blo Teens Read and Write: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

**Giveaway ALERT! A comment on this post (within 7 days of post date) gets you 5 extra entries in our MegaBook Giveaway. If you haven't entered yet, go to the contest post (or click on the contest link on the upper right sidebar) to enter! Good luck!

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey
pub: Feb 2009
368 pages

Synopsis:
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a
bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancĂ©.

Armed with
newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.

But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.


Yes, another vampire book and I picked it up. Can't fight that addiction. This time that was a good thing.

This is a really fun vampire tale. Jessica is a charming character who is lucky enough to garner the attentions of the luscious Lucius.

He comes waltzing in (of course he can dance) and all he's missing is the gallant steed. I mean this guy is so hot and suave that the only
unbelievable part of this book is why Jessica doesn't swoon and fall at his feet from the get-go.

Yes, she is this analytical girl who sees things in black and white and doesn't believe in myths like vampires, but this guy is gorgeous and aced the Advanced Seduction course. He is every girl's fantasy of tall, dark, handsome and charming.

Yeah, he's a bit arrogant but he's a prince and doesn't that come with the territory? But he learns to appreciate Jessica's down to earth attitude, independent spirit and generous heart which only makes us adore him more.

The point of view shifts from Jessica's to Lucius, but the author does something interesting by giving us Lucius' point of view through his personal letters to his uncle, and I think it works well. Their differing perspectives on the same scenarios is often humorous.

This story is a fun romp to ride along on, with good characterization as well as twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages.

Of course, danger lurks, romance is threatened, the fate of the world lies in these two young lives, and Jessica doesn't realize what she's got until it's gone, at which point she must swallow her pride and fight for it.

Ah, yes, young love and vampire romance. This one delivers a good yarn for us vamp-aholics!

Cover: I think it's cute. Love her pretty dress.

First Line: The first time I saw him heavy gray fog clung to the cornfields, trails of mist slithering between the dying stalks.
Good. It gives me an eerie setting and feels mysterious and ominous while anticipating who this stranger is going to be.


Fantaskey's next book,
Jekel Loves Hyde is due out May 3. I'll double u p this post by listing it as a Waiting on Wednesday pick. I loved her knack of storytelling and think Jekel Loves Hyde will be another winner!

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about ne ver opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office.

But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's t
empted 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 sanit
y. 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.


Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side has just been added to the MegaBook Giveaway. Hope you enter and Good Luck!


118 comments:

vonze said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side has been on my wish list for a while now. It looks like a fun book. I hadn't noticed that Jekel Loves Hyde is from the same author (needs to pay better attention). Thanks for pointing that out to me.

babygirlG said...

I didn't love Jessica. I think they are too many vampire books out there.

titania86 said...

I too am addicted to vampire novels. I just can't help myself. Jekel Loves Hyde looks really good too.

Hesperus (Haya) said...

I wonder if there used to be this much vampire novels before twilight. lol.

Shweta said...

I have been wanting to read this one for a long time now. The cover is definitely great...

InfinitePlaylist said...

I didn't even realize those 2 books were by the same author. They're both on my to-read-list. Jessica's... has such a cool title and I love the premise for J&H!

Sandra Stiles said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark side sound interesting. I am not into all of the vampire books but I have a student who is. I had to tell her she had to read all of my required books before she could read anymore vampire books. She completed them all in one week. This goes on my list for her. Jekyl loves Hyde sound more interesting to me.

Trollololol said...

I loved Jessica's Guide and the point of view shifts but Lucius really annoyed me when he started... doing stupid things.
Great review, I agree with everything you said. :)

Jo said...

Awesome review, Alyssa! I really like the sound of this book, and have wanted to read it for such a long time! It just sounds so good! Also loving the sound of Jekel Loves Hyde! Cheers1

Anonymous said...

I loved JGTDOTD.....My fav part, when she stands up and smacks him across the face...whew...go Jess!!!

Blodeuedd said...

A bit sick of vamps, but I love paranormal books that are a bit on the funny side so this one sounds cool

Anonymous said...

Sounds like great books, and I love the covers! I want to read them!!

Tales of Whimsy said...

LOL
"Can't fight the addiction"
Too cute :)
Great review :)

Ellz said...

Great review. I have never read this before. I have seen the cover, but never read the summary. Sounds great. I will be adding it to my wishlist and and JLH, already there.

Sapphire said...

I want to read Jessica's guide ... and Jekel loves Hyde sound great!!!

MannaB said...

Yet another great recommendation from you guys!!

Unknown said...

So glad you liked Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I have it on my wish list but had been seeing some mixed reviews.

Christa said...

Both of those books look fabulous! I'm a little ready to move away from the vampire craze, but since it looks like Beth Fantaskey is spreading from vampire to Jekyll & Hyde, I applaud her & will keep an eye out for these books.

tweezle said...

Both books look like great reads!! Sigh.... more to add to my wish list.

Great review!! Thanks :)

Wicked Walker said...

I have Jessica's Guide on my shelf to read, I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great review, makes me jazzed about it again. I already have Jekel love Hyde on my wish list! can't wait!

Unknown said...

I just got Jessica's Guide in the mail, I cant wait to read it, what a wonderful review - and Jekel loves Hyde looks soooo good!

throuthehaze said...

I loved this book!

elaing8 said...

Great review.I just bought this book and I'm looking forward to reading it.
The author also wrote their wedding and you can get it from her site.

Adriana said...

Great review! This book sounds great as does Jekel Loves Hyde. I'll definitely have to read Jessica's Guide soon.

melissa @ 1lbr said...

Hm...not a book I think I'd be interested in, but I enjoyed the honest review!

Anonymous said...

It seems good! But i wanna read vampires books for now. I had enough with twilight.

kisses!

Tina said...

I prefer Jekel Loves Hyde, I'm just fed up with all these vampires. But, good review!

StephTheBookworm said...

This was one of my favorite books I read last year!!

Nina said...

Both of the books sound amazing. I have both of them on my tbr list and cant wait to buy and read them. :)

benbes said...

I am a fan of vampire books, juts love reading them.
hampton bay

Unknown said...

I first heard about this book from another blog, i was dying to read it but the review left me feeling a bit disappointed about the book, but after reading this review i think i'll give it a shot.

Tynga said...

I wasn't crazy for that book, adn the end kind of disapointed me, I think this book needed a sequel =/

donnas said...

Great review. I had mixed feeling on this book. I really liked the story but got annoyed during part of it too. And I think the ending could have been better. Its asking for a sequel.

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said...

I've heard a few mixed reviews on this, but I'm happy to know that an avid vampire lover picked it up and enjoyed it. I'm really looking forward to reading Jekel Loves Hyde, so I should probably read Jessica's Guide first, just to get a feel for Fantaskey's writing style.

Nicole Settle said...

Great review! I loved Lucius letters! They made the books so much better. Can't wait to read Jekel Loves Hyde!

Kathy Martin said...

I think that one of the highlights of the books for me were the letters that Lucius sent home to his uncle.

I am really looking forward to Jekel Loves Hyde too. I love that title.

pepsivanilla said...

This was a pretty good book, but I was a little disappointed. That was probably because I read the entire Mortal Instruments series right before it though :)

Bere said...

Awesome review! I saw this book awhile ago but wasn't
sure whether to pick it up or not. I love
Vampire books too hehe, I'm guilty.
I'll be looking out for this one! I'm
also looking out for this one Jekel Loves Hyde.
Thank you =)

Misty said...

I almost bought this, and then decided I really shouldn't spend any more money, so I decided I'd get it from the library instead -- and then promptly forgot about it. (Makes note on ever-growing list.)
Great review. I've been seeing J ♥ H everywhere, and somehow I did not put together that they're by the same person...

Cherry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cherry said...

The title sounded like and instruction manual rather than a paranormal romance novel :)
Thanks for sharing your views Al!

Jessica B said...

Yep, I REALLY liked this one! I can't wait for Beth's next book. Great review!

Mariana S said...

Sounds Great. Nice review! =)

Emily said...

Great review! I think I'll have to find me a copy of this one. Every time I say "No More Vampires!" I find another vamp book I actually like - go figure.

Tempi said...

I've already read it and I really liked it! At first I thought it was a topic story, vampire prince meets average girls who turns ot to be her vampire princess. But as I went on I discovered the characters and I saw they were not plain, in fact, they had been constructed very good. And the final part ws so awesome!! ^^

Zombie Girrrl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zombie Girrrl said...

I love the dress too, but the cover doesn't really grab me. =\
I can't wait for J♥H!

Bookish in a Box said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side looks fun. I'm not sold on Jekel Loves Hyde yet, but I'm open to persuasion. :-)

aprilnichole said...

I like the first line to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I agree it does give the eriee feel.

Anonymous said...

These books sound really good but I'm not too sure about Jekel Loves Hyde. But I'll give it a chance!

CeeCee said...

I'm a bit weary of Vampire books at the moment but might pick it up later.
I'm excited about Jekel Loves Hyde though and both covers look so pretty.

Seahn

Amber Skye said...

I wasn't planning on reading this book, but after reading your review, I just might have to look into it. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I've been wanting to read Jessica's Guide for a long time! Great review.

Lena1xoxo said...

AHHH! I love Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side! Such a great book. Awesome review.

And now I really want to read Jekel Loves Hyde :)

A Life Bound By Books said...

I read JG right after it came out. I did enjoy the book, just felt that it should have been a series or maybe a few more pages. The ending seemed a tad rushed to me.

Im looking forward to her next book, Jekel Loves Hyde - it's on my wislist :o)

As always, Thanks for the great review!
-Lisa

Anonymous said...

How come every day I come over I discover new books I'd love to read? This is going to be... OMG they both sound awfully great!
Thanks for the reviews :)

Wings said...

i bought this today! i have been looking at it for a while and you just cemented my good choice!!!! thank you!

great review...

jekyl loves hyde looks good as well, i didnt know they were written by the same person :)

Ryan said...

I'm going to have to pass on this one, I'm a little burnt out on vampires. Never thought I would say that though.

Katrina said...

I am so vamped out, I am almost faried out as well.
I have an award for you as well, http://trinsnook.blogspot.com/2010/02/and-award-goes-to.html

Amy said...

JEKEL LOVES HYDE is one of the top most anticipated of 2010 for me! I can't wait to read it, and JESSICA'S GUIDE is on my tbr pile! I'm even more excited now that you guys seem to have enjoyed it! :D

(: Isa :) said...

Oh gosh! I had forgotten about this book, but I remember that I was dying to read it. I'm wanting to again. :) It's really awesome that you also liked it.

Kristi said...

These both sound like good books - I will have to bring the vampire one to my oldest daughter's attention.

Unknown said...

I definitely want to read both books! Thanks for the review :-)

Unknown said...

I definitely want to read this book! Sounds enticing! Thanks for the review :)

Chioma said...

I really havent read not one bad review of this book. And I still have yet to go pick it up. Shame on me!!! But I recieved Jeckel Loves Hyde in the mail and I hear its just as good!!! Great review!!!

Cats on the Shelf said...

I've been wanting to read Dating on the dark side for a while now and I just heard about Jekel loves Hyde. I'm still not sure about it though. (+25)

aqtbenz said...

Hmm I usual avoid the vampire books, because really, they are SO overdone. But if Lucius is really *that* hott...;)

As for Jekel Loves Hyde, I'm a bit hesitant. I might wait for the first few reviews.

Thanks for the great review!

Unknown said...

I've seen this book around and thought it looked like just a fun read - nothing serious just fun. From your review it sounds like that's exactly what it is!

mariska said...

booth books have been on my radar lately. thanks for review Alyssa !

Dana N. said...

Ooooh! Awesome! I haven't heard of this book before, and now that I have, I totally wanna read it!! Great review!

Rheanna said...

On the Jessica book I would probably pass. But the Jekyl Loves Hyde sounds like an awesome new take on an older classic. And it's kind of refreshing to see a new paranormal element for her new book not just vampire, vampire, vampire!

EVA SB said...

I love the analogy of teenage boys to Vampires.
The teenage dating scene is such a snake pit, it feels jut as if you are going to loose your soul over the slightest mistake.

Teddyree said...

I started listening to this one on audio and couldnt stand the narrator, looks like I should read it. Thanks for the great review!

Aik said...

These books sounds great! I'd love to read them!

Shy said...

Seriously want to read this book! Have heard SO many positive reviews on it so I'm pretty sure that it's good and am going to like it :D

Thanatos said...

Sweet!!! Nice! I'd love to have Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side! ^_^

Jessy said...

I loved this book and can't wait for Jekel loves Hyde!

Dwayne said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side sounds good to me. Jekel Loves Hyde, not so much. But dang, I'm so biased towards Vampires!

Sharli said...

I read this book a while back and I loved it! I would really recommend it xD
Now I'm waiting for Jekel Loves Hyde!

Sara said...

Aa this one sounds sooo good! It's been on my wish list for months! I HAVE to buy it soon! :)

twipippi said...

Both books sounds good. Great review!

Jenny N. said...

Happy to hear you liked it. I read this one a while back.

Wrighty said...

I read the first one right after it was released and enjoyed it. I look forward to the next one now. Great covers too!

I'm always so impressed with your blog. You guys have always done a great job but you just keep getting better and better! I don't know how you find the time but keep it up! Terrific!! :)

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

YES!! Someone else who still likes vamps

Sandy said...

I haven't read a vampire book in a while now (I think the popularity of vampire books made me edge away a little bit from the new books to emerge..) but this one really looks like something I'd like! :)

YA Book Queen said...

Awesome review! It sounds like a fun, cute read (and I love the sound of JLH!)

:)

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty much addicted to any paranormal or urban fantasy books with most supernatural beings, both YA and Adult.

Loved this book and can't wait for Jeckyl Loves Hyde.

You guys have done an awesome job with this blog! I enjoy your reviews.

jen said...

Glad I'm not the only one slightly obsessed with vampires. I've been hooked since Blue Bloods, haha, sadly, I haven't found any other books I could get into. This one sounds pretty good though!

Sherry said...

Vampires were my first addiction so i'm pretty sure it's one i'll never be able to kick! But oh well, I love them! I really want to read this, great review! :)

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading about vampires and paranormal stuff in general too!

Ammietia (a girl you once knew) said...

It seems like this book would be one of those borrow-don't-buy books for me. I mean, it seems like it will be a silly, cliche read. It could be good, but not worth my money.

Ask my friends, though, and they'll say I'm crazy since they're obsessed with vampire stories.

Both Jessica and Lucius seem liek they're going to be the poorly-written character types.

I might read it if I pick it up from the library shelf, but not otherwise.

Ina said...

Thanks for your review - that sounds very interesting and I will add it to my read-soon list...

Midnight Sapphire Books said...

Jekel loves Hyde sound awesome!!!

Jessica Love said...

I want to read this book just because it has my name in it. :-)

Michelle Santiago said...

i've heard both books are really good! especially "jessica's guide." i'm in the mood for lighthearted vamp romance so these'll do nicely :)

The Scarf Princess said...

Both of these look good. There does seem to be a lot of vamp books out there though. After awhile it might be hard to come up with something unique in the mythos.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Leslie said...

These books look great. Both are on my wishlist right now. I'm currently reading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, so I'm especially interested in a spin off.

Aina Yasmin said...

Hmmm...
Both of them sounds interesting.

Ren @ All By Myshelf said...

Great review! This sounds pretty interesting, I'll have to look into it. Jekel Loves Hyde sounds pretty good too.

Amanda Leigh said...

I heard about this one a while ago, but forgot to add it to my tbr list. Thanks for reminding me!

Faye( Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm) said...

I've been meaning to read this one! I always by past it in the store.I really want 2 read beth's new book.but they both look gr8 :D

Ambar said...

Hi well about Jessica's guide realle I don't like the genre, I love vampires but not that kind of stories, I guess many people want this book and congrats to add this in the contest, and about Jekel Loves Hyde realle I'd lile read it, sound interesting thanks for the reviews! nice work

Brodie said...

I loved this one! And I agree, it was great and fun reading Lucius' point of view through his letters. I can't wait to read Jekyll Loves Hyde - I think Beth is going to churn out another winner!

IceJewel said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is in my wish list! I simply love that cover !!!

Alessandra said...

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side doesn't attract me all that much - the cover is very pretty, but I'm not sure I can take another vampire teen novel.

On the other hand, the plot description for Jekel Loves Hyde is *very* intriguing.

RaĂ­la said...

Both are on my wishlist! Hoping to get them someday! :)

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

I liked this book but for me, it fizzled out with about forty pages left which is disappointing. I wanted a big satisfying ending!

E.R. Faulkner said...

I like the sound of this book, definitely going to look it up myself. Thanks for the info and review ;D

erfaulkner91(at)yahoo(dot)com

Orchid said...

Love the review for this book. It makes me really want to read it. :)

Kurumi said...

Love the cover, the red dress is just stunning! But I'm not too keen on reading another vampire-related book so I'll have to pass it.

Jekel Loves Hyde on the other hand, sounds really interesting. Can't wait to get my hands on this.

Justine said...

Ooh, very interesting. YAY FOR VAMPIRES! *squeal* I can't wait to read this one. :)

Nikki @ Bookizzle said...

Ooh, I was wondering about this one. Sounds like something I'll look into for the near future. Thanks for your review!

Raspberry said...

I'm a bit wary about the Jessica Dating book - I'm not a huge fan of vampires as a rule, but the Jekel Hyde book looks interesting...
:)
Thanks for the reviews.

Bani said...

This one never really caught my eye. So many vampire books out there and all. Now I'm more interested! It sounds like the kind of enjoyable novel that could cheer a person up. I also love shifting viewpoints, wish more books with romantic focus offered that.

Anonymous said...

Nice review. I'm looking forward to reading this one... I was just reading the excerpt of JEKYL LOVES HYDE on the author's website. This author is one red-hot writer. I can't wait to see that one!

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