Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Zaffre and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A bestselling romance author flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and write her first murder mystery, but the rugged resort proprietor soon has her fearing she’s living in a rom-com plot instead in this earnestly spectacular debut by a stunning new voice.

Beloved romance author Margot Bradley has a dark secret: she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, and not even for her characters, for whom she secretly writes alternate endings that swap weddings and babies for divorce papers and the occasional slashed tire. When her Happily Never After document is hacked and released to the public, she finds herself canceled by her readers and dropped by her publisher.

Desperate to find a way to continue supporting her chronically ill sister, Savannah, Margot decides to trade meet-cutes for murder. The fictional kind. Probably. But when Savannah books Margot a six-week stay in a remote Alaskan resort to pen her first murder mystery, Margot finds herself running from a moose and leaping into the arms of the handsome proprietor, making her fear she’s just landed in a romance novel instead.

My Opinion

Victoria Lavine has written an enjoyable novel with a fun premise. A light-hearted read with some great characters. A great debut novel.

Rating 4/5

Any Trope But You is basically what happens when a romance author who secretly hates happy endings gets canceled by the internet and decides to write murder mysteries instead. Chaos ensues!

Margot Bradley's been secretly writing alternate endings where her characters get divorced instead of married (honestly, relatable), but when her "Happily Never After" document gets leaked, she's basically exiled from Romancelandia. So she heads to remote Alaska to write her first mystery novel and immediately runs into every romance trope imaginable—including literally running from a moose into the arms of a hot doctor who owns the resort. Forrest left his cancer research job to care for his sick dad, and the last thing he needs is to fall for someone with a literal checkout date. But apparently the universe has other plans, because these two can't escape the rom-com madness.

This book is not only funny, it's also basically a love letter to the entire romance genre while also being a genuinely sweet story about two people learning to trust love again. The author manages to hit every beloved trope while making it feel fresh and heartfelt. Perfect for anyone who's ever had complicated feelings about happily ever afters!

Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine is a fun, self-aware romcom that plays with every beloved trope in the book - quite literally. The story follows Margot, a disgraced romcom author who finds herself unexpectedly falling for someone who seems to embody every classic romance cliché, much to her dismay. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the Alaskan setting adds a gorgeous, atmospheric backdrop to the story. The side characters are warm and likeable, and the premise is clever, especially for fans of romcoms who enjoy a meta twist on the genre.

That said, the pacing felt a bit slow for me, and the side plot involving the letters dragged on longer than it needed to. The big reveal involving the sister also didn’t quite land for me (it was beautiful for sure and made me a nit emotional but by then I was just over the whole letters thing). While I appreciated what the story was trying to do, it didn’t fully click for me overall.

Still, it’s a light and imaginative read that fans of trope-heavy romances may really enjoy.

Any Trope But You is a sweet, swoony, and spicy romance debut set in the beautifully depicted wild, remote Alaskan winter wonderland. Victoria Lavine's writing is easy to read, entertaining, and full of good old-fashioned rom-com vibes that will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. I love that she wrote the romance from both Margot's and Forrest's points of view to give her storytelling an emotional and rich depth. Her characters are well-developed, with depth, self-awareness, and complicated emotions stemming from their life experiences that spawn conflict and barriers in their lives when it all comes crashing down around them.

The romantic chemistry between Margot and Forrest sparks from the moment they get off on the wrong foot during their meet-cute. I loved watching these two grumps trying to resist their connection, failing to see how similar they actually were, and finding reasons to dislike each other until they realised their shared experiences and struggles in caring for their sick loved ones. At heart, they are both very loving, caring, and supportive types who will do anything for the people they love who carry around some weight baggage that makes their character journeys pull on the heartstrings as they brave the plunge to let themselves fall in love after conquering their fears, accepting they can put their own needs first and still be there for their loved ones.

Thank you, Bonnier Books UK and Victoria Lavine, for approving my NetGalley eARC request for Any Trope But You. You can easily binge this book one sitting with a cozy blanket and a big mug of tea as it sucks you into cozy lodges, snowy landscapes, and packed to the rooftop with tropes. I feel like there should have been a trope bingo card printed as a page in this book to mark off as many as you can find.

Any Trope But You has an intriguing premise; Margot, a disillusioned romance author, is sent off by her sister following a recent career impacting scandal to an Alaskan retreat to write her latest book. Obviously the lodge is run by the handsome Forrest (who has his own story), but both can’t escape the unrelenting romance tropes / scenarios which keep pushing them together.
It is / has:
•F/M romance, with a ‘fish out of water’ FMC
•So many romance tropes
•Alaskan setting
•Debut author
•Dual POV

Any Trope But You was very well written, it is paced well, and has a lot elements I’m sure many readers will enjoy. However, I personally struggled to connect with Margot, the FMC of the story (but she did grow on me).
Plus whilst reading I lost momentum, and then put it aside (although some of this was in part due to a reading slump). But I’m glad I returned to the story and finished it, there is engaging character development for both Margot and Forrest, and an interesting exploration of familial caring responsibilities (which I did find challenging at times, which I wasn’t expecting to, due to my own personal experiences of being a young carer).

Overall, this just wasn’t a book for me. But regardless of my thoughts on this I know many people have really enjoyed it. The overt use of tropes that are self referenced by Margot is one that I suspect many romance readers will enjoy and find very entertaining.
Plus I’ll be interested to see what this author writes next.

Let’s start off with the POV, told from two perspectives, Margot and Forrest. Mid length chapters, maybe a little longer than I like but that’s personal preference! A little more rom than com if I’m honest, it did have its moments where I had a chuckle though, a good read but predictable in places! I really enjoyed the depth behind the characters which made me really like them both, Margot felt quite relatable, finely protective of her family and cynical towards love, I get it 👀 not too spicy in the spice department but enough to give off some heat! This is one for the romance lovers!

4.5 rounded to 5.

A heartfelt, trope-filled romance that blends forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, and enemies-to-lovers into a charming, emotional journey. Any Trope But You delivers wit, warmth, and unexpected depth, making it a standout debut.

✨ A romance author fleeing scandal 💫 A reluctant resort owner with secrets 🏔️ A remote Alaskan lodge full of surprises

Lavine’s writing is sharp and engaging, balancing humour with emotional weight. Margot and Forrest’s dynamic is electric, with banter that crackles and moments of vulnerability that hit hard. While some tropes feel a bit overstuffed, the execution is thoughtful and entertaining, making this a comfort read with real heart.

If you love rom-coms with emotional depth, reluctant heroes, and snowy, atmospheric settings, this one is worth picking up!

This was such a fun read, like a specific trope, probably in here. It was hilarious that Margot was even saying how bizarre it was! I am looking forward to reading whatever Lavine does next.

4.5 ⭐️

I was honestly a little sceptical about this book and how it would work, but was very pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed it, and loved both Margot and Forrest’s characters, as well as all the side characters. It’s unusual and original.

A really interesting take on a love story based around tropes, and I was rooting for these 2 the whole way through.
There are definitely some emotional moments and one of my favourite things was how easily Margot and Forrest related to each others struggles, feelings and fears in caring for their sick loved ones.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC.

✔️Set in Alaska
✔️romance author fmc
✔️forced proximity
✔️dislike to love
✔️chronic illness rep

3,75

Any Trope but You was literally written for romance readers. I always love to read books about books, authors, avid readers, etc. and it was definitely fun to get in Margot's head, the best-selling romance author.

I really liked Margot and Forrest, their chemistry was undeniable and I loved reading their story and how they opened up and warmed up to each other. And Forrest is obviously dreamy.

I also love Margot and Savannah's relationship. It was really lovely to read about such a loving, caring, supportive, and honest sister relationship. And it was so heartwarming to read about Forrest's dad and how he welcomed Margot.

While I know this book has a big emphasis on romance tropes (just read the title) I feel many of them were unnecessary and forced. Also, this is supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers but I didn't feel it like that at all if anything there was only a mild dislike but mostly for appearances because they were both practically instantly attracted to each other. There were some other things I didn't enjoy much but it'd be too spoilery.

Still, it was a fun book and I know many people will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This debut novel by Victoria Lavine was so much fun! I found this a really easy read with a good pace and enjoyable characters.

Any Trope But You follows the story of bestselling romance author, Margot Bradley, as her world is turned upside down following her being hacked and her secret Happily Never After document being released to the world. This document contains alternative not so happy endings for all of her fan's favourite characters which crushes the romance community, leaves Margot being cancelled by her fans and dropped by her publisher.

To help her process this and piece back together her reputation, Margot's sister books her on a six-week stay in a remote Alaskan resort where she'll hopefully have no distractions and can focus on her writing. However, there is of course a distraction, and his name is Forrest Wakefield.

I really enjoyed reading Any Trope But You and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, easy romance read! As the title suggests there is so many tropes dotted throughout the book which I really enjoyed and found it funny how many Victoria managed to add in! I liked the chemistry and banter between Margot and Forrest, they had a great connection and really helped eachother through some difficult times. I also loved the setting of a remote resort in Alaska, the descriptions were spot on and it made me really want to book a snowy adventure holiday!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Truly the dreamiest romance. Margot and Forrest were a mirror to each other and it was just such a delight to watch them fall in love. Great side characters, incredible chemistry, and a delicious dose of heat to keep the Alaskan chill away. 🙂‍↔️ I can't wait for whatever Victoria writes next!

Any Trope But You is a bingeable, spicy and heartwarming read which is *chef's kiss* for these sunny days. A remote Alaskan cabin turns out to be the most incredible setting for a romance! As the title suggests, Margot and Forrest have trope after trope thrown at them but how do they handle them?

Oh, this book was truly such a joy to read. It’s sweet, romantic, spicy and hilarious. The tension between Forrest and Margot is *chef’s kiss* and I found myself really liking the side characters too. Set in snowy, remote Alaska, this story makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a blanket, in a cute lodge, with a hot chocolate in your hands. Imagine going on a retreat that turns into a real life rom com and meeting a gorgeous man who embodies all of your favourite tropes. Such a fun idea and it was executed really well. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

#adprproduct

I want to thank Netgalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I had so much fun listening to this one. Margot and Forest had an undeniable chemistry and kept me equal parts tortured and entertained with their slow burn. Forest in particular made me swoon with his grumpy but caring nature.

The beautiful setting of Alaska has now been added to my wishlist of destinations, even the idea of a wilderness hike sounds appealing.

If you're a fan of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity and spice then this is the book for you. It's littered with the best romance tropes and filled with a lot of heart.

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

This book was interesting enough to hold my attention while I was reading but I didn’t immediately want to keep picking it up!

Overall it was a good read

Romance novelist Margot, who doesn't believe in real-life happy endings, goes to Alaska and meets hers, in the form of Forrest. The abundance of tropes encountered along the way doesn't feel forced, and whilst occasionally the meta nature of this brought me out of the story, it was mostly handed well by Victoria Levine.
There have been a glut of romcomcs centering around romance writers recently but I found Levine's approach fresher and significantly less derivative than many others. I also enjoyed the characterisation, setting and prose. Spice fans will be very keen on this one.

Romance writer Margot Bradley is cancelled after a stunning on-air revelation that she doesn’t really believe in romance. Her publishers back off, even though she was about to drop a new book, and she is cajoled into spending weeks in the Alaskan wilderness. Her plan is to try and write in a totally different genre, but the world seems determined to prove her wrong.
From the moment she meets Forrest outside the lodge she is booked to stay in, he seems to fit every romance trope going. Physically attractive, a doctor, altruistic (he’s given up on his promising career in cancer research to care for his father) and good with his hands, she does all she can not to succumb to his obvious charms. After all, no one can be that good, can they?
As we’re in romance territory there are no real surprises here. Circumstances conspire to ensure Forrest and Margot are thrown together at every available opportunity. They each learn things about the other that challenges their assumptions. Events mean they end up in close proximity with alarming regularity, and each time results in their determined reserve around each other is thrown off-kilter.
From start to finish you get exactly what you are expecting. It’s entertaining, and not particularly smutty (which was a pleasant change), but I did find myself ticking off the expected moments/situations as they arrived.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this prior to publication.

I really enjoyed this book! From the remote location, to the hear of gold mmc, to the oops there’s only one tent situation I thought this book had such a great mix of heartfelt and funny moments that really came together to make such an enjoyable read.

What to expect:
Instant Attraction
Dislike to Love
Wilderness (mis)Adventures
Only One Tent
Romance Author
Disability Rep
Family
Happily Ever Afters

In Any Trope But You, we see Margot Bradley needed an escape. Her secret (and highly private) Happily Never After list has been leaked all over the internet, and as a romance author, disasters ensued. After being cancelled by her fans and dropped by her publishing, Margot's sister Savannah ships her off for a reinvention retreat, to the Alaskan wilderness …

Any Trope But You is a love letter to the romance genre, with a little twist. I adored that Margot was so put out by Forrest being the embodiment of so many tropes, it showed just how jaded she’d become and I was here for it. I love a good grumpy heroine. There were a lot of romance tropes in this book, but given the title, I wasn’t disappointed or rolling my eyes, I was eagerly wondering which one was going to pop up next. It was a break-in-the-fourth-wall kind of vibe.

While the whole book was easy to read and very enjoyable, I didn’t love the ending. I hate third-act breakups, even more so when they could have been talked out instead. And while I loved seeing Margot get back into her life, when Forrest turned up in those last few pages, it all felt rushed.

However, this was a fun, easily enjoyable read that mixed sex and spice with sweet and tender moments. Enjoy.