Assistant to the Villain

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer's laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain...and their unexpected romance.

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn's most infamous Villain results in a job offer--naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don't find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she's getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat...and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain--and his entire nefarious empire--out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work...and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

The Assistant and the Villain series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Assistant to the Villain
Book #2 Apprentice to the Villain
Book #3 Accomplice to the Villain

BUY THE BOOK

342 pages

Average rating: 7.43

199 RATINGS

|

13 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

carrmel21
Feb 26, 2025
10/10 stars
Hooked from the very beginning to the end. Evie is such a strong character. Things are fast pace with so many unexpected twists. I was literally on the edge of my seat. Maehrer’s writing style is engaging and vivid, making it easy to visualize the fantastical settings and immerse myself in the story. The balance between light-hearted moments and deeper, more emotional scenes is masterfully done, ensuring that the narrative never feels one-dimensional.

In addition to the captivating storyline, the book also explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the complexities of morality. It’s a thought-provoking read that offers more than just entertainment; it invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions of right and wrong.

Overall, “Assistant to the Villain” is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure with a healthy dose of humor and heart. It’s a book that will make you laugh, gasp, and maybe even shed a tear. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Anonymous
Dec 08, 2024
10/10 stars
4.5⭐️
Anonymous
Nov 25, 2024
8/10 stars
* 4.5 STAR RATING *
I loved this book more than I thought I would BUT not the biggest fan of the romance aspect of this book, however I did like the story between them more than I thought I would. I am a big fan of romance but not when it is joined together with fantasy. I came into this book expecting just all mystery and gore in a sense, so I think that was why I was a bit thrown off guard by the romance.

I love when authors write the characters different perspectives and I am glad that Hannah emphasized more chapters on Evie because wow what an amazing character build!!! She went on this journey of being so unsure of herself to being confident and knowing exactly who she is.

I loved The Villian in this, at first, I thought how could someone like him ever change his ways because of how evil he was AND then we got to the chapters where we got to see his perspectives and that is where everything changed. He went on his own journey where he was wronged in his past and only sought to take revenge on the king and everyone around him to caring for the ones, he held close to his heart.

It is a beautiful story of two individuals on their own separate journey's coming to realize they both needed each other, to heal from the things that once pained their lives in order to be who they truly are.
Now although I do not like romance fantasy, this one has a special place in my heart <3.
Anonymous
Oct 22, 2024
2/10 stars
dnf at 35%

whole lot of nothing girl.
faetedfantasy
Aug 18, 2024
8/10 stars
If you’re considering reading this book, please do!
It’s not super high stakes, it’s cute, witty and has a great grumpy/sunshine slow burn romance.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series’

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.