As a reader, I enjoy a smorgasbord of genres so when offered an early edition, I dove in without a 'second' glance. Books enter our lives at the right time and their words speak differently to readers. Music's magic is that melodies convey more between its lines. The full score is composed by experiences.

Like the protagonists, I'm devising my second ending or maybe I should say ninth at this stage in my life. Through choices I've made and others that were forced upon me, my path diverged from my original plans. Michelle Hoffman's "The Second Ending" struck a chord with me and through her characters' actions, made me confront my own obstacles.

Alexei and Prudence are fighting for their survival. While they've never met, a series of events leaves them dueling to be the winner of a musical competition. While Alexei is a technically gifted pianist, Prudence plays with heart. Listeners are touched by the intense feelings her playing elicits.

Alexei wants to remain in America while Prudence's past is threatening to topple everything she's built. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheSecondEnding in exchange for an honest review. It was my first time sampling Hoffman's work but I look forward to an encore.

Loved this story. So nice to read a book where people are kind to each other and help look at life in a positive manner. I think the piano component is wonderful. The author talks about well known music both classical and contemporary. I particularly enjoyed reading the descriptions of how people were transformed while listening to the music. Music lovers will love this book, anyone who has ever been moved by a piece of music will identify with that sensation. Really enjoyed this book!

This book centers around Prudence, a child prodigy. At 48, she finds her world tipped upside down - unsure of who she is, what she wants to do and a threat of revealing a secret she has kept for years. As she finds herself trapped she signs on to be a part of a dueling piano show.

Various different characters are brought into the book - Alexei (host of the dueling piano show/Prudence's competition), Tamara (who has it out for Prudence and she doesn't even know it) and Bobby (Purdence's ex).

I thought this book was the perfect balance of light/easy read but dealing with some tougher topics (growing up a child prodigy). I loved the message of never being too old to pursue your dreams, the independence that some of the characters gained and believing in yourself. The blackmailing part was a little hokey, but also let to the lightness of the book. I loved the quirky characters and getting to know the background of each one.

Thank you, netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Prudence Childs was a child prodigy and household name, playing piano all over the globe while in elementary school. But as soon as she turned 18, she stopped performing and turned to writing commercial jingles. They made her wealthy, but left her unfulfilled - and now as a 48 year old empty nester, she starts to consider playing again to get her spark back. Meanwhile, Alexei Petrov is the star judge for a wildly popular dueling piano show on TV - he’s in his early 20s and in the prime of his career, but wondering if he’s too invested in his work and not making time for anything else. The narrative alternates between the retired prodigy and the exhausted wunderkind, and I found myself rooting for both of them and loving the contrast. There are a LOT of different plotlines to follow (Prudence's ex-husband and her nosy / annoying HOA president, both of whom cause all kinds of drama), and I kind of wish the author had simplified a bit more, but I still loved this book and it helped me reconnect with my own joy of piano / music from childhood. I agree with those who say this novel was a love letter to music - it will make you rethink how you listen to music and what you get out of it, and truly appreciate an amazing artist.

I very much enjoyed this book and its compelling, original plot. I particularly enjoyed all the music references and the well-drawn characters. Even the secondary characters had rich backstories, and many of them could have been lovely, stand-alone short stories. I did find the plot a bit convoluted at times, and most of all, I would have enjoyed the book more without the Tamara Quigley character. The coincidence of her history with Prudence was a bit far-fetched, and her involvement with Bobby Wheeler seemed unnecessary; he was quite capable of screwing things up for himself and others without her help. I had mixed feelings about the ending. On the one hand, it was quite satisfying to see everything tied up so nicely (particularly loved the heartwarming scene between Prudence and Ms. Martinelli), but on the other hand, it seemed a bit unrealistic that everyone should have an epiphany and suddenly be ready to change their ways. These reservations aside, though, I would recommend this book and I thank Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

(Posting this review to Goodreads but with spoilers hidden)

This was a sweet read that follows Prudence Childs, a famous child pianist. Now she is an adult who has given up the piano but now how to perform in front of millions to earn the prize and prevent her life secret from being exposed. Delightful, hopeful, and a chance for a second ending.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Prudence is a former piano prodigy who hasn't performed in 20 years and needs to make a comeback without having the confidence to do so. Alexi is a current star and former prodigy who needs a really big TV hit to ensure he can stay in the US. Both need to find an inner strength to battle all the negative thoughts and people who have controlled them for their whole lives and both need a win to get their lives on a better track. This book was full of quirky characters you'll find yourself rooting for.

But before she can open a book, her first husband shows up looking for a pay-off to keep her deepest darkest secret hidden. With her current husband Stuart away on business, and her daughters away at college, Prudence decides to auction off her prized piano. Only to drive the cost and outbid herself when she decides she’s not ready to leave that part of her life behind.

Over in TV land Alexi Petrov ‘s hit show about dueling pianos needs a formidable opponent for his season finale. Petrov, an up-and-coming maestro, knows little else than piano, from a young age his parents monetized his talent to get the family out of Russia and have plans on cashing in when he wins the finale for ultimate freedom. (There’s not much people do above the board in this book. Besides Stuart, he’s pretty legit.)

Alexi’s and Prudence’s worlds collide when his producer ropes her in to challenge him in the finale. Will Prudence win enough money to keep her secrets hidden, or will the young sensation cement his position at the top of the piano world with a victory?

This book was laugh out loud funny. I’m often guilty of thinking I won’t enjoy a book if I’m not overly familiar with the topic it covers and as someone without a musical bone in my body going into this one, I was skeptical to say the least. Thrilled to report, I was so very wrong. This book was such a delight. A book that belongs in your beach bag, that you can gift to your mother-in-law, or reread over and over, can’t wait until it gets published and everyone else can meet and fall in love with Prudence Childs.

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for this Advance Reader’s Copy! Can’t wait for its debut later this year! #thesecondending #michellehoffman #arc #netgalley #randomhouse

I didn't enjoy this book though I see many others did! Somehow I was expecting something a little deeper and insightful, but it is aiming for light and funny instead. I didn't find it that humorous because the writing didn't work for me (I found a lot of the pliot devices kind of stupid) and I didn't care for any of the people -- I found them fairly two dimensional and without some basic values that I appreciate! I was also hoping for something much more musical -- the artistic component, not the competitive, money making side. So really not my kind of book, though I can see that it would appeal to others. Sorry! I won't be passing my review on to my blog or goodreads -- I only post books there that I can review positively.

This book was great! I couldn't put it down! The premise was fresh and new, which is hard for me to say as I read so much each year! Sometimes it feels as though I keep reading similar stories, but this was a so original!

Our main character is eclectic, but in a good way. I enjoyed learning about her abilities and how they translated throughout her life. I appreciated that the author built on her character throughout and wove it into this story. Always wanting to know what came next. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one!

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 🌶

TikTok: Video is in draft, will release within 2 weeks of book release!
Amazon: (will post when book released)

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5380609631
StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/d154233c-651d-4115-8878-6fb26360494b

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.