The Second Ending, novel by Michelle Hoffman, available June 13, 2023!

This book follows the story of Prudence Childs, former (although she hates that) child star and piano prodigy as she embarks on a twisted adventure to discover her passion for music and the piano again. This story weaves an intricate web, incorporating a jealous HOA president from the past, blackmail, an ex-lover, and a dueling piano contest with Alexi Petrov, a new piano maestro.

I enjoyed learning about each character, their complexities, and how they are all interrelated. We discover their commonalities and how they learn to deal with each other’s problems through one another. The way Hoffman weaves in their stories was interesting and I thought it was well written. I also liked that this was a musically driven story, so if you have a tendency to read books about music, I recommend it!

I also enjoyed the underlying humor in the story which gradually (and I mean gradually) unfolded. I did not like Prudence at first, but then as I got to know her, I got a sense for why she is the way she is and she grew on me. The plot was slow for me, culminating in ONE chapter about the dueling piano contest which left me with many questions!!!

This is NOT a romance novel and should not be labeled that way! Do not expect a love story that unfolds in a HEA. This is literary fiction!

Thank you so much to Ballentine (Random-House) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!

3 ⭐️ 0 🌶

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this. book.

My feelings about this book were kind of like working on a piano piece. At first, I was skeptical and kind of bored, but the more I read, the more compelling the read.

I loved how eccentric Prudence was, and how completely comfortable she was in her eccentricity. It was an interesting character study, with all of the characters being very well developed.

The vibe of the book felt to me like Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, which is not a bad comparison.

Even in the middle of the book, I was not sure I could give it a positive review, but just like a piano piece, once I finished, I could totally see the merits of the work. I loved the denouement.

Outstanding and memorable!

Prudence was a child prodigy, who played the piano for presidents and royalty around the globe. Due to a traumatic and disadvantaged early life, her fame waned, and after time she found comfort and stability in her family. That is until the past comes calling—will Prudence be ready for a “second ending”?

This book reminded me of, “Where’d you go Bernadette?” or a Steven Rowley novel. Hoffman is smart and whitty—her characters are well-developed and their lives and relationships are mesmerizing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!

Debut author Michelle Hoffman entertained me from the first word of this book to the end of the last chapter.

The plot focuses on two remarkable pianists--48-year-old Prudence and 22-year-old Alexei. Prudence was a true child prodigy, learning piano at age 3, playing Carnegie Hall at a very young age, and winning a Grammy at age 16. But she rankled at her grandmother's harsh control and lack of affection, which led to her abandoning her performing career and writing commercial jingles for a living. Now she is a happily married empty nester who wonders what she will do for the rest of her life. Alexei was controlled in every way by his parents, who insisted he learn the piano at age 6 and thereafter depended on his professional success to keep them from returning to Russia from the United States. Now a handsome and charismatic young man, he is the host of a reality TV competition show that pits pianists against each other for the public's votes.

How they come together is the crux of the story, enhanced by a number of seemingly coincidental events involving Prudence's loser ex-husband, a bitter woman who blames her loss of a career as a ballerina on a long-ago event with Prudence, a wonderful 80-year-old piano teacher, and a lovable dog, to mention just a few. Although there were time shifts, backward and forward, I found it easy to keep track of what was happening. I was particularly thrilled by an exciting episode of the TV piano competition. And the author, a pianist herself, was able to describe all of the musical scenes convincingly and passionately, including the emotions invoked by the music in a wide variety of listeners. I can't wait to see what she does next.


My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman is a charming people and music story with fun eccentric characters.
Prudence was a piano child prodigy, who since her 20’s has made a living writing advert jingles. Alexi, a piano virtuoso, and host of the popular dueling piano TV show. Both characters are similar in that they are brilliant piano players and are trying to find themselves in the present.

Prudence and her husband’s last child has left for college and she feels as thought she has no purpose. She has a secret, which comes back to haunt her. So she decides to enter the dueling piano TV show to win one million dollars.
What follows is multiple points of views with up and downs, insecurities, friendships, joy and love.
This is for anyone who wants a feel good read, but if you ever played the piano as a kid or love music and fun characters this book is for you.

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you @netgalley and @RandomHouse Publishing Group - BallantineBooks for the ebook arc. #thesecondending @MichelleHoffman #Michelle Hoffman
#netgalley #randomhouse

Only got 20% into this one.

Interesting premise but lots of characters to keep track of.

I will come back and try to finish.

Writing style was good it just didn’t capture my attention.

Prudence and Alexei were child pianist prodigies. She is famous for writing commercial jingles; he is the star of his own piano-dueling reality show. Both had been abused into playing by family members, her grandmother, his mother. Both, desperate for fast money, have agreed to a piano challenge on his show. Prudence is being blackmailed while Alexei must save himself and his parents from Russian bureaucratic threats. Told in a comic vein by Michelle Hoffman, we follow these two sensitive, beleaguered characters through mood swings, neuroses and dealings with people who either believe in them or seem to want to destroy them. Neither is lovable, but their performances are described in such a style as to enable the reader to experience the beauty and excitement. This is the principal factor that encourages us to believe in both of them.

This is a hilarious book full of hope and love. I loved every measure!

If you enjoyed “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”, then you will love Michelle Hoffman’s playful and subtle humor throughout this book.

Hoffman brings humanity to her characters through their fears, anxiety, and heartache in a way that makes them relatable and helps you root for each one of them.

This was such a pleasure to read!

‘The Second Ending’, by Michelle Hoffman was quiet and enjoyable and easy read. A child prodigy pianist makes a comeback, with a few twists and turns along the way. Well written and entertaining.

This book wasn’t anything like I really thought it would be, but I mean that in a really good way! It really wow’d me!

Prudence was a child prodigy who taught herself to play the piano at age three, and performed at the White House and toured throughout Europe while still a child. But once she married she wanted nothing to do with the piano and stopped playing entirely. Then in her 40s she picked it up again in order to compete in a televised dueling pianos competition. Told in two different time periods this is a wonderful study of misunderstandings, insecurities, choices, and chances and how they impact our lives. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An endearing story that sometimes gets the pacing wrong. I really enjoyed the idea of this book but it took me forever to read it because it just moved too slowly for me.

What a breath of fresh air this book was!
This felt so fresh, not something that has been overdone within an inch of its life and something unique.
I really enjoyed this story, I thought the writing was well done and the characters were relatable.

I was drawn to this book because it is not a story line that has been done to death. It was unique and well written. I gave it 3/5 stars because the characters didn’t pull me in and I had to force myself to keep picking it up, but overall, a solid read.

3.5 out of 5. As a music lover I truly enjoyed how musical the book was, it was clearly written by a music lover. Also once has to root for a redeeming act, a second act at middle age. However there were too many stories. There were too many characters and it just got convoluted, where it could have been much cleaner. really could have lost either the ex husband or the jilted Condo board president. The story would have worked with just one of them and it would have been cleaner. In general cool concept just convoluted execution that detracted from the main act.

I feel this book should have an accompanying spotify playlist. Like whilst reading it I played Claire de Lune so I would actually get in the feel and remember the melody.

I really enjoyed two quotes that were in the book. One where they reference what Hemingway said about bullfighters, that nobody ever lives all the way up except bullfighters. And the other one was the opening quote from Stravinsky: " The trouble with musical appreciation in general is that people ar taught too much respect for music. They should be taught to love it instead".

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Prudence Childs was a phenomenally talented pianist from the early age of 3. Many people --mostly family, but also others, tried to capitalize on that talent for their own gain. Life circumstances took her away from her love of composing and playing music until her children left the nest. Once trying to re-establish her pianist footprint, the wolves were out to get her again. She ultimately succeeds in writing a second ending to her fears and early work as a child prodigy.

Oh, how I loved this book! What a breath of fresh air. The writing and dialog was crisp and even the most minor characters were imbued with details and life that made the novel a joy to read.

Prudence was quite an eccentric character. It’s been a while but she reminded me of Bernadette from Where’d You Go, Bernadette. She’s quirky and impulsive, but also felt grounded. She’s a former piano prodigy who finds herself training for dueling pianos reality show in order to win the prize money so she can pay off her blackmailer. Meanwhile her competitor, Alexei is struggling with his own demons and controlling parents and also has a lot of the line.

This book was so enjoyable to read. I know very little about music but I could absolutely appreciate the genius and skill of these characters.

This was such a heartwarming and fun read. I really cared for Prudence and the way her life turned out. I enjoyed the competitive nature and learning more about Alexei. It was a fun, quick, easy read.

The Second Ending was a delight! This is the kind of book I would call fluff (in the best possible way), perfect for when you need a smile and a feel good moment.

Prudence Childs is maybe having a mid-life crisis. Prudence is struggling to find purpose in her days: the kids are mostly grown and don't need much, she doesn't work, her husband travels a lot. Prudence keeps thinking that starting a book club would be nice, but can't quite find the motivation to do anything at all.

Also, Prudence is a childhood piano prodigy. She hasn't played in years and isn't thrilled when the concert piano of her youth is delivered to her home as a surprise gift. Around the same time, Prudence's ex also pays a surprise visit. He needs cash and has some dirt on Prudence that is perfect for blackmail. Prudence's piano may be the perfect way for her make the cash she needs to pay off the ex and move on with her life.

There are two other characters, Alexei and Tamara, whose stories connect to Prudence's. Alexei is almost as fun to read about as Prudence, while Tamara is intentionally unlikable. I'm only going to talk about Alexei - he's a young, semi-famous pianist from Russia. Alexei's reputation is growing because of a new piano competition show (think The Voice). The TV network that hosts his show wants to make him into the next big star, so they dream up a dueling piano a competition. The competitor? Of course it's Prudence Childs.

Alexei and Prudence both have a lot of practicing to do to be ready for this duel. There are ups and downs for both of them along the way, with a few wild monkey wrenches thrown in. This story could make a great comedy film, the kind that warms your heart. Highly recommended.

I started really enjoying this book. It was fun, had quirky characters, and an interesting plot. After about halfway through, I wished there weren't as many characters. The book strayed a bit for me, focusing on the "b-list" characters a little too much. I did really enjoy the piano aspect! Thank you, NetGalley.