Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Publisher: Hacourt Children's Books
Pub. Date: May 3rd 2010
Age Range: 12 and up
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Source Of Copy: from the publisher - HCB

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.


Jekel Loves Hyde is intriguing, dark and full of secrets. If you're a fan of paranormal, you cannot miss it out.

Readers that have read and loved Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde or are interested in chemistry will probably be extra fond of this book. If you don't belong to those two groups, it's fine too, because Jekel Loves Hyde still have more things to offer. Mystery, romance and a plenty of insanity are what will keep you read on and on.

The book has a very potential plot to begin with, it's based on a fiction in the past so everything seems very mysterious. Because of that, too, the two main characters are linked with each other and they seem to click immediately. The pace is always fast, so the whole story, from page 1 to 288, is extremely intense.

What I like about the book is that the problem is introduced very soon and got tangled up with others later so you won't have to wait for too long nor lose interest half way. With a wicked formula that can affect anyone, we can't predict how the characters will act or turn out to be.

Having said that, I still think Jekel Loves Hyde lacks something. Maybe it's because I've heard lots of praise for Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side I expect something huge from this book but couldn't find any, or because Jill is not as witty and strong as I want the female lead to be, or, as stated above, the book is always intense but doesn't have any super intense moment it lessen the effect.

Above all, to me, it's still a very good book. Totally worth the wait.

Rating: 3.5/5