The description of this book really got me as an avid romance reader. The tropes did get kind of tiring (I know that’s the point) but I will say the build up to the romance was really well paced. You kind of just want to yell at the characters at the end though - they’re both so stubborn which is frustrating to read through. Ultimately it was a fun read but I wouldn’t say the characters were my favorite as I didn’t relate to them very much.

3.5
In any trope but you, the FMC is a once-successful romance author who has lost her belief in love. When her thoughts on romance are made public, her life and writing career spiral out of control. To help her escape, her sister organizes a trip to Alaska, where she plans to write a mystery for the first time. While there, she unexpectedly runs into the MMC, the resort manager, after a moose causes her to stumble right into his arms.

They immediately clash because the FMC struggles to trust people and relationships, while the MMC is afraid of losing anyone else in his life. They each find reasons to dislike one another, but as they spend time together, their connection deepens, leading to a romantic relationship. Both characters were wonderful, especially in how much they cared for their families.

4.5 stars

I predict this will be one of the top romcoms of the year, it's that good!

Margot Bradley had given up on happy endings. She was happy to write them in her bestselling romance novels, but she didn't believe they could actually happen in real life. When the very secret alternate endings to her books that she writes just for herself are revealed to the world, Margot's readers turn on her and she finds herself in a career crisis. A reinvention retreat is just what she needs, but she soon finds herself confronted with Forrest, a ruggedly handsome doctor who embodies every one of her leading man stereotypes, and an adventure that ticks all of the romance trope boxes.

The banter in this book was so much fun! The storyline was unique while still touching on all of the classic (and some dreaded) romance tropes. The side characters were critical to the story and very well developed. I want Savannah to get her own book! The love story between Margot and Forrest was perfection, with plenty of tension and conflict and tenderness and spice. I was rooting for them the whole time!

An amazing debut from Victoria Lavine! I couldn't put this book down! Going to be looking for more books to come from this author.

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

3.5 stars

I'll start off by saying I loved the writing in this book. The emotions, the humor, the frustrations, all on point described beautifully.

I just couldn't fully get behind Margot, the FMC. I feel like her character was a little all over the place, her internal dialogue didn't really match what she said and how she acted, and she committed a fatal flaw for me personally when there was a conflict for the two characters to overcome.

Earlier in the story, Forrest, the MMC, learns something about her and when they next discuss it, he is on her side without hesitation and even tries to pump her up, and that's without her having to explain the whole thing.

A very similar situation comes later but the roles are reversed, and Margot immediately takes the other person's side, no questions asked, without hearing his side of the story. For me, the question I have to ask is how solid is the relationship, this love that's supposedly building, if it implodes that quickly with little effort? Those aren't the kind of stories I personally want to read about.

But everything else here was so good. Forrest was a great MMC, the Alaskan setting was enjoyable, and the supporting characters were all great in their own way. And again, the writing was enjoyable. I'll be more than willing to read any follow ups Victoria Lavine comes out with 🩵

Any Trope But You is such a delightful debut. When novelist Margot Bradley's romance career implodes in scandal because her readers find out she does not believe in the sacred HEA, she heads out to an Alaskan off-grid resort to write a murder book. Instead, she gets trapped in one romance trope after another with a guide who is every romance hero archetype--Henleys and corded forearms included. This ode to romance delivers all the favorite tropes with a twist while hilariously breaking the fourth wall. The prose is witty and warm, and the chemistry is sizzling. Victoria Lavine has a fabulous voice, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

Congratulations to author Victoria Levine on this outstanding debut novel!! I was completely immersed in the characters and their stories from the very first page! Margot is a successful romance author whose professional life nosedives after a secret file becomes not so secret, sending her to a remote area of Alaska. There, she meets Forrest, the grumpy brooding but incredibly rugged and good-looking man who somehow always seems to come to her rescue. They are complex characters with painful pasts and uncertain futures, both professionally and personally; both devoted caregivers to family members who seemingly sacrifice their own hopes, dreams and chances of a happily ever after. The setting is gorgeous and dangerous, adding another layer to this fantastic book. I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for all the readers who will love her debut!

received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for my honest review. Any Trope But You is the first book by Victoria Lavine and it is set in Alaska! I rarely find books set in Alaska so I was excited for this one. I liked how the author used (and openly acknowledged the use of) as many classic romance tropes as possible. I could have done without the constant references to avocados (we get it, Margot REALLY loves avocados). I also felt like the only real thing the MCs had in common was that they are both caregivers for family members. Overall, it was an okay read but I found myself being more interested in the side characters than the main ones.

“I’ve got a hunch that you remind Forrest something awful of home.”

4.5 ⭐️!!!

I!! LOVED!! THIS!! Listen. I’m not a big romance girlie like it takes a DAMN good romance book to pull a 4 ⭐️ from me let alone a 4.5. This felt like coming inside to the warmth after having a snowball fight with your family & friends in the pouring snow. Like sitting down in front of the fireplace, warming your hands while sipping hot cocoa. 🤎

I was intrigued by this immediately- it didn’t take me a couple chapters to feel invested which I loved- because usually it takes me foreverrrrr with a romance. This was stuffed to the brim with tropes and I ate it up!!! They never felt like it was just added in there for the sake of the plot/title. Like every time one was mentioned it made sense with the setting at the moment. I adored Margot & Forrest so much & the way the conflict in this one wasn’t just something silly that they just needed to communicate to fix. It was a real issue that I could 100% see & that was refreshing.

“Suddenly, the made-for-Margot room inside my heart has throw blankets and fucking fairy lights.”

The banter between Forrest & Margot was THE BEST. I was cackling at them multiple times hehe. I usually don’t like insta love/like but the way he was DOWN BAD for her from his very first POV had me kicking my feet & giggling. & the way he’d would get nervous & BLUSH???????? YOUR HONOR I LOVE HIM!!!!

“But I can’t be in another trope with you,” she whines. “And we already did this one! Remember the fire?”

overall this was SO good that I had to stop myself from binging it in one sitting bc when I do that I end up not digesting it fully. Also why. WHY was this so emotional!!! I was soooobing through the last 15% of this y’all. I didn’t think anything like that was going to happen and I was UNPREPARED. I was going through it, under it, below it all the directions. I’m also on my period but that’s irrelevant !!!!

The only reason and I mean the ONLY reason I’m not rating this 5 stars is the ending. I wish the ending would have been a little more impactful, it felt kind of rushed to me. I didn’t love the way they reunited, but it still had me cheesing nonetheless. This was so so so good. Thankyou to netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review 🖤🫎

“Every day you’ve been here, I’ve thought that Mom must have sent you. She knew you’d be the only person who’d get me back to California.”

This is, without a doubt, one of the absolute best romances I’ve ever read. I was completely captivated from start to finish. The female main character stole my heart—her growth throughout the story was inspiring and beautifully written. I adored her journey, her resilience, and the way she found love in the most unexpected way.

And Alaska... The setting was so vivid and breathtaking that I now have a deep urge to pack my bags and experience it for myself. The atmosphere, the adventure, and the raw beauty of it all added so much to the story. I'd love to have the night in the sleeping bag with my husband.

Honestly, if I could give this 6 stars, I would. It was so, so good. Highly recommend!

ANY TROPE BUT YOU was everything I want in my romcoms: it's heartfelt, hilarious, spicy, swoony, AND sexy! My only hiccup was that I didn't really connect with the FMC which is why I gave it a 3 🌟. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early ebook copy exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 12%. I just didn’t connect with this book. Nothing particular stuck out but I struggled to like the characters. I think it just wasn’t for me

[note: I do not post reviews publicly of books I do not finish.]

Margot is a romance author who has lost hope in happily ever afters. She keeps a secret folder of epilogues she’s written where the couples from her books break up. When it’s leaked, her sister suggests she spends time off the grid, in remote Alaska, to get inspiration for her next novel. She meets the son of the resort owner, Forrest, a man straight out of one of her novels.

I’ve been seeing rave reviews everywhere for this book and I’m upset that I can’t say the same. I understand that Margot is a romance author and that the title of this book is Any Trope But You, but the frequent mentioning of tropes/comparisons to her characters really took me out of the book. I honestly took a long time reading this book because I wasn’t invested. I really didn’t enjoy the third act break up (which occurred only a couple pages after they decided to be together) and the ultimate resolution. I really wanted to enjoy this more, but I’m glad that this book is clearly loved by others.

Thank you so much to Victoria Lavine, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the eARC. Any Trope But You comes out April 1, 2025.

finished this because I saw so many good reviews - and I think people liked it so much becuase it's HONEST. You can fall in and out of love... BUT how often do we discuss falling out of the idea of love? Only a few novels have actively talked about how hard dating is in the modern world in these specific terms.

SO - while I still stand on the idea my initial impressions - I think that if you can get through the first bit, readers will really enjoy getting to dive deeper into a story where someone gets unfairly 'canceled' (way too easy in today's techy-viral world) and overcoming your mistakes in a way that also allows for personal growth.

Margot is also a decently good person, and I really loved the exploration of the struggles behind being a caretaker. Both of our main characters have struggled with upholding all of their responsibilities! It's nice to see this style of responsibility - not your typical single-parent trope.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded up to a 4)
🌶️: 3/5

I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

Just read it okay. Do it. Preorder your copy so come April you can all caps and chest full of excitement love this one, too.

Margot.
Forrest.
Alaska.
Fish out of water romance author.
Family man doing it all.
Hot tubs and saunas.
Bullwinkle.
Winter excursions.
Letters from home.

This novel is a love letter to romance readers. It’s a reminder that reading love stories and yearning for that HEA isn’t fluff or just for fun. It’s an entire world where we are seen and heard and appreciated by authors and our fellow love story aficionados.

This was a super cute and enjoyable read! Margot is a romance author who gets cancelled after being hacked and the hacker sharing her "Happily Never After" file - what her jaded heart really thinks happens to her romance novels' couples. Her sister sends her to Alaska for 6 weeks as a break and she meets her very own HEA-in-waiting. This was a cute story, and fun when Margot is cued into all the romance tropes happen to them.

A picture perfect rom-com! Funny, witty, swoony, spicy, also emotional and heartwarming. A perfect pick for lovers of the romance genre. The play on tropes was SO FUN, and had me laughing out loud!

What an incredible debut novel by Victoria Lavine. My favourite read of 2025 so far!

Any Trope but You is a love letter to the romance genre, and boy, does it deliver! A story filled with allll the tropes, I thought it was such a refreshing and fun take on romance. Margot and Forrest both put their lives on the back burner to take care of their loved ones, which is why they had a deep understanding of each other. The banter between them was top notch, their meet-cute made me laugh out loud (shoutout to Bullwinkle!).

I can’t believe this is Victoria Lavine’s debut novel, I’ll be patiently waiting for whatever she has in store for the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for providing me with an ARC. Keep an eye out for Any Trope but You releasing April 1, 2025!

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!