⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)

Thank you to @atriabooks for my #gifted copy of this upcoming release.

This was a cute romcom and the MMC, Forrest was so great…just open, honest and sincere, he legit has nothing but good intentions with everyone he encounters. Loved his character.

Then there was the FMC, Margot I didn’t like her quite as much as Forrest. TBH I’m not entirely sure what Forrest saw in her…maybe she was just THAT cute. She sort of annoyed me but ended up growing on me. I was glad that she found her own version of a HEA.

The importance of family was a strong theme in this one and the other big theme was the importance of caring for yourself and pursuing your own happiness & passions.

All of the references to Savannah’s (Margot’s sister) mysterious autoimmune condition never came full circle. It was a big piece of the book but we never found out what her diagnosis was. I also have an autoimmune condition (RA) so I was very interested in which one Savannnah. I was also curious about what made the author decide to incorporate an autoimmune rep into the book. Does she maybe have a personal relationship with someone fighting autoimmune disease!? I like hearing what inspires authors to add specific content to their books.

My fav part of the book was Margot’s dedication in her novel. My heart legit felt like it skipped a beat. ❤️❤️❤️

Overall it was a cute read with some spice sprinkled in but I think there was a lot of filler and it was lacking a little in chemistry between the MCs.

This book was so sweet and fun to read!

I loved the idea of a romance author who doesn't believe in HEA, yet feels that she must deliver on them in her own books. Watching the FMC's relatable conflicts in her romantic, professional, and familial aspects of her life kept me hooked throughout. The FMC has a few moments where she was a bit annoying and self-centered, but there was always context as to why, and her personal development throughout the book was nice to see unfold. I absolutely adored the MMC and his dedication to the things (and people) that are most important to him. The relationship between the MCs is nothing new, but it was still so much fun to read. This was absolutely a cozy book that has the vibes of fireplaces and hot cocoa while it's snowing!

The writing of the book itself was so easy to read and the pace was great. I do wish there had been a bit more of an ending because it felt a bit rushed, but that's really my only complaint about the plot of the book. Is this book a bit silly? Yes. It is full of romance tropes? Yes, obviously, it's even in the title lol. Is it a great rom-com with immaculate vibes and a great storyline? Absolutely.

I'd highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a new cozy rom-com that discusses themes of family, personal growth, and authenticity.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction
Format: Kindle
Length: 336 pages
Pub date: April 1st
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (3.5/5)

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎:
❤️romance author fmc
🫎doctor mmc
❤️cozy alaska settings
🫎dislike to lovers
❤️forced proximity
🫎 one sleeping bag
❤️ caregiver mcs
🫎 dual pov

After her file of alternative endings, titled “Happily Never Afters” is leaked to the public, romance author Margot Bradley retreats to the remote Alaskan wilderness to escape being canceled and reinvent herself. It’s there she crosses paths with Dr. Forrest Wakefield.

“Any Trope but You” is a love letter for romance readers! It felt very hallmark-y, BUT I was here for it. Given the title, I knew it would be very trope heavy and I was worried that it would take away from the story. However, I didn’t feel that way at all. I ended up loving how Margot actively discusses the tropes that she finds herself and Forrest in.

Also, the third-act conflict felt incredibly authentic, given the circumstances. Both Margot and Forrest are devoted caregivers—she to her sister in California, and he to his father in Alaska. Considering their roles and the distance between them, it was only natural that this would be an issue.

From the 87% to the end, I could NOT stop crying. Margot is spiraling over her sister and Forrest is just so kind and understanding because he goes through the same things for his dad. This pair was SO meant to be together. 🥹

Thank you to @netgalley + @atriabooks for this arc in exchange for an honest review!! 🫶🏽

I love a book about books or authors or bookshops! And this one was super cute. The Alaskan setting has me wanting to brave a snowy excursion and the MMC is swoon worthy. I do wish the friendly neighborhood moose played a bigger role though. I loved the premise of a romance writer looking for an escape finds herself in what seems to be a plot straight from one of her books and the tropes abound of course. There were a few things I didn’t love but overall this book was enjoyable and I would recommend for an easy, light read. I’ve still been struggling with a reading slump and so it’s hard for me distinguish whether it’s just me or it’s actually the book falling little flat.

Debut author Lavine cleverly satires romance tropes while utilizing them to further the plot in this quote-worthy, laugh out loud adult novel.
While the escapades with the hot doctor are fun to read about, it's the bonding and epiphanies between MC Margot and her sweet/naive sister Savannah (think Eliza and Jane Bennett) that make the story a page-turner.
Ultimately its Savannah who gets Margot to "push herself so she'll have the strength to pursue" anything, and the realization that she needs a "different kind of security."
I highly recommend this highly enjoyable rom com, especially to fellow writers.

Thank you so much Atria for recommending this book to me, and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Any Trope but You was such a fun time! I loved both the FMC and MMC. They were both witty and felt real, and the FMC was always quick to point out the ridiculousness of romance tropes while keeping the reader wanting every one of them! I was giggling and kicking my feet at one point, and then crying 30 minutes later. Lavine manages to write an incredibly touching story of what we lose when we live our lives for someone else while mixing it with the fun and lighthearted tales of an LA girl in the middle of wilderness excursions in Alaska.
The only thing keeping this book from being a 5-star read for me is the missing epilogue. The best romances have epilogues!

4.5/5

an alaskan mountain man as our love interest.. COUNT ME IN

this had all the tropes and it stole my heart completely. i received this book as an arc and apparently it comes out in april which is an extreme disservice to the book itself. the entire story takes place during the winter at an alaskan vacation lodge... why is this not being released in a winter month?? out main character, margot, is a romance author who doesn't really believe in happy ever afters because she's jaded. forrest, our other main character, runs the lodge and has a heart of gold plus he's a genius, he's just the most perfect man!!

margot and forrest had a love story that made me swoon. yes it was tropey and nothing i haven't read before but it was executed so, so well! they were reluctant to give in to the attraction brewing between them but it was just undeniable. i think the tropes worked so well because the characters were so self aware the entire time. the tropes were placed in almost ironically and it was so fun to see the two of the navigate them. i do wish their was like one or two more chapters, maybe an epilogue. just because a lot happens in the third act and i wanted to see more of them in the after math.

this was just the cutest romance though and like i said it comes out in april. i would highly recommend picking it up and saving it for the next winter or at least a chilly day. it snowed all day while i finished this and the vibes were unbeatable !!

*thank you net galley and atria for the early copy!*

Absolutely gobbled this story up!! The way the characters are written, the banter, the spice! This one is going to blow up on booktok! It’s such a fun read!!

(Actual: 3.50-3.75⭐) Another decently cute & spicy romcom that certainly checks off most of the "right" boxes (especially for a debut work), but ultimately fell just short of the home-run mark for me when it came to the characters and execution of the plot. While I found the premise of ATbY to be very interesting and original, the pacing was a bit.... off? I don't know, sometimes it just really DRAGGED for me, but I also think that may be because I had a hard time connecting to Margot, our FMC, because of how inconsistently she is written. For as many times as I felt like she was naturally growing and progressing as a character, there were just as many times where she would do or say or think something so rude or seemingly OOC that it'd feel jarring and make her rather unlikeable in the eyes of the reader. And I don't mind unlikeable characters! I love flawed MCs/ensemble casts, it makes them all the more realistic for me. I still rooted for her, her arc, and her eventual romance with Forrest— I just feel like Lavine didn't know 100% how to write her during certain scenes/points, and it shows. That said, I loved Lavine's atmospheric writing when it came to describing Alaska/general settings within the book; I had no trouble at all visualizing where the characters were or what they were doing, and I did find most of the humor genuinely funny* (*some parts were def a bit cringe though, so be ~warned lol). Overall, I'd still recommend this book because it was fun and the premise is unique and mostly works— I look forward to what she comes out with next and to see her growth as an author!

A very successful romance writer, Margot Bradley—whose own love life is nonexistent and who is quite jaded by the whole soulmate thing—finds herself in quite the predicament when her computer is hacked, releasing her “Happily Never After” file to the world. 😱💻 This file contains all the alternate endings to her novels—ones without a happily ever after! Her readers are not happy, and Margot is swiftly cancelled. 🚨📉

To escape the chaos, Margot’s sister sends her on a six-week trip to Alaska 🌲❄️, hoping she’ll find inspiration to write again—and maybe even find herself. With no WiFi and a complete break from her cushy L.A. life, Margot is in for a serious change.

Upon arrival, she literally crashes into the lodge’s wilderness guide, Forrest. 🏕️🔥 Tall, dark, and handsome? Check. Annoying? Double check. 😂 But as the story unfolds, Margot and Forrest keep stumbling into classic romance tropes (totally intentional, btw 😉), while also learning why each of them ended up in Alaska in the first place.

I found Margot & Forrest’s romance to be swoon-worthy, witty, and real. 🥰 Their family dynamics added an unexpected emotional depth, which I loved. This debut novel truly impressed me, and I can’t wait to see what Victoria Lavine writes next! 📚✨

Thank you so much @netgalley & @atriabooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! 💖

Margot Bradley is a beloved romance author with a dark secret. She doesn't believe in Happily Ever Afters. She even has a "Happily Never After" file, with alternate endings to her books. All seems to be going great until her computer is hacked, and her secret "Happily Never After" file is leaked during an online interview. Soon, she finds herself canceled by her readers and her publisher. She is left struggling to figure out how to take care of her chronically ill sister Savannah and decides to start writing books about murder. In an attempt to help her sister regroup and focus, Savannah books her Margot a 6-week stay at an Alaskan retreat.

As soon as Margot arrives in Alaska, she finds herself running from a moose and leaping into the arms of Dr. Forrest Wakefield, the proprietor of the retreat. Forrest had not expected to leave his career as a cancer researcher to run an Alaskan retreat, but his father's illness changed things. He is getting stagnant, and quite frankly, freezing over while caring for his father and running the retreat, until Margot shows up. One adventure after another, and mishap after mishap, force them to spend more time together, and the last thing he wants is another relationship that could threaten the existence of the family-owned retreat.

What they didn't expect is that they both end up in a romance they tried to avoid.

This was a bit racier at times, but it is still a great storyline, and I would recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book. It had me laughing throughout and also touching at times. What better way to have a romance than bundled up in the Artic and Forest is the perfect 6’3 mans-man to star in it! My only critique is sexy time in a sauna?! That part wasn’t for me, but the rest of it I Loved!

I enjoyed this debut by Victoria Lavine which felt like a love letter to the romance community.

The premise was slightly far fetched and a bit bonkers but Lavine used it to have lots of fun with the typical tropes of romance novels.

Overall it was well written with some very funny lines.

Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine is an absolute treat for romance fans! This book cleverly incorporates all the classic romance tropes while giving them a fresh and engaging twist. I adored how the story played with familiar themes while still feeling unique and heartfelt.

The chemistry between the main characters was off the charts. From the first meeting, you can feel the tension, and as they navigate their individual struggles and grow together, it’s impossible not to root for them. The female lead, in particular, was so relatable. Her journey of dealing with past heartbreaks that left her jaded and skeptical about love was deeply moving. Her fear of vulnerability and reluctance to open her heart again resonated with me, and I’m sure many readers will find themselves reflecting on their own experiences as well.

What stood out to me was how the characters’ personal growth was as important as their romance. Both characters had their own obstacles to overcome, and it made their relationship even more meaningful. The way they supported each other was inspiring, showing the power of love, trust, and communication.

The secondary characters added so much fun and flavor to the story. Each one was memorable, bringing a unique charm to the overall narrative. I especially loved how they contributed to the main characters’ growth, both through humor and emotional support.

Victoria Lavine has crafted a beautifully emotional and compelling romance in Any Trope but You. It’s heartwarming, funny, and just the right amount of steamy. This book is perfect for anyone who loves a well-written romance with depth and relatable characters. Highly recommend!

This was a sweet, sexy, and emotional book.

As an Alaskan I appreciate that there's no mention of sheriffs (iykyk) and only one mention of snow mobile made it into the copy I read--snow machine was used every other time. That's a rarity in books set in Alaska written by Lower 48ers and I appreciate the attention to detail. I know that sounds weird, but nothing pulls me out of a story set in Alaska faster than a sheriff or a snow mobile--or worse a sheriff riding a snow mobile!

Back to my review: I really enjoyed the relationships in the books, Margot and her sister, Margo and Trapper and Jo, and of course Margo and Forrest. And the pining!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This book was *every* rom-com lover’s dream! From start to finish, it was an absolute joy to read, packed with humor, heart, and just the right amount of spice (because what’s a rom-com without some delicious tension?).

The way it played with tropes had me laughing out loud, and the *Happily Never After* twists? Genius. One moment, I was crying from sadness, and the next, I was crying from laughter—talk about an emotional rollercoaster!

Also, can we talk about the forest that actually smells like a forest? Perfection. The representation in this book was everything the world needs more of, and honestly, *where* do I find a Savannah in real life? Because we all need one.

Couldn’t put this book down—10/10, *highly* recommend!

Clever. Witty. Sweet. Spicy. Truly a fantastic debut! I can’t stop thinking about this book. Have been recommending to all my romance loving friends!

this didn't work for me. the characters weren't particularly dimensional or likable and the plot was too far fetched. the plot reads like book lovers meets it happened one summer in a way that just feels unoriginal and boring. 2⭐️

thank you netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I requested this ARC after Becca Freeman adored it so much. About a cancelled romance writer (is it just me or are there LOTS of books about writers lately?) who escapes the social media backlash at a remote Alaskan wilderness resort that happens to be run by the owner’s handsome son who happens to check just about every romance trope on the list. It wasn’t exceptional to me, but it was a cute romance, and I enjoyed the Alaskan setting... I’m kind-of surprised this has a spring release date since it takes place in a snowy location, but what do I know?!?

This was one of my top anticipated reads of 2025 and it did not disappoint! It was an excellent debut and I’m eager to see what Victoria writes next.

If you are a trope lover, this one is for you with Margot, a romance writer, being forced by her sister to spend 6 weeks in a remote area of Alaska. Upon arrival, she literally leaps into the arms of Forrest, who is helping his dad run their inn.

The chemistry between Margot and Forrest was excellent. They both put their family before themselves and I loved that they didn’t need to explain things to each other when they needed to make decisions others would give them grief about.