"Bend Toward the Sun" by Jen Devon is a captivating romance that brings together Rowan, a guarded botanist, and Harrison, a grieving winemaker, at a family vineyard where sparks fly and wounds begin to heal. With lush prose and vivid descriptions, Devon paints a compelling picture of the vineyard setting, making it a vibrant backdrop for the characters' emotional journey. The romance unfolds with a slow burn, offering deep emotional connections and raw vulnerability, though some plot points may feel familiar to seasoned romance readers. Overall, Devon’s debut is an evocative and heartfelt story that will appeal to anyone looking for a love story that’s both tender and transformative.

This is a delightful straight-up romance. I loved the chemistry between Harry and Rowan straight from the start but what I really swooned over was Harry's family. Come for the romance and stay for the found family.

I enjoyed the plot of the story, but could not connect with the characters. I felt it was well written and wish I could have connected more with the characters to fully enjoy the story.

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon was a good romance. I enjoyed the banter between Rowan and Harrison. But some of the issues, especially Rowan’s got old after awhile. She was just so stuck on being hurt by her past. But I thought Harrison’s mental issues were handled well. I loved Harrison’s family and Rowan’s friends.

This character-driven novel follows Rowan, a guarded botanist with emotional baggage, and Harry, a doctor haunted by a past loss. The setting shifts between the bustling city and a picturesque new vineyard in Pennsylvania. The plot explores themes of healing and self-discovery as Rowan and Harry navigate their individual struggles and a undeniable connection, despite both vowing to avoid love. While the characters, setting, and plot are all well-developed, the story unfolds at a steady pace, offering a pleasant but predictable romance. I liked this one!

Great book. I enjoyed Reading it. The characters and plot were interesting life like and easy to connect with.

This was a wonderful debut. I wasn’t expecting it to be so emotional, but it was a beautiful story. I loved seeing Rowan and Harry let their guards down and learn to trust one other. The descriptions of the vineyard were also so beautiful. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to romance readers!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a great story with great characters who were realistic and grew over the course of the book. I definitely recommend this one.

Posting review a bit late due to some personal circumstances, but absolutely thrilled to have been granted this ARC. This book was unexpected and in a great way! Loved the emotional depth and complexity of the plot.

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.