Review: Something Like Stories (Volume 2) by Jay Bell

The Something Like… series is drawing to a close! Before it ends, reunite with favorite characters and meet others for the first time in this special collection of fourteen stories. Highlights include Something Like Champagne, in which Marcello searches for the truth behind a drunken vision. In Something Like Bunnies, a young Jace Holden struggles with his first crush. Ben and Tim return in Something Like Memories as they debate when exactly they should celebrate their anniversary, and Jason finally makes an important decision about his future with William in Something Like Sun. Joyful reunions and tearful goodbyes await you, as do many affirmations of love, in this second volume of short stories.

I don't know where to start. I really, really don't. This is all going to come out in a jumble so I ask your forgiveness in advance.... please and thank you!

Okay. Firstly, this has been on my to-review pile for a while and I feel I should apologise to Jay Bell, and I would, but *I'm not speaking to him at the moment, or possibly ever again because MY HEART HURTS TOO MUCH. AGAIN. I'm not a fan of short stories and I think that's why I've put off reading it (yep, that's what we'll say, it's not because I'm a wimp). I personally think short stories are hard to get right and often find that authors who do fab novels don't hit the right spot for me short story-wise. Of course, this is Jay Bell, so I should have known better. I would tell him, but see above.*

Secondly, Jay's writing is amazing but oft times bloomin' harrowing. I've still not finished SL Autumn because I just can't. I did think that short stories wcouldn't be that bad and I was completely right... until I was wrong. A cat, Jay Bell. A freaking cat. You git.

Thirdly, I never know how to review anthology/short story compilations. Do I write a review for each story? Pick a few to concentrate on? Or just give a summary of the whole?

I know, right! Choices. Decisions.

I've decided to go for the summary option because frankly all you need to know is that every story in this book was a 4 or 5 heart read. Mostly 5 but I can't be too generous now, can I? There is something for everyone in here. Something Like fans - don't put off reading this (I'm surely not the only one who did?), it's such a fantastic way to read about the interim parts of various characters. 

As I was going to sleep last night I had a really clever (snorts) analogy worked out to describe the way these stories fill in the gaps of the books but fuck if I can remember what it was beyond it involving water...So in a non-clever way I'll say, these little insights to the characters lives that happen between the stories, or off page, or from another perspective are amazing. Each one can change how you view a story or character - let's face it, this is what Jay Bell does best. Everyone should read these books, even if it's just to gain understanding of the complexities of people and how to learn about people's actions/motives/perceptions/perspectives. 

Seriously, we know from the novels how cleverly this is shown, how we can 'hate' a character in one book and love him in the next, even set in the same timeline and events. These stories just add the decorations on top of the icing on the cake. They're the hundreds and thousands on top of the cherry. 

Each story is different though. Some are funny, some sad, some a little off the wall - but what they all have in common is fantastic writing and a need to read on, read more, gain that extra bit of understanding. The Something Like world is our world. It's the people we do and do not know. It's just brilliant.

My personal favourite is the last one (even though it's the reason I'm *no longer talking to the author). How anyone can write like that, from that perspective and still be so real and so loving and heartbreaking I don't know. The only other author I can think of who managed it is Michael Morpurgo. It's a talent and if someone explained the story I'd have been all 'nah, you're good mate, I'm not reading that, totally not my cuppa tea.' But they didn't and I did read it and I am so glad, and sad, and happy, and confused that I did.

So I say to you, dear reader, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read this book. 

*NB: just for the record, I am really still talking to Jay Bell. Mostly.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook Review: Something Like Winter (Something Like #2) by Jay Bell

There are two sides to every story. When you’re Tim Wyman, sometimes there are three.

Tim hoped moving to Texas would mean a new beginning but soon finds himself falling into the same tired patterns. Until he meets recklessly brave Benjamin Bentley, who introduces Tim to a world of love, sex, and warmth. Certain that society won’t understand what he and Ben have together, Tim struggles to protect their relationship, even if it means twisting the truth. Buried beneath his own deceptions, Tim must claw his way to the surface in the hopes of learning to fly.

Narrator: Kevin R. Free
Listening Length: 13 hours and 39 minutes

***Warning: this book review may contain spoilers of Something Like Summer, book 1 in the series. If you've already read Summer, then you're good to carry on reading. If you've not... what the heck are you doing reading this review when you could be diving into the Something Like universe? I warn you, take tissues!***

I'm going with the assumption that if you're reading this review you've already been introduced into the Something Like world created by Jay Bell. The content of this story won't be  a huge surprise to you as it reflects many (though not all) of the events written about in Something Like Summer, though this time from the perspective of Tim Wyman.

Tim; the protagonist we love to hate. 

Kinda. Right?

Let's put it out there straight away; he's a selfish arsehole. An utter prick.

Or is he? 

Well, yes, at times he is - but I kind of suspect at times, on reflection, we all are/can be/have been. That's the benefit of growing up and hindsight and all that guff.

I liked having the story from Tim's perspective, it helped me see beyond the selfish and understand why; and that can be a great life lesson. In fact, I think Jay Bell manages to fill his books with life lesson's; though whether this is intentional or not, I'm unsure. There is nothing preachy or patronising about his writing though, it just speaks of experience and whether it is that of the character or the author is not important. 

Tim effectively has it all, well to an outsider looking in. His parents have money and are not shy of giving him some, materially his world is a-OK, he is good looking and knows how to fit in with the in-crowd. His parents are not physically abusive, though he certainly does suffer neglect at times. Emotionally he is abused, perhaps not intentionally, but he doesn't fit into his parents' plans, and that is even before any mention of him being gay. His mother loves him, but he is an inconvenience to the life her and his father want. 

This little information, from his POV, changed me from seeing him as being merely stuck up and selfish to someone who is hiding a whole world of pain. Does this mean that I agreed with all his choices? No, of course not - but it helped me understand them better. Fear is a very strong emotion, it can make people selfish, it can aid bad decisions... sometimes in very necessary circumstances. 

Did Tim do this? YES. A million times yes - but he learns from his choices, he doesn't let his fear

rule him forever. I thought the first part of this was when he met Eric. I loved Eric deeply. I loved that the love between them was friendship based, it wasn't sexual, but it was true. I think Eric was the first person to give to Tim in the way Tim needed. He gave him time and friendship and the courtesy of recognising him as a person. 

Sure, Ben did those things, but it was different, too intense, they were too young their relationship was all-consuming and fairly self-destructive, unable to survive in the environment in which they were trying to nurture it. Eric was older, more understanding and mature - he had the wisdom to let the friendship be what it needed to be. As much as Tim loved/loves Ben, Eric is the person I feel who perhaps did Tim the most good in his life. Of course, when Eric dies it leaves Tim with a whole world of hurt and only a little more maturity to deal with it.

Life is messy. It just is and the Something Like stories show this to perfection. They show the humanity of characters that it is impossible not to love. Tim is far from my favourite of Jay Bell's characters, but I loved this story from his POV because it helped me understand him a little more, and by understanding him a little more I understood Ben more. I understood their world and the other characters more. 

It's like... bear with me here. Have you ever watched an artist paint? I used to watch Bob Ross at times, and he'd start and it would just look a mess, then suddenly the picture he was creating would become clear and I would think, wow, amazing. I could see the scene he had created, the snowy cabin on a mountain side. Amazing. Beautiful. Then though, then he would carry on adding paint and the picture wouldn't change per se, but it would become clearer. It would become more beautiful, more intense - and that is what Jay Bell does with this series. You think you've seen the whole picture, because you've seen the whole timeline - but one book alone does not give the true, beautiful picture that the artist wants to create.

If you hadn't guessed it, I'm a fan of this series and I really recommend everyone to give it a go.

A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information see Goodreads.

Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit + Giveaway - Jay Bell

Jay Bell has joined our Anniversary Shenanigans once again!

The unicorns are so happy to have him here! He's taken the reins today to speak about an important topic and hopeful message.

Take it away, Mr. Bell!

Surviving Gay Boot Camp

The military puts its troops through a brutal regime to break down their soldiers and build them back up again, tougher than ever. In many ways, growing up gay is a similar experience, especially for those who were raised in previous decades. While we’ve made great strides in recent years, the current political environment, especially in the United States, suggests that LGBT people are in for rough times again. But wait, there’s a beam of light past the gloomy forecast! Much like the boot camp that soldiers go through, there’s a very good chance that the next generation of LGBT youth will come out of these trying times even stronger than before. In fact, I’m reminded of the environment that I grew up in. I came out in the mid-nineties when gay people were only represented in media as comedy relief or tragic figures. The majority of public opinion was definitely not in our favor, and misinformation about what it meant to be LGBT was rampant. I faced homophobia on a regular basis and was often scared for my life, but I wouldn’t wish to grow up in a more enlightened era because I gained so much. Like what? It’s time for a list! Here are four super powers that come from surviving gay boot camp:

The ability to truly know who you are. Teenagers do a lot of navel gazing as they develop their identity. They have to ask themselves what career would suit them best and what they’d like to do with the rest of their lives, but rarely do they stand trial in their own mind, playing both judge and the accused. LGBT people are forced to dig into the very depth of their souls to discover if they are truly who they suspect they are. This means abandoning preconceived notions of a storybook life and accepting that they will always draw attention for the simplest of things. Holding hands on a first date is enough to give most teenagers sweaty palms, but imagine two guys doing so at a mall. People will stare. No matter your age or how liberal the city, you will make yourself a target for a basic expression of love. That’s scary, and a person who finally accepts that they are LGBT will soon face a challenge of courage, one that not all will pass.

The ability to stop caring what other people think of you. Being open about one’s sexuality will often draw negative attention. Chances are that at least one relative won’t approve, nor will some classmates, coworkers, politicians, or strangers. Trolls on the internet will spew their bile and it’ll be impossible to go through life without hearing some sort of slur. That’s the mildest of possible outcomes, as Matthew Shepard’s story so painfully demonstrated. Anyone who chooses to come out will have to stop caring what other people think of them, which isn’t as simple as it sounds. We all want to be liked. We want parental approval or for people in society to think highly of us. Imagine if one decision could turn half a nation against you. In the United States, that’s over one-hundred-and-fifty million people! It doesn’t matter how good or giving you are, nor how kind or fair. Being gay is a deal-breaker for many people. That’s sad, but the upside is the sheer joy and liberation of letting go. Most of us hold ourselves back to some extent because we’re worried what other people will think. Just imagine how much easier it would be to reach your full potential without all those disapproving voices in your head. The word pride is synonymous with the gay rights movement for a reason. Coming out may result in disdain from the outside, but inside it’s a blissful awakening, and the most loving gesture of self-acceptance.

The ability to care more about other people. That may seem to contradict the previous point, but there’s nothing like being a minority to make you sympathize with others in a similar plight. Conservative groups who want to infringe on the rights of others are always made up of an overwhelming majority of male Caucasians. Why? Not because white men are inherently evil, but because they grow up in a world where they are less likely to be treated as second-class citizens. They’re already at the top of the food chain, and the only thing that rattles them is the idea of having to share that throne. On some level, I can understand why, because it sucks being persecuted just because of the color of one’s skin, nation of birth, sexuality, or gender identity. I like to think that someone who has experienced starvation is more prone to share their food with someone who needs it. Sadly, this isn’t always the case, but generally it’s easier to be sympathetic toward another when you know first-hand how their suffering feels.

The ability to live for your own happiness. LGBT people who stare down their fears stand to benefit from the greatest perk of all; living the life they most desire. So many people seek the approval of others well into their adult years. This can extend to who they chose to date, where they live, what sort of work they do, their personal appearance, and more. The most common and tragic version of this involves parents and trying to please them. By the time those parents pass away, the child seeking their approval is living a life they aren’t satisfied with and might feel life’s opportunities have already passed them by. An out and proud gay person rarely stops at their sexuality. More often than not, they apply the lessons learned to the rest of their lives and do what is in their best interest; chasing after love, making dreams come true, and realizing one’s fullest potential.

So yes, while LGBT people face many challenges, those same hardships ensure they are self-assured and yet sympathetic, grounded in their own identity and yet free to become whatever they desire. For those of you standing on the precipice of a very difficult decision, keep in mind that to the brave go the spoils. If you need extra proof, I’m happy to share three stories with you that center around surviving difficulties and reaping the rewards. I’m giving away three books that feature my favorite survivors: Kamikaze Boys is the story of David Henry, who has to deal with bullying and bad parenting. Something Like Summer is the story of Benjamin Bentley, who comes out during a decade not quite ready to accept gay people. And finally, Something Like Lightning, in which Kelly Williams must deal with the loss of a dream. Each is a triumphant story of courage that very well could mirror your own, since it’s not just LGBT people who face such hardships. We could all stand to be reminded of how the most difficult path often leads to the happiest of conclusions. Three books means three winners, and hey, if you’re into autographs we can do that too! Details on how to enter are below!

The unicorns thank Jay Bell for visiting today and shining a hopeful light. Tell Jay what you think in the comments below!

Jay Bell is giving away these three books to three winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



The giveaway is open until 12:00AM (Eastern time) on 12/6/16. Shortly thereafter, we will contact a winner! 

Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hours or we will choose another winner. Good luck!

Don't miss entering in our month long unicorn giveaway here! It ends 12/1/16!

Review: Something Like Rain (Something Like #8) by Jay Bell

Nice guys finish last, but that doesn’t mean they give up the fight. Sometimes it’s necessary to keep trudging through the rain in the hopes of finding a break in the clouds.

William Townson is a good person. He’s kind, considerate, and the last thing he ever wanted was to hurt anyone. Accidents happen though, and when they do, all that can be done is to pick up the pieces. For William, this means trying to hold together a stagnant relationship while resisting the temptation of Jason Grant, a young man with eyes just as intense as his love. Only the future can promise redemption for mistakes of the past, forcing William to choose between the Coast Guard and the needs of his heart. Can he find his way through the downpour to somewhere warm and dry?

I have a love hate relationship with Jay Bell - or to be more precise, with his words. I love and adore his writing style, his characterisation is faultless and once I start I am so fully emotionally invested in his writing I have to tear myself away to do mundane things like go to work, or sleep, and so on and so forth. And this is where the hate part comes in, because I know I'm not in for an easy read, whatever the outcome of the story the road there is going to pummel my poor little heart and I really have to be in the right frame of mind to cope with it. Yes, I am aware they are only books but, as any bibliophile knows, only books is a misnomer.

Authors have the ability to take us readers into worlds far from our own. My grey English autumn has been a hot and sunny Austin for the last few days. William and Jason and Kelly and Ben and Tim have been as alive to me as my real life friends and family. Rightly or wrongly I don't know, but what I do know is that this is a power that an author has, and Jay Bell has it in spades, so I NEVER go into reading a story of his that starts Something Like... lightly. When I start, I know I'm in it for the entire emotional storm I'm about to encounter, and I make sure I'm ready first. This probably says more about me than anything else, but I have faith that at least some of you understand where I'm coming from.

For those of you new to the Something Like... series let me explain how they work. Each story focuses on one main character's POV, usually from when they are teens through to mid-adulthood. The stories' characters will appear in many - if not all - of the other books, sometimes in a minor role, sometimes in a more major way. Time-lines and story-lines are like a bowl of spaghetti, turning and tangling together even though each strand is able to be untwisted if required. Each book shows another side to a storyline we already thought we had completely figured out. We see well rounded, utterly human, characters make mistakes and fall in and out of love and... it's so complex and yet so simple. It's life, I suppose. Life in print in all its complex glory. In the same way that Game of Thrones (bear with me here) has a million characters and story-lines going on, so does the Something Like... stories... except each character only has a main main role in one book - and it's set in our world and there's not so much (any) raping and pillaging and wall defending going on. So, really it's nothing like Game of Thrones whilst managing to remind me of it at the same time. Confused yet? Yeah, me too so let's move swiftly on...

Something like Rain is William's story. It's about his relationship with Kelly then Jason. About the million confusing thoughts and difficult decisions made everyday especially in young and new relationships. William has always longed to join the coastguard, this is complicated by the fact that he is gay and DADT is still in force when he signs up. Doing what he had always dreamt of meant hiding who he was and this was an issue long before he joined up. It affected relationships past, present and future. It defined many of his actions, interactions and reactions. It is integral to how the story pans out, the what if game could be traced back to William's desire to join the coastguard and DADT.

I have to admit that William is not my favourite character, though I did love seeing his POV. I'm not quite sure what it is that I found hard to take to with William. He's nice guy which I usually love, I think there are far too few nice guys in books, edged out for sexy and bad and another million stereotypes. William was nice - he was polite and respectful and hard-working. He always tried his hardest and took crap he didn't deserve (but felt he did) without complaint. He was brave. He... well, on paper he is a nice guy, everyone liked him, everyone respected him but he irked me because sometimes I just felt he was too judgmental of others, whilst still not being as perfect as everyone believed.

And yet, this is also the very thing that I appreciate about Jay's writing and characterisation because it is exactly what makes him human and not a cloned hero that could be transplanted to any and every other book. I guess what it comes down to is that I am not going to love every person I meet IRL - therefore I am not going to love every person I meet in the pages of a story. I certainly didn't hate him, I just liked Kelly and Jason more. But understanding William, and William's perspective, helps me understand Kelly and Jason even better.

For those initiated into the Something Like... universe, I don't have to try and sell this story to you, you know what you're getting, right? To those who have yet to enter the magic of Jay Bell's writing... yes, it is every bit as complicated as it sounds. Yes, it is every bit as emotionally draining as it sounds. Yes, YES, it is every bit as worth taking a trip into this world as soon as possible. Even though you know it's gonna hurt a little along the way, it is worth the emotional angst.

One last thing - the BEAUtiful covers are done by Andreas Bell, the author's husband, and are, IMO, perfect for the stories.


Something like Rain is the latest installment of the Something Like… series, bringing shape to another character’s life while checking in with those from previous books.

The Something Like... series:
Book 1: Something Like Summer
Book 2: Something Like Winter
Book 3: Something Like Autumn
Book 4: Something Like Spring
Book 5: Something Like Lightning
Book 6: Something Like Thunder
Book 7: Something Like Stories – Volume One
Book 8: Something Like Rain

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information see Goodreads.

Audiobook Review: Something Like Lightning (Something Like #5) by Jay Bell

Never stop running. No matter how often life trips you up, or how many times your enemies knock you down, just get up and keep on moving until you find where you belong.

Kelly Phillips has been out of the closet since he was a young teenager, and thanks to the gay youth group he frequents, he has never been short on friends or lovers. But when you have almost everything, it’s hard not to focus on what’s just out of reach: A best friend, who would be Mr. Right if he wasn’t already Mr. Straight. Or that handsome guy at school, who would be easier to wrangle if not for his angel wings. And then there’s the one who might be a perfect fit, maybe even a soulmate… if only he wasn’t convinced he didn’t need anyone at all. Kelly has always been good at running. Now he must learn to chase, which will not only test his endurance, but the durability of his heart as well.

Something Like Lighting is a new beginning in the Something Like… saga, shifting the focus to a fresh set of characters while also revisiting a familiar face or two.

Once again, I am amazed at Kevin R. Free's ability to bring this series to life. With a book that's already so emotional, it was almost hard to listen to because the narration was so raw and real.

Since this was my second time with Kelly's story, I wasn't worried like I was the first time through. I knew, regardless of his actions in the previous book, that I adored Kelly. If you're going into this worried that you won't like Kelly because of Jason... don't be. This is Jay Bell, after all. He doesn't give his readers a choice but to love his characters.

That being said, Kelly is a fighter. He can be irritating and insufferable and I wanted to smack him upside the head on more than one occasion. But he's young and life has thrown him some curve balls that nobody can prepare for, especially not a teenager. He's going through life, the best he can, and Kelly's not going to let anyone bring him down. What I love about this series is the journey we take with each character. Kelly's was particularly heartbreaking since one of the most important things in his life was taken from him in an instant. Reading it was hard. Listening to Kevin R. Free's narration? Devastating! There was way too much realness going on and I had to press pause a few times.

While I felt for Kelly and empathized with him, he still managed to be annoyingly snotty and selfish. And, oddly enough, I LOVED that about him. It took some time, but he continued to fight. His circumstances changed, but he didn't let them change him.

The love story... perfect. I wish there was more couple time, since they didn't meet until very late in the book. But who needs 300 pages to make a love story? Not Kelly and Nathanial! They were it for each other and it was obvious from the start. But their story is far from over at the end of Something Like Lightning and things were left on shaky ground.

I am a romance reader and live for a good HEA. I didn't quite get that here. Regardless, I loved every second of Kelly's journey. Because that's life. Sometimes it sucks and sometimes it's beautiful. This was Kelly's story, from angsty teenager fighting his feelings for his best friend, to a young adult fighting for love while dealing with overwhelming hardships, to a man fighting for the future he knows he and Nathanial can have together.

I'll be moving right along to Something Like Thunder for Nathanial's story and the HEA these guys deserve.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

Audiobook Review: Something Like Spring (Something Like #4) by Jay Bell

Nothing in this world is permanent. Friends, lovers, even family, can all disappear in the blink of an eye. Without these anchors, it’s all too easy to find oneself drifting.

Jason Grant doesn’t have much, aside from a beat-up old guitar and knack for getting kicked out of foster homes. His latest placement is set to be just another in a long line of failures. Then he meets Caesar Hubbard, a handsome guy who lives down the hall. For the first time in his life, Jason wants to stay, which means learning to be part of a family, and not letting his feelings—or his actions—ruin his first real chance of falling in love.

Something Like Spring introduces a new character to the Seasons story, one with a troubled past and an equally turbulent future. Jason must traverse a winding road fraught with emotional conflicts and tough decisions… a road that might just lead to a certain couple in Austin.

Whether you're a fan of this series or new to the Something Like books, they really should be experienced in audio. Kevin R. Free creates an experience when he reads Jay Bell's words. He brings the characters and the story to life. I've loved them even more after listening to the audio.

I've already reviewed the print version of Spring when it was first released, so I'll try not to rehash the entire story again (even though I really want to because I could talk about it for daaaayyyys).

Honestly, I can't pick a favorite character from this series, but Jason is right at the top. Competing with Jace... although I really love Tim. And Nathaniel. Gah! See? Impossible to choose. But really, Jason holds a special place in my heart. I think it's mostly due to how much his life changes throughout his story. He sets out to make changes in his life and the circumstances he's been dealt, and he does. He turns his seriously crappy situation around and finds a family, a home, and love. Of course, not without some heartbreak.

The story starts out with Jason being sent to, yet another, foster home. But this home is different than the others. He wants to stay this time. This time he meets a boy that changed everything for him. Goodness, could Caesar be anymore charming? The dude drove me crazy! I hate that I love the guy. I tried to like him a little less this time, but with Kevin R. Free narrating... nah. Wasn't gonna happen. I couldn't help but root for Caesar and I really hope we get his story someday.

But I'm happy with how everything turned out, because William. Sweet and adorable William.

I think this is where Jason's character really shines. He'd had a rough life so far. Nothing had come easily for him. Now, he sees someone he wants and, fuck it all, he's going to get the guy. I loved his commitment to William. They really were perfect together and Jason knew this right away. He just had to make William see it, too. His methods weren't the most honest, but his scheming only made Jason even more endearing.

There were some seriously great Ben and Tim moments, too. They were a huge part of Jason's story and it was awesome to see their life post-HEA. Tim was especially wonderful. He had some major character growth and he has a special place in my heart. Right next to Jason. And Jace. And Nathaniel. These guys take up a lot of space.

Spring was so damn good. Kevin R. Free does an amazing job narrating. A couple of his voices bother me a bit, but he's got to be running out with so many characters to keep track of. I love that his voices for each character stay consistent throughout the series. I couldn't put it down and I kept making up excuses to keep listening. Like doing the dishes and laundry and cleaning the bathroom. That's how good it was! I wanted to scrub the toilet just to keep listening.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

 

Review: Something Like Stories: Volume One by Jay Bell

Benjamin Bentley and many other beloved characters from the Something Like... series make their triumphant return in this collection of short stories and bonus material. Something Like Yesterday travels to the past where Eric Conroy attempts to find love against a backdrop of intolerance and political upheaval. In Something Like Fall , Ben meets Jace's family and tries to cope with many changes in the years that follow. Allison Cross finally gets her dues in Something Like Tonight , examining the relationships in her life during a girls night out. Something Like Eternity takes the series where it has never gone before as Victor Hemingway seeks out his ultimate destiny. Also included is a character guide and a timeline of key events thus far. Laughter and tears await you in this very special anthology!

Simply wonderful.  

Fans of Jay Bell's Something Like series are in for a TREAT. If you haven't read any of the series yet, I wouldn't suggest you start here. I don't think these stories would pack the same emotional punch without reading all six of the previous books first. And what an emotional ride it was! All four stories brought out The Feels. I had also just finished up listening to Something Like Autumn... so yeah. It was a tear filled day. 

To the stories!

In Something Like Yesterday Eric tells Tim of his past loves and heartbreak. I've always wondered about Eric's past and of his feelings for Tim. And now we know! And from Eric's POV, no less. While parts of his past were heartbreaking, he did have years in a relationship full of love. If anything, this proved his feelings for Tim even more. He wasn't bitter about his breakup with Gabriel, instead he was thankful that everything led to having Tim in his life.  He certainly didn't have the same kind of love for Tim as Gabriel, but there is no doubt that he loved Tim. 

Something Like Fall felt like a series of extra scenes from Ben's POV. It started with him and Jace visiting Jace's hometown, which resulted in Jace opening up about some things from his past he had kept from Ben. Which was great because I wondered how much Ben knew about Victor. Then the story moves forward to Ben saying goodbye to Jace. To say this scene was beautiful would be an understatement. The final section is all about Jason and how Ben and Tim cope with inviting him to live in their home. All the scenes were from very different points in Ben's life, but fit together so perfectly. 

Something Like Tonight was just fun. Of course it was also emotional, because duh. I can't seem to be around any of these characters without feeling all the feels. But it was mostly fun. Allison is worn out and tired. Tired of taking care of everyone else, so her wonderful hubby suggested she take a night out all by herself. Prior to her night out she happens to see Michelle and they decide to have their girl's night together. The drank, got into some shenanigans, and went home to their loving families. I loved seeing this side of Allison.

And then... and then came Something Like Eternity. Like I said earlier, I had just finished listening to Autumn the same day I read this, so there were tears. LOTS OF TEARS. Amazing, happy, hopeful, wonderful tears. Victor is in the afterlife. He's in the same afterlife Jay writes about in Hell's Pawn (another must read). Victor has made a space for himself here that feels like home. It resembles the clearing where he stayed by Jace's house. He starts to feel a pull, like a calling. He knows he's meant to be somewhere else, but can't pinpoint where that somewhere else should be. So he runs into some helpers. I'll let you read the story to find out who those helpers were, but Jay Bell took Victor's story to a place that I never even dreamed it could go. I'm in tears again as I'm thinking about Victor and the feeling of hope his story left me with. 

At the end there's a character guide and timeline, which is a fantastic addition. But now I have to go reread Hell's Pawn! Seems I missed a few things the first time around. 

I went in knowing I would love this and I did. The new POV's, how different all the stories were, revisiting these characters, everything. I loved everything.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads!

Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit & Giveaway - Jay Bell

Guess what? Boy Meets Boy Reviews is turning two today! Happy Anniversary to us! We're kicking off our month long celebrations with Jay Bell. And he brought the goods. No seriously, we have info on his next release and a cover reveal AND a giveaway before the release date!

Hi there! I’m Jay Bell. I write books! Did you know that Boy Meets Boy Reviews is turning two years old this month? What’s that? Did I hear some bitter person in the back row mutter, “Who cares?” Well I’ll tell you exactly why you should care. Readers of the same genre rarely get to socialize with each other. Oh sure there is the occasional convention full of drunken revelry, but most days out of the year aren’t spent rubbing elbows with other people who enjoy reading about gay love. That can make it difficult to discover new books. You could visit your favorite online retailer and start clicking randomly, but you’ll only end up wasting money on stories that aren’t good. Rather than let your purchases be luck of the draw, why not visit a site manned by hard working people? Very hard working. Not only do they read tons of books and give honest reviews, but they deal with a constant influx of emails from needy authors (like me) while also promoting the stories they love on social networking. Let’s not forget that running a site costs time and money too. That’s why review sites come and go. I’ve seen some great ones fade into history over the last few years and it saddens me. All of the above is why we’re celebrating today. Boy Meets Boy Reviews has survived two years! Pretty damn cool, don’t you think?

That’s why I’ve decided not only to reveal the title of my next book here (Something Like Stories!) and the cover art (Take a look! It’s the red one! My husband made it!) but to also give away two paperback copies before they are officially released. All you have to do is leave a comment in the next forty-eight hours to win. Want more information about the prize? The blurb is below. Before I go, I just want to thank everyone at Boy Meets Boy Reviews for all their hard work, and for making it so much fun for us to enjoy this genre. You guys are awesome!

*****

Benjamin Bentley and many other beloved characters from the Something Like… series make their triumphant return in this collection of short stories and bonus material. Something Like Yesterday travels to the past where Eric Conroy attempts to find love against a backdrop of intolerance and political upheaval. In Something Like Fall, Ben meets Jace’s family and tries to cope with the many changes of the years that follow. Allison Cross finally gets her dues in Something Like Tonight, examining the relationships in her life during a girls night out. Something Like Eternity takes the series where it has never gone before as Victor Hemingway seeks out his ultimate destiny. Also included is a character guide and a timeline of key events thus far. Laughter and tears await you in this very special anthology!

OMG. I just imagine all the Something Like... fans squeeing after reading that blurb. I know I am!

Thanks so much stopping by and for the kind words, Jay! *wipes away rainbow-glitter tear* We love this genre and having the opportunity to be a part of it.

Jay Bell has two copies of his newest book to giveaway! To enter to win a copy of Something Like Stories, comment below with your name and a way of contacting you (email, twitter, goodreads, etc)

The giveaway is open until November 3rd at 9AM PST when a winner will be randomly drawn. Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hours or we will choose another winner.

Author Visit & Giveaway: Jay Bell

JAY BELL IS HEEEEERRRRRRRREEEEE!!!!!!!!! And he brought goodies! We have an excerpt from his upcoming book, Something Like Thunder (*squee*). It's his tenth book (Congrats, Jay!) and to celebrate he has an amazing giveaway.

Cover & Blurb:

This isn’t a coming out story. Nor is it the tale of a lonely heart seeking companionship. This is about how I learned to fight.

My name is Nathaniel Courtney and I’m a survivor. I didn’t let the cruelty of others wear me down, and I’ve weathered the more subtle hardships of the heart. Love is a Trojan horse, slipping past your guard and leaving you ransacked and vulnerable. I emerged from that war not unscathed but as a new man. The only mistake I ever made was letting the right guy get away. Now I’ve got one more chance. This is the final battle, because if I fail now… I won’t. You’ll see. Just listen to my story, Kelly Phillips, and when I’m done, please don’t walk away. Take this weary soldier into your arms so we can find peace together.

Something Like Thunder is the sixth book in the ongoing Something Like… series, shedding light on past events while leading the reader toward an exciting new future.

Excerpt:

“What now?” Caesar asked, glancing around the tent. They had their own, and aside from a couple of sleeping bags, an electric lamp, and privacy, they didn’t have much to work with.

“What now?” Nathaniel repeated with an incredulous twist. “You’re ready for the next adventure already?”

Caesar grinned at him. “Sure!”

“I’m ready to sleep,” Nathaniel said. “It’s late.”

Caesar groaned, as if disappointed. Then he stripped off his shirt, tossing it casually aside before reaching for his jeans. “What about tomorrow?”

Nathaniel forced himself to focus on unzipping his sleeping bag. “Up to you. Maybe we’ll go back to Warton. But at night, this time. We’ll hang out in the graveyard, light some candles, spill some blood. Then we’ll see if any ghosts want to share their secrets with us.”

“Dude,” Caesar said. “You’re freaking me out. Seriously.”

Nathaniel smirked. “Don’t like ghost stories?”

“Nope.”

He looked over to find Caesar already in his sleeping bag, his jeans a crumpled pile next to him. He didn’t see any underwear, but that still seemed awfully undressed for a chilly spring night. Nathaniel left his clothes on and reached to turn off the lamp. A few minutes later, he started sweating. Whatever material these bags were made of, they were hardcore. He squirmed out of his to shed some clothes.

“What are you doing?” Caesar whispered.

“Getting naked.”

“These sleeping bags are hot, huh?”

“Yeah.”

The silence was thick with sexual tension, even if it was one-sided. Stripping down to his underwear this close to Caesar felt erotic. Nathaniel started to hurry, becoming aroused and wishing he had taken care of business in the communal shower room earlier. Maybe he could wait until Caesar fell asleep or—

“Hey.”

Nathaniel made sure he was back in his sleeping bag before he answered. “What?”

“You’re not alone.”

Nathaniel scrunched up his face in confusion, despite his expression being invisible in the dark. “Huh?”

“What you said earlier, about being gay. You’re not alone.”

Pep talk. That was sweet, but he didn’t need it. “Okay,” Nathaniel replied, rolling over and getting comfortable. His eyes shot open soon after. Was Caesar simply trying to cheer him up? Or was there more to it? “I know there are other gay people,” he whispered. “I told you, I’ve been on dates and stuff.”

A long pause. Had Caesar fallen asleep? No. “There was this guy I met once. Well, I didn’t meet him. I called an ambulance because my grandma was having a stroke and he picked me up— Not like that! I don’t mean he flirted with me. Ugh, I’m telling it all wrong.”

Nathaniel tried not to laugh. “You met a paramedic once, and he turned out to be gay. Unless you’ve got his email address for me, I don’t see your point.”

“That’s not what I was trying to say.”

Caesar sounded hurt, so Nathaniel made sure his voice was softer when he spoke. “Try again.”

“He was beautiful,” Caesar said hurriedly. “Even though he was only in my life a few minutes, I never stopped thinking about him.”

A guy calling another guy beautiful… That didn’t happen often. Any guy could tell if another was hot and might mention that in conversation. Johnny Depp sure is a good-looking motherfucker. Guy probably gets all the girls! Banter like that didn’t raise red flags. But a gentle word like ‘beautiful,’ was something different. Still, Nathaniel didn’t leap to any conclusions, despite being tempted.

“There’s a difference between admiring a guy and finding him attractive.”

“Sometimes it’s both.”

“But you and Steph…”

“I love her,” Caesar said. “I’m into girls. Especially her. But I’ve always noticed guys too. I used to think I lacked a filter or just hadn’t made up my mind about who I am. But I don’t wonder anymore. Like I said… Sometimes it’s both.”

Bisexual? Nathaniel felt like sighing and groaning at the same time. Over the past few weeks, he had wished more than once that they were compatible, that Caesar was gay. He should have been more specific because he got his wish. He and Caesar could be together. Except Caesar already had someone he loved. The revelation was bittersweet. Mostly bitter though.

“Nathaniel?” Caesar said.

“Hm?” he managed.

“I’m really glad we met.”

Nathaniel kept his expression neutral. When he remembered he couldn’t be seen, he allowed the pain to show. “Yeah. Me too.”

About Jay Bell:
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.

Author Links:
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

 Are you ready for the awesomeness of this prize pack? Here it goes...

• Any book from Jay's back catalog (excluding Thunder), in eBook or Paperback format
• A set of autographed art cards
• A $25 Amazon gift card
• A download code for any of Jay's Audible audiobooks

OMG, right? I know. All you have to do is comment below with your contact info (email, Goodreads, Twitter, etc.) and you'll be entered to win this prize pack! The giveaway ends May 26th at 9:00 PM (PST) and a winner will be randomly drawn. Good luck!

Review: Something Like Thunder (Something Like #6, Storms #2) by Jay Bell

This isn’t a coming out story. Nor is it the tale of a lonely heart seeking companionship. This is about how I learned to fight.

My name is Nathaniel Courtney and I’m a survivor. I didn’t let the cruelty of others wear me down, and I’ve weathered the more subtle hardships of the heart. Love is a Trojan horse, slipping past your guard and leaving you ransacked and vulnerable. I emerged from that war not unscathed but as a new man. The only mistake I ever made was letting the right guy get away. Now I’ve got one more chance. This is the final battle, because if I fail now… I won’t. You’ll see. Just listen to my story, Kelly Phillips, and when I’m done, please don’t walk away. Take this weary soldier into your arms so we can find peace together.

Something Like Thunder is the sixth book in the ongoing Something Like… series, shedding light on past events while leading the reader toward an exciting new future.

"Love is a revolving door. The only trick is timing when you step in." 

Ah, Marcello. What a wise man you are.

Nathaniel has been through a lot of hurt by people he loved and who were supposed to love him back. He put up walls and decided that it's easier to just not love anyone that much, that way he can't really be hurt. That is, until he realizes that it the possibility of getting hurt is worth having Kelly.

So, he tells Kelly everything.

Jay Bell has a way of making me love a character. Really, in my heart, love them. I adore Nathaniel and I hurt from all he went through. I can't say I blame him for running from Kelly and all that he felt. He was hurt by his parents, his brother, his friends, his first love. Those who should have loved him, let him down, again and again.

While, I think Kelly and Nathaniel are perfectly matched, this was more about Nathaniel's journey than their romance, for me. And what a journey it was. He went from this hurt teenager to a strong man, one who is strong enough to risk loving someone again. He faced a past that he never fully voiced to anyone, all the heartbreak and betrayal, that made him this strong, loving, generous person.

So, in Spring, I loved Caesar. Now? I looooooooooooooooooooooove Caesar. Can you feel my affection? Can you? It's strong. I know this isn't his story, but he stole the show for me. I knew he was going to cause trouble every time he showed up, but I couldn't help but want him around. I'm so intrigued by him. Will he get an HEA? Will he finally meet someone and fall in love one final time? I hope so.

This is my least favorite of the series so far, but at 4.5 hearts, obviously, I still loved it. I think my main problem was the overlapping timelines with all of the previous books. Instead of just focusing on Nathaniel's story, I couldn't help but try and make one big timeline in my head. Whenever a character or an event from another book popped up, I became very distracted by when this would have happened in their story or how old they were at the time. It was just...distracting. I'm curious to know if other readers have this problem, or if it's just my crazy (<- totally possible).

Now, it's all a waiting game to see who is next... please be Caesar, please be Caesar.... 

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook Review: Something Like Winter (Seasons #2) by Jay Bell

There are two sides to every story. When you’re Tim Wyman, sometimes there are three.

Tim hoped moving to Texas would mean a new beginning but soon finds himself falling into the same tired patterns. Until he meets recklessly brave Benjamin Bentley, who introduces Tim to a world of love, sex, and warmth. Certain that society won’t understand what he and Ben have together, Tim struggles to protect their relationship, even if it means twisting the truth. Buried beneath his own deceptions, Tim must claw his way to the surface in the hopes of learning to fly.

To say this book is beautiful would be a gross understatement. 

There's just something about Tim's story that is so real and heartbreaking and humbling. 

As a teenager, he was confused and unsure about his attraction to guys. He knew it was there, but he certainly didn't think it meant he was gay. Let's not be hasty here.

But he met Ben, and I completely agree with Tim, Ben brings out the best in him. Tim was growing and learning and changing. He learned so much about himself through his time with Ben. But some things happened too fast for Tim. He lost control of the situation with Ben, and with that, lost the most important thing in his life. 

Tim moves forward, I wouldn't say he moves on, but definitely forward. He floats through life; he finds some successful relationships and some very damaging relationships along the way. His story was the most heartbreaking for me, he was so broken and so lost. Nobody was there to really love him except his best friend, Eric. He became Tim's closest friend, something he could trust and confide in. They were never anything more than that, but it was everything to Tim. 

Oh, Tim. Every time he thought he found something solid to hang onto, it was gone. He was again left alone. He was floundering. He was desperate. He made some great mistakes, but it was all in the name of love. That makes it sorta okay. Right? Right??!? 

I think so. 

Love is desperate and raw and messy and heartbreaking. Tim took all of that emotion, mashed it all together and made some really bad choices. But I'm pretty sure he'd do it again, if it meant getting Ben back. Ben was it for him. 

Throughout the 10 year or so span of these books Ben and Tim touch each others lives, coming in and out for brief moments but they were never able to find the right moment to be together. Well, in the end they finally found their moment. And it was beautiful.

All that and I didn't even mention the complete brilliance that is Kevin R. Free's narrating. He captured the essence of every character. He made me love characters that weren't particularly memorable for me before. Allison can step right on up as my #1 Book Girlfriend. 

Something Like Winter is more than worth the read and the reread. This was my second time, I originally read the ebook and have now listened to the audio. Next time (because there will so be a next time), I'll have to pick up a paperback.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads!

Anniversary Shenanigans & GIVEAWAY BONANZA: Anniversary Squee-filled Chat!

HOLY SHIZNITS, BATMAN! BMBR IS FREAKING ONE YEAR OLD!

*heavy breathing*

Seriously, uni friends, we are one year old, and we're freaking STOKED. So stoked, in fact, that we squee-sploded in a chat filled with ridiculousness that you can access EXCLUSIVELY here...after the jump...with *whispers* a GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY attached to it. (Okay, so maybe we don't know the meaning of the word "whisper.")

Here's a sneak peek...

Natasha: why is it called tossing salad, anyway?

Natasha: i don't see the link

Lorix: because you toss the leaves in the air (kinda)

Ann of Ween Gaybles: HAHAHAHAHAHA - Urban Dictionary

Justin: Tossing salad is sticking your tongue in someone's ass

Natasha: yes, but why is it called tossing salad?! i dont stick my tongue in salad!

Natasha: i still don't get it :(

Ann of Ween Gaybles: And there's J

Lorix: Really JJ? Not heard that one before

Audrey: Okay, guys, quick anniversary chat, aaaand begin!!!

Jenni Lea: I forgot what our anniversary chat is supposed to be about

Cuppers: erm…

Lorix: I've LOVED loved loved the first year at BMBR.

Audrey: Anniversary chat is about general squee-age over the occasion of our anniversary.

Ann of Ween Gaybles: Me tooooooooooo

Lorix: It's been way more fun than I could ever have imagined.

Want to know what comes next? We continue in the same vein....with lots of SQUIRRELS and SQUEES after the jump! Oh yeah....AND the humongous giveaway! *wiggles*

More STUFFS (plus the giveaway) - just keep reading! ♥