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

CW: parental neglect (past), death of a loved one (past), death of a patient (past, on page), gaslighting, cheating (past relationship)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f friends to lovers
-insta attraction
-close-proximity
-this is just a hookup
-found family
-so much angst and sexual tension

This was a book I had been hearing about for quite a bit and it entirely lived up to the hype. Just a warning for those who need it the MMC is in the process of divorce during the beginning of the book and it is addressed.

This is such a beautifully written book I can't express that enough, it was so wonderful to read. Filled with emotion, two people who had hit rock bottom and trying to figure out what's next. So much sexual tension, so much angst. I appreciated how both MCs had to come at peace at their own paces. And then come together.

The secondary characters were spectacular, but the writing lept off the page for me. It was honestly amazing and I can't wait to read more from Jen Devon in the future. I learned so much about horticulture, love, family, and relationships. Healing yourself and letting that take time. Honestly just read this book and bask in its wonderfulness. Family weddings, a vineyard, meddling friends and family members, sexual tension that has you screaming, and so much pining. All of the pining.

Steam: 3.25

Just a bit of a warning in case, it is very much addressed

Bend Toward the Sun is a great romantic drama with messy but lovable characters. I really enjoyed the setting of the winery and Harrison’s loving family! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the tension between the two main characters. There is steam between the two main characters of Rowan and Harry. I was laughing in some places. Harry is a doctor and lost a patient so he goes home. Harry is smitten with Rowan the moment he first saw her. Rowan is very guarded with her heart.

A woman who stays away from serious relationships because her mother was an uncaring and cold woman meets a man who has been severely traumatized by the death of a pregnant woman. Cue the steamy romance as they try to deny the emotional attachement with each other.

This is a great romance set in a beautiful vineyard with troubled characters. The characters are easy to like and the touch of humour keeps the story flowing nicely. Some steamy scenes will keep you turning the pages.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the chance to read the ARC of this book.

This is it. This is a perfect book.
I am borderline obsessed with Rowan and Harrison. Jen Devon's writing is gorgeous, and her characters are so fleshed out and lively. What a beautiful romance that I already cannot wait to reread. I hope we see more of the Brady family. I cannot recommend enough.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

A-MAZ-ING!! What started as her own entertainment on a plane ride transformed into a beautifully composed novel.
Harrison and Rowen are both running from their pasts when they find each other at a rundown vineyard. They both have to deal with their own demons and learn how to communicate with each other as they rebuild the vineyards into a family B&B. I loved *almost* everything about Bend Toward the Sun. The only reason I’m giving it 4/5 is because the language was a little strong for my taste at times (like Gia).

What a debut!! Does anyone know if that memory zapper gadget from Men in Black is a thing yet? Because I'm gonna need Will Smith to wipe my memory so I can read this again for the first time.

THIS BOOK IS DIVINE AND FUNNY AND EMOTIONAL AND HOT AND HAS DEPTH AND YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT PLANTS AND WINE AND LOVE. EVERYONE GO READ IT IMMEDIATELY!

If anyone needs me I will be shouting from the rooftops about this book until the release in August (and eagerly awaiting Temperance & Duncan's story. Write quickly please, Jen Devon!)

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

Delightful love story with too much emphasis on euphemisms for erection for my taste. I mean, really, just say the word. Other than that, the push and pull between Harry and Rowan, both reeling from failed relationships, is charming and I was rooting for them all the way, as were all the other charming characters in this book. There is some beautiful use of language throughout the book which made me stick to it.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

What a gorgeous book! I was wholly unprepared for how well-written and lovely this story was. I found myself purposely slowing down to prolong it as as long as possible and then immediately had to re-read. I am always a little hesitant with debut authors, but I’m so glad I requested this one.

The plot in a nutshell:

A botanist takes a job at a vineyard while re-writing her dissertation and falls in love with a man and his family.

This book has to be one of the most authentic contemporary romance novels I’ve ever read. It was completely free of tropes or clichés, with incredible character development (even secondary characters). In fact, that secondary characters were so well developed that I found myself heavily invested in their stories as well - SERIOUSLY hoping Devon plans to pen more stories in this world.

Between the lush scenery depicted and the humor, I’d say this book was a perfect five stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing a digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Harry is a doctor - WAS - a doctor... as a new obstetrician he is struggling after the unexpected and sudden loss of one of his patients. He's no longer certain he can continue in the medical field and for that matter he's uncertain in all aspects of his life. So he does what any struggling soul from a solid family does.... - he goes home. His parents have recently bought a vineyard to start a new family business and Harry is tasked with manual labor jobs so they can simultaneously keep an eye on him and keep him busy.

Rowan has a PhD in botany and is an official plant lady. She loves all things that are growing in nature and the science behind them. She has dealt with childhood trauma and struggles with healthy adult relationships because of it. She deals in facts and tangible results - not in the unseen fairy tales of love and false hope of happily ever afters.

When Rowan begins working on the vineyard as a consultant, the connection between she and Harry is undeniable. They each have obstacles to overcome - some easier than others - and have to decide what is worth fighting for. The Brady family is a joy to read about - I especially enjoyed the dynamic and banter between Harry and his brother Duncan - it felt very organic and authentic. True brotherly love and humor.

I loved reading this book! It flowed beautifully and was so smartly written. There were moments of humor, sadness, and romance. I love the side characters (Duncan!) and how they are set up to continue with their stories in the future (at least I hope so!!) A great read that I will definitely pre-order to have in my hands in August.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mistreated and emotionally abandonment have shaped Rowan into an adult who is petrified of loving and of giving herself the chance for a relationship. Working to revive a family’s vineyard brings her into a family that loves without boundaries and to their son who she frees from his anxieties and fears. Excellent story, well conceived and written. It will capture your heart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

BEND TOWARD THE SUN is a lush contemporary romance between botanist Rowan, who is stressed about completing her research and finding a postdoc opportunity, and Harry, a medical doctor taking a break to work at his family's new vineyard after losing a patient. Just wow. Rowan's and Harry's attraction is deeply felt, but there's tension and obstacles as both characters have yet to overcome some real pain in their pasts. I just love how Jen Devon described the vineyard and Rowan's connection to nature and how Rowan and Harry (and his family) worked together to bring it back to life. Harry's family is so loveable and I can't wait for more books about them.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's for the ARC!

"Bend Toward the Sun" by Jen Devon is a swoon-worthy romance between Rowan and Harry. Both characters are flawed in their own ways, almost frustratingly at some points during the story. I just wanted to scream and yell at each of them and ask them what they were thinking! However, I loved seeing their romance progress throughout the book as they learn how to love to each other. I laughed, I blushed, I cried. Definitely a solid 4-stars for me. I would definitely read other books by Jen Devon again.

I enjoyed most parts of this story - the characters were great, the romantic tension between them was fire, and the cast of characters around them made for a great story. Even how frustrating the romance was - the push and pull of it all - didn't really bother me. It was part of the story and I was in it for the ups and the down

What wasn't exactly my taste, however, was the way the timeline and pacing of everything seemed a little choppy. The main characters would have a moment and then the next page or two would be transitions into the next month. It felt like time needed to pass just for the sake of it, when I feel like housing the story within a smaller window - like half a year instead of a year and a half - would've made that aspect flow better.

That's not to say I didn't like it - I very much did. And very much want more about the Brady brothers relationships.

A sweeping, thoughtful, romantic story set in the sun-drenched vineyards about love, grief, and healing. I was originally hooked by the premise of BEND TOWARD THE SUN, which follows an OBGYN who has returned to his family's farm after losing a patient and the newly-minted PhD searching for a job and also a place that she can call home. The story follows the two of them as they fall in love over the course of a year, and I fell so hard for both characters and their flaws. This is a book about many things, but ultimately how love can be a source of healing even from the deepest of wounds, and reading it was such a balm for my soul. Every bit as warm, hopeful, and lovely as I hoped it would be.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

'Bend Toward the Sun' by Jen Devon is a poignant, beautifully written story about finding not only true love, but, just as importantly, yourself as well. Full of moving moments, deliciously steamy scenes, and a cast of characters you'll immediately love, this book will steal your heart and will leave you wanting more. A must-read for anyone looking for an escape from reality, and what better escape than to a scenic winery and a romance that's so genuine, you'll feel connected to it from the very first page.

LOVED this beautiful love story. It is so well written and makes you fall in love for the characters. The scenery is so descriptive and truly puts you in the story. Loved it from the very first page until the end. Highly recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

A gorgeous love story filled with hope involving two people trying to start over/figure themselves out.

Harry is a doctor but finds himself at his parents' new vineyard. Rowan has a PhD but no job prospects. She takes a job working at a vineyard. Sparks fly between the two of them, but they want different things.

It's hard to write a good summary of what this novel is about because there's so much you can write to describe all the beautiful things the vineyard holds. It's a wonderful love story. There's hope, redemption, family... so much.


Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press

What a beautiful debut novel! I loved following along Rowan and Harry’s story not just for the beautiful love story but also for the gorgeous winery content! This novel had the perfect amount of character development and steam to keep my attention,

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon is a beautifully written love story that will capture your heart. Rowan lives in Philly where she is working on her PhD in botany and remaining decidedly single after a very bad breakup. Harry has returned to his family in PA where they have just purchased a property that they plan to turn into a B&B and winery. Harry is an obstetrician who just lost a patient under difficult circumstances and can't stop blaming himself and feels undeserving of happiness. Their sudden meeting and tentative relationship has you rooting for them throughout the novel, hoping they can bring each other closure and strength to move on from their difficulties. As I read this novel and see the vividly painted pictures the author describes of the vineyard coming back to life, I found myself holding my breath, hoping that nature would heal the leads enough to bring them back to life as well. A stunningly lovely novel.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.