🖤 Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer 🖤

 Book One of the Assistant and the Villain Series

If you’re looking for a book that blends fantasy, banter, and just the right amount of villainous charm, Assistant to the Villain might just be your next obsession.

This story follows Evie, a delightfully relatable heroine who finds herself working for—yes—a literal villain. And not just any villain. A brooding, masked, mysterious one. Think classic fantasy overlord with sharp edges... and surprisingly great taste in office help.

Despite being told in third-person point of view (which I don’t usually gravitate toward), I fell absolutely in love with this book. The voice, the pacing, and the quirky characters drew me in instantly. It’s got that whimsical, slightly chaotic energy reminiscent of The Princess Bride, especially with its clever humor and fairytale-gone-wrong atmosphere.

What I Loved:

  • Evie: She’s awkward, loyal, impulsive, and makes so many human mistakes that it honestly made the world feel more grounded. Watching her navigate a morally questionable workplace (with rules, protocols, and HR disasters waiting to happen) was hilarious and endearing.

  • The Villain: Mysterious and cold, yet oddly respectful and emotionally layered, he hits that perfect morally gray sweet spot.

  • Kingsley: A sarcastic, sign-wielding frog sidekick. Do I need to say more? I adored him. Kingsley somehow steals every scene he’s in and had me cackling at several points.

  • The Humor: It's witty and fresh, often poking fun at tropes while still embracing them. Honestly, I laughed out loud more times than I expected.

Final Thoughts:

This was such a refreshing and genuinely fun read. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it still gives you characters to root for, romantic tension to swoon over, and a fantasy world that feels vibrant and unique. If you're into darkly charming humor, slow-burn tension, and a story that doesn’t always follow the rules—this one’s for you.

I already have Book Three (coming August 5, 2025) preordered, and I’m counting down the days. Book Two, Apprentice to the Villain, review coming soon.

📚 Rating: ★★★★☆
💫 Tropes: Villain x Assistant, Found Family, Workplace Shenanigans, Slow Burn
🐸 Content Warning: Mild violence, sarcasm (heavy from Kingsley), and dark humor

    -Chloe🤍

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