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

A delightful story about two pianists at different points in their career who will face off in a million dollar competition on a reality show. Prudence, a former child prodigy, walked away from her career in her teens to write jingles and raise a family but still has an incredible ability to touch listeners of her music. Alexei is the young host of the reality show, pushed into his career by his overbearing mother. Both approach the competition from different perspectives but learn a lot about themselves in the process. The book is full of flaws characters who are entertaining in their own. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this and can't wait to pass it along.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was quirky and a breath of fresh air! There are many points of view and even the "bad" characters are not truly loathed. Prudence was a child prodigy who was abused both emotionally and physically by her grandmother. After an early whirlwind career, she falls out of the spotlight to just live a normal life as wife and mother. Her current life, however, as a middle-aged woman is missing something. Prudence was such an interesting character, and I loved her devoted husband, Stewart! Even as secrets and past revelations come to light, he is still standing by her. Then we have Alexei another musical genius who while talented has to work at it. He has another fascinating storyline and I enjoyed how the two characters are thrown together and while technically "enemies" they understand each other and have a connection.

The premise was clever and while everything ended a little too smoothly, I enjoyed the execution. Truly a fun read!

Although this started out a slow burner for me after I got into it more it picked up the pace and did not disappoint. I love a second chance happy story and thats exactly what Michelle delivered with The Second Ending. I highly recommend reading this book if you get the chance or opportunity to do so.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. While this books was a slow starter for me, after I got into it more, I found it to be hilarious and heart warming. I am
Always a sucker for second chance storylines and this didn’t disappoint. I look forward to reading Michelle Hoffman’s next book.

A delightfully funny novel about two piano prodigys that also digs deep into childhood trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem. This book is so hopeful, and each character plays an important part, not only in the plot, but in everyone's redemption. I loved it!

A heartwarming story of second chances. Clever, funny, inspiring. Great characters and a relatable story. Beautifully written and thought provoking.

This is a strong story of second chances, or maybe even third or fourth. It has a light-hearted feel with clever, snarky humor that made me chuckle, while probing deeper issues of familial expectations and trauma. I thoroughly fell in love with Prudence and wish we could go out for drinks, though she could absolutely drink me under the table. I also fell in love with her husband (not the ex!), who seemed to understand and care for her in ways I haven't seen as much in novels lately. The "mid-life" protagonist is one I relate to in many ways, and I found this story to be a bit of a comfort read.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this book, but I was definitely NOT disappointed. What a heartwarming book. I think this book will leave readers pleasantly surprised as it is not as predictable as the reader may think. I would definitely recommend this to my patrons at the library.

The Second Ending was incredibly heartwarming and very funny. Michelle Hoffman created such an interesting cast of characters - some more entertaining and charming than others - but all of the intertwined storylines made this a very fun read. Most of the characters thankfully learn some important lessons along the way as well. Thank you to Ballantine Books, Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

I love second chances. Whether that’s in love, chasing your dreams, or just life.

The Second Ending does just that. It shows the power of a second chance. Prudence was a child protege. She played at the White House and all over before she was 12 years old and yet she fell out of love with the music because she felt like she was being forced to do it.

Similarly, you meet Alexei. He wasn’t a natural with the music, but he was determined and strategic. He worked hard to be the best, but his family’s expectations were overwhelming to say the least.

But, when the two marvels of music find themselves preparing to duel with their pianos? Life takes an unexpected turn toward a happy ending for both our musicians.

What a deeply meaningful book. I thought I was getting light, fluffy romance, but what I got was even better. I loved this story and (most) of the characters. If you read one romance book this year, pick this one!

Prudence Childs was a child prodigy but pushed out of her career by a domineering grandmother. Alexei Petrov has worked hard to make his Russian parents proud. They gave up everything for him. Now he has a popular reality TV show featuring dueling pianos. When Prudence is challenged to be one of the pianists, she isn't sure she still has the talent. The attention dredges up her ex-husband who is ready to blackmail her for a million dollars. What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming trip to the dueling piano finals.

A child prodigy grown into a bored empty nester realizes all kinds of excitement with a televised piano competition, a scheming ex and a bid to keep her reputation intact. Not a bad story, but a bit boring in the writing and the characters weren’t the most likable. It was just okay for me.

I thought this was a fun read! It is a story about second chances and standing up for yourself. It had some funny parts to it which I also enjoyed.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book!

This was a fun read that had me laughing out loud a lot. It's about music, dreams, hopes, and not giving up. It was a little bit slow but overall an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.