Meet Dr. Gianni Pisano at the beginning of what promised to be an illustrious medical career. Everything was going his way; Emily, his beautiful young Scottish wife, the beginnings of a family with a fine home on the west coast. Then, one day, he finds his love has committed suicide. Decades follow Gianni sealing himself off from society, stumbling through his medical practice while abusing himself with all forms of pharmaceuticals and alcohol. Eventually, he retires to a hermits life in Europe never again to have a relationship with another woman. Mystically, while tending to his passion of growing and grafting fruit trees, he meets Pepina Soler, a beguiling Catalonian woman who helps him overcome some bad habits as they embark on a whimsical and comedic journey of cooking, gardening, hiking and travelling around the world.

Second Chance - The Adventures of Gianni & Pepina (Book 1)

264 pages

~~~

"Second Chance – The Adventures of Gianni & Pepina, by Giuseppe Scarpine, is a captivating story that will leave you longing for a summer getaway in rural France, all while contemplating universal questions we have asked ourselves for a long time. Combined with humorous lines and scenes here and there, this book keeps the feeling of its readers light as they look forward to the two characters' next adventures in the coming pages."

--- LITERARY TITAN

"If you prefer to avoid laughing out loud while reading an entertaining story, you will find this novel to be a serious challenge. I confess, I failed miserably, and so thoroughly enjoyed Giuseppe Scarpine's wonderful story of Gianni and Pepina."

Richard Clark, PhD Psychologist

"Greed is a monster that needs to be checked." So very true. And just one of so many turns of phrase in this beautifully and lyrically written and poignant story set in the beautiful south of France. A love for gardening, food and wine runs richly through the book. The author has a wonderful dry wit (including the "next Franco-Italo version of Ben & Jerry"). Born of both tragedy but also a rich and vividly recollected family life, this romantic European escape is a wonderful life journey in the truest sense of the words. For added measure, the quotes prefacing each chapter were fun. A sweet, very gentle-paced book." Amazon review

"A fun, enjoyable, crazy, humorous, and adventurous read of a Doctor bouncing back and forth between the US and France attempting to figure out life. The author does a good job of sharing a powerful message to overcome setbacks in life."

Pat Mitchell

"I just liked that everything i thought this book would have was turned upside-down. Not everything, a there is obviously a romance, but the typical tropes aren't there, and are replaced by something novel." Reviewer

"Truly a lively and adventurous love story with many sidebars enticing you on to the next chapter, and, after the last one, you are left craving the next adventures of G & P in Japan and more! A story of hope and fulfillment in the golden years!"

Brian Murphy, Area Agency on Aging, Ventura, Ca.

"When I read this for the first time It felt like I got lost in time, I felt like I knew Gianni and Pepina and I could feel their emotions and thoughts. The descriptive nature of the novel led me to this conclusion. 10/10 would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a compelling adventure with progression of character development! 3 words to sum this novel is: Descriptive, Lighthearted & Magical." Amazon review