Eugenie Seifer Olson, The Pajama Game

The Pajama Game

Eugenie Seifer Olson

Avon, Apr 2005, $12.95, 313 pp.

ISBN: 0060732091

Rebecca "Moxie" Brecker tried teaching science to middle school students, but while she remained in a state of rest her pupils seem to be in a perpetual state that proves sexual energy never vanishes only changes form. Unable to deal with the fifth state of matter (teenagers), Moxie quits the classroom to work at the local lingerie chain store. She still feels tired.

Moxie is attracted to her new Combat Zone neighbour Steven Tyler who receives a lot of packages from fans confusing him with that singer-father of the actresses. Though he is friendly he never seems to move beyond showing her his latest "gift"; Moxie wonders if he sells drugs. Moxie is dragging from dealing with cups and serial underwear thieves so is unable to follow up with the ringless hunk that came in to buy lingerie. Her shrink insists her fatigue is psychosomatic, but when Moxie finally gets tested, she learns that she must deal with a physical disease not mental burnout. While her only friend Gerald freaks out over James Spader, Steven tries to persuade Moxie that she is his foxy.

Although the story line contains a serious subplot involving health, the well being of this story line centers on the heroine's amusing asides. Steven is a delightful support character trying to convince Moxie that he is not a dealer and that he wants her; Gerald enables the audience to see deeper inside Moxie. Although the numerous subplots tie together, they can leave a reader weary trying to follow yet Eugenie Seifer Olson provides a very humorous chick lit Bostonian joyride.

Harriet Klausner