Having recently read Jessica's Guide, as in a few days ago, I was excited to read this new book from Fantaskey. Admittedly I'm never a fan of the original work (though I did enjoy the BBC adaptation 'Jekyl' with James Nesbitt from a few years ago), but the idea has always appealed to me. Unfortunately after finishing this book I felt...confused more than anything else. What I liked was that despite the characters seeming like cliches (nerdy girl, violent loner, popular best friend and witchy arch-rival), none of them were just that. Jill was a nerdy girl, but she was a strong person inside--enduring her father's funeral and her mother's breakdown, growing up so quickly to make sure what was left of her family didn't get completely destroyed--these things all showed how strong she was. Tristan, as he surname would suggest, becomes a monster, but is a beautiful pianist. Becca...actually I have nothing good to say about her. And Darcy, the arch-rival, in her own condescending way she sought to keep Jill at least at a suitable level to compete with her. Most of the characters were shades of grey, complicated and so wrapped up in trying to do something good that they can't see the bad that's inevitable. I'm not sure if its pride or merely just human fallacy, but most of the characters in the book think of the right path at the very last moment. And I love the book for the fact that nothing comes easily; not the emotions, not the answers and not even the truth. Tristan freaked me out a little bit. Even when he was Tristan and not monster!Tristan, he was intense. So willful and driven, so hounded. I wanted to know if the 'Hyde curse' began when the men were children, or if it was at the onset of puberty honestly. How the Hyde men knew exactly was all very vague; a thought here, a voice there, terrifying dreams...There is of course more to those dreams then is let on, but I enjoyed watching as they unfolded and became more vivid to Tristan. Jill and Tristan's relationship ran hot and cold with me. Like Jill I thought Tristan seemed like such a nice guy...and then he started talking crazy talk and I was like 'just humor the crazy boy and run away Jill' (even though I knew he wasn't lying). He came on so strongly, even when just being platonic with Jill, that I had severe doubts and reservations about her spending time with him alone. And then Jill began changing and I was worried more about Tristan then I was her...it seemed like I spent most of their relationship worried one or the other would seriously harm the other. On the other hand I was darkly amused by the implication that they could both be dark at the same time. Jill also showed a disturbing lack of common sense in regards to Tristan. He admits to doing all sorts of violent, reprehensible things--all while he is monster!Tristan of course--and Jill will get justifiably worried, resolves to stay away from the dangerous boy...and then runs right back to him out of love. Its especially worrisome after he talks to her about his dreams. I honestly do not believe she had a shred of self-preservation. The ending wasn't very satisfactory, I'll be honest. She pulls a similar trick she pulled in Jessica's Guide regarding Tristan at one point that had me frowning. Then also Jill seemed to be acting less like herself then usual that I had to pause and re-read the last chapter to make sure I didn't miss anything. Niggling questions ate at me--such as how a generations long 'curse' (started by a chemical reaction that morphed Jekyl's body into something completely new) could be solved by one dose of the same chemical. Was the chemical then part of their genetic make-up, thus allowing the transference from father to son, and the chemical just re-configured their genetics? Wouldn't the fact that strong emotions triggering the change kind of indicate that it had evolved? Jekyl turned into Hyde only when he ingested the chemical, and turned back the same route. Does this mean that the new 'Hyde' men released the formula into their blood during strong emotions and then it faded when they came back to their senses? I realize it sounds like I'm overthinking things, but I shouldn't have to wonder about such an important part of the puzzle. It should have been explained, or at least shown, at some point in the narrative/novel. Its unfortunate I didn't enjoy Jekel Love Hyde as much as Jessica's Guide, but I will look forward to any further books Fantaskey puts out. At the very least she does entertain and does bring a different twist to established norms!

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.