Been listening to the podcast’s backlog and enjoying the insights! I appreciate that the hosts are not publishing industry insiders and can therefore be a little more critical of what they read. Wish there was a bit more diversity in the books selected. One star removed for the hosts continuing the proud Midwestern tradition of being completely unable to pronounce anything right. Mispronouncing “Derbyshire” even after seeing multiple Pride & Prejudice adaptations! Not to mention an old episode in which the hosts quip about how white people can pronounce “Eyre” but not “Hassan”. (Reader, they went on to mispronounce Hassan.) Editing this review to add on the regular mispronunciations of Nalini Singh’s name. Come on.

How in the world can two people disagree yet still work together? Listen up here. The humor helps - but it comes down to respect. Each has a stance based on what they have read and researched but also experienced. And ground rules. Neither is working to trick, undermine or outdo the other. Instead - it comes down to being about ME! The Listener! And I love that. Humor, perspective, information, the aghast at the bonkers… all of it. And it’s not just a yes-fest. It’s a chance to consider multiple interpretations and see - yes romance novels are an important window into our humanity. I’ll be back for more… and even more.

i’ve never read Jane Eyre & i’m started reading along with you all. i would love if you all discussed more rather than just read the text!

While I’d fight to the non-death that being immortal as a vampire is better than being a brain in a robot body, because I dig the whole embodied thing, I otherwise enjoy the hosts playful yet earnest discussions of romance. I was getting crispy from all the grim news, and finding then digging into the backlist of Learning the Tropes has given me much needed & appreciated joyful solace.

Really enjoy the hosts dynamic and their view on romance novels!

I love the music in the background and the commentary. I came across the Jane eyre read along and I can’t get enough. Thank you 😊

I am a bit disappointed, I expected a lot more especially as a feminist and expected a more deeper conversation. And I always want to support women led endeavours. But I am torn. Some episodes are pretty good but I find them being too critical and often disrespectful to authors and the romance genre in general. And for a feminist podcast, I don’t like how they sometimes make disparaging comments about women. Being too negative and critical doesn’t make you more of an intellectual. Its sad that the feeling I got from this was them trying too hard to sound smart and intellectualise things but not really going deeper in the book, motivations etc. It seemed a bit superficial. I do think I am disappointed because I expected better.

I love this podcast. The hosts unapologetically enjoy romance novels while tackling the problematic aspects in a smart, candid, and hilarious way. They make me cackle.

Love this podcast. Exactly the right amount of genuine and thoughtful insight, goofy comedy bits, and intelligent and VEEY IMPORTANT takes on the romance industry. Thanks for this, I’m now subscribed!

The most natural romance review podcast I’ve listened to (and I’ve listened to a LOT).

I love you guys insight into the books you read and you guys are very funny 😁

This was my first time listening to a podcast about romance novel despite being an avid romance novel reader since high school. I find the hosts to be funny and they remind me of what my friends and I sounded like when we were college, that’s a compliment but also a slight jab tbh. I don’t enjoy their bashing of authors and books that they don’t like or disagree with. I thought discussion would be more nuanced and would explore the complicity of why women are drawn to particular characters, tropes and authors. There aren’t any deep discussions going on here which is fine, but you would think from the episode description that they were. I was particularly disappointed in the cover art episode which could have explored so much but just didn’t. I won’t be listening anymore.

I love critical reviews of anything, especially things that I love, and I adore how Morgan and Isabeau talk about the books they loved and did NOT love, and about their lives. It's like listening to the two smartest people I know talk at length about something I love - and it's fun every week. Each episode is snarky, witty fun, and I love listening.

Finding a good romance podcast is so hard. I am a feminist lady who's mostly critical of romance novels so this one should be made for me, right? I'm just not feeling it, though. They (particularly Morgan) go off on rants and it is not fun to listen to someone bash a book for a full hour if you don't agree with their hot takes. Taking the Lisa Kleypas Devil in Winter ep as a very specific example, a more nuanced discussion of what women *do* find appealing in a character that they see as very problematic would have been more interesting.

They know their genre, their history and their ice wine. I look forward to each and every episode.

I don’t read romance novels, but I love this podcast. Two intelligent, informed, and hilarious feminist women dissect romance novels past and present with a fun but critical eye. I always laugh, I always learn something new, and I’m always left with something to think about.

Two highly educated, open-minded, hilarious ladies who don’t take anything too seriously? Hell yeah. This podcast makes me laugh out loud and think deeply about sexual politics. The duality of woman. Love this podcast. Bingeable as hell.

Here’s a podcast with two intelligent, funny women tackling a genre on its own terms. It’s incisive, rollicking, and at times a bit free wheeling but I always end up laugh/crying. I tell everyone about it!

I don’t think there is another romance podcast that is doing what Morgan and Isabeau are doing. They delve into the intricacies of every novel the review. Every episode sounds like a dissertation and I absolutely love it. I also love that they aren’t just reviewing current romances but old school ones as well and asking the important questions. I love this podcast and if you love and respect romance I think you will too.

I do like listening to this podcast at times, my only complaint is that they tend to bash authors and books at times if they don't agree with it. Some of their podcasts I have really enjoyed, but a couple of them have turned me off from really enjoying it as much as I have in the past.

Just finished the latest episode and there’s so much to like with this podcast. I love how they are both seriously academic and clearly have points but they’re not afraid to get off the intended topic for a moment. The format is great and I like how they mix it up a little bit by adding different guests, tackling fanfiction, or an author interview. Every week seems fresh!

They take a very academic and fun approach to breaking down a different romance novel each week. Their thorough analysis and personal insights are a delight to listen to and have added to my own enjoyment of literature. They take on many different genres, and you don’t have to be a fan of the books to get something out of their discussion. Would love to hear more author interviews too.

This is a great romance podcast! I’ve tried many of the podcasts out there after getting started with Smart B$&ches Trashy Books and this is my favorite so far, along with BookShame which appears to no longer be active. These podcasters are engaging, smart, and silly in a good way. My only caveat is that the volume varies quite a bit during the show which can be a little hard on the ears if, like me, you listen on headphones.

If you're a stranger to romance novels like me, this podcast is not only a great guidebook to understanding and enjoying the genre but it is truly one of the funniest podcasts I have ever listened to. Isabeau and Morgan don't pull any punches when it comes to taking the genre to task for the things it doesn't do well or gets wrong as well as make incredibly cogent and insightful comments about various plot points. These two are whip smart and hilarious, making each episode a true joy.

Fun and quirky! These two have great dialogue and you never know where the conversation may go- from personal stories to historical context to questioning the future of romance and sexuality. Fun as a book review or an intro to a genre or a launchpad for sometimes taboo topics or just a laugh. These ladies are smart and fearless and a nice break in the week.

This is a very witty podcast that takes a unique look at the romance genre. It’s light, fun, and the perfect way to start your commute. 5 stars well earned

These two keep on topic without boring you, & banter so hilariously you won’t feel like you’re overhearing two idiots at the next table, but instead like having a glass of wine with your own friends. Their treatment of a forgotten genre is smart & feminist & has my attention, even as someone that doesn’t read Whoamance novels myself.

Morgan and Isabeau are delightful. Funny and perceptive, they have keen insights into the genre and each book while also clearly enjoying what they read and celebrating the entire romance genre.

I needed a break from politics on the radio and podcasts and stumbled across this show. The hosts are a laugh a minute and a really enjoy the subjects. It’s a great show to share a few laughs on my drive, I look forward to catching up on all of them and looking out for the new ones.

A very charming podcast about super graphic stuff!

Morgan and Isabeau have a great rapport and the pace of the show is lively. I’m not a romance fan and still find their conversations interesting and engaging.