Villain’s Assistant (Hardcover) — Hannah Nicole Mercer

Villain’s Assistant by Hannah Nicole Mercer is a witty romantic fantasy novel set in the kingdom of Renedown. When Evie Sage accidentally enrages the kingdom’s notorious villain, she is offered a job as his personal assistant and takes it out of necessity to support her ill father and sister. This leads her into a dark, comedic world of courtiers, rumors of decapitated heads, and an employer shrouded in terrifying myths.

But Evie soon discovers that her boss, Tristan Meverin—legendary villain with a scarred face and rumored to rip out hearts—is actually enigmatic, handsome, and disturbingly charming. As they navigate sabotage plots, hidden threats against the empire, and loyalty tests, Evie finds herself torn between fear and an unexpected attraction. This 448-page hardcover edition (Vivat, 2025) layers romantic tension, dry humor, and subtle danger in a richly imagined dark fantasy world—perfect for fans of romantic fantasy with a twist.