cover image Once Innocent

Once Innocent

Jessica Gregory. Pocket Books, $4.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-69554-5

Deriving its momentum from the dumb luck of some characters and the sheer loathsomeness of others, Gregory's first novel provokes more distaste than enjoyment. The lovers in this work are nonentities who seem good only by comparison with those around them. Beautiful Robyn Prescott wakes up in a Chicago hospital with her memory gone, but she is haunted by vague fears and a feeling she is being watched. Determined to make a new life, she heads for New York City. With no particular skills, she searches futilely for work, until--by a stroke of luck--she lands a waitressing job . Scott Kendall is keen to salvage his floundering cosmetics company by discovering a new model to promote its products. Then--by a stroke of luck--he finds just what he's been looking for when Robyn, seeking to improve her lot, charges into his office after a disastrous job interview. With Scott's help, Robyn enters the fashion world's fast lane. But soon a sleazy, murdering villain from her past and a sleazy, murdering (but better-dressed) villain from Scott's present crawl out from under their respective rocks to threaten the love blossoming between the executive and his model. (July)