We're back! 

A little older, wiser and with a whole new vibe. In this episode Erin and Clayton discuss where they've been, what they've been reading and why they're back!

Full episode also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@learningthetropespodcast

Erin's Best Reads of 2025

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

Our Song by Anna Carey

You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

Clayton's Best Reads of 2025

The Wall Marlen Haushofer

Sky Daddy by Kate Folk

Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Labato

Breaking and Entering by Joy Williams

Stainless by Todd Grimson

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Interested in more bookish thoughts? Subscribe to Erin's Substack, Lonesome Animals.

Find us-

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learningthetropespodcast

Instagram @learningthetropes

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Clayton & Erin return to discuss the Colleen Hoover adaptation It Ends With Us!

See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

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Instagram @learningthetropes

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Email: [email protected]

This episode I chat with romance author Yulin Kuang about her debut novel How to End a Love Story, adapting romance novels for film and her writing process!

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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

-----

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:

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Patreon Learning the Tropes

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Email: [email protected]

This week I'm joined by author Andie J Christopher to discuss the truly, marvelously bonkers Lucky, by THE Jackie Collins.

Is this a romance?

debatable.

Is it a very fun book to read?

most definitely. 

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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

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Want more Jackie Collins?

Check out Fates Mates Trailblazer episode with Jackie Collins' daughters, Rory Green and Tiffany Lerman. 

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:

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This week I'm joined by colorist and dear friend Kelly Noonan as we read her first romance - Milla Vane's A Heart of Blood and Ashes. We chat about fantasy vs. fantasy romance expectations, matching hair color to book series and more!

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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

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Check out Kelly's instagram, and if you're in NYC and would like to book with the most talented colorist, you can find her at Frederic Fekkai Soho until the end of February, and starting March 5th at Maison Seventy-Seven!  

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

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Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!

Email: [email protected]

The prodigal podcast host Clayton Gumbert returns to talk about the Netflix movie Love At First Sight! 

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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

-----

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:

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Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!

Email: [email protected]

This week I'm joined by Rob Johnson to chat about the Amazon adaptation of Casey McQuiston's novel, Red, White and Royal Blue! 

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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387

https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america

-----

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:

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Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!

Email: [email protected]

This week I sat down with Harlequin editor Stacy Boyd to discuss all things romance publishing (yes, including cartoon covers). https://stacyboyd.com/

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

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This week I'm joined by author Danielle Jackson to discuss the old west, roadtrip romance Beverly Jenkins' Night Hawk! We discuss it all including- Is Maggie Freeman one of the great heroines? (yes). 

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

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This week I chat with romance author Meg Cabot about her newest novel Enchanted to Meet You, the first book in her Witches of West Harbor Series. 

Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.

MERCH!

Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:

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Email: [email protected]