When a series of BookTok cliches come together into one novel. Forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, 2 established professionals, found family, 3rd act break-up, HEA,

Any Trope but You follows Margot, an established romance author, as her life takes a turn after the leak of her Happily Never After file, a document where she wrote alternate ending for each of her books. After being effectively "cancelled" by her fans, publisher, and BookTok, Margot's sister books her a vacation to Alaska in an effort to get Margot to reinvent herself. In Alaska, Margot meets Dr. Forrest Wakefield (MD, PhD), a former cancer researcher turned resort manager.

Both Forrest and Margot have dubbed themselves the caregivers of their family members, and have made sacrifices in order to ensure the wellbeing of those they love most. Though they get off on the wrong foot and have some communication issues (not sure if it counts as a trope but I was not surprised), they quickly realize just how they mean to each other. Naturally, this leads to some self-discovery, arguments with supporting characters about what is best for them, the 3rd act breakup, etc.

I enjoyed the storyline and flow of the story. Nothing felt rushed and or dragged out - until you got to the end. Everything after Margot returned from Alaska to California felt rushed. As a reader, I spent so much time with Margot and Forrest, understanding their choices, feelings, actions throughout their entire Alaskan adventure, that I felt the final few chapters were rushed. Once Margot returned to California, too many things happened in so few pages that I felt scenes were thrown into the book just to tie up any remaining loose ends.

Overall, I did enjoy and was excited to start each new chapter. This would be a great book for fans of Emily Henry and/or people looking for a quick and light read in between other books/series.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishing company for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really love the idea and the setting of this book, but unfortunately, it gave me the ick from the very first chapter. The FMC's canceling and journey to Alaska just had every ridiculous mishap possible and felt super corny. I was interested in The FMC's relationship with her sister and the MMC's relationship with his family. But even their romance felt off, probably because the guy was attracted to her initially just because she was hot.

Margot is a best selling romance author, or was one. Her list of Happily Never Afters (alternate endings to her books) releases to the public. Her publisher drops her, fans hate her… Margot’s career is seemingly over.

Margot’s sister Savannah sends her to remote Alaska to rejuvenate. Margot goes with hesitance, as she is Savannah’s full time caregiver. She goes anyway, and meets Forrest. The trope of all tropes!

The amount of tropes in this book, whew! I giggled every time Margot pointed another one out.

Lavine’s debut novel is a delight. I loved the dual POV, the sister relationship, and the character development.

The hype is real for this one, y’all!

Can’t wait to see what else Lavine will write for us in the future!

4.5/5 stars!

This book is so cute. It's about a romance author, as she goes through her own little romance novel plot, whilst making fun of every trope along the way. Her sister is also chronically ill, and I love to see that representation in a book. It also added depth to the story and complication to the romance.

The FMC and MMC both had great character depth to them I thought, and for me this was the right level of spicy. Probably 3 peppers out of 5? But that's always subjective! I'd highly recommend picking this one up for a unique romance.

Margot Bradley is a successful romance novelist who secretly does not believe in Happily Ever Afters. When her secret Happily Never Afters list, where she has written alternative endings for her books and other anti-romance things, is leaked online, she faces immense backlash from fans and is dropped by her publisher. Desperate to continue providing for her chronically-ill sister, Margot finds herself on a six-week trip to a remote part of Alaska with the intent of writing a murder mystery set there. Immediately after arriving at her resort, Margot gets scared by a reindeer and literally jumps into the arms of a handsome man who turns out to be the proprietor of the resort. No matter what happens with Dr. Forrest Wakefield, who is back at the family business to help take care of his ailing father, Margot is determined that he can’t be her Happily Ever After. Knowing that Margot will soon be leaving, he isn’t looking for a relationship with Margot, either. As they go through one trope after another, Margot and Forrest have to decide whether to overcome their fears and see what they might have together or become their own Happily Never After ending.

This was a cute, self-aware rom com! Occasionally it’s a little over the top, but it leans into that. I wish I could read the book Margot wrote that’s set in Alaska. The letters from Savannah were great.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Romance author Margot Bradley has a dark secret, she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Dr. Forrest Wakefield meet when a moose chases her into his arms. The story is well written and has a very good storyline and a happy ending. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Me again, your friendly sporadic book reviewer! Back with a book breakdown.

I got an advance copy of Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine. This is a debut novel from a new author and while I enjoyed it, I am excited to see this author create more!

Let’s get into it.

Margot is a romance writer who doesn’t believe in happily ever afters but writes about them. She gets canceled for reasons. She goes to Alaska and meets Forest. They have an instant attraction but she’s a no-to-love girl and he’s an I-don’t-have-time-for-this guy. Irritation and attraction ensues.

3.5 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 steam level

What I loved: I loved the setting in Alaska a LOT! I liked Margot going on different excursions. I liked Forest a lot. Margot was also likable (more on her later). I liked the autoimmune disease representation. And I love a book featuring books. I thought the author did a great job of creating situations for Forest and Margot to be around each other a lot.

What I didn’t love: The sauna scene. I’m a sauna girl. I use one multiple times a week. I can tell you what isn’t on my mind when I am drowning in sweat with an insanely high heart rate. The arc of growth for Margot in relationships with all characters, not just Forest was too slow for me. (I’m talking about her with her sister, Forest and Oliver). Oliver’s storyline dragged for me.

Overall I enjoyed this one and I would read more from the author for sure. For me, I would borrow it, rather than hunt down a special edition copy. (unless it was super cute bc I’m a sucker.)

happy reading,

Dux

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Atria Books and NeGalley for the ARC of Any Trope but You in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I laughed, I kicked my heels and I had a good time. ATbY was a romcom Inception - making fun of romcoms, while being a romcom… a character that’s had her fill of romcoms while being in one herself. It was refreshing, but somehow I wasn’t head over heels.

The chemistry was there, but I didn’t feel like I had enough Margot and Forest time to really understand what gave their love story three-dimensions. They found each other hot, they found each other interesting and spicy and sweet… is that enough to move across the country to be together?

I feel like I was being told how much they were into each other without really being shown how much they were into each other.

All in all I had a good time, and that’s what reading is for!

I could tell from about 15% in this wasn't the book for me. Maybe it was a case of right book, wrong time? I have read a lot of romance this year. This REALLY leaned into the romance clichés. I understand it's called ANY Trope but You. The author actually tried to fit in as many tropes as possible. My problem with that is it made the characters feel really surface level and the story was predicable.

I keep seeing that this is a super spicy book. I'd say no. There are about 2 real on page spice scenes. One of which was entirely too long. The characters didn't even get together until like 60% into the story. That also made the 3rd act conflict way too close to the end. Everything was then wrapped up in 3 chapters. There wasn't enough time to settle into their relationship.

Victoria Lavine's writing was easy to read and the story was decent for what it was. All things considered, I would try a future book by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is like a giant warm hug with spice and endless laughter. If you like the Pumpkin Spice Cafe, Summer in the City, and A Novel Love Story this book is a MUST READ.

The FMC is a romance author that has been ostracized by the book community because the world learned that she did not believe in happily ever afters. In the heat of the hatred, her sister ships her off to the middle of nowhere Alaska to attempt to write a thriller. Only for the FMC to spend weeks struggling with her belief in love (and maybe just maybe falling in love along the way).

Thank you Net Galley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review!

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.