From award-winning author Kirsten Pursell, follow Scarlet as she navigates self-discovery, love, and friendship later in life in this coming-of-middle-age romance.

Firebird Book Awards Winner (2025): Divorce-Romance-Summer Beach Read
Book Excellence Award Finalist (2025)
Literary Titan Book Award Recipient (2024)
Reader's Favorite Five Stars (2024)

Praise for The Scarlet D:

"From the start, [Scarlet's] first-person reflections lend a realistic, engrossing countenance to her evolutionary process...As considerations of ageism, evil influencers who can quash good things, and family connections loom to make relationship difficulties come to light, readers are treated to not just a singular romance, but an important psychological consideration of how love changes everything—including one's ambitions, choices, and perceptions." - D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"The Scarlet D is an inspiring read, especially for women navigating new beginnings. Pursell's storytelling is both entertaining and uplifting, creating a romance that highlights the power of resilience, self-discovery, and the excitement of finding love on one's own terms." - Literary Titan

"Beautifully written, provocative, honest and heartfelt." -Amazon reviewer

"...a captivating exploration of love, self-discovery, and reinvention set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina." -Amazon reviewer

"This is that well-written, can't-put-it-down book that speaks to the very real emotional and social issues that confront the single, "older, middle-aged" woman." -Amazon reviewer

"The plot is immersive, featuring a couple of unexpected reveals that are sure to take readers by surprise... Contemporary romance readers will love this book!" -Reader's Favorite

New love. Old flame. Boy toy.
Who said starting over in your fifties wasn't complicated?

Fueled by the unrealistic expectations of Nicholas Sparks' novels, Scarlet sets her sights on South Carolina as the backdrop for her new beginning. After a thirty-year marriage, divorce offers her a chance to start over, far from the reminders of a past life.

Scarlet begins life on Sullivan's Island, seeking like-minded women as she joins a divorced women's book club. She finds herself in a world of unexpected complexities. When she reveals her past, judgment is harsh.

On Sullivan's Island, Scarlet's dormant desires are awakened as she meets Ben, an attractive younger man. However, a chance encounter with the self-assured, age-appropriate Beau opens her heart to the possibility of love. But will the unexpected arrival of the man who nearly broke her make her reconsider her choices?

As Scarlet settles into her new life, she dissects her past, embraces second chances, and finds herself open to the complications of starting over in her fifties.

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