Scarlet Yearnings Beyond First Glance

Love isn’t just a spark—it’s the work that happens after the fire starts.

In the high-stakes world of New York City medicine, the sleek boardrooms of Toronto, and the soulful streets of Chicago, twelve stories prove that the 'happily ever after' is only the beginning. From the tension of fake dating to the heartache of a second-chance romance, these interconnected tales explore the beautiful, messy reality of choosing to stay.

Discover a world where love is a reckoning:

• The Second Chance: Twenty years ago, Nadine was persuaded to walk away from the love of her life. Now, a chance encounter gives her one shot to reclaim a future she thought was lost forever.

• The Fake Date: Ari Parker is a professional 'fixer' who can handle any corporate crisis—except the one involving her own heart when a pretend relationship starts feeling far too real.

• The Guarded Heart: Amara Brooks is a brilliant NYC surgeon who saves lives with precision. But when a new connection challenges her defenses, she must learn that some wounds can't be healed with a scalpel.

• The Found Family: Across the Black diaspora—from Ghana and Trinidad to North America—friends become family and secrets become bridges in this exploration of interracial romance and love after loss.

Beyond First Glance is a mature, character-driven journey through the psychological nuances of modern connection. Perfect for fans of literary Black fiction and contemporary romance, this collection is for anyone who knows that honesty is a practice and the truest love is found when we finally dare to look again.

Are you ready to look deeper?

Publisher - DKJ Enterprises LLC

Language - English

Perfect Bound

Contributors

By author

D. James Joseph

Published Date - 2026-06-01

ISBN - 9798999382931

Dimensions - 21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm

Page Count - 282