Margot is a bestselling romance author ✍️ Her world comes crashing down when her readers find out she’s a secret love hater *gasp*. How is she going to fix this? 💡Oh! By spending six weeks in the middle of nowhere Alaska, meeting the grumpiest lumberjack-looking-doctor-turned-caregiver-with-sexy-forearms named Forrest (aka Mountain Daddy). She just has to resist the real-life swoon worthy tropes thrown at her. Easy peasy! 😅

Read this if you like:
💫 Romantic comedies
💫 Strangers to lovers
💫 Caregivers for family
💫 Chronic illness rep (not MC)
💫 Bullwinkle the (almost) domesticated moose
💫 Taylor Swift references
💫 Swoony micro-tropes
💫 Dual POV, first person

This is a STUNNING debut novel. I loved it 🥹 The writing was so funny, full of banter and the concept of a romance writer living in her own tropes was so good. This book was a love letter to the romance genre, to family love and the hope of finding your Happily Ever After, even through the ups and downs of life 💕

My rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 5)
My tear-jerker level: 2/5 💧💧
My spice level: 2.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

⚠️: Trigger warnings include: chronic illness, death of parent (off-page), cancer (off-page, not main character), abandonment, injury

This book is packed with humor, heart, and a perfect balance of satire and sincerity. While it leans into every romance trope imaginable, it does so with a self-aware, comedic twist that makes it such a fun read!

I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first—how do you cram so many tropes into one book without making it feel overdone? But Lavine delivers them with a wink and a nudge, making the clichés feel fresh and fun rather than predictable. The result is a book that celebrates romance while poking fun at its most beloved conventions!

One of the standout aspects of this book is the relationship between Margot and Savannah. Savannah’s unwavering support for Margot, despite her own struggles, was so heartwarming and made me want to call my own sister!

The humor in this book is also really good, offering many laugh-out-loud moments without losing the emotional core of the story. Whether it’s Margot’s sarcastic inner monologue, over-the-top romantic situations that feel straight out of a Hallmark movie, or the sheer chaos of the Alaskan wilderness, the comedy keeps the pages turning.

Speaking of Alaska, the setting adds so much charm. The isolated resort, complete with snowstorms and cozy cabins, serves as the perfect backdrop for forced proximity and unexpected romance. It’s the kind of place you can vividly picture while reading, and it adds a layer of magic to the story.

If you’re looking for a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, this book is for you!

Any Trope but You is about Margot, an author from California, and Forrest, an employee at his family’s resort in the Alaskan wilderness. To help Margot overcome her latest bout of writer’s block and to help inspire her new book, her sister sends her on a journey to Alaska.

I had high expectations for this book because the premise reminded me of one of The Simple Wild (one of my favorite books). And while there were some similarities, this one didn’t work quite as well for me. I didn’t care much for Margot and Forrest as characters (and therefore wasn’t that invested in the romance).

I enjoyed the atmosphere and would recommend this as an easy, wintry read. But I thought the story was lacking depth despite dealing with some heavier topics (i.e., caring for an ill parent). And I found the idea of Margot experiencing lots of romance tropes was silly at first, but I warmed up to it as the story went on.

So overall, this was a nice palate cleanser between heavier reads, and would be enjoyable to the right romance reader! Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the arc.

This was a romance book that had everything in it to make it for a good read. The location of Alaska was perfect for the storyline. I really enjoyed all the troupes that were in the story. The author has written a great debut book, and I know for sure I will be looking for more books from this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Victoria Lavine and Atria Books for the book Any Trope but You. This is my personal review.

Overall, Any Trope But You was fun, lighthearted, and super easy to read with a good does of steam. I loved seeing all of the different tropes were woven into the story as well. My only complaint is that things were a bit cheesy and cringe more often than not, which wasn't too much a deterrent as I did overall enjoy.

This book is so unique. The writing was so well done, with colorful language that ebbed and flowed (Seriously, this book had some of the best metaphors and one-liners I’ve ever read) It tugged me into the story right away and didn’t let me go for over 300 pages 😂

The tension between Forrest and Margot was EVERYTHING. Every interaction had me freaking out and ultimately waiting for the moment they realized what they meant to each other. They each had their own unique backstory that complimented each other beautifully, and that made watching them fall in love that much more meaningful. And Forrest is the perfect book boyfriend. He really is all the best tropes mixed into one (iykyk)

Margot’s relationship with her sister was one of my favorite plot points. It explained why Margot was the way she was, because not only was she overprotective of Savannah, but she was overprotective of herself and her own emotions. She put things in a safe box for both of them. I really loved how it played out. The pinnacle scene with them was peak poetry. And Savannah is a f*cking rockstar. It was utter perfection.

Also, this is a DEBUT?! Okay, Victoria, I see you! 🤭👀 I can’t wait to see what else you have in store. I am officially a fan.

Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC via Netgalley! 💌

Okay, hear me out— what do you get when you get a jaded romance writer, an Alaskan mountain man, a winter getaway and every rom-com trope in existence? THIS STORY! I LOVED IT!
My favorite was the duo POV. It added an extra layer to the story. We see how Margot Bradley, a bestselling romance author, slowly gets hit with every romance trope under the sun when she is anti-HEA. Her world comes crashing down when her Happily Never After document gets leaked and she gets canceled. What to do in a strange and tumultuous time like this? Retreat to the wilderness of course and write a completely different genre. What could go wrong? Enter grumpy, cinnamon roll, Forrest Wakefield, a brilliant doctor turned overnight parental caregiver to his sweet father and reluctant Alaskan lodge owner with an adorable doggy!
There was so much I LOVED about this book. The winter snow globe setting, FOREST WAKEFIELD, the slow burn romance and the sister letters. One thing I wish there was more of was the ending. It felt a bit rushed and I needed more time with these two characters.
I cannot believe it’s Victoria Lavine's debut novel. When she delivers, I’m definitely coming back for more!

I thought this was a decently well-written sort of grumpy-sunshine, sort of enemies to lovers kind of romance! I did think it was hilarious and meta that she called out her own romance tropes in real time- very self-aware haha. Highly recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this one—so much so that I read it in a single day. The writing is fresh, funny, and perfectly paced. The banter? Exceptional. It’s sharp and witty without feeling over-rehearsed, like the author spent days fine-tuning every joke as if writing a stand-up special. It all flows naturally, making for a truly engaging read.

The setting is wonderfully unique and does a great job of developing the secondary characters without making the outside world feel overwhelming. But what I really loved was the meta aspect of the “romance trope” game woven throughout. It’s a playful, clever touch that makes the book feel even more fun, and I especially appreciated how it fizzled out naturally rather than overstaying its welcome. That was a masterful move.

One thing I’m still thinking about: Forrest, our MMC, felt more fleshed out in terms of background and motivations than Margot, even though she technically had more introspective moments and exposition. I get that the whole joke is that Forrest is the perfect mash-up of every romance hero trope ever—so of course, he’s going to be more defined—but I wish Margot felt a little more real to us, too.

If I could change one thing, I’d want more time with them together. The buildup is fantastic—organic, funny, and entirely believable—but after spending 70% of the book on it, I wanted a bit more payoff. Their time as a couple is compressed into the last 10-15%, which makes the ending feel a bit rushed. It also made me question whether a two-week relationship was really enough to justify moving across the country and completely rewriting your life.

That said, one of the novel’s biggest strengths is how it handles long-term illness and the (sometimes unnecessary) sacrifices we convince ourselves we have to make. It’s a nuanced and deeply thoughtful exploration—kudos to the author for that.

Overall, this is a stellar debut. I’ll absolutely be looking out for whatever Victoria Lavine writes next. I just wish I could have lived in this book a little longer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

i stars!! this is easily my favorite book of the year so far!!

what an amazing debut! i was laughing out loud, kicking my feet and giggling reading this!

this follows margot, who is a romance author that doesn’t believe in love. during an interview, her happily never after file is exposed to the public and she becomes shamed in the romance world. hoping to pivot genres and get her reputation back, her sister convinces her to take her research trip to alaska after all. set out to write a murder mystery, margot lands in alaska and then lands in the arms of our ruggedly handsome male lead, forrest, after being scared by bullwinkle the moose!

this felt like a love letter to the romance genre. there are so many trope in this book and margot was trying to fight off every single one of them. even with a trope around every corner, it never felt overdone or corny! it was so funny to me every time margot and forrest would find themself in a classic romance trope because margot would call it out immediately.

the relationship between forrest and margot was so flirty, heartwarming and steady. i loved that they could understand each other like very few people could and really empathize with the choices they were making, even if they hurt. this book is perfect for anyone that loves acts of service! being a caretaker was such a big part of both margot and forrest’s lives. i really loved the chronic illness and condition representation. it was so well done and the conversations that happened because of the people in their lives that relied on them were so real and raw.

i loved all the side characters in this book. margot’s relationship with her sister savannah was my favorite. i really loved the way they loved each other so fiercely, their banter, and the way they were each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

overall, i adored this book so, so much. i cannot recommend any trope but you enough!! i will happily read anything victoria lavine writes!!

A bestselling romance author flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and hide out after being cancelled by the romance genre, but the rugged resort proprietor soon has her fearing she’s living in her own rom-com plot instead.

I'd give it a 4.5 rating. I loved the story, but felt the ending was a little rushed. I wish we had gotten just a little more out of it.

This book was so heartwarming. Margot and Forrest grow so much throughout by working through their familial obligations, career obstacles, and former romantic traumas. It was so honest and real and I feel like this book "broke the fourth wall" in such an interesting way. It hit all the tropes, and did it so perfectly! It's a truly unique story. Margot's growth was probabaly my favorite, I feel like she needed it the most and it felt so real and not surface level like in other books with similar plot points. Forrest had some great growth too, but I felt like his was more forced along than Margot's. Either way, like I said, it felt honest, and I loved it.

I can't wait to read more from Victoria in the future, she is going to be one to watch!
My instagram review will be live 03/18/2025

I was drawn to this book because there is a moose on the cover, as moose are one of my favorite animals. That and a romance taking place in Alaska checked the boxes of things I love. A lot of other boxes were checked too, in this book being the recipe for a romance book, following all the tropes imaginable. This book was an adorable read, that just brought enjoyable and good feelings.

Margot, a well reclaimed romance writer, who gave up on happily ever afters, spends 6 weeks in Alaska trying to reinvent herself, determined to write a murder mystery. There, she has the perfect meet cute with the lodge's owner, Forrest, where her time there was too good to be true, with every trope possible coming to life.

I have to say I'm pretty skeptical when books mention Taylor Swift. I usually don't like how she is portrayed or the context she is written in. In Any Trope But You, I loved how she written as the aspiration and motivation Margot used to reinvent herself, if Taylor could do it, she could do it.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Bestselling romance author Margot Bradley escapes to a remote Alaskan resort after her private diary containing rewritten, unhappy endings to her most beloved characters is released, turning fans against her. A Happily Ever After is the last thing on her mind, yet she can’t seem to resist the pull toward Dr. Forrest Wakefield, the human embodiment of every romance reader’s (and author’s) dreams.

ANY TROPE BUT YOU delivers exactly what it promises: an open love letter to romance readers that playfully pokes fun at beloved tropes while offering a laugh out loud, feel good escape. I especially enjoyed the combination of sarcasm, snark, and banter. ATBY had my kind of humor! Though I appreciated how many romance tropes were woven into the story with a meta twist, the overall sweetness felt a little too Hallmark for my liking. Note: this is a personal preference…the execution does exactly what it sets out to do. ATBY is a solid debut, I look forward to reading more from this author.

I recommend this book to romance readers who enjoy:
+ books about books
+ an ode to romance readers & the bookish community
+ outdoor adventures and stepping outside your comfort zone
+ MCs who would do anything for the people they love

Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was a solid 4 stars for me. It is absolutely as it says, that it is a love letter to romance books. I dropped a star solely because I felt that the book was too long. The premise, the plot, and the characters were all great and I enjoyed them, but there just could have been maybe 100 less pages and it would have made it a phenomenal book for me. The excursions were absolutely hilarious, Savannah is literally the best sister ever, and Forrest is the kind of grump that you cannot help but fall in love with, because deep down, he is one of the single most caring humans.

The bond that Forrest and Margot forge because of their shared commonality of being caregivers to others who are chronically ill is beautiful and my favorite part of this story. I have been a caregiver in the past and it is not easy for the one being cared for, the caregiver, and those around them. This was depicted accurately and eloquently in this book and I am grateful for that.

I recommend this book to those who love a good rom-com with an emotional sub-plot that ends with a beautifully written Happily Ever After.

This was a decent read but I will say the FMC was balancing on a thin line of me being extremely frustrated a few times as a reader. I loved the story being set in Alaska and that kept me intrigued through the book. Overall, this was a fun read.

This was a cute rom-com. It wasn't exceptionally angsty, but it followed all the steps that I need for a romance. The characters were likable and I liked how the author threw in so many common tropes, hence the name of the book.

Okay yall this one was so much FUN! Margot is a romance author so she's no stranger to tropes, and she is suddenly surrounded by them when she arrives in Alaska to escape some real bad PR and get her writing career back on track.
The super hot (huge, slightly grumpy) resort owner (oh BTW he's also a doctor and the resort chef) is a walking trope and no matter what she does, he and his romcom-worthy personality keep inserting themselves into her retreat.
I loooved the twist on a typical romcom here, and every time Margot pointed out something that would normally make my eyes roll (don't you DARE give me a cute nickname), I was eating it up instead and I couldn't get enough.
On a deeper level, both Margot and Forrest are living their lives as caretakers first and everything else second, and while they know this is what they need to do, both are struggling to accept the things they have to give up for their family member's sake. I loved the way this was handled and how both Margot’s sister and Forrest’s dad went about helping them leave the nest.
I will always have a soft spot for sister relationships, and Margot and Savanah were some of the best. I loved them so much.
Long review short, READ THIS ONE.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Margot is a romance writer who gets canceled when a private document showing she doesn’t believe in happily ever afters is leaked online. Margot jets off to the Alaskan wilderness to reinvent herself and is soon facing every romance trope out there.

I absolutely loved this book, it was cute and cozy but also very funny. I actually laughed out loud a few times, which isn’t the norm for me. Margot's humour was great, which made reading from her POV enjoyable. Her sister was hilarious, the banter between our main characters was flirty and funny and there was even a scene that you could see coming from miles away but still had me laughing and reading out loud to my dad so that we were both laughing. There were also multiple Taylor Swift references which is a guaranteed way to my heart.

There were so many romance tropes in this book but it worked great, the characters were aware the tropes were happening and actively fighting against them. I really liked that our main characters weren’t the typical “they can’t possibly like me” types but instead knew there was attraction from both sides but chose to fight it for their own personal reasons.

I only had a couple small issues with the book, the main one being I found the spicy scenes moved very quickly. A short amount of writing covered multiple rounds, if you know what I mean.

Overall I had a great time reading this book and will be more than willing to read anything else Victoria Lavine writes.

I picked this up hoping it would break me out of my reading slump, and boy did it ever. This book sucked me in right away, and I gulped it down in just three sittings. I absolutely loved the writing and the meta-but-very-self-aware commentary on the romance genre and its readership. This book is a love letter to romance readers everywhere, delivered in a comically trope-filled package. I honestly loved every minute of it. The voice, the characters, the themes—amazing. It feels like the romance genre has really hit its stride with authors dedicating more and more of their page count to real issues and heftier topics alongside the banter and flirting, and I am absolutely here for it. Any Trope but You is perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. I cannot wait to see what she does next!

Any Trope but You
Victoria Lavine
5 stars

For a debut novel, you’d never know it! This was absolutely one of the funnest romance rides I’ve been on in a while! It is a quintessential romcom read full of hilarious one-liners, banter, spice, and swoon worthy moments all romance readers love!

Our FMC, Margot, is well known romance author who doesn’t believe in love after a long string of disappointing men in her life. When she’s hacked during a zoom call and her secret “happily never after” notes are leaked on the internet, she’s immediately shamed by the reading community and her life is thrown in a metaphorical blender. Her sister and roommate, Savannah, plans for her to go off-grid for 6 weeks in Alaska to work on her next not-romance novel while things cool down.

I loved this books for so many reasons! The humor for one was my perfect blend! I loved that both Margot and Forrest were caring for their family members who needed them. Savannah has a chronic illness that Margot helped her manage and put her relationship with her sister above everyone else in her life. As Forrest, who lost his mother to breast cancer, went on to be a leading scientist with innovative research to help others. He dropped everything when his dad, Trapper, had a fall and required round the clock care. Being constantly there for others, both Margot and Forrest were able to really understand one another and connect, despite both of them wanting to keep their distance.

I was giggling every time Forrest checked off a romance readers favorite romance trope throughout the book. He’s a doctor, hot, fit, kind, and plenty of other things that made me cackle whenever Margot found out because OF COURSE he’s perfect! I loved that during the trip Savannah had incentives of personal letters waiting for her after she put herself out there. Those letter scenes were always so sweet and tender. I felt like I really got to know Margot to her core through them.

I loved that during this 6 week trip that Margot out outside and explored the wilderness! As someone who likes the look of the outdoors but would never got hiking in a snow storm (!!) this was so fun to experience. It felt like I could actually be there with how well the author described the scenery. While all good things come to an end, I was really happy with the way this one did. The third act breakup was something I couldn’t even fault either character for. It made perfect sense for them as characters for it to go down the way it did. I am just so happy with the way it ended!!!

I am so excited for anything Victoria writes next! She’s not only an amazing author but reading her acknowledgments had me tearing up after learning she was diagnosed with breast cancer during her draft of this story. Just wow!