So all aboard the Something Like train cuz here they come. Now I might be biased since this has become my favorite book series since reading them but... here goes. These will contain minor spoilers so be warned.
Something Like Summer by Jay Bell
Synopsis: Something Like Summer is the heartwarming and tear-jerking tale of a love between two boys over the course of more than a decade. There is Benjamin (Ben) Bentley, a talented singer and the only out student at his high school, and Tim Wyman, the tall, dark, and handsome jock that just transferred, not to mention the perfect fantasy. Brought together by certain events, the two fall passionately in love but their relationship is tested when Tim's fears get the better of him.
Review: 4.25 / 5
This is the beginning of my downfall. Something Like Summer is the book that started the series and centers around the main character Ben Bentley. He is arguably the most important character throughout the series, and in my opinion, the strongest. He is compassionate, caring, cute, adorable, loving, sexy, funny, just an all-around great guy. He can be unbelievably ridiculous at times, often running with his emotions but who hasn't been guilty of that? He is young and makes mistakes but he is also wise enough to know never to make them again. He grows throughout the book and it is a pleasure to watch.
Anyway, this is a great book. Definitely should be read first.
Something Like Winter
Synopsis: Something Like Winter is the second in the series and focuses on the main character Tim Wyman. In this book, we get Tim's side of the story along with what happens to him during the time jump.
Review: 4 / 5
To be honest, when first reading Something Like Summer, Tim was probably my least favorite character. Having read Winter my mind was changed. I wasn't jumping out of my seat or proclaiming my love for Tim or anything of that sort but I understood him better. There were so many things I couldn't overlook in Summer but after finding out the reasons and motivations of Tim's actions, the romantic in me gave in. Tim earned a spot in my heart.
Read this after Summer! It grazes over events that took place in Summer but also goes into ones we didn't get to in Summer.
Something Like Autumn
Synopsis: Here is the last third of Summer's trio, a book featuring (my favorite character) Jace Holden. In Autumn, we learn of Jace's past and then dive into his relationship with Ben, which wasn't so strongly discussed in Something Like Summer.
Review: 4.5 / 5
Of the three books so far, this one made me the most emotional. I don't want to give away why but I still cry every single time I read it. As I said in the synopsis, Autumn begins when Jace is still a teenager. Jace definitely has the most tragic past of the three and it warms your heart when he finds happiness. My heart is aching just thinking about it so I will just leave it at that. Jace <3
Something Like Spring
Synopsis: Spring introduces a new character in the form of Jason Grant. At the beginning of the book, Jason is 15 years old and in the foster care system. He has been so for a few years now, never really fitting in anywhere, and wanting to go back to his mother even though she is no longer alive. After another failed attempt at a home he actually wants to stay at, Jason gives up his search for a home and tries living on his own. After unsuccessfully do so, he contacts his old case worker Michelle Trout (Jace's sister) and she sets him up to live with Ben and Tim.
Review: 4.75 / 5
This is by far my favorite book of the series. I really responded and related to Jason and felt his pain. For so long he was dealt bad cards and it was nice to see that although discouraged, he was willing to try to find happiness. I would say that all the books are about love. First loves, true love, the type that never goes away, whether it is a lover, friend, or family. This book in particular does so in the family aspect which is really heartwarming. It dives into the lives of Ben and Tim after the events of Summer/Winter/Autumn and they really are too cute. I enjoyed every moment they spent together with Jason and the ending is just magical. There are a lot of parallels between Jason's relationship with Caesar and William and Ben's relationship with Jace and Tim, which was a nice touch. There is so much we get to see in Spring that ties up loose ends and it is just... ahh.. I cry every time I read this book too.
Something Like Lighting
Synopsis: In this book, we go back almost a year before the time Spring starts, with the book focusing on Kelly, the ex-boyfriend of William. Kelly is a star athlete, the fastest runner at his high school. His dream is to compete in the olympics one day. It just so happens he is preparing for a three-part marathon and William is the best swimmer. Each trading tips, the two begin to fall in love but find it difficult to stay in love when they are so different. After his dreams are crushed, he has become bitter and broken but with the help of Jason and a few others, Kelly finds his way back to the things he used to love.
Review: 4 / 5
Okay, so you definitely should read Spring before this one. This is technically not of the Something Like series, it is the first in the Storm series but it is still in the same universe. As said, the book is focused on William's ex-boyfriend Kelly. In Spring, we don't find out much about him besides general information through William and their friends and he is painted horribly. He is gorgeous on the outside but on the inside? This book deals with the loss of dreams and finding new ones, with love in the mix of course. There is a book coming out this summer I believe, which will be told from the perspective of Kelly's love interest, so keep a look out for that.
Jay Bell must have magical fingers or some elves that help him with his writing or something. His writing move me to tears, I feel anxious each time I read the books because they are each filled with heart wrenching moments. There aren't many authors that can get you so wrapped up in fictional characters' lives as Bell has so graciously done multiple times. Even in his other books (I've read a couple of his short stories and Kamikaze Boys) his skills shine through. Each character is so well written that you can't help but fall in love with them.
Being books about gay teens/adults, there is a fare share of coming out but Bell never really puts emphasis on this. Coming out seems like a big deal but he brisks over it as if it were any simple matter, something that I like. He doesn't make it a big issue because it shouldn't be one. I don't know what else to say except that he is an amazing author and these books are amazing as well.
Be on the look out for Something Like Thunder - release date is May 20th!
