What do you think?
Rate this book
Brewing Passion #3
Conditioned
A chance meeting. An improbable connection. An exquisite attraction.
Trent Hettinger’s turbulent formative years transformed him into a cynic—and into a man who realized he required something outside himself to control his temper. Something he found as a Dom—at least for a while. But he allowed himself to trust a woman once and was slapped back into reality with a vengeance and now devotes all his energy into building his real estate empire, raising his teenaged daughter…and avoiding anything resembling authentic attachments.
Melody Rodriguez kept her head down for years—working hard, making her own money, trying to get ahead with every deck stacked against her. She’s determined to move beyond the ugliness that haunts her without anyone’s help. When a mutual friend sets her up with Trent, she’s determined to have some fun with him and move on.
A man with nothing left to lose. A woman hiding behind her past. When two lives spent in emotional denial collide, it’s a perfect match—at least on the surface. But neither Trent or Melody are prepared for the full force of their true feelings, once fate intervenes and blows a cold breeze into their white-hot relationship.
Reader Advisory: This book contains a recollection of gang rape; mention of incestual rape, spousal rape and abuse.
Pre-Order Date: 30th May 2017
Early Download Date: 13th June 2017
General Release Date: 11th July 2017
https://www.totallybound.com/book/con...
Trent Hettinger’s turbulent formative years transformed him into a cynic—and into a man who realized he required something outside himself to control his temper. Something he found as a Dom—at least for a while. But he allowed himself to trust a woman once and was slapped back into reality with a vengeance and now devotes all his energy into building his real estate empire, raising his teenaged daughter…and avoiding anything resembling authentic attachments.
Melody Rodriguez kept her head down for years—working hard, making her own money, trying to get ahead with every deck stacked against her. She’s determined to move beyond the ugliness that haunts her without anyone’s help. When a mutual friend sets her up with Trent, she’s determined to have some fun with him and move on.
A man with nothing left to lose. A woman hiding behind her past. When two lives spent in emotional denial collide, it’s a perfect match—at least on the surface. But neither Trent or Melody are prepared for the full force of their true feelings, once fate intervenes and blows a cold breeze into their white-hot relationship.
Reader Advisory: This book contains a recollection of gang rape; mention of incestual rape, spousal rape and abuse.
Pre-Order Date: 30th May 2017
Early Download Date: 13th June 2017
General Release Date: 11th July 2017
https://www.totallybound.com/book/con...
- GenresContemporary Romance
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2017
2 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Liz Crowe
100 books1,231 followersLiz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville living in South Carolina. She's spent her time as a three-continent expat trailing spouse, mom of three, real estate agent, brewery owner and bar manager, and is currently a digital marketing and fundraising consultant, in addition to being an award-winning author.
The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.
Her favorite things to do when she’s not scrolling social media for cute animal videos is walk her dogs, cuddle her cats, and watch her favorite sports teams while scrolling social media for cute animal videos.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 10, 2017
We met both Melody Rodriguez and Trent Hettinger in the first two books of this series. But, we only knew the basics. She's Evelyn's best friend, he dated Evelyn briefly. He's into BDSM and is a Dom. She's really good at her jobs and is in a committed relationship with him. Now, their story takes major steps backwards in time to share how they came to be.
One of the unexpected bonuses coming out of this story was getting third party perspectives about the Evelyn/Austin/Ross relationship from the very beginning. I wondered during the first two books how much employees and others knew about them, what they thought and that gets answered. And, more details about Evelyn's dalliance with Trent are offered up, too.
Now, about Trent and Melody. On the surface, these two couldn't appear more confident and self assured. But both of them have experienced some really horrible traumas and found ways to gain control of their lives. Melody's not what you'd think of as a stereotypical submissive but the true dynamics of a Dom/sub relationship are the focus. It made for a much more layered story. Their pairing is stormy, messy and passionate and both behave maturely and stupidly over the course of the story. There aren't any dull moments but don't expect a lot of emphasis on Dom/sub sexual behavior...there is that but it's not the heart of this book.
This was another rollercoaster ride from start to finish. I really liked Trent and Melody together, which wasn't how I felt at the start. Now, they make perfect sense.
Trigger warnings:
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
One of the unexpected bonuses coming out of this story was getting third party perspectives about the Evelyn/Austin/Ross relationship from the very beginning. I wondered during the first two books how much employees and others knew about them, what they thought and that gets answered. And, more details about Evelyn's dalliance with Trent are offered up, too.
Now, about Trent and Melody. On the surface, these two couldn't appear more confident and self assured. But both of them have experienced some really horrible traumas and found ways to gain control of their lives. Melody's not what you'd think of as a stereotypical submissive but the true dynamics of a Dom/sub relationship are the focus. It made for a much more layered story. Their pairing is stormy, messy and passionate and both behave maturely and stupidly over the course of the story. There aren't any dull moments but don't expect a lot of emphasis on Dom/sub sexual behavior...there is that but it's not the heart of this book.
This was another rollercoaster ride from start to finish. I really liked Trent and Melody together, which wasn't how I felt at the start. Now, they make perfect sense.
Trigger warnings:
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
July 5, 2017
Conditioned (Brewing Passion #3) by Liz Crowe
3 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Miscarriage, Rape trauma, Domestic Abuse, Death
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Trent is a well known Dom who is also a great businessman. However, recently he's missing something but doesn't really know what that is. He has a daughter who is just reaching teenage years and is driving him crazy. Taylor, his daughter, needs a swift kick in the pants and a general reality check. I like how Trent went about parenting, but also thought that he was slightly naive about his daughter. Also, his ex wife is absolutely no help in the story - not even really sure why she's in the story to begin with. Trent has a traumatic past and knows that sometimes, that is what drives him. When he sees Melody for the first time, something in him clicks. However, he missteps, doesn't communicate and generally acts like a teenager himself throughout the story.
Then you have Melody. She is kind of a mess. Having lived through trauma herself, she knows that sometimes, she doesn't cope as well as she should. She's shy and simply trying to get from one day to the next. When she catches the eye of Trent she's not quite sure what to do with the attention.
These two have a lot to work on. Their communication is sucky throughout the story and I think that there was a lot that went on that just was fluff. There really wasn't much in terms of Dom/sub - just one night and then it was more about them learning each other. However, I also didn't really get a great amount of heat from them.
3 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Miscarriage, Rape trauma, Domestic Abuse, Death
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Trent is a well known Dom who is also a great businessman. However, recently he's missing something but doesn't really know what that is. He has a daughter who is just reaching teenage years and is driving him crazy. Taylor, his daughter, needs a swift kick in the pants and a general reality check. I like how Trent went about parenting, but also thought that he was slightly naive about his daughter. Also, his ex wife is absolutely no help in the story - not even really sure why she's in the story to begin with. Trent has a traumatic past and knows that sometimes, that is what drives him. When he sees Melody for the first time, something in him clicks. However, he missteps, doesn't communicate and generally acts like a teenager himself throughout the story.
Then you have Melody. She is kind of a mess. Having lived through trauma herself, she knows that sometimes, she doesn't cope as well as she should. She's shy and simply trying to get from one day to the next. When she catches the eye of Trent she's not quite sure what to do with the attention.
These two have a lot to work on. Their communication is sucky throughout the story and I think that there was a lot that went on that just was fluff. There really wasn't much in terms of Dom/sub - just one night and then it was more about them learning each other. However, I also didn't really get a great amount of heat from them.
July 10, 2017
Wow! This book blew me away. I think I loved it more than the previous two books in the series, Tapped and Lightstruck. While the other books don't have to be read before this one, I do recommend it. There's a backstory the reader will miss if they haven't read them.
I was quickly sucked into Trent and Melody's world. Melody has had serious trauma in her past and unfortunately for her, it prohibits her from living. She hasn't found a good way to cope other than just keeping one foot in front of the other and avoid being seen. But unexpectedly, she's drawn toward Trent. Her best friend and boss dated him for a minute and Evelyn isn't shy in making it known Melody has captured his eye and should go for it. She's scared and still dealing with what happened to her and she has a hard time letting Trent in. But he kinda bulldozes his way in.
Trent is set in his ways and has certain needs he has found with other women. However, Melody is like no one else he has ever met. He finds himself changing and craving her. He wants to protect her and cherish her. This man is sooo SWOONY! Even though he struggles with how to make their relationship work and is often an ass, he realizes he wants her and can't live without her.
I loved the way Trent wants to care for Melody. Their interactions and relationship was realistic and often times sad. Both had a past they weren't proud of and didn't want a repeat but they were VERY different situations. The push/pull they had was delicious and I didn't want to miss a minute of their story. I was completely hooked and didn't want to put this book down. And this one had ALL THE FEELS! Dontcha just love a good HEA?! Yeah, me too! This one is a great one and definitely not to be missed!
I was quickly sucked into Trent and Melody's world. Melody has had serious trauma in her past and unfortunately for her, it prohibits her from living. She hasn't found a good way to cope other than just keeping one foot in front of the other and avoid being seen. But unexpectedly, she's drawn toward Trent. Her best friend and boss dated him for a minute and Evelyn isn't shy in making it known Melody has captured his eye and should go for it. She's scared and still dealing with what happened to her and she has a hard time letting Trent in. But he kinda bulldozes his way in.
Trent is set in his ways and has certain needs he has found with other women. However, Melody is like no one else he has ever met. He finds himself changing and craving her. He wants to protect her and cherish her. This man is sooo SWOONY! Even though he struggles with how to make their relationship work and is often an ass, he realizes he wants her and can't live without her.
I loved the way Trent wants to care for Melody. Their interactions and relationship was realistic and often times sad. Both had a past they weren't proud of and didn't want a repeat but they were VERY different situations. The push/pull they had was delicious and I didn't want to miss a minute of their story. I was completely hooked and didn't want to put this book down. And this one had ALL THE FEELS! Dontcha just love a good HEA?! Yeah, me too! This one is a great one and definitely not to be missed!
July 8, 2017
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the third book in the series, and some of it happens in tandem to the earlier books, as it involves a different couple. I would therefore recommend that you read them in order, to get the whole picture. The previous two books are excellent, so it will be no hardship!
As I mention, we have known a very little about Trent and Melody already - but here we go right back to the first night they meet. Trent has been a background character, slightly mysterious, almost shady - but here we get to learn just how tough his life has been, and how he works hard to ensure that he retains control in all things. His disastrous marriage has made him cynical and distant, but he recognises that Melody has the potential to change that - and he is terrified. Sadly that causes him to behave in a less than gentlemanly manner.
Melody is shown as so self assured in previous books, but now we get to see how much she grows thanks to Trent's attention - and how his bad behaviour could crush her. She is a lovely mix of a person, with some awful baggage and yet an amazingly generous and caring heart. She will need every molecule of forgiveness she has to bestow on this silly man that she finds she loves.
I loved this story so much; it is full of lovely people who don't always get it right, but with a little bit of help from their friends get to make it work.
This is the third book in the series, and some of it happens in tandem to the earlier books, as it involves a different couple. I would therefore recommend that you read them in order, to get the whole picture. The previous two books are excellent, so it will be no hardship!
As I mention, we have known a very little about Trent and Melody already - but here we go right back to the first night they meet. Trent has been a background character, slightly mysterious, almost shady - but here we get to learn just how tough his life has been, and how he works hard to ensure that he retains control in all things. His disastrous marriage has made him cynical and distant, but he recognises that Melody has the potential to change that - and he is terrified. Sadly that causes him to behave in a less than gentlemanly manner.
Melody is shown as so self assured in previous books, but now we get to see how much she grows thanks to Trent's attention - and how his bad behaviour could crush her. She is a lovely mix of a person, with some awful baggage and yet an amazingly generous and caring heart. She will need every molecule of forgiveness she has to bestow on this silly man that she finds she loves.
I loved this story so much; it is full of lovely people who don't always get it right, but with a little bit of help from their friends get to make it work.
November 7, 2017
Liz Crowe's books always have lots of gritty, realistic drama and marvelously flawed characters. This book is no exception.
Conditioned is the third book in the Brewing Passion series. These stories are interconnected, but not so much that they can't be read as stand-alones. That said, you really will enjoy this book so much more if you read the Tapped, book 1 in the series, first.
In this story, we get to watch the relationship between Melody Rodriguez and Trent Hettinger unfold. Melody is a hard working woman, struggling to get ahead, while Trent is a self-made successful businessman who also happens to be a Dom. They both have serious issues in their pasts that left each of them with a lot of emotional baggage, making the likelihood of a long-term serious adult relationship doubtful. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two get together, make mistakes, break up, and ultimately find a way to make their relationship work.
Warning - lots of triggers in this one.
Conditioned is the third book in the Brewing Passion series. These stories are interconnected, but not so much that they can't be read as stand-alones. That said, you really will enjoy this book so much more if you read the Tapped, book 1 in the series, first.
In this story, we get to watch the relationship between Melody Rodriguez and Trent Hettinger unfold. Melody is a hard working woman, struggling to get ahead, while Trent is a self-made successful businessman who also happens to be a Dom. They both have serious issues in their pasts that left each of them with a lot of emotional baggage, making the likelihood of a long-term serious adult relationship doubtful. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two get together, make mistakes, break up, and ultimately find a way to make their relationship work.
Warning - lots of triggers in this one.
July 12, 2017
Um ... yeah, I'm struggling with rating this one. Overall the writing is very good and the plot flowed well BUT there seemed to be chunks of story missing. For example one minute Melody was working 3 jobs and then suddenly she had just one job managing the Fitz bar (which had not been mentioned before in this book). Some characters were mentioned repeatedly but no/very little background information was given to help me fit them into the plot. I have a feeling that to understand and fully engage with this book you need to have read AT LEAST the first book of the series.
There were also inconsistencies in the plot. Early on in the book we are told that Melody saves a lot of her wages and lives frugally to maximise the amount she can save. Later on Trent is paying her substantial credit card bill.
Trent was repeatedly a complete jerk to Melody, particularly towards the end of the book. When she dared question his commitment he then threw a strop and acted as if she was out of line. To be honest I though he deserved being kicked to the curb and left in Melody's dust as she drove on by. There was also massive lack of communication between the hero and heroine. They spent more of this book finding excuses/reasons NOT to talk to each other. So when Melody thought the following
I just felt like screaming NO! It would be anything BUT perfect!!! And whilst I totally felt the chemistry between them I was never convinced that it was love.
And then there was the very odd style of writing Melody first person and Trent third person. What was that all about?
At 30% I considered consigning this to the DNF pile. I left the book overnight and when I came back to it I did get into it enough to complete the book without it feeling like a chore. The book hasn't convinced me to read more work by the author but it HASN'T put me off of them either. The actual nitty gritty writing style was good - I could follow the plot, knew who was talking etc. You don't get bogged down in overly complicated descriptions or waffle. I just didn't buy into the characters or the story.
There were also inconsistencies in the plot. Early on in the book we are told that Melody saves a lot of her wages and lives frugally to maximise the amount she can save. Later on Trent is paying her substantial credit card bill.
Trent was repeatedly a complete jerk to Melody, particularly towards the end of the book. When she dared question his commitment he then threw a strop and acted as if she was out of line. To be honest I though he deserved being kicked to the curb and left in Melody's dust as she drove on by. There was also massive lack of communication between the hero and heroine. They spent more of this book finding excuses/reasons NOT to talk to each other. So when Melody thought the following
"You're a closed-off bitch." The words rolled around in my head, taunting me, reminding me that I had very likely just ruined something that could be - would be - perfect.
I just felt like screaming NO! It would be anything BUT perfect!!! And whilst I totally felt the chemistry between them I was never convinced that it was love.
And then there was the very odd style of writing Melody first person and Trent third person. What was that all about?
At 30% I considered consigning this to the DNF pile. I left the book overnight and when I came back to it I did get into it enough to complete the book without it feeling like a chore. The book hasn't convinced me to read more work by the author but it HASN'T put me off of them either. The actual nitty gritty writing style was good - I could follow the plot, knew who was talking etc. You don't get bogged down in overly complicated descriptions or waffle. I just didn't buy into the characters or the story.
July 11, 2017
Here you get so much more than just Trent and Melody. You get their history, their commentary on others, their life’s bites, disasters, devastations, pains, and finally something better. Life has a way of putting you down. Allow enough time and things can turn around.
Both Trent and Melody had small roles in the first two books of the series. Each one had their own reason for chosen the way they handled life after their slap from reality. The coming together was mutually beneficial. Their staying together made changed to them both. The bond of Dom/sub may help them along their way in ways not expected. They have a real relationship that takes place both in and out of the bedroom. There’s a depth to the relationship that not sole based in sex.
There was no straight and narrow for their relationship but there was a read for you to enjoy. These two people of the world and life have found something in the other. The other characters thrown in this one was more like background music. Some were background music that got stuck.
Just personal observation the need to read the prior stories would have helped my acclimate faster, but not absolutely required.
Both Trent and Melody had small roles in the first two books of the series. Each one had their own reason for chosen the way they handled life after their slap from reality. The coming together was mutually beneficial. Their staying together made changed to them both. The bond of Dom/sub may help them along their way in ways not expected. They have a real relationship that takes place both in and out of the bedroom. There’s a depth to the relationship that not sole based in sex.
There was no straight and narrow for their relationship but there was a read for you to enjoy. These two people of the world and life have found something in the other. The other characters thrown in this one was more like background music. Some were background music that got stuck.
Just personal observation the need to read the prior stories would have helped my acclimate faster, but not absolutely required.
July 16, 2017
Trent and Melody have a chance meeting a diner and Trent knows that he wants her. Melody knows of Trent through her friend Evelyn and knows that he likes his sex kinky.
When they start going out there is a lot of love and angst. Both of them come from a terrible background and they need push past these issues to be able to have a chance at a life together.
When different issues arise and they can't get past these they break up and realise that they both need to decide what they really want and try and build on this.
When a tragedy happens they realise that they need each other but still have issues that need to be ironed out. When they finally get a hold of each other and they move past them they can finally get what they want - each other.
Liz Crowe has written another exciting and gripping book, which makes you want to read it from the time you pick it up until it is finished.
I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review - Naughty Book Eden
When they start going out there is a lot of love and angst. Both of them come from a terrible background and they need push past these issues to be able to have a chance at a life together.
When different issues arise and they can't get past these they break up and realise that they both need to decide what they really want and try and build on this.
When a tragedy happens they realise that they need each other but still have issues that need to be ironed out. When they finally get a hold of each other and they move past them they can finally get what they want - each other.
Liz Crowe has written another exciting and gripping book, which makes you want to read it from the time you pick it up until it is finished.
I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review - Naughty Book Eden
July 4, 2017
These characters have a very intense relationship. Both need each other way more than they think that they do.
Lots of mistakes on both sides of the line...lots of caution that causes more damage than it does help. Lots of walls to break through.
In true Liz fashion, this book is messy. Hot to cold to everything in between. Characters you will want to both smack up side the head and hold to give comfort to. Sassy and naughty. Really emotional.
This story happens earlier in the series, during everything that happens in the first book. It was cool to get snippets of that story from a different perspective.
But, I was pretty taken by surprise by how quickly it ended. Not that the story was short, I just wasn't expecting it to end where it did. Good story telling, keeps the pages turning.
Lots of mistakes on both sides of the line...lots of caution that causes more damage than it does help. Lots of walls to break through.
In true Liz fashion, this book is messy. Hot to cold to everything in between. Characters you will want to both smack up side the head and hold to give comfort to. Sassy and naughty. Really emotional.
This story happens earlier in the series, during everything that happens in the first book. It was cool to get snippets of that story from a different perspective.
But, I was pretty taken by surprise by how quickly it ended. Not that the story was short, I just wasn't expecting it to end where it did. Good story telling, keeps the pages turning.
July 11, 2017
This is Book 3 in the Brewing Passion series. It is the story of Trent Hettinger and Melody Rodriguez. Trent was drawn into the Dom world by someone that he loved and it ended badly. Now he only focuses on work and trying to raise his rebellious daughter. Enter Melody. She is a good hard-working woman with a hidden past. She too has been hurt by love. They are both in turmoil.
How will they handle their attraction to each other when neither one is able to trust? Hang on romance readers! It's going to be a bumpy and exciting ride! I absolutely loved this book! It was passionate! It was intense! It was emotional! It was exciting! It's a red-hot sizzling read that is very well-written. The characters are well-developed and very likable. Another great story from this author. Highly recommended!
How will they handle their attraction to each other when neither one is able to trust? Hang on romance readers! It's going to be a bumpy and exciting ride! I absolutely loved this book! It was passionate! It was intense! It was emotional! It was exciting! It's a red-hot sizzling read that is very well-written. The characters are well-developed and very likable. Another great story from this author. Highly recommended!
July 23, 2017
Conditioned (Brewing Passion #3) by Liz Crowe
• Baggage
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Melting and a Sexometer of 1,2,3.
What an intense story of moving forward and letting the past be the past, not always the easiest thing to do. Trent and Melody both have baggage from their pasts but the question to answer is will they continue to hide behind it or will they let it go and actually move forward? You'll have to read CONDITIONED to find out. I've read all 3 books and love the series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book via Tasty Book Tours for an honest blog tour review.
Favorite Passages ~
· Liar, liar, fuzzy pants on fire.
• Baggage
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Melting and a Sexometer of 1,2,3.
What an intense story of moving forward and letting the past be the past, not always the easiest thing to do. Trent and Melody both have baggage from their pasts but the question to answer is will they continue to hide behind it or will they let it go and actually move forward? You'll have to read CONDITIONED to find out. I've read all 3 books and love the series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book via Tasty Book Tours for an honest blog tour review.
Favorite Passages ~
· Liar, liar, fuzzy pants on fire.
July 14, 2017
Conditioned (Brewing Passion Book 3) by Liz Crowe
This is Trent and Melody's story. You need to read book one and two in this series before reading this book to fully understand the story.
In book three you get to see how Trent and Melody's relationship started. You get to see Evelyn, Ross, and Austin's relationship from a different side.
Trent and Melody are perfect for one another but it was a roller coaster ride.
This is true to Liz Crowe's characters. Their characters are messy and not perfect. You get just a glimpse into a BDSM relationship.
FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This is Trent and Melody's story. You need to read book one and two in this series before reading this book to fully understand the story.
In book three you get to see how Trent and Melody's relationship started. You get to see Evelyn, Ross, and Austin's relationship from a different side.
Trent and Melody are perfect for one another but it was a roller coaster ride.
This is true to Liz Crowe's characters. Their characters are messy and not perfect. You get just a glimpse into a BDSM relationship.
FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
July 12, 2017
I think this just might be my favorite book from this author and I love all her books!!! Trent and Melody's story draw you in and keep you even after the end of the book. No one writes like this author and every word takes you for the ride of your life. Another five star read!!!
July 5, 2017
Good book from a great series. Two people who have a lot of issues. Definitely a page turner.
August 5, 2018
Loved Trent and Melody...nice continuation of the series...just a little different in that told about the same time as the first in the series...all the same ..really liked Trent as a hero💪🏼
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews