The Second Ending is a great read for fans of second chance/music themed stories (second chance here more about being able to have a next chapter in fame/success, not romance per se) and reminded me of themes in The Unsinkable Greta James, The People We Keep, and other books with similar music and relationship and coming of age/adult lives themes.
This is a fun read, I liked the examination of behind the scenes of famous lives/prodigies and the focus on how we don't know someone's story until they less us see it/hear it. Fame, creativity, and talent aren't easy to navigate and this book thoughtfully captures those intricacies as we learn about Prudence's background and ex husband and Alexie's pressures from his family and the pressure of fame and potential. My one note is that this book got a little overdone for me with some of the drama and storytelling, I don't mind overdone in some books but this story and the characters were enough without added drama/plot points. I still enjoyed it and recommend it!

How can you not love a book about second chances? Especially when it is as well written as, "The Second Ending", by Michelle Hoffman. One protagonist is a former child prodigy who is in midlife crisis and is offered the chance to find what might have been. The other is a young, dashing, Russian phenom, who needs money to save his family and continue his fame. One night could change everything for one of them. But who will it be?

There is tremendous heart in this novel. There is also humor and pathos, excitement and drama. Just about everything one could ask for in a good story. And all of this is in a debut novel! This certainly was a joy to read.

The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman is no something I would’ve picked up on my own, but it was suggested to me via the publisher, and it sounded interesting. Former childhood star pianist Prudence Childs comes out of retirement to dual up and coming pianist Alexei Petrov in a dual on a TV show. The build up to the show was incredible, displaying both backgrounds that led each pianist to where they are now, and to show you that everyone has their own battle going on.

Great read! Looking forward to more from Ms. Hoffman.

I'll be honest, I did not finish this book. I had a difficult time connecting with the main characters, and once the scheming ex showed up, I realized that this probably wasn't going to be the book for me.

I liked this book.
It started as a 5* for me, but it soon became so angst-ridden that it felt somewhat overdone.
I felt for the main character and her situation to a point. Her childhood was terrible, and she married the wrong man. When he started to blackmail her, she simply panicked and wanted to pay him off. She did not explore what he actually had on her. This is where I thought the book became unreasonably full of angst. Sometimes the reader can experience stress along with the characters, but this was not presented in a way that felt realistic to me.
I found the MC and the Russian pianist to be well-developed characters, but their friends and family lacked dimension.
My knowledge of music is very basic. Readers do not need to know much about classical music to enjoy the plot of this novel. Some knowledge of classical composers, at least by name and major works, is helpful.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Second Ending

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one was such a warm and different contemporary fiction!

A story about two dialing pianists, it was fun to see both of their perspectives. I really enjoyed their backstories and watching them persevere as they prepared for the big event.

Check this one out at the end of May if you need a warm cozy story! Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

I received a digital ARC from Random House Publishing Group Ballantine in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this novel. There were a lot of characters and backstories, but everything came together nicely. Prudence and Alexei’s growth was apparent, and the story was uplifting and positive. I look forward to reading more from Michelle Hoffman in the future.

Can you have a mid-life crisis and a coming of age moment in your late 40s? Because that's what Prudence is experiencing in The Second Ending.

It's funny, poignant, thoughtful and beautifully written. The characters are quirky and likeable. I liked the alternating third person narration. Really enjoyed the song titles as chapter titles. I do wish there was a Spotify playlist to showcase all the music mentioned in the book.

Recommend if you liked Where'd You Go Bernadette.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

I loved The Second Ending, written by Michelle Hoffman. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the hottest books of the year. The writing style is cute, the plot is fun, and the Prudence, the protagonist, is lovable, quirks in all. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my opinions.

The Second Ending is both a light and humorous story and a deep, moving one. Both Prudence and Alexei were master pianists. Prudence was a child prodigy, performing at eight years old at The White House. But she walked away when she was in her teens, away from her domineering grandmother. Meanwhile, Alexei was pushed to become a star by his overbearing mother. His talent was the result of hard work, which left him no time for friends or a life. Now, Prudence is 48 and an empty nester. And Alexei is the young (22) host of a surprisingly successful dueling piano tv show. But they both are facing issues that could change their lives. The solution for each is to win a new competition where they must compete head to head.
Other characters are brought in with their own issues. There are multiple POVs, which keeps the book moving at a brisk pace. There’s Prudence’s failure of an ex-husband, loaded with debt and looking for a windfall, the president of the HOA, who’s convinced Prudence ruined her chance to be a famous ballerina and the producer of Alexei’s show, being driven crazy by the demands of the studio.
Hoffman does a great job giving us two main characters that are realistic and relatable. Despite their age differences, they share things in common. Neither was allowed a childhood and had to live their lives for someone else.
I love a book that can combine humor and drama without either one being slighted. This book does that. Hoffman also manages to convey on paper music well played and the joy that comes from it.
I was driven to see how the story would end and I was so pleased with the ending Hoffman fashioned. This is just a lovely story about dreams and not giving up on them. The only reason this wasn’t a five star read for me was that the plot did feel a little contrived at times.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.

Slow, tedious and boring. And the plot? Ridiculous.

As a professional pianist and organist with classical training, I’d have to say that it appeared that the author merely needed an outlet to expound on her musical knowledge. Whoever helped her write it (an editor? A friend?), threw in all these other disparate characters to make a plot, but for me, it only served to show how poorly conceived the actual plot was.

She obviously knows a lot about music and musical training/preparation. I appreciated the hours of practice she included in her book. I also appreciated the diligence of practicing small sections over and over and over that she spoke of. Yes. All of that is certainly fact – but not very engaging in a novel.

The parents pushing the prodigies and the prodigies balking at being used were certainly right on target as was making stupid decisions to get away from their dominance. But for me, the rest of the book fell flat. I struggled through the first 56% and simply could not go further.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book and wish the author the best.

As a child piano prodigy, Prudence Childs lived the anguish of the teaching of her overbearing grandmother. Prudence quit performing to write jingles never to perform again. Alexie is a young adult piano perfectionist plagued by his mother’s management. Both Prudence and Alexie are in for some big personal changes as they prepare to compete in a televised show.
The story is so interesting as you read about the struggles of Prudence and Alexie compounded by a list of villainous or helpful characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was enjoyable, but I am not sure this will stick with me long term.
Dual Points of View which was fun, but also a bit hard to wrap my head around in the beginning. I enjoyed this, it was fun, LOVE the cover.

This debut novel was a slow start for me due to the alternating background stories for the characters.

Dual characters, Prudence and Alexei, are both quirky and scarred. Prudence, a former child piano prodigy, undergoes a mid-life crisis, and Alexei, a gifted ex-Russian pianist with aspirations for stardom and love, ultimately compete in a reality show of dueling piano performances. The competition is a must-win for both Prudence and Alexei.

Eccentric side stories of blackmail, revenge and lost love add to the characters motivations

Thank you to @NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advance ebook in exchange for an honest review. Pub Date is May 30, 2023.

review posted on GoodReads 4/18/23

The Second Ending
Michelle Hoffman
Pub Date: May 30, 2023 🗓️

The Second Ending was the most unique and engaging book I’ve read in awhile! The whole premise of second chances was infused throughout the entire book in many ways and I absolutely loved it!

Prudence Childs, a former child prodigy, finds herself lost after her two children are now away at college. Committed to starting a book club to keep herself occupied, she instead decides to try to reignite her love for the piano as she creates her own second ending. At the same time, internet sensation Alexei Petrov is looking for his own second ending after his parents have put so much pressure on him growing up to be the best pianist.

Now, Prudence and Alexei are set to square off against one another in a live dueling piano competition. However, many obstacles along the way try to prevent them each from their own seconding ending. Can Prudence and Alexei prove that it’s never too late reinvent themselves and have their own second ending?

The characters were so quirky and I LOVED them! The author did a phenomenal job developing the characters and painting such a vivid picture. She made each character come to life and I was so invested the story because of the unique characters! While the book jumped around a bit, I just adored the writing style and how hooked I was throughout the entire book.

If you are looking for a unique story about finding yourself and creating your own second ending, this is the book for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Favorite quotes:
“How many people, Prudence wondered, lose sight of a team because of one careless comment from a stranger? When someone tells us we can’t do something, why do we accept it?”

“Immortality, she realized, was in all of us, in some form or another. Because each of us lives on in the people we connect with, whether through music, or love, or a shared dream.”

Thank you to Michelle Hoffman, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a gifted copy of The Second Ending!

Posted on Instagram on April 15, 2023 (Currently Reading): http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
Posted on Goodreads on April 18, 2023: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram (full review) on May 30, 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Instagram (mini review) in early May 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 30, 2023
**-will post on designated date

The Second Ending follows the story of Prudence Childs, a child prodigy pianist who no longer plays the piano, and Alexei Petrov, a 22-year-old child prodigy pianist. The two characters find themselves pitted against one another on "Alexei Petrov's Dueling Piano Wars," a competition TV show. The characters, while at different points in their lives have both experienced the pressure of being a prodigy and how they worked through those pressures.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. While some people may not be as interested in the backstory of all the characters and side characters, I personally loved reading about each person. It was also refreshing to read something that feels incredibly unique as I haven't read much of anything that details the experiences of piano prodigies before.

I had to read about 1/3 of the novel before I really felt like I wanted to know more about these characters. But once invested, I certainly wanted to know how the story played out. As readers learn more about competitors Alexi and Prudence and realize their commonalities, they root for both to "win" in the end. This would make a nice book club read for those clubs that like lighter fare that can warrant some deeper discussion.

The Second Ending Review
🎹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC to review!

A former child piano prodigy named Prudence has left the piano playing in her past until she has a mid life crisis. Her well meaning husband buys her childhood piano, and that unlocks secrets that Prudence has hid in her past. Will she be able to prove that she is not just a child prodigy turned housewife when she is invited to participate in a piano wars TV show? Her competitor, a young classical pianist turned TV star is having a crisis of his own. Who will come out on top?

Wow. I loved this book! It was a fun surprise. I requested this book on a whim after getting an email about it. I saw the cover and realized it was a piano and was intrigued.

As a former piano player, I loved all the little bits of musical knowledge sprinkled into this book. All the chapters were named after songs or music inspired. The entire story centered around music.

As far as the story and characters go, this book was slow but steady. I did feel some parts dragged, but I was able to keep at it because I was so engrossed in the characters. This story is full of dynamic and unique characters. I had empathy for each one. Each character deserves their “second ending”

Pick this book up in June if you love music and want to read an interesting story with creative writing and characters, I think many will enjoy this book when it is out.

I posted my review on Goodreads (Taylor Crowell) and I will feature this book on instagram (@readitwithtay) closer to the publish date.

Thanks again for the opportunity to review this book!

This story talks about second chance/ hope. The story has two main characters, both prodigies. So there is a lot of classical music reference (which I loved 🎵🎶).

To be honest, the first 1/3 of book confused me by introducing so many different characters. But it picked up the pace.

I think I will have so much fun hanging out with Prudence. I am an orch-dork. I love talking about classical composures. Seriously, why is no one excited that Mahler died of infective endocarditis???

Tip: look up all those classical pieces that are mentioned in the book!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random publishing group/ Ballantine books for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Michelle Hoffman for this ARC!!

I only got about half way through this book and had to stop. It’s a slow read and it would not keep my attention. I might try picking up again another time but I just couldn’t finish it.