This is something you can just sink right into and have a good time. There were smiles, there were giggles and there were some wholesome moments that I enjoyed. I am so happy that I was able to receive an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this second chance romance, my favorite trope. Bend Toward the Sun, book one of the series, is a must-read that checked all the boxes. This book, book two, stands alone and was written well with a hot chemistry and romance. The author did an excellent job. I was hooked from the first page and read it in a day.
Thanks St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press Griffin for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jen Devon. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Temperance and Duncan fell in love when they were 18, but they've been on and off since then. Their chemistry is all too clear to everyone around them, but they can't seem to get past themselves to make it work. When Temperance is back at the Brady vineyard for the summer for her best friend's wedding, things become really difficult between the two of them. Can they finally get it right?

I loved meeting the Brady family in Devon's previous book, Bend Toward the Sun. Now they're back, this time focusing on Temperance and Duncan. You can certainly read this as a stand alone, but the Brady's a definitely worth starting at the beginning! This book focuses on second chances, family obligations, communication, and of course, love. It's the perfect mix of serious subject matters and steamy romance - you'll love these characters and be rooting for them. Dare we hope for book number three featuring this family? Fingers crossed!

Second chance stories are hit or miss for me. Right Where We Left Us is the second chance story of Temperance and Duncan in a small town which lots of family. This was a slow burn with a lot of back and forth wavering with both of them. This was a second book to this and wished I read the first one to know the characters better. There is a lot going on with both characters and both needing to grow up before falling in love. Duncan's family was a lot of fun and added depth to the story. This was a cute albeit a little slow story.

Thank you @smpromance for a copy of this.

For a sophomore debut, Jen Devon took me right back to the Pennsylvania winery and the big bunch of Brady’s that fight like the devil for those they love. This is Duncan and Temperance’s story and believe me when I say that you absolutely MUST read Bend Towards the Sun first. First of all, it is one of my favorite books that I always recommend for an angsty read, and secondly because you may be lost trying to follow all of the family members of the extensive Brady clan. From Bend Toward the Sun you know that Duncan and Temperance have a past (I was gunning for their book!) and Right Where We Left Us forces them to engage with one another because of their overlapping circles of friends and family, specifically at Harry and Rowan’s wedding.

Immediately I got the sense that these characters were not over each other even if their words or actions may have said otherwise. Devon is great at writing tension and filling it with a poetic language that makes you feel it in your bones. In this way, this story felt like a saga where I was desperate by the time they finally climbed each other like a tree (and climb they did!) and simultaneously nervous for them, because what happens next? Temperance and Duncan have had a pattern of coming to each other for the physical bond, even if they couldn’t give emotionally and I worried that this would be a repeat. To be fair, there are a lot of “romance reasons” why these two haven’t worked out so far, and some readers may find fault with these. I don’t think the reasons overshadowed the fact that timing truly IS everything, especially with maturity and no longer being eighteen years old.

This book gave me big time vibes of the infamous movie kiss scene from The Notebook. It’s equal parts passionate you’ve-always-been-the-one-for-me, and angsty I-love-you-so-much-I-can’t-stand-what-it-does-to-me. Temperance and Duncan are two planets circling each other, but when they combust it’s an explosion brighter than the sun. The scene in Duncan’s truck will live rent free in my head. There are also so many beautiful tender moments that are sometimes orchestrated by the family, from a sick bed caretaking scene, to finding ways for Duncan and Temperance to just be around each other. I know these are characters I’m going to be thinking about for a long time, even if they did get in the way of their own love story for years. Most likely Frankie and Mal’s story will evolve next and I know that Jen Devon will continue to write complicated characters than feel big and love hard. I’m glad I’m here for the ride. Thank you to St. Martin’s press for my early copy all opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (BTTS is still my fave!)
Steam: 🚿🚿🚿

I gave Bend Towards the Sun a 5⭐️ review. So disappointed to say this was not my favorite. I had a hard time keeping up with everyone’s back stories and I did not feel the connection between the main characters.

This book is a VERY slow burn, second-chance romance. You don’t have to read the previous book about the Brady family to understand this one, but it might help because there is A LOT of backstory, The author just presents so so so many reasons why this couple has taken forever to get together, They fell in love as teenagers, and have been pining for each other ever since. Temperance Madigan is now a grown, capable doctor now, but she’s still head over heels for Duncan Brady, who is a hot dude, and clearly infatuated with her, but has some major self-esteem problems. I have a hard time with men who are so unwilling to get help for their insecurities. He desperately needs therapy. If he really believes himself so unworthy of Temperance, it’s very hard for the reader to feel like he’s worthy. Lots of twists and turns for this couple, and many many side stories, If you have tons of patience, and like stories about families and small towns, this book might pay off for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Right Where We Left Us by Jen Devon

I was obsessed with the Brady family after reading "Bend with the Sun" last year, so I couldn't wait for Duncan and Temperance's second chance love story. This romance, told from both their perspectives, was full of angst, pining, and miscommunication, which I loved!

The story was filled with heart, humor, and heat. I loved the big, messy family dynamics, the cold, distant parents of Temperance and Maren, and the way the sisters took control of their lives. The friendships between the three main women were feel-good and relatable.

Duncan and Temperance have been circling each other for years, and their relationship is complicated by their past. Despite some confusing moments, their chemistry and the slow burn of their romance kept me hooked. Jen Devon's writing brings the characters to life, and I'm excited for the next book featuring another Brady brother. I highly recommend this book for fans of angsty, second-chance romances.

WORTH. THE. WAIT!!! I was obsessed with the Brady family after reading Bend with the sun last year and I couldn't wait for Duncan and Temperance's second chance love story. Told from a dual POV with some flashbacks, this beautiful star crossed lovers romance was full of angst, pining and miscommunication (which might not work for everyone but sure did for me)!

With a GORGEOUS purple cover, this story was full of heart, humor and heat and filled my cup up like no other. I loved the big messy family, the aloof, cold distant parents of Temperance and Maren and the way the sisters took control of their lives and the feel-good friendships between the three main women. I soo look forward to Frankie and Mal's story next and can't recommend this one enough!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez or Christina Lauren!! Bring on book three! I will be waiting in eager anticipation!!!

3.5-4 stars. Temperance Madigan and Duncan Brady have been circling around each other for years. Unbeknownst to most, they had a big love affair years ago and now, they can’t stand to be around each other nor can they stand to be apart. It’s all kinds of messy and complicated because Duncan’s brother is marrying Temperance’s best friend (the main characters from Bend Toward the Sun). Therefore, these two’s lives will always be intertwined.

As much as I enjoyed the slow burn, angst and longing, it wasn’t always easy to follow the hot and cold between them or the timeline. These two ran contradictory to each other multiple times so it got to the point where I just needed them to get their act together and to simply spill their guts, secrets and all. While their families are nothing alike, they both have parental expectations weighing on them and the burden of disappointment. Underneath the outward antagonism was a lot of buried love and respect towards the one person who understood the other best. Because of the layered nuances in their history, it became be confusing at times but there was no doubt about the feelings. So while this story was more convoluted than the previous one, I still found the dynamics between all of the characters fascinating and was entertained by the dialogue. The author still has a way with words that brings the story to life in vivid colors so I am interested in the next book featuring a different broody Brady brother.

Jen Devon has done it again. I will read anything written by her. How does she make everyday life seem so magical? I just want to be a guest at the vineyard for a week to experience life with the Bradys. Devon’s characters live beyond the page. They are messy, imperfect, hilarious, and downright charming. But Temperance girl, I needed you to get it together. You were killing me here with your trepidation. Anyhooo, it was great to be back at Cloud Tide. Let’s see what Frankie and Mal get up to next ;)

DNF @ 7%. Couldn't get into this at all. I felt lost with the characters even though I read the first book and loved it. Something just wasn't working for me.

Thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance copy

Thank you to Jen Devon, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, the cover is amazing, eye-catching, and I am obsessed with it!!

Second, this was good. I liked Temperance. I liked Duncan. But there were way too many characters for me to keep up with and I was confused at some points.

I loved the banter. The spice was spicing. Second-chance romances are quickly becoming a top favorite.

3.5 stars

This is a difficult book to rate for me. For the most part, I enjoyed it. Duncan Brady and Temperance Madigan have been on again/off again since they were eighteen years old.

For most of the book, I didn’t really understand WHY they couldn’t be together. They were both in their thirties…adults, so it has been a really long time to be fighting a relationship.

I really liked Duncan’s character, though. He was so much more than he knew and gave himself credit for.
I don’t know how Temperance stayed away from him!

It was nice to see Harry and Rowan from the author’s first book and the whole Brady family. But, woah, they were in a lot of the scenes. Maybe too much. Plus, if the next book had better be about Malcom Brady and Frankie, because I’m pretty much invested in that budding relationship.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I would very much recommend this book to fans of Lucy Score. The slow-burn of this novel was done so well and reminded me a lot of a Lucy Score novel. One thing I loved about this book is that the plot ran deeper than just a romance. The characters had their own personal conflicts to resolve and I believe that contributed heavily to the entertainment factor of the novel. I also loved the setting of a wedding.

First, thank you NetGalley, Jen Devon, and St. Martin’s Press for this book. I loved every single part of it!

I read this book in about 2 days because I couldn’t put it down! The slow burn, angsty tension is everything I want from a second chance romance. I love how Jen crafted the character of Temperance and Duncan to be completely flawed but a perfect fit for each other. Their chemistry is electric and the tension just perfect! It kept building as you read but Jen gave us some satisfying moments to hold us over.

I loved the whole Brady family and the bond the brothers have. They all joke and tease but they are there for each other every step of the way. Summer in a small town community was a perfect backdrop for the story. This is a great start of summer book and it was such a great read.

Thank you again, to NetGalley and the publishers for this book, and thank you to Jen Devon for writing this story and sharing it with us. It was wonderful and I truly loved it.

While I don’t always love third person POV, Jen does it so beautifully that you honestly don’t even notice. Her writing just captures your interest from the start and really makes you feel for and care about these characters🥹

But can we talk about Duncan?!?!? He’s honestly the sweetest and I hated how much his family overlooked him😭 I love that he was finally going after what he wanted. I just wanted to squeeze the poor guy. And how he was with Temperance?🥹 just swoon!

Read if you like:
🍇second chance romance
🍾opposites attract
🍇cinnamon roll MMC
🍾forced proximity
🍇best friend’s brother & brother’s best friend
🍾the sweetest meddling family

Y’all pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed! Thank you to netgalley and the author for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a good sequel to ‘Bend Toward the Sun’ (Aug 2022, 5 Stars). Jen Devon has a unique style of writing with lots of inner monologues and good moving the story forward with conversations between characters. This series is focused on three women who became best friends during college. They are all going to eventually marry brothers in the Brady family. This story slightly overlaps with the ending of the previous book which is the romance of Rowan and Harry. Temperance is a pediatrician and works with Harry. Her older sister married his brother years ago and Temperance the entire Brady family. Her first love was Duncan Brady who now runs the family construction business. They were 18 and very much in love until her parents, college and her health interfered. But because she is always around his family there is always tension between them.

Now they are thrown together helping prepare for the upcoming wedding. It is a time for second chances and understanding who they are now. It is passionate and there are insecurities to work through. I was frustrated they kept putting off conversations. His insecurity in how his family treats him I didn’t quite understand as well as her horrible family dynamics. The friend group and family are overly involved in each other's lives. And there is good natured bantering with siblings and friends. I enjoyed the first book a little more but it may be because I was sad this pair waited 14 years for a second chance. I will be on the lookout for the next romance that is already more than hinted at.

A second chance romance told by both TJ and Duncan, with their backstory told in flashbacks. These aren't opposites but they are both kinda angsty (with reason). I wasn't a fan of the first book but this second dip into the Brady family was a happier read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. There's good dialogue but there's also - be warned- lots of characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is the first of Jen Devon’s books I have read. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to others. At the beginning it was hard for me to follow all the characters as there are quite a few; however, after a few chapters I was able to tell who was friends/family with each other. If you’re looking for an easy read that will keep you wanting to read more, definitely read this book.