Scarlet Yearnings Beyond First Glance: Stories of Love and Desire

by Scarlet Ibis James, D. James Joseph (Editor)

Love is the Work that Happens After the Spark.Twelve stories. Three cities. One ultimate First impressions are only the beginning.

In the bustling high-rises of New York, the corporate offices of Toronto, and the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago, the characters of Beyond First Glance are at a breaking point. From a long-standing friendship tested by a sudden, haunting silence to a marriage precariously built on the secrets of a spy’s cover, these interconnected tales navigate the messy, complex, and beautiful aftermath of the "initial spark".

This isn't a collection of fairytale romances; it is a profound exploration of love as a reckoning. Within these pages, among others, you will

Ari Parker, a formidable professional "fixer" who discovers that her own heart cannot be managed with ruthless efficiency.Amara Brooks, a brilliant surgeon forced to lower her defensive walls when a transformative relationship challenges her guarded nature.Nadine, who receives a rare second chance to reclaim a lost love twenty years after she was persuaded to walk away.Spanning the Black diaspora from Ghana and Trinidad to the heart of North America, Beyond First Glance captures a diverse, multicultural world where the past is never just a footnote—it is an active participant in the present.

This collection offers a mature, character-driven journey through the psychological nuances of modern connection. It is a book for anyone who knows that staying is a choice, honesty is a practice, and the truest love is found when we finally dare to look again.

Are you ready to look deeper?

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Hi everyone! I’m Scarlet Ibis James, an award-winning author and storyteller based in New York City. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and that Caribbean rhythm runs through everything I write—the language, the humor, the pulse of community, and the courage it takes to love imperfectly.

My fiction explores the many faces of love—romantic love, family bonds, friendship, and the complicated work of loving ourselves. I write about ordinary people facing difficult truths, second chances, and the quiet decisions that shape a life.

Readers often tell me my stories leave them thinking about their own relationships long after the last page. That means everything to me. I believe storytelling can help us see each other more clearly, and sometimes even heal what we’ve carried for years.

If you enjoy character-driven fiction, conversations about love and family, and stories that feel honest, tender, and a little hopeful, you’re in the right place. 🌺

Recent Honors:

2025 IAN Book of the Year Award Winner – Novella NYC Big Book Award Winner – Multicultural Fiction International Firebird Book Awards – First Place (African American Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Best for Provoking Philosophical Discussions) Literary Titan Gold Book Award – Fiction International Impact Book Award – Short Story Collection American Legacy Book Awards – Finalist (Multicultural Fiction) Readers’ Favorite Book Awards – Three 5-Star Reviews

Reviews

[Sumi Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Beyond First Glance by Scarlet Ibis James is a collection of interconnected stories that explores what happens after the initial spark of attraction fades and real life takes over. Rather than focusing on fairytale romance, Scarlet Ibis James dives into the complexities of love, grief, marriage, distance, and personal growth through a cast of diverse and realistic characters.

What I enjoyed most was the maturity of the storytelling. These stories felt grounded in reality, with characters making messy, imperfect decisions while navigating relationships that aren’t always easy. My favorite story was Under Long-Term Observation, which took an unexpected suspenseful turn that completely caught me by surprise and added a fresh layer to the collection.

While some stories connected with me more than others, I appreciated the author’s willingness to explore the less glamorous side of love and relationships. If you enjoy character-driven fiction and romances that focus more on emotional depth than grand gestures, this indie collection is worth checking out. 3.75⭐️.

[Rayo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.

Short story collections are so impressive and Beyond First Glance didn't miss as well! My favorite short stories in no particular order are:
- Code Black, Code White: I loved that this short made me think about what home means and to find a home in a person is just astonishing.

- Under Long Term Observation: love stories that keep me on my toes, make my heart race and this short right here did just that!!

- The Practice of Love: have I said I love stories about marriage in trouble — love is an action word!!!! Marriage is a garden you keep tending to!

- What Grandmothers Hold: seeing the way Mary & Cecil lived and loved each other even after a long time of being married is so heartwarming! Love, family has never been portrayed better!

- All the Versions of Love: like I have said, love is an action word, it's in what you do not just what you say!

- The Affair She Didn't See Coming

- He Did Not Come Back: How do you grieve someone you don't know fully... how do you grieve a relationship that could have been but was cut short... How

Overall I really enjoyed this collection, thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC.

[Brandy]

I enjoyed reading Scarlet Ibis James's book "Scarlet Yearnings: Beyond First Glance". It was so refreshing to read a collection of short stories that explore different forms of love and not just the typical "ooey gooey" romantic love. There's love for oneself, love between color lines, love between friends, family members, old lovers and even the precious remnants of love felt from loved ones who die. James also crosses between genres like the taste of science fiction in "Love In Cosmic Times". My favorite story is "Under Long-Term Observation" because it is way different from anything I've ever read by James. This story is more than one about a love that ended, but it's also a thriller and suspense. I like James's cross between these genres. I would like to see a continuation of this story. It would be great and interesting to see what direction James could possibly go in with this story and the twists and turns she could possibly add into it. James brings her Trinidadian culture (as well as pieces of the immigrant experience) and such rich language into her work which proves love can be experienced and told from different perspectives. She absolutely poured her soul into these stories. The other thing I appreciated is that each story took its own course and defied the typical romance tropes. I give it a 5 out of 5.

[Amanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers of Scarlet Ibis James’ earlier collection, Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire will know that while every story in that collection resonated with the experience of ‘yearning’, this yearning took many forms. There was romantic love but also the yearning for a parent, for freedom, for a life that ‘could have been’, the draw of a mystical force … and more.

Likewise, Scarlet Yearnings: Beyond First Glance explores and celebrates love, but it does so in the wider sense. Yes, there is romantic love but there are no predictable tropes here. Each distinct story offers its own surprises.

Some of the surprises are linked to the stories in the preceding collection. For instance, ‘Love Lift Me Up’ from the first collection was a short, fun read about lust for a stranger but the follow-up story continues in ‘Love on the Fourteenth Floor’ as something remarkably different, a story both memorable and touching. ‘Love on the Fourteenth Floor’ takes a sharp turn away from the lust of ‘Love Lift Me Up’ to give us a story of friendship between two women, a story that reminded me of the friends I’m blessed to have, the ones who show up to help me navigate crisis.

‘Under Long Term Observation’ is one of my favourites from Beyond First Glance. It’s full of suspense and mystery and at its heart is reminding us that though we can leave people, we don’t entirely shake them off. The people we spend periods of our lives with change us for better or for worse, whether we like it or not. This is the one story that’s not about love. Bill’s feelings for Nancy (OMG does this make you think of Bill and Nancy from Oliver Twist?) are possessive. He gaslights her. He gets into her head in the worst way. And while this isn’t love, behaviours like this are often disguised as love. Even when the abused flees, often they are changed forever. I don’t want to say more as I don’t want to spoil this story for you. This one is an extension of ‘Seven Was The Symbol of Their Love’ from the first collection and the unexpected turn it takes in Beyond First Glance worked brilliantly for me.

I enjoyed all twelve stories in this collection. I’ll hold up, ‘Code Black, Code White’; ‘Under Long-Term Observation’; and ‘The Practice of Love’ as my three favourites.

I’ll shout out about ‘Stay’ which explores breaking through corporate barriers, calling on inner strength and the guidance of friends who believe in you and help you believe in yourself. This too is a celebration of love.

I’ll say ‘The Affair She Didn’t See Coming’ is a story of our time – combining the contemporary search for self-healing with traditional concepts and integrating the latest technologies … giving us an unexpected twist …

In summary, there's plenty to enjoy here. And if Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire gave us a range of appetizers, Beyond First Glance, is a rich and satisfying main course. And reading it made me want to go back to the first collection to revisit some of the stories which find their continued journey in this new collection!

Expect to find yourself and the people you know reflected in at least one of these stories, if not many!

This review was written pre-publication as I received an advanced reading copy from the author.

[Corina Sandu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession time: short story collections are not usually my thing. I’m very much a novel reader. Give me a big book, lots of pages, time for characters to grow—that’s my comfort zone. So this book ended up being a bit of a wild ride for me.

The first few stories didn’t really grab me. The opening three felt more like snapshots than full stories, and at that point I honestly started wondering if this collection and I were simply not a good match. But I kept reading.

And imagine my surprise when the next thing I know I’m on the treadmill at the gym—of all places—bawling my eyes out over a story called Released for the Day. Two former college sweethearts run into each other by accident in their forties and end up spending the day talking about what happened between them all those years ago. Their reconnection feels mature and unhurried, full of honesty and even a little humor. The way they talk through their breakup—with vulnerability and courage— it just felt incredibly real If only that maturity would exist in real life....

I was certainly not prepared for the next one What Grandmothers Hold. The ONE story that rocked my world. It’s about a little girl who has been raised by her grandparents while her father builds a new life somewhere else. The story takes place on the day he finally comes to visit with his new family, including her 2 years old sister. It feels messy and painfully real, beautifully crafted: the excitement of the child, the quiet anger of the grandfather, and the complicated love of a grandmother who stepped in when she had to.

What I loved most is that the story doesn’t force a neat ending. . I can't spoil the ending, but it pulled at my hear strings in a way that I will remember for a long time.

From that point on something shifted for me. My early reluctance turned into curiosity, and I found myself genuinely wondering what kind of story would come next.

Not every story landed the same way for me, but a few hit me straight in the chest.

If, like me, you don’t usually reach for short story collections, I recommend you give this one a try.

Thank you so much to Victory Editing, NetGalley & Scarlet Ibis James for the ARC. This book will be published on June 1, 2026.

[Tamisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet Yearnings Beyond First Glance is a collection of beautifully written short stories about looking beyond the first declarations of love to what comes after. I really enjoyed reading through (most of) these stories because after each one, I paused to reflect on how I saw the threads of love in the decisions they took, and what that meant for me in real life. I appreciate Scarlet’s ability to cause me to actually connect my life to the stories. My favorites were the ones of Nadine and Charles, Mary and Cecil, and Talia and Marcia.

Nadine and Charles because wow. I like that they were able to talk like adults, to recognize the issues that they both had, and the willingness to give it another chance. not as teenagers but as grown-ups, fully aware and yet willing to take the risk regardless of how it would end. Bravo. I felt connected to them in a way. I would read a full length novel about them.

Mary and Cecil, matriarch and patriarch. I loved this story. About the love that keeps choosing each other each and every single day, in every way that matters.

Talia and Marcia, the kind of female friendship and love that is stronger than any other. Got me thinking about my friends and the power of sisterhood.

There were a couple of stories that had me kind of confused and wanting more. I know this was a short story collection so I think to me, some of the ideas would have benefited from some more fleshing out and not just a couple of pages. I also started to lose interest in the stories about 75% of the way through. I think this had to do with some storylines I thought were convoluted or a bit confusing, and some that I struggled to connect with the characters or the plot. I struggled between a 3.75 and a 4, but honestly, I liked this book a lot despite a couple of the stories lacking depth or explanation in my opinion. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for stories that go beyond the meet cute and the happily ever after to the work that is put in to sustain love… not just romantic but platonic, and self-love. Happy this was my first read from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced by having received an ARC.

[N.G. Peltier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and was quite intrigued to see how this would go. I always advocate reading Caribbean and like me the author is a fellow Trinidadian.

This collection of short stories explores love in its various forms: friendships, romantic love and more. It looks at the bonds between friends. Interracial relationship freshly entered. Divorce that takes a bit of a creepy turn. Long standing love between husband and wife as well as their grand daughter who they raised like a daughter, as her actual father isn’t in the picture.

The author has created a vast array of experiences of love through different lenses. While I’m usually drawn to stories that depict romance/romantic love some of my faves included:

• What Grandmothers Hold - showcasing familial love.
• All the Versions of Love - a wife who has early onset Alzheimer’s, whose memories are not what they used to be which forces her husband to confront some truths about himself
• Code Black, Code White: intricacies of an interracial relationship. Enjoyed this one. We get a great sense of the characters Amara and Harry. Even though we only get Harry’s POV. I supposed as he’s the “outsider” looking in. Toss in some fake dating and well, I ate this up.
• Under Long-Term Observation: ohh this one took me by surprise. Starts off with a couple getting divorced and unfolded into something far more sinister.
• The Affair She Didn’t See Coming: This is up there with my top stories in the collection. It looked at love of self and it was so heartwarming and surprising!
• He Did Not Come Back: fair warning this one made me cryyyyy my word.

What I enjoyed to was the author showcased characters from my culture so I felt like I was seeing people who could easily be my friends/family. I think there's a story here for everyone and highly recommend giving this a try.

[Christy Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. I love the premise of exploring love beyond the exciting beginnings, and I love how Scarlet Ibis James explored all kinds of love in this collection: romantic, long married couples, potential love, family love, friendship, self love, lost love. A short story collection was the perfect vehicle to explore these questions.

My favorite stories were:
Code Black, Code White -- this was a more typical "love story" with two young people meeting and coming together. This explored the difference in their backgrounds, and whether they can make an interracial love work. I am part of an interracial family, and I really appreciated seeing these questions given true weight and value. It's not easy, and even a "happy ending" isn't just easy. I also simply enjoyed the structure and the narrator of this story.
What Grandmothers Hold -- This one jumped out at me for very different reasons, and I'm not sure I can even pin them down. The grandmother is welcoming home her distant son, and the very different way he has built (or abandoned) his family. This just felt so vivid and real to me on the page, and has stayed in my head long after I finished the book. Beautiful.

Personally, I preferred the stories with more plot and structure. In my reading style, some of the more abstract and inward-looking stories would have been a slog for me as a whole book. Therefore, this was the perfect way to explore some different styles and enjoy Ibis James's truly beautiful language.

I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it not only to people who already enjoy intercultural literature, but also to readers looking to expand their horizons... and I would recommend it to romance readers looking for a completely different take on the meaning of love.

[Chrissy E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet Yearnings Beyond First Glance is a masterful collection that I cannot recommend highly enough for readers who crave emotional depth paired with sharp, modern wit. The author captures the beautiful complexity of "chosen family" through characters like Marcia and Talia, whose "sister-energy" moves effortlessly from funny moments to navigating chronic illness together. It is rare to find a story that balances "dramatic nonsense" with such a grounded, heart wrenching depiction of support, making the bond between these women feel incredibly authentic and vital.
Beyond the personal friendships, the book offers a sophisticated look at the professional and romantic lives of characters like Ari and Harry, dealing with heavy themes like workplace integrity and the "combative" labels often pushed onto women of color. Ari’s realization that integrity is a "muscle to be flexed and rested" is a standout moment of growth, while Harry and Amara’s slow-burn romance in the hospital setting provides a tender contrast to the high stakes environment. Whether it’s Harry noticing Amara’s stress relief victory dances or the quiet courage it takes to stand one's ground in a boardroom, this book proves that the most powerful act a person can commit is simply choosing to stay and be truly seen. These are just the beginning stories. Wait till you get to The Affair she didn’t see coming. Lawd! In the end Love is something we need to keep working on without losing oneself. Highly recommend!!!

[KJ The Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet Ibis James is one of those authors that I trust wholly and completely, but I know picking up one of her books, that it isn't always going to be emotionally easy. I know that I have to show up open and vulnerable. To be prepared to find beauty and sharp edges that point to areas that still need to heal.

Scarlet Yearnings explores human connections through a different lens than what we typically see. It is raw, real, and sometimes quite difficult. It transcends timelines, romantic partnerships, and gives an honest look into human connection. This is the second time I have shown up in front of one of her novels. This time I threw myself in, trusting that I was in safe hands that might poke at some tender places but that it would be real and beautiful. Her characters solidify my belief that we are all full of amazing and great things, and yet can still fall and fail. Scarlet Yearnings reminds that we can redeem ourselves, and we can heal ourselves. We can love and grieve and not fulfill what we or others deem to be our purpose. Scarlet Ibis James' novels are a master class at pointing a gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) spotlight at the truth of love and life that helps readers like me to recognize that while not always perfect, love exists in so many places... even if sometimes that place starts in the mirror.

Thank you so much Scarlet and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. As always it is a pleasure to laugh and cry with one of your novels.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond First Glance expands on the short stories which we began in Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire.

Strangely, for me, I preferred the longer of the stories in this collection. Certainly some resonated more strongly and not necessarily those stories which I enjoyed in the first collection by this talented author.

My favourites were He Didn't See It Coming and Love of My Daughter's Daughter but I also enjoyed Under Long Term Observation, The Affair She Didn't See Coming and Love on the 14th Floor, all of which were either deeply emotional or had a twist that I didnt see coming.

Whichever way you look at it Scarlet Ibis James is a wonderful writer and I would highly recommend each of the books in this series. Beautiful writing that strikes the perfect balance between love, romance and reality.

It doesn't matter which order you read these books in - I didn't. If you read the expanded stories before their beginning you will still want to know how they started. They can certainly all be read as stand alone collections (or longer format novella in the case of What They Left Behind).

Highly recommended for anyone who simply enjoys beautiful writing.

Thankyou to Netgalley for the digital review copy.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love is a complicated thing. It fills us with joy, warmth, fear, desire, unease, contempt, loneliness, and grief. Scarlet Yearnings Beyond First Glance: Stories of Love and Desire by James takes us on a beautiful journey through the many facets of love, featuring a collection of thoughtful, emotional stories. You'll mourn love lost, celebrate love rekindled, and hold your breath for love's new beginnings. Each story draws you in and leaves you wanting more, curious about what the future holds for those individuals.

In my opinion, this is a book that is best savored. I really enjoyed taking my time with each story and letting it settle before moving on to the next one. It gave me the chance to sit with the characters and their experiences a little longer.

For those curious, this is not your typical romance book, but that is part of what makes it special. Instead of focusing only on happily-ever-afters, it looks at love in a deeper, more honest way. It explores what love means, both the beautiful parts and the complicated ones.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity and this ARC.

[Fran Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured every story in Beyond First Glance. Scarlet Ibis James has such a beautiful way with language and an incredible ability to create characters who feel rich, layered, and completely real. Every story offered something new, yet they were all connected by the emotional truth at the heart of the collection.

What stayed with me most was the way these stories explored relationships, both past and present, and how deeply they shape our lives, our choices, and even the way we see ourselves. There is so much insight here about love, vulnerability, second chances, and the emotional weight people carry quietly through life.

I loved the pacing and the emotional depth of the writing. Though I am usually a slow reader, I found it impossible to put this collection down once I started a story. I always needed to know where the characters would end up emotionally.

This is not a collection filled with perfect romances or easy answers. It is thoughtful, mature, and deeply human. Scarlet Ibis James writes with compassion and honesty about connection, heartbreak, desire, identity, and hope. A beautifully written collection that will stay with me.

[Amanda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very eye opening for me. I typically don’t read books like this and I’m glad I read this one! The different short stories show how love isn’t just a one-way road, how actions and how you speak to the ones you love really matter. My favorite story is “Stay,” it showcases the importance of self love.

Ari’s story felt so close to home as someone who enjoys doing practically everything solo and buries themself in work.
(save me lol)
It also shows how love isn’t always just romantic love towards a partner. She learns to be have her boundaries and spend time with herself for her own sake.

The stories are all very mature and emotional. Family relationships and friendships are shown beautifully and I enjoyed reading this book a lot!

Thank you Scarlet Ibis James for writing this book and Bookshelfie Book Tours for providing me this ARC!

[Cautionary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet Ibis James has a such a way with words that truly immerses you into her writing. The third addition of this series didn't disappoint me. This collection of short stories did an amazing job on blending cultures (I loved how every FMC and MMC had different traditions and practices including recipes). Each story and their themes really resonated with me.

My absolute favorites were:
He Did Not Come Back
What Grandmother's Hold
The Affair She Didn't See Coming
Under Long-Term Observation
Stay

and, the bonus story at the very end! Be sure to check it out! I loved it dearly.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing, and the author for this e-ARC! I'll be sure to purchase my own copy!

[Christine Antosca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet Yearnings: Beyond First Glance by Scarlet Ibis James is a reflective and emotionally layered anthology that explores what love looks like after the initial spark fades.

Across twelve interconnected stories, the book dives into relationships shaped by accountability, grief, and renewal. What stood out most to me was the emotional depth—these stories don’t rely on dramatic twists, but instead focus on quiet, meaningful moments that feel very real. The variety of relationships explored, especially family and generational dynamics, added a strong sense of realism.

One story in particular, centered on a divorced couple navigating lingering control and unresolved tension, was the most compelling for me. It brought a level of suspense and emotional intensity that made it stand out from the rest.

That said, the collection does lose some momentum in the second half. A few stories felt longer than necessary, which made them less memorable compared to the stronger ones. While the themes remain meaningful throughout, there is some repetition that affects the pacing.

Overall, this is a thoughtful and realistic look at love—not as something perfect or fleeting, but as something that requires effort, accountability, and growth. It’s a strong read for those who enjoy character-driven, introspective storytelling, even if it occasionally lingers a bit too long.

[TheBookOfMicah_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

I really loved this collection of short stories. What stood out to me most was how it captures the idea that love doesn’t always look the way we expect; it shows up in ways that are unexpected, but exactly what we need in the moment.

I especially appreciated how each woman in these stories is truly and genuinely loved & that love isn’t limited to romantic relationships. While there are men in the stories, the book goes far beyond that, highlighting the deep bonds between grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children, friends, and most importantly, self-love.

It’s a beautiful reminder that love exists in many forms, and all of them matter.


Received From NetGalley

[Lauren Gerber]

A collection of short stories focused on love after first glance. This was part of the Bookshelfiebook tour where I was able to get my hands on this as an ARC read before it comes out in June.

This was a different read for me as it was told from both women’s and men’s perspective and I’m not usually used to reading love stories from a men’s perspective.

While some short stories spoke to me more than others, this book gives you a chance to meet all different kinds of characters throughout. This was a good break from my normal thriller reads!

[Scovia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book packed with different stories, some of the short stories I really didn’t want them to end because i was so curious to see how the story would end, but short stories always have a way of leaving you feeling like you’re in an unfinished loop.
The book was amazing I totally enjoyed how it felt like moving from a giddy girl’s apartment story to a detective set up, you get the best of both worlds under one cover. I absolutely recommend giving it a read.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say I was quite impressed with how this book turned out as this was the first time I read anything by this author. This book gives you a direct insight on the world of love and how much of a challenge it can be sometime. This is the perfect book to get your hands on if you are looking for some inspiration.

[bookish & blush · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books you read, and then there are books you feel. Scarlet Yearnings: Beyond First Glance belongs in the second category. Scarlet Ibis James delivers a masterclass in tension and vulnerability.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as part of the Bookshelfie book tour.
It is a fascinating glimpse into different versions of love, from slow burning friendship to reignited passion, steeped in different cultures away from the usual Hollywood romcoms.

[Makayla Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book of short stories. I feel like whoever would read this would find at least one short story that they enjoyed if not more. I did not see any plots repeating, they were all unique and well written.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of 12 different stories about looking past that first glance when meeting the the one who may just be the right one for them. I went through their emotions as I read as I felt a part of their tales
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant collection

[readwithkapz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

[Sabrina Reads & Roams · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥹 4.25 stars

these short stories managed to capture a full spectrum of love - the different ways that love shows up in our lives. friendship love, kinship love, unrequited love, and everything in between. it was a beautiful read. i only wanted more, to dive deeper, full length novel style for many of these love stories.

[Scarlet James]

Scarlet Yearnings: Beyond First Glance explores what happens after attraction fades and real love begins. Across interconnected stories, women confront marriage strain, fractured friendships, buried secrets, and second chances that demand courage. If you love layered, discussion-worthy fiction, join the ARC list at scarletibisjames.com and read early. 🌺