Something Like Winter

Something Like..., Book 3

By: Jay Bell

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

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

Great Story

What did you love best about Something Like Winter?

I had no idea this was going to be Tim's side of the same story I read in Something Like Summer (which quickly became one of my favorite books) What a great way to relive it through the eyes of the other main character.

What aspect of Kevin R. Free’s performance would you have changed?

Unfortunately, this is the one part of the book that bothered me. A lot of the characters sounded cartoonish. (Aaron and Tim's live-in boyfriend... I forget his name... sounded SO gay that it was almost offensive. Tim's grandmother sounded like Speedy Gonzales and adult Tim sounded like Moose from the old Archie cartoons)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many of those moments. I don't think it's possible to pick just one.

Any additional comments?

I don't know which book was better or which book should be read first, but you don't want to miss Something Like Winter or Something Like Summer. It is worth every minute. It's been a couple of years since I read Something Like Summer, but now that I'm done with Winter, it's time for me to re-read Summer.

Loved it

Loved it!! Enjoyed listening to the other side of the story and everything going on from a different point of view.

The best love story ever

This book is a fantastic love story. Tim and Ben are awesome. I wish i could find a love like this. Thanks Jay Bell for writing such a wonderful book and also Kevin Free (the narrator) who made this love story become even more lively and fantastic. I will definitely finish the whole “Something like” series. For the one who still hesitate, believe me! you will smile and cry with them.

So much love!!!

just like the first book... this gave me all the feels...i can't stop crying at how good it is...

Redeemed

After the first book in the series, I wrote one of the worst reviews I've ever left on Audible. If you are looking at that review and trying to decide about the series, I'm happy to confess that this book is light years better than the first one. My problems with the voices of some of the characters were still problems. Fortunately, this was Tim's story. Those voices that made me want to run my nails down a chalkboard just to get the sound out of my ears were restricted to just a few chapters. Just as before, this isn't an attack on Mr. Free's talent. Every character had a unique voice. Emotion came through easily. The story though...that was the crowning jewel here. Seeing the events of the first book from Tim's perspective was perfect. Gaps from the first book were filled in. The story that felt unfinished in the first book was exquisitely finished in this one. Immediately after listening, I went back and listened to the last section of the book again just because I liked it that much.

A different POV

Any additional comments?

It's been awhile since I've read and listened to Something Like Winter, but what I clearly remember most is having to relive a tragic event in Ben's life from the first book. It colored my perception of the entire story, and not in a good way. I cannot read/listen to the third one, Something Like Autumn, as it focuses on the subject of that tragic event, and I just can't go there. I will continue on past this and the next book as Jay Bell is a wildly talented writer and mostly I love his stories. Looking forward to many more.

Let me add that Kevin R. Free is an outstanding narrator.

Tim's POV. Still selfish but he loved Ben

Please read my review of Book 1: Something Like Summer for a background. This book was Tim's POV on his relationship with Eric. It gave insight to how Tim met Eric and the years after Tim broke up with Ben. Tim was still self centered but one thing was clear, he loves Ben. He made some poor choices but he grew especially Jace showed him how a real man does it.

The audiobook gave me a different feel from book 1. I could hear the whine, the excitement, the pain etc in the characters voices. I think Kevin Free did a great job making me empathize with Tim. It was hard, but the narrator made him real to me.

Tim and his family's opinion of gays really affected how Tim felt about himself. He grew in a Catholic family, and they were also sports jocks. Loving another man would not fly in that kind of circle and so Tim tried his best to be what others wanted him to be. The consequence was that he hurt the guy he loved Ben and he hurt himself. He wouldn't completely let go, but he wouldn't give up either. Tim was just a mess for a long time. I felt him though. I understood his need to avoid being shunned by family and friends. Ben was lucky because his family accepted his choices but it isn't that easy for others. Tim's battle was much harder.

Jay Bells writing is really smooth to me. It was emotional and the characters had depth. I can't wait to read about Jace before Ben in book 3.

I LOVE Tim Wyman

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

Getting to hear the story from Tim's POV was the most rewarding for me. I know that it sounds weird but I connected with him from Summer and he has always been my favorite character.

What did you like best about this story?

It was refreshing getting to dig deeper into why Tim is the way that he is, and what actually happened during the time that he and Ben weren't actually together. Being introduced to the characters in Tim's life was also great.

Have you listened to any of Kevin R. Free’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've just finished listening to Something Like Spring and of course I've heard the whole series now. Kevin keeps it pretty consistent.

If you could rename Something Like Winter, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename the book because it fits perfectly with the series. The overall tone of this book is heavier than Summer, so Winter is perfect for Tim's story.

Any additional comments?

With the plot of this series, people usually love Ben and are either TeamTim or TeamJace. Most people usually sway towards the latter. I have always felt that Ben and Tim were meant to be together. Don't get me wrong, Jace is an absolute beautiful character but he never really did it for me. This book just brings Ben and Tim's story full circle for me. Though we get more of the story in Spring, Winter is where my heart really melts for Ben and Tim. #TeamTim

I didn't think it was possible

I didn't think it would be possible to have liked a book more than the first, but I stand corrected. This book was such a well crafted compliment to Something Like Summer you have to listen to it. It filled in seamlessly several questions that left me wondering from the first book.
Great performance - I kept finding myself remembering verbatim on what both Tim and Benjamin were saying to each other from the first book. I love how the author changed to tell Tim's story and set the stage for the embattled lovers.

Well done !!

Amazing

Just like the first book, this one was nothing short of fantastic! Loved it a lot