Last week I had to do a 10 thing I loved about … for my Top Ten Tuesday and I really enjoyed writing a review that way. So I decided to do this review in that style as well! I finished Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer earlier this week and today I wanted to share what I loved about the book with you all. So let’s jump in!
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, 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.
Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #1) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Published by Entangled Publishing: Red Tower Books on 29/08/2023
Pages: 342
Goodreads
1. The map in my book
This has convinced me to buy the book honestly. I already wanted to read the book, but seeing that map I knew I had to have the book on my shelves. The map is pretty simple but I love the little comments on it, it already shows what kind of book it is going to be and I think it’s really funny haha.
2. The title
This was what made me want to read the book in the first place! I really like this title, it’s intriguing and it makes me want to know more right away. What does an assistant to a villain do? Will there be a plot or just vibes?
3. Evie
The main character Evie became an instant favorite. And I never expected that! But I thought she was very relatable. I saw a lot of my ADHD symptoms in her, and I don’t know if others have said this and she actually is neurodivergent but in my head she definitely is!
4. The humor
I laughed out loud so much while reading. This was one of the books I read while on vacation and my friends kept looking at me like I was crazy haha. I kept giggling and snorting and laughing and just having a great time reading this!
5. The Villain
Evie was my favorite character but the Villain was wonderful as well! I loved slowly getting to know him more and more and finding out his motivations. In my opinion he was a well written character and I adored him a lot.
6. The dual POV’s
This really added to the reading experience in my opinion! I especially loved knowing what was going on in the Villain’s head and then seeing Evie completely misinterpreting his little movements like when he was clenching his fists. It was so cute and endearing and it made the book that much more enjoyable.
7. The themes
I was expecting this to be a very light-hearted book (even though we follow the villain of the world) but there were a lot of heavier themes mentioned throughout the book. And I liked that a lot actually. I didn’t expect that to be the case. Like I said, beforehand I was wondering if this book would mostly be vibes and I would actually be totally okay with that. But that turned out not to be the case at all!
8. The plot
This one expands on the previous one a bit. While I was hoping for just vibes for a bit longer, we were actually getting a plot in this book! I would’ve loved getting more of Evie’s day to day, especially as some of it was mentioned by other characters (maybe we can get a novella at some point…..), but I did like the plot a lot. There were some twists I didn’t see coming!
9. The rest of the characters
I adored Tatianna, Blade, Lyssa and Kingsley and I even enjoyed Becky. Or at least, I enjoyed Evie’s interactions with Becky haha. There were a lot of fun characters and I am very invested in their little stories as well. I hope we get to read more about them in the sequel!
10. The end
I’m very happy we’re getting the sequel in like 2 weeks. Because that ending! I loved it but it was also shocking and after that cliffhanger I’m happy I don’t have to wait a year to read the next book haha. While the book got less hilarious towards the end, mostly because it got a bit more serious (it was still fun though!) I hope the second book will be just as laugh out loud funny.
These were 10 things I loved about Assistant to the Villain! I once again really enjoyed writing a review this way, hopefully you enjoyed it as well. Because I will probably do it a couple more times haha. Have you read Assistant to the Villain? What did you think of the book? Let me know in the comments!
