Reviews

Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner

bookscatsandtats's review

I don’t know what to say. This was a was of time. It’s so over the top and has zero depth. Bored to tears listening to this. 

mclee474's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

debrichmond's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Jeff Zentner is the author of some brilliant YA novels including The Serpent King, Goodbye Days, In the Wild Light, and Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee. Colton Gentry’s Third Act is his first novel for adults, but it has the same gorgeous qualities as all his books. 

Colton Gentry is as down on his luck as someone can be. His country music career has imploded, his marriage is over, he’s broke, and he’s in the throes of alcoholism. He also recently lost his best friend in a mass shooting. After a stint in rehab, he heads to his small hometown in Kentucky and slowly starts to pick up the pieces with the help of his mom, his high school girlfriend, a former football teammate, and a dog named Petey. 

Y’all know I mostly read romance, and while this has romance, there’s so much more - it’s more of a second-chance-at-life story. What I love about Colton is that he is not afraid to show emotion - when tears come, he’s not afraid to let them fall. Colton is a great character, one of the many who inhabit this book. There’s a great “found family” quality happening as Colton begins piecing his life back together. I really love Zentner’s lush writing. He’s great at writing dialogue, making it natural and seemingly effortless. The multiple timelines here work well at furthering the story while giving us history. The world building is fantastic. I grew up in and around small southern towns, and the setting of Venice, Kentucky, is spot on. The more time I spent with Colton as he worked through his problems, the more I grew to love him, and I believe you’ll love him and his story as well. 

Read Colton Gentry’s Third Act and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss. 

jclanders's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism

sjanke2's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Gun violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Grief

corinnel's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

brenna's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

carsonelainee's review against another edition

5.0

This is such a special book. Jeff Zentner defined my YA days so when I heard he was releasing his adult debut, I was ecstatic! His YA books defined my reading and many of them made profound impacts on my life and worldview.

Colton Gentry is an absolute must-read for any Southerner, anyone struggling with addiction, with grief, or the pressures of a small town. The writing style and story structure very closely mirror a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, so this would be a perfect interim read while waiting on her next book.

But despite all that, Colton Gentry is just a masterclass in writing. I sobbed, I laughed, I raged with and for Colton. That is when I know a book is going to be a five-star for me, when I am feeling all of the emotions right along with the main character.

I also listened to the audiobook and it is a fantastic production. I cannot recommend enough.

notesonbookmarks's review against another edition

4.5

Oh I really loved this. What a great novel

zbayardo's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

4.5