Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Psycho
SERIES: Brawlers #2
AUTHOR: J.M. Dabney
PUBLISHER: Hostile Whispers Press
LENGTH: 176 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2018 2nd edition
BLURB:
Welcome to Brawlers Bar…
Life wasn’t easy when you were certifiable, Gerald “Psycho” Clemons lived on the fringes of society. Five years he hadn’t thought twice about riding with a group who saw most laws as flexible. When the leader of the group turned crazier than Psycho, he stepped in and made the man pay. He’d never been rewarded for his temper before, yet that’s what happened when he earned a permanent place and a job as a bouncer. Everyone walked a wide circle around him, and he liked it that way. One look from his cold black eyes and he had people backing up. Then he met a man who had to be crazier than him.
Decadence Bakery was Ben Morin’s dream come true, and he loved it, but he grew tired of his lonely existence. Six months earlier he’d turned on the open sign and hopefully changed his life for the better. Ben loved his small cottage in the middle of nowhere even with the 3 a.m. rumbling of motorcycles and loud music at the farm next door. Although one thing he didn’t love, was his new hobby of watching one of the terrifying men next door. What could a little harmless peek now and then hurt?
Sweet and older wasn’t his type, but Psycho couldn’t deny the need to possess the beautiful baker. It was stronger than even the insanity he barely kept at bay, could he have a man who looked passed it or would Ben run like all the rest?
REVIEW:
When I first ‘met’ Psycho in Scary’s book, I wasn’t so sure about him. I mean to go toe to toe with a guy holding a gun to his chest and practically daring the man to shoot him…? But I wasn’t sure of him in the sense I was afraid at first he might betray Elijah and all of the crew. But he didn’t. He proved himself worthy of the crews by taking care of Elijah and being his bodyguard. But it was more than that. And in his story, we find out what and why.
P.S. This story deals with physical abuse and transphobic beatings. So be aware.
Psycho was raised by his stepfather, who believed the weak should be destroyed and only the strong survived. As a toddler, he didn’t know how to defend himself, but as he grew he quickly learned. He also quickly learned that by fighting back, he saved his mother from beatings as well. All he had as a friend was Bernie, his psycho friend and now ex-wife, and with her they finally escaped the hell they grew up in. When he helped save Elijah, he saw something he realized he really wanted. He wanted the love and acceptance Scary and Tank got from Elijah and the bond they all shared. He wanted that unconditional love. But who would love a broken, nutso man like him? Then he met Ben, and he finally saw a man he wanted that chance with. But he felt he kept messing up. He couldn’t get it right with Ben. Things he said, or did. He felt it was all wrong. At least until Ben reassured him it was alright. He loved Psycho the way he was, blunt, crude or whatever. He loved it all. It was hard to get through Psycho’s head, but he was trying. But one night there was an attack and it ended up with him and Joker in jail. When and if he ever got out, would Ben still want him?
Psycho reminds me so much of Lucky sometimes, it’s hilarious. He has no filter whatsoever. And sometimes it can sting a bit, but as Ben says, in a world full of secrets and lies, it’s refreshing to have someone who’s not afraid to say what he thinks. Now if Ben could just get Psycho to believe he’s worthy and that people, him especially, actually do love him. He’s not so broken as he claims to be. He’s just had a rough life. And he needs someone that can balance him out. Ben more than does that for him. He doesn’t take any crap off of Psycho and calls him out on his bullshit. It’s perfect. And Psycho is just as good for Ben. As Ben hits middle age, he doesn’t feel so attractive anymore and really hasn’t found a place to fit in yet, since he’s been so busy with work. Psycho loves every soft inch of him. So what if his middle isn’t a six pack. Psycho finds him and for him, that’s all that matters. They bring the best out in each other. Even if it’s a work in progress. Which all relationships are. They are perfect for each other and I’m loving these guys just like the rest.
J.M. is killing me with these series. It has made my day to read these guys and fall in love with all of them. Quirks and all.
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