Thank you to NetGalley for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful romance. I love the cast of characters and it lends itself to many more books written in the world with other characters stories being told. I hope I am no wrong as I would like to see books about some of the other brothers in the Brady Family.

In this book we follow Rowan, who has a lot of baggage that prevents her from loving others. She has two close friends from college that she considers family and that is how she likes to keep it. She is a lover of plants and science and academia.

We also follow Harrison Brady, who is also carrying some baggage after a very traumatic experience. He has the love of a big family with five brothers and a sister and his parents. His parents have decided to start a bed and breakfast and a vineyard. This is a large undertaking that becomes a family project.

These two unsuspecting souls are thrown together and a rather hot and tumultuous relationship ensues. It is so sweet to watch them grow as individual and as a couple. I will think about this book for a long time to come as I eagerly anticipate more books by this author.

The only thing that stopped this from being a five star read is a person preference. This book had explicit sex scenes and bad language. This is not bothersome to most people but I personally don't like to read it.

I absolutely loved this advanced copy of bend toward the sun. This is the first book I read of this author. It was such a great story I couldn't put it down

A beautifully written tale of what happens when two hearts are drawn together. This story drew me in and I couldn’t put it down as I rooted for Harry and Rowan to believe in themselves and each other.

Hmmm, it seems this one was not my cup of tea. The large family and the neglected vineyard/farm provide an interesting backdrop for the novel. Secondary characters are complex and well-written. Harry's backstory is compelling, yet Rowan's is a bit stale and overdone. I didn't connect with her botany interests nor did I understand why she was so focused on her research at the expense of having any meaningful relationships. The opening scene threw me off. I thought he was attacking her, not trying to win a game of tag. Overall, the pace is super slow. Harry's goals are quite clear. Rowan's are murky and there isn't enough tension or stakes to justify her actions. I got annoyed with the main characters' I-love-you-but-I-don't-want-you. It's hard to root for characters who give me emotional whiplash.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. Bend Toward the Sun might appeal to readers who like angsty, melodramatic storylines with a boisterous cast of secondary characters.

The characters are definitely likable and the story is more on the cuter side!The realistic feelings the characters provided was what got me into reading this book until the very end

A very sweet romance with two enjoyable and likeable characters (and a whole host of side characters - more on that later!!)

This was the equivalent of reading a Hallmark movie, which is perfectly lovely and sometimes just what you need. I'm not the biggest fan of the damaged heroine, convinced she doesn't need love in her life and she is bound and determined to prove it. Only to, of course, find out that's exactly what she needed all along. I prefer my hero to be the broken one, grumpy beyond belief, and watching him transform. It's my catnip! And this hero definitely has his issues too. There is romance, swoon, the frustration of push/pull, a host of issues for our characters to overcome - and let's talk about those side characters. There are a bunch of brothers, and the setup is there for many of them to have their own stories told. I'm thinking I'd definitely be in for the story of the author brother - he's a bit abrasive and just my type.

All in all, this was enjoyable.

This book has more depth than the typical romance novel. The characters are very realistic, complicated and likeable. Both Rowan and Harry are struggling with things from their past. It's an emotional journey. The plot is good and I just wanted to keep reading. I loved the setting at the vineyard. It sounded lovely. I really enjoyed this book.

The writing in Bend Toward the Sun is fantastic. I truly enjoyed Rowan's story and development throughout. The catch for me was Harry and some of the choices made with the character later in the book. You can see the third-act breakup coming from a mile away but the way it's all done left a bad taste in my mouth. Still, this is one of the better contemporary romances I have read in a long time, and would definitely recommend it for readers.
Will definitely pick up a book by this author again!

I did not think I was going to love this as much as I did! It was so refreshing to read about two characters saving each other and healing to be the people they need to be together! Rowan was the queen of awkward and I LOVED it. This book included a lot of smart ass women (great STEM representation) and a wonderful quirky family. I'm not a nature person at all but nature sure so sounds therapeutic and romantic after finishing this book. I hope the author does books about Rowan's friends and the Brady brothers in the future. Thank you so much to the publisher and the author for this ARC and I look forward to reading more in the future. A full review will be posed on my IG: Readwithgen

I REALLY liked this book. It fulfilled my craving for an angsty read after reading mostly low-angst books last month. It follows Rowan and Harry, two imperfect people trying to heal and move forward from different trauma. And it includes one of my favorite tropes, which is a lonely main character who had a lonely childhood finding a love interest with a big family who is welcoming and really makes them feel part of the family. I loved the Brady family. They felt like real people to me from the start. Not often you find characters that you feel like you know and would actually want to be friends with, but that’s how I felt about these characters and this family. I wanted to know more about the family, and hopefully we will get to see the rest of the single Brady siblings in future books.

In this book, Rowan starts working for the Brady family vineyard after suffering some set backs in her professional life. She not looking for love and has no interest in a serious relationship, as she was hurt by a past relationship and has trust/abandonment issues from her childhood. Meanwhile Harry is struggling with anxiety and trauma from the death of a patient, and has come back home to Pennsylvania to heal and figure out what he wants to do next with his life. The book spams a year and it’s definitely a slow burn. These are two people who have their share of issues they need to work out before getting their HEA.

The language is evocative, and the love Rowan feels for the land and the plants really comes off the page. It made me want to move to a vineyard and start working with plants.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bend Toward the Sun
Jen Devon
4⭐️

Rowan McKinnon doesn’t believe in love. With a botany PhD, and two best friends who embrace her social quirkiness she has everything she needs. She does not expect to meet a man like Harrison Brady.

Harrison is obstetrician profoundly struggling after losing a patient and no longer believes he’s capable of keeping people safe. He does not expect to meet a woman like Rowan.

Bend Toward the sun was a beautifully written, well paced, messy & emotional love story. I enjoyed the gorgeous lush setting, the steamy romance and the many LOL moments. I enjoyed Rowan and Harrison. Two broken but realistic characters that meet in the most unexpected way. The side characters added so much to the story. I adored Temperance and Frankie. Everyone needs supportive besties like them. And that Fam! 😍 I always fall in love with the big, loud families. Devan definitely wowed me with this debut and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Read if you enjoy;
🍷 Angsty second chance romance
🍷 Big lovable families
🍷 Vineyards
🍷 Stem rep/Botany

I was lucky enough to receive both a digital and audio ARC. I alternated between the two as I read and would happily recommend either/both formats!

Bend Toward the Sun comes out 8/9/22. Pre-order a copy, pour a glass 🍷 and enjoy this lovable debut.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is honestly one of the very best books I have EVER read, or listened to! It’s going to be very difficult to compare anything else to this experience, or recover from the beauty, the heartbreak and recovery, and everything else experienced throughout this enchanting debut novel from Jen Devon!

Rowan and Harry are imperfect people, but perfect for each other. She is having some school issues (working on her PhD, trying to publish and get into post-doc programs), and he is an obstetrician finishing residency, just lost a patient and his confidence is gone. She’s gone to visit with friends, and he’s gone to his family’s new vineyard to recover… which is the same place. They don’t hit it off well, and are warned off each other - but we all know where that sort of thing leads!

I first saw this book about five months ago scrolling through Audible’s upcoming releases, and even with no cover, the two simple things catching my attention were the beautiful blurb, and the two narrators listed - Erin Mallon and Chris Brinkley. These two are my absolute top two favorites, and they have never done a project together. I was sold right then and there! This sounded perfect, so to finally get it in my ears (and I had the ebook to read along too), this was just the best day ever!

Even being a 10+ hour listen, I took my time and spent a full day together with these characters and my favourite voices and got completely lost in the story. Erin told Rowan’s story as if it were her own words (and I frequently forgot that she wasn’t narrating her own book), and Chris, talking frequently (as Harry/Harrison) about being in The Valley, I forgot it wasn’t a different Valley that he usually narrates and he wasn’t currently a member of that family. Perfect performances by both of my favourite narrators, as you can always count on. I cannot wait to return and listen again. I also can’t wait for her next book - and hope she gets these two again!

I absolutely, 1000% recommend this book, especially the audio, to absolutely everybody! It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking but inspiring, love story for the ages! The characters have flaws and suffered traumas but together, they are able to heal and find themselves, and love again. Completely beautiful and perfect. Jen Devon’s writing is brilliant and you would never believe this is her debut with how it flows and the character development throughout. Complete perfection. If I could rate higher than 5-stars, I totally would!

I received an advance review and advance listen copy from NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and this is my honest feedback.

BEND TOWARD THE SUN follows Rowan McKinnon, a botanist who doesn’t believe in love—and who doesn’t expect to meet someone like Harrison Brady, a man who, after suffering a loss, has learned to live in the moment and embrace love when he finds it. As the two of them spend a year together, restoring an old vineyard, Rowan begins to find something she thought she’d never have—a family.

I loved this quiet little book SO, SO MUCH. But disclaimer: I’m a sucker for an emotionally closed-off MC who meets someone who’s able to change his/her view on love and their self-worth. This book checked all the boxes for me: the PINING, the angst, the steam, and the realistic characters with heartbreaking backstories that shaped them and their views and who help each other heal. It’s beautifully written, and I truly can’t stop thinking about it. I laughed (though it’s far from a romcom) and I cried. I honestly wish I could read it for the first time again.

⭐️

Oh it does hurt to give a single star and I’m obviously in the minority when you look at the other reviews. I got to 58% of the way in, but I just couldn’t keep going. I have too many books in my TBR queue to continue with a book that feels like I’m trudging uphill, in a snow storm, carrying a small child piggy back. New years resolution. Not finishing books that aren’t doing it for me. ☠️

What intrigued me about this book was that we have two characters who both have to overcome their own issues, a large family that will most likely lead to other books, and a flip of the script with the main female character being the one emotionally unavailable. I expected to see stumbles along the way, but also growth. I haven’t seen any of that with Rowan and Harrison. Many months go by in the book and yet, we’re still dealing with Harrison reeling from losing a patient his first year of residency and a breakup over email and Rowan wanting sex with no strings. Like none. No strings, emotions, or anything resembling feelings.

Half way through, I was bogged down with all of the descriptive language and had no emotional connection to our characters. So I decided to call it. 🏳

I appreciate the ability to read the ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.

This book is too detailed for my taste. The descriptions started to take over the storyline which cause me to loose interest and skim. I DNF at 13%



**************************************I received an ARC from NetGalley from my honest opinion.************************

I somewhat struggled through the first probably 75% of this book. It was kind of slow for me and then it would pick up and then it lost me again. This is a slow slow burn. I actually liked The Brady family and Frankie better than the main characters. Duncan was probably my favorite character. I think one of the reasons that this book kind of fell short for me was because of how detailed descriptions were about plants and the grapes and wine and it kind of lost me when it went into those parts.
I did enjoy the ending I just wish that it hadn’t taken so long to get there. Overall it was a good read.

An unexpected treasure!
I really enjoyed this book! Rowan and Harry had very different beginnings, but how they came together in the end was beautiful! Where Harry was shown love, Rowan was shown that nobody stays and love isn’t kind. But when Harry and Rowan meet in a very unexpected and fun way, their attraction was intense and their union was highly anticipated. Rowan being gun shy doesn’t quite know how to deal with Harry is very emotional and sentimental.
This is a can’t miss book I really enjoyed the authors writing, and I can’t wait to read more!

A rather involved love story as Rowan McKinnon is completing her PhD in Botany. When she is advised that there are inconsistencies in her data, she must revisit her research. She has never had support from her mother, but she did have the love of her grandmother Edie until she passed away. Now her support comes from her best friends, Temperance and Frankie. Meeting Dr. Harrison, call me Harry, Brady was definitely not in her plans. He and his family provide her a glimpse of what a loving and supportive family can be. His parents have purchased a vineyard that is badly in need of care and they have asked Rowan for her advice. As she and Harry become involved, he is still dealing with the loss of a patient and has turned away from his profession. Although there is quite a bit of angst in the story, there is also hope and recovery. I enjoyed Rowan’s wicked and often amusing sense of humor. Will she let Harry into her life and be able to trust in his love? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I absolutely loved this enchanting novel. Rowan and Harry (Rowry) are my new favorite couple, up there with Whitney and Clayton. No words from my fingertips to the keys will do this story justice. The burn and steam melted my frozen heart. The spider appearance was charming and that's saying something because I am not a fan of creepy crawlies. The family and friendships are enviable. Duncan!! I learned a few new wordings from him that have filtered their way into my everyday vocabulary. The greenhouse and dinner scenes alone are worth picking up this book in multiple formats!
I am inspired to attempt to keep plants alive and that is a huge nod to great story telling. Jen Devon is officially an autobuy for me!
Thank you NetGalley for my free read.

Included as a top pick in bimonthly August New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)


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2021 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Job You Want(ed)

Content Note: [neglectful parent, grief, toxic ex-relationship, loss of patient during childbirth (hide spoiler)]

4.5 stars.

I generally have restrained/low expectations for debut romance novels, but BEND TOWARD THE SUN blew me away. Honestly, there isn't much of a plot besides what's mentioned in the blurb (I say this as a compliment), so I'm not going to bother summarizing the premise. You don't need me to regurgitate or spoil plot points. All you need to know: there is yearning of two people unable to resist each other's magnetic field. It's a deliciously angsty book featuring messy, grieving characters. I loved it, flaws and all. One of the more romantic books I've read in recent memory.

I realize BEND TOWARD THE SUN doesn't come out for another eight months (sorry!), but definitely add to your TBR if the premise sounds appealing. Recommended for fans of Cara Bastone and Kate Clayborn.

A few disorganized comments:

1) I am amused by the (not one, not two) THREE obvious setups for sequel bait. Love it. Never change, romance authors.

2) I am the Queen of Bitching About Bad Pacing, so I'll give this book its flowers. Yes, there is an (understandable and well-deserved, imo) third-act breakup, but the reconciliation isn't abrupt and the story doesn't end straight away. Hallelujah! Overall, I was really impressed by the pacing — the book spans an entire year, and the gradual friendship-to-benefits-to-lovers made me believe that the MCs would last as a couple. The end scene was a perfect full-circle moment to the meet-cute.

3) As someone who attended the same college as Rowan and also lived in Philadelphia, this book hit way too close to home, lol. I do appreciate the Pennsylvania rep, 'cause we rock! Even though I had no idea we had vineyards so close to the city. 😅

4) I simply will never get tired of "orphaned/lonely heroine is welcomed into the arms of hero's boisterous and adoring family." Bonus points for heroine trying to avoid that love for as long as she can, because she doesn't think that she's deserving of it (or because it'll hurt too much when the relationship ends). As I said: the angst is exquisite.

5) I didn't know a thing about botany before reading and now I am obsessed with grape caretaking and reviving damaged vineyards. No idea how accurate the science rep is, but it was very accessible and interesting to readers unfamiliar to the topic. Also: that greenhouse ("too nice?") sex scene was very hot and I need more botany books now, please.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.