Audiobook Review: Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Narrator: Em Eldridge

Title: Accomplice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #3

Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Romance

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2025

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

Review:

After the conclusion of the last book, I knew I HAD to continue forth when this was released...I had to. The moment I got this from the library I started reading. 

We continue from where we left off with one big difference. No longer is Evie just an assistant....she is now an accomplice to the Villain. She didn't MEAN to become the right-hand woman to the kingdon's most terrifying villain, but that is just how the cookie crumbles. They are all knee-deep in magical mayhem, saving the world of magic, murder plots, a traitor, love, and paperwork. 

So I read the ebooks of the first two books so it was interesting to get my hands on the audio version of this. I really enjoyed her voices! I enjoyed the ebook and the audio so you know it is a good story and good writing when both are acceptable formats. 

Now...I didn't like this AS much as the other two books. Don't get me wrong, I still was entertained and enjoyed the story. I do feel like this was weighed down by side characters. 

Woah, what? I can hear you asking, "Carole...don't you love a good side character?" I do!!! And I was excited to learn more about the other members of the crew HOWEVER, I felt like we spent TOO much time with them and their romances. Omg everyone is sleeping with everyone in this office. Love the drama, but it was TOO much even for me. 

Other than that, I enjoyed it. Lots of chaos. Lots of magic. Lots of humor. Lots of chemistry. Lots of entertaiment to be had. I honestly feel like there is something for everyone in these books. The romance doesn't really too over too much. The fantasy isn't too heavy. The humor isn't overboard. It's nice. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this. Not as much as book 1 or 2, but I still liked it. I want a little (teeny bit) bit less of the crew and focus more on our two mains for the next book. 3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Evie and the frog

Least Favorite Character(s): Evie's parents

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #39

- Library Love #25

Book Review: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Apprentice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #2

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 368

Published: August 8, 2024

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. ―Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat…er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs―Kingsley’s included―point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies...including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so…so…delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

Review:

When I finished book 1 I HAD to get book 2 read. I was on the waitlist and I was 7th in line. To my surprise it came WAY quicker than I thought. Weeeeee!

We continue where we left off. Things happen and Evie and the Villain are back at it. Evie has never been happier in her life as being an assistant to the Villain. She also can't get him out of her head. Romance will have to wait since Rennedawn and all of magic is in grave trouble. Evie, her boss, and her co-workers will have to step out of their comfort zones and be the heroes. 

The end of the last book had me so upset! Such a cliffie! Luckily I got this and I'm a happy bean. The ending for this one was slightly cliff-hanger-ish....but not as bad so I'm amused. I still want to get my hands on book 3 asap but I can wait a bit. 

The romance is sooooo slow but it works for them. They have issues and there is a LOT going on. All of magic and Rennedawn need help. 

Lots of twists and turns here. I didn't want to stop reading but life gets busy so it took longer than I wanted to finish this. 

I enjoyed this much more than book 1. Surprising I know!!! Book 2s are so 50/50. Sophomore curse and all. 

There were a couple of cringey moments but it is a slight YA so it  comes with the category. 

But yes. I'm enjoying this series and I recommend it if you like fantasy, comedy, and a splash of romance. 4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Better

Reading Challenges: 

- Library Love #31

Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Assistant to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #1

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 425

Published: August 29, 2023

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

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.

Review:

A friend of mine highly suggested this and I had seen a couple of reviews on this and I knew I had to give it a try. 

Here we follow Evie and The Villain. Evie needs a job to support her family and after a mishap...she finds herself with a job as an assistant to the Villain. After a few months of working with him, she is starting to develop a crush on him. But he is evil and does evil things BUT he pays really well. Confliction for sure. The Villain finds that he needs help so he can't resist offering an assistant role to Evie. He now will need her help figuring out who is sabotaging his work. He has plans and he can't have it go up in flames now. So he needs to find the person and ignore his growing feelings for Evie. 

I'll admit.......I struggled HARDCORE at the beginning. It felt like a chore reading this at times. However, after a certain explosive scene, the book finally got it's hooks into me. I didn't want to stop reading. I would find myself reading way past my bedtime. 

Evie was a sweetie and The Villain was evil but there is a heart in that chest still. You especially feel for him and turn to his side when you find out his origin story. F that King!!!! Let the whole kingdom burn!!!!

I'm glad the romance wasn't the central part of the story and there wasn't a lot of spiciness here. There is pining and obvious attraction, but there are things to do and evilness to spread.  

I do wish the worldbuilding was better. I couldn't remember a thing about this fantasy world. Maybe we'll see more in book 2. I want to know more pleasssseeee!

The ending pissed me off. HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME LIKE THIS? >_> It leaves us with a super cliff-hanger. GAH. 

All-in-all, I did like this. The beginning was ROUGH for me, but I eventually found myself needing to read this late into the night. The characters are all fun. I do want more world-building and I'm not amused with the ending right now. I can't wait to read book 2. 3 stars from me. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Amusing

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #29