Audiobook: The Encore by Juliet Izon

March 28, 2026

Synopsis:

A captivating journey of love, sacrifice, and destiny playing out in the world of music.

In 2003, at the prestigious Brookfield Conservatory in Boston, a chance encounter sparks an inimitable friendship between driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley and composer wunderkind Will Pendleton. As they strive toward careers as professional musicians, their bond deepens both from shared skill and the inexplicable sense that they’re kindred souls. But soon after graduation, one night forever alters the trajectory of their lives, destroying their relationship in the process.

Twenty years later in New York, sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas is grappling with the rigors of her elite prep school and the confounding disappearance of the woman who gave her up at birth. When Lottie suddenly discovers the startling truth of her identity, the revelation catalyzes a chain of events that not only reunites Lottie with her birth parents, but forces them together on a rock tour-bus for a careening cross-country journey. It is there, trapped in these tight confines, that the three must finally reconcile with irrevocable choices from the past.

Review:

I didn’t expect to enjoy this story as much as I did. Lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend of music and musicians taking a more central role in narratives, and I’m absolutely here for it. Combine that with a tragic love story and the idea that life’s challenges can leave a lasting mark, and you get a truly compelling read.

The story unfolds across two timelines, weaving past and present together in a way that feels effortless and meaningful. Early on, we follow two people falling in love, united by a shared passion for music. Although they differ in many ways, their connection feels genuine and rare. When that bond ends abruptly, the consequences shape both of their lives in profound ways.
Parallel to this, we meet a young woman trying to find her place in the world. She doesn’t know where she comes from or who her real parents are. When she finally gets the chance to uncover the truth, her journey intertwines with that of our main characters in a way that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.

The story held my attention from start to finish. It highlights how the decisions we make in certain moments can stay with us forever, and raises the question of what a second chance might mean. It blends a love of music, a glimpse behind the curtain of artistic life, and a romance that begins with promise but quickly unravels, leaving its mark on everyone involved. If this sounds like your kind of story, I highly recommend giving it a try.

I was listening to this as an Audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. It was a pleasure to listen to her.

🌙 Recension: The Encore by Juliet Izon
📚 Genre: Fiction, New Adult
📅 Release Date: March 3, 2026
📖 Verlag: Hachette Audio | Union Square & Company
👤 Narrator: Narrated by Mia Hutchinson Shaw; Carly Larson
📗 available in various formats
📱 Read as: Audiobook
💸 I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages / Listening Length: 12h 14min
⭐️ 5/5