💀✨ Book Spotlight: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Genre: Fantasy • Romantic Comedy • Dark Humor • Enemies to Lovers

☕ Book Details & Rating
Format: Physical Book
Series: Assistant to the Villain #1
Year Published: 2023
Page Count: 400
Rating: ☕☕☕☕☕ (5 Coffees!)

🥤 Coffee Pairing:
A dark roast cold brew with a sweet vanilla cold foam — because it’s equal parts sinister and soft, much like our favorite morally gray boss.

About the Book

Evie Sage is having one of those weeks — fired from her job, broke, and desperate for anything that’ll pay the bills. So when she literally stumbles into the path of the kingdom’s most feared villain and lands a job as his assistant, she takes it… moral compass be damned.

But working for the Villain isn’t what she expected. Sure, there are dungeons and threats of dismemberment, but there’s also structure, purpose, and a surprising amount of… charm? As Evie tries to survive (and maybe impress) her dangerously charismatic boss, she uncovers secrets that could upend the entire kingdom.

Full of sharp wit, chaotic workplace banter, and an enemies-to-something-more slow burn, Assistant to the Villain is a delightful mix of fantasy, humor, and heart.

My Thoughts

I first came across Assistant to the Villain on the author’s TikTok, and I was immediately hooked. The idea of writing a story from the villain’s side—especially through the eyes of his assistant—is so creative and different. I knew right away this was one I wanted a physical copy of. I even tried annotating it… emphasis on tried. I quickly learned that annotating slows me down way too much, so I settled for underlining favorite quotes and jotting notes in the margins instead.

We’re introduced to Evangelina “Evie” Sage, who is about as down on her luck as it gets. Her life has been marked by loss—her mom disappeared, her brother died, her dad is sick—and she’s doing her best to hold everything together for her little sister. Despite all that, Evie remains kindhearted and hopelessly selfless. She gives up her own opportunities to help others, even when it costs her. Case in point: she loses a new job after giving up her spot in line to a stranger. Distracted and frustrated, she wanders into the forbidden forest—the Villain’s domain—and accidentally saves his life. Naturally, he offers her a job as his assistant.

Maehrer shines when it comes to character depth. Both Evie and the Villain are complex, layered, and morally gray in the best ways. Evie’s optimism contrasts perfectly with the Villain’s dark pragmatism. Through their dynamic, Maehrer explores the idea that no one is entirely good or evil—people are shaped by their pain, choices, and the people they choose to protect. The Villain’s found family of misfits adds so much heart and humor to the story, from the sharp-tongued co-workers to Kingsley the frog, who somehow manages to be both comic relief and emotional support.

“You’re not all bad, are you?”

He looked offended. “How dare you.”
— Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Maehrer’s world-building is equally impressive. Fantasy can easily get bogged down by heavy exposition, but here, the details of Rennedawn flow naturally through the story. You can practically picture the castle corridors, the eerie forest, and the chaos of the Villain’s lair.

This book reminds me so much of The Princess Bride—not because of the plot, but because of the tone. It’s the perfect blend of fantasy, romance, comedy, mystery, and action. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it still delivers real emotion and heart. The romance is a very slow burn (and I mean glacial), but the chemistry between Evie and the Villain leaps off the page. Their banter is sharp, their tension electric, and every small moment between them feels earned. Kingsley’s one-word signs are the cherry on top—he says what we’re all thinking, and I adored him for it.

“Of all the foolish, horrific things he’d ever accomplished, falling in love with a woman he so completely didn’t deserve made the top of the list.”
— Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Final Thoughts

Assistant to the Villain is witty, whimsical, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Beyond the humor and romantic tension, it’s a story about belonging—about finding your people in the most unlikely of places. The Villain’s castle isn’t just filled with henchmen; it’s full of outcasts who finally have a place to call home. It’s found family at its finest.

There is some mild language sprinkled throughout, but it’s not excessive and doesn’t detract from the story or its charm. This book had me laughing, swooning, and cheering for every misfit in Rennedawn. I can’t wait to see where Maehrer takes these characters next.