Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Voted by members for Romantacy additional read

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer



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.

I liked this much more than I expected to. Romance isn't one of my preferred genres, but fantassy is. I've been avoiding Romancy titles, but now I can't wait for the sequel.

Just finished this book. I was not a huge fan. I listened on audio and could not stand the narrators villain voice. I also did not feel close to the characters. We never got in a groove together.

I didn’t think the villain should be called a villain at all. But I suppose pahtato, potado.

There were parts I enjoyed. But mostly, I spent my time wondering when it would end.

Will I read the second? Probably so, when it’s available for free. Mainly, bc I don’t see myself as a quitter…but partly, because I am apparently full of hope!