The Troped Podcast

Why are we obsessed with fictional men who would be an absolute nightmare in real life? In this episode of The Troped Podcast, we’re talking about the toxic traits we happily accept in romance books, but would run away from in real life. All the red flags that somehow turn green when they’re fictional. 00:38 Why Fiction Gets a Pass01:29 Smirks and Micro Attitude03:17 Possessive and Controlling07:08 Stalking and Obsession08:17 Secret Big Decisions11:25 Monster Romance Debate13:09 Simping and Love Bombing14:27 Grass Isn't Greener

Tara and Kyra love cowboys, so we thought we knew what we were getting into… and then these books completely took us by surprise. Tara and Kyra were NOT prepared for Cowboy Casual and Small Town Smokeshow by Holly Renee. Tune in as we talk about the cowboy series that threw us right off the bull. 01:22 Cowboy Casual Breakdown04:35 Hunter Hype Smoke Show06:36 Tropes Small Town Magic08:12 Why Cowboys Hit Different11:00 Colt Dirty Talk Heat11:55 Why Holly Hits Hard12:24 Small Town Smoke Show Moments16:02 Possessive Done Right17:03 Backpack In My Tent18:36 Who’s Next McCoy20:22 Trope Talk Pregnancy21:28 Recommending To The Boss

Sports romance is a hot button topic in romance right now! Between Liz Tomforde's books and Heated Rivalry/Off Campus on the screens, Tara (who's never dated an athlete) asks Kyra all the probing questions of what sports romance gets right and what it gets wrong in real life.01:05 Kyra Dating Resume02:05 Why Athletes Attract03:44 Smart Athlete Myth05:10 Cheaters And Temptation07:02 Sport Versus Relationship08:47 Watching Them Compete10:44 Are They Better In Bed13:09 Who Should Not Date17:10 Romance Hype Verdict18:14 Hockey Crush Story20:29 Wrap Up And Thanks

We're back with Trope Hot Takes Vol. 2, debating the romance tropes readers love, hate, and can’t agree on. From billionaire romance and holiday vs. summer romances to forbidden romance, the one-bed trope, “who did this to you,” and “touch her and die,” Tara and Kyra unpack what makes these popular romance book tropes so irresistible and when they cross the line.00:43 Billionaire Romance Debate03:28 Can Money Ruin You05:35 Holiday vs Summer Romance08:19 Who Did This To You11:07 Ex's Sibling Forbidden Love11:46 Forbidden Feels Too Real12:17 Dating Your Ex's Family12:47 When Is It Acceptable13:30 Taboo In Books Vs Life14:19 Sequel Hype And Recs14:39 One Bed Trope Rules17:15 McDonalds Drive Thru18:59 Touch Her And Die20:09 Possessiveness Needs Therapy

In our first guest episode, Tara and Kyra sit down with Briarwick Candles founder Kate Glass to discuss how she built a successful bookish candle business from scratch, transforming beloved romance books and fantasy novels into bestselling literary-inspired candles. Kate shares how Briarwick grew from a kitchen-counter hobby into an international brand, the challenges of scaling a small business during the pandemic, the inspiration behind her bestselling book boyfriend candles, hilarious scent-testing fails, ethical licensing with indie authors, and why community has been the foundation of Briarwick’s success.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:51 Favorite Trope Fake Dating02:45 First Candle and Etsy Launch04:54 From Hobby to Global Brand05:57 Scaling Up During COVID06:32 First Warehouse and Quitting Job08:34 Turning Books Into Scents10:17 Aspirational Romance Candles11:31 Scent Testing and Epic Fails12:11 Testing New Scents12:31 Top Candle Picks12:47 Fan Fiction Citrus Scale14:24 Handling Bookish Opinions15:18 Reading Slumps and Formats16:24 Indie Author Spotlight19:29 Scaling Beyond the Kitchen21:10 Community as Advice

Tara is back from her latest book retreat in Montana! She and Kyra dive into what really happens at reading and writing retreats, whether they’re actually worth the investment, and why having a dedicated space to read, write, and connect with other women can be so transformative. If you’ve ever wondered whether a book retreat belongs on your bucket list, this episode is for you. 00:34 Montana Trip Recap02:39 What Is a Book Retreat04:22 Why Adults Need Villages05:49 Readers vs Social Hobbies08:02 Surprise You Barely Read09:22 Hosts Make the Retreat10:22 Pick Your Perfect Niche12:02 Cowboy Retreat Daydreams16:08 Romance Is About Girlhood17:39 Wrap Up and Goodbye

Is Tropesick by Lauren Okie worth adding to your TBR? In this 100% spoiler-free review, Tara and Kyra dive into one of the most meta romance novels they’ve read, where characters are literally writing romance tropes while living them in real life.We discuss the book’s fan-favorite tropes—including forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, brother’s best friend, girl next door, and second-chance romance—and why this story completely changed our minds about second-chance romances. We also explore the novel’s thoughtful approach to substance abuse and recovery, its witty banter, emotional depth, and the subtle touch of magical realism that makes the story feel uniquely special.00:00 Welcome and Spoiler Free00:29 First Impressions and Cover Tropes02:07 Second Chance Done Right04:14 Addiction and Healing Themes06:54 Meta Romance and Magical Touch09:42 Favorite Tropes and Girl Next Door12:19 Writing Tropes While Living Them13:29 Romance Versus Literary Fiction16:58 Pets in Romance and Final Thoughts18:48 Wrap Up and Recommendation

Tara and Kyra talk about Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs gold buckle book, Reckless, ahead of the upcoming release of Fever Dream, diving into spoilers and why Theo Silva stands out as a top book boyfriend. 00:05 Why Reckless Now00:57 Winter the Ice Queen01:48 Theo Silva Appeal02:15 Single Dad Fantasy03:09 Respect and Protection04:01 Real Life Theo Energy05:20 Boundaries and Consent06:43 Winter Self Worth Arc08:22 Is Theo Too Perfect09:39 Naming the Tropes10:46 One Night Stand Mystery11:08 One Night Stand Debate11:25 Gym Scene Jealousy13:09 Enemies to Lovers Banter13:59 Winter and Summer Arc16:07 Theo Text Flirting17:29 Panic Attack and Paternity19:13 Next Book Hype

This is the first episode of the Read It Through Me series! The concept is simple: Tara walks through the book, and Kyra reacts, having never read it. We are kicking it off with Kiss of the Basilisk: A Split Or Swallow Novel by Lindsay Straube. If you want to experience every shock and plot twist right along with Kyra, this is the series for you.Warning: full spoilers in this episode!00:00 Podcast Welcome01:31 Erotica Surprise01:54 Defining Erotica02:36 Spice Overload03:25 Spoiler Setup03:36 Meet Temperance04:10 Snake War Lore04:49 Seduction Training05:55 Cassin the Mentor07:36 Magic Toy Twist09:00 Love Triangle Heat10:37 Carriage Scene Shock11:31 Choosing the Prince12:16 Snake Politics Tease12:51 Necklace Proposal Politics14:29 Jealous Mind Speak Twist15:10 Half Snake Heritage Reveal15:50 Quiver Marriage Sex Trial18:03 Public Proof Scene Fallout20:39 Who She Ends Up With21:29 Dark Scene Warnings22:19 Bonus Threesome Chapter22:46 Should You Read It23:59 Final Thoughts Sign Off

On Trope Hot Takes, Tara and Kyra are defending and dragging popular romance tropes. No trope is safe! We're talking forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, single dads, age gaps, and third-act breakups.00:00 Podcast Intro Setup01:18 Forced Proximity Debate04:39 Coffee Order Microtrope07:14 Asshole Enemies Lovers12:27 Single Parent Supremacy14:49 Single Dads Fix Him15:59 Age Gap Needs Perks18:02 Bakery Support Fantasy19:40 Orgasm Not Virgin21:16 Why Older Men Hit23:24 Gold Digger Reality Check24:13 Third Act Breakup Rant27:18 Better Conflict Ideas27:56 Wrap Up Hot Takes

Tara and Kyra are unpacking Navessa Allen’s viral TikTok sensation, Lights Out. We’re giving you a full spoiler deep dive into the "dark" aesthetics everyone is talking about and why this specific brand of spice is so addictive. From the ethics of consent in dark romance to the specific kinks that we didn't know we had, we’re breaking down the heavy trigger warnings and the psychological pull of this story. 00:00 Welcome and Spoiler Warning00:28 Black Outfit Banter02:01 Why This Book Went Viral03:15 Audiobook Narration Highlights04:32 New Kinks and Genre Talk07:14 Hottest Scenes Breakdown09:49 Stalker Fantasy and Consent12:31 Cannibal Dad Backstory14:42 Therapy Kink Talk17:06 Consensual Stalker Fantasy17:56 Beanie Mask Bedroom Jokes21:13 Series Predictions Nico Twist22:15 Murder Plot Surprise23:33 Smut Versus Erotica Labels24:47 Tropes And Happily Ever After26:43 Chase Kink Debate28:23 Knife Scene And Voyeurism30:31 Final Thoughts And Next Read

Tara and Kyra spill the tea and discuss Bridgerton season four! They talk through everything from the “messy reality” of Sophie and Benedict’s romance to the power of Asian representation through Kate and Sophie, and hopes for diversity becoming the norm.00:00 Regency Era Intro00:26 Mistress Dilemma01:27 Society Stakes03:19 Nepo Baby Tangent04:54 One Night With Benedict06:33 Virginity Scene Debate08:03 Pinnacle And Fertility08:43 Violet Dating Again10:36 Dating As A Mom11:58 Meeting The Kids Rules14:29 Asian Representation Matters

Tara and Kira discuss why Abby Jimenez’s Part of Your World is an ideal “gateway” romance and a top TBR pick, from its age-gap, small-town/big-city setup to its humor and relatable emotional stakes. 00:00 Welcome and Book Pick00:29 How Kira Found Abby01:13 Audiobook Crush Zachary02:04 Gateway Spice Levels04:01 Tropes and Daniel Intro04:33 Why Abby Works06:26 Carpenter Talk and Types07:36 Daniel and Age Gap10:12 Alexis Growth and Stakes11:35 Legacy vs Happiness12:29 Legacy Versus Love13:13 Why This Romance Works13:59 All Purpose Cleaner Vibes14:58 Reading Order Easter Eggs16:01 Main Character Energy Debate17:13 Spinoff Sequel Fantasy18:38 Age Gap Trope Talk20:05 Writing Each Other’s Story22:01 Romance Starter Pack Wrap

Welcome to the Troped Podcast: Celebrating Romance, Community, and Connection. 00:00 - Introduction to the Troped Podcast00:19 - Tara's Journey into Romance00:38 - Purpose of the Podcast01:21 - Initial Hesitations and Community Building02:17 - Different Perspectives on Books03:18 - The Power of Tropes05:25 - Personal Experiences with Romance Books08:09 - Judgment and Acceptance in Romance Reading09:23 - The Joy of Reading for Fun10:15 - Audiobooks and Multitasking11:25 - Building Connections Through Romance13:46 - Putting Yourself in His Shoes14:10 - Accidental Discovery15:54 - Small Town Charm17:20 - Relating Through Books23:01 - Finding Community in Romance25:43 - Conclusion and Future Episodes