Book Summary - Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
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In this episode of Literature on the Rocks…
we’re headed straight to the dungeons—but like, in a totally romantic and HR-questionable way. We’re breaking down Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, a book that’s one part fantasy, one part rom-com, and one part “how is this morally gray man somehow the hottest person we’ve ever read?” If you like your romance with sharp blades, snarky banter, and just a hint of danger, this one’s for you.
We’re talking all about Evie, the peppy assistant with a deeply questionable resume (but a heart of gold), and the Villain, who might be more cinnamon roll than chaos bringer. In our deep dive summary, we cover everything from that iconic creaky door laugh to the actual sounds of death (spoiler: it's mostly sarcasm), and the awkward adorableness of a dark lord who’s shockingly prudish when it comes to physical touch. Somewhere between beheadings and budget reports, love blooms—and honestly? We’re here for it.
Whether you’ve already devoured the book or are curious if fantasy rom-coms are your vibe, come sip and snark with us as we recap all the sword-sharpened sexual tension and delightful workplace dysfunction.
And speaking of delightful...
Evie’s Mead-tini Recipe
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz pear vodka
1 oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain is the classic)
¾ oz honey
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Dash of orange bitters
Garnish: edible flower or a dried pear slice (Renaissance glamour, darling)
Directions:
combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously—preferably like you’re dodging HR complaints from the Dark Lord himself. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass, then top it off with a flourish: an edible flower or a dramatic dried pear slice for that extra touch of villainous flair.
Want to share your thoughts on whether the Villain is actually a just an overachieving introvert with a sword? Head over to our website or socials to answer this week’s book prompts—we just might feature your response on the pod.
