So, after the emotional rollercoaster that was ZA (which I haven't even finished btw), I was desperately seeking solace and Assistant to the Villain was exactly what I needed. And more!
“We're are all monsters in the end. At least mine lives in the light.”
–Hannah Nicole Maehrer
What Is It About?
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.
My Opinion
4.5/5⭐
I've been a fan of Hannah ever since I found her on the Clock app, where her videos never failed to make me burst into laughter. When I heard she had written a book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. And boy, am I glad I did!
The twists, the dark humor, the characters - everything was on point! This book whisked me away from reality when I desperately needed it. You know, life's punches can get pretty relentless, but books like these? They offer the sweetest escape.
I couldn't put down the book, even when it was 1 a.m. and I needed to wake up at 6 a.m. I needed to keep reading and keep following Evie in her wild adventures and sunshine personality. Evie's struggle to please everyone and find validation hit me right in the feels. How many of us haven't been there, right? We bend over backward, sacrificing our own happiness for others. But this book reminded me that it's okay to put ourselves first. We've only got one life, and those two arms and legs? Yeah, they're meant for us!
Living for others can be draining. We're not superhumans with endless resources, after all. We should be kind and empathetic, but we need to listen to our desires more often too. We need to put ourselves as our priority.
So if you like: grumpy/sunshine dynamics, romantasy, office romance, loads of tension, dual POVs, and constant fits of laughter, this book is your next best read. Just a heads up, though, there are some heavy themes here - family loss, gore, blood, attempted SA, and torture.
Even though there's almost no romance in the book, the pinning and the tension between characters was chef's kiss. Every page was a treat, and I couldn't get enough. Hannah, thank you for blessing us with this heartwarming masterpiece. You've gained a forever fan in me!
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