The work of Jeff Zentner has always been welcome on this blog, so it was an easy decision to cover Colton Gentry's Third Act, which is the author's first offering for adults. When a country music star speaks his mind, it costs him everything, which means starting over in his hometown. Confronting the past can be painful, but it may be exactly what Colton needs.
The Situation: Colton Gentry is about to do what he loves. He finally has his hit country song, and is ready to go on stage as the opening act for one of country music's biggest stars. Unfortunately, he has already been drinking, something he has been doing heavily since losing his best friend during a mass shooting. And after letting a few hecklers get under his skin, Colton lets loose a few choice words, right before they cut his mic. A handful of drunken (and profanity-filled) words are enough for the musician to lose everything, seemingly overnight. His career is over; his wife leaves him; and he is out of money. After some time in rehab, Colton has little choice but to return to his small hometown of Venice, Kentucky, the site of the first big mistake he ever made.
The Problem: Colton's mother may be happy to have him home with her, and while he gets the occasional requests for autographs, some of the locals are not too thrilled to see him, given what he said about gun control the last time he was on stage. Determined to lie low, an unexpected circumstance while with his mother at a restaurant brings him face to face with his high school girlfriend, and the inspiration behind his only hit song. Turns out she went through her own ups and downs after they broke up during the summer after their senior year in high school. But she extends Colton an opportunity, and he hopes this is the chance he manages to not mess up.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set during two points in history, alternating between them. In 1995, Colton is a senior in high school anticipating the inevitable separation from his girlfriend, Luann, when she goes off to college in New York. In 2015, Colton has watched his chance at being a country star dissolve after he loses his composure on stage, letting the world know how he feels about the state of gun control in this country. Colton returns to his hometown of Venice, Kentucky having worked the 12 steps, but still full of grief, regret, and with no money. The idea of second (and third) chances is big in this book, as Colton has to start over yet again, when it seems impossible to do so.
My Verdict: This book is full of the same heartfelt - and often heartbreaking - scenes, encounters, dialogue, and memories that readers have found in Zentner's previous books. The characters are realistically flawed, while being given incredible backstories that only make more colorful the story that is currently being told. Colton's road to redemption will look familiar to many: filled with grief; moments that leave him feeling blind-sided; and many many mistakes. Zentner's books have always left me feeling hopeful, while also being melancholy in a meaningful way, against a delightfully southern and country backdrop, and this one is no different. It is his first novel for adults and he was able to convey his usual sense of hard-earned (and hard-fought for) joy that has been in his books for young readers.
Favorite Moment: There are two moments, very brief, that involve Colton's dog Petey, in which the author speaks directly to the reader, and I do not think I have ever enjoyed a fourth wall break more.
Favorite Character: Luann is a delight, but she also has her hang-ups (and rightfully so). I adore her determination and resolve, and would love to be able to visit her (fictional) restaurant.
Recommended Reading: Of Zentner's four YA books, I was always partial to the first one, The Serpent King, but I absolutely have to recommend In the Wild Light as well.
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