Cover Image: Bend Toward the Sun

Bend Toward the Sun

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Member Reviews

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for my gifted review copy of Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon.

Say hello to one of my favorite books of 2022. Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon is beautiful, atmospheric, memorable and a satisfying love story. I savored every word of this one!

Rowan and Harry - two characters who are so powerful they will now stand on their own in Romancelandia. I loved them both and wanted to shake them both equally. That's when I know the author is writing something really special. The emotions I felt for these two were so undeniable. I wanted the best for them and dammit if they didn't keep getting in their own way. Okay, let me back up a bit.

I appreciated that Rowan was detached from any sort of desire to have a romantic relationship. I say appreciated here because I wanted to push her into being with Harry. But, that's not Rowan. Same for Harry. There's a spark that is present with these two from the beginning. I couldn't even tell you how or when it happen because it is so easy to get lost in Jen Devon's prose. I'm just reading along and drooling over Jen's writing and dreaming about the land, the insects, and the sky. Before I know it, I'm like, Hello, you two need to be together.

Harry is working through his own stuff too. He's back at home with his wonderful family. Please, can we get a follow-up novel about this wonderful family. Honestly, I would even go for a prequel with the parents. I'm seriously hoping this family exists in real life and I could move into this vineyard with them. I'm a hard worker, I won't be a bother. Please text me the address - thank you.

I am Really Into This book! Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon is a novel with two characters who are healing - each on their won timeline. It's a beautiful reminder that we are all worthy and deserving of love. I couldn't love it more.

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I didn’t know what to expect being that this is a debut author but I loved this book!

I’m a romance reader - I love them. I admit they’re usually heavily focused on the two main characters though. Bend Towards the Sun had the MCs but I was heavily invested in the secondary characters as well. I didn’t want to this one to end.

If you’re not so hot on the tropes and cliques of modern romance books and into major character development then Read. This. Book.

I really hope Jen Devon writes another - I will be grabbing that as fast as I can get my hands on it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

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Another great debut, and I feel like I'm on a roll so far this year!

BEND TOWARD THE SUN is "a heartwarming, sensual, beautifully written story", When an academic setback leads Rowan to take on the restoration of an abandoned vineyard, she relishes the opportunity to restore the grapes to their former glory.

It was overall a great love story between Rowan and Harrison as they navigate their emotions and sort out their own baggage from their past, and bonus points because I always appreciate a romance with steam. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Chris Brinkley and Erin Mallon, and thought they were good at bringing the character voices to light.

*many thanks to St Martins Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

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This was an absolute gem of a book. I loved the balance between sweet and steam. I absolutely adored stem and botany woven within the story. There is something about higher academia that I just love in books. I loved not only the main characters but also all of the side characters who I feel really added depth to the story. I also think there is something so enduring about someone who wants to give love so badly to someone that is rejecting it seemingly at all stops. If you cant tell this book is just absolutely adored by me. I would love there to be so many more books written in this world but I can tell you that I am an instant Jen Devon fan now.

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A sweet story about starting over after struggles. I did like the two MC's and their draw to each other. But I've been watching a few too many Hallmark movies lately and this one felt just a little too sweet and a little too perfect. It was nice while I read it but I don't know that it is a stand out.

<i>A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.</i>

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I loved this book, mainly because like many of other people stated that it was not tropey which is really hard to do i feel nowadays especially with booktok. that being said i loved the romance between the two main characters flowed and i loved the description of the scenery. Would definitely recommend friends.

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Thank you so much to Jen Devon, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

While I do like a good slow burn this one burned a little too slow for the first 35-40% but the writing is beautiful and I loved the family aspect. So much so I'd definitely pick up another one with the same family/friend group! Harry and Rowan were both great characters. The descriptions of the farm and vineyards really made you see it.

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What a stunning debut by author, Jen Devon! This is a heart-warming, perfect romance in which I was transported into the setting with ease. I felt liked I lived at the vineyard that Harry’s parents bought. Rowan ends up helping with the restoration of the vineyard, and we get to feel the development of their romance. They both have a lot of baggage to deal with, but together, it seems they can take on the world.

The Bradys, Harry’s family, are those type of people that you want to associate with and love forever. I want to move to the vineyard today and live and work there with them! It sure would be nice to get a few more books with these characters!

Thanks to NetGalley, Jen Devon, and St. Martin’s Press for this review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

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Rowan McKinnon doesn't believe in love. She hides deep wounds from her negligent mom and a fiancé who treated her like a pawn. After dealing with an academic setback she has the chance to restore an abandoned vineyard. While there she meets a doctor named Harrison Brady, who is struggling after losing a patient. I loved this book so much, it had everything. Romance, humor, and an epic love story between Rowan and Harrison. I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

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I loved this read. The premise was so good and the writing was wonderful. I really enjoyed the love story and cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.

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Rowan's career is in a holding pattern and she decides to pass the time working at a small family vineyard. Harry is taking a pause from his career as doctor after a bad outcome shook his confidence. He ends up at his family's vineyard to work through his trauma where he meets Rowan. They are both dealing with significant trauma from their past and try to keep things casual. To make their relationship real, they will both have to confront their past.

This book is hilarious, sweet, and sexy, the perfect trifecta. I want to join a dinner with the Brady family and visit their bed and breakfast. I loved the realistic portrayal of Rowan and Harry's feelings. Without giving too much away, I thought the way their past traumas impacted their current desires was very relatable and made me want them to heal together. This book will give you all the feels and make you laugh out loud. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.

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3.5 stars

This was a sweet romance with great mental health representation. I loved the women in STEM representation from the FMC Rowan (a botanist, who has recently defended her PhD).

I did feel like something was missing to truly make me love this book or feel truly connected to the characters. Overall I did enjoy it and look forward to reading other books from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This was truly a book that I did not want to rush through because I wanted to soak up the nature-filled descriptions of the vineyard setting and the emotions of two people struggling with their issues of giving and accepting love. My only problem was keeping track of the numerous members of Harrison's big family. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for a copy to read and review.

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Thank you St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for my advanced e-copy.

I'm not gonna lie, I 100000% judge my romance books by their covers and this one did not engage me whatsoever but the synopsis (and it being a read now) intrigued me just enough to request it. I ended up listening to the audiobook and I was not at all disappointed and honestly kind of surprised with how much I enjoyed this. The story had depth and healing and dealt with a different aspect of grief that often gets overlooked. I was fascinated with this random vineyard being owned and operated by people who had no idea what to do but had the passion and drive to get it done anyways. Rowan, being a botanist, with that name? Truly main character behavior. They were both so stubborn and their refusal to back down until they absolutely had to was not as annoying as other stubborn characters can be. These two were messy and adorable and now I kinda wanna marry a botanist who works at a vineyard.

cw: traumatic birth (flashback, not super on page), post-childbirth death (flashback), anxiety and panic attacks, cheating (past - not between MCs)

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Over the years, I've realized my favorite kind of romance books are those that have a slow burn and tension. The type of book that leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering when the characters will finally figure out their feelings for one another. Bend Toward the Sun is that exact kind of story and I absolutely loved it.

Not only did I love the plot and characters, I felt like I learned a lot about botany and horticulture, which was great since am lacking a green thumb.

While the story is mostly about the relationship between Rowan and Harry, it also dives into deep issues of grief, PTSD, loss, and family. It's a beautifully written story and I highly recommend checking it out.

Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

4.5/5 stars

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I really enjoyed this debut romance novel about two characters who each have their own emotional baggage. I was completely wrapped up in Rowan and Harry's story. There were a few times when I found myself frustrated with them and wished they would just communicate, but overall I enjoyed the drama and angst.

This book also had excellent side characters in the form of Harry's family and Rowan's friends. I really enjoyed the whole dynamic of the Brady family, and they had me laughing out loud several times with their interactions. The book also sets up some future potential relationships, so I could see sequels as a possibility and would definitely love to revisit these characters again.

Overall, a solid debut that has me looking forward to reading more of Jen Devon's work in the future.

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Great book and enjoyed the characters . loved the slight romance and the how well the group worked together. Overall a great book . I would read this author again.

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Bend Toward the Sun is an emotional contemporary romance that I would also classify as part women's fiction.

The book is divided into 3 parts. There are two 3rd person POVs (Rowan and Harry). Much of the story takes place at a winery in rural Pennsylvania.

Rowan is a botanist and finishing her PhD. I loved her job. And I adored her friends Temperance/T.J. and Frankie.

Harrison Brady/Harry is an obstetrician from L.A who is part of a big family. His family was everything in this book! And the winery setting was amazing!

I was a bit frustrated seeing the characters running away from commitment. That part of the story went on too long. But the last part of the book was definitely the strongest. And overall I did enjoy the book.

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My friends all raved about Bend Toward the Sun, and I am so glad I listened and picked this one up! It was sweet, and tender, and a slow burn -- in all the best ways! I loved this book and Rowan and Harrison's love story!

Two imperfect people. One year under the sun. A love story you won't ever forget.

Rowan McKinnon doesn’t believe in love. With a botany PhD, two best friends who embrace her social quirkiness, and some occasional no-strings sex, she has everything she needs. But she hides deep wounds from the past—from an emotionally negligent mother, and a fiancé who treated her like a pawn in a game. When an academic setback leads Rowan to take on the restoration of a winery's abandoned vineyard, she relishes the opportunity to restore the grapes to their former glory.

She does not expect to meet a man like Harrison Brady.

An obstetrician profoundly struggling after losing a patient, Harry no longer believes he is capable of keeping people safe. Reeling, Harry leaves Los Angeles to emotionally recover at his parents’ new vineyard in Pennsylvania.

He does not expect to meet a woman like Rowan McKinnon.

As their combative banter gives way to a simmering tension, sunlight begins to crack through the darkness smothering Harry’s soul. He’s compelled to explore the undeniable pull between them. And after a lifetime of protecting herself from feeling anything, for anyone, Rowan tries to keep things casual.

But even she can’t ignore their explosive connection.

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I adored this story! The vineyard setting, the close-knit Brady family, the friendships with Frankie and Temperance, it all came together to keep me engaged throughout the entire book. Every piece of this story was uplifting, gorgeous!

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