An Improbable Pairing by Gary Dickson

Attracted by a beautiful cover and a wonderful title: An Improbable

Pairing I decided to launch myself in the reading of the first novel by Gary Dickson published by GreenLeaf Book Group Press, a publishing house with always very good titles.

The novel starts with a quote by T.S. Eliot: "Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough."by

Scott like many other young Americans sailed on August 30 1963 from New York to the ports of Le Havre and Southampton.

Scott was directed to Geneva where he would have attended the University. Although his parents considered this one an extravagant fact, it was more than sure that it would have paid before to get a law degree in a prestigious American institution.

But, what it was important for Scott Stoddard when he left the USA for Europe, was freedom. As he writes the author: "He was free: free to do whatever he wanted, free to be whomever he would be. And free from the constant supervision of his parents."

During the trip he knows two women, Millie, and the so-called Countess de Rovere. Scott falls fascinated by her. He also discovers that the countess lives close to Geneva. Scott starts to fantasize about the countess.

After some days spent to London, Scott decides to stay affording To Paris at the George V one of the most luxurious hotels of the city where he will socialize at the restaurant Epoque with some friends, at the same time enjoying the capital.

Scott leaves France by train, in a trip long six hours meeting a girl, Solange. He finds an apartment, deciding to keep most of his money "for travelling, fine clothes, gourmet dining and nightclubs."

Solange Pahlavi, back from a month in Florence where her mother has friends, mainly poets, writers and musicians living there, asks him of accompanying her at a charity event.

The event is at the house of Desiree, so-called Countess de Rovere. Scott is thrilled.

Solange understands soon that there is attraction between the two.

Scott in the while makes friendship with Marlyse Richter a student but one night, important to them, they met again the countess and Marlyse  understands the interestest of the countess for her boyfriend.

The dinner is a catastrophistic experience but later the two tries to recuparate, just apparently, the situation.

Yes, because Marlyse is under the wing of Madame Giradet, while distant from her house so, who knows what that lady discovered about Scott and the Countess...

At a certain point Marlyse asks him: "We could get engaged..."

Scott is not ready.

He is still obsessed by the Countess.

Seven year older, the Countess appears a person more experienced than him.

When the love-story starts, Scott is worried for the Countess's reputation although she reassurs him:

"How can being in love with you...A fresh face on the scene; someone tall and athletc, with manner and style- how can that hurt my reputation?"

Scott's ex girlfriend is reassured that the problem was the countess...

If you love a romantic book with beautiful locations, rich characters, elegant places, luxury, happy end, you will find this and more.

Warmly recommended.

I thank NetGalley for this ebook.

Anna Maria Polidori