Accomplice to the Villain book review
Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Series: Assistant to the Villain #3
on August 5, 2025
Goodreads
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.
There will be mild spoilers for the first two books so please don’t read this book unless you want to be spoilt. I have done a review for the first two here. Accomplice to the Villain was such a lovely easy read, this series has such a wonderful place in my library, and this one was no exception. In fact I really enjoy where the plot seems to be going especially with the latest twist.
We once again follow Evie and The Villain as they try to work through completing the prophecy before King Benedict. Hot on the trail of the various magical items and shaken by the knowledge their destiny is to be ruined by each other Trystan has vowed to stay away from Evie for her won sake, hence a lot of yearning and miscommunication. Not only are they all coming together but there is someone working against them from within the manor.
I think this might be my second favourite book in the series, just behind the first one. When I say the banter in this book hit a whole new level I’m not even kidding. I think Evie carried this entire book with her innuendos, one liners and genuine need for violence. Personally, The Villain’s reactions were what made it even better, I don’t think I have read a character that I could feel their discomfort through the page. I really enjoyed the different perspectives, especially for the different side characters. I was excited to see their different views and how they were impacted by everything going on.
Once again, this book felt like such a cozy read and one that I am so happy I found. I cannot wait for the next book, especially with the cliffhanger at the end. I’m not sure where the story is going to go and I cannot for the life of me work out what the twist is going to be. But I can’t wait to find out just how Evie and The Villain’s destiny entwines and how everything works out.
Another recommendation for me, especially if you’re looking for something similar to Legends & Lattes, Spellshop or My Roommate is a Vampire. These books are genuinely just a cute and cozy romance fantasy, with a lot more plot than smut which is always nice.
