This was a delight! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a book chock-full of tropes, but Lavine stayed *just* on the right side of self-awareness without tipping into meta/cringe territory. The main and side characters were lovable and loving and their banter had me cracking up.

I especially appreciated the inclusion of caretaker storylines and how Lavine wrote Savannah and Trapper's characters. While their disabilities were important factors in their lives and relationships, they didn't define them.

I'd say the story was medium on character development. Both MCs displayed personal growth and had to push themselves beyond comfortable patterns. Ultimately, the HEA hurdle was outside the MCs' control and relied on other characters for resolution. All in all, it felt authentic, given the circumstances.

There were just a couple things that kept this from being a five-star read. First, I would have loved to see more from Forrest's perspective. His chapters account for about 1/3 of chapters, which means most of the plot is seen through Margot's eyes and it felt like his narration didn't have as distinct a voice (the pop culture references felt v. similar to Margot's).

My second gripe may say more about me as a reader than anything else--the MCs were just too beautiful. In the first couple chapters, Margot comes off as a relatable hot mess. Once she and Forrest began describing each other, things too a sharp right into "beautiful people--they're just like us!" territory. The descriptions of their conventional beauty (and the effort to maintain it) were personally a bit distracting.

Even with these minor complaints, this is easily in my top 5 rom-coms so far this year (high praise in October)! Now I have to wait patiently for Victoria Lavine to write something else...

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely ADORED this book! It made me giddy and giggly and in all the best romance feels. It was exactly what I needed to read to have me in cozy and swoony mode. The chemistry was sizzling and the banter is unmatched! The FMC had me laughing out loud. Loved the play on romance tropes in a playful yet endearing way. The characters were developed perfectly and I loved the side plot of these two characters and what life as caretakers is like. It's perfection! Can't believe it's a debut.

Oh my gosh, this is such a good book at the right time. It's adorably cute, funny, and engaging, and the banter on this is on point! It was the perfect trope within a trope storytelling that needed to be told. Consider me sold with anything this author writes.

Massive thanks to Elizabeth Hitti, Melanie Iglesias Perez, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing an ARC gem in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book ! Definitely loved all the books extra tropes that were added into it !!
I look forward to reading more of Victoria Lavonne’s books! Forrest is goals 🤗

This book has all the charm of a rom-com with a fun twist! Margot, a romance writer who secretly despises happy endings, is trying to bounce back after her “Happily Never After” files leak, tanking her career. Desperate to support her sister, she heads to a remote Alaskan resort to write a murder mystery. There, she meets Dr. Forrest, a former cancer researcher turned reluctant resort manager. Their banter and chemistry are on point, and the setting adds a cozy, wintry vibe to their slow-burn romance. If you love humor, heart, and a fresh take on romance, this one’s for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Victoria Levine for the ARC of *Any Trope But You*! I’m thrilled to give this book 4.25 stars.

This book resonated with me right away, largely because it’s set in Alaska, which is where I’m from. The authentic Alaskan setting added an extra layer of warmth to the story for me.

What really made this story shine was the growth and change in its characters. Both Margot and Forrest have been hurt and are guarded in their own ways, but watching them break down walls and gradually heal each other's wounds was rewarding. Margot’s inner monologue was a standout, and I found myself cackling at her wry, often hilariously relatable thoughts. Her humor made her feel so real and approachable, and it added a lightness that kept the story engaging from start to finish.

Forrest also grew on me as a character; his journey was just as moving as Margot’s, and their interactions struck a perfect balance of fun, warmth, and genuine vulnerability. I’m grateful to have experienced a romance story where the characters help each other find joy and strength while still feeling layered and complex.

For readers who love a blend of humor, growth, and a beautifully rugged setting, *Any Trope But You* is a fantastic choice.

I want to start off by saying this book killed me in so many more ways than one. I laughed, I cried, I hung on the edge of my seat for the romantic tension and storyline. I enjoyed every second of it. This book was absolute PERFECTION to me and I 100% plan to read any and every other book this author decides to release.
Forrest and Margot were the BEST couple and I truly loved every single bit of their slow building relationship. As well as their bittersweet and adorable ending. I will also add, Forrest is THE FICTIONAL BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR. Trust me.
I received this book through Netgalley, and I cannot be more thankful at all. THANK YOU for the opportunity to love these characters as much as I'm sure you do. This book will remain in my heart for a very long time.

5 stars
3/5 spice

This book is a masterpiece from start to finish! The characters are compelling, the plot is gripping, and the writing is simply beautiful. A must-read for anyone looking for an unforgettable story. I devoured this book. I loved it all and I definitely plan on buying a copy.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All above opinions are my own.

Em Hen who? Just kidding, but this new rom com from Victoria Lavine gave me TOTAL Emily Henry vibes in the best way. It was also a very META analysis of the romance genre itself. Margot Bradley, the nation's hottest romance author, falls victim to prime millennial cancellation when it's outed that she actually has "realistic" endings written for all of her books and she doesn't actually believe in true love. To support her desperate dream of pivoting to writing thrillers, her sister sends her off on a six-week stay in the Alaskan wilderness. Before Margot even checks in, she's thrown into a complete parallel of the stories she used to write - scared of a moose, she jumps into the burly arms of the lodge's caretaker, Forrest. Through the six weeks of her stay, Margot unlearns everything she thought she knew about love, and she and Forrest are both left with big decisions to make.

This book was laugh out loud funny, but also very poignant - Margot's sister sent her a weekly letter to read, examining their childhood together and slowly breaking down Margot's mental barriers to love. The characters were all absolutely loveable, and Forrest was a phenomenal love interest. I'll be hyping this book to all of my romance reading friends - it's a MUST READ for 2025.

4 stars - what a fantastic debut romance novel! Margot is a romance novel but gets "canceled" for her 'happy never after' endings being hacked and released to the public, so her sister sends her off to Alaska for 6 weeks to hunker down and tackle writing a mystery novel as her next week. As soon as she arrives she meets the MMC, Forrest, who is working at his family's Alaskan resort and caring for his hurt father, and the angst immediately begins. This books hits the nail on every single romance trope and i ate it alllll up! Margot and Forrest's banter was fanastic, and I loved the emotional connection they made over thier caregiving similarities. And Margot's relationship with her sister was so sweet <3

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was an easy read about Margot an author who doesn’t believe in happily ever afters in real life. It was a sweet and hard warming read. I do love me some enemies to lovers banter and forced proximity! Overall was a good read

I’m still thinking about this book and I finished it so long ago! It was so freaking cute. A romance novelist goes to a remote cabin and is snowed in after being “canceled” online by her own readers. The cabin owner is hot and grumpy. Sparks fly! It is super cute and has all the tropes but not in a bad way. I cannot recommend enough. 5/5 ⭐️

Victoria Lavine's debut novel is a whirlwind of emotions, packed with swoony, steamy, and soft moments that leave readers feeling vulnerable yet deeply satisfied. From the start, I wholeheartedly rooted for the protagonists, Margot and Forrest. Their journey is a testament to the power of love and understanding, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable
Margot's encounter with a moose sets the tone for a delightful and relatable heroine. Her reaction is not just understandable but also validates the essence of human vulnerability in the face of unexpected challenges. Forrest, on the other hand, is an absolute dreamboat, embodying every cliché that makes readers giggle and swoon with delight. Together, Margot and Forrest navigate a world filled with barriers yet manage to support each other beautifully, even when it means not being able to be together physically.

The narrative is a masterful exploration of life's messy, painful, yet magical experiences. It's a reminder that finding someone who truly understands you on a deeply personal level is nothing short of enchanting. Set against the dreamy backdrop of Alaska, the story unfolds with a richness full of trope-y goodness that keeps readers captivated.

One of the most poignant aspects of this novel is its exploration of what it means to be a caretaker. Lavine sheds light on the loneliness and isolation that often accompany this role, even when the caretaker deeply loves the person they are tending to. The mutual love and care between the characters are beautifully portrayed through Trapper and Savannah, who form the backbone of this touching narrative.

Victoria Lavine has crafted a stunning love letter to the people we cherish and the myriad ways we express our love for them. Her debut novel is not just a tale of romance but a celebration of the connections that bind us, even in the face of adversity. It's a wonderful addition to the literary world!

A wonderful debut from Victoria Lavine! Margot and Forrest's relationship is fun and sweet but also has a depth to it that makes you want to root for them. You can't help but want a HEA for Margot even though she doesn't want it for herself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She’s a romance author who doesn’t believe in happy ever after but yet she finds it!!!! Ugh Margot and Forrest’s relationship is amazing!!!! I can’t wait for this to come out so I can buy my trophy copy!!!! For a debut novel this is hands down amazing!!! Can’t wait to read more from her!
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Any Trope but You is so cute and was such a fun read! A big thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for letting me read/review in advance.

I loved the plot - the "fish out of water" vibe kept the story light at times, but there was also the deeper and more emotional components with the caregiver subplots. I think this one really fit the full formula for what I love about romance books - good banter, a balance of light and heavy, a little miscommunication/misunderstanding in the heat of adversity, and a HEA.

I felt very seen especially with the caretaker aspect. Also, the sauna scene...swoonnnnn. There was perhaps more miscommunication than I personally like, but it was so sweet and gentle.

Thanks for the opportunity to review this book.

I found this to be a competent fish out of water rom-com. The meta-awareness of tropes was cute with the romance-author main female character and the male character as a trope-personified. It was fun to read, but almost lost me about halfway through when I was starting to lose interest.

I felt like I kept being "told" how selfless and wonderful the heroine was, through her relationship with her sister, but because I wasn't really shown it it was hard to believe. She came across as kind of silly and vapid at first, and I didn't see the depth improve much over the course of the book. I found the relationship a bit lacking in depth as well. I wasn't sure I liked either of them very much, and I didn't really believe the love within a few weeks.

All things considered, it was enjoyable and readable, but didn't hook me.

I wanted to love Any Trope but You ssooo badly. I stuck with it as long as I could, but I can't take a main character that is made stupid. She's told she has a sprained ankle and she panics and asks if she needs surgery?? Let's give her some credit, especially if you want me to care about her journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for there ARC for an honest review.

Oh my gosh. I have not flown through a book like this in so long!!!!

Margot Bradley gets canceled as a romance writer when it gets published that she is actually a romance hater. Margot's fears become very real and her sister, Savannah, helps her through the thick of it. Oddly enough, she helps by sending Margot away to Alaska so she can do first hand research on her new book...
Insert Forrest (and an eye roll for that cheesy name, but it works). Forrest recently moved back to Alaska himself to be his father's full time caretaker. Together, the two of them not only find themselves, but learn to let go, grow, and so much more.

This book was so so so good. Personally, I love hiking and would have learned to read more about some Alaskan adventures, but the story between Margot and Forrest was front and center. Margot also is a writer, and reading about her writing books was so much fun as someone who loves to read books. Her character just overall felt very relatable and lovable. Her relationship with her sister was so sweet and so pure and it was so amazing to read about how much they cared about each other. I related to Margot on so many levels.

Please read this book!!!! It is so good and you finish feeling warm inside. And have the urge to use a sauna...