Prudence taught herself to play the piano at the age of three. Her parents abandoned her so her grandmother took her in to raise her and to control her music future. Alexei was a 16-year-old Russian wunderkind, managed by his manipulative mother and who had a successful reality TV show where pianists compete against each other. Prudence was almost 50, Alexei was 22 when the opportunity was created to pit the two of them against each other for a very large purse. Both had financial predicaments that needed the prize money. It’s a bit of a fanciful story but delightful nevertheless.

I liked the premise of this book. A piano player myself, the plot intrigued me. Overall, it was a good story, but the execution was lacking a bit for me. It was kind of drawn out. It didn’t pull me in. I found it hard to read more than a few pages at a time. The pacing was off and I felt there were just a few too many side character/storylines.

I may recommend it to others, but I’d probably include a warning or two about the things I had issues with that diminished my enjoyment.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Second Ending is redemption for two highly acclaimed pianist. One a child prodigy has lived life masterfully after walking away from her piano to raise a family. She is now facing a mid-life crisis since moving her daughter to college. She feels she's lost her purpose until her husband delivers a grand piano to her and her love is reborn. The other is a young pianist finding his footing hosting a Piano Wars reality show in LA. To boost ratings, the producers pitch to have them battle on the show.

What happens in between them agreeing to be the contestants is pure mayhem as their lives unravel. I enjoyed the characters, the music and the shady antics sub-plot. Both these pianist learn to take chances, trust in themselves and find how music helps others.

Thank you Random House for the complimentary copy.

"The Second Ending" tells the story of former piano child prodigy, Prudence. Living a luxurious and private life in Arizona, she is suddenly faced with a need for money to pay off her ex-husband. The perfect opportunity presents itself: the chance to win one million dollars on a dueling piano TV show competition. She dusts off her old instrument, and begins to reconnect with her love of music.

This book is filled with the most outlandish cast of characters: a Russian pianist, a jealous HOA president, an ex husband and general deadbeat who gets locked in his car in the middle of the Arizona desert, and of course, Prudence herself. It reminded me of "Lessons in Chemistry:" a lot of comedy, absurdist humor, and overall bizarre situations that will have you quietly whispering to yourself "wtf..." The themes are similar too, staying true to your passions in the second half of life, the complicated social relationships that unfold in neighborhoods.

A super fun summer read that reminds the reader middle aged women can make the very best protagonists.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman. The story and characters are wonderful. Happy Reading!
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

THE SECOND ENDING by Michelle Hoffman is an entertaining and emotional story of second chances and never giving up on your dreams. It is the story of two accomplished pianists who end up competing against each other on a dueling pianos TV show. Whoever wins will receive a million dollars and both desperately need that prize money. Prudence Childs was a famous child prodigy who inspired many young artists to take up the piano. But as she entered her teens, she realized she was being exploited by her cruel and controlling grandmother. As soon as she could, she left everything behind and took a job writing jingles for TV commercials. At forty-eight, she agrees to the TV duel as a way to regain her creative passion for music. Her rival is twenty-two-year-old Russian virtuoso, Alexei Petrov. Although he has achieved considerable internet and TV fame, Alexei is pushed so hard by his domineering parents that has no friends or other interests outside of his music. Both pianists need the money, but more importantly, they need to take control of their lives, overcome their self-doubts and regain the joy that music once gave them. I found myself totally engrossed in the story and the characters’ lives. THE SECOND ENDING is an enjoyable, heartwarming and uplifting story and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an advance copy.

Unfortunately, this book did not engage me at all.

We have Prudence as the main character. She is a pianist who gained fame at a young age and is most known for a jingle for Pep Soda. She is a quirky character which I don't mind, but I feel like she is quirky over the top. She did not have a great childhood, but now has a family of her own with 2 grown daughters that have minimal contact with her and can't say I blame them.

She's very dramatic saying she's never going to play again, but just start a book club when her husband questions her about what she's been doing with her days. A secretive first husband comes out of the wood work to blackmail her about information he thinks he has discovered in regards to the Pep Soda commercial and she decides to sell her Steinway piano to pay him what he asks. A reality dueling piano show comes into play as well.

Prudence & her husband also live in a neighborhood with strict HOA rules and they come to tell her that she can't play her piano in the evening any more because it violates the noise rules. They go so far as to send someone in her house to "dig up dirt" on her when she comes home and she calls the police. The young man says that he has heard her play and enjoys it so would she mind playing him a song while they wait for the cops and she says, "Why not?" It was at this point that I had had enough of the book and gave it up even though I was nearly 3/4 of the way through the book. I just didn't want to spend any more time with it.

It gave me vibes of Where's Bernadette which I also did not care for, but if that is a story you enjoy, you'll probably love it. Just not for me.

The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman 
#bookreview
This book really took me by surprise. It is set up so cleverly, with us as the reader meeting the characters slowly throughout the book. I was immediately invested in Prudence and her attempt at a second ending.
This book has an interesting cast of characters. We have Prudence and her husband, living a lavish life, from her earnings from years of writing popular commercial jingles. Alexei, a very popular pianist, hosting a dueling pianos television show. We also have Prudence's ex husband Bobby, who is struggling financially, and then the president of the HOA, who has a personal vendetta. 
The story is leading up to a televised music competition featuring Prudenance and Alexei...who will be the champion? 
I really loved this story! These characters were not immediately likeable, they are complicated and there is definitely more than meets the eye when it comes to each of them. I recommend giving this second chance story a chance. 
This is out today!
#thesecondending #michellehoffman #fiction #music #review #bookreview #bookreviewer #jaylammreads #maybooks #newrelease

Michelle Hoffman's THE SECOND ENDING is possibly the most deft, well-woven, wonderfully characterized stories I've ever read. Pitting empty nester, former child prodigy turned advertising jingle writer Prudence Childs against her past self in protected, precious Alexei Petrov on a must win, televised piano competition, Hoffman writes with intelligent compassion of the pressures, the excruciating pain of child prodigies forced into exacting disciplines to the exclusion of all else, including pets, friends, and relationships as well as the small-minded, never-quite-got-it-together ex-husbands and envisions others who seek to bring idols down. Every character, every moment is pitch perfect joy in rollicking, laugh out loud and heartbreak. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

At first, I found the story just a little slow to get into the nitty gritty. The characters felt bland and not much had me wanting to know more. Since it is very rare for me to DNF a book, I plugged away and in the end, I was happy with how the story eventually played out. You have characters who are flawed and who had similar upbringings although you may not have seen that from the start. Talent is only part of what makes a person successful at what they do. You also need passion and both Prudence and Alexei lost that along the way. Both will find it before the story ends and in unusual ways. A bit of suspense kept me wanting to find out how it all played out. A good start for a first time author with a bit of comedy and a few heartwarming moments as well.

What a good read. Had a great plot to it. I loved the character development and the settings were great.

I loved the quirky characters. This book was a quick read. I enjoyed it.

What a whimsical heart felt read! I didn’t want to put it down but when I had to (mom life) and I found myself sneaking to read more. Well rounded characters, one of a kind plot, and tender hearted moments that will strike a chord with everyone. Hooray for Alexei and bravo to Prudence.

“The Second Ending” is a lighthearted, heartwarming debut novel about two pianists as they prepare to compete on a reality TV show and set out to prove that is never too late to write a new ending.

Former child prodigy and jingle writer Prudence Childs is now 48 and facing a mid-life crisis with her two daughters away at college. Classical pianist Alexei Pertrov is a young internet sensation and the host of a dueling pianos TV competition. Determined to reconnect with the artist she once was, Prudence agrees to compete against Alexei on the show. When Prudence’s ex-husband finds out, he uses the opportunity to blackmail her and threaten to expose her biggest secret. If she loses, she will not only be a musical failure, but she will also be exposed in front of millions. Meanwhile, Prudence’s on-air rival Alexei has problems of his own. The exhausted wunderkind’s overbearing and domineering parents have left him without any kind of life outside his music.

I absolutely loved this book. The main characters were fun and eccentric, and even though they were flawed, they were extremely lovable. This book is funny and heartwarming and was truly just a delight to read. A great reminder to follow your dreams, be open to new beginnings, and welcome the opportunity for a second ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballentine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Second Ending is a heartwarming novel that is both wild and witty, with a bright and engaging storyline. It is the perfect read for anyone who has ever wished they could reinvent their life. From start to finish, I was captivated by every page and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

This was a fun read. I loved the music of it, but the wit and the characters were stupendous. I chuckled more than a few times reading this one. Prudence is a middle-aged child prodigy with some baggage. She is so beautifully unaware of people's bad intentions until they're right in front of her. Her husband Stuart is such a good guy. She's trying to navigate life as it is handed to her, with her kids off to college and nothing much else to do. I really enjoyed how the author described the music and its impact on the people who heard it. As a former musician, I appreciate its use.
I would absolutely recommend this one to my friends. I was given an ARC for my honest review, which I've written.

4.5 stars rounded up

The Second Ending, by Michelle Hoffman, is a delightful debut novel filled with humor, pathos, music, wisdom and hope!
While very much character-driven, there is enough action and a bit of suspense to appeal to readers of cozy mysteries, also.
Prudence is a former child prodigy pianist who lives very comfortably in Scottsdale, AZ, with husband Stuart and a shih tzu named Mrs. Wintour! But she has sunk into ennui with her empty nest now that her daughters are away to college, and Stu is traveling a lot for business. The delivery of her childhood Steinway Grand piano to her home is a surprise, triggering many emotions in Pru, and beginning a startling series of events!
The cast of characters is rich, ranging from the wise and supportive Pierre, patient loving husband Stu, complicated Alexis the virtuoso young pianist and TV host, and some darker characters like nasty Tamara and conniving Bobby. But the central figure is Pru—struggling with her empty nest, life disappointments and “but, isn’t there more” outlook. My heart ached for Pru, and I think many women will identify with her history and the quandaries in her present life.
No spoilers here—there is well-paced plot movement, with a few little twists along the way. An added bonus for music lovers is that each chapter title is a musical work or term, enhancing the charm of the story.
The writing is very strong, with insightful commentary about relationships—whether with parents, children or partners—character, talent, and kindness. The little morality lessons are well-placed and subtly effective.
I highly recommend this charming work by a new smart voice in women’s fiction. I will eagerly look forward to more novels by Michelle Hoffman!

Thank you to Ballantine Books/Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

A great "coming of age" story for the second coming of age. I love protagonists that are a bit older.. in their 40's -60's and are changing their lives. Any piano players will. also love this story. It's an easy read and heart warming.

The Second Ending was a story I wasn't expecting to love but absolutely did. If you're a fan of middle aged main characters, starting over, and/or dueling pianos, this debut is for you! I cannot wait to read whatever Michelle Hoffman puts out next!

I flew through this book. I found the premise to be fully original and engaging. Told through two points of view - both pianists - one at the prime of his career and the other looking backwards at what was and what could possibly be again.

I loved the study of musicianship - the dedication required and the often found issue of over-bearing parents - many times living vicariously through their child. The subject was difficult at times - but the author adeptly infused humor into the story. There were several laugh out loud moments.

This story is about finding your voice, finding your passion for your art , learning to block out those self-deceiving inner voices, taking chances, trusting your heart and finding community. I really enjoyed this one! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 5.30.23

What a fantastic debut from Michelle Hoffman! I predict that The Second Ending is going to be on a lot of "Best of" lists for 2023.

"Prudence was a child prodigy playing the piano for the White House and the Queen. She eventually realizes she's become just another child star pushed into fame by her cruel grandmother. At 18, she runs away from both. Flat broke and alone, she takes a job writing commercial jingles. This earns her a fortune but shuts down her creativity.
Now with her daughters at school, Prudence is determined to reconnect with the artist she used to be. She agrees to compete on a wildly popular TV Show - Dueling Pianos with Alexei. Her terrible ex-husband, Bobby, finds out and blackmails her with a secret she doesn't want revealed. She must win to pay him off.
Her opponent, Alexei Petrov, is a piano virtuoso, but he has problems of his own. His parents are domineering and control every aspect of his life. Alexei has no friends or hobbies outside of performing. He is desperate to break away.
As Prudence and Alexei prepare, they both realize it is never too late for a second ending"

Prudence has an exceptional gift and has not used it. Her kids think she just writes jingles and plays the occasional pop song on their little spinet. Have you ever heard a song or piece of music of even a chorus and been transported back to a specific place and time when it meant something to you? Hoffman's descriptions of Prudence's playing are what make this book phenomenal. So many characters that are brought to tears by a memory brought on by her playing.
You may recognize some of yourself in Alexei - the difficulty in breaking away from your parents, especially if they have control issues. Hoffman is not kind to "Stage parents, tiger moms or Little League Dads"

The competition at the end is fantastic. I would love to see Alexei's rendition of Great Balls of Fire. And there's a pleasant surprise for Prudence.

Hoffman's book is about never giving up on your dreams - no matter your age. It's about intentional choices and communication. It's about sharing a gift. If you ever took a music lesson (or were in middle school band) or have ever been moved by music you will adore this book. Add this to your summer reading list.