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

Good Story, A Little Amateur In Some Spots

What did you love best about Something Like Summer?

I really like the slightly different take on the gay story line, it was intriguing and more real then others that I have read. It was nice to see real human flaws in these characters.

Any additional comments?

Overall I liked this book, some parts seemed a little bit like a junior author wrote them. The passage of time was rather clumsy and I don't feel like the characters aged or changed even though there was massive jumps in time. The first half of the book was great. The story kind of went off course later on, but it kind of pulled back in the end.

A perfect love story

A perfect love story that went through life. It was better then any show could portray.

Please Read This

Sometimes readers accidentally stumble upon exactly what they need. That was me with Jay Bell's series. His characters are relatable, lovable, and most importantly they are flawed. His books have captured every facit of my own experiences growing up gay in Texas. Listening to these audiobooks has allowed me to connect with my past and ignited my hopes for the future.

I needed these books. They encourage me and inspire me. They will do the same for you. Jay Bell's writing has given the characters unqiue voices and Kevin R. Free's performance has given them a vibrant life. You owe yourself the chance to relish in the beauty, tenderness, and grace of Something Like...

Riding the Emotions

I’m writing this with tears and a smile. I’ve never once felt so connected to a story. I finished the novel in one day, each second, each minute, and each hour was fixated on the narrative. I fell in love with each character, feeling their emotions as if they were my own. This will remain one of the best love stories. It’s a story far beyond sexuality, it’s a true rendition of pure and unwavering acceptance towards love. I highly recommend preparing for an emotional rollercoaster. It is inevitable that crying, laughing, and smiling will occur at the exact same time. I was overwhelmed with genuine emotions and would like to understand how the author was able to make it all happen at once? Its a great read and is worth all the time in he world.

the best

yes the best book ever the love story it make u thank there is real love out there

amazing!

A truly great read, Well listen. it's the perfect love story of two men finding love over the years and struggling with it. I can't wait to hear the others in the series.

A great start of a series of great tales!

I'm hooked from reading the first book. Have to read the others one now. Treat yourself and go down these adventures with great characters that develop and you care for over time.

a Truly Great Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! This was the perfect 'gay/coming of age and beyond' story. The characters were well written, the story was engaging and romantic (without being ridiculously unbelievable). The reader did a wonderful job differentiating between characters and giving them personalities. I, literally, laughed and cried.

What did you like best about this story?

its accessability: it seemed like an actual memoir one of my friends could've written.

Loved the narrator and the story was amazing

I came to read this after call me by your name and I could not be any happier. The ending is not what i expected but it was still amazing. Now I'm
on to the next book.

More than meets the eye...

From the book cover I assumed that this was a ‘coming out’ or ‘coming of age’ story akin to the many tales of teenage angst already described in a variety of other books but I was pleasantly surprised. Within this book a story of desire, lust, love, friendship, realization, acceptance, delusion, and growth set to describe the life of Ben, our protagonist. Ben’s own inner growth as well as his relationships with Allison, Tim, and Jace make this tale one that must not be missed. I actually loved this story…an entire gambit of emotional responses were elicited by the words of the author, Jay Bell. Kevin Frees’ narration brought the characters to life in such a way that one’s imagination was able to be transported to the world with which they exist. I do not wish to give too much away, but the dynamic of the three principal relationships—Ben & Allison; Ben & Tim; and Ben & Jace—and how they became intertwined makes this a very enjoyable journey. A MUST!!!