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linda_1410's review against another edition
5.0
It seems the only thing I was missing from the previous book, and what prevented me from falling in love with it, was Tim's side of the story. Unable to see Tim's activities away from Ben and the thought processes behind his actions in Something Like Summer, I couldn't fully believe in his transformation at the end or have hope that he could give Ben what he needed after losing Jace . I couldn't believe he was being entirely sincere. In <i>Something Like Winter</i>, we're given the flip side of the story, seen entirely from Tim's perspective, and while I still think he made some terribly selfish decisions, he's humanized and humbled here, rather than just seeing him through the glossy lenses of nostalgia and first love/lost love. There's a lot of repetition from the first book, but a lot of new material also as we're able to see how the years apart from Ben helped to shape Tim into a more humble person. I'm so glad Jay Bell wrote this follow up and filled in some of those blanks.
j_bookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I did not think I would enjoy the second book so much. It really is so much more than just Tim's POV. So much of the story is different, filling in gaps when Tim and Ben were not together, as well as showing a different take on things when they were. A really moving (I bawled AGAIN!) story that is very well written. Can not wait to read the third in the series and learn more about Jace.
bluebeereads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this one a bit more than Something Like Summer because it made me love Tim. I liked him in the first book, but I loved him in this one. You can't read one without the other. Loved this one! :D Again, didn't read it to review it. Just for fun. :)
noreau's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hpachay's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a_hekk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tobyryan's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jsncnrd's review
5.0
And just like that, I have finished the trilogy of books telling the story of Benjamin Bentley, Jace Holden, and Tim Wyman from all of their points of view. And oh boy, did I cry. A lot.
I have so much love for these three boys. They are vivid, three-dimensional, and loveable. They are resilient, brave, and forgiving.
In Something Like Summer, it was hard to like Tim at so many points. You can’t help but think that he was an asshole – for how he treated Ben, for how he hurt Ben, and for trying to end a relationship that he was perfectly happy in because he realized he had fucked up when they were teenagers.
After reading the story of him and Ben as teenagers from his point of view, his actions made perfect sense. They weren’t always totally justified, but they made sense – and made me have empathy for him.
Commence Spoiler Alerts…
Tim went through a lot of trauma, and it broke my heart for him. Tim’s parents were the absolute worst. His dad especially. There came a point where I knew we wouldn’t get any happy ending where he made up with his parents and knew that they wouldn’t be a part of his life. Which brings me to Eric. Eric was the best kind of character and human – one who never wanted anything but friendship, was generous & kind-hearted, and looked out for those he loved. Losing the man who was like the father he never had was devastating to read about. The way that he was treated by Travis and the fraternity brothers was cruel. The sequence where Travis left the cabin had me so upset. He deserved better. The emotional turbulence he went through when he had Ryan in his life was terrible. He tried his hardest to be there for the kid -- to a fault. (Honestly, would be interested to read more about Ryan in another book.)
Jace is one of my favorite characters of all time. His book was my favorite of the three in this trilogy. I felt so connected to him in a way I never have with others in the past. The man was literally perfect in my eyes. A saint. I hated that he passed away – I cried over it while reading Summer, but when I read the sequence in Autumn … I was a fucking wreck. I hate that Tim and Ben only ended up together because Jace passed away – but I am glad that Tim never tried to replace him, and always honored his legacy.
Let’s talk about that epilogue. Ben wearing Jace’s ring AND Tim’s ring at the end, and Tim mentioning that he felt a bond with Jace and was forever grateful for him taking care of Ben the way he deserved? That was one of the sweetest moments of all of the books. It was the perfect way to conclude the story of these three boys and their journeys.
“This love is good, this love is bad / this love is alive, back from the dead. This love left a permanent mark / this love is glowing in the dark. These hands had to let it go free, and this love came back to me.” - Taylor Swift
Jay Bell is a gem, and it is my mission to read every one of the “Something Like … ” books. His writing style is so unique. He is beyond talented at writing characters who you can’t help but root for or love. He can make you laugh, cry, and turn up the spice like no other with his words. This series is one of the best I have ever read and I feel like I know these characters inside and out – they will have a special place in my heart. The one where I keep the fictional people who have left their mark on me.
I read Something Like Summer when I was healing from surgery to treat cancer and I was at a low point. It brought love and light to those challenging days of recovery, and I am just so grateful these stories exist. Thank you, Jay Bell – for giving us these incredible, vulnerable, moving books. You are the best.
I have so much love for these three boys. They are vivid, three-dimensional, and loveable. They are resilient, brave, and forgiving.
In Something Like Summer, it was hard to like Tim at so many points. You can’t help but think that he was an asshole – for how he treated Ben, for how he hurt Ben, and for trying to end a relationship that he was perfectly happy in because he realized he had fucked up when they were teenagers.
After reading the story of him and Ben as teenagers from his point of view, his actions made perfect sense. They weren’t always totally justified, but they made sense – and made me have empathy for him.
Commence Spoiler Alerts…
Tim went through a lot of trauma, and it broke my heart for him. Tim’s parents were the absolute worst. His dad especially. There came a point where I knew we wouldn’t get any happy ending where he made up with his parents and knew that they wouldn’t be a part of his life. Which brings me to Eric. Eric was the best kind of character and human – one who never wanted anything but friendship, was generous & kind-hearted, and looked out for those he loved. Losing the man who was like the father he never had was devastating to read about. The way that he was treated by Travis and the fraternity brothers was cruel. The sequence where Travis left the cabin had me so upset. He deserved better. The emotional turbulence he went through when he had Ryan in his life was terrible. He tried his hardest to be there for the kid -- to a fault. (Honestly, would be interested to read more about Ryan in another book.)
Jace is one of my favorite characters of all time. His book was my favorite of the three in this trilogy. I felt so connected to him in a way I never have with others in the past. The man was literally perfect in my eyes. A saint. I hated that he passed away – I cried over it while reading Summer, but when I read the sequence in Autumn … I was a fucking wreck. I hate that Tim and Ben only ended up together because Jace passed away – but I am glad that Tim never tried to replace him, and always honored his legacy.
Let’s talk about that epilogue. Ben wearing Jace’s ring AND Tim’s ring at the end, and Tim mentioning that he felt a bond with Jace and was forever grateful for him taking care of Ben the way he deserved? That was one of the sweetest moments of all of the books. It was the perfect way to conclude the story of these three boys and their journeys.
“This love is good, this love is bad / this love is alive, back from the dead. This love left a permanent mark / this love is glowing in the dark. These hands had to let it go free, and this love came back to me.” - Taylor Swift
Jay Bell is a gem, and it is my mission to read every one of the “Something Like … ” books. His writing style is so unique. He is beyond talented at writing characters who you can’t help but root for or love. He can make you laugh, cry, and turn up the spice like no other with his words. This series is one of the best I have ever read and I feel like I know these characters inside and out – they will have a special place in my heart. The one where I keep the fictional people who have left their mark on me.
I read Something Like Summer when I was healing from surgery to treat cancer and I was at a low point. It brought love and light to those challenging days of recovery, and I am just so grateful these stories exist. Thank you, Jay Bell – for giving us these incredible, vulnerable, moving books. You are the best.