Book Club - Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maeher

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In this episode of Literature on the Rocks…

we’re spilling all the tea from our Assistant to the Villain book club! We’re diving into the delicious messiness of morally gray characters—because who doesn’t love a dark side with a heart of gold? We debate whether we’re Team Villain or Team Golden Retriever, and ponder how we’d survive (or thrive) as the personal assistant to the realm’s most feared bad guy. Spoiler alert: it’s not as easy as scheduling meetings and dodging death threats.

We also unpack the real villain behind the scenes—Evie’s father—and how his betrayal reshapes everything we thought we knew about her story. Plus, we get into wild theories about what might have really happened to Evie’s mother, because every good fantasy needs a little mystery. If you love exploring complex characters, juicy plot twists, and the messy emotions that come with them, this episode’s your next obsession.

And to keep the vibes light and magical, here’s a mocktail inspired by our favorite assistant’s cleverness and charm.

Evie’s Elixer Mocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 oz sparkling pear soda

• 1 oz elderflower syrup

• ½ oz fresh lemon juice

• Splash of honey syrup (adjust to taste)

• Garnish: edible flower or lemon twist

Directions:

Pour the sparkling pear soda into a chilled glass. Stir in elderflower syrup, lemon juice, and honey syrup until well combined. Garnish with an edible flower or a lemon twist for that touch of Renaissance magic. Sip slowly and imagine dodging the Dark Lord’s suspicious glares with a smirk.

Ready to dive into all the twists, turns, and drama? Listen to the full episode and follow us on socials to stay in the loop for upcoming books, cocktails, and all the literary fun ahead!