Something Like Summer

Something Like..., Book 1

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

The sexy and sweet coming-of-age romance novel that inspired a movie!

The hot Texas nights were lonely for Ben before his heart began beating to the rhythm of two words; Tim Wyman. By all appearances, Tim had the perfect body and ideal life, but when a not-so-accidental collision brings them together, Ben discovers that the truth is rarely so simple. If winning Tim's heart was an impossible quest, keeping it would prove even harder as family, society, and emotion threaten to tear them apart.

Something Like Summer is a love story spanning a decade and beyond as two boys discover what it means to be friends, lovers, and sometimes even enemies.

Each Something Like... book follows a different gay character on their quest for love. Central to the plot is the troubled relationship between Ben and Tim, high school sweethearts who continue to meet at different stages of their lives, their chemistry changing with each encounter. Surrounding them are a wealth of friends and enemies, each with their own story, resulting in an immersive universe filled with optimism and hope, heartbreak, and healing. While the series doesn't shy away from sexual content, it also focuses deeply on emotion, promising an experience that will stay with you long after the final chapter.

The Something Like... series:

1. Something Like Summer
2. Something Like Autumn
3. Something Like Winter
4. Something Like Spring
5. Something Like Lightning
6. Something Like Thunder
7. Something Like Stories - Volume One
8. Something Like Hail
9. Something Like Rain
10. Something Like Stories - Volume Two
11. Something Like Forever
12. Something Like Stories - Volume Three

©2011 Jay Bell (P)2013 Jay Bell

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!!!

Wonderful Treat.

Would you listen to Something Like Summer again? Why?

Yes I would, it was a wonderful story of self discovery and how love can survive despite a shaky start. Also, be warned, quite a tear jerker.

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

Probably when Tim finally realizes how much he loves Ben.

What does Kevin R. Free bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Free has a wonderful voice and really brought the story to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both.

Any additional comments?

I believe this is slated to be made into a movie and I can't wait. It will make a wonderful movie if they capture the spirit of the book.

Stick with it.

At first, I thought this was the typical teenage coming of age story. It definitely started out that way. The first half is tender and sweet, young love at in all it's glory. In the second half, the book grows up, just like the characters. Life gets in the way, there's tragedy, loss and reward. Can you love more than one person at a time? Do first love's last? I ended up enjoying the book more than I thought I would. So, stick with it. Its rewarding in the end.

You will easily see yourself in these characters

If you could sum up Something Like Summer in three words, what would they be?

Romantic, Improbable, Warming

What did you like best about this story?

I related surprisingly well with the main character, Ben. More than once I found myself thinking how much I could relate to the feelings of longing, sadness, and excitement portrayed by him. This not only helped me connect more with the story, but also made me realize that other people probably feel the same way about certain topics in the book as I do (being gay, this was an important realization). Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to gay individuals who would like a "realistic" portrayal of a normal gay relationship. That being said, many of the circumstances in the book were slightly improbable and it was often easy to see them coming. Even so, the suspense created was enough to propel you through the book and keeping you listening late into the night.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Best Gay Book Around.

What did you love best about Something Like Summer?

I love how this book focuses on a homosexuals life and doesn't portray it negatively or stereotypically, mostly. It a love story that spans a lifetime and just so happens its with two guys which is brilliant. It wasn't anymore sexual than common books of similare standing with a hetero story.

It Gets Better (Poster-Book for Everyone)

I liked the span of this book, it was broader than I originally expected. The pace was a little on the fast side, but that meant I was never bored as each new plot twist and emotion was introduced. I loved the sex - well written, hot but not overly dramatic. The character interactions were believable and I liked that no one was all bad or all good. It dealt with a lot of difficult life events without becoming melodramatic or ridiculously apathetic.

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.

Don't judge it by the cartoonish cover

Very glad to have picked this up, and immediately started on "Something Like Winter" moments after finishing this one. Part one was pretty reminiscent of "The Geography Club" (which I also enjoyed - twice) except Ben has supporting and participatory parents. The entire story though is quite a roller coaster ride with Ben & Tim vs Ben & Jace. The only reason I didn't give the story five stars though is the very, very end. Trying to say this without becoming a spoiler, but if Ben was so excited at the chance to see Tim after more than two years, and if it was so easy for him to fall into it again, why had he waited so long? At least it squeezed in a potentially happy ending that I think every reader wanted and expected. Hoping "Something Like Winter" ultimately provides a little more from where this one ends.

Loved it

Would you try another book from Jay Bell and/or Kevin R. Free?

Yes

What do you think your next listen will be?

not sure

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I did love it

Any additional comments?

It was sweet, and at times Erotic.
Great read!!

Great Book

What does Kevin R. Free bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know why, but his voice strikes me as what Ben would sound like.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Hot and Heart Felt

Any additional comments?

Great story, great characters and excellent narration

Absolutely Amazing!!!

I’ve never had a book bring me to tears and have me so emotionally attached to its characters. I am lost for words which is not like me at all that’s all I can say.

Absolutely great! Deep and meaningful

It was very easy to relate to the characters of Ben, Tim and others. Great narrator with a beautiful calm voice. Love how the story covers such an impressive timespan!

A fun read

This was a fun read, but not brilliant. I couldn't develop an emotional connection to the characters, as much as I would liked to. So their ups and downs didn't affect me as much as they might have, if I cared about them more.
But it's good enough to keep your attention, I don't regret my purchase.

SPOILER A little undeserved

It was a cute story, but--

One of my biggest pet peeves in love-chevron stories (I don't like to call them triangles since that implies a third connection) is where a deus ex machina removes one of the choices. This story has two; twice something convenient happens that allows the main character to not have to make a difficult choice. This is made more annoying because the book is self-aware that the first was a deus ex machina: it addresses the emotions surrounding why the main character wanted the convenience to happen and concludes with character growth. The second then reads like a fan-fic who didn't like the original decision and tacks on a sad-but-understandable alternate ending.

I intend to listen to Like Winter and Like Autumn because the concept of multi-perspectives is really intriguing, and I really hope that Autumn helps to make the ending feel less abrupt and undeserved.

pulls you in

at first I thought it was the typical gay school crush book but as the story went one, and it pulled me in more and more, it became so much more.

Perfect

I read this book years ago when I was a teenager and it made me feel just the same listening to it as it did when I read it.

Excellent

Loved this, cannot recommend it enough. I actually cried...only other book to do this was Call me by your name.

Actually crying

wasnt sure of this one when I started it but WOW!!!! AND ALSO, THAT ENDING KILLED ME OFF

Best gay book I've hurd

Amazingly read and had me wanting more till the very end. Had me feeling for the characters in this audio

loved it

loved every moment of this book, would highly recommend it to anyone interested in gay romance