Notes on Love: Poems and Photography

by F.S. Yousaf

Every heart longs to love and be loved. In Notes on Love , F.S. Yousaf pairs heartfelt poems with stunning street photography, celebrating the beauty and tenderness of everyday human connection.

In Notes on Love, celebrated and respected poet F.S. Yousaf—author of Serenity and Oaths— effortlessly intertwines two mediums he holds dear for the very first poetry and photography. With an eye for finding beauty in the ordinary, Yousaf’s poems and photographs explore the many shapes of love—romantic, platonic, familial, and self—creating a heartfelt journey through human connection and tenderness. This stunning hardcover collection features over 80 new poems and 100 never-before-seen photographs, offering a fresh, immersive experience for readers who cherish both poetry and visual art.Perfect for fans of F.S. Yousaf’s reflective writing, Notes on Love is a moving celebration of vulnerability, intimacy, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.

Genres: Poetry

192 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

F.S. Yousaf is a poet and writer from New Jersey. He is the author of six poetry collections, and finds himself writing about love, spirituality, and boyhood. He has a Bachelors in History and Secondary Education and an MFA in Creative Writing from William Paterson University.

His forthcoming poetry collection is titled ‘Notes on Love’, and will be published June 2026.

Stay connected with F.S. Yousaf for daily updates through Instagram (@fs.yousaf).

Reviews

[Lis Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC
I really liked it, it’s very simple but so beautifully written, each poem feels different but still simple, not in a bad way. The whole book is perfectly curated and the pictures feel complementary to the poems are there for a reason, and also very pretty, gorgeous even.
The poetry is realistic, it’s not meant to be complicated but get to the point, and to evoke the feelings.
The poems are so beautiful that I wish someday someone would wrote something this beautiful to me.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. The poetry & photography are beautiful ☺️

[Mashnun Munir]

For me, Yousaf’s work has always offered a gateway to characterize the tenderness, and devotion that young men often struggle to articulate. This collection consists of him doing this at his best.

I reread countless pieces just because I loved the feeling I felt while reading them. Love, loyalty, told directly, graciously, in ways that just stick around. Learning about Yousaf’s love makes you recognize all of the ways you unknowingly tend to love as well, that realization is deeply infectious. Needless to mention, the photography lifts the poems off their pages and serve as the perfect soup and salad combo.

Keep this book close if you like having a reminder of the simple beauty of life, illustrated by someone who’s wonderful at doing so.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this poetry collection excited to read poems about love and also see the photographs that would add depth to the poetry. I think that poetry is really subjective, and a few of the poems missed the mark for me. What I enjoyed the most about this collection was the photographs. In this book, there were many intimate photos that felt like they showed a variety of emotions that pertain to love, and they were tender and sweet. I also liked that some of the poems were written in handwriting, which made them feel more intimate. My favourite poems were towards the end of the book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC! Review to come closer to publication date. All opinions are my own.

[kiryn!¡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"all I desire is the irrevocable normalcy of a simple life" WOW! 5 stars, I tend to not rate poetry books but this one well deserves it. The poems were great, the photography was amazing. This book was so cute, I reallyyyy loved.

[F.S. Yousaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love poetry AND love photography? Pretty cool if you ask me.

[stefiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I have quite a bit to say about this poetry collection.
To be honest, the reason I picked up this book is because it's been a while since I read poetry because it's a hit or miss, and it has been a miss in my case most of the time. Then I saw this collection. I was hesitating at first but the cover and the summary called out to me, as a I love photography as well.

I am glad I read it.
This is a book that was written from someone who truly found love. It was so visible through Yousaf's writing. Reading it, is like being a quiet audience nearby, witnessing two people fall in love so deep, and healing each other's heart. I got teary because it was so beautiful. It has also made my heart ache a bit because I was once betrayed by love that was once felt like this. I don't know, I feel so many feelings while reading it. While it reminded me of my past, it also healing some part of me.

Yousaf's is a gifted writer, and I adore reading this collection about love.
Poetry about love can be cheesy, but this one... it is tender and just beautiful.
It will stay with me for a while.
I wish everyone could found a love like this and be loved this deeply.

Thank you Netgally for the e-arc copy.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars
Rating explanation: very enjoyable, would recommend

First time reading any of Yousaf’s writing, it was surprising.

It’s pretty incredible how each writing brings you into a world, emotion, headspace, perspective, that isn’t yours. But we’ve all had experiences with love, we’ve all encountered it, or observed it (like in the photographs), we all have an idea of what love is. Yousaf brings you to his definition and really makes you feel how he feels but for your own person or people.

Many times while reading, I found myself saying, “that’s exactly how I think, feel, experience this person.” And when that would happen, I would screenshot the page because that feeling, whether good or bad, happy or sad, lives in that poem and lives in your mind tethered to that person you thought of.

Really quite amazing stuff. I’ll have to read it again some time.

No further comments.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley

I would recommend this title to any poetry lovers who are looking for new and contemporary options. I found the photos paired with the poetry to be incredibly moving and I greatly appreciated the format. While some poems stood out more than others, the majority of them were really beautiful and captured the every day feelings around romantic love in a way that I don't often see. Yousaf captures through both photos and poetry the almost mundane qualities of being in a partnership and loving someone.
My one critique would be that I wish more types of love were included instead of just focusing on romantic love. Definitely pick this one up if you're in a nostalgic or contemplative mood and you need a quick read that will make you reflect and appreciate the beauty of life.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as the description promised, this was a truly immersive look into human connection and love. I loved the connections of the photographs with the poetry and am glad that the author thought to combine his two passions into this beautiful collection of works. Street photography has always been one of my favorite niches since it offers us a little glimpse into the ordinary life of others, and pairing it with poetry paints it all in a beautiful new light.

Personal favorites included "Paris, 2023" and "Unfold and Flourish".

If you're looking for a good coffee table book, I'd recommend this one.

I received an eARC of this book via Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley. Notes on Love releases on June 2, 2026, or you can request an eARC on NetGalley! This is my honest, voluntary review 🖤

[Corina Park (TikTok: thelitnook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC of this book for honest review.

To be loved is to be seen - in this case, both metaphorically and through the lens of a camera. This was my first time reading Yousaf’s work, and I absolutely adored this book. The poems (my personal favourites being “I Carry You,” “September Readings,” “Scatter Me,” and “MET”) felt deeply personal to the author in a way that was intimate, yet I could still see reflections of my own love within each of them. The pairing of analogue photographs was perfect, and I especially appreciated the diverse representation of love they captured. Overall, a five-star read - and one I’d happily keep on my bookshelf, and in my heart, long after its release.

[Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my first time reading something written by Yousaf, and I'm pleasantly surprised.

As someone who has loved poetry for as long as I can remember, I didn't knew what to expect about it at first but it’s good and it’s lovely written, you can feel every word and emotion he wanted to convey to us.

You clearly can see love, joy, regret, gratitude and even the missing innocence of moments that never knew they would end.

I can only recommend it—if you love poetry and photography, this is the perfect combination for you, and it’s a must-read. The photographs are beautiful and truly bring the poems to life.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading F.S. Yousaf's work and I'm so glad I did. This was a heartfelt collection of poems and photographs that capture the beauty of love. The poems are short, but they are full of reflection, tenderness, and vulnerability. These same emotions are present in the photographs that Yousaf has included, which bring the poems to life and really show how many quiet acts of love surround us in our everyday lives. This was a touching book from start to finish and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to go back and read F.S. Yousaf's other works. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for this ARC.

[Yves V.H. [Slow reading] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by F.S. Yousaf and I must say, this is a good collection of poetry. While I was reading the verses, I realize that this is the author's love letter to his partner. It is somehow letting us have a glimpse of what their love looks like and feels like. In a way, the author also lets us in to what his heart is saying.

I GIVE TO YOU TO GIVE TO MYSELF is my favourite in the collection. I think it is the heart of the whole book.

Thank you, Netgalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[jenny 💘 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a photographer myself, I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with this beautiful artwork. Notes on Love is a collection of poems and analogue photographs about the essence of love in all its forms: self-love, platonic love, romantic love. F.S. Yousaf renders a pure, ordinary, and deeply human representation of love through both verses and visual storytelling - delivering a fully immersive experience of his own journey and perception of quiet devotion and tenderness. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for this advanced review copy - I genuinely cherished each delicate word and emotional photograph.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have been one of my favorite new collections I’ve read in quite some time. I’m such a fan of mix media works that are still cohesive and Notes on Love was just that.

Some entries are definitely stronger than others but there are a few standouts and everything just felt so tender that I couldn’t not love it.

4.5 rounded up.

Thank you Netgalley, Andrew McMeel Publishing, and F.S. Yousaf for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

F.S. Yousaf has been on my TBR for a while. In this collection, Yousaf writes about love through poetry and photography. The integration of the two enhanced the poems. Surrounded by loving couples, you can feel the memories within these poems while reading a message wholly universal. These poems helped me remember the love in my own life and appreciate the moments that have brought us here.

[Syed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings together beautiful and intimate moments that are thoughtfully captured. The photographs and poems work together in a way that feels natural and adds another layer of emotion, you can tell it’s intentional and the combination makes reading this very personal and memorable. My favorite work from F.S. Yousaf so far

[Hannah Murdock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Let me just say, I struggle with a lot of modern poetry; I simply can’t stand it. But this one was not terrible! First time with Yousaf’s writing and it felt like I just sunk into it. Like a comfortable bed after a long day of travel that you were not expecting to cradle you so. And his photographs were truly lovely and full of so much soul.

[Pam ☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing better in life than experiencing love. I often find myself lost for words when trying to articulate its indescribable feeling, but Yousaf's poetry and photo collection does so with mellifluous grace.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy.

[Soledad · Rating 4 out of 5]

What lovely collection of writing and photography. As a fellow photographer hobbyist myself and lover of poetry and verse, this is my favorite by Yousaf yet. It reminds you to take in everything you love, even the mundane. Thank you to Netgalley and Andrew McNeel publishing for the eARC!

[olivia in the pages. · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Advanced Reader Copy Review} It's honestly difficult to find the words for this; it almost feels like I've just been completely emerged in another person's (very well put together) scrapbook of their life. Each poem was written so beautifully, and the photos to compliment felt so intentional. I simply adored this and will definitely be purchasing the physical copy when it is published; this is the kind of poetry book that you'll find yourself revisiting over and over again.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ARC review] A collection of poems about love that capture how the feeling exists directly, indirectly, mindlessly, intentionally, and at every corner. The addition of the author’s own photography was so beautiful. I felt they spoke just as loud as his written word.

[Mehvish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like an ode to love - personal at times, giving a glimpse of how the author's love grew and matured.

The best part of the book for me was the pictures ❤️. Some of my favorite pictures from his Instagram were there, too!

Thank you, NetGalley & the Publisher, for the advanced copy !

[agus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The photos on this one are beautiful, but the poems not so much. The different couples depicted in different public places were my favorite part. The rest of it was kinda boring and corny. Not for me.
Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, for an EARC!

I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed it, I also found it meh, not for me.

It's most likely that I prefer another genre of poetry writing.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. I loved the poems and photographs. It was the perfect blend of visual art. I loved that the poems were about various forms of love. It was a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. I look forward to reading more of Yousaf's work.

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

[Federica 🪐 · Rating 4 out of 5]

| ARC REVIEW |

It’s remarkable how literature can place you inside a feeling, a mindset, or a point of view that isn’t originally your own. At the same time, love is something universally understood—we’ve all felt it, noticed it, or recognized it even through visuals like photographs. Everyone carries a personal perception of what love represents. Yousaf guides readers through his own perspective, allowing you to experience his emotions while relating them to your own connections.

I would suggest this book to readers who appreciate poetry and are interested in exploring contemporary voices. The combination of imagery and verse is especially powerful, and the structure of the collection feels thoughtful and engaging. While a few pieces were more memorable than others, most of them beautifully reflect the quiet, ordinary moments of romantic relationships—an aspect that is not always highlighted. Yousaf conveys both the depth and the simplicity found in loving someone.

I strongly encourage giving it a read—especially if you enjoy both poetic writing and visual storytelling. It’s a compelling fusion, and the photographs add a meaningful dimension that enhances the overall experience.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for gifting me a copy of the ebook in exchange of an honest review.

[Bookmeaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes on Love - 3,25/5 - lu en anglais.

I am discovering a new passion in books that mix visual arts and poetry. It's poems and paintings. Poems and drawings. And here in Notes on Love it's poems and photography.

I loved the composition of the book. The alternance of some poems then some pictures. Then one - one, three, a picture, a hand written one. It's dynamic. Loved the handwritten excerpts. I think these are the prettier pages of the book. I liked that the poems are short.

"Love and resistance have always gone hand in hand. Without one, the other would cease to exist."

Some poems and words are quite applicable, relatable to everyone, like a universel experience.
But also, in some parts, it feels deeply personal. It reads like a personal journal, written in poetry, about memories of the author himself. So I struggled to connect with part of it. Some are very specific of - what I guess - is his own experience of some moundain reflection and events of his life. And we don't have context for it.
I missed others. Also, some poems get very repetitive in their content.

"Hold me tightly,
So I know this is real.
So I know I am real."

It's about love and self-love too. Self acceptance. The author questions his own worth a lot, there's a lot of inner reflection. And there's that way of seeing himself depending on his partner, in the other. Like his value only exists through that other person. Like a work of introspection and struggling to love himself.

"How can I possibly deserve your love when I struggle to see all the good you've seen in me ?"

A bit raw sometimes. It felt like unfiltered thoughts.

Pictures on the street are like a stolen glance. They capture a moment in time of maybe sometimes strangers that you'll never see again. But what you see is Love. Connection. Care. Proximity. The link between these people.

"I find the meaning of life in the crease of the soft wrinkle on your palm."

We don't see faces. It's always details, like hands, people from behind, shoulders. Blurry silhouettes. Or taken from afar, pairs, close to each other. Laying on a lap, walking together, sharing a book, walking together.

"This world is overflowing with tenderness we simply need to open our eyes and search for it."

Loved the landscapes pictures. The ones with the orange trees in the park, the dark blue sky at the beach, the recognizable buildings of Paris, the barely clear pics, in heavy black and white, very blurry.
A raging waterfall, the morning sky. Humanity is glimpsed in these photographs of nature and architecture.

As a Netgalley reader we only have a limited time to read the book, but I think Notes on Love is a book that you can pick up and open on a random page, and read it through weeks or months, even. Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an enjoyable experience.

[sahra (readwithsahra_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC***

nothing better could have happened to me than a book about love written by fs yousaf mixed with his own personal analogue photos!!!

this was an absolute delightful collection full of inspiring retrospectives, hope, and relatable stories. I feel in love with how this collection explores the idea of sonder, tethers you to life and its beautiful magic through short poems. how most of these poems were backed by photos that shows a moment of time physically captured while we only have access to the essence of them through f.s' words. and how meaningful his wife’s handwritten notes just sealed it all to create a very well rounded book and a powerful reading experience

I can’t wait to reread it physically to be even more immersed and touched by every single elements of this book!

thank you f.s yousaf for sending me an e-arc of this beauty. I’m very grateful for you and your words!

rating: 4.75⭐️