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Conditioned
How long does it take for captivity to feel like home?
Tory knew Carl was odd—the meticulous clothes, the creepy smile, the strange coffee orders—but she never imagined how dangerous he truly was until she woke up trapped in an exact replica of The Daily Grind—her own workplace, methodically recreated by the man she always thought of as harmless, if a little strange. Her job hasn't serve Carl coffee, day after horrifying day, following his rigid routine. But this time, any mistake could cost her her life.
As days pass, she sees other abductees in Carl’s carefully crafted world who've already lost the fight, conditioned to accept their captivity without question. Tory isn’t going to be like the others, though. She can’t let Carl break her—but if she can't escape soon, she risks losing herself to his chilling vision of the perfect life.
With each passing moment, escape seems less likely, and compliance seems easier. But giving in means losing herself forever…
Tory knew Carl was odd—the meticulous clothes, the creepy smile, the strange coffee orders—but she never imagined how dangerous he truly was until she woke up trapped in an exact replica of The Daily Grind—her own workplace, methodically recreated by the man she always thought of as harmless, if a little strange. Her job hasn't serve Carl coffee, day after horrifying day, following his rigid routine. But this time, any mistake could cost her her life.
As days pass, she sees other abductees in Carl’s carefully crafted world who've already lost the fight, conditioned to accept their captivity without question. Tory isn’t going to be like the others, though. She can’t let Carl break her—but if she can't escape soon, she risks losing herself to his chilling vision of the perfect life.
With each passing moment, escape seems less likely, and compliance seems easier. But giving in means losing herself forever…
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
266 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Russo
3 books21 followersAmanda is a horror/YA writer who occasionally writes a little romance. She is a movie enthusiast, a traveler, and can be found in her backyard either reading or writing.
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Undergo-Amanda...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Undergo-Amanda...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 30, 2025
I am so glad I came across this book cuz it was right up my alley and ridiculously good!! All I can say is Carl is horrible and very weird. There were a lot of different happenings in this story that tore me up inside. But this one specific moment towards the end actually made me shed tears. And not just one. I'm not sure if I've ever cried while reading but I did this time. This book seemed like thriller and a bit of horror to me. It was intense and though horrible, ultimately it was a fantastic, entertaining read!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
April 23, 2025
CONDITIONED BY AMANDA RUSSO.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I have loved reading this book and I've read it within a day.
This book was something else.
Twisted, creepy and scary and heartbreaking.
I also had anxiety toward the end and was on the edge of my seat.
It's one of those books where you can't and don't want to put down.
Some loveable characters and some despicable characters also.
I am so happy I came across this author and really looking forward to seeing what else she has written and to see what else is to come.
I highly recommend this book to everyone when it comes out.
Check your triggers.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I have loved reading this book and I've read it within a day.
This book was something else.
Twisted, creepy and scary and heartbreaking.
I also had anxiety toward the end and was on the edge of my seat.
It's one of those books where you can't and don't want to put down.
Some loveable characters and some despicable characters also.
I am so happy I came across this author and really looking forward to seeing what else she has written and to see what else is to come.
I highly recommend this book to everyone when it comes out.
Check your triggers.
September 1, 2025
Almost DNF several times, but I (barely) stuck it out. The story had potential, but the writing itself wasn’t great. And there were some egregious typos - “don on me” instead of “DAWN on me”?? It’s hard to take a writer seriously when there doesn’t seem to have been any proofing prior to release. I think it’s a one-and-done for me and this author.
June 9, 2025
4⭐️
Imagine you go to work one day. It's just like any other day(busy with customers trying to get their coffee before the storm). When you're closing, you get kidnapped by the creepy customer with the weird quirk.
You wake up in an exact replica of the coffee house you work in. Everything is the same except anything that can be used as a weapon is gone. He wants nothing from you except to make his coffee. The only problem is any little mistake with the order could be your life.......
This book was a roller coaster. The characters were incredibly fleshed out and real. I truly got a sense for who they were, what they wanted, their hopes and dreams, their fight and fears, their strengths and weaknesses. Even the ones I loathed I understood and sympathized with. Russo did an incredible job of bringing the cast to life.
Even though the setting was bleak and unsettling, I still felt like I was there. I could smell the coffee percolating, taste the black and white cookies, feeling the tremble of the little girls hands. The writing is simple but top-notch. Easy reading but submerging. Short chapters with depth.
I read in a day. On the edge of my seat. Holding my breath and turning pages. I couldn't put it down. I even read a chapter in the Dunkin Donuts drive-through line. I highly recommend the author.
Imagine you go to work one day. It's just like any other day(busy with customers trying to get their coffee before the storm). When you're closing, you get kidnapped by the creepy customer with the weird quirk.
You wake up in an exact replica of the coffee house you work in. Everything is the same except anything that can be used as a weapon is gone. He wants nothing from you except to make his coffee. The only problem is any little mistake with the order could be your life.......
This book was a roller coaster. The characters were incredibly fleshed out and real. I truly got a sense for who they were, what they wanted, their hopes and dreams, their fight and fears, their strengths and weaknesses. Even the ones I loathed I understood and sympathized with. Russo did an incredible job of bringing the cast to life.
Even though the setting was bleak and unsettling, I still felt like I was there. I could smell the coffee percolating, taste the black and white cookies, feeling the tremble of the little girls hands. The writing is simple but top-notch. Easy reading but submerging. Short chapters with depth.
I read in a day. On the edge of my seat. Holding my breath and turning pages. I couldn't put it down. I even read a chapter in the Dunkin Donuts drive-through line. I highly recommend the author.
April 30, 2025
Thank you to Amanda Russo and her team for an ARC of this book, “Conditioned” releasing 4/29/2025.
Imagine going through your day to day life getting ready to embark on big life changes and then suddenly out of nowhere, your life takes a turn you would have never seen coming! This is my second read by Amanda and I have to say that I enjoy her originality and the spin she takes with her story lines.
“Conditioned” starts off slowly but quickly takes a very fast turn that will leave you thinking, “Wait, what just happened?”
The idea of someone kidnapping you and taking you to a place and forcing you to do a specific job in their own little creepy world was absolutely wild.
I would have liked to learn a little bit more about “Carl”/Ben as his perspective was a bit rushed and we didn’t really get to see his side of the story very much. Overall, this was an entertaining read.
I can’t wait to see what Amanda writes next.
Imagine going through your day to day life getting ready to embark on big life changes and then suddenly out of nowhere, your life takes a turn you would have never seen coming! This is my second read by Amanda and I have to say that I enjoy her originality and the spin she takes with her story lines.
“Conditioned” starts off slowly but quickly takes a very fast turn that will leave you thinking, “Wait, what just happened?”
The idea of someone kidnapping you and taking you to a place and forcing you to do a specific job in their own little creepy world was absolutely wild.
I would have liked to learn a little bit more about “Carl”/Ben as his perspective was a bit rushed and we didn’t really get to see his side of the story very much. Overall, this was an entertaining read.
I can’t wait to see what Amanda writes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
I’d give this a solid 4.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half ratings!
This was a quick, easy read—the kind of psychological thriller I love. It hooked me from the start, and I honestly couldn’t put it down.
The writing was strong, and the character development stood out. I felt genuinely connected to the characters, which made the twists and turns even more impactful.
This was a quick, easy read—the kind of psychological thriller I love. It hooked me from the start, and I honestly couldn’t put it down.
The writing was strong, and the character development stood out. I felt genuinely connected to the characters, which made the twists and turns even more impactful.
May 1, 2025
First, thank you to Amanda Russo for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't entirely sure how I would feel about this book after reading The Photo but this one grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the end. While I did end up figuring out the who fairly quickly, there were some parts that caught me off guard. This is definitely one you'll want to check out.
I wasn't entirely sure how I would feel about this book after reading The Photo but this one grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the end. While I did end up figuring out the who fairly quickly, there were some parts that caught me off guard. This is definitely one you'll want to check out.
June 12, 2025
This was the first book that I've read by this author, and I must say it was really good!!
April 29, 2025
The first part of this felt like it could be a great Twlight Zone episode. Which I would love to see. The plot is unique to me and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Between multiple pov's and their stream of consciousness, this psychological thriller had me hooked. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happened something totally unexpected happened instead. Check your trigger warnings because this is a very emotional and disturbing roller-coaster ride. This is the second book I have read from this author, and her first book, The Photo, unhinged me so much that my stuffed teddy is still hidden.
I was given an ARC free to read, and here is my review. Thank you, Amanda Russo and team.
I was given an ARC free to read, and here is my review. Thank you, Amanda Russo and team.
April 28, 2025
You know that feeling when something’s just off? Like the way a stranger holds eye contact too long, or how a normal place suddenly feels… wrong? That’s the slow, skin-crawling terror Amanda Russo traps you in with Conditioned—and once you’re in, there’s no easy way out.
Tory thought Carl was just weird—the kind of guy you laugh about later with your coworkers. His creepy smile. His weird coffee orders that sounded more like threats than preferences. But Carl wasn’t just odd—he was patient. And when Tory wakes up trapped inside a perfect replica of her coffee shop, built like some twisted shrine to routine, she realizes the predator had been circling all along.
The writing? It’s suffocating in the best way. Russo drags you into that replica coffee shop and doesn’t let you look away. You can almost taste the burnt coffee, feel the cold, recycled air, hear the brittle clink of ceramic mugs.
Tory’s character arc gutted me. You feel every inch of her slipping from furious hope to hollow-eyed survival. Every little compromise, every flicker of doubt, every instinct telling her it would be easier to just give in… it all bleeds out in chilling, believable ways. She’s fighting not just Carl, but herself—and that’s the kind of horror that lingers long after you close the book.
Conditioned isn’t just about captivity. It’s about how easy it is to lose yourself when the walls close in and no one’s coming to save you. It’s raw, brutal, and so believable it’ll have you double-checking the locks at your local coffee shop.
This book doesn’t scream—it whispers, and somehow that’s a thousand times worse.
Tory thought Carl was just weird—the kind of guy you laugh about later with your coworkers. His creepy smile. His weird coffee orders that sounded more like threats than preferences. But Carl wasn’t just odd—he was patient. And when Tory wakes up trapped inside a perfect replica of her coffee shop, built like some twisted shrine to routine, she realizes the predator had been circling all along.
The writing? It’s suffocating in the best way. Russo drags you into that replica coffee shop and doesn’t let you look away. You can almost taste the burnt coffee, feel the cold, recycled air, hear the brittle clink of ceramic mugs.
Tory’s character arc gutted me. You feel every inch of her slipping from furious hope to hollow-eyed survival. Every little compromise, every flicker of doubt, every instinct telling her it would be easier to just give in… it all bleeds out in chilling, believable ways. She’s fighting not just Carl, but herself—and that’s the kind of horror that lingers long after you close the book.
Conditioned isn’t just about captivity. It’s about how easy it is to lose yourself when the walls close in and no one’s coming to save you. It’s raw, brutal, and so believable it’ll have you double-checking the locks at your local coffee shop.
This book doesn’t scream—it whispers, and somehow that’s a thousand times worse.
April 25, 2025
Thank you to Amanda Russo and her team for giving me an advanced reader copy of this book! The following is my honest opinion of "Conditioned".
This was such a good, fast-paced book, that certainly packed just enough fear and anxiety to keep you reading, but for a thrilling touch gave about 3 shades of bat-shit crazy and what seemed like a super-human psychopath! After finishing this book, I felt like I needed a shower for all the "ick" Creepy Carl exuded! Tory was the ultimate hero to so many in this story. You couldn't help but root her on, or feel bad when things didn't work for her. And who doesn't love a boyfriend, who doesn't give up!?
I did appreciate the trigger warnings at the beginning, not exactly sure what to expect after reading the list. However, when following Winnie, Tory and Abby's torture while in captivity, the reader can most definitely understand how many victims can fall into Stockholm Syndrome. I'm glad to read of the heroine who was strong enough to build up the coping mechanism that emerged in her to survive!
The only reason that I didn't rate this 5 stars is because 1) I thought the final escape was a bit rushed and sloppy. As the whole time, nothing was so carelessly left out like a knife or screwdriver, for them to use as weapons, and 2) as a teacher, there were several errors in editing that I thought would've been caught at this stage, that did bother me.
Though, all in all, I can't wait to read more from this author!
This was such a good, fast-paced book, that certainly packed just enough fear and anxiety to keep you reading, but for a thrilling touch gave about 3 shades of bat-shit crazy and what seemed like a super-human psychopath! After finishing this book, I felt like I needed a shower for all the "ick" Creepy Carl exuded! Tory was the ultimate hero to so many in this story. You couldn't help but root her on, or feel bad when things didn't work for her. And who doesn't love a boyfriend, who doesn't give up!?
I did appreciate the trigger warnings at the beginning, not exactly sure what to expect after reading the list. However, when following Winnie, Tory and Abby's torture while in captivity, the reader can most definitely understand how many victims can fall into Stockholm Syndrome. I'm glad to read of the heroine who was strong enough to build up the coping mechanism that emerged in her to survive!
The only reason that I didn't rate this 5 stars is because 1) I thought the final escape was a bit rushed and sloppy. As the whole time, nothing was so carelessly left out like a knife or screwdriver, for them to use as weapons, and 2) as a teacher, there were several errors in editing that I thought would've been caught at this stage, that did bother me.
Though, all in all, I can't wait to read more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
Tory’s life went from average and on the route to pursuing her dreams to frozen in place, in a terrifying way. She knew something was off, wrong, but now she’s living it, fighting to stay sane and alive day by day. Will she get freedom or will she be conditioned?
This is my third Amanda Russo book, and thrills are her thing! Her horror books were great, terrifying, would make excellent movies! And this… it was like reading a documentary of captivity!
With multiple points of view you get a glimpse into everyone’s mind and world, and Tory’s life in captivity is emotional! The book does have trigger warnings and I would recommend reading those before just diving into the book. I think Amanda wrote everything in a realistic way, and for some that might be really upsetting.
The devastation, hopelessness, and resilience of the characters is so well described and lived, I was so impressed with the character development. All just trying to survive in their own ways, and fighting back against giving in. It really reminded me of several of the documentaries I’ve watched about people kidnapped and held, all the way up to and including the chaotic and miraculous moments of escape or freedom. I know some felt the end was rushed, but I loved it! It felt like the perfect wrap up!
Another great read, a great first dip into psychological thrillers, and one I highly recommend!
This is my third Amanda Russo book, and thrills are her thing! Her horror books were great, terrifying, would make excellent movies! And this… it was like reading a documentary of captivity!
With multiple points of view you get a glimpse into everyone’s mind and world, and Tory’s life in captivity is emotional! The book does have trigger warnings and I would recommend reading those before just diving into the book. I think Amanda wrote everything in a realistic way, and for some that might be really upsetting.
The devastation, hopelessness, and resilience of the characters is so well described and lived, I was so impressed with the character development. All just trying to survive in their own ways, and fighting back against giving in. It really reminded me of several of the documentaries I’ve watched about people kidnapped and held, all the way up to and including the chaotic and miraculous moments of escape or freedom. I know some felt the end was rushed, but I loved it! It felt like the perfect wrap up!
Another great read, a great first dip into psychological thrillers, and one I highly recommend!
May 2, 2025
Conditioned was an awesome thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat. Carl is a very odd man. He had weird mannerisms and a weird tradition. Tory, a local barista noticed these tendencies whenever he'd visit the coffee shop she worked at. She felt uneasy with him. She knew. Women always know. She should have listened to her gut. On the night of the approach of a big snow storm, she's kidnapped right from her job. But where she's taken, is just eerie. She wakes up in a room that's an exact replica of the coffee shop where she works. This story was so good. It grabbed my attention and held it all the way through. I couldn't even begin to guess what was going to happen next because I still don't understand why Carl was doing what he was doing. I know it's some sort of mental health thing, but I can't wrap my head around why? Tory was sort of lucky because she wasn't alone. But I'm sure the first person must have been terrified. This story will be stuck in my head.
The characters were very well written. As you follow Tory's character through the story, you can see her sort of slipping and losing herself while being held. Winnie.. I love her. The fact that she learned Carl's game early on and just played along to stay alive made me sad for her. For how long she had to endure that. Amanda's writing style is easy to follow. I can't wait of her next release!!!
The characters were very well written. As you follow Tory's character through the story, you can see her sort of slipping and losing herself while being held. Winnie.. I love her. The fact that she learned Carl's game early on and just played along to stay alive made me sad for her. For how long she had to endure that. Amanda's writing style is easy to follow. I can't wait of her next release!!!
April 29, 2025
The one thing in life we know for sure is that we never can guess at what someone else may be plotting. Whether it is the next story, the next property to buy or sell, the next customer to come in the door or when someone’s life is about to change forever. As humans, we can just never think that there are such evil people in the world as the MC in this book. We pass people on the street, enter a new shop or go to work everyday never knowing that the person you smiled at, talked to or gave no mind might snap and decide they have had enough. This story is one of my worst nightmares. I pictured Tory throughout this book and felt her pain and sorrow. Like her, one could never imagine what to do in her situation. She acted out her terror in ways that had consequences. She never gave up and that is how she was able to cope somewhat. This author was able to convey all the emotions one could experience in such a situation and not once did I feel sorry for Carl. Not even when the reader finds out about his past. He was just evil. And to think there are real people like this in our world.
April 29, 2025
Alright yall. You want a good psychological thriller? This one is so worth a read.
We have a sweet, strong FMC who is excited to move in with her boyfriend soon and change up the monotony of her current life.
Well she sure gets it when frequent coffee shop customer decides he needs her as his own personal barista.
FMC must navigate staying alive with a psychotic, wealthy kidnapper and serial killer who has decided to make his own little town below his mansion. FMC must attempt to escape amid threats of being beaten and murdered if his coffee isn't perfect.
Really the only " complaint" I can think of is that I would've loved more of this book and it's plot! Felt like it came to an end too quick.
This one will make your hair stand on end and give you the heebie jeebies while reading from multiple POVs.
We have a sweet, strong FMC who is excited to move in with her boyfriend soon and change up the monotony of her current life.
Well she sure gets it when frequent coffee shop customer decides he needs her as his own personal barista.
FMC must navigate staying alive with a psychotic, wealthy kidnapper and serial killer who has decided to make his own little town below his mansion. FMC must attempt to escape amid threats of being beaten and murdered if his coffee isn't perfect.
Really the only " complaint" I can think of is that I would've loved more of this book and it's plot! Felt like it came to an end too quick.
This one will make your hair stand on end and give you the heebie jeebies while reading from multiple POVs.
May 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down because throughout the whole book I was so invested on what would happen next. Without spoiling the book I will say that the conditions in which the people were held were very unique. It didn’t feel like the same old regular kidnapping story and was genuinely brilliant. I think the character development was amazing and I especially liked how diabolical the main character was. I felt like the story flowed extremely well and I liked that there was things mentioned between the characters in the story that were brought up again and made the story full circle at the end. This is a dark psychological thriller and I highly recommended reading trigger warnings first. Definitely one of my top reads of the year and I’m excited to read what this authors writes next.
November 20, 2025
This is possibly the worst writing I’ve ever come across. The story itself was interesting although psychological thrillers are not my genre of choice - was chosen for our book club. Had this not been a book club book I would’ve stopped reading it by page 3. It was awkward and choppy. The number of grammatical errors was appalling. I had 4 family members read some of it (all prolific readers) to see if I was being overly critical - my mother in law was appalled at the grammar, my daughters partner who is dyslexic found many errors in grammar, improper use of words. My husband who knew I’d been suffering through this book said “oh my, I finally understand what you were on about”.
Please, please, please get an editor if you are continuing to write. And if you have an editor fire them and find someone else.
Please, please, please get an editor if you are continuing to write. And if you have an editor fire them and find someone else.
May 3, 2025
An absolute binge worthy read!
I first became obsessed with Amanda Russo's books when reading The Photo, so I knew as soon as I saw this book as an ARC option I had to sign up, and I'm so happy I did. I'm not gonna lie it's not my typical romance style, but it's refreshing to throw in something a little different at times. This book had everything. Twisted, creepy and scary, and heartbreaking. It's the type of book that once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happened something totally unexpected happened instead. It took me on a very emotional and disturbing roller-coaster ride. This book does have trigger warnings, and I would recommend reading those before just diving into the book. I can't wait for her next release!!
I first became obsessed with Amanda Russo's books when reading The Photo, so I knew as soon as I saw this book as an ARC option I had to sign up, and I'm so happy I did. I'm not gonna lie it's not my typical romance style, but it's refreshing to throw in something a little different at times. This book had everything. Twisted, creepy and scary, and heartbreaking. It's the type of book that once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happened something totally unexpected happened instead. It took me on a very emotional and disturbing roller-coaster ride. This book does have trigger warnings, and I would recommend reading those before just diving into the book. I can't wait for her next release!!
November 11, 2025
The premise is deeply interesting and thankfully this book actually delivers on it. Love that we get descriptions of the rooms and the different "jobs" in enough detail to paint a vivid picture of the way the victims live. The sappy-sweet ending is a little bit stereotypical but Americans do love to end their horror on a sweet note and I thought it was all quite nice.
I would have liked to get into the trauma James went through to get as brainwashed as he is and Carl's story is lacking "show, don't tell".
Overall, perfectly enjoyable and I do admit to staying up a little too late because I wanted to finish it. It really sucks you in and Russo is very good at describing things in such a way that makes it easy to visualise them, making me feel like I was right in the room with them.
I would have liked to get into the trauma James went through to get as brainwashed as he is and Carl's story is lacking "show, don't tell".
Overall, perfectly enjoyable and I do admit to staying up a little too late because I wanted to finish it. It really sucks you in and Russo is very good at describing things in such a way that makes it easy to visualise them, making me feel like I was right in the room with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
Rating 5 : 🤯
Publication Date : 04/29/25
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I need a moment. That book was so much intensive and so much not what I thought I’ll read.
This book is just amazing !!
The story is so well thought and so well told that it was as if I was enduring all of what the characters are enduring.
If you love psychological thrillers you absolutely need to read this book !!! I’m telling you that you’ll be conditioned !!
Publication Date : 04/29/25
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I need a moment. That book was so much intensive and so much not what I thought I’ll read.
This book is just amazing !!
The story is so well thought and so well told that it was as if I was enduring all of what the characters are enduring.
If you love psychological thrillers you absolutely need to read this book !!! I’m telling you that you’ll be conditioned !!
April 27, 2025
A wild and creepy ride! This was my 3rd ARC by Amanda Russo and I have to say, it is just as amazing as the others. While she stepped away from the haunting/paranormal/horror vibe, and dove into the psychological thriller world....she did not disappoint.
Conditioned had me on the edge of my seat, had me yelling at characters who can't hear me, and crying real tears by the end. I 100% recommend this to other readers. The Kidnapping trope is one I absolutely love and this gave me exactly what I needed in a story.
Conditioned had me on the edge of my seat, had me yelling at characters who can't hear me, and crying real tears by the end. I 100% recommend this to other readers. The Kidnapping trope is one I absolutely love and this gave me exactly what I needed in a story.
April 29, 2025
I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely loved this book. It was very well written, with wonderful character and plot development. The pacing of the story was fast enough to keep up with the suspense and slow enough to offer insight and details in the setting, plot, subplots, and characters in order to provide a much more in depth suspense filled experience. I certainly hope this book is picked up for a film. It would be incredible to see as a movie!
April 30, 2025
A frightening and creepy story of being stalked & captured to live in a very surreal existence no one could imagine. Yet hope is never lost by some of the captives and that is what kept me reading, even through heartbreaking changes in the “ home”. The friendship that developed between the women and a child and their support of each other keeps this story from being too dark.
I felt the ending seemed a little rushed and questions I had that were left unanswered were what brought my rating down a little.
I felt the ending seemed a little rushed and questions I had that were left unanswered were what brought my rating down a little.
May 4, 2025
I’ve read every single book Amanda has written and they have all gotten under my skin but this one hit me the hardest. This is probably the wildest book that I’ve read. I was really intrigued by the concept but good lord was I underprepared for the ride this book took me on. I’ve never read anything like it and I probably will never read anything like it again. If you want a book to give you chills, make you feel like you’re going crazy on your own from paranoia and consume your time look no further than this book because WOW.
April 29, 2025
This book is nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspenseful—I enjoyed every second of my heart pounding out of my chest.
Tory is a barista at the local coffee shop, just trying to get through the daily grind. But something about that customer unsettles her—same clothes, same drink, same table. There’s something off… and she soon finds out exactly why.
One night, Tory is abducted—and wakes up in a horrifying replica of her workplace. Now, she’s not just making coffee… she’s making it for her captor, at the exact same time, twice a day. Every. Single. Day. She’s told to behave, to follow the rules, or face the consequences. Multiple escape attempts fail, and the punishments are severe. Even more shocking? She’s not alone. There are three others, each with their own "job."
The tension never lets up, and you’ll be flipping pages, desperate to know: how long can she hold on before she’s completely… conditioned?
Amanda Russo delivers a dark, psychological thriller that keeps you guessing and leaves you breathless.
Tory is a barista at the local coffee shop, just trying to get through the daily grind. But something about that customer unsettles her—same clothes, same drink, same table. There’s something off… and she soon finds out exactly why.
One night, Tory is abducted—and wakes up in a horrifying replica of her workplace. Now, she’s not just making coffee… she’s making it for her captor, at the exact same time, twice a day. Every. Single. Day. She’s told to behave, to follow the rules, or face the consequences. Multiple escape attempts fail, and the punishments are severe. Even more shocking? She’s not alone. There are three others, each with their own "job."
The tension never lets up, and you’ll be flipping pages, desperate to know: how long can she hold on before she’s completely… conditioned?
Amanda Russo delivers a dark, psychological thriller that keeps you guessing and leaves you breathless.
May 12, 2025
Holy wow! This is the second book that I’ve read by this author and just as good as the first one. Amanda has a way with making you feel that you are immersed into the story and grips you chapter after chapter. She’s a newer author to me, however, she is becoming one of my more favorite, psychological thriller authors. If you haven’t read any of her books, I highly encourage you to do so. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
June 3, 2025
Talk about a thriller. From the first page the story grabbed my attention. The chapters were short and quick. The plot and twist were fantasticly written. The story read like that of a tv show. There was never a dull moment within the story. The intensity that traveled from page to page had me on the edge my seat biting my nails.
Thank you Bookfunnel and Amanda Russo for the ARC. This review is that of my own opinion.
Thank you Bookfunnel and Amanda Russo for the ARC. This review is that of my own opinion.
September 12, 2025
Another reviewer mentioned how this could be an episode of the Twilight Zone. I totally agree! If a psych thriller and an episode of Twilight Zone were a book mash-up, it would be Conditioned. The premise for this book is definitely intriguing!
It starts a little slow, but the pace picks up, and once it does, I was locked in to see if Tory and the others would make it out. You don't get a lot of Carl's POV, but there's enough to move the story along.
It starts a little slow, but the pace picks up, and once it does, I was locked in to see if Tory and the others would make it out. You don't get a lot of Carl's POV, but there's enough to move the story along.
April 26, 2025
4.5 rounded to 5 stars.
Wow! I loved this book! Absolutely one of those can't put down type of reads. Loved the muti POV and the character building for Winnie and Tory.
The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion but not in the sense that it took away from the story. Absolutely check this one out!
Wow! I loved this book! Absolutely one of those can't put down type of reads. Loved the muti POV and the character building for Winnie and Tory.
The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion but not in the sense that it took away from the story. Absolutely check this one out!
April 29, 2025
I loved this book it was a slow getting into for at first but once I did I read it in one night! I just couldn’t put it down !!
There was a cast of characters that you will love to hate and hate to love 💜
It was a fantastic psychological thriller read that I cannot wait for Amanda’s next book!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There was a cast of characters that you will love to hate and hate to love 💜
It was a fantastic psychological thriller read that I cannot wait for Amanda’s next book!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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