Bend in the Road

by Sara Biren

A teen rock star returns home to Minnesota and finds himself falling for a local farm girl in this steamy YA romance

Seventeen-year-old Gabe’s life is a mess. His debut album—produced by his rock star dad—made him an overnight sensation, but his second album tanked, he just got dumped by his on-again, off-again girlfriend, and he’s desperate to come up with the money he needs to fix a major screwup. The only place he can be free from the paparazzi and rumors is the family farm—the farm that seventeen-year-old Juniper’s family has managed since before she was born. When Juniper learns that Gabe’s about to inherit the farm, she worries that he’ll sell it. She comes up with a plan to get close to him and stop that from happening. At first, Juniper and Gabe couldn’t be more at odds, but the more time they spend with each other, the more they grow to like each other. Can they set aside their differences to do what’s best for the farm—and each other? Or will all the drama and secrets tear them apart?

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Music, Young Adult Romance, High School, Nature

326 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

Sara Biren lives in eastern Wisconsin with her husband, their two children, and two cute schnoodles.

A true Minnesotan, she is a fan of hockey, hotdish, and hanging out at the lake. She enjoys seeing live bands, watching movies , and drinking coffee. Her love of cheese knows no bounds, so moving to "America's Dairyland" wasn't a horrible idea.

Sara is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Duluth and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She works as a part-time copy editor for a Minneapolis marketing firm in addition to her freelance editing business.

Reviews

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Get in there and cry it out and start growing things again, because life is short and you've got to live in the sunshine."

I'm having a really tough time rating this one, because I absolutely adored the small town setting, the atmosphere, and the storyline regarding the farm alongside the relationship dynamics between the families, but the romance portion of this book was 😴😴😴. It took me almost a week to read a book that I could have typically devoured in less than 48 hours, mostly because I just couldn't connect to Gabe's character. I found myself more interested in Juniper's narration, and by the time the author started bringing the two together, I found my interest had fled out the back door. In fact, if this book was just a contemporary romance and took out the romance portion altogether, I think I would have rated it at least one star higher. If you enjoy small town, country vibes, definitely give this one a try for yourself.



*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing as usual. Good characterization, but not a very action-driven story.

The descriptions of Nature were a good read. Juniper Bell (aka Blue) was an odd but much-loved, "set in her ways" Farm Girl. Gabe was a hot-headed grouch and a loner and suffered from panic attacks - often in public, but he also loved performing in front of a crowd. Even he admitted that this latter "exception to the panic attack trigger rule" was an odd quirk. This story seemed to be going in so many directions... but then it didn't.

I was not going to review this book, because I personally requested an ARC of this novel- once on NetGalley, once on Edelweiss, and once directly from the publisher, and was denied three times. Ouch!

I really enjoyed this author's two previous novels. This one wasn't bad, but, as I said, if you are looking for an action-driven story, you won't find much of that here, unless hiking trips and the dreaded "joint school project" count as action for you. I'm still rating this one a 3.5 out of 5 for the good writing skills, but GR does not allow for half points, so I am rounding down to a 3.

[Melanie | pagesandtealeavess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bend in the Road by Sara Biren
Publication Date: September 21, 2021

After paparazzi photos go viral of what appears to be Gabe on drugs with his girlfriend/life-long best friend, Gabe flees Los Angeles for safety of the small Minnesota town where his father grew up. There he encounters Juniper whose family is responsible for managing his father’s farm when he’s away touring. When Juniper learns that Gabe is about to inherit the farm and sell it she tries to get close to him to stop that from happening. The more time they spend together Juniper realizes that a lot of what she’s read about Gabe might not be true and Gabe realizes there might be more to life on the farm.

I requested this book simply because the description describes it as a “steamy YA romance” and I was intrigued as to what that was like. Steamy it is not, at least from the perspective of a 30 year-old who reads a heck of a lot of romance novels. Even if I try to put myself in the mind of a teenager I don’t think I’d describe it as steamy. When I think steamy young adult novels, I think of the water scene between Reid and Lou in Blood & Honey or scenes between Rowan and Aelin in the Throne of Glass series. So if that’s what you’re looking for you might be disappointed.

I however do think this is a super cute and heartwarming YA romance. I loved the tropey “rock star returns to a small town to find himself and ends up falling in love.” Swoon. It was made even more adorable by the fact she was a farmer. Gabe and Juniper had cute chemistry which kept me totally engaged throughout the book. Their differences and their problems they each face were not only believable but realistic.

There was one thing that didn’t make sense to me was the fact that Gabe owes money which is the main reason he’s interested in selling the family farm but then at one point he brought in an architect to make the farm into a studio. How does he do that without any money? I was confused by this plot point.

As always, my thanks to #NetGalley and #AbramsKids for an ARC of this super sweet book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was adorable. I loved Gabe and Juniper and their friendship and their slow burn romance. I loved the small town and Gabe's extended family and Juniper's friends. I actually wish we got a little more with them. And I would have liked a little more on the relationship between Gabe and his father - and his mother even. There was some communication issues that I wish would have been worked out sooner, but overall this book was adorable and I enjoyed it.

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best YA contemporary novels I have read this year! Highly recommend. If it's not on your TBR list, add it!!!

[Sharley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the backstory of our famous rockstar and made you really pot for him…. But juniper needed more and she frustrated me with her lack of character development. The small town setting was idyllic and beautiful, perfect for this YA romance. The love story itself was sweet and the friends to HEA was a slow burn and then BOOM. Maybe a little too quick from lovers to forever for some but the slow build in their friendship made up for that, just maybe a bit more steam ;) required for me to love this story.

[Katy Upperman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pitch-perfect, slow-burn romance combined with loveably complex characters and the most charming farm setting, this story made my heart soar. Absolutely loved it!

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

After a string of poor decisions, Gabe sought refuge on the family farm which he was due to inherit come his 18th birthday. Juniper, whose family managed the farm, was worried Gabe’s lack of interest will result in him selling the property. She employed a “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” approach, but with time and proximity, a genuine friendship began to grow.

I don’t know if I have mentioned this before, but I love Sara Biren’s books. This was my third, and it was another solid hit for me. At this point, I know a Biren book will usually elicit some tears, but will also leave me smiling with a warm heart, and that’s what happened when I read Bend in the Road.

There was just something about this book that hooked me and kept me turning those pages. I started it, and if I hadn’t had to go to work, I would have read it straight through. I can definitely attribute that to the characters, the adorable romance, and all the farming business. I bet that surprises you, but for some reason, my city-girl heart cannot resist stories featuring farms.

I loved Juniper straight away, even if she did make some snap judgements. Her drive and ambition were admirable, and the woman was a workhorse. She was super focused on the farm and how to make it better. Her dedication was something to envy.

Gabe was a bit harder to love. He was in a really bad place at the beginning of the story, and even if I kept hearing that refrain from the Woody Woodpecker cartoons and felt like he had options, I was ok with him doing his thing as it seemed to be part of his journey. Gabe had a lot of personal issues to work through. Some were intertwined with others, and I felt for him. He was dealing with abandonment, people lying to him, being used – that’s a lot for someone his age. Add on professional pressure, and it was easy to understand why he was hiding out.

Confession, I love seeing Minnesota through Biren’s eyes. I have never been to that state, but I have developed a warm affection for the place via these novels. I truly adored being on the farm and was enthralled by all the things mentioned about farming as Gabe and Juniper worked on their business project. It was such a charming setting, and Biren utilized it in the story very well.

THE RULES OF STONE & WOOL FARM

1. Always tell the truth

2. Act as a Steward for the animals, the earth, and our livelihood

3. Plant with hope, grow with heart, harvest with gratitude

4. Give, and it shall be given unto you – Luke 6:38

5. Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Overall: I loved this so much, I just couldn’t stop reading! I loved the farm, the hiking, the musical moments. I simply had a wonderful time with these two! The ending was so sweet too. It made the happy tears flow.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Same Old Song
Drinking Buddy: Backstage Cooler
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (drug use, language)
Talky Talk: Favorite Tune
Bonus Factor: Farm Living
Bromance Status: Cousin’s Friend

Read the full book report here.

[Alex Nonymous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Bend in the Road in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to lie, straight-person farm romances are definitely not my genre so I may not be the best authority here, but this one seemed well done! Biren does a good job of sticking to a lot of the hallmarks of the straight-romance genre while still giving her characters (Juniper in particular) clear, distinct character voices and motives.

It seems like the Goodreads page for this somehow got combined with one of Biren's previous works so just for clarity, this review is about Bend in the Road, not whatever book a character named Ben is from.

[Sarah Bittel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by Sara Biren and they continue to get better and better. This is a wonderful YA romance but is also filled with the pain of losing your way, losing those you love and rediscovering who you are. This is the story of Gabe, a teenage rockstar who has fallen from grace. When he returns home to the family farm in Minnesota, he is reunited with Juniper Blue, a friend of the family and the girl who challenges him like no one has before. This is their story, but it is also one that focuses on the relationships between fathers and sons and mothers and daughters, as well as friendship andn grief. I really enjoyed Biren's writing style and the way the characters developed and I can't wait to read the next book she writes! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Bella.the.bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It had its cute moments and it was really nice to read about the farm and the scenery there. I liked how it dealt with the heavier parts of fame like addiction and money issues. To me, most of the book was slow. There were many moments that seemed unnecessary and in the end, we never find out Gabe’s solution to the money problem. I really did like the characters in this book. I thought Juniper was a good character and I really liked Gabe’s character and how he dealt with his fame and anxiety. I also thought it was really cool that this book was written in orange font and even had a song recorded from the book.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original review: A Novel Glimpse

Sara Biren may have only have released two books prior to Bend in the Road, but those two books made her an auto-buy author for me. I adore her writing style, the heart she brings to her stories and characters, and the places she makes me fall in love with. 

I was immediately pulled into this story. I loved the fallen teen rock star returning to his grandmother's farm to hide from his mistakes and celebrity status. The farm and small Minnesota town setting brought a warmth to the story even when the weather was cold outside (my location and in the story). I adored all of the characters and the plot had me flying through pages to find out what was coming next for Gabe and Juniper.

Gabe was a troubled seventeen year-old. Despite being famous, life hadn't done him many other favors. He had his talent, but his relationships were kind of messy and he was in a tough spot with money. I liked that he was tying to right a wrong, but the way he was going about it had him and me both worried. I loved the way he blossomed at the farm and how his friendships and relationship with his father grew and brought him the peace he was looking for. 

Juniper was a young woman who couldn't imagine life outside of her beloved farm. As the daughter of the farm's manager, all of Juniper's memories of her father are there as well as her family's livelihood. Gabe showing up and possibly selling her favorite place wasn't something she was okay with and she wanted to do everything she could to keep it, even if that meant giving up her hatred of Gabe and being his friend.

Gabe and Juniper had a fun enemies thing going at the beginning of the story. Their disdain for each other was perfect. The type of relationship they had changed slowly throughout the story. I loved getting to see the progression through the stages of enemies to friends to more than friends. Things might have started out rocky for them, but they ended up sweet. I also loved how through their relationship they both came to some realizations about themselves and their decisions. That growth made their story all the sweeter. 

This book wouldn't have been quite as fun without the friendships and the small town they were made in. Ted and Amelia cracked me up. So did Bunny and Youa. I even liked Chloe Horrible. Then, there were the parents. I loved how Laurel was supportive of both Juniper an Gabe. Chris hadn't always been the best dad to Gabe, but I loved seeing him show up in this book. 

So, yeah. I really loved this book. I could picture everywhere Juniper and Gabe went. I sympathized with them both. I adored them as enemies, friends, and then more. Their growth as not just a couple, but people made me happy. This entire book was fun to read. It's made me even more excited for Biren's next book. It can't come soon enough for me.

[OddCloud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

This is my second book by Sara Biren and I have to admit it didn't grip me as hard as the other one. I couldn't really get into the story until way past midpoint.

Gabe's character was hard for me to grasp for some reason, I didn't really enjoy his POVs in the first half of the book. And sometimes he seemed to take stupid decisions even thought his way of thinking seemed to lead him in a different direction. What was also odd was the lack of an authority figure in his life, like at all. I get that he was just shy of 18, and that his family was all drama and rock stars and all that, but... no one minds that a teenager just books himself a flight and disappears at the drop of a hat? Not even a little bit?

Anyway. The extra .5 of the rating was for Juniper, well the 95% of Juniper in the book. She did cause a stupid misunderstanding that set my teeth on edge and, on top of it all, it was so out of character for her that it just added to my annoyance.

Rant warning: If person-A just grabbed the hand of person-B and prevented them from storming out of the room so that person-A could say more than two words (like, you know, any actual person would do), it could all be avoided. I mean, if someone is cutting me off a few times in a row and then going for a quick exit, I'm going to give them a piece of my mind before letting them storm off, just saying. Is it just me? You can go stew over your anger, but at least let me give you a few of my thoughts before you go, so you can munch on that as a side dish.

I get that they're teenagers and they're impulsive and their emotions burst like fireworks but, in this book, the outbursts felt forced. Why am I saying that? Because in the rest of the time they were portrayed as fairly level headed people, maybe a bit broody in Gabe's case, but overall there were no dumb freak-outs, they seemed to know how to use their words. Until suddenly they didn't and it felt so... wrong.

Also, it feels silly saying this but the romance is a very, very slooooow burn. I'm saying silly because there's barely any of it to speak of. It felt like there was this excruciatingly slow buildup to something that sizzled in the blink of an eye.

I did love the charming small-town vibe, and I loved the sense of community that followed Juniper everywhere. Although there were a few parts where the group of friends hung out together and the conversations ran for pages but didn't really feel like they brought anything of value, just filler conversation.

All in all, it's a good book, the characters are written in a great way aaaaaand the supporting cast has a soul, they're not just props for the mains. But it took its sweet time getting its point across and it threw a stupid misunderstanding at me (takes deep breath), so I'm docking stars for that :)

[Bob La · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by Sara Biren and while YA is not my normal reading choice, her using my home state of Minnesota as a location/backdrop for her stories is a good way to make me willing to read her books. In this book, up and coming teenage rocker Gabe Hudson (also the son of famous rocker Chris Hudson) finds himself in a slew of difficult situations in LA and decides to get out of town and return to the family farm in northern Minnesota to sort thru his problems. While there, he reconnects with a family friend (Juniper) who lives on the farm with her mother. Soon after his arrival in MN, Gabe learns he will the inherit the farm when he turns 18 and this financial windfall could solve many of his problems that triggered his departure from LA. The early relationship between Juniper and Gabe is tense as she is suspicious of his motives for returning to the family farm. After temporarily re-enrolling in the local high school, Gabe and Juniper are assigned to work together on a class project that forces them to get better acquainted and allows the author the space to fill-in the blanks on the story line for the main characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and being the father of three girls, I'm very familiar with the challenges todays teens face as they navigate their high school years. The book deals nicely with friendship, frenemies, school grades, addiction and the celebrity culture that can cause mental health issues to develop in everyone, especially teenagers. This storyline (Gabe's panic attacks and how he deals with them) could have been better explored and would have brought a darker tone to balance a very upbeat story. While we know/anticipate in YA books like this there is going to come a 'boy loses girl' event, it happens late in the story allowing for a pretty quick clean-up.
While waiting on this release I had met the author and she shared with me the basic outline of the upcoming (this) book. I expected a story more along the lines of Bob Dylan and his son Jakob and while there are some similar points of reference, they are unrelated to the characters in the book. This book reminded me more of what might have happened between John and Julian Lennon had John lived to see Julian's success as a solo artist as it's known they did not have much of a relationship while Julian was young.
Overall a very good read. I had the luxury of starting it on a flight from Minneapolis to Montego Bay and then finished it while being washed with warm Caribbean Sea breezes while downing Red Stripe beers. A nice way to finish a good book!

[Elisha Jachetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

BEND IN THE ROAD by Sara Biren is a YA contemporary romance told from two perspectives. One is from Gabe, a rockstar with famous parents, who just had a very public breakup and failed album. The second is from Juniper, a girl who lives on Gabe’s family farm in Minnesota and manages it with her mom. When Gabe comes to hide out on the farm to reevaluate his life, he finally has the opportunity to get to know Juniper. The two couldn’t be more different, but as a surprise to both, they begin to enjoy each other’s company. As they get closer though, the big question that silently haunts them is whether Gabe will sell the farm for the money he desperately needs, displacing Juniper and her mom and breaking her heart forever.

To start with, the design of this book is excellent. The cover is gorgeous and makes me want to step right onto the page and be there in the field with the setting sun— and in a certain way, reading this book allowed me to do that. The text is printed in a burgundy color, as opposed to black, which is not only special, but adds to the rustic, small-town feel. All of that, in addition to the writing, creates such a romantic, simple, and close-knit vibe to the entire story, and I absolutely adore the setting of this novel, both where it is in the world and also on their specific farm.

The relationship dynamics between the different families are also interesting, and I loved learning about Juniper’s and Gabe’s parents, as well as Gabe’s relatives. Ted is one of my favorite characters because he feels so real and reliable. That being said, I wish that the reasons Gabe and Juniper didn’t initially like one another was more fleshed out and sharpened earlier on, because it kept me from connecting to the characters. Later in the book, I started to understand more why they may have held grudges, but in the beginning, they just seemed mean, which made it hard to relate to them. If their reasons for not liking one another were stronger from the beginning, the coming together later on would’ve been a sweeter victory.

Overall, though, BEND IN THE ROAD is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to escape city life, even if it’s only in their imagination.

Review originally published on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/index....

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to like about Sara Biren's new novel 'Bend in the Road'. Gabe Hudson has hit a rough patch. After a critically acclaimed first album, he has hit the headlines for a poor second album and his ex-girlfriend entering rehab (again). Gabe also finds himself in money troubles after lending said ex-girlfriend a huge sum he is afraid he will never see again. Cue running off to rural Minnesota to hide away on his grandmother's farm. Here, he starts to get to know Juniper who teaches him a great deal about appreciating life and finding happiness in the natural world. Will he sell the farm and go back to his former life or find happiness in a simpler existence?

I like the characters in this novel and loved the small town rural setting where everyone seems to be related and look out for each other. It felt like a joyous little rural community I would love to just get lost in. I also enjoyed getting to know Gabe and Juniper, in particular their fractious initial relationship blossoming into something much more romantic. It was nice to see Gabe grapple with his demons and find a way to balance his love of music with connecting with his true self.

The pacing at the end was where the book lost me slightly. Biren does a great job of turning Gabe and Juniper's bickering into something more sparky and flirtatious. However, this descended into deep love, and planning for the future, in about five pages which felt slightly unrealistic, particularly given the pair have not yet graduated from high school. I loved how they grew as people due to their relationship but perhaps the note we leave them on needs to be toned down slightly (or have a nice little skip forward epilogue so we can see how they navigate their new-found circumstances when they are older and wiser??)

Overall, a heart-warming read with likeable characters and a lovely community setting, let down slightly by the very end. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5?

I have read Sara's previous novels (which are amazing) and this one doesn't disappoint. Bend in the Road is less angsty in comparison, but just as good! I love Juniper who is proud to be a farm girl and embraces a slower lifestyle. She has such positive relationships with her mom and friends which was really sweet to read. Oh my god, her friends are a hilarious bunch and definitely the type of people you wanted by your side in high school. Chloe Horrible was well horrible, but the author does humanize her a bit and while a typical "mean-girl" she wasn't vicious...

Gabe and Juniper are so cute together. A famous hot-shot rockstar boyfriend? 😳There is a little haters to friends to lovers trope! They both resent and dislike each other during their first meeting. However, scheming Juniper decides to befriend Gabe in order to save the farm and thus their friendship begins! Juniper keeps Gabe grounded and shows him what the life of a regular teen is like. Additionally, Gabe's parents have matured and gotten their life together. It was heartwarming to see Chris acting more like a father to Gabe especially when you see how absent and neglectful they were prior.

Whoever wrote the marketing line definitely did not read the book because the steam level was really a big, fat zero (which is fine, but just misleading!)

Also, let's talk about the design of the book interior! Gorgeous front matter and end papers! The text was also beautiful burgundy color and I wish publishers would take note that it doesn't take much to add a little pizazz to books. I know the author's previous books had the same treatment and let me tell you how that really factored in my decision to picking it up! The pearlescent jacket was cute too, I guess 😅.

Notes:
- Juniper's friend is Hmong/white.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh! I feel as though I've read this one before, but I'm sure many teen readers, especially girls, will swoon over the romance even though it's obvious from the start where everything is going. Seventeen-year-old Gabe Hudson, the son of a famous singer and an actress, now divorced, flees LA after embarrassing footage and a video of his girlfriend appear online. He's also reeling from the failure of his second album, disappointing after his promising first one. He figures that he'll hide out on his family's farm in Minnesota until things die down. The farm is run by Juniper Lee's mother, and Juniper, a wholesome country girl, loves everything about it--its rules, its round barn, the animals, and the land. She has never been fond of Gabe because of his standoffishness and how he rebuffed her offers of solace after her grandmother died. But when she learns that Gabe has inherited part interest in the farm and seems likely to sell it to a developer, she decides to turn on the charm and help him see the merits of this land and his possession. Slowly, the two of them develop feelings for each other, but Gabe has secrets and a looming debt that seems insurmountable unless he sells the farm. What I liked most about the book was Juniper's love for the farm and the farm life although she might have been a bit too good to be true. As for Gabe? It was hard to like him or understand him or how he drifted so far from his family's origins. I'm still not sure how he'll end up resolving his competing interests and goals as the story concludes. It is easy to see how celebrity and fame can cause someone to change and lose sight of whom they really are and what matters, of course. Still, I never doubted that the two of them (Gabe and Juniper) would end up together, but for its intended audience, that won't matter since they'll enjoy the romance.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for fall. Though it took at least half the book for my stomach to unclench for fear of what Gabe might do re: selling the farm, I fell in love with that place on sight and every minute spent there was a dream. Everything there is to love about the country (with plenty of forest nearby for hiking), its food, farmer's market products, fall weather and high school in small town northern Minnesota is celebrated to its fullest, with just a dusting of celebrity musicianship to enhance it.

One minor detraction is that there are a lot of characters, and it takes a while to properly place them all between friends, relatives, and unrelated people who live & work on the farm. This is not helped by the fact that Gabe exclusively refers to his parents by their first names (Chris & Elise).

Otherwise, I loved the dual perspectives; both main characters are great, although Juniper (by virtue of loving her home and routines and never wanting to change or try new things - a character trait she does not have a complete 180 on by the end, I'm happy to report) is obviously my favorite. The romance was very sweet and slow burn, with an excellent kissing scene or two - it really drove home how frequently authors in the romance genre proper are lacking in that department. And honestly, I kind of loved their weeks-long class project to develop a fictional business, with ideas that start to sound like they could very easily be implemented in reality at the farm.

And on an aesthetic note note, I loved what I now realize is a signature thing for Biren's hardcovers at least: the text is a seasonally appropriate dark red. This is her third release and while I've only read two, I think this will stay my favorite, so...book 4 when??

[Fruggielicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: „The light in your eyes“ by Sara Biren
Genre: Jugendbuch, cozy farm romance
Werbung, danke schön

Inhalt und Meinung ohne Spoiler

Als Teeny Rockstar Gabe seine Karriere in den Sand setzt, kommt er zurück auf Farm seiner Familie nach Harper’s Mill, Minnesota. Juniper, deren mom die Farm verwaltet, ist alles andere als begeistert davon…

Das war ein ganz süßes Buch! Hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Der Schreibstil war angenehm, die Übersetzung fühlte sich natürlich an und wir lesen abwechselnd aus der Perspektive von Juniper und Gabe.

Die Stimmung im Buch ist cozy, aber nicht kitschig. Die Autorin stellt sehr schnell sehr viele Charaktere vor, da musste ich mich kurz zurechtfinden. Weil sie einfach nur mit Vornamen arbeitet und man erst nach und nach mitbekommt, wer eigentlich welche Rolle spielt.

Das Ende war romantisch, aber vorher hat es natürlich noch unnötigen Streit gegeben. Wie immer, weil die Charaktere nicht miteinander sprechen. Na ja, gehört ja fast schon dazu.

Kann ich für unbeschwerte Lesestunden ohne spice und ohne toxisches Verhalten nur empfehlen. Auch das Setting auf der Farm hat mir super gut gefallen ❤️.



Rating 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Athena Milbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this. It’s clear that Biren knows her stuff about Minnesota and the local color really shines through. Just from that and the strength of her prose alone I think there was lots of potential. But the pacing was really off. There was no real dramatic tension, except for at the very end, which made the climax feel unearned. Both the characters and the scenes weren’t really given time to breathe - for example, scenes that should’ve felt really immersive and important, like Chloe’s party and their dinner afterwards, felt almost *summarized*. Instead of expanding on things, we kind of just get the same beats over and over again - Juniper’s a farm girl, Gabe’s in a tough spot, they like to banter with each other. I just kept *waiting* for something, and I don’t know what.

That all being said - I do think there was so much potential here. I love Biren’s willingness to talk about mental health and addiction, loved Juniper’s tea growing hobby, Gabe’s love for playing guitar, etc. It just wasn’t utilized well enough. It kind of felt like a first draft.

(Also. LOVE the sparkly cover and ADORE the burnt orange text!!! That’s so innovative!)

[Casie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe needs to duck out of life in LA for a bit and re-calibrate (or maybe just breath in some fresh rural air that isn't laden with failure and cameras). His hide-y hole happens to be the family farm and home of Juniper. While they were aware of each other growing up (Junipers family manages the farm). They weren't exactly friendly. Now they find themselves pushed (by proximity, and a school project) together. It isn't instant 'magnet attracts'. Especially when the future of the farm becomes Gabe's responsibility. Juniper has some strong roots, figuratively and literally (girl loves her horticulture). She doesn't want to be suddenly uprooted and decides to switch tactics with how she interacts with the disgruntled rock star. Her plan is working but maybe too well as Gabe is also relaxing into midwest mode. Maybe she likes this new Gabe? Maybe Gabe realizes Junipers life ambitions aren't so boring after all and farm life could even be appealing? The HEA isn't as smooth sailing as you'd think. But the future is definitely looking up.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the small-town setting and want every place to be real so I can visit Juniper’s favorite overlook, the round barn, and every restaurant mentioned.

The characters were relatable, the kind of people you know, especially Juniper, who is basically me, with my comfortable routines.

This was a great observation from Juniper about Gabe after she gave him a ride to his first day of school:

Everything about him looks out of place here with our cracked and rutted parking lot, rusty pickup trucks, flannel shirts, hiking boots. We are such a cliché. (74)

Juniper judged Gabe before really knowing him and he did the same to her. Their growing friendship over the course of the book, as they bond over nature and music and the farm, was very sweet.

…the river changes constantly yet remains the same (59)

I enjoyed their growth, with Juniper stepping outside her comfort zone and Gabe realizing he wasn’t alone anymore, and both of them figuring out what “home” meant to them.

If you’re a fan of quiet YA (with lots of kickass music references thrown in), definitely check out this book.

[Esther · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say this was a 2-star for me. It wasn't bad, just disappointing; I think my expectations were too high. At least (contrary to what the blurb says) it wasn't actually too steamy, which is a point in its favor.

I picked this book up partly because of the premise, but mostly because of the author. I had really enjoyed Cold Day in the Sun, so I imagined this book would be just as good, if not better. Unfortunately, this one just didn't work as well for me. I wasn't rooting for Gabe and Juniper to be together at all; their relationship felt too forced, and I really didn't think they had much chemistry. All of this is just my opinion, though, and others may well enjoy this book far more than I did.

One aspect I really liked about the characters, though, was that they weren't afraid to keep doing what they were passionate about (i.e. Gabe continuing to write songs and Juniper continuing to make her tea blends and do all she could to ultimately go into farming as a career someday), even when they ran into setbacks along the way, which was inspiring.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars

Similar to the let down that was The Last Thing You Said, I didn't enjoy Biren's newest novel, either.

It was...meh.

I'm not really into stories about pop stars or celebrities (or rock stars) that, like, reconnect with their roots or get a reality check...it's rather lame and, now, quite cliché.

Gabe wasn't that bad, I guess. He didn't seem to have as much of an attitude problem or need for a reality check as Juniper seemed to think he did. He was just a bit misguided. It was often difficult to believe he (and Juniper) were teenagers...they both felt much older.

I didn't have a ton of problems with the story...although, the misunderstanding that served as the story's climax felt really cheap, like it was merely a plot device to add final tension and serve as the big reconciliation between Gabe & Juniper before the book's conclusion. Besides that, the story and their relationship was just...alright. The entirety was just...bland, dull. Biren's other characters are far more memorable.

[SteffiVS]

Juniper lebt bereits ihr ganzes Leben auf der Farm, die von ihrer Familie geführt wird. Genau diese Farm erbt Gabe, ein Teenierockstar mit Geldnöten, von seiner verstorbenen Großmutter. Juniper hat sich zur Mission gemacht, Gabe die Vorzüge von einem Leben auf der Farm, aber vor allem ihm zu zeigen wie wichtig diese Farm für sie und ihre Mutter ist. Gabe will von allem erst mal nichts wissen, sondern, nach einem Skandal, erstmal wieder zu sich finden. Da auch seine Eltern berühmte Persönlichkeiten sind, kennt Gabe das ganz normale Teenagerleben nicht. Dieses führt er ab sofort fernab von L.A. in Minnesota.

Gabe ist mehr als der Teenierockstar für den ihn alle halten, abgesehen von seiner Familie. Diese behandeln ihn normal, was die Geschichte so authentisch macht. Juniper wird von ihrer Angst, die Farm zu verlieren, getrieben. So merkt sie erst im letzten Augenblick, dass sie im Begriff ist viel mehr als nur ihre Heimat zu verlieren.

Authentisch sind auch die Nebencharaktere. Diese machen die Geschichte zu etwas besonderem. Am Ende ist man vor allem von Juniper enttäuscht.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

As a Midwestern girl, I love how Sara Biren's books are set in Minnesota. Her newest story takes place in a small rural town on a family farm which I could completely relate to. This story follows seventeen year old rock star Gabe as he leaves LA for his family farm to escape a relationship scandal and a second album that tanked. He is reunited with Juniper and her mother who have managed the farm his entire life but whom he hasn't seen since his grandmother's funeral several years prior. Gabe is set to inherit the farm on his eighteenth birthday and Juniper is convinced he will sell it. The farm is all she knows and she is desperate to save it from being sold to a developer. Gabe is desperate to get his hands on some cash to fix a major screw up he made back in Cali. Can Juniper get over her distaste for Gabe to protect the farm? Check out Biren's latest YA in September.

[books ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are entirely my own. I enjoyed this book. It was a really fun, cute, and quick read but also had an added layer of depth to it. The book is about a teen rockstar being forced to move back to a family farm after he has trouble with his celebrity girlfriend and produces a flop second album. He rediscovers himself at the farm and forms a special relationship with a girl named Juniper. He learns more about himself, his family, and the farm. I thought the book was good and most of the characters in the book were pretty likable. My only complaint is that I wish the book went more in-depth with some of the characters and storylines in the book. There were also some issues I felt needed a bit more resolving at the end of the book. All in all, it was a fun read that I would recommend to YA contemporary fans.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bend in the Road by Sara Biren a surprising five-star rad. I will be honest I was surprised how much I loved this story, as I was a little worried when I realised the age of the main characters, as if not done well they can be a little immature, but honestly the maturity of these characters despite their age blew me away. They aren’t always the most sensible, but they have heart and behave like most of us would. Juniper Blue was so good you could see why songs were written about her, especially Gabe, I could see why he would write beautiful music, troubled souls usually do. Never before have I wanted to go to the Midwest so much, the descriptions of Stone and wool farm, as well as the town. This has been a great story, and I have enjoyed reading so much, I will be certain to check out this author again.