I loved this book - such an easy fun and delightfully romantic read.

The FMC was a great main character to read about - funny, a bit hopeless at times and entirely relatable. I loved that it was a romance about a romance author. The relationship between the FMC and her sister was brilliant - so much banter and it really had me giggling.

The writing in this book was great, the story flowed and the pacing was spot on.

The romance was perfectly paced - a bit of dislike to love but there was nothing insta-lovey about it. They took time and. you could see the chemistry grow as they got to know each other which I really enjoyed. They were both delightful characters to read and I think they were well suited so I was definitely rooting for them.

Just a wonderful, uplifting romance. A brilliant read!

She’s a romance author that doesn’t believe in happily ever afters. Her career comes to an abrupt pause and she ends up at an off grid lodge in Alaska where she meets a man that fits the bill for every single one of the romance tropes she’s written about. This book is like a love letter to the romance readers, bookstagram community and to anyone who needs an extra dose of hope in their life.

I was thrilled to receive this arc as had already pegged it on my tbr on Goodreads.

However………. I really struggled to get into it. I’m pretty tired of authors using Taylor Swift references - it’’s a bit old hat and frankly, I find it really off putting.

Also whilst I appreciate it’s a tropey book by its very title, I think I was expecting it to be executed a bit better than it was - felt like I was being hit over the head with each one.

Really disappointed I didn’t enjoy it but thanks for the opportunity to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this Arc!

This book had me from the start!
Margot being a romance author with a high fanbase who find out she doesn’t believe In love sends her to Alaska to have some time and to write a new book in a new genre.
Whilst there she meets Forrest who has given up his career to care for his dad after an accident!

This book is funny, cute, romantic and a little spicy at times! The idea of her seeing all the book tropes happening with Forrest is hilarious and lovely to see.

I was genuinely Interested as to what was going to happen next,
If you’re looking to curl up by the fire with a cute book this is the one!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the copy 💕

This was such a cute and cozy book! It did take a little while to get into but once I did I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. I found myself getting invested in Margot and Forrest's relationship and was rooting for their happy ending the entire way through the story. It's definitely one to sit and read in winter by a cozy fire

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧…
🏔️ love letter to romance
🫎 jaded romance author fmc
🏔️ forced proximity
🫎 only one tent

𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ★★★★.✫

𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨…
When fans learn that romance author Margot Bradley doesn’t believe in HEAs, and decide to cancel her, she escapes to Alaska to reinvent herself… only to meet Forrest, the embodiment of a perfect mmc.

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
I absolutely loved this book - it’s a very cute & cheesy love letter to romance novels, and an absolutely wonderful debut 🤍

Upon arriving in Alaska, Californian Margot finds herself living out every trope she’s ever written in an almost comical manner. It’s so much fun and will have you kicking your feet and smiling throughout! 🫶🏼

Having said that this will give you all the feels as well - Margot & Forrest are both extremely likeable characters who sacrifice so much to care for people they love… including each other 💔 This aspect of the story had similar vibes to AJ’s upcoming release Say You’ll Remember Me - they are stuck in an impossible situation 🥲 (this one is less heartbreaking though thankfully 😂)

Also Forrest is a perfect man - he’s obviously supposed to be… but he really is. An outdoorsy lumberjack genius doctor who walks away from his life to be there for his family..?🧎🏼‍♀️👏🏼

I thoroughly enjoyed this romance book that was so much more! The character development and journey of both main characters was well done and made me bond with both Margot and Forrest. The addition of Savannah’s letters really gave great backstory to Margot and an insight into her mindset. I enjoyed all the side characters and would like to visit Trapper, Jo and (especially) Scout in Alaska please! The only slight minor point was that ending was a bit abrupt and I would’ve liked a bit more of a wrap-up or an epilogue.

A brilliantly told love story that packs a real punch. This is a fantastic debut novel that is beautifully written and engaging making it hard to put down. The characters are relatable and well brought to life drawing you in to their story and keeping the pages turning. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for fans of romance, this book is the perfect escape to cosy up with on cold winter days.

This book! Omg I loved it and didn't want it to end! I love that Margot is a romance author who writes HEA but doesn't believe in them herself due to her own past experience / vulnerabilities and love the way Forrest was all the best tropes rolled into one. It had me crying with laughter (the banter had me laughing out loud), but also in empathy and sympathy (even the authors acknowledgements at the end had me weeping - Victoria you are a badass 💜) at the vulnerabilities they shared and their own personal turmoil and 'responsibilities' that they would give up their HEA for their selfless love of their family. There was steamy spice but I found my heart beating faster in anticipation when reading because, although it was HOT, I had got to know and love them both so much, I loved the endearing love they shared. The ending was perfection.

Victoria, I hope you don't mind me being a bit personal but you have clearly been through your own battles, but I'm glad (and thankful) through everything you have been through, that you preserved writing this book (what a debut!!) and have your own HEA x

Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine

4.3*

Any Trope But You is a great debut from Victoria. It's everything you want in a romance, funny, relatable, spicy.

We have a strong main FMC Margot, who is not only relatable but funny, kind and compassionate.
Margot is a romance writer who goes to Alaska to reinvent herself after a big mishap.
As a character she grows through the book and you see vulnerability that she kept hidden.

This book touches on disability and the struggles of having to watch and worry about the person you care for. The main FMC and MMC are both caretakers. I think this is a very touching side theme through the book that not a lot of authors write about, it's very refreshing to have these topics spoken about.

Themes of finding oneself, learning to deal with the past, being able to reinvent yourself. Caregivers and learning to let go and listen.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC for a honest review.

I was so looking forward to reading this story, and it did not disappoint. I loved the characters, the small town setting, and the journey the characters go through together. A great read!

Thank you for my earc if this book. Whilst I enjoyed this story, I felt that the pacing was a little slow and the 2nd half in particular felt long
I loved the setting and author storyline and found mysejf more invested in that than the romance at times!

[4.5] yeahhh, this was it!! firstly, the concept was so unique and well thought-out (and genuinely funny in places), i thought it worked really well for a romance / rom-com vibe. secondly, the CHEMISTRY between the two main characters, margot and forrest was so apparent, which - literally how do you even acheive that by typing words on a page?? this caught me so off guard, smiling and dancing one second, and then making me gasp or cry in the next. i also have to mention the whole book just felt like victoria lavine's love letter to the romance genre and for that alone, i appreciate it so much 🥹.

thank you to netgalley and bonnier books uk for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Any Trope But You is hilarious, sexy, fun, yet deep. At first, there's some similarities to The Proposal (mainly the Alaska part). Lavine really plays with tropes through her Dr. Forrest character. It makes you want to say, "but of course he is" every time you learn anything about him. There are so many fun details, from Margot's love of avocados and Taylor Swift to the detailed letters Margot's sister writers her. In addition, the sauna scene is absolutely incredible (and also hilarious). The full-circle moment at the end is really great too. Overall, Lavine's debut is above and beyond our wildest dreams, and it will be super exciting when it comes out.

A really lovely heartwarming read, especially cosy during these cold days, and I’m pleased it was my first read of the year!

Only one quibble… I spent the entire book on edge waiting for the mystery of who revealed the Happily Never After file, but then it was solved in one throwaway line. A huge subplot opportunity missed, and the explanation of a random hacker never made sense to me. If it was just a hacker, where was the blackmail? Maybe it’s because I work in cybersecurity, but this kind of cybercrime just doesn’t make sense without the threats to expose, and the demand for money. It was personal. Someone knew the file was there. Someone hated Margot enough to want to do this. The fact that this really interesting plot element was wasted is disappointing, and because I was looking forward to it (was it a bitter ex? A stalker? Was it Savannah trying to push Margot off the metaphorical cliff???) it kind of dampened my overall enjoyment of the novel.

But not by much! I know so many people who would love this story. Even if the protagonist got over her seriously sprained ankle super conveniently quickly… 😉

This had me from the off! A lot of fun and swooniness, cuteness and hotness. An homage to all the tropes of Romance – meetcute, one bed, big- kind-super intelligent- bed skilled, capable man in a Henley who chops wood – it’s all there, and more and completely lap-uppable. Loved it.

Thanks to @zaffrebooks @victorialavinewrites for my ARC copy
What a delightful experience this was! When Margot, a passionate romance writer and city dweller with a nurturing spirit, discovers that her private document detailing her secret collection of unhappy story endings has been leaked online, chaos ensues. To shield her from the inevitable fallout, her well-meaning sister sends Margot to a remote cabin in the heart of Alaska. There, she is cut off from the distractions of city life—no friends, no internet, and certainly no need for high heels.

In this secluded sanctuary, Margot encounters Forrest, the personification of every charismatic and rugged romance hero she has ever conjured in her novels. The chemistry between them crackles like a flame in the cold Alaskan air. This narrative is an enjoyable romp, embracing all the beloved tropes of the romance genre while also introducing challenges that give depth to Margot and Forrest's characters.

Although I found some parallels between Margot's and Forrest's experiences to be a tad too coincidental—something that tends to be a hallmark of romance novels—I genuinely appreciated the rich character development and the expressive writing. This book is the perfect winter escape, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a world of love and laughter. I would gladly revisit this charming tale and eagerly look forward to Victoria Lavine's next enchanting release.

#RomanticEscape #AlaskanAdventure #WinterReading #CharacterDevelopment #BookReview #VictoriaLavine #LoveAndLaughter #RomanceNovels #LiteraryJourney #CosyRead

This was fun! When Margot (romance writer, city girl, carer) finds her secret unhappy endings document leaked online, her sister sends her off to avoid the fallout and write a crime novel in a remote Alaskan cabin - no friends, no internet, and no need for heels. There she meets Forrest, the embodiment of every romance hero she has ever written about. This was an enjoyable romp through allllll the tropes, with some difficult and hard-hitting situations thrown in for both characters as well. I loved the concept of actively embracing all the cliches, and it's lovely to read such a wholehearted celebration of the romance genre.

For me, some of the similarities between Margot's and Forrest's situations were a bit too coincidental (although really that's probably true for pretty much every romance novel) - but I enjoyed the characters and the writing, and it's perfect as a bit of wintery escapism. Would very happily re-read, and I'll be keeping an eye out for Victoria Lavine's next title.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

A laugh out loud and Heart-warming romcom to add to your tbrs yes please.

I have heard some hype around this book so thought when it came up on NetGalley that I definitely needed to give it a read. I love my romance books with all the tropes and throw in some hilarious moment and then your romance reader here is one happy girlie.

The book is about romance writer Margot Bradley and she is a liar. She writes romance but doesn't believe in it due to past relationships, things come to ahead when she does a online podcast in front of hundreds of people and someone announces that she doesn't like Happily Ever Afters like she writes in her book, throw in her showcasing some granny panties to to the internet and her whole world implodes. Margot is then sent off to the wilds of Alaska by her sister to try and figure out what she wants and to write her new Murder Mystery as she's feeling stabby after what happened. Forrest is out male MC and is literally climbed like a tree as soon as he meets Margot. He himself has some past history that is stopping him from moving forward with his life. In comes Margot who literally turns his world upside down, and he starts to feel things that he hasn't before.

This book was super cute, funny and ticks all the trope boxes. If you love a one bed (tent) trope then by all means read ahead, love the he falls hard and fast trope, check then read this. It is swoon worthy, you will honestly fall in love with Forrest and his ways, you will laugh and smile along with Margot as well as nod your head with some of the things she talks about.

I found this book really easy to read and did devour it in less than 24 hours, it cute, funny and does have you look at relationships that are not only romantic but those between siblings and parental. This book touches on physical health needs of secondary characters and that they had a big part in the book which I simply adore. They made the book that much more than a romance book between the two main characters but who they are as individuals and why they do things they have done.

Overall a really enjoyable romance read that I think will be a big hit with romance readers in 2025.

Loved, loved, loved! I immediately connected with both Forrest (swoon) and Margot, and not only an immediate connect with the MCs but with North Star Lodge itself. Is there anything better than a snowed in trope????