SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like: Poetry by Women for Women an Anthology

by Candice Louisa Daquin (Editor), Hallelujah R. Huston (Editor)

SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like is an anthology of love poetry by 120 lesbian and bisexual women ranging in age from 15 to 87 from around the globe.This is a book that should be gifted. In spite of its implied audience, Smitten is not just for women who adore women. It is for those whose hearts twist and skin prickles at romance, who know the flight of butterflies in their stomachs, who long for the feeling of home in another’s heart.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Queer, Ebooks, Anthologies

418 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2019

About the author

Managing Editor / Lit Fox Books, Austin, TX
Reviews Editor / Austin Poetry Review

Associate Editor / Raw Earth Ink
Associate Editor / Queer Ink
Poetry Editor / Writers Resist
Content Editor / Life & Legends Magazine
Poetry Editor / Tint Journal
Poetry Editor / Parcham Literary Journal

Previously Senior Editor / Indie Blu(e) Publishing / 8 years
Former Poetry Editor / The Pine Cone Review Former Writer-in-Residence / Borderless Journal
Former Editorial Partner / BlackBird Press
Guest-Editor / SETU International Journal

Candice Daquin has edited and written poetry and poetry reviews for the last decade, as well as working in the publishing world and as a Psychotherapist. She has a background in psychotherapy, primarily with trauma survivors. She devotes a good amount of time to writing and editing and is an ardent believer in equity for all.

Daquin is Co-Editor of SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like, an award-winning lesbian poetry anthology and co-editor of THE KALI PROJECT, an award-winning collection of feminist Indian writers and Co-Editor of We Will Not Be Silenced, an anthology of poets and writers and artists responding to the #metoo movement. The anthology reached #1 positions on Amazon best-seller lists for months. Daquin also Co-Edited As The World Burns (an anthology on #metoo and #Trump and #Covid-19), and has edited many authors works as well as reviewing or writing forewords.

Daquin's most recent collection of poetry Tainted by the Same Counterfeit came out in 2022. Her debut novel The Cruelty published November 25th, 2025. FlowerSong Press. This debut is a gloves-off, hard-hitting psychological thriller written from a woman's perspective, examining how far a person will go to survive cruelty and enact ultimate justice to free herself from a cycle of violence.

As a queer immigrant woman, Daquin's support of others is how she gets her joy.

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Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

SMITTEN is a celebration of love between women, in poetic form. It is open and raw in the poems from female contributors that span ages 14 through 87.

This book comes at a time when, sadly, lesbian and bisexual relationships are not always met with the same "approval" of onlookers as heterosexual. It's reads like this one that explore love unnapologetically - and without being erotica - that can help more people to understand that love transcends gender. Love is about the heart at its core.

Many great poems here, with a range of writing styles, and even a few pieces of artwork in the pages. I recommend the read.

[Nicole Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fucking love poetry. I love good poetry, exceptional poetry, poetry that sits heavy on my chest and reaches down my throat to pull my own words out of my belly, and thank the goddess, in the era of the Instapoet and art without soul, Indie Blu(e) publishing and Candice Daquin have given us all a reason to fall in love with poetry again.

To say that SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like; Poetry by Women for Women touched me on a level that very few books have been able to reach, would not only be an understatement, but a massive disservice to the writers, editors, and publishers of this book.

From the cover design and the foreword, and my god, the opening poem ‘Lesbian’ by Avital Abraham, I was enraptured. How could one not be with words penned as exquisitely as this:

Lesbian is a monster.

Am I the monster?

Because oh,

oh god,

do I want that word to feel delicious.

And delicious is exactly what this book is. It’s delicious in its pain, delicious in its suffering, delicious in its acceptance and unapologetic love. The writers in this book have no doubt all faced their share, and then some, of feeling less than, being told they are less than, living as less than, all because of who they love.

For far too long any expression of love by women for women has been chalked up to either lukewarm hypocritical acceptance (it’s okay to be gay, but I hope you aren’t) or nothing more than erotic urges to be played out in most men’s fantasies, but SMITTEN smashes the hell out of those twisted views, and it does so with absolute stunning precision.

Like that bell

That got Pavlov’s dog to salivate

I rise to an intensity of longing

in the presence of a tall, sexual

Butch pristinely starched

pledged to sisterly friendship

she says, not the sort of wild

sunrise I ardently desire, still.

Henri Bensussen – from This Splendid Sunrise
SMITTEN is the book I will give to my daughters, not only to appreciate and cultivate their ever-growing love of literature, but to take a walk inside the mind of many someones who loves just as fiercely as they do, even if on the outside, that love looks different, or remarkably the same, as theirs.

SMITTEN is something to behold. The lines, the breaks, the breaths a reader takes between are both sharp and soothing. This book is bursting with the kind of breathtaking poetry and prose that knows no gender, no sexual orientation, no colour or country, only the collective sighs of literature lovers from all walks of life.

Whether you identify as a proud member of the LGBTQ2 community, an ally within, or someone not entirely certain where you stand on love, SMITTEN is a book you simply must read. Whether you’re looking for acceptance, understanding, something to change your mind, SMITTEN is by far the book to do al of it.

But of course, if you’re just looking for good fucking poetry, well then I have high hopes for SMITTEN and every writer cradled within its pages.

[Amelia Zeve · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, a truly mixed bag of poetry, I would say that although some were very strong it didn’t feel like the book was that intentionally curated and there were more poems that felt cheesy and contrived than poems that felt actually meaningful. the stars are for the poems that were actually strong

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i felt very seen while reading this book which i'm so incredibly grateful for - being a lesbian can feel very lonely sometimes, but this collection really showed that there are others out there sharing my experiences, everything from joy to sorrow to triumph to shame.

[Jobelle Roscas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted to me by my love; charming and funny and endearing and angry and heartbreaking. A clenched fist raised triumphantly in celebration of loving and being loved by women - a love that’s so incomparably and palpably beautiful and complex and humbling.

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candice Daquin and the editors at Indie Blu(e) Publishing have worked their magic once more in raising a powerful chorus of voices.

Daquin is a woman who has always sought to empower others from the first moment I became acquainted with her work and her nature. I also cannot think of a better person and writer to spearhead a body of work which celebrates love between two women.

The writers and styles within this collection, which Daquin has woven seamlessly together, are varied - eclectic and powerful yet with the same, strong undercurrent coursing through every piece that this is what love looks like.

It is possible people will read the sub-heading of SMITTEN and assume this is an exclusive collection; only accessible if you are woman who loves or has loved a woman. But, what is truly wonderful is this isn’t true at all. Instead, SMITTEN holds and nurtures love poems to be read and enjoyed by anyone. After all, for centuries, we have consumed and enjoyed love poems written about women, by men. Why should the fact that the poet is a woman cause the response to be any different?

‘Testimony’ by Carolyn Martin is one of the best examples of this. The nature of love and relationships does not suddenly change if it is not heterosexual; the essence of loving someone beyond belief even on the days they annoy you to distraction, remains.

However, even though SMITTEN is not exclusive, it must be recognised as an anthology paving a new way for literature. All of the writers are female and all of the subject matter is female, lesbian, bisexual and more. Pieces such as ‘Lesbian’ by Avital Abraham and ‘Pulse’ by Melissa Fadul drive home why Daquin’s decision to create a collection like this is needed and welcomed.

Too often we sideline LGBTQ+ work as a genre of its own, when it should be mainstream; literary works which are written by people to be enjoyed by people, no matter what their race, sexuality, gender and/or religion.

Yet, until this happens, I applaud Daquin and Indie Blu(e) Publishing for brazenly making a stand. Until labels are but words and not identifiers, it is important that writers like those in this collection share their voices and stories, ever-lasting love and heartbreak, and their hopes and fears, to remind the literary world they will be heard, no matter what the response may be.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smitten is what the poetry world didn’t know they needed. It’s raw and visceral, moving and motivating. It is filled with so many beautiful voices that desperately need to be heard. And read. And shared a million times. The poetry and art within these pages scream love, and not just the sappy cheesy run-of-the-mill love. It is mountain moving, phenomenal verses that reach into the heart and rearrange it in a way that makes the reader gasp. This book digs below the surface and shows us that live is love is love a thousand times over. You cannot help but be moved.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

SMITTEN: This Is What Love Looks Like is not just another book of love poems. The book is a bold and hopeful road sign on a revolutionary cultural journey. It is nothing short of a miracle that these brave poets dare to express their long-confined feelings in black and white. Not that long ago work of this scope would have incited violence against the authors, censorship, and book burnings. (I pray none of those things happens to a single contributor to this anthology of love.) As the Dedication so eloquently points out, previous generations of women suffered for their love without recourse. SMITTEN is the voice of those silenced women.

But don't let that LGBT keyword deceive you. To read these brilliant poems is to learn that love looks and feels the same no matter what the lovers look like. Any human being who has experienced any form of romantic love will see and feel themselves on the pages of SMITTEN. What does love look like? Look around you and you will see it. Open your heart and you will feel it. Open your mouth and you will taste it.

Take, for example, Alexandra Short's True Love

You still love her, because
Love doesn't dissolve like a soft candy
Meeting the warmth of your tongue.
Love doesn't just disappear like a magic trick.
Love transforms like ice turns to water.
True love is linear and infinite.

Never silence your heart.

[Nicholas Gagnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection from an impassioned editor and impressive range of feminine writers, Smitten shows love knows no bounds. And although the subtitle may suggest this little book benefits a niche demographic, or takes an exclusionary stance- though that would not be unwarranted in itself, but such is our whataboutist culture- we all win for its existence. From its outset, Smitten never seeks to exclude, but inform and celebrate one sect of the LGBTQ+ community often overshadowed by its male counterpart, while also challenging popular culture’s depiction of lesbianism as a whole. It is my honour to call its core editor Candice my good friend, and to be familiar with a good number of the poets in this book.

It is a monumental achievement.

[Deirdre Fagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smitten is "poetry by women for women" and its poems are as various as that description implies. The collection is also not only for women. It's about love, inclusively, in all its various forms. As its subtitle describes: This is what love looks like. Poems by Rachel Ikens, Christine E. Ray, Candice Louisa Daquin (also one of the editors), among many others. Daquin and Hallelujah R. Huston have curated a fine collection. Daquin, along with Ray, were also behind the illuminating, necessary, and timely We Will Not Be Silenced: The Lived Experience of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Told Powerfully Through Poetry, Prose, Essay, and Art. Smitten is a gorgeous collection that educates and reflects light. You will find favorites here.

[gabrielle griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important compilation of poems and short prose about women loving women- we need to honour and also utterly normalize same sex attraction and action. This is a rich anthology to dip in and out of as you feel, with the full range of loving emotions on display, from ecstasy to grief. A labor of love for its editor, this book deserves much praise for its variety and humanity. I wish I'd contributed from my blog "bone&silver"! Buy your copy now, and support independent press

[Tara Caribou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of poetry and prose all about women loving women. Some of the pieces (and there are a LOT included, are phenomenal, while some are just okay. But what is really special is the overall message of true love. The book is hefty which I love, as an avid reader. So often poetry books are these little tiny “chap books” which I despise but this one is marvelous. Something you can pick up again and again. Gorgeous cover art!!

[Hudson Dizon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful poetry anthology. I enjoyed so many of the poems and other mediums included. So many of the poems hit home and made me smile and laugh and tear up. Only thing is some of the poems were a little repetitive, same thing written over and over. Could have been shorter, a little too long, I feel cute could have been made since there was a lot of similarity. Overall, enjoyed it.

[S.A. Quinox · Rating 5 out of 5]

SMITTEN is a masterpiece, crafted by women for women. Many writers also means many different, beautiful styles. More importantly, it is the raw love between women, which has been sexualized through history, that makes this book even more unique. It shows the reader that love is love. A must read! 🖤

[Meg Parrott · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few wonderful poems, but I thought the editing and curation of the material could’ve been cleaner, with a lot of the included poetry rather average.

The subject matter, beautiful, haunting and/or heartfelt. The technicalities, somewhat lacking.

[Susan Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous collection of brilliant minds! This is a book you will read over and over again sure to find different nuances and beauty with each read. ❤

[Tan]

-/5


I will make this quick and painless.

I skipped through SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like: Poetry by Women for Women an Anthology a lot and I didn’t really like it. Not because of the writing or the poems themselves.

But I learned something: I’m either too stupid for poetry or just simply don’t like reading it. Either way, I applaud the topic and the stories, but yeah… not for me. That’s also why I’m not giving it a rating, wouldn’t be fair.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

-------



I read this book as part of the Popsugar 2020 Reading Challenge.

Why I chose this book: I wanted to try a poetry book for a long time, this seemed like a good place to start.

[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are collections that embody an era or a cause, they are the canon for a subject, a cornerstone to touch and reflect upon. SMITTEN is that for a legion of women who love other women. It's an unapologetic collection of strong poetry that is inclusive and determined to voice what love between women looks like. Some readers have suggested not all the poems are 'good' and they're right, some of them are weaker, but I remember the editors saying in an interview with CURVE magazine that they did this deliberately, because they wanted different voices, not just the highly curated ones you usually see, but all the voices of love between women. Sometimes it's the simplest or crudely drawn painting that has the lasting effect and I think that's why I really loved SMITTEN because it was that mixture of different voices from all around the world - and it was authentic because of that. Truly this is the bible of love poetry for women by women. It's still being talked about years later and that says a lot in this world.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the voices in this collection of vulnerable and humorous and honest poems. This is my favorite collection of lesbian poetry that I've found, it is very comprehensive, showing all walks of life, all classes, all colors, all backgrounds. Some of the poems are 'naive' and written by younger writers, or those who are not educated, whilst others are poet laureates, but all have a sincerity. I noticed some of the reviews talked about why did the editors keep some of the poems in? I understand but I was personally glad they took some of the poems considered weaker, because it rounded out a comprehensive collection that didn't leave any group out and really showed the nuance of writing about this subject.

[Hadley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of anthologies but as a lesbian woman I bought this for my wife and I'm really glad I did coz she loved it. We're both poetry nuts and this has some excellent poems throughout some less strong ones, which is a good balance and shows the breadth of feeling between women and their connections in different voices and directions - you feel you've really become part of this book and its community and its speaks for us when other publications are either more curated in a cold way or just disjointed. I've bought this for three friends after buying it for my wife and they loved it as much as we did.

[Megan Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something really brave about an anthology of lesbian and bi poets who are all female writing about love for one another. It's very courageous and real and what helps is the editors leave their voices alone, they don't try to make this into a self-conscious collection of only famous poets, they let everyone have their say, and they step back and just appreciate the conclusion. It feels like a room full of women who love other women reminding us why that will always exist. I found it so beautiful.

[Amelia Critchlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some really hilarious and excellent poems here - about love between women. I can't believe how varied they are and that's the crux of this collection - the variety and the breadth of voices and how not all of them are positive or even high quality, but they show the messiness and the reality of loving a woman alongside the beauty and the joy of loving a woman. I'm not someone who gets sentimental about this but I found myself laughing and crying alongside these writers - what a feat of writing to put this all into one book.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Best lesbian collection of writing / poetry I've read and mostly because it rings true, this isn't about having the 'best' writers so much as having the most authentic. The voices feel real - they're you and me, they're people who happen to love women and are female, they're not so carefully edited into perfection that you can't relate to them, they're allowed to speak and I think that's why this is such a popular collection it's about US.

[Hera Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've got a lot of lesbian poetry but this is the complete package without being pretentious it's the voices of women who love women and it makes a great gift for your sweetie. I am so proud to be a lesbian reading these poems they're not 'fancy' they're homespun and honest and make me relate to how I live my life. I read this in my Gender Studies class and I bought five copies for friends who love women it's so beautiful.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's challenging to do any anthology, let alone one on the subject of women loving women, but somehow the editors pulled it off with SMITTEN which is a finely tuned collection of writings of love between women through poetry and art - I haven't found a collection like this or as comprehensive. Some of the poems are outstandingly well written, whilst others are not but they still demonstrate that love - and I think that was the editors intention to showcase the different kinds of voices of love of women not just the perfect voices and I really relate to that honesty in the writing.

[Joaquin Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a man I still loved this collection because I have many lesbian friends and also appreciate love between all genders - this was such a reflective and honest collection of writings that I felt it was more down to earth than if all the writers were famous or perfect poets - they were speaking their truths and not their perfection and that felt real. A really beautiful book.

[Sandi Somerset · Rating 5 out of 5]

The range and depth of writing by women who love women on SMITTEN is quite breathtaking. Not the vaunted list of queer poets--the canon of which began to gel in the early twentieth century, but new fresh voices and perspectives. Highly recommended.

[Jack Emilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my lesbian daughter and she and her girlfriend loved it. I bought another copy for a female friend who isn't gay but loves poetry by women and she loved it. I haven't read it but based on what others have said, this is a keeper.

[Grace Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection of poetry that touches on a broad spectrum of emotions. Very good read 💜💜💜

[Gloria Byrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few really good poems, but most of these are meh. The cover art is gorgeous.