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

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always had such a deep love for poetry; reading it, writing it, and finding new poets to add to my collection of favorites. I added one of F.S. Yousaf’s poetry collections to my tbr late last year, and after reading this most recent release, I now feel like I need to prioritize everything he’s ever written. In fact, I immediately looked on Libby and my library app to place holds before I even finished the book.

My library unfortunately didn’t have any of his books, but I can promise that I’ll be requesting they purchase as many titles as they allow as soon as I can go in person. As someone who grew up with a difficult childhood, I could relate to the internal struggles Yousaf shared throughout this collection. I also deeply related to how challenging it can be to accept love, yet how beautiful it can be to find your person.

I am so happy Notes on Love: Poems and Photography has finally been released because I truly believe others will love it just as much as I do!

Thank you to NetGalley, F.S. Yousaf, and the wonderful people working at Andrew McMeel Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 💚

[maisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful collection of poems and photography! F.S Yousaf presents us with a curated collection of poems and film photos pertaining to the central theme of love. The poetry touches on the many kinds of love that exist whether it’s romantic, platonic, or with oneself, the poems embody each stunningly. The photos accompany the poems for a visual component and altogether, they create such a heartwarming book.

I got to attend an event for this book’s launch at Books are Magic in Brooklyn and it was such a great time! We got to hear about F.S Yousaf’s creative process in making this book come to life and the inspirations behind it. It was so cool being able to speak with him after during the signing as I had almost all his poetry books. Perfect book of poetry and photography for the season!

[A Dreaming Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an eARC.

I absolutely loved this. This collection made me feel so deeply that I actually felt the warmth in my heart (if that makes sense...). Some of my favorite poems were In the Corner of the Park, We Light Each Other, You Know Me More, Every Season is Ours, To Feel All of You and Late at Night. I really liked the rest of the poems as well. All of them were written in simple words and phrases and conveyed the emotions so effectively. These were all super relatable as well. The pictures added a nice touch to the book overall and acted as good companions to the poems but it didn't make a significant difference in how I felt after reading the poems. I would absolutely recommend this to everyone and especially those who enjoy poetry about love.

[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 ☺️

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately grabbed this book off of the shelf at Barnes & Noble instantly when I saw the cover and knew I was going to buy it. (Yes, I judged the book by its cover in a good way.) I have never seen or read F.S. Yousaf’s books prior to this one and i’m actually kind of sad about it. I really genuinely enjoyed this book and I wish I would have found out about it sooner. I will be adding everything and anything else to my wishlist. It was really nice to find a book that was purely and simply just about love.

The poetry in this book was written in a way that was super understanding and easy to read so it was meaningful and relatable. The photography that was included made me feel more connected and in depth with it too. I loved how most of the pictures were candid other than the author’s own pictures. I loved that I got to see pictures of the author and his significant other that he was talking about. I also loved the more distinguished photographs of acts of love even if it was simply two people leaning on each other or holding hands.

My favorites <3
— We Light Each Other (p. 38)
— All of Me, Loved (p. 51)
— Mosaic (p. 69)
— From Years Ago (p. 93)
— I Give To You To Give To Myself (p. 138)
— Relearning Grace (p. 151)
— Lately, I’ve Been Pondering (p. 156)
— Up To Me, Only Me (p. 175)

[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.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the review copy.

Medium: E-book

My thoughts: I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about this. I loved the photographs included, and I would genuinely enjoy seeing more of that. They were expressive and truly showed the simple moments that make up our memories of the people we love. I particularly loved a picture depicting a river with boats full of couples (page 102 in my copy). Besides the excellent aesthetics, it felt both intimate, like we were seeing a couple's date, and universal in its depiction of several couples doing the same thing.
Now, for the other major part of this book, the poetry. This is where things went kind of off for me. I didn't vibe with the poetry style of this collection. When reviewing poetry, I tend to base my opinions a lot on vibe. There is no common consensus on what is or is not poetry, but a large majority of the text in this collection didn't feel poetic. The closest I could come to describing my thoughts on the poems is that they felt like they were translated, even though I know they were originally written in English. While reading, I kept thinking that there was something essential missing, like the point was literally lost in translation. The exceptions to that were some of the shorter poems that kept some of their mystic and ended up sounding more poetic. An example of one of the poems that I did like:
Open your heart
Leave your soul vast
and welcoming, for there is so much
love here, and I need you
to receive it.
That one I loved! I wished more of the collection were simple and understated like this.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

I found it difficult to finish this collection. While the photography is skilfully done—the photos show people of all kinds being affectionate with one another—the poems began to feel repetitive after a while. They tend to be very simple, and I didn't notice any use of literary devices beyond metaphor/simile. I became disengaged pretty early on and grew bored at around the 50% mark. I think that if the photos hadn't been there, I would have DNF'd this collection, because the repetitiousness in the poetry would likely have been more obvious to me (and I wouldn't have wanted to continue reading once I became aware of thaat). By the end of the collection, I wondered what the purpose of it was besides showcasing people who care about each other (in the photos) and extolling the virtues of love (in the poems). There were some poems about missing another person, and about having known/loved a person for many years, but beyond that, there weren't many layers for me to dig into as a reader.

That being said, however, I think this could be a good book for someone who is new to poetry and wants to start with something more accessible (as opposed to a collection of abstract, opaque poems).

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[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.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry is always difficult to review as it is such a personal thing. That being said, this was a lovely curated compilation of poems. As the poems were all centred around love (as the title suggests), I did break this one down into smaller sessions, reading only a few pages at a time so that the poems wouldn't all blur together. The photography provided a really nice touch, and I loved how candid all the photos were.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[jenny &#x1f498; · 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.

[Sean Cavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, thoughtful, and inviting, this is a remarkable collection of "notes on love," fusing poetry and photography to explore moments both big and small, intimate and familiar, and ultimately, brimming with gratitude and hope.

Some spreads took my breath away, encouraging me to be more mindful and appreciative of the loves in my life. I look forward to revisiting this collection in the future.

[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.

[Trish I.]

A beautiful exploration of love experienced both through the lens of a camera and the pen of a poet. This collection of photography and poems made me feel both warm and seen in the vast world we live in. It felt like an intimate conversation with someone close to you. I deeply enjoyed my time with this collection and am sure to be looking for F.S. Yousaf's other works.

[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.