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A review by jsncnrd
Something Like Winter by Jay Bell
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.