Member Reviews

I appreciated the opportunity to read Your Second Act. I do think this book suffers from a genre problem. I wish that more of Patricia was in this book and less self help information. I do often listen to celebrity books on audio and I wonder if that would have changed my feelings.

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This was so good! I loved her in Raymond, and it was so entertaining to hear her life story. I only wish I had the audio version so I could have heard her read it

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I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this book. I am in my thirties and a lot of times I feel too old for things. Patricia Heaton has a way of becoming your friend through her words and making you realize that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

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I like Patricia Heaton but maybe not enough to read a book by her. This honestly wasn't my cup of tea but that is really on me. I should have read the book jacket. I thought this was a memoir and really it's a self help book, which is fine but not was I was looking for. I think This might resonate more when I'm order and have more life experience or going through my own reinvention.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Some great advice in this book without being too heavy-handed. At times I felt like 14 different stories was too much; some of the characteristics of the "honorees" seemed a bit repetitive, but there was some variety. When I was finished, I went back through the book and looked up several of the people who were profiled, because I wanted to know more about them. I liked the way her questions in each section had at least one that was specific to that person or situation; chances are, each reader would find at least one story that really resonates with them.

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I just turned thirty, I thought "oh shit, I'm old."
This book made me look at this differently.
Also I love Patricia Heaton!

Thank you for the ARC!!

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Your Second Act: Inspiring Stories of Reinvention is an excellent read. I loved every story. It gets five stars from me.

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A gift to have read "Your Second Act." I enjoyed learning about Patricia Heaton, her journey and who she is as a person. What intrigued me with the title was the thought can I really have a second act? I am at the cusp of retirement, but not ready to retire. The stories/worksheets did in fact trigger soulful thought of what brings me joy/creativity and what am I about. Questions about oneself are often difficult for me but reading inspirational Second Act's, started my thinking process. I am still in babystep mode but have rekindled love of art/nature and reflection. Thank you for the opportunity to read and going to put tools into action.

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This book is not for my target audience. 20-30s females. But I did enjoy the stories and the premise.

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One of my favorite sitcom actresses. I requested based on that fact and I was not disappointed. A great read during the tough times of quarantine.

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We all have the chance to have a second act. Ms Heaton highlights those who chose their second act on their own and those who had it forced upon them by life. I liked the diversity of the paths that were chosen and it reminded me that as we are all facing crossroads in our lives doors will open and passions will illuminate themselves. This book has me contemplating more earnestly about my own second act.

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I have read several nonfiction books by persons who are celebrities in various media. I enjoy Patricia as an actress and appreciated getting to know more about her vision in other areas. Wile this book does hav a Christian slant, it is not a religious book.
The topic is one I have long had an interest in and I enjoyed the way she writes abut the people she interviewed.

Patricia started with people she knew from her own starting over activities and writes also about others she learned about, people who overcame obstacles, who did more than they were called to do, and those for whom there was a calling, that need to do more, to give back or pay forward the blessings they received in life.

This is an inspirational book. A book to make you think about the possibilities in your own life. What would give it more meaning and how to keep it feeling like you are here for a purpose.

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Your Second Act by Patricia Heaton is not a memoir or a celebrity book. It is, instead, an inspiring collection of Second Act stories, amazing and challenging, scary and empowering stories featuring people of a certain age, including the author.

The first part of the book focuses on the author's personal journey of reinvention, and it is entertaining and insightful, especially for fans of her work. But, the bulk of the book contains the good stuff. Like the story of Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of IT Cosmetics, As an on-air TV personality with rosacea, Lima spent way too much time and effort trying to find a product she'd feel confident using. Solving that problem became her second act.

There are a bunch of great stories in the pages of this book. Stories of empowerment and reinvention and hope. And woven into and between each story are bits of wisdom and encouragement from the author and other women who have already trod this path.

Your Second Act isn't so much a how-to book as it is an encouraging friend, a cheerleader, a promise that you, too, can create a meaningful and wonderful second act. The inclusion of Q&A sections, advice and reflection questions helps move the reader from passive to active, something that I really enjoyed, as well ,

The author has a friendly and conversational voice, and one that instantly puts the reader at ease. Maybe because of her on-screen persona, there's a sense of trust almost from page 1. The stories are well-paced and personable, and the extra sections are meaningful.

I've read a number of books on this topic - reinvention after a certain age - and this one fills a gap in a market quickly filling with academic and self-help-type books. It is engaging and personal, and the fact that it is written by a familiar and much-loved celebrity who has been through this stage herself sets it even further apart.

This review is based on an advance copy read.

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First of all, thank you to the author, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Whoever approved my request to read this in advance, thank you so much because it definitely did not disappoint. I came across this book when Patricia Heaton, the author, posted it on her social media and instantly knew I needed to add to my reading list; I thought it was an autobiography, and I wanted to know how her career has reached a high level of success.

However, to my surprise, it was all about "second act" in life (hence the title). With a bit of hesitation, I started reading the first pages, and I was immediately drawn to the story line, which consisted of many real and authentic stories about how middle aged people had started a new career path in that tricky life stage.

I devoured the stories, feeling even more inspired to take charge of my own professional life. However, I took my own time to reflect on each story, and individually, they gave me a lot of personal growth, and professional knowledge.

Before reading this book, I found "second acts" to be nearly impossible and uncommon in social circle, therefore, I had very little hope in doing one myself farther down the line. However, this book taught me to always try and see what happens, if not, the "what-ifs?" will most likely be a constant shadow in my thoughts. One of the many takeaways is that age should not be a factor whether a second chapter of someone's life is successful or not. It's about determination and a little bit of belief in yourself.

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I loved Everybody Loves Raymond because of Patricia Heaton. I laughed all the way through this memoir and cant wait to get the audible version when this book releases. Patricia Heaton is one of my favorite actresses!

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I went into this book thinking it was an autobiography or memoir but it was actually a collection of stories regarding ‘second acts.’ I related more to some than others but this was a great compilation of Inspiration and real-life situations of overcoming adversity and following your passions. One of the most surprising tidbits that stood out for me was that it wasn’t until age 49 that Julia Child co-wrote her first cookbook. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

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A delightful look at not only Ms. Heaton's story of life after Raymond, but a chance to listen and learn from a variety of others facing a new chapter, a new twist in the road of life.

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I enjoyed this book. At first i thought it was going to be like the Chicken Soup For The Soul books but this was way better. My favorite parts were how people with disabilities overcame their obstacles and did what they wanted. This book was so inspiring.

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I read Patricia Heaton's previous book years ago and enjoyed it so when I saw this one, I was really interested. I love that Heaton includes not only her own story, but the story of many others and how they reinvented themselves for a second act. This would be a perfect read for anyone looking to change things up!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Your Second Act by Patricia Heaton os an excellent book that is part inspirational, part memoir, and part self-encouragement.

I have always loved Ms. Heaton as not only an excellent actress, but also as a strong woman and role model on and off the camera. I was obviously excited that she has written a book, and I read it in hopes of finding out even more about her.

What I obtained from reading this gem is not only insights into her life, but her own hopes, dreams, memories, struggles, successes, and how she has been able to find herself and what matters to her. She let me know that it does not matter what age that this takes place. It is never too late, nor too large a hurdle to clear. I was able to not only read about her story, but also others’ stories as well as they relate to what she was trying to express to the reader.

What I came away with was a story of hope, faith, resilience, and light. An excellent book for anyone needing help in finding themselves, no matter what age.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

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