Rowan McKinnon has finished her PhD in botany and is revamping her dissertation for publishing with hopes of a fellowship. Her best friend submits her resume to help restore a vineyard while she works on her paper. Dr. Harrison Brady an obstetrician on leave from his job in California. He returns home to his family shaken after losing a patient. He throws himself into work with his brothers at turning an old vineyard into a new B&B and winery that is his parents retirement project.

There is attraction and longing. This book is beautifully written. Instead of being an instant romance the story takes months to unfold. I think this is why the romance is also categorized as women’s fiction. Rowan doesn’t trust love. She has a negligent mother and a miserably failed relationship in her past. She trusts science. She thrives and blossoms in the outdoors and the writer captures her in the beauty of a meadow or among the vines. Harry needs to get over his own trauma but wants love and family. His parents are his shining example.

I love everything about this book except the forced angst moment that gets drawn out longer than it needs to be. Rowan has two friends who I hope will have romances of their own. I will be on the look out for their stories. to come. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, this book was stunning, beautiful, and made me feel a lot like the cover - warm and drawn in. It's everything I was hoping for an more!
I am a little obsessed with the main characters, the development and build were so well done. Jen Devon's just got herself a new fan and I will be reading anything and everything by her. If she wrote on the back of a cereal box, I would read it. I will be recommending this to everything!

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this novel!

This book was painfully beautiful. I absolutely loved every heartbreaking minute of it. Jen Devon does such a lovely job at setting the scene, the atmosphere, the rawness, the realness of everything. I adored the family dynamics and the side characters, and I loved how they didn’t just serve to progress the story or the main characters’ arcs - I felt them as whole, real people themselves. Harry, is wonderful, broken, kind, conflicted. Rowan is wonderful, broken, kind, conflicted. But it such different ways, and their connection grows so beautiful throughout the book. I cannot say enough good things. This is what five star romances are made of in my mind! A true gem. Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
What a beautifully written book. And what a beautiful setting - you can absolutely picture everything as described. I hope this is the beginning of a series, because ALL of the side characters are ones you'd want to have their own books. I loved the arc of the relationship between Rowan and Harry, that they really got to know each other, at least, as much as each would reveal to the other, before taking the relationship to the next level. From joy to sadness and everything in-between, this has a little of everything. Highly recommend.

This is by far one of the best all-around romances I have read in a while. It had everything you truly want in a love story and more. The slow burn was the best and I truly adored that ending. It was perfect. I hope the author gives us more from this world and the Brady family.

I ended up DNFing this one at 30 percent. I just didn’t love the insta-love, banter/conversation and I was just utterly bored and couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

There was a whole chapter about weeding. I weed my yard way too much in my real life and I don’t need to read about it.

It just never felt their connection beyond a weird physical attraction. But maybe the second half of the book is better?

Talk about emotional damage..in the best way romance novels can give!

I was completely enthralled by this book. There are 3 parts, and each one will have you in all your feels.

Part one we meet Rowan and Harrison, we learn all about them. Following along with their adorable and witty banter, getting fluff of backstory and their deep rooted thoughts that had me wrapped around their imaginary fingers. Super cute and light.

Part two we are introduced to the pair as Rosie and Harry. Here comes the steam!! It was just enough to have me flipping pages begging for more. Jen did not disappoint!

Part three had me reaching for my Kleenex and my iced coffee back and forth between the two. What a rollercoaster of emotions in this one!

My absolute favorite part of this story, is the beautiful writing and raw and real emotions behind the main characters. I RARELY read a romance or rom/com where I love both MC’s. Usually one or the other, while grown adults, annoy me to no end with the petty and childish ways they handle real life problems. Jen, however, gave us Rowan and Harrison who go through some very real and familiar adult problems (death, grief, fear, emotional detachment, chasing your dreams vs following your heart, etc) that are handled with such care and grace. Long story short, read this book!! Please!! You will not regret it.

Ps, can we get a follow up story on Duncan and Temperance?! ;)

From the very first page, I was enthralled with the characters from this romance. They were likeable and definitely and relatable to real life.
This was a newer author to me and I loved this romantic yet funny novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.

3.5 stars. Two emotionally bruised people meet in a dilapidated greenhouse, and spend a year healing and growing towards each other.

This book is a real throwback to the epic doorstop romances of the nineties. If you like a slow, tender romance with a huge cast of family and friends, set in a lush location, then this is the book for you. Jen Devon has such a great eye for detail. The vineyard setting really came to life through carefully curated descriptions and the characters had a nice emotional subtlety.

It could have used a slight trim for length but, all in all, I like Devon's style and I will definitely be reading her next book.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

Do you ever read a book and love it so much, you just don't want it to end? Like you both want to hurry up and finish but also you never ever want to finish it? That was me with BEND TOWARD THE SUN. I'm going to be super honest here - I had no idea what it was about when I started reading it, other than it was romance. I had seen some chatter about it online and two of my friends said I NEEDED to read it, so I trusted them completely, got it on NetGalley and dove in.

Wow. Just Wow.

Rowan McKinnon is a botanist who doesn't believe in love. She has two good friends, her plants, and that's all she needs. Rowan has an unhappy past — a mother who neglected her, no other family and a former fiance who made her close the door on love for good. Until she meets Harrison Brady.


Harry is a doctor who has been deeply affected by losing his first patient. He returns home to regroup and help his family with the renovation of an old vineyard.

Rowan takes a job at the vineyard helping to restore the grape vines to its former state. There is an undeniable pull between Rowan and Harry, but Rowan is determined to keep things casual. As the months pass, their connection grows deeper and it is almost impossible for them to deny it.

The chemistry between Rowan and Harry is absolutely off the charts! The writing is so beautiful and lush, the descriptions of the vineyards and the fields. It was so deeply emotional. I loved everything about it (you know, except the part where it ended). And the Brady family! (Harry comes from a big family). They are so wonderful and I want to hang out with them. (Side note if you've read it - OMG I NEED MORE ABOUT DUNCAN AND TJ).

The book hangover I had from this book ... just trust me. You NEED to read it.

BEND TOWARD THE SUN is out August 9th!

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!*

4.5// I really enjoyed this one. I liked the main characters, Rowan and Harry, as individuals, and together. I liked that they were flawed, but hopeful. (And yes, probably individually could use therapy to talk out their pasts, but don't we all.)

The flourishy, descriptive writing was a little wordy for me at times, but in other instances was exactly right.

Rowan and Harry had some steamy scenes, a lot of sweetness and caring, and some heartbreaking moments.

This book has lots of nature, a magical greenhouse, a failing winery, a big, cozy family, supportive friends, and even a farm donkey. Definitely recommend.

Trigger warning: memories of a past manipulative relationship. Brief talk of death after childbirth.

3.5 STARS

Newly minted Ph.D botanist Rowan McKinnon takes a step back from academia after her support work for a post doc is found to be problematic. Rowan is not a people person with just two close friends and a very dim view of love and family. When Rowam takes on the position of bringing an old vineyard in disarray back to life, she finds spending time with the boisterous Brady family to be way out of her comfort zone especially one Brady in particular. After a disastrous relationship with a creeper fiancé, Rowan only has physical encounters and no time for anything else.

Harrison Brady has returned home to work with his family after the loss of a patient that left him reeling and questioning his future as an obstetrician. Harrison has been in the depths of depression and needing to recover physically and mentally sp when he meets Rowan, he finds the impetus to begin living again. Rowan is as prickly as one of her cactus continually shutting down Harry’s attempts to get to know her beyond the laborious work the whole family is engaged in to rehabilitate their newly purchased property.

Rowan and Harry are two very wounded people who have plenty of angst, anxiety, and no-go zones when it comes to having any kind of relationship so there is much to overcome. Rowan almost strikes me as someone on the spectrum except that most of her issues with relationships stem from a barely there, feckless mother and a gaslighting ex-fiancé who crushed her so that she has no clue about healthy relationships or a desire to ever let someone into her heart again. On Harry’s front, he left not only his barely started career behind, but also a life partner who was less than supportive when his world crumbled; she is also a doctor who is all about her job. Adding to the torment fest, Harry has a phobia that also causes him quite of bit of stress since it is related to the outdoors where Rowan is at her happiest.

This story has several rides on the emotional roller coaster as well as one of my less than favorites tropes of miscommunication causing the couple to go through a lot unnecessary pain and separation. That being said, it did keep me engaged and empathic towards the things Rowan and Harry were going through including Rowan being embraced by Harry’s loud, messy, and loving family much to her chagrin and Harry’s self-doubts, sorrows, and dealing with a life staggering blow to come out on the other side.

This one is a very hard one for me to rate and review. I think a lot of you will like this book. Since it kept my attention and had several things I really liked I say 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up.
👍🏻 I loved the Brady family dynamic. Will and Gia were my favorite. And Duncan.
👍🏻Rowan being a botanist and working to restore a vineyard was unique and fun.
👍🏻The little details-OJ, wild flowers, cloud tide, cheesesteaks, grape jelly, etc
👍🏻Their banter was fun
👎🏻Word-heavy, very descriptive made the beginning hard to follow. But as the story went on this got better
👎🏻Rowan-so annoying, Harry-seemed like he had split personalities. At times I’d love him and others times he would be awful
👎🏻Huge time lapses-one event would last a multiple chapters then you’d turned the page and it would be months later. This was a consistent thing.
👍🏻/👎🏻 At the beginning Rowan’s career and Harry’s career seemed liked huge plot points but they really just faded in and out. Felt like they should have centered the story more.

So I DID like this story. I would read more by this author (she definitely could write a few additional books about the Brady family to make this a series). I just hope if that’s happens the flow and the plot become more cohesive. And more lovable characters from beginning to end.

This was a solid debut. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both Rowan and Harry are great main characters and interesting to read about but I think what made the book was the whole Brady family and the setting. I think I’m a little but attached to them so I hope the author turns this into some sort of series. Despite my enjoyment I did find something a little annoying and that was the pacing. It went fast which I dont mind but at times it skipped over good times the characters had together and only showed the readers when they were having a tough time. I dont know if I explained that right but overall this was a fun (painful at times) but fun read!


** This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review**

"Bend Toward the Sun" is Jen Devon's debut novel, and I can't wait to read other books from her! This book centers around Rowan McKinnon, a woman with a difficult past who finds it hard to believe that true love is real. Upon taking a job as a horticulturist at a local winery, she meets Harrison Brady, the son of the winery's owners. Harry has his own issues with love and trust after losing a patient in childbirth. While Rowan and Harry are drawn to each other, they both have to learn how to believe in themselves and their worthiness to give and accept love. The sparks start flying upon their adorable meeting, and they don't stop!

Devon did a fantastic job of making both characters deeply lovable even while deeply flawed. Also, the Brady family was one that the reader will wish to be a part of themselves. I hope to read more books about members of the Brady family. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

ARC BOOK REVIEW
Bend Toward the Sun
By: Jen Devon

Publishing Date: 8/9/2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Rowan is someone who doesn't believe in love. She has never been loved properly by anyone, other than who grandmother, who died when she was a child.  She has a phD in botany, and has been given the chance to restore a vineyard that was recently been acquired by the Brady Family. 

One of the family members, Harry Brady, has recently returned to Pennyslvania after some set backs while living in LA. He lost a patient, lost his wife, and is mentally not in the best headspace. Time with his family may be what he needs...

When Rowan and Harry meet, there is an instant spark, however Rowan,
is extremely resistant, and Harry cant stop himself despite Rowans efforts to keep things casual. But will he force her to see that she can be loved? And is Harry capable of being what Rowan needs, despite his own personal struggles?

Ok- so I thought I was going to adore this. The reviews are awesome, and I LOVE romance. However, I was very bored, majority of the time. The book is told in 3rd person, so I felt there was a lot of unneccessary dialogue and I was never pulled into the story. There were a LOT of side characters and I can see additional books being released about the other Brady family members, and Rowans friends.

If you enjoy slow burns, and 3rd person point of view, you very well may love this! But unfortunatley it wasn't for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bend Toward the Sun is the perfect summer read! What could be better than a sweet romance on a vineyard? 🍷

I really enjoyed the characters in this book including all of the family members who also worked on the vineyard. It was neat seeing their vision come to life! If you enjoy entertaining and steamy 🔥🔥🔥🔥romances then you will enjoy this book.

Rowan is a botanist who has been hired to help restore the vineyard. Harrison has returned to his parent’s vineyard to seek refuge from a traumatic experience. The vineyard is in some serious need of tender loving care. The same can be said for Rowan and Harrison’s love lives. Will this massive project prove to be a success? Will Rowan and Harrison finally be able to find happiness?

This book hits the shelves on August 9th, 2022! Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#bendtowardthesun #jendevon #smpinfluencers #bookadoration #bookstagram #canadianbookstagram

THIS ROMANCE BOOK THOUGH!! I have been craving a classic romance and this one hit all the spots. I am absolutely obsessed with Jen Devon and cannot wait to read more of her books. I loved that the woman in the relationship was more standoff-ish than the guy.... its something we don't see often and a great little twist to a classic romance!

Overall, adored this story. Swoony, sexy... puts you in your feels... all the best things!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Rowan is thinking about a change. She decides to travel to visit her sister. While their she meets a doctor named Harry who is questioning his job. They both meet at a turning point in their lives. I liked the different characters in this book.

4.5 stars

There were so many things I really enjoyed about Bend Toward the Sun. First of all the story was unique and easy to read. The characters were enjoyable and I really liked the chemistry between them. I also loved how the setting was on a winery that was being rehabbed. Honestly this book had everything I love in a romance book, a little angst, likable characters and an interesting storyline!