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Something Like #10
Something Like Stories: Volume Two
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.Each Something Like... book follows a different LGBTQ character on their quest for love. Central to the plot is the troubled relationship between Ben and Tim, former high school sweethearts who continue to meet over the years, their chemistry changing with each encounter. Surrounding them are friends and enemies, each with their own story, resulting in an immersive universe filled with first times and second chances. While the series doesn't shy away from sex, it also focuses deeply on emotion, promising an experience that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.This book is intended for mature audiences. The recommended reading age is 18 or older.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2017
80 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Jay Bell
44 books2,227 followersJay Bell is a proud gay man and the award-winning author behind dozens of emotional and yet hopelessly optimistic stories. His best-selling book, Something Like Summer, spawned a series of heart-wrenching novels, a musically driven movie, and a lovingly drawn comic. When not crafting imaginary worlds, he occupies his free time with animals, art, action figures, and—most ardently—his husband Andreas. Jay is always dreaming up new stories about boys in love. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can get the kettle boiling by visiting www.jaybellbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 26, 2017
Note: This audiobook was provided to me through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
A year’s worth of stories await us in this volume. I totally and completely loved every single moment and I hope other MM romance readers will too!
Something Like Infinity
A delightful story of a young substitute teacher whose Spanish classes include an estranged Ben and Tim and a potential teen arsonist. The sexy cop who comes to investigate the arson pushes all Ross’s buttons, though the apparently straight man wouldn’t be interested in someone like him. Surprise. He’s not straight. He is interested, at least until their moral codes clash, and Ross decides to put the student’s welfare before his own chance at happiness, while the straightforward cop wants to strictly follow the law. The infinity symbol on Ross’s wrist reminds them both that they shouldn’t give up. Love could be infinite. It’s a lesson he’s able to impart to Ben, bringing him a bit of comfort in his otherwise challenging school term.
Something Like Turkey
Oops! Ben’s Thanksgiving turkey dinner doesn’t go according to plan. At all! He and Tim are together again; it’s 2013, and Ben wants to surpass Eric’s culinary skills by showing Tim that he can do anything Eric could do. Unfortunately, he can’t, and when he accidentally kills the bird, he runs to the market to get a ready-prepped turkey – all without letting Tim know of his failure. Thankfully, Alison accompanies him because all he manages to find is turkey lunchmeat and on the way home, he gets a flat tire. Alison knows how to change it. Ben doesn’t. As it turns out, Tim knows Ben well enough to have made secondary plans to save his guy’s humiliation, and the holiday turns out okay, with yet another lesson on love added to Ben’s storehouse of memories.
Something Like Ornaments
Austin 2008 - Ben and Tim unpack ornaments Ben had put away awhile past and the more Tim makes fun of the funny-looking things, the more quiet and subdued Ben gets. Apparently, these were ornaments Jace gave him – one for every year they were together. In a flashback sequence, we get to witness Ben and Jace’s first anniversary together—the Christmas Eve Ben took the flight where he first met Jace is marked by Jace as the date he will always consider theirs. And the first ornament Jase gave him, promising they’d have one every year from now until forever. Back in the present, Ben’s wearing his heart on his sleeve and barely hanging on when an unexpected remark from Tim and a package from an unexpected source end up making this his best Christmas so far and has him looking forward to many more with Tim.
Something Like Champagne
Marcello and Tim fondly remember Eric and take an opportunity to revisit his house on New Year’s Eve in the hopes that Marcello can finally locate something long-forgotten that he’s not sure is a memory or a dream of a conversation about Gabriel with Eric. It’s a sweet little vignette which showcases Marcello’s soft side as well as his loyalty to his deceased friend and his respect for Tim, who turned out to be so much more than he initially thought when Eric first brought him home.
Something Like Hearts
The finale to Nathaniel and Kelly’s love story that actually started during a photo session. Kelly has agreed to one last shoot for Marcello—with a wedding theme on Valentine’s Day. What he doesn’t know is that Marcello helped Nathaniel arrange everything so that he could pull off a major surprise for the love of his life when the other model working with Kelly suddenly falls ill. For a man like Nathaniel, who doesn’t do romantic gestures, this is one of the best I’ve ever read.
Something Like Shamrocks
Austin 2009 – A story about Layne, a flamboyant boy in Kelly’s gay support group who takes on a bet with Katsu, another boy in the group, that he can get seven pictures of him kissing seven different boys in the next seven months. Layne goes to great lengths, mostly comical and sometimes sadly pitiful, to find boys willing to kiss him. When he gets to number seven, at the conclusion of his pictorial journey, the surprise is on him.
Something Like Bunnies
It’s 1987. and teen Jace has his first sexual fantasies when his family takes on an exchange student, a young man from Italy named Gianni. Over the time he’s with them, Jace has his first love experience and he’s heartbroken to learn that Gianni finds his female tutor much more to his liking. Though he recognizes Jace’s love, and acknowledges it before he leaves the country, Jace’s feelings go unrequited. On a happy note, the story ends three years later when Jace receives an announcement of their wedding and turns to discuss it with his own lover, Victor.
Something Like Flowers
Mother’s Day is something that Jason, even now in 2015, can’t relate to, and his reflections on the holiday cause him to miss his boyfriend, William. Feeling down and knowing two people who can always make him feel better, he heads to the home of his adoptive parents: Ben and Tim. Jason accompanies them to Jason’s family dinner, which includes a visit with Michelle, his former social worker, Ben’s sister. When Michelle helps him track down his real mother’s burial place, he realizes she’s been the mother of his heart all along, and he didn’t need to look far for the unconditional love he’s been receiving through the years.
Something Like Memories
It’s their anniversary and Tim is bummed out that Ben wants to celebrate only the eight years they’ve been back together – from the time Ben walked into Tim’s gallery. But Tim believes that’s nonsense. They dated in high school and got back together and broke up and got back together again. He thinks those times should count, so he pulls out the big guns and goes to see Ben’s BFF, Alison Cross, who tells him about the journal Ben once kept. Pursuing the lead, Tim manages to find the exact date when Ben first laid eyes on him and he’s able to surprise Ben with the perfect anniversary gift—the gift of memories.
Something Like Sparks
Rent boys Calvin and Harold spend a last weekend together before Calvin moves in with one of their clients. However, Harold isn’t aware of that and his plans are to spend the 4th of July holiday with Calvin at Calvin’s summer home and he’s going to ask Calvin to marry him. I’m not sure who these characters are, i.e., which story they originally appeared in, but they seem to be former models of Marcello’s, now escorts, and though neither wants to remain an escort forever, Harold doesn’t seem to mind. This one was sad and depressing and ended on a downer. I hope Mr. Bell has a little vignette planned for Harold in the future. He’s a sweetie.
Something Like Sun
Austin, 2015 – Jason flies from Texas to Oregon to visit William. This isn’t just a simple visit, however. It’s the one in which he’ll decide if he’ll be staying with William forever, no matter where William’s Coast Guard career takes them, or if he’ll be staying closer to Ben and Tim, his adoptive parents and the family of his heart. It’s a difficult decision and during this story we witness the dynamic between the two young men and the love that has become stronger over time, but we also bear witness to Jason’s memories of Ben and Tim and the love he has for these two men who’ve changed his life. As the story closes, his decision is made… And as usual, Jay Bell leaves us with more to think about. Those who know these characters will likely be able to guess the “right” answer… but maybe not. LOL
Something Like Cake
Also in 2015, we visit with Caesar Hubbard who’s surprising his girlfriend, Mia, by bringing home a man they can both have sex with. The problem, of course, is that Caesar doesn’t realize she views this as cheating, so he’s dismayed when she leaves in a huff. Poor Caesar, never got it right, from Jason to Nathaniel to all the others since then. But a surprising visit with Marcello actually helps him gain perspective, and as the story ends and Mia is speaking to him again, he gets to finally verbalize his own needs.
Something Like Braaaains – Ben and Tim are at home on Halloween, Ben expecting carloads of kids, Tim expecting none—after all, they live in an isolated area. When a knock sounds on the door, Tim refuses to answer, but Ben flings the door open to find a young man named Victor standing there. While Tim is talking to Victor about his apparently broken down car, Ben opens the back door to a creature that looks remarkably like Jase. Oh, oh! You have to read this one to appreciate it fully. Take it all the way to the end because the last few paragraphs are priceless! I love Jay Bell’s creative genius!
Something Like Samson
Part One – Warrensburg, 1986
First and foremost, Kevin Free did an outstanding job on this audiobook, but I must say that between the writing skills of Jay Bell and Mr. Free’s narrative skills, this segment told in Samson’s POV was phenomenal! In this segment, we travel back to Warrensburg in 1986 when Samson is born and bought by Victor for his mother, who is slowly going senile. From Samson’s POV, we witness not only her struggles, but Victor’s as well, when she’s taken away and he’s lost in despair and depression in a house in which there’s no food and no heat. Victor and Samson keep each other company in Victor’s basement room, until Jace arrives to save the day. There’s only one conclusion he can come to – Jace is his new mother! But Jace eventually goes away and things go downhill for Victor until one day there’s a loud explosion and Samson doesn’t have anyone coming in to care for him. This story, as I said, was fantastic. Between the story itself, the cat’s POV, and Mr. Free’s narration, I never wanted it to end.
Part Two – Houston, 1998
And then we come to part two… In this part of the story, Samson witnesses Jace falling head-over-heels for Ben, Ben staying with them for the summer, and their eventual move from Austin to Houston so that Ben and Jace can live together. (Or was that vice versa? ) In any event, Samson is there when the men with red and blue lights come to take Jace away, but Samson knows he’ll be back because Jace promised him, when Victor died, that he’d never leave him again. Then Jace does return but he’s not quite the same, and Samson is there the day Jace brings Ben into the bedroom and all three lay on the bed together as the worst happens (Something Like Autumn), and it’s Samson who eventually pulls Ben out of his funk.
I think this was my favorite segment of the book. One of the funniest was Samson’s POV of meeting Chinchilla for the first time. Fantastic! I laughed so hard during most of this section that I couldn’t catch my breath. Highlights include Samson speculating with Chinchilla about whether or not there will be puppies when Ben and Tim go into the bedroom and make certain noises. And their affirmation of at least one puppy when Jason shows up to live with them. Of course, then we came to the end of the segment and the book, and you know Jay Bell—I had tears of a different kind at the end.
I kind of feel like I’ve lost a group of friends. They’ve grown up, or moved on, or passed away, or simply faded into the background. I’ve laughed with them and cried with them and celebrated good times and bad. I’ll miss them terribly. Needless to say, I can’t recommend this book and this series highly enough. If there were more than five stars available, this series would be given a galaxy.
A year’s worth of stories await us in this volume. I totally and completely loved every single moment and I hope other MM romance readers will too!
Something Like Infinity
A delightful story of a young substitute teacher whose Spanish classes include an estranged Ben and Tim and a potential teen arsonist. The sexy cop who comes to investigate the arson pushes all Ross’s buttons, though the apparently straight man wouldn’t be interested in someone like him. Surprise. He’s not straight. He is interested, at least until their moral codes clash, and Ross decides to put the student’s welfare before his own chance at happiness, while the straightforward cop wants to strictly follow the law. The infinity symbol on Ross’s wrist reminds them both that they shouldn’t give up. Love could be infinite. It’s a lesson he’s able to impart to Ben, bringing him a bit of comfort in his otherwise challenging school term.
Something Like Turkey
Oops! Ben’s Thanksgiving turkey dinner doesn’t go according to plan. At all! He and Tim are together again; it’s 2013, and Ben wants to surpass Eric’s culinary skills by showing Tim that he can do anything Eric could do. Unfortunately, he can’t, and when he accidentally kills the bird, he runs to the market to get a ready-prepped turkey – all without letting Tim know of his failure. Thankfully, Alison accompanies him because all he manages to find is turkey lunchmeat and on the way home, he gets a flat tire. Alison knows how to change it. Ben doesn’t. As it turns out, Tim knows Ben well enough to have made secondary plans to save his guy’s humiliation, and the holiday turns out okay, with yet another lesson on love added to Ben’s storehouse of memories.
Something Like Ornaments
Austin 2008 - Ben and Tim unpack ornaments Ben had put away awhile past and the more Tim makes fun of the funny-looking things, the more quiet and subdued Ben gets. Apparently, these were ornaments Jace gave him – one for every year they were together. In a flashback sequence, we get to witness Ben and Jace’s first anniversary together—the Christmas Eve Ben took the flight where he first met Jace is marked by Jace as the date he will always consider theirs. And the first ornament Jase gave him, promising they’d have one every year from now until forever. Back in the present, Ben’s wearing his heart on his sleeve and barely hanging on when an unexpected remark from Tim and a package from an unexpected source end up making this his best Christmas so far and has him looking forward to many more with Tim.
Something Like Champagne
Marcello and Tim fondly remember Eric and take an opportunity to revisit his house on New Year’s Eve in the hopes that Marcello can finally locate something long-forgotten that he’s not sure is a memory or a dream of a conversation about Gabriel with Eric. It’s a sweet little vignette which showcases Marcello’s soft side as well as his loyalty to his deceased friend and his respect for Tim, who turned out to be so much more than he initially thought when Eric first brought him home.
Something Like Hearts
The finale to Nathaniel and Kelly’s love story that actually started during a photo session. Kelly has agreed to one last shoot for Marcello—with a wedding theme on Valentine’s Day. What he doesn’t know is that Marcello helped Nathaniel arrange everything so that he could pull off a major surprise for the love of his life when the other model working with Kelly suddenly falls ill. For a man like Nathaniel, who doesn’t do romantic gestures, this is one of the best I’ve ever read.
Something Like Shamrocks
Austin 2009 – A story about Layne, a flamboyant boy in Kelly’s gay support group who takes on a bet with Katsu, another boy in the group, that he can get seven pictures of him kissing seven different boys in the next seven months. Layne goes to great lengths, mostly comical and sometimes sadly pitiful, to find boys willing to kiss him. When he gets to number seven, at the conclusion of his pictorial journey, the surprise is on him.
Something Like Bunnies
It’s 1987. and teen Jace has his first sexual fantasies when his family takes on an exchange student, a young man from Italy named Gianni. Over the time he’s with them, Jace has his first love experience and he’s heartbroken to learn that Gianni finds his female tutor much more to his liking. Though he recognizes Jace’s love, and acknowledges it before he leaves the country, Jace’s feelings go unrequited. On a happy note, the story ends three years later when Jace receives an announcement of their wedding and turns to discuss it with his own lover, Victor.
Something Like Flowers
Mother’s Day is something that Jason, even now in 2015, can’t relate to, and his reflections on the holiday cause him to miss his boyfriend, William. Feeling down and knowing two people who can always make him feel better, he heads to the home of his adoptive parents: Ben and Tim. Jason accompanies them to Jason’s family dinner, which includes a visit with Michelle, his former social worker, Ben’s sister. When Michelle helps him track down his real mother’s burial place, he realizes she’s been the mother of his heart all along, and he didn’t need to look far for the unconditional love he’s been receiving through the years.
Something Like Memories
It’s their anniversary and Tim is bummed out that Ben wants to celebrate only the eight years they’ve been back together – from the time Ben walked into Tim’s gallery. But Tim believes that’s nonsense. They dated in high school and got back together and broke up and got back together again. He thinks those times should count, so he pulls out the big guns and goes to see Ben’s BFF, Alison Cross, who tells him about the journal Ben once kept. Pursuing the lead, Tim manages to find the exact date when Ben first laid eyes on him and he’s able to surprise Ben with the perfect anniversary gift—the gift of memories.
Something Like Sparks
Rent boys Calvin and Harold spend a last weekend together before Calvin moves in with one of their clients. However, Harold isn’t aware of that and his plans are to spend the 4th of July holiday with Calvin at Calvin’s summer home and he’s going to ask Calvin to marry him. I’m not sure who these characters are, i.e., which story they originally appeared in, but they seem to be former models of Marcello’s, now escorts, and though neither wants to remain an escort forever, Harold doesn’t seem to mind. This one was sad and depressing and ended on a downer. I hope Mr. Bell has a little vignette planned for Harold in the future. He’s a sweetie.
Something Like Sun
Austin, 2015 – Jason flies from Texas to Oregon to visit William. This isn’t just a simple visit, however. It’s the one in which he’ll decide if he’ll be staying with William forever, no matter where William’s Coast Guard career takes them, or if he’ll be staying closer to Ben and Tim, his adoptive parents and the family of his heart. It’s a difficult decision and during this story we witness the dynamic between the two young men and the love that has become stronger over time, but we also bear witness to Jason’s memories of Ben and Tim and the love he has for these two men who’ve changed his life. As the story closes, his decision is made… And as usual, Jay Bell leaves us with more to think about. Those who know these characters will likely be able to guess the “right” answer… but maybe not. LOL
Something Like Cake
Also in 2015, we visit with Caesar Hubbard who’s surprising his girlfriend, Mia, by bringing home a man they can both have sex with. The problem, of course, is that Caesar doesn’t realize she views this as cheating, so he’s dismayed when she leaves in a huff. Poor Caesar, never got it right, from Jason to Nathaniel to all the others since then. But a surprising visit with Marcello actually helps him gain perspective, and as the story ends and Mia is speaking to him again, he gets to finally verbalize his own needs.
Something Like Braaaains – Ben and Tim are at home on Halloween, Ben expecting carloads of kids, Tim expecting none—after all, they live in an isolated area. When a knock sounds on the door, Tim refuses to answer, but Ben flings the door open to find a young man named Victor standing there. While Tim is talking to Victor about his apparently broken down car, Ben opens the back door to a creature that looks remarkably like Jase. Oh, oh! You have to read this one to appreciate it fully. Take it all the way to the end because the last few paragraphs are priceless! I love Jay Bell’s creative genius!
Something Like Samson
Part One – Warrensburg, 1986
First and foremost, Kevin Free did an outstanding job on this audiobook, but I must say that between the writing skills of Jay Bell and Mr. Free’s narrative skills, this segment told in Samson’s POV was phenomenal! In this segment, we travel back to Warrensburg in 1986 when Samson is born and bought by Victor for his mother, who is slowly going senile. From Samson’s POV, we witness not only her struggles, but Victor’s as well, when she’s taken away and he’s lost in despair and depression in a house in which there’s no food and no heat. Victor and Samson keep each other company in Victor’s basement room, until Jace arrives to save the day. There’s only one conclusion he can come to – Jace is his new mother! But Jace eventually goes away and things go downhill for Victor until one day there’s a loud explosion and Samson doesn’t have anyone coming in to care for him. This story, as I said, was fantastic. Between the story itself, the cat’s POV, and Mr. Free’s narration, I never wanted it to end.
Part Two – Houston, 1998
And then we come to part two… In this part of the story, Samson witnesses Jace falling head-over-heels for Ben, Ben staying with them for the summer, and their eventual move from Austin to Houston so that Ben and Jace can live together. (Or was that vice versa? ) In any event, Samson is there when the men with red and blue lights come to take Jace away, but Samson knows he’ll be back because Jace promised him, when Victor died, that he’d never leave him again. Then Jace does return but he’s not quite the same, and Samson is there the day Jace brings Ben into the bedroom and all three lay on the bed together as the worst happens (Something Like Autumn), and it’s Samson who eventually pulls Ben out of his funk.
I think this was my favorite segment of the book. One of the funniest was Samson’s POV of meeting Chinchilla for the first time. Fantastic! I laughed so hard during most of this section that I couldn’t catch my breath. Highlights include Samson speculating with Chinchilla about whether or not there will be puppies when Ben and Tim go into the bedroom and make certain noises. And their affirmation of at least one puppy when Jason shows up to live with them. Of course, then we came to the end of the segment and the book, and you know Jay Bell—I had tears of a different kind at the end.
I kind of feel like I’ve lost a group of friends. They’ve grown up, or moved on, or passed away, or simply faded into the background. I’ve laughed with them and cried with them and celebrated good times and bad. I’ll miss them terribly. Needless to say, I can’t recommend this book and this series highly enough. If there were more than five stars available, this series would be given a galaxy.
August 26, 2024
The second collection of short stories in the Something Like... series is phenomenal. It is a collection of shorts where each is tied to a month. From Thanksgiving in November, all around back to Halloween in October. After the hilarious Halloween story "Something Like Braaaains" there is a lovely short that made me sob my eyes out: "Something Like Samson" in which we are shown all of the events of Samson's little cat life. Boy does that cat love Jace. <3
September 25, 2017
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.
Review previously at BMBR.
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.
Review previously at BMBR.
August 21, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
The Something Like… series by Jay Bell has been going strong since the first book in the series was published in 2011 (the larger series consists of the Seasons series and the Storm series). This volume of short stories marks the eighth book in the larger series. The blurb for this book states that the “series is drawing to a close.” I generally am prepared for a series to end, they all do eventually, but something about that declaration struck me as I had not considered that this series would end. All of the characters in the series are so vivid and they truly feel like real people and the possibility of not having additional stories really made me pause. But there will be two more books before we officially have to say goodbye.
This is the second volume of short stories and includes 14 different stories that feature all of the favorite characters. There’s Ben and Tim and William and Jason and Nathaniel and Kelly, Marcello, Caesar, and even Jace and Victor.
The highlight of this series for me is the way Bell can weave and overlap all the stories with new perspectives and keep the flow of the story fresh. He is able to add dimensions to stories that have already been told with details that I wasn’t even aware that I needed. I am not going to go through each story here as it feels like I would be dissecting and rating someone’s memories. None of these stories stand alone on their own and most of them have strong ties back to the many central storylines.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
The Something Like… series by Jay Bell has been going strong since the first book in the series was published in 2011 (the larger series consists of the Seasons series and the Storm series). This volume of short stories marks the eighth book in the larger series. The blurb for this book states that the “series is drawing to a close.” I generally am prepared for a series to end, they all do eventually, but something about that declaration struck me as I had not considered that this series would end. All of the characters in the series are so vivid and they truly feel like real people and the possibility of not having additional stories really made me pause. But there will be two more books before we officially have to say goodbye.
This is the second volume of short stories and includes 14 different stories that feature all of the favorite characters. There’s Ben and Tim and William and Jason and Nathaniel and Kelly, Marcello, Caesar, and even Jace and Victor.
The highlight of this series for me is the way Bell can weave and overlap all the stories with new perspectives and keep the flow of the story fresh. He is able to add dimensions to stories that have already been told with details that I wasn’t even aware that I needed. I am not going to go through each story here as it feels like I would be dissecting and rating someone’s memories. None of these stories stand alone on their own and most of them have strong ties back to the many central storylines.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
March 12, 2024
For what it's worth, butterflies are magnificent creatures. As you know, they begin life as caterpillars, which if you think about it, do a much better job of blending into their surroundings. They're green, with just enough stripes to mimic a pattern of shadow, and despite this natural ability to hide, they still listen to the urge to climb high and put themselves in a vulnerable state. When a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon, it's more colorful and delicate than before. They only end up drawing more attention to themselves, but butterflies are the lucky ones. They're destined for more than just crawling around and chewing on leaves. They're meant to fly.
Death places a firm punctuation mark at the end of every life. Most people's stories are written by the second, new details constantly added to the narrative, no matter how trivial. When someone dies, that process halts. Their story is complete, and others can only go back and reread what has already occurred. The final mystery is what form that final punctuation takes. Is the person's life summed up by a humble period, or perhaps saluted with an exclamation mark? Or, as in the case of his mother, sometimes a question mark is most appropriate.
Love was more complicated than he had ever imagined, full of communication barriers that went far beyond words, but as a kiss silenced the laugh burbling forth from his lips, he decided it was the language most worth learning
No one can be expected to remember everything. That's why we have each other, to help keep those memories alive. And it's why we tell stories, because if you think about it, they're just memories wrapped up with a bow and made presentable.
If there's one thing the Devil likes, it's a good deal. Your words moved me, if you even remember them anymore, but I must contest some of what you said. You are strong, because to have loved and lost is much harder than to have never loved at all. Those who have gone without don't truly realize what they are missing. I don't count myself among them. When have I ever resisted intoxication? I have known love in many forms and paid the inevitable price, none so great as when I lost you.
"If you do find yourself feeling melancholy again, just remember that sorrow has its own special beauty. The other side of joy's mirror, if you will. A reflection stretching from then to now." ... "Sometimes happy memories haunt us, causing sorrowful feelings in the present, but that's not such a bad thing. It simply means that you were lucky once, and once is better than never."
"I hope you have happy memories too.”
"More than I could ever possibly count. I make it a point to revisit each, on occasion, but that doesn't mean I'm not eager to make more.”
"Now then, unless we want a crippling hangover tomorrow, I suggest we have a... what's it called? The clear zero-proof drink." "Water?" … "That's it, We'll have water.”
Death places a firm punctuation mark at the end of every life. Most people's stories are written by the second, new details constantly added to the narrative, no matter how trivial. When someone dies, that process halts. Their story is complete, and others can only go back and reread what has already occurred. The final mystery is what form that final punctuation takes. Is the person's life summed up by a humble period, or perhaps saluted with an exclamation mark? Or, as in the case of his mother, sometimes a question mark is most appropriate.
Love was more complicated than he had ever imagined, full of communication barriers that went far beyond words, but as a kiss silenced the laugh burbling forth from his lips, he decided it was the language most worth learning
No one can be expected to remember everything. That's why we have each other, to help keep those memories alive. And it's why we tell stories, because if you think about it, they're just memories wrapped up with a bow and made presentable.
If there's one thing the Devil likes, it's a good deal. Your words moved me, if you even remember them anymore, but I must contest some of what you said. You are strong, because to have loved and lost is much harder than to have never loved at all. Those who have gone without don't truly realize what they are missing. I don't count myself among them. When have I ever resisted intoxication? I have known love in many forms and paid the inevitable price, none so great as when I lost you.
"If you do find yourself feeling melancholy again, just remember that sorrow has its own special beauty. The other side of joy's mirror, if you will. A reflection stretching from then to now." ... "Sometimes happy memories haunt us, causing sorrowful feelings in the present, but that's not such a bad thing. It simply means that you were lucky once, and once is better than never."
"I hope you have happy memories too.”
"More than I could ever possibly count. I make it a point to revisit each, on occasion, but that doesn't mean I'm not eager to make more.”
"Now then, unless we want a crippling hangover tomorrow, I suggest we have a... what's it called? The clear zero-proof drink." "Water?" … "That's it, We'll have water.”
June 20, 2021
11 December 2020
I have just finished re-reading this anthology and I really enjoyed it.
I had already reviewed this book at the time of my re-read but I found that my opinions were very different from those after my initial read, so I decided to just add my changed thoughts and opinions to my original review but apparently, my thoughts were so different that I ended up exceeding the character limit. So, now I have decided to just scrap my original review which had me shaking my head on multiple occasions as I tried to figure out what the hell I was thinking while typing up that review.
Since I have re-read this anthology after having read the series in its entirety, my present views feel much more accurate, I feel a lot of the problems I had with this anthology were because I hadn’t read anything in this series since Lightning. But, now we are all good, even though I did read things completely out of order, we are here. So, let’s get on with the new and improved review!
1. Something Like Infinity - 5/5
This is a really good story. It truly is wonderful and I really liked Ross and Richard. I really liked their dynamic also, I loved Ross trying to play detective. I also really liked Ross ruminating about his impact as a teacher and his discussions with Ms Hughes about the same because I truly believe teachers have more of an impact that we perceive.
Also, this is a rare look into Ben and Tim's relationship in high school after their break up, so that was interesting.
2. Something Like Turkey - 4/5
This story is so good, it follows Allison and Ben and the Thanksgiving of 2013, which was hilarious. I remember when this scene comes up in Rain and Ben is like no one should enter the kitchen but the moment he leaves everyone goes to the kitchen. Though this is a little fraught Thanksgiving for William and Jason, I liked that this is when the seeds of the idea of adopting Jason are planted and I really liked Allison bolstering Ben up as he muddles his way through the mess he made. I really like their dynamic, at times, I can't tell if it is very healthy but it certainly cheers these two up pretty much always. Also, Tim is in this one what more could I want.
3. Something Like Ornaments - 4/5
This story was really emotional and at times heavy, but it was very much needed. It showed that things weren't always flawless between Ben and Tim and that makes the happiness they have now even more precious.
4. Something Like Champagne - 5/5
I loved this one. This story was so charming and amazing and bubbling and sparkling, in a way I guess it really was a celebration.
Also, I officially fell in love with Marcello when he tells Tim that Ben is the lucky one. I couldn't have said it better myself Marcello and I am indebted to you for life for saying that to Tim. I really loved their dynamic, over the years we have seen so much more of these two together but I really liked seeing them in the earlier stages of this amazing friendship they share.
This one was simply glorious.
5. Something Like Hearts - 4/5
This one is about Kelly and Nathaniel and it was really sweet.
I recently realised that I really really love Kelly and after Rain made me cry buckets via Kelly, I am even more tempted to re-read Lightning and Thunder, to really enjoy Kelly and Nathaniel. Though, this story does an amazing job as a teaser for the same. I can't get over how happy these two are in this one, it's adorable.
6. Something Like Shamrocks - 4/5
Layne is amazing, he is so over the top but he's also so good like it takes a whole lot of confidence to be yourself all the time. He is adorable. Though I do feel like Layne’s relationship with his ex-group leader might warrant closer inspection, because even though he is very flippant about it, it probably was damaging. But, still, this story is so sweet and adorable and I loved how it ended up.
Also, this time around I actually knew all the wide cast of characters that show up in this story, Harold, Noah and even Rico and Tito and that made this so much better.
7. Something Like Bunnies - 4/5
This story is about Jace and his very first crush and how that helped him come to terms with his sexuality. This story does an amazing job and even though there are tears, I loved the ending.
8. Something Like Flowers - 5/5
I loved this one. It was just so beautifully rendered. The emotions were just so raw like if I could tear up the pages they would bleed.
This story is one of the best in the anthology and I love Jason. I do believe Spring doesn’t do justice to Jason but having recently read Rain, I am more in love with Jason than ever before and this story made me very very happy.
9. Something Like Memories - 5/5
Well, this one is about Ben and Tim. Do I need to say more? It’s a pretty great story and I always love revisiting these two and their relationship.
10. Something Like Sparks - 4/5
When I first read this story, I had no idea who Harold was beside his brief introduction in Shamrocks. But, know that I have come to know and love him, this story ripped me apart. I mean we hear about Calvin in Hail but this just made the heartache that much more real. This story serves as an introduction to Harold and there is something about seeing him at one of his lowest points that makes you relate to his character, but it also makes you despondent. This story is overall just better in hindsight since I now know what the future holds for Harold, I could enjoy this story a little more.
11. Something Like Sun - 5/5
This story is so amazing. It is also the entire reason I re-read this anthology because the way Rain ended was just too much to bear so I needed this story. It is about Jason's first and I believe, last trip to Astoria though the story doesn’t imply one way or the other, although the events of Memories sure suggests only one possible outcome to this story.
Jason and William are such great characters and their relationship is the stuff of dreams. God! this story was so domestic but it was still so out there with its feels, it was simply amazing.
12. Something Like Cake - 4/5
This was a really good one. I loved the talk on perspectives and I loved Caesar and Marcello because they were amazing together like Wow! Who would have ever thought that?
I remember reading this story for the first time and realising that I was looking at Caesar through the wrong lens and this story really highlights who he is as a character and he is surprisingly good at heart. This story was amazing all around.
13. Something Like Braaaains - 3/5
Okay, this was a little ludicrous and so over the top but sometime around the middle, I realised what was going on and it became easier to just enjoy the whole thing.
14. Something Like Samson - 5/5
Oh! I loved this one. I really love Samson and that ending was chef’s kiss. Samson has had a very eventful life with many ups and downs, but I loved getting to see him persevere through it all and be there for all his varied humans and dog. This was just delightful and a perfect end to this anthology.
I loved it.
I have just finished re-reading this anthology and I really enjoyed it.
I had already reviewed this book at the time of my re-read but I found that my opinions were very different from those after my initial read, so I decided to just add my changed thoughts and opinions to my original review but apparently, my thoughts were so different that I ended up exceeding the character limit. So, now I have decided to just scrap my original review which had me shaking my head on multiple occasions as I tried to figure out what the hell I was thinking while typing up that review.
Since I have re-read this anthology after having read the series in its entirety, my present views feel much more accurate, I feel a lot of the problems I had with this anthology were because I hadn’t read anything in this series since Lightning. But, now we are all good, even though I did read things completely out of order, we are here. So, let’s get on with the new and improved review!
1. Something Like Infinity - 5/5
This is a really good story. It truly is wonderful and I really liked Ross and Richard. I really liked their dynamic also, I loved Ross trying to play detective. I also really liked Ross ruminating about his impact as a teacher and his discussions with Ms Hughes about the same because I truly believe teachers have more of an impact that we perceive.
Also, this is a rare look into Ben and Tim's relationship in high school after their break up, so that was interesting.
2. Something Like Turkey - 4/5
This story is so good, it follows Allison and Ben and the Thanksgiving of 2013, which was hilarious. I remember when this scene comes up in Rain and Ben is like no one should enter the kitchen but the moment he leaves everyone goes to the kitchen. Though this is a little fraught Thanksgiving for William and Jason, I liked that this is when the seeds of the idea of adopting Jason are planted and I really liked Allison bolstering Ben up as he muddles his way through the mess he made. I really like their dynamic, at times, I can't tell if it is very healthy but it certainly cheers these two up pretty much always. Also, Tim is in this one what more could I want.
3. Something Like Ornaments - 4/5
This story was really emotional and at times heavy, but it was very much needed. It showed that things weren't always flawless between Ben and Tim and that makes the happiness they have now even more precious.
4. Something Like Champagne - 5/5
I loved this one. This story was so charming and amazing and bubbling and sparkling, in a way I guess it really was a celebration.
Also, I officially fell in love with Marcello when he tells Tim that Ben is the lucky one. I couldn't have said it better myself Marcello and I am indebted to you for life for saying that to Tim. I really loved their dynamic, over the years we have seen so much more of these two together but I really liked seeing them in the earlier stages of this amazing friendship they share.
This one was simply glorious.
5. Something Like Hearts - 4/5
This one is about Kelly and Nathaniel and it was really sweet.
I recently realised that I really really love Kelly and after Rain made me cry buckets via Kelly, I am even more tempted to re-read Lightning and Thunder, to really enjoy Kelly and Nathaniel. Though, this story does an amazing job as a teaser for the same. I can't get over how happy these two are in this one, it's adorable.
6. Something Like Shamrocks - 4/5
Layne is amazing, he is so over the top but he's also so good like it takes a whole lot of confidence to be yourself all the time. He is adorable. Though I do feel like Layne’s relationship with his ex-group leader might warrant closer inspection, because even though he is very flippant about it, it probably was damaging. But, still, this story is so sweet and adorable and I loved how it ended up.
Also, this time around I actually knew all the wide cast of characters that show up in this story, Harold, Noah and even Rico and Tito and that made this so much better.
7. Something Like Bunnies - 4/5
This story is about Jace and his very first crush and how that helped him come to terms with his sexuality. This story does an amazing job and even though there are tears, I loved the ending.
8. Something Like Flowers - 5/5
I loved this one. It was just so beautifully rendered. The emotions were just so raw like if I could tear up the pages they would bleed.
This story is one of the best in the anthology and I love Jason. I do believe Spring doesn’t do justice to Jason but having recently read Rain, I am more in love with Jason than ever before and this story made me very very happy.
9. Something Like Memories - 5/5
Well, this one is about Ben and Tim. Do I need to say more? It’s a pretty great story and I always love revisiting these two and their relationship.
10. Something Like Sparks - 4/5
When I first read this story, I had no idea who Harold was beside his brief introduction in Shamrocks. But, know that I have come to know and love him, this story ripped me apart. I mean we hear about Calvin in Hail but this just made the heartache that much more real. This story serves as an introduction to Harold and there is something about seeing him at one of his lowest points that makes you relate to his character, but it also makes you despondent. This story is overall just better in hindsight since I now know what the future holds for Harold, I could enjoy this story a little more.
11. Something Like Sun - 5/5
This story is so amazing. It is also the entire reason I re-read this anthology because the way Rain ended was just too much to bear so I needed this story. It is about Jason's first and I believe, last trip to Astoria though the story doesn’t imply one way or the other, although the events of Memories sure suggests only one possible outcome to this story.
Jason and William are such great characters and their relationship is the stuff of dreams. God! this story was so domestic but it was still so out there with its feels, it was simply amazing.
12. Something Like Cake - 4/5
This was a really good one. I loved the talk on perspectives and I loved Caesar and Marcello because they were amazing together like Wow! Who would have ever thought that?
I remember reading this story for the first time and realising that I was looking at Caesar through the wrong lens and this story really highlights who he is as a character and he is surprisingly good at heart. This story was amazing all around.
13. Something Like Braaaains - 3/5
Okay, this was a little ludicrous and so over the top but sometime around the middle, I realised what was going on and it became easier to just enjoy the whole thing.
14. Something Like Samson - 5/5
Oh! I loved this one. I really love Samson and that ending was chef’s kiss. Samson has had a very eventful life with many ups and downs, but I loved getting to see him persevere through it all and be there for all his varied humans and dog. This was just delightful and a perfect end to this anthology.
I loved it.
October 31, 2024
Great little stories and some more follow ups on the last 3 books. A lot of the short stories had fairly open endings.
June 27, 2017
'Something like Stories - Volume Two' by Jay Bell is the second volume of short stories featuring a broader and deeper look into some of my favorite characters in the series caught in a snapshot moment in their lives. Each story I revisit enhances my knowledge and understanding of the characters involved.
Something Like Infinity gives a deeper look into Senor Ross Langdon, the English teacher at Ben and Tim's high school and the challenges presented to him as a gay man 1997. He could be fired for being gay, but he stretches his influence in order to keep them out of trouble. Officer Adler of the local police comes to question him about a rash of fires that have recently been set. Officer Adler is asking Senor Langdon because he saw someone who he thought may be a suspect, yelled at him in Spanish. Ross is not happy that he's being asked to give the officer a list of names of students who trust him and thinks about this long and hard. Ultimately, he comes up with a way to prevent further fires, saving the culprit from being identified as well as, finding companionship for himself.
Although Senor Langdon does appear in one of the Something Like stories, little is known about him. This story fills me in on his life and loyalty and concern for his students. It also gives me a better idea about how a gay man lived at that time and how lonely it could be.
Something Like Turkey takes place one Thanksgiving when Ben decides to cook for his group of friends. Although Allyson offers help, Ben refuses. Cooking dinner for them is his way of letting him know how thankful he is for every one of them. The problem is, Ben seriously underestimates the amount of work, timing, and skill it takes to pull off a full course meal like the one he is planning. Reading about it in cookbooks and actually doing it are quite different. Finally, after several things go wrong, Ben asks for Allyson's help; meanwhile all his guests are waiting for the feast, blissfully ignorant to his plight. Allyson tries her best, but the meal is too far gone to “rescue”.
I really sympathized with Ben and his desire to show his friends how much he loved them by cooking a wonderful meal for them to enjoy. I've done it many years and even as an experienced cook have problems getting everything just right. Ben's heart was in the right place, but it wasn't necessary for him to prove he could feed his friends. The important thing was that they had each other. That, not Ben's cooking skills, is what is most important.
Something like Ornaments
Ben is reminiscing about Jace and Christmases past. Even though he and Tim are finally back together, the holiday is bittersweet. While decorating the Christmas tree, Ben pulls out seven of the ugliest ornaments Tim has ever seen. It turns out that Jace had purchased one every year he and Ben were together. When Tim tries to console Ben, by buying an ornament from the same artist and presenting it to Ben as an anniversary gift, it backfires on him in a huge way.
This story made me cry buckets. Any mention of Jace makes me cry for that matter. What Jace and Ben had was so special, virtually incomparable to what he could ever have with anyone else, even Tim. Some memories can't be duplicated and the goofy ornaments were a perfect example of one.
Something Like Champagne
At a New Years’ gala, Marcello thinks about Tim and how he fit into Eric's life. The story gives us more information about Tim and their relationship as well as how Marcello felt about Eric. As usual, Marcello doesn't play by the rules and, in an effort to retain something from a safe in Eric's former home, they end up in jail, ending any hope of a New Year's kiss from Ben.
Usually, stories about Marcello are light-hearted, if not plain outrageous; it makes this story especially poignant. It involves Marcello's love for Eric and his desire to be the best friend he can be which also involves watching out for Tim. Knowing the strange but loving dynamics of the relationship between Tim and Eric, Marcello is grateful that if it can't be him that Eric loves, then at least he has someone close to him who truly cares.
Something Like Hearts
Kelly and Nathaniel are perusing a contract for a project Marcello is cooking up. After months of misunderstandings, conflict, and separation, they have finally gotten on the same page and are now engaged. Kelly's modeling days are behind him; now his focus is on photography. But leave it to Marcello to maneuver his way into convincing Kelly that no one else could possibly be better for his latest project, one that involves happy gay couples. Reluctantly, Kelly agrees but instantly regrets it when he finds out who his “partner in the shoot is: Cameron Herman, Kelly's biggest nemesis and all-around conceited pain in the butt. Being the trooper he is, Kelly stoically endures the shoot. Shortly after beginning, something mysterious goes wrong. Cameron suddenly becomes ill and Nathaniel has to stand in for more than just his partner in the photographs.
Although predicable, considering Marcello's hand in it, the ending was a pleasant surprise. It showcased Marcello, Nathaniel, and Kelly's personalities to a tee. I loved the descriptions of clothing and other details about the shoot. As “wicked” as Marcello is sometimes, once again, he shows that underneath, he is a die-hard romantic.
Something Like Shamrocks
Layne Jenkins is at the weekly gay youth meeting. Layne is lonely and hopes to find someone to be with at the group. He is so desperate that he comes off as obnoxious, which certainly doesn't get him far. There is a running animosity between him and another member, Katsu. During a group exercise on respect, he and Katsu end up paired with one another. Katsu begins to tease Layne about being all talk and no action and challenges him to prove himself by producing photographic evidence of him kissing seven men. The penalty for losing is exile from the group. Layne has no idea how to go about completing the task at hand. However, he searches the city for someone willing to take a picture of him kissing another man. Layne finds it's far more difficult than he had imagined it would be.
This story had some hilarious moments, as Layne continues on his quest to find someone to kiss him. It also has some sad instances. As time grows nearer to the end of the challenge, Layne becomes desperate to complete the task on hand. Through these circumstances, Layne begins to realize that getting some action is not all it is cracked up to be.
Something Like Bunnies
Jace Holden is writing an essay in high school about what he wants to be when he grows up. As always, Jace's mind is going in all kinds of directions at once, coming up with sometimes ridiculous professions. His mom comes in and announces that they are soon to have a guest, an exchange student from Italy. Gianni turns out to be more than they bargained for. He is a handsome man in his early twenties with a thick accent and the familiar double-cheek kiss greeting which is a surprise to Jace and his family. Gianni's English slip-ups, such as “donkey” for “dog” and “sky scratchers” for “sky scrapers”, that Jace graciously corrects are endearing. Yet, Gianni is so different not only in how he talks, but in his clothes and other attitudes Gianni exudes sensuality. Jace is thrown into conflict because he's turned on by another man. When Gianni tells Jace that he wants him to come to Italy, it stirs something inside of him. He realizes that he's far more attached to Gianni than he expected and doesn't know what to do about it.
I'd never thought of a pre-gay Jace so I had to backpedal a bit. I'd also never considered that he had ever loved anyone but Victor and, later, Ben of course. Finding out that Gianni was the first one to steal Jace's heart was enlightening.
Something Like Flowers
Now that Ben and Tim have officially adopted him, this year will be Jason Grant's first Mother's Day to celebrate. Being raised in the foster system, he' hasn't had a real mother to honor. Seeing all the happy families around him makes Jason profoundly sad. In order to help Jason, Michelle takes it upon herself to find where Jason's mother is buried, hoping it will help bring him a sense of closure. For the first time in twenty years, Jason has a place to visit his mom.
Jason has always been a sad character for me. I loved that Ben and Tim took him in, albeit with a little help from Jace on the other side, but for a long time, Jason seemed destined to be alone. Michelle's gesture made a world of difference for him. It helped Jason put the past behind him and have a brighter outlook about the future.
Something Like Memories
A conversation with a couple who are clients at the gallery triggers a long-standing issue in Tim's mind. What date is his anniversary with Ben? He goes to the only person he thinks will be able to clarify it, Allyson. During the conversation, Allyson lets slip that Ben kept a diary and that that would hold a clue as to what date to pick. Against her better judgement, she finds Ben's diary and gives it to Tim to read. Having access to Ben's most private thoughts sends Tim back to when he and Ben first met and a myriad of feelings come with it.
This was a very sentimental story reminding me of better times in Ben and Tim's life. It reminds me that true love never dies.
Something Like Sparks
Harold is contemplating a letter his mom read to his dad every year about what makes a perfect husband. He and his boyfriend Calvin are headed to his parents’ cottage for a vacation. They came from totally different backgrounds but it doesn't stand in their way of being together. Harold is trying to decide whether or not to propose, using his mom's letter as a guide. He compares Calvin to his mom's ideals and he seems to be matching every one. Harold loves Calvin so much that sometimes he can't breathe and wants to be with him forever but things don't always turn out the way we want them to.
Although I learned a lot more about Harold and Calvin, particularly why Harold is gun shy about a relationship, this was a very depressing story with a sad ending. It's my least favorite of them all.
Something Like Sun
After some time and a lot of soul searching Jason is on his way to visit William. William hurt him badly when he chose his job over being with Jason, but the fact is, Jason still loves him and is willing to forgive and forget. William is grateful that Jason has decided to come because he loves Jason as well. It is not an easy thing to leave him and go halfway across the country to continue his job of search and rescue, but, this time, William hopes that Jason will want to stay. But doing so, Jason will have to give up Ben and Tim and all his friends. He doesn't know if he is ready to do that.
I was happy to read this story because I was sad when I read Jason and William's story in the series. Although I don't know if I am a big enough person to do what Jason did, I admire him for following his heart.
Something Like Cake
It's Caesar’s birthday and he's all set on celebrating it with Mia, a woman he recently met in a speed dating event. Since Mia mentioned to Caesar that she likes guys who like guys, Caesar decides the perfect way to celebrate it would be to have a threesome. When Mia arrives, she is appalled at the idea. The truth is, he's a different kind of person. After a conversation with Marcello, Caesar comes to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with his polygamous tendencies; the problem is, he has not been honest about his preference, which has caused a lot of heartache to people romantically involved with him.
I don’t like Caesar but it's possibly because I don't understand him. This story attempts to explain how he thinks and feels and that his intention is not to be selfish or hurtful, it's just that he thinks differently than I do.
Something Like Braaains
It is Halloween night and Ben and Tim are all ready for the trick or treaters, but the weather is not. It's terrible out there and Tim tells Ben no one is going to come and he will probably end up eating most of the candy. Ben, the eternal optimist, declares that they will still visit even though the weather is rough. They “celebrate” by cuddling up on the couch with Chinchilla and watching Jason's favorite movie “Night of the Living Dead'. Much later, the doorbell rings. Tim opens it to see a drenched werewolf who says trick-or-treat. Their visitor's name is Victor and he has an odd story about breaking down a few miles from there. Things continue to get really strange and scary for the rest of the night.
This story was an original way to include Victor, Jace, and Ryan into a spooky Halloween story; one that seems so real that I had to wonder what was going on.
Something Like Samson
From the moment he is born, Samson is aware of everything around him, especially the humans in his life and the impact that they have on him. He makes observations about all the humans he lives with and that even when they are happy they are rarely satisfied. He feels the emotions of all of them and tries, in his kitty way, to sort through it all and figure them out. Sampson is very adaptable, especially for a cat. Sampson has many people and experiences in his life, but is happiest with Jace who he decides must be a “mother” because he takes such good care of everyone.
My heart was heavy all through this story, partly because Sampson had so much wisdom to impart to his people, but they couldn't hear him. Life was a lot simpler than they were making it and he wished he could do more to make them happy. The ending, although it gutted me, was absolutely perfect.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Something Like Infinity gives a deeper look into Senor Ross Langdon, the English teacher at Ben and Tim's high school and the challenges presented to him as a gay man 1997. He could be fired for being gay, but he stretches his influence in order to keep them out of trouble. Officer Adler of the local police comes to question him about a rash of fires that have recently been set. Officer Adler is asking Senor Langdon because he saw someone who he thought may be a suspect, yelled at him in Spanish. Ross is not happy that he's being asked to give the officer a list of names of students who trust him and thinks about this long and hard. Ultimately, he comes up with a way to prevent further fires, saving the culprit from being identified as well as, finding companionship for himself.
Although Senor Langdon does appear in one of the Something Like stories, little is known about him. This story fills me in on his life and loyalty and concern for his students. It also gives me a better idea about how a gay man lived at that time and how lonely it could be.
Something Like Turkey takes place one Thanksgiving when Ben decides to cook for his group of friends. Although Allyson offers help, Ben refuses. Cooking dinner for them is his way of letting him know how thankful he is for every one of them. The problem is, Ben seriously underestimates the amount of work, timing, and skill it takes to pull off a full course meal like the one he is planning. Reading about it in cookbooks and actually doing it are quite different. Finally, after several things go wrong, Ben asks for Allyson's help; meanwhile all his guests are waiting for the feast, blissfully ignorant to his plight. Allyson tries her best, but the meal is too far gone to “rescue”.
I really sympathized with Ben and his desire to show his friends how much he loved them by cooking a wonderful meal for them to enjoy. I've done it many years and even as an experienced cook have problems getting everything just right. Ben's heart was in the right place, but it wasn't necessary for him to prove he could feed his friends. The important thing was that they had each other. That, not Ben's cooking skills, is what is most important.
Something like Ornaments
Ben is reminiscing about Jace and Christmases past. Even though he and Tim are finally back together, the holiday is bittersweet. While decorating the Christmas tree, Ben pulls out seven of the ugliest ornaments Tim has ever seen. It turns out that Jace had purchased one every year he and Ben were together. When Tim tries to console Ben, by buying an ornament from the same artist and presenting it to Ben as an anniversary gift, it backfires on him in a huge way.
This story made me cry buckets. Any mention of Jace makes me cry for that matter. What Jace and Ben had was so special, virtually incomparable to what he could ever have with anyone else, even Tim. Some memories can't be duplicated and the goofy ornaments were a perfect example of one.
Something Like Champagne
At a New Years’ gala, Marcello thinks about Tim and how he fit into Eric's life. The story gives us more information about Tim and their relationship as well as how Marcello felt about Eric. As usual, Marcello doesn't play by the rules and, in an effort to retain something from a safe in Eric's former home, they end up in jail, ending any hope of a New Year's kiss from Ben.
Usually, stories about Marcello are light-hearted, if not plain outrageous; it makes this story especially poignant. It involves Marcello's love for Eric and his desire to be the best friend he can be which also involves watching out for Tim. Knowing the strange but loving dynamics of the relationship between Tim and Eric, Marcello is grateful that if it can't be him that Eric loves, then at least he has someone close to him who truly cares.
Something Like Hearts
Kelly and Nathaniel are perusing a contract for a project Marcello is cooking up. After months of misunderstandings, conflict, and separation, they have finally gotten on the same page and are now engaged. Kelly's modeling days are behind him; now his focus is on photography. But leave it to Marcello to maneuver his way into convincing Kelly that no one else could possibly be better for his latest project, one that involves happy gay couples. Reluctantly, Kelly agrees but instantly regrets it when he finds out who his “partner in the shoot is: Cameron Herman, Kelly's biggest nemesis and all-around conceited pain in the butt. Being the trooper he is, Kelly stoically endures the shoot. Shortly after beginning, something mysterious goes wrong. Cameron suddenly becomes ill and Nathaniel has to stand in for more than just his partner in the photographs.
Although predicable, considering Marcello's hand in it, the ending was a pleasant surprise. It showcased Marcello, Nathaniel, and Kelly's personalities to a tee. I loved the descriptions of clothing and other details about the shoot. As “wicked” as Marcello is sometimes, once again, he shows that underneath, he is a die-hard romantic.
Something Like Shamrocks
Layne Jenkins is at the weekly gay youth meeting. Layne is lonely and hopes to find someone to be with at the group. He is so desperate that he comes off as obnoxious, which certainly doesn't get him far. There is a running animosity between him and another member, Katsu. During a group exercise on respect, he and Katsu end up paired with one another. Katsu begins to tease Layne about being all talk and no action and challenges him to prove himself by producing photographic evidence of him kissing seven men. The penalty for losing is exile from the group. Layne has no idea how to go about completing the task at hand. However, he searches the city for someone willing to take a picture of him kissing another man. Layne finds it's far more difficult than he had imagined it would be.
This story had some hilarious moments, as Layne continues on his quest to find someone to kiss him. It also has some sad instances. As time grows nearer to the end of the challenge, Layne becomes desperate to complete the task on hand. Through these circumstances, Layne begins to realize that getting some action is not all it is cracked up to be.
Something Like Bunnies
Jace Holden is writing an essay in high school about what he wants to be when he grows up. As always, Jace's mind is going in all kinds of directions at once, coming up with sometimes ridiculous professions. His mom comes in and announces that they are soon to have a guest, an exchange student from Italy. Gianni turns out to be more than they bargained for. He is a handsome man in his early twenties with a thick accent and the familiar double-cheek kiss greeting which is a surprise to Jace and his family. Gianni's English slip-ups, such as “donkey” for “dog” and “sky scratchers” for “sky scrapers”, that Jace graciously corrects are endearing. Yet, Gianni is so different not only in how he talks, but in his clothes and other attitudes Gianni exudes sensuality. Jace is thrown into conflict because he's turned on by another man. When Gianni tells Jace that he wants him to come to Italy, it stirs something inside of him. He realizes that he's far more attached to Gianni than he expected and doesn't know what to do about it.
I'd never thought of a pre-gay Jace so I had to backpedal a bit. I'd also never considered that he had ever loved anyone but Victor and, later, Ben of course. Finding out that Gianni was the first one to steal Jace's heart was enlightening.
Something Like Flowers
Now that Ben and Tim have officially adopted him, this year will be Jason Grant's first Mother's Day to celebrate. Being raised in the foster system, he' hasn't had a real mother to honor. Seeing all the happy families around him makes Jason profoundly sad. In order to help Jason, Michelle takes it upon herself to find where Jason's mother is buried, hoping it will help bring him a sense of closure. For the first time in twenty years, Jason has a place to visit his mom.
Jason has always been a sad character for me. I loved that Ben and Tim took him in, albeit with a little help from Jace on the other side, but for a long time, Jason seemed destined to be alone. Michelle's gesture made a world of difference for him. It helped Jason put the past behind him and have a brighter outlook about the future.
Something Like Memories
A conversation with a couple who are clients at the gallery triggers a long-standing issue in Tim's mind. What date is his anniversary with Ben? He goes to the only person he thinks will be able to clarify it, Allyson. During the conversation, Allyson lets slip that Ben kept a diary and that that would hold a clue as to what date to pick. Against her better judgement, she finds Ben's diary and gives it to Tim to read. Having access to Ben's most private thoughts sends Tim back to when he and Ben first met and a myriad of feelings come with it.
This was a very sentimental story reminding me of better times in Ben and Tim's life. It reminds me that true love never dies.
Something Like Sparks
Harold is contemplating a letter his mom read to his dad every year about what makes a perfect husband. He and his boyfriend Calvin are headed to his parents’ cottage for a vacation. They came from totally different backgrounds but it doesn't stand in their way of being together. Harold is trying to decide whether or not to propose, using his mom's letter as a guide. He compares Calvin to his mom's ideals and he seems to be matching every one. Harold loves Calvin so much that sometimes he can't breathe and wants to be with him forever but things don't always turn out the way we want them to.
Although I learned a lot more about Harold and Calvin, particularly why Harold is gun shy about a relationship, this was a very depressing story with a sad ending. It's my least favorite of them all.
Something Like Sun
After some time and a lot of soul searching Jason is on his way to visit William. William hurt him badly when he chose his job over being with Jason, but the fact is, Jason still loves him and is willing to forgive and forget. William is grateful that Jason has decided to come because he loves Jason as well. It is not an easy thing to leave him and go halfway across the country to continue his job of search and rescue, but, this time, William hopes that Jason will want to stay. But doing so, Jason will have to give up Ben and Tim and all his friends. He doesn't know if he is ready to do that.
I was happy to read this story because I was sad when I read Jason and William's story in the series. Although I don't know if I am a big enough person to do what Jason did, I admire him for following his heart.
Something Like Cake
It's Caesar’s birthday and he's all set on celebrating it with Mia, a woman he recently met in a speed dating event. Since Mia mentioned to Caesar that she likes guys who like guys, Caesar decides the perfect way to celebrate it would be to have a threesome. When Mia arrives, she is appalled at the idea. The truth is, he's a different kind of person. After a conversation with Marcello, Caesar comes to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with his polygamous tendencies; the problem is, he has not been honest about his preference, which has caused a lot of heartache to people romantically involved with him.
I don’t like Caesar but it's possibly because I don't understand him. This story attempts to explain how he thinks and feels and that his intention is not to be selfish or hurtful, it's just that he thinks differently than I do.
Something Like Braaains
It is Halloween night and Ben and Tim are all ready for the trick or treaters, but the weather is not. It's terrible out there and Tim tells Ben no one is going to come and he will probably end up eating most of the candy. Ben, the eternal optimist, declares that they will still visit even though the weather is rough. They “celebrate” by cuddling up on the couch with Chinchilla and watching Jason's favorite movie “Night of the Living Dead'. Much later, the doorbell rings. Tim opens it to see a drenched werewolf who says trick-or-treat. Their visitor's name is Victor and he has an odd story about breaking down a few miles from there. Things continue to get really strange and scary for the rest of the night.
This story was an original way to include Victor, Jace, and Ryan into a spooky Halloween story; one that seems so real that I had to wonder what was going on.
Something Like Samson
From the moment he is born, Samson is aware of everything around him, especially the humans in his life and the impact that they have on him. He makes observations about all the humans he lives with and that even when they are happy they are rarely satisfied. He feels the emotions of all of them and tries, in his kitty way, to sort through it all and figure them out. Sampson is very adaptable, especially for a cat. Sampson has many people and experiences in his life, but is happiest with Jace who he decides must be a “mother” because he takes such good care of everyone.
My heart was heavy all through this story, partly because Sampson had so much wisdom to impart to his people, but they couldn't hear him. Life was a lot simpler than they were making it and he wished he could do more to make them happy. The ending, although it gutted me, was absolutely perfect.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
I liked this better than I've liked all the individual full length novels I've read lol. It had less gratuitous angst, and I absolutely adored the story from Samson's POV.
I liked this better than I've liked all the individual full length novels I've read lol. It had less gratuitous angst, and I absolutely adored the story from Samson's POV.
April 9, 2017
Something Like Stories Volume 2 is an essential read for anyone who loves Jay Bell's Something Like characters. They are all here: Ben, Tim, Jace, Victor, Jason, Kelly, Nathaniel, Caesar, Marcello, Layne, and even Senor Langdon. My favorite of the stories was Something Like Samson which was told through the eyes of Samson the cat. This particular story was heartfelt and touching. It was as hilarious as it was heartbreaking. That Samson had a very eventful life, and he has such an interesting view of some of the relationships in the series. I have always said that Jay knows how to get into the minds of his characters. The fact that he can think like a cat proves this point.
Every story in this collection tells us more about the epic characters that are brought to life throughout the Something Like Series. Each one is a great read. It is a fantastic addition to my favorite series.
Every story in this collection tells us more about the epic characters that are brought to life throughout the Something Like Series. Each one is a great read. It is a fantastic addition to my favorite series.
May 19, 2021
I didn't like this book as much as the first, maybe because there were too many short stories compared to the first; or maybe because of some cheesy or predictable stories; or Jason and Will's confusing, fragmentary story, besides being too soon (it could easily have been added to Rain).
However, an unanimous opinion, I guess, is how beautiful and emotional Something Like Samson was. No other story in all the books in this series made me cry as much as this one. I love symbolisms, and the ones used in this story hit me hard and deep. This was definitely the highlight of the book for me, and definitely one of my favourites of the whole series.
However, an unanimous opinion, I guess, is how beautiful and emotional Something Like Samson was. No other story in all the books in this series made me cry as much as this one. I love symbolisms, and the ones used in this story hit me hard and deep. This was definitely the highlight of the book for me, and definitely one of my favourites of the whole series.
December 4, 2022
Such a great read! I really enjoyed seeing more of these characters and reading their stories.
Something Like Infinity ★★★☆☆: Story about the Spanish class substitute teacher, Ross Langdon, and the officer looking into the arsons. It was cute It was disorienting to see Ben and Tim as teenagers again.
Something Like Turkey ★★★★☆: The side story about the Thanksgiving mentioned in Rain. Not much to the story, but I liked reading Ben's POV again.
Something Like Ornaments ★★★★★: Ben's story about Jace's Christmas ornaments during and after their relationship. I want to see the cat ornaments. I miss Jace too.
Something Like Champagne ★★★☆☆: Marcello's story about Eric and their love for each other. It was sweet.
Something Like Hearts ★★★★☆: Kelly and Nathaniel not celebrating Valentine's day but still being romantic. So cheesy.
Something Like Shamrocks ★★☆☆☆: Layne's story about a bet he makes with someone from the gay youth group. It was okay. Pretty predictable.
Something Like Bunnies ★★★★☆: Young Jace's story about his first crush on an exchange student from Italy. I liked seeing Jace as a kid. It was cute. Also explains why he speaks Italian.
Something Like Flowers ★★★★★: Jason's story about how he decided to celebrate Mother's day. It was so beautifully written. I love how Jason has a family now!
Something Like Memories ★★★★★: Tim's story about finding an anniversary date for him and Ben. It felt so nostalgic.
Something Like Sparks ★★★★☆: Harold's story about his grand finale with Calvin. Bittersweet story.
Something Like Sun ★★★★★: Jason's story about his visit to Astoria to see William. So sweet, but I need more of this one! It ends without answering questions, so it'll probably continue in Forever.
Something Like Cake ★★★☆☆: Caesar's story about his relationship with Mia and meeting Marcello. I didn't think I could end up feeling for Caesar, but here we are.
Something Like Braaaains ★★★★★: This was so good! I can't say much without giving too much away. Read it to the end!
Something Like Samson ★★★★★: Started off slow, but I enjoyed Samson's life story and his perspective on the things that happened. It ended up being really cute and heartbreaking. Loved it!
Something Like Infinity ★★★☆☆: Story about the Spanish class substitute teacher, Ross Langdon, and the officer looking into the arsons. It was cute It was disorienting to see Ben and Tim as teenagers again.
Something Like Turkey ★★★★☆: The side story about the Thanksgiving mentioned in Rain. Not much to the story, but I liked reading Ben's POV again.
Something Like Ornaments ★★★★★: Ben's story about Jace's Christmas ornaments during and after their relationship. I want to see the cat ornaments. I miss Jace too.
Something Like Champagne ★★★☆☆: Marcello's story about Eric and their love for each other. It was sweet.
Something Like Hearts ★★★★☆: Kelly and Nathaniel not celebrating Valentine's day but still being romantic. So cheesy.
Something Like Shamrocks ★★☆☆☆: Layne's story about a bet he makes with someone from the gay youth group. It was okay. Pretty predictable.
Something Like Bunnies ★★★★☆: Young Jace's story about his first crush on an exchange student from Italy. I liked seeing Jace as a kid. It was cute. Also explains why he speaks Italian.
Something Like Flowers ★★★★★: Jason's story about how he decided to celebrate Mother's day. It was so beautifully written. I love how Jason has a family now!
Something Like Memories ★★★★★: Tim's story about finding an anniversary date for him and Ben. It felt so nostalgic.
Something Like Sparks ★★★★☆: Harold's story about his grand finale with Calvin. Bittersweet story.
Something Like Sun ★★★★★: Jason's story about his visit to Astoria to see William. So sweet, but I need more of this one! It ends without answering questions, so it'll probably continue in Forever.
Something Like Cake ★★★☆☆: Caesar's story about his relationship with Mia and meeting Marcello. I didn't think I could end up feeling for Caesar, but here we are.
Something Like Braaaains ★★★★★: This was so good! I can't say much without giving too much away. Read it to the end!
Something Like Samson ★★★★★: Started off slow, but I enjoyed Samson's life story and his perspective on the things that happened. It ended up being really cute and heartbreaking. Loved it!
August 13, 2025
Ok… I was about to give this three stars but Jay Bell is a tricky little devil and I love him too much to do that. I adore the stories because they fill the other books in the series with even more:
* I love that Marcelo got his own story! One he is the one plus size character in the series, he also just so freakin lovable!
* Jason and William are my favorite characters… I adore Ben, Tim, and Jace but Jason and William just do it for me so much more, so the fact that they got their own stories again made me very happy!
However, along with the good always comes the bad and the “What did I just read:
* I’m very over Kelly. I wish I could like him but I just can’t, and I’m kinda pissed he got a happy ending. That’s horrible for me to say but Nathaniel has terrible taste in men… which leads me to Cesar.
* Did Cesar need his own story? No. I’m all for polyamory, I mean you do you, but it doesn’t justify him cheating over and over and over again. BUT I have to give it Jay Bell for not giving him a “happy ending”.
* Can we please through Harold a bone?! The poor guy has been through enough and i love him! Please tell me he at least gets something good in the next books?!
* The heaven/afterlife thing is a bit weird, yet kinda comforting at time… but the Halloween story?! Jace as a zombie and Victor as a werewolf?! A bit to much for me, fun, but a bit much.
* Last but not least, a cliffhanger?! On my two favorite charters?! WTF?! I’m not truly mad or upset bc I have a feeling my beloved Jason and William’s story will have a conclusion on the next few books… BUT I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!
Anyways, I love me some Jay Bell and some Something Like ANYTHING, so four stars are well deserved even with my own options and reservations.
* I love that Marcelo got his own story! One he is the one plus size character in the series, he also just so freakin lovable!
* Jason and William are my favorite characters… I adore Ben, Tim, and Jace but Jason and William just do it for me so much more, so the fact that they got their own stories again made me very happy!
However, along with the good always comes the bad and the “What did I just read:
* I’m very over Kelly. I wish I could like him but I just can’t, and I’m kinda pissed he got a happy ending. That’s horrible for me to say but Nathaniel has terrible taste in men… which leads me to Cesar.
* Did Cesar need his own story? No. I’m all for polyamory, I mean you do you, but it doesn’t justify him cheating over and over and over again. BUT I have to give it Jay Bell for not giving him a “happy ending”.
* Can we please through Harold a bone?! The poor guy has been through enough and i love him! Please tell me he at least gets something good in the next books?!
* The heaven/afterlife thing is a bit weird, yet kinda comforting at time… but the Halloween story?! Jace as a zombie and Victor as a werewolf?! A bit to much for me, fun, but a bit much.
* Last but not least, a cliffhanger?! On my two favorite charters?! WTF?! I’m not truly mad or upset bc I have a feeling my beloved Jason and William’s story will have a conclusion on the next few books… BUT I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!
Anyways, I love me some Jay Bell and some Something Like ANYTHING, so four stars are well deserved even with my own options and reservations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
A classic Jay Bell book, complete with stories that fill the blanks of a couple of missed opportunities in previous books. Heartfelt, fun, sweet and necessary. Again, it was clear the depth of character development that Jay has achieved over all of these books, and you feel like you know the characters so much so, that when you get to a new 'chapter' you can't wait to find out whose POV you are getting to read from next, getting a little bit more insight into their lives.
I just want to touch on the sweetest chapter of all, and that was the final chapter, Samson. This was a big surprise, one that was absolutely welcomed. Being a cat lover myself, I could totally relate to this chapter and I thought it was perfectly executed. It reminded me a bit of 'the travelling cat chronicles' in the way it was written which was done beautifully. It really makes you think of how important pets are in our lives and just how much we mean to them, I found it heartbreaking but also empowering. I guess in a way, I had forgotten all the loss that Samson had to deal with, and how much the cat actually went through, which is more than some of us have to go through in all our lives. It was as if Jay knew he would write this chapter from the very beginning, making sure Samson got the hero edit he deserved. The ending had me bawling tears of happiness and sadness, it was a bitter sweet moment, and it stayed with me long after the book was over.
I just want to touch on the sweetest chapter of all, and that was the final chapter, Samson. This was a big surprise, one that was absolutely welcomed. Being a cat lover myself, I could totally relate to this chapter and I thought it was perfectly executed. It reminded me a bit of 'the travelling cat chronicles' in the way it was written which was done beautifully. It really makes you think of how important pets are in our lives and just how much we mean to them, I found it heartbreaking but also empowering. I guess in a way, I had forgotten all the loss that Samson had to deal with, and how much the cat actually went through, which is more than some of us have to go through in all our lives. It was as if Jay knew he would write this chapter from the very beginning, making sure Samson got the hero edit he deserved. The ending had me bawling tears of happiness and sadness, it was a bitter sweet moment, and it stayed with me long after the book was over.
August 23, 2018
Is it the end of an Era? No. Like the end of many an all absorbing TV series this end to the "Something Like..." books was more of a whimper than a roar.
While being an enjoyable revisit with the characters and context of the main works, this selection of short stories was in no way essential for the canon, or for the most part, even valuable additions like the first set of short stories (Volume 1 reviewed earlier). Though familiarity with that series is essential to this set of short stories, and they will make no sense at all without that fore knowledge.
The use of a year's worth of festive events offers a tenuous (at best) flow collecting these works that are from the sublime (take a cat's eye view in the last story) to ridiculous (like the obligatory Halloween episode).
For any fan of the "Something Like..." books or other works by Jay Bell, the writing makes for an good read; but there was a final sense that these works were a rushed-at-the-last-moment collection; as compared to a publisher's editing floor collection that was the first volume.
While being an enjoyable revisit with the characters and context of the main works, this selection of short stories was in no way essential for the canon, or for the most part, even valuable additions like the first set of short stories (Volume 1 reviewed earlier). Though familiarity with that series is essential to this set of short stories, and they will make no sense at all without that fore knowledge.
The use of a year's worth of festive events offers a tenuous (at best) flow collecting these works that are from the sublime (take a cat's eye view in the last story) to ridiculous (like the obligatory Halloween episode).
For any fan of the "Something Like..." books or other works by Jay Bell, the writing makes for an good read; but there was a final sense that these works were a rushed-at-the-last-moment collection; as compared to a publisher's editing floor collection that was the first volume.
June 3, 2017
I love these books by Jay Bell that are little snippets into the characters that were hinted at but not completely told. There were a few that I would have liked to have been longer. I'm still not sure about William and Jason, their life seems so up in the air with nothing actually settled. The halloween story was crazy good LOL. I love when Jace and Victor are together and enjoying each other again, even if in this story it was at Tim's expense. The last story about Samson was my favorite, who would think a story from a cats pov could be so good but it is. I am really going to miss these characters.
November 17, 2017
The world Jay Bell has created is so rich that I love getting to spend any amount of time back in there that I can. Not all of the stories hit me but they are all well written. I’m interested to see if the Noah character, from the Lane short story, is the same as in the newest novel. I admit, the last story, Something Like Samson, told from his perspective, made me burst into tears and hug my very confused and very asleep dog. It was amazing but painful to relive the tragedies through the eyes of Samson.
I look forward to more tales from the Something Like series and never want them to end.
I look forward to more tales from the Something Like series and never want them to end.
April 25, 2017
I have previously read and reviewed most of the stories in this collection in individual offerings. Two new are included. Something Like Infinity is a bit too cheesy for my liking, and all too predictable. The other, Something Like Samson is perfect. Who knew a cat's perspective could be so emotional? Honestly, knowing where the story went, I had no doubt I would be a mess. Reuniting with Jace again was the perfect ending.
October 27, 2020
I have to say Something Like Sun is my favorite because Jason was figuring out what to do. Continue living near his dads, or start a new adventure with William. If I could speak to Jason, I would say this, family is forever and no matter where you are, family is always with you. Go start your next chapter with William.
October 2, 2023
The Something Like Stories are quickly becoming my favorites of the series. Getting individual glimpses of life from the different characters Bell has created only deepens the richness and beauty of the small world these characters exist within. There are several wonderful short stories that highlight moments from our favorite couples, but three stories really spoke to me.
The opening story, "Something Like Infinity," was a super cute and fun story focusing on peripheral characters. Ross, a substitute Spanish teacher, and Richard, an ambitious officer, team up to find the student responsible for the string of many small fires in the community. This unlikely duo has great chemistry, and Ross really shines here as someone concerned about the well-being of his students, even if it means losing the opportunity to pursue a meaningful relationship. The timeline for this story in the Something Like... universe is also just very illuminating when you understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
The next story, "Something Like Cake," provided a fascinating encounter between Caesar and Marcello. Caesar has always been a mysterious sort of character for me, as he is significant in many of the mainline stories. I'm honestly shocked we never got a book focused on him and his experiences. Nonetheless, I found myself smiling through most of this story and the conversation had by Caesar and Marcello. Two kindred spirits, both at wildly different points in their life, but able to enjoy each others company and come away with something. Marcello is a top tier character, and easily one of my favorites I've ever read. This one was just a lot of fun, and you get some insights on Caesar that we otherwise probably would never have experienced.
Finally, the heartbreaker, "Something Like Samson." I was not ready for this. I did not expect to be so emotional reliving events through the perspective of a cat. This story was beautiful, painting the perfect picture of how happy and hard life can be and how it does not just effect one being at time. Samson has a delightfully funny voice and understanding of the world. It was perfect. Everything from his littermates to Chinchilla, I did not want it to end. Having been such an ever-present part of the Ben/Jace chronicles, I never really thought of how this point of view would come across, yet, it was the most honest and loving depiction of all these characters. A truly touching story and a sublime way of telling it.
The opening story, "Something Like Infinity," was a super cute and fun story focusing on peripheral characters. Ross, a substitute Spanish teacher, and Richard, an ambitious officer, team up to find the student responsible for the string of many small fires in the community. This unlikely duo has great chemistry, and Ross really shines here as someone concerned about the well-being of his students, even if it means losing the opportunity to pursue a meaningful relationship. The timeline for this story in the Something Like... universe is also just very illuminating when you understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
The next story, "Something Like Cake," provided a fascinating encounter between Caesar and Marcello. Caesar has always been a mysterious sort of character for me, as he is significant in many of the mainline stories. I'm honestly shocked we never got a book focused on him and his experiences. Nonetheless, I found myself smiling through most of this story and the conversation had by Caesar and Marcello. Two kindred spirits, both at wildly different points in their life, but able to enjoy each others company and come away with something. Marcello is a top tier character, and easily one of my favorites I've ever read. This one was just a lot of fun, and you get some insights on Caesar that we otherwise probably would never have experienced.
Finally, the heartbreaker, "Something Like Samson." I was not ready for this. I did not expect to be so emotional reliving events through the perspective of a cat. This story was beautiful, painting the perfect picture of how happy and hard life can be and how it does not just effect one being at time. Samson has a delightfully funny voice and understanding of the world. It was perfect. Everything from his littermates to Chinchilla, I did not want it to end. Having been such an ever-present part of the Ben/Jace chronicles, I never really thought of how this point of view would come across, yet, it was the most honest and loving depiction of all these characters. A truly touching story and a sublime way of telling it.
April 28, 2023
Wonderful Collection of Short Stories From "Something Like" Series
I am giving this collection 5 stars, even though the stories go from good to brilliant. The best are "Something Like Flowers" which deals with Jason's search for his mother's grave - beautifully written by Mr. Bell. "Something Like Sun" deals with Jason's two week visit with William in Astoria with a most touching ambiguous ending. The masterpiece in this anthology is "Something Like Samson" that covers the life of Samson the cat from kitten to his life with his siblings, Victor, Jace, Ben, and then Ben and Tim. I cannot express in words how magnificent this story is and so moving! Thank you Mr. Bell for your great writing!
I am giving this collection 5 stars, even though the stories go from good to brilliant. The best are "Something Like Flowers" which deals with Jason's search for his mother's grave - beautifully written by Mr. Bell. "Something Like Sun" deals with Jason's two week visit with William in Astoria with a most touching ambiguous ending. The masterpiece in this anthology is "Something Like Samson" that covers the life of Samson the cat from kitten to his life with his siblings, Victor, Jace, Ben, and then Ben and Tim. I cannot express in words how magnificent this story is and so moving! Thank you Mr. Bell for your great writing!
January 5, 2021
I really loved this volume of short stories! They are short an really fun to read. You get all sort of emotions with each one, and even get to experience some points of view from characters you wouldn’t get the opportunity otherwise. Something like shamrock was a really pleasant surprise from a character that I never really cared for... however, this story is like a full-on rom-com in the best of ways!! Something like sparks broke my heart, something like flowers was a rollercoaster for the heart, something like bunnies was beautiful, something like sun left me in the edge of my seat and something like Samson... well, that one is just incredibly special.
February 5, 2023
This was OK. Nothing great, but OK. A couple of the stories were touching, including the long one about Samson at the end of the book. One story was intended as a comedy and it worked surprisingly well (the one about the bet). Of the rest, most were OK and a couple were dry but readable. Only one of them was terrible, which was the Halloween story. That is easily the worst thing I have ever read by this author, and I've read a lot by him.
I had the usual problem that I don't really remember who these ppl are or what their stories are. I am not a fan of this series in that sense. But I remembered enough to understand and enjoy it.
I had the usual problem that I don't really remember who these ppl are or what their stories are. I am not a fan of this series in that sense. But I remembered enough to understand and enjoy it.
May 7, 2020
The further I get with this series, the more I’ve come to seriously appreciate Jay’s incredible imagination. I mean honestly where does he come up with half of the clever twists and connections that we see in these books. I just adore these characters and I really enjoyed reading further. I’m not normally a fan of short stories but I did really enjoy this, especially the one from Samson’s point of view (ingenious!). Definitely don’t skip this if you’re unsure whether to read the short story collections, it would be such a mistake.
September 15, 2020
Can I give it 10 stars
If you have been reading along in the series of Something books then this will be a welcome pause. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes and telling you how great this book is. Even if you have not read the series this book will easily stand in its own. It’s just made better when you know all the characters. I honestly feel like reading it again and I am sure I will after I finish the other books in the series. Read with confidence you will enjoy.
If you have been reading along in the series of Something books then this will be a welcome pause. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes and telling you how great this book is. Even if you have not read the series this book will easily stand in its own. It’s just made better when you know all the characters. I honestly feel like reading it again and I am sure I will after I finish the other books in the series. Read with confidence you will enjoy.
November 19, 2018
Thanks Jay Bell for another amazing journey through the lives of the characters who had been keeping me company for over a year.
This collection of stories has been one of my favourite books of the series. Like the other books, it made me feel a mixture of happiness, joy, sadness, nostalgia, and I hope one day I will have a wonderful family, like the characters of the book, with great determination, managed to have.
This collection of stories has been one of my favourite books of the series. Like the other books, it made me feel a mixture of happiness, joy, sadness, nostalgia, and I hope one day I will have a wonderful family, like the characters of the book, with great determination, managed to have.
August 21, 2018
Another piece of my heart has been stolen away by this extremely adorable, tearful, hilarious collection of short stories. Reading this feels like coming home. The series is coming to an end and it makes me so fucking sad so I need to stop talking now. If I say one more thing, I'm going to start bawling again.
August 21, 2024
Spoiler if you haven’t read the first 3 books yet!! If you have, then okay to keep reading
One of the best in the series, mainly the last chapter written as Sampson. I’m a vet and the way the first person perspective of the cat was done, brought me to tears and was awesome closure for the story of Jace. It was absolutely beautiful.
One of the best in the series, mainly the last chapter written as Sampson. I’m a vet and the way the first person perspective of the cat was done, brought me to tears and was awesome closure for the story of Jace. It was absolutely beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2017
I love this world
I can't get enough of this series. I'd love to be in their extended family. Each story adds more color to a beautiful painting that is Something Like... 5.0 just because.
I can't get enough of this series. I'd love to be in their extended family. Each story adds more color to a beautiful painting that is Something Like... 5.0 just because.
June 25, 2019
Another fantastic set of short stories. Wasn't a huge fan of the Halloween story, but the best was the last one, where the story arc of Jace, Ben and Tim was told through the eyes of Samson the cat. Even knowing the tragedies that were coming, the story still brought tears at least 3 times.
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