*** Received a free e-book from Netgalley and Atria Books.

3.5 Stars - This is a story about Margot who is a romance writer who, after personal documents were leaked, was cancelled by he fanbase. Her sister encourages her to go to Alaska to re-group and write a new novel. In Alaska, she meets Forrest, a doctor who is the son's owner of the place she is staying at. Sparks fly but there's a lot of resistance him even though Margot was clear about her interest in him. Forrest is very likable and attractive. Margot is cool but some of her internal monologues drove me crazy. I do understand that this is a book based on romance tropes but MY GOD! the mentioning of tropes could've been edited a little more. Anyways, this was enjoyable and honestly, there were a lot of cute moments in the story that I truly enjoyed. I liked the secondary characters and their connections to the MCs. This was a quick and painless read and a really good palate cleanser when you feel stuck. Happy reading!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Any Trope but You is a delightful and quirky rom-com about Margot, a romance author who's completely over the idea of love. After too many disappointing experiences, she decides to cope with her feelings by writing a diary filled with “Happily Never Afters.” But when her private thoughts get leaked to the public, her life completely unravels—dropped by her publisher, and canceled by her readers.

Enter her sister, who sees this as the perfect moment for a fresh start. She signs Margot up for a six-week stay at a remote Alaskan cabin, which, let’s be real, is definitely a fish out of water situation for Margot. While there, she literally runs into Forrest—the walking, talking embodiment of every romance trope she’s ever written about. But is Forrest too perfect to be real, or is he just another heartbreak in disguise?

This book really caught me with its heartwarming story of two people who are both incredibly selfless and devoted to their families. The writing is sharp, and the banter between Margot and Forrest is absolutely fantastic.
This book manages to hit almost every romance trope you can think of, yet still feels fresh and fun. I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two main characters and found myself cheering for them the entire time!
If you love a sweet, funny story with a bit of emotional depth, this one’s a winner!
4.25 Stars!
#NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #AnyTropebutYou, #VictoriaLavine

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine is a clever and heartfelt romance that takes a playful yet insightful dive into the world of rom-com tropes. This novel is an excellent read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy a fresh take on familiar themes, while still delivering the emotional depth and character development that make these stories so endearing.

The plot follows two main characters who find themselves caught up in the chaos of love, life, and misunderstandings, with the added twist of them actively trying to avoid the very romance tropes they see as cliched. Whether it's the "enemies to lovers" or the "opposites attract" storyline, the book offers a fun, meta commentary on the tropes readers love (and sometimes love to hate). As the characters' journey unfolds, the book lovingly subverts these tropes, often with witty banter, clever twists, and surprising moments that keep readers hooked.

Lavine's writing is sharp and engaging, with plenty of humor that adds lightness to the story while still allowing the characters' emotional arcs to shine. The chemistry between the two protagonists is palpable, with a slow-burn romance that builds gradually, making every moment feel earned and satisfying. The way they navigate their differences, misunderstandings, and growing affection is relatable, making their relationship feel genuine and heartfelt.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own personal struggles and growth arcs. While they initially come across as somewhat stereotypical—one is the no-nonsense, pragmatic character, while the other is more free-spirited and emotionally open—Lavine does a fantastic job of giving them depth and nuance as the story progresses. Their interactions are full of humor and tenderness, with both of them learning more about themselves and what they truly want from life and love.

At its core, Any Trope but You is about challenging expectations and embracing the unexpected in love and relationships. It explores themes of personal growth, vulnerability, and the importance of being true to yourself, all while offering readers a lighthearted, romantic journey.

Overall, Any Trope but You is a charming and witty rom-com that will appeal to readers who enjoy a good laugh, smart dialogue, and a fresh take on the classic romance tropes. Victoria Lavine strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments, delivering a feel-good, enjoyable read with plenty of warmth and emotional payoff. Whether you're a fan of tropes or love a good subversion of them, this book offers something for everyone.

Any Trope But You
4.5⭐️/5
Release Date - April 1, 2025

🥰Adult romance
🥰Cute rom com
🥹Enemies-to-lovers
❄️Set in Alaska
🩺🥼Best selling author and a cute Doctor
🫂Sisterhood
🫂Family
😢Health issues

Everything you’re looking for in a rom com, hilarious, swoon, meet-cute 🥰and heartfelt. I love the family theme, from Margot and Savannah to Trap and his son Forrest.

I love the character development 👏🏽

I really enjoyed it. Easy to read and funny.

Thanks to atriabooks and NetGalley for the eARC

I truly enjoyed this book. I liked the banter between them, all the excursions the group did were so easily imaginable, most of the characters very so sweet (Ollie tho, he started to annoy me, but it was well needed for the storyline 😆) and overall fast paced cutsie fluffy romance.

My favorite part was the letters that Savannah had written and sent to the lodge beforehand with instructions to give each letter to Margot one by one and only if she completed the weekly activities.

My favorite scene was the kitchen scene (and no - there was no spice to it). It was just so sweet and honest but so flirty dirty at the same time 😃

Only part I was not fan off was the mentionings of Taylor Swift since I'm not swifty at all, BUT mentioning Vin Diesel made up for it 🤭

I would love to spend time in a place like this lodge was. I definitely recommend reading it to everyone 💛

Thank you!!!

Hmm, it's complicated...⁣
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Summary ⁣
Popular romance author Margot Bradley has a secret: she doesn't believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, not even for her characters. When a super-fan leaks this to the world, Margot is dropped faster than you can say 'enemies-to-lovers.' Her sister thinks she needs a change of scene and sends Margot off to a remote Alaskan cabin on a writing retreat that could be the perfect chance to say goodbye to romcoms and write something new - maybe swap meet-cutes for murder mysteries? But then she meets the handsome owner, Forrest.⁣
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I really enjoyed aspects of this book:⁣
👍🏼Alaska setting⁣
👍🏼Sister relationship ⁣
👍🏼Autoimmune disease awareness ⁣
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But I also disliked some things:⁣
👎🏼The writing was not the best ⁣
👎🏼Dialogue was unrealistic ⁣
👎🏼The two MCs did not have believable tension⁣
⁣
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this one but ratings are high so maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.⁣
⁣
Thank you @netgalley for this complimentary copy.⁣
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I loved this book! The banter was great. The characters were lovable. And the poking fun (all in good fun) of main romance tropes had me laughing. Very enjoyable read.

This was such a fun read with ALL the tropes! I loved how the FMC being a romance writer, it allowed her to call out all the traditional tropes that were happening whilst her own love story was being written!

The love story is impossible not to fall for, and the happily ever after ties it all together perfectly. A must-read!

I think Victoria will be an author to watch and add all future books to my TBR! Thank you Victoria, NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Anyone But You is now my favorite romance story where our main character is a romance writer. Too often that’s part of a story that just becomes cheesy, but not with Margot in Anyone But You. I enjoyed this book so much, even the many tropes. I loved the fact Margot was aware of them happening around her. It brought out the humor in this truly heartfelt story. The romance was so sweet (and sexy!) and the struggle our couple has to go through for their HEA felt so real. Looking forward to more from this debut author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this for a honest review.
Margot is a romance writer who has burned by love and is having a hard time believing in "happily ever after." To get through having to write these kind of stories, she writes alternative endings to her books where the couples break up. This is meant just for her eyes, but when her secret folder is hacked, she is exposed and loses her publishing contract. Margot is worried about losing her book contract income as she is caregiver for her sister, Savannah. Margot decides she should branch out and change to mystery writing. Savannah decides that Margot needs a reset and books her a 6 week stay to a remote Alaskan resort with the great outdoors and very limited wifi. Forrest works at his family's resort since he's left his career as a doctor to look after his father. Forrest and Margot initially don't hit it off when he has to help her with some of the outdoor activities that are a little challenging for her.
It made sense that Margot and Forrest would be drawn to each other as they're both very family oriented and natural caregivers. This was a quick read that was very entertaining!

This is a delightful, beautiful, heartfelt book with some heat! I am not typically a romance reader but this book had me laughing, crying and honestly a little hot and bothered. I loved the premise of a cynical romance writer and the Happily Never After. I loved the breaking of the fourth wall about all of the tropes. I loved the emotional pull of the caretaking aspect and how impactful it can be on all family members. I really don’t think I have anything negative to say. This book was 10/10 would recommend.

This is the perfect cozy winter romance!

Margot Bradley is a romance author but a relationship skeptic. After her fans find her "Happily Never After" folder containing alternate endings to her stories (divorce, ED, snoring), she escapes to an Alaskan bed and breakfast to forgo romance altogether and write her new novel: a murder mystery. Unfortunately for her, she landed in a real-life romance novel where she's caught in trope after trope with the proprietor and her dream man—a doctor/lumberjack with a heart of gold.

This was a really solid romance, especially for a debut author. Rom-coms aren't usually my style but these characters really grew on me. The cozy winter atmosphere was delightful and there were some truly swoony moments. I'd especially recommend it to fans of Book Lovers or A Novel Love Story. There were a few too many Taylor Swift references for my taste (don't come at me), but ultimately it was just the escape from reality I needed and I highly recommend it for a Christmas-time read.

Being a romance author, you would think you believe in Happy Ever After, right? But when life gets you down especially in the "love" category, you're not sure if you believe in HEA anymore.

Margot is a bestselling author until she isn't! When a Happily NEVER After file gets leaked, she gets CANCELLED. Readers are outraged and they feel like she has lied to them.

Her sister Savannah knows she needs to get away for a while to recollect herself and possibly write a book in a different genre. But what she isn't expecting is to like the mountain of a man that is the owner of this establishment. Dr. Forrest Wakefield is taking care of his sick father and helping him run the inn. Following Savannah's instructions, Margot is forbidden from reaching out to her/using the internet, etc. She must focus on writing and LIVING. Having adventures is something Margot is not used to but being in this atmosphere she is basically forced to participate. Falling for Forrest proves to be an adventure of it's own, but will she continue to see where it leads her? Or will she still rush home to resume living her adventure less life? Will she redeem herself to her readers?

Fastest 5 ⭐️ I have given in a while ! Everything about this just worked for me !! I loved the emotion, flirting, banter and overall character arc of both MCs

i was shocked by this book!! i did not expect to like this as much as i did!! once i realized the premise of the book ava the idea that she was experiencing every trope with forrest, i was a goner lol

margot is a romance writer who does not believe in HEA - in fact she has a file labeled the happily NEVER after file where she writes alternative sad endings to all her books, which gets leaked and seems to ruin her career as a romance author. her sister savannah sends her to alaska to find herself as a person and an author of a new potential genre. there, she finds forrest - who is every single romance trope in one. the more she gets to know him the more she thinks he’s too good to be true. they both have a huge responsibility to their loved one which keeps them believing they need to be apart. but once their loved ones take their independence back, margot and forrest find each other again <3

SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!! i love the idea of this!!
i don’t know why i wasn’t convinced at the start but i fell in love pretty quickly!!!!!

i loved margot and hated how misunderstood she was by the readers and how quick they were to judge her for an all too familiar feeling.

i loved forrest and how he was not only the perfect character but also so dedicated to his dad while being torn about going back to LA to make a real difference

so good!!! thank you so much netgallery for this arc!!!

Margot Bradley, the queen of happily-ever-afters, finds her meticulously crafted facade crumbling when her secret stash of alternate, less-than-rosy endings leaks. Suddenly, the romance author who built her career on believing in love is exposed as a cynic, and her adoring fans turn their backs on her. Any Trope But You, a debut novel that dives headfirst into the very tropes Margot once exploited, and it does so with a wink and a smile.

The premise is brilliant: a romance author, disillusioned with her own work, forced to confront the very tropes she is skeptical of. And where better to do that than in the wilds of Alaska? Margot's attempt to reinvent herself as a serious writer is hilariously derailed when she quite literally crashes into Forrest, a walking, talking embodiment of every swoon-worthy romance trope. He's a doctor, a mountain man, devastatingly handsome, and, well, let's just say he's generously blessed.

The heart of Any Trope But You lies in the electric chemistry between Margot and Forrest. Their banter is sharp, their interactions are charged, and you can't help but root for their enemies-to-lovers journey. Margot's initial skepticism and Forrest's unwavering charm create a dynamic that's both hilarious and heartwarming.

What truly elevates this book is its self-awareness. It embraces the tropes with a playful energy, acknowledging their inherent silliness while simultaneously delivering on the emotional payoff. It's a love letter to romance readers, a knowing nod to the familiar comfort of our favorite tropes.

The supporting characters are equally charming, adding depth and humor to the story. They aren't just background noise; they contribute meaningfully to Margot and Forrest's individual growth and their blossoming relationship.

Any Trope But You is a breath of fresh air for the romance genre. It's funny, it's sweet, and it's utterly addictive. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, swoon, and believe in the power of happily-ever-afters, look no further. This debut is a must-read for any romance enthusiast, and it's sure to leave you craving more from this talented author. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this. I enjoyed the writing in this novel and found it to definitely be very trope heavy. I may not be the target audience because it was a little cheesy for me but I do think this book will do incredibly well.

Any Trope But You had all the elements I desire in a romcom: it's touching, funny, steamy, romantic, and downright sexy! I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this debut novel and found myself wishing it could go on for another 300 pages. It truly captivated me from start to finish.

Thank you Victoria Lavine and Atria Books for this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review! I would add Netgalley in, but since they changed their file format overnight without any warning, I'm still not over how they disregarded users that have non-Kindle e-readers. Alas, we move on.

This book felt like an ode to the romance genre as a whole. I loved how your typical tropes were brought up with full acknowledgment by our FMC, a romance author who no longer believes in HEAs and, therefore, can spot a trope a mile away! And I love how the romance genre community is addressed throughout in a very positive light as the best literary community a girl can dream of. I thought that was really beautiful, considering how romance is so often disregarded despite carrying the most hopeful, loving messages.

The main positive of Victoria Lavine's obvious infatuation with romance as a whole is that she knows how to plot a novel to ensure good pacing. Pacing a romance book is not an easy task as there is none of your typical external forces to move the plot forward. This means authors will fail if they don't work out the exact amount of tension they need to build and by what point or if they disregard the arcs and development of their main characters.

One of the typical things that turn me off contemporary romance is the MMC's lack of personality or compelling backstory, and I find that it is difficult for me to connect with romances where the spicy scenes don't seem to move the plot forward at all. I found Victoria Lavine delivered in all these points. Forrest was a well-developed and believable character, who was very handsome and kind to our main character but who also had his own constraints and ambitions outside of the romance sphere. His character arc was there and it was reminiscent of our FMC's arc since the thing they shared in common (and what kept them apart) had to be conquered by both in different ways.

I found that the intimate scenes were well-described and filled natural spaces in the narrative that allowed me to see how strong the connection between the main characters actually was, and how they behaved towards each other when being wholly vulnerable clearly communicated the love there was between the two even before they worded it.

The only thing that left me disappointed in certain aspects (and why this is not a five-star read) were Margot's decision-making process (which didn't always align with her characterization) and how fast we went from Margot being exposed as a romance author who doesn't believe in HEA to her being in Alaska (I wish the transition had been a little smoother so we could see more of Margot's character prior to her interactions with Forrest). But this didn't negatively affect my reading experience disproportionately, and I very much enjoyed every second of reading it!

If you are looking for a fast-paced, sweet romance book set in Alaska, this might be it for you!

I had mixed feelings on this one!

On the one hand, it's so exciting to read a fresh voice in the rom com world-- and boy was it a strong one! Victoria Lavine has written one of the funniest (to me) rom coms I've read in a loooooong time. I thought her style and voice came out clearly in the writing, and it did not feel like anything else I've read in the genre lately. I think this is a great thing as so many romance books are starting to feel too similar to me, so being a standout people can remember for voice alone is great. I hope we will hear a lot more from Victoria Lavine going forward.

What made this book NOT a 5 Star read though was the plot. In fact, it felt a little bit plotless. And, at risk of constantly comparing her to the rest of the genre, I feel like in this day you really need a standout plot to move into that 5-star tier, otherwise you will just blend into the masses. I did not find myself eager to pick this one up. What plot there was ended up lost behind the humor and shenanigans, and I didn't find myself caring too much about the characters and their journeys.

All in all, I'd say this was a solid 3.5 rounded up. If you're a lover of the genre and not sick of it, I definitely recommend reading and I hope we will hear a lot from Lavine in the future!! I can't wait to read what else she comes up with.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the egalley.