The characters chemistry was too much of a focus for my taste but the rest of it was great. The focus on how badly they wanted each other bogged the story down instead of adding to the tension like I think was the intention. I’m clearly in the minority on that, and really the rest of the book was great.

I am usually not a huge romance fan, and do not read many, because they are too predictable and unrealistic. I was so intrigued by the description of Bend Toward the Sun that I immediately requested it. This is an amazing, beautiful debut novel. I was able to connect to the characters, especially Rowan. I loved the descriptive settings of the vineyard, which literally painted a picture in my mind and I was able to feel like I was there. Harry is the perfect "book boyfriend". I wanted to jump in the book and become a part of this family! My only complaint is that sometimes the characters seemed to be younger than they actually were, and being a middle aged woman in her 40's, I got kind of annoyed with that, but that is just a small pet peeve of mine. I look forward to more by this author in the future.

Bend Toward The Sun is an emotional, angsty story about Rowan McKinnon, a botanist, who believes in science over love and emotions. Her past has shown her that the one thing she can rely on is science, so she sticks to no-stings attached hook ups instead of relationships. Then she (literally) runs into Harrison Brady during a game of flashlight tag and her world seems to shift. Harrison is an OB who is struggling to find his way after the loss of a patient. He returns to the family farm to help get control of his crushing anxiety and figure out what he wants. When Rowan ends up working at the family farm, Rowan and Harrison see a lot more of each other than expected. Their sizzling connection will challenge everything they both know and test Rowan's resolve not to get attached.

So, let me start by saying that I have read so many great reviews of this book that I went in with high expectations. An in many ways this book met those. But I also felt like it was missing something for me. The story spent a lot of time with Rowan and Harrison arguing but not a lot of time doing anything to move the story forward, I felt. I had wished there had been something more in the middle section of the book that was propelling the story more than just their angst and past (which we don't really learn the full extend of until much later).

I love damaged characters, that have histories and back story that make them, whole, layered people and this book really brought that out. Rowan and Harrison's stories were interesting and complex and their banter was fun and definitely kept me listening.

But at times I found Rowan's stubbornness off putting and while I generally loved Harrison throughout the book, the way he handles things at the end had me eye rolling him. So while I know this book will resonate strongly with others, it just wasn't for me. I do hope that Jen Devon continues with this world and writes stories for Harrison's siblings because I was dying to know all about them.

Overall, I would give this one 3.5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Bend Toward the Sun written by Jen Devon was such a perfect beach read! This book is about Harry and Rowan's story and it's full of romance. I loved their journey as they struggled against each other and then together to find love. This book has great characters. Rowan and Harry are both broken & hurting they have both been broken by hard times in their life. Also Harry has the most amazing family, the Bradys. They will win you over and you will want to move to Pennsylvania to live on their vineyard. I cannot wait for Jen Devon's next book!
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest review!

I was so excited by this Pennsylvania based book! Rowan and Harrison were absolutely imperfect characters, but I loved them anyway. I'm still blown away by the resolution, because it felt like their story came full circle from when they first met and in their lives.

It was bittersweet when Rowan and Harry had a miscommunication and didn't talk for several months, but when they finally talked it felt they were on the path to resolving their situation. I could understand both perspectives before the separation (I was slightly more Team Rowan), but it was important they understood each other and their viewpoints. Their resolving the separation is what really changed it from happily ever after for now to a true HEA.

4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bend Toward the Sun follows Rowan, a botany student, and Harrison, an obstetrician. When the two meet one night at a party- sparks fly. But in the daylight, Rowan is approached by his family to help get their vineyard up and running. Harry must decide whether he can return to the world of medicine after losing a patient. Along the way, Harry and Rowan explore their scars, dreams, and whether they can have a romantic future together.

I loved that Rowan is a woman in STEM, trying to decide where her path should take her next in academia. I thought that Harry was a very relatable character in how he agonized over his choices and dealt with the resulting anxiety. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Rowan helps Harry calm down from a panic attack. I also absolutely loved the moment when Rowan and Harry first meet each other- an extremely original and hilarious meet-cute. And I loved the epilogue!

At the heart of the book is a love for nature, preserving the environment, and women in STEM/academia. There is an extraordinary sense of peace that comes from the descriptions of the vineyards, the greenhouse, and the love from Harry’s family. The beautiful sense of welcome and unconditional love that comes from his family is a delight to read. The steamy romance is interspersed with meddling from the family, laughter, and the knowledge that the family will always be there to help each other. I hope to read more about the Brady family and see many more books in this series! Rowan is definitely one of my favorite heroines- determined, smart, and loving. Together, Harry and Rowan deal with grief, mental health challenges, and what it means to choose each other.

Bend Toward the Sun is a joyful, heartfelt romance that I would recommend to anyone. Thank you so much to Jen Devon, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, Wordpress blog, and Barnes & Noble etc

Do you ever have books you love and want to binge but also don’t want them to end? That’s how I felt about Bend Toward the Sun. I was immediately drawn into Rowan and Harry’s story as they met through a family friend during a game of tag. Though they both have baggage from previous relationships and other parts of their lives, they’re quickly drawn together.

I loved the winery setting and seeing how Rowan used her vast knowledge of botany to being it back to life. I loved the banter and chemistry between Harry and Rowan! I loved Harry’s family and how all of the Bradys welcomed her in.

Their breakup left me anguished for both of them, but I enjoyed how they resolved it. I’m hoping based on some of the subplots that this will be a series or at least have a sequel!

I alternated between the audiobook and the ebook. I loved the narration!

Bend Toward the Sun is a beautifully written novel that is so compelling and angsty in all the right ways. Rowan and Harrison share what turns out to be an epic love story, after meeting and being instantly drawn to each other. However, they are not fully able to commit to being together until they can work past their trauma and face it head on. This was a stunning debut novel demonstrating the power of love, but also the ways your past can shape you and prevent you from giving into what you deserve. Excited for more books from Jen Devon and hopeful there will be a sequel, as the Brady family was extremely enjoyable to read about. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Haven't been able to stop thinking about the book so bumped it up to the 5 stars it deserves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars

Synopsis: Rowan McKinnon understands school and she understands plants.
What she doesn’t understand? Why would Rowan’s friend submit her resume to the Brady family’s new vineyard, and why can’t she keep her eyes—and mind, well, and hands—off Harrison Brady?
As Harrison and Rowan get to know one another, Rowan realizes there’s more to love, and life than science.

I loved this book so much that I actually am going to use it as a comp for my current project! It’s equal parts light and heavy. It explores mental health, trauma, and gaslighting, all while including donkeys and a great family/friend dynamic. Harrison and Rowan had great chemistry and, though there were a few cringy moments, it’s great to have characters that genuinely respect one another.
Also, I love Duncan Brady and sincerely hope there’s a follow-up about him. He’s great!

As always, my two stars and a wish…

⭐️: the opening is extremely strong. That greenhouse had me swooning and I immediately wanted to read more about Rowan. I was hooked.

⭐️: I actually loved that Harrison was the one who laid it out there. He knew what he wanted and went about it in a respectful way. He honored them both, listened, and was genuine to himself and Rowan.

💫: I wish that Rowan’s backstory—specifically with Noah—was fully explained to the audience sooner. I think it would have added more to her and Harrison’s story.

Overall, a great summer read with characters who learn about life, love and everything in-between (plus a little gardening lesson for readers).

Thanks so much to Jen Devon, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This novel was a little bit slow for me in the beginning as I did not initially enjoy the sarcastic banter between characters and felt that the main character, Rowan, was unlikeable. However, about halfway through the novel, the banter felt more realistic, the characters more likable and plot became a fun and fast paced love story that was heart warming and quite enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Griffin for allowing me to read an ARC copy in return for my honest review.

I really wanted to read and like this book. I think the title is wonderful. But I can’t honestly even get to the end of the third chapter. The dialogue between the three friends who seem to be the main characters is inane and childish. And the author’s descriptions are forced and overly elaborate.

Here’s an example of the dialogue: “No, he didn’t want to date a guy with a TikTok dedicated to his dog in a Dolly Parton wig”, and from another chapter, “Ma and Dad have lost their fucking minds, you know that?”

I hate writing negative reviews. I usually say something like, “well, she’ll find her audience.” I can’t even do that in this case. I’m so sorry. I apologize to the publisher, and would just like to reiterate that I accepted the review copy in good faith.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was invited to read this title early by the publisher. While other recent debuts have been disappointing, I absolutely loved this book and the writer Jen Devon is one to watch. She writes beautifully, both the lyrical and descriptive language as well as how she wrote the main characters and secondary characters.

Rowan is getting her PhD in Botany, an incredible accomplishment, given her emotional support system is just her two best friends, Temperance and Frankie. (Amazing character names, btw) she goes with her friends to a party at her friend's new family vineyard in a valley about an hour from Philadelphia, where she's doing her postdoc. It's basically an adult hide and seek game where she hides in the greenhouse of the property. The family who bought it, The Brady's have six adult children who are almost all involved in making the vineyard and bed and breakfast ready to be operational. Sparks fly between Rowan and Harrison, one of the sons who left L.A. and is friends with Temperance, both doctors. Harrison recently lost a patient and is taking time off from his OB residency/ practice.

Over the course of a year we see the friendship bloom into a romance, so it's certainly somewhat of a slow burn until it is hot, hot, hot. Rowan tries to deny its anything more than sexual attraction, like her feelings are controlled to a boundary. The sad back story makes a lot of sense later on as to why she is so impossible a d stubborn she is about keeping things casual. The way the author ties in the "language" of flowers, plants, the art of making a vineyard ready to make wine was beautiful and interesting. Loved this book and will definitely follow this author here for future books.

4.5 stars!! I really loved this story. I am normally not a huge fan of a slow burn but it really works in this book. Rowan and Harry are both complicated but lovable. Their chemistry was palpable. I really hope we are going to get more from the Brady world.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Lush, mesmerizing, soulful. Prepare to fall in love and swept away.
The best contemporary romance in a looooong time! Phew… what a stunning peace of art. This is one for the keeper-shelf to read and devour again, to linger and savour each and every word.

Rowan and Harrison meet on his extended family's new business adventure - a run down vineyard - and while they are attracted to each other right away, struggle to act upon their feelings as they are both escaping past tragedies.

I don’t even know where to start with what I loved about this because each and every aspect, even the angsty, dark bits (see content warnings below) were done to perfection and if I could, I’d give this story a 5 stars + rating.
- The complex and nuanced character development, especially of the main characters but also the extended family.
- And yet with all the family members being part of the story, this is definitely, 100% a romance (and not a RomCom or Women's Fiction story).
- The cinematic and vivid descriptions of the vineyard with all its plants, and colours, and smells, and tastes... It left me feeling being part of it somehow. Just stunning.
- The build up to both characters getting together left me nearly as breathless as them ;)
- I also loved that the wonderful sexy times featured enthusiastic consent - every time.

I cannot remember when I last cried several times reading a romance and yet I was left feeling all gooey with a warm, glow-y heart that wanted me to start re-reading right away.

I'm already looking forward to diving into the story lines of Rowan's and Harrison's family and friends.

Tropes: Pining, unrequited love
Heat: 3.5
Overall: 5 stars +

Content Guidance: parental abuse and neglect, grief, mental/ emotional abuse by a previous, intimate partner, death of a patient, anxiety/ anxiety attacks (on page)

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this romance ahead of the publication date.

Rowan believes in a lot of things, but she does not believe in love. After her mother barely paid her any mind as a child, her grandmother passed, and she dated Noah, there is no way that love actually exists. At least not for her. When she meets Harrison Brady, she is shocked at how she feels for him. At the same time, Harry is quickly falling head over heels for Rowan. While she will spend time with him, and sleep with him, the one thing she won’t allow is falling in love or making their relationship official. Casual is the way she does relationships now, and she will not budge. Not even for Harry.

This was such a well written book. Between the love story between Harry and Rowan, plus the amazing Brady family, I just wanted to jump into the pages and join in on the fun and games. I loved that both Harry and Rowan were Dr’s but in different practices, and that they both faced such intense internal struggles. I always love a mental health struggle in books, and this one did such an amazing job of portraying it. I also really enjoyed reading as the vineyard went from falling apart, to becoming a working vineyard. This was just the heart wrenching read I needed recently!

This book. I honestly don't know if I can put into words how I feel about it.

The beginning was slow for me, and I debated DNF'ing it several times. But the rave reviews on netgalley had me sticking it out. And I'm glad I did because the book is so so so good!

There were some deep topics covered that I wasn't quite expecting, heavy topics both MCs were trying to work through or refusing to work through on their own. I think my one gripe with the book is that both MCs refused to actually have a conversation about their past, and that refusal led to miscommunication.

I adored the whole Brady family, learning more about vineyards, and that while it was insta-attraction it was very much so a slow burn.

Okay how in the world was this a debut?! Jen Devon definitely got my attention!

Seriously the writing style was utterly gorgeous, I was transported to the Brady vineyard.

Harry and Rowan are both imperfect but so likable and relatable. Not only were both main characters amazing but the entire side cast were insanely lovable! Everyone needs friends like TJ and Frankie; and someone better tell me where I can submit an application to join the Brady family because I fell in absolute love with them and their dynamics!

The romance itself was just about perfect: the amount of spice, witty banter with sarcastic remarks, angst, swoon worthy moments, (and gradual build between them) was *chef kiss*! I’m also a sucker for romances that grow over time so this book taking place over a year was an added charm for me.

The only thing that got me frustrated was when Rowan and Harry refused to communicate with each other! A lot of arguments and drama could have been avoided if they just put it all on the table. However, I get why it was done because that wouldn’t have been in line with their characters. Plus their relationship having genuine struggle along the way helped make it feel even more real.

P.S. Harry Brady is officially my new book boyfriend, he is so sweet and respectful and just 🥰

I’m sad it’s over, I need more Harry and Rowan and Bradys in my life! And I cannot wait for the next @kisscrafter book because I’ll definitely be first in line to read it!

4.5⭐️


This was a sweet fun book. Both Rowan and Harry had lots of growth individually and together and their journey through their pain and trust issues was beautifully told.

4.5 stars! I read the first 38%, then listened to the audio for the rest and enjoyed the writing and audio! The characters were so lovable. They were imperfect but so perfect together. Harry and Rowan's banter was fabulous throughout and the tension was palpable. Harry has workplace PTSD and his growth throughout was very well done. The friend group and the Brady family were so amazing throughout the book!

This is Devon's debut novel and I am so looking forward to what she comes out with next!

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & MacMillan Audio for advance copies in exchange for an honest review!

“I want the strings. I want to tie you up in mine, and I want to get tangled in yours.”

I loved this book! I am honestly in love with the whole Brady family! Harry’s brothers are hilarious and add so much to the story. I love how welcoming they all are to Rowan. Harry and Rowan’s meet cute was hilarious. I loved all the little jesters Harry does for Rowan. My heart swooned a little at all the times he picks flowers for her. It was very interesting Reading about the farm in the winery. I was very intrigued at all that they accomplish in renovating it. The love story between Harry and Rowan is a beautiful one. Harry is a little broken after an incident in Los Angeles and runs back to his family‘s farm in desperate need for a break. Rowan doesn’t believe in love and never had anyone to care for her. I love how the two of them both learn to let each other in. I also have to say that I wasn’t expecting this book to be an open door romance. I think about the cover gave me closed-door vibes. That being said the steamy scenes in this book are amazing! I love how Rowan tries to get Harry to give up his self control!
I really Hope we get more stories from Harry’s different Brothers! I got really invested in everyone!


Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Small town romance
Hilarious meet cute
Open door romance
Doctor Hero
Lovable family