The Second Ending
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I will not repeat the plot, as so many already have done. Unfortunately I have to disagree with the four and five star reviews. For me, the timeline was often confusing, back and forth in the past, present an in between, the main characters as children, teenagers and adults. Also, there were too many characters introduced constantly , I found it hard to keep them straight. The ending was pretty predictable and the individual story lines ending as they did was not very believable. Overall I feel generous giving this book three stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions are my own.

I was very surprised by this book, The Second Ending, by Michelle Hoffman. A whole host of enjoyable and quirky characters, a unique and different plot, and a thematic ending, make for a truly likable novel that will likely put Ms. Hoffman on the literary map. A quick and laugh-out-loud read, The Second Ending, grapples with an aging former child prodigy, an overnight phenom, evil exes, and an impending worldwide competition, all creating a story that will be enjoyed by many a reader. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I didn’t care for this book at the beginning: I’m not a near-fifty empty nester and former piano prodigy, so 2% in I found myself thinking “Hmmm am I going to like this?”

And then I loved this.

Prudence Childs is so damn weird - but so damn confident in her weird. It took her <I>years</I> to be comfortable in her own skin, to come to terms with the abuse her grandmother had forced on her by making her a performing puppet, and to love music again.

I thought this book was highly entertaining - the writing was very fluid and had an interesting train-of-though approach to telling the story, as though everything flowed and was nonchalant. Much like Prudence herself.

I enjoyed the multiple POVs and how dynamic all of the characters were - Tamara’s grudge based on a misinterpreted slight, Bobby’s flip-flops between scumbag and angry scumbag, and Alexei’s growing confidence to set out on his own life and live it for himself.

Will wholeheartedly recommend this book to music lovers, people who like unique character studies, and basically anyone with a pulse who likes a good story.

3.5 stars

While overall I did like this story I don't know why but I just found it a bit wanting. It is a fun and lighthearted style of a read which I think will be idea for reading while poolside this summer but I wish there was a bit more of... something.. to keep me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book. The storyline was very clever and original. I did get Where You’d Go Bernadette vibes from
the main character, which I loved. Our main character, Prudence is insecure and mysterious while so talented and finding her strength. I also liked that there were commonalities between her and her competition, Alexei. I was so curious how this would end and no spoilers here but it was beautifully done.

“This is my second ending, Prudence thought. The power to live the life of my dreams is, quite literally, in my hands.”

I really enjoyed this music-themed debut novels. The characters were eccentric but likeable. I read it one day, and I look forward to reading more from this author. We all should get second chances.

This was such a unique storyline! Sometimes I wonder how stories can be individual because there are so many out there, but this stands on its own. I really enjoyed the characters and was laughing out loud. I did piano lessons as a kid so I think that really connected with me.

I would like to thank Random House, Net Galley and Vanessa Duque ( who brought this to my attention) for the opportunity to review this book as an ARC. This is the first novel from the author, Michelle Hoffman. It tells the story of 2 people-Prudence and Alexei. Prudence Paddington Childs is almost 50. She is a wife, mother, successful ad jingle writer and a former child prodigy pianist. She started playing at 3, and was successful and adored. She stopped playing, wrote jingles and raised her family. She seems to have it all( wonderful husband, good children, a nice house, money)but she knows something is missing. She speaks frequently of starting a book club, but that doesn't seem to be what she needs.
Alexei is in his 20's. His parents took him from Russia when he was young, and put him in a musical conservatory in France. He is world renowned and now has his own TV show- Alexei Petrov's Dueling Piano Wars.
He also feels that something is missing.
Both Prudence and Alexei were groomed by their families to be a successful pianist.Prudence"s grandmother raised her and was a stage mother to end all stage mothers. Think Mama Rose from Gypsy, only not as nice. Alexei's parents gave more love, to the point of smothering. He has no idea of how to take care of his apartment, shop for food, buy clothes. He was groomed to play piano and nothing more.
This sounds like a bleak premise, and well could have been. Both the back story of Prudence and Alexei could have been grim unhappy tales. They both love music and the piano, and that is what keeps them going.
There are a lot of subplots. At times, some of the subplots seemed to overwhelm the main story.Prudence has an ex husband, who is down on his luck, and a secret that could ruin her. She also has a nemesis, someone from her youth. This person wants to bring Prudence down.
Alexei has his parents, who have given up everything for their son's success, and an ex girlfriend that he still pines for. Both Prudence and Alexei need to win the dueling piano competition, or
( they think) they will lose everything.
The story is good, if a bit meandering. Plots seem to come and go, along with the characters. The characters are quirky ( all of them ) but likeable. The chapter titles are all music related( Prelude in E Minor is followed by The Cover of the Rolling Stone.)It is a good book, and I will look forward to other books by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Thank you NetGalley for my advance Ebook called The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman. The characters were enjoyable and likable. You instantly fall in love with Prudence and learn to love Alexei. It was interesting to hear the psychological side of being a prodigy. I will be recommending this book and I will be reading other books by this author.

I absolutely loved this story and finished it in one day as I could NOT put it down. Prudence was a child prodigy on the piano but felt manipulated and exploited by her grandmother and her handler, so ran away and made a fortune writing popular jingles over the years. She has now been offered the opportunity to compete in a dueling piano show against a young virtuoso. when her ex-husband, Bobby, shows up and blackmails her with a secret that could ruin her. This story was so well written, and I especially enjoyed Prudence playing piano in a bar ala Billy Joel with all the patrons singing along! I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a great, fun read! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for my copy of The Second Ending. It's never too late to start again!

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Prudence, a former piano prodigy that reached her fame after creating a famous advertisement jingle is empty nesting with her daughters leaving for college.

When her husband brings home her childhood piano and a blackmail scandal ensues, Prudence agrees to air on a dueling piano show after years of no longer practicing the piano.

A fun, quirky book with some heart.

The Second Ending is a delightful story about second chances, following your dreams and, at least for me, making me wish I hadn’t stopped taking piano lessons! There are multiple characters in this novel, but the main focus is on the two main characters Prudence and Alexei. Prudence is the child prodigy how has abandoned music at the age of 20 and now that she is in her 50s is discovering the passion again. Alexei is 22 and always been managed by strict stage parents and he is discovering the gift of rebellion. They will be going head to head in a dueling piano TV show with the winner taking home $1 million dollars. The majority of the novel focuses on the back story of each and how they both are preparing for the show. Throw in a little blackmail and two very different music teachers who show Prudence and Alexei that music is about feelings and emotions, not just to play the perfect piece creates a great read. The writing is lyrical and does a great job on drawing you into the story and characters. A few places get a little slow and I could have done without the HOA story line, but overall a great read and I would highly recommend reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

“The Second Ending” is a debut novel by Michelle Hoffman. This is a book about second chances. There are two main characters - Prudence, a former child prodigy, with a rough upbringing who finally escapes thanks to commercial jingles, and Alexei, a current talented pianist who has claimed fame thanks to hosting and judging a TV reality series. There are a number of supporting characters, including an ex-husband, the current husband, parents, a person seeking revenge, and music teachers. I must admit to liking the two music teachers a lot - different styles, different personalities, but they each helped their students in ways they could relate. To me, the idea of this book was fantastic - but there were a number of subplots that took away from the main characters. In one case, Alexei’s parents added to his backstory, but Prudence’s ex-husband and potential exposer didn’t work as well as background or plot advancers. That might be an unpopular opinion, but while I enjoyed the remarks about music (you need to feel it not just play the notes), at times the storyline got bogged down in - well, being bogged down. At times this book game me “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” writing style vibes - something I didn’t really like. However, this book was different, so I do give Ms. Hoffman kudos for that. I could easily see this being a TV movie and being enjoyable. Plus, a huge shout-out for that cover - it’s eye catching, colorful, and gives an idea that the book is about music - and pianos. Overall, probably a 3.5 read for me, but rounded up to 4.

This book is delightful! The comedy and tone reminded me of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Finlay Donovan. I didn’t love the ex-husband character/story line. Several other tertiary characters’ stories felt rushed and ultimately unnecessary except to provide a “look at how the music touched them” moment; I would have liked to see characters like the piano teachers and especially Prudence’s husband get a bit more room to breathe. Overall it’s a charming and funny read that had me listening to classical music in the background and fondly reminiscing about my days playing instruments. The author’s love of music really shines through!

Requested this on a whim after reading a formal child stars memoir and wanted something in the same wheel house. However this just wasn’t for me.

I truly enjoyed this novel which gives the reader a clever lens to appreciate the nature vs. nurture debate about artistic talent - in this case, involving two classical pianists pitted against each other in a dueling piano reality show. Is there really such a thing as a musical prodigy or is extreme talent the result of 1000 percent effort and unwavering dedication to one's craft?

Quirky Prudence Childs, the child prodigy turned 48 year old empty-nester mom with a mid-life crisis, will make the reader laugh and cry at the same time. Her nemesis, Alexei Petrov is a Russian born young pianist known for perfection in his music but maybe less so for his passion. Each of these artists, along with a host of supporting characters including Prudence's current and ex-husband, and the homeowners association president Tamara Quigley, are all impacted by the transformative power of music - and the potential to make different choices that will influence their own "second ending." An entertaining read with definite deeper threads that go beyond the reality show plot line. Michelle Hoffman's writing allows the reader to really appreciate the power of music to change the artist and his or her audience - whether it is an audience of one or one million. Highly recommend! Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the story of two pianists. One, Prudence Childs, is a former child prodigy who was exploited by her grandmother after being abandoned by her parents. The other,Alexei Petrov, is a Russian pianist who hosts a piano competition show similar to The Voice or American Idol.

Prudence is married and going through an empty nest stage. She wants to sell her grand piano, but then decides to hold on to it and resume her career as a pianist. Alexei lives a very methodical life which is controlled by his mother. Both will be competitors on the show and both have very strong reasons to win.

This is a very straightforward, entertaining story that will have you laughing out loud many times. I really enjoyed it and recommend it when you want a light, fun read. Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC.

What an adorable story! Michelle Hoffman's debut novel, The Second Ending, is uplifting, about reigniting passions and finding dreams.

"How many people, Prudence wondered, lose sight of a dream because of one careless comment from a stranger?"

Prudence was a child prodigy, forced by her abusive grandma to spend her entire childhood practicing and performing piano worldwide.

Alexei is a classically trained pianist who has a regular gig competing on a reality TV show. While he lives far from his parents, they control his finances, schedule, and life.

Prudence and Alexei have parallel journeys as they escape their oppressive pasts and break free of their abusers to refind love and happiness in music.

Despite the child abuse regularly addressed in this story, it is not depressing. Instead, it is an inspiring tale of determining your dreams and following your passion, not someone else's. It's about the joy and playfulness that should accompany being an artist. It's about not being so singularly focused on perfection that the ordinary moments of life slip you by.


Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my review.

4/5 stars! I really enjoyed this story. We have all read a book about some sort of musical/artistic prodigy or another and often they're fine. But this is the first time when we got the combination of seeing a younger star deal with this lifestyle, as well as someone who had dealt with it once in the past and was now coming back to it, older and wiser. I enjoyed Prudence so much; at times I found Alexei to be more 2-dimensional.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

If I could magically be good at one thing, it would be music. While I’d love to have athletic ability or be a polyglot, I could learn those things with enough practice. I don’t hear music the way musicians do, and at some point, talent is what sets them apart.

This book is a love letter to music, to the power of art, to something that I’m not sure I’ve ever heard but want desperately to understand. Hoffman achieves the near impossible in writing about music and thus conveying it in a non-aural medium, but still allowing the reader to feel the music inside themselves.