I loved Zentner’s last two books but I wasn’t sure what to think of this one, but it’s no shock that I loved it! He writes such endearing characters, I think it’s impossible not to root for them. 

This one has all the Kentucky vibes - an alcoholic country singer professes his hatred of guns at a concert and then is fired by pretty much everyone in his life. (It is not more political than that - his best friend was killed by a mass shooting at a concert and he is in grief). He goes home to start over (his third act) and reminisces over the life he had before music, and a girl who once fascinated him. 

So many sweet moments - in the kitchen (all the farm to table recipes), with kids, a rescue dog and his mom. It was such an enjoyable summer read.

Second chance romance (a couple of slight spicy car scenes)

“Grief is so much worse when you're mourning many things, including the deaths of essential pieces of yourself.”

“Sometimes, on the grand cosmic scale, the certainty of joy must outweigh the mere possibility of catastrophe.” P210

He describes it as Friday Night Lights movie with Normal People by Sally Rooney on The Book Gang podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-gang/id1584160738?i=1000653649599