There is an instant connection felt between Rowan and Harry. It was cute and sweet, but a little too cheesey, in a Hallmark movie sort of way. - This is not necessarily a bad thing. The writing however was not Hallmark. Bend Toward the Sun was well written with a good mix of spice and sadness. Each character had their own faults and fumbles.
The setting was magic!

Bend Toward the Sun is one of the most feel-good books I’ve read this year!

Rowan and Harry are both doctors who have had professional setbacks. Rowan is using her PhD in botany to help restore Harry’s parents' vineyard. Harry’s back home after losing a patient on the job, and questioning his future as an obstetrician. We immediately feel both the tension and the attraction between this pair when they meet.

Right off the bat, Rowan’s tee game had me swooning– (I love puns and punny shirts!) The botany talk, the quick banter, the family scenes that had everything you’d expect from their “Brady” last name. Rowan and Harry’s emotional wounds were deep– Rowan’s childhood experiences and Harry’s professional trauma after losing a patient, and past relationships for both of them– and we’re right there on the rollercoaster with them as they work through the healing process. It’s sexy as hell (is it okay to say I loved the greenhouse scene?!?)... The writing is sensational. I adored Jen’s flowery words that just flowed into the most tender, emotional story. Even the title–Bend Toward the Sun, I’m obsessed with it. It’s like the best of the summer season, chasing the sun, soaking up its warmth, radiating with the joy that Vitamin D high brings.

We audiobook fans DO NOT DESERVE a book narrated by two audio allstars like Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley. I listened to Erin speak on an audiobook panel at Apollycon (and got to meet her during signings), so I know the heart and soul she puts into her narration performances. She can honestly carry a dual POV story perfectly fine on her own, since she also excels at lower-register voices, but having Chris Brinkley on board for Harry’s POV was such a delightful treat. I 100/10 recommend picking this up on audio. It’s 10:42, and easily one of my favorite audiobooks this year. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and SMP Romance for a review copy!

I loved this audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. And what a story! I really got pulled in by the Brady family and hope to read so much more about them. I truly enjoyed
the love story between Rowan and Harry, even if they frustrated me at times. You couldn't help but cheer for them. I truly enjoyed this and think everyone needs to read this!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audo for this ALC in exchange for this honest review.

Bend Toward the Sun is a slow pace romance. The audio was magnificent. Erin Mallon is one of my favorite narrators. Everything she narrates is just extraordinary. Chris Brinkley is new to me, but his performance was amazing.

Bend Towards the Sun is the debut novel for the very talented Jen Devon. It is the story of botany academic and PhD Rowan McKinnon. Rowan has had a difficult and lonely life. She grew up with her mother Sybil and grandmother Edie, at least until her grandmother passed when Rowan was 12. That was the last love she had been shown as her mother was cold and neglecting.

Rowan’s grandmother had been the loving and caring person who loved her garden and her granddaughter and shared each with the other. It was this love that led Rowan to her future in botany, but their were major disappointments in her PhD studies. Her lab assistant had furnished made up date to her, negating her research. Without being published, her future in academia is halted.

However, in her college experience Rowan had made two true friends, Temperance, now a pediatrician, and Frankie, a photographer. It is because of these true friends that Rowan finds herself at the housewarming for Temperance’s sister Marin’s in-laws as they take on their retirement project, a straggly vineyard and large home that will become their vineyard and B&B. And where Rowan first encounters their hurting son Harrison.

Interestingly, Rowan’s research had to do with vineyards and her doting friends submit her resume behind her back. This gesture may just have been the kindest betrayal any friends had ever committed. Because of this, Rowan has a job, a home, and the opportunity to find her future.

I cannot rave enough about this book and was shocked to learn it was the author’s first. This novel shows stunning imagery, in depth character development of beautifully flawed people, and the plot development of a seasoned author. I did very much enjoy this story and wholeheartedly recommend this book!!

This really got me. Beautiful, heart-wrenching, innately human, and REAL! It is so rare to find a romantic story that is actually believable while still being enticing and desirable. This was everything.

I find that my favorite novels leave me feeling like I am mourning a broken relationship with the characters, and man do I miss Harrison and Rosie (yes, we're on nicknames terms). Neither of them was ready or available for love. Neither of them had the capacity to give the other what they thought they wanted. And yet... well.. just read the book! *sigh* This gave me the literary fiction meets romance mash-up vibes of Emily Henry ala Beach Read and that is the highest of compliments. Add in the botany touches (my husband is a plant nerd) and the winery setting (hello?!) and it's a match made in heaven.

Rowan is a botanist who has become disenchanted with love and just prefers casual sex because her trust has been shattered. She has no family and must get her post-doc paper done.

When a friend invites her to a family friend’s housewarming party, Rowan collides with Dr. Harrison Brady. Harry is a gorgeous doctor struggling to overcome the anxiety of losing one of his patients. He has returned to his large and loving family to try and regroup.

Harry’s family purchased a vineyard they hope to re-establish. Rowan is in awe of the beautiful but dilapidated greenhouse on the property. Rowan is struck not just by Harry Brady’s looks but by how generous and kind he is. But her scientific brain won’t let her trust again. When she starts working for the Brady’s vineyard, she is forced to confront her blossoming feelings for Harry.

Oh. My. Goodness! I loved this book. These debut authors just keep impressing me. I loved the beautiful description of the meadows, vineyard, and nature; I felt like I was there. And the dialogue between Rowan and Harry was so heartbreaking at times, and at other times so dang sweet and sassy. I don’t usually cry while reading a book, but there were several times I was getting choked up in this one!

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻 has it all: a beautiful setting, great friends, a big fun family, past trauma, and steamy romance! All the stars!

Thank you @stmartinspress for this gifted copy.
🎧 And thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook, which was fabulous!

This is the sort of book that wines and dines you. I just fall into the story and sigh about how pleasant it’s all going. Slow burn? Who cares. The whole beautiful story of a family that everyone wants and the beautiful place its built on is enough. I’m in my happy place. And then before it’s over I wanted to throw the book across the room! Twice. I mean this in the best way. It happened because the book sunk it’s emotional claws into me and demands I feel it. Definitely a 5 ⭐️ for me.
Wonderful writing, intense, fun and romantic. Trust me you just want to visit this family, hang out and see it for yourself.
I started reading this first and finished with the audiobook. I loved both! But the narrators were perfect! Chris Brinkley and Erin Mallon were the voices and I loved it. I can’t say enough good things about this one. Get the book or listen to it on audio. It’s good.
Thanks Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

I’d heard quite a bit of buzz about Bend Toward the Sun and ultimately decided to request an advanced copy based on the two narrators - Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley. Mallon and Brinkley are two of my favorite narrators, I can always count on them to bring a story to life. Given Jen is a debut author and I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew at least it would be a great listen.

What I discovered though is that it’s also an amazingly written story! I can’t believe this was a debut. The writing is gorgeous, whimsical and lyrical. The setting descriptions are dreamy - move me to a vineyard ASAP.

This is a character-driven novel and our two main characters drove me mad sometimes. He was deep in insta-love/lust and she was as guarded as could be. I wanted to yell at him to back off a smidge, but she really needed him to push. I wanted her to trust him! But I knew she had a journey to go on to get there.

I also loved all the found family. The Bradys! Give me a million books on the Bradys please!! Please!!

Overall, a wonderful debut, expertly narrated and hopefully the beginning of a family 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.

I freaking loved this book. I am a huge fan of a sappy, schmaltzy romance. Give me all the sap; Give me all the love; Give me all the longing looks and chaste touches, I want it all. I also really enjoyed the end of this book, I love a happily ever after, or an HEA if you will.

I think the 2 narrators (Chris Brinkley & Erin Mallon) of this book did an exceptional job! It's an exceptional job of bringing the readers in and bring this book to life. They deserve a complete standing ovation in this audiobook!

Thank you, to netgalley & Macmillan Audio
Thank you, Jen Devon for writing this lovely wine filled & love filled book!! i'm obsessed!

Bend Toward the Sun is a wonderful, realistic romance that you won’t want to put down. I listened to this on audio and it has two narrators, one for Rowan and one for Harry. They both do a phenomenal job bringing this book to life.

Rowan is a botanist who has just found out that the data from her thesis has problems, and Harry is a obstetrician who has recently decided to take a leave of absence from medical practice. When they meet, there is an instant attraction but what I loved about this book was the very realistic timeframe for their relationship. This is not instalove. As the relationship grows, Rowan is clear that she is looking for no strings attached and not an emotional connection. Harry feels the complete opposite, he only wants to be all in. It takes time and a lot of steamy scenes for these two to figure it out but when they do it is just beautiful.

This is absolutely by far my favorite romance book. I don’t read a lot in this genre and when I do I am quite selective. I am so glad that I read this book and I will be recommending it to everyone I know. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Bend Toward the Sun is an exciting start to what I hope will be an extended series. It is a lovely, slow-burn romance about two people battling their self-confidence demons—neither sure exactly where they’re going in life but certain there’s no room for romantic entanglement. Too bad Rowan and Harry meet in a Vineyard; vines are resilient and put down strong roots! And while she tells a great story, author Jen Devon also succeeds in making the reader feel immersed in the soil, the land, and the beauty of honoring traditions. Harry is part of a large loving family replete with assorted interesting back-stories, and Rowan has two close single friends, so the author has cleverly set the stage for more delightful romances to ripen under the Pennsylvania sun.

I enjoyed this incredibly well-written book immensely, and I think it's an impressive writing debut. Jen Devon's words evoke amazing imagery in their descriptions of meadows and vineyards and bodies of water, and the way her characters express their thoughts and feelings throughout the story truly brings life to the book. The intense, highly emotional story of two fundamentally broken people, Bend Toward the Sun is one of the best books I've read this summer. The author has a gift for beautiful, quality, evocative writing and I am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
This audiobook edition was narrated by Chris Brinkley and Erin Mallon. Their performances were top-notch.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC audio copy of this book in exchange for my own, unbiased review.

Well, it looks like the only way I can now “read” romance is via audiobook. Roni Loren’s For You and No One Else worked this way for me and so did Jen Devon’s Bend Toward the Sun. While Loren is one of my tried-and-true authors, I would not have considered reading, or listening to Devon’s début without Tree at Words About Words’s review (check it out). I’m glad I did: it was thoroughly enjoyable and a dose of romance that I didn’t think I’d be able to enjoy again. Before getting into the details, here’s the Netgalley blurb:

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 a 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 an 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.

There is much to like, much to enjoy, and much to admire about Devon’s romance. Even though designated WF, this is a good, old-fashioned, well-developped classic romance. And, like the best romances, there isn’t much of a plot, instead a focus and concentration on the hero and heroine and their developping relationship. What makes Devon’s stand out is how authentic it feels, how believable and real the characters are, how much the reader cares about them, and how moving their story is.

The impediments to love are built on an “opposites-attract” canvas: Harry’s openness to Rowan’s guardedness. And, again like the best romances, this “opposites” set-up gives way to a reversal: Rowan opens up as Harry runs away. Devon also does a great job of surprising us against romance conventions: for example, Harry suffers from arachnophobia, which, in a vineyard and garden, wild and cultivated, is a “real” problem. There’s a wonderful scene where Rowan talks Harry down off the cobweb. Harry, in turn, challenges Rowan emotionally (so they’re equally balanced in their strengths and weaknesses); when she insists on “sex only”, Harry has already figured out that’s what they’re about: he tells her, “you’re talking about sensation and I’m talking about emotion.” Well put, Harry, well put. This, my friends, is compatibility, which, in romance, is so important and rarely taken into consideration as primary. Which is why so many romances collapse as trite, shallow, derivative and why Bend Toward the Sun doesn’t.

Devon’s romance has other strengths as well. It is well-written, with wonderful passages of descriptions of flora and fauna that aren’t solely based on visual imagery, evoking the other four senses as well. It’s funny: like the account of the sexiest, most hilarious three-legged race I’ve ever read in a romance novel. The secondary characters, like Harry’s enormous family and the ribbing amongst him and his many brothers, are a teensy bit too familiar from recent romance, but still well done. Something else I enjoyed was how Devon made Bend Toward the Sun about the two protagonists figuring out the trajectory of their vocations (botany for Rowan and medicine for Harry). It is an important aspect of Harry and Rowan’s story and it’s a narrative strength of Devon’s because she shows us how figuring out one part of your life can make love and commitment a richer, more lasting, more solid foundation for happiness.

Finally, the narration is solid. I enjoyed Chris Brinkley’s and Erin Mallon’s reading voices, though I think Mallon’s the stronger of the two. They were smooth, with a nice timbre, and emotionally resonant without being histrionic. (Brinkley’s “female” voiced high-pitch was awkward and I do wish he’d checked on the pronunciation of Debussy; hint, it doesn’t rhyme with Gary Busey.) However, whether you eyeball or ear Bend Toward the Sun, it’s one romance novel you shouldn’t miss this year. It releases tomorrow, August 9th. Miss Austen agrees, there’s “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma, where Bend Toward the Sun is concerned.

I will never return to reading romance as voraciously as I did for years, but I’m glad I discovered Devon. She gave me hope that I’ll still read *some* romance if the genre can inspire books as good as hers.

Lastly, I am grateful to Macmillan Audio for an advance listener copy, via Netgalley.

3.5/4

Audiobook: This audiobook had a male and female narrator. Overall I think they both fit the tone of the book and the characters. While the female narrator did a good job with the character voices, I didn't care for her otherwise. She sounded like a newscaster when not in character. The narrators did bring out some emotion in the story and you could feel the connection between the two main characters. It took time to warm up to the narrators and I think this has affected how I enjoyed the audiobook overall.

Story: Overall I enjoyed the story. It is told in dual POV. The story was well written, has a good storyline and the characters are well developed. I could tell the author put everything into writing this story.

This is a wonderful romance to end your summer.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Rowan and Harry find each other at a difficult point in their lives. Both are suffering from loss and painful pasts. Harry finally feels ready to move on with his life but Rowan isn’t quite ready. Unable to finally commit to each other, they find themselves drifting apart.

Bend Toward the Sun is one of the most beautifully written romances that I have read in a long time. The author’s descriptions of everything from a character’s appearance to the setting are so rich and easily visualized. It has just the right amount of swoon and angst. I really did not know what to expect but I’ve never been so glad I picked a book on a whim.

Rowan and Harry are written in such a relatable way. Their flaws and insecurities make them that much more real. Even the side characters are given just enough backstory that you can’t help but want to know more about them.

I originally chose this book for the narrators. Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley are both top tier narrators and they did an exceptional job with Bend Toward the Sun. They did not disappoint, but without such a strong storyline and the author’s deep, descriptive writing, even the best of narrators could not have made it work.

What a fantastic debut novel! I look forward to reading more novels from Jen Devon in the future. Bend Toward the Sun is one of my top 5 books for 2022.

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Jen Devon, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio!

Read/Listen if you Like:
❤️ Romances with Steamy Scenes
❤️ STEM Representation
❤️ Family Farms
❤️ Imperfect Characters

Book Review:
Rowan and Harry are both imperfect characters that are struggling with events that unfolded in their pasts when they meet each other while in those mutual avoidant phases. But when they first meet, it is clear that sparks are flying and they will need to deal with their issues in order to be available for more if they want to have each other in their lives.

This one delivers on well placed steamy scenes, heartfelt moments, personal growth, and acceptance of your past in order to move forward.

I do have to say, for this one I think I personally would have been more emotionally invested and enjoyed it more if I would have physically read it instead of listened to it as I didn’t get to sit with the emotions of the characters as long while listening as I would have if I had physically read it.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this audiobook! I am so thankful to obtain a copy to listen to it in advance of its release!

Here’s a romance between two people with “baggage”: Rowan, a new PhD in Botany who had a lonely childhood and has been emotionally damaged from that and from a former lover, and Harrison, an obstetrician who cannot get over the death of a patient in his care. The setting is absolutely lovely: a vineyard in rural Pennsylvania. “Harry” arrives home to spend some time helping his family with their newly acquired vineyard which is in need of a lot of TLC, to try and heal himself. Rowan finds herself there with a good friend in the midst of a large family gathering. The “meet cute” is pretty unusual: they meet in the middle of a game of Team Tag that is a Brady family tradition. (There are a lot of Brady’s to keep track of.)

The book is written in the third person, with chapters written from either Harry’s point of view or Rowan’s. On the audiobook, this was lovely, as the different POVs were narrated either by Chris Brinkley (Harry) or Erin Mallon (Rowan). They both did a terrific job.

I found Rowan’s character hard to understand until very late in the book, when her full backstory is finally revealed. I also thought that Harry’s anguish was, while totally human and understandable, a bit much. Death unfortunately sometimes comes with the territory when you are a doctor. He also had some other hang-ups, like spiders, which would send him into a panic attack, so he was quite an interesting character. I really liked a lot of the side characters, such as Rowan’s two best friends, Temperance and “Frankie”, as well as some of Harry’s brothers, especially Duncan, and Harry’s parents. The Brady family seems like a wonderfully warm family, and they embraced Rowan from the start.

The descriptions of nature were lovely, but the descriptions of things like Rowan’s hair and eyes got a bit repetitive.

Two notes, if you are thinking of selecting this book - there are some rather steamy sections and there’s quite a lot of “bad” language. So if those things bother you, this would not be the right book for you.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A very good romance! I would give this a 3.5. First, I listened to the audio version of the book. Sometimes a narrator can rub me the wrong way, and unfortunately, the female narrator did. I found her to be too rhythmic (sing-songy) and breathy, at times. I believe if I read this in text, I would have enjoyed it more.

That being said, the plot was a little bit unbelievable but the author made it work. I loved Harry and Rowan, two imperfect people with painful pasts who saw in each other a kindred spirit. Harry’s giant family was wonderful, especially his parents, and the 40 year marriage they used as a model for their lucky brood.

I’d love to give this book another read via paper or kindle.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advance audio version in exchange for my honest review.