Bend Toward the Sun: A Novel

Jen Devon

Aug 2022 · Sold by St. Martin's Griffin

About this ebook

Perfect for fans of Every Summer After and Lucy Score, Bend Toward the Sun is an angsty slow-burn romance between two complicated, imperfect people–and a love story you’ll never forget.

“A steamy romance about humans’ ability to grow and heal.”—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically

Guarded, self-reliant botanist Rowan McKinnon doesn’t believe in love. With her new PhD, two steadfast best friends, and the occasional no-strings sex, she’s convinced she has everything she needs. When an academic setback throws her off course, she takes on the restoration of an overgrown vineyard to re-center herself and her career.

Dr. Harrison Brady is in an emotional freefall. Since losing a patient, he no longer believes he can keep people safe. Hoping rural sunshine and the hard labor of renovation work will help him heal, Harry heads home to Pennsylvania, where his family has just bought a long-abandoned vineyard.

The last thing Rowan and Harry expect is each other. Despite deeply different views on life and love, their chemistry is explosive, their connection magnetic. Even though their time at the vineyard is only temporary, Harry is compelled to explore the undeniable pull between them. Rowan is committed to protecting her heart at all costs.

But some things are too powerful–and too right–to be ignored.

“Intoxicatingly sensual and undeniably sexy.” – Mazey Eddings, author of The Plus One

Don’t miss Jen Devon’s sizzling second-chance romance Right Where We Left Us!

Ratings and reviews

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.

This story pulled me in several directions. The descriptive scenery and prose spoke to me. Rowan and Harry were harder for me to appreciate. I understand emotional and trust issues, this whole book was full of them. However, the story is beautifully woven with great detail to the nurturing of the farm and vineyards. There is romance, steam and the HEA. A definite beach read.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review. This was a beautiful story. It shows that no matter what kind of damage has been done to you in your past, when you find the person who can make you “whole” you can overcome that damage and become a better person.

About the author

Jen Devon is a lifelong lover of love stories. She writes vivid, cinematic romances about imperfect people finding their perfect match. A former ecology academic and adjunct professor, she now works in the Internet tech industry and dreams of writing full-time. An avid gardener, photographer, gamer, and unapologetic nerd, she’s also a mom of five (three kids, two rescue mutts) and lives in central Ohio with her engineer husband.