending. Luckily, it delivered!

*Title: How to Plot a Payback -a standalone

*Release date: 4-2-24, read:4-9-24

*Author: Melissa Ferguson, never read author for me

*Format: eBook and audiobook

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson & HarperCollins for this ARC & ALC 🩷! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

*Narrator: Fiona Hardingham & Steve West

*Run time: 9:11

*Setting: LA

*Genre: Rom Com, Adult Fic

*Tropes: Dual POV, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, clean romance, slow burn, celebrity, workplace romance, and "You've Got Mail" vibes

*Synopsis: Lavender Rhodes was Finn Masters' nemesis in school in England, but she didn't know it. She ruined his seventeen year old love life and got his part in a school play. That little acting gig kicked off her acting career, while he became a successful screenwriter. She is now on one of the highest rated and longest running sitcoms "Neighbors"- a show he would love to work for. When given the opportunity he's forced to confront his past misconceptions and get to know her.



*Review : The narrators' voices fit the characters with standouts from Finn and Lavender. They complimented each other through their witty banter. The reading style brought the story to life and the pacing flowed easily with the story. The narration and the author were in sync. The narrators paused and announced every time a new chapter came. The book had a table of contents which helped me follow along with the e-book and audio. I loved the wholesome feel with some laughs!

*Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this, somewhat. But it was more of an "I'm listening to this thing and it's nice" enjoyment and not "oh my gosh I can't wait to finish this I love it so much" enjoyment.

I recently delved into the pages of "How to Plot a Payback" and found myself thoroughly engrossed from start to finish. This suspenseful thriller, authored by an unknown writer, captivated me with its intricate plot and dynamic characters.

From the very first chapter, the author skillfully weaves a web of mystery and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each unexpected twist and turn. The protagonist's quest for revenge is both compelling and emotionally charged, drawing me deeper into the story with every passing page.

What truly sets this book apart is its clever plotting. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the narrative took an unexpected detour, leaving me eagerly flipping through the pages to uncover the next revelation. The pacing is excellent, never allowing the tension to wane, and the suspense builds to a satisfying crescendo.

Although there were moments where the dialogue felt slightly forced, overall, the writing is crisp and engaging. The author's attention to detail is evident throughout, creating a vivid and immersive world that I found myself completely immersed in.

In conclusion, "How to Plot a Payback" is a gripping read that kept me guessing until the very end. While it may not reinvent the genre, it certainly delivers an entertaining and satisfying experience for fans of thrillers and suspense. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for their next literary adventure.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio & Melissa Ferguson for an audio ARC of How to Plot a Payback in exchange for an honest review.

The cover of this was cute & the synopsis was cute, but it fell a little short for me. I didn't realize this was a Christian-friendly G-rated rom-com. I like at least a little spice in my romance reads. But, that oversight is on me & not used in my rating.

In a nutshell, Finn lands his dream screen writing job. The only issue is that the lead actress, Lavender Rose, who unbeknownst to her tormented him in school and ruined his acting career. Finn decides this is a great opportunity to get back at her by having her character go in odd direction. Of course, his plan backfires & they end up falling for each other.

This story was just so bland. I didn't find it entertaining at all & almost DNF'd it multiple times. I wasn't a fan of either character & the fact that a grown man is holding a grudge for this amount of time - enough to try to trash Lavender's character - was not attractive to me as a reader.

The best thing about this book was the cover.

2/5 Stars

The male Narration in this made it to hard to listen to it. I couldn't concentrate on the book because his voice was so grating

If you like an enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, slow burn book with lots of Witt and humour you definitely need to add this to your tbr.

The plot and characters immediately draw you into the story and even though it is a slow burn the writing is able to keep you engaged and turning the pages. The male main character, Finn sets out to get payback on the female main character Lavender who he thinks has done several wins towards him. They get paired to work together Finn as the head writer/ producer and Lavender as an actress. Where Finn discovers maybe she isn’t as awful as he thought. The characters are lovable the storyline is one that you don’t always see. The perfect book to read on a rainy day or bring shopping with you to the beach.

What happens when a screenwriter gets to write the plot for a show starring his nemesis? Well, in the case of this book - a whole lot of chaos and fun! This was a great feel-good grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers rom-com. Melissa Ferguson delivers a fast-paced, clean, and just down-right good time story. It was the perfect amount of predictable with some unexpected twists and turns.

The audio narration was great and having both female and male readers really added to the fun of the story. If you're looking for something light, easy and just an all-around good time, this book is the perfect fit!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC audio of this book. It was a great one!

I was surprised the audiobook started with a male narrator who had a British accent. It was harder to get into. The character seemed angry and exaggerated over everything when I didn’t fully know why.
The female character was better. I still struggled to connect with the story as a whole. My inability to connect, I think it was more of a me issue than the story itself. The writer is witty and creative.

This story was an interesting take on a romantic comedy that showed the chaos of working in a successful tv show in Hollywood. The plot was interesting, the craziness crazy, and the happy ending deserved. Finn held a grudge against Lavender for years after her carelessness caused him to miss his big break, (and break his ankle), and to lose his girlfriend. Add in an allergic reaction, being fired a few times, and a lovable dog and cast of side characters and it’s a funny, engaging story.