Puppeteer

Twisted Bonds #0.5

by S.B. Hazel

Fear and desire have always intertwined together in my brain. When I’m afraid, my body reacts, makes me crave touch, makes me ache.

So the idea of going to a sex club's Halloween horror house is making me nervous... Curious.

In the maze, a masked man stalks me through the shadows. It’s terrifying, and feels alarmingly authentic.

When he catches me, what will happen? Will I succumb to his depraved desires?

Puppeteer is a 7k word novella featuring a masked dom and his best friend’s daughter.

Genres: Novella, BDSM, Dark Romance, Dark, Smut, Erotica, Halloween

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[Carla Bulian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s wrong and I want more of this story🤷🏻‍♀️

[Mysti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! Be sure to read all the warnings below - and my update.

Zelda (22) attends the House of Whorrors Halloween event put on by The Bone Yard (sex club) with her BFF. After they're separated, she's chased by a masked man into a private room. She has a secret kink of wanting to be dominated and forced and she finally gives into it.

Lucas (42) immediately recognizes his best friend's daughter - and since he's lusted after her for a few years now, he decides to take advantage of this situation.

Debauchery ensues before he leaves her depleted on the bed - unfortunately, he left behind a piece of evidence that Zelda immediately recognizes. It ends on that cliffy.

Now - this contains one trigger that I wasn't prepared for. Like I said - it ends on a cliffy and in the next book, which I just started, tells you more details. I'm putting it here so you know. (Lucas is actually married with kids. Apparently, he and his wife have a semi-open relationship. Zelda's dad is also at the sex club that night even though he's still married to Zelda's mom. I might not have read this had I known he was married, but now I'm hooked so I'm going to finish.)

UPDATE AFTER READING THE SECOND BOOK: I absolutely HATED it. Hated what this couple turned into. Hated all of it. I still enjoyed this one, but I'd say use your imagination and pretend they get a HEA.

Other triggers: dubcon/noncon, breath play, blood play, anal play, fisting (I'll never understand how that's a turn on), spitting, and probably some others.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg what did I just read?! This was quick and brutally dirty and kinky! I'm screaming.

Puppeteer is a halloween novella following Zelda's time in a sex club slash haunted house and there's: mask kink, dub con, blood play, bondage, throat/face fucking, pierced dick and a pierced clit, fisting and then some.

Did I mention it's also taboo age gap between FMC and HER FATHER'S BEST FRIEND. So much jam packed into a small package.

The beginning to middle was a bang fest and the end left me wanting more. I need to know what happens next!

If you're looking for some hot and spicy halloween themed erotica and you're vibing with the content warning, this is for you!

**NOTE: MMC is married with children with a woman that's not the FMC

I received a copy of this novella from the author, however all thoughts are my own

[Peppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’all. If you’re looking for a SHORT, SPICY and SPOOKY little read that’s basically pure filth (&extrem kinks) with a side of chills, THIS IS IT!!

trops/kinks/safety
🖤father friend
🖤age gap
🖤Halloween party setting
🖤dub con
🖤abuse of power
🖤hidden identity
🖤master/slave
🖤throat fucking
🖤fisting
🖤extrem stretching
🖤anal play
🖤blood play
🖤breath play

[Lolina ⋆]

😳

[pageswithparis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tbh, I saw this on booksta and immediately added it to my kindle!

It’s one big sex scene but now I can’t wait for the full length novel.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next stop on my Halloween novella train is Puppeteer, and this was a riveting introduction to S.B. Hazel’s work, which I will now undoubtedly be attacking as soon as I’m able. This book…this book is the epitome of “let’s skip to the good parts” and we’re immediately tossed into a raucous night of sheer depravity at a sex club’s no-holds-barred spooky season festivities. A short, gripping read dripping with tension, this is one that leaves you desperate for more.

So, what can you expect? Zelda, young first-timer, meets Luca, masked older regular who has an eye for a certain marionette. Once he catches his prey, the evening devolves into an unforgettable exploration of all sorts of k!nks for both of these souls looking for some fun. However, it does seem a bit odd her masked assailant seems to know what she desires. When I say what ensues is filthy, I mean it is FILTHY. Aaand it’s all done with a forbidden twist!

I had a lot of fun with this book— the ending had me reeling and I can’t tell you how relieved I was to read there will be more of this duo coming soon in a full length novel. We’re in the thick of it now, if you’re looking for fast, dirty reads to add to your list for the month (it’s less than 40 pages, people…there are no excuses here), you can’t go wrong with Puppeteer. Master Luca will not disappoint.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well fuuuuuuuck. Want a masked man to chase you through a maze and literally RUIN you? Come meet Uncle Luca 😮‍💨

[⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about S.B. Hazel is that she writes unapologetically filthy and dark things. If you’re looking for novellas that get straight to business, don’t have unnecessary filler plot and are just dark and dirty all of her stuff is for you. This was shorter than her other novellas but still just as good. I loved the tension between these two, Luca knowing exactly who she is and Zelda desperately wanting to know made some scenes so much more hotter. The ending was just too much I need more from these two asap!! Highly recommend checking the triggers before reading (especially if you’re new to S.B’s work)

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review all opinions are my own.

[Biblio · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD. 🥵🥵🥵This was dark, depraved and so delicious. I need more. MORE. This was a Halloween sex club novella and when I tell you this combined all my favorite things plus some…. Mm mmm mmmm. This was so freaking good. I wish it was longer BUT S.B. Is working on that now. If your fantasy is to be chased through a haunted house by a hot pierced (yup 🍆) masked man… you need to read this immediately. Thank you for sending me an ARC copy S.B. Can’t wait to devour the rest of your books while I wait for more Luca and Zelda 🤤🤤

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

If you’re looking for a short, spooky season read that is pure filth, then you need to read this novella!

S.B. Hazel always delivers with amazingly smutty stories that have me panting & just craving more!!

This one is about an FMC who goes to a spicy horror house, where she bumps into the MMC and things take off from there. It did end on a cliffhanger that had me gasping, but I do believe there will be a bigger novel for the MCs coming!

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and Spicy story when a puppet master arranges an evening with his puppet. But I need the next book so I can see what happens when Luca is shown what he left behind ❤️

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how much of the blurb I read before diving in, but this novella turned out to be a quick and spicy read. While it was enjoyable in its simplicity, I’ve come to realize that novellas might not be for me due to their limited plot and character development. That said, this story did pique my curiosity enough to consider reading the next installment, which is a full length novel. I’m hopeful that the added length will allow for more depth and character building.

One aspect that detracted from my experience was the trope itself. I’m not particularly a fan of age gap romances, especially ones involving a dad’s friend or coworker. The dynamic feels unappealing to me, and I was especially uncomfortable with the idea that the older character had known the female lead prior to her turning 18. That backstory made the relationship feel uneasy rather than exciting.

Still, for readers who enjoy age gap dynamics and are looking for something quick and steamy, this novella delivers on spice. It’s straightforward and doesn’t shy away from its intent, making it a solid choice for those seeking a fast, no strings attached escape.

[Bakamille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je mettrai 4 étoiles quand j’aurai la suite mdrr
Parce que là je suis frustrée

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited. So fucking excited.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick 20 min novella prelude to Free Fall. Our FMC goes to a sex club on Halloween, starting her night off in a maze before she’s captured and taken to a room with a bed. You can guess the rest 🌶️

[Evy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

It’s like eating chocolate; it’s always good, even when you’re not really craving it.

A short and spicy story from S.B. Hazel is always a good time, and it’s so easy to read and enjoy.

[BookishAnya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an arc review but all opinions are my own
If you’re looking for a short and filthy book to get you in the mood for spooky season then this is a must read. It’s set in a spicy haunted house where anything goes.
To my understanding this is a novella that’s been used to set up for a further book so does end on a small cliffy but if you’re not wanting that then just skip the last 1/2 chapters but the ending left me gagged so I think we should all go through that together!
I did kinda love the ending tho just because we know what’s to come and it sounds juicy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Age gap
Dads bestfriend
Sex club / spicy haunted house
Dub con
THEYRE BOTH PIERCED
fisting
Stretching
Anal
Mask

[Tilly Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

* This was given to me to ARC review but all opinions are my own *

If you want a short and extremely spicy read to get you out of a reading slump then this is the book for you. S.B. Hazel never misses in the smut department!

Masked man, age gap, praise, kink event. Great wee novella. Although I hate a cliffy, this novella did end in one but it’s just made me feral for the novel!

P.s if you like a lil piercing 👀 then you’ll love this

Check TWs prior to reading! Duhhh

[Kim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG this book might have broken me! The ending -- Gah! Please tell me there will be a book 2. I'm afraid to say. more than this because even my tags could give some things away. I'll just say that SB's writing is always phenomenal and the "scenes" are just wow! You might learn some new things 😉

[cloudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was fifty shades of fucked up and i loved each and every single one of them... especially that little plot twist at the end. it made everything all the more sick and twisted, can't wait for the full length novel.

[Samantha Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

it’s trashy novella seasonnnn

okay but how is it possibly for her dad’s bestie to fist her AND fuck her with his dick at the same time? The math ain’t mathjn

[M (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Ryn Meagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review 🧸Puppeteer by S.B. Hazel
A short, filthy Halloween novella with a thick plot... and an even thicker MMC? Yeah, this one was pure spice with just enough story to keep me hooked. If dad's best friend and a huge age gap are your thing, buckle up because this book goes there-hard.

Now, let's talk taboo. Sure she didn’t know she was doing the man she’s called uncle her whole life until the last chapter… but… ya know? 😆
Definitely not my brand of kink in certain places, * cough cough a whole fist * but the tension, the intensity, and the spice? Top tier, we know I love a masked man who will chase someone through a maze.

And now, like the little gremlin I am, I'm debating adding book two to my cart because, despite everything, I need to know what happens next. So tell me, have you read this one? Because I need to talk about it.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩

This was a WILD fuckin time and I axtually want to read the full novel that follows this novella? So its Halloween vibes obviously, kinky obviously, BDSM, obviously, age gap and hidden identity and masked man and long trigger warnings. Smut was 4/5 on the spice scale and its a cliffhanger for the full novel, Free Fall.

Zelda, what a name! Surprisingly, I actually fucked with her name, it suited her. I loved the small snippets of character we got of her, and of course her being submissive was hot as shit to read about.

Luca is exactly the man i wouldn’t go for irl but luckily he’s fiction so FUCK IT. He was hot as shit, backstory aside, and I’d love to recreate some of these scenes.. off to find my fiancé!

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book would’ve been so good, if it was written better. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the sexy bits of it. But I’m one of those people who, once they see a spelling error or a mistake in the writing, then I always see them.

But it is a small book, only 42 pages of the story so it was quick! But I wish it were written better.

Also mmc is married, so there is cheating. (Hot that it’s the dads bestfriend, but fucked up that her dad was there to)

Good book! Will try to read the rest of the series, most definitely.

[Kenia Coronado · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems to be an introduction to book 1. Age gaps can be weird for me, idk exactly how many years apart they are but i was fully invested until he said “She was more beautiful than I'd ever seen her, and I'd seen every stage of her life” thats the only reason its not higher in rating for me but the plot was fun to read and i am curious about how this will develop once i know more i will give you more details when i read the first book.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy and quick read. It's definitely not a book for you if you have to have a plot. This was mostly just smut. I wasn't expecting her to be able to figure out who it was that she spent Halloween with, but she did.

[Shiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover, became invested. Didn't read the blurb so I went in blind, not knowing anything 😂
I was shook, in a good way? In a morally grey weird as fuck way? I have no idea 😂 the book didn't disappoint, I read it in 30 minutes, I was INVESTED. BRB, going to start free fall now

[eduarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

good!!!!! i was shocked by the fact that lucas was married and had children... but i'm looking forward to the sequel.