Overview
âAccomplice to the Villainâ is the third and final book in Hannah Nicole Maehrerâs viral TikTok-turned-novel series about Evie Sage, the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain. Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrerâs laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel that combines workplace comedy with fantasy romance. This concluding volume follows Evie and her brooding boss Trystan as they navigate magical prophecies, political intrigue, and their undeniable romantic tension.
Key Takeaways
| Theme | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Found Family | True family is chosen, not just born into |
| Workplace Romance | Love can bloom in the most unexpected professional environments |
| Moral Ambiguity | Good and evil arenât always clearly defined |
| Personal Growth | Ordinary people can become extraordinary through courage and determination |
| Loyalty vs. Duty | Sometimes personal relationships conflict with larger responsibilities |
Book Structure
The novel follows a traditional three-act structure:
- Act 1: Establishing the current crisis and magical prophecy threatening the kingdom
- Act 2: Evie and Trystanâs deepening relationship while facing external threats
- Act 3: Climactic confrontations involving political intrigue and personal sacrifices
- Epilogue: Resolution of romantic and political plotlines
The story maintains the seriesâ signature blend of workplace humor and fantasy adventure while building to an emotionally satisfying conclusion.
About the Author
Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a bestselling author who gained fame through her viral TikTok content before transitioning to publishing. The series has become an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, demonstrating the power of social media to launch literary careers. Maehrerâs background in social media storytelling shows in her accessible writing style and understanding of what resonates with modern readers. The series has attracted significant media attention, with Legendary Television acquiring the screen rights to the novel in 2023.
Why This Book Resonates
âAccomplice to the Villainâ resonates with readers because it:
- Subverts Traditional Fantasy Tropes: The âvillainâ isnât truly evil, and the âassistantâ is the real hero
- Combines Familiar Elements: Office comedy meets fairy tale fantasy in an unexpectedly perfect blend
- Features Relatable Characters: Despite the fantasy setting, characters feel like people we know
- Balances Humor and Heart: A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings
- Provides Wish Fulfillment: Who hasnât fantasized about their workplace being more exciting?
- Celebrates Found Family: Shows how chosen relationships can be stronger than blood ties
Ideal Audience
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Romantic fantasy with humor and heart
- Workplace comedies in fantastical settings
- Enemies-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine romance tropes
- BookTok and social media book recommendations
- Series conclusions that tie up loose ends satisfyingly
- Fantasy that doesnât take itself too seriously
- Strong female protagonists in unconventional roles
- Found family dynamics
- Readers aged 16+ (young adult to adult crossover appeal)
Memorable Quote
âREWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate).â
Central Themes
| Theme | Description | Character Development |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace Dynamics | The absurdity and camaraderie of office life, even in evil lairs | Shows how professional relationships can become personal |
| Redemption and Identity | Who we are vs. who others think we are | Trystanâs journey from âvillainâ to hero |
| Love Conquers Fear | Romance blooming despite dangerous circumstances | Evie and Trystan overcoming their fears to be together |
| Chosen Family | The office crew becomes a tight-knit family unit | Characters finding belonging where they least expect it |
| Good vs. Evil Complexity | Moral ambiguity in a world of supposed heroes and villains | Characters learning that people arenât simply good or bad |
| Personal Agency | Taking control of your own destiny | Evie evolving from passive assistant to active agent |
| Sacrifice for Others | What weâre willing to give up for those we love | Multiple characters making difficult choices for the greater good |
Plot Summary
Evie Sage didnât mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdomâs most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised âlight paperwork and occasional beheadings,â and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed boss.
In this final installment, with a magical prophecy threatening everything theyâve built, Evie must navigate her evolving feelings for Trystan while facing their greatest challenge yet. The story involves political intrigue as Trystan works to claim his rightful place as prince, while Evie discovers more about her own magical abilities and her crucial role in upcoming events.
Harboring a minor crush on an evil boss is quite the conundrum in this hilarious workplace fantasy with subtle rom-com undertones. In this third book in the Assistant and the Villain series, upbeat Evie and her taciturn boss, Trystan, are getting closer and closer to admitting their poorly hidden feelings for each other.
Character Development
Evie Sage: Transforms from a desperate job-seeker to a confident woman who recognizes her own worth and power. Her journey shows growth from passive participant to active agent of change.
Trystan Maverine (The Villain): Reveals more layers as his true motivations and background become clear. His character arc involves embracing vulnerability and learning to trust others.
Supporting Cast: A talking frog named Kingsley adds comedic relief and communicates with signs, while other office workers provide both humor and heart to the found family dynamic.
Writing Style
Maehrerâs style combines contemporary dialogue with fantasy world-building, creating an accessible and entertaining narrative. The humor is character-driven rather than forced, and the romantic tension builds naturally throughout the series. The audiobook, narrated by Em Eldridge, is praised for its engaging character portrayals.
Series Context
The Assistant and the Villain series is best enjoyed in order. Reading Order: Book #1 Assistant to the Villain Book #2 Apprentice to the Villain Book #3 Accomplice to the Villain
This final book resolves the romantic and political tensions built up over the previous two installments while providing a satisfying conclusion to character arcs and plot threads.
FAQ
Q: Can this be read as a standalone? A: While entertaining on its own, the book is much more rewarding when read as part of the complete series, as it concludes character arcs and plot lines from previous books.
Q: How steamy is the romance? A: The romance is more slow-burn and emotionally focused rather than explicitly steamy, making it accessible to a broad age range.
Q: Is this appropriate for young adults? A: Yes, while it has crossover appeal for adults, the content is appropriate for readers 16 and up.
Q: How does the humor work in a fantasy setting? A: The comedy comes from treating fantastical situations with modern workplace sensibilities, creating amusing contrasts.
Q: Will there be more books in this universe? A: As this is positioned as the final book in the trilogy, the main story arc concludes, though the author hasnât ruled out future projects in the same world.
Final Thoughts
âAccomplice to the Villainâ succeeds as both a satisfying conclusion to its series and a standalone testament to the power of finding your people. The emotionally rich conclusion of the Assistant to the Villain series provides closure while celebrating the themes that made the series popular.
The bookâs greatest strength lies in its ability to balance multiple elementsâworkplace comedy, fantasy adventure, romantic tension, and found family dynamicsâwithout any element overwhelming the others. Maehrer has created characters that feel real despite their fantastical circumstances, making their emotional journeys resonate with readers.
The series as a whole demonstrates how modern storytelling can revitalize classic tropes, proving that thereâs always room for fresh takes on familiar formulas when executed with heart and humor.
Cultural Impact and Social Media Success
The series represents a successful transition from social media content to published literature, showing how platforms like TikTok can launch literary careers. The books have sparked discussions about workplace dynamics, found family, and the redefinition of traditional fantasy roles, particularly around the concept of villains and heroes.
The series has built a strong community of fans who appreciate its blend of accessibility and emotional depth, proving that books donât need to be serious to be meaningful.
