Something Like Summer

Something Like..., Book 1

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Now an award-winning indie film, this gay coming-of-age romance launches a twelve-book saga that has set countless hearts on fire.

Ben thought coming out was his best chance of finding love. Once everyone in his high school learned the truth, 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.

Years later, Ben is attending college while dating a wonderful guy. His life seems perfect until the day Tim shows up unexpectedly. Overwhelmed by old feelings, Ben is forced to reconcile the summer-filled dreams of his youth with the complexities of his new adult life... But some love stories are impossible to forget.

Discover the beloved series that indulges in intimate details while also delving deeply into feeling, resulting in an emotional experience that will stay with you long after you finish listening.

©2011 Jay Bell (P)2025 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!!!

There is no reason I should like this book

I am not a teenage boy. I'm a wise old man looking for something to which to listen while working. I read a lot, so the titles with characters anything like myself dwindles as I age. So I bought this one. I was dreadfully disappointed as it began. The reader was so boyishly chirpy and the events were set in a high school very much unlike anything I experienced in my youth where you could be (and some might have been) actually murdered if it were to be known you were anything tending toward effeminate even if you were essentially straight. If I hadn't been working with a shovel and gloves, I probably would have given it up. But the writer had suckered me into his tale and made me engage with his characters. Oh, yeah, I knew where some of the plot complications were going and some of them came up awfully fast and without much cost; some resolutions came far too easily and without much resistance. Nonetheless, I began to think how much I would have loved to have had a book like this to read when I was a young fellow, how much easier my life might well have been if I had Benjamin's experience to hold up against my own. So much waste might have been avoided. And it was at that moment when I began to appreciate Jay Bell's skill at sucking me into his fantasy without ever giving up an iota of my resentment of him for doing so. I hate books like this. I never read books like this. I have to admit that I am going to go now and listen to the second book in the series, but I still think Jay Bell is a romantic Pollyanna and thinking about him makes me grumble discontentedly.

EMOTIONS

This book made me happy, sad and nostalgic. It made me laugh and cry, a lot actually. I really enjoyed each character and their stories. It wasn’t melodramatic nor unrealistic, yet incredibly emotionally invigorating.

Great book

Something Like Summer is such an amazing book that carries us across the epic of three people's lives that intertwine, separate and come back together again in such a powerful way. I've loved this book for years and cannot wait until the movie comes out next year sometime. The narrator does a very good job separating the voices so they are easily identifiable and gives just the right amount of sass when it's needed and the right amount of emotion, so this was very a enjoyable. Audiobook version of an incredible book.

Wonderful!! Journey Back In Time!!

Loved this book!! I’m from Texas and lots of similarities with my coming out Story. I felt I was there when the story was told!

Exceptional in the genre

Tim and Ben's story is both individualized and at the same time possesses archetypal depth. The first half of the book is absolutely brilliant in its pacing and action; the second half is slightly less taut, and Jace rather less interestingly described, but still contains many fine moments and encounters. The positive self-awareness of the leading character offers a good antidote to stories that are too full of misery; in Tim, Bell has created something remarkable--a genuinely complicated yet fundamentally appealing character. Chapters often end on a pithy, clever moment of insight, and the book's ending is supremely affecting.

Some issue...

I’ve encountered some parts (words) that does not match the book; nevertheless very good and entertaining...

great story

loved the story. the voice acting was a little off putting as he used stereotypes for some poc.

One of my favorite authors!

If your looking for a good lgbt emotional romance series, the something like series is a must! Jay Bell did an amazing job on all of his book. Can’t wait to see more from him.

Great book

Love this series. One of the few series that tells the same story from three different perspectives, but each book is engaging even if youve read the others and know how the storie ends. The reader a great job.