Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Summary
Overview of Assistant to the Villain
From TikTok sensation to NYT #2 bestseller, "Assistant to the Villain" blends workplace comedy with fantasy romance in a world where sunshine meets villainy. BookTok's darling phenomenon has captivated 300,000+ readers with its fresh take on the grumpy/sunshine dynamic.
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Key takeaways
When Darkness Becomes Home
Evie's life changes forever when she follows crimson droplets through Hickory Forest and meets not the injured animal she expected, but a man in an embroidered black cloak. This encounter shatters her preconceptions about the kingdom's most feared outlaw. The wanted posters depict a grotesque monster, yet before her stands a young man with piercing emerald eyes and aristocratic bearing. When the king's Valiant Guards interrupt this strange meeting, an arrow meant for The Villain grazes Evie's back. Rather than abandoning her, he guides her to his infamous fortress, "Massacre Manor." There, impressed by her "cutthroat thinking," he offers her a position as his personal assistant. Their handshake - warm and human, not the icy grip of legend - seals more than an employment agreement. It marks the beginning of a journey that will challenge everything they believe about good and evil, and about themselves. Five months into her unusual employment, Evie has adapted remarkably well. Finding severed heads hanging from the ceiling (one is acceptable; three means her boss is in a mood) and avoiding stray body parts on the floor has become routine. Her mother always said "normal" was for those unable to stretch their minds - and Evie's mind has certainly stretched. Despite managing The Villain's schedule of torture and murder, she maintains a cheerful demeanor that both puzzles and intrigues her employer. The castle's peculiar workplace ecosystem includes jealous Becky, friendly ogre chef Edwin who shares romance novels during kitchen breaks, and Tatianna, the pink-accessorized healer who demands "two secrets" as payment for magical treatments. In this strange environment, Evie finds something she never experienced in her village - belonging.
Traitors, Bombs, and Unexpected Protection
The Man Behind the Mask
Magic, Bonds, and Family Betrayals
The True Villain Revealed
From Assistant to Avenger
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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