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.

I loved going through this journey with Margot! Learning to let her walls down, and switch roles from caregiver to receiver is something a lot of us struggle with so it was great to see her (and Forrest’s) growth throughout the whole book. At some points, the story did feel a little dragged out with scenes that I felt could have been condensed, but overall I enjoyed it! Also, the SPICE was intense, and longer scenes than i’m used to so just be prepared!

Any Trope But You was so much fun! A romance author, Margot Bradley, writes happily ever afters has her secret file ‘happily never afters’, the realistic endings to her books, leaked. Her sister plans an Alaskan getaway for her to write her new murder mystery book since no one wants to read a HEA by someone who doesn’t believe in them herself. What ensues next is romance trope after romance trope in the cutest way: secluded cabin, the cutest meet-cute, a damsel in distress, a very beefy mountain man in a lumberjack shirt chopping wood, his name is Forrest, one bed, forced proximity, a love triangle, enemies to lovers, and more. Even Margot mentions several times how this guy is like he’s written out of a romance novel.

This book was sweet, swoony and steamy as Margot and Forrest stumble trying to find their own version of a HEA, all while both dealing with a disabled sister back home (her) and a disabled father in Alaska (him). Margot and Forrest have so much in common despite resisting it so much in the beginning. Once they get together things heat up real quick!

I loved this! I love how they show how deeply the two main characters want to do the right thing and how much everyone around them loves them so much and nudges (shoves) them into making choices to better themselves in the end. Savannah’s letters as rewards after every Alaskan expedition that her sister Margot went on was cute - you can tell what a great relationship the two of them have through them.

Overall super cute, and even highly Taylor Swift coded (right up my alley!!!). I didn’t go into this with high expectations but it shocked me in such a good way - I wasn’t even mad about the third act breakup. The reunion was perfect. Definitely recommend!!!

4⭐️
3 🌶️

Thank you so much Atria Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this gem of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for this ARC! I was really intrigued by the premise of this book but it didn’t impress me. The writing was just fine overall; there were a few lines that felt a bit much. I also am not a fan of insta-love and this was giving those vibes almost immediately. Unfortunately I stopped reading at 34%. I am interested to see how the author’s writing improves over time.

This was such a cute read! I was hooked from the beginning. There were definitely many feet kicking and laughable moments in this book.

I'm honestly a sucker for books set in Alaska! I don't know what it is but I just love them.

I'm usually iffy about books mentioning tropes, but with this one it worked so well. Especially considering the main character is an author.

I liked Margot and Forrest's characters and how well they understood each other and their need to care for their family. I also really liked Margot's sister, Savannah.

Definitely would recommend to fellow romance readers!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Victoria Lavine's debut novel Any Trope But You is a love letter written to romance readers, breast cancer fighters, and has too many romance tropes to name. I devoured this book and stayed up super late to read Margot and Forrest's story. These two characters are flawed but find happiness and peace with each other. This book truly has it all - obvious attraction on both sides, tons of chemistry, soul searching and re-examining their own values. Lavine creates a cast of characters that are multifaceted and emotionally complex.

Margot is a romance author who was recently canceled after readers found out that she secretly doesn't believe in love, and her sister secretly plans an escape for her to a remote wilderness resort in Alaska. When she arrives, she literally crashes into Forrest when she jumps in his arms after being scared by a moose. Forrest and Margot are thrown together in multiple situations, and he supports her as she challenges herself in various wilderness experiences. They are both grappling with huge life decisions, and I love how they encourage each other.

Both Forrest and Margot are committed to caring for a family member with a serious health issue. They grapple with how to prioritize their own needs, particularly having a romantic relationship, with their feelings of responsibility for others. Their attraction to each other builds, and the pacing of the story kept things moving quickly. I was engrossed in this Alaskan adventure/love story from the first chapter. This couple had fun banter, great steam, and the tropes sprinkled throughout the book were icing on the cake.

This book is a great cozy, steamy read on a cold winter day with a hot cup of coffee. I can't wait to read Victoria Lavine's next book!

Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a very quirky and sweet romance that I enjoyed a lot. I definitely will be picking up other works by this author when they’re released in the future. I had such a great time reading this!

When I saw this book was about a romance novelist and set in Alaska, I was sold on it immediately. There is something about the meta nature of a romance novel following an author who needs romance herself—well, it’s always a blast to read about. Regardless, the synopsis and cover sold me on picking up this ARC. Unfortunately, it didn’t blow me away the way I wanted it to.

I was surprised that I didn’t fall in love with the writing style of this novel. While I did find the plot and character set ups to be fun, the writing style never drew me in completely. But what I did appreciate was the diversity amongst our characters and illnesses talked about in this book. The minor characters were a bright point in the plot, as they always brought delightful humor to the pages.

The romance between Margot and Forrest wasn’t something I fell in love either, either. At times, it felt more like a falling-in-lust than a falling-in-love plot-line. That was largely due to the trajectory of their character arcs; neither character had consistent growth throughout the chapters. Both were tied up in their pasts and current problems, which didn’t leave much space for true romance to blossom. I always find the best romance novels are explorations of both love interests growing into better people and healing because they are interacting with each other. This novel failed to deliver on that front.

This all brings me to the idea of pay off, and changes in characters (or the conclusion of plots) feeling earned. For me, I struggled with the lack of consistent character growth through the plot. Both Forrest and Margot decided to make a significant worldview/behavior change within the span of a paragraph—both decisions happening near the last 10%—instead of us seeing steady growth throughout. As I stated previously, I find the best romance novels are strengthened with the love interests growing because of each other. This novel was missing that spark to its romance and narration.

I also struggled with Forrest and Margot getting their happily ever after. During the third act breakup, Forrest weaponized Margot’s past pain against her and broke things off. There was never an apology for that behavior on the page, which was disappointing. Forrest’s behavior placed him within the same pattern of behavior as her past relationships (with her father leaving, and her fiancé breaking things off with her). With how consistent Margot’s behavior was throughout the book, I didn’t see her forgiving Forrest as easily as she did. All of this made the ending feel rather empty.
Overall, this story was fine. I struggled to really fall into it and never found myself craving to pick it up after starting it. If the character development was stronger, this novel could’ve truly been great! There simply wasn’t enough character growth to support the plot on the pages. To end this on a happier note: I did love the Alaska setting and getting to explore that through the lodge’s weekend excursions.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I absolutely adored Any Trope But You. This book is a brilliant blend of sharp wit, irresistible charm, and delightful cheesiness that hits all the right notes. The author has such a keen eye for the romantic tropes that the protagonist tries desperately to avoid, yet they come across as irresistibly romantic and endearing, even when the main character is doing everything in their power to stay away.

My only complaint? (and it's a very, very hypocritical complaint) Margo, our main female character, is described as a luminiscent, perfect level of beautiful. I think I gravitate more to a book when a heroine is described and adored more for her quirks and facial expressions versus her model-esque physique and magazine-cover-worthy face. It helps the female character feel more relatable and is easier to immerse into the story with the deluded daydream that I am the main character. I should also share that I had ZERO issue with the male character being described as a perfect human specimen, henceforth, the hypocrisy. I still LOVED this book!

The writing is filled with clever humor and a self-awareness that makes it such a fun read. The way it plays with clichés while simultaneously embracing their charm had me grinning from start to finish. It's cheesy in the best way, and that’s what makes it so wonderful. The characters are endearing, and their banter, combined with the fun twist on classic tropes, makes this book impossible to put down.

If you're looking for a romance that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers all the heartwarming feels, Any Trope But You is the perfect read. It’s one of those books that reminds you why the most familiar tropes can still make you swoon.

Victoria Lavine's debut novel turns romance tropes on their head in a delightful way.

Margot is a beloved romance author whose cynical views on love get exposed and force her into a reset. Forrest is the hunky Alaskan wilderness man who proceeds to blow every trope she's ever written about out of the water.

Lavine takes the stereotypical tropes and, by acknowledging them, removes some of their kitsch, instead creating a dual narrative romance where each character knows what is at stake and what they're willing to do for romance.

By introducing elements of family devotion and chronic illnesses, Lavine frames these tropes through the eyes of two adult cynics used to sacrificing their wants and needs to support their beloved families. It's a rich and layered love story.

It's also hilarious and spicy AF. So it's firing on all cylinders.