Something Like Lightning

Something Like..., Book 5

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Never stop running. No matter how often life trips you up or how many times your enemies knock you down, just get up and keep on moving until you find where you belong.

Kelly Phillips has been out and proud since he was a young teenager, and thanks to the gay youth group he frequents, he's never been short on friends or lovers. But when you have almost everything, it's hard not to focus on what's just out of reach: a best friend who would be Mr. Right if he wasn't already Mr. Straight. Or that handsome athlete at school who would be easier to wrangle if not for his angel wings. And then there's the guy who might be a perfect fit, maybe even a soul mate...if only he wasn't convinced he didn't need anyone. Kelly has always been good at running. Now he must learn to chase, which will test not only his endurance but the durability of his heart as well.

Something Like Lightning is a new beginning in the Something Like... saga, shifting the focus to a different set of characters while also revisiting a familiar face or two.

The Something Like... series:

• Something Like Summer
• Something Like Winter
• Something Like Autumn
• Something Like Spring
• Something Like Lightning
• Something Like Thunder

©2014 Jay Bell (P)2015 Jay Bell

"Something Like ..." Series Continues Impressively

What made the experience of listening to Something Like Lightning the most enjoyable?

A well-written and creative story with an imaginative plot and a wide variety of characters, including engaging dialogue. Innovative fiction that is believably authentic. A good mixture of drama and humor, conflict and resolution.

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

There have been several incidents that have arisen in this story (and the previous stories by this author) that provoked me to pause the audio device to reflect on how something similar has happened to me in my life in the past. Sometimes I was sad and sometimes I cried and sometimes I laughed. I won't bore the reader with details, and I hate SPOILERS in reviews, so I won't get specific. But there were many, many times in which I felt the author could have been writing about me and how I felt under a similar circumstance in my own life. So the writing is very authentic and believable.

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

I've listened to over a hundred audiobooks, and I think the narrator is crucial to the experience. This narrator does an excellent job of conveying subtle characteristics of the personalities of the different characters in the book. The tone of the general narration is very easy on the ear, and the various vocal tones and accents of the characters portrayed by the narrator add significantly to the story, creating a performance that is an entertaining experience.

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

Yes, I definitely could have done so, but spread it through a weekend. A challenge to 'put down, pause' for sleep and other essentials. I wasn't hanging on the edge of my seat as with a tense thriller, but I definitely wanted to find out what would happen to the characters next ... more out of pleasant anticipation than necessity.

Any additional comments?

This book is considered to be in a 'series'. But it is absolutely NOT necessary to read the prior books to fully enjoy this book. This book can definitely stand totally on its own. Some of the characters with small roles in this book are more prominent in the preceding books of the series and the main character in this story has a small role in the prior book. So, it is fun to see how their lives intertwine, but totally not necessary! If you like this story, you'll want to read the previous ones for their own unique stories. I'm very impressed that the author keeps coming up with novel plot lines for a variety of characters whose lives intersect creatively. I can't wait for the next book (already in print) to come out as an audiobook, so I can listen!

Forget what you thought about Kelly

This was one of those books that I wasn't sure I would like, as I didn't really like Kelly in Something Like Spring. I should have had more faith in Jay Bell. He really is a magnificent writer and I need to learn never to make any assumptions about his characters. This is Kelly's story and no matter what you thought of him in Spring, you will love his story. In a word, his spirit is amazing. He does not always express it correctly, but his heart is wonderful. In typical Jay Bell fashion, he makes you root for Kelly and William until his tears them apart so Kelly can have his real true love. What is great is he does it in such a believable, human fashion. I have to say, my view towards William also changed and not in a good way. Something I am sure Jay Bell will whack me over the head with when he tells Williams story.

Once again Kevin R Free hits it out of the park with his performance of these characters. He is really one of the best narrators out there and I hope he is always the voice for Jay Bell's stories. This is a must listen for fans of the series, but be warned, there is a modified HEA. The ending is the beginning of Thunder.

OMG THE ENDING.

Do not but this book without being prepared to buy the next one immediately I got to go I need to hear the next on and this is killing time

One of the best.

I listen to a lot of audio books as I have a long commute. This one held my interest so much it made me break my rule. My rule is that I never listen once I'm out of the car. I got so into the story that I listened a couple of times in the house.
If you like a story that keeps you wondering and makes you laugh this is it.

Continues to be a fun series

Simple enough and familiar enough to just keep listening and listening. I love the way Bell weaves all of these tales together. Characters that you know so well from other books in the series pop up for supporting roles or cameos. It makes you feel like you're in on a joke that was placed there just for you. I love that we get to see Kelly (a former villain of sorts) fleshed out and made the hero of this story. To be a little critical, the ending was weak for me, but I'm not mad about it. And Free is the perfect narrator. I love listening to him, but this is the first time I felt like he slipped up and was a little disconnected. I'm really glad there are more books to read in this series. And I might even go back and listen to the others again.

Realistic

This has been the most relatable book of the series for me personally. I get Kelly’s frustration with people, relationships and the desire to feel like he’s worth something to the world and other people. Most of all to himself. It was beautifully written and, as usual, wonderfully narrated.

Such a sweet story

I came into this book wanting to hate Kelly. I honestly thought it was going to be hard for me to relate to him and his story, but oh was I wrong! Being able to experience his side of things from what happened with him and William made my heart ache!! I love Kelly and his fiery personality.

Beautiful

Truly wasn’t sure how I felt going into this story about Kelly. He wasn’t my favorite in Spring. I can’t lie - he’s still not my favorite, but this story says so much! It made me appreciate him and how he was the way he was. His path to get where he was at the end of the book was touching and the right amount of ups and downs to keep me drawn in and wanting to know more. Jay Bell has always had me rooting for the happy endings and this delivered with the cheering I did throughout.

He did it again!!

I will admit...I wasn't looking forward to this book. I wasn't a fan of Kelly in Something Like Spring.

However, like always in this series, I love seeing the other side of the story and about halfway through the book I loved Kelly. In truth, this may be the character I relate to the most.

I adore his story and love him with Nathan. I want to know more about their relationship :)

Kevin R Free is also a very talented narrator.

Wow.

My favorite one so far in the series!!! Amazing job jay bell keep them coming 😂😂