Something Like Summer [Kindle Edition]

Jay Bell (Author)

Book Description

Love, like everything in the universe, cannot be destroyed. But over time it can change.

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of Amazon's selections for Best Gay Books of 2011, a Lambda Literary Awards finalist, and soon to be a movie from the makers of Judas Kiss.

Praise from Queer Magazine Online: "Due to Jay's easy, understandable style, I was led through the happy times and the sad ones, sometimes by gently holding his hand and in others by gripping it tightly, but what a ride. 'Something Like Summer' not only has lots of passion, humor, angst, and twists and turns, it also takes an in depth look at how the choices we make in life affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us.

Five stars from ALPHA reader: "Jay Bell has written one of the most heart-felt and sincere M/M romances I have ever encountered. This is a love story that spans twelve years - a story all about getting a second chance with 'the one that got away'."

Product Details

• File Size: 747 KB
• Print Length: 290 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004I6DKPY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,107 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Something Like So Satisfying! January 22, 2011

By MARC A DIXON

Format:Paperback

My criterion for a great read is simple. You can't put it down! That's what I experienced when reading, "Something like Summer." I was immediately invested after the first couple of pages, and then it was all about the Benjamin. It surprised me how quickly I was enticed by the main character's candidness, wit and innocence. The author skillfully reminded me all of things that I loved about friendship, crushes, lust and hope. While at the same time dealing with the intrusions of mundane tribulations that always seemed to interfere with the best parts of life. OK, so maybe I identified too closely with Ben's journey, or perhaps the object of his affection felt like a reward for the injustices that he had to endure. You'll just to have to read it to find out. What I will tell you is this...be prepared to alter your life for a short time, cause once you start reading this book, I suspect you'll have a hard time concentrating on your daily grind, until you know how this one ends. It was that way for me, and I hope it will be the same for you as well.

49 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing. Just amazing. January 20, 2011

By splitz2008

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm currently halfway through reading this book and had to stop just to take it all in. It's amazing. So much better than any other "gay story" I've ever read. It's inspiring, heartbreaking, and thoughtful. I find myself smiling while reading it and laughing at some witty humor, but I also find myself with watery eyes. The characters are so well thought out, so real, that I can't help but believe that they actually exist somewhere. Like I said, I'm only halfway through and I'm already in love. My only concern now is whether or not Jay Bell is going to seek out the movie deal that is well deserved for a story as heartfelt and daring as this. A story like this needed to be told. Gay teens are out, they are being taunted, but they are also having sex, and for too long we've had to choose between stories of romanticism, sex, and coming-of-age. Thankfully, this book now provides all three in a manner that is real, not merely fantasy. If you don't read this book, you're missing out. But, like I said, I just want it to become popular so a year or two down the road I can watch a few cute actors play out this story!

40 of 49 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars fabulous book - until the last 5% April 27, 2011

By georgiegirl

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

** NO spoilers**

Up until nearly the end of this book it was rating 5 stars for me but the ending totally ruined the book. It is not that i didn't like the ending (well, i didn't, but that's not my complaint) it was just so totally rushed. There were massive changes and the resolution of the main story arc which were handled in just a few pages. I think i would have been happier with the ending if the author had given it the attention it deserved. Another gripe for me is really disliking one of the main characters, but that could just be me. In a way I wish the main part of the book wasn't as good, I hated becoming attached to the characters only to have the ending just thrust upon me with virtually no warning or explanation.

More About the Author

Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision, and has been putting pen to paper ever since.