Something Like Winter

Something Like..., Book 3

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

There are two sides to every story. Especially when you're still in the closet.

Tim Wyman hoped moving to Texas would mean a new beginning, but he soon finds himself falling into the same old patterns. Until he meets recklessly brave Benjamin Bentley, who brings love and compassion to his world. Certain that society won't understand what he and Ben have together, Tim is determined to protect their relationship, even if it means twisting the truth. Buried beneath his own deceptions, Tim must claw his way to the surface in the hopes of learning to fly.

Something Like Winter retells the story of Something Like Summer from Tim's perspective, offering previously unrevealed moments and personal journeys as he strives to become worthy of Ben’s love.

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 intimate details, it also focuses deeply on emotion, promising an experience that will stay with you long after the final word is heard.

This book is intended for mature audiences. The recommended listening age is 18 or older.

©2012 Jay Bell (P)2023 Jay Bell

I love this series

I liked this book but the first two were better in my opinion i just like those characters better and the story point of view and the character development

Giving Love a Second Chance

This review will contain spoilers for the first book, Something Like Summer, which I strongly recommend you read first.

Ok. So many readers of SLS will come into this book with mixed or negative feelings towards Tim. I totally get that. As someone who threw away his first love because he wouldn't come out, then years later nearly wrecked Ben's new relationship, hurt a lot of people and still came out a winner in the end, Tim has a lot of baggage. SLW explores much of the events of the previous novel from Tim's point of view, and seeing how much he suffered for his bad choices does help make him more likable. While exploring some familiar scenes again may sound repetitious, I love this aspect of the series, as each new perspective adds a deeper understanding to the larger story.
Tim in many ways is a victim of our homophobic society, and he paid for his mistakes. I think most people who read SLW, even if they start out hating Tim, come out of this book understanding him a lot better. (I still like Jace better though)
The story explores Tim's years without Ben, and his close friendship with a much older gay man, Eric. Eric is Tim's partner in many ways, although they are not lovers. Tim's devotion to Eric, and although it may sound funny, his whole hearted devotion to his very lovable dog show a lot of emotional growth from a once very self centered boy.
Tim's attempts to steal Ben from Jace, how he dealt with the fallout of that and his second chance with Ben are all explored from this new perspective, adding layers and depth to a familiar story, and their story is taken further along.
It's interesting to note the very appealing cover art tells it's own story. While SLS shows Ben watching Tim, SLW show Tim watching Ben. It all seems symbolic of perceptions, which is a key theme in the series.
If you love this series, I recommend continuing from here to the third book, Something Like Autumn where Jace's story is told, of his relationship with Ben and the untold story of his own first love.

Kevin R. Free's narration is youthful and animated, if a bit exaggerated at times.

Great end to Ben & Tim

The first book was great. It was nice hearing the story from Tim's perspective. So glad we got a bit extra at the end to see what happens with them. I bought the third book but I really only want to hear about Ben and Tim, but I'll give it a try knowing that the fourth book leads to them. Great story and I recommend this book to anyone who needs a bit of joy in their heart.

made me fall in love with Tim too

The companion book was perfect to complete the story in my mind and in my heart - loved it.

Mariposas

This story has been my life the last few days. After drifting into the first part of this series, I has happy to discover the series went on and I plan to continue enjoying these stories. As the title of my review says, this story has given me butterflies and helps me relate to some of my own troubles and experiences in life.

I can't thank the author enough for allowing the world to delve into his creation such as Tim did in the stories. I have enjoyed every second of this story, both sad and happy, and will forever hold these books as one of the best I have discovered.

Thank you.

Every Story has two sides - Amazing Story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Something Like Winter to be better than the print version?

I listen to audiobooks because of my long daily commute but I will consider buying the printed version because I loved the story line so much!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Something Like Winter?

::::SPOILER:::: How Erik passed away...tear jerker...not as bad as losing Jace but definitely a sad emotional point in the book - I love getting the feels haha...

What about Kevin R. Free’s performance did you like?

I loved the performance and appreciated the fact that it was the same narrator throughout the series. Gave me a sense of comfort and familiarity. Especially when you are able to recognize the characters in his different tones of voice.

Any additional comments?

I initially had strong reservations for Tim like most would have from the way he and Ben started out and even when he tried to break Ben and Jace up. However, I loved this story line and all of the other books in the series. Just an exceptional relatable love story!

Fantastic story.

fantastic story I loved hearing it from this point of view. The love felt real and I enjoyed the Eric part.

I love Happy Endings!!!

What did you love best about Something Like Winter?

Have you ever wanted to see what it was like to walk in someone elses shoes or be a fly on the wall watching two people meet and fall in love. Something Like Winter gives you the opportunity to do just that . Jay Bell was so right on in staying with Tim's point of view kept the story real for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ben! If you listened to Something Like Summer you know that Ben isn't as cool and collected as Tim portrays him in Something Like Winter. To hear Tim talk about Ben you just have to fall in love with him all over again.

Which character – as performed by Kevin R. Free – was your favorite?

Allison Cross- Kevin portrayed her as a strong women giving her a voice of strength and possessiveness for Ben.

Who was the most memorable character of Something Like Winter and why?

The most memorable character would have to be the supporting characters of Tim and Ben. Eric Conroy was patient and non-judgmental with Tim and that is very hard to do when you love someone. Jace for trusting and supporting, Ben he was such a good big part of the story. Marcello, what a character he would slide in right at the last second to do what was right. He proves that no character is black and white. Grays are so much more interesting to read about.

Any additional comments?

I am really hoping the author Jay Bell records the rest of the series with the same narrator. He did a fantastic job with the characters giving each one a personality and a unique voice.

Don't Miss This Wonderful Book!

Something Like Summer took me by storm, a wonderful read that I had to finish in less than 24 hours. I cried at the end because it was over too soon, a beautiful story. But I had no idea what was in store with Something Like Winter. Tim was an enigma in Something Like Summer. Something Like Winter shines the sun on Tim, his loves, mistakes and foibles. The best part is the sweet, sweet ending. I cried my eyes out over it, it was so beautiful. I wish all of gay romance fiction could be like both books, epic in time if not scope. Full of love and tragedy, heartache and triumph. I am sure I will be reading this pair again, not soon, but someday. The narration was perfect, by the way, a wonderful perk and dimension that I would not have wished to miss.

A very enjoyable listen

I can’t give the performance a full five stars because I don’t like to vocal choice for Tim’s voice - the central character of the book sounded like a moron when speaking. If that was an intentional direction, bad move on the director. Outside Tim, I thought the rest of the characters we handled well.

When it comes to my overall opinion of the Something Like series, I have always wondered who made the decision to have each subsequent book longer than its predecessor. This book needed at least a 30 page trim. That aside, Tim’s point of view nicely fills in some gaps, and does a great job of showing the struggle a lot of gay people face when contemplating coming out. Very few other characters in this series have that problem in their own books - most have readily accepting parents.

I enjoyed that this title introduced Marcello to the canvas, as well as Tim’s grandmother. What I didn’t love was important moments from the original story being re-imagined, or left out altogether. Ben not returning the key in Tim’s version makes no sense. Otherwise this is a great addition to the series.