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Marionette

Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26
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378 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 30, 2026

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Ana Cole

1 book

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5 stars
7 (58%)
4 stars
5 (41%)
3 stars
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Erica Lynn.
160 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Such a unique, intriguing read! Marionette kept me on the edge of my seat while also providing some high heat. Loved the side characters Malek and Tori. They were so funny! I hope one day we get a story for them as well as a story for Aisha. And Tarek? He’s like the perfect boyfriend, no notes. I loved how he slowly broke Madison out of her shell. This book went in a direction I did not see coming and I was all for it.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💟
Profile Image for booklover.mall.
101 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
Holy crap!!! Where do I start from the end or the beginning of Marionette because you will definitely want to go back to college and find a HOT S*XY Professor like Tarek because I know I sure do. I am just saying what yall are thinking. lol

Marionette had my emotions in check. Ana you had me laughing, giggling, you had me crying, yelling at my kindle(my kid looking at me like I’m crazy and then they see my kindle in hand.), you also had me wanting to jump in the book wanting fight some people… lol, you got me blushing, saying YESSS!!! And HECK YEAH through the book.

Madison meets Tarek at the club called the Control Zone where she was supposed to meet her Kylie, but she doesn’t show up. And it’s all goes up from there. Tarek is Madison professor(heck yeah) and she finds out after she meet him in the club and oh boy it was such a pleasure to watch them.

It’s was heartbreaking and sad what Madison went through with her mom but Tarek made sure she was seen, heard and comfortable in all the ways that matter!

Tarek what was a lot but definitely in a good way, but it was sad and heartbreaking as well what he dealt with. He felt something for Madison the moment he laid eyes on her and made sure he was the ONE for her.
Profile Image for Alexandria Devaux.
3 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 28, 2026
I devoured this book! Received a copy from the author as an ARC reader and finished in under 24hours.

We follow the story of Madison as she is completing her degree in counseling. She meets Tarek at his night club where adults can consent to giving up control….and to be controlled in a very unique way.

Her friends are awful humans (some) and there is so much growth and redemption throughout the book.

Ana can write tension and cliff hangers like no other. The quick wit and banter between characters had me chuckling along with them. I loved the communication between characters! No miscommunication trope at all.

The characters are not insufferable (unless on purpose) and we actually have an FMC who is strong willed and stands up for herself.

And the romance?! The spice?! 10/10. No notes. It was hot. It was believable. THERE IS ONE SCENE WHERE I SHOUTED “Ana how could you?!” 😂 the ultimate tease.

This got me out of my dark romance slump! Fast paced. Engaging. Great characters. Heavy scenes and heavy themes so check your trigger warnings!
Profile Image for Lauren Curley.
610 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 Stars
🌶🌶 - Spice Level

Madison meets Tarek at his club called The Control Zone. She's a college student out for a night with a terrible friend. Tarek notices her and introduces her to what the club really does with controlling a partner. That first night she gets pissed at him only to realize her next required course has him as her professor.

Tarek is intrigued by her and thus begins a bit of a cat and mouse situation. There's elements of dark romance and an even deeper controlling proposition that's surgical for his puppet in Marionette. These two do come together in some spicy scenes and some of the mystery suspense will get solved the further you read. I stayed engaged with this story seeking answers to this mystery surrounding Tarek and his family. Throughly enjoyed getting to know the main characters and some side characters that seem destined for a book in this series.

Thank you Ana Cole for the ARC!

Release Date: May 30, 2026
Profile Image for NikSoFly.
33 reviews
May 25, 2026
Marionette hooked me right away with its unusual prose and intriguing concept — I finished it in like 5 hours!!!! I LOVE me a professor/student moment and age gap — Yes please!

The main characters felt a little underdeveloped or simply not believable (Tom & Kylie), which made it tough to connect with them or understand their motivations. I often found myself filling in the gaps on my own just to keep the story moving in my head.

I genuinely enjoyed the direction of the story and the core idea. The concept is so good, and there’s a lot of potential in the narrative’s bones. I just wish the world and characters had been given more depth so the story could shine the way it deserves.

I hope we get more of it all! Malek, Tori and Aisha!!!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
19 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 11, 2026
BY FAR, HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE READ THIS YEAR. No joke, this book seriously was just so mfin good. There’s not one thing I didn’t eat up.

You have Tarek, what a man. He’s just everything you could ever want. And then you have sweet Madison, who has her sexual awakening in this book. Good for you, girl. So freaking proud.

The whole implant thing? So hot 🥵

The storyline was just so good on top of all that spice. Ugh, chefs kiss.

I just need everyone to stop what they are doing & read this.

A solid 5 star read. I’d give anything to be able to read it again for the first time. 🥹

Profile Image for Hanna.
9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
I absolutely fell in love with this book! The story was so well written and I just couldn’t put it down. I laughed, I cried, I think I said “omg” at least 20 times while reading. 😅
The spice was sooo good and the tension between Tarrk and Madison?!? 10/10. And what a freaking twist towards the end 👀 Seriously one of my favorite books I’ve read so far this month. I’m hoping we get more of the Rao family 🙃
Profile Image for Kassie Bates.
173 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 24, 2026
Sat down and read this cover to cover.

Dark i even say a 6⭐️ read? Amazing and I’m truly hoping we get more in Aisha’s story or maybe even Tori and malek????

at the beginning you truly just think this is a spicy book but it’s SO MUCH MORE. Holy lord i couldn’t put this down.

Also im kind of hoping somehow to fight Kylie myself.. but..
AMAZING AND I CANT WAIT FOR MORE. I loved our good girl Madi and daddy professor. 😍🔥
Profile Image for Kristina artNerd .
89 reviews
May 12, 2026
Super interesting read! My first by this author. I loved the thriller plot and all the micro tropes within the book. There is romance and smut but the plot is thriller . The character development is excellent and you get to know each personality really well considering it’s not a super long book. Really enjoyed this read !
Profile Image for Misha.
29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
Hands down the best Student X Professor romance i have read.
This book have my heart. The love story Tarek and Madison have is beautiful... i am a bit jealous of what they have. They have been through a love and i think they help heal each other. I love them so much. I can't wait to read the other books in the series
Profile Image for Kalene.
577 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
What an amazing story I don't regret reading it. I wanted more and this was a trip
20 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2026
ARC Review

This was so good! A really fantastic debut novel from an indie author.

The story was really interesting. The MMC has a nightclub where they have certain devices that mean one person can completely control another person’s body. But outside of this ‘fantasy’ element, it felt completely grounded.

The FMC doesn’t have much experience in the ‘romantic’ department and she definitely leans more towards being an introvert who’d rather be at home in her PJs! I can relate! But she’s braver than me when it comes to taking a chance.

Smut to plot balance was great. The spice itself was good. I particularly liked their last steamy scene 😏

I loved the relationship between the two and how it developed. And the overall story took a really cool turn. Judging by how it ended, it seems we’re just getting started here! I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews