Right Where We Left Us Turned out to be slightly different than what I expected. I hadn’t realized it’s the second book in a series, but once I got the characters down, I was able to continue and enjoy the book. The pacing was good; so was the storyline. I really like the forced proximity trope so this was another bonus. The ending was obviously the best part. I found this to be a really good read, however I recommend reading the first book prior to this. Duncan and TJ are great characters.

Many thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for the ARC.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The story was a little scattered in my opinion, and I wish we got a little more insight into the background of Temperance and Duncan's relationship. The snippets left me wanting to know more. The thing that I really wish we got more information on was Temperance's medical issues. It seems to be one of the main reasons that their relationship fell apart when they were younger but I felt like if that was explained a little more, we would understand why things were so hard for them to resolve and why Duncan ran away. The pace of the story was also a little slow considering how much history the two of them had.

I (like many others) did not know that this was a second book in a series, so the large character roster was a little hard to figure out. There were a lot of relationship issues between the full cast of characters, which made it difficult to focus fully on the relationship between Dunce and Temperance. I was rooting for them in the end though and loved the ending to the book!

This was a cute read! However I was a bit thrown off by the pacing as well as the introduction of characters. It turns out that this is the second book in a series and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book in the series. Other than that I will be reading more from the author in the future.

The first mistake was all mine in not realizing that this book was the second in a series; a follow up to Devon’s debut novel, Bend Towards the Sun. This book follows a couple, Temperance and Duncan, that have been on again/off again over the years so if second chance romances are your thing this might be up your alley. The chapters are told in alternating viewpoints and there are flashbacks and retells of their relationship over the years. The book, and eventual resolution, takes places in a fairly short period of time but the timeline can be a little complicated due to the many previous vignettes that are shared. For me, the angst was a little too over the top to be believable and truthfully I liked his family better than I liked their storyline as a couple.

I thought the author could have done a more complete job of either spacing out all the character introductions or being a little more clear of the relationships and ties that bright then all together. It made for a lot of people to try to track and it became distracting to me trying to figure out who belonged with whom, how they were related, etc. Overall I just never got heavily invested in TJ and Duncan’s relationship and even found myself flipping through the 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ scenes just to keep things moving. While this novel didn’t feel authentic to me, there were enough sparks and bits of good writing that I will happily give her next novel a read to see if it connects better! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This may have started off a bit on the slow side, but I couldn’t put it down. It was an angsty romance and I was rooting for Temperance and Duncan’s second chance at love.

If you’ve never been a part of an on-again-off-again relationship, Jen Devon’s Right Where We Left Us is the book to read to understand what it’s like. As someone who has experienced this type of a relationship, this book completely gets every painstaking moment of angst and heartbreak, moments of utter joy and all the little bits in between. It pulls you right back to those moments and does so in such a beautiful way. Temperance and Duncan capture every nuance of this specific relationship dynamic. They bring the moments, happy and sad, to life on the page, they make you want to fall in love.

I absolutely loved reading Right Where We Left Us so much! I hadn’t read the first book prior to reading this one, but I’m heading to do that right now! Here’s hoping Frankie & Mal get their own book next!

This book had all the makings of a second in series book, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing, considering I haven’t read the first. There were a lot of characters, and they weren’t really described enough for me to know/remember who they were, or why things were the way they were (Mal’s “accident” and use of a cane are still a complete mystery to me.)

The story itself was interesting enough, though it was wordy in places I didn’t feel needed quite so many words. There were lots of details included about horticulture and architecture and medicine and charities that went in one ear and right out the other while my eyes kinda glazed over.

That said, I liked Duncan and Temperance. I liked how real they felt—their pains and past hurts were very believable. I liked Duncan’s love for his family, and how much that family loved and accepted Temperance, despite me having trouble keeping everyone straight. I loved Duncan’s humor and Temperance’s strength and bravery, and I especially appreciated the unresolved feelings surrounding her parents—because they were horrible and I would have been sad if she gave in and let them in after all that went down.

As long and sometimes confusing as this story was, I didn’t want to put it down and did enjoy the overall story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love the way the author writes, vividly describing places, people, and things so that it comes to life in your mind. I love not just the two main characters, who are wonderfully human and flawed, but the entire cast of the story. You could feel the familial love from the Brady family radiating off the page. I really enjoyed the ebb and flow of the relationship between Temperance and Duncan, I could never quite tell what was going to come next with them and it made the story really interesting to follow. Overall the story was well paced, though I didn’t enjoy the abrupt time jumps. I also couldn’t help but feel like I was missing nods to the first book with some of the references the characters made. It left me with a disjointed feeling that I couldn’t shake. I wish I had known it was the second book in a series, now I have to track down the first! Very grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Absolutely love Jen Devon! Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC. Ever since Jen’s debut novel I have been eagerly awaiting her sophomore novel and it did not disappoint. Already eagerly awaiting her next story!!!

2.5 Stars
I want to love this author's books, but they are just not for me, and it makes me sad. When I read Bend Toward the Sun, I listened to it. I had some frustrations with the third person flowery writing during that process that I thought might have been better if I read instead of listened. Well, Right Where We Left Us proved me wrong. Reading was not better. In fact, it might have been worse because it influenced the pace of the book for me.

The descriptive writing style made it feel long and slow. In the beginning, I was intrigued by the characters and their story. I loved getting to know Declan and Temperance. I was curious what had driven them apart and how they would find their ways back to each other. That initial intrigue was lost as I waded through the rest of the book. Repetitiveness made some parts feel boring. There were many times I wanted to yell at Declan and Temperance to have a mature conversation. Same for them when dealing with their families. I had to push myself to continue to read after 20% all the way to about 80% before I was interested again. Which is sad because I enjoyed how things ended up working out for them at the end.

I have a feeling this book is going to work out for other readers, it just wasn't a great experience for me despite loving the characters and setting.

I loved this story so much. At the very beginning I felt like it was a little wordy and I was worried there’d be too much fluff. Once you got into the meat of the story there was never a moment where I didn’t feel like it was easily a 5 star read. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and this one is near the top.

The author has woven an intricate story with complex, multiple characters that are oftentimes, so jumbled that the gist of what you just read is unclear and confusing. My first thought was that I had missed a prior book in the series ( had to check that out), because of the many unexplained players mentioned and lack of context from the beginning of the first chapter. The characters were three dimensional enough to be interesting once you figured out who's who and could understand their thought processes. Duncan and TJ, the main characters, were unconventional sweethearts who were too immature to handle their feelings and this played out over the years as they never could get a stronghold on their attraction. The interwoven past reminiscences and the present events were indecipherable at times and slowed progression through the book. I can't say that I particularly liked this writing style which , coupled with the constant greenhouse references , made it more about clarifying what I read , than anticipation of the story. I appreciate Netgalley for this early read that was surprisingly aptly titled.

"Right Where We Left Us" tries to be a sweet love story with Duncan and Temperance, and the writing is pretty, and the plot moves at a decent pace. Butttt it kinda falls flat. Duncan, part of the Brady clan, and Temperance had this teenage love thing going on. But, plot twist, they split because of some choice Duncan made. Now, here's the kicker—the whole tension in the book hangs on this one issue that could've been solved with a simple chat.

There's this whole bunch of extra stuff thrown in—meddling parents, sibling drama, health problems—and it just confuses things. I found myself zoning out, trying to remember what the heck the main problem was. If we had more flashbacks to when Duncan and Temperance were teen lovebirds, that might've helped. Instead, we're supposed to buy into their eternal love without much backstory.

Honestly, if they cut the extra drama and focused more on the relationship, this book could've been way better.
Cool concept for a story, but the execution... Not so much.

I had a really really hard time connecting to any of these characters. I also had a difficult time with how many characters came to me at once at the very start. I felt quite overwhelmed at times. The pacing felt a bit off and I have a hard time when something that could be so easily fixed just gets dragged on and on.

This is a second chance romance with “forced proximity” vibes. TJ (Temperance) and Duncan had a young love fling in their teenage years that ended too soon. They reconnect when TJ’s best friend marries Duncan’s brother and we follow them through complicated feelings and outside motives keeping them apart.

I gave it a 3 because it felt a bit longer than it should’ve been which means I noticed the same repetitive “push and pull”from them for longer than I liked. The reason for them not getting together didn’t feel like the big deal that TJ was making it out to be. I was getting mad at her towards the end because she could not communicate as an adult, something that irritates me in books. Like please use your words! Nobody can read your mind or guess your feelings.

But I got summer by the lake with a big family vibes and I loved that! It was an enjoyable read and I’m happy I was introduced to this author.

In the realm of romantic literature, Jen Devon's "Right Where We Left Us" emerges as a captivating tale that delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and second chances. The story revolves around Temperance Jean Madigan (TJ) and Duncan Brady, two individuals who have been entangled in an on-again, off-again relationship since their passionate summer together at the tender age of eighteen. Despite their undeniable chemistry and TJ's closeness to Duncan's family, they find themselves as virtual strangers, trapped in a cycle of adversarial banter, awkward small talk, and occasional messy hookups. As fate would have it, a wedding at the Bradys' vineyard brings TJ back into Duncan's life for the summer, rendering their avoidance strategies futile. TJ struggles with the weight of Duncan's intense gaze, while Duncan grapples with the constant distraction of having the fiery TJ in close proximity. As they are forced to confront their feelings, buried tensions resurface, old wounds demand confrontation, and the once-in-a-lifetime love they shared begs for a final chance to flourish. Jen Devon masterfully weaves a narrative that is both poignant and humorous, capturing the complexities of human relationships with authenticity and grace. Her characters are vividly drawn, each possessing their own unique voice and motivations. TJ and Duncan are particularly well-developed, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply with readers. The supporting cast, too, plays a significant role in shaping the story, adding layers of depth and intrigue. One of the strengths of "Right Where We Left Us" lies in Devon's ability to explore the nuances of love and relationships. She delves into the challenges of maintaining a connection amidst misunderstandings, pride, and past hurts. The novel serves as a reminder that love is not always easy, but it is worth fighting for when it is genuine. Devon's writing style is fluid and engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into the story. Her prose is peppered with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the setting and characters to life. Whether describing the idyllic vineyard landscapes or the emotional turmoil of her protagonists, Devon's words paint a vivid tapestry that captivates the senses. "Right Where We Left Us" is a compelling exploration of love, loss, and the power of second chances. Jen Devon weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, leaving readers emotionally invested in the journey of TJ and Duncan. With its relatable characters, poignant storytelling, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.

I really loved this story of previously on-again/off-again couple TJ and Duncan, brought together again due to a family wedding. This is my first Jen Devon book, and I didn't know this was part of another series, so I'm anxious to go back and catch up.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT.

Jen Devon is such a powerful voice in the contemporary romance space. Like oh my gosh. The Brady family has my whole heart, and I loved Bend Toward The Sun (first in the series) but Duncan and Temperance TORE ME APART.

And I knew they would. I knew it on the first page. But that in no way spoiled the ride.

Honestly, it's going to be hard to find a book I fall for as hard as I fell for this one for a while. I love it I love it I love it.

Jen Devon's sophomore novel, Right Where We Left Us, brings us back home to the big, boisterous Brady family and their circle of friends in the follow-up to Bend Toward the Sun. I enjoyed her debut novel, so I was excited to revisit these characters, but you could easily read this as a stand-alone, too.

Right Where We Left Us is the story of Duncan Brady, the hardworking, funny, super-good-looking Brady brother who helps run the family business, and Dr. Temperance Madigan, the younger sister of Brady's sister-in-law and a longtime family friend. Duncan and Temperance shared an intense summer romance as teenagers that ended in heartbreak, and the attraction has always lingered. When circumstances push the two of them together, they have to face their feelings and get honest with themselves and each other. Re: lots of angst, sexual tension, regrets, forced proximity, and some spicy scenes.

One thing Devon does well in this series is focusing on strong friendships and family relationships. The friendship between Rowen, Frankie, and Temperance anchors the series, as does the relationship between the Brady siblings and their parents. Those relationships provide a stark contrast to the cold, manipulative interactions that Temperance and her sister Maren have with their parents.

Devon also seems to be setting the stage for a 3rd book in the series; fingers crossed!

Thank you, St. Martin's Griffin and Net Galley, for an advanced copy of the book to review.

What a cute & quick read! Also helped me out of my reading slump🥹🥹
Will post the full review near publishing date🫶🏼