Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind by Scarlet Ibis James is a riveting tale about love, family, and figuring out where you belong. The story starts with Joromi, an artist who doesn’t want to forge the path his father set out for him and his first love, a carefree woman he gets pregnant and abandons. That sets the stage for the rest of this intriguing tale. Watching Joromi give up on himself and his dreams, not to mention his daughter, Trisha, is a familiar tale, but the author does it so well that the disappointment is almost visceral. The loss and the weight of Joromi’s decisions rightfully stick with him and weigh him down, which makes this such a compelling read.

Scarlet Ibis James does a good job of pulling the reader into each character’s perspective by providing different points of view throughout the story. I thought it was particularly interesting to add Joromi’s wife’s perspective because her actions were questionable and could easily paint her as a villain in this story. Ultimately, Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind is Trisha’s story, but it feels right that much of the story focuses on the people who shaped her life in different ways. I wanted to know more about the little girl abandoned by death and expectations, but what I learned about her only made the story more interesting. This novella packs a lot of emotion into just a few pages, and I devoured this book in one sitting.

Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind by Scarlet Ibis James follows the emotional outcome of a spirited but short-lived romantic tryst between Joromi, a 19-year-old DJ, and a young woman who dances at his party in 1969 Trinidad. Their passionate courtship and brief union result in the young woman becoming pregnant with his child. Joromi is confronted with a difficult choice between family obligation and love. He eventually decides to marry a different woman and establish a new life in America, leaving his lover and their child behind in Trinidad. A sense of remorse continually torments him after this decision. As time progresses, Trisha, his daughter, grows up under the watchful care of her grandparents and has to navigate the pain of abandonment with inner strength. Will she and Joromi ever reconcile with their past and each other?

Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind is an enchanting and richly detailed tale that will draw readers into a world filled with intense emotional depth and cultural intrigue. Scarlet Ibis James deftly examines disturbing truths about abandonment, self-identity, and forgiveness while commemorating the courage of persons "left behind." Through the vivid storytelling and moving character dialogue, the author weaves an extraordinary narrative that will resonate deeply with every reader, regardless of cultural background. The story develops precisely, striking a balance between suspense and revelation while urging readers to keep turning the pages with curiosity. I admire how this novella explores the discord between traditional beliefs and family expectations versus the transitional social customs of our contemporary world. This story will appeal to readers who enjoy tales revolving around family dynamics and compelling characters.