Assistant to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain, 1)

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’

👤 Who It’s For: Fans of The Office meets Once Upon a Time Readers who want cozy, low-stakes fantasy Rom-com lovers who enjoy villain/assistant banter People who need a light, palate-cleansing read between heavier books 🚫 Who It’s Not For: Fantasy readers craving deep world-building or high stakes Thriller fans expecting tension, twists, or darkness Readers who need an emotional connection to characters Anyone drawn in by the title, expecting villainy or morally grey intrigue 📖 Quick Spoiler-Free Plot Review: In a vaguely medieval fantasy kingdom, Evie ends up working as the assistant to the Villain—yes, capital V. Her job? Managing his schedule, sorting severed limbs from revenge missions, and making sure the lair runs smoothly. But when mysterious threats begin creeping into the villain's territory, Evie finds herself caught between admin duties and something much more sinister—if only she could care. 🎬 Book vs. Film: No adaptation yet, but the book plays like a cozy web series. Think Galavant meets Dead Like Me, or a Netflix fantasy workplace comedy. 🤔 Why I Gave It 3 Stars: I appreciated the short chapters and easy prose—it made for a fast read. Unfortunately, the marketing and premise promised something the story didn’t quite deliver. I went in expecting a darkly funny, morally grey villain romance or a satirical fantasy thriller, but it read more like a quirky cozy mystery. While it wasn't bad, my mind wandered. I wasn’t engaged emotionally or narratively. I simply didn’t care enough about the stakes or the characters to want more. ✅ What the Book Gets Right: Approachable language and pacing for newer fantasy readers Short chapters—perfect for binge reading or time-strapped readers Funny moments of satire in workplace tropes applied to a fantasy world Cozy vibes that made it good as a reading “reset” book ❌ What the Book Gets Wrong: Genre misrepresentation: If marketed as a fantasy rom-com, it hits. But for readers expecting true villainy, plot twists, or action, it’s a bait-and-switch. Character detachment: The villain, Evie, and the world around them feel underdeveloped emotionally. Repetitiveness: Many scenes blend together, and some jokes or moments lose impact due to pacing issues. No true payoff for mystery elements or romantic tension—felt surface-level. 💭 Final Thoughts: Assistant to the Villain is a clever concept with niche appeal, but it fell flat for me. It works well for readers looking for something light, cozy, and quirky—but it doesn’t offer much depth or emotional payoff. I won’t be continuing the series, but I recognize that it could be the perfect comfort read for others. It's more of a cozy mystery/fantasy than a comedic thriller/fantasy as it was advertised. It’s a 3-star read that sits firmly in the “cute but forgettable” category—fun for the right audience, but not one I’ll remember or revisit.

DNF @ 18%

I don't know why I deleted my original review.

This is the dumbest book ever. It doesn't take itself seriously but it never gives you a chance to trust it enough to allow it to take itself so lightly.

This villain is supposed to be the most ominous being ever but literally no I one is scared of him (at least I'm the first 45 pages, no one is). The only way you know he's a big bad villain is because the characters have to keep reminding themselves of this fact.

Really dumb. If I had known it was a tiktok book I would never have wasted my money.

I loved this book. It had everything that I could have wanted. My characters are multidimensional and I really enjoyed their interactions with one another. The twist at the end caught me completely off guard. I can't wait for the second book in the series

Probably one of the most poorly written books I have ever read HOWEVER the plot is so cute and the characters are lovable :)

So is this a literary masterpiece? Absolutely not
Will I be reading the sequel that comes out August 6th 2024? Probably
Would I be reading the sequel if book 1 didn’t end in a massive cliffhanger? Eh, maybe. Still a nice little beach read.