3.5-4 stars. Bestselling romance author Margot Bradley is canceled by her fans when her Happily Never After files are leaked onto internet so her sister sends her on a 6 week retreat to Alaska for a reset, but to also give Margot a chance to write a murder mystery in hopes of reinventing her career. Margot has been disappointed or burned by every male figure in her life, starting with her father and ending with her former fiancé. Hence her jaded stance on the existence of romance and happily ever afters despite making a lucrative profit from it, leading her to write her Happily Never Afters for her eyes only.

This story is cute in certain ways because Margot is the expert on romance tropes and even I could agree with her on how eye rolling it is that many of those tropes get lumped together and it becomes ridiculous. Forrest Wakefield is a medical cancer researcher living in the wilderness of Alaska so he can look after his ailing father and to help run his family’s lodge. Despite their instant attraction, they both regard each other with plenty of yellow caution tape because of their own previous experiences and their current priorities in life, particularly loyalty to their families. But Forrest is the culmination of all the tropes in one package because how is this guy even real and worthy of his own starring role, never mind be a cover model?

On the other hand, it does get a little cheesy at times because of the recycled theme of romance tropes and Margot is living and breathing in her own main storyline worthy of a book. And it’s the kind of experience that she never thought she’d have for herself because love found her when she wasn’t looking. This would certainly appeal to the average romance reader who wears rose colored glasses, and while I did enjoy it, there were also parts that were cliche because it followed the romance template.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. What a fun rom-com at the perfect time of year-Valentine's Day!
A fabulous debut from an author that puts you into the heart of the story immediately! Very unique premise of a romance writer rejected by her fans when her private file is leaked. In an effort to remake her career she retreats to Alaska for inspiration where she meets Forrest and the romance tropes are unleashed! A true homage to the romance genre while also addressing health and family issues of the two main characters.
Very sweet and spicy with a very thoughtful ending! Will be a favorite romance to many!

Victoria Lavine is a debut author to watch! I loved the quirky set up and cozy Alaskan setting, with a great voice and swoony romance!

I absolutely loved this story. Yes, it was about the love story between the two main characters, but it was also about the love of family. It was beautiful to watch the growth and journey that Forrest and Margot went on throughout the book. I laughed and I cried. Highly recommend!! Thank you Victoria Lavine, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!!!

Victoria Lavine's Any Trope but You is a charming and clever take on contemporary romance with a refreshing twist. The story follows two characters who find themselves caught up in the world of romantic tropes—only to discover that love might be more complicated (and funny) than they expected. What sets this book apart is its meta exploration of the very tropes it embraces, poking fun at them while still delivering the feel-good moments we all crave.

The banter between the protagonists is witty, their chemistry palpable, and the romantic tension makes for a page-turning experience. Lavine balances humor and heartfelt moments beautifully, allowing the characters to evolve while still keeping the story light and fun. The narrative is engaging, and even when things get a little predictable (as they often do in romance), Lavine manages to keep it fresh with well-placed surprises and clever character development.

While the book sticks to many familiar romantic tropes, it’s done in such a way that it feels comforting, like slipping into your favorite sweater. That said, some might find the plot a bit formulaic, but it’s the way Lavine leans into the tropes that makes it special. Fans of lighthearted, feel-good reads will adore this one.

✨ Romantic Tropes
❤️ Slow Burn Romance
🤪 Humor & Banter
💔 Emotional Growth
⚠️ Miscommunication
💌 Love Confessions
🌈 Diverse Representation

*Spoilers Ahead!!!*

The main characters, Avery and Dylan, find themselves stuck in a bit of a rom-com cliché—both are a little jaded by their pasts and struggle to believe in love. Avery, the more pragmatic of the two, is initially put off by Dylan's over-the-top, somewhat quirky nature. Dylan, on the other hand, is all about chasing love in the most dramatic, trope-filled ways. They clash at first, but there’s undeniable chemistry between them, which sets the stage for a slow-burn romance.

A major turning point in the story is when they are forced to work together on a project that requires them to lean on each other. During this time, they both experience personal growth. Avery learns to be a bit more open to the idea of love (and not everything has to be so rational), while Dylan grapples with the fact that his idealistic view of romance doesn’t always align with reality. They both evolve, shedding their initial assumptions about love and life, leading to a much stronger connection.

There’s a big "miscommunication" moment near the end where they each think the other has moved on or is no longer interested. This, of course, leads to some angst-filled moments, but the tension only builds to the eventual heartfelt confession. Avery confesses her feelings in an unexpectedly emotional moment, and Dylan, always the romantic at heart, swoops in with a grand gesture, declaring his love. They end up having a big rom-com-style moment in front of their friends, bringing the story to a satisfying and sweet conclusion.

The book’s playful commentary on romantic tropes, like the slow-burn romance, the big confession, and the grand gesture, is at the heart of the book, and Lavine has fun playing with and subverting them as the characters embrace what works best for their story.

Cute! Hard to believe this is the author’s debut. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

A bestselling romance author is outed as a total cynic and promptly cancelled. To escape the fallout and finish her next book, her sister sends her to an Alaskan wilderness retreat where, of course, there's a guy.

As the title suggests, the book is packed with tropes, but they're all well done, making for a self-aware love letter to the romance genre. I also really appreciated the thoughtful representation of caregiving for a sick family member.

This is a charming contemporary romance . The story beautifully captures the themes of love and personal growth, showcasing how they navigate their past while discovering new opportunities. Overall, it's a heartwarming read that leaves you feeling hopeful about second chances in life and love. Highly recommended!

2.75⭐

Loved:
- The relationship with the sisters was the best part of the book, though I found the letters a bit tedious to read as they were so information dense and relied a lot on telling and not showing. The letters also just…kind of didn’t work for the sake of it kept feeling like Savannah was dying (that’s an odd way to describe it, but it they really felt like goodbye letters). I did like this relationship and wish that it had felt just a bit more grounded in some sense of reality. When the sisters were together I enjoyed it.
- Forrest’s POVs were stronger to me. He felt like a more well-rounded character and his motivations/goals were more rooted. The stuff with Charlotte was a bit silly, but the ties with his family and his job and all of the turmoil he was going through mentally was just more interesting than Margot’s issues (sorry).
- I liked Trapper and Jo a lot. I liked their interactions, moreso Trapper, with both MCs.
- Breast cancer and cancer research rep is great to see.
- Alaska as a setting is always fun. Though I could have done with more descriptors and the FMC actually addressing her changing feelings towards her environment more.
- I like this cover well enough. It’s not mind-blowing but it has charm. The UK cover rules though. It’s so beautiful.

Loathed:
- I think the author wrote a check she couldn’t really cash with the idea of “romance author gets trapped with a man who fits all of the tropes she’s ever written.” This wasn’t explored enough in my opinion and that left the “trope-iness” of the book falling flat and honestly just feeling a bit lazy. - - - This book should have been jam packed with tropes if it was actually going to go for it, almost to the point of absurdity. Especially when the whole point was that Margot didn’t believe that these tropes or a HEA were possible.
- Her inciting incident is silly. Someone uncovering her personal files “through the cloud” aside, her fans would not be this upset. She would not be canceled for having silly little musings about what if her characters didn’t have storybook ending. I just really struggled to suspend disbelief with that. She needed to have also exploded in the Zoom call or something that would have actually justified her agent being so callous. I know it’s covered a little bit at the end of the book, but it just felt silly.
- I did not get any chemistry with the two MCs beyond just insta-lust, which, to be fair, I am just generally not a fan of in any capacity. But there was also an expectation that we as the reader would see this as some kind of enemies-to-lovers? Why. There’s no reason for her to be mean to him at the beginning and then he just ends up liking her? We get it. You’re both hot. But nothing felt like “love”.
- The other side characters were not interesting. I didn’t care about any of them and just found them to be filler.
- Listen, I’m an “unlikeable or annoying FMC” apologist. But Margot was barely even unlikeable. She just…wasn’t really anything. I get that she’s supposed to have trust issues because of her exes and her dad…but she was just kind of slightly mean. And the connections to her feelings just didn’t feel substantiated.
- This is petty. But why. Did she live. In LA. Has the author ever even been to LA? Why would a surfer bro (Cooper) live in Los Feliz which is in East LA away from the ocean. And why does everybody own a house?? It’s LA!?!

Longed For:
- More understanding as to why these characters “love” each other
- More drama with her cancelation
- Less of the side characters

Will I read the next one? : Maybe. This is a debut so it seems cruel to write this author off, and I don’t think she’s a bad writer by any means. I think it all depends on the description/plot/etc.

Margot is the queen of romance novels and of Happy Ever Afters, until she’s not. A Zoom Interview goes bad when her super secret Happy Never After epilogues go viral. I mean when you’re jaded, you’re jaded.

Her sister decided an intervention is needed and sends her packing on a 6 week getaway to remote Alaska to reinvent herself as a murder novelist. But then every single romance trope hits her and she’s living this ironic scenario which she doesn’t believe. Sexy lumberjack owner? Check! Really is a doctor that does miracle work? Check! Cute nicknames? Check!

Then comes all the classic tropes she determined to not be a part of: one bed, men that cook, grand gestures, too big, snowed in and a bunch more.

Personally, I loved the banger and deadpan lined that included pop culture references: Winterfell, crystal healing, lumber sexual flannel, Taylor Swift, Pokemon fan fic.

Thank you @netgalley and @AtriaBooks for the digital arc.

I was lucky to get this book early on Netgalley!

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I was not disappointed.

Margot is a romance author who flees to Alaska after a scandal. She finds Forrest, who is the grumpy, rugged, hot doctor who somehow makes all the classic romance troupes come true for her. Fun fact, his specialty is researching Triple Negative Breast Cancer!

As a super fan of romance novels who loves a good troupe, I enjoyed this book immensely. It was so funny at times, I enjoyed how Margot kept calling out when she stepped into a specific troupe and seriously who doesn't want a tall, rugged, capable doctor as the MMC! As a TN BC survivor, it was the perfect MMC for me.

I can't wait to read Victoria's next book!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. It was a cute rom-com and I enjoyed it. I wanted to read this just based off the cover and it turned out to be a fun read. If you like rom-coms I would check out this book. .

So I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book but holy crap it was everything I could have wanted and more… Coming from a place where I am chronically single at 28 I feel the cynicism that Margot was feeling. I could see so much of myself within Margo that it was holding a mirror up to me. I cried, to say the least. Everything about the book was perfect… the pacing, the spice, the tropes.I dont think I could have picked a better book than this one if I tried.

The moose on the cover drew me into this book, and I tend to enjoy books set in cold climates. There were parts of the part that I was enjoying and reading through quickly, and other parts that I did not enjoy as much. And honestly, I didn't 100% buy into the relationship. And there were moments where I wished Margot would have hooked up with Ollie.

Margot is a very well known romance author. Well…that is until her readers find out she doesn’t actually believe in love. Whoops! while her readers are furious, Margot decides to try her hand at writing murder. Her sister Savannah sends her on a 6 week Alaskan vacation to get her writing done…but Margot gets a bit more than she expected when she arrives.

@Jmulaura really loved this book, so I knew that I needed to pick it up! I was immediately drawn in by all the romance tropes in the story, and I loved how Margot got “found out” about her lack of belief in romance! As expected in any trope, Forrest is the absolute dream and I adored him from the first meeting. I found this to be such a fun, cute, and quick read that was insanely enjoyable! Plus the ending was just chefs kiss!

Thank you to @atriabooks for my gifted copy of this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars
📖 Release Date: April 1, 2025

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine is an absolute joyride—laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and full of delightful nods to every romance reader’s favorite tropes. But it’s also a book with depth, tackling themes of loss, caregiving, and finding hope even when you don’t believe in happily ever afters.

Margot Bradley is a romance author who doesn’t believe in HEAs (ironic, right?). She even made a list of alternate, not-so-happy endings for her books… and it got leaked in a live interview. Yikes. Now, with her career in crisis, Margot takes her sister’s advice and escapes to a remote Alaskan lodge to work on her next book. No distractions. Just writing.

Except, enter Forrest Wakefield—grumpy, rugged, and hiding from love himself. He also happens to be the walking embodiment of every romance trope ever. A hot doctor? ✅ A brooding woodchopper? ✅ Forced proximity? ✅ (One bed/tent situation? Also ✅)

Margot and Forrest’s six-week “distraction-free” retreat turns into a whirlwind of banter, tension, and unexpectedly deep emotions. As Margot rediscovers the joy in her writing (and in romance itself), Forrest learns that sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.

This book felt like a love letter to romance readers. It had me laughing out loud one minute and unexpectedly teary-eyed the next. Margot is such a fantastic heroine—witty, self-aware, and so easy to root for. And Forrest? The kind of grump who secretly has a heart of gold.

Victoria Lavine’s debut is a must-read for fans of:
❤️ Sharp, witty rom-coms
🏔 Small-town, remote setting romances
🔥 Slow-burn, forced proximity goodness
📚 Books about books (and writers!)

This was such a fun, heartfelt read—I can’t wait to see what Victoria Lavine writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ugh my heart 😍 I absolutely loved this little book! It really did touch on everything I want out of a perfect read- sizzling tension between the MCs, just a touch of family angst, a resilient FMC, and a lovable MMC!

As the title implies, lotsss of your favorite tropes in this one, but cliche it is not. It felt fresh and new, and I simply could not get enough of Margot and Forrest. At first, the story definitely gives off grumpy/grumpy vibes, but you KNOW that isn't how it's going to end 😉 As you can imagine, this leads to PLENTY of quips and banter between the two of them, and of course, they can't compete with the tension for too long! Margot is lovably comical as she tries to navigate her life in Alaska, and Forrest is *sweet* enough to make things jussssttt difficult enough that Margot has to push herself well outside her comfort zone. As you can imagine, this leads to lots of laughs and swoon-worthy moments for the reader.

While their relationship was definitely the highlight for me, this book gave me what I always want out of romance books- more backstory and development with the side characters. In this case, we get to lean into Margot's relationship with her sister and learn more about Forrest's role as caretaker for his father. It felt perfectly balanced, and the ONLY thing I wanted out of this book was a little epilogue (or an entire sequel, frankly) to read more about Margot, Forrest, and the rest of their lives.

An adorable love letter to romance readers everywhere!

This was a great debut. I love how this book both poked fun at the romance genre and exalted it. So clever using every well worn trope to have readers rolling their eyes while kicking their feet. While the story had more substance than I anticipated, especially regarding familial love and obligation, I felt like the relationship that developed between Forrest and Margot was one sided. We got to see all the reasons that Margot fell for Forrest, but we see very little of what enamored Forrest to Margot. It was like he read Savannah's letter to him and all of a sudden he was in love and believed that Margot was the most wonderful woman in the world. She did nothing at that point to show him she was selfless or strong or any of the other things that her sister wrote. Overall, this was a great romance that I would happily recommend to a friend.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!

🫎 T O O C U T E T H U R S D A Y review 🫎 featuring “Any Trope but You” by Victoria Lavine!

MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Margot Bradley is a bestselling romance author who doesn’t actually believe in happily ever afters. She writes books about them, but deep down inside she fears men and the heartbreak they cause 💔!

Every time she writes a new book she makes sure to write a SECRET alternate ending that does not end happily. When this secret document gets leaked to the public, Margot gets cancelled by her loyal fans and publisher.

Margot’s sister Savanah books her a 6 week non-negotiable stay in the wilderness of Alaska to regroup and work on her next book. This time Margot decides to take a stab at writing a murder mystery and is hoping to find inspiration out in the wild.

Never in a million years would she think that she would meet a handsome (and grumpy) mountain man named Forrest who lives/works at his family’s resort! Is Forrest a good distraction for Margot or is her 6 week expiry date setting her up for more heartbreak??

💗 FINALLY I have fit in a romance book this month and this one is TO DIE FOR! I loved that Margot and Forrest’s love story brings together all the romance tropes! The beautiful Alaska setting, off the charts banter and Margot’s adjustment from the city life to the wilderness (think The Simple Life) was perfectly executed and had me hooked from the beginning!

Thank you kindly to @victorialavinewrites @atriabooks @simonschusterca @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on April 1, 2025!

This book was a freaking delight! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could. And how soon can Ms. Lavine write another book?

But seriously, while I read a fair number of romance books, many of them end up disappointing because the characters do not behave like real people or are hard to root for. This book is the opposite. Every character is terrific and grounded in the real world with real problems and obstacles to overcome.

Margot and Forrest are a classic enemies to lovers pair who end up having more in common than they expect.

But the main selling point of this book is the writing which is so amusing and spot on. The phrases and descriptions made me smile and laugh throughout. Really, one of the best rom-com/romances I've read in ages.

What a dream of a debut! I really enjoyed this one so much. While it explores heavy topics such as codependency, death, loneliness and chronic illnesses, it also manages to be so light and funny. I loved that the plot is centered around a romance writer who doesn’t truly believe in Happily Ever Afters. The steamy moments are so good, and I’m a sucker for the backdrop of the Alaskan Wilderness. I think sometimes the story felt a little bit repetitive, but ultimately this is such a cute, solid debut. Definitely looking forward to more stories from Victoria.