Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Hannah Nicole Maehrer has published 5 books across 2 series. The recommended reading order starts with Assistant to the Villain (2023).
Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a fantasy romance author and BookTok creator known for her interest in villains. Before writing novels, she gained popularity on BookTok, where she creates bookish comedy skits, often focusing on the dynamic between villains and their assistants. She also writes while listening to Taylor Swift songs, and her passions include romance, magic, and laughter, which she weaves into her work. Maehrer made her debut as a novelist in 2023 with Assistant to the Villain, the first book in a series that became a #1 New York Times bestseller. She continues to write fantasy romance, often finding inspiration with "her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand."
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Anthologies
- Tagsshort-storiesfantasyromanceDescriptionSome stories are meant to be savored slowly, like wine by candlelight—and this anthology is a decadent pour. Twelve romantasy tales from powerhouse authors including Olivie Blake, Kelley Armstrong, Katherine Arden, and Hannah Nicole Maehrer deliver all the swoon-worthy tension you crave, wrapped in magic and myth. Here's the promise: enemies who can't stop circling each other, academic rivals whose arguments crackle with unspoken heat, convenient marriages that bloom into something devastatingly real. A monster slayer pretends to be a sacrifice and meets a prince with unexpected morals. Lost lovers reappear with motives as tangled as old vows. Every trope you've ever loved gets reimagined—ghostly ballrooms, disparate timelines, even dragons who need rescuing from princesses instead of the other way around. What makes this collection sing is its inventiveness. These aren't paint-by-numbers romances dressed up in fantasy window dressing. Each story takes a familiar setup and twists it sideways, finding fresh emotional ground in well-worn territory. Whether you're here for the slow-burn rivals-to-lovers tension or the high-stakes second chances, there's a story that will grab you by the heart and refuse to let go. Perfect for when you want romance that doesn't play it safe.Publication dateJune 24, 2025Amazon rating3.8/5Print length383LanguageEnglishPublisherTitan Books
Order of Assistant to the Villain Books
- TagsfantasyromancemysteryDescriptionEvie Sage needs a job. Desperately. Her family is sick, the bills are piling up, and then she accidentally stumbles into an interview with the kingdom's most feared Villain. He offers her a position. She takes it. What choice does she have? The office isn't what you'd expect. There are severed heads hanging from the ceiling. Eyeballs underfoot. Random acts of mayhem. But the benefits are excellent, and her boss—terrifying, temperamental, undeniably hot—pays on time. Evie tells herself not to develop feelings. She fails. Just as she's settling into the rhythm of working for evil incarnate, things start going wrong. Someone is sabotaging the Villain's operations from the inside. There's a traitor in the dungeon, and it's not the rats. Something is rotting in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and if Evie doesn't figure out who's behind it, her boss and his entire dark empire could fall. Now she's got two problems: resist the attraction simmering between her and the Villain, and root out the saboteur before it's too late. Because good jobs are hard to find, especially when they come with dental and the occasional severed limb. This is romantic fantasy with a deliciously dark twist—funny, swoony, and refreshingly weird.Publication dateSeptember 14, 2023Amazon rating4.4/5Print length348LanguageEnglishPublisherTransworld Digital
- TagsfantasyromancemysteryDescriptionEvie Sage is thriving in her role as assistant to The Villain—yes, that Villain, the outrageously handsome (though don't tell him that, it's terrible for his brand) evil overlord who's made her working life unexpectedly rewarding. But when the kingdom's magic starts behaving strangely and enemies close in on The Villain's manor, Evie faces her most dangerous assignment yet: protecting not just her boss's lair and nefarious schemes, but possibly the entire kingdom of Rennedawn. No pressure. What sets this apart is Maehrer's gleeful inversion of fantasy tropes—here, the villain is the hero, optimism is a workplace violation, and our plucky heroine finds her calling not in saving the day but in learning treason, dagger work, and enemy conspiring. The tone is deliciously irreverent, balancing workplace comedy with genuine stakes as Evie steps out of her comfort zone to become more than just an assistant. She's ready to level up. To become an apprentice. The real magic here isn't just in the kingdom—it's in watching Evie discover that working for the dark side can be delightfully fun, especially when catastrophe looms and she's the only one who can hold everything together. Sharp, witty, and refreshingly self-aware, this is fantasy that knows exactly what it's doing and invites you to enjoy every wicked moment.Publication dateAugust 6, 2024Amazon rating4.5/5Print length354LanguageEnglishPublisherEntangled: Red Tower Books
- TagsfantasymysteryromancecrimeDescriptionWhat happens when your dream job turns out to be working for the kingdom's most feared villain—and you're kind of into it? Evie Sage just needed a paycheck. She didn't expect to become the right-hand woman to a brooding, sharp-jawed Evil Villain with a penchant for murder plots and magical mayhem. The job description mentioned "light paperwork and occasional beheadings." It did not mention the weaponized scones. Or the judgmental crowned frogs. Or the entirely inappropriate crush she's developed on her walking-disaster boss. Now Evie's navigating assassins in the break room, unraveling magical prophecies, and trying desperately not to set the kingdom—or her dignity—on fire. Being evil-adjacent wasn't part of her five-year plan. Neither was catching feelings for The Villain himself. But here she is, knee-deep in treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and a romance that absolutely should not be happening. This is Once Upon a Time colliding with The Office in the best possible way. Hannah Nicole Maehrer's viral TikTok series turned novel is a magical office comedy that's equal parts snarky banter, chaotic workplace shenanigans, and swoon-worthy tension. Grumpy bosses. Sarcastic frogs. Definitely-not-feelings that are absolutely feelings. If you've ever had a crush on your boss or just love a good villain redemption arc with laughs, this one's for you.Publication dateAugust 5, 2025Amazon rating4.4/5Print length386LanguageEnglishPublisherEntangled: Red Tower Books
- TagsfantasyromanceDescriptionHannah Nicole Maehrer returns with the second installment in her Assistant to the Villain series, and the stakes have never been higher. The Villain's empire is crumbling. His assistant Evie Sage is still by his side, but trust is a luxury neither can afford when betrayal lurks in every shadow. This isn't your typical fantasy romance. Maehrer flips the script entirely, planting readers firmly in the camp of the so-called bad guy. The result is a world where moral lines blur, where loyalty matters more than righteousness, and where the real villains might be the ones wearing crowns. Evie's sharp wit and the Villain's dark charisma crackle on every page, their dynamic equal parts banter and genuine stakes. The sequel deepens everything the first book promised. The humor is sharper. The danger is real. Maehrer doesn't coast on the novelty of her premise—she builds on it, layering in genuine mystery and emotional complexity. Fans of the first book will find themselves pulled deeper into this morally gray world, where choosing sides isn't about good versus evil but about who you trust when everything falls apart. It's clever, it's addictive, and it proves Maehrer knows exactly what she's doing with this series.Publication dateAugust 4, 2026Print length368LanguageEnglishPublisherEntangled: Red Tower Books
Frequently Asked Questions about Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Hannah Nicole Maehrer's books are primarily part of series, and reading them in order is recommended to follow the narrative arcs and character development. The Assistant to the Villain series has a clear chronological progression. There is also a standalone anthology titled The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic, which is a separate work. For the fullest experience, begin with the first book in the Assistant to the Villain series and proceed through the subsequent titles as they are released.
To begin with Hannah Nicole Maehrer, start with Assistant to the Villain, published in 2023. This is the first book in the Assistant to the Villain series, which follows a continuous storyline and character progression. Reading this book will introduce you to the world and main characters, providing a solid foundation for understanding the subsequent installments in the series. It is the entry point for Maehrer's most established series.
Yes, it is best to read the books in the Assistant to the Villain series in order. The narrative builds from one book to the next, featuring ongoing plotlines and character relationships that are best understood when experienced chronologically. While some elements might be decipherable out of order, the intended reading experience and the full impact of the story are preserved by following the sequence of publication. This approach ensures a complete understanding of the unfolding events.
Hannah Nicole Maehrer writes primarily series, with the Assistant to the Villain series being her most prominent work to date. This series features interconnected books that follow a continuous plot and character development. She also has an anthology, The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic, which is a separate work. At this time, her published books are either part of this series or standalone anthologies.
As of late 2024, Hannah Nicole Maehrer has written two published books, Assistant to the Villain (2023) and Apprentice to the Villain (2024). Several more books are planned for the Assistant to the Villain series, with titles extending into 2026. Additionally, an anthology titled The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic is slated for release in 2025. The total number of published books is currently small, but her series is expanding.
The first book Hannah Nicole Maehrer wrote and published is Assistant to the Villain, released in 2023. This novel marked the beginning of her well-known Assistant to the Villain series. It introduces the core characters and the central premise of the story, setting the stage for the subsequent books in the series. This title serves as the starting point for readers interested in her work.
Hannah Nicole Maehrer's most recent published book is Apprentice to the Villain, released in 2024. This is the second installment in the Assistant to the Villain series. The book continues the story from the previous novel, further developing the characters and plot. Upcoming titles in the series are scheduled for release in the coming years, extending the narrative.
Hannah Nicole Maehrer writes books that fall into the romantic comedy and fantasy genres, often with a humorous and adventurous tone. Her primary series, Assistant to the Villain, blends elements of romance, fantasy, and lighthearted conflict. The stories focus on character dynamics and often involve magical or fantastical settings, appealing to readers who enjoy lighthearted fantasy with romantic elements.
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We verified the reading order for Hannah Nicole Maehrer's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Hannah Nicole Maehrer Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/hannah-nicole-maehrer