I absolutely adored this book. Who doesn't love an MC with "flaws" like not liking HEA as a writer? That was the thing that sucked me in, because there was a reason for that. I was unsure at first about the book's many tropes, but it somehow worked itself out perfectly. It wasn't overwhelming or over the top, but somehow, it all worked!

Tropes:
- Enemies x Lovers
- Slow burn
- Grumpy & Grumpier
- Forced Proximity
- One tent x one sleeping bag

Loved this one and can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

I loved the writing in this book. The emotions, the humor, the frustrations, all on point described beautifully.

DNF. While I do want to come back and finish this book, I am simply too swamped with school work and my job to really sit down and dedicate the time to read this book.

One of my fave couples ever. 🥰🥰🥰 I love them. I love how genuinely built their relationship was. I laughed and giggled. The banter was *chefs kiss* and their care for one another was so sweet. It was all so romantic. I loved the FMC being an author and all the mentions of different tropes, a fun idea! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I initially loved how this started, with a romance writer who is cancelled by her readers after they find out she doesn’t believe in HEAs. Her sister sends her to a remote resort in Alaska to get out of the spotlight and to focus on writing something new to redeem herself. I did enjoy that part.

The book loses me when she arrives in Alaska. A weird scene with a moose. Nobody has a pet moose they are feeding carrots to in Alaska. I don’t even live there there and I even know (with zero research) how far fetched that is. The moose is also named ‘Bullwinkle’ and the MMC is Forest. It was a bit ridiculous honestly. But I powered on.

Then we get to the excursions she was forced to do once she arrived and they all seemed so unrealistic for someone with zero outdoor experience. An 8hr hike on snowy mountain rocks? Cross country skiing for miles? Overnight camping in sub zero freezing temps where she’s trusted to pack herself? Getting hurt, almost getting hypothermia…and if she didn’t do them she’d would be seen as weak? None of that seemed the least bit enjoyable to be. Felt like she got thrown into boot camp instead.

Once Margot’s time expired and it was time for her to go back to LA the story really started to drag and I lost interested. The outcome was predictable and seemed like instead of focusing on the story we kept just getting spicy scene after spicy scene after spicy scene with not a lot of substance. I felt like the spice was overkill.

As I said I enjoyed the beginning and there were lots of funny moments but overall it was just okay for me and didn’t hit the mark of a 4 or 5 star read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Book: Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine
Genre: Romance
Pub Date: April 1, 2025

This book was everything I love in a romcom—funny, heartfelt, swoony, and packed with all the classic tropes (in the best way!). Margot and Forrest had such great chemistry, the banter was top-tier, and the Alaskan setting? Chef’s kiss. I laughed, I teared up, and I did not want it to end.

Hard to believe this was a debut—Victoria Lavine’s writing is warm and full of heart. I am officially obsessed and already excited for whatever she writes next!

Thank you so much to @netgalley, @victorialavinewrites, and @atriabooks for sending me this lovely eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The book is now available!!

When an author is able to acknowledge her readers in such a cleverly crafted way, it’s a gift to know you share the same secret of an HEA. This book was a tribute to the romance genre and the unfailing hope that romance novels give its readers time and time again. Readers flock to the genre for the hope that it is possible for enemies to become lovers, for the hurt and jaded romance writer to find compassion and understanding in the brawny Dr. Mountain Man™️, and Victoria Lavine understands and knows what her readers want.

When romance writer Margot finds herself somewhat exiled to Alaska for six weeks after her Happily Never After journal is leaked to her fans, all it takes is one look at Forrest, her lodge caretaker, to know that he’s the walking embodiment of every romance trope she’s ever written. With this being a romance, we all know how their relationship will turn out, but the journey from dislike to love between Margot and Forrest is so hard won and beautifully explored that their story was unputdownable. Margot is forced out of her comfort zone and into an environment that may literally be trying to kill her, yet she has to begrudgingly trust Forrest to help her in more ways than one.

This book is as much a love letter to romance readers as it is a look at what it means to be a caretaker. There are letters from Margot’s sister Savannah to her that took my breath away and even though Savannah is only on page for a fraction of the book, her relationship with Margot felt so true and so real. Forrest gets to witness Margot reading the letters and it’s one more thing that helps he and Margot understand one another and see how they each have taken on great caretaker responsibilities. I don’t know if it was how much I felt their connection or what, but the intimate scenes were off the chain good. Again, Lavine clearly knows what her readers want, and delivers orgasms as well as she does a redemption story. I am still amazed that this is a debut and am so thankful I was able to read an early copy from the publisher. I have a feeling Victoria Lavine will be an autobuy author! All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭🪭.5
Will you cry? 🤔 Will you laugh? 🙌🏼
Did I highlight a ridiculous amount of this book? 💯

A very fun read. Great characters and a cute love story mixed with so many fun fall in love scenes. It was a book where you knew how everything was going to end but it didn’t mean you want the book to come to a conclusion. Would happily read more of this style and writing for a relaxing love story read.

I loved the premise, but this was not for me at all. The writing, the details, etc were melodramatic and silly. I couldn’t get far past MC Margot being made to look like a ridiculous city girl because she was scared by a close encounter with a moose who’s nickname, we find out a few pages later, is Bullwinkle. Moose are dangerous. It’s pretty well accepted that you should steer clear of them, and I felt the way the author wrote this made it seem like she had done no research. Also, that nickname was not clever, nor is the moniker for woodchopping male MC Forrest .

I could tell this was headed for really steamy territory, which also isn’t my preference in a rom com.

I loved loved loved this book!!
Any Trope But You managed to be a fun, steamy, hilarious romcom, but also have a heartwarming and serious side. I am forever going to love my grumpy heroes and Forrest did it disappoint!
.
💗enemies to lovers
💗vacation romance
💗grumpy MMC
💗family
💗Alaskan setting
.
This is a must read for romance lovers. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
.
Thank you netgalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read and review this book!
It’s going to be a big hit! 💗
4.5 stars!

I MARATHONED THIS BOOK.

I loved Margot & Forrest. They each had their own lives and their own priorities, their own trust issues. The stakes were high for both of them, and they tried to do everything they could to make sure everyone around them was comfortable. Compulsive people pleasers and caregivers. I related to them both. I understood them both. The third act breakup here made me miserable but in a way I could live with.

If this is her debut, I can’t wait for more!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Levine, and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The storyline had me hooked from the beginning, the characters were so likeable and I loved being in their heads, and I absolutely loved the romance between Margot and Forrest.
The imagery in this book truly brought this story to life. We’re not just reading this book, we are able to experience this story along with the characters, rather than just reading.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, funny and heartwarming read!

Unfortunately, I don’t think Ms. Lavine took a trip to Alaska to do research for this book.

My first red flag was when Margot saw a moose and thought it was a bear. I guess I can forgive that part, because in panic mode, your brain sees weird things.

What I can’t forgive is the cavalier attitude of all the characters around said moose.

Moose are scary. Moose are dangerous. Moose aren’t something that you name Bullwinkle and feed carrots. Sure, they don’t generally attack people, and most of the moose related deaths come from car accidents, but they still aren’t something to be taken lightly. Frankly, I thought the portrayal of the moose in this book to be dangerous.

Secondly, Margot continually gets in very dangerous situations, and the general safety in this book isn’t taken seriously. I removed one star because of the inaccuracies.

On a totally different note, I was bored for the first 50% of the book. None of the characters have anything redeeming, and they are barely attracted to each other (again, because they have no reason to be). When I’m looking for a slow burn, I want PINING. There was no pining. If it’s enemies to lovers, I want emotion. There was none of that. Just vague dislike and some lust.

At 50% of the way through, the book is sitting between a 2 and a 3. If the second half is amazing, it miiiight get a three star rating, but honestly, that isn’t good enough.

There are so many five star books out there, I don’t want to waste more time on a book that won’t even be a four.

I think this book could be great for people who are totally unfamiliar with Alaska (although again, safety issues) and just want a hint of the outdoors, without grounding it too far in reality, and people who like internal struggles (do I like him? I’m not sure. I do like him! But I can’t! I don’t believe in love).

Margot, a romance writer, is jaded from HEAs has a list of her Happy Never Afters shared with the world, which leads to her being canceled and dropped by her publisher.

I had a hard time getting into it at the beginning. I understand why Margot writes romance novels, but why did she keep doing something that didn't really inspire her? There were some times when I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between the characters.

I did enjoy the romance tropes that kept popping up. It was fun and cute. Slow burn and a great entry by a new author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

While I thought it was very clever to have the author insert traditional romance tropes throughout in a story featuring a disillusioned romance writer and a medical researcher, I did not care for the over abundance of graphic sex scenes that were repetitive. So gratuitous and tells me that the story plot itself can’t stand alone without. So with that, it drops a full star for me, just okay. I did like the characters though and especially how devoted and caring each were to their dad or sister as caregivers. Thanks to #netgalley to read and review this book.

I loved how honest this book was with the tropes giving me all my favorites such as enemies to lovers and forced proximity. However the ended seemed rushed to me, overall I really enjoyed it.

Forrest won me immediately with his Tswift quote and I loved Margot’s chaotic gremlin vibes.

This was a cute, albeit at times cheesy, romcom that had a lot to love.

I loved the premise, setting, and Forrest, a whole lot. There’s not much i love more than a grumpy hero in Alaska with some forced proximity!

It was a bit cliche but it was supposed to be, It hits a whole lof of tropes in it’s tongue in cheek exploration of a romance novel. The heroine was at times a bit over the top, and some of the decisions she made were downright not smart, which led Forrest to have to rescue her time and time again. And I get the damsel in distress trope but girl it is 2025, we are not depending on men to save us and it just made me frustrated.

Overall though if you are looking for something cute that hits all the best tropes then check it out.

A beautiful novel about finding love when you least expect it and trusting your instincts. As a true romance novel it has so many tropes I had to keep a list. The setting was picturesque and the story within the romance was so lovely.

5 🌟!! I have I just found my favorite romance novel of the year?!

It was everything I want in my romcoms: it's heartfelt, hilarious, spicy, AND sexy! I loved every page of this debut! I adored both characters so so much! The witty banter, the romance, the bond they share for caring for their family member was just everything! I didn’t want it to end! I was hooked from the first chapter and that doesn’t happen often!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Victoria Lavine for this ARC copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great debut romcom!

Read if: You like lighthearted romances, books that hit on several tropes, 2+ spicy scenes

I really enjoyed reading Any Trope But You! The plot of the story was fun and different having the main character actively aware of the romance tropes she’s fallen into as she stays at an Alaskan lodge. As a romance author, Margot believes that Forrest is too good to be true (and honestly he really is!) & writes him off. The story dives into many different relationships: familial, romantic and the appreciation of romance readers loving a favorite author.

I recommend reading this if you love the romance genre and would like to see a love story played out in a classic yet unique way.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for gifting me an advanced reading copy of this book!