Main Chapter

Smut, erotica, spicy scenes… a topic that dominates the romance industry. Sexual scenes are often used as an argument to dismiss romance novels and their literary value. But what if erotic literature is more thought-provoking than we give it credit for?

On this episode of Main Chapter, Brianna is joined by Olivia Dopp, aka Smunth, to take a closer, more critical look at smut and its place in literature. Olivia has created an online platform dedicated to educating people about smut and encouraging her followers to read it for a month to see what they learn. Because beyond the spicy surface, these chapters and stories often explore complex themes surrounding our relationships with ourselves, other people and society as a whole.

And Olivia knows her stuff! Not only has she read a wide variety of contemporary romance and erotica, but she's also explored erotic literature dating all the way back to 2 AD. Together, she and Brianna cover everything from how to make a smunth experience customisable to your own interests to some of the most taboo things Olivia has encountered in her reading… including cheese shifter fiction!

They also bring the conversation into modern pop culture, exploring projects like Heated Rivalry and Wicker, and what it is like reading vs. watching the genre. 

It's a 50-minute conversation that challenges the way we think about smut, erotica and the purpose of sexual content in literature. You’ll never look at your TBR the same way again. 

Like this episode? Vote for Main Chapter in the Top Host competition, so Brianna has the chance to produce a series with iHeartRadio and continue growing this platform! 

Vote Here: https://tophost.org/2026/brianna-hewitt

#smut #romancebooks #booktube #booktok #contemporaryromance #heatedrivalry #wicker #bookpodcast #literarycriticism

This baseball romance is a total home run! ⚾️💋

For this episode of Main Chapter, host Brianna Rose Hewitt sits down with Amazon Top 100 Author Jaqueline Snowe to talk all about her latest release, Swing & A Kiss! This age gap, fake dating romance follows what happens when an influencer and an MLB pitcher are paired together for a publicity stunt. But what starts as a fake relationship might turn into something much more real…

This sports romance also brings all the grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity goodness as Nate and Cassidy get to know each other and discover they have a deeper connection than either expected. Brianna chats with Jaqueline about how these characters and their story came to life, leading to a fascinating conversation about romance writing, inspiration, and the emotional heart of the book.

Jaqueline shares how her husband’s decade working for an MLB team influenced the story, why grief became such an important component, and what makes the dynamic between the FMC and MMC so special, gentle, and swoon-worthy.

Of course, no Main Chapter conversation would be complete without plenty of laughs! From favorite romance tropes to Brianna’s embarrassing Yogi Berra confession and other fun bookish topics, this author interview is a home run for romance readers.

If you’re not ready for the World Series excitement to end or you just want to immerse yourself in the world of baseball with a swoony romance, Swing & A Kiss might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Tune in to Main Chapter for a fun conversation with Jaqueline Snowe about her latest romance, the stories behind her characters, and all the tropes we love.

Slight spoilers (discussions of fav scenes): 20:00-22:10

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What’s more romantic than a first date during the zombie apocalypse? 🧟‍♀️❤️

On this episode of Main Chapter, host Brianna sits down with USA Today bestselling author Laura Piper Lee to talk about her latest release, Doomsdate. It’s a hilarious, heartwarming, and suspenseful zombie apocalypse romance that blends romantic comedy, horror, and a whole lot of chemistry.

In Doomsdate, Maisie and Everett’s first date takes an unexpected turn when the zombie apocalypse breaks out. Luckily, Maisie is a doomsday prepper who knows a thing or two about survival. Everett, on the other hand, is a gentle, sweet film professor with absolutely no survival skills. When the two agree to road-trip north in search of safety, they strike a deal: Maisie will teach Everett how to survive the apocalypse, and Everett will teach Maisie about intimacy.

What follows is a swoon-worthy, laugh-out-loud adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

In this Main Chapter author interview, Laura Piper Lee and Brianna dive into the inspiration behind Doomsdate, from Laura’s favorite zombie movies and the COVID-19 pandemic to the survivalist themes that make zombie stories so compelling. They also explore the sweet, gentle relationship between Maisie and Everett, the secrets behind their chemistry, their favorite scenes, and those final moments that leave readers wondering how it will all end.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Main Chapter interview without some fun, unexpected questions! Find out why Laura named Everett’s cat “Chicken” and which romance tropes are at the top of her least-favorites list.

Whether you’re a horror fan, a romance reader, or someone who loves a good rom-com with a twist, this episode is for you. And if zombie apocalypse videos are constantly popping up on your TikTok FYP, consider this your sign to add Doomsdate to your reading list!

Perfect for spooky season, Halloween reading, or anytime you’re craving a romantic comedy with zombies, survival, and plenty of tension, Doomsdate delivers the perfect mix of romance, humor, and adrenaline.

Spoiler Time Stamps:
-31:09-35:10 (slight spoiler about Maisie’s past)
-35:40-38:40 (significant spoiler that reveals book ending) 

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https://tophost.org/2026/brianna-hewitt

Main Chapter is trying something new!  This week, host Brianna Rose Hewitt shares her first-ever book review, diving into Trust Fall, the latest book from bestselling YA romance author Lynn Painter!

Set against the dreamy backdrop of New York City in the fall, Trust Fall is a YA romance featuring family drama, academic tutoring, and a classic rivals-to-lovers storyline. But does this prep school romance live up to the hype? Brianna is breaking it all down!

What is Trust Fall? It follows the story of Julia & Damian. Julia and her family move from Nebraska to New York City after an elderly family friend leaves them his Upper West Side estate. There's just one problem: Damian, the nephew of the deceased family friend, believes the house should have gone to his family instead.

When Julia and Damian end up attending the same school, Damian agrees to tutor her, but he has a secret plan of his own. He's hoping to get inside the house and uncover evidence that could help his family reclaim the estate. What starts as a scheme soon gets complicated in this rivals-to-lovers YA romance!

In this spoiler-light Trust Fall book review, Brianna discusses:

• 1:55 - What She Likes About Lynn Painter 
• 3:23 - Plot/Rating
• 7:20 - The Setting & Damian as a MMC
• -2:02 - Favorite Quotes
• 15:43 - Julia as a FMC
  18:43 - Favorite Scenes 
• 21:36 - The Ending, Bonus Chapter & Pacing 
• 24:08 - Personal Critiques 
• 27:45 - Adaptation Potential

Lynn Painter is one of Brianna's favorite authors, so expect plenty of fangirl energy, honest opinions, and a deep dive into everything that makes Trust Fall worth talking about!

Whether you're a longtime Lynn Painter fan, a YA romance reader, or looking for your next cozy fall read, this episode of the Main Chapter podcast is for you. Join us for a book review that's light on spoilers and heavy on romance, bookish excitement, and all the fall-in-NYC vibes. 🍁📚

Have you read Trust Fall by Lynn Painter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! And if you love book reviews, YA romance, and all things bookish, don't forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications for more from Main Chapter.

And Help Main Chapter In The Top Host Competition HERE: https://tophost.org/2026/brianna-hewitt

Romantasy, fae, forbidden secrets, a moody prince, and an assassin hiding among the princesses…it’s the perfect mixture for Julie Hall’s newest romantasy. 

This week on Main Chapter, Brianna Rose Hewitt welcomes the USA Today bestselling author to dive into her new release, The Secrets of Everlight,  a deliciously addictive fantasy that can be described as The Bachelor meets Bridgerton.

The story follows Rowan, an indentured servant whose life changes when a mysterious fae buys her contract and sets her free. While she has her freedom, the fae gives her an even bigger opportunity that will set her for life. However, to reach this prize, Rowan must pose as a princess and compete for the prince’s hand in marriage in a royal competition. However, she’s not there for love, but to discover which of the other princesses is secretly an assassin hired to kill the prince.

With a love triangle (with a twist), a brooding prince, fae magic, political intrigue, societal inequality, and enough plot twists to keep you turning pages, The Secrets of Everlight has all the ingredients romantasy readers love.

Brianna and Julie get into the heart of the story, from its most swoon-worthy and heart-melting moments to its deeper themes of power and inequality. They also chat about world-building, favorite (and least favorite!) romantasy tropes, Julie’s inspirations ranging from reality TV to paranormal romance, and what goes into creating a fantasy world readers can’t stop thinking about.

If you're searching for your next romantasy book, fantasy romance series, or fae-filled escape, consider this your sign to add The Secrets of Everlight to your TBR.

Perfect for fantasy fall, romantasy lovers, and anyone who thinks books are better with a little magic, murder, and romance.

SPOILER DISCLAIMER: Please be advised plot spoilers are discussed at the following time stamps: 

-15:00-18:10 (spoilers related to the love triangle)

-20:32-23:00 (spoilers related to character deaths)

-26:34-30:37 (spoilers related to book’s ending/cliff hanger)

Hayley Fleming’s debut novel, Thighs Wide Shut, is more than a laugh out loud contemporary romance, it’s also a story that brings much-needed attention to women’s health and vaginismus. In this episode of the Main Chapter podcast, host Brianna Rose Hewitt sits down with Fleming to discuss her personal experience with vaginismus, a condition that remains underresearched and often misunderstood, and how that experience shaped the story of her protagonist, Emma.

Emma lets her vaginismus diagnosis impact her romantic life and ultimately contributes to the end of her friendship with her college best friend, Harrison. Five years later, Emma and Harrison break their no-contact streak when Emma unknowingly moves into the apartment directly below him. The result is a second-chance romance filled with yearning, humor, vulnerability, and plenty of heart.

Brianna and Hayley dive into the development of Emma and Harrison’s relationship, the importance of medical representation in romance novels, their favorite scenes, and the role of platonic friendship throughout the book. 

Beyond the novel itself, Brianna and Hayley bond over growing up in Georgia and Florida, their experiences with sex education in the Bible Belt, and some of their favorite romance tropes. They also share the hilarious story behind how Hayley’s fiance actually came up with the iconic title, Thighs Wide Shut. 

If you love contemporary romance, the second-chance trope, romcoms, women’s health representation, and meaningful conversations about intimacy, sexuality, and relationships, this episode of Main Chapter is for you. Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts fun, funny, heartfelt, and educational.

**Light plot spoilers at 11:41-11:37, 26:40-27:04 (nothing major, but please advise)

Calling all book fangirls yearning for a little nostalgia! This week, Main Chapter is diving into the world of paranormal romance and YA fantasy, and exploring the pipeline between the books we couldn’t put down in the 2000s and 2010s and today’s romantasy boom.

Main Chapter host Brianna Rose Hewitt is joined by her friend Katelyn Dwarpaul, an ultimate fangirl who grew up reading paranormal romance and YA fantasy. She was reading household names like Throne of Glass and The Summer I Turned Pretty as they were coming out. Together, they look back at the iconic series that defined the paranormal era, including Twilight and Hush, Hush. Breaking down the series and the hype, they also highlight the parallels to today’s romantasy favorites, including A Court of Thorns and Roses & Fourth Wing.

So, how did paranormal romance help pave the way for the romantasy boom? What does modern paranormal romance look like? And when did book tropes go from fun to the reason for trope sickness? Brianna and Katelyn get into all of it, along with the evolution of fan fiction, the sometimes blurry line between fantasy and romantasy, and why romantasy can attract criticism. 

Expect nostalgia, deep-cut recommendations, chaotic fangirl energy, and plenty of opportunities to obsess over your favorite books and series. Whether you grew up with paranormal romance or discovered romantasy through BookTok, there’s something here for every book lover.

Main Chapter dips into historical romance with author Rose Prendeville, chatting all about her new novel, The Unknown Birds. Set during World War I, the story follows Charlotte Ashley, a young woman who secretly takes her twin brother’s place in the British Army. It’s a fascinating story for historical romance enthusiasts or those new to the subgenre, like Main Chapter host Brianna Rose Hewitt.

In this episode of the Main Chapter podcast, Hewitt and Prendeville dive into the six years of research behind The Unknown Birds, from trips to London museums to deep dives into WWI-era war poetry. They talk about building layered, complicated characters and explore how Prendeville approached writing a bisexual character living in early 20th-century London.

And, naturally, there are plenty of laughs along the way. Including Prendeville’s unwavering commitment to making sure the dog survives at all costs—even if that means giving it a truly impressive 25+ year lifespan—and the very specific double standard she has for contemporary billionaire romances versus historical duke romances.
Whether you love historical romance, historical fiction, World War I stories, queer romance, or just a good bookish conversation, this 45-minute episode is your next escape.

So settle in, press play, and take a bookish trip to 20th-century England. Just maybe leave your expectations about historically accurate dog lifespans at the door.

Spoiler Timestamps:
18:29-18:31 (Ash's relationship with her brother)
20:40-20:45 (Quick slip about the couple's fate)
23:40-28:30 (The characters' relationship to sexuality/sexual orientation)

Main Chapter is exploring a niche genre this week: Alien Romance! Brianna is joined by her friends Katie, Paige, & Chantal who are big fans of the viral alien romance series, 'Ice Planet Barbarians' by Ruby Dixon. Brianna asks the trio what got them into alien romance and what the appeal of it is. Why should one read alien romance over romantasy or other subgenres? She also asks her burning questions about the series, including topics like the aliens' blue skin, their tails, the language barrier, the smut and more. 

Katie, Paige & Chantal eagerly encourage Brianna to try out the series while answering her questions and educating her on parts of the story, including a mysertious, healing worm. They also share if they are open to more alien romances and discuss fun bookish tropes and topics. It's a casual and fun episode for both alien romance lovers and those curios about the genre. Can the 'Ice Planet Barbarian' trio convince you to pick up one of the books and give it a try? Listen/watch to see. 

**Light plot spoiler at 23:03. 

Karen Mack & Jennifer Kaufman had a big summer, releasing their fourth book together, "The Kings of Vegas." The duo sat down with Main Chapter's Brianna Rose Hewitt to talk about their partnership over the years and what led to the new crime thriller. Kaufman encouraged Mack to use her childhood as a casino kid in Las Vegas as inspiration, and Josie's story was born. 

Hewitt asks Mack and Kaufman about different plot points, including FBI involvement, threats from mobsters, and the treatment of casino kids, learning what is based on true stories. The conversation also brought up the development of Josie and complex female characters, the book's heated love story, as well as excitement surrounding the book's adaptation after it created a bidding war. Mack & Kaufman bring perspectives as television producers, journalists, and authors, creating a classic Main Chapter conversation.