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sara11_reads's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. This is the perfect antidote to all the rom-coms out right now. The writing is evocative, the characters interesting, and the romance angsty. The beginning was a bit slow but then it built up some momentum and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up later than I should have to finish it.
infinitein's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a_ab's review against another edition
1.25
I shouldn't have finished this book, but I wanted to give a new to me author a chance, so I muddled though despite the book and every character in it getting progressively worse as the book went on.
Everyone here is petty, self-centered, selfish to the point of cruelty, unbelievably immature, and just generally having absolutely nothing to recommend them as human beings. No major character is awful, but everyone is distinctly dislikable. True, there are worse humans out there, and mediocrity isn't the worst trait, but for me these characters epitomize a very unpleasant brand of slightly offensive mediocrity.
Everyone here is petty, self-centered, selfish to the point of cruelty, unbelievably immature, and just generally having absolutely nothing to recommend them as human beings. No major character is awful, but everyone is distinctly dislikable. True, there are worse humans out there, and mediocrity isn't the worst trait, but for me these characters epitomize a very unpleasant brand of slightly offensive mediocrity.
ceena's review against another edition
DNF @ 46%/ 16 chapters
It isn't a bad book and there is a lot of promise here, but I can't stand Rowan kinda trying to pressure Harry into a sex-only relationship when she knows he wants and needs more. She also NEVER answers his questions and it is annoying the hell out of me that she continues to call him Harrison, not Harry, and never explains WHY when he asks her. It isn't funny or cute to me, just frustrating.
The sheep giving birth scene? Considering he fainted at the sight of blood just a few months earlier and has had no therapy since??? I think???? Because he hasn't mentioned it??? I just can't believe him wanting to be there for her helped him get over the PTSD. And that she asked him to be there for her and help after learning his issues? UGGHHHH
Also, I have no idea why Harry is so into her. She is quirky, sure, but mostly he comments on her hair, freckles, and the way she looks in the sun. She isn't an angel, she isn't his pill to recovery. I agree with Rowan here that all they have -- all we are really shown at least -- is lust.
BUT, perhaps I'm not giving this book it's due. Obviously a ton of other people have enjoyed it.
I do think if you like Kate Canterbury, but want a slower burn and more focus on internal issues than the relationship, you might enjoy this one.
It isn't a bad book and there is a lot of promise here, but I can't stand Rowan kinda trying to pressure Harry into a sex-only relationship when she knows he wants and needs more. She also NEVER answers his questions and it is annoying the hell out of me that she continues to call him Harrison, not Harry, and never explains WHY when he asks her. It isn't funny or cute to me, just frustrating.
The sheep giving birth scene? Considering he fainted at the sight of blood just a few months earlier and has had no therapy since??? I think???? Because he hasn't mentioned it??? I just can't believe him wanting to be there for her helped him get over the PTSD. And that she asked him to be there for her and help after learning his issues? UGGHHHH
Also, I have no idea why Harry is so into her. She is quirky, sure, but mostly he comments on her hair, freckles, and the way she looks in the sun. She isn't an angel, she isn't his pill to recovery. I agree with Rowan here that all they have -- all we are really shown at least -- is lust.
BUT, perhaps I'm not giving this book it's due. Obviously a ton of other people have enjoyed it.
I do think if you like Kate Canterbury, but want a slower burn and more focus on internal issues than the relationship, you might enjoy this one.
marvsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was one of those beach reads that I didn’t realize was going to be absolutely perfect…until I read the first line and was completely hooked.
The characters, the vineyard setting, the chemistry, the romance, the family, the game…all get a raving five stars from me!
The characters, the vineyard setting, the chemistry, the romance, the family, the game…all get a raving five stars from me!
swooningandstepbacks's review against another edition
5.0
Please give me a moment to collect my thoughts because this book is PHENOMENAL. Can I just throw stars at it? And it’s a debut? Phbbt! I was not even 20% into the audiobook and I was already searching stores online to buy a copy for my bookshelf (now purchased from my local indie). A book has the power to make me keel over from swooning when it has an excellently written hero. Better still, give me a heroine unlike any I have read before (introverted botanist, capable in every way except for accepting love). Harry is the type of hero that makes love stories great. He is flawed, and hurting, but so strong in the way that he knows how to show love. Harry UNLEASHES his love upon Rowan. He makes it known, but attempts to be as respectful to her wishes and skittishness as possible. Any woman fortunate enough to be loved the way Harry loves, is unbelievably fortunate.
I adored Harry’s family too. Ma, Dad, Arden, the other siblings, and can we please get a sequel for Duncan and Temperance (please Jen Devon?!). The winery was so vivid in my mind and the writing was so lush that I could feel the sun, hear the insects in the meadow, smell the daisies. Bend Toward the Sun gave me a sense of place like no other. And the greenhouse? Well let’s say I will never again enter a greenhouse without thinking of this book. IYKYK
I adored Harry’s family too. Ma, Dad, Arden, the other siblings, and can we please get a sequel for Duncan and Temperance (please Jen Devon?!). The winery was so vivid in my mind and the writing was so lush that I could feel the sun, hear the insects in the meadow, smell the daisies. Bend Toward the Sun gave me a sense of place like no other. And the greenhouse? Well let’s say I will never again enter a greenhouse without thinking of this book. IYKYK
nomomstayandread's review against another edition
3.0
I walked into this book expecting it to be a five star book and it was not that for me. All of the elements were there. We have a hero who is reeling about his entire life since he lost a patient in a completely tragic way and doesn't trust himself anymore in medicine. We have a heroine who needs to get away from her life to finish her thesis and finds a family among this large group of folks that live and work at this up and coming winery. They find each other and when it's good, it's good.
I don't know if it was the narrators for me or not but they spend so much of this book failing to communicate like adults and get everyone else involved in their drama. The scene toward the end at the dining room table over family dinner was so awkward that I had to pause the book and take a walk. These two (her more than him) do not speak to each other with love or respect especially when they're overwhelmed or angry.
I don't know if it was the narrators for me or not but they spend so much of this book failing to communicate like adults and get everyone else involved in their drama. The scene toward the end at the dining room table over family dinner was so awkward that I had to pause the book and take a walk. These two (her more than him) do not speak to each other with love or respect especially when they're overwhelmed or angry.
k_b's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
readswithkae's review against another edition
5.0
I understand now. I get it. I understand every person who has enthusiastically told me multiple times to read this book. That it’s special. I get it.
I’m one of those people now.
Bend Toward the Sun is beautiful in ways I don’t even know how to describe. Every piece of this book feels so intentionally crafted to tell the best and most beautiful story possible. I think I had my heart broken nineteen times and cried at least nine of those times. But it was worth it. All of it. This book is just so human. Rowan and Harry are so far from perfect and it’s so beautiful. Their messiness wasn’t over the top. It just was. A love story for the ages, truly.
Easily contending for the top book of 2024.
I’m one of those people now.
Bend Toward the Sun is beautiful in ways I don’t even know how to describe. Every piece of this book feels so intentionally crafted to tell the best and most beautiful story possible. I think I had my heart broken nineteen times and cried at least nine of those times. But it was worth it. All of it. This book is just so human. Rowan and Harry are so far from perfect and it’s so beautiful. Their messiness wasn’t over the top. It just was. A love story for the ages, truly.
Easily contending for the top book of 2024.