Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon is a beautiful, atmospheric, memorable and satisfying love story. I savored every word of this one! Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for my gifted review copy of Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon. This post may contain links to purchase books & you can read our affiliate disclosure here. 

Check out my Interview with Jen Devon

Synopsis for Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon

Rowan McKinnon doesn’t believe in love. With a botany PhD, two best friends who embrace her social quirkiness, and some occasional no-strings sex, she has everything she needs. But she hides deep wounds from the past―from an emotionally negligent mother, and a fiancé who treated her like a pawn in a game. When an academic setback leads Rowan to take on the restoration of a winery’s abandoned vineyard, she relishes the opportunity to restore the grapes to their former glory.

She does not expect to meet a man like Harrison Brady.

An obstetrician profoundly struggling after losing a patient, Harry no longer believes he is capable of keeping people safe. Reeling, Harry leaves Los Angeles to emotionally recover at his parents’ new vineyard in Pennsylvania.

He does not expect to meet a woman like Rowan McKinnon.

As their combative banter gives way to a simmering tension, sunlight begins to crack through the darkness smothering Harry’s soul. He’s compelled to explore the undeniable pull between them. And after a lifetime of protecting herself from feeling anything, for anyone, Rowan tries to keep things casual.

But even she can’t ignore their explosive connection.

Book Review: Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon

Say hello to one of my favorite books of 2022!

Rowan and Harry – two characters who are so powerful they will now stand on their own in Romancelandia. I loved them both and wanted to shake them both equally. That’s when I know the author is writing something really special. The emotions I felt for these two were so undeniable. I wanted the best for them and dammit if they didn’t keep getting in their own way. Okay, let me back up a bit.

I appreciated that Rowan was detached from any sort of desire to have a romantic relationship. I say appreciated here because I wanted to push her into being with Harry. But, that’s not Rowan. Same for Harry. There’s a spark that is present with these two from the beginning. I couldn’t even tell you how or when it happen because it is so easy to get lost in Jen Devon’s prose. I’m just reading along and drooling over Jen’s writing and dreaming about the land, the insects, and the sky. Before I know it, I’m like, Hello, you two need to be together.

Harry is working through his own stuff too. He’s back at home with his wonderful family. Please, can we get a follow-up novel about this wonderful family. Honestly, I would even go for a prequel with the parents. I’m seriously hoping this family exists in real life and I could move into this vineyard with them. I’m a hard worker, I won’t be a bother. Please text me the address – thank you.

The Verdict

I am Really Into This book! Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon is a novel with two characters who are healing – each on their own timeline. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are all worthy and deserving of love. I couldn’t love it more. If you’re a fan of Trish Doller’s Float Plan, even better! Both books had a similar feel to me.

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About Jen Devon:

Jen wrote her first story when she was eight. Now she writes steamy, atmospheric romances about complicated, imperfect people finding their perfect match.

A former biology academic and lecturer, she currently works in the tech industry and dreams of writing full-time. She’s an avid gardener, photographer, and boardgamer, a thrift store enthusiast and unapologetic nerd. She’s a mom of six (three kids, three rescue mutts) and lives in central Ohio with her engineer husband.