In Any Trope But You, a "canceled" romance author who doesn't believe in "happy ever afters" flees to Alaska to write her first murder mystery. There, she lives out an unexpected rom-com plot with the rugged resort owner, a doctor with a heart of gold, hosting her. As they navigate personal fears, family struggles, and humourous adventures like staying in "one tent," their steamy connection forces them to reconsider their beliefs about love.

This is a sharp debut novel that spicy romance readers will eat up. First, there is an abundance of classic romance tropes to entertain you. Second, the main characters have substance and "real life issues" beyond their physical spark, from caretaking duties to grief and career setbacks. Beyond that, the Alaskan resort setting adds charm and coziness. It's also a quick read!

I removed two stars for lacking mental and emotional chemistry between the couple and a quirky main character who wasn't always likable. For example, I felt her relationship with her sister was overly co-dependent. Still, a great debut from a new voice with a lot of potential.

WOW! I am picky when it comes to romances, but this one blew me out of the water. I can't believe this is the author's first book!

The main character was very relatable. The plot, though predictable, was sweet and well-executed. Maybe a little bit spicier than my usual preference, but overall a GREAT book - I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Bestselling Romance Author Margot has written an alternate ending for all of her stories; her private Happily Never After files. When a superfan leaks these tales or beer guts and breakups, she is quickly shunned by her fans. Her sister Savannah books her an Alaskan Wilderness Vacation to help her get away and to find inspiration for her murder mystery novel. Too bad her host Forrest is a living, breathing, walking, talking romance trope. All Margot needs to do it stay strong and resist the urge to fall back on her romance roots.

Read if you like:
-The Ultimate Romance Hero
-Redemption
-Chronc Illness
-Eldest Daughter Syndrome
-Rom Coms of Epic Proportion
-Meet Cutes
-Only One Tent/Sharing Body Heat

I loved Any Trope but You. It was so funny. A little tongue in cheek and at times over the top, but it never felt forced. The humor was just so clever. I loved how Margot and Forrest were two sides of the same coin. They had very similar journeys, but their experience felt true to their character without being a carbon copy of each other. The emotions in this one also hit hard. I was crying by the end, but in the best way. Highly recommend this one!

I love books about books and/or authors and this was a delight. When "disgraced" romance author Margot Bradley flees to Alaska (at the insistence of my favorite character, her sister Savannah)  she runs straight into a man from one of her books. It was a bit meta reading a romance book poking fun at common tropes, but the writing is clever and amusing throughout. Full of pop culture references, spice,  a lovable cast of characters, and a unique Alaska setting this was an enjoyable wintertime (or anytime) romcom read. - 3.5 stars

this is a cozy romance novel for anyone looking for an easy read! it wasn’t my favorite, but i may recommend to winter lovers looking for a non-Christmas book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this arc in return for my honest review!
As someone who reads a lot of romance, but can at times really struggle to believe in HEAs in real life, I loved the premise of this book. Was truly not expecting this book to be as heartfelt as it was, and loved to see Margot and Forrest’s relationship grow, and especially with their bond when it comes to being caregivers to sick family members. This book was the perfect amount of sweet, spicy, heartfelt, and fun! Was genuinely shocked when I realized that this is Lavine’s debut novel in the best way, and can’t wait to read whatever she decides to write next!
This was the perfect way to end out the year, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of it when it comes out!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was the perfect winter read for me! As an avid romance reader, I love all the tropes that come along with romance books, so I was very excited when I learned about this book. It is filled with some of my favorite tropes - one bed (tent), enemies to lovers, too good to be true.

I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Any Trope but You! This one is getting 3.75 stars from me! Super cute, but the cheese factor from all the tropes (I mean you know it’s coming from the title alone) was a little much at times for me. Overall though I’m a sucker for a cozy wintertime romance and this fit the bill!

Cute! As the title suggests, this book was full of rom com tropes - alllll the rom com tropes - but in a campy and fun way. The side stories about family and chronic illness, and about getting up and trying again when things fall apart, added some unexpected depth. Definitely a little bit predictable, but I enjoyed the ride. It was a quick and easy read, and I’d definitely look for other books from this author in the future.

I received an ARC of this book in November 2024. Thanks @NetGalley! 💖

For some reason I thought this was a Christmas-y book so I delayed reading it. Big mistake on my part. I loved this book. The characters could have been a little less too good to be true, but I was invested in both regardless. Very cute and heartwarming read.

One of the best debut rom-coms I’ve read in a while! Any Trope but You is a love letter to romance readers, and I enjoyed every minute. The premise is maybe a little tongue in cheek, as it’s hard to imagine romance readers actually being that upset about an author keeping a file of not so happy endings for her characters, but the execution here really works. I’m excited to read whatever Lavine writes next!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC!

This debut novel by Victoria Lavine was the funniest rom-com I read all year! I laughed out loud A LOT and thought it was the perfect winter or holiday season read but I would honestly pick it up and read or reread it anytime for a happy, feel-good story. The whole book was like a long love letter to the romance genre and romance readers alike and it stole my heart!

Margot Bradley is a romance writer who gets canceled by her readers and publisher after her private, personal file named, “Happily Never After,” leaks. She uses it as a therapeutic way to vent her feelings and writes alternate endings to all her romance novels where the guy cheats with the nanny, the couple gets a divorce, or the MMC end up with… *gasp* … a BEER BELLY! Literally laughed so hard at that.

Her sister sends her on a 6 week getaway to the remote North Star Lodge in Alaska where she tries her hand at writing a mystery novel while Forrest, aka Dr. Mountain Daddy M.D., leads a group on weekly wilderness excursions that Margot is forced to participate in. Along the way, she runs into every imaginable romance trope possible while actively trying to steer clear of romantically entangling herself with anyone. Although not on the market either, Forrest, the very tall, extremely handsome and bearded breast cancer research doctor who sacrificed his career to help care for his father and smells of “cedar and muscles,” finds himself in situations where he just can’t resist falling for Margot. I’m now a HUGE fan of the “one tent” trope as well as some forced proximity in a sauna.

The FMC ventured out of her comfort zone to help reinvent herself and find hope in believing that HEAs actually do exist. She was brave and resilient and learned new things about herself as she conquered new adventures that scared her. Her story gave me hope of finding strength within ourselves, overcoming challenging times, and pulling through our darkest moments with the help of loved ones (and definitely not just romantic ones).
I loved the entire story from start to finish. The banter was perfect and the chemistry between Margot and Forrest was steamy! The side characters added so much depth to the story too. I LOVED her sister, Savannah, and honestly teared up at her weekly letters. Trapper, Jo, and the dog, Scout, were a hoot, and even Ollie and his coffee grounds have a special place in my heart.

Highly, highly recommend Any Trope but You! Victoria Lavine is now on my list of must-read romance authors and I will automatically be picking up any future books she publishes.

Thank you Atria Books for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of my top reads of the year! I absolutely loved this book. This one gave me all the feels, and I can't wait to read more by Victoria.

This was such a good and fun read!

I absolutely loved Margot and Forrest, I thought it was sweet how they both knew what it feels like to be the caretaker for someone. Or rather bitter sweet, it understandably takes a toll on a person, but it provided the characters a deeper understanding of each other’s priorities / personalities.

I liked how the story progressed, how each chapter allowed the both Margot and Forrest to peel off their prickly layers. I really liked how the author included all of the typical romance tropes, and how they were called out in the book!

I do wish we got more of an explanation of who the hacker was / why they did it, etc. It felt like it was wrapped up quickly to avoid plot holes. I also wish we got an epilogue. It’s not always necessary, but with how the ending was, I would have loved to hear how the characters were doing! Like I want to know what Forrest is up to now that he is back!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was such a great read!!

4⭐️ Would recommend :)

I received an ARC from Atria Books through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Easiest 5 stars I’ve given to an ARC for a new author. I LOVED this romance, the chemistry, the setting, the FMC, the play on tropes. This book checked SO many boxes and not only that, she lives in Maine like us!

What do you get when you mix a moose, flexed muscles, and a pile of wood… a very cute meet cute for our main characters Forrest (obvi) and Margot.

After a very traumatic privacy breech, Margot Bradley — a popular romance writer — has shown her not so happily ever afters (and beige panties) to her beloved fans, devastating everyone. Luckily, in need of a much needed reset, Margot’s sister Savannah arranges a 6 week stay in the absolute middle of nowhere Alaska with a P.S I Love You -esque arrangement of letters that Margot will receive after she completes a wilderness excision. Lucky for us, these are lead by the brooding, sexy, smart, sensitive etc etc Forrest. Who decided to leave his very lucrative career to care for his disabled father (again, obvi).

The CHEMISTRY you guys. I was drooling. Am I okay? Idk. I cannot believe this is Victoria’s debut novel because she feels like an expert at taking everything I’ve ever wanted to read and pouring it into this romance. I’ve never wanted to be sweaty on top of an Alaskan mountain freezing to death so much in my life. Amazing, must read, please do, tell your friends. I need MORE.

Review will post in IG closet to pub date

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I was hooked on this book from the very first chapter!! It was hilarious, heartfelt, and contained every single book trope that I love! Victoria Lavine is beyond creative in the way that she wrote this story and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for providing an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 Stars Rounded up to 5

Did I just find my favorite romance novel for this year?? AND it's a debut!! CUTE!!!
This book gave me everything, deep emotions, hilarious banter, perfect spice, and 2 flawed but lovable main characters. I was rooting for them from the beginning. This was such a quick read, I devoured it in one day.....but I did not want it to end.
I am looking forward to more books from this author! LOVED IT and highly recommend this book!!

This book fills you with hope and a deep-seated (and probably dangerous) desire to go on wilderness adventures.

“There’s a hollow ache in my chest that goes a little too deep to maybe ever heal. But the thing Ive learned about hollowness - the kind that’s carved from pain - is that the deeper it goes, the more room it leaves for love. And when love finally rushes in, it fills every dark and twisty crevice with a light almost too brilliant to bear.”

AND ALSO

“I went on an unsuspecting pilgrimage to the Alaskan bush and somehow found the holy grail of hot, considerate men.”

Any Trope But You by @victorialavinewrites is out April 1. Thank you @atriabooks for the arc, and Mom for the Kindle Colorsoft!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶🫑/5
🫎🏔️❄️🧖🏼‍♀️💻/5

CW: caretaking, autoimmune disease, seizures, breast cancer, parental abandonment, douchey influencers, challenging hikes, setting up a tent, uncomfortable Zoom calls

PS Stay safe but not too safe - 2025 motto

Such a well-written romance set in Alaska and filled with all the tried-and-true romance tropes, shout outs to the romance community, depth/character development, and spice to keep you warm in the winter! And the cover! 🤌

Victoria’s debut novel, Any Trope But You, is an absolute gem! This book is a delightful, fresh take on classic rom-com tropes, delivering all the warmth and humor of a Hallmark movie—the kind you wish you could star in yourself.

The story follows Margot, a famous romance author whose secret list of alternate, not-so-happily-ever-afters for her books is leaked, leading to a massive scandal that costs her everything, including her publishing deal. In need of a fresh start, Margot’s sister books her a trip to a remote lodge in Alaska. There, Margot meets Forrest, the epitome of all the romance tropes she despises—and exactly what she needs.

The writing is sharp, funny, and completely captivating—I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one sitting. It had the same cozy, heartwarming vibes as my favorite 2000s rom-coms, especially The Proposal. While it played with familiar tropes, the story still felt incredibly fresh and unique, breathing new life into concepts readers have seen countless times. It’s hard to believe this is a debut because Victoria writes with the confidence and skill of a seasoned author.

What truly set this book apart were the characters. Margot and Forrest were so much more than their surface stereotypes (the cynical romance author and the emotionally guarded lumberjack). They felt real, relatable, and layered, and their journey from heartbreak to healing was as touching as their romance. It was funny, emotional, swoony, and super spicy. I especially appreciated how the story explored the emotional weight of being a caretaker for loved ones—something both characters struggled with. It added depth and heart to their relationship and made their growth all the more rewarding.

Any Trope But You had me laughing, crying, and swooning. Margot and Forrest’s chemistry leapt off the page, and their emotional journey left me feeling inspired and hopeful. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them when the book ended, and I’ll definitely be recommending this to anyone who will listen. It’s clear that Victoria was born to be an author, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. She’s officially gained a new fan in me!