While looking for a romance/erotica, I choose Ana Otis' `Trashy Novel - Book 1' because of the cover. Normally, this genre's covers feature model-like people with perfect bodies who are engaged in an oh-so-sensual embrace, trying to lure the reader into `pick me, pick me'. Otis' cover stood out and I liked that. I was intrigued.

I was also intrigued by the first paragraph of the book. The opening line is a brow-raiser, but unfortunately, Trashy Novel is like bad sex; a promising start, soon dwindling into a weak performance. Worse - there is no climax because I couldn't make myself finish this book. I was just that turned off.

Granted, the few sex-scenes are beautifully erotic, but the repetitive turmoil between the characters is extremely distracting. The author goes into great lengths describing each character and his/her past and current problems in chapters which are designated to the individual character. That wouldn't be such a bad idea, if those chapters wouldn't be so repetitive, and at times, just plain badly composed.

In the acknowledgments, the author thanks her editors. I have to wonder if those editors were professionals or just proof readers. Trashy Novel has the potential to be a real gem. It is obvious that Otis pored her heart into her writing. It's just a shame that the failure of polishing this book prevents it from shining. 

Rebecca Lerwill is the ward-winning author of the romantic thrillers Relocating Mia and The Acronym. Her reviews are available on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and Authorsden.