
Member Reviews

This book has a moose on the cover and that alone makes it a good book. The writing and story are also good. I am a sucker for the "I don't believe in happily ever after or love" and this book did not disappoint. If you enjoyed the Moose Springs series by Sarah Morganthaler or The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston, check this one out as well!

Heartwarming, winter vibes. It took me a little longer than normal to get through, which makes me think maybe something is up with the pacing, but once I got though the first 10% I was hooked and couldn’t wait to pick it back up.
I found both of the main characters as well as the supporting cast to be well written and engaging. I love that even though (spoilers) there’s a 3rd act breakup, it’s truly a breakup over extenuating circumstances and both parties trying to do the right thing rather than a miscommunication or something blown out of proportion.

I really appreciated the idea behind the book, but I struggled to relate to the characters. It has great potential to be a warm and festive read, yet it didn't resonate with me.

I think this is a VERY strong debut! I loved Victoria's writing style and the concept was so great. It may just be me, but I struggled to connect and ship the characters. However, I had fun reading this and I genuinely feel like Victoria Lavine is a great writer and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!
Thank you so much to Atria Books for my ARC, I truly appreciate it!
3.5/5

I really really enjoyed everything about this book! I only wish the ending was a bit less abrupt. But I really loved the unique story and all the characters! The story is quite interesting and I loved the setting!

This was a cute book with lots of fun tropes (I mean, obviously… look at the title of the book). I liked that Margot and Forrest were both caregivers - I felt like it added a lot of depth to their characters and helped them connect on a deeper level. These two storylines played out really well and I liked how the book touched on how hard it is to be a caregiver for a loved one. In addition to being a caregiver for her sister, Margot was also a jaded romance writer who didn’t believe in love and recently had all her fans turn against her after they learned this fact. This storyline felt a little unrealistic to me. I had a hard time believing that everyone, including her publisher, would drop her for not believing in HEA, especially given how much everyone liked her books. I was willing to suspend my belief for the sake of the story, however.
Margot and Forrest’s relationship felt kind of rushed. They have a kind of “love at first sight” moment and then become “enemies to lovers”. I really did not feel the enemies vibes. It was, at best, forced dislike with a strong undercurrent of lust. They were both into each other but trying to stay away so it just didn’t feel like enemies to lovers to me.
There was a 2nd act (3rd act? 2.5th act?) argument that didn’t sit well with me. I felt like Margot was very impulsive and quick to turn on Forrest despite him giving her no reason to distrust him. This was easily resolved which almost made it worse because it showed how wishy washy Margot was. Then there was also a third act breakup that felt so rushed and didn’t really make me root for the characters. The resolution was enjoyable enough but I wanted more after it - I wanted a little more proof that the characters were going to work at their HEA.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!

I am SHOOK that this is Victoria’s debut novel. This book had everything you want in a romcom and so much more. It had the sweet moments that made me want to scream, clutch my kindle to my chest & kick my feet. It had tenderness and portrayed this beautiful sibling bond between our FMC and her sister, and every single letter had me fully in tears. It also had every single one of my favorite tropes (hence the title) and they were all done SO well, and all called out in hilarious ways by our jaded romance author FMC.
I also, to no surprise, loved the grumpy, jaded FMC and how much she tried to fight her feelings for the adorable, sweet, helpful, hot doctor lumberjack all of the above MMC. The connection they built over the span of the book was truly magical and I just will never stop gushing over it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!! <3

📖 Book Review 📖 It’s a well known fact up in Alaska that people who relocate up there from the lower 48 tend to be running from something in their past. When Margot’s successful writing career blows up in her faces when her fans discover that she doesn’t actually believe in Happily Ever Afters, she escapes/retreats to Alaska in an attempt to heal and jumpstart the next phase of her writing journey. What she doesn’t expect to find is a handsome doctor who is also in Alaska to find healing and wholeness after loss. Any Trope But You takes all the things we love about romance books (and there are so many) and magically transports it to the majestic wintry wonderland of Alaska. Victoria Lavine’s characters and plot are filled with depth and emotion that readers will relate to and wraps it up in a cozy, delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster for my advanced copy of “Any Trope but You” from debut author Victoria Lavine.
In this charming novel, we are introduced to Margot, our main female character (MFC), and Forrest, the main male character (MMC), in a delightful grumpy x sunshine dynamic that will capture your heart. Margot experiences a major setback when a personal diary—meant only for her eyes—leaks and leads to her being “canceled.” Seeking refuge, she escapes to Alaska to reinvent herself and her writing, only to find herself entangled in a whirlwind of romantic tropes with the handsome Forrest. Despite her efforts to keep her heart guarded, the sparks fly as they navigate their very different lives.
The storyline is rich with humor and tension, as Margot and Forrest are forced to share both a tent and later a cabin, creating an abundance of banter and chemistry. The balance of the slow-burn romance is executed perfectly—not too slow to frustrate, yet not rushed, allowing readers to truly savor the buildup.
What struck me most was the depth of character development throughout the novel. Every character, not just our leads, is intricately crafted, making me eager to know more about each one. Lavine's vivid descriptions of the Alaskan landscape transported me back to my own trip, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Although I typically lean away from enemies-to-lovers tropes, “Any Trope but You” has won me over. If you’re a fan of meet-cute romances and two POV, this book should be at the top of your list for next year’s must-read romances. I will be recommending it to all my friends and family, and I will eagerly await Victoria Lavine’s future works.

Any Trope but You is a charming and heartfelt debut that checks all the boxes for a swoon-worthy romance while also offering so much more. Margot is a bestselling romance author struggling with her own personal heartbreak who embarks on a transformative journey to Alaska- and what follows is a fun blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth.
The chemistry between Margot and Forrest is off the charts! Their banter is witty and fun, and the slow-burn romance had me absolutely hooked. The tension builds beautifully and when they finally come together, it's electric. But beyond the sizzling romance, the way Lavine dives into the complexities of trust, love, and vulnerability is what truly makes this book stand out.
The theme of caregiving is especially poignant. Margot’s dedication to her chronically ill sister and Forrest’s devotion to his father add a layer of depth and emotion that I wasn't expecting but deeply appreciated. It’s refreshing to see these real, raw struggles portrayed with such care and respect, showing how love isn't always easy, but it's always worth fighting for.
The setting in remote Alaska is the perfect backdrop for this story. It adds a layer of isolation and intimacy that allows the characters to truly connect on a deeper level. And, of course, the romance tropes- yes, there are plenty- are used in playful and purposeful way that adds to the story's charm without feeling overdone.
The emotional payoff is huge, and I won’t lie, there were moments that had me laughing out loud and others that brought tears to my eyes. Any Trope but You is a beautiful love letter to romance readers, to the complexities of real-life love, and to the healing power of human connection. Margot and Forrest’s journey is one of self-discovery, growth, and finding love where you least expect it. This book has everything you want in a romance- heat, humor, and a whole lot of heartwarming moments. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, steamy, and emotionally rich read. Without a doubt, I will be waiting for more from Victoria Lavine!

Margot Bradley is a romance writer who doesn’t believe in the happily ever after. Her careeer gets upended as she gets dropped by her publisher after a private file she had was leaked on social media. Her sister Savannah who has been her best friend and roommate sends her on a trip to Alaska to reinvent herself.
The location is remote with no Wi-Fi and no luxuries but offers plenty of outdoor adventures. Savanah is out of her comfort zone and her sister pushes her to embrace new things.
I laughed as the author included funny meet cute and every trope into this book and it was so heartfelt and endearing. Margot has had to overcome her bad relationships and when she meets Forrest she finally finds someone who sees her and understands her. They are both caretakers and care deeply for their families. They both learn so much from each other.
Margot grows and reinvents herself but only because of her sister.

I really loved this book. The main characters were enjoyable and had depth even through all of the cliche tropes which were anticipated based on the title alone. The side characters added to the story and were likable as well. Overall, it's one I would recommend to my friends. It was a quick read and I'd definitely add Victoria Lavine to my 'to-read' list from now on.

This book was super well written IMO, but maybe it’s just not my type of genre idk?? The book kicked off with some drama, which initially drew me in and had me hopeful I would be able to stay interested! But overall, the book felt a little sluggish and the characters didn’t feel like they ever developed a whole lot, making them hard to connect with. I almost just wished there was a little less detail about where she was, and more who she was.

3.5 ⭐️
This was a cute and fluffy romance book. I loved all the tropes it made the book so fun. The book was sweet but not my favorite. I loved Forrest. He is the perfect book boyfriend. I was not a huge fan of Margot. She was starting to get annoying. I understood why her character acted the way she did but it was a lot. I loved the side characters they made the story so entertaining. However I did find myself zoning out a lot while reading. It felt long and dragged out in the middle but then the ending felt rushed. I would have liked an epilogue to see what their future was like. Overall this was still a fun fluffy romance to read.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for this advanced copy!
This book was so fun! At first I was concerned that it leaned TOO heavily into the romance tropes-to the point of being predictable-but the back half rescued it for me. While it was still a little predictable (at least for someone who reads romance regularly), Margot and Forrest's similarities, how they've chosen to tackle their trauma, set them apart. I also loved Savannah; as an autoimmune girlie myself I hope we get to see more of her in the future, maybe through her own HEA (relationship in crisis with Cooper???) or as a side character again. I'm excited to see what else Victoria Lavine write in the future and would definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC of Any Trope But You.
This was an excellent spicy romcom. Full of banter, hilarious laugh out loud moments, great relationships with side characters, believable challenges to get through and a whole lot of fun in middle of nowhere Alaska. I loved that this was about a romance author and all the real life tropes she encountered. Writing was very well done, deep, funny, nothing too over done. This was a fun one. Definitely put it on your 2025 TBR.

4.25 stars // romance, contemporary romance, adult // 🩷
❝𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 - 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 - 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳❞
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ plot
margot is a romance author and writes the best happily ever afters, but what happens when one day she gets exposed for not believing in them. her sister sends her away on a 6-week long trip to alaska, where she doesn’t have proper access to wifi and has to complete wildlife excursions. meet forest, who left his job as a cancer researcher to work at an alaskan resort. he works there to care for his disabled father and the last thing he needs is to get involved with a guest. as the days go on and margot and forest experience cliche trope after trope, they have to think if there growing attraction is worth the risks.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ my review
so cute and I ate this book up. I don’t think any part was “slow” for me and I speeded through this book. her being a romance author was amazing. forest was a picture perfect book boyfriend physically and emotionally. there were so many cliché tropes in this book and I loved every single one. when I read that he was based on her husband, literal goals? (his personality) and like the way they both (both mc’s) cared about their family so much to put it before their lives and hit pause on their actual lives and careers for them, it shows how full of love they are. this book has complete wintery vibes and is also kind of emotional near the end. I loved the writing style and dual pov in this book. nothing was boring and I was very interested in the plot.
amazing debut novel and must add to tbr!!
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ tropes
❄️forced proximity
💞romance author fmc
❄️doctor mmc
💞snowed in

I received this ARC through NetGalley and let me just say I adored it! Now listen up romance fans, like all romance this might not be for you, but found this book adorable. First the setting is in Alaska which not many romance are so that was fun. Second, I know what you’re thinking a cute lumberjack for the hero right? Duh, but Forrest (oh the irony with the name!) or Dr. Forrest has an amazing backstory of how he came to be in this great Alaskan wilderness. Cue Margot, author of romance books who needs to escape a huge social media meltdown of her career. Her sister Savannah books her a 6 week trip to Alaska to reset and write her next novel which according to Margot will be a mystery/thriller, a complete 180 from her tanking romance career. She finds herself slowly warming to Alaska and to a certain tall, dark, and broody Forrest.
A solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.25. I loved this slow burn adorable romance with some fun banter.

This is my first book by this author, seeing as how it is a debut. That being said, I don't think this will be my last one. This book was such a surprise to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would!
This is such a good book to kick off the colder, winter season, and this is such a good read for girlies (or boys!) who love tropes. This book was spicy and sweet, and it's such an amazing mixture.
I want to personally thank NetGalley, as well as the author, publisher, and anyone else involved in providing copies, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nothing gives me life like a romance book that is an ode to romance books. As romance readers, we all recognize the tropes and we know ahead of time how the book will end, with a happily ever after. It's the definition of the genre, but it makes us happy every time. Margot, however, is a romance author who has lost her faith in love and HEAs. Through her own series of tropes and romantic adventures, she obviously learns to believe in love again. The end! And I ate it UP. Honestly, an impressive debut novel. I even loved reading the acknowledgments.
Thanks to netgalley and Atria books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Release date 4/1/25