Review:
This book was really good overall, but there were still some things I liked and some things I disliked.
I’ll start with the dislikes:
1) I was annoyed by the little sections of conversation between Jolie and The Clinic; I don’t like vague mysteriousness and felt like, either tell the reader what’s going on or don’t.
2) The book got a little too romance-y and sappy and big-emotional-character-growth-all-the-sudden-y for me during the part where they spent like for whole days doing nothing but screwing.
3) Normally I can deal with lack of communication/miscommunication because it’s realistic, but in this case it was just aggravating (though thankfully fairly short-lived).
Now the likes:
1) The reactions of the characters in the beginning, when all the weird stuff was happening and neither one knew what was going on, were surprisingly realistic, especially the way Mitch just thought Eden was wacko, then thought she had an actual psychological disorder and needed help, and regardless just kept trying to shoo her out of his life.
2) Most of the characters and their interactions were realistic and at times pleasantly complex, *MILD SPOILER* like when Carter screwed up and Eden got upset and Mitch basically wanted to kill him but then decided the guy was just an overwhelmed idiot who was in over his head and ended up kinda feeling bad for him and not wanting to hurt his feelings. *END SPOILER*
3) Mitch’s asshole-ness was hilarious. And I wasn’t put off by it because he had an actual legitimate, understandable reason for being an asshole.
4) This wasn’t truly a retelling of Jekyll & Hyde, but it was still a creative use of the original as inspiration.
5) This moment:
She took the condoms out of his hand and said, “I had to put one of these on a banana at a party once. It was a dare.”
“Dare you to try it again.”
“And if I can do it?”
“Anything you want.”
She smiled. “And if I can’t?”
“Anything you want. In addition to a how-to lesson.”
5 cont.) I loved that quote because, number one, yay for safe sex! And number two, he didn’t make her feel bad in any way about her lack of experience, and he even wanted to teach her how to use a condom if she didn’t know how so that she could always practice safe sex, even if she wasn’t with him, and not have to rely on men. It just struck me as a really great moment.
To be honest, I’m not planning on continuing with the series because I just never truly connected to the characters and don’t feel invested, but I think it was a “me” thing, not the book. Overall, this was definitely a good book and one that I would recommend to paranormal romance readers!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes paranormal romance, mysterious stories, and lovable assholes.
This novel is intended for adults only. It includes lots of cursing, descriptive sex, biting sarcasm, and dark themes. HYDE was inspired by Stevenson’s novella but is not a retelling, in part because he and this author have very different definitions of ‘bad boy’.
Honesty is impossible when you don’t know the truth to begin with.
Mitchell Turner is everything women want most in a man — he’s charismatic, successful, and undeniably gorgeous. But he’s not a man — he’s a monster. By venting his rage 24/7, Mitch keeps people out of the danger zone that surrounds him. But, after the most incredible night of his life, he realizes that might not be possible. Except the woman he wakes up with claims she doesn’t remember any of it. And that kind of thing can make a guy insecure.
Eden Colfax is kind, loyal, honest to a fault, and cavity-inducing sweet. To rid herself of the monsters that haunted her broken childhood, Eden doesn’t lie, doesn’t curse, and definitely never wakes up naked in strangers’ beds…until the day she does. Then the flashbacks start — places she’s never been, people she’s never met, blood she’s never spilled. And the only person with any answers is a man she never wants to see again.
What they don’t know is that someone is manipulating them, determined to find out exactly what they’re capable of. And when the truth leaves them nothing to hold onto, they will be forced into a partnership neither expected. Or wanted.
But in life, who you trust is as important as who you are. And when you can’t even trust yourself, sometimes the only person you can rely on is the last person on earth you should be falling for.
Book Author: Lauren Stewart
Publisher: Off the Hook Publishing
Series: Hyde
Genre: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Retelling, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Retelling
My Rating: 4
Series/Standalone: Part of a Series
Non-Human Type: Other Supernatural
Relationships/Sex: M-F
I love a good asshole. lol. Ahh, and that IS a great moment – totally agree. It sounds pretty good.
Christy LoveOfBooks recently posted: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
Lol I liked him specifically because he really did have a legit reason for being an asshole. Glad you love that moment too!
I have a copy of this on my Kindle and I don’t know if I could resist a lovable asshole. Glad you enjoyed parts of this one. Great review!
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted: TTT - Ten Books On My Fall TBR
Lol then I think you’re going to love this guy. Thanks!
I’m really intrigued by this story (especially the Jeckyll/Hyde aspect), although I have to admit that the romance sounds a bit over the top. I’m not a big fan of character development that happens all-of-the-sudden-y either, hahaha.
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted: Review: Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones
Yeah it was just that all-at-once aspect of the romance and character development that threw me. It was a good book though.
That’s too bad – it has an interesting premise.
P.S. YOU HAVE YOUR POWER BACK!!! yay!!!!
For What It’s Worth
Karen recently posted: review: All in pieces by suzanne young
I mean, it was good, just not quite for me, I guess.
I KNOW I’M SO HAPPY!
Now I am curious about the truth they find out. I have to admit though, some of your list of dislikes, I really do dislike. ALOT. Boo.
verushka recently posted: #5Books: Book recs and summer is here AKA a snap heatwave
I mean, they didn’t really get a whole lot of answers, that was one of the things that bothered, so I’m curious too lol.
I don’t like retellings much and Jekyll & Hyde is not one of my fav stories either but it seems it was not really retelling but maybe just “inspired on” and I’m glad you enjoy the realistic characters! :) I still remember being in love with this cover when it was on your sidebar! :) me and butterflies :)
Dragonfly @ Our Familiarium recently posted: Never, Never 4.4 clueless stars
Oh, see, I think J&H could make for a very interesting retelling! But this was more just inspired by, not a retelling. Ah, yes, I remember your love for this cover lol.