Rowan has a doctoral degree in botany, but due to a negligent mother and a disillusioning first love, she is unable to attach, to trust. Harry is a doctor who's traumatized by the death of a patient. The two of them met when his family hires Rowan to supervise the rehab of the family vineyard. The novel is filled with warm scenes including friends and family, parties at the vineyard, a wedding. The push and pull between the two mains was a little prolonged, but overall a good love story. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

One of the best romance books I've read this year. The characters are real and complicated, Ithe setting is dreamy and so clearly written you can see it. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes modern romance. Just read it.

I absolutely loved everything about this book! Jen Devon is a new author to me, and I'm so glad I found this book! This is the story of Rowan and Harry, two very complicated people, . This book simply has it all, great characters that feel real, a wonderful setting at a winery, and, well, wine! There is also the wonderful big Brady family that bought the rundown winery. I wanted to be a part of this family in the worst way. The author has a great sense of humor, and I found myself laughing aloud at Rowan's witty comebacks! I also cried fat tears as she realizes what her future can be. I absolutely recommend this book! Five sparkly stars!

Wow, this book was STUNNING! There are so many things about this book to love. First (and most importantly), the romance. This was one of the most authentic romances I’ve read; there was nothing tropey about it. It was sort of a slow burn in the sense that the romance developed slowly over the course of the book but unlike some slow burns there were romantic developments and growth throughout the story (you didn’t have to wait til the end for the couple to get together). It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and Rowan and Harry both had their flaws but loved each other despite it. Harry was all-in right away and Rowan was more reluctant, and both of them were haunted by issues from their pasts, and they had to work through that. It wasn’t all sensationalized romance, and I loved that; it felt real. There were some great steamy scenes that complemented the story but didn’t overwhelm it. I also loved how the author tackled Harry’s mental health issues. And that epilogue! <3

Second, the setting! The setting was like another character in and of itself. With the story taking place at a winery and Rowan being a botanist, the descriptions of the winery and the meadow and the greenhouse were just divine. I could imagine the setting so vividly and it added so beautifully to the romance.

Third, I loved the supporting cast of Rowan’s friends and the Brady family. They really added warmth to the story and I can’t wait to read more Brady family books (I suspect we’ll get one for Duncan and perhaps Malcolm).

I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re looking for an emotional, genuine romance, this is for you. I just loved it!

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Warnings: verbal abuse (past), neglect, gas-lighting, divorce, grief
Read if you liked: Eight Hundred Grapes meets Make It Sweet and Part Of Your World
Steam: 3/5
Tropes: Forced Proximity, It’s Just A Hookup, Grumpy/Sunshine, Found Family, Slow Burn, STEM Rep

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Bend Towards the Sun will be released on August 22nd, 2022.

There’s a lot going on with this book, it reminded me of some of the best elements of romances I love. I do hope this is a series so we can learn more about the siblings and friend group.

Things I loved: I love big family novels that include lots of love, food, tiny humans, siblings galore and some friend meddling. I love the Cheesesteak bets. There was a good amount of angst/tension to see the MCs fall for each other. I love the way Harry loved. I loved the botany STEM rep. The setting was perfect. The Instagram photo. Rowan learning to let people in and be loved. I loved the ending and how things came together.

Things I didn’t care for: The book was pretty wordy at times, it took some rereading at certain parts. The timeline was confusing at times. I would have loved a family tree to keep track of all the names.

"Bend Toward the Sun" by Jen Devon
Healing Broken Hearts
I read the description for this story and grabbed the chance to read the ARC copy offered by the publisher. And, oh what a ride this story is, from chuckles and smiles to free-flowing tears. I even found myself taking breaks from the story to make it last longer…. I do not recall ever doing that before. So in twenty-five words or less, I loved this story. I sure hope you will love it as much as I did. A Worthy Read. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this story from the publisher
This review expresses my honest opinion of this story.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day. This is a grown up romance book that covers a few pretty serious topics too. And I loved the main family in the book, the Brady’s, and wished I could be a part of their family too. They have a lot of fun together sharing life and dreams. I loved all the talk about wines producing wines. Solid read.

Where are all my STEMinists at? I love that Rowan got her PhD in botany!

This book was sweet that made me laugh and you can tell that Rowan and Harry had chemistry right away. Rowan calmed Harry and Harry showed Rowan things she didn’t think she could have. I can honestly say there were somethings I didn’t see coming with this book, but those things made the characters more real. I wish there was a little more to each of their healings that we saw.

I definitely recommend picking this one up!

Wow. This book is one of the best contemporary romance novels I've read. The storyline is straightforward--city girl escapes to the country and falls in love. But it is so well told, well-paced, and beautifully written (even though I found Rowan, the female main character trying at times). I loved reading about the vineyard and felt transported to rural Pennsylvania as I devoured this book. The book has so many beautiful lines on love it made me tear up.. The best scene (which made me cry) was the one where Gia talks to Rowan for the first time about Harry.
I highly recommend this book for romance readers!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I would definitely be recommending this book to readers on my Instagram bookstagram account.

St. Martin Griffin,
Thank You for this stunning, delightful and beautiful story!

A sweet debut novel!
I enjoyed this charming book so much, I read it in one thoroughly delightful sitting. 
This book was such a feel good romance. With funny moments but when things stared getting steamy it was real! And I loved it!
I loved the writing so much! The voice is so well written and Rowan is such an endearing, lovable character. Even Harry I couldn't help but love them both and rooted for them throughout the entire book! My heart wanted and needed more of them!
A enjoyable read with very likable characters. The passion grows with intensity.
The story for me was a delight. Jen nails this contemporary romance thing!

Thank you again for the chance to read this story I loved so much!

This is a wonderful escape that was touching, and as cozy as a cuppa in front of the fireplace. Overall
well written, engaging, with colorful characters and just enough drama and angst to make the romance feel real.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bend Toward the Sun by J. Devon, published by St. Martin's Press, is a beautiful, heart-warming story that gave me all the feels, has everything I love in a great read.
Rowan is a botanist who's just a bit undecided in life. She meets friends and a game of hide and seek turns into a life-changing event.
Harrison Brady, an ob/gyn just returned home to his family for regroup himself. He meets Rowan and is smitten , smitten, smitten.
Their attraction is through the roof high. But both have some issues, carry scars.
This story sucked me in right from the start, made me read it in one sitting, literally unputdownable. I rec ommend this beautiful story, 5 stars.