Main Chapter

Brianna Rose

A podcast all about books, Hollywood adaptations, and everything in between. From a recently laid off journalist who is starting a new chapter -- hopefully her main one -- this series will showcase a variety of interviews with actors, authors and those in the book world. 

  1. 13h ago

    USA Today Bestselling Romantasy Author Julie Hall x Main Chapter

    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)

  2. Sep 24

    Debut Novelist & Women's Health Advocate Hayley Fleming x Main Chapter

    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)

  3. Sep 17

    The Paranormal Romance to Romantasy Pipeline: How 2000s Books Shaped BookTok's Favorite Titles

    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.

  4. Sep 10

    Historical Romance Author Rose Prendeville x Main Chapter

    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)

About

A podcast all about books, Hollywood adaptations, and everything in between. From a recently laid off journalist who is starting a new chapter -- hopefully her main one -- this series will showcase a variety of interviews with actors, authors and those in the book world.