Any Trope but You
By: Victoria Lavine
Published: April 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

This book needs to be on your to be read list immediately! Such an amazing romcom that just hit all the feels. Any Trope but You is the perfect blend of fun, banter, heartfelt moments and the perfect boy boyfriend. There’s not much more to say about Forrest, except you have to read for yourself!😍

This story was more than just a romcom though. The relationship between sisters and also finding yourself was beautiful. Margot & Savannah were the definition of sisterly love.

Although “happily never afters” could be real, “happily ever afters” do exist. Thank you @victorialavinewrites , @netgalley , @atriabooks for this ARC!

For being Victoria’s debut novel this book was incredible. The chemistry between Margot and Forrest was *chefs kiss.* Such a cute cozy read.

Thank you Atria Books, NetGalley and Victoria Lavigne for the ARC!

Any Trope But You by @victorialavinewrites

Thank you to @atriabooks @netgalley and Victoria for this ARC!

Book babes — you need to put this book on your list! What an all around great romcom that gave me all the feels! This was so clever with a mix of banter, heartfelt moments and an amazing use of all our favorite Tropes 😜 I mean FORREST?! Ultimate book boyfriend and a relatable non outdoorsy FMC…sign me up!

This was more than just about a romantic relationship (don’t get me wrong…the tension and the spice was very much present) but also about the relationship between sisters, and finding oneself. I read this within 24 hours and stayed up wayyyy too late but I have zero regrets!

If you like:
🏘️Forced Proximity
🏕️One Tent
👩‍💻Romance Writer FMC
🩺Outdoorsy, Protective, Doctor MMC
🩼Damsel in Distress
🧑‍🧑‍🧒Meddling Family
🔺Small Love Triangle
🥵Sauna
❄️Alaska

Read this book!!!

This book title had me convinced I was going to experience very trope under the sky, and yes, it had several. However, they are not overwhelming and I wouldn’t have caught them all unless the romance writer (FMC) was literally calling them out. I loved how both main characters dealt with family members who had some disability. Margot tends to be a bit overbearing with her sister Savannah and Forrest is a bit bossy to his dad. Both are so much more alike than they realize, which makes the start of their “enemies-to-lovers” so funny. I loved the Alaskan setting and even the setup for how they ended up there. The “love triangle” was clearly there for the “jealousy” and “protective” tropes, but was also cute. I thought this book would’ve been perfect… if it had just been spice free! I didn’t need the spice in this book and it just came off as cheesy and a little weird. I also would’ve loved an epilogue, but I’m also really happy with the ending overall. Also, love the representation for researchers (go Forrest!!!)! 4.75⭐️, 2🌶

Margot Bradley, a bestselling romance author, harbors a secret: she doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters. Her clandestine collection of alternate, unhappy endings for her novels—dubbed the "Happily Never After" file—is leaked, leading to public backlash and professional fallout. Seeking solace and a fresh start, Margot retreats to a remote Alaskan lodge to pen her first murder mystery. There, she encounters Forrest Wakefield, a former cancer researcher turned lodge proprietor, who is caring for his ailing father. As Margot and Forrest navigate their personal traumas and responsibilities, they find themselves entangled in a series of classic romance tropes, challenging their skepticism about love.​

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters that Margot meets in Alaska, and the relationship that Forrest shares with his father and those residents of the inn. Their grumpy sunshine in the snow, was a 10/10 for me. I also really enjoyed the personal journey that Margot went on. She felt extremely relatable as a character!

I adored this book. At first, the consistent flow of tropes made me think I wouldn’t. But UGH. The pure amount of love in these characters - it was just such a beautiful read. I know what it’s like to love someone so much that you give up your own life to try and ensure theirs is taken care of. Each chapter was so thoughtful and I just truly enjoyed reading this so much.

I was very sorry not to like this book more! It opened with a breezy, hilarious tone that immediately hooked me. Unfortunately I stopped reading at the 21% mark because the female main character was so defensive and contrary that it felt like I was reading a YA novel instead of a romance with a thirtysomething heroine. She also made so many offensive assumptions about the male main character. I’m sure she would have improved over the course of the novel, but I unfortunately was not willing to read hundreds of pages to get to that point.

The idea of a romance author being constantly thrown into unwanted romance tropes is actually pretty fun, and that part worked suprisingly well. However, Margot and Forrest's relationship felt a little forced and I wasn't swooning for them to get together.

This also came out around a lot of other romance books featuring writer FMCs that I really loved, and prehaps it's a matter of not being able to stop myself from comparing this to them and just not loving it as much.

Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine
Contemporary romance, romantic comedy.
Margot Bradley is a popular romance writer. During an online public interview, a hacker exposes a secret that Margot has been keeping. She no longer believes in love or happy endings and has a document with alternate endings of her most loved books. Her readers are shocked and the proof soon goes viral. Margot’s publisher is being pressured to cancel her contract and her chronically ill sister whom Margot always tries to protect, is feeling sad. Margot is convinced to go on a research trip to a remote Alaskan resort for six weeks to write a murder mystery instead of a romance.
Dreaming of long nights in a warm cozy cabin and writing a new story, Margot’s reality is a gargantuan moose, a too long hike to an isolated cabin in the terrifying dark woods, and a hunky doctor chopping wood shirtless behind the resort. It might feel like the romance tropes piling on but lack of cell service or internet has Margot feeling very much out of her element.
Doctor Forrest Wakefield moved to his family’s home in Alaska to help his father recover. He knows he shouldn’t get involved with Margot but once she jumped into his arms, he can’t seem to resist her. But she’s only in Alaska temporarily and he needs to remember that.

Adorable with all the tropes and banter and signs that point Margot back to romance writing. Funny, steamy and entertaining. I enjoyed reading Margot overcoming all her out-of-element situations and her clear love of her sister.

I was gifted a copy of this from NetGalley.

The first scene in Alaska for our FMC had me laughing so hard; what a great way to start a story! I really enjoyed this; the chemistry was great, the found-family angle was well written, and the true family love was shining through every page.

Honestly, this one was so cute. It is FILLED with tropes, clearly a nod to the title and circumstances or her being a romance author who is tired of romance. The spin on all of the classic tropes was so funny and done in such a fun way. It made me laugh out loud multiple times!

Margot is clearly a character who has to grow on you. She reminded me a bit of Calla in The Simple Wild. They are both city girls who are used to the luxury of wifi access and not having a wild moose standing a few feet from them. Margot starts out a little prissy and standoff-ish towards Forrest, who everyone else seems to love. I loved seeing her growth in this book. Not only do we see her open up to Forrest, but we see so much growth through the adventures she goes on (and the letters from her sister put me in my FEELS).

And Forrest was so yummy too! I loved his dedication to his family and how much growth we see from him as well. He is a cancer researching doctor who is home trying to help his father keep his resort alive. He is grumpy and has the biggest heart, and seeing him open up about his past and family was so sweet. I loved the two of them together and how they helped each other open up and be vulnerable.

Overall just a sweet and funny contemporary romance, set in BEAUTIFUL Alaska! I can’t wait to read more from Victoria in the future!

Thank you Atria for the copy!

With the cozy Alaskan setting, enemies-to-lovers romance, and tropes galore, what's not love! This was such a fun romance with every trope you can think of-- but in the absolute best way. A solid debut! I look forward to reading more from Victoria Lavine in the future.

4⭐️ | 3🌶️

Any Trope But You is a witty, trope-filled romcom that had me grinning from page one! Margot Bradley is a best-selling romance author with a not-so-romantic secret: she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters. When her private collection of cynical alternate endings leaks, she finds herself canceled and creatively blocked. Cue a sister-planned escape to a remote Alaskan lodge!

Enter Forrest Wakefield: lodge owner, medically overqualified, and inexplicably hot. He saves Margot from a moose (yes, really), and then proceeds to do the unthinkable—read all her books and actually like them. Naturally, they’re forced to share a tent. And a sauna. And feelings

This book is what happens when you throw every iconic romance trope into a blender, sprinkle in some self-deprecating humor, and set it all against a postcard-perfect Alaskan backdrop. Margot is sarcastic, jaded, and sharp as hell. Forrest is steady, green-flag energy in human form. Together? Absolute chaos—and I loved every second of it.

Bonus points for sisterly love, excellent banter, and a moose with impeccable comedic timing. The spice? Open-door and sauna-steamy. The vibe? Cozy, unhinged, and weirdly comforting.

If you like romance novels that lovingly roast romance novels, this one’s your next obsession. Just pack your emotional baggage—it’s coming with you!

Quick, cozy, and happy. This book was exactly what I needed while laid up in bed with a cold. The meet-cute, the banter, the steam, and everything in between was just spot on. It was light, but managed to touch on some darker topics and still be laugh-out-loud hilarious.

I loved both of our main characters. They’re both so selfless and willing to give all of themselves to care for their family members; it’s truly astounding to see such strong familial bonds at play.

Usually, I’m not a fan of the romance author main character trope because it can be too in-your-face and cheesy - it’s literally the only reason I couldn’t give Story of My Life by Lucy Score five stars last week - but Victoria Lavine balanced it all perfectly. It was cheesy at times, but also wildly endearing.

Overall, I am extremely impressed that this is a debut novel; I can’t wait to see what else Victoria Lavine comes up with.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼:
❤️Selfless and unassuming FMC
❄️Build-a-bear perfect for her MMC
❤️Sexy lumberjack X doctor MMC
❄️Supportive/Caregiver roles
❤️Caring for her while injured
❄️Reading each other’s work
❤️Cuddling for warmth
❄️Forced Proximity

Thank you the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

- romance author & doctor
- remote Alaska setting
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity (one tent & snowed in!)
- 🌶️🌶️/5
- dual pov
- dual narration by Jesse Vilinsky and Tim Paige

POV: you're a romance author who falls out of love with love, so you write a secret document where your characters don't get HEAs. You don't expect someone to hack into your computer and share the document, causing you to fall from grace. When your sister pushes you to take a six-week vacation in remote Alaska, you agree... finding love in the most unexpected place.

This was a rom-com with heart, blending funny banter and tender moments perfectly. I love how the FMC pokes fun at all the trope-y situations she finds herself in. From starting as enemies to being carried down the mountain by her grumpy host to sharing one tent and getting snowed in, it's witty rather than cringeworthy.

The heart and depth come from Margot's weekly letters from her chronically ill sister, whom she cares for back in LA. Forrest is in a similar situation, putting his own LA life on hold to care for his father. They understand the other's caretaking nature, even if it ultimately breaks them apart. But the ending is perfect and very full circle!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much that I bought a copy so I could read it again!

This was cute! I enjoyed the concept and the relationship between Margot and her sister, as well as Forrest and his father.

However, I wasn’t completely sold on the chemistry between the two main characters and felt the story dragged at some parts. Also the ending felt a bit rushed/wrapped up too quickly.

Thank you Atria for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book. It was just so much fun. The writing and humor were fantastic. The characters were very well developed with great backstories! I loved the spice! The emotion hit me right in the feels. The conflict was the perfect amount to keep me reading from start to finish.

Who doesn’t like a romance novel set in Alaska with a burly Alaskan hero? The romance novel writing heroine has been many times done before, but I felt like this was a fresh new take. There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this story. I can’t wait to read more upcoming books by this author.

My copy of Any Trope But You was provided by NetGalley and Atria Books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was absolutely a romance book written by a romance reader for other romance readers! It was so fun how different tropes were used throughout the book.

It was such a fun concept and a joy to read! My only complaint is it did use a time jump which I never enjoy, but I understand why it was used! Overall a fun read that felt like a cozy hug from a mountain man!

The epitome of ALL Hallmark move tropes in one book. It will have the warm fuzzy of a Hallmark movie with the wit and banter you expect of a well written Rom Com! For a debut novel its a 10/10! Thank you to Netgalley, Victoria and the best team at Atria books for the eARC! Sorry my review is a little late!

What To Expect:
⭐ Almost every trope in the romcom world finds its way in this book!
⭐ High level of wit!
⭐ Enemies to lovers
⭐ Forced Proximity
⭐ One Tent/One Bed
⭐ A city girl to the middle of no where Alaska
⭐ Romance writer tries to find herself after blowing up her life
⭐ SLOW BURN!

My Thoughts:
Oh the sauna scene....

I don't know how Victoria managed to fit all the tropes in but she did! The way she did fit them in is witty and such a slow burn! You will find yourself laughing so hard and at the same time wondering how in the heck Margot (Main Character) manages to make it out of Alaska alive. One thing I will say is the end does feel so rushed. I wished we had more of it and a bit slower. Especially because the story as a whole is such a sow burn! There were moments I loved Margot finding herself and rebuilding her self esteem, while there were other moments I really didn't love. She seemed too insecure for someone her age and at that point in your career.

All that to say I really loved it. I loved the twists, turns and the MOOSE!!!!


Synopsis:
Beloved romance author Margot Bradley has a dark secret: she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, and not even for her characters, for whom she secretly writes alternate endings that swap weddings and babies for divorce papers and the occasional slashed tire. When her Happily Never After document is hacked and released to the public, she finds herself canceled by her readers and dropped by her publisher.

Desperate to find a way to continue supporting her chronically ill sister, Savannah, Margot decides to trade meet-cutes for murder. The fictional kind. Probably. But when Savannah books Margot a six-week stay in a remote Alaskan resort to pen her first murder mystery, Margot finds herself running from a moose and leaping into the arms of the handsome proprietor, making her fear she’s just landed in a romance novel instead.

The last thing Dr. Forrest Wakefield ever expected was to leave his dream job as a cancer researcher to become a glorified bellhop. What he’s really doing at his family’s resort is caring for his stubborn, ailing father, and his puzzle-loving mind is slowly freezing over—until Margot shows up. But Forrest doesn’t have any room in his life for another person he could lose, especially one with a checkout date.

As long snowy nights and one unlikely trope after another draw Margot and Forrest together, they’ll each have to learn to overcome their fears and set their aside assumptions before Margot leaves—or risk becoming a Happily Never After story themselves.