10/4/24-Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine was a beautiful story of learning to fall back in love with the idea of love. As a ‘Happily Ever After’ romance writer who has had all the romance sucked out of her life, Margot Bradley has her biggest secret released to the world—her secret Happily Never After file with all the negative endings to all of her books. When Margot is cancelled by her beloved followers and publisher, her sister sends her to remote Alaska for six weeks to learn how to push herself beyond her limits. She is also supposed to be writing a new novel, but this time it’s a murder mystery, except her characters keep finding ways to fall in love. She just cannot write a story without love in it, including her own story. Each day she finds herself in a typical love story trope with the very attractive owner of the lodge and she is determined not to fall in love! This story shows that even though her life has been anything but romantic, she can learn how to love again. Even if we’ve been hurt, there is still someone out there for us, we just might find them in unexplained places.

I absolutely loved this story! Margot’s frustration with all her Happily Ever After stories rings true for so many people. Life is NOT a romance novel. Even if we do find our “happily ever after”, it may not look like a romance novel, and THAT’S OKAY. Margot and Forrest story is such a beautiful tribute to those who sacrifice so much for those they love. Their character development was lovely and refreshing.

But, I give this a 4/5 due to the lack of ending! I really hate how romance novels just end so swiftly after the characters come together. As if that’s all it takes for a happily ever after. I’d love to have their proposal/struggles with being engaged/life styles/ wedding/ etc. What was it like in the first year or so of marriage? Did they encounter any of the same struggles? And the spice…I mean could wedding night sex get any better?? Build up to that!

Spice level—3.5/5

A huge thank you to Victoria Lavine, Atria books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts are completely my own!

This wasn’t my favorite, but not horrible either! One thing for me is excessive cursing is a thumb down. It just takes away from the writing in my opinion and there was quite a bit of it in this book. I found myself more interested in the relationship she had with her sister towards the end. Overall was a quick read though! Some spice in this one too.

SOOOOO freaking cute!! as someone who grew up in alaska i RAN to read this one bc its one of my favorite settings!! 🥹

this book was so heartwarming and sweet, i absolutely loved following Margots journey through out. i really enjoyed how multifaceted her and forrest felt, they also fit so well for one another.

quite literally already planning a reread of this one later in the winter bc i just could not get enough of them 😩

Oh. My. Gosh. This book is SO cute. It really does have every trope; enemies to lovers, one bed, love at first sight, and so many more! It’s cute, fun, both the main characters are charming and it’s so easy to read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC on exchange for my honest review! 5 stars!

This book was something else….all the tropes in one well written book, humour and the spice. It was perfection.

After the FMC goes through some life and career altering events, she ends up in an Alaskan cabin for 6 weeks. While there she ends up in the arms of a man of many tropes. She wasn’t a believer of a happily ever after but this man changed her view.

It was a very well written read. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc

Margot is a romance author who doesn't believe in love. Forrest is a Wilderness guide who does not hook up with guests and doesn't think highly of Margot at the start. Shenanigans ensue.

This was a slower start than I expected. I do enjoy that once both of them gave the other the chance, they realized they were very similar people. Both basically would do anything for their family member who they took care of almost to their detriment.

This is one that the third act break up was predictable but it made a lot of sense to me. It felt real and I loved the way both, but especially Margot, moved through it. I think it was beautifully done.

First off big thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for providing me an arc to read and review.

Now with that out of the way I do have to admit that “Any Trope But You” was not my favorite. Now don’t get me wrong it’s not bad there were definitely things I really enjoyed. However, overall I don’t see this as book I’d go back to and re-read.

Let’s start with my pros:
-the side characters especially loved Jo and Forrest Dad they were an absolute hoot and truly stole the scene whenever they were involved.
-loved that both main characters are devoted and loyal caretakers of their families. It felt relatable and I believe many readers who are in those same shoes will be able to sympathize and connect to the joys and sacrifices all caregivers face.
-loved that so many of my favorite tropes were used such as enemies to lovers and my new favorite “one tent”.
-Also have to mention the spice. Victoria Levine, dang woman you know how to write some good spice scenes. That Sauna scene holy guacamole;)

Now let’s get to the cons:
-So I usually am not one to complain about this because I myself at times have a mouth of a sailor. However, I do think the amount of times the F bomb was dropped was a bit too excessive. I think I read someone counted and it was 104 times 😨 like holy cow that’s excessive even for me. Especially when it’s not needed. So unfortunately that drag that book down just a smidge for me.
-my other biggest issue falls with our MFC Margot. I have to admit she was not the easiest character to connect to. Myself and Margot are complete polar opposites so I struggled to read her POV and at times found her whiny and annoying. Now eventually she grew on me but it definitely took some time.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Plus I’m excited to see more books from this author and she continues to grow!

🫎🩵 Any Trope But You 🩵🫎
By Victoria Lavine
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for eARC! ✨

🩵 Cynical romance author
🫎 Mountain man/Doctor
🩵 Alaska
🫎 Dual POV
🩵 Debut novel

✨ If you look up the definition of perfect romcom, this would be the photo you see.
My eyes couldn’t read this fast enough.
🩵 These characters LEAP off the page with incredible dialogue and quirks.
🫎 I cannot possibly say enough good things about this book. The writing makes you want to climb right inside this cozy novel and become one with the pages.
🩵 The chemistry between the MCs is a perfect mix of combative, playful and tender.
🫎 I also really enjoyed the personalities and backstory that developed. Especially that of Margot and her sister, because my sister is also the most important thing to me and have gone through similar troubles.

👀 Cannot wait to see what other stories will come from this new author! 👀
✨ AND YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY PICK THIS ONE UP! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️: Yes

This book was so lovely and beautiful, the characters were well fleshed out, the setting was something new for me and I really loved it! I recommend this one! 😍

I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC thanks to Victoria, NetGalley, and Atria Books!

We follow Margot, a really successful romance author who doesn’t believe in ‘happily ever afters.’ To stomach putting out these cheesy books, as a form of catharsis, she writes for herself “happily never after” endings for all of her characters, secretly despising the typical happy romances her fans (and younger sister) love. When her private ‘HNA’ endings get leaked in a very dramatic and kind of hilarious hacker situation, it causes an uproar. Desperate to reset, she heads to remote Alaska to work on a new “comeback” novel in a completely different genre.

Of course, Alaska isn’t without romance. She immediately meets the charming son of the lodge’s owner, Forrest—a man who seems to embody every romance trope she’s ever written. And while she’s determined to resist his too-good-to-be-true charm, their chemistry is undeniable, and it was a lot of fun seeing her call out all of the romance clichés.

This was such an entertaining and sweet read, but it was also a story of growth, moving on, and it could be surprisingly emotional at moments. Both characters are incredibly deserving of happy endings.

Overall, I couldn’t put this book down. It was a really enjoyable and quick read.

this is a sweet, emotional, spicy story. I loved Margot’s personal journey of healing & acceptance after her professional life goes way sideways, while also finding the HEA she didn’t initially believe in. I loved her & Forest’s emotional, passionate connection. Forest is such a down to earth, hard working man who has made sacrifices & decisions in life that Margot can relate to & draws them together. I loved how they show their authentic selves to each other & find such comfort, peace, & love with each other. I also absolutely loved escaping to a small Alaskan town & all the comfort that brought to the story!

thank you for the arc!

Margot and Forrest forever! They were both complicated multi dimensional characters. Margot writes romances, but doesn’t believe in love. Forrest is a cancer researcher. They meet in Alaska, which I think is the perfect setting for a romance!

4.5
I loved these characters and the set up. Lavine does a great job of walking the line between choreographing and calling out the tropes she's getting them into, while still making it emotionally believable and not over-egging it. Both MCs managing major care-taking roles in the lives of their family members is deeply moving and dimensional. And those family members aren't just saintly sufferers or cardboard cutouts either. I found this equal parts entertaining and moving. Will definitely be recommending to readers and looking out for more from this author!

4.5 Star ⭐️

This had every trope that you can think of, but in a self-awareness kind of way that didn’t make it annoying. We follow Margot to a forced trip to Alaska after a huge publicity scandal where she meets Forrest who just happens to be a handsome doctor taking care of his father. There’s a cute dog, one tent, tension, banter, actual communication, and unfortunately (my least favorite trope) a third act break up, but other than that, this was cute overload.

Highly recommend picking this one up when it releases April 1, 2025, you won’t regret it.

Thank you Atria / Simon & Schuster for the eARC ❤️

Turns out Alaska settings are my jam! I loved going on this adventure with Margot as she ventured to a remote Alaskan location. The story starts off with a hilarious granny panty incident and just keeps delivering from there. I was excited for Margot’s journey of self-discovery, and the book did a fantastic job keeping me engaged with its well-paced scenes and character depth. It’s an adventurous, heartwarming read that I couldn’t put down!

I’m drawn to self-aware stories, so from the title alone, I was excited about this book by debut author, Victoria Lavine. I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC thanks to Victoria, NetGalley, and Atria Books!

We follow Margot, a really successful romance author who doesn’t believe in ‘happily ever afters.’ To stomach putting out these cheesy books, as a form of catharsis, she writes for herself “happily never after” endings for all of her characters, secretly despising the typical happy romances her fans (and younger sister) love. When her private ‘HNA’ endings get leaked in a very dramatic and kind of hilarious hacker situation, it causes an uproar. Desperate to reset, she heads to remote Alaska to work on a new “comeback” novel in a completely different genre.

Of course, Alaska isn’t without romance. She immediately meets the charming son of the lodge’s owner, Forrest—a man who seems to embody every romance trope she’s ever written. And while she’s determined to resist his too-good-to-be-true charm, their chemistry is undeniable, and it was a lot of fun seeing her call out all of the romance clichés.

This was such an entertaining and sweet read, but it was also a story of growth, moving on, and it could be surprisingly emotional at moments. Both characters are incredibly deserving of happy endings.

Overall, I couldn’t put this book down. It was a really enjoyable and quick read. Any Trope But You will be released on April 1, 2025, and I highly recommend it!

4.5/5

This book was so good and pretty much everything i look for in a romance. It was funny, witty, spicy and still emotional. I loved all the characters, from the main characters to their family members, to the guests at the lodge. And, i LOVED all the tropes! this might be the only book where the more tropes the better. it was clever and well done and i had such a great time.

I also appreciated while there was room for the miscommunication trope - it was handled well and maturely, like you would expect from two adults. And when the 'conflict' happened - it felt like it made sense for the characters and wasn't forced. It was true to their nature and fit into the story like it was meant too.

Overall, such a fun read and I can't wait for it to be released!

It was a solid "ok" for me. I like the concept and the characters were easy to enjoy.
It was cheesy and some of the conversational bits had me cringing.
The relationship had banter and the setting was lovely- decent read.
Thanks for the ARC !

This will be a top read of the year for me. I absolutely loved this book. I didn’t want it to end. There was slow burn and tension but it was eased with stolen moments that made me so giddy. The subtle humor & writing style was done perfectly. I loved watching Forrest & Margot’s relationship slowly build with trust and love, and their common ground of caring for their family members. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone who will listen. I may have to do a reread before pub day, I can’t believe people will have to wait until April to read this one! But also, can we get this made into a movie? Easily a 5 ⭐️ read for me! I will be reading anything Victoria writes in the future!

This debut novel is everything a romance reader could want: the FMC is a romance writer figuring her life and work out on a trip to Alaska where she meets and has instant chemistry with the book boyfriend of her/our dreams. But there's so much more to this book and it's what I related to most from my own experiences: both the MCs are caregivers who love their family member but feel kind of stuck and her sister has an autoimmune disease. I felt seen and represented by this author's compassion towards these characters and their situations. I hope this author continues writing and I can't wait to read what she writes next!