I MARATHONED THIS BOOK.

I loved Margot & Forrest. They each had their own lives and their own priorities, their own trust issues. The stakes were high for both of them, and they tried to do everything they could to make sure everyone around them was comfortable. Compulsive people pleasers and caregivers. I related to them both. I understood them both. The third act breakup here made me miserable but in a way I could live with.

If this is her debut, I can’t wait for more!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Levine, and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The storyline had me hooked from the beginning, the characters were so likeable and I loved being in their heads, and I absolutely loved the romance between Margot and Forrest.
The imagery in this book truly brought this story to life. We’re not just reading this book, we are able to experience this story along with the characters, rather than just reading.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, funny and heartwarming read!

Unfortunately, I don’t think Ms. Lavine took a trip to Alaska to do research for this book.

My first red flag was when Margot saw a moose and thought it was a bear. I guess I can forgive that part, because in panic mode, your brain sees weird things.

What I can’t forgive is the cavalier attitude of all the characters around said moose.

Moose are scary. Moose are dangerous. Moose aren’t something that you name Bullwinkle and feed carrots. Sure, they don’t generally attack people, and most of the moose related deaths come from car accidents, but they still aren’t something to be taken lightly. Frankly, I thought the portrayal of the moose in this book to be dangerous.

Secondly, Margot continually gets in very dangerous situations, and the general safety in this book isn’t taken seriously. I removed one star because of the inaccuracies.

On a totally different note, I was bored for the first 50% of the book. None of the characters have anything redeeming, and they are barely attracted to each other (again, because they have no reason to be). When I’m looking for a slow burn, I want PINING. There was no pining. If it’s enemies to lovers, I want emotion. There was none of that. Just vague dislike and some lust.

At 50% of the way through, the book is sitting between a 2 and a 3. If the second half is amazing, it miiiight get a three star rating, but honestly, that isn’t good enough.

There are so many five star books out there, I don’t want to waste more time on a book that won’t even be a four.

I think this book could be great for people who are totally unfamiliar with Alaska (although again, safety issues) and just want a hint of the outdoors, without grounding it too far in reality, and people who like internal struggles (do I like him? I’m not sure. I do like him! But I can’t! I don’t believe in love).

Margot, a romance writer, is jaded from HEAs has a list of her Happy Never Afters shared with the world, which leads to her being canceled and dropped by her publisher.

I had a hard time getting into it at the beginning. I understand why Margot writes romance novels, but why did she keep doing something that didn't really inspire her? There were some times when I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between the characters.

I did enjoy the romance tropes that kept popping up. It was fun and cute. Slow burn and a great entry by a new author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

While I thought it was very clever to have the author insert traditional romance tropes throughout in a story featuring a disillusioned romance writer and a medical researcher, I did not care for the over abundance of graphic sex scenes that were repetitive. So gratuitous and tells me that the story plot itself can’t stand alone without. So with that, it drops a full star for me, just okay. I did like the characters though and especially how devoted and caring each were to their dad or sister as caregivers. Thanks to #netgalley to read and review this book.

I loved how honest this book was with the tropes giving me all my favorites such as enemies to lovers and forced proximity. However the ended seemed rushed to me, overall I really enjoyed it.

Forrest won me immediately with his Tswift quote and I loved Margot’s chaotic gremlin vibes.

This was a cute, albeit at times cheesy, romcom that had a lot to love.

I loved the premise, setting, and Forrest, a whole lot. There’s not much i love more than a grumpy hero in Alaska with some forced proximity!

It was a bit cliche but it was supposed to be, It hits a whole lof of tropes in it’s tongue in cheek exploration of a romance novel. The heroine was at times a bit over the top, and some of the decisions she made were downright not smart, which led Forrest to have to rescue her time and time again. And I get the damsel in distress trope but girl it is 2025, we are not depending on men to save us and it just made me frustrated.

Overall though if you are looking for something cute that hits all the best tropes then check it out.

A beautiful novel about finding love when you least expect it and trusting your instincts. As a true romance novel it has so many tropes I had to keep a list. The setting was picturesque and the story within the romance was so lovely.

5 🌟!! I have I just found my favorite romance novel of the year?!

It was everything I want in my romcoms: it's heartfelt, hilarious, spicy, AND sexy! I loved every page of this debut! I adored both characters so so much! The witty banter, the romance, the bond they share for caring for their family member was just everything! I didn’t want it to end! I was hooked from the first chapter and that doesn’t happen often!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Victoria Lavine for this ARC copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great debut romcom!

Read if: You like lighthearted romances, books that hit on several tropes, 2+ spicy scenes

I really enjoyed reading Any Trope But You! The plot of the story was fun and different having the main character actively aware of the romance tropes she’s fallen into as she stays at an Alaskan lodge. As a romance author, Margot believes that Forrest is too good to be true (and honestly he really is!) & writes him off. The story dives into many different relationships: familial, romantic and the appreciation of romance readers loving a favorite author.

I recommend reading this if you love the romance genre and would like to see a love story played out in a classic yet unique way.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for gifting me an advanced reading copy of this book!

When bestselling romance author Margot Bradley’s “Happily NEVER After” stories get leaked when her personal files are hacked, she escapes to the Alaskan Wilderness to hide out until things cool down.

I absolutely loved the premise of a romance author no longer believing in the romance she writes about - this is such a unique spin and I love Margot’s cynical, sassy character and the way she approaches her writing. Given todays social climate of “cancel culture” - this felt like a very relatable execution.

Despite being a bit cliche of the “too good to be too” trope (which is definitely on purpose) Forrest is a delicious MMC - he’s a dreamy family man AND a doctor too. He truly is the best match for Margot. I loved their banter from the start. The Alaskan setting was a perfect backdrop for their romantic shenanigans- I fear I’ll never look at a sauna the same way again 🥵🌶️

Speaking of tropes… the mention/use of multiple tropes in rapid succession actually worked so well to my surprise! It’s honestly comical that a romance author who tried to avoid romance and heartache at all costs continued to fall head over heels one trope after another.

Finally, the dynamic between Margot and her sister Savannah, as well as the broader plot points around caregiving and chronic pain were all very relatable to my own personal life. I honestly didn’t expect to feel all the feels - (happy, emotional, frustrated, giggling, mad) - but it only added to the joy of reading!

**Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC and chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**

I am honestly not sure how this book worked as well as it did. It was romance trope overload, but in the best way imaginable. The characters were adorable. Their chemistry was perfect. I loved the banter and the personal growth along the way. The supporting characters were also amazing. There were times that this book was so unrealistic and other points where I felt like it was my best friend's love story. I wish we had more of the romance at the end, but maybe there will be a sequel for that?! A best-selling romance author escapes to Alaska after something personal ruins her career. While there, she learns that she will be living every romance trope that she has ever written. Will she and Forrest manage to keep their hearts protected? This was chaos, happiness, sadness, fire and more all wrapped up in a hilarious romance. Honestly, Lavine managed to write a book that had way too much going on, yet it felt like not even close to enough! A perfect beach read!!

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of Any Trope But You.

Margot is a very well known romance author but what her fans find out is that she does not believe in the happy ever afters that she writes about. Her fans and social media turn on her so her sister sets her up on a trip to Alaska for six weeks to find herself again. She meets a man named Forrest and she is instantly attracted to him. He fits every trope she has ever written about but she knows he has to be too good to be true.

This was such a cute book. I loved the plot and the characters. I also loved that the characters could bond over caring for loved ones. I really enjoyed this one!

thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

this was an entertaining romcom read from a new debut! i enjoyed the writing style and actually found myself laughing at several points, lots of witty one-liners, and entertaining (if over the top) situations to be had. margot and forrest make for a cute pair, and their banter is enjoyable, though i'm not a fan of the modernized "enemies to lovers" we try to force on contemporary romance just because they didn't immediately get along.

however, as a lifelong alaska resident, the setting irked me. it was an alaskan Potemkin village. i appreciated the research the author actively did, like including some named locations, and state-specific slang in forrest's point of view, but it all sort of fell apart for me when considering the actual events that take place. i think the sensationalization of alaska as some kind of wintery paradise is strange, especially given how much BOTH leads wanted to leave the entire time. it's a means to an end, which disappointed me a lot, because i think it was a great chance to weave in some of the positives of living here that don't stop at the pretty views. but unfortunately, this was all just one big cardboard mountain for margot to look at.

finally, the excursions. oh my days. the setup: margot, an uninterested, unwilling newbie, is essentially forced into several serious outdoor activities by way of her sister withholding letters from her unless she "expands her horizons" - a fine setup that i would have found funny, if the actual activities weren't so seriously horrifying. you're telling me she goes backcountry skiing, outdoor camping in november(?!?!) where forrest decides to just trust this unexperienced person to pack their own gear, and 8+ hour winter hikes? i cannot buy into this, and i'm sorry. i understand the potential for humor here (where californian margot has to experience Dreaded Alaskan Winters Outside, the horror) but these are things that actively kill experienced people, and her almost getting hypothermia because she didn't want to listen to forrest because she was mad, just for them to have sexy time in a tent together... i can't.

all that said, for readers without my subjective takes regarding the setting, this is a fun read with silly antics! the romance arc is mostly good, and there are instances of great communication between the leads. a good read overall that i think i would have found much more enjoyable without my personal background grinch-ing it up.

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine is an absolute delight of a book from start to finish! This book is a masterclass in blending humour, romance and emotional depth, creating a story that is both captivating and relatable.

Lavine's writing is both witty and heartfelt, capturing the essence of what makes romance novels so enchanting. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, making their journey from reluctant acquaintances to passionate partners both believable and engaging. The author's clever use of familiar tropes adds a layer of humour that will resonate with romance readers.

Beyond the central romance, the novel delves into profound themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Margot's journey is not just about finding love but also rediscovering her passion and belief in the stories she tells. This introspective journey resonates deeply, making her character.

In essence, Any Trope but You is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that seamlessly blends humour, romance and emotional depth. Victoria Lavine has a crafted a debut that's both a love letter to the romance genre and a testament to her storytelling prowess. It's a must read for anyone seeking a novel that will make them laugh, swoon, and reflect in equal measure.

“...𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 — 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 — 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”

A romance writer that doesn’t believe in HEAs? A romance interest that literally hits all the romance tropes? Plus the vast wilderness setting of Alaska? I’m sold.

Outside of the sweetheart nickname (I don’t know why it makes me cringe), 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 was everything I look for in a romcom. This includes amazing character growth, plenty of female empowerment (her sister’s letters were amazing), depth in the problems at hand (when to let go, when to move on), ridiculous humor (omg... the zooming in underwear), and a plot that is mostly believable. Plus, the moose is named Bullwinkle, which was a charming detail!

Details: Victoria Lavine • 336 pgs • 1 April 2025 • Gifted by: @atriabooks • 4.25⭐

🫎 Happy Pub Day @victorialavinewrites 🫎

Thank you @atriabooks for the #gifted copy of this book. Extra special hugs to @just_talking_to_my_shelf and @bookswithnopictures for hosting this sisterhood of the traveling book.

Look no further than "Any Trope But You" to read the sweetest and swooniest love letter to romance. *insert happy sigh here*

This book is everything I wanted in a light rom-com. I was squealing. I was wheezing. I was swooning. I was fanning my face. It truly was e v e r y t h i n g.

We all know I love a love story that works in hiking, climbing, and outdoorsy experiences. Victoria convinced me that I need to go on an outdoor excursion in Alaska after reading this. And... I h a t e being cold.

I still can't get over the fact that Margot ends up in ALASKA of all places and ends up in the most perfect love story with the cliche romance hero. It's so funny. It's swoon-worthy.

Romance readers will appreciate everything Victoria did in this. It's a celebration of romance as a whole from the authors to the dedicated readers. It shows how beautiful and awesome the community of love really is.

Last note, Savannah was my favorite. I loved seeing her aide of the story through the letters she gifted to Margot throughout her challenging journey. Seriously, just wait until you meet her. She's the absolute best.

Not a sponsor, but @aardvarkbookclub has this debut gold as a pick for April. This book won't disappoint. Trust your resident romance dork.

🫎 Hilarious Dialogue
🫎 Grumpy Sunshine
🫎 Forced Proximity
🫎 Outdoorsy
🫎 Love Letter to Romance
🫎 Family
🫎 Author FMC
🫎 Adventures
🫎 A domesticated moose?

This is a darling debut! I was totally engrossed in the plot and adored the characters. This has everything you want in a romance plus much more. I love that Lavine leans in to our beloved romance tropes and pokes fun at the genre while still creating a great story. Both MCs are super relatable and I was able to connect with each of them. Their families really made this story and it is one that I highly recommend.

When a document of Margo’s is released during an interview, she ends up escaping to Alaska, per her sister’s request. Her life an as author might have taken a hit, but what happens when she is thrown into a romance novel of her own (and by that I mean she literally ran into Forrest’s arms)? While she has many challenges weekly, resisting Forrest might be the hardest. Forrest does not want to risk a possible bad review for his family’s lodge. This book has many different forms of family looking out for each other. It is the first time I have read this author but will not be the last. Despite heavier times, there still managed to be funny moments.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 STARS!)

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books for the advanced copy! 💙

Alaska? Yes, please! This book had me laughing out loud every other page, and I still can’t believe it’s a debut novel—SO. SO. GOOD.

Margot, a bestselling romance author, gets canceled when her secret file of Happily Never Afters leaks to the public. With her career on the line, her sister sends her to Alaska to clear her head and find inspiration for her next book.

Enter Forrest—THE most perfect man—who just so happens to help Margot live out every romance trope imaginable. Cue all the swoons, all the tension, and ALL the Happily Ever After feels.

💙 What I Loved:
✔️ Alaska + adventure = instant win.
✔️ The humor! This book pulled me out of a reading slump.
✔️ Dual POV (because we need to be in Forrest’s head).
✔️ ALL the tropes—forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, only one tent, and more.
✔️ The heart of the story—believing in love, even when it feels out of reach.

I need a follow-up book for Forrest and Margot! Manifesting this now. ✨

Add this one to your TBR ASAP!