Something Like Thunder: Review

Hello there internet!

I am so so so so behind on reviews, (I'm blaming Pretty Little Liars and Netflix for that!) but now i am catching up on reviewing the books i've read so far this year!

I was planning on doing this in order, but i NEED to talk about this book first!!

Something Like Thunder by Jay Bell

5/5 

If you have ever spent more than about a second on this blog then you would

probably notice that i have a great love for Jay Bell and

his Something Like... series. And Thunder was no exception!! 

Something Like Thunder is told from the perspective of Nathaniel, and oh boy is it a good one.

After getting a glance at Nathaniel in Something Like Spring, then seeing him through Kelly's eyes in Something Like Lightning, i was so excited for finally get

to have a whole story from his point of view.

Getting to see how Nathaniel's story linked with the characters that i already loved (and hated...looking at you Caesar...although i am desperate for a book from Caesar's pov...)

and obviously seeing him interacting with Tim was all i ever wanted.

In this series Tim and Ben have always been the relationship that i cared most about, but after Thunder they definitely have some competition! Nathaniel and Kelly made me cry, and pissed me off, and made me want to hit them, and made me love them so so so much.

I love how when you think you know everything about these characters Jay will pull something out of the bag that makes you want to scream with recognition 

and excitement. Like finally realising who Nathaniel's mother is, by discovering who his father is! (Talk about a massive twist in the story omg)

I bloody love this book, and as always, i never wanted it to end. 

I don't know how Jay Bell does it, 

but i would happily read stories in this world everyday forever. 

Meghan xx

Something Like Thunder is Here!!!!

Hello there internet!

If you have ever spent more than five seconds on this blog, you'll

probably be aware that there is a series of books that i absolutely love,

and blog about all the time.

AND THAT SERIES JUST GOT ITS NEW ADDITION!!!

Welcome to the world Something Like Thunder! 

I don't think i have ever fallen in love with a group of characters as fast as i did with 

the ones Jay Bell has created in this series.

And i am so freaking excited to get home and get lost in Nathaniel's story.

So this is just a little post to say:

Happy Publication Day Jay! 

I know this one will be as utterly brilliant as the previous five!!

Meghan xx 

Top 5...#15

Hello there internet! Now that i have officially finished NaNoWriMo i thought it was about time that i came back to my blog, because i have missed it a whole lot!

And what better way to come back than with a top 5...about my favourite characters!

I was talking to my friend last night about how sad i am that my re-read of the Seasons Series is coming to an end, and he asked me what characters i like the most in the series (and obviously in something like lightning), which was a horribly difficult question! 

So i thought i'd do a top 5 characters from the Something Like... books!

Here we go! (this is the hardest top 5 ever by the way.)

5: Jace Holden - Something Like Autumn

When i first read Something Like Summer, i was not Jace's biggest fan. He was okay, but i just wanted Ben and Tim to be together and Jace was in the way. I regretted thinking that the second i started reading Something Like Autumn. Jace is amazing, and so special. His story broke my heart more than i think anything ever has before. Seeing everything from his perspective, and seeing everything he went through before meeting Ben, it made me love him so much. I just wanted to give him a massive hug throughout the entire book. Jace was the most incredible, loving, and honest character i think i have ever read about, and i take back anything bad i ever thought about him!

4: Kelly Phillips - Something Like Lightning 

I think the first time that you meet Kelly in Spring, it is pretty much an automatic reaction to hate him. Going into Something Like Lightning, i didn't expect to like him, BUT OH MAN. Seeing his and William's relationship, and Jason, from Kelly's perspective changed a lot. I still think that he treated William and Jason terribly, but even he knew that. I did a complete 180 with how i feel about Kelly, i even cried at parts of Lightning - that's how much he changed my mind. I absolutely adored reading from his point of view - and getting to understand his actions a whole lot better.  

3: Ben Bentley - Something Like Summer

Oh Benjamin! How could someone not love Ben? I mean really, he's adorable. Ben is the reason i fell in love with these books, and getting to see little glimpses of his life that aren't covered in his book throughout the series makes me happier than pretty much anything. Ben is the one who starts everything, and so he should. He is the one that everyone loves in one way or another, and the one who is always there when another character needs someone. Benjamin Bentley is hands down one of the nicest characters i have ever read about. Even when he messes up, he only does it because he doesn't want to upset anyone - even if that backfires most of the time. Seeing his feelings for Tim and Jace, and seeing how much he completely loves both of them is so lovely, and so beautifully written, that everyone who reads this book leaves being ever so slightly in love with Ben. And rightfully so.

2: Jason Grant - Something Like Spring

Jason. Jason. Jason. I have so much love for Jason, it's unreal. He is the one character who i wanted everything to work out for. He was the one who deserved happiness the most. And ugh i just love everything about Jason. His friendships with Michelle and Emma. The way he is with the different members of the Hubbard family. His relationship with Ceaser. And obviously, his relationship with William. I loved getting to know Jason, and seeing how he fitted in with all the other characters that i had loved before. It was so amazing to see how much he changed while still staying the same...wow that was terribly cliched, but you get my point. Seeing him change throughout his story, and yet him still being the same from start to finish was amazing, and i hope we see more of him someday.

1: Tim Wyman - Something Like Winter

Oh Mr Wyman, i love you so. Tim is basically tied with Draco Malfoy as my favourite fictional character of all time. Right from his introduction in Something Like Summer i knew that he was going to be amazing. And i was so right. Every time Tim comes up in any of the Something Like... books this massive smile appears, and i can't control it anymore. He is so wonderfully written, and his character is so amazingly complex, that i could read 100 books about his life, and still probably want to read more. There's a certain part in Something Like Spring that i just passed in my re-read that makes me cry everytime, even though i know everything will be okay this massive panic comes over me and i have to keep reading just so i can assure myself that nothing has changed and that he's going to be fine. I can never find the right words to explain how much of an incredible character i think Tim is, and i am so glad i decided to pick up Something Like Summer that first time.

I didn't mean to have my top 5 be the main characters in each book, but they are the ones we know the most, and they're just the five guys that make me so incredibly happy. So, thanks Jay Bell for writing the best load of books i've read. You're the best. (p.s. if you ever feel like writing books about Nathaniel, William, and Ceaser - i'll be the first to buy them! :P) 

Meghan
xx

Top 5...#14

Hello again internet! So today i'm going to do another top 5, only this one is more of a sequel to my top 5 #2. It's been a while since i thought over what my books on my kindle are my favourite - so here it is. Top 5 on my kindle round 2!

Here we go!!

5: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

I really liked this cute little story. I had some issues with how it ended and what happened towards the end, but overall i really enjoyed the book, and if i ever want a cute little pick me up kind of book i'll probably head over to this one. I loved the characters, the story, the interactions between characters, the relationships (family, friends, love...all were great) and i just had a good time reading it.

4: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Oh man do i love a bit of Game of Thrones. I bloody loved reading this on my kindle, because i could carry it around with me and it didn't fill my entire bag like the rest of the series does! (why did i get physical copies of the rest of the books?!) But i love the whole world of the Song Of Ice and Fire series. I love the characters, the way they interact with each other...everything.

3: You're The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

I think everyone knows that i adore a good old romance book, and that's what i thought i was getting - i didn't sign on for the emotions this book caused! Damn you Mrs Fletcher! I absolutely adored reading this and i want more stories about all three of the characters!! Oh man was it good. It twisted and turned so much that i had no idea how it would end, but i knew it would end with my tears no matter what - and i was so right. I love a book that can make me happy cry.

2: Something Like Lightning by Jay Bell (Storms book one)

Speaking of happy crying...and sad crying...and everything in between. I think that it comes as a surprise to literally no one that i love Jay Bell's writing, and Something Like Lightning was oh so perfect. I loved Kelly. I loved Nathaniel. I loved William. I even loved Jason. And oh man am i happy that my three favourite people made a return! I could read about the characters in Jay Bell's world forever and still want more. I cannot express how much i enjoyed this book, and it had me in tears and laughing in equal measures, and that's all i want in a book.

1: Something Like Winter by Jay Bell (Seasons book two)

Now this is a surprise...yeah thought not. Something Like Winter is easily in my top 3 favourite books of all time - right up there with The Catcher in the Rye and Thirteen Reasons Why, and i cannot tell you how much i love it. Tim is pretty much my favourite fictional character to read about ever (so i was super happy we saw him in Lightning!) and getting to see the story i loved so much from Something Like Summer told from his perspective was SO GOOD and i couldn't have asked for more. It was the perfect addition to a story i already adored, and i just can't explain how happy i am that i found this series, and that i found out about Jay Bell in general. If you still haven't read any of his books, stop what you're doing and go read one...or all of them! Seriously, Jay Bell can do no wrong, his books are my happy place. They're always exactly what i want, and i love them all so much. Pretty much all of his books are on my kindle so take this spot as a mix of it SLW being first, and Jay Bell in general being first.

Meghan xx 

Top 5...#12

Hello there internet! I'm doing another Top 5 today, but this one is a little different, and a little special. As we're half way through 2014 already (omg!) i thought i'd look back at the books i have read this year and pick out the five i enjoyed the most!

Let's go!

5: Like and Subscribe by Jay Bell

I adored this story! It was 47 pages of terrific story, and wonderful characters! I've never fallen in love with characters quite that fast. Evan and Orlando were so great, and i loved how they developed. I think anyone who watches youtubers or makes youtube videos should read this story. It was so wonderful, and so perfect. Jay Bell knows how to write a story, break your heart, and then fix it all over again.

4: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Every teenage girl, no actually any girl really, needs to read this book. It covers some topics that i think really, really need more coverage in YA, and it's done in such a great way. I have so many feelings about this book, and i know it's one i'm not going to be forgetting for a long, long time. Kody Keplinger really nailed it.

3: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

This is the most wonderful ending to a series i have ever read, and i have a whole lot of feelings about it (which you can read some of here). I loved how even in the last book we were introduced to new characters, still had character development for characters that we already love, and had the great, bittersweet ending. Amazing ending, so much love for Cassandra Clare.

2: Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington

I don't think anyone will be surprised at how much i loved this book. It's one of those books that i know i will remember forever, and will go back again and again, because honestly as soon as i finished it it went into my favourite books list. I loved the characters, the plot, the twists, everything. It was so, so, so great, and i hope everyone gives it a read!

and finally, the best book i've read so far this year is...

1: Something Like Winter by Jay Bell

I could honestly put all of the Something Like... books here because honestly they're the best books i've read in a long time. The characters are perfect, the writing is amazing, the story is wonderful, i just love everything about it. Tim was my favourite character from Something Like Summer, and getting to see things from his side was everything i could have ever wanted and more. Jay Bell has really nailed the whole 'make people fall in love with every character, even the ones you hate - you love' thing. Something Like Winter is my favourite book in the series (even though i love them all and it's pretty hard to pick a favourite), i think it's because Tim is one of my favourite characters i have ever read about. I think everyone should read these books, because they are absolutely amazing, will break your heart, re-build your heart, and make you feel all of the feels. I love Jay Bell's writing, and this one is just the most perfect example of how to write the most realistic relationships and characters. 

Meghan x

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Top 5...#9

Hello again internet! I'm here today with a new Top 5, this time i'm going to talk about the top five series' that i think would make some great tv shows! I'm really excited about this one, because it combines two things that i like the most: books and tv. Here we go!

5: The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

I really like the Gallagher Girls series and i would love to see it come to life, but i think it would make a much better tv show rather than a series of films. When i read the books i can see them as a tv show which would be great for kids, and adults, with a great story about a boarding school which teaches girls how to be a great spy. And if you don't think that sounds like a great tv show then i don't know what you're thinking of.

4: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

I loved reading these books when i was younger, and i loved re-reading them. I think that they're the perfect books to make an amazing kids tv show out of, because they are the perfect mix of heart-warming and creepy. And i would love watching this show with my little nieces and nephews, or you know on Netflix on my own in my room...either way, i think it would be great.

3: The Winter Trilogy by Ruth Warburton

The winter trilogy is easily one of my favourite series and is probably my favourite series about witches. I think the amount of action, romance, friendship, problems, family issues, and drama that is in this series would make the most wonderful tv series! This series has everything really, there's points of humor, drama, excitement, romance, everything, and i think it would make a great show to fill the gossip girl and charmed filled holes in our lives.

2: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Angels, Nephilim, Romance, Action...what more could you want in a tv show? I think the fallen series has a bit of something for everyone really and i think it would just be one of those shows that could be done really, really well. If we go on a 1 book/1 season basis then i can see the third season being a little difficult/weird, but it could still be a great show!

1: Seasons Series by Jay Bell

I don't think anyone will be surprised by this. The seasons series is pretty much my favourite series, and are easily four of my favourite books of all time. I think that the amount of amazing and complex characters found in the series would make some incredible television show characters. Also the stories that each character goes through would make an incredible show (they'd also be incredible movies, just saying) and seeing the characters that i feel like i know come to life on a screen would basically be the best thing ever. (Or even if Jay Bell just wants to add to the series so i can have more? That'd be great...)

What book series do you think would make a great tv show?

Meghan x

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Like And Subscribe - Book Review

Two posts in one day?! Well aren't i the productive one today!

This review is slightly different to the other reviews i have done on this blog so far because it's of a short story, something i'm not usually a big fan of...well i've definitely changed my mind!

Like and Subscribe is an amazing short story from the ridiculously amazing Jay Bell, and let me tell you, it is just as great as his other work! The story is about a guy called Evan, and it tells the story of how he came to learn the truth about love. omg it's good.

I feel like anyone who has ever been subscribed to a YouTuber should read this story and see how much like reality it is! I think Evan perfectly captures the essence of being a YouTube fanboy/fangirl, and that Tony is the perfect example of how we can never really know what our favourite YouTubers are like no matter how much we love and adore them.

I love the evolution between Evan and Tony's boyfriend Orlando, and how Evan starts to see how the persona that Tony puts on for his YouTube audience is far from what he is like in reality. Something that a lot of YouTube lovers need to see, because not everyone on YouTube is as perfect as they seem.

Honestly, Jay Bell is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and every new thing i read by him the more in love i fall with his writing! I cannot wait to read more! In fact, i'm going to wrap up this post and go read his short story Language Lessons...I AM EXCITED!

Meghan x

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Something Like Winter - Book Review

Hello there again people of the internet! I'm back again today with another review for you all! Up this time is Something Like Winter by Jay Bell, which is the sequel to the wonderful Something Like Summer, here we go!!

Something Like Winter was everything i ever could have wanted in a sequel and oh so much more! All the aspects that i completely fell in love with during Something Like Summer were still there, but there were also these other amazing parts that i never knew i wanted. The parts that were 100% Something Like Winter were possibly the parts of this book that i loved the most, and the whole book was simply perfect.

Something Like Winter tells the story of Tim from Something Like Summer, and shows us his perspective of that first year with Ben, as well as all the other times that their characters came together in Something Like Summer, but with oh so much more. The parts of the book that told the story of Tim without Ben, something i longed for while reading Something Like Summer, were so brilliantly and beautifully written, and i even loved the characters that i hated. Tim's story was a perfect blend of familiar and original, mixing the best parts of his story with Ben with a story so uniquely his own in such a beautiful and heartbreaking way.

The new characters were all amazing, all of them being this amazing blend of good and bad characteristics that Jay Bell seems to have mastered. Getting to know the characters from Something Like Summer that i felt i knew so well in a whole new way was amazing, as was getting to know characters who i wanted to know more about the first time round. *cough*ERIC*cough* I never wanted this book to end!

Since i finished Something Like Winter i haven't prepared enough mentally yet to take on Something Like Autumn and Something Like Spring, but omg i cannot wait to get stuck into them both! As soon as i finish my current book i will be all over Something Like Autumn! I miss the characters, i miss Jay Bell's writing, and i miss being so involved in a story.

It's such a wonderfully perfect series so far, and i cannot suggest it enough! If you decide to give this series a chance, i promise you will not regret it one little bit!!

Meghan x

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Something Like Summer - Book Review

Hello there internet!! How are we all today? Oh good! :)

I'm here today with another book review, and it is one i am VERY excited about! The book is Something Like Summer by Jay Bell. I read this book about two weeks ago in one sitting, and i have wanted to type up my review ever since, however the almighty power of university work has pushed back everything i want to do. Hopefully that's cooled down for a bit now!

Anyway, on to the review!! (I am warning you now, there may be a lot of OMG!!!!'s and AHHH I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!'s...you have been warned!)

OH. MY. GOD. I am so in love with this book! 

Much like with Boy Meets Boy  i read this in one sitting and i have absolutely fell in love with every single second of it! As soon as i finished it i bought the other three books in the series, two short stories by the same author, and then immediately missed the story. I don't think i've fell so in love with a book in a long time.

The story follows a guy called Ben, who falls for the new, straight, guy at his school - Tim. The first part of this book focuses on the first year that they met and the friendship, relationship, heartache, that happened in that first year. This part made me want to reach into my kindle, pull them out of 1996 Texas and give them the biggest hugs ever. Also to shake some damn sense into them both! When this section of the book ended, i cried. I haven't cried to a book in a long, long time, and it doesn't really happen very often. It was so beautifully written and wow it was just so perfect and heartbreaking. 

Then in part two of the book, Ben is in college in Chicago, and his love life hasn't gotten any better since part one. BUT THEN something happens that means he has to go back to Texas, and on the flight he meets a flight attendant called Jace, and wow Ben falls in love and all seems like it's actually going well for once! Hurrah! He moves to Austin to live with his best friend, and life is good...BUT THEN uh oh who does Ben see in a coffee shop....TIM!! (OMG RIGHT) Ugh i love this part of the book so so so so so much!!

There is then a part three...which i am not going to discuss in this review, because to do that i'd have to spoil things that are major plot lines in part two. And i think that this part is so beautifully written, and oh so heartbreaking, that it's something that you should go into blind and just get lost in the story because it's just perfect!

I'm currently just over halfway through the second book Something Like Winter  and i am just as much in love with this book as i was the first. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series (there's also Something Like Autumn and Something Like Spring) and also get into the short stories of Jay Bell's because i am so in love with the way he writes!

Meghan x

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