Rowan, a botany student, doesn’t believe in love. But when she meets Harrison one night at a party, sparks fly. But life becomes tough for Harrison. He’s an obstetrician and loses a patient and doesn’t know if going back or helping his struggling family’s vineyard is what he should do. Both of them make their own path along the way admits scares and dreams they each have.

Get ready to cry. It’s a good angsty, second-chance story. The love story is intense and feels so real, it’ll leave you forlorn. The pining, the healing, the struggles are all there.

Bend Toward the Sun is a novel that follows the love story of Rowan and Harrison. Rowan has a Ph.D. in botany and Harrison is a doctor. The two meet unexpectedly during a family game. Rowan wants to keep thing casual, but Harrison is not a casual type of person.

After reading many reviews, I have an unpopular opinion about this one. I didn't love the banter between the two main characters. I thought they had more chemistry with their family than with each other. I didn't love Rowan's back and forth attitude about being in a casual relationship with Harrison. I want to read this again to see if I was just in a bad mindspace when reading this one.

Read if you like:
Family drama
Small town love story
Wine/wine making

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this one before it was published in exchange for an honest review.

Rowan is a horticulturalist and needs to publish an academic paper to stay relevant in her field. After an unexpected setback, she finds herself working for the Brady family and helping to restore the vineyard they recently purchased. Harry returns home after the loss of a patient pulls the rug out from under him and upends his life in Los Angeles. He hopes that returning home and contributing to his family's new endeavor will help him to heal.

What I loved:
Plant puns (I need a Party Thyme or Sage Against the Machine t-shirt ASAP!!)
Smart humor (horticulturist and medical doctor main characters led to some fantastic jokes)
All the scenes with Harry's family
Asparagus' dislike for Duncan
Jen's poetic writing
The romance (insert fire emojis here)

The story takes place over a year, which let the insta-like embers burn into a genuine connection and relationship. There is a very strong physical attraction between Rowan and Harry, and the first half of the book is full of pining and emotional unavailability. As the seasons change and our main characters develop and grow as individuals, their magnetic attraction begins to draw them together. I am glad that Jen took the time to let the characters grow and heal from their traumas; the choice to set the book over a longer period of time was extremely smart for these characters.

I cannot say enough good things about Jen's writing. It is lush, poetic, and beautiful. In case you need some convincing, here are some of my favorite passages:

"Life had flourished and thrived there, despite years of apparent neglect. Rowan felt a pang of kinship."
"You can't mourn the loss of something you never had."
"You don't get to choose when someone needs you."
"His pupils eclipsed the irises of his eyes, crowding out all but a thin rim of smoke around the edge. 'I'd rather have you now and miss this for the rest of my life, than never have you at all.'"

I can't pinpoint why, but I connected with Bend Toward the Sun on a deep level. The writing was poignant and wrapped itself around my heart like a blanket. I dearly hope that Jen revisits the Brady family in future books.

Bend Toward The Sun
Jen Devon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5

Slow burn ✔️
He falls first ✔️
Female STEM rep✔️

Bend Toward The Sun is officially on the market. A stunningly beautiful debut from @kisscrafter - you’re doing yourself a disservice by not dropping everything to pick this one up immediately!

The story follows Rowan, a socially awkward botanist and Harry, a disturbingly handsome doctor recovering from some emotionally damaging circumstances. The sparks fly upon their initial meeting in the midst of an annual family tradition, but based on their pasts they’re both initially hesitant to act on anything. As they get to know each other, he falls hard for her, but she refuses to give in despite the feelings she feels equally as hard.

This one will hit you in all the feels as you cheer the two characters on towards each other. Just when you think that he’s broken down her walls it all falls apart and you’re heartbroken for both of them while still desperately hoping for them to find their way back to each other.

Such a great read that I’ve demanded Mimi move it immediately up on her TBR- so should you, you won’t regret it!

Loved this one and appreciate the opportunity to have been able to read an ARC copy courtesy of @kisscrafter and NetGalley. It’s not to be missed!

I liked this book and then it just went on for too long and the time line was so long, that I just got annoyed by the back and forth of these two.

I wish this book wasn’t so angsty, because I really like the Brady family and I would like to read TJ and Frankie’s books but I can already tell they are going to be angsty and I’m just not about that. So I’m not sure if I’ll make an effort to read any more books in this series.

Also was not a fan of how Harry acted in the last 20% of the book. It made me really not like his character.

Oh, this perfect, perfect book. Ten out of ten stars. Whenever I say that I’m in the mood for an angsty emotional romance, THIS is exactly the feeling that I’m talking about, every time. This is the book I want to read, the movie I want to watch, the story I want to get swept away in.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous and lyrical, I can safely say that Jen Devon is at the top of my must-read, constantly-refresh-Netgalley-to-see-if-there’s-a-new-book list. The large Brady family feels real and charming and humorous without becoming caricature-like, and the vineyard itself is its own vivid character in the story.

I’ll admit I was a bit nervous at the beginning because of the instant connection between Rowan and Harry. I’m not a fan of instalove in any form, I love having history between characters. I feel like you miss so much of the development of a relationship when the characters are into each other right away. But I’m here to tell you my friends, we get the development. We get it in spades. My fears were completely unfounded.

Rowan and Harry are both loveable, flawed characters, and the push and pull between them is exquisite. This is one of those romances that hurts, that delicious ache when you know these two people should be together but they’re getting in their own way and end up hurting each other and you completely understand why they’re doing it. There is so much longing and pining and desperate wanting between these two… thank goodness this isn’t a closed door romance, that’s all I’ll say, because that tension had to go somewhere!

I feel so lucky to have been able to read an early copy and if there aren’t more books in this world I will absolutely be showing up at someone’s door. The book that I’m guessing (hoping, praying) is next is now my most anticipated release and I don’t even know if it’s going to exist! Jen Devon, you’re going to write it, right??

This is easily one of my top reads of the year and I’m already looking forward to reading it again. Anyone looking for a sweet and steamy love story that will make your heart hurt and smile in equal measure, do not miss this gorgeous book!

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was heart-warming, fun, held my interest and I wanted to find out what would happen. I enjoyed this book and would read others by this author.

I loved this book. Solid 4 1/2 stars.

The setting? Glorious. The family? Wish they were mine. The characters? All of them are just wonderful, and I am hoping (fingers crossed) that this becomes a series. I'm going to need to know what happens with Duncan and Temperance, and Mal and Frankie. And does Arden cross over to the vineyard next door? I need all of this answered in future books please.

This was beautifully written, I laughed, I cried, I didn't want it to end.

Two quotes I must include here: "I'll give you fifty years to try to convince me." Swoon.

"Nicknames are the name your heart chose for someone. And when you call a person by that name you're telling them 'I love you'".

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this spicy romance novel! The characters were believable and likable. I saw someone give the warning that this book is not for you if you are annoyed by bad communication - that rings very true but it made the story feel real. The setting was gorgeous and I felt like Rowan’s career as a botanist was unique. Rowan and Harry were very sweet together and I loved the huge Brady family! Fingers crossed for many sequels sharing the other stories that were teased (I think my first choice would be Mal and Frankie, though I bet that one will come later in a series!)

Bend Toward the Sun is a book I have long been anticipating for my Summer 2022 TBR. I've seen great reviews and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
The hurts that Rowan and Harrison bring to the table are a bit of a mystery and make both characters intriguing albeit toxic to the other. The depth of character explored is really well done to the end. I could have done without the sometimes overwhelming "horny teenagery" antics that distracted me from the story for the first handful of chapters. While I don't love insta-love, I am so appreciative that Jen gave them the time in the balance of the book to develop a relationship that could survive the storms.
Jen's ability to write is not at all in question. Her turn of phrase and the way she captured the movement to the story was lyrical and snagged my attention. There were several sentences that painted the picture of the scene to great advantage.
I read and listened to the book. The performance by Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley made it an easy listen and I adore a narrator duo.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the arc and Macmillan Audio for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review an ARC of this novel, "Bend Toward the Sun" by Jen Devon.

Where to begin with this one?... This book is about Rowan and Harrison (Harry). Rowan's occupation has her involved with botany and STEM - really enjoyed seeing that representation throughout the course of this novel. Harrison is an OB/GYN who has recently lost a patient. The two of them meet in a totally and completely unexpected sort of way.

If I had to choose some words to describe what reading this novel was like for me, I would choose "intense", "emotional", and "angsty". The fact that this was the author's debut novel not only pleasantly surprising, but well-received!

Overall, I rated this novel a 4/5 stars!

What’s the deal? Rowan is a botanist, currently working in her PhD with a harsh past. Harry is a doctor, escaping from his life in California. What a better place to fall in love and regroup than in a charming vineyard?
Harry Brady’ s family wants to start making vine, so they buy a vineyard. Sounds easy, right? Well, no. The vineyard needs a lot of care and who better to work on it than a botanist—Rowan. So while Rowan is there, working day in and day out; Harry is in the vineyard, taking a break from Medicine. They are bound to spend a lot of time together, and can’t deny their mutual attraction.
However, their pasts might be the one thing between them.

All the stars to this book because:
1. Dual POVs. Who isn’t a huge fan of reading the guy’s POV? I love to be inside his head, know his feelings and thoughts and emotions toward the heroine. And Harry might be the sweetest, most dedicated character toward our heroine. He worships her!
2. Cinnamon roll hero. Harry is sweet. He is so patient, and persistent and selfless, especially with Rowan, I just love him.
3. No strings attached to lover. Let’s be honest, be know from the beginning the plan of no strings attached is going to fail, but doesn’t it make the story more delicious and sexy? Especially if one of our characters is all in from the beginning.
4. Excellent support system. The Brady family is top. They made me laugh so much. And Rowan’s friends are so sweet and the best, always there to support.
5. Difficult pasts. If you are one of those people that love hero and heroine with tragic story, and like to see how to they face it throughout the story, this is the book for you!
Also, isn’t it sweet to face this tragedies with a love one?

After her doctoral thesis is rejected due to improper research Rowan McKinnon ends up on her best friend Temperance‘s couch. Temperance drags Rowan to a barbecue at her sister Maren‘s house where Rowan meets Harrison “Harry”Brady. Harry falls instantly in love with Rowan, after chasing her into a greenhouse in a game of tag, but lets her go because he’s healing from trauma in his recent past. Two weeks later, Rowan shows up for a job interview at his parents’ Vineyard, for which Temperance secretly submitted her résumé. Rowan ends up accepting the job with the understanding she will leave when her thesis is rewritten and approved. This mean working side-by-side with Harry and his family to restore their vineyards to a proper working winery. Harry makes his move, but Rowan since doesn’t do love, romantic relationships or long-term commitments, they decide to remain just friends. They spend glorious days filled with hard work and sexual tension until Harry decides to have whatever she’ll give him for as long as he can have it, but what will he do when she leaves for her post doc position?

At first, I felt like Bend Towards the Sun was slow and frustrating. The author seemed to use more words than necessary, repeating the same thoughts and ideas previously written. About a third of the way into the novel, I felt like the writing started flowing effortlessly and I enjoyed the story in all it’s sad and romantic glory. With some changes, I see the potential for this to be a incredible book, but for me it was just a good novel as it stands.

Bend Toward the Sun is such a fantastic debut novel!

I wasn’t completely sure I’d like this one at first, romances between two issue-laden people is so not my thing, but this novel kept grabbing at me and I kept reading.

This story had a lot that I really do enjoy -

Healing with the help of nature / gardening, botany, realistic, emotional, beautifully descriptive writing, and characters you truly come to care for.

There was also a lot of humor - personally, I adored the nod to Joan Wilder (thee Joan Wilder?) 🤣

I enjoyed this one so much.

📖Book: Bend Toward the Sun
⭐️Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏼Author: Jen Devon
📚Genre: Romance | Women's Fiction
🗏 Pages: 372
⚠️Warnings: Panic Attacks, Grief, Death, Abuse
🔖Readability: 4/ some italic font present

What to expect:
🪴Botanist takes a job while re-writing her dissertations
🌿Art-like description of plants
🪴Complex characters with tension
🩺Dealing with grief
🍇Slow burn

Rowan McKinnon sets out on a journey to take on an abandoned vineyard while re-writing her dissertation. She doesn't expect to meet Harrison Brady. Harry is an obstetrician who is dealing with grief after losing a patient; he has gone to the vineyard to recover. Through the healing process and their tension, Harry and Rowan explore the uniqueness of each other in this lushly satisfying debut by Jen Devon.

The angst of the characters, the slow burn, the description of the vineyard, the metaphors, the baggage, the banter, the family dynamic, everything in this book made me feel like I was at home in a not-over-the-top contemporary romance. I love how the characters opened up to each other, and the contract is written beautifully about them. Having the rollercoaster of emotions is what truly makes this a 5 star read. Colleen Hoover could never.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the advance reader copy

I think I will be in the minority about this, but I never could really fall in love with this story and had to put it down several times. The main characters are Harry, a pediatric physician, and Rowan, a botanist. Harry is a member of a large, close family. His parents were two of my favorite characters.

Harry's parents have bought a property with a house and barn and other outbuildings. They are planning on creating a vineyard and producing specialty wines for small venues. I enjoyed reading about creating the vineyard but thought that it was not really a good plan for an aging couple. I loved that they had goats and a donkey, who have their own jobs on the farm. The donkey protects the goats.

Harry seemed a little too sensitive to me initially for his job as a pediatric physician. I liked Rowan much better as a character, who survived a difficult childhood. The romance is slow to develop with some speedbumps. I had an issue with the last one as I didn't think it was enough to cause a breakup. I hope that this is a series, as I'd like to read more about this family and see more of them get their own happy endings.

My thanks to publisher St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. These are my own opinions of the book.

This is such a romantic and emotionally satisfying book. Both Harrison, the hero, and Rowan, the heroine, have such emotional baggage that they bring to the table. As you see the journeys of both of them as well as how their relationship develops you can’t help but feel emotionally invested in the story. It’s also nice because you have Harrison‘s family involved in the story was just adds to the entertainment of the book. There is definitely angst but it’s written so well that as your emotions going to roller coaster during the book you still leave feeling satisfied. I am definitely looking forward to more books from this author

Say hello to your next immersive romance. This book is just incredibly lush and full of all the pining as Rowan and Harry, two deeply flawed individuals with plenty of trauma in their past, struggle to find their way to each other. Instant attraction? Sure, but it's going to take a long time for them to be able to articulate their true feelings, especially Rowan. I loved Harry's family, and the role they play for both him and for Rowan, and I'm desperately hoping Jen Devin has something up her sleeve for some of the other Brady family members. This book is wildly descriptive and pulls you in deeply.

Review copy courtesy of Griffin through NetGalley

I really loved this sweet yet complicated love story, set on a outside-Philly overgrown vineyard. Comparable to “The Love Hypothesis,” the story has a STEM-y female protagonist, whose expertise is botany, and a male main character who was an OB and is currently tortured by an accident. The book features a loving, large family, which I love. Looking forward to my guesses for the sequels!

Waffling between 4 and 5 stars on this one, so I’ll settle for a 4.5 and round up, considering I stayed up until morning reading this (and will probably regret not sleeping bc work). This is a beautiful, character-driven, emotion-heavy romance. I haven’t read a book quite like this before, and that’s a good thing. Jen Devon’s writing style and wit and humor are unique, and I’m eager to see how it develops further in her next book.

I think it’s accurate to call this a quiet book, in the sense that you’re not going to find a lot of external drama or much of a plot—the book focuses heavily on Rowan McKinnon’s journey, and we also get to spend a fair amount of time in Harrison Brady’s POV, too. While they both get their healing arcs, Bend Toward the Sun is largely Rowan’s book; we get to see Harry’s feelings grow for Rowan, which was lovely because he’s a softie who falls head over heels for Rowan so quickly, and we get to see how Rowan is there for him to help him heal through his own trauma, as well, but Rowan’s character is the one that has the added step of needing to understand her feelings in addition to figuring out her direction in her life.

I’ll be honest and say that I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the second, but that’s probably due to the conflict in the latter half that I knew was coming yet was unsure of exactly what would go down. I love the lighter mood we start with, where we get a sense for Rowan’s character, her awkward statements and introversion and humor, and we learn Harry, too, is an introvert with anxiety and trauma and humorous and sweet banter with Rowan. The second half is a struggle that accurately mirrors Rowan’s own difficulty understanding her emotions and relationship with Harry, her changing desires for what she wants out of life and the possibility of loving and being loved, which is also what makes it harder to read. All is not smooth sailing for our beloved couple, and it hurt to go from their tender sweetness, from Harry falling harder and watching Rowan thrive among his lovely family—hooray for found families!—and Rowan worrying about Harry to the angst-filled arguments and frustrating stubbornness. I wanted to shake Rowan as badly as I wanted to give her a hug and comfort her, and I wanted to hug Harry and explain things Rowan was unable to tell him so he could understand. It’s so realistic in its messiness; humans with their complicated emotions, the effects of trauma and abuse truly are deep and take time to heal. It made their HEA all the sweeter, heartachingly tender and hard-won. The last few chapters made it all worth it, getting to see how Harry and Rowan work as a couple.

I love the quiet gestures from Harry to Rowan and vice versa that we later get to see are examples of how they showed their love to each other, even before they’d admitted their feelings to themselves. The wildflowers, the teaching and learning about nature, the breakfast; it’s all tender and soft and kind. Just like the book.

I’m so curious to see if we get Duncan and Temperance’s story, and Malcolm and Frankie, and even Arden and Colby. I loved spending time with the big-hearted, boisterous, and loving Brady family, and future books with this lush setting of lovely characters would be a delight, as well, I’m sure.

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC.