book review | assistant to the villain by Hannah Nicole Maeher
spoiler free review ๐ง๐ป๐ฎ๐
โญ๏ธ: 3 ๐ถ๏ธ: none ๐๐ผ: medium
tropes/themes
- fantasy - grumpy x sunshine - workplace rom-com - slow burn - mystery
happy UK release day to @hannahnicolemae & thank you @what_emreadnext for sending me an ARC copy, I am so grateful! ๐ค
plot:
โจ desperate for employment, Evie takes up the opportunity to become the assistant to the notorious Villain, even though his morals areโฆ questionable.
instead of drooling over her boss, she must figure out who is sabotaging his work. โจ
this book is such a cozy lil fantasy book with elements of romance. this book is perfect if youโre in the mood for a cute and low-stakes, slow burn. it was was refreshing to read an adult novel without smut - itโs not necessary in every book. i found myself giggling throughout this plot, especially at Evieโs inner monologue.
i did, however, feel like the author brushed over some important ideas in this book. i wish we could have seen more of the villains โevil doings,โ and why he is perceived as the bad guy.
this book does end on an cliff-hanger and book left me questioning the loyalty of EVERY character. who could be the traitor??
characters:
each character is enjoyable, especially Evieโs bubbly and quirky personality in contrast The Villain. she is so dedicated to her family and she is not afraid to get under the Villainโs skin.
The Villain is SO SMITTEN but will never admit his soft spot. i loved how much he paid attention to Evie and even his employees. In this world, he is definitely misunderstood and i canโt wait to see how his story develops.
writing:
this was an easy read and I found both pov humorous. i loved how the writing itself wasnโt too serious, establishing an easy-going narrative.
overall: this book has amazing main characters with interesting personalities and backgrounds. i do prefer more action and world building for my own personal taste. however, if youโre looking for a cute, low-key fantasy book with a HOT morally grey boss, this one is for you.
โญ๏ธ: 3.75 ๐ถ๏ธ: 2.25 ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ: medium pace ๐: paperback (gifted)
tropes/themes:
- dislike to lovers - slow burn - travel romance - grumpy x sunshine - travel blogger - forced proximity
journalist Dylan wins a radio contest to vacation around the worldโฆ the catch? her travel partner was randomly selected in her phone contacts - Jack, the random guy she kissed on the night out. ๐ซฃ
thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk for allowing me to participate in the romance read-along!
โ๏ธ writing: i found the style very blunt and humorous, and easy to read.
๐บ๏ธ plot: the plot was heavily focused on blogging and travelling writing, which I found interesting as iโm literally a โจ blogger!โจ some scenes were especially powerful, when Dylan was discussing the dangers of social media and how brutal internet trolls can be. it was also very touching to read how she received so many comments violating her own bodily autonomy, which iโm sure a lot of women can relate to online and in reality. :(
i did feel like the sight seeing and visiting the different locations were quite glossed over - i feel like there could have been more?
i did find the book to not be very consistent with the pacing. i was really intrigued from the start, but midway began to slow. nonetheless, i still found this book enjoyable!
๐ characters: the relationship began very cold, with lots of blunt humour. i loved how naturally the characters progressed and i found their relationship so healing!!! both characters learned to do what makes them truly happy and set their boundaries with toxic family and work. they were both so supportive, and it was an incredible message that i needed to hear.
iโd also like to note that i LOVED how Jack broke gender norms - he doesnโt act like a stereotypical โtough guy.โ of course i still love my toxic and rough fictional men, but it was refreshing to see Jack being a HUMAN, with fears, worries and emotions. i loveeeed how Dylan took the lead in some intimate scenes like itโs so amazing to see !!
as this is a slow burn and a โwill they/wonโt theyโ we didnโt get to see much for their relationship advance romantically. i didnโt mind this, because sometimes i like to be left wondering how the characters continue with their life. i do agree there could have been more chemistry/development. i did love their friendship and supportiveness though!
overall: this is a sweet, slow burn romance with some fun world travelling, alongside social media/journalist drama. ๐๐
AD/PR - please note this review is my 100% honest thoughts <3
โTell me, petite pรฉcheresse, have you thought about your priest?โ
this novel is so dark and twisted, i love it.
the slow burn and tension was so addictive. i admit there was a lull in the first 100 pages, but once the story picked up, I could not put this book down.
๐ถ๏ธ writing:
Emilyโs writing is thrilling, adding plenty of depth to the characters. even the steamy established so much pent up tension, that i was dying to read on with this slow burner. though the spicy scenes were less frequent, they did not disappoint. i kinda preferred is this way as the spice felt less forceful and more organic - fitting well to the forbidden nature of the story and Cadeโs attempt to commit to his vow.
โช๏ธ plot:
to put it plainly - i loved it. i really adored the whole โmurder mysteryโ subplot which was not at all clichรฉ. the stalking scenes were some of my favourites, why I enjoyed them Iโm not sure?? i loveeee how Cade was dark and tough but had that soft spot for Amaya and her little brother. How can such a dark man be so adorable? ๐ซข and i was not expecting the plot twists!!
๐ค characters:
I admire Amayaโs devotion to her younger brother, and her strength to power through the torment of her reputation and her motherโs unpaid debt. I love how she embraces her sexuality through the art of pole dancing, as an outlet for her emotions.
A tall, fluffy haired priest with a French accent who calls me โlittle sinnerโ? Yes please.
Cade is definitely unhinged, with a monster inside of him, that feeds from destroying demons within people. though his past was devastating, it was interesting to have a glimpse into his childhood and how they impact his character and motivations in the book.
๐ง๐ฝโโ๏ธoverall: this novel has climbed to my favourites list. i loved how Cade protectiveness which melted in a need to care for Amaya. I was so invested in how his lust for Amaya really tested his oath, because loving her hurt so much.
please be warned this is probably the darkest of Emilyโs Never After Series and to always check the triggered warnings.
โญ๏ธ: 5 ๐ถ๏ธ: 4 ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ: fast pace ๐: kindle (ARC)
tropes/themes - insta-lust - marriage of convince - alpha hero - sunshine x grumpy - smutty - touch her and ๐ - alien vampire x human
โbelieve me, i want much more than your bloodโฆ i want to possess every inch of you.โ ๐ช
who ever thought i would be an alien romance girlie?? i need MORE. ๐ซฃ๐ซฃ
๐ฉธ those who know me, know that i love fast paced books with lots of spice and tension. and this novella really hit that spot. ๐ฉ
๐ฝ i was so drawn to the cover - the social media promotion of the tropes, characters and whole premise of this book made me so excited to read it!
๐ธ the writing of this book is amazing, i found it so easy to read and i loved how both main characters had a distinctive voice and personality. i was so invested in the characters.
๐ฉธ i loved Mayaโs sweetness and Torinโs grumpiness. even though the story was insta-lust, it worked well within the story and I still found it believable.
(i almost cried at the end but then again i am a very emotional person so please no judgement ๐ญ)
๐ i was so interested with all the sci-fi references and cultural differences between Maya and Torin. iโm glad these differences were addressed in a comedic way, as it made the story more understandable and interesting.
๐ค i loved the dialogue, chemistry, and banter between the characters. the spicy scenes were actually some of the best written scenes iโve ever read!!
๐ช if youโre looking for a fast paced, fun and a (very) spicy read, i recommend picking up this book! you can grab yourself a copy after the 4th of september.
๐ find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD9MMT33
๐ฝ find it on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195466613-craving-the-alien-vampire
๐ญ thank you again for allowing me to read and review your debut novella. clearly, i loved it and i canโt wait to read any feature releases. congrats again on publishing your work, Ro!!! @rosinghwrites
๐ please note i was kindly gifted this novella as an ARC, however, i will always give my honest review.
๐ถ๏ธ: 2.5 โญ๏ธ: โพ๏ธโพ๏ธ ๐: hardback ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ: fast paced
tropes/themes - war college - dragons + magic - enemies to lovers - slow burn romance - chronic illness rep
a few little thoughts: - why didnโt I read this sooner??? - Iโm struggling to put into words of how much I love this book. - I was skeptical of the hype surrounding this book but it so deserves it!!
Violet Sorrengail โก๏ธ a little frail and fragile girl who is always underestimated. โก๏ธbook lover & scribe forced into the dangerous world of a rider. โก๏ธ shows that intelligence can be as powerful as strength.
i absolutely loved every single aspect of this book. so much tension and banter between the characters. the relationships with the dragons?? the dangerous training left me on the edge of my seat. vengeance, jealously, secrets, plot twists and THE BETRAYAL??
i love when a book leaving me crying, gasping and giggling. the slow burn was so so amazing.
it was so beautifully written and I loved the world building and the development of the lore and characters, the history, the politics and family dynamics.
i just feel like a piece of me is missing after finishing this book. i need to fill the void with obsessing over the characters and waiting patiently for book two.