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)