Something Like Summer

Something Like..., Book 1

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

I remember sneaking over to his house in the middle of the night. And the secret love we used to share. That was back in high school. I never expected to see him again…

Life isn’t easy for a gay teenager living in the nineties. Ben thought coming out was his best chance of finding love. Instead he ended up lonelier than before. After a not-so-accidental collision with Tim, an attractive athlete and artist, Ben is convinced that he’s met his soulmate. Their budding romance is soon tested by spreading rumors, the danger increasing along with their passion for each other until it pushes them to the breaking point.

Years later, Ben is attending college in a different state while dating a truly wonderful guy. Everything is perfect until the day Tim shows up unexpectedly. Overwhelmed by old feelings, Ben is forced to reconcile the summer-filled dreams of his past with the complexities of his new adult life... But some love stories are impossible to forget.

Each Something Like...book follows a different LGBTQ character on their quest for love. Central to the plot is the troubled relationship between Ben and Tim, former high school sweethearts who continue to meet over the years, their chemistry changing with each encounter. Surrounding them are friends and enemies, each with their own story, resulting in an immersive universe filled with first times and second chances. While the series doesn't shy away from sex, it also focuses deeply on emotion, promising an experience that will stay with you long after the final tick.

©2011 Jay Bell (P)2024 Jay Bell

Amazing

Found this book in high school and I still get butterflies when I hear some parts.

One of the best

One of my favorite novels ever. Jay Bell is a great author. I’ve enjoyed all of his books

Love there book

This book has so many twist and tones I didn’t know what was going to happen, and every time I kept captain waiting on. I thought this was gonna happen. I thought that was gonna happen but in the end it all turned out to be loved. Can’t wait to read the next book of this series. Love the author I love all his books . 

Involved, up-close intertwining of relationships

The lives of Benjamin Bentley, Tim Wyman, and Jace Holden—all outsiders in their own ways and all struggling with the unwanted ramifications of being gay—are drawn together over and over, despite setbacks, conflict, and tragedy.

Something Like Summer tells Ben’s story, as he experiences passion with closeted jock Tim and love with steady flight attendant Jace, and how these emotions and connections change them all and keep changing them; then the second book tells Tim’s story, revealing all the things Ben didn’t know, and the third book tells who Jace was before, and after, he met Ben. Further books expand on characters around them, but the core is the funny, amazing, heartbreaking story of Ben, Jace, and Tim.

Brilliantly and evocatively written from start to finish, and another triumph for master narrator Kevin R. Free.

Great story for LGBT New Adults

I very much enjoyed this story even though the end was bittersweet. I believe that this book would be wonderful for LGBT new adults who are looking for good stories. When I first started reading this I thought it was for LGBT Young Adults, but after I got into it and saw that there was some fairly graphic sex I realized it was not at all suitable for them. The confusion came because as the story begins it is about a 16 year old gay high school boy who has a crush on a straight classmate.

I didn't give the story five stars because of the graphic and semi-graphic sex. It is not gratuitous because it is essential to the story, especially in later chapters, but I would not have wanted my minor daughter or son to read it.

There is very little bad language in it which enabled me to give the book a four star rating.

I will be reading the sequels to this book.

Stellar, Heartwarming, Heartbeaking, Perfect

The only imperfection in this book is the cover art. It betrays what is really inside, an epic love story that you don't want to miss. The angst, the pure agony of what Tim and Ben go through until they finally find each other will keep you enthralled to the very end; but don't stop there. You must read Something Like Winter. It is the perfect companion, a must read and will complete the saga in a way seldom seen in the gay romance genre. Oh, yes, bring Kleenex, you'll need it!

Stunning

Incredibly relatable to the gay scene and one hell of an emotional roller coaster that will have u crying and laughing and begging for more by the end.

A nice story

A nice look into the life of two high schoolers who fell for each other yet the timing of this love was wrong. The story continues following Ben through collage and beyond. A story of love lost and found.

It was cute

I liked the book, it was cute and funny. It is a quick and mostly a light hearted read.

The Span of a Romance

Any additional comments?

This story is the telling of a relationship over many years with loads of ups and downs and is told with a realistic spin. The good and bad sides of the characters are given. It's definitely a book worth your time.