Book Review: Eli Book Five – Triumph by B.J. Frazier & Jessie Spectre (erotica)

Title: Eli Book Five – Triumph
Author: B.J. Frazier & Jessie Spectre
Publication Date: August 21, 2023
Genres: Erotica
Protagonist Gender: Male

I actually finished this a few days ago, but needed some time to process it. If you’ve been following my reviews of the Eli series, then you know I’ve talked about the emotional roller coaster that B.J. Frazier & Jessie Spectre have taken us on. It’s been fun and fabulous, often inspiring and sometimes amusing, but there’s been this ominous feeling beneath it all, the dread of a looming confrontation at the end. The story could have sidestepped that darkness, snatched Eli away from the brink, but as much as I silently raged against B.J. and Jessie in reading this, I admire them for sticking to the story and where it had to go.

This final volume is the culmination of Eli’s journey in so many ways. It is an entirely satisfying conclusion in that it wraps up all the outstanding questions and issues, but it’s also a difficult one. Eli is forced to confront the darkness at the heat of Bernie’s plan, the violence that can happen when the rules and ethics of the BDSM power-exchange are discarded, and that went deeper and darker than I expected (or even feared).

It’s hard to say much without spoiling the journey that’s taken us to this point, but emotions are explored, agendas revealed, justifications offered, and excuses thrown up. This book really transforms the entire series, but it’s not so simple as that sounds. Even as we’re forced to confront the darkness beneath the story, B.J. and Jessie confirm that many of the emotions were genuine. So much of what we thought we knew about this world is flipped on its head, which may sounds like a cheat, but it’s not that at all. We’ve been experiencing the story through Eli and Bernie, and Eli’s perceptions are largely shaped by Bernie, so it makes sense that stepping outside them would reveal things we didn’t expect . . . and others for which we could only hope.

There were scenes here that made the squeal with joy (oh, how I wish I could spoil the secret in the basement!), and others that made me thankful for the bravery of friends (even those unexpected). For all the darkness, Eli is loved deeply, and when he needs it most, those who care the deepest are there. You’ll be surprised at who turns up, and even more surprised as how some of them turn up, but it all feels natural. There’s often a tendency to force too much into the end of a series like this, but this feels like a natural end – or, not an end, a transition to a new beginning.

I’m so grateful for being invited to explore this series, and for having the chance to share my impressions with readers. If you’ve been at all curious, then I urge you to give it a chance – you’ll be glad you did.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀♀

My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.