Jen Devon is going to be an author to watch out for! What a fabulous debut Bend Toward the Sun is.

Things I Loved:
- The romance
- Everything
- The characters
- Everything
- The setting
- Everything

Things I Didn’t Love:
- That the book ended

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book other than it was a romance novel. Not even a third of the way into the story, I was hooked. This isn’t your typical cheesy, light rom-com; it’s wholesome, heartwarming, vulnerable. (But don’t get me wrong, the banter and spice was everythinggg!) The main characters Rowan and Harry help each other navigate through their emotional baggage, and their chemistry is undeniable from the beginning. I loved how their relationship was portrayed realistically; it wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies, but two broken people accepting one another, flaws and all. 

The setting takes place on a vineyard that Harry’s family purchases to turn into a winery/B&B. Rowan, being a botanist, is hired to help the family get the place in shape. The descriptions of the winery and property were vivid and gorgeous; I felt like I was right there looking at it. Plus, I’m all about wineries, they’re my jam. 

To top it all off, I don’t think there was a single character in this book that I disliked. There is a strong cast of supporting characters that I adored; they were all warm, welcoming and hysterical. (Can the Brady family adopt me!?) I found myself smiling constantly while reading this. 

Thank you so much to Jen for gifting me a copy of your book; you nailed it. Easily one of my favorite romances I’ve read.

Yet another one of those books, where I can't believe it's the author's debut! Jen's writing is absolutely lovely. I felt absolutely immersed in this story, with the beautiful, poetic descriptions of the scenery and the way the main characters are so fleshed out. 

I noticed someone mentioned that if you're a Kate Clayborn fan, you would absolutely love this book and I agree wholeheartedly. Both authors have a gorgeous, almost lyrical way with words that I admire. 

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I don’t know what I expected with this cover. But this book was a lot heavier and angstier than I thought it would be. the writing was lovely.

Bend Towards the Sun is a touching debut novel about a second chance at love between botanist Rowan and surgeon Harrison. Emotion is high in this one and will captivate readers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

thank you for the ARC, sadly it took me a long time to get around to it and it is already released.  nice emotional story tugs at the heart strings for all ages.

DNF at 30%. I was not connecting with the MCs at all. I read many positive reviews and was excited to read this book but I did not find myself engaged by the story. I may try to come back to it at another time but I could not finish it right now.

Loved this steamy, emotional book! I love a little spice in my reading.  Also loved that the Author went in a science/brainy way with her characters.  Would say if you don't like steamy books, pass this one up.

I put off reading this one for over a year after getting the #ARC, but would randomly see it reviewed as a must-read romance. While I did like the book, and was rooting for everyone to get a happily ever after, I also found that I had to force myself to keep reading this one, at least through most of the first half. I thought the lead characters were both super annoying in their inability and/or refusal to talk openly with one another about their feelings, when their actions clearly demonstrated how they actually felt. I also felt like there was a lot superfluous descriptions of things that didn't add to the storyline, or propel it to keep moving, but instead just made me bored and ready to get to the point (the end). Perhaps I'm just not that into the main romantic tropes of this novel, those being " Rejected as unworthy by parents and former lovers" and " Sworn off relationships." This one has great reviews (4.1) on Goodreads though, so don't let my so-so review sway you!

4.5 stars [Loved it] - This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this book and the characters were perfection.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone I know who has read this book raved about the emotional depth. It didn't quite hit for me. It was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't the sobfest my fellow reviewers indicated. Still good though!

This was a romance between two emotionally bruised people. It’s swoony and angsty and just steamy enough.

Terrible language and wayyyyy too graphic. I read about 25% of it and had to stop. Not my cup of tea. Flipped quickly past the graphics and yet couldn't get past the language which is throughout every page. Unnecessary and not classy IMO.

This is a great summer read for the beach or a long weekend. This has it all: emotion, angst, botany/stem, what more could you want?

This is a bit of a divergence from a lot of the romance I've been reading lately since I've been on a pretty strong romantic comedy kick, and this is definitely more contemporary romance. This has the second chance trope, friends to lovers, a story of healing and self discovery.

So good!

This was a quick read, I was immediately pulled into the story line and the characters. Although, a bit predictable, I still enjoyed reading this book. I will be looking for more Jen Devon books in the future. 
A great vacation or weekend read!

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me advance access to this title. I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author. As a reader, I am really motivated by character driven stories and I found myself quickly becoming immersed in these characters’ lives. Full review to come.

LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!! 

LOVED THE STEAMINESS, LOVED THE EMOTIONALLY UNAVAILABLE MC AND THE PINING LOVE INTEREST. 

LOVED THE  INCLUSION OF ACADEMIA!

I cried I laughed. I will read again

I wanted to love this book more than I actually did. Friends raved about it, especially the fact that it was high angst, and that the MMC pines for the FMC. The synopsis was right up my ally. But it just fell short of my expectations.

The first few chapters were very promising, a high angst situation, a fun group of background characters/family. But things slowly fell apart for me. I think it's because the author used small time jumps for the passage of time, and our two protagonists weren't on page together enough. At least not enough for me to believe that the emotional tension was sustained. But when they were on page, yes, that tension was there. 

Would read more by the author, as the other potential couples she planted into this book have me intrigued.

Thankful for the opportunity to read this. Sadly this one was not for me, but I can see many other people enjoying it.

Bend Toward the Sun tells the story of two perfectly imperfect person and their journeys of healing, self discovery, and a lifetime of love in ways neither could anticipate. 

Rowan is closed off and guarded hiding behind plants and academia but when she takes a temporary job at the Brady family winery she learns so much more than she ever could from books about life, love and herself. She finds herself overwhelmed with the love of the Brady family and their interactions with each other and the walls she’s erected around herself start to weaken calling into question everything she’s set forth and known.  Harry is struggling and returning to help his family was supposed to be a soft landing place for him to heal and recuperate. Eventually, Harry begins to feel like his old self again and it wasn’t just through physical labor and being around his family, a large part of his recovery can be attributed to Rowan and her essence. 

The magnetic pull between Rowan and Harry was something neither of them ever anticipated and it hurt. They had to truly heal individually and together before they could truly be together in a way that they be together harmoniously. This story is so emotional written that you as the reader feel all the emotions coursing through Rowan and Harry. You understand their hurt, their struggles, their actions through the love they have but can’t put into words. If you love an emotional love story add this to your tbr. 


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my gifted copies.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, and the plot was engrossing.  I would recommend this to any romance readers.