Something Like Lightning: Something Like..., Book 5

This is a book of three love stories: unrequited teenage love between Kelly, the central (gay) character in the book and his straight best friend; a love affair of Kelly and William: two very different, often conflicted teenagers; and then an apparently doomed love affair between Kelly and Nathaniel, an older man with huge issues around trust and betrayal. The plot is original, convincing and enthralling and the characters are very three dimensional: all of the central figures are complex and imperfect, though they have in common the good fortune to be both gay and very sexy. A great read.

For me, Jay Bell is a 'must purchase' author and his books have never failed to grasp my interest. His characterisation is first class and while I may not always like or agree with the choices or actions of his characters, they are always believable and very real-even if sometimes irritating!I really enjoyed "Something like Lightning"-as always we see a totally different view of the situation, and the book provides plenty of new material with just enough interlinking scenes to remind us of the rest of the series. Kelly and Nathaniel are actually turning into my favourite couple-I actually really like Kelly and the way he deals with everything that happens to him and while he and Nathaniel have their problems I love the way that they interact and deal with Kelly's disability. Great to see more of Allison, also loved Tim and Bonnie and Emma.This book thoroughly deserves 5 stars and I would whole-heartedly recommend it. I'm really looking forward to the next book-and am very happy that there are many different storms which can be added to this series ;-) hopefully lightning can not only strike twice, but many more besides!

I love Jay Bell`s writing especially the first three Seasons books. Enjoyed this one but I did not quite empathise with the main characters as I did with Jayce, Ben , Tim and Victor from earlier books . By the way It was a shame Victor was written out so early in his book as he could have been the wild card throughout the series. Can he be resurrected somehow?Lightening had all detail and characterisation you expect from this author but just lacked that little spark from the Seasons book. A good read non the less and recommended.

I loved Jay Bell's latest addition to the 'Something like' book series from start to finish, and the delicious cover, which was designed by his husband, Andreas is a divine colour or purple.In this volume, the author takes up the journey of a character who had very briefly appeared in earlier work, and he artfully tells Kelly's story. Along with way, we bump into some of the familiar characters from earlier books, we meet Tim and Ben, Alison and Emma. We see Marcello with new eyes, and learn how he's a bit of a matchmaker underneath it all. Importantly, as with all of Jay's books, this is a story about hope and overcoming adversity. As this novel kicks off the tales of a new protagonist, I really liked how Jay manages to give him a distinctive voice and I thought there was more dialogue in this story, which I found incredibly well-written as it gave an enhanced level of embodied politics to the plot. I also won't think about the men's fitting room at KaDeWe in the same way again (;>)If you loved the other books by Jay Bell, you will simply devour his new tale with relish. Like Kelly says, "I want more!" and I cannot wait to learn more about Nathaniel... in 'Something like Thunder'.

I find it hard to find books that really draw me in by these books are absolutely fantastic and I can't get enough

Another dream.

this book was brilliant as i know it would be because i have read nearly all of Jay Bell's books. He is one really talented Author

I enjoyed Something like Summer, but I couldn't take to this book at all. Stopped reading it half way through. I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I hated something that happens in it so much that I stopped reading shortly after.I felt like I invested a lot of time into reading this only to be vastly irritated by a cliched occurrence. I don't want to give anything away.No doubt others will like this, but I just ended up feeling disappointed and annoyed.

In the beginning, I so thought this was going to be one of those straight-guy-suddenly-turns-gay stories, but was well surprised when that wasn't the case at all.The story was cute and fluid and I just thought I reached the end when I noticed: The book isn't over yet.So I read on and on and suddenly the characters just seemed out of character, like, in the first part of the story you have Kelly who would do anything for this one guy and be a little lamb that likes to run and compete but at the same time drops everything for the boy he loves.Then suddenly he turns into a way too easily aggrevated kid with annoying pride that doesn't ever want to see enough is enough.And then, even more suddenly, he turns into a submissive Kelly who is ok with being anything at all to our new Mr. Right just so he is with him.And then the book ends at the part I'd been hoping to find out more about so I could understand why things happene the way they had.(Sorry, but I'm trying to write this in a way I can get my point across without giving too much spoilers)All in all, it was a pretty good read, thus 4 stars, but I was overly confused at the sudden changes in character.I know about character development, but that kind of happened from one page to the next for me and I couldn't wrap my mind around it.In the middle I was wondering whether they were two completely different guys that just happened to share the same names.But all in all, it really was nice and well written, it doesn't glorify anyone or make anybody look like a complete idiot and you tend to like the characters just the way they are, with all their ups and downs (except Nathaniel and Jason, I didn't like those two at all, though I'm sure if there had been a bit more to why they did what they did that might have been different).

A great story from Kelly’s view!! If you didn’t like Kelly, once you get to know him you might!! I sure better understood where he was coming from!!

So glad this story is continuing! And I will forever love you, Jay, for making me feel for characters I would otherwise just hate for their third party in another book.

A new story that goes far beyond a basic narrative and plot line. Interesting and engaging until the very end.

Ein wunderbares Buch, in einer tollen Buch-Serie. Macht Lust auf den nächsten Teil und die nächste Perspektive, aus der erzählt wird!

I raced through this book the first time around and thought it was just okay. After reading the next book, Something Like Thunder, I came back to re-read Something Like Lightning. I found much more to appreciate and admire in the story as well as the characters. I liked both Kelly and William, and I related to Kelly’s angst-filled, defensive nature.I thought this was a great read. The story shows how life experience can force you to come to terms with the person you are, to learn acceptance, and to actually mature. Sometimes the greatest personal growth comes as a result of the most painful experiences.

I will start off by saying that Kelly wasn't one of my favorite characters and I wasn't looking forward to reading about him further in this installment. The insight into who Kelly was I think is important for his character. Knowing his backstory allowed for his character evolution that comes in at the end of Spring. I think this second series within the overall Something Like series has a lot of promise. How the characters' relationships evolve throughout the series is fascinating and there's just the right amount of callbacks to some of the minor characters from the other books. Overall I liked the story but still didn't love Kelly at the end of it. I think that's just a personal dislike of people who are angry and aggressive. At times I'm a lot like William saying anything and doing the most to keep the peace and keep everyone happy. Kelly's evolution to be more understanding and listen to people is a good journey. I think he teaches a great lesson that things are worth fighting for and that life and love aren't always something that will be easy. Kelly experienced a lot of pain throughout his story and he could have very easily just given up and closed off on so many occasions but he has a fire in him that won't easily be put out. I look forward to how the story continues in Something Like Thunder

I've never claimed to be a very good reviewer and probably don't write the best critiques, but I do know what I like. I enjoyed Something Like Lightning. In this review, however, I'm breaking a cardinal rule of mine by giving Something Like Lightning five stars, because while reading the book, I never really bonded with any of the characters. But Bell did a truly exceptional job with the plot of this story, seamlessly intertwining it with the earlier 'Seasons' books. While reading 'Lightning', I would vaguely remember a character or plot element from an earlier book (Winter ?), but this is definitely a book that stands on its own. Readers who have never read the earlier books in this series may want to read the earlier novels, after finishing Something Like Lightning.If you have read the 'Seasons' books, you know that Bell uses events common to all the major characters as a back story to the main plot. Bell doesn't just retell the same story over and over, but gives us a completely different take on events. While I didn't like Kelly, the main character in Something Like Lightning, when he appeared in the earlier novel, this time, we get to hear things from his perspective. He's still not my kind of guy ... he flies off the handle too easily ..... but his story is very interesting.Some readers I know, who also enjoy this genre, will think Bell wrote too much conflict into this book. But I find it's very true to life!The Kindle edition was top notch, the writing compelling, and the editing flawless.Though in Part Two, I felt the story bounced from scene to scene a bit too much, it's still easy for me to recommend this book.

I didn’t love the MCs in this book like I have in the previous books but I love the storyline and the writing is outstanding. The way this author weaves the history of the plot and characters throughout each book in the series is genius. He sure knows how to bring out the emotions of each of the characters so much so that I found myself having sidebar conversations with them.Even though I am glad I got to read Kelly’s pov the way he flew off the handle at the even the most subtle slight throughout most of the book was not endearing. But by the end of the book he finally started to grow up and I was beginning to sorta like him as he finally earned my respect. I look forward to seeing how he ages in the series. The way this book ends leads me to believe his story isn’t over.

I like Jay Bell's books, but I really didn't like this one the character of Kelly is one of the most annoying, aggravating and irritating people I've ever read about . And I also feel that the stories are becoming the same old same old. It's the same thing , with just another pretty cover over it just change the names placed in the same place, get the husband to do a pretty cover , slap it in place, and out the door goes. I just feel that with something like spring should've been the end . I will read the next book in the series but I will be a little bit more weary of buying another one after . I've read other novels by Jay Bell that were not part of the series and I found him to be well-crafted, fun, and a quick read. And I feel he should go in a different direction and just let these characters go to rest . Maybe pick them up in a small little e-book just letting us know what's going on from time to time but I feel it's enough is enough it's time to let them have the privacy and do things on their own without us peeking in at them every so often. But if you've read the other novels you will want to meet this one but I am not looking forward to something like thunder knowing that Kelly will be in it . I really don't like him, I just don't like him and as much as I wanted to I just couldn't . Angry characters as main characters don't work for me. Even Williams at times seemed a little bit too whiny, unable to make a decision, unable to leave someone when they have a problem, and ending a relationship when it should've ended instead of keeping it going. But we all know this already from something like spring so why rehash it all over again we know what the outcomes going to be it was a good formula for the first three books but now it's way overdone. Jay stick a fork in it, it's done.

One of the best in the field of M/M romance fantasy, Jay Bell has fashioned another well written, generally absorbing novel.Mr. Bell has created quite a franchise with the "Something" series, this being the first of the off shoot of his "Seasons" books with this one under the "Storm" banner, where characters and events from the other books often intertwine."Lightning" traces the young life of Kelly Phillips, surely one of the most liberated gay teenagers you will ever encounter, who experiences many dramatic and life changing (and some improbable) incidents in a remarkably short space of time.As most of this novel centers around Kelly as a 16 to 19 year old, a lot of this story does stretch the credibility gap as our young man appears to have a maturity way beyond his tender years. At times I cried out for Kelly to be a bit more like "your average teenager"!An interesting sideline is that Kelly is of African-American heritage but the author has avoided the temptation of raising this as nothing more than a positive issue in Kelly's life.Didn't enjoy this book as much as some of the other "Something" series but still a worthwhile read and especially for young gay people, surely an uplifting and positive piece of growing up gay.li

I will say that out of all the Something Like books, this was the one I wasn't sure about. Not because I doubt Jay's ability to write and tell a damn good story, but because I had difficulty associating with Kelly. I can't really explain why, but Kelly and I just didn't click. I guess as I was reading Autumn I missed Jay's description of Kelly so during all those books before this I thought Kelly was an ultra feminine guy who dressed in drag. Not that there is a thing wrong with that, I just had trouble connecting with Kelly. None the less, this book gave me complete clarity. I really feel as if this book brought ultimate clarity and understanding to the world of Kelly and the newer guys. Kelly is different from all of the other guys we have read about. He has an edge, he is sassy, and he can be very unlikable at times. I think all those traits are why I loved the story so much. Not only did I end up really liking Kelly after this, but I had an understanding from his point of view. That is the beauty of reading a Jay Bell book, you will have a much better understanding of the character at the end. He never fails to tell a story that sucks you into the characters world and makes you feel the same emotions they feel. He also continues to tie the old characters all the way from the first book into this one. Another good read and a must as you navigate the Something Like series.

When someone is as talented a writer as Jay Bell there comes a point when you don't even review his work based on the quality of the writing itself and instead end up forming your opinion based on the characters, settings and minutia of the work. I find myself doing just that with "Something Like Lightning", another strong showing by an author who has come to define YA gay literature for many.Bell knows how to tell a story and knows how to keep it humming along. You are safe in his hands for every second it takes this book to fly by. No boring asides or clunky twists here. Just a continuation of "Something Like Spring" and a new set of characters to indulge in. Kelly is a hard character to crack open and even though Bell tries very hard I found myself still disliking him by the end of this book. And that's OK. Reading books where the hero is sweet, noble and honorable gets boring. I noted in my review of "Spring" that Bell's formula for these books was getting slightly repetitive and he does a nice job changing things up here. It's not as clear-cut, boy meets boy for Kelly or anyone else who we meet along the way this time. This book deals with heartbreak, self-worth and loss better than any in the "Something Like" series so far. It shows to new readers as well as those who have followed Ben and Friends from the beginning that there are still emotional hurdles Jay Bell has yet to jump. It shows growth as an author and a storyteller.This is the first of these books to only earn a 4-star from me. I didn't/don't like Kelly and I didn't like the second half of this book as much as I could have. I found the ending slightly too teasing. Besides that it was like meeting up with an old friend again. I will continue to enjoy Bell's work until he runs out of gay men in Austin Texas to write about!

A 5-star rating for Jay Bell's "Something Like Lightning.". I have read all of Jay's books. Like his other stories, Jay carefully crafts characters bringing them into three dimensions that are so believable, you feel like you know them once you have met them within Jay's writing.Jay has developed a following of readers who find it difficult to wait for his next release. Not only do we enjoy his writing, we enjoy the incredible author and his lover Andreas. He has shared so much of himself with all of us. If you haven't done so, visit his website. You can find it by Goggling Jay Bell Books.There are numerous detailed and compelling reviews already published that I simply can't add much more. If you haven't decided to dive into one of the various series Jay has created by now, I simply can't add anything else to convince you to do so.I will say that I enjoy Jay's ability to create characters that are worth getting to know as each of them deals with life in their own unique way.Without reservation, I recommend Jay's books to anyone interested in reading novel's in the genera. He set a high standard that other authors hope to emulate, myself included.Thank you Jay for another great story. I look forward to reading Something Like Thunder.

I enjoyed this book and those prior to it. The first half in particular was quite good. The reason I'm giving a 3 star rating is the second part of the book.As a point of reference, Jay Bell's writing style seems to favor truly singular perspectives, rarely offering insight into the minds or motives of characters besides the narrator. Besides the occasional moment of strangeness from the style, I'm fine with that.The trouble here, is that Kelly's narration of his second pivotal romantic relationship, from start to finish, seems to skim over many details, as though his perspective is really just a preview of the next installment. I feel a bit cheated by that, even though I doubt that was Bell's intention.(I do plan to read the next book by the way, as I want to see the resolution of the loose ends left here, and because I like Nathaniel)