Something Like Winter: Something Like..., Book 2

First, let me start off by stating that I was very apprehensive about reading/listening to this second installment offered by Jay Bell. I absolutely adored and cherished Something Like Summer and I was so afraid that the next book might tarnish my mental images of Ben, Tim, and Jace...it took me over six months before I began the second part of this journey...but I was so wrong!!

So I began listening to the book on the treadmill at the gym, filled with anxiety and let me just say this...Jay Bell is an evil, evil person. Deliciously evil, that is!! Not to spoil anything, but I literally stumbled and fell off the treadmill as I listened to the first part of the story...evil I tell you (saying with a smile). Suffice it to say, I loved listening to Tim's perspective of the story and it only added pleasurable images to what was already in my head. Many of the holes (that I didn't even realize existed) from the first book were filled in and then to continue the story to a fantastic conclusion was exceptional. A great story and great continuation. I will state again, that Jay Bell's writing is exceptional and the narration by Kevin R. Free was spot on. I am looking forward to the next installment, Something Like Autumn.

I seriously recommend this book!!!

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.

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)

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

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.

NO! both add to each other, I fell in love with the printed version of the series. Listening to Seasons just brings the story back to the forefront.

We get to know Tim and understand how his story with Ben evolved.

He brings a new dimension to the voice I hear in my head, although I am not the biggest fan of how Tim sounds all the time.

Eric!

I just hope that we will not wait too, too long for Autumn and Spring to be available.

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.<br/><br/>Let me add that Kevin R. Free is an outstanding narrator.

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.

Not much to say here. Just that this is a really good book. Good narration. Great, well-written story. Likable characters.

Something Like Summer took me by storm, a wonderful read that I had to finish in less than 24 hours. I cried at the end because it was over too soon, a beautiful story. But I had no idea what was in store with Something Like Winter. Tim was an enigma in Something Like Summer. Something Like Winter shines the sun on Tim, his loves, mistakes and foibles. The best part is the sweet, sweet ending. I cried my eyes out over it, it was so beautiful. I wish all of gay romance fiction could be like both books, epic in time if not scope. Full of love and tragedy, heartache and triumph. I am sure I will be reading this pair again, not soon, but someday. The narration was perfect, by the way, a wonderful perk and dimension that I would not have wished to miss.

Have you ever wanted to see what it was like to walk in someone elses shoes or be a fly on the wall watching two people meet and fall in love. Something Like Winter gives you the opportunity to do just that . Jay Bell was so right on in staying with Tim's point of view kept the story real for me.

Ben! If you listened to Something Like Summer you know that Ben isn't as cool and collected as Tim portrays him in Something Like Winter. To hear Tim talk about Ben you just have to fall in love with him all over again.

Allison Cross- Kevin portrayed her as a strong women giving her a voice of strength and possessiveness for Ben.

The most memorable character would have to be the supporting characters of Tim and Ben. Eric Conroy was patient and non-judgmental with Tim and that is very hard to do when you love someone. Jace for trusting and supporting, Ben he was such a good big part of the story. Marcello, what a character he would slide in right at the last second to do what was right. He proves that no character is black and white. Grays are so much more interesting to read about.

I am really hoping the author Jay Bell records the rest of the series with the same narrator. He did a fantastic job with the characters giving each one a personality and a unique voice.

This review will contain spoilers for the first book, Something Like Summer, which I strongly recommend you read first.

Ok. So many readers of SLS will come into this book with mixed or negative feelings towards Tim. I totally get that. As someone who threw away his first love because he wouldn't come out, then years later nearly wrecked Ben's new relationship, hurt a lot of people and still came out a winner in the end, Tim has a lot of baggage. SLW explores much of the events of the previous novel from Tim's point of view, and seeing how much he suffered for his bad choices does help make him more likable. While exploring some familiar scenes again may sound repetitious, I love this aspect of the series, as each new perspective adds a deeper understanding to the larger story.
Tim in many ways is a victim of our homophobic society, and he paid for his mistakes. I think most people who read SLW, even if they start out hating Tim, come out of this book understanding him a lot better. (I still like Jace better though)
The story explores Tim's years without Ben, and his close friendship with a much older gay man, Eric. Eric is Tim's partner in many ways, although they are not lovers. Tim's devotion to Eric, and although it may sound funny, his whole hearted devotion to his very lovable dog show a lot of emotional growth from a once very self centered boy.
Tim's attempts to steal Ben from Jace, how he dealt with the fallout of that and his second chance with Ben are all explored from this new perspective, adding layers and depth to a familiar story, and their story is taken further along.
It's interesting to note the very appealing cover art tells it's own story. While SLS shows Ben watching Tim, SLW show Tim watching Ben. It all seems symbolic of perceptions, which is a key theme in the series.
If you love this series, I recommend continuing from here to the third book, Something Like Autumn where Jace's story is told, of his relationship with Ben and the untold story of his own first love.

Kevin R. Free's narration is youthful and animated, if a bit exaggerated at times.

fantastic story I loved hearing it from this point of view. The love felt real and I enjoyed the Eric part.