You Make Me Weak

The Blackwells of Crystal Lake #1

by Juliana Stone

Tall, Dark, and tattooed, FBI agent Hudson Blackwell has come home to Crystal Lake to deal with his dying father and leave. He doesn’t believe in much, other than his brothers, his God, and his country. He likes his life simple and hates complications. So running into the-girl-he-let- get-away is one complication he can do without. Yet the flames of desire still burn hot and it’s not so easy to break ties a second time around. Makes a guy wonder… Can a man who only wants to leave find a reason to stay? Rebecca Draper is hoping second chance at life will get her back on track. With a failed marriage behind her and a young son to support, this former beauty queen has no time for Hudson Blackwell—yet running into him stirs up things. Hot things. Wild things. The man broke her heart once so getting involved with him would be crazy. Yet he awakens a desire and a need so intense she can’t deny it. It begs the question… Can a woman who wants love be brave enough to take a chance on a man who could destroy her?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Amazon, Second Chance Romance, Chick Lit

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2016

About the author

Juliana Stone is also known as J.A. Stone.

USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.

Reviews

[Nellab1984 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Small town Lovin' Stars

I have a thing for a small town second chance romance.
And that cover—Nom, Nom, Nom!

This story had all the elements that I love. The drool worthy hunk of man meat, FBI agent Hudson Blackwell left his hometown and the love of his life without looking back years ago—that is is until his tough-as-nails father, who Hudson was never on good terms with, becomes very ill forcing Hudson to confront their rocky relationship, the family legacy, and that girl, now a hardworking, sexy and single mother, who he left behind with only his broken promises. Hudson has some explaining to do and in a small town where everyone knows about everything, forgiveness won't come easy.

Hudson was the driving force of this story for me.
I wasn't a huge fan of Rebecca; I found her hot and cold, I liked her and I didn't.

Ultimately her decision to invite Hudson into her bedroom so quickly, after everything he did and how much he hurt her—No, no, no! Have you learned nothing? Ugh. Not the brightest move. I understand that love makes you crazy, but her character was smarter than that.

When Rebecca ran into Hudson in town, there was some seriously well-written-heart pounding tension (and those sex scenes-sweet baby Jesus!) but it all went from zero to sixty borderline on instant-love and I was not in love with them as characters yet, so my heart wasn't in it.

Ultimately it was a good story. The pace of the romance was a bit off for me, but I would read more books from this author in the future.

[~Mindy Lynn~]

AMAZON FREEBIE 8/6/17

[Irenepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great second chance romance book! Fans of the author will take a trip down memory lane by visiting Crystal Lake again. We see some familiar faces but are introduced to a whole new family of brothers in need of some love.

Hudson broke Becca's heart when he left town without her at 18. Her life has not been the best, but as a single mom, she is holding her own. When Hudson comes back to town, they both realize that time has passed but their feelings have not changed.

Nice start to a series. Loved getting a peek at the rest of the Blackwells. Should be an interesting ride trying to get the brothers back to Crystal Lake as well!

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely more to my liking than the previous books I've gotten. The story was much likeable. Yes it was predictable but still nonetheless cute. I would have liked to see more of Liam though. Her writing reminded me a bit of Nora Roberts.

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Freebie 12/13/18

3.25 - 3.5

A second chance romance involving high school sweethearts, which seems to happen often at Crystal Lake. It’s a small town, so I rolled with it. Plus, I was hoping for glimpses of the ‘Bad Boys of Crystal Lake.’ Check. ✅ Check. ✅

The protagonists of this contemporary romance had loads of sexual chemistry. They also had unresolved issues. They worked in a direction I found very satisfying and then skipped over the issues that would have made a convincing romance and HEA. I’m feeling kind of robbed right now. There isn’t any urge to continue this series. “You Make Me Weak” burned hot and bright. It was sexy. Then the story seemed to lose steam and fade. Bummer!

[Tina "IRead2Escape" · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Juliana Stone and her writing style. You Make Me Weak was really good. It just seemed somewhat slow to me. I don't know what it was about this particular story but it didn't give me that "I can't put this book down feeling". I found myself getting ready to pick it up to read and then find something else to do instead. That is totally unlike me. I'm even struggling writing this review because I liked the story and the characters just fine. There was just nothing attention grabbing. There was just so much potential for a well fleshed out story with a great plot and background. Hudson is FBI and at one point has to go after a terrorist that he's been tracking for years. He and his father had a terrible fight which resulted in him for leaving and not coming home until now that his dad is dying yet it's written very benignly. Hudson left Rebecca sobbing and begging in the driveway. She even talks about how she tried to take her own life after he left her yet as you are reading it evoked no more emotion than if she said she had a headache.

Hudson left town over a fight with his dad and hadn't been back. Unfortunately, he left behind the girl that he fell in love with and had all kinds of happily ever after plans. He became an FBI agent and really made something of himself, but there was a hole.

Rebecca fell apart after Hudson left her crying and begging. She's no longer that young girl and she's living a life that she is proud of. It took her a long time to get to that point and she's not letting the fact that Hudson is back in town derail her.

Rebecca and Hudson almost immediately rekindled their romance but they insisted it was a friends with benefits thing. Yet there was nothing by the way they acted to support this. Not only that Hudson had some charitable works in the planning stages yet he didn't share any of this. It just seemed like they were an old married couple that didn't talk. I'm tempted to read on in the series. I would like to know a little more about Hudson's brothers and have hopes that they are a bit more exciting.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to return to Crystal Lake with this author! This book is a great second chance romance as Hudson Blackwell begrudgingly returns to Crystal Lake to deal with his ailing father. The only thing he missed about the place was the one girl he'd ever loved, Rebecca Draper. He never expected to find her back home and as beautiful and sexy as ever. I definitely recommend this one.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione in ANTEPRIMA
.
Veronica - per RFS
.
Buongiorno Fenici, ho avuto il piacere di leggere il libro “Il mio punto debole”, non so se sia fortuna o meno, ma in questo periodo mi capita di leggere solo libri belli. Che fortuna!

Questa storia mi ha toccato in profondità sotto molti punti di vista, ma in particolare perché i protagonisti si sono ritrovati dopo molti anni di separazione. Nonostante entrambi fossero cambiati, la passione reciproca era rimasta intatta. Vedete, in un primo momento ho odiato Hudson, il protagonista maschile perché, sebbene sostenesse di amare Rebecca, era scappato ugualmente. La colpa non era esclusivamente sua, d’accordo, la rabbia nei confronti del padre e la sua giovinezza hanno pesato non poco sulla sua decisione, ma poteva agire diversamente. Lei dal canto suo sarebbe potuta essere anche un tantino più forte, ok essere innamorata e disperata, ma le sue scelte successive sono state discutibili, soprattutto in fatto di uomini. L’unica nota positiva è suo figlio.

Hudson non appena la rivede rimane folgorato, proprio come gli capitò da ragazzino e inizia così a pentirsi di averla abbandonata e a desiderarla intensamente. Vorrebbe fare ammenda ma non sa come comportarsi, l’attrazione tra i due è fortissima. Rebecca, dal canto suo, quando lo rivede è sconcertata, combattuta fra tante emozioni, rabbia, attrazione e confusione. Credo che la rabbia sarebbe dovuta prevalere considerando il modo indegno in cui è stata lasciata! Io sinceramente lo avrei preso a calci, purtroppo questo non accade soprattutto perché il vecchio sentimento tra i due ha la meglio.

Una fiera di paese fa nascere una travolgente notte di passione, tranquille questo avviene nelle prime pagine non ho fatto uno spoilerone. Da qui in avanti gli eventi saranno tutti in salita per i due, vedremo come sbroglieranno la matassa dei loro sentimenti e verranno a galla vecchi segreti che hanno portato alla loro separazione. Ne rimarrete coinvolti, io per prima ero basita e vi assicuro che non succede spesso. Ora non vedo l’ora che la serie continui perché credo fermamente che ci saranno in futuro altri colpi di scena, per i successivi personaggi e credo già di sapere chi saranno i protagonisti del prossimo libro. Questo non ve lo dico di sicuro, lo dovrete scoprire da voi. Ma la storia vi appassionerà.

Praticamente è un viaggio nei sentimenti, dove potremo scoprire anche come sono cambiati i protagonisti durante il loro periodo di separazione. Faccio i complimenti all’autrice, ha saputo intrecciare bene il tutto e sono stata incollata alla lettura. Vi consiglio di leggere il libro ne vale la pena.

Alla prossima.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting almost three years for Juliana Stone to take readers back to Crystal Lake. The wait was well worth it. Once again, she's created complex, relatable characters and taken them on a sexy, deeply emotional, journey to love. Hudson and Rebecca were each other's first teenage loves but a traumatic event in Hudson's life caused him to take off, unaware of the devastation he caused by leaving Becca behind. Twelve years later, they both find themselves back in Crystal Lake, he to reluctantly mend fences with his dying father and Rebecca, to start over with her son after finally finding the courage to escape an abusive marriage. For Hudson, seeing Rebecca again brings back all the old feelings for her that he'd never really lost but for Rebecca, seeing him brings all the anger and unresolved bitterness of their parting to the surface, even though the desire for him burns brighter than ever. While they can't seem to keep their hands off one another, she doesn't dare put her heart on the line for him to break a second time, while he's determined to prove himself worthy of winning her love once again. It's a bumpy, sizzling, sassy, and heartwarming journey to another happily ever after in Crystal Lake, Michigan. If you've read the first Crystal Lake trilogy (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake), you will be delighted to catch up with familiar characters from those books. If you're new to Crystal Lake, never fear. You can jump right in with You Make Me Weak and not miss a beat. I'm wholly invested in these characters - both old and new - and already eagerly anticipating Stone's next trip to Crystal Lake!

4.5 stars

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5... molto carino ma un po’ piatto, nel senso che mi ha dato l’impressione di aver tralasciato tante cose importanti e di avere riassunto in due righe cose che se sviluppate avrebbero potuto emozionare molto di più...

[Leggere Romanticamente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione sul blog qui --> https://www.leggereromanticamente.com...

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, I was originally only reading this book to mark the letter "Y" off from an A to Z book challenge that I was doing. However I found that I really enjoyed this book. It's a great second chance, small town romance. I have a feeling there must have been a book series before this one featuring some of the same characters mentioned in this book. I didn't read that first series but it didn't hurt this book any having not read those.

[JG]

Currently FREE on Amazon...

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2oEKiz8
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ngo0DC

[HeatherTX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved my 1st Juliana Stone book, so much so I'm off to read Wyatt's story You Drive Me Crazy.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite surprised by this book. I really enjoyed it. Having not read any Juliana Stone books before I wasn't sure what to expect. But, the writing was pretty good and the characters were ones you could relate to. I have to be in the right mood for "second chance love" stories, but this one was done very well. I liked both Hudson and Rebecca and felt that their connection was real and their story believable. I also enjoyed the supporting characters in the down of Crystal Lake. I would be interested to see what happens to Hudson's brothers Wyatt and Travis.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Crystal Lake

How can you not love some place with such beauty. The people draw you in And hold on to you. That's what happens when the handsome Agent Blackwell does as well as his beauty. They suck you in and make you want to stay in Crystal Lake.

[J Kiwibooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Libri e Altri Disastri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione di Viola:

Titolo migliore per questo libro non poteva essere scelto. Tenendo conto che qualche spoiler l'ho dovuto fare, se non è ancora stata una vostra lettura forse sarebbe meglio non leggeste la recensione. Ma ehi, a vostro rischio e pericolo, ecco la mia opinione.

Hudson Blackwel è scappato da Crystal Lake dodici anni prima lasciandosi dietro alle spalle tutto e tutti. Ha lasciato nella sua cittadina natale anche la ragazza di cui era perdutamente innamorato solo perchè accecato dalla rabbia e dal dolore, incurante in quel momento sia della richiesta della ragazza di portarla con lui e delle lacrime che le rigavano il viso per il dolore che lui le stava procurando. Dopo dodici anni di assenza però deve tornare a causa del padre morente che necessita assistenza.
Si ferma per un drink nel locale dove andava spesso da giovane e, nonostante pensasse di non rivedere così presto quel paio di occhi blu, nulla può fare quando invece se li ritrova davanti e ne legge dall'espressione che vede quanto lei non sia felice di vederlo.
Rebecca è diventata una donna forte e indipendente e la ragazzina timida che ha sofferto per l'abbandono del ragazzo che amava è ben nascosta agli occhi degli altri e deve rimanere nascosto anche il dolore che prova quando si ritrova lui davanti.
Ma quando si ritrova sola il dolore riaffiora, la rabbia arriva a farle venire le lacrime agli occhi e non vuol sentir nulla di ciò che lui vorrebbe dirle quando lo incontra.

Entrambi sono il loro punto debole e, per quanto sforzi mentali facciano per rispettare le distanze, i loro cuori e le loro mani non fanno altro che cercarsi, tanto da cedere ad attimi di pura passione e ritrovarsi ancora come se fossero adolescenti. Ma la realtà è un'altra, entrambi sanno che la permanenza di Huds è temporanea e Rebecca non ha alcuna intenzione di ridonargli il proprio cuore e permettergli così di sbriciolarglielo quando avrebbe dovuto andare via da Crystal lake. Lo deve a sè stessa, lo deve a suo figlio Liam perchè a nessuno augurerebbe di vivere un momento così doloroso.
Chissà se riusciranno a mantenere il rapporto d'amicizia che hanno deciso di avere...

Il personaggio che più mi ha colpita di questo libro è in assoluto la protagonista. Cresciuta in una famiglia con un padre spesso in prigione, ubriaco e troppo spesso violento. Allontanarsi da casa cercando la via d'uscita a quell'ambiente e ai ricordi, e doversi trovare di nuovo bersaglio di un uomo altrettanto manesco, avendo il coraggio di ribellarsi alla situazione per tutelare l'unica nota positiva di quel rapporto. Ci vuole coraggio a prendere in mano una situazione del genere, molte non riescono per paura delle conseguenze o di non essere credute dagli altri, ad altre va bene essere malmenate perchè riescono a vedere del buono dove non c'è. Forse è forza di volontà, forse è la paura o per chi caratterialmente è come me non si ferma a subire e reagisce pensando che occhio per occhio - dente per dente non sia poi così sbagliato. Non sto suggerendo di rendere il torto subito a prescindere perchè la violenza non porta da nessuna parte se non in ospedale ma in questo libro si legge pagina dopo pagina la voglia e la forza di vivere di Rebecca, per se stessa, e per suo figlio che mai dovrà vivere quello che invece ha subito lei. Tutto il suo viaggio tra passato e presente è stato in salita e ora è arrivato il momento di camminare in piano e a testa alta. Ogni sua emozione arriva diretta al lettore, un paio di volte mi sarebbe venuta voglia di alzare la voce per come è arrendevole nonostante le buone intenzioni di tenere alla "larga" Hudson senza però riuscirci. Ma chi ci riuscirebbe a resistergli?!

Questo primo libro della serie è coinvolgente ed emozionante, con quel quid in più che condisce il tutto al meglio. Di solito si capisce chi possa essere il prossimo protagonista ma sinceramente non ho tratto alcuna conclusione di chi possa essere. Magari colpa mia che non ho osservato bene distratta dal bell'agente del FBI.

[Blueleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually the story was weak😒

Ok, first of all I like the introduction of the story it draw me in, but the ending was unfinished kind of weak, so it loss points. The story was interesting and you where expecting some type of revelations, secrets that where shocking or something big but it didn't delivered.

Story is about Hudson and Rebecca two young lovers that met at 15 yrs old and fell in love. Both are having trouble with their parents specially their dads. Both dads are douchebags and are treating their kids horribly, but it seems their was a reason for their actions but unfortunately their reasons where not strong enough or had no explanation. Hudson leaves Rebecca and his hometown for some secret reason, which we find out later but still it could have been handle differently. Also, Rebecca's son Liam I really thought it was Hudson. Which it was weird how Rebecca's ex never appears in the story at all, usually men like him don't walk away easily. Then Hudson being an FBI agent never looked for Rebecca and try to get her back specially for the reason he left. Also, Hudson dad it was never said what he did to his son's for them to hate him so much, I mean was he abusive physically, verbally it made you think the worst. Either way the story was promising but it had to many unanswered questions. Not sure if I will read the rest of the books.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to Crystal Lake for another second-chance-romance was like revisiting a favorite vacation spot for me, and a nice intro to this series with Hudson and Rebecca's story as well.

One of my favorites in romance genres this was a good hard look at why high school sweethearts do not always work out, especially when outside forces cause them grief.

Hudson Blackwell swore he would never return to Crystal Lake but when his elderly father is hospitalized and may be dying he finds himself compelled to come back to the place he grew up and once there found he no longer wanted to leave again.

Rebecca Draper never thought she would see her first love again when he left Crystal Lake without her, breaking her spirit as well as her heart both of which caused her to make a mistake it took her almost 10 years to walk away from.

Now they find themselves not only both back in Crystal Lake but also caught up in feelings for each other that should have died long ago.

Second chances, new beginnings and more await fans of author Juliana Stone in this book about two people who are given the opportunity to start over that they never dreamed of getting. Not only with each other but with friends and other loved ones as well.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but...

While there were things I really didn't like about the book, there were just as many that I did like, and liked a lot. So my rating is in the middle. I liked the characters, found them believable--most of the time. There were enough complications in the plot to keep it interesting and moving along. And for the most part, the writing was smooth. There were a few really beautiful phrases.

On the other side, though, I wondered if the author had gotten some bad advice: that edgy sells, that readers like grit. I almost put the book down after the first few pages because of their crudeness. That aspect ended early on, though, so I kept reading. However, it reappeared a few times, to my disappointment. It didn't fit the characterization and added ugliness that was unnecessary and detracted from the story. I also don't like graphic sex. There was a lot that was evocative in this book, and I'd have enjoyed it more if the sex had been evocative and not graphic.

So, this was a mixed bag, and I'm not sure I'll pick up another of Juliana Stone's books. Then again, I'm not sure I won't.

[Sienna Logan (Lost to Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It had its good points as well as bad, but overall I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained.

You Make Me Weak held my interest well at first. I love second chance romances and I wanted to know how Hudson and Rebecca's story would unfold.

For the most part, I liked them both. I thought they worked well together and their story kept me interested. However, I did think Rebecca caved way too easily. I would have liked a little more grovelling and and fighting before they got to the falling in bed together part. It would have made it a bit more realistic.

Apart from that I would have liked a bit more detail in the book in general. The author introduces many small plot threads throughout the book, yet I never felt they got fully fleshed out so that by the end I was questioning their relevance. They didn't add much for me so I didn't see them as necessary.

Anyway, despite those two minor things, I did enjoy this book. It was an easy second chance love story.

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh I just couldn't! Maybe I just wasn't in the mood or maybe I've just reached the point were I can't read anymore cheesy writing. I couldn't get past the first chapter the writing was that bad. Sometimes you're in the mood for something sappy and trite and if that's what you're looking for this might work for you. I on the other hand, knew after the first paragraph that I wouldn't like this but I decided to keep going... for the rest of the chapter. Can't do it!

I mean the first description of the main girl is
"Her blonde hair fell around golden shoulders, rippling waves that glistened in the moonlight. The big blue eyes staring up at him were the kind you could get lost in. The kind that made a guy think of things. Like getting lost inside Rebecca Draper."
Just stop! I just can't!!!
Too much cheese, too much mush and too much fluffy poetry to be anywhere near real. If this is what your looking for then this will probably be perfect for you but, if you're like me and are tired of reading crap like this or just aren't in the mood then skip it.

[Brenda Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an addict for Series I love them. It's like I cannot get enough - The Blackwells - Love, hurt at times. in this book Hudson, goes back to tend to his father as he lies in his bed at the hospital. There are many bad feelings that are buried deep down that Hudson would prefer to forget. Crystal Lake is like a black hole for Hudson, bad memories, heartache and lots of anger, being the oldest of three brothers when his mom die when he was a young age, this once loving family suffered lots of hurts that no one knew how to deal with. He left everything behind and escape even his high school sweetheart. "Becca" Could Becca bring back Hudson from this dark place he has been hiding, could their love grow again after all these years. Could Hudson staying in Crystal Lake save his father from dying - or will his father die before redeeming himself and apologies to his sons and ask for forgiveness. You may just have to take a kleenex box out and hope that the end, will have a happy ending. Must read for sure thanks, Juliana.

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note to self:
- Third Person (dual POV)
- I found myself constantly rolling my eyes at these characters (If I hadnt been at work with nothing else to do I probably would have switched to another book)

Things I didnt like:
- 12 years since they last seen each other
- Hudson tries to explain why he left and finally gets Rebecca to come over so they can talk and once shes there she says it doesnt matter and leaves.
- They then agree to be just friends but that quickly turns into friends with benefits.
- When Rebecca tells her friend about her friends with benefits status with Hudson she says she wont ever fall in love with him again (but just before that she was thinking, "There would be no one else for her. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ten or twenty years from now. He still had her heart and soul. Still owned every piece of her, even the ones she kept hidden."
- Hudson leaves again (3 weeks)
- Chapter 30 we finally find out why left the first time (theres 31 chapters)

[SynergyQuest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I enjoyed this read. It's a second chance romance of two friends turned lovers. While I enjoyed the HEA, I think the author missed an opportunity. The heroine has a big reveal moment with her best friend. In it she shares what her former marriage and husband were like. This reveal never happens with the hero and I wish it would have. One, someone you agree to married should really know that sort of stuff and I think his knowledge of her past trauma would have allowed him to apologize for abandoning her to such a fate and commiserate how wrong the situation was. Thus allowing us readers to see the main characters draw closer. As it stands, there are several scenes to prove their physical attraction, but less so of deeper understanding.

[N.W. Moors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hudson is an FBI agent who has come back to Crystal Lake because his father is ill. Almost immediately, he runs into Becca, his high school love who he left twelve years ago and never saw again. Now they have a second chance at love.
It was a good read and I liked Becca and Hudson well enough though I never understood why the breakup in the first place (he couldn't have called her in a few days to explain why he left?). I also thought they got together again way too fast considering how broken up Becca was when he left. Unresistable magnetic attraction isn't a good enough reason, especially considering Becca has a son in the picture, at least in my opinion. But the sex scenes were hot and I liked some of the secondary characters so I'd give this author another try.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think what initially sparked my interest in this book was that it takes place near where I live. It' sometimes easier to imagine or visualize if I am familiar with the area. I also wasn't sure what to expect since this is the first book of Juliana's I have read. I was very pleasantly surprised. There was a lot of intensity, (which I like) and the story was full and complete with great characters. It was all very real and seem so appropriate for the area, which is not always the case. At times it was hard to put down, needing to know what was going to happen next and I was equally right and wrong, in my guesses. I am thoroughly looking forward to the next installment of this series from Juliana.