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Love, Like Apples
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Expected 3 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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10 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
A lyrical, deeply felt story of an artist and the great love that defined his life, set against the electric, delirious backdrop of 1970s New York City and the tumultuous years prior―for readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Kristin Hannah."A wonder of a book.” -Kevin Wilson,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Nothing to See Here
Growing up motherless and under the cruel eye of his alcoholic, emotionally distant father, Tiller Loomis seems destined for a hardscrabble life. In the 1960s, the small Appalachian town of Sawyer, Tennessee offers few opportunities outside of working arduous hours on his family’s apple orchard. The one ray of light is his older brother Smith, a compassionate and gentle boy who salvages what might have otherwise been a brutal childhood. Kindness, he teaches Tiller, is a choice.But when Smith is drafted into the Vietnam War, Tiller’s world collapses. Directionless and grief-stricken, he stumbles into a children’s puppet show at his church and ultimately finds purpose and joy through the strange, tender art of puppetry. Chasing his dream of puppeteering full time, Tiller lands in the gritty, graffitied, bohemian hothouse of 1977 New York City, where experimental artists and misfit idealists are using puppets to try to reach teens with a message of hope on a PBS show called Imagine Nation. In Imagine Nation’s cast, Tiller finds a chosen family of dreamers and creators who will change his life forever, chief among whom is the beautiful Julie DiFrancesca, a fiercely vivacious woman who offers Tiller a chance at a life he never thought possible.Narratively framed as a present-day documentary production about Imagine Nation, Love, Like Apples takes us from the 1970s into the modern era, tracing how the ripples from one controversial but forgotten TV show and a complicated love affair continue outward over decades, while also exploring the indelible power of radical empathy and the lives of the artists who carry its flame in their hearts.AN AUDIBLE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK FOR FALL AND OCTOBER INDIE NEXT PICK
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Jeff Zentner
13 books2,676 followersJeff Zentner is the author of The Serpent King, which Kirkus Reviews named one of the best books of the 21st Century, as well as In the Wild Light, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Colton Gentry's Third Act, and Sunrise Nights, coauthored with Brittany Cavallaro. He has two books—Wayfarers and Love, Like Apples—forthcoming in 2026.
Among other honors, he has won the ALA’s William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award twice, the Muriel Becker Award, the International Literacy Association Award, been longlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal, and is a two-time Southern Book Prize finalist.
His books have been translated into fifteen languages and been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in Vanity Fair and People Magazine. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville.
Among other honors, he has won the ALA’s William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award twice, the Muriel Becker Award, the International Literacy Association Award, been longlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal, and is a two-time Southern Book Prize finalist.
His books have been translated into fifteen languages and been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in Vanity Fair and People Magazine. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 17, 2026
I’m a huge Jeff Zentner fan. A huge, huge one. But when I started reading Love, Like Apples I was like, is this it? Is this really it? I even started looking up reviews. They were all five‑star ones. Okayyy… was I missing something? Apparently. So I read on.
The thing is, I had to get used to the structure. Telling the story like it’s a documentary with constant fourth‑wall breaks, especially in the first part, isn’t my favorite. But at the same time, the story grew on me.
Tiller’s bond with Smith, his escape to New York, the misfits he meets at Imagine Nation, and of course Julie—they all make this book a treat to read. The writing is gorgeous and so heartfelt, and Tiller’s feelings jump off the page. But somehow I kept my own feelings at bay. Until that last part, when tears started to burn behind my eyes. On a plane ride of all places where I definitely couldn’t start crying. But that time at Christmas, or the scene at the hospital, or when Billy ran off… I blew my nose, read a bit more, and blew my nose again. Those last pages wrecked me.
Love, Like Apples is a gorgeous story that burns with the fire of love, and it’s one we need so badly right now.
Some people never learn they have a choice in this life about who they’ll be. They never get the chance to see that there are no rails laid for them and they can elect for decency even if circumstance didn’t ordain them to it. That’s a damn shame. I learned when I was six. My brother taught me.
Jeff Zentner is just amazing at tugging at your heart and shaping a story with real precision. I wasn’t a huge fan at first, but the deeper I got into it, the more it won me over.
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC!
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The thing is, I had to get used to the structure. Telling the story like it’s a documentary with constant fourth‑wall breaks, especially in the first part, isn’t my favorite. But at the same time, the story grew on me.
Tiller’s bond with Smith, his escape to New York, the misfits he meets at Imagine Nation, and of course Julie—they all make this book a treat to read. The writing is gorgeous and so heartfelt, and Tiller’s feelings jump off the page. But somehow I kept my own feelings at bay. Until that last part, when tears started to burn behind my eyes. On a plane ride of all places where I definitely couldn’t start crying. But that time at Christmas, or the scene at the hospital, or when Billy ran off… I blew my nose, read a bit more, and blew my nose again. Those last pages wrecked me.
Love, Like Apples is a gorgeous story that burns with the fire of love, and it’s one we need so badly right now.
Some people never learn they have a choice in this life about who they’ll be. They never get the chance to see that there are no rails laid for them and they can elect for decency even if circumstance didn’t ordain them to it. That’s a damn shame. I learned when I was six. My brother taught me.
Jeff Zentner is just amazing at tugging at your heart and shaping a story with real precision. I wasn’t a huge fan at first, but the deeper I got into it, the more it won me over.
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
April 10, 2026
Thank you, Grand Central Pub and Jeff Zentner, for an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Tiller Loomis recounts his experience of making Imagine Nation, a puppet show for teens that had a short run on PBS in the 70s, for the making of a documentary.
How the heck do a write a review that does this book justice? That does Jeff justice? This may end up being more of a thesis statement about why you should read Jeff Zentner’s books, but I don’t care. Believe me when I say, when I read books by Jeff, it makes me wish he wrote all of the books in the world. I don’t want to read anything by anyone else.
Jeff is quite simply a poet. His writing is so warm, fluid, and full of rich descriptions. This book (which I argue is his best yet) just BEGS to be read slowly and savored. I sat in it. Basked in it. And let it wash over me. And highlighted damn near half of the book. This book is raw and gritty, but also hopeful, soft, and so heartfelt. It’s hard to describe it, but it just *feels* like Jeff. He cracked his heart wide open to write this one.
As we follow Tiller’s life story and how he physically moves from Tennessee to NYC, Jeff delivers a a deep sense of place along the way. You can hear the sounds. Feel the grime. And you will wince, but all together fully understand, the descriptions of the smells.
This story celebrates art and the power of it in a way I have not read before. Art saves lives! And you can tell Jeff personally believes that deep down in his core or he would not have been able to write a story like this. In a lot of ways, knowing Jeff and his heart for youth, this felt like a deeply personal venture. The ways that the cast and crew of Imagine Nation push the envelope, take risks, and create without a safety net were inspiring. This book is a celebration of human connection, creativity, hope in a dark world, and making art despite not knowing what sort of reach it will have (but deeply longing for it spread to far corners).
AND THE ROMANCE! Golly. Say all you want about a man writing romance, but Jeff writes some of the most tender and emotionally intelligent men you will ever read. He masterfully shines a spotlight on soft-hearted masculinity. And Tiller and Julie’s romance is one that will surely stick with me - it was a sort of quiet and epic love at the same time. And my gosh? Tiller’s declaration of love? I was on the floor.
Have I convinced you yet? Have I convinced you to pick up this book about Tiller, a man “poured from a crucible of grief,” puppetry, and the rag-tag group that made a puppet show for teens in the 70s in gritty NYC? If so, then my job is done. If not, I’ll continue to be insufferable about this book. It’s not out until November, so well, there’s still plenty of time.
Tiller Loomis recounts his experience of making Imagine Nation, a puppet show for teens that had a short run on PBS in the 70s, for the making of a documentary.
How the heck do a write a review that does this book justice? That does Jeff justice? This may end up being more of a thesis statement about why you should read Jeff Zentner’s books, but I don’t care. Believe me when I say, when I read books by Jeff, it makes me wish he wrote all of the books in the world. I don’t want to read anything by anyone else.
Jeff is quite simply a poet. His writing is so warm, fluid, and full of rich descriptions. This book (which I argue is his best yet) just BEGS to be read slowly and savored. I sat in it. Basked in it. And let it wash over me. And highlighted damn near half of the book. This book is raw and gritty, but also hopeful, soft, and so heartfelt. It’s hard to describe it, but it just *feels* like Jeff. He cracked his heart wide open to write this one.
As we follow Tiller’s life story and how he physically moves from Tennessee to NYC, Jeff delivers a a deep sense of place along the way. You can hear the sounds. Feel the grime. And you will wince, but all together fully understand, the descriptions of the smells.
This story celebrates art and the power of it in a way I have not read before. Art saves lives! And you can tell Jeff personally believes that deep down in his core or he would not have been able to write a story like this. In a lot of ways, knowing Jeff and his heart for youth, this felt like a deeply personal venture. The ways that the cast and crew of Imagine Nation push the envelope, take risks, and create without a safety net were inspiring. This book is a celebration of human connection, creativity, hope in a dark world, and making art despite not knowing what sort of reach it will have (but deeply longing for it spread to far corners).
AND THE ROMANCE! Golly. Say all you want about a man writing romance, but Jeff writes some of the most tender and emotionally intelligent men you will ever read. He masterfully shines a spotlight on soft-hearted masculinity. And Tiller and Julie’s romance is one that will surely stick with me - it was a sort of quiet and epic love at the same time. And my gosh? Tiller’s declaration of love? I was on the floor.
Have I convinced you yet? Have I convinced you to pick up this book about Tiller, a man “poured from a crucible of grief,” puppetry, and the rag-tag group that made a puppet show for teens in the 70s in gritty NYC? If so, then my job is done. If not, I’ll continue to be insufferable about this book. It’s not out until November, so well, there’s still plenty of time.
April 30, 2026
Full review to come once I stop crying
April 13, 2026
Thank you so much Grand Central Pub for the digital copy to review and to my love Jeff Zentner for the physical copy to review and annotate with my friends.
Every single time I read a new Jeff Zentner book it instantly becomes a favorite. Literally no one is out here writing like Jeff does. My heart is always pounding. It's full of love and hope. The tears escape from my eyes constantly throughout the story. He has the most gorgeous prose in the world and I'm not exaggerating. Every book he touches is magic.
This is set in my favorite city in the world, after Tiller goes to follow his dream of working on a show in New York. He's so brave and good, even after having a bit of a tough time growing up. He meets a girl. You KNOW he meets a girl. And his life is forever changed from meeting her and working on this TV show. The magic is in the story, how it's woven through time and life, and when you get to the end, you can't help but be captivated.
We also got some cameos from some beloved characters - which made me smile so so so big. I am forever changed after reading this one. Between this and Colton... I don't know how I'm supposed to pick a favorite. But you can believe, I'll be reading any and everything Jeff Zentner writes.
Every single time I read a new Jeff Zentner book it instantly becomes a favorite. Literally no one is out here writing like Jeff does. My heart is always pounding. It's full of love and hope. The tears escape from my eyes constantly throughout the story. He has the most gorgeous prose in the world and I'm not exaggerating. Every book he touches is magic.
This is set in my favorite city in the world, after Tiller goes to follow his dream of working on a show in New York. He's so brave and good, even after having a bit of a tough time growing up. He meets a girl. You KNOW he meets a girl. And his life is forever changed from meeting her and working on this TV show. The magic is in the story, how it's woven through time and life, and when you get to the end, you can't help but be captivated.
We also got some cameos from some beloved characters - which made me smile so so so big. I am forever changed after reading this one. Between this and Colton... I don't know how I'm supposed to pick a favorite. But you can believe, I'll be reading any and everything Jeff Zentner writes.
July 27, 2026
Love, Like Apples by Jeff Zentner
Publishing with Grand Central Publishing on November 3rd, 2026
An emphatic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Tiller Loomis shares his story with a documentary production crew of growing up in rural Tennessee on an Apple Orchard, without a mom, with a drunk and bitter father, and with a brother who’s kindness and mutual affection and admiration know no bounds and who’s lessons lead him to New York City working on a puppetry PBS show for teens in the lens of Muppets and Sesame Street.
💭 I am so very hesitant to write a review for someone who has more understanding and mastery of the English language and writing in his little finger than I do in my whole body. So this will just be me gushing. Read this book!
I’m not sure where a book about puppetry and puppet masters became something I connected with so deeply, but thus was the magic of Jeff Zentner’s craft in storytelling, character development and prose. I will admit, I went in skeptical. The introduction to the plot had me questioning whether I might be an outlier amongst friends who adored this book. And then I found myself crying during Tiller’s job interview - a scene for which I would normally never cry. And I was flabbergasted. How and when did these characters, their emotions and experiences, begin to feel like my own? I wish I could say this was the last time I’d cry, but I think I hit a record breaking 6 or 7 times. Not because of any emotional manipulation like so many sad books are, this truly isn’t a “sad book”. It’s so just beautifully written.
Storytelling that spans decades of profound change in America; from Vietnam to the New York City blackout and the AIDS epidemic, all wrapped in a quiet yet epic love story reminiscent of sitting on a bench eating chocolates with Forrest Gump. These characters have earned a permanent place in my heart, and I'm still marveling at how a novel about puppeteers ended up pulling so fiercely at my heartstrings and leaving such a lasting impact.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Jeff Zentner for the advanced copy of this novel.
Publishing with Grand Central Publishing on November 3rd, 2026
An emphatic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Tiller Loomis shares his story with a documentary production crew of growing up in rural Tennessee on an Apple Orchard, without a mom, with a drunk and bitter father, and with a brother who’s kindness and mutual affection and admiration know no bounds and who’s lessons lead him to New York City working on a puppetry PBS show for teens in the lens of Muppets and Sesame Street.
💭 I am so very hesitant to write a review for someone who has more understanding and mastery of the English language and writing in his little finger than I do in my whole body. So this will just be me gushing. Read this book!
I’m not sure where a book about puppetry and puppet masters became something I connected with so deeply, but thus was the magic of Jeff Zentner’s craft in storytelling, character development and prose. I will admit, I went in skeptical. The introduction to the plot had me questioning whether I might be an outlier amongst friends who adored this book. And then I found myself crying during Tiller’s job interview - a scene for which I would normally never cry. And I was flabbergasted. How and when did these characters, their emotions and experiences, begin to feel like my own? I wish I could say this was the last time I’d cry, but I think I hit a record breaking 6 or 7 times. Not because of any emotional manipulation like so many sad books are, this truly isn’t a “sad book”. It’s so just beautifully written.
Storytelling that spans decades of profound change in America; from Vietnam to the New York City blackout and the AIDS epidemic, all wrapped in a quiet yet epic love story reminiscent of sitting on a bench eating chocolates with Forrest Gump. These characters have earned a permanent place in my heart, and I'm still marveling at how a novel about puppeteers ended up pulling so fiercely at my heartstrings and leaving such a lasting impact.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Jeff Zentner for the advanced copy of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
The story I didn’t know I needed in my life. Definitely a must read! I’ll be recommending this one to all my book clubs. No words can do this book justice. It’s full of hope, emotion, and love. It’s messy, real, and heartfelt, and it gives you all the feels. The characters are so memorable, and the story brings a level of nostalgia that leaves you thinking about how puppets can be the key to empathy and love. We need more puppetry in our lives! I love the reminder that art is everlasting and can make such a big difference in so many people’s lives. Sometimes, art can even be the difference between choosing life or death. I’ll be reading some of the quotes in this book over and over again. Thank you, @jeffzentner, for bringing this story and these characters into my life.
📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🗽1970s NYC
🫶🏼Found family
📈Coming of age
❤️🩹Grief and loss
🩷Complicated love story
🎭Misfit artists
💕Second chances
☺️The power of kindness and empathy
⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: Alcoholism, War
🍎𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🍎
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
💕Q U O T E S: “𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝑒𝓇𝒸𝓎. 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊-𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑒𝒸𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒾𝒸 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒷𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒸𝒾𝓇𝒸𝓊𝓂𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒. 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓈.”
“𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉.”
🙏 Thank you Grand Central Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The story I didn’t know I needed in my life. Definitely a must read! I’ll be recommending this one to all my book clubs. No words can do this book justice. It’s full of hope, emotion, and love. It’s messy, real, and heartfelt, and it gives you all the feels. The characters are so memorable, and the story brings a level of nostalgia that leaves you thinking about how puppets can be the key to empathy and love. We need more puppetry in our lives! I love the reminder that art is everlasting and can make such a big difference in so many people’s lives. Sometimes, art can even be the difference between choosing life or death. I’ll be reading some of the quotes in this book over and over again. Thank you, @jeffzentner, for bringing this story and these characters into my life.
📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🗽1970s NYC
🫶🏼Found family
📈Coming of age
❤️🩹Grief and loss
🩷Complicated love story
🎭Misfit artists
💕Second chances
☺️The power of kindness and empathy
⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: Alcoholism, War
🍎𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🍎
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
💕Q U O T E S: “𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝑒𝓇𝒸𝓎. 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊-𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑒𝒸𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒾𝒸 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒷𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒸𝒾𝓇𝒸𝓊𝓂𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒. 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓈.”
“𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉.”
🙏 Thank you Grand Central Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Read
April 15, 2026ARC (and an early one, so maybe some of my issues with its writing will be finished in the final draft) - but this one was just not for me. I'm not posting this review on any of the official industry platforms but ugh. I wanted to like this but it's so full of itself. 2 stars.
Good lines:
"’We're making this show for kids who don't dream of the stars because they can't see the stars.’ …
‘They don’t have time to imagine worlds beyond this one because they’re just trying to survive the one they live in.’" p. 231
“Sometimes you have to choose joy because of the darkness and not in spite of it.” p. 402
"'In spite of everything, this was a beautiful world to live in.'" p. 418
------------
Okay and now for my critiques
//Everyone’s dialogue sounded the same (and verbose). Try to actually read this as the premise implies: an oral history; interview-style. Who monologues for THAT LONG and THAT OSTENTATIOUSLY
I’m still doubting the concept of puppeteering for a teenage audience. It doesn’t feel likely now, and certainly not in that time period. As humor, sure! As a “let me get real with ya, real talk” show, ehhh….
“The florid warmth of her skin with its dewy gloss of perspiration radiated off her. Her eyes met mine and I wanted to avert, bashful at such closeness, but the only thing I desired more was to gaze into them deeply. Under the workshop’s harsh fluorescents, they were the shade of sand-weathered seaglass floating in her freckles. [...]
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tarry in gauging the circumference of her head.”HOLY OVERWRITTEN NONSENSE BATMAN holy overwritten nonsense batman (demure)
“[The figs’] delicate, silken skin matched Julie’s eyes” p. 404 ARE HER EYES PURPLE??????? THAT IS THE SHADE OF A FIG SKIN wtf lol
Good lines:
"’We're making this show for kids who don't dream of the stars because they can't see the stars.’ …
‘They don’t have time to imagine worlds beyond this one because they’re just trying to survive the one they live in.’" p. 231
“Sometimes you have to choose joy because of the darkness and not in spite of it.” p. 402
"'In spite of everything, this was a beautiful world to live in.'" p. 418
------------
Okay and now for my critiques
//Everyone’s dialogue sounded the same (and verbose). Try to actually read this as the premise implies: an oral history; interview-style. Who monologues for THAT LONG and THAT OSTENTATIOUSLY
I’m still doubting the concept of puppeteering for a teenage audience. It doesn’t feel likely now, and certainly not in that time period. As humor, sure! As a “let me get real with ya, real talk” show, ehhh….
“The florid warmth of her skin with its dewy gloss of perspiration radiated off her. Her eyes met mine and I wanted to avert, bashful at such closeness, but the only thing I desired more was to gaze into them deeply. Under the workshop’s harsh fluorescents, they were the shade of sand-weathered seaglass floating in her freckles. [...]
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tarry in gauging the circumference of her head.”
“[The figs’] delicate, silken skin matched Julie’s eyes” p. 404 ARE HER EYES PURPLE??????? THAT IS THE SHADE OF A FIG SKIN wtf lol
August 31, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Tiller Loomis was born on a family farm, an apple orchard. His father is a mean drunk and his mother didn’t survive birth, so it would seem Tiller doesn’t stand much of a chance.
Except he does.
His older brother, Smith, is loving and kind, a brother who looks out for Tiller, teaches him right and wrong, brings him along with friends.
The love story between these two is a thing of beauty. And then the draft for the Vietnam War comes to Tennessee.
Lonely and alone, Tiller happens upon a church puppet show and is drawn to the art. This chance occurrence sends Tiller to New York City in the mid-seventies where he will find a purpose, a place, and a family.
And he just might find a girl.
Telling his story to a reporter with a secret he’s planning to share, 70 year old Tiller looks back at a time in his life when everything was possibility.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
This is one of the most pure coming of age stories I’ve ever read.
Tiller is innocence personified, but in a curious, not precocious, way. He is good - at a time when we all need good. You can’t escape this book without tears and a wish to give the boy a hug.
His proclamation of love to Julie is poetry - but then the whole book has the quality of more than words on a page. It is something to allow yourself to get lost in.
I loved the homage to all things Henson and Muppets, who are so dear to me. Choosing to have it play out like a documentary about the show Tiller was a part of - Imagine Nation - was a brilliant choice.
Historical fiction, romance, grief, a rumination on how art can save a person? It’s all of this plus so much more.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
The grown father reliving a fateful trek to see a dead body in Stand By Me minus the dead body plus puppets.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
Absolutely without reservation. And it feels like the perfect book to add to your fall TBR - all the autumnal vibes.
Tiller Loomis was born on a family farm, an apple orchard. His father is a mean drunk and his mother didn’t survive birth, so it would seem Tiller doesn’t stand much of a chance.
Except he does.
His older brother, Smith, is loving and kind, a brother who looks out for Tiller, teaches him right and wrong, brings him along with friends.
The love story between these two is a thing of beauty. And then the draft for the Vietnam War comes to Tennessee.
Lonely and alone, Tiller happens upon a church puppet show and is drawn to the art. This chance occurrence sends Tiller to New York City in the mid-seventies where he will find a purpose, a place, and a family.
And he just might find a girl.
Telling his story to a reporter with a secret he’s planning to share, 70 year old Tiller looks back at a time in his life when everything was possibility.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
This is one of the most pure coming of age stories I’ve ever read.
Tiller is innocence personified, but in a curious, not precocious, way. He is good - at a time when we all need good. You can’t escape this book without tears and a wish to give the boy a hug.
His proclamation of love to Julie is poetry - but then the whole book has the quality of more than words on a page. It is something to allow yourself to get lost in.
I loved the homage to all things Henson and Muppets, who are so dear to me. Choosing to have it play out like a documentary about the show Tiller was a part of - Imagine Nation - was a brilliant choice.
Historical fiction, romance, grief, a rumination on how art can save a person? It’s all of this plus so much more.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
The grown father reliving a fateful trek to see a dead body in Stand By Me minus the dead body plus puppets.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
Absolutely without reservation. And it feels like the perfect book to add to your fall TBR - all the autumnal vibes.
June 6, 2026
Jeff Zentner cannot write a bad book!
My goodness, another beautiful story from the poet himself. Who would have thought that a story about puppeteers in 1970s New York would be so captivating? This book is full of beauty, gentleness, and love, and makes you long for more of that in our world.
“Sometimes, radical gentleness can be the most subversive thing of all.”
My goodness, another beautiful story from the poet himself. Who would have thought that a story about puppeteers in 1970s New York would be so captivating? This book is full of beauty, gentleness, and love, and makes you long for more of that in our world.
“Sometimes, radical gentleness can be the most subversive thing of all.”
September 24, 2026
“The heart is a strange vessel. It can be full and broken all at once.”
Jeff out there breaking and mending hearts all at the same time. Putting the words together to describe how this book made me feel is so difficult. It is beautiful. It is heartbreaking. You will feel joy and sadness.
Tiller left his small town for the big apple and never looked back. He not only finds love but finds a family of diverse and beautiful people.
Jeff out there breaking and mending hearts all at the same time. Putting the words together to describe how this book made me feel is so difficult. It is beautiful. It is heartbreaking. You will feel joy and sadness.
Tiller left his small town for the big apple and never looked back. He not only finds love but finds a family of diverse and beautiful people.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Jeff Zentner’s 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴, a woodworker recounts his work on a fictional PBS television program called 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. The 1978 show—which combined live action and puppetry much like 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 did but was aimed at teens and focused more on emotional education—was short-lived and almost lost to time. Until Tiller Loomis, one of the puppeteers, is asked by a documentarian to share his story.
The historical fiction novel is a first-person narrative that is part romance and part found-family saga. It is a skillfully written book with well-developed characters and an interesting premise. Though the prose got a bit too flowery and the messages a little heavy-handed for me at times, overall this is a lovely, engaging story about self-realization, the unexpected beauty of life, and the importance of art. 4.5 stars. Thank
you to Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The historical fiction novel is a first-person narrative that is part romance and part found-family saga. It is a skillfully written book with well-developed characters and an interesting premise. Though the prose got a bit too flowery and the messages a little heavy-handed for me at times, overall this is a lovely, engaging story about self-realization, the unexpected beauty of life, and the importance of art. 4.5 stars. Thank
you to Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2026
Amazing amazing read. I laughed and I cried. Such a great premise and format for telling the story with the documentary interview and the characters immediately felt like people you know. The author also has such a great skill at describing things I learned quite a few new words!!
May 19, 2026
I have said it before, but I’ll say it again: Jeff Zentner is my favorite author, hands down, and I am so thankful to have been able to read his newest book, Love, Like Apples, ahead of its November 3 publication date. It’s the 1960s in small-town Tennessee when, after a devastating personal loss, Tiller Loomis finds the magic of puppetry. Following his dreams takes him to New York in the 1980s, where he joins a televised puppet show called Imagine Nation, geared towards teens. The book is told from elderly Tiller’s POV as he talks to a documentarian in real time, and it is a solid five-star read. As in all his other books, Jeff is a poet. The language he uses to tell stories is beautiful and elegant, the characters are deep and thoughtful, and it all works together to create that literary magic that he always delivers. Special thanks to Parnassus Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
The story is told thru Tiller eyes. He is being interviewed for a documentary about a show he was on called Imagine Nation in PBS. It follows him from the very beginning when his mother dies in childbirth to his present day life.
Ok I loved this one. Masterful storytelling. I was already a Jeff Zetner fan and this is one of my favorites from him. It’s just a great story. I don’t know what to even say. It’s so heartfelt. The story is sad, and at times funny, it’s beautiful and gritty. I was captivated from beginning to end. I loved the format and the way the story unfolded. I loved all of the characters. I loved everything. I have nothing bad to say other than I was sad when it ended.
I will be recommending it to
Anyone who will listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Pub for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ok I loved this one. Masterful storytelling. I was already a Jeff Zetner fan and this is one of my favorites from him. It’s just a great story. I don’t know what to even say. It’s so heartfelt. The story is sad, and at times funny, it’s beautiful and gritty. I was captivated from beginning to end. I loved the format and the way the story unfolded. I loved all of the characters. I loved everything. I have nothing bad to say other than I was sad when it ended.
I will be recommending it to
Anyone who will listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Pub for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy. Since this hasn't been published yet, all I'll say is it is excellent.
April 25, 2026
I lack the words to express just how incredible Jeff’s writing is. His ability to make me feel nostalgic for a life so unlike mine needs to be studied. What a remarkable talent.
May 15, 2026
Thank you so much netgalley.
How on earth is this, at its core, about puppets? Like HOW. Because I found myself tearing up, emotionally connected, desperately seeking page after page...about puppets...
This story follows Tiller, a puppeteer who worked on a quickly cancelled TV show meant to help teens deal with LIFE in the 70's/80's. Its interview style so there is a ton of fourth wall breaking as we follow Tiller from his home in the rural south to the big apple.
There are some writers who could write about paint drying, city smells, or in this case puppets and it would be magical...THAT is Zentner. The line level magic here is next level, and I found myself snapping away pieces to store in my brain. This is the kind of line level writing that makes you want to be a writer, or read someone's entire backlist.
As for the story...man this is beautiful. It's really about morality, and right and wrong, and how do we teach people (in the eye's of Tiller's brother) to CHOOSE to be good people...and man it was just exquisite. It deals with some real issues very smartly: the vietnam war, drug abuse, the aids epidemic, racism, homosexuality...in just this absolutely stunning way that absorbs you into the story. Billy's moment? Cried. The blackout? Heart racing. Realizing the fate of the show and its impact on the interview. Brilliant. This never felt performative even being truly ABOUT performance.
It is a romance, and Julie/Tiller are beautiful...but in one of the few ways I've ever seen friends to lovers done correctly. Tiller's proclamation deserves to be highlighted, their ease into love studied...I dunno it just WORKED. It touches PG-13 at maybe best and is a shining example of how sex isn't explicitly needed to deliver romance.
Puppets. Just Puppets. I don't know how he did it but this is stunning.
How on earth is this, at its core, about puppets? Like HOW. Because I found myself tearing up, emotionally connected, desperately seeking page after page...about puppets...
This story follows Tiller, a puppeteer who worked on a quickly cancelled TV show meant to help teens deal with LIFE in the 70's/80's. Its interview style so there is a ton of fourth wall breaking as we follow Tiller from his home in the rural south to the big apple.
There are some writers who could write about paint drying, city smells, or in this case puppets and it would be magical...THAT is Zentner. The line level magic here is next level, and I found myself snapping away pieces to store in my brain. This is the kind of line level writing that makes you want to be a writer, or read someone's entire backlist.
As for the story...man this is beautiful. It's really about morality, and right and wrong, and how do we teach people (in the eye's of Tiller's brother) to CHOOSE to be good people...and man it was just exquisite. It deals with some real issues very smartly: the vietnam war, drug abuse, the aids epidemic, racism, homosexuality...in just this absolutely stunning way that absorbs you into the story. Billy's moment? Cried. The blackout? Heart racing. Realizing the fate of the show and its impact on the interview. Brilliant. This never felt performative even being truly ABOUT performance.
It is a romance, and Julie/Tiller are beautiful...but in one of the few ways I've ever seen friends to lovers done correctly. Tiller's proclamation deserves to be highlighted, their ease into love studied...I dunno it just WORKED. It touches PG-13 at maybe best and is a shining example of how sex isn't explicitly needed to deliver romance.
Puppets. Just Puppets. I don't know how he did it but this is stunning.
April 16, 2026
Go ahead and ask me my favorite book that I’ve ever read. Before this moment I would have had to think long and hard before giving a half hearted answer. The answer will no longer be half hearted and will also require no thought. Love, Like Apples was such a simple book at its core but managed to weave its way directly into my soul. Such a story and a group of characters. I will be buying the hard copy of this book and I can guarantee that within a year it will be tattered and worn and well loved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In the scope of a lifetime, you have a few big tentpole moments if you’re lucky. Love, Like Apples is a walk through Tiller Loomis’s.
Now in his 70s, he is approached by a documentarian to tell the story of Imagine Nation, a short-lived 1970’s puppet show for teens. But to tell of his experience of Imagine Nation, Tiller has to start at the very beginning - his roots on his family’s apple orchard in Tennessee, his love for his older brother, how he finds the art of puppeteering as a means to cope with loss.
Then we learn how his puppeteering takes him to New York City in the gritty 1970’s, welcomed into a group of rag tag broken misfits, to write and act on a subversive and radical puppet show (!). There he meets his found family, he finds love, he explores the world in a way one only can in NYC. We meet Julie, the love of his life (except she’s dating the show’s head writer).
This book is the story of a gentle, kind man’s life and how puppeteering saved him and many others.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you read that summary and you’re like “puppets??? huh?” I’m gonna ask you to just trust me.
As with all Jeff Zentner books, the writing is atmospheric and stunning. This is a quote from the book, but to me it sums up Zentner’s writing incredibly well: “It turned out that everyone responded to heart, humor, and respect for the viewer’s intellect.” This is the secret sauce of all JZ books: heart, humor and a respect for the reader’s intellect. Love, Like Apples sticks to the recipe.
If you follow the author on Instagram, you might know that he often shares videos of barges going down sloth-like down a river. Barges themselves are a bit ugly and yet there’s some meditative, serene quality to watching them move through the water. That’s what this book is like (except it ain’t ugly): slowly, purposefully moving through the tentpoles of Tiller’s life. And I sank into it a little bit, thinking for once, “Zentner, this is beautiful but you’re not taking me down this time.” Alas, I played myself because OF COURSE the final act of this book was like getting hit in the face with an emotional 2x4.
A moment for Tiller and his brother Smith. This was such a special relationship, with Smith largely acting as the only parent and family that Tiller had. What a powerful role Smith played in Tiller’s life, setting him on a course that allowed him to be confident in his kindness, self-assured in his approach to the world even when the world was unkind to him.
Tiller and Julie’s relationship was a quintessential NYC love story. My god. I read a lot of romance and there are few books where you can just feel that the characters are true soulmates. Tiller and Julie are true soulmates. Their relationship was my favorite part of the book.
Have you seen the Broadway show Avenue Q? Avenue Q was released in the early 2000s, and was considered radical for its time. Now put that on PBS in the 1970s. Subversion and radicalism are the heart of Imagine Nation. And each of the players brought their own deeply personal story to how they got into puppeteering and ended up on the show. These are not just freaks and geeks - these are broken and lost souls who somehow found themselves again through the art of puppetry. What a special group of people this is.
History and place also served as characters in this book. Zentner folds in some historical references that people probably have heard of briefly but are lesser known tentpole moments of the time. For example, the book references Freedom Summer rather than the bigger civil rights events like Selma. We live through the NYC blackout of 1977. The start of the AIDS epidemic. These events play a role in shaping our characters and their environment.
For hailing from Tennessee, Zentner does NYC exceptionally well. This book exudes the magic of NYC in a way that transcends time, even though the majority of the book is set in the 1970s. NYC is still a place where you can find the entire world in a few square blocks. Where you can find yourself or lose yourself. Where you can be whoever you want to be.
Finally, in a very special moment for me, while sobbing at the end of this book, I was rendered absolutely fucking speechless to have turned the page into the acknowledgments to see my own name there. I am but a passionate fan of Zentner’s work and will scream about it to anyone who will listen, so I am utterly honored to have been personally thanked by the author when I should be the one thanking him. I continue to be a proud member of the (unofficially official) Jeff Zentner Fan Club.
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Jeff Zentner for an advanced copy of this book, which releases on November 3, 2026.
Now in his 70s, he is approached by a documentarian to tell the story of Imagine Nation, a short-lived 1970’s puppet show for teens. But to tell of his experience of Imagine Nation, Tiller has to start at the very beginning - his roots on his family’s apple orchard in Tennessee, his love for his older brother, how he finds the art of puppeteering as a means to cope with loss.
Then we learn how his puppeteering takes him to New York City in the gritty 1970’s, welcomed into a group of rag tag broken misfits, to write and act on a subversive and radical puppet show (!). There he meets his found family, he finds love, he explores the world in a way one only can in NYC. We meet Julie, the love of his life (except she’s dating the show’s head writer).
This book is the story of a gentle, kind man’s life and how puppeteering saved him and many others.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you read that summary and you’re like “puppets??? huh?” I’m gonna ask you to just trust me.
As with all Jeff Zentner books, the writing is atmospheric and stunning. This is a quote from the book, but to me it sums up Zentner’s writing incredibly well: “It turned out that everyone responded to heart, humor, and respect for the viewer’s intellect.” This is the secret sauce of all JZ books: heart, humor and a respect for the reader’s intellect. Love, Like Apples sticks to the recipe.
If you follow the author on Instagram, you might know that he often shares videos of barges going down sloth-like down a river. Barges themselves are a bit ugly and yet there’s some meditative, serene quality to watching them move through the water. That’s what this book is like (except it ain’t ugly): slowly, purposefully moving through the tentpoles of Tiller’s life. And I sank into it a little bit, thinking for once, “Zentner, this is beautiful but you’re not taking me down this time.” Alas, I played myself because OF COURSE the final act of this book was like getting hit in the face with an emotional 2x4.
A moment for Tiller and his brother Smith. This was such a special relationship, with Smith largely acting as the only parent and family that Tiller had. What a powerful role Smith played in Tiller’s life, setting him on a course that allowed him to be confident in his kindness, self-assured in his approach to the world even when the world was unkind to him.
Tiller and Julie’s relationship was a quintessential NYC love story. My god. I read a lot of romance and there are few books where you can just feel that the characters are true soulmates. Tiller and Julie are true soulmates. Their relationship was my favorite part of the book.
Have you seen the Broadway show Avenue Q? Avenue Q was released in the early 2000s, and was considered radical for its time. Now put that on PBS in the 1970s. Subversion and radicalism are the heart of Imagine Nation. And each of the players brought their own deeply personal story to how they got into puppeteering and ended up on the show. These are not just freaks and geeks - these are broken and lost souls who somehow found themselves again through the art of puppetry. What a special group of people this is.
History and place also served as characters in this book. Zentner folds in some historical references that people probably have heard of briefly but are lesser known tentpole moments of the time. For example, the book references Freedom Summer rather than the bigger civil rights events like Selma. We live through the NYC blackout of 1977. The start of the AIDS epidemic. These events play a role in shaping our characters and their environment.
For hailing from Tennessee, Zentner does NYC exceptionally well. This book exudes the magic of NYC in a way that transcends time, even though the majority of the book is set in the 1970s. NYC is still a place where you can find the entire world in a few square blocks. Where you can find yourself or lose yourself. Where you can be whoever you want to be.
Finally, in a very special moment for me, while sobbing at the end of this book, I was rendered absolutely fucking speechless to have turned the page into the acknowledgments to see my own name there. I am but a passionate fan of Zentner’s work and will scream about it to anyone who will listen, so I am utterly honored to have been personally thanked by the author when I should be the one thanking him. I continue to be a proud member of the (unofficially official) Jeff Zentner Fan Club.
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Jeff Zentner for an advanced copy of this book, which releases on November 3, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After falling in love with Colton Gentry’s Third Act by @jeffzetner, I had high hopes for this book and immediately requested on NetGalley. Thank you @netgalley and @grandcentralpub the advanced e-arc. I cannot wait to hold this book in my hands when it releases in November.
This story to me is one of love, acceptance, belonging and hope. Tiller is sharing his experience from his difficult small town childhood working at his family’s apple orchard to New York where he and a group of people from all backgrounds and experiences all came together through a love of puppetry and wanting to make the world a better place. To show children that kindness and goodness is a choice you can make despite your upbringing and surroundings - a lesson he learned from his brother, Smith, and which changed his life. And isn’t that a lesson we all can learn?
Tiller is recalling his time working on and performing on a puppetry show for PBS called Imagine Nation during the uprising of shows like Sesame Street which opened the doors for them. Their low budget show was meant to be more socially conscious and touching on heavier subjects drawn from their own personal experiences. They touch on war, drug use, sexuality, all of which mirror things these individuals have overcome. They hope to show young teens true life lessons through the humor and heart of their puppets. The show was not long for the air but the documentary producer had found some of the episodes and wanted to know more. And more they received as we follow along on Tiller’s journey from the 60s to present day.
I was so very engrossed in the story of Tiller and Julie and the other members of the group. This is a story filled with loss and sadness but so much love both romantic and found family. I was invested and enthralled by this look into 1970s culture and the city of New York at that time and what happened to this group of dreamers.
As a child born in the mid 70s who, funnily enough, grew up on a farm sandwiched by two apple orchards and whose high school mascot was an “Appkeknocker” (yes, really) I remember watching PBS long after the intended targeted age thanks to only having three channels. This book really felt nostalgic and meaningful to me. Both in thinking about the past and also the present and what it means to kids being able to see themselves represented in the media (and books) and how important that is even now.
“This world is hard yet will show you mercy. It will find you—that ecstatic sweetness born of improbable circumstance. Love, like apples.”
I know this is long but if you’ve come this far thank you for letting me ramble. I hope people pick up this book and enjoy it as thoroughly as I did. And, in the meantime, pick up Colton Gentry and experience this author’s gift of story telling.
This story to me is one of love, acceptance, belonging and hope. Tiller is sharing his experience from his difficult small town childhood working at his family’s apple orchard to New York where he and a group of people from all backgrounds and experiences all came together through a love of puppetry and wanting to make the world a better place. To show children that kindness and goodness is a choice you can make despite your upbringing and surroundings - a lesson he learned from his brother, Smith, and which changed his life. And isn’t that a lesson we all can learn?
Tiller is recalling his time working on and performing on a puppetry show for PBS called Imagine Nation during the uprising of shows like Sesame Street which opened the doors for them. Their low budget show was meant to be more socially conscious and touching on heavier subjects drawn from their own personal experiences. They touch on war, drug use, sexuality, all of which mirror things these individuals have overcome. They hope to show young teens true life lessons through the humor and heart of their puppets. The show was not long for the air but the documentary producer had found some of the episodes and wanted to know more. And more they received as we follow along on Tiller’s journey from the 60s to present day.
I was so very engrossed in the story of Tiller and Julie and the other members of the group. This is a story filled with loss and sadness but so much love both romantic and found family. I was invested and enthralled by this look into 1970s culture and the city of New York at that time and what happened to this group of dreamers.
As a child born in the mid 70s who, funnily enough, grew up on a farm sandwiched by two apple orchards and whose high school mascot was an “Appkeknocker” (yes, really) I remember watching PBS long after the intended targeted age thanks to only having three channels. This book really felt nostalgic and meaningful to me. Both in thinking about the past and also the present and what it means to kids being able to see themselves represented in the media (and books) and how important that is even now.
“This world is hard yet will show you mercy. It will find you—that ecstatic sweetness born of improbable circumstance. Love, like apples.”
I know this is long but if you’ve come this far thank you for letting me ramble. I hope people pick up this book and enjoy it as thoroughly as I did. And, in the meantime, pick up Colton Gentry and experience this author’s gift of story telling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This touching story is set mostly in the tiny town of Sawyer, TN, in the Appalachian Mountains and then in NYC. The story follows the main character of Tiller, an intelligent, kind, and caring soul following his dreams as his life takes him to NYC. It makes nearly a complete circle, ending back in the Appalachians.
Tiller's mother died due to complications during childbirth. His father, who became very uncaring and seemingly unable to love again, blamed his second son for his wife's death. His father then turned to alcohol seeking solace.
The only familial love that Tiller received growing up came from his older brother and role model, Smith. Smith instilled in Tiller that it was up to each person to see the good and be the good regardless of their circumstances and treatment from others. Tiller took this lesson to heart as he and his brother worked the apple orchard on their father's land.
Love, Like Apples takes place during the era of tumultuous riots in the US over our involvement in the Vietnam War. Some of the inhabitants in their small Appalachian town of Sawyer didn't see all of this upheaval, however, because for some living there, getting out any way at all they thought was their only hope.
Smith does not enlist but rather gets drafted. He sadly does not return romm the war, and that in itself changes Tiller's life drastically, nudging him to get out of the Appalachian area for his own good.
Through a kind, older couple who put on a puppet show at church, Tiller becomes interested in puppeteering. He leaves his small Appalachian town and heads first to Knoxville then eventually lands a job in New York City for a brand new show, Imagine Nation.
The way this story is told, through interview/documentary format, everything aspect of it seems so real. Think of Imagine Nation (and what a witty title) as The Muppets but aimed at teenagers, helping them see that they are not alone and others have the same problems that they are experiencing.
By being set mostly in NYC during this chaotic and sometimes wild 1970s time period, it tackles so many pertinent and relevant topics of the '70s then spilling into the '80s - the NY drug scene, treatment of gays, and even touches upon the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
It's on the set of Imagine Nation that Tiller meets an eclectic hodgepodge of misfits who become friends for life (even though the series itself was short-lived for trying to break barriers). It's also on the set where Tiller meets the love of his life, Julie, who at the time is with the show's head writer.
Zentner writes beautifully and exposes so much raw human emotion. Love, Like Apples is such a touching story exquisitely narrated. Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for the opportunity to read this poignant story. Look for it to hit shelves Nov. 3, 2026.
Tiller's mother died due to complications during childbirth. His father, who became very uncaring and seemingly unable to love again, blamed his second son for his wife's death. His father then turned to alcohol seeking solace.
The only familial love that Tiller received growing up came from his older brother and role model, Smith. Smith instilled in Tiller that it was up to each person to see the good and be the good regardless of their circumstances and treatment from others. Tiller took this lesson to heart as he and his brother worked the apple orchard on their father's land.
Love, Like Apples takes place during the era of tumultuous riots in the US over our involvement in the Vietnam War. Some of the inhabitants in their small Appalachian town of Sawyer didn't see all of this upheaval, however, because for some living there, getting out any way at all they thought was their only hope.
Smith does not enlist but rather gets drafted. He sadly does not return romm the war, and that in itself changes Tiller's life drastically, nudging him to get out of the Appalachian area for his own good.
Through a kind, older couple who put on a puppet show at church, Tiller becomes interested in puppeteering. He leaves his small Appalachian town and heads first to Knoxville then eventually lands a job in New York City for a brand new show, Imagine Nation.
The way this story is told, through interview/documentary format, everything aspect of it seems so real. Think of Imagine Nation (and what a witty title) as The Muppets but aimed at teenagers, helping them see that they are not alone and others have the same problems that they are experiencing.
By being set mostly in NYC during this chaotic and sometimes wild 1970s time period, it tackles so many pertinent and relevant topics of the '70s then spilling into the '80s - the NY drug scene, treatment of gays, and even touches upon the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
It's on the set of Imagine Nation that Tiller meets an eclectic hodgepodge of misfits who become friends for life (even though the series itself was short-lived for trying to break barriers). It's also on the set where Tiller meets the love of his life, Julie, who at the time is with the show's head writer.
Zentner writes beautifully and exposes so much raw human emotion. Love, Like Apples is such a touching story exquisitely narrated. Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for the opportunity to read this poignant story. Look for it to hit shelves Nov. 3, 2026.
July 19, 2026
Oh my gosh ya’ll this is my favorite fall book I’ve read this year!
My summary:
An Appalachian apple farmer.
A puppeteer.
A love story.
Tiller Smith has lived an extraordinary life. So when filmmakers approach him about a documentary on Imagine Nation, the beloved puppet show he helped bring to life, he must decide whether he’s finally ready to tell the whole story.
Through a series of interviews, Tiller reflects on his childhood, how he discovered puppetry, the relationships that shaped him, and the behind the scenes story of creating the show. Moving between past and present, this novel reveals a remarkable life filled with passion, creativity, and a love story that hits deep.
My overall thoughts:
This is one of those rare books that you’re not sure how you feel about it until you have finished and truly processed. Well I’ve reflected and my conclusion is it was utterly BEAUTIFUL. An epic love story to the underdogs, the creatives, to imagination and puppetry, and the times when our attention was caught by simple joys. While I cried several times throughout this book, I also felt so many heartwarming moments as well. Truly a very nuanced experience to read and I highly recommend. This book, much like the show our main character is telling us about, is subtle, with sly humor and simple narratives that form a larger much more impactful social message. Don’t go in expecting a blockbuster with showy action sequences and you’ll find there is deep meaning and beautiful messages portrayed. All the stars.
My rating: 5 ⭐️
Release Date: November 4th
What I loved:
🍎 Tiller! Ah what a genuinely beautiful soul. Every reveal about the hardships he went through and his relationships drew me in more and I loved him. He was realistic in the way he sometimes made mistakes but always owned up to them. The world needs more Tillers and Smiths.
🍎 The love story! I’m honestly not sure how I was surprised by this… the title literally says love like apples. Yet I was. None of the tags had romance as a genre so when this beautiful, and I mean absolutely beautiful, love story unfolded I was caught off guard in the best way. I cried at points and I FELT this one deeply.
🍎 The format! This book felt utterly unique in the way it was crafted. Mimicking a documentary style set up where our main character is being interviewed. As he tells the story we dive back and forth from the present and his actual first person POV in the past. It was so well done I had to look up to see if this was based on real life! It felt as if it had to be and I think that’s a testament to how rich the story was.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. I truly loved it! This is my voluntary review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
My summary:
An Appalachian apple farmer.
A puppeteer.
A love story.
Tiller Smith has lived an extraordinary life. So when filmmakers approach him about a documentary on Imagine Nation, the beloved puppet show he helped bring to life, he must decide whether he’s finally ready to tell the whole story.
Through a series of interviews, Tiller reflects on his childhood, how he discovered puppetry, the relationships that shaped him, and the behind the scenes story of creating the show. Moving between past and present, this novel reveals a remarkable life filled with passion, creativity, and a love story that hits deep.
My overall thoughts:
This is one of those rare books that you’re not sure how you feel about it until you have finished and truly processed. Well I’ve reflected and my conclusion is it was utterly BEAUTIFUL. An epic love story to the underdogs, the creatives, to imagination and puppetry, and the times when our attention was caught by simple joys. While I cried several times throughout this book, I also felt so many heartwarming moments as well. Truly a very nuanced experience to read and I highly recommend. This book, much like the show our main character is telling us about, is subtle, with sly humor and simple narratives that form a larger much more impactful social message. Don’t go in expecting a blockbuster with showy action sequences and you’ll find there is deep meaning and beautiful messages portrayed. All the stars.
My rating: 5 ⭐️
Release Date: November 4th
What I loved:
🍎 Tiller! Ah what a genuinely beautiful soul. Every reveal about the hardships he went through and his relationships drew me in more and I loved him. He was realistic in the way he sometimes made mistakes but always owned up to them. The world needs more Tillers and Smiths.
🍎 The love story! I’m honestly not sure how I was surprised by this… the title literally says love like apples. Yet I was. None of the tags had romance as a genre so when this beautiful, and I mean absolutely beautiful, love story unfolded I was caught off guard in the best way. I cried at points and I FELT this one deeply.
🍎 The format! This book felt utterly unique in the way it was crafted. Mimicking a documentary style set up where our main character is being interviewed. As he tells the story we dive back and forth from the present and his actual first person POV in the past. It was so well done I had to look up to see if this was based on real life! It felt as if it had to be and I think that’s a testament to how rich the story was.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. I truly loved it! This is my voluntary review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
eARC provided by NetGalley
Grand Central Publishing
Pub date: November 3rd
I do admire Zentner's writing & have adored some of his prior books (The Serpent King, In the Wild Light, and Colton Gentry). This one started out strong - if a little overly flowery & poetic language to start. But once I got into Tiller's early life, I was compeltely sucked in - I was thinking about him even when I put the book down - his abusive father, his loving brother, and the absolutely heart-wrenching departure of his brother for Vietnam, and Tiller's eventual escape to the city for another life.
I loved how he had a few really kind & supportive people around him who helped him launch his life to something better. The middle sagged a little for me -- it just felt overly earnest at times (e.g. the whole going out in the streets to do puppetry during the black out), and the love story with Julie was a little too sweet (and this is coming from someone who enjoyes romances) -- it just felt too perfect and trite.... I don't know, the middle just got a little lost in the weeds with the romance becoming TOO repeatedly forced to the fore of the plot. And the puppeteering becoming a little TOO earnest in its desire to speak to the youth.
I did enjoy the format of this being a series of interviews for a documentary, that we were seeing Tiller's perspective looking back on it all, and how Darwin (the documentary producer) had his own secret to tell at the end (though, honestly I was thinking that it would be a BIGGER twist & more of a direct connection to Smith and his time in Vietnam).
I found the death of Joel really poignant and sad, and touching on some of the worst realities of the time. The anti war message was also well done, but the creeping in of religious messaging here & there was a bit annoying. Overall, I liked the book and how it all came alive with Zentner's skilled writing. I think I would have liked it even more if we had a few of the other characters' perspectives - maybe hearing their interviews for the documentary also (a la 'daisy jones and the six').
Overall, not quite my favourite Zentner, but still very good.
"Some people never learn they have a choice in this life about who they'll be. They never get the chance to see that there are no rails laid for them and they can elect for decency even if circumstance didn't ordain them to it."
"What a monstrous waste, to use a body housing a spirit as gentle as Smith's to feed the ravening engine of empire."
"Once you set your mind on a yearning, you create possibility."
"Condemn a nation that smiles upon sending boys to kill each other, but stamps out any expression of boys loving each other."
Grand Central Publishing
Pub date: November 3rd
I do admire Zentner's writing & have adored some of his prior books (The Serpent King, In the Wild Light, and Colton Gentry). This one started out strong - if a little overly flowery & poetic language to start. But once I got into Tiller's early life, I was compeltely sucked in - I was thinking about him even when I put the book down - his abusive father, his loving brother, and the absolutely heart-wrenching departure of his brother for Vietnam, and Tiller's eventual escape to the city for another life.
I loved how he had a few really kind & supportive people around him who helped him launch his life to something better. The middle sagged a little for me -- it just felt overly earnest at times (e.g. the whole going out in the streets to do puppetry during the black out), and the love story with Julie was a little too sweet (and this is coming from someone who enjoyes romances) -- it just felt too perfect and trite.... I don't know, the middle just got a little lost in the weeds with the romance becoming TOO repeatedly forced to the fore of the plot. And the puppeteering becoming a little TOO earnest in its desire to speak to the youth.
I did enjoy the format of this being a series of interviews for a documentary, that we were seeing Tiller's perspective looking back on it all, and how Darwin (the documentary producer) had his own secret to tell at the end (though, honestly I was thinking that it would be a BIGGER twist & more of a direct connection to Smith and his time in Vietnam).
I found the death of Joel really poignant and sad, and touching on some of the worst realities of the time. The anti war message was also well done, but the creeping in of religious messaging here & there was a bit annoying. Overall, I liked the book and how it all came alive with Zentner's skilled writing. I think I would have liked it even more if we had a few of the other characters' perspectives - maybe hearing their interviews for the documentary also (a la 'daisy jones and the six').
Overall, not quite my favourite Zentner, but still very good.
"Some people never learn they have a choice in this life about who they'll be. They never get the chance to see that there are no rails laid for them and they can elect for decency even if circumstance didn't ordain them to it."
"What a monstrous waste, to use a body housing a spirit as gentle as Smith's to feed the ravening engine of empire."
"Once you set your mind on a yearning, you create possibility."
"Condemn a nation that smiles upon sending boys to kill each other, but stamps out any expression of boys loving each other."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another five star read from Jeff Zentner!
In "Love, Like Apples" Tiller, our main character and narrator, shares the story of how a 1970s public broadcast children's show (Imagine Nation) with puppets (think: Sesame Street, but for teenagers) changed his life and left a lasting impact on the world. Tiller is from a small town in rural Tennessee who discovers a love of and talent for puppetry as a teenager. In his 20s, he moves to NYC to pursue puppetry full-time and joins the cast of an upcoming children's show, Imagine Nation. The show's aim was to reach teenagers and explore issues that affect them in their daily lives, giving them a safe space to explore and learn: ."We won't always present a rosy view of America. That would be lying to teenagers, and they'd sniff us out immediately. But we'll always depict a vision for a country we believe can live up to its promise - the nation we imagine." What Tiller finds when he is hired as one of the puppeteers is more than just a paycheck; it's community, acceptance, family, love.
The story explores some sensitive topics, including drug use, drug abuse, PTSD, homophobia, suicidal ideation, and physical abuse. It treats of each of these topics with sensitivity and a gentleness that is honest and authentic. The story feels subversive but in small, subtle ways; as Tiller opines: "Sometimes radical gentleness can be the most subversive thing of all."
Despite the heartbreak he has had in his life and the challenges he has faced, Tiller's story always reflects joy: "Sometimes you have to choose joy because of the darkness and not in spite of it."
While the story is written as Tiller narrating his experiences through interviews for a documentary, the story is written in prose (not in interview format, like Daisy Jones and the Six). Zentner's interest in poetry is evident in the beautifully written prose; it is lyrical and atmospheric and draws the reader into the emotions of the story. Tiller's life story is an example of "how love, like apples, is a sweetness that emerges from improbable circumstances." And while the circumstances of this story were fictional, the characters and their stories and the historic backdrop all felt real. This one will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you in advance to the author and publisher for this advanced copy through NetGalley. I'm so privileged to have read this. If you loved Jeff Zentner's other adult novel, "Colton Gentry's Third Act," you'll love this one too. (If you haven't read Colton Gentry, what are you waiting for...?)
In "Love, Like Apples" Tiller, our main character and narrator, shares the story of how a 1970s public broadcast children's show (Imagine Nation) with puppets (think: Sesame Street, but for teenagers) changed his life and left a lasting impact on the world. Tiller is from a small town in rural Tennessee who discovers a love of and talent for puppetry as a teenager. In his 20s, he moves to NYC to pursue puppetry full-time and joins the cast of an upcoming children's show, Imagine Nation. The show's aim was to reach teenagers and explore issues that affect them in their daily lives, giving them a safe space to explore and learn: ."We won't always present a rosy view of America. That would be lying to teenagers, and they'd sniff us out immediately. But we'll always depict a vision for a country we believe can live up to its promise - the nation we imagine." What Tiller finds when he is hired as one of the puppeteers is more than just a paycheck; it's community, acceptance, family, love.
The story explores some sensitive topics, including drug use, drug abuse, PTSD, homophobia, suicidal ideation, and physical abuse. It treats of each of these topics with sensitivity and a gentleness that is honest and authentic. The story feels subversive but in small, subtle ways; as Tiller opines: "Sometimes radical gentleness can be the most subversive thing of all."
Despite the heartbreak he has had in his life and the challenges he has faced, Tiller's story always reflects joy: "Sometimes you have to choose joy because of the darkness and not in spite of it."
While the story is written as Tiller narrating his experiences through interviews for a documentary, the story is written in prose (not in interview format, like Daisy Jones and the Six). Zentner's interest in poetry is evident in the beautifully written prose; it is lyrical and atmospheric and draws the reader into the emotions of the story. Tiller's life story is an example of "how love, like apples, is a sweetness that emerges from improbable circumstances." And while the circumstances of this story were fictional, the characters and their stories and the historic backdrop all felt real. This one will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you in advance to the author and publisher for this advanced copy through NetGalley. I'm so privileged to have read this. If you loved Jeff Zentner's other adult novel, "Colton Gentry's Third Act," you'll love this one too. (If you haven't read Colton Gentry, what are you waiting for...?)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Love, Like Apples, Jeff Zentner delivers a tragic - yet hopeful - story as one man reflects on his life for a documentary project. Told as though he is speaking directly to the interviewer, Tiller recounts his upbringing in rural Tennessee and how he became involved in a puppeteering show called Imagine Nation. With his signature beautiful prose and uplifting messages, Zentner shows us a different side of the 1960s and 1970s American zeitgeist. Tiller is a soft, emotional character with a moving story. He'll have you rooting for him in no time at all.
I would consider Jeff Zentner one of my favorite authors, but this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe I am the wrong intended audience (as I didn't grow up on The Muppets or Sesame Street) but I couldn't get behind a puppet show for teenagers. A large portion of the book focuses on Tiller's work at Imagine Nation, and while I appreciated all the characters' passion and love for their art, I just didn't understand the appeal. It also felt like the story was building and building toward this great masterpiece with Imagine Nation airing on television, but, without spoiling anything, the show promptly ended, and then Tiller didn't do much else with his puppets. It was a bit of a letdown.
I also wasn't a huge fan of the romantic interest, either. For most of the story, Julie had another partner, and Tiller was pining for her. It felt like Julie was leading Tiller on, and while we later come to learn that she did have a crush on him while she was with someone else, it felt like she was taking advantage of his kindness and goodness, which was icky to me.
The strongest parts of the story were Tiller's youth with Smith and the overall messages of hope. The beginning of the story was so raw and emotional, and I was tearing up and highlighting many sentences. I really enjoyed how gentle and kind the characters were and how they preached tales of love and goodness while in the midst of the brutal Vietnam War. This is a historical fiction novel that takes place primarily in NYC, so of course Zentner had to incorporate major events of the time period (the release of Star Wars, the 1977 blackout, the AIDS crisis). However, there is more to the story than these moments, and there are little easter eggs thrown in, too (e.g., a Basquiat painting).
While this book wasn't my cup of tea, it's still an amazing novel. Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would consider Jeff Zentner one of my favorite authors, but this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe I am the wrong intended audience (as I didn't grow up on The Muppets or Sesame Street) but I couldn't get behind a puppet show for teenagers. A large portion of the book focuses on Tiller's work at Imagine Nation, and while I appreciated all the characters' passion and love for their art, I just didn't understand the appeal. It also felt like the story was building and building toward this great masterpiece with Imagine Nation airing on television, but, without spoiling anything, the show promptly ended, and then Tiller didn't do much else with his puppets. It was a bit of a letdown.
I also wasn't a huge fan of the romantic interest, either. For most of the story, Julie had another partner, and Tiller was pining for her. It felt like Julie was leading Tiller on, and while we later come to learn that she did have a crush on him while she was with someone else, it felt like she was taking advantage of his kindness and goodness, which was icky to me.
The strongest parts of the story were Tiller's youth with Smith and the overall messages of hope. The beginning of the story was so raw and emotional, and I was tearing up and highlighting many sentences. I really enjoyed how gentle and kind the characters were and how they preached tales of love and goodness while in the midst of the brutal Vietnam War. This is a historical fiction novel that takes place primarily in NYC, so of course Zentner had to incorporate major events of the time period (the release of Star Wars, the 1977 blackout, the AIDS crisis). However, there is more to the story than these moments, and there are little easter eggs thrown in, too (e.g., a Basquiat painting).
While this book wasn't my cup of tea, it's still an amazing novel. Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love, Like Apples feels like Jeff took everything his previous teenagers needed (think Dill, Travis, Lydia, Cash, Delaney, CASH’S MOM 😭, Delia, Josey—not an exhaustive list) and said, I know exactly what they would have needed.
So he created Imagine Nation.
When young Tiller’s already tumultuous life is wrecked by his brother’s draft to Vietnam, he finds comfort in the most unlikely place- a church puppet program. So begins a dream of becoming a puppeteer.
And that dream takes him to NYC, where he joins the cast of a controversial new program called Imagine Nation.
I am overwhelmed with all I want to say to give this story its due justice.
This is the story of Tiller, growing up in a broken, grief-riddled home in small-town Tennessee and finding his place with the found family of the Imagine Nation team in NYC. It’s his love story, and a STUNNING one at that, but, ya’ll, it’s the story of a group of artists, of imaginations, who deeply want to give teens a safe place to exist.
And, the message at the heart of Imagine Nation creates the perfect foundation for the cast to build that same safe place for each other. Found-family gold.
“...where Sesame focuses a lot on basic learning…we would be placing greater emphasis on emotional and social learning. Teaching teenagers empathy and tolerance, presenting and giving dignity to experiences and stories that have lived in our culture’s shadow.”
I can think of no other writer who tangles together pain, grief, and brokenness with hope, joy, and possibility like Jeff. Love, Like Apples is raw and truthful, and that hurts…frequently.
But it also excels at reminding us there is so much beauty and joy, even when so much is ugly and hard. Jeff shines again, reminding us there are always more chances for goodness.
Listen, I know all the early reviews are warning you to have your tissues ready. Heed the warning, my friends. This was one where I had to repeatedly set the book down to collect myself before continuing.
It’s emotional, empathetic, and romantic. 100% everything I expect from a Jeff Zentner novel!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to @grandcentralpub & @jeffzentner for the early copy!
So he created Imagine Nation.
When young Tiller’s already tumultuous life is wrecked by his brother’s draft to Vietnam, he finds comfort in the most unlikely place- a church puppet program. So begins a dream of becoming a puppeteer.
And that dream takes him to NYC, where he joins the cast of a controversial new program called Imagine Nation.
I am overwhelmed with all I want to say to give this story its due justice.
This is the story of Tiller, growing up in a broken, grief-riddled home in small-town Tennessee and finding his place with the found family of the Imagine Nation team in NYC. It’s his love story, and a STUNNING one at that, but, ya’ll, it’s the story of a group of artists, of imaginations, who deeply want to give teens a safe place to exist.
And, the message at the heart of Imagine Nation creates the perfect foundation for the cast to build that same safe place for each other. Found-family gold.
“...where Sesame focuses a lot on basic learning…we would be placing greater emphasis on emotional and social learning. Teaching teenagers empathy and tolerance, presenting and giving dignity to experiences and stories that have lived in our culture’s shadow.”
I can think of no other writer who tangles together pain, grief, and brokenness with hope, joy, and possibility like Jeff. Love, Like Apples is raw and truthful, and that hurts…frequently.
But it also excels at reminding us there is so much beauty and joy, even when so much is ugly and hard. Jeff shines again, reminding us there are always more chances for goodness.
Listen, I know all the early reviews are warning you to have your tissues ready. Heed the warning, my friends. This was one where I had to repeatedly set the book down to collect myself before continuing.
It’s emotional, empathetic, and romantic. 100% everything I expect from a Jeff Zentner novel!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to @grandcentralpub & @jeffzentner for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love, Like Apples
by Jeff Zentner
Pub Date: Nov 3 2026
In the world we are facing today, I needed this book. It reminds us that your circumstances are not who you are. You choose what you want to be and you can choose to be the light for others in an otherwise dark world. Oh, my heart. I laughed, I cried, I morned, and I saw hope. Zentner did it again. 🥹
Tiller is being interviewed for a documentary about a small, but groundbreaking puppet show for teens he was a part of in the 70s. As he recalls his life leading up to the show and after, we see a motherless country boy who works tirelessly under his inebriated father on their family's apple farm. His saving grace: his gentle and kind older brother Smith. Then Smith is drafted into the war and Tiller's world is ripped apart. His father becomes even more distant and Tiller is left all alone. The only escape Tiller has now is the marionette Smith gave him and the beautiful reminder that you choose who you want to be.
Tiller, it turns out, is a talented puppeteer, and when he sees his big break to be on a new puppet show called Imagine Nation (think Sesame Street mixed with SNL for teens), he decides he no longer wants to be an apple picker; he wants to use puppetry to spread joy & help other kids not feel so alone.
New York can be a scary place (especially in the 70s) for a country boy, but with the Imagine Nation crew of misfits, Tiller finds his place and the love of his life. Imagine Nation is a revolutionary show that tackles tough topics teens face: loneliness, drugs, peer pressure, and *gasp* sexuality in an open and safe space. But can puppets really reach teens? The story comes full circle and reminds us the importance of being kind and seeing others.
Told through Zentner's beautifully lyrical wording, I highlighted so many favorite quotes and phrases my copy might as well be a coloring book. I also looked up so many historical events and places that are mentioned throughout the novel and learned that much more.
This is one of Zentner's adult novels. Do I think teens/younger adults could relate to it? Most definitely. In my opinion it is right up there with The Serpent King.
#lovelikeapples
#netgalley
by Jeff Zentner
Pub Date: Nov 3 2026
In the world we are facing today, I needed this book. It reminds us that your circumstances are not who you are. You choose what you want to be and you can choose to be the light for others in an otherwise dark world. Oh, my heart. I laughed, I cried, I morned, and I saw hope. Zentner did it again. 🥹
Tiller is being interviewed for a documentary about a small, but groundbreaking puppet show for teens he was a part of in the 70s. As he recalls his life leading up to the show and after, we see a motherless country boy who works tirelessly under his inebriated father on their family's apple farm. His saving grace: his gentle and kind older brother Smith. Then Smith is drafted into the war and Tiller's world is ripped apart. His father becomes even more distant and Tiller is left all alone. The only escape Tiller has now is the marionette Smith gave him and the beautiful reminder that you choose who you want to be.
Tiller, it turns out, is a talented puppeteer, and when he sees his big break to be on a new puppet show called Imagine Nation (think Sesame Street mixed with SNL for teens), he decides he no longer wants to be an apple picker; he wants to use puppetry to spread joy & help other kids not feel so alone.
New York can be a scary place (especially in the 70s) for a country boy, but with the Imagine Nation crew of misfits, Tiller finds his place and the love of his life. Imagine Nation is a revolutionary show that tackles tough topics teens face: loneliness, drugs, peer pressure, and *gasp* sexuality in an open and safe space. But can puppets really reach teens? The story comes full circle and reminds us the importance of being kind and seeing others.
Told through Zentner's beautifully lyrical wording, I highlighted so many favorite quotes and phrases my copy might as well be a coloring book. I also looked up so many historical events and places that are mentioned throughout the novel and learned that much more.
This is one of Zentner's adult novels. Do I think teens/younger adults could relate to it? Most definitely. In my opinion it is right up there with The Serpent King.
#lovelikeapples
#netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beyond the first few chapters of the book, Love, Like Apples, is told in the format of an interview (first person narrative) with Tiller Loomis, a member of the crew of the short-lived Imagine Nation, a fictional PBS show that involved puppets and was directed at teenagers around the country, which ran in the 1970s. It is now present day and a renowned documentary director has an interest in putting together a documentary on this show that ran for nearly 10 episodes and then disappeared from the airways. Lucky for him, Tiller is the father of one of his friends/former classmates.
Instead of jumping into stories regarding the heyday of Imagine Nation, Tiller shares his background with the director--he grew up on an apple orchard with an older brother he loved dearly, Smith, and ultimately found his way to puppeteering under the guidance of a local couple. Ultimately, upon seeing an ad for an Appalachian puppeteer for a new show to be filmed in New York, Tiller applied for the role and landed the spot.
From there, he begins telling stories regarding the creative process of putting together the puppets, building the storylines, and filming the show, along with stories about the relationships between the various cast members. Most prominent of these is the love story between him and Julie.
I found the premise of this book to be very interesting and I enjoyed the writing style as well. What I found lacking was that I wanted more perspectives--the book felt incomplete without the perspectives and stories of the other cast members (and there are some allusions/conversations between Tiller and the director that hint at other interesting stories). I wanted to hear those for myself. I also found the second half of the book to really be a love story, more than a historical fiction about the show, and I found the storyline about the show to be the most engaging. (The love story is beautiful too, but I wasn't expecting the book to skew that way so heavily.)
Overall, an enjoyable book but not a stand out for me (for which I am the minority)!
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for my free ARC!
Instead of jumping into stories regarding the heyday of Imagine Nation, Tiller shares his background with the director--he grew up on an apple orchard with an older brother he loved dearly, Smith, and ultimately found his way to puppeteering under the guidance of a local couple. Ultimately, upon seeing an ad for an Appalachian puppeteer for a new show to be filmed in New York, Tiller applied for the role and landed the spot.
From there, he begins telling stories regarding the creative process of putting together the puppets, building the storylines, and filming the show, along with stories about the relationships between the various cast members. Most prominent of these is the love story between him and Julie.
I found the premise of this book to be very interesting and I enjoyed the writing style as well. What I found lacking was that I wanted more perspectives--the book felt incomplete without the perspectives and stories of the other cast members (and there are some allusions/conversations between Tiller and the director that hint at other interesting stories). I wanted to hear those for myself. I also found the second half of the book to really be a love story, more than a historical fiction about the show, and I found the storyline about the show to be the most engaging. (The love story is beautiful too, but I wasn't expecting the book to skew that way so heavily.)
Overall, an enjoyable book but not a stand out for me (for which I am the minority)!
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for my free ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Where do I even start with the masterpiece that is Love, Like Apples? It’s an unbelievably moving, beautiful story of one of the kindest, gentlest souls to live in my thoughts.
Tiller grows up in the 1960s on a Tennessee apple orchard with an alcoholic father and an amazingly kind older brother who fills his life with love and teaches him about the power to choose who he wants to be. When Smith gets drafted into the Vietnam War, we all know some sadness is coming.
When Tiller finds puppetry and learns about it from an older couple in his town, it changes his life, and soon he finds himself in 1970s NYC working on a PBS puppet production aimed at teenagers, offering hope and love. He meets castmates who will become family, and also finds the love of his life.
Wow. I knew I’d love Love, Like Apples before I even started it, knew from the first chapter, knew throughout the book that it was going to be one of my favorites of the year, if not THE favorite. I love how the story is told as a documentary, as seventy-something Tiller is telling his story through an interview.
And Tiller. One of those characters you want everything good to happen for, how he deserves all good things and kindness and happiness, how he finds his way in the world and truly embodies all those lessons his brother taught him. I loved the idea of the show, teaching empathy to teens, meeting them where they are and not backing down from difficult topics, wanting kids to know they’re not alone. And a huge reminder of the power of art to heal, hope, love, help us through. Tiller and Julie together? Magic.
As if the idea and plot and characters aren’t enough, the writing is achingly beautiful. I reread so many passages just to relive the beauty of the writing and evoke all those feelings and savor the joy of reading this book. I don’t cry much, but I sure cried here, multiple times.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Tiller grows up in the 1960s on a Tennessee apple orchard with an alcoholic father and an amazingly kind older brother who fills his life with love and teaches him about the power to choose who he wants to be. When Smith gets drafted into the Vietnam War, we all know some sadness is coming.
When Tiller finds puppetry and learns about it from an older couple in his town, it changes his life, and soon he finds himself in 1970s NYC working on a PBS puppet production aimed at teenagers, offering hope and love. He meets castmates who will become family, and also finds the love of his life.
Wow. I knew I’d love Love, Like Apples before I even started it, knew from the first chapter, knew throughout the book that it was going to be one of my favorites of the year, if not THE favorite. I love how the story is told as a documentary, as seventy-something Tiller is telling his story through an interview.
And Tiller. One of those characters you want everything good to happen for, how he deserves all good things and kindness and happiness, how he finds his way in the world and truly embodies all those lessons his brother taught him. I loved the idea of the show, teaching empathy to teens, meeting them where they are and not backing down from difficult topics, wanting kids to know they’re not alone. And a huge reminder of the power of art to heal, hope, love, help us through. Tiller and Julie together? Magic.
As if the idea and plot and characters aren’t enough, the writing is achingly beautiful. I reread so many passages just to relive the beauty of the writing and evoke all those feelings and savor the joy of reading this book. I don’t cry much, but I sure cried here, multiple times.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Author Jeff Zentner never fails to surprise me with his books, which I find both exciting and endearing. Love, Like Apples tells the story of Tiller, who spends most of his hours outside of school toiling on his alcoholic father's apple form. There's not much for Tiller in rural Tennessee except for his older brother, who becomes his hero and role model. Smith quietly teaches Tiller that he must treat others with kindness and that he gets to decide what type of person he wants to be.
So when the Vietnam War takes Smith away from him, Tiller finds respite with a couple who run a a little puppetry business performing for children in small venues. Intrigued, he accepts their invitation to train with them to make puppets and bring them to life, both visually and verbally. And, as soon as he graduates from high school, he takes off for New York City in the late 1970s in search of this type of work at a higher level. Tiller answers a job listing asking for an Appalachian puppeteer and lands the job with a dedicated group of writers and artists putting together an upcoming TV series on PBS, hoping for the same success as the popular Sesame Street. But this show will be for teenagers, especially those who have never seen a show about kids who look like them or who have their problems. It will be called Imagination Nation. And voila--Tiller has found his new family.
The story is structured as an extended interview with a documentary maker who wants to feature this TV series from the viewpoint of those who lived it, even if for a shorter time than expected. And although it is in Tiller's voice, he succeeds in bringing it all to life in front of the reader. A scrappy group of artists with a big dream, a beautiful love story, prejudice and bravery, celebration and mourning. Sometimes Zentner's writing becomes luminous, and other times down to earth, making for a successful juxtaposition. There is humor, love, creativity, and a lot of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
So when the Vietnam War takes Smith away from him, Tiller finds respite with a couple who run a a little puppetry business performing for children in small venues. Intrigued, he accepts their invitation to train with them to make puppets and bring them to life, both visually and verbally. And, as soon as he graduates from high school, he takes off for New York City in the late 1970s in search of this type of work at a higher level. Tiller answers a job listing asking for an Appalachian puppeteer and lands the job with a dedicated group of writers and artists putting together an upcoming TV series on PBS, hoping for the same success as the popular Sesame Street. But this show will be for teenagers, especially those who have never seen a show about kids who look like them or who have their problems. It will be called Imagination Nation. And voila--Tiller has found his new family.
The story is structured as an extended interview with a documentary maker who wants to feature this TV series from the viewpoint of those who lived it, even if for a shorter time than expected. And although it is in Tiller's voice, he succeeds in bringing it all to life in front of the reader. A scrappy group of artists with a big dream, a beautiful love story, prejudice and bravery, celebration and mourning. Sometimes Zentner's writing becomes luminous, and other times down to earth, making for a successful juxtaposition. There is humor, love, creativity, and a lot of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
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