4.5 Stars!

Andy Westfield was the head of a major studio Company for almost twenty years until he was let go when the studio was sold. His world was turned upside down in an instant. He randomly went to a small beach town in England to figure out what's his future will be. He then meets Violet, a former journalist. Andy discovers a manuscript that she is working on and sees the potential in her work. Together they discover that they are a great writing team. This development made Andy realizes everything he had lost due to his powerful job.

I really enjoyed Andy's character development in the course of this novel. This was an emotional story about how Andy had to start over but can be triumphant if you are in charge of your own destiny.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC. I highly recommend this novel.

Second Act by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful romantic novels. We meet Andy Westfield, our hero, from the start, as he is a very successful CEO of a prestigious movie studio, Global. He is the son of Hollywood royalty, always putting his career first, with a divorce years ago; but he is close to his ex and daughter. Andy loves his job, having been the head of the studio for almost 20 years; he also has no problem having women fall all over him, especially during events.

Andy is shocked to find out that the studio is being sold, and the new owners want their son to take the head honcho role; with Andy now fired, which did come with a huge severance package. Unable to handle this shock, he began drinking, until his assistant convinces him to go abroad, he leases for 6 month a quaint home in a small coastal town near London. Andy hires a former journalist to help him organize his affairs during his stay.

Violet Smith, our heroine, is at a difficult time in her life, and is happy to accept the job as an assistant. One day, after Violet left for the day, Andy notices a folder, which looked like a manuscript she was writing, and he became intrigued. The next morning, he mentioned it to Violet that he thought it was an enthralling story and had so much potential to be adapted for the movies. Violet has put her heart and soul into the story, and she agrees to work with Andy on this journey to create a masterpiece.

Andy contacts his friend, Dash, who does indie movies and when he reads the story, he wants in; and together with Dash planning to set up the movie and cast; Violet fixes and completes the book, and Andy decides to be the screenwriter turning the book into a movie format. Andy was a screenwriter many years ago, before he became a CEO, and he also teaches Violet the makings of doing a screenplay. In a short time, the relationship between Violet and Andy escalates, as they both being to fall in love with each other, as they also made a great team.

Andy, Dash and Violet put together a magnificent movie that becomes very successful, and nominated for a Golden Globe award. At first Andy refuses to go back to the states for the awards, but Dash and Violet convince him to go, as they and some of the cast will stay at his luxury home while there. When the movie wins best picture, Andy realizes that he has a second chance in doing what he always loved. Violet was already completing another story, and Andy would do the screenplay, with Dash doing the movie.

What follows is a heartwarming, emotional and uplifting story of hope and second chances. I loved all the characters, as Andy and Violet were wonderful together, Dash was very good, and Andy’s daughter was very welcoming with Violet. Andy started to receive offers, but he knew he was enjoying his current life, and he needed to decide to accept an offer or continue with his happy current life. Second Act was so very well written by Danielle Steel. This was an enjoyable read, and I suggest you read this book.

Reading Danielle Steel novels always is comforting, sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes just so encompassing you can’t put it down. Second Art was comforting. A nice feel good story, likeable characters and a satisfying ending!

Andy who has a luxurious life is upended when his job is taken by a new owner. He moves to a small town near London he hires violet to do his secretary work finding her novel he helps get it published and he makes it into a movie and of course romance happens

This book has to be one of my favorites of Danielle Steele. I have read much of what she has written over the years as I like her writing style and formula novels. I find them to be relaxing reads and highly recommend them, to readers of all types. Second Act's main character is a male. While I enjoy many of Steele's books I can't really relate to the wealth and settings of the characters. They provide a peak into the world of the rich and famous, but the thought processes of the women she often writes about are far removed from my own. I related to Andy. At the beginning of the book, Andy is at the top of his game. He is the head of a major movie studio, basking in all of the power, trappings, and glory that comes with such a position. He is a good man, but even good men are lured by "things". In one transaction he is eliminated. His position taken away, he finds himself adrift. He seeks solitude to heal from the losses he feels, the embarrassment of being just an ordinary individual, and with the loss of what had unwittingly become his internal compass. In a twist of fate, he finds himself again by going back to what he loved doing as a young man, screenwriting. He finds, like many of us do, that our roots are where we belong. What gave us joy and fulfillment as a younger person often can again. I found this book to be one of Danielle Steele's best. Thanks to #NetGalley#SecondAct for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A great tale about what happens when you're the king of an industry one day, and the next you become like everyone else.

Andy Westfield is the only child of two famous Hollywood stars. He was raised among his parents' friends who were famous celebrities, but he never realized that. When he was in his early twenties, he became a well known screenwriter. Then he got married and had a daughter and life was good. When he was only 38 years old, he was hired to run a large movie studio; he was the youngest studio head in history. The power, money, and everything that came with that world was enormous; it ruled his life. He missed his daughter's whole life and his wife was sick of being lonely; so they had an amicable divorce. Afterwards, Andy dated only actresses who lived life like he did; he had no plans to remarry again and everyone knew that going in. His job was his wife. He made the movie studio a lot of money in the 19 years he ran it.

When the studio is sold to a billionaire, the man's son wanted Andy's job as part of the deal. The original CEO guaranteed Andy that his job was secure as part of the deal; now he finds himself kicked out with no warning. For the first time in over 19 years he doesn't know what to do with himself. He escapes Hollywood and his so-called friends and hides in a small town outside of London. He rents a beautiful mansion that's in foreclosure for 6 months with nothing to do. He decides to hire an assistant to help him manage his daily correspondence because he's always had someone else to do that. The new hire is way more than he ever expected. She's beautiful with black hair and violet eyes; hiding a world of sorrow in them.

Violet Smith is a quiet woman who obviously came from money. She knows the whole staff running Andy's rental, but he can't figure out how. One day she accidentally leaves behind a manuscript that she's been writing and Andy reads it out of curiosity. He becomes obsessed with the story and hires her full-time to finish writing it. With her permission, Andy takes it to an old friend of his who lives in London; Dash. He's a famous indie movie producer and Andy is hoping that he'll love it as well. Dash not only loves it, he wants Andy to make the movie and produce it with him.

When Andy tells Violet the good news, she's in shock. That's when the whole truth comes out, it's a story based on her own life. She was wined and dined by a wealthy, attractive man, they got married and had a child. He slowly started to control her every move, isolating her from her friends and job. They left London and bought the mansion Andy's currently renting. It turned out that her husband was running the biggest Ponzi scheme around the world. When Vi realized what he was doing, he threatened harm to their son; so she kept quiet. But when her husband took their 7 year old son joy riding in his Ferrari without a seat belt, her child died in an accident. Vi immediately turned in her husband after her son's funeral. Now he's in jail for a very long time and the bank repossessed everything they owned.

This only made Andy admire the brave woman in front of him and realized that he was in love with her. Andy decided to try his screen writing skills once for the movie. He realized that he loved what he was doing. While they were working together creating this movie, they fell in love. For the first time in his life, he was 100% in love with someone; she didn't love him for what he could do for her or buy her. She had no interest in his money. While making her manuscript into a movie, the couple began living together. The movie was a huge hit and they won a Golden Globe award for it. Vi was already working on a new manuscript for their next movie. With his new life, he spent more time with his daughter and grandchildren and traveling around Europe with Vi.

When a rival studio CEO and his family all die in a plane crash, Andy gets a phone call he never thought he'd get again. They want to hire him to run the studio, with triple the income he once received, plus many perks. Now he needs to make a decision that will once again change his life forever. Will he choose power, status, and money? Or will he choose a quiet life making more movies with a woman who loves him for who he is, and not what he can give her?

A must read!!

Second Act by Danielle Steel provides an escape from reality for a couple of hours. I found the story to be easy to read. The characters are developed. I liked that there were not too many. I was able to envision the characters from the author’s vivid descriptions. The glowing depictions also allowed me to visualize the settings including Andy’s California home and the unique house he rents in England. It is a story about staring over and self-discovery. Sometimes it takes hitting bottom for someone to realize that family is more important than power or money. At one time, if a person lost their job and they were in their 50s, it would be challenging for them to get another position. Now, you can begin a new chapter of your life by going to college or changing career paths. I could understand Andy struggling after losing his position especially since he did nothing to warrant the loss of it. The author captured the feelings of humiliation, lack of self-worth, and anger. While I enjoyed reading Second Act, I was not a fan of the repetition. I really do not need the same details repeated ten times (Andy not being around for his daughter while she was growing up, how Andy got his position at the studio, Alana was only with Andy to help her career). The plot twists can be anticipated (such as Andy being fired). There is mild foul language along with the consumption of copious quantities of alcohol. I can always count on Danielle Steel to provide a relaxing read (which is what I needed). Second Act is a touching tale with a surprise termination, a UK hideaway, a pretty assistant, a captivating tale, career change, and a singular romance.

I throughly enjoy Danielle Steel books. They are interesting, easy to read with well developed characters and hard to put down. ‘Second Act’ did not disappoint. Ms. Steel did an excellent job describing the devastating fall from CEO to unemployed that Andy endured, and then his ability to rebuild himself and find love along the way. Always a DS fan.

This was a really nice and easy read. A bit of a departure from Danielle's usual style of having a female protagonist. The Male protagonist in this endures a blow to his ego in the loss of a high profile career. He then finds himself, love which leads to a change in his career goals. A true second act.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press and the Author Danielle Steel for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Andy Westfield is the CEO of Global Studios and is at the top of his career. They have consistent award winning movies and he is well-admired. His father had been a movie legend and his mother was a beautiful woman from Sweden who left her acting career to stay at home and raise Andy. Both were very strong parents.

Andy had married Jean and they are the parents of Wendy. However, after 21 years of marriage, they divorced because Jean felt she rarely saw Andy as he was so busy with his career. Wendy is now married and mother to two children. She wants nothing to do with show business.

Some years ago, Global Studios was bought out by AMCO and the blending has been a success. But when the head of AMCO tells Andy that they are selling Global to FAQTS, he is surprised but reassured that Andy will keep his job. However, that is not the case as the son of the owner wants Andy’s job and Andy is escorted out the door. Even with a good settlement from AMCO, he is stunned and humiliated. So, he decides to get away from Hollywood and rents a large home in a small beach town in England.

One day, he sees a young woman who seems so sad. After inquiring after someone to help with his emails, correspondence, and paperwork, the woman he saw, named Violet applies for the job and gets it. It so happens she had been writing a book and when Andy sees it, he is so impressed and insists she submit it for a screenplay. In fact, as he was a screenwriter early in his career, he begins to write it himself. This starts a new life for him and Violet together that turns into a magnificent success.

I really loved this book and each time I read a new Danielle Steel novel, I become more and more in awe of her incredible knowledge and talent. Her descriptions of writing a screenplay were mesmerizing and I learned so much. This is a powerful book that tugs at the heartstrings. Amazing story. Don’t miss it!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is why Danielle Steel is a top selling author. Powerful CEO of a top Hollywood movie studio Andy has it all. He’s held the industry in his hands for 19 years, until he doesn’t . Following the ups n downs of this fickle life, Andy finds himself at a crossroads and needs to decide. Traveling to England to make sense if his life he meets Viola and slowly he makes his way back. As Danielle Steel only can, you feel Andy’s emotions and you become invested to see just how this man’s “Second Act” turns out.

Danielle Steel's latest novel is Second Act and it is the story of Andy who is a Hollywood studio CEO as the story opens. I really enjoyed the first half of the book which is more of the story of how a person responds when their cherished profession is taken away from them.
Because it's a Danielle Steel novel the second half of course has a romance attached.
I enjoyed the first half of the story better than the second half but all in all, it is a good Danielle Steel read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Second Act is available today.

Wow!!! I have not read a book by Danielle Steele in years and I have to say, this is the best one yet!! I loved this story and I adored the characters. I didn't want to like Andy, his power and ego were a lot, but there was something about him. He was moral and had integrity and I ended up loving him. Violet was his perfect match and she completed him. The story was powerful and she drew me in from the beginning. I highly recommend this book, A breath of fresh air and a happily ever after all in one!

3.5 stars - This was a fast and satisfying book with a male main character. But don’t be alarmed; it is still the same romance that Danielle Steel writes.

Andy Westfield has been the head of the biggest movie studio in Hollywood for the past fifteen years. With this career came the sacrifice of his marriage and family life. And the job was swiftly taken from him in the blink of an eye.

Andy runs from Hollywood to England, licking his wounds and trying to figure out what to do next. By chance, he stumbles upon an opportunity to produce an independent movie and get to know the mysterious writer of the story. Is this enough to keep him happy, or will the surprising call of another job in Hollywood lure him back?

When I read a book from this author, I know what I’m getting: an escape from my mundane routine and a happy-ever-after ending. If that is what you’re looking for, this book is for you.

**Review posted to Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxrRCz-tB1-/

What would you do if one day you found that you had to start your life over?? Would you rebuild it the same way or would you build it differently? At 57 Andy loses his beloved and powerful job through no fault of his own. Feeling embarrassed Andy leaves town and rents a house on a secluded beach where he meets Violet who has her own reasons for hiding. Together they discover that they are a wonderful writing team and Andy realizes everything he has lost due to his powerful job. Sometimes when you thought you had everything and lose it, you discover that you never had what you really needed. Awesome story!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second Act is classic Danielle Steel. The characters are intriguing and have the reader wishing for happiness all around. This is a quick read that provides a wonderful escape.

I found Second Act by Danielle Steel to be totally enjoyable.

I love how you she takes you to places that you may never see. And they way she describes them it
This was an excellent book that I did not want to put down.
You could really connect with these characters and understand what they are going through. You could feel all of the emotions here.
I enjoyed how well rounded this story is and kept me glued to the pages.
This book was character driven, with a storyline that sucks you in almost immediately. The book was very well-written. This book pulled me in from the beginning and it kept me wanting more.
Danielle Steel never disappoints with any of her books!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Delacorte Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was so amazingly good! I loved everything about it. I loved the well-developed characters the settings, the houses, the story set in the movie world. Literally everything about it! Whenever I see a Danielle Steel book, I know I am in for a treat. Andy and Violet both are given second chances for happiness, and I love the journey they take together! Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and #Netgalley for the ARC!

This is your typical Danielle Steel-- but don't read this as a bad thing! The story is about second chances for both the main character, which I love. I also appreciated that they weren't in their late 20s. In this day and age of layoffs, it was nice to see a character deal with a career reroute. I loved watching Andy and Violet grow as they embark on their new selves. A very satisfying and enjoyable read!

Steel delights with a fresh concept! It's not unusual to pick up a Danielle Steel novel and be quickly swept up into the life of the lead character who is overcoming heartache and hardship to move forward after some sort of turmoil, but it is a little more unusual for it to be a male lead taking center stage and I have to say I loved every minute of watching Andy's resurrection! Very relatable characters will have you hooked quickly and a fulfilling plot filled with unexpected twists will leave you satisfied. Really enjoyed his Second Act!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an intensely character driven plot of losing oneself and having to reinvent what marks your measure of success after upheaval.