Excellent second part to this halirious and exciting fantasy series.

After Evies daring rescue of the villian they work together to try and fulfil a prophecy to save the land of being drained of magic. We are privy to new revelations, the complexity of family and new secrets that could spell destruction for everyone.

Once again I am overwhelmed by my love of this series and its characters. Kingsley is on point with his signs bringing many laugh out loud moments. The exploration of Beckys and Evies family deepens our understanding of both women and how similar they truly are.
The tantalising slow burn between The Villian and Evie is as frustrating as it is necessary, Love is complex and trauma, professional relationships, being wanted criminals is obviously going to affect how romantic entanglements develop. The Villians fear that he is not good enough for Evie and that he will hurt and change her shows a level of vulnerability to Trystan. Pushing her away as often as he can. Although there is only so much rejection a girl can take, so I am looking forward to see how Evie takes this challenge in hand.

Evie gets a promotion, The Villain gets a premonition.

This is a sequel to the highly popular “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. Evie Sage got a job working for the public enemy number one in a fantasy kingdom, found that the work was actually very rewarding, and committed the ultimate crime of falling for her boss. In this book, our favourite chaotic ray of sunshine has mellowed The Villain (aka Trystan) somewhat, but the influence has seemingly gone both ways, as a darkness is growing in her too.

I really liked the first book. Evie and Trystan have a sort of Harley and The Joker energy, but instead of being completely toxic, they are actually almost wholesome. Both are very much in love but don’t act on it, and just support each other as best they can, while quietly (and not so quietly) yearning. They do bad things, but generally for good reasons, and will probably end up saving the entire kingdom (if not the King) by the end of the series.

I will say, if you are not into the slowest of slow burn romances, you might find it quite frustrating when every step forward seems to bring yet another reason why they can’t be together. I would keep in mind that this is book two of at least a trilogy, so if you go into it with the expectations that should come from such a middle chapter, you will definitely enjoy the experience more, even if you shout at the protagonists to just get it on already. Other office romances start too, so now you even have parallel slow burns happening. It’s almost as if the author particularly enjoys torturing her readers. Almost.

Some of my favourite things about the story are the varied side characters who get a lot more time here, including some new POV sections. We find out more about Evie’s family, and the other people who work for The Villain. Kingsley the magical frog remains my favourite, holding up little signs commenting on the plot at opportune moments.

Generally the stakes are raised, and plots are twisted. It’s a fun setting, mixing an office sitcom with a fantasy world. I’m not sure I would exactly call it cosy, given the amount of casual beheading involved, but it’s still relatively light. I am now as frustrated as our main characters, and eagerly awaiting the next book for some release!

Thanks to Random House for the early review copy.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 | 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐞𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐫 | 𝟒.𝟓*

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
⟡ Lighthearted fantasy
⟡ Found family
⟡ Morally grey characters
⟡ Slow burn romance
⟡ Multi POV
⟡ Mutual pining

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I really am in over my head with this series!

There’s always a worry that a book series will have a ‘one hit wonder’ and then the spark will be lost. Not only does this series still carry the spark, it’s practically on fire.

I loved loved loved this book. It was full of evil excellency, magic, dragons, and unflattering wanted posters. Both books in this series have provided the most entertaining mental imagery that reminds me what I love about fantasy: anything is possible.

The characters are genuinely so lovable. Becky From HR has an incredible arc in this one and the dynamics between her and Evie shift subtly and positively. Though the main romance is full of delicious tension, particularly from The Villain’s point of view where he’s all ‘villain. must. torture.’ And then melts when moonlights hits Evie’s hair a certain way so he cooks her dinner.

There are also delicious sub-romances going on that are pretty directly implied and if the author refuses to allow this immoral little family to have their happily ever afters, I may have to look into a career change and immediately take charge of a dark fortress where I enslave authors to write alternative endings.

Anyway, the Assistant To The Villain Book 3 is my first official preorder of 2025!

𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴?” 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦.

“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴”—𝘌𝘷𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥—“𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰.”

“𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 “𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦” 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰, 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”

“𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.”

Oh. My. God. The Longing, the tension, the drama... everything I loved from book one was just expanded and I nearly combusted at all the sexual tension between Evie and the Villain.

If you read my review of book one, you'll know that, while I enjoyed it, I did feel there were a few things missing... namely a plot for the first 75% or so of the book, and Maehrer has clearly worked on that for the sequel. She takes the shocker ending of book one and runs with it, giving us and her characters a plan, something to work towards. It made this one more enjoyable for me, because she manages to keep the balance between plot and hijinks well balanced. We still get all the character exploration and development we got in the first book, but now there's an actual plot for them to work against, which itself is very character driven, we have Evie trying to find her mother, and the Villain still working against the King with Maehrer still asking us who the true villain of the story is.

We get a few more POV's in this book than the first. Evie, of course, our favourite villainess in training. She really is a fun character, how she constantly infuriates the villain with her bright and cheerful temperament, but she is also someone who has been betrayed by the people she thought loved her most, and in this book, we see her start to deal with that. Trystan, the Villain himself, I love his POV because it really shines a light on his character, how he's not the all evil person he was created to be, instead he's someone desperately in love with Evie, who tries not to show it on a daily/ hourly basis while also trying to save her life and soul from becoming more like him. Rebecca Erring, a character I didn't love at the start of the first book, but who quickly grew on me. We learn more about Rebecca's past in this one, which was something I really enjoyed. There's also a POV I can't talk much about without giving away spoilers, but we meet them early on. But I think my favourite addition to the characters was Evie's little sister, who is chaotic to the max, takes far too much interest in the villainy and is a little tyrant matchmaker in the workings.

Without a doubt my favourite thing about this series has been the character interaction. Not even the romance, just the general interactions between them all. It's chaotic in the best way. These are a bunch of people who care for each other, whether they're willing to admit it or not, but they're also a bunch of young adults, young adults who have yearnings and feelings and they just constantly rib each other throughout the story. Blade and Rebecca, Blade being obvious in his intentions and Rebecca never quite letting on how much she likes him. Tatiana and Claire who always seem to be coming out of the same room, dishevelled with the same lipstick on... and then there's Evie and the Villain. When I tell you the tension from book one nearly broke me, this one was almost worse. The longing, the glances, the touches, and somehow getting it from both sides made it worse. We always knew Evie was head over heels for the Villain, but seeing him yearn for her, but not wanting to drag her further into the mud was torture. I must have screamed at the book 'just shut up and kiss' a million times and when they finally did... fireworks. But Maehrer was never going to make it that easy for us, was she?

It's a fun series that doesn't really ask much of its readers. Perfect for those who love character driven stories, where the plot is about as quirky as the characters themselves. A story that is as heart-warming as it is hilarious, and one of those romances that has you grinning like an idiot at the characters antics. It's just fun, and sometimes that's all I want in a read, something I can just devour that makes me laugh out loud and not have to think too much. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll love this, and if you had issues with the lack of plot, I would give this one a go because the author absolutely worked on it. Now to get my hands on book three.

Well book 1 ended on such a cliffhanger I couldn’t wait to get into book 2!
The beginning was a little bit confusing as it doesn’t start off exactly where we left off but it does catch you up pretty quick! You fall back into this world so quickly and are consumed by Evie’s personality and her relationship with her friends!
I love Evie and how much she’s evolved in her time with Trystan! The characters are all coming together lovely! The Villain and Evie’s relationship is still the SLOWEST of burns but it is developing! SLOWLY!!
I absolutely adore this series and am now impatiently waiting for book 3!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Releases 8th August!

I absolutely adored the first book, Assistant to the Villain, so I was beyond excited to receive an ARC for this sequel. It was so good to reunite with Evie, now fully embracing her literal villain era. I loved Maehrer's ability to blend humor and fantasy, making this book an exhilarating action packed and hilarious journey from the first page to the end.

The budding still slow burn romance between Trystan, the villain, and Evie, his now apprentice, is heartwarming yet a little frustrating. It feels hot and cold, and whilst I'm still absolutely rooting for them to finally get together, it's beginning to drag on a little too much. Nonetheless, I'm still invested completely and will probably scream when Trystan confesses to his little tornado!

Despite a somewhat baffling beginning that made me question my memory of the previous book, the story soon explains itself and delivers captivating twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. As before, it's written from third person POV and switches every few chapters. We do get extra characters' POVs which added more intrigue, and shock when the betrayals begin. The friendships, interactions and dialogue was perfect, the found family trope will always be one of my favourites to read, and Maehrer does it so well!

The ending does leave on a cliffhanger once more- one that I did anticipate- but I'm still so excited for the third and final book. I can't wait to see if the 'villains' accomplish saving the world, and what comes next for Evie and co!

5/5 🌟

Middle book syndrome? Not here. If anything this is richer and more satisfying than the first one and I basically inhaled it in a day. It has a plot that skips along breathlessly, plenty of character development for those we already know and one newcomer in particular, and right in the centre of it all, two people quietly desperate for each other and so many things keeping them apart. Not least themselves: it’s a slow burn that’s by turns frustrating, hilarious and heartbreaking. I adore Evie’s relentless, chaotic optimism and every single interaction with the Villain, and I can’t help smiling every time Kingsley produces one of his signs. I cannot wait to see how the plot and all the loose ends play out… but unfortunately I’m going to have to.

Thank you for sending me this ARC of Apprentice to the Villain. I loved assistant to the villain so much and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second instalment in the series so I am so grateful to receive this copy. I absolutely loved this book. I was gripped from start to finish. Evie and Trystan are the perfect slow burn romance, I cannot wait to see it develop even more in the next book. I loved seeing more of the other characters as well. An amazing book! Don’t know how I’ll last another year for the next one! Thank you again.

This series has had my hooked from line 1, from the chill hanger ending of book 1, I couldn't wait to pick up book 2! The villian had me swooning constantly and I have loved reading his character growth from grumpy loner to realise how much he loves Evie. My heart broke when the king showed him evies body and him taunting him that she didn't suffer much had me wanting to kill him myself.

Evies character growth is utter perfection and I'm absolutely living for evies villian era!
"Hello, little tornado" had me giggling and kicking my feet!

This was my most anticipated book of the year and it did NOT disappoint.

The second book in Hannah Nicole Maehrer's series, Apprentice to the Villain, continues the thrilling journey of Evie and the enigmatic Villain, delivering an experience that felt to me like an adult version of a Disney movie - charming, magical and utterly heartwarming.

This installment captivates from the first page, weaving a narrative rich with adventure and moments that left me constantly smiling throughout.

Overall, Apprentice to the Villain is a delightful read that masterfully combines humor, adventure, and poignant social commentary. Hannah Nicole Maehrer has crafted a world that is as enchanting as it is thought-provoking, making this series a must-read for anyone looking for a book that can make them grin from ear to ear whilst whizzing them away to a fantastic and magical world.

I have no idea how I am meant to wait until 2025 for book three. That cliffhanger…I am left feeling like Kingsley with a little sign reading “send help”.

Thank you to Penguin for allowing me to review this early copy. Beyond grateful to have read one of my must buy authors a month early!

If you look up grumpy x sunshine in the dictionary you’ll get this book. What a fantastic follow-up to Assistant to the Villain.

Evie Sage returns, and with a promotion. Following from where we left off, this book goes straight into drama, longing and villanousness. We meet a whole host of new and exciting characters, all with a fantastic side of charm and wit - Maehrer has such a way of writing fantastic characters.

If you loved the first book you won’t me be disappointed with this one. You’ll also be counting down the days for the final book in the series.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

One of my most anticipated sequels for the year and I was lucky enough to recieve an eARC less than 48 hours ago - I have devoured this book. I am absolutely in love with the way Hannah writes, so sassy and imaginative. This sequel just did not disappoint. I love the direction that this trilogy is going, it kept me guessing throughout the story and the whole thing is just so damn satisfying. Shaping up to be one of my favourite book series.

It’s always difficult to review a sequel. If you liked the first in the series you will like the second. This is a parody/satire of a the super hero genre. I liked it.

I love all these characters so much, I just wanna squish them! A compelling sequel and we get to see Evie blossom into the villain she is destined to be! I can’t wait for the next book after that cliffhanger! 4.5 stars

To say I devoured this book is an understatement! This book starts with the villain in the kings dungeons, it broke my heart seeing his reaction to seeing sage and thinking she had been killed.
Sage really is fierce and protective of those she loves and seeing her with her friends and family really made me happy.
I just couldn’t get enough of how protective and possessive the villain is in this book! He is obsessed with sage and I am living for it!
I love when a book has duel pov, so having a few different really did make me happy
As with the first book I found myself smiling and laughing, loving the banter and feeling in this book.
The villain is possessive and cheeky and I love seeing this side to him. I am loving the tension between sage and the villain and can’t wait to see what happens with them.
I am loving the storyline and really can’t wait to see what happens next
Ahhh the ending of this book!! How can you end the book like this 😵

-possessive mmc
-loveable fmc
-found family
-fun easy read

I initially struggled to get into this book as I couldn't really remember much from the first one, and you are thrown head first into the action. This definitely had some of the fun of the first one and it was interesting to see the characters and relationships developing more, though the multiple pov chapters were a little unnecessary.