Denton-Hurst, Bonét on Love, Risk, Instinct

Authors Tembe Denton-Hurst and Sasha Bonét discussed navigating uncertainty in early dating and trusting one's instincts in a conversation for Dazed. Their talk centered on Denton-Hurst's new story, 'The Week We Were Friends,' part of the Hinge-sponsored 'No Ordinary Love' audiobook released on August 31, 2026.

Denton-Hurst's story follows Isabella and Rebecca, a real couple who met on the dating app Hinge. The narrative captures a tense week where the pair, after Isabella considers a breakup, decide to try being friends. Denton-Hurst explained she was drawn to this "grey liminal space" because it portrays the nuanced "hiccups" of early love that are rarely discussed. She was moved by the care the two strangers showed each other despite owing nothing. Bonét agreed, contrasting this care with the modern "era of ghosting."

The Courage to Commit

When asked about bravery in love, Denton-Hurst pointed to commitment. She referenced her own long-term relationship with her wife, which began when she was 18. "It's very brave in a lot of ways to make something concrete in those very young stages of your life," she said. Bonét, who is currently in a relationship, concurred. She stated that committing to love has required more courage than having a baby alone or moving to a new city. For her, current bravery means "being able to say the things that are hard" and taking the risk of vulnerability.

Writing from Fear

The conversation turned to creative risk. Bonét, who teaches nonfiction, shared her key advice for students: "I always encourage my students to go exactly where they are running from." She believes the greatest fear points directly to what a writer should be exploring. Denton-Hurst applied this idea to dating, questioning why people crave certainty. "I think that people want an insurance policy in love, even though there is none of that," she observed. She argued that desired certainty is often a guard against the inherent vulnerability and potential for hurt within love.

Trusting Instincts

Both writers reflected on how to trust one's path when the ending is unknown. Denton-Hurst described a process of simply continuing forward, despite frequent doubts about her projects. Bonét linked her trust in instincts to her upbringing as a Black woman. "I was raised to believe that you always trust your instincts. That your instincts are all you have," she explained. She described a feeling of being "pursued" by an idea until she can no longer avoid writing it, noting this mirrors her approach to relationships.

Bonét also highlighted how family background shapes one's approach to love and risk. "Where we come from and how we’re raised - these people teach us how to love," she said. The 'No Ordinary Love' audiobook features four other real love stories by writers Nicola Dinan, Curtis Garner, Raven Smith, and Rufi Thorpe, available on Spotify or Substack. The audiobook is part of a series that, much like checking the latest fixtures or standings for a sports fan, offers a direct look at the real-life narratives of modern dating.