Something Like Stories: Volume Three

Something Like #12

by Jay Bell

Embark on a final trip through the Something Like… universe with this special collection of stories that promises heartwarming reunions and gut-wrenching closure.Something Like Stars playfully explores what would happen if someone made a movie about Ben, Tim, and Jace. Harold attempts to befriend Noah and Felix in Something Like Us, unrequited feelings challenging their relationship. Marcello prepares for the inevitable while revealing secrets from his past in Something Like Goodbye. And in Something Like Heaven, Ben must decide once and for all who his heart—and his future—belongs to.Eighteen stories await you, some short and sweet, others lengthy and dramatic, all of them emotional. Say farewell to old friends in this ultimate epilogue to the Something Like… series!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 intimate details, 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.

Genres: M M Romance, Fiction, LGBT, Gay, Short Stories, Romance, Audiobook

482 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2020

About the author

Jay 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.

Reviews

[Lee Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still not quite sure where to begin... the Something Like series has been a source of comfort for me, for many years. Through some of the lowest points in my life, and the happiest times too. When I read ‘Something Like Forever’, I was prepared for that to be the last in the series. But it felt like there was something missing.

When Something Like Stories Vol. 3 was announced, I realised that maybe I wasn’t the only one that thought so.

This final volume gives us so much closure on characters that we have loved from previous novels. From getting to see Harold, Felix and Noah work through their struggles with love and life in ‘Something Like Us’, allowing us a glimpse into Marcello’s movie about Ben and Tim in ‘Something Like Stars’. And even getting to see the real Marcello - “Friend, Father, Fiend”. The thing that really hit me with Marcello’s final story, was the love between him and Nathaniel - as father and son. Nathaniel’s character was always closed off, so to see him so emotionally raw, and willing to accept support from Tim just opened up a whole new realm to him.

Of course, ‘Something Like Heaven’ was incredible. Benjamin getting reunited with all those he had loved and lost. Finally getting to meet Victor. And seeing the dynamic between Benjamin, Tim and Jace develop as they adapted and settled into their new life in blissful eternity together, surrounded by endless love.

‘Something Like Forever’ gave us the glimpse of the characters happy ever after. And ‘Something Like Stories Vol. 3’ solidified that. I’m so glad that Jay Bell decided to delve into the ‘Something Like’ universe for one last time - because truly, this was the closure that the series really needed.

Jay Bell has created a world filled with the quirkiest of characters, the most devilish stories and an abundance of love, trust and understanding. One thing that I’ve taken away from every book in this series, is the fact that the characters and their stories stay with you. They translate into the world around us, and into our own lives. That is something so special, that not many authors have been able to accomplish.

This series helped me to shape my future. To help me pick myself up when I questioned it life was worth living, and to take a chance at love and happiness. It sounds silly, but sometimes when you’re at your lowest point - the simplest nudge can help you turn everything around.

Now that I’ve finished the series (and sobbed through a lot of it!), I’m already looking forward to delving back in at the start. Back to where it all began. I’ve re-read other books in the series over the years, and still not grown tired of them.

Honestly, if you haven’t read this series yet - do it. You won’t regret it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I’m not a huge short story fan & the first few stories in this collection were more like micro stories however the further in the longer they seemed to get with the last two being close to novellas. I’ll take what I can get though because I love these characters and will miss them.

[Mike Oaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spending a little more time with friends

There are so many characters in the Something Like... series. You’ll find nearly all of them in this book in some form. The big stories are Marcello, Tim, Ben, Jace, Harold, Felix and Noah.

4.25 for giving us more.


I’m still holding out for a full book with William and Jason adulting. C’mon Jay, make it happen. Jason had a crap childhood. He and William are born rescuers. Let’s read about their parenting skills and the kids they adopt.

[VVivacious · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of eighteen stories from the 'Something Like...' Series. I had read quite of few of these stories as a part of Patreon but I re-read all of them and was happy to find that there were six stories in here that were completely unique to me. So, that was amazing.

The stories as they appear in the book are as follows:

1. Something Like Home - Victor & Jace - ✰✰✰

2. Something Like Love - Tim & Ben - ✰✰✰

3. Something Like Friends - Jace & Greg - ✰✰✰✰1/2
I would like to say that Jace and Greg are the best best-friends to ever friend like these two are just so amazing together. Greg loves Jace like he really does and I'm forever thankful for these two because they showed me what looks like.

4. Something Like Vacation - Ben & Jace - ✰✰✰1/2

5. Something Like Enemies - Caesar - ✰✰

6. Something Like Then - Ben & Allison - ✰✰✰✰✰
This story was utterly heart-breaking but I also loved it so much.

7. Something Like Me - Emma - ✰✰✰✰✰
Emma is Michelle and Greg's daughter, Jace's niece and this is her story and I loved it. I really loved how the story unfolds and I really liked where it was going.

8. Something Like Bones - William & Jason - ✰✰✰✰
This is an amazingly funny story.

9. Something Like Spirits - Marcello & Eric - ✰✰✰✰✰
I love Marcello and Eric. This story is amazing. Also, can we talk about Nathaniel and Tim's reactions to Marcello fainting, like Nathaniel is all stoic and Tim, on the other hand, literally jumps into his bed, like that was so amusing and I loved it.

10. Something Like Snow - Tim & Ben - ✰✰✰✰

11. Something Like Pride - Kelly & Nathaniel - ✰✰✰✰

12. Something Like Her - William & Jason - ✰✰✰✰

13. Something Like Stars - Tim, Ben, Greg, Michelle, Allison & Marcello - ✰✰✰

14. Something Like Us - Harold, Felix & Noah - ✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰
I wish I could elaborate on how much I loved this one. But, I truly did, like when I set about rating it, I was like this is the best story in the collection, so now I have to give this five stars and then revise all the other ratings but that made no sense to me because this story is in a league of its own, so those ten stars are very much deserved.

I actually haven't encountered any of these characters before because they are in one of the two books in this series that I skipped but you be damn sure that oversight will be quickly amended.

When I started this story, I was overwhelmed by its size and by the fact that these weren't very familiar characters but as Felix falls for Harold so did I and it felt so natural. I really didn't know where this story was heading till it was pretty much there but I loved it. There was something crazy about Felix falling in love with Harold which felt monumental but at the same time as easy as breathing.

From then on this story was just spectacular. I had the most fun reading it and having these three come together was just amazing. In fact, the first thing I wanted to do as I finished this story was to find out more to read about these three but I had to resist so I could actually finish this book but I'm very very open to reading more about these three in the future if that is at all a possibility.

15. Something Like Him - Victor & Nathaniel - ✰✰✰✰✰

16. Something Like Family - Tim & Jason - ✰✰✰✰✰
This story is about common ground and Tim finds himself a little dismayed when he can't think of anything that he has in common with Jason, till they both find themselves embroiled in a search for it.

This story was so well written because I literally had no idea what the solution was because I had apparently forgotten everything about Tim and Jason, which made this story that much sweeter.

17. Something Like Goodbye - Tim & Marcello - ✰✰✰✰✰
This story was something else, Tim and Marcello's relationship has like underlined so much of their respective lives but it has never been the focus and I loved the fact that this story rectifies that slight with such a heartwarming story.

18. Something Like Heaven - Tim, Ben & Jace
Where do I even start with this one? I have issues and opinions like a whole host of them. I have enough thoughts on this to fill up an entire book, though I doubt I can articulate even a few of them, let alone all.

When I read this series there were four books in it and barring Spring the other three are pretty much about Ben, Tim and Jace. So, I read Summer and I don't think anyone can deny that Summer is all about Tim, it starts with him and ends with him and while Jace is there he never even gets to hit a highlight, which might have to do more with the fact that compared to other books in the series, that book is unnaturally short.

Then we have Winter which was the book to be published next and which I read next, because at that time, in 2014, when I read the book, the reading order for the series matched the publication order as it does for all series until they try to correct their mistakes retroactively. Anyhow, the thing with Winter was that it was... it's almost indescribable but there is a reason that it is the first book ever to be reviewed by me on Goodreads, it was because of the sheer fact that I couldn't put a brake on everything that I was feeling as I finished reading the book. I love Tim Wyman, he is my most favourite character in the entire series and if it hadn't been for Something Like Winter, I wouldn't have read any of the other books in this series because Summer just wasn't that good and if Winter had failed too, I don't think I would have continued though I can't predict what would have been because Winter was amazing. Reading those two books back to back cemented Ben and Tim's relationship for me. This was their epic love story.

But, then comes Autumn, the thing with Autumn is that it changed my entire perspective on Ben and Jace because it basically came out to say that Ben was the one for Jace and my very young mind, at least, at that time really couldn't grasp the concept so I was all for burying Jace and I mean the author did it first. But, then Spring came along with that very same question for Ben and I felt it was really unfair to everyone involved that we were asking this question because for me the answer was always Ben and Tim.

This is when things start to get complicated. Ben never takes off his wedding ring from Jace and Tim & Ben take a long time before getting married themselves to the extent that Ben didn't want to legally marry Tim when they could because he felt it would mean Tim one-upping Jace. This created a lot of problems for me but there is this scene in Forever where Ben gets on top of Tim and he tells him that it isn't like there is a part of me you will never have, my whole heart loves you and I, kind of, got it and made my peace with it but then Forever decided to trailblaze into the afterlife opening up a whole new frontier of problems.

So, the one obvious thing was that Tim and Ben having been together for so many years meant that their relationship would be different but the author tries to fix that by making Jace and Ben also be in a relationship for the same amount of years unbeknownst to Ben till he enters the afterlife but once he does basically both relationships are on an equal footing even though they really are not.

So, this story, in short, tries to answer the question of what an afterlife with Ben, Tim and Jace looks like and I'm glad that we just didn't end up with a threesome because that answer would not have been true to these characters. Even though the answer we do come up with only seems to be the answer for Ben and again since this story is written entirely from his POV, we never really figure out what its like for Tim and Jace. This is heaven only for Ben which brings me to more philosophical questions we won't be getting to here, especially as the afterlife in this series, is not black and white but a grey area where you are capable of feeling all emotions.

I feel like this entire series started off by establishing Ben and Tim as an epic love, a love that continued to find itself despite the passing of time but then the entirety of the series following that seems to punish you for having this perspective which is probably why the recommended reading order for this series now places Autumn as the sequel to Summer, so at least future readers will have a more nuanced perspective.

I kind of like the whole Tim and Jace sharing Ben thing despite how uncomfortable it was making Ben and maybe because of it, even though I really came to love Tim and Jace's camaraderie. This is a weird situation to be real and it only keeps getting weirder because the author does a lot retroactively to bring these two relationships on the same level especially when the balance was clearly getting tipped.

Basically, Something Like Heaven doesn't feel anything like Heaven and I have so many issues, in fact, I was glad to be left with the ending in Forever when Ben meets Jace. But of course, that always begged the question of what it would be like when Ben met Tim in the same afterlife. Of course, at that time the question was unanswered and I liked my answers to it but I'm guessing this also kept the author up at night, so he decided to pen down the answer and that's what this story is.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

The Something Like… series has been around for years. The first book, Something Like Summer, was published in 2010, and introduced us to Ben and Tim. Since then, there have been 12 books in the main series and many short stories in between. The world has expanded and shifted, each time revealing another point of view, another scene, or another connection. The characters have become friends and I had already laid them to rest after Something Like Forever was released, as that was supposed to be the last book in the series. I really had mixed feelings about opening myself up to these characters once again. But, if there were more stories in this world to be read, I owed it to myself, and them, to read them. As you can tell, these characters feel real and this series is unique and special. This book would be enjoyed best if you have walked the trail from the beginning.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Leandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hoped I would like more the Something Like Stories books, after the awesome experience with the first.
Firstly, I guess what bothers me most on the second and on this one are the really short stories, I don't see some of them adding up much to the universe, and some others don't seem to add up at all.
Secondly, I still have some personal reservations about some other aspects: One is the "inviting" way that afterlife is portrayed, not only in this book of the series, but here I found it to have increased quite a lot; too appealing instead of comforting.
The next reservation I have is hard to explain, but think it's easier to explain by comparison. I guess one of the reasons why Jace is one of my favourite characters is how much I see myself in him, and one feature I think we share is how someone can understand, agree, respect and even try to engage in some ideas, but they are just not easily digested. Jace had this with Victor's detachment to things people are usually attached to, and I had this with Noah, Felix and Harold's relationship. I really wanted to like it, but to me, it seemed like it only worked because Felix couldn't keep it in his pants. I didn't like the way he one day had a wet dream about Harold and the other day he wanted to eat Harold alive. I might also have an outdated view on restraint, but I felt that a few times it was portrayed as something unbearable. While it might really be for some people, this is just one the things that, to me, are just not easily digested, like I said.

[Derreck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I pick up a Something Like novel, I am instantly surrounded with summer. I can feel the hot sun on my skin. The sound of air conditioning units outside. Sounds of the occasional car zooming by, some blasting music (from the mid 90s of course). I can picture myself in doors with the air conditioning on full blast. Sitting by the window with tea, Something Like Summer in my lap, digesting the events of the book while watching the sunny skies. I practically feel teleported back in time.

Though this may be goodbye, this certainly isn't the end. There is no need to mourn, only reverie in every word from all the books.

Now lets get to the review.

Something Like Home takes us back to Autumn. I think of it as a deleted scene from Something Like Autumn. It involves Jace and Victor. With it, the feelings you probably felt at the time when you weren't even halfway through reading Autumn.

Something Like Love also takes us back, just not as far back as Home. This is like another deleted scene, but from Something Like Summer. Man, it was a rush of old feelings. Like I was experiencing the relationship of Tim and Ben all over again, but in a different light.

Something Like Friends briefly expands on the friendship of Jace and Greg. I was literally laughing out loud. Greg's devotion has always been something that felt, kind of not talked about enough, but this gave me everything I could have asked for. For sure one of my favorite entries in this volume.

Something Like Vacation is like another extended scene featured in both Summer and Autumn. This involved Jace and Ben, in Rome.

Something Like Enemies will take you back to Spring with Caesar and Jason. Jason has every right to be pissed at Caesar. And hey, I kinda am too. Even though its been 6 years since these books came into my life. But there is even a hint of forgiveness laced at the end.

Something Like Then will take us back to Summer. Spoiler alert, it's after Jace's passing. Now you might think this could be all doom gloom, but it isn't. I always wondered just how Ben forced himself back on his feet. Now I know.

Something Like Me is for one of the stories I've always wanted, because this about Emma Trout. Oh man this was an emotional ride. You're getting so much from this that you never got in Spring, or in any of the other novels. I promise, you will laugh as well as cry.

Something Like Bones will take us to Something Like Rain. It's during Ben and Tim's honeymoon. William and Jason have a little hilarious adventure of their own. It's probably best to leave it at that for the sake of avoiding any spoilers.

Something Like Spirits is another one that has actually made me laugh out loud. I had to re-read a few lines just so I could laugh so more. Marcello takes the torch here. It's during Halloween. Eric even has a small role here.

Something Like Snow, to sum up in one word: endearing. In Texas, snow doesn't come easily. Ben knows that deep down, Tim misses the snow, and this sets them on a little fun adventure: to go see snow!

Something like Pride features Nathaniel, Marcello and Kelly. I personally may not have a lot of warm feelings towards Kelly but his character development is what makes him forgivable. It centers a little around (you guessed it) pride.

Something Like Her, mostly features William and Jason. Daisy drops in for a visit and William is determined to keep her happy, and Jason is only happy to help. Once again, I'd rather avoid spoiling anything. It's best to leave it at that.

Something Like Stars has to be my favorite. Marcello has been trying to get a movie made, based on the love lives of Ben, Tim and Jace. Prepare yourselves. You are going to need tissues because you are going laugh. A LOT!

Something Like Us takes place after the events of Hail and its the ending I believe that was needed all along. Harold, Noah and Felix are all featured in this. I'd say its a bit long for a short story but not quite long enough to be a novella.

Something Like Him, features a moment I've been hoping for. It starts with Victor and Jace in the afterlife. Ben has a small cameo, but its mostly about Nathaniel. He finally found out who his father was.

Something Like Family is for sure another of my favorites. Tim and Jason have a long road trip ahead of them. In all the novels, these two have rarely been alone together. This gave me everything I could have asked for. I have to say, I am a bit envious of their shared adventure.

Something Like Goodbye features Tim and Marcello. Marcello who is a character I have come to love and adore ever since Winter. You'll learn a secret or 2 about Marcello. Though we may never learn his true age, I am totally fine with that. It feels true to the character of Marcello.

Last but not least, Something Like Heaven. The ultimate epilogue to the entire series. I've often wondered just how Jay Bell could pull this off, and I was not let down.

All in all, 5 stars. I'd give it more if we were allowed to. This journey has carried me through a lot of insecurities and changes in life. I look forward to sharing more adventures with this author. I am sure he's got a lot more idea's to share and I look forward to each and every one of them.

Most of all, the series can be re-read if I am ever missing them enough.

#SummerForever

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 Update - Something Like Us worked a lot better for me four years removed, knowing where it was going. :)

———

The “Something Like...” series dropped onto my radar a few years ago from a free or discounted Audible, and from there I followed this universe for a dozen books, far more than was even expected by Jay Bell. This is the final series of vignettes, two of which I read online over the past year.

I’ll admit I didn’t care for the ending of Something LIke Us at all, which is interesting as it plays so heavily into Something Like Heaven, the latest finale, which I did like quite a bit.

This series will always be a favorite of mine for character as well as plot. It first introduces grounded characters and moves us up and down their timelines every few years. Just as we get comfortable, we age along with them. Other characters’ stories start before or after and merge into those timelines. I did get frustrated in the middle as the series droves over the same, weaker ground, but the ending was terrific.

Special recommendation for Something Like Goodbye, the final tale of the best written character in the series.

Well done.

[Luca Caccia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect goodbye. I literally grew up with Ben, Tim, Jace, Marcello, Jason, Nathaniel, Kelly and all the other characters of this series and I love everyone of them so much. I was seventeen years old when I first read Ben' story and it really helped a gay italian teen coming to terms with his sexuality and with a crush that wasn't going to be anything more than that (even though reading about Tim and Ben made me hope for it to become something more, but well, his loss) and then I kept reading their stories, falling in love with them even more after I turned every page. These short stories bring some storylines to a perfect, sweet, delicate ending and they all leaves you with such a heart-warming feeling inside. It is the goodbye us fans needed and deserved. But this is not the end, because we got the chance to relive every story anytime we want and we will always be a part of this big, strange, hilarious, one of a kind family.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good to get to visit Ben, Tim, Jace, Jason, Marcello, and all the others one more time in this large short story collection. The only story that bogged me down was "Something Like Us" because it was both too long and a bit too slow to keep the flow going smoothly.

All in all, though, this was an enjoyable epilogue to the Something Like... series.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this series of shorts is meaningless to a novice to the "Something like..." series by Jay Bell; Perhaps a bit self indulgent, definitely a fan fetish.
The characters and contexts are all from other works in the series, though there were some newer, challenging ideas which like the original series were few and far between compared to the otherwise, politically correct, idealistic, privileged mediocrity of the stories.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great collection of stories about all the characters. Some felt like deleted scenes from the books, and some felt like an extra epilogue. It was a good closure to the series.

Something Like Home ★★★☆☆: Sweet short story about teenage Jace and Victor's relationship.

Something Like Love ★★★★☆: Cute short story about teenage Ben and Tim's love.

Something Like Friends ★★★★☆: Fun short story about Jace and Greg's bromance.

Something Like Vacation ★★★☆☆: Cute scenes from Ben and Jace's first trip to Italy.

Something Like Enemies ★★☆☆☆: This one was about what happened after Jason found out about Caesar and Nathaniel, but it wasn't that interesting to me.

Something Like Then ★★★★☆: A bittersweet story about Ben some time after Jace.

Something Like Me ★★★★★: I really liked this one! About Emma looking back at her time with Bonnie but I can't say too much without giving things away.

Something Like Bones ★★★★☆: Funny short story about Jason and William while on Ben and Tim's honeymoon.

Something Like Spirits ★★★★☆: Fun story about Marcello and Eric causing trouble on Halloween.

Something Like Snow ★★★★☆: How Ben gives Tim a white Christmas. I would get that excited about snow too!

Something Like Pride ★★☆☆☆: Nathaniel helps Marcello plan an event for Pride and Kelly was upset that Nathaniel didn't tell him about it. It was okay.

Something Like Her ★★★★★: Super sweet story about Jason and William taking care of Daisy for a few days.

Something Like Stars ★★★★★: Hilarious story about Tim, Ben, Greg, Michelle, and Allison writing the script for a movie about Ben and Tim.

Something Like Us ★★★★★: I didn't realize I needed more of Noah, Felix, and Harold. I really like how things turned out for them. Felix is adorable!

Something Like Him ★★★★☆: Heartwarming story from Victor's POV when Nathaniel visited the clearing.

Something Like Family ★★★★★: I love the Tim and Jason bonding! Bonus points for Pierre.

Something Like Goodbye ★★★★☆: Sad story about Marcello's last days.

Something Like Heaven ★★★★★: Ben and Jace and Tim. Basically expanded the idea from Eternity. Their double date was so funny.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Something Like" Series Completes With Short Stories!

Jay Bell ends his "Something Like" Series with wonderful short stories. Even the great Rod Sterling had a few clunkers in his "Twilight Zone" and "Night Gallery" anthology series, so Mr. Bell is entitled to a few. The story "Stars" is so ridiculous on making a movie about Ben and Tim's story -- that I cringed trying to get through it. So why the five stars? Because the last two stories "Goodbye," about Marcello's last days and "Heaven" which explores Ben, Tim and Jace in Eternity are so well written that I added the star back. Mr. Bell has such a way of conveying eternal love with such emotion that my eyes were wet with tears! Now Mr. Bell is the creator and author, and I am not Kathy Bates in "Misery" with a sledgehammer, and I probably need to get a life at 63, but I have an issue with the long story "Something Like Us" which deals with the relationship between Felix , Noah, and now Harold. After praising Felix Ramos, who was like a breath of fresh air in "Hail," I found the idea of polyamory very strange and out of character for Felix. However, the story was well written and I would like to know if the relationships would still work in the future. It didn't work for Caesar in a previous story. Mr. Bell also wonderfully deals with transgenderism in "Something Like Me" in a tender and loving way. We also have many touching stories with Jason and William! Thank you Mr. Bell for your talent!

[Amir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for allowing me this one last dance, even though the DJ has gone home and the janitor is mopping up around our feet. 🥰

“A lot of people demand absolute truth, but that takes trust, and trust takes time. So I can forgive the occasional fib. Besides, most people keep secrets from themselves, so how can anyone expect us to be completely honest with each other?"

"They say when you love something, you have to let it go."…"What nonsense, In my experience, when you let something go it falls to the ground and is likely to break. Is that what you want?"

Marcello nodded to the playing children. "It fills my heart with joy to see them so carefree and caught up in the simplest of pleasures. I spent too much of my youth worrying about what other people thought. I tore myself down repeatedly when not holding myself to impossibly high standards. I was miserable, and the sad truth is that nobody was as concerned about my appearance or status as me. I tortured myself for nothing, but there were brief moments of abandon, on the playground for instance, where I allowed myself to simply be. That was the state of existence I aimed for when reinventing myself. I didn't create a new persona. Only a name. The rest was me disrobing. All the imagined expectations and superficial standards were stripped away, one by one, until all that was left was me."

[Matt McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having only got into the 'Something Like...' books this year, I was pleasantly surprised and shocked that this book came out after I had finished the other 361 books in the series. I wasn't that happy with the way the series ended so I thought this might be a better way to finish.

I think emotionally I shut off because I had already said goodbye to the characters and so I didn't really get into it as I should have. You're either a fan or not at all of 'after life' and 'heaven' writing, I fall somewhere in the middle and never know how to interpret it and find it a bit unnecessary or weird with the logistics, especially when we have Ben, Tim and Jace (and Viktor) involved. I just left feeling a bit weird.

Hopefully this is the end of the series because my heart won't be able to take another surprise like that and I think it's fine to end here.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Like Stories vol. 3 is a wonderful and unexpected addition to the series. It gives fans of the books a, probably, final chance to spend time with this cast of genuinely relatable and likeable characters. It is worth noting that the events covered are new, not retreads of previous events told from a different perspective and the book benefits greatly from this. Readers new to the Something Like world should not start here as an identification with the characters and their lives adds great value to the stories. Start with Something Like Summer and keep going. If you like romance, true(ish) to life events and a truly lively bunch of characters, you'll definitely enjoy the Something Like stories.

[Alan Villafana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so awesome! I've become a huge fan of Jay Bell and the something like series is what got me hooked. This did not disappoint. Getting a chance to hear other characters endings was so satisfying and really left me wanting more. Something Like family had me in tears, and kind of left me wanting a something like story about Marcello alone lol
Any fan of the series will enjoy and highly recommend to all Jay Bell fans and if you are new to the series it all starts in Something like summer.

[Melissa Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It's also really bittersweet because this really is the end of the Something Like... series. It's probably why it's taken me so long to finish this volume. This third set of short stories book in the series was meant to be a coming together, an end, one last time. It's hard to let the characters go, but this does bring things to a emotional, but good, close. I know that I will be rereading these books later on too, when I need m boys again. So highly recommended, these short stories if you're a fan of the series!

[ASierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s sad when when you have to say goodbye, specially to people whom you’ve followed for 12 books. However, instead of feeling like an ending, you get a sense of a new beginning. These stories bring you a much needed closure with the something like hail gang (my favorite story of this book) and give you a deeper inside into William & Jason’s fuerte. If you are a Marcelo-maniac like me, you will love how much of him is in this book, even finding more about his past... Like with all the other Something Like novels, you will find laughter, tears and a lot of love in this pages. You won’t be disappointed!

[James Hovland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this entire series (12 books) and this was the perfect way to wrap up the family I have been invited to join! Is how I wanted it to end? NO! Is it how it needed to end? YES!
I laughed, cried, wanted to throw the books, and experienced every other emotion in between. If you are looking for characters to fall in love with and to be welcomed into a family you didn’t know you needed, please read the Something Like series.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad to finally see Harold get his heart back, plus a little something extra!
We're still missing Caesar's story...
I would LOVELOVELOVE to hear Marcello's full life story also....
Boy, that would be a roller-coaster ride of EPIC proportions...
He's so bloody wonderful!
I AM SO VERY SAD TO FINALLY SEE ALL THESE LOVELY STORIES COME TO AN END...
#AudibleAddict❤
#GaGa4Goodreads🖤
-Nikki♉

[Daftfader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to run into old characters again. Some of the stories were very short, previously patreon exclusives. There was a very long story about Harold and Noah which I didn't even really care to read in print, as the characters are mediocre, only listening on audible. The stories that really shone out were Marcello's tales which were brilliantly fun.

[Nick Vallina (MisterGhostReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally was able to force myself to finish the series. Force seems bad. I loved the series so damn much and I wasn't ready to let go. I cried a bunch during this as a lot of the stories really wrap everything up. Something Like Heaven? Crying forever.

I love you, Jay Bell, for giving us this series. I loved it so much and I'm so sad to have finished it.

[li (stupid canadian wolf bird fanatic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this. What a precious ending to the series, with so many GEMS! The script!!!! "I don't need friends with so many tears to keep me company". And fiiiinally Noah/Felix/Harold! AND Jace/Tim/Ben!!!! I have read 12 books in three weeks and I regret nothing... but I wish I had 12 more Ben/Tim/Jace.

[Alexander van der Hilst-Frijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting way of finishing and adding, some not important, site stories.
Very well written and a nice closure.

Except of the story on the writing of a script for the movie about Ben and Tim's, including Jason. This and a couple of other site stories, adds nothing to the total storyline of the series.
Take this part out and it would be a lot better (4⭐).

[Regis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection, and great ending, but I would have left out some of the stories, and some just went way too long. Good narration, except for the voice Kevin uses for Tim. Kind of annoying, and not at all what has always been in my head.

[Anthony Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing End

This is an amazing book to end an amazing series! Clever way to bring so many stories to their end by using these short stories!! Thoroughly enjoyed every book!! Great read!!

[Lady Lauren Explorer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of all of the books I think I could’ve done without this one. Mainly because I didn’t get enough of our favorite pair of couples. I want to longer stories involving them. I am glad that one of my favorite characters, we got to say goodbye to. I’m glad he had a proper sendoff! But otherwise this was a very mid to me. I don’t think you have to read this, but if you wants to her and honor moderately high note then go for it!

[Jensen Ben Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

You could write 100 more stories revolving around Ben Tim Jace and the others and I will never tire of it. Thanks Jay Bell ❤️

[Alan Vonlanthen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Exactly the wonderful closure I needed to say goodbye to these lovely characters and their endearing universe. I will still miss them, though