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.

This book is laugh out loud funny and made me cackle more than once with Prudence and her crazy antics. It gave me a Desperate Housewives feel with the multiple storylines intertwined and the humor. Definitely a fun read that has some more serious themes underneath.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I went into this sort of hoping for a romcom/contemporary romance type of feel, but this was definitely not that! It’s a story about hope, second chances, and standing up for yourself. There are multiple perspectives written in third person, and I really enjoyed seeing the different character plot lines developing separately. Normally I love first person POV for this, but it was a unique writing style and felt unique and new.

I struggled to connect with the characters. It was a fun and enjoyable story, but I just didn’t feel like I connected with any of the characters so I did feel like that took away from the story a little bit. I also thought some aspects weren’t the most believable (the blackmail and revenge, the HOA, the competition), but it was a quirky story with quirky characters, so I tried to just go along with it. Overall this was an okay read for me, with some funny moments and some emotional moments that I really enjoyed.

This book was incredibly slow and hard to read. I was initially pulled in by the description but couldn’t get more than halfway through it.

Prudence Childs is depressed. With both her daughters away at school and her husband traveling frequently, she feels like her life is over. Then her secret ex-husband shows up at the door threatening to blackmail her, and she realizes that her life as she knew it may actually be over.

Piano virtuoso Alexei has an unfulfilling career on a reality show, Dueling Pianos. Former prodigy Prudence agrees to compete, as a quick way to earn the money to pay off her ex. An HOA enforcer with a grudge against Prudence muddies the waters, as does Alexei's newfound affection for drinking shots and beers at sports bars.

This is an entertaining novel with a happy, though seemingly abrupt, ending. The backstory seemed excessive in relation to its quick resolution. But this was a fun, unique read. #TheSecondEnding #NetGalley

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Women Fiction
Setting: Arizona
Time: Current Day
Format: 📖
Release Date: May 30, 2023
Length: 337 Pages

The Second Ending is Michelle Hoffman’s debut novel. It is the story of two classic trained pianist; one a forty-eight year a former pianist prodigy, Prudence Childs who once as a very young child graced the likes of the White House and TV shows that inspired others. But once Prudence understood how her grandmother was pushing and manipulating her, she left home and became a famous and wealthy commercial jingle writer. The other is young twenty-two year old Russian pianist, Alexei Petrov – a theorical perfectionist. As an internet success Alexei has a large following, but like Prudence he has his problem as well .. demanding parent, no friends, or hobbies only a life dedicated to his music.

As these two pianists face the challenge of a new reality show - Alexei Petrov's Dueling Piano Wars; first they must both face their personal predicaments and prove to domineering and controlling family members, x-husbands, x-girlfriends and to themselves having a successful ending is always within reach. The Second Ending is a story about what the power of music can do to finding joy again and second chances.

I had my difficulties getting through this novel and because it was a NetGalley book I finished it. The beginning had lengthy backstories that could have been edited down. The last half picked up a bit but found the ending rather anticlimactic. Honestly, I did not find the story very engaging.

Thank you, Michelle Hoffman, Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 30, 2023.

A wonderful story of music, hopes, dreams, and not giving up. I loved it.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

🎹 The Second Ending - Michelle Hoffman

3 ⭐️ - This book was super quirky and fun. A story about second chances later in life has lots of inspirational messages and a lighthearted plot. It was fun, spunky, a little mysterious, and upbeat.

Prudence Child was once the most famous kindergartner on the planet. After teaching herself to play the piano at the age of three, she performed for major celebrities and inspired young children to learn the instrument. As she grew older though, she came to see how her talents were being exploited. Now, at age 48 with her daughters away at college, she is desperate to reconnect with her talent and agrees to be on a dueling piano TV show. Unfortunately, her re-found fame has caught the attention of her money hungry, blackmailing ex husband. Can Prudence win the show, take down her ex, and find her love for the piano again?

This book was really cute and fun. It has piece of mystery and twisty plots. It had a fun adventure of finding yourself and your passion. It reminded me a lot of Where’d You Go, Bernadette?! Prudence is fun, spunky, strong and driven. I enjoyed her story and her love of music. Chapter titles with musical related names was fun too! Overall, a cute summer read!

The Second Ending is just as much about second beginnings, and I loved it! Prudence Childs was a world famous pianist by the time she was in kindergarten. Mis-managed and exploited, Prudence found herself writing jingles as a young adult and then withdrawing completely to become a wife and mother. Alexei Petrov is an internet sensation and star of a new reality show where he faces off in a weekly piano duel. Alexei has his own demons that haunt him from childhood. As luck would have it, the two are destined to cross paths.

There is a mystery element to this novel as well as good character development. I really enjoyed this quick read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for an advanced e-copy of this book.

The story of a childhood piano prodigy getting a second chance at fame on her own terms when she competes on a TV show. Some characters were annoying, and some were charming. Cute story.

Hoffman's novel is about facing dark realities, entering uncharted territory, leaning on music as a solace, and welcoming new beginnings. The Second Ending was fun and full of heart.

Prudence Childs was a prodigy. She taught herself to play the piano as a toddler, became famous, played at the White House, and appeared on television. She inspired a generation to take up the piano.

Then she realized her grandmother was exploiting her and she broke from both her family and her fame. She fell into a career writing jingles--creatively unsatisfying but it paid the bills.

Decades later, Prudence's dark past threatens to upend her peaceful, if uneventful, adult life.

One thing leads to another and she agrees to participate in a popular televised dueling piano competition--against Alexei Petrov, a young Russian pianist who has flawless technique. But Alexei's parents have always pushed him so ruthlessly, he never made friends or developed a life outside of music.

When the two face off, they each have something to prove--to their families, their exes, those who have doubted them--and to themselves.

There are a number of appealingly zany hijinks here as well as a surprising amount of heart. The Second Ending is about self-discovery, facing dark truths, taking a terrifying leap out of the safety of what is known, and opening the door to a boundless, uncharted future. I really enjoyed this.

I received a prepublication edition of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

You might also like the books on my Greedy Reading List Six Rockin' Stories about Bands and Music.

🎵 THE SECOND ENDING - Michelle Hoffman 🎶

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵.

⭐️ | 4.5/5
📖 | 336 pages
📆 | released 5/30/23 (TODAY!)
📨 | publisher: Ballantine Books (PRH)

I adored this book! I really connected with our main character Prudence, that woman’s got a fierceness not to be reckoned with. She is very relatable in many layers and throughout the story we continue to peel those layers back.

There were a LOT of piano and music references but this certainly did not distract from the main plot points. Give the first few chapters some leeway to introduce you to our characters, there are several background stories that need to get flushed out in order to create the scene.

Yes you can love BOTH Prudence AND Alexei even if you are rooting for one more than the other to win!🥇 This book is more of a fictional comedy and life lessons than any other genre. There are some works of tragedy and sadness, as well as very mild romance, but overall a witty and sweet ride.

This book has very poetic and fluid writing which made for a quick and fun read. This was Hoffman’s debut novel which is exciting - I’m looking forward to reading more of her work!

Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse, #ballantinebooks and @michelle.hoffman_ for my advanced review copy!

The Second Ending hits all the right notes!

Two piano prodigies are struggling with their lives. Alexei has a hit prime time show, Alexei Petrov's Dueling Piano Wars, but his life is regimented and holds no joy. He lost the woman he loves because of his controlling mother, and he has never had the freedom to do anything but play classical music. Prudence spent her childhood playing music at concert halls, the White House and other famous venues, and being berated by her stage-mom grandmother. She ultimately rebelled, married her boyfriend Bobby, and began writing commercial jingles. Their marriage doesn't last, but her fortune does. She remarries, and her new husband Stuart and she raise two lovely girls who know very little about their mom's famous past.

When Alexei's show reaches out to Prudence to compete against him in a piano duel, she has to do it because her ex-husband Bobby is blackmailing her. Her first jingle was actually written by her old piano teacher, and she can't be convicted of fraud and lose all they have. Alexei feels he has to do it to keep his parents happy - they guilt trip him about supporting the family so they aren't sent back to Russia. They both need to win, and they both need to believe in themselves again.

This story has two compelling main characters, and great secondary characters, from old rivals to new mentors. The writing is enjoyable and the pace of the book is quick without seeming rushed. I loved how the story went back and forth between these two great pianists with similar stories and worries. You know they will be great friends when they meet, but you spend the novel wondering who will win.

I highly recommend this entertaining novel! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Michelle Hoffman has written a terrific novel in “Second Ending”! She is intimately acquainted with all facets of being a musician, and her portrayal of stage parents is impeccable.
Brava, Michelle!

Poor writing, no real story line and a complete lack of character development make this book an absolute dud.

4 1/2 stars

I adored this book. Prudence Childs was a character that really stole my heart. She had truly been so manipulated and mentally/physically abused as a young child that she didn't necessarily realize it was happening. Then to have that abuse connect itself to something that she loved (ie., playing the piano) to the point that she turned away from it for a good part of her life. It was such a shame. Seeing how she grows and comes to realize different things about herself as she is getting older and starting to look around and doubting what she sees. Prudence wants to protect her legacy and family and find a way to move forward in life with happiness and fulfillment.

Then we also meet up with Alexei Petrov who is a talented young pianist currently hosting a television reality show that centers around pianists and such. The network he works for comes up with the bright idea to have Alexei face off in a "battle" with someone who can challenge him and push him to work harder. To sweeten the pot, the person that Alexei competes with will be after the prize money that he'll also be competing for. This money can make a huge difference in both Prudence and Alexei's lives. Meanwhile, those two are both extremely talented - - Prudence is a prodigy and Alexei is a disciplined performer that has trained for it. Even though they have different approaches, their talents sound similar.

In addition, there are a few people trying to undermine and/or blackmail Prudence. This plot line blends into the overall story to add depth and power to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Prudence, now 48, was a child piano prodigy, who has the opportunity to participate in a television piano dual with the host of the show, Alexy., a handsome young Russian pianist. Through a series of strange incidents and some odd secondary characters, the two pianists meet and help each other get on with their lives. It is a touching, quirky, funny and endearing story.