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- [00:00]
Danielle Robay
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- [00:50]
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- [01:29]
Tinx
Me, I rev up.
- [01:29]
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- [01:50]
Tinx
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- [02:17]
Danielle Robay
Guarantee, bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Robaix and welcome to Bookmarked from Reese's Book Club. Today we're getting hot and heavy in the Hamptons with Tinks. And I want to ask you a question. When was the last time you rooted for a heroine who was a little messy, maybe even a little canceled?
- [02:44]
Tinx
The most interesting heroines that we are still talking about are the Carrie Bradshaws, the Hannah Horvaths, the people that are. They're messy and they're working on themselves. Maybe sometimes actively and maybe sometimes passively. But again, I just wanted girls to be able to see themselves in her because we're all working on things and we all have blind spots.
- [03:09]
Danielle Robay
During COVID when the rest of us were ordering workout equipment that we rarely or never used and baking banana bread, Tinx exploded on social media. She branded herself as TikTok's older sister and she built a following of over a million people, dishing out dating advice and creating rich mom starter packs that were so specific they were universally funny. And five years later, Tinx is a New York Times bestselling author and recently dropped her second book and her first novel, Hotter in the Hamptons. It's a queer romance set in the exclusive New York beach community of the Hamptons. And let me give you a little synopsis. Lola, who's the heroine, was living the dream as an influencer in New York City until a public scandal torched her career, her following, and her seemingly perfect life. She gets canceled. Okay, so she heads to the Hamptons for the summer to try and decompress. It's there that she's forced to reckon with her long term relationship with Justin, a perfect on paper pediatric oncologist who wants kids and a life back in la. But that's a future Lola's not sure she wants. And then just across the hedges is her new neighbor Allie, the sharp tongued journalist writing a feature on her. They have this unexpected electric connection and it forces Lola to confront everything she was trying to outrun. And y', all, this book is hot. It's smutty in the best ways and it's messy in the best ways. It's just a fun summer read. So whether you're rolling out of bed with a messy bun and grabbing a coffee like me, or you're rolling up to a chic restaurant with your girls in the Hamptons, you're in the right place. Let's turn the page with Tinks. Tinks. Welcome to Bookmarked.
- [04:58]
Tinx
Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
- [05:00]
Danielle Robay
Before we talk about your book, which I really, really enjoyed, I want to rewind because you really burst onto the scene with your rich mom starter packs during the pandemic. And they were so funny, but I was trying to think about why they were so funny and it's because they're so observant and specific, I think, like almost more than even a great novel would like, describe these moms. If you were to give me like a rich mom starter pack for Hotter in the Hamptons, what would it be like for anybody who's never been to the Hamptons but take us into that world?
- [05:35]
Tinx
I would say brown swamp farm, chicken fingers, Missoni pants, a vintage baby blue Bronco, maybe a bottle of Hampton water, things like that.
- [05:49]
Danielle Robay
Well, you've lived all over, you were raised in London, you spent time in la, now you're in New York. But you chose the Hamptons as your setting for this novel. What was it about that place that made you want to set your first novel there?
- [06:03]
Tinx
I wanted to have it set in a rich mom location. And the Hamptons, they are a place that is shrouded in mystery because people don't really know what goes on there. And you know, there's obviously the places that you always hear about, but behind the hedges there's this whole other world of drama and wealth and mystery and intrigue. So I thought it would be a really fun place to set the first book just because it's also like a juicy backdrop and, you know, people want to know what goes on there.
- [06:34]
Danielle Robay
There's definitely intrigue. Also the book, it lives up to the name, like it is hot, it's romantic. Out of all of the genres, why plant your flag in romance?
- [06:46]
Tinx
I started reading a lot of romance a little over a year ago just because it was so hot on booktok. And you know, I read this article that was like, it's one of the only categories that's growing and I enjoyed it a lot, but I didn't really see my community represented, so to speak. And I wanted to create something that was a little different. I wanted the protagonist to be someone who was messy because I want people to be able to see themselves in her and not have her be like a perfect princess or whatever. I wanted her to be cool. I wanted her to wear the brands that the girls who follow me, they like to wear. I wanted her to go to the places that they like to go to or that they want to go to. So I really just wanted to create something that more represented the modern girl who is a work in progress, likes sex, likes self exploration and improvement, and is just a little bit more interesting and Vibrant.
- [07:43]
Danielle Robay
I didn't know this tings. But you were a creative writing major at Stanford.
- [07:47]
Tinx
I was an English literature major, yeah. But we did a lot of writing.
- [07:50]
Danielle Robay
I mean, that's a real academic pedigree. That is no joke. Like what came naturally to you when you were writing this? And then where did you sweat writing this?
- [08:00]
Tinx
I think I really enjoyed the creativity of it all. I always like to free write when I wake up as a practice. And a lot of the times when I was doing a Rich mom that I'd post on my Instagram, it would just be because I wrote it growing up. So I think the creativity, the references. I had a very specific vision of how I wanted to the book to come across. You know, I wanted it to be full of references and labels and brand names, because that's just kind of how I create a vision in my mind, per your point, with the rich mom starter packs. So that was easy. And then where I struggled, I mean, obviously I'm not queer, which is why I thought it was so important to work with an amazing collaborator just to get that lived experience. Because that's obviously something I don't have. So didn't attempt to try to do that.
- [08:48]
Danielle Robay
Did you pull from any classic inspirations or books that you had read?
- [08:53]
Tinx
I read the Gossip Girl books growing up, and I really loved how, like, they would put labels in bars and restaurants. And at that time, there was no social media. And I was obsessed with the glamorous girls in New York. And I had never been to New York when I was reading those books. So I remember, like, writing with pen and paper all the labels that, you know, the girls would wear and all the clubs and the bars. Cause they were all real. So I wanted so badly to know about that world. And so I. It's obviously different with social media now. People have much more of a window into whatever world they want to see into. But I still wanted it to have that feel just in case there's some girl out there who's never been in the Hamptons and she wants to know what it's like and where everyone goes. So I guess that was an inspiration for me.
- [09:41]
Danielle Robay
It's funny, I'd never thought about that, but now that you say it, I remember reading one of the Gossip Girl books, and Serena Van der Woodsen was. They described her wearing some poochie outfit. I'd never heard of poochie. And I remember looking it up and being like, what is that? And it is fun to have specific references that are real. Yeah, I want to talk about Lola. She's your main character. She's the girl that you described as messy and complicated. And I really loved her as a heroine. She's funny, and she's layered, and honestly, I thought she was fierce, too. How much of Lola is you and how much of Lola is who you wish you were? If you could write your own romantic hero arc?
- [10:22]
Tinx
I think that her and I are very different people. I think the only similarity that we have is that we're both influencers. And I definitely wanted to explore my job through the character of Lola, just because I can get existential about it. And I think a lot about, you know, as time passes, how you become more muted as a content creator just because you do get more brand deals and you do have more people watching you. So I kind of wanted to explore that through her. But in terms of personalities, we're so different. And, you know, she's kind of annoying at some parts. Like, I wanted her to make her that way. I think the most interesting heroines that we are still talking about are the Carrie Bradshaws, the Hannah Horvaths, the people that are. They're messy, and they're working on themselves, maybe sometimes actively and maybe sometimes passively. But again, I just wanted girls to be able to see themselves in her because we're all working on things and we all have blind spots. Like, for example, Lola doesn't really have any girlfriends, and she's not really aware that that's, like, a problem until she realizes, like, at the end of the book, like, oh, I have, like, put all of my worth in being in a relationship. And, like, that's how I found my identity for so long. It's really important to have girlfriends, to explore a different side of yourself and to be social and have that network.
- [11:44]
Danielle Robay
So to build on that, I am curious, because Lola deals with cancellation, and that's the reason she goes to the Hamptons. And it's after this offhand comment during an Instagram Live that the Internet took offense to. You've had to navigate being canceled. Was that cathartic at all to write through Lolo's experience?
- [12:04]
Tinx
Yeah, I think a little. I mean, I think that nobody wants to hear, like, an influencer complain, but I've taken all my cancellations really hard. I'm a really sensitive person, and I think something that is hard for me is, like, feeling misunderstood. So I really wanted to capture that feeling of something just being so taken out of context or wanting to explain yourself more and not feeling like anybody would give you a chance or that people wanted to purposefully misunderstand you. So it was cathartic? Absolutely. Yeah, it was very cathartic. And I wanted to do it in a humorous way because I think that's always the best way to get over something is to a, to write about it and B, to turn it into a joke and try to laugh. In hindsight, yeah.
- [12:50]
Danielle Robay
That's what SNL has been doing for 50 years.
- [12:53]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [12:53]
Danielle Robay
How do you reconcile feeling and being misunderstood?
- [12:57]
Tinx
I still struggle with it. Like, I'd be lying if I said I was at peace with all of it. I think all the time about things I could have done differently, things I still want to say. But I mean, at the end of the day, it's part of the job. And I think that you just kind of have to keep going. Like, you have to just keep showing up. If you think about the people who have 20, 30, 40 year careers in any sort of entertainment, they just keep going. Whether they're a movie star or a pop star. They have bad albums, they have flop movies, they get canceled. You just kind of have to just keep showing up if you want a seat at the table. And also I think about like how I view people who get like smeared in the media or get canceled. And unless they've done something really bad, which usually they haven't because we only cancel women for minor dumb stuff that doesn't really have any consequence to doesn't make me think any differently of them. Like I judge them on their work and I'm like, ugh, it's them this week. Like could be me next week. You really never know. Which again speaks to kind of the silliness of cancel culture and like the ineffectiveness of it. So yeah.
- [14:11]
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- [15:11]
Ryan Seacrest
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- [15:41]
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- [16:14]
Scott Galloway
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- [16:47]
Danielle Robay
Were promoting this book, you were making me laugh because you kept saying, saying that you just basically did it because you wanted to make people horny. Like that was your tagline.
- [16:55]
Tinx
I did. It was truly supposed to be a horny beach read. And, and then it got so like people got took it so seriously and like look, art of any sort is supposed to create conversation and, and I understand that very well. But in its inception it was supposed to be a horny poolside read. I was inspired because some of my followers were talking to me about like, oh tinks. Like I watch girl on girl. Like what does that mean? Or like oh tinks. Like sometimes I think about kissing my friend when I'm with my boyfriend or whatever. And I was like, oh, this is so funny. And then these rich mom characters dropped into my head, and it's a fun poolside beach read. And I genuinely want everybody to be horny.
- [17:34]
Danielle Robay
Well, I think the chemistry and the tension building is part of what makes this book so fun. So for anybody who hasn't read it, it starts because Allie is a journalist and Lola is going to be the subject. It made me laugh because when I first started working in journalism, I remember hearing Juliana Rancic, who was at E at the time, and she was like, you never mix business with pleasure. Like, you never sleep with or date anybody that you're interviewing. And I took that to heart so deeply, 13 years later, I've only done it once.
- [18:07]
Tinx
There you go. That's pretty good. Thank you.
- [18:12]
Danielle Robay
But you give people advice on your podcast. So I wanted to know what you think about the dynamic because it's so fraught now, that work relationship.
- [18:22]
Tinx
I mean, in general, I would say I agree with Julian Rancic. Don't mix business with pleasure. It just gets so messy. I feel like most of us, at least millennials, we've all done it once because just we've been through it. And, you know, Gen Z doesn't go to work, so I don't know how that would ever happen for them. But we've all had a forbidden romance. We've all had someone where, you know, it's your colleague or it's someone that you hate, or it's something like that where you're just like, I can't believe that I'm having feelings for this person that feels ten times more naughty and irresistible. And that's like a really relatable feeling that most of us have experienced.
- [18:59]
Danielle Robay
Something else I found myself reflecting on during the book was the male gaze. Because you have this romance between two women, Allie and Lola. And then you have Lola navigating her long term relationship with Justin, who you said is perfect on paper, and Lola's not really sure what she wants. And when you were writing about the relationship with Lola and Allie, even though Justin exists, you get to remove the male gaze from the equation. Last year, the CEO of hello Sunshine, her name is Sarah Hardin, she said something during a meeting about the male gaze that I just, for a whole year have not been able to stop thinking about. How much of my life have I been thinking about the male gaze? Do I wear makeup for the male gaze? Do I dress for the male gaze? How much of my life is about that? What was it? I was so almost, like, jealous of this. What was it like to explore desire without that lens?
- [19:55]
Tinx
It's really interesting. One of my friends who's a lesbian, when I'm like, oh, I wish I was a lesbian or whatever, she's always like, but imagine dating a woman who's, like, just as equally emotionally intelligent and smart and, like, she's like, it's even more intense in a good and a bad way. And that's always stuck with me, for one. And then secondly, I have such a difficult relationship with the male gaze, as we all do. I'm actually reading this book now. You would love it. It's called Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert. Should read it. It's all about, like, the conditioning that millennial woman had and why our feminism is the way that it is. And it got me thinking a lot about my relationship with the male gaze. And for the most part, I'm pretty. Like, in girl world, like, my team is mostly women. I speak to mostly women. You know, I create things for women. But I'm still, like, deeply affected by the male gaze. Like, I like to feel wanted by men. I like to feel sexy for men and all this stuff. So it's like, it's complicated. And I think part of the joy of Hodder is that it is this little bubble where it's just like a little break from it, which is sometimes so nice. And also, I think that, like, I don't know, I think part of why Lola secretly feels like, I don't know if this. If this is it, but, like, she kind of knows Justin is there in the background. So it's like somewhat of a safety net in her mind. Like, I don't think it's conscious, I think it's subconscious, but, like, it's kind of there. But she's in her own little bubble for the summer, and that feels very freeing and different and kind of obviously sparks this whole self exploration.
- [21:30]
Danielle Robay
There is a moment, and it's sort of the searing moment of truth. And it's set in the context of Lola's relationship with Justin and trying to sort of image polish. And I think Allie says there's no good girl prize. Yeah, I really loved that quote. I've been thinking about what it means to be a good girl, or a quote, bad girl for years, because that was such a trope for us as millennials.
- [21:55]
Tinx
Totally. Yeah.
- [21:56]
Danielle Robay
What were you thinking about when you wrote that line?
- [21:59]
Tinx
I mean, I think a lot about also what it means to be a good girl and what it means to be, like, done. And by. By that, I mean, like, married to a great guy and like in the modern farmhouse with the golden doodle. Like, I think a lot about that in terms of what it means to be good as a good woman. With Justin, I wanted him to represent, like, the guy who is literally perfect, but just not. Not quite right. Like, just something gives you pause. So, yeah, I guess I was thinking about that. And also I wanted Lola to feel kind of like, hurt by Ali in that moment as well and, like, very seen in a very vulnerable way.
- [22:43]
Danielle Robay
I'm curious about what you just said. The perfect farmhouse and the guy and all of that. I've sort of seen online your evolution on, in your opinion on marriage or what it means. Yeah, it seems like now you feel pretty open minded. Like, it's giving me Chelsea Handler vibes.
- [23:02]
Tinx
I love Chelsea Handler.
- [23:03]
Danielle Robay
Is that accurate?
- [23:04]
Tinx
Yeah, I'm very open to life. Like, whatever is supposed to happen is supposed to happen. And I think the older I get, the more control that I give up, which feels really good as kind of a control freak. And I think that I've always been really interested in women's end of the deal and, like, what they're getting out of, say, marriage, for example. And as I spend more time in the weeds with all of these incredible women of all ages who follow me and call me and talk to me and we just discuss what's going on, you know, it will change your mind. Like, it really will. Just seeing everything up close and hearing stories. And for me, I guess what it means is that I'll know it when I see it, and I really will not jump on board until I like what I see. And that's okay. And that's not for everybody. Some people really want to get married and that union is very sacred and important to them, and that's great, and they should do that, and that's fantastic. But for me, it's more about finding a partner who meets me where I am and wants to build a life together. It's less about just like getting the ring.
- [24:14]
Danielle Robay
I feel very similarly to you. I'm 34 and single, but I get anxious because I really want kids. And that's where my anxiety comes from. The marriage part, I'm like, it'll come.
- [24:25]
Tinx
Yeah. That's kind of the unsolvable thing for women is that we just don't have quite the same freedom if we know we want kids. And I think, you know, obviously egg freezing is an incredible option, but it's not available to everybody. It's expensive, it's, you know, very hard on Women's bodies. It's amazing, but it's not foolproof. So I always think about that, you know, because a lot of the girls who follow me and that we, we talk, you know, about this, they're like, tinx, I'm on board with the no timeline thing, but I want a baby. And I'm like, yeah, that's really hard. I'm more like, I'll want to have kids when I meet my person if that happens. But it's a really, really difficult thing.
- [25:06]
Danielle Robay
And yeah, that's the unsolvable variable.
- [25:08]
Tinx
That's the unsolvable variable that I really feel for women who are, you know, wanting to wait and meet someone incredible but also want to create, you know, life. So it's just, just another thing that women have to contend with on the never ending list of shit that we have to deal with that men don't.
- [25:26]
Danielle Robay
This book has a lot to say about how women curate themselves online as well. What's your matrix for that? Because you are extremely online and you also seem like you're super self aware and, and thinking about what's good for tinks and, and how your mental health is. What do you think the difference is between self expression and self surveillance online?
- [25:49]
Tinx
I don't know. I mean, I, like I said a lot of Lola's job and her journey with her influencing is kind of a meditation for me because I think about it so much and I think I'm very inconsistent with how I feel sometimes. I'm like, I'm so embarrassed like about the stuff that I put online. Like I look so ugly today. And then I'm like, no, it's good for the girls to see that you can like not have any makeup on and not put a filter and still talk. And then I'm like, oh my God. But then men I'm dating are going to see me looking ugly and it's very complex and I don't have the answer. I, I've definitely started sharing less just because I feel like I need to take back my identity and my life and I don't know, it just feels like I need to have a better balance in terms of how much I share. But at the same time the things that get views are the most honest. The raw, you know, unfiltered reviews of things. So it's really difficult. It's a job with so much immediate feedback that it's hard not to take personally as well because you know, you're getting it in real time and it's also about you.
- [26:55]
Danielle Robay
So it's weird too, with the overlap of, like, the guys you're dating versus the people you're serving are women.
- [27:01]
Tinx
Even, like, if I post a thirst trap, then people will be like, I thought you didn't care about your body. And I'm like, it's not for me. It's for the dudes that I'm trying to get to text me, like, jesus Christ, girls, cut me some slack. Like, that's been recently because I've been posting some thirst traps recently, and I'm like, I don't, you know, and that's. That's honest, right? Sometimes I don't want to have a discussion about, like, feminism in my body. Sometimes I do. Monday mornings, call me on my radio show. I'm ready to do it. But on a Friday, when I want the guy I'm dating to see me looking hot in, like, workout clothes. Leave me alone, girls. I'm also just a girl out here, you know, So I think that dichotomy is, like, something that I struggle with sometimes.
- [27:42]
Danielle Robay
So I think that's really honest of you. I. There was a lot of conversation online with Sabrina Carpenter's album cover, and people were saying it was for the male gaze, but she serves the girls. And so they felt sort of betrayed. Like there was this disconnect. And I was thinking, wow, that's such a issue for women online across the board.
- [28:03]
Tinx
That album cover discussion was so interesting. And I, you know, I think that it just depends how deep you want to go on it. You know, of course I'm for women doing whatever they want. And if they like sex and if they like feeling sexy, then they should do whatever they want. But after reading this book, which my followers kindly recommended to me after the discussion of the Sabrina, because we discussed it a lot on my show, I. I kind of understand more about, like, the roots of that brand of feminism, which I, by the way, I'm the same way. Like, I'm the one who's like, if you want to be sexy, like, if you want to post the thirst trap, then that's empowering because, like, we're the bosses, girls, like, whatever. I, you know, I'm embarrassed to even try to articulate my thoughts on this, but this book really did open my eyes to see that for us millennial women, a lot of our feminism was spoon fed to us to get us to buy things. And that is really like, like exploding my brain right now, because that is me. I grew up on the Spice Girls. Come to find out the Spice Girls were created by a father Son duo who were like, they put out an ad in the newspaper, you know, and in my head I was like, oh, the five best friends get together and they all want to represent the different types of girl you can be and like, whatever. But even that was just consumerism that resulted in a really great girl band that we all love so much and have great memories of. I think we all thought like, oh, this is the era of like girl power. But it was just a way for, to get women to buy more things to make themselves feel pretty and empowered.
- [29:42]
Danielle Robay
Okay, so you once said that romantic delusion is a rite of passage. Yeah, I love the idea of delusion. I think I am romantically delusional. My mom always says I have rose colored glasses and she doesn't say that in a good way.
- [29:55]
Tinx
Oh no, that's a good way to be. I wish I was more delusional. Delusional. I'm like, too cynical is not the right word. I'm just like a realist. I, I think, but I, I think delusion is great.
- [30:05]
Danielle Robay
Why do you think you feel disillusioned?
- [30:09]
Tinx
I think people like underestimate the fact that I've literally been listening to dating stories for four years every week, non stop. And so, and I, and I love it. Like, don't get me wrong, I want to be so clear. Like, I love my job, I want to do it forever. But I think just hearing my community come to me with stories of dating and experiencing myself as well, it's hard to not absorb that. And my community specifically are the most well rounded, intelligent, they want the best for themselves, they want the best for the world. They are thoughtful, they work really hard. And I'm like, if these girls are having it this hard, I don't even know what to say, you know, And I also think like, we're just going through a paradigm shift right now. And I follow Scott Galloway's teachings very closely and it just, data wise, it is just more difficult to date right now and it's hard. So any delusion you've got, hold onto it because we all need some to survive in this era.
- [31:10]
Danielle Robay
I like a lot of what Scott Galloway says.
- [31:12]
Tinx
Yeah, he's great. I think the missing puzzle piece for me is like, well, what are women supposed to do? Like, I'm like, I agree with everything you're saying, but where the does that leave us? Because there's a lot of women who have worked on themselves in every way possible. Women who are the first in their families to go to college, women who are breaking the mold at work, women who are managing directors, women who, you know, have gone to therapy and healed and, and done all this and wake up at four to do pilates before they go to their job and then do charity after work. And I'm like, I hear you. That men are like behind. I can see it and I can feel it. But what do we do about this huge gap for now?
- [31:50]
Danielle Robay
Yeah. So feel like as women we had so many great role models in the media as millennials. Like, I think the Reese Witherspoon generation did such a great job.
- [32:00]
Tinx
Yeah, I mean, exactly. Like both in the characters we had in our movies and then like the celebrities that we had to look up to. We're just lucky. Like, we just, we did have so many models to be like, oh my gosh, that's great. I'm gonna strive to be that. And I mean, even you think about like the movies we had, like Legally Blonde, like, that was such an inspiring movie for so many women and it was such a, like, positive role model. And you just don't get that for men. Like, I think the role models that you see today for young men are very, very extreme and they have a certain agenda and there just isn't that much media around. Just like being a good guy.
- [32:39]
Danielle Robay
Totally.
- [32:47]
Cindy Crawford
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- [33:47]
Ryan Seacrest
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- [34:17]
Cindy Crawford
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- [34:52]
Scott Galloway
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- [35:25]
Danielle Robay
Okay, so you mentioned that you had a collaborator on the project.
- [35:28]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [35:29]
Danielle Robay
Which I want to mention to everybody is a very common arrangement. A lot of very famous writers have used ghost writers. James Patterson, Tom Clancy, even Prince Harry collaborated with a writer for his memoir, Spare. But I thought it was an especially thoughtful choice on your part to bring in someone queer to help tell that lived experience and that queer love story authentically.
- [35:53]
Tinx
Yes.
- [35:54]
Danielle Robay
On the flip side of everything I just said, there was a lot of talk online when your book was published.
- [35:59]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [36:00]
Danielle Robay
And I have to imagine that really hurt. People say like a book is like a baby.
- [36:05]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [36:05]
Danielle Robay
So you, you put your baby out into the world and then instead of talking about the book, they're talking about this collaborator and coming down on you. How did you feel about the backlash?
- [36:17]
Tinx
Yeah, I mean, I was really sad. I think that a lot of people got totally the wrong end of the stick and that they thought that I had really bad intentions or, I don't know, that it was somehow like a negative thing and it, it couldn't have been further from that. And like I said, I mean, I'm a sensitive person and I think feeling misunderstood is really, really difficult for me. And I think that in the end, the books, the work, whatever, finds the people that it's supposed to find. And I have an incredible, gorgeous, stunning, smart community who read my book and, you know, a lot of other people. And it's funny because a lot of people are reading it now that it's summer, and they're like, I don't get why people were so upset with you. Like, I really like the book. And I was like, yeah, it's really not that deep. I don't know what happened. But, you know, that's the nature of the Internet. Sometimes, is that the best intentions can be really twisted. And. Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, I think I know my intentions and I know my inspiration and I know how much work I put into this book and my idea. And I think that does count for something. Doesn't mean that it's not painful to see people smear your name or whatever. But, you know, like I said, the.
- [37:33]
Danielle Robay
Book finds who it's supposed to find in hindsight. Cause I imagine, like, the initial impact is heavy in hindsight. Do you feel any differently?
- [37:42]
Cindy Crawford
No.
- [37:42]
Tinx
I mean, not really. Like, I guess. No, it sucks. It's like, it's never great. I think that people just completely twisted it and didn't get it. I mean, I was never gonna attempt to write a lesbian character myself. Not being a lesbian, like, that's just not something that I think is appropriate. Like, I think it's so important to hire queer people. I think it's important to have queer people write queer characters so that they are authentic and real. And it was also, like, a great experience. I think that was, like, another really hurtful aspect of this, I don't know, online campaign was that it was a great experience. Like, we worked together. It was incredible. I learned so much. She's an amazing writer. And to have it be like, oh, tinks, you know, did this or that, it's just like, I don't know. At some point, you just gotta. Gotta walk away.
- [38:36]
Danielle Robay
What do you wish people understood about that creative partnership?
- [38:40]
Tinx
I think I wish that they knew that it was a partnership that I wanted and that I thought was the right thing to do and that was the right thing to do. And am proud of the collaboration. You know, she's the first person that I think in the acknowledgments, like, yeah, at the end of the day, people are gonna think what they're gonna think, and you can only know, like, your intentions are good and that you feel like you did the right thing.
- [39:06]
Danielle Robay
And that's all well, in happy news, the book got picked up by the Foster sisters as a page to screen adaptation. And it's an all women team. Every book to screen adaptation has that one scene, that one line, that one moment that the author refuses to lose. What's yours? What hill will you die on?
- [39:28]
Tinx
Oh, my gosh. I think I really want to see Lola in the City. I mean, I know it's set in the Hamptons and, you know, there's been talk of like, oh, where do we start the show? Like, is it just a bubble in the Hamptons? Or whatever? But to me, it's very important to see her in New York City because that's her universe. And I love shows in New York. I love when they're filmed in New York and when you can see, like, the hot steam coming off of the sidewalk in the summer. And I just have this vision of her, like, blonde hair, big boobs, like, tall, gorgeous, like, clomping across soho in a Chloe dress. And, like, I need to see that, like, whether it's in a flashback or whether it's in the beginning of the book, that's just so important to me.
- [40:07]
Danielle Robay
As you're describing her, I'm like, which actress plays her? Do you have anybody in mind?
- [40:12]
Tinx
Oh, my gosh. Well, I've been asking my followers and they have so many good ideas, and now I have so many good ideas in my head. I'm like, I don't even know. We'll see.
- [40:20]
Danielle Robay
But who have they thrown out? I'm curious.
- [40:22]
Tinx
I mean, a lot of people have said Sydney Sweeney. A lot of people have said Dakota Johnson. A lot of people have said Megan Fahey or Fahey love her. Yeah, we'll see. It's really fun. I'm just so excited to learn. This is obviously my first TV show, and I just can't wait to learn from the best. They are so smart and so incredible, and we're gonna make it really good.
- [40:46]
Danielle Robay
It's such a great story. I've noticed a lot of musical artists recently have changed their names to their government names. The Weeknd went back to Abel. Even her, who I love, went to Gabriella. And you've built a brand on using the name Tinx, but your government name is Christina. Do you ever feel like you'll be Christina publicly?
- [41:06]
Tinx
You know, I've thought about it. I've definitely started introducing myself as Christina in my personal life just because I feel like I want a little bit more separation from what Tinks has become. But I don't know. I don't know I never say never. I could definitely see that in the future.
- [41:23]
Danielle Robay
Wait, so when you would, like, go on dates, you would be tanks?
- [41:27]
Tinx
Normally, Yeah. I mean, that's. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So.
- [41:31]
Danielle Robay
So that is a big separation then.
- [41:32]
Tinx
Yeah. Lately, I've just been like, I need some space from it all. I want to be Christina again.
- [41:38]
Danielle Robay
So, Christina, the book is a steamy, queer romance layered with questions of identity and authenticity and sexuality. But my favorite part of the book is that at its heart, it's about a woman who's just figuring out who she is.
- [41:57]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [41:57]
Danielle Robay
And that is a journey that we have all been on. It spoke to me. It's a journey I've been on for sure. What did you discover about who you, Christina, are while you were writing this?
- [42:10]
Tinx
I think that I discovered that I have a lot more things to say. Like, I thought I was kind of, like, running out of things to say, but I. I feel like I. In creating this universe and world, it just made me hungry for more and that, you know, like I said, I want to explore, you know, what my followers are going through and what my community is going through, dating wise and personally, and how much I enjoyed exploring that in a creative way. So that was really cool, and it definitely inspired me to create more. Yeah.
- [42:43]
Danielle Robay
So I love asking our guests what they've bookmarked this week. It could be a weird fact, a fun quote, something you've saved on Instagram, something you've texted a best friend. What have you bookmarked this week?
- [42:55]
Tinx
I read an article in the New York Times which was about, I don't want to misname their rank, but I think he's like a general or a soldier in the Army. And it's an opinion piece in the New York Times, and it's called something like, I am not who you would think would oppose the transgender ban, but here's why I do. Basically, his story of being in the army and him saying, like, he's an evangelical Christian and has been in the army and, you know, whatever, and why he basically is opposing the ban and why he's resigning. And I just thought it was a very thoughtful, interesting opinion piece. And I. I really thought it was well written and very brave of this man to come forward and write this. I'm always interested when people are able to look at their belief system and look outside of it and disagree with something that's in their belief system and stand by that. Like, that is just so inspiring to me. And I really hope that a lot of people read this piece, because his thought Process is very interesting. So I would highly recommend everybody read that.
- [44:06]
Danielle Robay
You have this quote. I don't want to butcher it, but.
- [44:09]
Tinx
It'S strong opinions loosely held.
- [44:12]
Danielle Robay
Yes, strong opinions loosely held. I love that.
- [44:15]
Tinx
I think that having opinions is what it means to be human. But if you don't change your opinion based on new information that you receive, then you're not smart at all.
- [44:26]
Danielle Robay
Okay, we're coming up to speed read. It's one of my favorite parts of the conversation. Here's how it works. I'm gonna put 60 seconds on the clock and I'm gonna ask you a series of rapid fire questions. Just say the first thing that comes to your mind.
- [44:40]
Tinx
Great.
- [44:42]
Danielle Robay
Okay. What's a romance trope you'll defend with your life?
- [44:46]
Tinx
Oh, God. Not ending up with someone.
- [44:50]
Danielle Robay
Romance trope that needs to be retired.
- [44:53]
Tinx
None of them. They're all valid. They're all great.
- [44:56]
Danielle Robay
If your 20s were a novel, what would the title be?
- [45:01]
Tinx
High highs and low lows.
- [45:04]
Danielle Robay
How about your 30s?
- [45:05]
Tinx
The only way is up.
- [45:07]
Danielle Robay
Who's narrating your memoir audiobook?
- [45:10]
Tinx
Me.
- [45:11]
Danielle Robay
What is your favorite book to recommend?
- [45:14]
Tinx
When in doubt, wash your hair by Anya Hindmarch.
- [45:18]
Danielle Robay
A classic novel you'd love to see. Reimagined.
- [45:21]
Tinx
The sun also Rises.
- [45:22]
Danielle Robay
What's a book that shaped the way you see the world?
- [45:26]
Tinx
DVF's memoir. It's called the woman I wanted to be. It's a really great book.
- [45:33]
Danielle Robay
Okay. We talked about dream casting for Lola. How about some dreamcasting for Ali?
- [45:40]
Tinx
People have said like Audrey Plaza. Someone said Dakota Johnson for her. I don't know. I'm just excited to see what happens. But I have a few I don't want to drinks in my head that I think be really good fair.
- [45:54]
Danielle Robay
Okay, last one. What's the best book you've never read?
- [45:57]
Tinx
Oh, my God, what have I not read? I've never read the Odyssey. I need to read that.
- [46:05]
Danielle Robay
I thought you were gonna say that. That's so funny.
- [46:07]
Tinx
Really? That's cr. I. I haven't and I feel like I should, but I almost wanna be taught it, you know, it's one of those books that as a former English major, I just crave being taught something. I'm like, let's go over this paragraph for two hours. Like, please. That sounds so fun.
- [46:21]
Danielle Robay
Same. I want to like, annotate with all my different color highlighters and write notes in the margins.
- [46:25]
Tinx
Yeah.
- [46:27]
Danielle Robay
Tinks, thank you for bringing Hodder in the Hamptons to our lives. It was super fun for me to read.
- [46:32]
Tinx
Thank you.
- [46:33]
Danielle Robay
Thank you so much and I appreciate your time.
- [46:35]
Tinx
Thank you for having me.
- [46:38]
Danielle Robay
That's it for this week's book club. If you want a little bit more from us, come hang with us on socials. We're at Reese's Book Club on Instagram serving up book club vibes and behind the scenes magic. And I'm Danielle Robay, R O B A Y Come say hi and DM me. And if you want to go 90s on us, call us. Okay, Our phone line is open, so call now at 1-501291-3379. That's 1-501291-3379. Share your literary Hot Take book recommendations, questions about the monthly pick, or let us know what you think about the episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear yourself in our next episode. So don't be shy, give us a ring and of course, make sure to follow. Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your shows. Until then, see you in the next chapter. Bookmarked is a production of hello Sunshine and iheart Podcast Acast. It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me, Danielle Robaix. Production is by Acast Creative Studios. Our producers are Maddy Foley, Aaliyah Yates, Brittany Martinez and Darby Masters. Our production assistant is Avery Loftus. Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the executive producers for Acast Creative Studios. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine. Olga Kaminwa, Kristin Perla, Kelly Turner and Ashley Rapoport are associate producers for Reese's Book Club. Ally Perry and Christina Everett are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts, and Tim Palazzola is our showrunner. Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands, but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort, and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton leaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives.
- [49:11]
Ryan Seacrest
Learn more@thefabricofourlives.com hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's Oral Care Month, which means you can earn four times points on all your favorite oral care brands. Now through July 15th. Shop in store or online for items like Colgate Toothpaste, Listerine Mouthwash, Crest Mouthwash or Toothpaste Sensodyne Toothpaste, hello Toothpaste or Gum Flossers and earn four times points. Points can be redeemed for future discounts on gas or groceries. Offer ends July 15th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.
- [49:44]
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This is Jana Kramer from Wind down with Jana Kramer. When we were deciding on our appliances for the house, Samsung was at the top of our list. And I love my Samsung appliances, especially because they're so reliable and with my busy schedule, having reliable appliances has been a game changer. It's no wonder Samsung is the number one brand for customer satisfaction. That's why I'm excited to tell you all about Samsung's new line of smart appliances featuring their brand new Bespoke AI laundry combo. This incredible magic machine washes and dries in one machine, one load, no transfers, no timers, no rewashing needed. New Bespoke AI appliances this is home living made simple. For more information visit samsung.com bespoke 68.
- [51:00]
Tinx
Minute cycle based on 27 inch combos.
- [51:02]
Ryan Seacrest
Based on using a super speed cycle only with a 10 pound doe load cotton 50% plus polyester 50%. Individual results may vary based on actual load content.
- [51:09]
Danielle Robay
This is an iHeart podcast.