Member Reviews
this is a typical Danielle Steel book, I love all of her books, and this one was really good.. good characters and setting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read an ARC of Danielle Steel's novel, Second Act. I read Ms. Steel's novels many years ago and rediscover her book a few years ago. Second Act is a satisfying read about taking second chances after losses in life. The characters were relatable and the plot flowed nicely. Second Act is the best of Danielle Steel. I highly recommend people read this book.
Another bestseller to add to her collection for Danielle Steele!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This book is an amazing story of loss, redemption, finding oneself, and love. I read this book in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
LOVED! Did not put it down from start to finish! Classic Danielle Steele. The last couple of books she wrote I had a hard time getting through. This was an absolute joy to read and made me want more!
Andy is at the top of his game as the head of a movie studio. Until one day the studio is sold and he's out on his behind. He heads to England to heal and finds Violet, a quiet woman who has been through a lot in her life. As they work together, he finds out that she's written a book and he thinks it should be made into a movie. As they write the screenplay and start filming the movie, they fall in love. Out of the blue Andy gets a job offer and needs to decide if he wants it or Violet and the new life he's made for himself. Great story, loved reading it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Second Act is written by Danielle Steel. I have been reading her books since I was 15 years old. My grandma would pass them down to me when she was finished with them. No matter how many books I read by this author, I always get excited about the next one.
Andy Westfield finds his world turned upside down. The company that he had worked for is sold and the buyer's son wants his job. So he signs a six-month rental agreement for a luxurious home in a tiny, forgotten coastal town two hours from London. He hires Violet Smith, a former journalist, to help him organize his affairs during this transitional period. Violet, too, is at a crossroads in her life, and the temporary job offers her a much-needed reprieve. Both are at the crossroads of life.
I enjoyed seeing the characters and seeing how they grew through the story. The book is well written and engaging. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Second Act by Danielle Steel is one of the better novels she’s written recently. Andy has been living as the King of the Hill for 19 years and suddenly in an instant, he dethroned. He is blindsided by this and has no idea what to do, so he runs to another country.
There he hires an assistant, Violet, who has persevered through worse than Andy could ever imagine. As he continues to wallow in his own misery, he discovers her manuscript and digs into his toolbox of skills – as a screenwriter. Together, they write the script and Andy co-produces an indie film of Violet’s story. They are blessed with winning a Golden Globe.
And then, the unexpected happens and Andy is offered a studio head job. Does he or does he not go back to that life or continue with Violet?
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel.
A novel of second chances. Andy's lost his job lost his power, lost his self esteem and so he picks up and rents a house in the UK where he's more or less going to lick his wounds and plot his return. Violet has also lost (no spoilers) and she takes a job working for him while she keeps working on her novel the novel that's meant to pull her back. And then Andy finds her manuscript. Between the two of them and with the novel, they craft a new future based on their relationship and on their talents. it's a little different take from Steel but it's a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A easy read for her fans.
Another great Danielle Steele I loved the characters were great and the story just takes you in and transforms you to another palce
Andy Westfield the son of Hollywood elites has it all; money, fame and fortune as the head of a prestigious movie studio in Los Angeles. Life is going great until the studio changes hands and Andy’s glamorous world is turned upside down.
Unsure of what to do, Andy flees LA for a remote chateau outside of London. While there he meets Violet Smith a former journalist. Violet too is unsure of what life holds for her. Violet begins working for Andy’s as his secretary; but the two soon find themselves collaborating on a movie project. While working together they discover new paths to hope, love and happiness.
This is a great read for anyone wanting an uplifting novel.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for my ARC.
Andy Westfield breathes money. The head of a popular film studio, and the child of two movie stars, he's had the life many dream of. At the snap of his fingers, anything is possible- except for a relationship with his ex-wife and daughter. The studio, his #1 baby, replaced them.
When his studio is sold, Andy's job. security is shattered, and he is personally and professionally humiliated as he's replaced by the new company. Looking to start over, he signs a 6-month lease for a luxury home in England.
With no executive assistant, Andy is struggling, so he asks in town for someone to help.
Recommended is a woman named Violet Smith. A wonderful EA with a knack for storytelling, Andy and Violet start to form more than a friendship. Working together on Violet's book-turned-manuscript provides both characters the breath of fresh air they both need and a chance for a second act at life.
It is truly the gifted writer that can convey life at every stage of discovery. Andy Westfield the central character in this Danielle Steele story has the professional rug yanked out from under him. He is well off so finances are not the issue. The question he returns to is one of self worth after a quarter of his life devoted to putting out films that gave the studio a healthy bottom line. An acquisition leaves him adrift both professionally and personally. A six month lease in a tiny hamlet in England changes the course of his life and that of Violet and once promising journalist who is reduced to temporary work where she can find it. The course that leads these two together is truly the magic of Steele. It’s why her readers continue her legacy. Second Act is timely , engaging , happy reading.
Andy is the successful head of a major movie studio, until he isn’t. When the studio is sold, he is out of a job. After spending some time feeling sorry for himself, he goes to England to figure out what is next. He meets a young woman, Violet, who has written a great manuscript and together they decide to write a screenplay and produce the movie. Many of the plot twists could be seen a mile away, but you are rooting for Andy and Violet to move forward together.
Book starts off great. Lead character had the perfect life and then is fired from the top job at a large movie studio due to an acquisition. Relatable if you’ve ever lost a job before albeit at a CEO level firing. Andy still has to deal with the same humiliation, self worth struggles and anger after the firing. We then follow Andy on his journey to accept and move forward with his life and find what he wants to do next. I enjoyed the quick read and somewhat predictable happy ending.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all have a second chance? Danielle Steele has written a heartwarming story of how you can go back again to find what made you the happiest. I enjoyed reading this ‘happily ever after’ book as Andy Westfield finds that his road to a ‘do over’ is much more satisfying than his original climb to the top. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for the advanced copy. This review is my honest opinion.
Second Act is another reliable read by Danielle Steel. The book flowed along easily and well. Any ripples in the lives of the characters were unsurprisingly smoothed out. Second Act is a good, quick read.
It was tough putting this one down even though I had other things that needed to be done. Danielle Steel is always so easy to read. I liked the main characters in this story, so it was enjoyable to follow them. I appreciated the entertainment on a day when depression had overtaken me. It helped a lot!
Second Act is pure Danielle Steel. Fabulous settings, lavish homes, and a wealthy hero—one who needs a second chance and finds it with a kindred heroine who has escaped a bad situation and is looking to get back on her feet. It is also pure Danielle Steel in that her writing style tells more than shows the action that takes place. In this book she also falls back on the repetitive tendency she often employs when conveying details about the story. I have learned to anticipate and ignore the constant repeats in her work and, when I am successful at doing so, find her books to be an enjoyable escape—as this one was.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.
This is a very good story of Andy, the head of a prestigous movie studi0 living the perfect life until the studio is sold and the son of the new owner takes his job. At that point Andy is so upset that he spirals out of control and rents a house 2 hours outside of London. During that time he hires Violet, a former journalist to help him put things in order.. Violet is working on a manuscript that she leaves behind one day. Andy decides to read it and thinks it can make it big as a movie. Does it? Let's see what happens with this, Can they do it? A VERY GOOD READ,
Andy, the former CEO of a major studio, had dedicated nearly two decades of his life to his high-powered job, living a life of opulence and privilege. However, this came at the cost of neglecting his family, particularly his grown daughter and two grandchildren, who had been overshadowed by his career ambitions.
When the studio was unexpectedly sold, Andy was assured his position was secure due to his industry-wide respect. To his shock, he was let go in favor of the new owner's son, leaving him devastated and stripped of his former privileges. His girlfriend, who was attracted to powerful men and their career connections, also abandoned him.
Craving an escape from Los Angeles, Andy's secretary found him a rental home in a remote area of England. There, he hired Violet, a young woman, to assist him with his correspondence. One day, Violet accidentally left a folder containing pages of her book manuscript on Andy's desk. Intrigued, he began reading and was captivated by the story. He asked Violet to share the rest of the manuscript, offering to help her get it published and turned into a movie. He enlisted his friend Dash, who specialized in independent films, to assist with the screenplay.
Rediscovering his passion for writing and screenplays, Andy found himself immersed in the creative process. However, as the movie they worked on received an award nomination, he was forced to return to LA for the ceremony. Andy was now fully aware of his ordinary status and the slim chances of regaining his former position. The film won the award, bringing joy to Andy, Dash, and Violet, who were eager to collaborate on another project.
In the midst of their success, Andy received a lucrative job offer to lead another studio, even surpassing his previous role. The decision weighed heavily on him—should he embrace this second chance at a high-powered career or continue down the path of creative fulfillment he had discovered through Violet's book?
Ultimately, Andy faced a critical choice: to return to the corporate world or to embrace a new, more personally fulfilling journey in the world of indie filmmaking. The decision he made would shape his future and determine whether he could find a balance between his passion for storytelling and his past life of power and prestige.
Many thanks to NetGalley and #RandomHousepublishing for and opportunity to read this ARC. As always Danielle Steele’s novel do not disappoint.