This is now on my list as one of my favorite (spicy) winter reads. Victoria Lavine is an author to watch for sure! This book had so many things going for it. I thoroughly enjoyed the charm, the self aware exploration of tropes, and the multilayered characters.

Ok, ignoring any potential reviews that say the FMC is annoying - but it literally felt like she narrates in how my internal monologue sounds. I just love a witty banter, and this book delivers that (did I just imply that my inner voice is witty haha oops). I love a romance book that is self aware and breaks the fourth wall in calling out tropes. So many times this book referenced typical romance components and it was just so on the nose and funny every time! It had me giggling. The story was just funny over all, it had so many unique quirks. Her doing her Zoom interview in her underwear for example, how funny and relatable.

The TENSION. A slow burn, will they, won’t they, done absolutely right. The MMC could not have possibly been any hotter. Family centered doctor who is doing groundbreaking breast cancer research in memory of his mom? Who is tall and muscular and can do renovations? Who rescues a damsel in distress by carrying her down a mountain? HELLO!!!!

Getting to explore Margot’s life retrospectively through her letters from her sister was a really clever add. It incorporated depth into her character and got me invested in her success. It was really neat to hear about her past without flip
flopping timelines or from her own dialogue.
The letters were just enough, not too long and not too over the top. They added an emotional component outside of the romance and also help the reader get to know her sister Savannah too.

I received this book as an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you Victoria Lavine and Atria Books!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend:✅

“Any Trope but You” was another romance about a romance author but it is a worthy entry into this new trope that seems to be popping up. While many of these recent books have had winks and nods to all these tropes we love, “Any Trope but You” hits them over the head with a hammer. And, I appreciated that!

But what really helps keeps this from being just another romance about romances is how awesome the characters are and the unique plot, which I enjoyed. Margot is a romance author who finds herself on the outs with her readers after it’s discovered she doesn’t believe in Happy Ever Afters. (I won’t spoil how because I found it hilarious). When this happens, her sister, who she takes care of, sends her to Alaska for weeks. There, she meets Forrest; who owns the “resort”. They, of course, fall in love through a series of romance tropes. Margot and Forrest are both great and I loved the dual POV.

This was a super quick, worthy read. I don’t know if it’s one that will linger with me for a long time but it’s an enjoyable romance!

You’ll love this book if you love:
✅Stories about Authors
✅Dual POV
✅Winter Settings

What a delightful read! 
As a romance-loving cynic, I strongly relate to our Margot. Alexa play Jaded by Miley Cyrus. 

Now, I haven't met a quintessential book boyfriend IRL. No dark-haired, green eyed, muscly lumberjack/chef/doctor with a heart of gold for me.

Their meet-cute was hilarious and I can totally respect prickly-because-scared behavior. Neither of them were assholes to the other, they were just wary. And we love that "struggle to keep away", don't we?  

While totally predictable - come on, it's a romance book, after 500, you start to see the patterns - I admit I was positively surprised by *gasp* communication. Thank you, author, for having (somewhat) mature adults.

In all seriousness, this was an awesome debut, with great characters all around, the origin story behind each main character made their present-day behavior understandable, and - though predictable - the third act breakup regrettably made sense as well. 

I'm giving it 4stars  simply because there are some elements I'm not a big fan of, but they don't take away from the story at all. 

Looking forward to Victoria's future books!

Finished this book in a day , this debut was hard to put down! The chemistry between the characters and clear communication was impeccable especially against the background of more serious topics. Loved the setting of Alaska - made the book extra cozy’! Forrest may be my new book boyfriend. Can’t wait to see what this author does next

Love love loved this one! I expected another winter rom com and while this was that, it was so different from all the other books that come around this time of year! It follows a romance author who doesn’t believe in happily ever afters, what a plot twist! I loved the scene setting in Alaska, it’s one of my favorite settings for books. I already can’t wait to reread this one

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

Absolutely adored this sweet (but also soooo spicy!) enemies to lovers romance that I read in under 24 hours. Margot and Forrest's story on the surface is one of romantic comedy tricks and tropes -- there's only one bed on a camping adventure! there are matchmaking family members! city girl being schooled by a small town boy, the list goes on! -- and that is total FUN. But Any Trope But You's deeper layers are remarkably poignant as well, exploring how we let go of our preconceived notions about our loved ones, our futures, each other, and, even, the all-important Happily Ever After.

Okay I received this ARC on net galley last week. And dare I say it was one of my top 5 reads this year?!? 100% YES. From the very beginning I was hooked. The author has taken a romance novel and made it so special, with so many different tropes but they just fit so well together. I loved Margot and Forrest so so much. From their first meeting, I was squealing and kicking my feet. Their banter had me absolutely cracking up! I didn’t want the book to end. For a debut novel, I was insanely impressed and I will be recommending this to all my romance loving friends!! FIVE incredible stars from me, nothing less! Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Who doesn't love a good giggle and kick up your feet read? This combined with every trope possible, makes it a rollercoaster rom com ride! I know we all love our tropes, but sometimes they can get a little crazy, Any Trope but You, takes that and runs with it! It is cheesy, adorable and addictive. I also wouldn't mind being stuck in Alaska with a hottie and every romance trope under the sun.

Thank you for the ARC and I cannot wait to spread the word and share this title with the world.

This was so cute! Included just about every single romance trope out there, and in a unique way that had them all feeling fresh. I loved the premise and both love interests. The vibes were exactly what I was craving! I VERY much enjoyed the Bullwinkle (the moose) sightings and the Scout (the dog) appearances. I also love a book that takes place in Alaska. If you’re looking for a cozy, sexy time, with some substance - pick this up when it releases in April!

This was such a 5 star read! I was hooked 5% in. I loved the bluntness of Margot so so much. Her relationship with Forrest was such a perfect slow burn, this had 100% made it onto my reread list.

This books is a treasure trove of tropes!

I loved everything about this book: the rawness of old wounds, the laugh-out-loud comedic moments, the quick whit, the Alaskan wilderness adventures, the journeys of healing and rediscovering self, and the swoon worthy love story.

Margot is a strong, independent, witty, and selfless woman who has built walls to protect her heart after getting dealt a few bad hands by life and love. Forrest is the embodied of every (good) trope, willing to sacrifice anything and everything for those he loves.

The tropes are twisted and shaped in ways that bring comedy and romance to the story while adding a real world element that provides some gravity to these characters… ohh, and let’s not forget what an absolute gem of a sister Savannah is!

With a debut this good, I have a feeling Victoria Lavine will become an auto-buy author for many bookshelves, including mine!
—
❄️Debut novel
🫎Rom-com
❄️Alaska
🫎Romance novelist
❄️Cancer researcher
🫎Dual POV
❄️Written letters
🫎Caretaker
❄️Meet-cute
🫎Opposites attract
❄️Enemies to lovers
🫎Selfless rescue
❄️Forced proximity
🫎Fish out of water
❄️Sworn off love
🫎Wilderness adventure
❄️Self-(re)discovery/healing journey
🫎SO. MANY. TROPES!
—
Thank you Atria and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚
Publishers release date 4/1/2025

Fans of Jimenez, Henry, and other top romance authors will eat this up! Loved that the storyline poked fun at all the romance tropes in a cute way- it worked! I think this will be HUGE when it's released.

Margot Bradley, a romance author, is trying to reinvent herself after her fans discover she is not a believer in Happily Ever Afters! Her sister arranges for her to escape to a rural Alaskan resort to buckle down and focus on her first attempt at writing a mystery.

There was so much to love about this book! Like all romances, there were some slightly unbelievable coincidences (mainly that there is a smoking hot, kind, smart Alaskan man working at the lodge she is staying at) but most of it felt very grounded in reality. I especially loved the relationship with her sister, Savannah, and how their dynamic changes throughout the story. The portrayal of her chronic illness was authentic and positive.

The aspect of this novel I wasn’t expecting was how much intrigue there was! While Margot is in Alaska, her sister sends her letters every week. I would stay up late reading trying to get to the next letter! There were several plot points that I truly didn’t know how they would resolve and delighted in being surprised.

Any trope but you is the perfect book for all readers but especially for those who love the romance genre. There were little easter eggs throughout the book that were a delight to discover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I can't say enough about ANY TROPE BY YOU. What a fun, cozy debut! Victoria Lavine is officially one to watch. The story is well-paced, witty, and charming from start to finish with characters that pop off the page. Its hook—a romance writer who doesn't believe in Happily Ever Afters—becomes both realistic and complex thanks to Lavine's thoughtful storytelling. Margot and Forrest have palpable, page-turning chemistry and the side characters make just enough appearances to add a richness to the love story. I've already recommended ANY TROPE BUT YOU to several friends and I can't wait to see what Victoria Lavine writes next.

“i’m forrest. from the forest.” 📔🪵🤍🏕️

thank you atria & victoria lavine for “any trope but you” arc!

OH EM GEE! this book truly was one of the funniest romance books packed with such an incredible meaning and two characters who have only ever put themselves first. margot & forrest are the perfect match for each other and i have so much love for them!

everyone deserves their own happily ever after. and i was giddy reading about theirs together! the two of them have placed their family as the priority, and with the situations they are both dealt, it could only be each other (what a great trope)!

UGH loved very single second of this!

I really enjoyed this fun, heartwarming book by Victoria. The main characters Margot and Forrest are wonderfully written and I liked their character arc's. I felt bad for Margot in the beginning after being cancelled and I wasn't sure how she was going to come back from that, but I think it's done well and I love that Forrest was right there with her the whole time. Also, the fact that Forrest downloaded and read her books on his kindle was the cutest thing I've ever heard. The chemistry between these two was palpable.

Great read from a debut author and I'm looking forward to reading more of their work!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and quick read! Occasionally the focus on ‘tropes’ as a plot theme felt a bit too forced, but generally sweet and enjoyable.

Okay, this was recommended to me and at first i was like oh fun she’s a writer, she’s going to alaska and gonna fall in love. and it’s true, those things all happen. HOWEVER, no one prepared me for the amazing journey of these two. They are reflections of each other, they see each other, and it’s stunningly gorgeous and made me actually sob like a baby. and then just knocked it out of the park.

Thank you to the publisher / author / NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

*Immediately and expeditiously adds Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine to my Best Reads of 2024 list*

After hearing some rave reviews about a debut set to come out in 2025, I requested it on NetGalley thinking, why not? Little did I think I would actually get an ARC. Even less so, did I think that it would be one of the greatest books I've read this year.

Margot Bradley is a romance novelist who, after some daddy issues and a broken engagement, is a huge skeptic of the classic HEA. When this skepticism comes to light in dramatic fashion, her romance-reader fanbase turns against her. Margot retreats to the Alaskan wild to reinvent herself and pivot to the murder-mystery genre at her sister, Savannah's, urging.

Forrest lives at his family's North Star Lodge, where he is a caretaker for his father who had a debilitating accident, resulting in lifelong disabilities. Forrest has also found himself hurt in the past by an entanglement with a previous Lodge resident, which has left him jaded when it comes to relationships.

Margot and Forrest have the most adorable meet-cute (a moment for the stunning cover!), and despite their undeniable, immediate attraction, the two fight to keep things platonic. Cue weeks of pining & classic romance tropes that lead to their inevitable love story. However, with Margot and Forrest both facing caretaking responsibilities in California & Alaska respectively, will they find a way to make their own Happily Ever After?

A few remarkable notes about this book:
~Lavine's writing is absolutely hysterical! Any Trope but You deals with some tough, heavy topics. But, she approaches these topics with humor and levity that had me chuckling to myself from the second chapter.
~The spice in this novel was top notch - I'm looking at you, sauna scene.
~There are so many fun Swiftie moments in this book! If you've had TTPD on a repeat since it came out, you'll love this book.

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

I will rave until I'm blue in the face about how much I loved this. Don't wait until it comes out in April 2025 - request it on NetGalley TODAY. You're welcome.

I don't know if I can say enough good things about this book. Funny, sweet, heartwarming, all of the above?
Absolutely head over heels for both Margot and Forrest in this one. And a debut???? Victoria Lavin is without a doubt going on my list of authors to watch.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion 🫶🏻 and my honest opinion is that it sat on my shelf waaaaaaaay too long unread. This was EXCELLENT.