Behind Her City Eyes

by Sarah Erin

Behind Her City Eyes is a collection of LGBTQ+ poems, which dissect the layers and what-ifs of an unrequited love. Told through the lens of New York City, each poem addresses aspects of self-love, discovery, and perception while also describing the harsh realities within fantasy and heartbreak.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

Published February 1, 2026

About the author

Sarah Erin is an LGBTQ+ love and mental health poet. She takes pride in her writing and in her role as a cat mom to three adorable fur babies: Philip, Tony, & Evelyn. Sarah attends Brooklyn College in New York City and is pursuing a BFA in Creative Writing. Her drive to explore the intricacies of the English language has inspired her most cherished hobbies, propelled her aspirations, and prompted her unique journey of self-discovery. She runs primarily on coffee and tea.

Reviews

[Sam’s Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now these are what I call love poems.

Feelings are already hard to encapsulate regularly, but when twisting them into poetry and turning them into a story, that’s the most difficult.

I automatically have respect for those who write poetry, to put your feelings out there like this, but wow was this one amazing. When authors put in the effort to have the words actually move on the page, make shapes, and so on, it adds to the story.

I think the point of poetry, to me at least, is that you aren’t always going to quite understand what the author is trying to say, but you can feel it more than anything. And boy, did these make me feel things.

My absolute favorite was the very last one, “When a Poet Loves You”. All felt like stories being told, from memories made, and I think that’s what makes them even more special.

Beautiful.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Thank you Netgalley & Publisher.

This was a fun read, a poem collection with a lot of emotion behind it. You can really feel the love that the poet has for their love-subject. It is cute, but at times a little bit too on the nose. While the author uses a lot of pretty symbolism, it sometimes goes on a little too long, resulting in it feeling as if you are constantly reading the same thing.

I like how the poet puts her emotions on paper, though. And you really get a feeling of who this mysterious lovely lady is, the poems sketching an image of an insecure sweetheart.

All in all, I enjoyed this little poem collection for what it was!

[Tori Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Erin is one of the rare love poets that digs so deeply and sincerely into universal emotions that she is able to unearth unique and painfully beautiful facets we often miss. Behins Her City Eyes is clearly a labor of love that connects the reader to poetry in the precise bond poetry lovers crave.

[Jess Svajgert · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: April 14, 2026

A fantastic collection of queer love poems with NYC as a supporting character! I really enjoyed the experience of reading these, with the format and spacing choices made on each page. Poignant and relatable, this is a quick read definitely worth picking up!

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Behind Her City Eyes

by Sarah Erin ✨📚

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉Prepare to be spellbound by the lyrical masterpiece that is "Behind Her City Eyes" by the talented Sarah Erin! 🏙️💖

👉This exquisite collection of LGBTQ+ poems is a breathtaking exploration of unrequited love, set against the glittering tapestry of New York City. With each turn of the page, Sarah Erin invites readers on a journey of self-discovery, passion, and the bittersweet dance between fantasy and heartbreak. 🎭🌹

👉As I delved into the depths of this enchanting anthology, I was captivated by the sheer brilliance of Sarah Erin's writing. Her words are like magic, weaving a tapestry of emotions that tug at the heartstrings and linger in the soul. Through vivid imagery and evocative metaphors, she brings to life the essence of love in all its beauty and complexity. 🌟💔

👉"Behind Her City Eyes" is not simply a book; it's a symphony of emotions that resonates with the deepest parts of the human experience. Each poem is a work of art, crafted with precision and imbued with a raw, unfiltered vulnerability that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart. 💫📝

👉Whether you're reminiscing about past loves or navigating the turbulent waters of longing, this collection speaks to the universal truths of the human heart. It's a testament to the transformative power of poetry, reminding us of the cathartic beauty that lies within the written word. 📖🌈

👉So, if you're searching for a literary escape that will sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless, look no further than "Behind Her City Eyes." Let Sarah Erin's enchanting words carry you away on a journey of love, loss, and everything in between. This is a book that will leave an indelible imprint on your soul and remind you of the profound magic of storytelling. 🥰✨

#BehindHerCityEyes #SarahErin #BookReview #Poetry #LGBTQ+ #Love #Heartbreak #Emotions #MustRead #LiteraryMagic 🌟📚💖🌈✨

[✮ ~ soph ~ ✮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

my rating: ✦✦✦✦ — 3.75 stars, rounded up

–✧–

“what do you think about / while setting your face with powder, / and inspecting the subtly blushed canvas? / Because what I see is a stunning work of art, / and I’m afraid that you only see the paint.”

–✧–

favourite poems: choreographed conversations, new york accents, dancing in manhattan

a beautifully-written, charming poetry collection, behind her city eyes is a highly underrated poetry collection. i liked all of the poems, but the ones that stood out to me more were either lushly descriptive or painfully accurate (at least to a fellow lesbian yearner). the feeling of experiencing unrequited love — by just standing and staring at the girl you’ve hopelessly fallen in love with, and hoping that someday, you’ll have the courage to shoot your shot — is wonderfully conveyed by sarah erin.

p.s. the subway-style directory serving as a table of contents was super cute and creative, as well!

–✧–

note: this arc was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you to netgalley and 21 chieftans press! (this was apparently first published in 2023, so i’m not entirely sure why it showed up as “recently listed” on netgalley a few nights ago.)

–✧–

stats:
spice 🌶️: 0/5
emotion 💧: 3.5/5
memorability 💭: 3/5
thought-provoking-ness 🧠: 2.5/5

[Heloísa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this collection with little expectations because, unfortunately, I didn’t like “Secrets Make You Sick” very much. However, I’m not sure if it was the theme of this book in particular, but I liked “Behind Her City Eyes” much more! I feel like Erin has evolved in her writing, developing what was already there in a beautiful way.

The stylistic choices remain the same: Erin uses the full page to tell a story, taking advantage of each line break and letter positioning. But even that feels a bit more intentional; more natural. It adds to what the words are trying to convey, which I can appreciate.

I also enjoy how consistent the themes and the framing of this collection is: the object of affection, the expansion of these tender moments and feelings, the yearning, and the New York imagery. I’ve never been to NYC, but this book gave me a taste of it and I’m sure those that are familiar with the place will appreciate such setup even more.

I’m really glad I’ve read this collection, and I hope to read new works from Erin soon!

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and captivating collection of poems about a woman who is borderline obsessed with being in love in New York. While this has some interesting linework, the formatting really did not come through on the digital page the way it might on print.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

[Kuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed these poems. The author creatively used the space on the pages and formatting to support her poems, and used very evocative language. The poems were emotional, beautiful, and I would really recommend them.

[Jocy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a good book 👍🏳️‍🌈

[Cheyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind Her City Eyes is a beautiful and moving poetry collection. Sarah Erin's work is deeply relatable and hopelessly romantic.