The story follows Colton, a country singer whose career collapses after he speaks out on gun control following a personal tragedy. As he falls into alcohol addiction, he loses everything—his love, his career, and his direction. With nowhere else to turn, he returns to his small hometown, where he confronts his past and begins to rebuild his life. Reconnecting with his first love, Colton finds both forgiveness and a chance for renewal, setting him on the path to healing. I really enjoyed its themes of reinvention and second chances.

Colton Gentry's life has imploded. A bit his fault... a drunken pro gun control rant on stage at a country music concert is not a way to endear yourself to fans... but the grief and overindulgence of alcohol have put him in a real downward spiral. Abandoned by his rising pop star wife, Colton heads back to home town to plan his next steps and lick his wounds.

This book has a little bit of everything, blended together so wonderfully that it never once feels like too much of anything. A little romance, a little regret, a little homecoming, a little heartwarming, throw in some self-reflection and reinvention all put together with Zetner's masterful way with words an it's a winner.

I knew as soon as I saw he had an adult book coming out I needed to get it in my hands. We always talk about Abby Jimenez making people cry, but they clearly haven’t read Jeff’s works. This one got me too. I wasn’t a mascara dripping mess like with The Serpent King but I was still crying.

Ok so even though this one featured addiction, it was alcoholism so it didn’t really affect me. And it was more so about him getting help and continuing down the straight and narrow. He did have a moment, but he held on to it. I don’t think it would have been realistic without these scenes. But if you’re like me and weary, just know that there’s no relapse.

This second chance romance was so sweet tho! I knew they were going to find each other as soon as we met her. I was shouting at him as I saw what happened in the past. But I was glad that they were able to find each other again. But the ending had me shook, not gonna lie. I was a bit mad at him lol But I was glad she didn’t make it easy on him. Because he didn’t deserve it.

I had some conflicting feelings about Colton tho. I was very proud of him for continuing to be who he was, for standing his ground on his stance. (See what I did there?) But I didn’t like the way he was only so adamant because something had happened to him. Not saying that he deserved all the bad things that happened to him (losing his livelihood and all that) but still. I hate when people don’t actually believe in things until it happens to them. Like why didn’t you say anything when we first told you? It just seems isogenous to me. And yes I know he’s a fictional character, but I hold real people to these same standards soooooooooo And that annoyed me about the protestors too. He had to give them a good side as well, and like, idk those kind of people aren’t changed by talks. They’re rude and ignorant and they had the nerve to complain about someone not hearing them, but they didn’t hear him tho. It was annoying.

I liked this book so much. And like man, as you know I’m a foodie. I feel like this was written for me lmao Because let me tell you how I was trying to write down all the freaking food items that they talked about because Lordt. Like, Jeff, do you cook like this in real life? And like the toothpicks? Even those sounded good? Idk what you put in this book, but I couldn’t stop reading it. (Also, I have a really strong craving for some Nashville’s Hot Chicken now.) And like the restaurant parts were hilarious because they were so realistic. The kitchen feels like a family and there’s always some kind of gossip. I loved this little town and the restaurant.

This isn’t The Serpent King, but it was still so good. I would most definitely say this was a solid move into adult for Zentner. I can’t wait to read the book he co-authored with someone else. I hope that one doesn’t break me like this one and his others lol

Colton Gentry's Third Act was a little difficult to get into at first because I couldn't figure out where the story was going. After Colton gets his dog I was hooked. The story is a great reflection of hopes and goals and what brings meaning into your life. The struggles with grief and alcoholism felt very real and hit hard emotionally. It got a little in the weeds with how much detail was about cooking, almost like I was watching the show The Bear. The romance was there with a lot of banter and pining, but the book felt bigger than just a love story. It was great to see the connections with family and friends develop also. I could really see the story play out in my mind, it would make a great tv series.

5 glorious stars !! This book!! Is a warm apple pie on a cool fall night. First off, the setting. I loved the Kentucky small town feel. Colton Gentry's character had me laughing through out the book, his witt and smart come backs had me rolling. Luann is a sweet heart and put up with a lot of Colton's bs, but together they were a masterpiece. The decision he had to make at the end had my heart pounding wondering what he was going to do and hoping he would pick the right path. I loved the feel of the main character overcoming his struggles to find a life he truly loved. Thank you Hachette Book Group and Netgalley for this copy!

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite books of 2024! I knew the moment I laid eyes on it that it was going to wreck me. And let me tell you - it most definitely did. There was lots of crying! Including in public! And lots of salivating over delicious and detailed food descriptions.

Colton Gentry blew up his life and his career by going on a drunken anti-gun rant while on stage performing with his band. He returns to his hometown trying to figure out how to piece his life back together.

Colton Gentry is one of my favorite literary characters. Jeff Zentner wrote this character in such a way that he became so real to me. As did his hometown of Venice. But Luann stole the show for me probably in part because her high school tastes aligned so closely to mine. And food, omg food in this book! The flavors, the smells, all of it was pushing buttons of my appetite! And I dare you not to get attached to Petey the dog.

Read this if you’re looking for a heartwarming story that will tug on your heartstrings and be prepared to shed a few tears! A shoutout to the author for those precious doggo related footnotes!

A huge thank you to Grand Central Publishing & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy. I ended up listening to the audiobook from my local library. The narrator wasn't my favorite, but he did well enough. I enjoyed how much heart this story had. While yes, it's a romance, it's so much more than that with how well we got to know Colton Gentry. At times, he was a little annoying, but the better I got to know him, the more I liked him. This story is told from alternating time periods perspectives. It's a second-chance romance (one of my favorite tropes) and I thought that aspect was well done. We get to slowly find out why they broke up the first time as we also get to see them come back together as totally different people. I will be recommending this one.

While everyone else seems to be loving this one, it just did not work for me. The protagonist was always crying - who cries that much?! I just wanted it to end.

Colton Gentry’s Third Act is THE BOOK!! Jeff Zenter gives us an amazing work combining second chance romances, high schools sweethearts, music, food - this book gave me all the things I love! I can’t wait to read more books by this author - adding to cart now.

Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

a gentle, heartwarming read with steady pacing🤠

ex-country singer, recovering alcoholic, starting over as a chef in his small hometown

🗣️ single POV, jumping timelines
🔥 high school sweethearts with sarcasm intertwined in easy chemistry, second chance!!
❤️‍🩹 dealing with gun violence, loss & grief, alcoholism
🍽️ it’ll make you hungry with all its food descriptions
🐾 a sweet old rescue dog (highly appreciate the footnote assurance that nothing bad happens to him🥹)

this story is easy to follow & sink completely into. Zentner’s voice smoothly guides readers into these characters and what makes their hearts ache and swell. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Jeff has done it again! I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading his books.

I enjoyed this so much. The timeline jump from past to present was well done. You get Jeff's YA writing style mixed in with this adult second chances romance plotline. I thought the balance was well developed and I was able to easily follow along between each timeline.

Jeff is fantastic at building relationships between characters which is one of the best parts of his writing. He doesn't just make you feel what the main character is feeling and going through but provides well fleshed out supporting characters as well.

Colton's life has fallen apart and he's resorted to going back home to his small town to learn how to pick up the pieces. He's working on his sobriety throughout the book, and I thought Jeff portrayed the struggles of his first year so well. It felt real and Colton's experiences with alcoholism felt authentic. As someone who has close family in sobriety or have struggled with sobriety, this one hit hard. I appreciate the way Jeff wrote about the subject of alcoholism and sobriety. It was well done.

The romance was subtle but there and I enjoyed watching Colton and Luann reconnect! All in all. I definitely recommend this one!

This was a sweet romance with a southern setting that I really enjoyed. The multiple timelines worked really well for me and I was happy to see Colton get his happily ever after.

This was incredibly sweet and heartwarming. The author did a wonderful job at making you fall in love with these characters and feel everything that they were feeling. I went through so many different emotions while reading and I loved experiencing so many different things.

An incredibly heartwarming story that I would absolutely 1000% recommend!!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a read - I was a bit hesitant to start this one bc the author previously published in YA. Well done switching of gears. Well done second chance romance but with all of the got life can throw at you. I do love a complicated and nuanced story. Bravo!

Beautiful story -- I love Jeff Zentner's writing. I didn't know what his first foray into adult fiction as opposed to YA would be, but I'm so happy I've had the opportunity to read this book.

Colton Gentry is on the cusp of becoming a genuine country superstar. His latest single is a hit; he’s opening for the biggest act in the business and married to the darling of country radio. But behind the scenes, he is hurting. His best friend was murdered during an act of gun violence, and his addiction is spiraling out of control. His life implodes, and he’s forced to retreat to his hometown, where he runs into people from his past who help him on his healing journey.

This book gave me the same feelings as one of my favorite romances, Nora Goes Off Script. A mature lead character deals with intense life challenges, but some lightness and humor are peppered throughout. I was rooting for Colton and hoped everything would work out for him. It is a heartfelt, deep, and romantic novel about healing with fantastic side characters, a lovable dog, and outstanding food writing. I just loved this one so much and think everyone should read it!

This absolute marvel of a book has it all…humor, heartache, love lost and found, faith broken and restored, compelling characters, amazing food, and some of the most lyrical and gorgeous prose it’s been my pleasure as a life-long reader to get lost in. This is pure pleasure and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is not Jeff Zentner’s first book by any means, but it is one of his finest! You want to read this, y’all! It is stunning!

This was really sweet. Jeff Zentner perfectly balances social issues, mental health, and relationships in his books for both youth and adults. My favorite character was Luann and I think she was a little too easy on Colton at times. I didn't understand why he was still so hung up on his toxic ex-wife, but maybe she symbolized his celebrity past and complicated his recovery from alcoholism. The dialogue was a little cheesy at times, but other details shined: the Kentucky setting, interesting careers, and the warm hospitality and food descriptions of Luann's restaurant.

I was drawn to Colton Gentry's Third Act because of its description about a story of love and healing. Gentry is suffering with alcohol abuse problems, which has been accelerated by an especially painful loss of a dear friend to a mass shooting. His wife has left him and his promising country music career is in the toilet because of an anti-gun statement he makes at a concert.

Colton has to heal himself and get his life together. Seemingly out of options, he returns to his small town, Venice, Kentucky with his tail between his legs. He's fresh out of rehab and a bit aimless. This book is about that, switching from the past to present day, we understand how he has ended up in his situation and how he finds purpose again. Colton is so well drawn. We don't necessarily forgive his bad behavior, but it's seen through an empathetic lens.

The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I loved the scene setting and sharply drawn characters. The banter between characters is fantastic. Connecting with others and re-finding his passion is so important on his journey. I would recommend this if you like Abby Jimenez's writing. A wonderful story if you're looking for a relatable tale of redemption.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

What a delightful read! I loved this book about Colton and Luann’s love story. It was so fresh to read romance written by a man from a man’s perspective. I loved all of the cultural references and be prepared to be hungry reading this book…. The food descriptions were so interesting and appealing. I can’t wait to recommend this book!