Any Trope But You had all the elements I desire in a romcom: it's touching, funny, steamy, romantic, and downright sexy! I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this debut novel and found myself wishing it could go on for another 300 pages. It truly captivated me from start to finish.

Thank you Victoria Lavine and Atria Books for this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review! I would add Netgalley in, but since they changed their file format overnight without any warning, I'm still not over how they disregarded users that have non-Kindle e-readers. Alas, we move on.

This book felt like an ode to the romance genre as a whole. I loved how your typical tropes were brought up with full acknowledgment by our FMC, a romance author who no longer believes in HEAs and, therefore, can spot a trope a mile away! And I love how the romance genre community is addressed throughout in a very positive light as the best literary community a girl can dream of. I thought that was really beautiful, considering how romance is so often disregarded despite carrying the most hopeful, loving messages.

The main positive of Victoria Lavine's obvious infatuation with romance as a whole is that she knows how to plot a novel to ensure good pacing. Pacing a romance book is not an easy task as there is none of your typical external forces to move the plot forward. This means authors will fail if they don't work out the exact amount of tension they need to build and by what point or if they disregard the arcs and development of their main characters.

One of the typical things that turn me off contemporary romance is the MMC's lack of personality or compelling backstory, and I find that it is difficult for me to connect with romances where the spicy scenes don't seem to move the plot forward at all. I found Victoria Lavine delivered in all these points. Forrest was a well-developed and believable character, who was very handsome and kind to our main character but who also had his own constraints and ambitions outside of the romance sphere. His character arc was there and it was reminiscent of our FMC's arc since the thing they shared in common (and what kept them apart) had to be conquered by both in different ways.

I found that the intimate scenes were well-described and filled natural spaces in the narrative that allowed me to see how strong the connection between the main characters actually was, and how they behaved towards each other when being wholly vulnerable clearly communicated the love there was between the two even before they worded it.

The only thing that left me disappointed in certain aspects (and why this is not a five-star read) were Margot's decision-making process (which didn't always align with her characterization) and how fast we went from Margot being exposed as a romance author who doesn't believe in HEA to her being in Alaska (I wish the transition had been a little smoother so we could see more of Margot's character prior to her interactions with Forrest). But this didn't negatively affect my reading experience disproportionately, and I very much enjoyed every second of reading it!

If you are looking for a fast-paced, sweet romance book set in Alaska, this might be it for you!

I had mixed feelings on this one!

On the one hand, it's so exciting to read a fresh voice in the rom com world-- and boy was it a strong one! Victoria Lavine has written one of the funniest (to me) rom coms I've read in a loooooong time. I thought her style and voice came out clearly in the writing, and it did not feel like anything else I've read in the genre lately. I think this is a great thing as so many romance books are starting to feel too similar to me, so being a standout people can remember for voice alone is great. I hope we will hear a lot more from Victoria Lavine going forward.

What made this book NOT a 5 Star read though was the plot. In fact, it felt a little bit plotless. And, at risk of constantly comparing her to the rest of the genre, I feel like in this day you really need a standout plot to move into that 5-star tier, otherwise you will just blend into the masses. I did not find myself eager to pick this one up. What plot there was ended up lost behind the humor and shenanigans, and I didn't find myself caring too much about the characters and their journeys.

All in all, I'd say this was a solid 3.5 rounded up. If you're a lover of the genre and not sick of it, I definitely recommend reading and I hope we will hear a lot from Lavine in the future!! I can't wait to read what else she comes up with.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the egalley.

I loved going through this journey with Margot! Learning to let her walls down, and switch roles from caregiver to receiver is something a lot of us struggle with so it was great to see her (and Forrest’s) growth throughout the whole book. At some points, the story did feel a little dragged out with scenes that I felt could have been condensed, but overall I enjoyed it! Also, the SPICE was intense, and longer scenes than i’m used to so just be prepared!

Any Trope But You was so much fun! A romance author, Margot Bradley, writes happily ever afters has her secret file ‘happily never afters’, the realistic endings to her books, leaked. Her sister plans an Alaskan getaway for her to write her new murder mystery book since no one wants to read a HEA by someone who doesn’t believe in them herself. What ensues next is romance trope after romance trope in the cutest way: secluded cabin, the cutest meet-cute, a damsel in distress, a very beefy mountain man in a lumberjack shirt chopping wood, his name is Forrest, one bed, forced proximity, a love triangle, enemies to lovers, and more. Even Margot mentions several times how this guy is like he’s written out of a romance novel.

This book was sweet, swoony and steamy as Margot and Forrest stumble trying to find their own version of a HEA, all while both dealing with a disabled sister back home (her) and a disabled father in Alaska (him). Margot and Forrest have so much in common despite resisting it so much in the beginning. Once they get together things heat up real quick!

I loved this! I love how they show how deeply the two main characters want to do the right thing and how much everyone around them loves them so much and nudges (shoves) them into making choices to better themselves in the end. Savannah’s letters as rewards after every Alaskan expedition that her sister Margot went on was cute - you can tell what a great relationship the two of them have through them.

Overall super cute, and even highly Taylor Swift coded (right up my alley!!!). I didn’t go into this with high expectations but it shocked me in such a good way - I wasn’t even mad about the third act breakup. The reunion was perfect. Definitely recommend!!!

4⭐️
3 🌶️

Thank you so much Atria Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this gem of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for this ARC! I was really intrigued by the premise of this book but it didn’t impress me. The writing was just fine overall; there were a few lines that felt a bit much. I also am not a fan of insta-love and this was giving those vibes almost immediately. Unfortunately I stopped reading at 34%. I am interested to see how the author’s writing improves over time.

This was such a cute read! I was hooked from the beginning. There were definitely many feet kicking and laughable moments in this book.

I'm honestly a sucker for books set in Alaska! I don't know what it is but I just love them.

I'm usually iffy about books mentioning tropes, but with this one it worked so well. Especially considering the main character is an author.

I liked Margot and Forrest's characters and how well they understood each other and their need to care for their family. I also really liked Margot's sister, Savannah.

Definitely would recommend to fellow romance readers!

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

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Victoria Lavine's debut novel Any Trope But You is a love letter written to romance readers, breast cancer fighters, and has too many romance tropes to name. I devoured this book and stayed up super late to read Margot and Forrest's story. These two characters are flawed but find happiness and peace with each other. This book truly has it all - obvious attraction on both sides, tons of chemistry, soul searching and re-examining their own values. Lavine creates a cast of characters that are multifaceted and emotionally complex.

Margot is a romance author who was recently canceled after readers found out that she secretly doesn't believe in love, and her sister secretly plans an escape for her to a remote wilderness resort in Alaska. When she arrives, she literally crashes into Forrest when she jumps in his arms after being scared by a moose. Forrest and Margot are thrown together in multiple situations, and he supports her as she challenges herself in various wilderness experiences. They are both grappling with huge life decisions, and I love how they encourage each other.

Both Forrest and Margot are committed to caring for a family member with a serious health issue. They grapple with how to prioritize their own needs, particularly having a romantic relationship, with their feelings of responsibility for others. Their attraction to each other builds, and the pacing of the story kept things moving quickly. I was engrossed in this Alaskan adventure/love story from the first chapter. This couple had fun banter, great steam, and the tropes sprinkled throughout the book were icing on the cake.

This book is a great cozy, steamy read on a cold winter day with a hot cup of coffee. I can't wait to read Victoria Lavine's next book!

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

This was a very quirky and sweet romance that I enjoyed a lot. I definitely will be picking up other works by this author when they’re released in the future. I had such a great time reading this!

When I saw this book was about a romance novelist and set in Alaska, I was sold on it immediately. There is something about the meta nature of a romance novel following an author who needs romance herself—well, it’s always a blast to read about. Regardless, the synopsis and cover sold me on picking up this ARC. Unfortunately, it didn’t blow me away the way I wanted it to.

I was surprised that I didn’t fall in love with the writing style of this novel. While I did find the plot and character set ups to be fun, the writing style never drew me in completely. But what I did appreciate was the diversity amongst our characters and illnesses talked about in this book. The minor characters were a bright point in the plot, as they always brought delightful humor to the pages.

The romance between Margot and Forrest wasn’t something I fell in love either, either. At times, it felt more like a falling-in-lust than a falling-in-love plot-line. That was largely due to the trajectory of their character arcs; neither character had consistent growth throughout the chapters. Both were tied up in their pasts and current problems, which didn’t leave much space for true romance to blossom. I always find the best romance novels are explorations of both love interests growing into better people and healing because they are interacting with each other. This novel failed to deliver on that front.

This all brings me to the idea of pay off, and changes in characters (or the conclusion of plots) feeling earned. For me, I struggled with the lack of consistent character growth through the plot. Both Forrest and Margot decided to make a significant worldview/behavior change within the span of a paragraph—both decisions happening near the last 10%—instead of us seeing steady growth throughout. As I stated previously, I find the best romance novels are strengthened with the love interests growing because of each other. This novel was missing that spark to its romance and narration.

I also struggled with Forrest and Margot getting their happily ever after. During the third act breakup, Forrest weaponized Margot’s past pain against her and broke things off. There was never an apology for that behavior on the page, which was disappointing. Forrest’s behavior placed him within the same pattern of behavior as her past relationships (with her father leaving, and her fiancé breaking things off with her). With how consistent Margot’s behavior was throughout the book, I didn’t see her forgiving Forrest as easily as she did. All of this made the ending feel rather empty.
Overall, this story was fine. I struggled to really fall into it and never found myself craving to pick it up after starting it. If the character development was stronger, this novel could’ve truly been great! There simply wasn’t enough character growth to support the plot on the pages. To end this on a happier note: I did love the Alaska setting and getting to explore that through the lodge’s weekend excursions.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I absolutely adored Any Trope But You. This book is a brilliant blend of sharp wit, irresistible charm, and delightful cheesiness that hits all the right notes. The author has such a keen eye for the romantic tropes that the protagonist tries desperately to avoid, yet they come across as irresistibly romantic and endearing, even when the main character is doing everything in their power to stay away.

My only complaint? (and it's a very, very hypocritical complaint) Margo, our main female character, is described as a luminiscent, perfect level of beautiful. I think I gravitate more to a book when a heroine is described and adored more for her quirks and facial expressions versus her model-esque physique and magazine-cover-worthy face. It helps the female character feel more relatable and is easier to immerse into the story with the deluded daydream that I am the main character. I should also share that I had ZERO issue with the male character being described as a perfect human specimen, henceforth, the hypocrisy. I still LOVED this book!

The writing is filled with clever humor and a self-awareness that makes it such a fun read. The way it plays with clichés while simultaneously embracing their charm had me grinning from start to finish. It's cheesy in the best way, and that’s what makes it so wonderful. The characters are endearing, and their banter, combined with the fun twist on classic tropes, makes this book impossible to put down.

If you're looking for a romance that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers all the heartwarming feels, Any Trope But You is the perfect read. It’s one of those books that reminds you why the most familiar tropes can still make you swoon.

Victoria Lavine's debut novel turns romance tropes on their head in a delightful way.

Margot is a beloved romance author whose cynical views on love get exposed and force her into a reset. Forrest is the hunky Alaskan wilderness man who proceeds to blow every trope she's ever written about out of the water.

Lavine takes the stereotypical tropes and, by acknowledging them, removes some of their kitsch, instead creating a dual narrative romance where each character knows what is at stake and what they're willing to do for romance.

By introducing elements of family devotion and chronic illnesses, Lavine frames these tropes through the eyes of two adult cynics used to sacrificing their wants and needs to support their beloved families. It's a rich and layered love story.

It's also hilarious and spicy AF. So it's firing on all cylinders.

Read if you love:

⚔️Enemies to Lovers
🏔️Cozy Alaskan Setting
🙏Forced Proximity
🌶️Spice
🛏️One Sleeping Bag
🩺🪓McDreamy/Lumberjack
✍️Romance Author
❤️‍🩹Caregiver Rep
👏ALL THE TROPES

Review:

This book was amazing. I absolutely fell head over heels for both main characters. I was giggling, laughing out loud, swooning and kicking my feet throughout. As you can probably guess - this one has an explosion of tropes (all the good ones of course hehe) but it doesn’t come out in a cliche way. There are lots of different elements within this book that adds depth and richness to the plot

Can the setting of an Alaskan escape for a romance writer who doesn’t believe in happily ever afters anymore get any better?! UHM yes it can when the walking talking trope king himself comes barrelling in (with a moose?!🫎 🤣)

The tension and chemistry between Margot and Forrest was palpable and the banter was top tier 👏 The way these two just got each other through the good, the bad and the ugly was so endearing.

Family is portrayed with great roots in this book and adds such richness and realness to the story. I really loved how the author had a beautiful way of portraying the caregiver role and the complexities that this entails - not only for the caregiver but the person being cared for

I felt like was writing a love letter to all the romance readers out there and my heart just feels full and giddy after reading this. I seriously cannot believe this was a debut novel & I can’t wait to read more by this author 💖

Any Trope But You is such a fun, feel-good rom-com! Victoria Lavine takes all the classic romance tropes we know and love (or love to roll our eyes at) and flips them in the best way. The banter is on point, the chemistry is *chef’s kiss*, and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The characters are super likable, and the humor had me grinning through most of the book. Some parts were a little predictable, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. If you’re a rom-com fan looking for something light, witty, and packed with all the trope-y goodness (with a twist), this one’s definitely worth a read!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Victoria Lavine for this ARC copy. I will be giving my honest review.
5 ⭐️ Did this book just make my list of fave romance books ever? Why yes I think it did. I spent nearly the whole time giggling, kicking my feet, blushing and highlighting. I may have highlighted damn near the whole book. So many relatable quotes & funny one liners. The way her writing flowed was really beautiful and made me feel similarly to when I read my romance queens Annabel & Abby. Now sometimes if a book gets too poetic or existential sounding it can feel pretentious or cringe but this was balanced so well with humor & self awareness that I ate it up.
The book does have quite a few pop culture references which can be hit or miss for me but again I was here for it. Especially the T. Swift mentions.
One area this author really got right was the spicy scenes. My jaw was on the floor in a “oh my god this is perfect” / no notes kinda way.
Now I must say it started a little slow and took me until maybe the 15/20% mark to get into it. After that though I was completely obsessed. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

5 Stars

I don’t know where Victoria Lavine came from, but Any Trope but You completely blew me away! This is easily my favorite contemporary romance of the year so far—even beating out an Ali Hazelwood release, which is saying something.

Margot is a bestselling romance author who secretly writes “happily never after” endings—until a hacker leaks her private files, canceling her overnight. Swearing off romance, she flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and write a murder mystery. But from the moment she literally falls into the arms of Forrest Wakefield, it’s as if the universe is throwing every romance trope ever her way. Grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, found family, one sleeping bag—and yet, it never feels overdone, only delightfully self-aware and charming.

I thought I knew what was going to happen… but Lavine played me completely. I laughed, I cried (multiple times), and that ending wrecked me in the best way. As a mom, the themes of loss, fear, and healing hit especially hard. This book was so much more than just a fun romance—it had depth, heart, and unforgettable moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’ll be recommending this to every romance reader I know.

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine is an adorable book that explores all the romance tropes we have come to recognize and love.

This book is for anyone that is wondering how romance authors can continuously write lovely pieces with happy endings all the time.

The book centers around Author Margot Bradley writes happen ending but doesn't truly believe in them. A famous romance author, Margot is struggling to believe the things she writes as her own life is anything but a fairy tale. Her sister Savanah is chronically Ill. Margot decides to take a break from the happily ever after romances and write a murder book.

Meanwhile, Dr Forrest Wakefield, a cancer researcher, is working at the inn while caring for his ailing father. Margot and Forest meet and have one trope after the other occur. Will Margot finally get her happily ever after?

Thank you Victoria Lavigne and Atria books for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This book will be published April 1 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Thank you Netgalley and Atria for this ARC! I binged this book in one sitting and found it to be a short and sweet if not predictable read. Margot is a recently canceled romance writer who escapes to a lodge in Alaska to avoid the public scrutiny. Enter: capable, hot, smart lumberjack Forrest who works at his family’s lodge. Oh, and did I mention he’s a med student who wears Henleys, rolls his sleeves, cooks well, and cares for his ailing father? 🤣 One of the best things about this book is that it leans in to popular ‘tropes’ of romance novels that are we all know and love. It’s totally cliche but in a meta way—the author (and characters) are in on the joke. There are also a few representations of chronic illness in this story along with a touching line plot line regarding caregiving and how it impacts the main characters. A few things were not my favorite, such as the first person writing and a 3rd act breakup, but some of these grievances are due to personal preferences. However, I did think the spice was a bit cringe. At one point Forrest’s erection is compared to ‘the business end of a baseball bat’ 😵‍💫 and there is a line about ‘a welcome home sign’ when he firsts enters Margot 🫣 I think the author was trying to be funny but it fell a bit flat for me. Overall I think this a very binge-able if silly romance from a new author.

Margot Bradley is a very popular romance author who gets cancelled when her happily never after list gets leaked. She is also a caregiver for her sister and has stalled get own life to help take care of Savannah. Savannah hatches a plan to send Margot to Alaska to research a new book but really she has a secret plan. Margot meets Forrest in Alaska and obviously sparks fly. As any romance author knows, tropes are where it's at and Margot finds herself living many of the popular romance tropes while actively falling for Forrest. He also knows what it's like to be a caregiver for his father.

I loved this book. I like how the author leans into the curve in terms of romance tropes and calling them out instead of hiding behind them. I would say this book starts as more of a grumpy meets grumpy book rather than sunshine as both main characters are not thrilled with their situation in Alaska. I think the character development and the back stories were well done and revealed well. I found both main characters relatable. I will be recommending!