Margot meets Forrest when she is in Alaska trying to write her novel. From the moment she meets him she can't help but think how many tropes are met. A fun read.

This was an incredible debut by Victoria with a premise that had me well and truly hooked. I loved the chemistry between Margot and Forrest, they were very similar but because of that it made it harder for them to give in to their feelings. I giggled at the fact that Forrest was practically a human form of all the best tropes which wasn't making it easier for Margot to hate everything about love. Any Trope But You is a really fun and quirky novel with some deep moments woven within but a happy ending makes up for all the battles the two had to go through just to get there.

The title really made me laugh as we all have tropes that we dislike! So many tropes, so little time but for me this made it a fun and exciting read as we explored the characters.

Any Trope But You is the incredible debut from Victoria Lavine. It is genuinely one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read in a long time; it’s full of incredible characters, all of the glorious tropes and it’s so very meta - I adored it!

After hugely successful and popular romance author Margot finds herself being cancelled when someone leaks that she of all people doesn’t believe in HEAs, her sister thinks the best thing for her is to get away… to Alaska! Margot’s sister Savannah books her an extended trip at a wilderness lodge in the hope that Margot will be able to write her comeback manuscript. What neither of them expected was for Margot to meet Forrest, one of the lodge’s proprietors who seems to be a romance hero in the flesh. As one trope after another draws them together over long snowy nights, one thing is clear: Margot and Forrest have landed in a romance novel of their very own. But will they each be able to overcome their fears, or risk becoming another of Margot's Happily Never Afters themselves...

I loved pretty much everything about this one. Firstly, Lavine has gifted us the most beautiful, nuanced and deeply human characters, and not just in our MCs. The whole cast is so special and together make this book come alive. I was so deeply rooting for Margot and Forrest and adored the fact that in addition to their growing feelings we got to see some incredible individual development arcs. These two give so very much of themselves to others, that to see them be able to try and carve out their own HEA - ah perfection.

These tropes, I mean who doesn’t want to read about a romance author living through the very tropes she writes! At first Margot tries to resist them but we all know the lure of a good trope is impossible. As well as bring incredibly moving in places (I most definitely cried - no shame here) this novel is also very fun, most often when the tropes get involved.

It’s hardest describe just how much I enjoyed this one, but to say I’m excited gif what Lavine writes next would be an understatement.

this was like the book that takes the cynic you are, think you are, want to be and pushes it all at you with every single trope it can. but it does so with every intention. and it does so and somehow it pulls you in time after time, trope after trope and just helps you see why tropes are indeed tropes and why actually we all need them. its a mocking reader that becomes the mockee when the book falls for itself because its just so blooming good!
our characters. the tropes. perfection. i love how it explores all the cynicisms some of us have or think we should have with the tropes. and alongside the words we and the fmc are totally dismantled and fall in love with each and every one of those tropes.
this book is so unique and so very original and besides all that it just worked as a brilliant read.
Margot is fantastic as a character. she a romance author who doesnt believe in romance. and when this is leaked it all goes to pot. she is modern day canceled. so what does one do? well yeh, run away to a far flung corner of the earth of course. possibly to write something new? yeh, something dark might fit her current mood and sense of self.
ooooooh but she didnt count on our male main character Forest. no neither did we. and swoooooooooooon we all go. but ha, Margot is arrrd right? she knows the tropes and laughs in the face of them,right? oopsie....perhaps not. and perhaps our cynic might just learn why nothing ever comes from nowhere and that includes tropes.
they both are with their issues though. thats also explored really well. and made me love Forest even more.
this book knows exactly what its done and is a standout book because of it.
i loved this book. read,read this book now.

Loved it. Was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed the push and pull of both the main characters. Had me chuckling several times and tearing up at others.
My first book by Victoria Lavine and won’t be my last.

This was the perfect rom com. So deliciously meta and heartfelt, I was hooked from the first sentence (and a little called out). Forrest and Margot had such great chemistry from the very first slightly fraught meet cute until the end. I loved how they had an implicit understanding of one another and how they navigated that together. The communication between the two of them was so good and felt so realistic. I flew through the book and it soothed my soul and made me feel all the things that a good romance book should

I had higher expectations for this book and it didn’t disappoint!

From the amazing romance to the character growth and the gorgeous setting, this book hit the nail in the head on every front!

The romance had me hooked. The tension between Margot and Forrest was great and as much as I just wanted them to be together, I did enjoy the earlier chapters where they were trying so hard (and failing) at not letting their chemistry and feelings takeover. After everything they went through, they deserved to be happy and I couldn’t have been more thrilled when they finally gave in to their feelings and later fully committed to being together for good.

As per the title, tropes are a big part of this book and I truly ate them all up! Even Margot found the enormous amount; there were a lot of them in the book but I loved it and found they all fit within the plot without feeling forced).

I’m obsessed with Forrest - he literally is the dream book boyfriend and loved Margot so much. I also loved Margot and how strong she was; her character development throughout the book was great to witness and seeing her fall inevitably fall in love with Forrest was heartwarming. They had a lot in common, including the experience of caring for loved ones and they understood each other better than most, which made them a perfect fit even though it also made it harder for them to be together at one point.

I did find the ending a bit rushed, and would have loved to have seen Forrest and Margot beginning to build their life together in LA but that didn’t make reading this book any less enjoyable.

Overall, this was a great debut and a perfect read for any romance lovers! It is out in the US now and in the UK tomorrow so make sure to check it out!!

Huge thanks to Zaffre and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the premise a lot, a romance writer who doesn’t believe in happily ever after anymore finding herself stuck with a living breathing romantic trope was right up my alley. It started off nicely, I liked the alternating povs, the writing was good and the banter was alright . Unfortunately about midway I realised I just was not invested in Margot or Forrest’s story and that means I am not rooting for them to get the Hea. Not sure why I did not connect with the romance, partly Margot being so hot and cold with Forrest and Forrest being a little too perfect? I think a lot of people will enjoy this book unfortunately it wasn’t for me. 2 .5 ⭐️

Popular romance author Margot Bradley has a secret. She didn’t believe in happy ever aftershave when this becomes common knowledge, she fears her career is over. Her sister decides she needs a change of scenery so packets off to the Alaskan wilderness. She’ll spend six weeks in a cabin swapping writing romance novels for murder mysteries. But then she meets the handsome owner Forrest and her world is turned upside down. Could Margot finally get her happy ever after? I enjoyed this novel, it’s fun and quirky and kept me entertained throughout. Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Nooks UK and the author for the chance to review.

This book is the glorious trope-fest you might expect. It squeezes in so many tropes and sub-tropes that we all know and love, crafting a really great romance out in the wilds (there are not enough lumberjack mmcs in my opinion) and one with plenty of legitimate obstacles. These main characters are fleshed out well, with interesting lives and complex experiences and circumstances they have to get to grip with. Around all that, Margot and Forrest are spending a lot of time together (hello, forced proximity) and really building up some chemistry. They have more in common than they thought, and as the story progresses they open up to each other and really get vulnerable. There are some really great side characters in here who help to build a community in the Alaskan wilderness, though Margot's sister might well have been my favourite. It's always great to see characters like me who experience chronic illness flare ups represented too, so extra love to the story for this.

This is a great story for romance lovers and an excellent opportunity to play trope bingo, with representation of family carers, disability, and chronic illness. Who can resist?

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Hands down, one of the best contemporary romance books I've read.

Hilarious, incredibly emotional and heartfelt, a story of finally experiencing an honest Happily Ever After.

The characters had the most amazing chemistry, there were funny moments, as well as deeply vulnerable ones. And so very sexy! The spice was so hot, very well written, it had me swooning and blushing.

Everything was so realistic too, from the initial attraction and how the relationship progressed, to the plot, and the love for romance books and romance readers. Relating the scenarios in the story to romance tropes was clever, and didn't feel forced or irritating at any time.

And I absolutely loved Margot's relationship with her sister, the letters made my heart soar and brought tears to my eyes. Savannah's book next, please!

I liked this book, it was so cute! 4.25 stars!

Any Trope But You had, not surprisingly, pretty much every trope that you can think of, but I liked the way that some of them were introduced! I was a bit worried that it would feel a little bit cheesy, corny or overdone by having so many tropes, but the funny and sarcastic way some of them were introduced made it very enjoyable!

I liked Margot, she was a very strong and well developed character, and I found her relatable and likeable. Her relationship with Savannah was beautiful, honest and raw, and I really liked all the scenes they shared together, as well as having Savannah's letters as little breaks within the story. I appreciated how realistically it was portrayed, as even loving sibling relationships have their problems.

Forrest was obviously written to be the perfect MMC, so it is no surprise that I really liked him. He was swoon-worthy, loving, and caring. As a breast cancer researcher myself, I quite enjoyed that that was also Forrest's job, and I appreciated the way it was integrated into the story. His relationship with his dad was heart-warming but also complicated, and I felt like it was presented with care.

One thing that reeeeeeeaaally annoyed me was when Margot learns about Charlotte's review and immediately believes that Forrest was an bad guy. Like, I am all for feminine support, and I also get that she was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but c'mon! She's an adult woman, she was already quite close with Forrest, he had not given her any reasons to think that he was anything but a good person, and because of a very short review with barely information, she immediately got mad at him and thought the worst of it without even waiting to have a conversation. It just felt like it was unnecessary drama, and I found it frustrating.

I really liked the ending, it was quite emotional but also beautiful, and I was left with happy and hopeful feelings. Also, this book has made me desperate to visit Alaska and go on lots of excursions, it was very well set!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK, and Victoria Lavine for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Five stars, no question—Any Trope But You has instantly cemented itself as one of my all-time favourite romance reads.

From the very first page, Victoria Lavine’s writing had me hooked.

This book is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy romance, and some of the most relatable quotes I’ve ever come across.

Lavine’s writing flows beautifully, striking the perfect balance between heartfelt and hilarious.

While some romance novels can lean too heavily into poetic or existential musings, making them feel a bit pretentious, this one masterfully blends self-awareness and humour, making every emotional beat hit just right.

There are plenty of pop culture references throughout—which can sometimes be a hit or miss—but they worked perfectly here, especially the Taylor Swift mentions.

And let’s talk about the spice. The intimate scenes? Absolutely flawless.

My jaw was on the floor in a “this is chef’s kiss perfect” kind of way—no notes, no complaints, just pure perfection.

Lavine knows how to write chemistry in a way that feels both electric and deeply emotional.

This is the kind of romance that reminds you why you love the genre in the first place. Victoria Lavine is now an auto-buy author for me, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"This book is a love letter to romance" is how the author describes it, and she's not wrong. Every trope us romance lovers could want all wrapped up in one book! I loved Forest and Margot, their story was easy to fall into; funny, sad, swoony.
I loved this!

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Any Trope But You is a sweet story about a romance author who’s outed by one of her fans as someone who doesn’t believe in Happily Ever After’s, and her whole life comes crashing down.

What follows, after her sister ships her off to Alaska for some offline time to figure out what her next steps are going to be, is a rustic and heartfelt story that dives into grief, the fear of loss, family and how impactful loving relationships can be, whether they are romantic or platonic.

I really adored the pace of this story, the writing was easy to fall into whilst being heartfelt and funny (if a little cheesy at times). It’s a predictable plot, but that doesn’t take away anything from the enjoyment I felt reading it. Both Forrest and Margot are extremely likeable characters and their meet-cute at the beginning of the story had me grinning from ear to ear.

To sum up, Any Trope But You is a romance that pulls together all of your favourite tropes in a witty, entertaining and heart melting story that you can’t put down. I definitely recommend!

My favourite quote from the book:
“We’re two sides of the same mirror, perfect reflections of each other, unable to breach the glass.”

Pick up this gorgeous hug of a book and get transported to a beautiful place wraps itself round you like a cosy blanket. It has warmth, charm, laugh-out-loud moments and a wistful nostalgia. I absolutely loved it.

3.5 stars. I liked this book! I do think that it was dragged on a little long, and towards the end the curveball just prolonged the main character's HEA in a way that felt unnecessary...I appreciated the premise of this book and how the character interactions were written (overall very wholesome!) The plot at the start was great in a non-cringe way, though the end was not really fleshed out well enough in my opinion to get to the moving back to California decision - and the justification of the characters being similar was just continuously stressed throughout as the only reason for a deeper attraction to each other.

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

Margot & Forrest
Enemies to lovers
Forced Proximity
Romance Author x Doctor
Grumpy x Grumpier

This one is so freaking cute!

Margot is a romance author, but she doesn't believe in a happily ever after. Some of her private writing gets shared online and she finds herself losing fans and publishing deals!

Her sister sends her away to an Alaskan resort for a break, where she finds herself running away from a moose into the arms of Forrest!

I love how different this book felt to other books and I really enjoyed the story 🥰

When bestselling romance author Margot Bradley flees to Alaska after her Happily After Never files get leaked on the internet and she goes from being adored by romance readers to shunned by the whole of the book community, her plan is to move away from the romance genre completely and write a murder mystery but the rugged owner of the resort proves difficult to ignore. Could he re-ignite Margot's belief in love and romance?

This was so much fun! Margot writes romance but actually doesn't believe in Happy Ever Afters since her own love life has been less than plain sailing, the way she writes alternate endings in a file locked away for her books was so funny and actually really relatable.

Forrest has his dream job of being a top cancer researcher, but after his Dad's accident, he gives it all up to move back to the resort to take care of him. When Margot literally jumps into his arms after being freaked out by a friendly moose called Bullwinkle, sparks fly, but can he be everything she wants and, more importantly, deserves. With Margot living in California with her chronically ill sister and Forrest in Alaska, how could it ever work?

This is such a beautiful romance. The spice was slightly cringy, but Any Trope But You is a hilarious, swoon worthy romance full of side characters that will melt your heart who you also just want the absolute best for. Savannah, Margot's sister is the absolute star of this book for me. I loved how she supported Margot whilst still battling her own stuff and her desire for independence.
This book had me laughing out loud, and the way Forrest and Margot understood what each other was going through and still showed up for each other was adorable. They really bring the best out of each other, and the ending had me tear up because it was so sweet.