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.

This book was a really great read and a wonderful switch up from most books out right now. There are so many layers in this book but never too overwhelming. The POV feels as if we get a special window into the lives of these incredible characters. We are not right there with them, but we see all they are going through.

With Prudence, this story depicts a woman who lived THE life. She was famous at a really young age, but then felt the impacts of blazing too hot too fast. Here she is playing music for the first time in a long time and learning to love it again. I feel that many middle-aged readers will resonate with this character. No she may not play at the White House again, but that doesn't mean she isn't great. She still is talented, impressive, and is now playing piano simply because she loves it.

Alexei Petrov also has it all, but also nothing. His life is piano. I loved the way Hoffman parallels Alexei and Prudence's battle's with themselves and their relationship with this thing that has been their whole livelihood. I found myself completely split on who I wanted to win the competition.

Even with these two storylines there's other storylines happening at the same time that all form a nice bow at the end. I really loved this book and it is readable for nearly any audience.

It took me a while to feel invested in The Second Ending. I could not engage with Prudence despite her interesting story. That said, I really loved the ending so I am glad I stuck with it! This book is definitely more of a slow-paced, character-driven story. Though it wasn't my favorite, I would still recommend it!

Having recently finished “The Second Ending” by Michelle Hoffman, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books!

Although the synopsis grabbed me, it was slow warming up to these characters in crisis. I sympathized with the pressures of their youth, but struggled to believe or understand their adult behavior and choices.

I did highlight and search YouTube for some of the classical music mentioned, and that was a nice diversion when I wanted to set the story aside. Learning and listening to something new, entertained me as I anticipated the finale of The Second Ending.

~~~

“Because each of us lives on in the people we connect with, whether through music, or love, or a shared dream.”

***ARC provided by NetGalley***

A book about second chances, and it comes full circle.

I enjoyed this one!

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all very quirky and relatable. I wanted to have a soundtrack as I read it so that I could hear all of the songs they were playing!

Grab this one for your beach bag summer reading. This one was such a gem and was all the things. Quirky lovable characters, heartwarming feel good story, well written, charming, whimsy. I absolutely loved reading about Prudence Childs and her second chance. Once a child prodigy pianist she began to feel exploited and quit playing. Now in her in 40's she gets a second chance to show the world her talent by competing in a popular tv dueling piano show against the Russian internet sensation Alexei. As they prepare to face off on the stage we get a look at what led them to this moment and their chance to prove it's never too late to write a second ending.

If you like pianos and reality tv this for you. This book has a bunch of POVs within different ages and has something for everyone. It’s an interesting plot that keeps you wondering how it will end.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

The Second Ending follows Prudence Childs, a now almost-50 former child piano prodigy and Alexei Petrov, a young up and coming master pianist. Alexi is set to host a show called Alexi's Dueling Pianos where he competes against other pianists. Prudence is set to be his first opponent, but she hasn't played the piano in years due to some traumatic events in her past.

This story was good from the start. You know when you start reading an new book and just immediately know you're going to like it? This one was that for me. The characters were charming and the story was happy and heartwarming. Who doesn't like second chances.

Its a quick read, so a good one to pick up if you're looking for a heartwarming story about just really good characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advanced copy for review! I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

This hovers between 3.5 and 4 for me. The story is interesting and I really liked reading about the psychological effects of extreme pressure put onto children to pursue adult careers at a young age. There were some parts that felt farcical to me, especially at the end, which kept things lighthearted but occasionally went over the top. And I didn't love the way everything was tied up neatly... the tone was a bit too sentimental for my taste. But it was hopeful and kind, and there's a lot to be said for that, too.

I went into this book without knowing anything about it, and it turned out to be really delightful. Prudence was a child prodigy who became famous (and wealthy) after writing a super-successful jingle. After her daughters leave home, she has a breakdown, questioning her purpose in life. Enter: Alexei Petrov, an internet sensation with a piano competition game show. What follows is entertaining and uplifting. I found the storyline with the HOA president to veer on the silly side but I really enjoyed this one.

Prudence Childs was a piano prodigy who was bullied by her grandmother. She gives up piano and becomes a well to do housewife with a solid marriage and a lovely home. Now forty-eight both her daughters are off at college and she is being blackmailed. She agrees to enter the Alexei Petrov Dueling Pianos tv show and compete against the host for $1M. Alexei, twenty years younger than Prudence, started in Russia, was educated in Paris and now is a tv host in LA. He too has been bullied but by his parents. He needs to win the prize because his parents have spent all of his earning. The author creates likable characters, some good villains, and an original story. Though the ending was somewhat abrupt, I really enjoyed the story. I liked the descriptions of the musical choices and how each pianist approached the competition. I thank Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Prudence is a washed up child prodigy pianist. Well if you can call writing some of America's most successful & iconic jingles a wash up anyway. After her youngest child has left the nest Prudence isn't sure what is next for her. After some surprise news from a secret ex-husband Prudence finds herself in a series of circumstances that lead her to competing on a dueling piano reality TV show against Alexei, a technically flawless pianist. What ensues along this journey is delightful, sad, thought-provoking, frustrating, and fun. You can't help but cheer for these quirky & flawed characters.

Second Ending is a story of childhood dreams (realized and unrealized), second chances, and following your heart no matter your age. If you have any childhood connections to music I think you will find this story quite nostalgic. I highly recommend listening to some of the mentioned music as you read.

Thank you to the author, the publisher & Netgalley for the ARC.

Brava! Well written, suspenseful, really good story of a pianist who makes the right decisions, especially at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman