A romance author who doesn't believe in happy-ever-after secretly has a happy-never-after file and her entire career is about to
encounter a huge plot twist.

Perhaps a getaway to clear her mind, find inspiration, and perhaps realize that it is possible to find love and live happily ever after...for real is the solution to her recent misfortune. I'm just not sure that North Star Lodge in the middle of nowhere Alaska is what she had in mind.

If Margot Bradley can embrace the list set forth she will receive a letter of encouragement from her sister, will it be enough to pusher her forward and embrace the changes she needs to make?

It's time to find out what happens when a fish out of water meets a cinnamon roll who has a few secrets of his own that will force a struggling author to navigate through a few tropes in her own love story. If everyone can survive through the secrets, angst, and think outside the box two strangers will discover the real reason readers devour romance novels.

This was not for me, and I may need to be choosier with romcoms. Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

There is something about a Rom-Com book that leans into the troupe of rom-com books that I love... It cracks me up when the main character says something like "of course there will only be one bed"

This book gave me the laughs I wanted with the great banter, the common troupes of rom-com and a unique reason that the main character was out in the middle of no where in Alaska... the setting was perfect for setting up the normal "only one bed" themes without trying too hard.

I really loved the characters too. They felt real.

Any Trope but You is a witty and heartfelt contemporary romance that cleverly plays with classic romance tropes while delivering a fresh story. Victoria Lavine creates lovable characters and sharp dialogue that keep the pages turning.

The novel balances humor, tension, and emotional depth, focusing on authentic connections and personal growth. Sometimes you want the tropey romance, and this one delivered. It’s a fun and satisfying read for fans of romantic comedies with heart.

I loved this forced proximity, hate to love romance set in the Alaskan wilderness. Margot was a great fmc and loved her as a romance author who sees romance tropes all around her on this trip. Which of course leads to her and Forrest to get closer. They work so well together and loved seeing them get closer and care for each other even though they tried to stay away from each other and their feelings. While I loved the romance, I also loved seeing their individual growth and how they helped each other through some of the harder things and feelings they were dealing with. I loved so much about this book and its characters!

What a delightful surprise! Any Trope But You is a debut that instantly charmed me with its humor, heart, and clever take on classic romance tropes. From start to finish, the story is packed with fun moments that had me smiling—and often laughing out loud.

The chemistry between the two main characters is fantastic, and their banter is truly a highlight of the book. It felt natural, sharp, and just the right amount of flirty. The way the author wove various tropes into the plot was seamless and playful without feeling forced, making it a joy for any romance lover.

Cute, witty, and full of heart, this is a feel-good read that left me excited to see what this author does next. A must-read for fans of tropey romances done right!

This book was recommended to me, but the first chapter didn't draw me in, and I didn't find myself connecting to any of the characters.

He’s quiet, broody, and hates everyone. She’s bubbly, kind, and impossible to ignore. Their dynamic? Pure gold. The slow burn, the soft moments, the way he starts to care—ugh, so good.
If you love a grump getting ruined by love, this one hits the spot. 💛🖤

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the setting and overall vibe of the story. With that being said, I found Margot, the female MC, to be pretty unlikable. There were a lot of fun scenes in here that I think could have contributed to some stronger character development, but unfortunately that development was lacking here. I can appreciate some of her apathy about HEA's, but often times she just comes across as rude and selfish. I wish this worked better for me!

This was an entertaining read! Loved the setting - really felt like I was there. Also liked seeing the relationship between the main characters develop. Wish we could have seen a little more of a glimpse into things at the end but overall recommend!

So, I thought this was gonna be a light read. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of humor, but it has some seriousness too. They run through a lot of the tropes, and acknowledge it, It’s pretty fun. Margot and her sister’s relationship is sooooo sweet, and wholesome. I loved all of their interactions, and how they showed up for each other. Forest was swoon worthy, and of course checked so many boxes. Everyone at the lodge? Chefs kiss! I loved every one of them. I really enjoyed this one, and highly recommend!

✨ Review ✨ Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine; Narrated by Tim Paige & Jesse Vilinsky

Thanks to Atria, Simon & Schuster Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

A steamy listen to help you cool off this summer.

Classic romance writer who is jaded with love meets a wilderness hottie in the middle of nowhere where they they crash into every romance trope in existence. So much in this book made me laugh out loud (her granny panties + zoom, the moose, the flue vs. flu, and on and on).

While there's lots of silly joking around tropes, this also features deep personal exploration and growth - both characters are caring for disabled family members, and together they can explore how to better balance this with their own goals and well-being.

🎧 Overall, the audio narration is great. The chapters are on the longer side, which sometimes make for harder listening, I think, though this certainly wasn't a deal breaker.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: f/m contemporary romance
Setting: remote Alaska
Length: 11 hours 17 minutes
Pub Date: April 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ remote wilderness settings
⭕️ every cliche trope ever
⭕️ deep familial love & loyalty
⭕️ books about romance authors

A romance writer who doesn't believe in love meets her match in a doctor with lumberjack vibes in the Alaskan wilderness when she is down on her luck (her fans have found out about her Happily Never After thoughts).

How is this a debut novel? It’s so good! And has SO many tropes that are, somehow, not too cliché or out of place.

I love how perfect and yet realistic and authentic Forrest (MMC) is. He’s pretty much the perfect book boyfriend (complete with a grand gesture). Normally, my book boyfriends come from fantasy novels, but Forrest easily makes the cut!

There’s only three spicy scenes but WOW are they goooooood! Hot, sweet, and intimate.

If you like:
- Dual POV
- Meet Cute
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Grumpy + Grumpy
- Fish Out of Water
- One Bed / One Tent
- Slow Burn
- Grant Gesture
- Alaska Wilderness
- Doctor MMC
- Writer FMC

Audio Review: I alternated between print and audio. The book has dual point of view, so the two narrators were perfect for audio. They captured the characters energy and emotions well.

Book Review (slight spoilers): I loved the meta-ness of this book. Margot is a romance writer who doesn’t believe in love and is found out by her fans and immediately ostracized. Her sister surprises her with a trip to Alaska where she’s hoping to write a book in a different genre. Instead, she finds a super attractive man at her lodge, who basically is her dream hero (he’s also the son of the lodge owner and a doctor). Romance trope after romance trope ensues in their interactions and her wry acknowledgment of all the tropes adds to the humor and story. Forrest and Margot start with chemistry and end up realizing how much they have in common even though they both think their commitments to family members mean they can’t be together. I enjoyed their story- it made me smile and I was rooting for them. I also love how Margot was a fish out of water in Alaska- the author managed to capture the Alaskan beauty as she put California Margot (aka first time she’s seen snow) in challenging situations.

I loved seeing how they both had to grow personally along with watching their forced proximity, slow burn romance unfold. Also, a bonus side character is a moose named Bullwinkle.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy with me. All opinions are my own.

Any Trope but You was a fun romance that also dealt with some deeper topics. As a romance author, Margot Bradley is fully familiar with the tropes and is determined not to let them happen to her - after all, she doesn't believe in happily ever after. After a scandal, she escapes to Alaska to work on her first non-romance novel. She wasn't expecting Forrest Wakefield - and he finds her similarly infuriating. But the more time they spend together, the more they learn of their commonalities - and the attraction that has been there since day one.
Margot could be frustrating at times, but she had good reasons for her thoughts and actions. And, Forrest also had flaws, though a soft spot for Margot. I recommend Any Trope but You for a romance reader who enjoys a spin on the classic tropes, including opposites attract and just one bed (tent). Note: I received an advanced reading copy & paperback from Atria Books, receipt of which did not impact my review.

I mean this was one of the most surprising books for me. I expected to not like it as much but ended up loving it. It was steamy and while I usually hate when the FMC is a writer, especially a romance writer, I find this one really enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this seasonal gem out of season.

This book was sweet, tender, and a little melancholy—the kind of story that quietly seeps into your heart and settles there for a while. It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed, like a warm drink on a cold day… even if I was reading it in the middle of summer.

It was my first time reading this author, and now I’m honestly wondering why I waited so long. There’s something so comforting in their writing style—soft but sharp, emotional without being overwhelming, cozy but with just enough depth to make your chest ache a little. I’ll definitely be checking out more of their work.

Now, let’s talk about the characters. Two grumpy souls falling in love? I mean, yes please. You just know it’s going to be a bit of a mess—slow burn, walls up, emotionally constipated moments… and I’m here for all of it. What really made it special, though, were the little details: the vulnerability beneath the sarcasm, the soft gestures hidden behind eye rolls. And I don’t know who needs to hear this, but when a grump quotes Taylor Swift? That’s not just romance—that’s poetry.

I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. It felt real, not rushed. Full of tension, yes, but also moments of quiet understanding. And even though I read it under the sun, I just know it’ll hit differently when I revisit it in the middle of winter, wrapped in a blanket, with cold air outside and a warm heart inside.

Once again, thank you so much for the eARC. Some books find you at just the right moment, and this was one of them.

Great romance book to read during the winter season. It had great pacing and spice throughout. I can't wait to read her future novels. Thanks, netgalley, for the arc.

This book had all the tropes, but felt anew. Experience the exquisite tenderness and profound connection between two souls. Prepare to be swept away by a passionate journey that transcends conventional boundaries. This compelling story will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned. Discover a world of romance that will redefine your expectations and leave you breathless.

4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A love letter to romance readers.

Margot is a romance writer who no longer believes in happily-ever-afters. After a scandal rocks her career, her sister sends her to a remote lodge in Alaska. As a seasoned romance author, Margot recognizes all the tropes unfolding around her—and tries her best not to get swept up in them.

Enter Forrest, a doctor who has taken on the responsibility of managing his family’s lodge and caring for his disabled father. He’s guarded and keeps everyone at arm’s length. But thanks to forced proximity and meddling families, the two are inevitably drawn together.

This was excellent. The tropes and buzzwords had me hooked (forced proximity, only one TENT…), but what really surprised me was how heartfelt and emotional the story turned out to be. It explores the challenges of being a caretaker, the pressure of being the ‘savior sister,’ and the deep, sometimes painful bond between siblings. The relationship between Margot and her sister brought me to the verge of tears more than once.

There’s fluff, banter, and a few delightfully silly moments I’d normally roll my eyes at (especially in "trope-soup"), but I think it was all cleverly done.

I'm excited to see what Victoria Lavine writes next!