Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book to review! Add this to your TBR today so you can grab it when it comes out on April 1!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m back with another romance, and - shockingly - a good review! If you’ve read my reviews before, you know that romance isn’t my genre of choice, but that I am hell-bent on finding romances I actually enjoy. “Any Trope But You” absolutely falls under entertaining.

Here’s the gist: Romance author Margot Bradley is canceled when an angry fan leaks her “Happily Never After” file during a live stream. While her books may be filled with happily ever afters, Margot doesn’t actually believe in them, so for each of her best-selling books, she writes a morbid alternative ending. Think divorce, rage, and erectile dysfunction.

It’s hard to blame Margot for her skepticism of true love when you find out she had both an absent father AND an a-hole ex-fiance.

Thanks to the leaked file, Margot is riddled with negative social media comments, and her publisher is threatening to drop her. Faced with the fact that she can’t be in the romance genre anymore, she decides that she’s going to pivot to murder mysteries. To help her with this, her sister, Savannah, books her a five-week stay in a remote lodge in Alaska - where her latest rom-com was supposed to take place.

Savannah and Margot have a close relationship, made even closer because Margot often steps in as caretaker when Savannah has a flare-up of a number of autoimmune disorders. Margot doesn’t want to leave Savannah, but Van assures her that she will be well taken care of by their mother and Van’s boyfriend while Margot is gone.

And so, Savannah finds herself in the Alaskan wilderness without cell reception or internet and standing face-to-face with a gorgeous man right out of a lumberjack fantasy. Of course.

But Forrest is more than he seems. He’s actually a doctor who left his life in California to care for his sick father. He’s handy and a good cook. He’s fit and a competent hiker. In fact, he’s a lot like the men that Margot has created in her books, which means that to her, he’s too good to be true. But as they fall into romance trope after romance trope, it’s clear that Margot is second-guessing her thoughts on love.

As part of her stay at the lodge, Margot takes part in weekly arctic excursions. In exchange for completing each one, Margot is given a letter from her sister. These letters help set the scene and help you understand what has made Margot so closed off. And with each letter, you see how deep the love and devotion between Margot and her sister is. But the last letter…

Spoilers ahead! I want to go over the good, the bad, and the ugly for this book. It’s mostly good!

The Good: Lavine is a great humor writer. There were several lines that made me laugh out loud, and it made for good banter between the male and female main characters.

I also really loved the “realistic” aspect of the romance Lavine included. One of the reasons I’m not incredibly into romance is because romance novels are often filled with big romantic gestures and very few small gestures that I feel make up a real romance - the buying of a favorite treat when you’re at the store, the asking if you just need to vent or if you want actual advice, etc. But there are some moments of true, small, romantic moments in this book, my favorite being when Margot realizes that Forret has packed all of the ingredients for her fussy coffee order and hauled it up a mountain so she could have her perfect cup of coffee on a mountain summit.

I also loved the subplot of both Margot and Forrest being caretakers and their internal struggles of caring for their family member in need vs. doing what they need to do to be happy. This felt like a unique twist in the book that gave the characters more depth and added an element of non-romantic love into the story.

The Bad: There were parts of this book that made me laugh a little bit in a bad way. The idea that Margot would be canceled because she didn’t believe in happy endings was silly and unrealistic. I feel like so many people read romance BECAUSE they haven’t experienced true love in real life, and I feel like they would find it refreshing to hear that someone behind their favorite love stories doesn’t have the perfect partner with whom they live the perfect life. It was also insinuated that Margot would need to pivot genres or leave the book industry altogether, but no one ever suggested she keep doing what she’s great at under a pen name?

I also thought that Margot being upset over Charlotte’s review was a silly section of the book. The news was given to her by a jealous man, and the review was written by a scorned woman. Why would Margot even think for a second that Forrest wouldn’t have a reasonable answer to the review? It makes sense that she would be nervous to be one of a string of flings Forrest has had with guests, but she acknowledged that other parts of the review were incorrect and only used to hurt Forrest. Let’s use our head, Margot.

The Ugly: I am never going to give a five-star rating to a book that introduces a pet name in spicy scenes, so Forrest’s abrupt introduction of “sweetheart” left this one lacking. In general, I thought the spicy scenes were well done, but there was enough cringe to take me out of the story, which I didn’t enjoy.

All-in-all, this was a really fun and fast read for me. And I know myself well enough to know that romance isn’t my favorite genre. So I also know that if it IS your favorite genre, you’re probably going to absolutely LOVE this one. It’s in the same vein as Emily Henry and (I’m told, I have only read one of her books and was underwhelmed) Abby Jimenez. It’s funny, occasionally cringy, but full of realistic moments (even if the MMC is a doctor lumberjack.)

Happy reading, and stay safe (but not too safe).

You’ll get the reference soon.

The story frankly broke my heart multiple times. I loved elements of it. I ultimately love where we ended up. It put me through the wringer.

Margot doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters, which is a problem because she writes them for a living. And when her readers find out they are furious. She decides to trade romance for murder mystery because she still needs to support her chronically ill sister. So when said sister books her a 6-week stay at a resort in Alaska, Margot jumps. And who does she meet in Alaska, well, Forrest, who has given up his job as a cancer researcher to take care of his dad. And what do these two people who feel Iike they can’t have any distractions from being caretakers to their loved ones find…….well I’m sure you can guess.

You can’t help but like these two. They mean nothing but well and they love so fiercely. It just is crushing to watch people put aside what they want and frankly deserve to try to do right by others. And it was especially hard to watch Margot have her self worth and identity tied so heavily to being needed, not just wanted, by another person. It’s painful, but like a good ache while reading. I really like her sister and her journey in the background. Watching Forrest and Margot fall in love and eventually let themselves enjoy that and believe in it is lovely. I will probably reread this again next winter, it just has some really comforting moments.

Holy trope-tastic, Batman.

The great thing is that this book is fully designed to recognize and call out tropes in a wild sort of meta-lucid dream of romance. The drastic action Margot takes after a live public display of embarrassment is definitely the equivalent of saying "I'm taking a break from dating." Obviously this means her Alaskan escape is chock full of hunky guys and trope after trope after trope. Margot's sister meddled perfectly, as did the family who own the resort, to get her together with Forrest and restore the confidence they both had in themselves and with each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC. I genuinely adored this book. Actually a 4.5 rating. The banter was 12/10 no notes. All the characters had substance to them and were so loveable. The third act breakup made sense and had an actual plot connection instead of just miscommunication. Genuinely such an enjoyable winter romance with a deeper subject line about caregivers, autoimmune diseases, and caregiver burn out. Highly recommend

when I tell you this is one of the best debuts I've ever read! wow! so fun and so silly and so sweet! I am such a sucker for a meta romance story lol

synopsis
Margot is a romance writer who loves her fans and her stories but sees them as total fantasy. After a lifetime of heartache, she's given up on finding love and started cynically re-writing the endings of her own books, giving her characters more realistic (in her mind) Happily Never Afters - divorce, cheating, etc. it's cathartic!

when her computer gets hacked and the file is leaked, her fans, agent, and publisher all turn their backs on her, and Margot's sister sends her away to a remote cabin in the Alaskan wilderness for 6 weeks to reinvent herself and write her next manuscript. on day 1, she meets Forrest, the son of the cabin's owner and the physical embodiment of every romance hero she's ever written. and despite being on the same page about No Romance, they keep finding themselves in silly little romcom scenarios that slowly break down their walls. but the very thing that binds them the most is the thing that also keeps them apart - they both serve as caretakers for family members. Forrest has to stay in Alaska to care for his wheelchair-bound father, and Margot has to return to LA to take care of her occasionally bed-bound sister.



I can't think of a single thing I didn't love about this book. it was such a perfect blend of goofy antics and heart-in-your-throat moments. The setting was amazing, the pacing was perfect. The sister relationship. The father-son relationship. Ugh. It was so well done. 6 weeks is definitely bordering on instalove, but it didn't really feel that way to me. The combination of so much time together and the shared understanding of the complicated feelings and deep responsibility of caretaking really made it work for me that these two would fall this fast. The spice was so emotional. The admiration they both had for each other was the best, and it's something I'm noticing not a lot of romance writers really do that well. Forrest and Margot were so proud of each other.



thank you Netgalley for the arc! this sweet, silly, emotional debut romcom is out in the world April 1st!

“You launched yourself at me the first time we met, and it was like the whole fucking sun fell right into my arms.”

While it doesn’t come out until April 1, ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine was such a delightfully great read over the holidays - and it’s the author’s debut! {Thank you to @atriabooks for the #gifted eARC to read and review!}

After her divorce, romance author, Margot Bradley, loses hope in love and secretly keeps a file of what happens to her characters after her novels’ HEAs - think divorce, cheating, beer bellies, and more. But when her document gets hacked and leaked, she loses so many of her dedicated romance fanbase. To ride out the online backlash and try to write her next book in a completely new genre, she jets off to remote Alaska…where she finds herself in her own romance story with the hunky innkeeper.

This book was the perfect combination of tension, spice, and all the sweet moments we want between our two leads. Plus, it is set in remote Alaska, and Lavine creates such a beautiful and rugged atmosphere in her writing! You get forced proximity (only one tent, anyone?), a city girl and lumberjack, delicious buildup, a laugh-out-loud meet cute, dual POV, chronic illness rep, getting snowed in, and a moose named Bullwinkle.

ANY TROPE BUT YOU is out April 1 - preorder today!

Beloved romance author Margo is cancelled. Despite writing HEAs she doesn't believe in them herself. When her heartbroken readers turn on her she has no where else to go but Alaska (why not??). There's a resident moose, some quirky house guests and of course a flanneled, bearded, Mr. Right...or should I say Dr. Right??

Forrest Wakefield falls into every single trope Margo could ever dream up but she's not falling for it (until she is, obviously, it's a romance and we need our HEA!).

This book is funny and heartfelt and steamy and most importantly, self aware. The book pokes fun at romance while still giving us all the hot swoonies we're looking for. Margo wasn't always my favorite character but she's an authentic main character with a strong arc. Forrest is 10/10, Victoria Lavine obviously knows what the readers like and he's giving all the things.

What's a bestselling romance writer to do when she's exposed for not believing in happily ever afters? In Margot's case, she turns to murder – at least in her writing. When her private file of "Happily Never Afters" – alternative endings to her romance novels – is hacked, she knows her career as a romance author is finished. As public backlash intensifies, her sister Savannah orchestrates an escape to Alaska.

For Margot, writing has always provided the means to manage her chronically ill sister's care. Reluctantly, she agrees to spend six weeks in Alaska to explore a new genre. What she doesn't expect is for Alaska to become a living romance novel, complete with one trope after another – all centered around Dr. Forrest Wakefield, the resort owner's son. Despite their instant attraction, both carry emotional burdens that make a future together seem impossible. Forrest has abandoned his prestigious career to care for his ailing father, while Margot grapples with her own demons.

Lavine crafts a story filled with endearing elements: Savannah's spunkiness, Forrest's unwavering integrity, his father's charm, the colorful resort guests, Margot's fundamental goodness, and the breathtaking Alaskan backdrop. Watching these characters navigate their emotional baggage proves both frustrating and deeply satisfying.

While their journey toward healing isn't always smooth, it's precisely this complexity that makes their story compelling. The author masterfully balances lighter moments with deeper emotional resonance, creating a rich narrative.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Atria Books. This engaging novel left me eager to read more of Victoria Lavine's work.

Review: “Any Trope But You”

Wow. This book absolutely swept me off my feet. From the very first chapter, I was hooked, and by the end, I was completely in love—not just with the story, but with every single character. If you’re looking for a light, refreshing read that avoids being cheesy, this is it. “Any Trope But You” strikes that perfect balance between heartfelt moments and fun, all while keeping things grounded and incredibly engaging.

Let’s talk about the characters. Their development throughout the book is chef’s kiss. The author has a way of crafting these layered, complex individuals who feel like people you could actually know. I didn’t just read about them—I fell in love with them. I found myself rooting for their happiness, laughing with them, feeling their pain, and at times even wanting to shake them (lovingly, of course) when things got tense. That kind of emotional connection doesn’t happen often for me, and it made the story so much more rewarding.

The pacing of the book was perfect. There were moments where I simply could not put it down. I stayed up until the middle of the night to get through some parts because the story was just too good to walk away from. The way the tension builds and unfolds is masterful—it’s not rushed, not forced, just perfectly timed to keep you turning the pages. And let me tell you, when I reached the ending, it felt like slipping into the coziest blanket on a rainy day. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

And can we talk about the spice? The romance was perfectly balanced—not over the top, but just enough to make your heart race. It felt authentic and added so much to the connection between the characters. It wasn’t there just for the sake of it—it deepened the story, making it feel more real and impactful.

If you’re looking for a book that’s warm, romantic, and impossible to put down, this is the one. It’s not overly dramatic or heavy, but it still packs an emotional punch that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. “Any Trope But You” delivered in every way, and I can’t recommend it enough. Five stars, hands down.

This was so good??? Like, I'm obsessed??? The premise was so unique and I found myself reading this in one setting because I just could not put it down.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc!

Adorable book. I loved all the characters and enjoyed the tropes. It was nice to be pulled in and out of the 'romance' side of it through the calling out of what happens in romance books, etc. It made it light, easy, and funny.

Highly recommend!

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

Let me just start by saying "Wow!" Well done, Victoria Lavine on an outstanding debut novel!

As a long-time reader of romance, it was fun to read a book that had a meta-approach regarding some of the tropes we all know and love and how they might pop up in real life for someone who knows them inside and out but who is cynical about their actual existence. But this book wasn't *only* about the romance - it also addressed more serious topics. The author deftly balanced the levity and silliness of romance tropes with real-world challenges in such a way that the depth of the characters was believable. I particularly appreciated how Margo's entire existence and self-worth wasn't based upon her relationship status.

This book was engrossing, and it was hard for me to put it down when I had to tend to responsibilities in life; I was excited to dive back into the story as soon as I could.

I will be looking forward to any future books from this author.

I love how fiction mirrors real life and especially when I can relate to some small element of the story so deeply that I get completely sucked in and devoured by the narrative. This isn’t exactly that – I’m not a romance author from LA, I don’t have a deeply loving and tender relationship with a chronically ill sister, I haven’t spent time in remote Alaska during the winter. But this story is a layered inception of sorts – calling out the narrative elements as they were happening. It all made me want to be Margot and I chose to fully dive into the story, staying up until 1am two nights in a row to read for hours after bedtime.

Every romance trope was delicious and I loved the excavation of them from Margot, as a romance author herself. I especially loved the One Bed that became One Tent and One Sleeping Bag. Living the story while also analyzing its feasibility and readability was a fun twist and her jaded starting point made me root for her even more. Key for me was that the narrative was well-written and Forrest and Margot were a sexy pair from start to finish. Sets my romance bar very high for 2025!

[Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]

view this and other reviews here at the end of each month: https://journalsonthejourney.substack.com/

I honestly had low expectations for this book when I picked it up, but I ended up really enjoying it!! The premise is different from other contemporary romance novels. I love the idea of just mashing up all tropes together into a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The MFC having so many funny comments and thoughts genuinely had me LOL multiple times. I loved it!

4.5 ⭐️

DEBUT NOVEL alert! 🫎🎿🏕️❄️

Margot Bradley, a romance author who secretly disdains Happily Ever Afters, is exposed when her alternate, darker endings are leaked, resulting in public backlash and career fallout. Needing to support her ill sister, she pivots to writing murder mysteries and heads to a remote Alaskan resort, where she unexpectedly connects with Forrest Wakefield, a former cancer researcher turned reluctant innkeeper caring for his father.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
The premise of the book was so fun and I’m always a sucker for books set in Alaska..and in this case we’re taken to a remote lodge with no wifi. The banter and chemistry between the two main characters was great, I couldn’t put this book down. The relationship between Margot and her sister and Forrest and his dad was so heartwarming. Both main characters are in caretaker positions and this added depth to the romance - which I love!

Ps. don’t be fooled by this cute cover, this is an open door romance 🤭🔥

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
✔️ Set in Alaska at a family owned lodge
✔️ Caretaker representation
✔️ Chronic illness
✔️ A Moose named Bullwinkle
✔️ A romance writer who doesn’t believe in HEA
✔️ Winter excursions
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Hottubs and Saunas... 🤭🔥

honestly tried really hard to get into this book and couldn't i feel like in winter i want to escape winter so i may try to read it again next holiday season although it has nothing to do with the holidays and i didn't feel connected to the characters like her getting cancelled for being a romance novelist who hates romance... idk

This book was a solid 3.5 stars for me. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, quick read and the premise of a romance writer being cancelled for not believing in happily ever afters, only to find redemption and a renewed faith in love at an Alaskan wilderness resort was a unique spin on the genre. This is a book that will amuse any seasoned contemporary romance reader with its jabs at common tropes and wry humor. However, I found the book to lose momentum toward the end and especially as the spice level picked up (rapidly!!). I feel like the sex scenes were a bit gratuitous and could have been shortened/toned down to keep the focus on character development. Nonetheless, I flew through the book and will certainly pick up any future releases by this debut author.

I read this in one sitting. I loved this. Big fan of books that poke fun at their own genre and this one nailed it. Perfect escapism and a valid critique on the (sometimes self-imposed) pressure caregivers put on themselves that push them beyond the boundaries of caring for loved ones and into holding back from living their lives.

This book was so cute! I gotta admit, I didn’t really love it at the beginning. I thought the whole fallout about the Happily Never After file was extreme and unrealistic. I actually don’t care if my favorite romance authors don’t believe in Happily Ever Afters - as long as they write them for me! lol.

After Margot arrived in Alaska, the book took off for me. I liked her dynamic with Forrest. She was pretty terrible to him to begin with and he gave it right back. I enjoyed watching them slowly find their way to each other with a great slow burn.

This book also tackled some tough topics, but enough humor was sprinkled in to bring some levity to those topics.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I recommend it for anyone who loves a fun romance read with some spice. This one publishes on 1 April 2025.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Find more book reviews on my bookstagram: https://instagram.com/kraftykatreads .

A cynic who loves writing love stories (Margot) 🤝🏼 a cynic who loves reading love stories (me). I almost feel like this book was written just for me 😂

What a debut novel! Lavine herself called the book “a love letter to the romance genre” and there really is no better way to describe it.

The story is filled with many innuendos, some of the strongest relationships I’ve ever read, lots of laughs, some very heartfelt moments, the perfect amount of spice and every romance trope under the sun.

Also of note, I’ve never met a book set in Alaska that I didn’t love. Thank you NetGalley and Atria publishing for my advanced readers copy of this adorable and sexy book!