Bend Toward the Sun
A Novel
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4.4 • 10 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Jen Devon's Bend Toward the Sun is a gorgeous, emotional love story about taking unexpected paths, accepting loss, and finding strength in the transformative power of love.
“Heart-warming, sensual, beautifully written.”—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis
Two imperfect people. One year under the sun. A love story you won't ever forget.
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.
"A lushly drawn portrait of two people with a magnetic, soul-deep connection."—New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon
"A gorgeous love story full of lyrical writing and raw emotion."—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Devon breaks hearts and puts them back together again in her tear-jerking debut. Botanist Rowan McKinnon is on the hunt for a postdoctoral position when she meets obstetrician Harrison Brady through a mutual friend. Harrison recently unexpectedly lost a patient, spurring him to take a leave from his practice as he struggles to get his anxiety and panic attacks under control. Rowan gladly accepts a job at the Brady family's fledgling winery, and she and Harrison explore their mutual attraction. From the beginning, they want different things. Rowan was raised by an indifferent mother and a loving grandmother who died when Rowan was 12. Add in the way her first and only boyfriend mercilessly criticized and lied to her, and her reluctance to enter a relationship rings all too true. Though she insists on keeping things casual, Harrison's determined to win her heart. Devon handles Harrison's anxiety with impressive sensitivity and his love and caring shines through on every page. The result is a moving tale of two hurt people healing together. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary.
Customer Reviews
Great read!
Love the detail of the characters and how the emotional damage of Rowan and Harry brings together. Can’t wait to read the other brothers stories!
Good read
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 is 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.
An absolutely beautiful love story!!
“Bend Toward the Sun” is a beautifully written story that made me laugh and cry, and invited me into the lives of the characters, so I could become part of their romantic and emotional story. The serene backdrop of the vineyard was the perfect setting for reflecting on your life, taking a hold of your dreams and falling in love. This is by far, one of the best books I have read this year!!
Rowan and Harry came together unexpectedly at a family party which was just the beginning to a special friendship they both desperately needed. Harry had run away from a tragic event in his life and Rowan was seeking the solitude necessary to complete the research for her doctorate degree. Rowan’s life had been nothing like Harry’s and even though she loved his close-knit family, they made her nervous and uncomfortable. She just wasn’t used to people being so happy all the time.
Despite Harry’s life being a mess, meeting Rowan was a breath of fresh air that warmed his heart and made him feel that he could love again. He didn’t want to live in the darkness anymore and he hoped that Rowan’s light would help him recover from his despair. I loved Rowan and Harry’s witty banter, her compassion when it came to his panic attacks and the sweet gifts he left on her doorstep. Their connection was almost spiritual in that they each knew what the other needed to have a future filled with love, trust and happiness. I am so thankful that Ms. Devon wrote such a wonderful book and I am looking forward to what she has in store for us next!