Whip smart and laugh out loud funny, Hannah’s writing just keeps getting better and better. How she manages to wrangle such a huge ensemble cast, giving each of them and their respective budding relationships a moment to shine, is truly a feat to be marveled at. With as many different POVs as this story follows, it would have been so easy to lose the reader each time it jumped, especially as Hannah has the magical ability to leave each chapter on its own mini cliffhanger. But every character is compelling and each POV is needed to convey the entire story so it was never a burden to jump around.
Even as someone who tends to lean more towards instalove than slow burn, I was (and continue to be) fully invested in this love story. Hannah knows exactly how to give just enough to keep the reader coming back for more without feeling like the burn is being drawn out unnecessarily. And while I go absolutely feral over all romantic plot lines, it’s truly the found family that ties this one together in the perfect little bow. Hannah has lovingly and beautifully built this group brick by brick and it is everything I could have ever asked for.
And the twists and turns this story takes? Masterful. Even when you think you know what’s coming (and even if you’re right), Hannah finds a way to turn the entire world upside down, throwing you completely off your axis. It doesn’t matter if you can see it coming from a mile away or if you had no idea it was coming, the plot points meant to get you dropping your jaw will do just that.
If you love to be teased with all kinds of delicious tension while still being able to giggle and kick your feet, you need to run and pick up a copy of ACCOMPLICE TO THE VILLAIN right now! But make sure you’ve also got copies of ASSISTANT TO THE VILLAIN (if you’re a special edition fan, a special deluxe hardcover edition is coming September 16, 2025 and you can grab that here) and APPRENTICE TO THE VILLAIN to read first!
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review. If you purchase a copy using my Bookshop affiliate link above, not only will I receive a small commission (which will fuel my coffee and tea addiction and help to keep me up all night reading more books to recommend to you), but you will be supporting indie bookstores like my local fave Linden Tree Books! If you prefer Amazon, visit my Amazon storefront and click on the list titled "2025 Book Recommendations."
