Expansive, enthralling slow-burn romance

This was a terrific story, a deeply emotional look at what a romantic "trust fall" really looks like. Rowan has been horribly misused before, so her walls are sky-high and ten feet thick. Harry falls for her almost instantly, despite her reticence, and I absolutely adored his quiet, patient pursuit of her heart.

Harry might have his heart and mind made up about Rowan, but he's still reeling from a professional setback that cut to the core of his self-worth. I appreciated the tender, thoughtful manner in which the author presented and resolved that issue.

The supporting cast was magnificent, from Rowan's girl squad to Harry's love-with-open-arms family. The family dynamics were brilliantly subtle and we were given just enough information about each of the many siblings to make each one independently memorable.

The "break up before the make up" seemed to go on a tad bit too long, but when they finally did talk things out it was clear that they each needed the time to sort through all the many internal obstacles in their way. Their HEA was sweet and all the more meaningful for how long it took them to get there. If you like angst-filled big-family contemporary romances, this was written just for you. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

BEND TOWARD THE SUN is about two characters with emotional damage who come together at a family’s winery. Contemporary romance at it’s best! Rowan, our FMC is stressed about completing her research and finding a postdoc opportunity. While our MMC, Harry, is a medical doctor who recently lost a patient. The setting is Harry’s family farm, and the scenery is described just beautifully. Rowan and Harry instantly spark but Jen Dovan does an amazing job at building the tension and getting her characters over their own internal obstacles. The side characters in this story offer a nice bonus as well. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's for the ARC!

This was an impressive novel for a debut. Very well-written, with great character development and a solid sense of place. I loved the Brady family and their traditions, their closeness and their support of one another. And their willingness to widen their circle to embrace outsiders and bring them into the fold (not just Rowan, but also TJ and Frankie).

While I did appreciate the redemptive storyline of two 'broken' people finding love and acceptance from each other, I couldn't get behind their communication style 100%. It was a bit too combative for me, and they both pushed each other away a few too many times for my comfort. Of course, as a romance novel, they had to have their HEA (& they did!). Plus, all their struggles throughout the storyline led them to have a much more nuanced understanding of each other and a very solid, unshakeable bond in the end.

Given the hints, side drama, and foreshadowing included in this novel, I anticipate this will be the first novel in a series featuring the Brady family. Looking forward to the potential sequels!

I'm so in love with this debut! I generally don't always love angst for angst sake but this book has such a wonderful amount of it and it all comes internally and no external wild plot points. I really appreciated that and it's something I don't even notice until I'm actually reading it.

Rowan has to revise and resubmit her thesis for her botany PhD and Harry is home for a while because he's trying to figure out his life and on break from his Medical residency. The two and a meet-disaster where there are major sparks between the two of them. Rowan is heavily resistant to having any type of relationship and doesn't get why they can't just have an emotionless fling of sorts. However, Harry can't fathom having that sort of fling and his emotions are already involved by the time they even discuss this. They keep circling around this issue even as they are getting to know each other and work together on Harry's parents vineyard. And I loved this because every time they got closer and closer to having what they both needed and wanted. Although of course it's not that easy.

I also loved all of the secondary characters. Harry's family was so great because they felt like a real family - complicated because each of the relationships were different but they obviously were all close. His parents were my favorite for sure. Rowan's friends were also pretty excellent as support too. I want so many sequels for different people!

The romance was just...so romantic. And angsty because of just emotions the two MCs bring with them from their own baggage. And this was sexy AF.

Such a wonderful debut!

TRUE STORY- I read this book and forgot to review it because I was too busy dreaming about it. This is a SOLID GOLD ROMANCE NOVEL.

Check this out. The first chapter was my least favorite. I almost DNR-ed and THANK GOODNESS I did not because it ended up being, quite possible, my top read of 2022 so far. Rowan and Harrison are two characters you must love, the writing is incredible, and the plot has all sots of delicious twists.

If you love a love story, this one will be one that stays with you for weeks to come. 10/10 recommend "Bend Toward the Sun."

4.5 Stars!

Wow! This was a debut! I certainly hope there is more in this lovely world Jen Devon has created. It’s beautifully written and the attention to detail had me easily picturing the vineyard, the greenhouse or the meadow. I’ll admit I’m not a fan of closed-off female leads who think they need no one. You’d think I’d like the growth and build of that kind of character and i normally do, but sometimes that initial impression can be quite disheartening and rub the wrong way. And it did. It’s how I felt about Rowan McKinnon. I wanted to see her open up. I wanted to love her because there were times when I definitely didn’t like her. It’s what kept me reading and putting off life. She’s had a rough road, no doubt, with huge trust issues. She was just so closed off. It’s hard to like someone like that. She had her reasons and I kept that in mind as I learned more about her.

On the other hand, I have no problem with the male lead having walls and being a bit closed off. Harry Brady had all my love and sympathies. Even with those walls he seemed more open to the possibilities. I loved him from the start. He’s had his share of heartbreak as well. And he isn’t without faults. He definitely has them. A few times I wanted to strangle him or shake some sense into him.

Again, a lovely debut with a beautiful romance.

“Bend Toward the Sun” is a beautifully written story that made me laugh and cry, and invited me into the lives of the characters, so I could become part of their romantic and emotional story. The serene backdrop of the vineyard was the perfect setting for reflecting on your life, taking a hold of your dreams and falling in love. This is by far, one of the best books I have read this year!!

Rowan and Harry came together unexpectedly at a family party which was just the beginning to a special friendship they both desperately needed. Harry had run away from a tragic event in his life and Rowan was seeking the solitude necessary to complete the research for her doctorate degree. Rowan’s life had been nothing like Harry’s and even though she loved his close-knit family, they made her nervous and uncomfortable. She just wasn’t used to people being so happy all the time.

Despite Harry’s life being a mess, meeting Rowan was a breath of fresh air that warmed his heart and made him feel that he could love again. He didn’t want to live in the darkness anymore and he hoped that Rowan’s light would help him recover from his despair. I loved Rowan and Harry’s witty banter, her compassion when it came to his panic attacks and the sweet gifts he left on her doorstep. Their connection was almost spiritual in that they each knew what the other needed to have a future filled with love, trust and happiness. I am so thankful that Ms. Devon wrote such a wonderful book, and I am looking forward to what she has in store for us next!

Bend Toward the Sun is an absolute cheese-fest in the best of ways. The romance was so sugary sweet that I had cavities. I thought that the protagonists and side characters were both well developed and liked. I had trouble immersing myself into the writing but after a few chapters I was completely sucked in. What a great book!

4-4.5 stars. This one had an understated vibe of sensuality, longing and emotion that I was pleasantly surprised with. Rowan McKinnon's first language is plants instead of humans. With a PhD in Botany, it connects her to her beloved grandmother, the only adult who cared for Rowan while growing up. She tried a relationship once, gave it everything she had and it backfired terribly on her, so Rowan does not tangle with feelings or love at all. Harrison (Harry) Brady wears his heart on his sleeve and meets Rowan because she is at the Brady family's newly acquired winery with her best friend, who is also Harry's close friend. I loved how these two came together and danced and dodged around one another, with Rowan dodging and Harry dancing. Rowan takes a job at the winery to help set up the vineyards and even though she's at a crossroad in her career, the work brings her a level of satisfaction that she hasn't felt in a long time. Harry is on a temporary reprieve from his job as an OB/GYN due to a recent tragedy that he hasn't been able to move on from and escapes into assisting his family. They are such an interesting duo because Rowan is very stoic and calm, but also patient and knowledgeable with a certain glow that comes from doing what she loves amongst plants and nature. Harry is a little bit of a hot mess, seeming lost and remaining busy to escape his true problems, but he's not shy about his feelings or attraction and has a sensitive and tender side to him. Both of them have to face what they have been avoiding all along and while things heat up and then explode to make them confront their issues head on, I soaked up all of that tension and anticipation and newfound determination. Whether or not they wanted to ignore life or love, they couldn't deny either and the ending brought it all together full circle. I would definitely want to read more by this author and some of the other characters in this book who have hints about their own future storylines.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Rowan McKinnon is a botanist with a PhD and a distrust for love. Harrison Brady is a doctor with a big heart and a traumatizing career. So what happens when the two of them meet and can’t seem to stay away from each other? Rowan wants to run the other way, but Harrison wants to stay and fight. Which one of them will get their way?

I really enjoyed the STEM rep here, but I honestly got pretty lost with all the botany talk and descriptions. Like, they actually flew way over my head. But it was still fun to read about!

I loved both of our main characters, as well as our side characters. Everyone in this book just made me laugh and feel good, and Rowan + Harry made me GIDDY with joy. They were both super cringy (in such a good way), especially together, and I absolutely loved every single moment of it. I don’t read romance books very often anymore, but I feel like I’m definitely going to be picking some up more frequently after reading this.

Will definitely be purchasing this book when it comes out on August 9, 2022!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5

✅ found family
✅ self doubt
✅ healing from trauma

I’m not sure where to start with this book because there is so much I loved about it.

Rowan and Harry both find themselves experiencing situation la that were never part of their plan and very unexpected. Harry Brady is spending time at his family’s new property after losing a patient. Rowan has found her self working on the Brady property after her paper has been denied for publishing.

The Brady family is large, tight knit and is written in a way that will make everyone want to join them. There is an instant attraction between Rowan and Harry but Rowan is extremely hesitant to jump in due to a past relationship.

The book takes place over a year which is something Iooooved. The timeline made it possible to really get to know these characters and gave them DEPTH!

Jen Devon's writing style fit the overall feel of this book incredibly well. My stomach would fill with butterflies and my heart would ache for these characters. Bend Toward the Sun is one of most beautifully written books I have ever read.

BEND TOWARD THE SUN is richly written and atmospheric, and I loved the setting. Even if I didn't love the main characters as much as I would have hoped, I liked how they were flawed and how their vulnerabilities ultimately bring them together in love and understanding. The pace was a little slow and it was a bit corny at times, but overall, a good read.

A thanks to Griffin and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Bend Toward the Sun didn't meet expectations. At the time I was expecting it to be something else though it fell short for me. Thank you for the chance to read and review.

I ADORED this warm, complex, engaging story about two people with painful pasts finding their way to a new, better future. The author understands the aftermath of childhood trauma and portrays it well, in a way that is grim, but not hopeless. There are so many layers to this story, and the characters are so well drawn that I felt like I was right there with them from the beginning. I look forward to re-reading this book to enjoy it again. Recommended for anyone who needs a feel-good romance that isn’t candy coated.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book.

Without a shadow of doubt, this was one of the best debut romance of this year. I really loved it, but more so ‘cause of the STEM representation. Along with that, what I really loved the most was me being indecisive about who I relate more to; the MMC or the WMC? So In humble opinion this deserves all the stars and more.

This book was such a unique romance! Loved the representation of STEM women and the author's attention to detail, especially when it pertained to botany.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

In Bend Toward the Sun, two broken people find each other (and themselves) in Pennsylvania wine country. Rowan McKinnon’s life has taught her that love does not exist, so she invests herself in her friendships and in her botany studies. After her dissertation unexpectedly needs revisions and delays her postdoctoral plans, Rowan reunites with her friends in rural Pennsylvania to lick her wounds and determine her next steps. While there, she finds herself drawn to a local abandoned vineyard and vineyard owners’ son— Harry Brady. Dr. Harry Brady has returned to his family’s vineyard after losing a patient and subsequently losing his romantic relationship in the emotional fallout. Both wounded in their own ways, Rowan and Harry gravitate towards each other and help each other rebuild after their experiences with trauma. As they draw closer, Harry wants to explore their budding relationship, but Rowan’s convinced that romantic love never lasts.

Giving a brief synopsis for this novel doesn’t do the story justice because I wouldn’t say that Bend Toward the Sun really has a capital-P plot. Rather, it’s a character-driven novel that takes itself and its characters’ journeys seriously. It’s not a rom-com; it’s not a fun beach read; and it’s very different from other romance novels that are being published by mainstream traditional publishers at the moment. However, it’s a beautiful and very real story of two people who fall in love and find their way back to themselves even as they begin building a life together. This book isn’t in a hurry, and, for some, the novel’s reliance on introspection, dialogue, and angst may make it a bit slow. For my part, I really appreciated that it took time to let the characters and the story breathe and to let these relationships develop organically. I haven’t read a mainstream romance like this in a long time (maybe ever?), and I find that this story and these characters have stuck with me long after the last page. This book is very cinematic, and, as I was reading, I found myself picturing how a movie with these characters would look. Hopefully we get the chance to watch a Bend Toward the Sun film in the future. This was a wonderful read and will make a strong addition to our collection. 4.25 stars.

Rowan has been burned more than once in her young life and now goes through the motions without any expectations- that way she can’t be hurt.

Harrison lost a piece of himself when he couldn’t save a child under his care. He’s closed down and refuses to let anyone- even his family- in, that is until a force of nature named Rowen McKinnon enters his life and sheds light into his darkest corners.

“There have been times in my life where the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning was the stubborn curiosity about what might happen that day.”

Bend Toward the Sun- Jen Devon

Set against the background of a beautiful old vineyard in need of love, this is the story of two people who are broken but can’t resist the siren’s call of attraction even as they fight to keep their hearts intact. The characters are complex, the family dynamics heartwarming, the romance steamy- all the things you want in a good love story!

3.5 Stars

This is a hard one to review because I really liked a lot of it, but I also struggled with the pacing. It felt really slow in some parts which made it harder to read. With that said though, I loved the message of the book of forgiving yourself and making peace with the past by not letting it control your future. I also loved Rowan and Harry's relationship, the good and the rough. In the end I found this to be a solid story, but just not a favorite of mine. I hope to see books about some of the other Brady's in the future.

I requested this ARC without knowing much about the book. I put it off for a bit, but finally decided to read it. I wasn't expecting to get into it. Well…I was wrong!

I devoured this book in 24 hours between work, sleep, and home responsibilities.

Both Rowan and Harry are coming out of relationships that have left marks on them. Harry is also struggling with a trauma from work and Rowan seems to be stalling with her work. She goes to work for his family and the two have an instant connection, starting with a party where they meet prior to her coming to work for his family. However, Rowan wants a no-strings arrangement and Harry wants more.

What I loved:
second chance romance
Rowan's growth
Rowan's friends
the Brady family
the dance

The vulnerability of the characters and how hard they both fight for what they want, both for different things at different times is both frustrating and amazing. I am SO glad that I didn't continue to push this book aside. Even now, I can't stop thinking about Rowan and Harry!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!