Reviews

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson

lolocole's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very sweet! The tone was very contemporary romance with the banter and the emotions and the misunderstandings. However it veered a bit more towards the “women’s fiction” (seriously who came up with that name?) of the tradition of Sophie Kinsella no-spice romance persuasion. 

moiscool's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

innae's review

4.0

An enjoyable little romance.  Took me a bit to get past the annoying “list” Finn created, but Lavender being truly wonderful helped once I got to know her.   

ksbhorsegal's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This book was enjoyable but I wish it had more faith content.

mcasto's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

abookwormwithwine's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Audiobook Rating: 5/5

I wanted to love How to Plot a Payback I really did, but unfortunately, this one fell a little short for me. I loved Melissa Ferguson's book The Dating Charade, so when I saw this book on the Libro.fm ALC offerings, I knew I had to grab it. It had all the makings for a wonderful romcom including but not limited to adorable animals and plenty of tension, but I just did not believe the romance between Finn and Lavender at all. That being said, I did love the characters and this was the kind of light read that would make the perfect beach read.

I saw some complaints about the audiobook, but thankfully I didn't have any issues with it at all and I loved Fiona Hardingham & Steve West as Lavender and Finn! Lavender is a little over the top (in the best way) and I loved how Hardingham really brought that to life through her narration. West made the perfect Finn, and together they were just a terrific pair of narrators that I didn't want to stop listening to. How to Plot a Payback definitely falls into the grumpy/sunshine trope which I am quite fond of, and I thought that piece was done exceptionally well. I do love Ferguson's writing, and just because this fell a little flat for me doesn't mean you should skip it. There is no spice or swearing either, so if you love a clean romcom with cute animals, I would grab this one!

Thank you to the publisher and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

invisible_universes's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I've gotten really used to 'rom-com's being essentially romance novels with some lighthearted hijinks thrown in, or maybe with a witty tone. Romances with a nice sprinkling of comedy to keep things upbeat. 

That is not this book.

This book is 90% hijinks and humor in the best way possible. It's assuredly a rom-com, but the comedy leads the way in this case. It's SO funny. The romance is really sweet, but honestly it's not even really the focus. I had a really good time reading it and honestly am hugely impressed with the author for what was a really easy, fun read. 

jessmlamb's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

viivacious's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

I had so much fun reading this. I really enjoyed Finn and his plotting and seeing it backfire on him 🤣 The dogs were cute, and so was the romance. 

jess_lovesbooksok's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

As a part of the ALC program by @librofm I had an amazing time connecting with Melissa Ferguson @ourfriendlyfarmhouse and read her latest novel! I had such a lovely time!

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson 

And this goes like this: Finn is a writer and he gets the best job offer ever! But of course you know there must be something wrong, right? And you are right! There was her: Lavender Rhodes! 

The same Lavender Rhodes who spoiled every good opportunity Finn had along his career. However, when they both share the set of Neighbors, the most amazing show ever; things begin to change.

Both characters are absolutely lovable, and along the way one finds out that not everything was what the way it was set at the beginning.

In Chimamanda Adichie’s words: This is “the danger of a single story” 🥰

Fortunately, every piece falls into place and I absolutely loved it!💗💗💗

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 

@librofm @ourfriendlyfarmhouse 

QOTD: What your favorite trope?