I enjoyed this book so much, I'm a fan of the sarcastic, strong, professionally focused main character and the hot emotionally scarred man, that's not afraid of being vulnerable.

The girlfriend group is everything, very relatable, we all have those types of friends and their banter. I like that there is some depth and background with every character without overextending the scene and we get a sense of who each character is and what role they play and will play throughout the book. I also liked the Brady family dynamic; they were all warm and at the same time messy, contrasting with different personalities, and felt very real.

Rowan and Harrison's turmoil of relationship had it all, vulnerability, fun, and tender moments that had you rooting for them all throughout the book. They both carried baggage from their past that would not let them fully commit to what they knew deep inside would be a beautiful relationship. Although the story was predictable, I enjoyed the ride so much, I was excited and annoyed by their actions and that’s what a good book does. Overall, an amazing book with well-thought-out characters and beautiful writing.

“Rowan could be distant as the moon, depriving him of oxygen and untethering him from gravity. But she was also funny and earnest and brilliant –– and before shed put up her guard tonight, he’d heard the hungry catch in her voice when they talked about love. Something raw and dormant and aching to be explored.”

3 stars

This seemed like the perfect book for me. It had an old rickety vineyard in a small town with two characters brought together with very different tragic backstories and was filled to the brim with overwrought descriptions of the farm and plants and even the dang fog. Total catnip to my purple prose Hallmark movie season of life.

Unfortunately, this book was not perfect for me. The first star I deducted is because Rowan (the female main character) was too much of a moldy cactus type where she had boundaries and million foot tall walls around her heart or some shit but never clearly expressed any of these to Harry (the male main character) and she instead came across as closed off and mean and disrespectful. I simply did not believe she had enough positive characteristics or was hot enough for Harry to try so hard and fall in love with her immediately because besides the being really into plants thing she basically had zero? A lot of the prickly pushiness Rowan had was romanticized towards the end and all she needed was to see Real Romantic Love to heal her! Girl, please.

One of the worst things Rowan did was never call Harry by his preferred name and instead she called him Harrison until about 60% of the book wherein she switched back and forth between Harry and Harrison depending on how she felt towards him. This is not cute and it is not romantic even if the author tried to explain it away at the end as Rowan's grandma saying nicknames are for people you love. Tell that to anyone who has ever played a sport ever. And a preferred name is not the same as a nickname! Respect the names people ask you to use for them as much as you'd respect the pronouns they ask you to use. Simple as that.

The other star was deducted because half the book is overly horny nonsense. Harry was popping boners everywhere and at one point Rowan felt up Harry's crotch while they were in a s'mores line at a family dinner where children were present. Why couldn't one of Rowan's thousand mysterious boundaries been about appropriate sexual behavior? Now s'mores are ruined forever.

This was a delightful debut! I'm really hoping for more of the Brady family. I can't wait for more books by Jen Devon.

Format - EARC and paperback

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 🌶 🌶 🌶

Series- N/A

Troupes- insta attraction, he falls first, damaged humans, small town, Women in STEAM, slow burn only one bed

CW-verbal abusive ex, mental health struggles

It’s really hard to believe that this is Devon’s debut novel. It’s so eloquently written and cinematic. Her story telling is like stepping into the pages, you can feel the sun, hear the reeds rustle, and taste the wine. It was such a pleasure of the imaginary to the senses to read. I hope and audiobook is forth coming and that it can do this book justice!

This Story itself is a simple one, take two emotionally damaged people and make them fall in love over a year. And yet the characters are so 3 dimensional and dynamic they could walk off the page and be people in your life. The emotions are so real and raw that your heart squeezes and your throat closes up. I shed several tears while embarking on this journey with these dummies.

I’m not going to summarize the synopsis, it tells you everything you need to know to decide whether you read this or not, but I will tell you this. This book is not like the others you have read. Jen word smithing and descriptive imagery, her story telling is cognizant, it’s a living breathing thing that grips you and pulls you into her world, and it fucking glorious.

It’s been several day and a few other book since a finished Bend toward the sun and I’m still thinking about it.

The 3 🌶 up there tell you what you need to know there is Spicy and it is good.

I can not wait for Devon’s next book. I don’t even care what its about or what the troupes are, its could have a surprise baby init for all I care and I would happily devour it. It’s safe to say I am not a Fan of jan Devon.

📚 Book Review 📚

Another book I had aimed to have read by Pub Day and just couldn’t do it. I had high expectations for this book, and while it was a perfectly fine romance, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

I was able to dive right in and was easily drawn into the story which is always a strong sign I’m going to love a book. I devoured the first 15-20% in one sitting. I loved the premise, setting, and the Brady family dynamic. I just didn’t really like the main characters. There was too much push and pull between them. It was angsty and steamy, but they spent so much time fighting I questioned whether the two of them being together would have been good for either of them. The biggest strike was the conflict revolved around a MISCOMMUNICATION.

Rowan McKinnon doesn't believe in love. As a scientists, she needs the proof, the data - without that the idea of love is laughable to her. Rowan has had a setback in her personal life & academia career and is taking some time to figure things out. When an opportunity to help restore a beautiful abandoned vineyard lands in her lap, she can't seem to say no.

Doctor Harrison Brady has come to his family's vineyard in Pennsylvania to find some peace from the demons chasing him from California. After losing a patient, Harry's not quite sure what to do with his profession or really his life. It isn't until he meets Rowan, that Harry starts to find some semblance of who he was prior to the event that changed his life.

Bend Toward the Sun was quite simply, a beautiful read. The descriptions in the book alone made me feel like I was right there with these characters. I loved the banter and chemistry between Rowan and Harry. They were so patient and kind with one another and yet challenged each other when they needed it.

While there isn't much that happens with the plot, I still enjoyed this romance! I loved the Brady family as well as the dynamics between Rowan and her best friends. I hope we get more stories featuring these characters!

Oh, I was caught off guard by this beautiful love story and I loved it. Rowan, so broken, yet so strong, trying to forge a life for herself where she could heal from the pain of her lonely childhood, and Harry, so dedicated, sweet, and vulnerable, who felt things so deeply that he just couldn't move on after unexpectedly losing a patient. When these two come together, the passion and strong emotions are almost palpable and I felt for them both as Rowan tried to protect her bruised heart by maintaining a distance, while Harry knew right away that she was the one for him, and was determined to show her they could move forward together.

The writing and descriptions of the setting were lush and beautiful. I wanted so badly to visit the vineyard and plunge my hands into the earth, let it sooth, comfort, and heal me the way it did for Rowan. I loved how brilliant and effortlessly competent Rowan was in her chosen field of botany while at the same time she was somewhat awkward socially, but not afraid to walk away from situations that made her uncomfortable. Meanwhile, the entire Brady family swept her up in their lives with no hesitation and showed her what a true family is like, giving her the chance to finally bend toward the light and have the achieve the closeness she always longed for. I'm so hoping that the author continues this story with others in the family and that we get to revisit the vineyard and the family in a later book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

There was something incredibly soothing about Bend Toward the Sun. The title is appropriate because reading it felt like languidly stretching your limbs on a warm summer's day.

Jen Devon's writing has a definite old-school quality. This book has the timbre of an older historical romance (without some of the shall we say problematique elements) transported to a contemporary setting. In her author bio, Devon describes being nurtured on romance paperbacks in the 1990s so this makes total sense. In a sea of candy-coated romcoms, Bend Toward the Sun's understated maturity stands out as refreshing.

If I had to pick a current "for fans of" comp I would probably say Kate Clayborn—who is a gold-standard author for me. Their writing styles aren't exactly the same; Clayborn is definitely the more whimsical of the two. But both Clayborn and Devon have the gift of writing intimacy and characters who are sensitively attuned to each other. Spacial awareness! Characters who are written with precision! Organic conflict that is derived from the characters' personalities and backstories!

Clayborn and Devon also share the gift of elegant prose. I'm leery when a book's writing is described as "lush" and "vivid" in marketing copy as those descriptors are often a purple flag. Devon's writing is genuinely lovely, though, and creates a full sensory experience for the reader.

The reason this is marked as four rather than five stars is the drop in momentum in the final stretch of the novel. To be fair, my brain has been applesauce this year when it comes to reading so this could be an "it's not you, it's me" problem. I am not a big fan of emotional martyrdom, so that was probably the biggest source of drag for me. There was also some speed-run recapping near the end that felt out of place with the rest of the book's more thoughtful pacing.

I look forward to reading what Devon writes next. There was a lot of sequel bait in this (Frankie/Malcolm IN PARTICULAR went straight for my jugular).

Content notes for anxiety/panic attacks (experienced on-page), death in childbirth (minor character; backstory), parental neglect (backstory), and death of grandparent/parental figure (backstory).

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

It has been a while since I have fallen in love with a romance novel (pun-intended). Romance novels have become so commercialized, it's difficult to not just expect the same storylines, the same tropes, the same everything, when a new one falls into your lap. But this one, this one knocked it out of the park. This is a romance novel that I cannot recommend enough.
The story flows beautifully. Time does jump, but it is done in a way where you, as the reader, can decipher how it benefits the story. I really enjoyed all of the careful consideration taken when tackling the heavier topics of mental health, trauma, neglect, and even death. The author knows how to get the facts out there with sympathy and grace. And I also appreciate all of the new random botany facts I now harbor.
Rowan and Harry are two characters that are just so...human. Very descriptive, I know. But what I mean is, they are characters you can really connect and empathize with. Both of them have their insecurities and fears and have the trauma to back them up. But they are both also willing to move forward. It is a slow burn, for these lovers, but it never felt too delayed nor rushed. You are immediately taken by their love and get to experience them falling for each other.
The standout character (and what really sold this novel to me) was Rowan. She is talented, witty, smart, and genuinely cares for others. She is the type of character that, at least for me, I flipped between loving and hating her. I genuinely felt like I was her friend and found myself wishing I could shake some sense into her or just give her a massive hug (although she would probably not like it). Rowan is powerful - she is driven and stubborn, and when you begin to see the cracks in her armor, it actually adds to her power. Her past does not define her; she uses it to learn and grow.
There is much more I wish I could dive into. I cannot wait for this book to hit the market so I can fangirl with other readers.
Get this book. It's the romance of the summer.

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. I loved everything about this book, from the characters to the romance. The story was well developed and I couldn't put t down. I wanted to keep reading but also didn't want it to end. I loved it so much! Very well done!

Wow I cannot believe more people are not talking about this one!!! I absolutely loved it. Loved the setting of the vineyard, loved the Brady family, and loved Rowan and Harry. I hope this is a start to a series because I need all of their stories!

This book is as romantic as it can be. I love it from beginning to end. Enjoyed every single situation and character. Appreciate the approach the author gave to loss and the strength found in love.

This book had great potential. It was a bit slow at times, which I think messed up the flow of the story. Otherwise I think it was a solid story about learning to forgive your past and move on. To try and focus on the positive you currently have it life and learn from the mistakes of the past. Rowan and Harry's story was inspiring and I enjoyed both the good and bad times they went through.

Jen Devon’s beautifully written contemporary romance Bend Toward the Sun explores the profound connection between a botanist, who doesn’t believe in love, and an obstetrician, experiencing grief and PTSD after losing a patient, who meet at his family’s vineyard and become involved while restoring and converting it into a winery and Bed and Breakfast.

I received the ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’m so thankful to Griffin and Netgalley. I might have never discovered this breathtaking novel on my own.

Rowan McKinnon believes her life is complete with her botany Ph.D. and two best friends who love her no matter how quirky or socially awkward she can be. Engaging only in occasional no-strings sex, she does not believe love is real. How could she? Rowan’s only ever known the love of her grandmother Edie, who taught her to care for all things that grow—inspiring her deep love for nature. Unfortunately, an emotionally negligent mother and a fiancé who treated her like a pawn left her emotionally compromised, hiding deep wounds from the past. After a chance encounter with a stranger at a vineyard leaves her out-of-sorts, Rowan agrees to manage the restoration of the Brady family’s abandoned vineyard, immersing herself in nurturing the grapes back to their former glory. Though she tries not to think about Harrison Brady, who is no longer a stranger, yet still makes her want unexpected, new, and dangerous things.

The loss of a patient causes obstetrician Harry PTSD/panic attacks and a crisis of faith, leading to a spiral of doubt in his ability to keep his patients and family safe. Reeling from that loss and a failed romantic relationship, Harry leaves Los Angeles for Pennsylvania to emotionally recover at his parents’ new vineyard. From their first meeting, something in Rowan calls to Harry, helping him heal—sunlight breaking through the darkness smothering his soul. Harry cannot resist exploring the undeniable pull between them. But after a lifetime of protecting herself from feeling anything—for anyone—Rowan pushes to keep things casual after fighting and failing to ignore and deny their explosive connection.

Devon’s writing is gorgeous, with lush and vibrant descriptions incorporating all the senses. I couldn’t stop reading Bend Toward the Sun once I started. Her authentic and dynamic dialogue and fantastic worldbuilding are so vivid that I was in the vineyards with the characters from the first scene to the last. I love her storytelling and narrative style. I am so not an outdoorsy, nature person, but her descriptions, narrative, and protagonist make me long to experience that same sense of comfort and peace she feels. Devon writes scenes filled with emotional intensity and vivid and visceral descriptions when Harry experiences anxiety and panic attacks. With nuance, Devon deftly captures Rowan’s emotional infancy and her discomfort and unfamiliarity with feeling emotions—especially love. Rowan’s interactions with Harry and his family force her outside her comfort zone because they sneak behind her barriers, despite her efforts to keep them out.

Devon deftly develops fascinating, imperfect, relatable, genuine characters through humorous, snarky, emotionally intense, intimate, flirty, sexy banter, dialogue, and interactions. Her fantastic description and narrative style make the profound emotional connection/sexual attraction between Rowan and Harry into a living, breathing entity. I love their banter, interactions, love scenes, and relationship development, which reveal their characters. I don’t know if she intends to return to this world. But the time Devon invests in developing all her characters and having Harry and Rowan interact with the secondary characters strengthens the depth of her novel and creates a world rich with fantastic characters and possible stories.

Poignant, sweet, sexy, angsty, and steamy, Bend Toward the Sun is a profoundly romantic family-centered romance. It explores themes of taking unexpected paths, self-discovery, finding where you belong, falling in love and how it changes you, taking risks to experience happiness and love, friendship, grief, loss, healing, and acceptance.

Advanced review copy provided by Griffin via Netgalley for review.

In the years since I joined NetGalley, I’ve strayed from one of my original intentions - to discover new, first-time authors. So when I came across this one from a debut author I decided to take a chance.

And when the book started out with a humorous meet-cute, followed shortly by some dialogue that made me laugh out loud, I knew I was in for a good ride. I mean read. But also listen, because I did both with this one!

There was so much that was great about this story: a heroine with a unique science-based career, a lovely and well-developed vineyard setting in Pennsylvania, lovable side-characters in a large family that eats dinner around a big table, and beautiful writing with fantastically witty dialogue (I will forgive a world of wrongs if your dialogue is top notch). I loved that this story takes place over the course of a year and doesn’t rush the timeline. I could envision myself wandering the vineyard looking over the vines and trying to keep up with all the sarcastic banter during a dinner with the family.

But this wasn’t a romantic story where loved conquered all. Both characters had deeply wounded hearts that kept them from having a healthy relationship and their interactions frequently just made me sad. I found myself so frustrated with the heroine - there was too much take and not enough give to the hero. And I was frustrated with the hero who was willing to settle for scraps and let the heroine be so wishy washy. With the characters' inability to have open and honest conversations, this reads more like a young adult novel than one about people in their 30s and I am not at the stage in my reading journey where I have patience for that kind of drama llama.

Despite the things I didn’t enjoy about this book, I think this author has a lot of potential. Her world-building was incredible and with all of the Brady siblings, I hope Bend Toward the Sun is just the first in the series!

And I hope if there are more audiobooks, Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley are available - these two narrators are FANTASTIC! Their inflections, the way they convey emotions, the comedic timing when needed, all

* thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
* thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this romance! Definitely a emotional and fun read filled with science, medicine and steamy romance! Thank you!

Bend Towards The Sun had an interesting story line. I looove a book about botany and I found the main character, Rowan’s background in botany really interesting. I also really enjoyed the setting on an old winery. However, I personally just did not like the way Rowan and Harry communicated. I wanted more growth from these characters. Overall, I did enjoy this book and would read more from this author.

This book was great! Both MC‘s had great back stories, which were revealed very slowly and made us extremely invested in their stories. I adored the big family and would love to see more of those brothers in another book! The romance was filled with flirty banter, a perfect amount of tension, and a relatable third act break up! This book was very well done and I look forward to reading what comes next from this author.

Such a sweet book! I found the beginning a bit jarring and it look me a little bit to get into it, but you are easily sold on these characters and this story. It's romantic and fun - great dialogue. Lots of open door steam so be prepared. There is also quite a bit of back story and character development. This author has left the door WIDE open for subsequent books about this family, which I would certainly read.

*** BOOK REVIEW***
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Bend Toward the Sun
Author: Jen Devon

Even from the beginning of the book I knew I’d love Bend Toward the Sun . I don’t even know how to describe my feelings except for complete happiness.

I loved the characters and felt I was right along with them. I felt their hurt and their love. And I would love to spend a night with the Brady family especially for a game of “Team Tag”

And I was hoping Harry and Rowan could get through their pasts to find each other. I’ll admit sometimes their tendencies to runaway from a good thing was sometimes irritating but sometimes I think that’s all necessary to get through the hurt and see the goodness in a situation.

At the end of the book I wish I had the physical book in my hand so I could give it a hug.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Bend Toward the Sun in exchange of an honest review