Scan barcode
gillianw's review
3.0
I love this series so, so much but I just didn't think it was necessary to give William and Jason another book - they're just not that interesting and unfortunately, this book proved that to be true. I skipped some pages, rolled my eyes at the big 'surprise' and was meh about the ending. Sadly this one just didn't work for me. The only bright spot was getting more Kelly. 3 stars
netslummer's review
4.0
This entry in the series follows along with the events that transpire between William, Jason and Kelly, all from William's perspective. I'm really excited that I won't have to read about how fucking terrible Kelly is again from anyone else's perspective...lol
I love William. He's one of my favorite of the boys. I'm eager to see where everything ends up.
I love William. He's one of my favorite of the boys. I'm eager to see where everything ends up.
ryanpfw's review
5.0
2023 update - The first time I read this I clearly didn’t know where the series was going, nor did I see the, let’s call it a spin-off, coming. I also read it before Jay remembered the books, so I had a whole lot of Kelly when I least was able to tolerate him back to back to back, and if memory serves I read those books fairly close together. The distance, and this being my first Something reread in a while made all the difference. I love this series, and I’m going to go with five stars this time around. There was nothing here that I’d didn’t feel worked, and concerns from the last read just didn’t bother me this time.
—————-
Original review:
Already well out of the target demographic of Jay Bell's audience, I had been dreading reading this one based on the buzz alone. After finishing it, some of the complaints were justified, some were overblown, and I'm still undecided on where I'd stack it.
Going back to the beginning of the series, I rolled my eyes at Tim's antics through most of Summer and genuinely didn't like him for whole swaths of the story. When I read Winter, I gave it a higher rating than Summer. The changed perspective and the break in the middle of the story, and the added details that came with it, were very well done. In Autumn, my favorite of those first three, we get a lot of new details right at the start, integrating Jace's storyline into the existing storyline eventually. Three books were basically telling the same story, but it didn't feel like it.
I didn't care for Lightning and Thunder as much based on plot preference and just irritation with some of the new characters, but what was difficult about Rain structure-wise was the first 50%, aside from the changed perspective, was almost a direct retelling of some of the most frustrating bits of the prior two books. Some reviews imply it stretched to all but 30 pages, perhaps not intentionally, but we do get a lot of new detail. In the back end. After I've thrown the kindle around. Interestingly enough, I didn't know in advance what it was that set so many people off about this book, but it turns out to be something that I already knew about from past books.
On those new details, they were presented a bit like the plot was coming after William's happiness. It seemed like every couple of chapters something was unearthed to sabotage him. I kept waiting for him to get busted for shoplifting a candy bar from when he was seven. (Like he would.) There is a late twist I did not see coming, and I'm not sure I care for it. It seemed to be just one more wack at the mole, but it could set up a great plot to come. Who knows.
Overall, while not the best, not nearly the disaster I was anticipating.
—————-
Original review:
Already well out of the target demographic of Jay Bell's audience, I had been dreading reading this one based on the buzz alone. After finishing it, some of the complaints were justified, some were overblown, and I'm still undecided on where I'd stack it.
Going back to the beginning of the series, I rolled my eyes at Tim's antics through most of Summer and genuinely didn't like him for whole swaths of the story. When I read Winter, I gave it a higher rating than Summer. The changed perspective and the break in the middle of the story, and the added details that came with it, were very well done. In Autumn, my favorite of those first three, we get a lot of new details right at the start, integrating Jace's storyline into the existing storyline eventually. Three books were basically telling the same story, but it didn't feel like it.
I didn't care for Lightning and Thunder as much based on plot preference and just irritation with some of the new characters, but what was difficult about Rain structure-wise was the first 50%, aside from the changed perspective, was almost a direct retelling of some of the most frustrating bits of the prior two books. Some reviews imply it stretched to all but 30 pages, perhaps not intentionally, but we do get a lot of new detail. In the back end. After I've thrown the kindle around. Interestingly enough, I didn't know in advance what it was that set so many people off about this book, but it turns out to be something that I already knew about from past books.
On those new details, they were presented a bit like the plot was coming after William's happiness. It seemed like every couple of chapters something was unearthed to sabotage him. I kept waiting for him to get busted for shoplifting a candy bar from when he was seven. (Like he would.) There is a late twist I did not see coming, and I'm not sure I care for it. It seemed to be just one more wack at the mole, but it could set up a great plot to come. Who knows.
Overall, while not the best, not nearly the disaster I was anticipating.
rbdeschamp's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I can't speak enough about how much I love this series by Jay Bell. William is one of the nicest, good-hearted characters ever written. At times he does come across naïve, but his intentions are usually in the a loving place. It's always fascinating to see a different character's point of view of a familiar story. I really appreciated William's story after reading Jason's and Kelly's installments. Learning more of William's home life, his family's dynamics, helps enlighten his motivations and values. His dedication to achieving his dreams, which change over time is also admirable, as so many people eventually settle in life, but he continually wants to be reaching for what he wants. Not without twist and turns, he and Jason's journey is akin to Ben and Tim's. Fitting as William idolizes the couple for many many reasons. I'm excited to finish out the rest of the Something Like... series and learn how these characters grow and what becomes their fate. Brilliant stories, incredible characters, wonderful representation.
jreason's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, this book whilst it was written just as well was boring as hell. I could not get into William as a character, he just seemed dull and a total snoozefest. I didn't go too much on him back in Spring, but as he was not the main character it wasn't too bad.
William is set up to be a good guy, in a series with people complete with flaws I believe William was meant to be considered the best of them. Sadly this wasn't the case. He was just as bad as young (and oldish) Tim. I did not think there would be a character that I found worse then Tim. But apparently I could. That stated I have to say, outside of his relationships with his friends and family William was an excellent character, I could have read about his time in the Coast Guard for hours.
In his mind, William was all about being honest, and faithful and a good partner. But he rarely actually succeeded at this. I found that he was actually the complete opposite of everything he believed in. Unlike all the other characters I found that he didn't evolve throughout the course of the book, he was basically the same guy throughout its entirety.
Don't get me wrong, it was still an excellent book. But I would probably skip half of it when it came to my next read through the series.
William is set up to be a good guy, in a series with people complete with flaws I believe William was meant to be considered the best of them. Sadly this wasn't the case. He was just as bad as young (and oldish) Tim. I did not think there would be a character that I found worse then Tim. But apparently I could. That stated I have to say, outside of his relationships with his friends and family William was an excellent character, I could have read about his time in the Coast Guard for hours.
In his mind, William was all about being honest, and faithful and a good partner. But he rarely actually succeeded at this. I found that he was actually the complete opposite of everything he believed in. Unlike all the other characters I found that he didn't evolve throughout the course of the book, he was basically the same guy throughout its entirety.
Spoiler
Also his thing for Ben and Tim was a bit creepy. But geeze, that scene with Steve was probably the best one in this entire series so farDon't get me wrong, it was still an excellent book. But I would probably skip half of it when it came to my next read through the series.
byjoevito's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ay_llorona's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really care for William, especially after reading Kelly's story. It never sit well with me that he lingered in a relationship he did not want (no matter his reasons) and that he cheated with Jason. He could've waited until he broke up with Kelly pero no, he didn't. The only redeeming quality he has is that he's such a Ben & Tim fanboy! Lol who wouldn't?? Honestly I skimmed this book, I forced myself because I wanted more Ben and Tim and see how further the story went. Thanks Jay Bell for writing all these characters and taking my emotions on a roller coaster ride. I know you didn't write William wanting people to dislike him but ugh, I just can't.
wrapmeupinplastic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
opusfra's review
4.0
This one was definitely a bit of a reach, involving a couple falling apart and another couple trying to get started while putting major obstacles in their own path. Nevertheless, Jay Bell gets the job done and delivers an entertaining read. Whether this series had the mileage in it to make this book necessary is up for discussion...