The Encore - by Juliet Izon (Paperback)

Book 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 Quotes

"A page-turner that goes down like a chilled rosé on a hot summer day."--Good Housekeeping

"Imbued with music at every turn, this coming-of-age tale reminiscent of Daisy Jones & the Six rings true in its sincerity and passionate exploration of creative ambition."--Bustle

"Prepare to fret, quaver and, maybe, breathe a sigh of relief as debut author Juliet Izon brings us a highly strung tale of talent and tribulation in The Encore....It's the story of 'driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley...composer wunderkind Will Pendleton' and 'sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas, ' which winds its way from an elite northeastern conservatory to 'a rock tour-bus... careening cross-country, ' with more twists and turns than a French horn."--PageSix.com, New York Post

"A gorgeously layered exploration of artistic ambition and abiding love, as cutting in its portrayal of the glories and pitfalls of career obsession as it is romantic about love's possibilities for redemption. I devoured Izon's debut with reckless abandon. It's a story to lose yourself in, devote yourself to, to dream about with stars in your eyes. I loved it!"--Ashley Winstead, USA Today-bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me

"The Encore is a romance, but not the soft-focus kind. It's a story about talent, ambition, and the emotional residue of choices made too young. Juliet believes the encore can be richer than the first act, more honest, more dangerous, more earned."--50 States of Gray Substack


"If you love romance, music (and lots of it), drama, and an unforgettable road trip, journalist Juliet Izon's debut novel The Encore is right up your alley. Izon's writing truly shines as she deftly weaves together the lives of three characters in a way that will have you sacrificing sleep just to read one more chapter."--Glamour

Deftly examining how ambition, creativity, and love intersect, this moving novel will appeal to fans of Talyor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & the Six (2019) and Holly Brickley's Deep Cuts (2025).--Booklist

"A beautifully written story about music, missed chances, and a reunion two decades in the making that pairs perfectly with a cozy night in."--Esquire

"The Encore is a big-hearted novel that depicts how love and loss, tragedy and joy, are not only necessary dualities in life, but also intrinsically connected. Izon writes with a playful exuberance; fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will find a lot to love in this charming, utterly readable debut."--Gabriella Burnham, author of Wait

"The Encore is a debut whose voice soars like a rock star from the first note and never lets go. Read this book now so you can be the person in your book club who gets to say you discovered Juliet Izon 'first.' Her writing will stop you in your tracks."--Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Unlikely Story and James Beard and Emmy nominated journalist

"With witty dialogue, a quickly unfolding plot, and a simmering will they/won't they romance, The Encore offers readers a backstage pass to the rewards of chasing a long-held dream, the perils of fame, and the intertwining influences of art and destiny."--Sarah Landenwich, author of The Fire Concerto

"Juliet Izon's debut is a layered exploration of ambition, sacrifice, family, and love, all set to one truly iconic soundtrack. But most of all, The Encore is a celebration of art--the pleasures and perils of making it, and the enduring power it has to heal us, even when we fear we're broken beyond repair. Read this book--I promise it will leave you feeling starry-eyed with arms stretched high, dancing at your favorite concert."--Grant Ginder, author of So Old, So Young

"Part Daisy Jones and part Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Izon's stunning debut is a backstage pass to the music industry, the perils of stardom, and the complexities of sacrificing love and life in service of art. Propulsive, sweeping, and populated with characters as nuanced as the songs they write, The Encore deserves a standing ovation."--Daria Lavelle, author of Aftertaste

About the Author

Juliet Izon is a journalist and author who has written for publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Architectural Digest. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two Ragdoll cats, splitting her time between New York City and the Hudson Valley. When she's not writing, you can usually find her at a show: Broadway, ballet, art, or (naturally) a concert. The Encore is her debut novel.