By: Jen Devon
I wish I could remember where I first read the blurb for this debut novel by Jen Devon because I really, really enjoyed this book. I would like to follow more of that person’s recommendations but the fact that I cannot remember sounds like who I am as a person so I will just write my thanks on the internets by whole-heartedly recommending this book!
Rowan McKinnon is a recent PhD graduate in botany who has lost direction. She has used academia as a crutch her entire life, and is adrift after an associate sabotaged the basis of her academic research. She also clearly has social anxiety that we learn stems from a neglectful upbringing and former romantic relationship. Her two best friends, Temperance and Frankie, act as a de facto family to her.
Harrison Brady is a beloved son from a large, tight-knit family. His parents retired by purchasing an old, run down vineyard in Pennsylvania, with hopes of restoring it and producing wine and hosting guests at a bed & breakfast. Harrison is an LA obstetrician, who lost a patient under tragic circumstances, which has caused him to lose faith in his medical abilities, and himself. On a leave of absence, he returns to his family to help him heal. On the night of his return, he meets Rowan during an adorable game of hide and seek at his family’s new property, and they have immediate chemistry. Typically, I cringe a little at insta-love, but I thought Devon did a good job of describing the characters’ initial interest and attraction to each other without indicating that these two WERE ALL THE SUDDEN IN LOVE FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER. Amen.
As LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, Rowan’s specific botany background specializes in vineyards (YOU DON’T GODDAMN SAY!) and as she needs new research data for her academic publications (WHAT? NO!), the Bradys hire Rowan as a consultant to their new vineyard. She moves to the property, which keeps her in constant contact with Harrison and the entire Brady family. This provides her a glimpse at a truly loving family and allows her fascination with Harrison to bloom (do you see what I did there? DO YOU?) While, yes, this is all very convenient, this is a romance novel and Devon does an excellent job of making these coincidences appear natural to the story. I also liked how Rowan’s living situation helped her form attachments to both Harrison and his close knit family, especially his mother.
The novel does spend significant time on world building here– there are several Brady siblings that, at first, confused me- like, wait, there is ANOTHER ONE?- but after finishing reading the book, I am hopeful this has been set up as a series because I would love to read the teased future pairings of more of the Brady siblings.
While I thought the third-act break up seemed somewhat forced for plot, it really was gut wrenching because the reader could sympathize with both characters in a realistic and truthful relationship arc. It also was not based on some minor misunderstanding, but a fundamental difference between the way the main characters view the world.
All in all, this is a fantastic debut and I am looking forward to more books by Jen Devon, but also (fingers crossed) in this series. Graded slightly on a curve for a debut novel, but second 5 star review of the year!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bend-toward-the-sun-jen-devon/1139985409?ean=9781250822000
Or an independent bookstore. Jen Devon lives in Ohio and Gramercy Books-Bexley hosted an event for this novel, https://www.gramercybooksbexley.com/book/9781250822000