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wusswoo's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished reading this and it may have broken my cold, desiccated, worn out excuse for a heart. It was just such a lovely story. I'm glad I didn't read any reviews or spoilers, my only complaint is that I didn't want it to end!
gingerlreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
This was not at ALL what I was expecting, and I was pleasantly surprised in so many ways. I'm so very happy that I came across this book.
This was an epic story spanning more than a decade & covering a great deal of turning points, growth, and story arcs. Taking this journey alongside Ben as he experienced the thrill of first love (first QUEER love, even better), the ensuing heartbreak and shame, the discovery of a soulmate, unthinkable tragedy, and ultimately hope, was an emotional experience that left me touched and moved. I did not expect this book to get as deep as it did.
I loved all three main characters.
Ben -- A protagonist who I was rooting for (most of the time). Being inside his head and understanding the thought processes behind all his choices was excellent. He showed a lot of development and watching him mature emotionally was so great. The level of trauma he went through and the amount of resilience he showed made him such a lovely character.
Tim -- While he was a complete fucking asshole for the better portion of the book and did some truly manipulative things, I understood that we were supposed to see what it was like for a closeted boy in the 1990's and the "what-if's" that haunted him as a result of having to hide his identity.
Jace -- JACE. WHAT A MAN. I mean seriously. One of the most charming, empathetic, wholesome, kind-hearted men in the queer books I have read this year. I think I may be president of his fan club. With that being said, the ending ripped me limb from limb and left a hollow spot in my heart. Seeing such a lovely soul go through what he went through broke me. And I think because he was so well written & lovable, that's what made the ending the most difficult for me.
The characters were realistic, there was a well-balanced mix of serious moments, humor, drama / theatrics, and romance. The story was meaningful. I was engrossed. I wish I could read this for the first time again.
After I read the book, I read the graphic novel (Vol. 1 and eventually Vol. 2) and absolutely loved it, despite having some flaws. I also watched the movie, which was done so well. It remained true to the book and matched the overall emotional essence of it.
When I saw that the next 2 books in the series (Something Like Autumn & Something Like Winter) were about the same characters -- and one of them being all about Jace -- I got so excited, and will absolutely be reading them.
Seriously cannot express how much I loved this book.
I read this book when I was healing from surgery to treat cancer. Those were some of the most challenging days of my life. Something Like Summer brought love, light, and smiles to those days of recovery. For that reason, it was even more special to me and will go down as one of my favorite queer novels I've read.
This was an epic story spanning more than a decade & covering a great deal of turning points, growth, and story arcs. Taking this journey alongside Ben as he experienced the thrill of first love (first QUEER love, even better), the ensuing heartbreak and shame, the discovery of a soulmate, unthinkable tragedy, and ultimately hope, was an emotional experience that left me touched and moved. I did not expect this book to get as deep as it did.
I loved all three main characters.
Ben -- A protagonist who I was rooting for (most of the time). Being inside his head and understanding the thought processes behind all his choices was excellent. He showed a lot of development and watching him mature emotionally was so great. The level of trauma he went through and the amount of resilience he showed made him such a lovely character.
Tim -- While he was a complete fucking asshole for the better portion of the book and did some truly manipulative things, I understood that we were supposed to see what it was like for a closeted boy in the 1990's and the "what-if's" that haunted him as a result of having to hide his identity.
Jace -- JACE. WHAT A MAN. I mean seriously. One of the most charming, empathetic, wholesome, kind-hearted men in the queer books I have read this year. I think I may be president of his fan club. With that being said, the ending ripped me limb from limb and left a hollow spot in my heart. Seeing such a lovely soul go through what he went through broke me. And I think because he was so well written & lovable, that's what made the ending the most difficult for me.
The characters were realistic, there was a well-balanced mix of serious moments, humor, drama / theatrics, and romance. The story was meaningful. I was engrossed. I wish I could read this for the first time again.
After I read the book, I read the graphic novel (Vol. 1 and eventually Vol. 2) and absolutely loved it, despite having some flaws. I also watched the movie, which was done so well. It remained true to the book and matched the overall emotional essence of it.
When I saw that the next 2 books in the series (Something Like Autumn & Something Like Winter) were about the same characters -- and one of them being all about Jace -- I got so excited, and will absolutely be reading them.
Seriously cannot express how much I loved this book.
I read this book when I was healing from surgery to treat cancer. Those were some of the most challenging days of my life. Something Like Summer brought love, light, and smiles to those days of recovery. For that reason, it was even more special to me and will go down as one of my favorite queer novels I've read.
raynebair's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason I never warmed up to Tim. I felt he was so wishy-washy and like he was just toying Ben along for shits. He sort of grew on me at the end, after Jace. I wanted Ben with Jace the whole time, so I wasn't thrilled that Tim showed back up and his actions seemed to solidify my feelings towards him. I know book two is told in his voice, so you get his side of the story, but I think I would have liked to hear his voice in this book. His actions and Ben's POV just made it hard to like Tim.
netslummer's review against another edition
5.0
What starts off as a slow (sorta adorable) high school romance, spans a whole decade in the life of Ben Bentley and his constant attraction to Tim Wyman.
Any further summary feels spoilery. I really couldn't stop reading this and..man. Its good.
Jace <3
Any further summary feels spoilery. I really couldn't stop reading this and..man. Its good.
Jace <3
bvdew's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I loved this book. I felt like Ben, Tim and Jace were friends of mine. I felt so connected with them.
I do wish there was more descriptions and the intimate moments lasted longer. A lot of the times the sex was just one sentence. I was hoping for more on that department.
But it's the ending that got me. I cried! I felt so invested in the story that I got emotional.
The rest of the series is now in my list to read.
I do wish there was more descriptions and the intimate moments lasted longer. A lot of the times the sex was just one sentence. I was hoping for more on that department.
But it's the ending that got me. I cried! I felt so invested in the story that I got emotional.
The rest of the series is now in my list to read.
amina55's review against another edition
5.0
I have never in my life crude over a book but this, this is something deferent. I could feel when the characters was sad I could feel when they where happy and most of all I could feel their pain out through the whole book. I would read it again and again and still feel the same way
sethmedranolangdon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dustinconlon's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this book is a good representation of what it’s like to be in a modern cis male gay relationship. BUT!! I hated all of the characters except for Allison. Ben pissed me off ever time I turned the page. Jace was an enabler. And, Tim needs to see a therapist instead of buying new cars.
I’m giving it a 4/5 because I was hooked on the story. Sometimes I was SUPER uncomfortable reading vivid sex scenes between two TEENAGERS… but, after they became of age, it was super hot lol.
I don’t know if I will read more of the serious after the trauma of the ending but, we’ll see.
I’m giving it a 4/5 because I was hooked on the story. Sometimes I was SUPER uncomfortable reading vivid sex scenes between two TEENAGERS… but, after they became of age, it was super hot lol.
I don’t know if I will read more of the serious after the trauma of the ending but, we’ll see.