Never in my life did I think I would be giving a romance by a man, - a straight romance by a man this high rating but this book was gorgeous. I loved all of our main characters. I loved the integrity that Colton had. I wish certain parts were flashed out slightly more, especially towards the end, but wow was this beautiful thank you to net galley the publisher and the author.for the arc

I have been a big fan of Jeff Zentner's YA novels, and so I was very excited to read his debut book for adults. The storyline felt realistic in that the main character struggles with loss, addiction, regret, and self-doubt. It felt slower to me than his YA books and I had a harder time connecting with his characters. With that said, I think it is a story that will resonate with adult readers who enjoy a love story filled with characters finding their way to redemption, forgiveness, and self-love.

I love that this book portrays a sensitive, vulnerable male protagonist struggling to overcome addiction amidst the loss of his career and marriage. But I just couldn’t get comfortable with the writing style. It’s a very distinct voice that just wasn’t for me, but it’s obvious from the scores of rave reviews that there are many appreciative readers who would disagree with me.

Country singer Colton Gentry has had a rough time. His promising football career was cut very short, he botched the relationship with the love of his life, his best friend was lost to gun violence and he lost his career due to a drunken rant. Can he redeem himself and mend the relationships that meant the most to him?
A powerful redemption story.

I don't know what I was expecting, but what I read was certainly better. The emotional connection I felt to the story and the characters was profound. This was so much more than a love story, it was a story of love, loss, growth and redemption. There were sections that felt like poetry, but I will admit there were also parts (mostly those with current slang) that felt a bit off. But that's probably because most of this book was so well written.

I really enjoyed this story! I absolutely adore a non linear storyline. The pining, the food memories, the prose. It was all very romantic. I also like that it takes a little while for Colton and Luann to meet again as fully formed adults. And finally, I thought Colton’s struggle with alcoholism was deftly and accurately portrayed.

COLTON GENTRY’S THIRD ACT is both a romance and a reconciliation, very well worth the read!

This author has had my heart since turning the first page of my first Zentner book. Since then I’ve read through all his YA novels, loving the way he creates characters who are flawed yet loveable, authentic and complex, always someone to cheer for, and a supporting cast to die for.

In 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘤𝘵, Zentner’s first adult fiction book, he does it again, another 5⭐️ read for me.

Colton has been knocked down more than once. After starring as his high school quarterback and prom king turned country singer, life doesn’t go in the made-for-tv-movie kind of way he expected. Colton has to learn and grow and adapt and change. What a treat to watch him do it.

Zentner trades in the stereotypical “man’s man” and gives us a lead character who cries over heartbreak, who is passionate and emotional, and made me fall madly in love with Colton.

Zentner also uses the ugly partisan divide in America for some of his plotting, and humanizes our differences, showing what a little listening on both sides might accomplish.

PS my favorite parts were the footnotes on the rescue dog (spoiler alert-he’s not gonna die in this book) Thank You!!!

If you love a good sports movie or a comeback kid kinda story or a tale that plunks at your heart strings, read this book - it’s out April 30th! (I know, I know - I couldn’t wait! In the meantime, read 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘣𝘺𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨!)

I will always read everything Jeff Zentner writes. As an adult who has already gone through a few "acts" in her life, this novel resonated with me. It gives the reader who that they can come back from so many of the worst things.

Jeff Zentner's first adult novel, Colton Gentry's Third Act, will definitely be on the list of my favorite reads of 2024. Although it ends in the most satisfying manner, I didn't want it to end at all, and it inspired me to look for the author's award-winning YA books next.

Colton's first and second acts are as a high school football star and then a country singer with mild success until one of his songs is a hit and he marries the most popular female country singer of the day. But after a personal tragedy, a failed marriage, a career-ending incident during a concert, and a stint in rehab, he finds himself at age 39 alone, broke, and living with his mother in his Kentucky hometown. A chance meeting with his high school sweetheart, Luann, leads to an employment opportunity he would never have expected, but it is not without many challenges to his sobriety and his penchant for running away when the chips are down.

There are so many things I loved about this book, including the author's beautiful writing style that evoked tears from me more than once. The character development of both Colton and Luann is absorbing and immersive--both are characters well worth rooting for. Supporting characters including Luann's adorable 8-year-old twin girls, Colton's ever-supportive mother, his steadfast friend Derrick, and his elderly dog Petey are just as warmly drawn as the protagonists. (Jeff: Thank you for the very necessary footnote about Petey, by the way.) Parts of the book are wildly romantic, but it's really a book about redemption, starting over, and all kinds of love. And then there's the Southern food--I'm still salivating. It's also about the unique and memorable details that make each character come to life. Highly recommended.

My sincere thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I'm a big fan of Jeff Zentner's YA books and this was his first foray into adult books (and romance!). A sweet story but probably one that I won't remember a year from now.

As a huge fan of Jeff Zentner's YA novels, his adult debut was easily one of my most anticipated books of the year, and this one was worth the wait. In terms of tone and style, it's recognizable as the author's work- there is a lyricism to the story and a gentle, warm pacing that fits the story, the setting, and the work that Colton Gentry is doing on himself. Read this if you love the music but hate the politics of country, if you love second chance romance, if you love great Southern fiction, or if you adore mouthwatering food descriptions in your books.

Colton Gentry’s Third Act” stands as a narrative celebration of human resilience and the transformative power of love. Zentner’s heartfelt prose ensures that this story of overcoming adversity will resonate with readers, particularly those who appreciate contemporary fiction that explores the depths of the human condition.

Musician Colton Gentry, drunk and grieving his best friend's recent death, speaks out about gun violence at a sold-out arena of country music fans. Immediately, his career implodes; his marriage was already disintegrating; and he soon ends up back in his small Kentucky hometown with his mother, newly sober and trying to figure out his life before his bank account is completely empty. A chance encounter with his first love, Luann, sets him in a new direction. A story about re-starting your path, believing in yourself and accepting other people's belief in you, about healing, about re-awakened love, and about listening to one another.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Here’s something you don’t see in this space often: a romance written by a male. And it works! Thanks so much to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for an early look at this. It’s out April 30th.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Ultimately, this book is about life’s curveballs, and how our paths sometimes take a turn we never saw coming. A high school football star injured senior year turned rising country star — is suddenly shunned from Nashville after sharing his beliefs about gun control. So what will Colton Gentry do now?

🧑🏼‍🍳 This book is written with so much heart and feeling. The way the MC handles himself, and others, throughout the book will have you cheering him on, and hoping with all you have that he finds his way to happiness, and mostly, contentment.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Put this on your list if you love…
- second chances
- dual timelines
- standing up for your beliefs in a respectful way
- striving to see multiple sides of an issue
- addiction recovery

🧑🏼‍🍳 This book’s essence is truly in the journey, not the destination. But the end leaves you feeling pretty happy as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend in Venice, Kentucky with Colton Gentry, and highly recommend this.

🧑🏼‍🍳 One caveat/trigger warning: Gentry’s initial rant is spurred by losing someone in a mass shooting at a country music festival. As someone who just knows people who were at the musical festival shooting in Las Vegas, it was honestly hard to read. I can’t imagine how you’d feel if you were more directly connected.

Colton Gentry's Third Act is another gorgeous story by Jeff Zentner, but for an adult audience this time. If a story can make a vegetarian who doesn't like spicy food want to try Duane's Hot Chicken, I'd say the author's done his job. Highly recommend.

Want to laugh? Check. Want to cry? Check. Want to fall in love with Colton Gentry? Check.
"Colton Gentry's Third Act" takes the reader through Colton's multiple redemptions. You love him, you hate him, you feel bad for him. As with all of his books, Jeff Zentner makes you feel all the emotions - sometimes all at the same time. (Thanks for the footnotes about Petey).

I have nitpicks -- a big one: was the final act obstacle necessary (or even believable)? -- but honestly, I find myself defending the book every time I think of one. This was satisfying, really solid contemporary fiction. It carefully deals with addiction. It's a heartwarming story about second chances and first loves. The food writing left me hungry.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner was a perfect read. Wow, this is my first Jeff Zentner read and I cannot wait to read everything else he has written. This was a heartbreaking, beautiful read and I consider myself very lucky to have read an ARC. I could not live a cast of characters more than I loved these. They get very real and definitely made me feel a lot of things. God, I will be thinking about this book for quite a while. The writing was top notch. It was so good. I will be adding this to my list of books I will be forever recommending.

I also appreciated the footnotes about Pety. Five stars for that alone!

Smart move by Zentner to use flashbacks to get his tried and true YA sea legs under him as a natural entry into his first adult novel. Didn’t want this story to end!

Another terrific novel by Jeff Zentner. Being a fan of his YA titles, I was hugely excited for this book and I was not disappointed. As usual, Zentner creates unforgettable characters and somehow manages to turn what should be monotonous conversation into deep and beautiful passages. His descriptive scene-setting shines as always, his love for the south shines through so strongly and it adds an intangible quality to the overall setting. I am thrilled to read his next work. Purchased for our library.