PsyCop #8
M/M Urban Fantasy
JCP Books | June 23, 2017

This is one of those series that I struggle to review.  I feel like my passion for this world, these characters, is so grand that there aren’t even words to express it.  How do you put into words how much a series means to you.

I’ve read books over the years that I’ve related to, but none of them hold a candle to Victor Bayne.  His internal dialogue reminds me so much of myself that it feels like looking in a personality mirror.  Victor Bayne will always be one of my favorite POV’s.

Skin After Skin is from Crash’s perspective.  I’m nothing like Crash, but I’ve also always admired him.  I love how outspoken he is.  I love that he says how he feels, and doesn’t apologize for it.  I love how accepting he is of everyone, even when it hurts him.  When I first started PsyCop I really wanted a book from Crash’s perspective, and back then JCP was saying that she didn’t think she’d ever write one.  I was definitely disappointed.  Imagine my surprise when this book was announced and I was hesitant.  I’m pretty sure that hesitancy was only because of where Spook Squad ended, and how deep my love for Vic has grown.  I was really ready to find out what was next for Vic and Jacob, and a Crash book would only delay that.

It’s no big surprise that I ended up loving Skin After Skin just as much as I’ve loved every other book in this world.  It was refreshing to see everyone through Crash’s extroverted eyes, rather than through Vic’s mistrust.  I thought it was brilliant that JCP took the story back to the beginning.  Actually, it was before the beginning.  It was Crash’s beginning.  It shed so much light on everything.  It explained Crash’s relationship with his mother, his history with Jacob, his love for Red.  It even explained his complicated feelings for Jacob too.  Skin After Skin definitely altered my perception of every character, but I think it deeply altered my opinion of Jacob and of Crash himself.

Knowing what we know now, I’m even more excited to find out what’s next for the whole group.  And, of course, I’m excited to get back to Vic.  Because he is me and I love him.

Birdie & Regina Discuss Skin After Skin

*beware of series spoilers below

Goodreads is a grand place full of people you can be friends with for years.
This is where I met Regina, who was also my co-blogger at Badass Book Reviews.
Regina is also the one who convinced me to read the first PsyCop book, back in 2011.
Without her I wouldn’t know Vic.
So thank you for sharing PsyCop with me.
Also thank you for visiting Birdie Bookworm!

Birdie: It’s interesting how JCP decided to write book 8 from Crash’s perspective.  I always thought a book from his POV would be good, but I thought of it more like a novella.  I also didn’t think it would jump back so far in time, and frankly I was nervous about reading Crash’s and Jacob’s history.

Regina: I love the Jacob/Crash parts.  I think it explains a lot.  I thought it was really interesting to see that the relationship with Jacob was intense, he has a lot of personal issues and he really hurt Crash.

Birdie: Jacob and Crash’s relationship was super intense!  As the reader we knew that they were together, but I didn’t realize just how ‘together’ they actually were.  Dropping the three words, talking about moving in together.  Jacob still likes to move fast, and that bothers me when I think about the pattern Jacob followed with Vic was similar to the one he wanted to follow with Crash.  I don’t like that parallel.  It would be nice to see Jacob’s history with Crash from Jacob’s perspective, both because I’d like to see what’s different about his feelings for Crash and his feelings for Vic, but also because I think they hurt each other and I’d love Jacob’s thoughts on what went down.

Regina: I’ve never been a fan of Jacob, but I do like Crash a lot.  One of the things I thought was interesting, Crash wasn’t that into Jacob sexually or attracted to him. He liked the relationship and was connected to him, but the sexual nature of their relationship didn’t seem to be very compelling. Did you notice that?

Birdie: Oh, I totally picked up on that too!  I think he sometimes enjoyed the sex, mostly because of the few sex scenes his internal dialogue said were stellar, but he definitely didn’t crave Jacob sexually.  He thought there was something missing.  I think part of the problem was how Jacob could block the vibe and I think Crash (being an empath) needs to feel the emotional connection.  And, also I think it’s because Jacob wasn’t ever really Crash’s type.  He’s too controlling and stuffy.  I love Crash too.  I always have.

Regina: It was nice to see that Crash is a good person, balanced and caring.

Birdie: Totally.  I especially liked finding out how close he actually is to his mother, and to Lydia.  It made him feel even more fleshed out than he was before.

Regina: I loved Crash interacting with a lot of characters, like Lisa and Carolyn.

Birdie: I loved Crash and Caroline’s friendship, and their history.  I didn’t even think about how Caroline was likely familiar with Red too.  I also liked Con and Crash’s relationship.  It was nice to read him from someone who wasn’t so distrusting.  I’ve always liked Con.  Vic too.  I loved how Crash saw Vic.  There’s always been a part of me that’s curious about what would happen if Vic and Crash gave into their attraction, even though I know it’ll never happen.  Especially now.

Regina: I did like to see how Crash picked up on Vic’s attraction to him, big time.  I found it really interesting that Crash’s emphatic powers are much stronger than we’ve been led to believe.

Birdie: I always wondered if Crash’s empathy was stronger than what JCP was telling us.  I don’t think we’ll ever find out, but I’d love to know what level he would be.  I particularly loved how his powers were strongest with sexual ‘vibes’, and that Vic’s were especially strong.  They’d be so hot together!

Regina: JCP writes Chicago really well.  She captures the side neighborhoods and the character of those neighborhoods. She also captures the struggle of public transit and parking.

Birdie: I remember you saying that previously, in other books.  It always seemed like one of your favorite things about the series.  I’ve only been to Chicago twice, so I don’t usually pick up on that, other than that it feels realistic when I’m reading.

Regina: What I liked best is just being back in this world, with these characters and with JCP’s voice. Her writing style in this world is so well done. I have missed it.

Birdie: I’ve missed this world too, and I’m so glad I’ve heard the wait for the next book won’t be as long.  I’m ready for more Vic!  Thanks for coming by and visiting!  I’ll have to rope you into this again.  🙂