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.

The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman was kind of a miss for me. I enjoyed reading about the main characters, but felt they were very shallow. The addition of the woman from the vendetta was an amusing but very distracting sideline to the story and was unnecessary as far as I was concerned. I found Prudence to be far more interesting and wish the author had delved further into her relationship with her daughters.

Thank you to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for and ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 that I'm rounding up to 5 because...well heck, I can do whatever I want with my reviews!! This really was charming and thoughtful. I wasn't sure how I was going to do with this one. It's pretty heavy on the theme of music, and while I'm all about music, I'm not all that cultured. However, it could have been about tiddlywinks competitors because it was simply a story about following your dreams, facing your demons, sharing your secrets, and living boldly. It was so well done that I was flipping quickly through pages, happy to go on this journey and see where it would lead.

This debut novel has an eccentric cast of characters centered around two celebrated and very talented pianists and a dueling piano competition. The story ultimately urges us not to give up on our dreams, but to be open to new beginnings and welcome the opportunity for a "second ending".

The first half of the book almost lost me due to the lengthy back stories on each and every character and this part may have been improved with some judicial editing. Also, the narrative lacked good flow at times in the beginning. The revenge and blackmail part of the story seemed a little disjointed and quirky too. However, I was glad that I persevered, because the pace picked up and the story greatly improved with the addition of two very likable characters that were added to help the emotionally challenged musical competitors train for their contest. Overall, my patience paid off and I ended up liking this book.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC of this book.

The Second Ending
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I will not repeat the plot, as so many already have done. Unfortunately I have to disagree with the four and five star reviews. For me, the timeline was often confusing, back and forth in the past, present an in between, the main characters as children, teenagers and adults. Also, there were too many characters introduced constantly , I found it hard to keep them straight. The ending was pretty predictable and the individual story lines ending as they did was not very believable. Overall I feel generous giving this book three stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions are my own.

I was very surprised by this book, The Second Ending, by Michelle Hoffman. A whole host of enjoyable and quirky characters, a unique and different plot, and a thematic ending, make for a truly likable novel that will likely put Ms. Hoffman on the literary map. A quick and laugh-out-loud read, The Second Ending, grapples with an aging former child prodigy, an overnight phenom, evil exes, and an impending worldwide competition, all creating a story that will be enjoyed by many a reader. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I didn’t care for this book at the beginning: I’m not a near-fifty empty nester and former piano prodigy, so 2% in I found myself thinking “Hmmm am I going to like this?”

And then I loved this.

Prudence Childs is so damn weird - but so damn confident in her weird. It took her <I>years</I> to be comfortable in her own skin, to come to terms with the abuse her grandmother had forced on her by making her a performing puppet, and to love music again.

I thought this book was highly entertaining - the writing was very fluid and had an interesting train-of-though approach to telling the story, as though everything flowed and was nonchalant. Much like Prudence herself.

I enjoyed the multiple POVs and how dynamic all of the characters were - Tamara’s grudge based on a misinterpreted slight, Bobby’s flip-flops between scumbag and angry scumbag, and Alexei’s growing confidence to set out on his own life and live it for himself.

Will wholeheartedly recommend this book to music lovers, people who like unique character studies, and basically anyone with a pulse who likes a good story.

3.5 stars

While overall I did like this story I don't know why but I just found it a bit wanting. It is a fun and lighthearted style of a read which I think will be idea for reading while poolside this summer but I wish there was a bit more of... something.. to keep me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book. The storyline was very clever and original. I did get Where You’d Go Bernadette vibes from
the main character, which I loved. Our main character, Prudence is insecure and mysterious while so talented and finding her strength. I also liked that there were commonalities between her and her competition, Alexei. I was so curious how this would end and no spoilers here but it was beautifully done.

“This is my second ending, Prudence thought. The power to live the life of my dreams is, quite literally, in my hands.”

I really enjoyed this music-themed debut novels. The characters were eccentric but likeable. I read it one day, and I look forward to reading more from this author. We all should get second chances.