Evie Sage is finally getting the position she has earned β as the Villainβs true accomplice. Β However, in the meantime, they are taking βitβs complicatedβ to a whole new level β with their ongoing romantic trials. Trystanβs magic has become unstable, and Evieβs proximity and the feelings he has for her seem to make it all much worse. Β He insists Evie must keep her distance, even though thatβs the last thing either of them wants.Β Β This makes for a pretty tense office environment, along with numerous problems with the magical creatures in their care and office personnel.Β Β In this continuing chapter, the frog prince finally has his moment β Kingsley is acting strangely, and Trystan has a new charge to help his cursed friend regain his human form. Β On their journey, they dig even deeper into Trystanβs origin story of becoming The Villain, while trying to wrestle with the words of the fairy tale prophecy that keeps them apart. Β ACCOMPLICE TO THE VILLAIN thankfully has some great relationship evolutions, but more for the supporting players β Becky and Blade, Tatiana and Clare, Gideon and Keely. Β I was grateful for a little more romance to go around since Trystan and Evie have so many hurdles that I am getting whiplash.Β Β Similar to Assistant to the Villain, there is a traitor in their midst, and they must sniff out their deceit. Β Evieβs mother is also in peril with King Benedictβs meddling, as the king continues to be the major foe to our favorite anti-hero and his accomplice. Β All in all, this third chapter was a fun, breezy read with the quippy back and forth I have come to expect from the series, with more POVs than previous books. Β Maehrer recently announced that the series is getting a fourth installment β Adversary to the Villain. Β I realized this as I was coming to a close on the book, and biting my nails, wondering how all the personal relationships, curses and rivalry with King Benedict could come to a conclusion. Β So save your nails, and be prepared that the book leaves a few loose ends for the next chapter. Β Β
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THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
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.
The Assistant and the Villain series is best enjoyed in order.
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