I am having such fun listening to the Assistant to the Villain series and dove right into the third audiobook, Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. Narrated by Em Eldridge, this romcom fantasy just keeps getting better. Suspense, humor, swoons and more await you. Fair warning; you’ll want the next book immediately!
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Series: Assistant to the Villain #3
Narrator: Em Eldridge
Length: 15 hours and 24 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.
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.
While Accomplice to the Villain was heavier on the plot twists than humor, I absolutely love this magical, found family, grumpy-sunshine fairy tale fantasy. As with most fantasy, it is important to listen to this series in the order of its release.
Maehrer delights listeners with these rich characters, plot twists and reveals. I love our grumpy villain and his obvious affection for Evie Sage. Their grumpy-sunshine relationship and banter have me all in, and I desperately want my happily ever afters. You’ll won’t want to miss the action as Evie and the rest work to stop a magical prophecy.
If you love slow-burning romances filled with yearning, banter and sizzling chemistry, this series is for you. Swoon.
I love all the mayhem and characters found throughout the story. From the crown-wearing Frog, who holds up signs to those in the office, each is unique and memorable. I loved how we got to learn some of the secondary characters’ stories in this latest installment.
I honestly thought going in that this was a trilogy, so the twist at the end and the cliffhanger had me both frustrated and excited. The author dangled just enough to leave me salivating. We saw progress in the overall series arc, and I cannot wait for more.
Em Eldridge gives voice to these characters and multiple points of view. She helps establish the tone of this series. I love all the different voices, both male and female. She truly captures Evie’s personality, emotions and inner dialogues.
This series is a must for fans of found family, light fantasy with romance and lots of humor. It’s truly a feel-good escape that stays with you long after the audio has ended.
About Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Hannah Nicole Maehrer—or as TikTok Knows her, @hannahnicolemae—is a fantasy romance author and BookToker with a propensity for villains. When she’s not creating bookish comedy skits about Villains and Assistants, she’s writing to Taylor Swift songs. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates. Most days you can find her with her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand.
About Em Eldridge
Em Eldridge's audiobook career really began when her little sister was born and she started reading to her. Em has narrated over 100 titles and has earned an Earphones Award from AudioFile magazine and a Voice Arts Award. She loves playing the piano and singing along when no one's listening.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Audiobook Challenge
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
This series just sounds like a lot of fun. I hope I can fit it in sometime. Great review!
Katherine
I read and thoroughly adored the first book – so much so that I pre-ordered the second one. Of course somehow I’ve yet to get to the second book but I’m looking forward to reading it – and now looking forward to this one!
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I just saw that the first and maybe second book is on Hoopla and I want to listen to it. I’ve seen such good things about this series!
Bree Dalton
I need to give this series a shot.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I think I’d like these and maybe I can read them when the series is complete. Great review!
Mary Kirkland
I do like a slow burn romance and this sounds good.