Jekel Loves Hyde

Written by Beth Fantaskey

Narrated by Natalia Payne

Jill Jekel always obeys her parents' rules. But after her father is murdered, Jill begins to embrace her wild side. Teaming up with handsome but troubled Tristen Hyde, Jill sorts through the secret papers her father left behind. Soon, she and Tristen are recreating the experiments that inspired the classic monster novel, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "This novel is filled with compelling plot devices; one particularly nice touch is the way that Jekel and Hyde alternate telling their stories, embodying a double perspective. Fans of the genre won't be able to resist this slick genre update."-Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 18, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449840075

Beth Fantaskey

Beth Fantaskey is the author of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, Jessica Rules the Dark Side, Jekel Loves Hyde, and Buzz Kill. Shelives in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews for Jekel Loves Hyde

[eomalley_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading Beth Fantaskey’s “Jessica” books, I thought I’d take a look at a stand-alone YA novel she wrote, Jekel Loves Hyde. This is a cute twist on the Stevenson classic, Jekyll and Hyde, which asks, “What if Jekyll and Hyde were real, and had descendents? What if the formula was real?”

Jekyll and Hyde is one of my favorite stories, so I’m always up for a new take on it. The story is told in the first-person, but switches between Jill’s and Tristen’s points of view. I always love when this happens so I can know what both parties are thinking about a given situation. In this instance, Tristen really fears he is descended from the monster Hyde and that there is a killer buried inside of him. Violent dreams and blackouts have left him convinced that if he does not find a cure, he will murder someone for real. His only hope is teaming up with Jill Jekel, one of the smartest girls in school, to see if they can recreate Dr. Jekyll’s formula and help him destroy the monster forever.

I liked both characters immensely. Jill is the quiet, rule-following, introvert, while Tristen is the bold, charismatic, track star. Both are intelligent and artistic – Jill paints, while Tristen is a classical composer. They are both attracted to each other, but Jill fears she is too quiet for him while he is terrified the beast inside will hurt her if he gets too close. Neither one has a parent who is there for them; Tristen’s father is a psychiatrist who is convinced there is no such thing as a “Hyde” curse and so basically ignores his son’s concerns, while Jill’s mother has been having nervous breakdowns since her husband’s murder. When Tristen convinces his father to treat Mrs. Jekel, things look like they may be turning around. But not everything is as it seems.

There are some pretty serious themes buried in Jekel Loves Hyde. At times, Tristen is convinced that suicide may be his only option to prevent the beast inside from taking over. When the beast does emerge while he and Jill are kissing in the lab, it almost turns to rape. Jill is horrified when Tristen drugs her mother to help them avoid questions from her. But Tristen is horrified when Jill takes some of the formula and shows killer tendencies of her own. While Jill’s reason for taking the formula is not the greatest, I thought it was realistic – people do stupid things when they are jealous and hurting. An ugly confrontation between Tristen and his father was unexpected, but fit with the story.

I truly expected Tristen not to make it through this alive. I wasn’t sure how Fantaskey would be able to write him out of the trap he was in, but I think she did a great job. I didn’t expect how the final confrontation would play out, or the revelation of who killed Jill’s father. Tristen had some very dark tendencies, from drugging Mrs. Jekel to murder, and yet I couldn’t find it in myself to completely condemn him. In this story, there really WAS a monster inside and Tristen did everything he possibly could to keep Jill safe. He was just as horrified as anyone when some of his actions were revealed. But I loved the fact that he didn’t want to rush Jill into something she wasn’t ready for; that he wanted her in his life forever, with a ring and everything. She wasn’t just a conquest to him, but a partner. He was willing to give up everything, including his life, for her.

Jekel Loves Hyde is a creative twist on the classic story, with two interesting main characters who are drawn to each other in extraordinary circumstances. There are some discomforting themes and a bit of harsh language that may put off some readers, but these were mitigated by the fact that there are actual monsters in this story and it’s not all in the characters’ heads. Putting others first, respecting and protecting them, is also a big part of this book and shouldn’t be overlooked. I would recommend this book to older teens and adults who enjoy paranormal romances with a touch of horror.

[pmlyayakkers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fantaskey takes the classic novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and has the descendents of the original characters meet in modern-day Pennsylvania. Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde attend high school together. Jill has the original Dr. Hyde’s documents which Tristen is determined to use to kill the beast that exists within him. The two take on the experiment and manage to recreate the formula.

[myntop · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me a bit longer to truly get into this book than it normally does, however once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. The element of "who dun it" is always welcome in a paranormal romance for me. I like trying to figure out who the murderer was, if there really was a curse and a tie between the families, and if Tristen and Jill could finally work through their issues. The intense climax had my heart racing and I loved how most of the loose ends were tied up at the end of the book with just one bit of fray left to keep you wondering.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have always loved the classic story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde so this book intrigued me when I read the blurb. Taking elements of the original book by Robert Louis Stevenson, Fantaskey has written an interesting story full of suspense, mystery, danger and romance. Jill and Tristen are direct descendants of Jekyll and Hyde, and Tristen, with Jill's help, is determined to destroy the monster inside him before it takes control of him by recreating the experiments based on the ones used in the original novel. The story alternates between the two protagonists which I enjoyed, but I found Tristen's story more interesting. Tristen is definitely a bad boy with his dark, dangerous side and will appeal to teenage girls (strong similarities to Edward Cullen). Jill, on the other hand, is too frail and perfect for my liking and I feel that many of the secondary characters, especially Jill's school mates are under developed. At times the book felt a little rushed, especially the epilogue, but overall a satisfying read.

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am having problems finding my writing voice recently so please bear with me. First I would like to say I truly enjoyed this book, it is a wonderful mix if classic and modern; containing elements of 'Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde' with a teenage twist. This story is a bit more on the serious side of YA literature and it contains some graphic descriptions and scene, without being gratuitous. I would still stick with an older young adult audience though.

Jill and Tristen have one odd relationship in this book and it is interesting that after all the weirdness, betrayal, and grief they feel and witness they can remain together. I didn't understand that, I don't know if I could be with someone who was involved in everything that Tristen was involved with, even though he was on the side-lines. I also think that the author could have built up the relationship a bit more, I didn't feel the characters knew each other well enough to end up the way that they did. I don't know *shrug*

I enjoyed the writing, it had a beautiful quality and an almost haunting feel to it. The story was pretty good and very unique, I quite enjoyed this new play with 'Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde'. I also would like to say props to the author because I love books that make young readers want to read more classic literature and this one definitely makes you want to pick up a copy of the book of the classic. Overall a pretty good read, I continue to enjoy this lovely author.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Jekel Loves Hyde takes the classic Jekyll and Hyde story by Robert Louis Stevenson, treats it likes it's actual history, fast forwards to present time, and adds teenagers. Jill Jekel and Tristan Hyde couldn't be more different. Jill is a good student who is always on time and achieves the highest she can. Tristan is content to sit in the back of the classroom and read instead of paying attention. Of course he is devastatingly handsome, but he has a dark side. When extremely angry, he blacks out and loses control. He thinks it's a curse originating from Henry Jekyll and wants to work with Jill to somehow find a cure.I'm a sucker for a good retelling and this book stood on my shelf for years. I finally decided to read it and I simply couldn't finish it. Up until the halfway point, the characters, the plot, and the writing were fine. Nothing momentously good or bad, so I kept reading. The characters are a little flat. Jill is super straight laced and rejects everything else until Tristan comes along. Then she's sneaking out at night, kissing, and breaking into schools. The romance was ok and I was becoming invested in their characters. I really wanted to know why they were two people since Jekyll and Hyde shared a body in the original story. However, I rage quit when Tristan is kissing Jill, attempts to go further than she wants, and she sticks around to comfort him after he comes very close to assaulting her. This a book for teens. I don't want to support a story or an author that shows teens that sexual assault or rape (even attempted) is ok and not the perpetrators fault. The real world solution would be to get as far away from him as possible and get help, not stick around and feel so sorry for his inner evil. Also, based on reviews, Jill and Tristan trade personalities later in the book so Tristan is super good and Jill has the dark side. Tristan's evil manifests in the urge to kill people and apparently Jill's makes her promiscuous. So a teenage girl being sexual and acting on natural sexual urges is just as bad as a teenage boy attempting to kill people. That's horrible and incredibly sexist. I'm very glad I stopped reading. I won't be subjecting myself to any other books by Beth Fantaskey.

[sheila1957 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, set in a small Pennsylvania town with two teen-agers and their families as descendants of the famed literary characters. Jill Jekel's father has been murdered and her mother has a breakdown. She has to take care of herself and her mom. The chance for a scholarship comes up and her science teacher thinks she and Tristen Hyde should work together and prove the formula that Jekyll and Hyde had exists and works. Tristen knows the curse that follows the Hyde line but can he and Jill find a cure for it?I liked this telling. It is imaginative and up-to-date. I like the connection Tristen feels towards Jill. They are typical teens, oblivious to what is happening within their families. There is a gothic feel to the story. I like the path Tristen and Jill take. They learn about each other and about themselves during their research. It is nothing they or the reader will expect.

[sreeparna-11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about the book.The first half of the book was going so well but somehow the second part didn't live up to the promise.

The story was interesting and intriguing until Tristen got rid of his monster inside.The pacing was good.The mystery and the anticipation of what might happen next was a page turner.The growing relationship of Tristen and Jill was very well done.Their hearts connecting through the connection of grieving was kind of sweet.I found myself constantly trying to peek at the last part to know how their formula really worked.

But after Tristen got rid of his bad side the story began to fall.Jill was continuously moaning for her pathetic life and their relationship was torn apart so many times for unconvincing reasons.It was like Jill going two step forward and again two step back all the times.She knew Tristen had an evil side,then why was she so shocked to know that he committed some crime in early life?Wasn't she aware of that already?And the climax was...I don't know...didn't feel right.It was obvious that her mother was seeing Mr. Hyde.Their whole house was burned down and there was no police investigation.And Tristen took the solution but somehow it didn't work but it resurrected his dark side enough for musical inspiration!Weird.
So it was ok but not great.

[novellavialli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first thing that fascinated me about this book was its title. I had read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde and had fallen in love with it. I am still quite fond of it.The book really was cute and just perfect. I loved every second of it. The way Jill and Tristan fight for their love to come out victorious is rather amazing. The way they want to have nothing to do with each other but can't seem to get enough of each other. How they fight the conflicting feelings that they feel for each other kept me wanting to continue to reading even in the midst of night.Loved it!

[ekanderson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Retelling of classic literature and fairy tales seem to be all the rage right now. And I’ve gotta admit, I love a retelling, too. And that’s initially what drew me to Beth Fantaskey‘s new book, JEKEL LOVES HYDE. But here’s the thing — it’s not a retelling. And it’s not a sequel either (not a fan of newly published sequels to classics — though if you show me a good one, I could change my mind). JEKEL LOVES HYDE builds on the ideas that Robert Louis Stevenson used in his novel, and uses the novel as a pivotal theme in Jill Jekel and Tristan Hyde’s story.And it’s such a good story!Jill Jekel thinks of herself as the mousy nerd-girl, lucky to be friends with a cheerleader who might only be using her friendship as a path to homework help. Since her dad was killed, her mom has been a wreck. In fact, Jill takes care of her mom most of the time, making sure she doesn’t have another breakdown. The fact that her dad’s murder was never solved doesn’t help her family situation, but Jill is determined to move on and make the most of what’s left of her high school experience.Tristan Hyde is a loner, an outsider whose father is a prominent British psychologist who recently moved to Pennsylvania to work with local colleagues. With a workaholic dad never home, Tristan grew close to his grandfather. And on his deathbed, Grandfather Hyde told Tristan a secret: he’d committed murder, his family was cursed, and Tristan would be affected, too. He then gave Tristan a first edition copy of The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, saying that in those pages was the only chance Tristan might have to save himself. Now that Tristan has started having the dreams, he believes his grandfather might be right.Both students who excel in Chemistry, Tristan and Jill’s teacher offer them the opportunity to compete for a scholarship by developing an original experiment outside of class. He suggests Jill and Tristan work together, believing that it will give them a better chance at the money, especially given that a “Jekel and Hyde” team will intrigue the judges. At first, neither is interested. But when Jill realizes that her dad spent her college fund on secret research she realizes she might not have a choice. And as Tristan’s dreams — and his attraction to Jill — get more intense, she realizes that she might be the key to solving his curse. They will recreate the experiments that the original Dr. Jeckyl conducted and look for a cure. Jill, of course, is skeptical, but the attraction to Tristan is there — has been there, in fact, since the day he approached her at her father’s funeral and offered her a comforting hug right when she needed it — and her lack of college money is more than enough incentive to take up Tristan on his offer.Of course, it won’t be easy. There’s the fact that Jill’s mom is on the verge of another meltdown, that Tristan’s Dad is acting more and more erratic, that the truth about Jill’s father’s murder is painting him in a less-than-flattering light, and there’s the regular school drama of catty girls and nasty football players, one of whom Tristan pummels. This book runs the gamut of emotions, creatively weaving in the mythology Stevenson’s Jeckyl and Hyde to tell the story of two star-crossed teens doomed to deal with chemical reactions that they’d always supposed were fiction. JEKEL LOVES HYDE is science-y, romance-y, and mysterious, a great read for any reader looking for something a little different with a heroine who could be the girl next door and a bad boy who has to actually work to win her over. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up on your next trip to your library or bookstore. You won’t be able to put it down.

[lilibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fantaskey takes the classic novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and has the descendents of the original characters meet in modern-day Pennsylvania. Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde attend high school together. Jill has the original Dr. Hyde’s documents which Tristen is determined to use to kill the beast that exists within him. The two take on the experiment and manage to recreate the formula.

[staceymacwrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In a new generation, after-the-fact, version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jill Jekel, a timid top student and Tristen Hyde, an attractive guy with a silent beast deep within him, both find their lives and fates tragically twisted by the blood that runs within them and its history. Whether it was fate or coincidence that brought them together neither of them knew. With feelings that could have been viewed as rushed, I truly believe Jill’s and Tristen’s histories and duel-battle set the speed for this tale, intertwining their hearts as much as their ancestors intertwined their blood. Jill evolved from a girl who had no real personality to a young woman who found her strength, the ability to feel, and the answers she needed to takes the steps to move on. Tristen evolved from a depressingly haunted guy, fueled by a dangerous beast within him, to a young man able to trust in himself and the girl who stole his heart. In the end, both Jill and Tristen held on to a small sliver of the darkness that haunted them. The sliver of darkness they both held on to helped give Jill the backbone she needed and Tristen the ability to fuel his passion.I really enjoyed Jekel Loves Hyde. Jill and Tristen coming together via chemistry class was almost poetic to the ‘Strange Cases of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.’ It would be only fitting that their distant blood to the two crazed characters would fuel their ability to be young chemists, Jill following in her father’s footsteps, and Tristen letting his grandfather’s memory push and infuse him with the ability to understand what he was up against. In a strangely-almost-dark-way, Beth Fantaskey made this quick story tragic. Yet, this story was slightly romantic in a not-your-typical-romance kind of way. She left no loose ends, answering all silent questions including those stemming from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The plot wasn’t complex, but the story as a whole was. New information surrounding both Jill’s and Tristen’s losses came to the forefront several times tying up all but one loose end and even then the characters accepted that mystery.Never let down, Beth Fantaskey exceeded the expectations I set within the first chapter of this tale. I think this is a great, quick read to enjoy something based off of lore most everyone knows.

[feloniouslypink_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

similar to Jessica's Guide but good, nonetheless

[agillette_7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Shorter than Twilight but similar in characater's weaknesses/strengthes. No vampires present. Hyde is descended from the original Hyde.

[msmoonlight_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In a few words: Engaging & DifferentOverall I really enjoyed "Jekel Loves Hyde". It's a dark romance with twists and turns, murder, violence, dreams of murder, innocence, first love and love that concurs hardship and endures time. This book was a surprise. I had wrongly assumed this would be another chemistry teen team falling in love, I was wrong...sort of. This was darker...more violent.The heroine Jill Jekel's father has been murdered and his reputation is destroyed when his late night actions are revealed. Jill is crushed by the loss of her father but has to be strong because her mother is falling apart and can't cope with life any more.The hero is Tristen Hyde, the new kid in town with the British accent and violent short temper that makes people stay far away from him if they can help it. Tristen is tormented by violent dreams of killing people and he fears there is a dark beast living inside him - an idea put there by his grandfather long ago. Tristen believes that the Hyde family males are cursed because years ago Doctor Jekel in a crazy experiment created the beast who procreated and began the Hyde family.When Jill finds out her father spent all their money- including her college money she makes a deal with Tristen to work together on a science experiment to help her win thirty thousand dollars. Tristen doesn't want the money, he wants to be the lab rat to see if what they concoct will cure him and finally kill the evil beast inside of him. If that doesn't work, Tristen is prepared to commit suicide rather that become a killer.Slowly these two progress in a back and forth relationship of friendship and first love. Trust is hard for these two because they both have fears that must be dealt with and overcome for both of them to move forward.Wonderful read, full of surprises and bumps in the road to first love and romance.I really enjoyed "Jekel Loves Hyde" by Beth Fantaskey.

[ericajsc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

From the above summary, I guess I was expecting a little more intrigue from this story than there actually was. There were certain aspects of the plot that could have been more suspenseful, but whenever there was a thread in the storyline that had a little bit of a mystery to it, everything was revealed too quickly for me.Jill isn’t an entirely compelling character, though that’s kind of who she is. She’s someone who fades into the background. I’m all for books featuring girls who aren’t in-your-face beautiful and confident and sassy, because that’s how I was (or felt) in high school. But despite the fact that I felt that way, in my head and with certain people I was funny and snarky. Jill just isn’t. She’s so convinced that she’s nothing special that there’s not much emotion at all. While this works for developing her character, it’s not that interesting to read.Tristen has all the potential to be the “gorgeous, brooding” guy, but he was battling his good and evil sides so much that he always seemed fake, no matter which side was controlling him at the time. It was more like an idealized version of what girls want to believe is going on inside the head of that guy who’s probably just over the edge of dangerous.All throughout the book both Jill and Tristen wonder what the other is thinking about their relationship. Repeatedly. Yes, I am that girl who no matter what a guy did, I’d try to justify it to mean something entirely platonic in order to keep from getting my hopes up. But it’s annoying. I know this, which is why I kept that stuff to myself. And although neither character is talking about their doubts, they think about them a lot. Realistic, yes, but again, it’s annoying.However, even with all the things I didn’t like about the book, I thought it was good. It took me a little longer than usual to really get into the story, but I didn’t feel like I was working just to get to the end so I could say I finished it. As someone with a degree in English Lit, I have a lot of respect for authors who take a classic story and revamp it. Fantaskey put an interesting spin on Stevenson’s novel, and I probably liked the parts of the story that focused on their experiments the best. I think the book would’ve worked better for me if the characters were a bit more fleshed out.

[haleyknitz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth FantaskeyGenre: Young AdultISBN:9780152063900Rating: 4 Using their last names –and a mysterious box of notes in her dad's office—to their advantage, Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde attempt to recreate the formula from the classic novel for a science competition. Tristen is becoming lost inside his other half, and knows that the formula is the only way to save himself… and Jill, since the beast wants to kill her. We've all heard about the kiss that alters your soul, but when Jill accidentally consumes a little bit of a formula, things… change.I read this book in one sitting. Even for a bookaholic like myself, I generally don't have that much patience.There were a few things about Jekel Loves Hyde that really stuck out for me: One of them was happy-land syndrome. If you've never heard me refer to it before, it's where everything works out just perfect for the character's advantage, nobody argues, and everyone forgives each other. Jekel Loves Hyde did not have happy-land syndrome. The relationship was a rollercoaster, the plot was very complex, and things didn't always work out ideally. It made the story realistic and believable. I think if everything had worked out ideally it would have been to ridiculous to read.Another thing was the plot. It was very twisted and complicated, and never ceased to surprise me. I had no idea what to expect from this book when I first started reading it, and that continued all through the book. From the very beginning, I knew the characters were keeping secrets from me, which compelled me to continue reading until 2 :00 AM (literally).Some of the characters I thought I liked, but as the story went on I discovered what kind of people they really were, and I began to dislike them a lot. The main characters, Jill and Tristen, I liked. I can't say I "liked" their relationship though the story, because as I mentioned earlier, it wasn't always pretty. There were some pretty serious downfalls, but then again some pretty wonderful uprisings.As far as the writing, it was decent but there were some fragments that were scattered throughout that were disappointing. Between the great plot, the characters, and the enjoyment, the mediocrity doesn't stand out too bad.The end was great. It answered my questions, and gave a definite conclusion to their relationship—that I liked! Maybe it's the way I've been raised, but when the hero and the heroine's story ends with them only dating, I feel like the story can't be over. Ending with them engaged, her mother no longer off the deep end, and the "bad guy" gone forever, was pretty much perfect.Content: sexual references, some language.Recommendation: Ages 16+

[jrlibrary · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed Fantaskey's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, so was very excited to read this one, but was disappointed because it seemed to drag out just a bit too long.Jill Jekel ends up partnered with Tristen Hyde. They are going to try to recreate the potion that changed Hyde, using old notes from Jill's father's research. The Hyde line has suffered with the curse for many years, and the potion they create will allow Tristan to be normal, they hope. This book definitely contains some offensive language so I am passing it along to my local high school where I am confident it will be well received.

[cinnleigh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am beginning to learn that Beth Fantaskey writes more than just a fabulous book. Instead, she takes a great story and adds a dark feel to it that makes it completely unexpected and spectacular. She did in first in Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and then continued the approach in JEKEL LOVES HYDE. I am just loving it. The book starts out fairly simply, without a lot of worry. A funeral brings the story into focus, but even then events unfold much like we expect they would. This is how Ms. Fantaskey tricks the reader into thinking that her story is going to be just another run-of-the-mill, slightly predictable piece of fiction. A few more chapters in, however, and you begin to realize just how wrong you really were. JEKEL LOVES HYDE is the story of two science nerd, Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde. Both have secrets and while Jill attempts to survive following the death of her father and breakdown of her mother, Tristen hides a secret that could prove to be much more deadly. Hmm…Jekel and Hyde. One might ask: any relation to the legendary Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde? Guess you'll just have to read to find out! There were a few fantastic elements to JEKEL LOVES HYDE that Ms. Fantaskey's fans will be pleased to see. First is the way she develops her characters throughout the story. She doesn't give us all the details on every aspect of our hero and heroines lives right at the beginning of the book. No, instead she allows us to learn about them as they discover each other. I found this to be a fantastic way of really falling into the story. Nothing says realism like experiencing the characters' world right alongside them. The other wonderful aspect of this book that made it a keeper for me are the twists and turns that Ms. Fantaskey throws out there. Just as in Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, the reader is left absolutely knowing what is going to happen next, only to have this knowledge dashed to the rocks on the very next page. This was another page turner that was difficult to put down. Both the authors clear writing style and her plot twists keep the reader poised on the edge of their seat, ready to cheer or scream right alongside the characters. Now that you're ready to run out and read this for yourselves, here's my warning. The point of view in JEKEL LOVES HYDE does tend to jump back and forth between Jill and Tristen. The sections are well labeled and it shouldn't be hard at all to figure out who is talking when. Still, sometimes I found it hard to switch gears from being in Jill's head one moment to Tristen's the next. Keep this in mind. Fans of dark fantasy and/or YA will most likely love JEKEL LOVES HYDE. I believe that Ms. Fantaskey's previous fans will also find something to love in this story. Her characters are realistic, with their own quirks, issues, and challenges and her plot is complex while still being understandable to the reader. This is the kind of story a reader can get lost in with no real plans to attempt to dig themselves back out.

[khager_9 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a sort of updated/reimagining of the Jekyll and Hyde story and it's also a love story.It's a fun story and I liked Jill Jekyl but I didn't get the appeal of Tristen Hyde. (This may be my own failing.)Anyway, absolutely entertaining and I'm glad I snagged it at BEA. :)

[kburgess1984 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Talk about bringing the classics back into popularity, Beth Fantaskey has done this in spades! By taking the idea from the well known classic, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and combining that with her individual writing style, Fantaskey has created another winner.Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde share the spotlight in this novel as high school students with well known last names. What no one really knows is that they truly do have a connection to the characters from the classic, whom everyone though to be fictional. We get alternating narratives from both characters and personally I loved it! You get a full account of what's going on, who is thinking what and this gave me a and I'm sure will give all readers a much broader scope of the whole story.What I wasn't expecting with this book was the dark and twisted tone that is apparent throughout, and don't even get me started on the twists and surprises that Fantaskey managed to throw in to the mix. They blindsided me and I had no warning whatsoever, nor did I know what to expect next at any given time. Fantaskey has a huge fan following from her last release, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and I don't think her fans will be disappointed. I loved this story and really had fun reading it the whole way through.So many mysteries and questions; will they find a cure? Will the beast win? Who is behind the murder and will the good guys really be able to come out on top? You'll be asking these questions the whole way through and you'll be on the edge of your seat until the very end. I can't wait to see what Fantaskey brings us next, and hopefully this may not be be the last we see of Jekel and Hyde.

[karen813 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received an arc of this book from the publisher and I looked forward to reading it because I did like the author's previous book, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. In the story Jill Jekel, certified good girl, teams up with Tristan Hyde, bad boy with a shady past (and an even shadier future) to replicate the experiments of the original Dr. Jekyll. The book has an interesting premise and likeable characters. Despite the positives I can't say that I loved the book. I found it overly dramatic in some parts and not dramatic enough in others. I got tired of Jill's constant need to beat herself up and Tristan's brooding need to be alone. I thought it was an okay read but not a book i would go back to and not one that will stick in my memory.

[abookwormshaven · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received an ARC of this book through the bookstore where I am a part time bookseller. I had actually just finished reading Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side when I walked into the store and saw this ARC and got really excited! I loved Jessica’s Guide so I was really eager to get my hands on Beth’s next book. Jekel Loves Hyde focuses on two high school students, Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde who aside from sharing infamous literary last names, don’t run in the same social circles. Jill is the “goody two shoes”, she always does the right thing, you can always count on her to help out her friends and that is usually why she gets pushed around quite a bit. Tristen is the school loner, he transferred from England and his past is just as mysterious as he is. The two end up getting together to work on a school science project trying to capitalize on their last names by recreating some of the experiments conducted by the original Mr. Jekyll. However, Tristen believes that his family has the “Hyde curse” and he has a dark monster lurking inside him that thrives on violence and he sees the experiments as a way to save his soul and rid himself of the curse. As the experiment progress Jill and Tristen find themselves drawn to one another and are constantly playing a love-hate game throughout the novel.I really did enjoy this book, I liked the relationship between Jill and Tristen, you feel like these two are either going to be life long rivals or they are going to fall in love, but you weren’t quite sure which outcome would come true. I felt like I did know a lot of how the book was going to end before I got to it, it seemed a little predictable. However, there were one or two surprises that did occur that caught me a little off guard so I was happy that I did not see everything that was coming.I thought the idea behind the story was interesting, what would happen if there really was a “Hyde curse”?” How would that affect someone’s life? Could they be helped? That is what drew me into this story, the science behind the Jekyll and Hyde story, the mystery interested me almost more that the whole Jane/Tristen story. Don’t get me wrong, I loved watching their story unfold, but after I was done reading I am not dying to know what happened to them, like I was in Beth’s other book Jessica’s Guide (which if you have read that and want to know what happens, you can go to Beth's website to find out!)Overall, it is a great, quick, light read. I liked the story, thought the back story was very interesting and I was left happy with the books outcome. If you liked Beth Fantaskey’s first book you should check this one out.

[imnellen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun read. The light romance and the mystery the main characters face equals a lighthearted who done it with ties to the original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

[pacey1927 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved "Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side" and so I had "Jekel Loves Hyde" on my wish list from the moment it appeared on Amazon. I knew the story wasn't going to be about vampires and I looked forward to a modern spin on Jekyl and Hyde. The story is about two teenagers who decide to work together on a chemistry competition and hopefully win scholarship money. The girl is Jill Jekel, a quiet studious teenager who is just trying to get over her father's recent murder. Tristen Hyde is mysterious and prone to bouts of anger. Jill finds a secret box in her father's locked office that claims to have the formula from the supposedly fictional tale of Jekyl and Hyde. The two soon discover that they are the descendants of the book's characters. Together Jill and Tristen lock themselves away at night working on the formula. Tristen suspects that his father's dark side has killed his mother. Things get uglier when Jill ingests some of the potion. The book was good and I enjoyed reading it. Thee is no question that Beth Fantaskey can really write. Her prose flows and gives the characters a great depth of which is rarely seen in young adult fiction. As an adult with my own fourteen year old step-daughter, I hesitate as to whether she would enjoy the book. There is some talk of sex and some brief mentions of couples almost having sex. Nothing is overly graphic or unsuitable. I think the story is just not all that exciting. There isn't as much meat to this book as their was to Fantaskey's previous endeavor. The ending was abrupt...I hate when stories have their narrator disappear before witnessing or being a part of the big climax, and then we have to read about what happens in the epilogue. Unfortunately that happened here. If I hadn't liked the two main characters as much as I did, and feel about them as strongly as I did, I would probably have knocked another star off for this. The final confrontation was, unfortunately, a letdown. And that letdown happened at a point which could have actually been exciting enough to make the book better as a whole. "Jekel Loves Hyde" has a great, original premise, wonderful three dimensional characters, and fluid writing, however it is just missing something and falls quite short of being amazing.

[stephxsu · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After her father’s murder, good-girl Jill Jekel fears for her academic future when she discovers that her father had drained all her college savings. She opens the forbidden box in his office with the hopes that whatever’s inside might help her win a prestigious chemistry scholarship.It turns out that the box contains chemistry formulas that seem to link Jill’s family to the old Robert Louis Stevenson novel of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. To unravel the formulas and win the scholarship, Jill pairs up with Tristen Hyde, a brooding British transfer student whose family has lived with a dark secret for a while. Shocking discoveries about the families’ connection and an unlikely romance abound, but Jill and Tristen must unravel their families’ mysteries before they are destroyed…from the inside out.JEKEL LOVES HYDE has a fascinating premise, but Beth Fantaskey’s sophomore novel unfortunately doesn’t live up to her debut, the compelling, funny, and smoldering Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. The pace is slow, the writing stilted, and the characters lack believability and, well, chemistry.Jill and Tristen’s romance will appeal best to fans of those often inexplicable paranormal matchups in the style of Twilight and Shiver. Jill is a timid character whose passivity and inability to get anything done get extremely frustrating extremely fast. I suppose the point of the book is to illustrate how her love for Tristen and the formula they create from her father’s papers change Jill, bring out the “bad” side of her (the side that we all have)—but when the change came about, it happened so abruptly, with such an uneven buildup beforehand, that I couldn’t really believe it actually happened.Tristen’s character was more attractively complex: Fantaskey does a good job of illustrating his conflict of familial demands vs. individual agency. However, his thought processes and dialogue were quite obviously conceived of and executed by a female. The lack of distinction between Tristen’s and Jill’s voices, coupled with their alternating narrative POVs throughout the book, made for an almost uncomfortable read, in that the characters never stood out and achieved credibility.JEKEL LOVES HYDE takes an intriguing look at the complex influences of family over individual agency, but that interesting concept was for the most part sadly mired in the mundanities of a less-than-fully-realized high school adolescent setting. The teachers and classmates were stock characters, and the chemistry experiments that Jill and Tristen performed lacked a richness of detail that would make us believe they are actually doing what the words on the page vaguely tell us they’re doing. Similarly, Jill’s interest in art and Tristen’s passion for music were characteristics that never fully coalesced with their characters for me.There is no denying that JEKEL LOVES HYDE is an ambitious book. Fantaskey’s writing “tics” of flat supporting characters, love-conquers-all theme, and colloquial diction are once again prevalent here, but unlike in Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, there is no gratifying humor or steamy romance to excuse its weaker points. JEKEL LOVES HYDE will appeal most to readers who like their paranormal romances swoony and won’t mind a slow and perhaps not quite cohesive plot. Despite the lukewarm effect this book had on me, however, I still admire Fantaskey for coming up with the most original and compelling premises ever, and will not hesitate to pick up her future books.