Something Like Lightning: Volume 5 Paperback – 4 Oct. 2014

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'.

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.

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.

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

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

4 Hearts reviewed by GigiI really enjoyed Something Like Lightening for its moments of self-realization. Kelly seems to have it all, confidence, speed, talent, looks, and plenty of attitude!!! But he really needs to take a closer look at himself…and it takes a huge tragic moment to do that. It’s the sadness, loss, aching awareness of flaws in ourselves and those we love, it’s those things that Jay Bell magically worked into …Lightening. Those are the themes that stung my heart and kept me glued to the pages.Something Like Lightning is a coming of age, finding one’s true self kind of read. I’m not sure but I think this fits into the Young Adult genre…I’m not as familiar with that.Now, I know I would have an even greater appreciation for this book if I had read the previous Something Like series…there are repeat characters, overlapping and intersecting plots, and a ton of character building for Kelly that I missed and thus lost a big chunk of the impact this book makes for those readers. So I really need to go back and do some more reading.The writing is smooth, the characters rich, and the plot painful, somewhat predictable, and poignant at the same time. The big moment I had to read carefully, think about and reread comes before the big accident, it comes in the subtle details of a relationship in decline, the pain in recognizing that, and letting go for the sake of both people involved….such a big life lesson, a huge thing for an author to tackle.I must also add, I really like the cover art for all of Jay Bell’s books! Yes, beat the stereotype baby!

Another dream.