I'm not really sure what I expected out of this book, but I don't think this was it. This book was all about Prudence Childs who used to be a child prodigy and Alexei Petrov who is now one of the best of the best. They are roped into facing off against each other in a musical contest and they both have so much to prove, to themselves and to others.

Honestly, this book was not for me. But that doesn't mean it wasn't well written. The book itself was good and definitely good author's craft. I, personally, just didn't really get into the plot. I found both characters a bit boring and flat. It was as if music was the ONLY thing they had for their personality. I appreciate what Michelle Hoffman was trying to do, but I just think it would have been done better for my tastes.

From the publisher: A former prodigy who refuses to believe her best years are behind her and a young virtuoso searching for his passion both get an unlikely shot at their dreams in this sparkling debut about second chances, unexpected joys, and the miraculous power of music.

I adored this book. I played flute throughout middle and high school but my version of practicing was limited to "when I felt like it" which was not often enough to call my playing adequate, let alone good. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Prudence, a strong character with wit but who has nagging doubts about her music despite her confidence that everyone has something they can do well. The supporting cast is delightful and I'm going to be googling the music mentioned for weeks.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Second Ending. It has all the components I look for in a successful summer read. Humor, a bit of a mystery, quirky characters, family dynamics and a satisfying ending.

This is the story of Prudence, a 48-year old child prodigy pianist, who gave up piano years ago; and Alexei, a 22-year old Russian piano prodigy, with controlling parents and an unsatisfying life. As the result of some very interesting circumstances, they find themselves in a competition show called Alexei Petrov’s Dueling Piano Wars.

The story of how they both got there, as well as the competition itself, is endearing, poignant, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two characters. The supporting characters were terrific too.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review.

Prudence was a piano prodigy as a child and exploited by her domineering, mean and abusive grandmother when she just couldn’t take one more moment. She left home and built her own life becoming a successful jingle writer. Then once again life changes in a moment when invited to be on a reality show, her ex-horror of a husband uses the opportunity to blackmail and potentially destroy the life she has created for herself. Her competition is also an incredible talent with plenty of issues of his own. Together we join them on their journey to finding their own happiness that is all about themselves and no one else, taking control other lives and rediscovering their passions. I enjoyed the book, but personally found it could have been shorter. Very wordy and drawn out in parts, but a good story because you can’t help, but really like both Prudence and Alexei and want the best for them.

While I liked the idea behind this book, I had a hard time staying engaged. It was cute, but felt it could have had a little more in it.

This was a fun story about love, life, and dealing with past hardship. Prudence was a child protege on the piano and was exploited by her grandmother. Once she was old enough, she fled the confines of her grandmother and chose a life of writing commercial jingles and just scraping by. Later in life, during a mid-life crisis, Prudence decides to go on a reality show for dueling pianos. Yes, it means she will have to perform for millions again, but with her circumstances, she needs to win the prize. Along the way, Prudence finds out what playing the piano truly means to her, not just being a performing monkey. I really enjoyed this story and love everything that has to do with pianos. Thank you for the eARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Its protagonist reminded me a little of Lessons In Chemistry. It was fun to explore multiple characters' points of view.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is less about second chances, but more about how not to raise child. Can we all agree that both characters in this book were abused and used by their parents and/or guardian figures? They were the money tree. They were the reimagination of a life not lived. But no, they were just children with great talent.

I liked the story and redemption arcs for some, but I just cannot get over the fact that it was a story of heavily traumatized two kids who were at different stages at their lives now and still struggling to understand their own worth. I'm glad that two main characters' paths crossed. I'm glad that they managed to see themselves through each other's eyes and be their support.

Children don't have to be what their parents couldn't be. They don't have to be their tool to better life. Children can choose to offer that to their parents, but they are not obligated. Discipline doesn't mean a child has to be in a cage even a mental or verbal one. This was meant to be a book of second chances and supposed to be uplifting, but child abuse gets on my nerves every time

This book was magic. What an amazing story. You feel absolutely in love with Prudence and Alexei. You wanted to root for both of them, but knew it just wasn’t possible. You laugh, you cry, and you smile constantly with this book. It has ups and downs and twist and turns. A little something for everyone: love, suspense, drama, and most importantly, the message that everyone gets a second chance.

Pure magic and as a former piano player, the inspiration to play again!

This was a very entertaining novel that had me smiling. There are many coincidences and mishaps that drive the plot forward, but you have to take it for what it is and just enjoy the ride.
A heartwarming novel.

I love books that focus on music. Prudence is a gifted pianist at a rocky point in her life. She never expects the whirlwind of a fierce competition while also being betrayed by those closest to her. This book felt like a Lifetime movie - whimsical, a little cheesy, funny, and heartwarming. Definitely one to enjoy and savor.

I love books that center around music and The Second Ending was such a fun story. After finishing, I almost hope that there would be a TV show that really is dueling pianos. In fact, in college, we went to a dueling piano bar and it was so much fun. I would definitely watch that show.

The story's main characters are Prudence, a former child piano prodigy who left the spotlight to lead a normal life and Alexei, a 22 year from Russia who is the face of the dueling pianos show, and has led a grueling training life to become the best pianist he can. Their worlds collide when Prudence is faced with a blackmail situation from her ex-husband, and she signs up to face Alexei on a live show.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting this to be as laugh-out-loud funny as it is. It was such a fun story and I loved watching Prudence evolve and Alexei realize what he wanted out of his life. It's such a fun story and one to show that you should always go after your dreams, no matter where you are in life.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

This zany debut novel was so much fun. It’s a story of second chances and believing in yourself. The characters are fantastic and the plot is zips along. Music lovers will eat up all the music references—classical, pop and rock alike. This witty story has a lot of heart and I loved the ending.

A solid women's fiction debut about second chances in middle age featuring a piano prodigy empty nester. Funny and heartfelt. I enjoyed this as a whole but felt some parts dragged a bit. Good on audio and definitely marks the author as someone I will be eagerly waiting for her next book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

3+ fluffy stars, not rounded up
“A piece of music can be written with two different endings. The first time through you play the first ending, the second time through, skip the first ending as a final measure denotes a second ending…The music would never let her down. Only the voices of doubt. This is my second ending, Prudence thought. The power to live the life of my dreams is quite literally, in my hands.”

From the publisher: “As they prepare to face off on stage, the retired prodigy and the exhausted wunderkind realize that the competition is their chance to prove—to their terrible exes, tyrannical family members, and most importantly, themselves—that it’s never too late to write a new ending.”

The humor seemed forced. “Bobby Wheeler had two speeds: daft and dark. Fourth grader or serial killer.” I did, however, like this tidbit. “’I don’t have parents. I live with my grandmother.’ ‘Are your parents dead?’ ‘No, just selfish.’”

The writing was adequate, telling, not showing. The backstories added to the characters, but I never felt connected to them because of the choppy writing. Nothing to write home about. (pun intended.) Characters were not nuanced. “Granny Paddington vowed she’d give her daughter everything she never had. As a result, Prudence’s mother was overindulged. Spoiled. She grew up to be selfish and irresponsible.” The plentiful music descriptions were good. “Prudence played with a knowing melancholy. Like having to walk away from someone you believed you’d love forever. If the notes had a scent, they’d smell of gardenias.” In other chapters there were a few too many unnecessary f-bombs.

Sometimes the metaphors didn’t work. A couple is listening to a Chopin piano piece, “the notes winding up and down the keyboard as if powered by knots of lust.” Knots of lust doesn’t work. Ever. “Alexei Petrov had been indulged as an only child. But he had not been allowed the luxury of adolescence.” I don’t know anyone who’s ever considered adolescence to be a luxury. Awkward.

A passage I liked: “An Olympic athlete and a concert pianist have a lot in common Both require strength, drive, and a competitive spirit. Both must be fearless to play in front of an audience without error. But a pianist needs a heightened degree of emotional, intellectual, and physical control. She must play with as much sensitivity as strength. This is why an athlete’s prime is in his youth, while a pianist will continue to grow for the rest of her days. An athlete’s goal is to win the race. A pianist’s goal is to win the heart.” If you need some feel good fluff in your life, you might enjoy The Second Ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about two accomplished pianists who are going to have a competition against one another and the build up to the show. I enjoyed the humor and lightness of the story. It made for a fun read. At times it seemed there were too many sorry lines going but in the end they all came together. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I had so much fun reading this book I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end!! This has to be the book of the summer. You will become a part of the story laughing, crying and cheering. it’s as fun to read as Lessons In Chemistry!

Two pianists one a child prodigy the other who was taught to play now as adults try to escape the demons of their childhood & and a demanding mother and grandmother to win the big million dollar prize a competition against each other. They will both change their lives forever through the “power of their hands.”

This book deserves 20 stars!

Prudence Childs is a former child prodigy in a slump. Nothing gets her moving. In the beginning, she seems a whiny, unhappy housewife and to be honest, this one didn't grab me. Finding out the secrets of her past, made me not love her as much as I wanted to initially. The book turned around a bit when she decided to compete on a dueling pianos TV show but, still fell a little flat for me. Overall just okay, this was not the summer blockbuster I was hoping for,

This is an interesting story about a former pianist and a current prodigy who fight hard to overcome their pasts and their perceptions of their pasts. Prudence Childs was a child piano prodigy but retired when she settled down. Now that she's an empty nester, she is trying to figure out what to do with her life and gets into trouble. At the same time, Alexei Petrov is hosting a piano reality TV show, and Prudence has been invited to join it. She agrees because she wants to prove that she is more than just a child prodigy and still has talent. It's about second chances and determining your value.

The central characters in Michelle Hoffman's "The Second Ending" are Prudence Childs and Alexei Petrov. Prudence, who is in her late forties, had been a child prodigy with an instinctive gift for playing the piano. When her parents abandoned her, Prudence’s bitter and abusive grandmother became her guardian. Eventually, Prudence moved away, married well, and had two daughters who are now attending college. Alexei, another talented pianist, is in his early twenties. He was raised by his controlling mother, Tatiana, to be a perfectionist. She sucked the joy out of her son, who was not allowed to participate in sports or socialize with his classmates. Now, Alexei is the popular host of a successful reality television show, "Alexei Petrov’s Dueling Piano Wars."

This farcical and often hilarious novel is a paean to the power of music to inspire and delight both performers and audiences. The plot is silly by design, and there are goofy secondary characters, including the resentful Tamara Quigley, who is intent on punishing Prudence for an imagined slight. Another inane individual is Prudence's first husband, Billy Wheeler, a ne'er-do-well who is desperate for money, and plans to blackmail Prudence in order to obtain it.

The outlandish but amusing premise has Prudence and Alexei competing in an on-air contest that will be judged by the voting public. Whichever pianist receives the most votes will receive a million dollars. We observe Prudence and Alexei choosing and performing pieces that, they hope, will earn them the big prize. There is a wonderful eighty-year-old piano teacher named Pierre Millet who takes Prudence under his wing. Meanwhile, Gabe, a scruffy studio musician, teaches Alex to loosen up and have fun. This is a whimsical and moving story that touches on everyone’s desire to be loved; the importance of embracing one's passion; and the courage it takes to stand up to bullies. Prudence and Alexei must learn how to free themselves from the external and self-imposed constraints that have kept them from fulfilling their dreams.