Temperance and Duncan are trying their best to get along while helping Duncan's brother and Temperance's best friend prepare for their wedding. No one knows that they had an intense romance back when they were 18 and this forced proximity is rather uncomfortable for them because there is definitely still chemistry and feelings they can't ignore. Oh, the ANGST.

I have to be honest and admit that Right Where We Left Us took me a bit to get into. I was unaware when I started this book that Jen Devon has an earlier book related to this one. I had to figure out how the characters connected and get a little of Duncan and Temperance's back story before I could start to enjoy it. While I understood some of the reasons why they broke up, I really wasn't sure why Duncan and Temperance took so long to get their act together. I enjoyed the writing style and the author's description of the setting. The dual points of view were helpful to get more insight into what was going on in their minds. It also made me crazy because I wanted them to get to communicating and move on. I liked the writing well enough that I'm interested in reading her next book, especially if it is about Mal and Frankie. I wanted more about them!

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Right Where We Left Us and I have given my unbiased opinion of it in this review. 3.5 rounded up to 4

4.5/5⭐

I loved this! I absolutely adored Bend Toward the Sun and returning to Cloud Tide vineyard and the Brady family in this follow up was such a joy.

I think I've used these words before to describe Jen's writing, but it is so lush and descriptive - it's so easy to get entirely immersed and lose yourself in the setting and characters. Cloud Tide is a real place and you can't tell me otherwise!

Jen is also the master of slow burn angsty romance, which is one of my favorite subgenres. And combined with my all time favorite trope, second chance romance? Oof. The love story here is achy and messy and sexy and I loved it so much. Although sometimes I did just want to shake some sense into them!

The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that I felt like there were some things from their past that were hinted at but never fully explained, and the shift from "we can't be together" to "I want to be together anyway" wasn't quite as satisfying as I wanted it to be. I still love it like a 5 star book though!

This technically can be read as a standalone but I HIGHLY recommend reading Bend Toward the Sun first! Not only is it amazing, but you'll appreciate the Brady family so much more. The timelines even slightly overlap, which I loved.

Don't miss this one, friends!

This was DNF for me because the backstories and characters are very difficult to follow. Maybe if I read the first book I would have enjoyed this better.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized this is the second book in the series. The beginning was a bit confusing, likely because I didn’t read the first book.

Out of respect for the author, I will not post this review on social media.

“Second chances are for when you weren’t ready for the first.”

Temperance and Duncan had an instant connection when they met as teens. But for unknown reasons, they weren’t meant to go the distance. Most couples would move on, but since their families and friends are so intertwined, they too have reluctantly remained connected.

Although the attraction they had for one another never went away, they still try to keep up a facade when around their loved ones. Of course, the only ones they’re fooling are themselves. Coming together at Duncan’s family vineyard for a wedding only manages to push those feelings even more to the forefront.

Although Duncan and Temperance both acknowledge their mutual attraction, they never really talk about what went wrong all those years ago. But the more time they spend together the more each wonders if this is another opportunity to get it right.

Right Where We Left Us is the second novel by author, Jen Devon. I didn’t realize this was a sequel of sorts to her first novel, Bend Toward the Sun until I started reading. Looking back on my review of that book I noted how I hoped the side characters would get books of their own, and I’m glad they did. As secured by her sophomore effort, Devon consistently writes love stories with tremendous amounts of palatable angst and longing, but still weaves in bouts of believable banter. Second chance romance readers will rejoice in getting to know not only these characters, but Devon’s burgeoning body of swoon worthy romances.

Right Where We Left Us is the second novel by Jen Devon. Following on the beauty of her first novel, Bend Towards the Sun, this novel continues to follow members of the large Brady family, in particular Duncan. In the beginning of the story, Harry Brady asks Duncan to help him pull off a beautiful proposal to Rowan McKinnon. He also asks Temperance Madigan, Rowan’s best friend, for her help, pairing Duncan and Temperance for the task. It seems many family members are trying to play matchmaker with Duncan and Temperance without realizing they are definitely playing with fire.

Duncan and Temperance spent a scorching summer together when they were 18 that came to an abrupt end as a result of her new health issue and her controlling parents. Due to the elder Madigan’s interference and keeping the two separated, miscommunication and rumor, the rift between Temperance and Duncan becomes almost unbridgeable. Now, 14 years later, the only thing they show towards each other is hostility. How will that hostility play out after a summer together to prepare for Rowan and Harry’s wedding?

Jen Devon is a master of merging imagery with emotions. The manner in which she juxtaposes weather and emotional situations is skillful. It’s been a long time since the environment of a story I’m reading draws me into the plot so thoroughly that I am almost surprised when I get to the end of the chapter and find that the storm is only in my imagination. Her character studies are well defined and her plotting is filled with unexpected turns. I very much enjoyed this second book, as I did the first, and wholeheartedly recommend it!

Oh, the Angst!!!
Right Where We Left Us is a small town second chance romance that has it all. Duncan and Temperance had a fiery love when they were young that fell apart due to circumstances shared throughout the story. They never stopped being in each other's orbit and due to their friends and brothers finding love, Temperance and Duncan kept finding themselves thrown together at various events. Cut to present day...there isn't truly anything holding them back from one another any longer and the journey they went on to find their way back to one another was a great ride filled with angst, banter, sweet moments, family and friends. I got swept away in their story!

3⭐️ for the story and an extra .5⭐️ because I really do love Devon’s writing style.

Duncan Brady and Temperance Madigan had a love that burned hot and bright when they were 18 before their relationship crashed and burned. They’ve spent the last decade and a half hooking up in secret. Unfortunately for them, they can never actually quit each other. Temperance’s sister is married to Duncan’s brother and now this summer her best friend is also marrying one of Duncan’s brothers. The forced proximity is destined to bring their simmering tension to a boiling point.

What a joy to be back at Cloud Tide Winery with the whole Brady family. I continue to love Jen Devon’s writing style. It’s so descriptive and atmospheric (literally in this book. So much rain!), and she certainly knows how to create tension!

While I enjoyed lots of individual moments throughout the book (mostly driven by the writing), I did not love these characters together. Temperance never once has the moral high ground, and is quite often simply awful to Duncan. If this is how they treat each other at 34 after having “grown up”, I don’t even want to imagine how they treated each other at 18. Mostly though, Temperance doesn’t seem to know herself at all, and I can’t understand how Duncan could possibly still love her. For me, there wasn’t enough growth for me to believe in their happily ever after.

Warning this is marketed as a standalone book, but if you don’t read Bend Toward the Sun first you will be extremely lost. Must be read in order.

Many thanks to NetGally and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #RightWhereWeLeftUs

A second-chance, slow burn romance with two characters who both struggle with their own issues and families.

This book had a lot of potential and beautiful words, but was a struggle to get into. There are so many characters in the extended Brady family that I wish there was a flow chart — and the author’s descriptive writing was sometimes so beautiful, but mostly too wordy/flowery.

I’m usually fine with a “slow burn” romance storyline, but this book dragged on especially in the first half. I kept waiting for something to happen between the two main characters. I really wanted to root for Duncan and Temperance, but the angst and longing was just too long for me.

I didn’t know there was a first book to read before this one, and I wish I would have known that before I picked this one up on NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC opportunity.

I loved Bend Towards the Sun, and Right Where We Left Us had the same components I loved…the writing was deft and emotional, the characters felt real and well developed. I love Duncan's family and Temperance’s found family dynamics. It made me laugh, swoon and made me a little teary. Teenage love to 2nd chance is always interesting to see how these people have changed in the time apart and do they still fit together. And why weren’t they together the whole time?

I really enjoyed the concept of the story...but there was just something off structurally on how it all came together. At times the jumps ahead or even to next morning felt abrupt and disjointed. It seemed to drag out the drama and put off conversations that should have happened logically in the last scene when they were last together…like they were in a spot alone, and the scene just ended…it didn't say why they didn't have that talk then, or how they even got home.

In the end, a solid 4 star read and I can't wait to read the next story..hopefully Mal and Frankie.

Thank you to net galley for this eARC! I loved this cute, second chance romance! It reminded me of a Carley Fortune or Emily Henry book. It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed reading it!

I had no idea this was the 2nd book in the series but you can definitely read this as a stand alone. I was fully invested in Temperance and Duncan’s relationship and the dynamics of both of their families. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments along with very heartfelt ones — this was such a fun, easy read!

Holy chemistry Batman! This second chance romance was full of palpable tension. It got frustrating when Duncan and Temperance would start kiss (or more) and then not talk about it, but they both had their things to work through. I need to read Rowan and Harry’s story asap too because I enjoyed their wedding.

Right Where We Left Us-can be read as a standalone

By-Jen Devon-new to me author

Publication date 6-18-24 , read 6-21-24

📃 Page count: 359 kindle

🌎Setting-Linden and Vesper Valley, PA

Quick Summary: Temperance "TJ" Madigan and Duncan Brady were childhood sweethearts @18, and now 14 years later they are on again/off again lovers. The Brady family opened their arms to TJ and her BFFs Rowan and Harrison "Harry" Brady(Duncan's brother) are getting married, which means TJ and Duncan will be forced to see each other. Will they settle for being friends or will they finally get it right?

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:
⭐ ️contemporary romance
⭐️ women's fic
⭐️ 2nd chance romance
⭐️ right person/wrong time
⭐️ childhood sweethearts
⭐forced proximity
⭐found family
⭐h has chronic illness


🤔 My Thoughts: Full disclosure I didn't read Rowan and Harry's book "Bend Toward the Sun," but didn't feel like I missed anything. The Brady family was a gift not many people got. TJ and her sister Maren grew up being second to their parents' love for each other. They didn't care for the Brady's, even offering the Nathan and Duncan money to stay away from Maren and TJ. It didn't work for Maren, as she married Nate and they had three kids. The Brady's were so welcoming to the sisters and TJ's BFFs Frankie & Rowan. The family scenes was hilarious. From the parents Gia and Will, to the five brothers and sister, they were very involved in each other's lives. Harry and Malcolm pushed TJ and Duncan together because they knew they belonged together. The angst and pining was madding at times because I just wanted them together. They had some steamy scenes too, all very hurried and passionate. I loved Malcolm and hope he gets book, can't wait!

Rating: 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice level 4/5 🔥🔥🔥🔥

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC💜! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is NOT a standalone, please read the first book in the series (Bend Toward the Sun) first or you'll have regrets. More characters and emotion than active plot, but that's okay- particularly if you're already familiar with them from the first book! The characters and the setting MAKE THIS BOOK. Even if half the time I wanted to bop both of them on the head and say 'you're your biggest enemy, get out of your head!'

Such a joy to read!

Duncan and Temperance have been through life side by side, but not ever quite together. FWB, sure, friends of the family as well, friendly at all times, but never going all the way to declaring a relationship. A situationship that has Duncan feeling very frustrated and ready to finally call it, one way or another.

This author's amazing writing style sweeps me up every time I open one of her books. The descriptive writing is sublime, the family histories are impressively fleshed out, and there are just so many great lines throughout! Like the first book, it takes place over an extensive time period, letting the reader grow with the characters as they weigh each event and opportunity to see just what can be done to resolve the ever-present tension between them. This sweet exchange really highlights the conflict and inner confusion on Temperance's behalf:

“I want to kiss you,” she whispered.
“You don’t have to look so mad about it,” he whispered back.

There's so much going on in this book, covering all aspects of the Brady family and extended family. Temperance is already tightly woven into the Brady clan, with her sister married to one of Duncan's brothers and her best friend engaged to another. Her struggles for identity and purpose are very relatable. Duncan, too, is ready to branch out beyond his family's expectations, and his friendship with Temperance gives him all the courage he needs.

This is top-tier contemporary romance, a book and series that I highly recommend. This author will always be on my top-ten list. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Jen Devon is the queen of slow burns. And with this one, we get sparks of wildfire followed by ice showers! Temperance and Duncan are a perfect second chance opposites attract, each resisting their own orbital pulls. It's full of such lovely quotes and sentiments, but most of all family. (And also a lot of steam fogging up dem windows) This book felt like a warm hug, though you definitely need to read Bend Toward the Sun first. Else a lot of the references won't quite hit and the wedding won't feel as monumental.

Take me to Cloud Tide Winery, please!

Right Where We Left Us by Jen Devon
2nd book in the series (unnamed and unlabeled in Goodreads) with the Brady family. Contemporary romance. Second chance. Large family and many secondary characters. Can be read as a stand-alone but takes place subsequent to the first book.
Temperance Madigan has been a peripheral part of the Brady family for a long time. In her eyes, they are the ultimate goal: loving, supportive, teasing, loud, and comforting. Her own parents are lacking any true feelings for anything other than their medical community.
Duncan and Temperance have always been like magnets. Attracted but often with opposing goals. They had a brief explosive affair at eighteen, but have only circled from the outside since then. Temperance will be at the family vineyard for the summer. Maybe they can finally more forward together or regretfully break all ties.

Duncan can’t keep his eyes off Temperance. He’s been in love with her for a long time. But as the only family member without a higher education degree and the construction work he does, Duncan doesn’t feel worthy. There is also a secret back from their teenage days that he needs to resolve. Temperance isn’t really part of the Brady family and her own parents are pressuring her to give up the medicine she loves.
There is a lot of longing and yearning. Angst. I loved both Duncan and Temperance and felt their pain and love. Over and over. A hundred pages less would have helped the unending suffering. All of those pages added to the story and family and love. Like his secret schooling. Or the animal prints in the floor of the remodel. All enriching. And great storytelling. Still too much. So that’s the main reason for my rating of 4 rather than higher. Beautiful, engrossing, angst and eternal love.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I will read the author again.

This is the second book in a series by Jen Devon; the first is Bend Toward the Sun. The first book introduces the Brady family and focuses on Harry Brady and his budding romance with Rowan who doesn’t believe in soul mates and love.

This book picks up after the first book and while I don’t believe you have to read the first book before this one, I would recommend doing so because it was SO GOOD!

The second book focused on Duncan Brady and longtime friend, sometime girlfriend Temperance. I honestly found her to be a very challenging character to like. This is supposed to be a slow burn romance but it was super frustrating seeing how many times Duncan laid his feelings out there just to have Temperance get mad at him for doing so. But then she also gets mad at the idea of him with other people. When people joke about Duncan sleeping around, she gets upset. Yet she doesn’t want to be in a relationship with him. It was annoying to be frank. It’s because of her character that I rated this 3.5 stars; it’s due to the first book and the promise of the next about Mal and Frankie that I rounded up to 4 stars.
I hope book three is an enjoyable as I found book one!

Eeeekkk! I love a second-chance childhood romance!!! "Right Where We Left Us" was romantic and spicy, just how I like my romance books! This is the first book by Jen Devon I've read and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Special thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Right Where We Left Us by Jen Devon is a contemporary romance that focuses on second chance romance and found family.

Temperance and Duncan have a history, and both of them want to stay away from each other. However, both of them are integral part of each other's lives. They are attracted to each other, but both of them resist due to secrets. Will they find a way to each other?

Before reading this book, I was not aware that this was a part of a series. Though, after a while, the connections are explained, the reader might feel a bit adrift initially. I did enjoy some aspects of the book, especially the setting and the banter between the friends and family. I felt that the book could have been shorter, and I would have liked it better.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this book.

Right Where We Left Us is a right person, wrong time, first love, second ish chance mixed with forced proximity love story between Temperance and Duncan.

Temperance and Duncan have been circling around each other for years and finally the tension and angst boils over when his brother and her best friend get married and they have to help with wedding prep. The more time they spend together causes them to realize the defenses they built for themselves weren’t as strong as they thought and when all those old hurts and insecurities come to light they begin to understand they were just standing in their own ways.

I would love to see a story about Temperance’s friend Frankie and Duncan’s brother Malcolm-the two of them might be oil and water but something can be said for an opposites attract story and I would very much like to stay in the Brady family orbit.


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.